Wednesday 1 July 2015

Summerdays in Dortmund

Hi from Germany!

You might have noticed that there was no blog post last week - which is unusual as Michelle and I aim for two posts a week. The reason for the no post week? Well, we planned to publish two patterns last week and write about it on the blog with discount codes and such.


Due to unforeseen problems with paypal, the publishing did not happen. We tried to set up a joined account as we would like to use the little money from the patterns for the blog; that is give aways, promotions and such. Who would have thought, a joined account could be so complicated?! Certainly not us. Well, right now we are waiting for paypal to reply to our request. Fingers crossed it will happen soon!

On a lighter note: Summer has arrived in Germany! With full force. We have degrees above 30°C this week and for Thursday they are talking about close to 40°C. Ouch. I love the sun but I am not good with hot weather. It makes me exhausted and everything feels harder to do. Even crochet! Gasp! Germany isn't prepared for the heat like other countries (i.e. Australia), so there are hardly any air cons or even fans in the bedroom. 


What do you crochet during summer times? I am busy making lots of blankets but the larger they get, the warmer they become on my lap. Hm. I might switch to making toys for a while. Or making a sun hat. I would love to have a straw sunhat but so far I have found none that I like. Perhaps I should crochet my own?!

Did any of you crochet with straw yet? I imagine it being pretty hard on the hands but really, I have no idea!

My favourite crochet spot in the evenings!

I hope the summer sun isn't bothering you too much (or the winter cold) wherever you are!

Take care
Anne


18 comments :

  1. It's sweltering here too, and today's forecast to be even hotter. I keep my summer projects small as they're more portable. My favourite are bags, flowers and lavender bags. Hope you find some shade in which to crochet!
    Cathy x

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    1. A bit cooler here today but still hot... Making small objects in summer is such a good idea! Mmmmhhh, I love the smell of lavender....

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  2. Yuck it's too hot for me for sure. Meant to at least rain tomorrow, can't wait lol
    Did your giveaway present ever arrive by the way ? Really hoping it didn't get lost, I was very excited to post it (finally)
    Jillxo

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    1. It did arrive and I love it!! :) The hook was put to good use already!

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  3. I am amazed at such high temperatures in Germany. If your buildings aren't designed for it, it will be horrid. keep your fluids up and try to keep the air moving. Can you work your blankets on a table so they are not heating up your lap? In summer, I like to work in cotton 4 ply and thinner. Good luck in the hot weather!

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    1. Summers are getting hotter over here. And you are right: The houses aren't built for it. They are built to keep the warmth in which is nice in winter but in summer...

      The tables are to high for me to crochet on them. Hurts my arms...

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    2. Hi Anne,

      That's a shame about tables. There must be a fix for when you are determined to crochet a blanket in the summertime! Perhaps a portable bed tray to keep the blanket off your lap (but a bit lower than a table) or raising the legs of a chair at the table will raise your height above the table.

      I have been advised that working at a table is good for me because I can rest my arms on it to reduce the strain on my neck and shoulders.

      We are all different and will have different needs and solutions but it is fun to brainstorm ideas. If we have a repertoire of techniques from which to choose, we are bound to find something that works for us.

      Keep cool in both temperature and temperament! :-) Cheers! xx

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    3. I would think that working in a recliner or something that has arms would help more, it would allow you to keep your arms tucked into your body and supported. But it wouldnt solve the problem of keeping the rug off your lap :(

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  4. OH here, near Paris, the heatwave is too hard ! We had at my place 41°c !!!!!! I could'nt do anything !!! Too hot to knit or crochet or work on my fleeces !!!! Good luck with it !!!

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    1. I was in Paris three years ago in August and it was freaking hot! And the heat stayed in the city without a breeze... So hot!

      I hope it is cooler for you now!

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  5. Not sure about the hats, there are some cute cotton crochet hat patterns but I too can imagine straw being pretty tough to work with! x

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    1. Hm, I might need to look out for a ready made hat instead... I wouldn't want to have little straw bits in my fingers!

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  6. Good luck with the account, technology can be so frustrating! Looking forward to seeing the new patterns :) I am TERRIBLE in the heat, I can't do anything but look like I'm melting ;)

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    1. Fingers crossed we can work it out soon! Mich and I are so excited about the patterns!

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  7. I've tried crocheting with different materials and they all proved too difficult over a prolonged period of time. So I usually concentrate on needlework during the summer. Having said that, I've just began another woolly crochet project :-)
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. hm, I might stay with the yarn as we'll.... What are you making at the moment?

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  8. It's pretty warm here too...we aren't used to it in Scotland. I know what you mean about it being too warm to crochet blankets. I have a little blanket on the go and I'm also making a bag at the moment.
    Marianne x

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    1. A bag sounds much better for this weather than blankets... I am glad I mostly finished the two baby blankets for the babies to be born these weeks already!

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