Confessions of a Yarn Addict — Finished Projects, Fair Isle Dreams & a Hint of Bellica

Well, what a week it's been at Over The Hook! Pull up a chair, grab a brew, and let me fill you in on everything that's been happening in our little crafty corner of the world…

The Quiet Sky Blanket — It's Done! 🎉

I did it. The Quiet Sky Blanket is finished! If you missed the whole journey (and the dramatic moment I finally admitted what I was making), you can catch up in the blog post where I first said the C word. Needless to say, I am absolutely made up with how it turned out. Now, about what’s next — more on that below…

Helen: A Progress Report (We Use That Term Very Loosely)

For those just joining us, allow me to set the scene. A few weeks ago, we revealed that Helen — our Helen, lovely Helen — had 31 works in progress. Thirty-one. We marvelled. We gasped. We quietly rearranged our own WIP piles and said nothing.

Then last week, in a moment of genuine heroism, Helen finished TWO projects from the pile, bringing her grand total down to a positively manageable 29. We cheered. We celebrated. We may have briefly believed in the possibility of progress.

And then, because this is Helen and Helen is a force of nature, I — and I will take full responsibility here — may have gently encouraged her to cast on a beautiful sweater for her granddaughter. Back up to 30. You’re welcome, Helen.

But this week? Oh, this week Helen has gone and added a Fair Isle jumper to the pile. A Fair Isle jumper. Because apparently 30 wasn’t ambitious enough. We are now at 31 and climbing, and I want to be very clear that I had absolutely nothing to do with this one. This one is entirely Helen.

Now. About the dragon.

Yes. The dragon. The life-size dragon. I can confirm that the life-size crocheted dragon — a project of considerable scale, ambition, and structural integrity — has been placed back in the loft. And I can also confirm, because I asked, that according to Helen this does not count as a WIP. It is simply… resting. In the loft. With the Christmas decorations and whatever else lives up there. It is not a work in progress. It is just a life-size dragon in the loft. Completely normal. Happens to everyone.

We will not be questioning this. We will simply be keeping an eye on the WIP count and reporting back weekly, as is our duty. Stay tuned. 🐉

Sashiko Workshop — Bookings Are Open! 🧵

Exciting news — our Sashiko Workshop is now live on the website and bookings are already coming in! There are still a few spaces left, so if you’ve been curious about this beautiful Japanese embroidery technique, now’s your chance. Don’t leave it too long!

And that’s not all — coming soon to the website are a Yarn Journaling Workshop and a Socks for Christmas Workshop, to name just a few. Keep your eyes peeled, they’ll be added before you know it!

Finished Projects — What a Week! 🙌

The finished projects were absolutely rolling in last week and we are HERE for it.

Lynne has finished her crochet cardigan in Stylecraft Serene Aran — and we managed to get the most wonderful photo of her in it for Instagram. Oh, and her new glasses? Let’s just say they would give Dame Edna Everage a serious run for her money. Iconic.

Becca has finished her Hexi Cardigan in Stylecraft Special DK — a classic choice that never fails to deliver.

Angie has finished her Amigurumi doll and finally brought it in for a photo — we’ve only been waiting ages! She also came in modelling a gorgeous new cardigan made for her by Paula, worked up in our dreamy Stylecraft Dream Cloud Chunky. Honestly, we were all a little bit obsessed.

The Loose Ends Are Plotting Something Special 🎄

The Loose Ends are already busy planning a very special Christmas display, and if Lynne has anything to do with it, we can expect nothing short of a pyrotechnic yarn display choreographed to music, mechanical gingerbread men, and a guest appearance from Rudolph himself. Honestly? We wouldn’t put it past her.

On a more heartfelt note, Linda is busy making pins to raise money for breast cancer charity, and Heather has churned out yet another charity blanket — the woman is an absolute machine and we adore her for it.

The Loose Ends are also planning a very special fundraising day on 23rd October for Wear It Pink, the UK’s leading breast cancer charity. More details to follow — watch this space!

The Looney Yarners 🤪

They just get loonier — but this week they were missing their chief instigator, Lucy, and it’s safe to say things were noticeably calmer without her. We do have a space available in our Friday night Looney Yarners Knit & Natter group, so if you love knitting or crochet and think you’ve got what it takes to keep up with this bunch of wonderful weirdos, drop me a message! For more information on all our groups, head over to our Knit and Natter Groups page.

The Yarn Junkies 🧶

Not to be outdone, the Yarn Junkies have also been at it this week — and if the Looney Yarners are the raucous Friday night crowd, the Yarn Junkies are their altogether more refined Wednesday counterpart. The group is hosted by the wonderful Paula, with her trusty sidekick Angie on hand to lend a hook (or a hand, depending on what the project demands). Between the two of them, you are in very safe crafty hands.

They meet on Wednesdays, 10am–1pm — a perfectly civilised hour for yarn, chat, and the occasional creak from a knee that has seen a few more winters than it would care to admit. A friendly bunch? Absolutely. Squeaky knees? We cannot confirm nor deny, but the evidence is compelling.

We currently have 2 spaces available in the Yarn Junkies group, so if you fancy a gentler pace but no less love for the craft, this could be the one for you. Drop me a message for more details, or head over to our Knit and Natter Groups page to find out more about all our groups.

My Confession This Week 🤫

I know, I know — you’ve been waiting for the dramatic reveal of a shiny new project. And I hate to disappoint you, but this week my confession is that I haven’t surprised you with anything new. I’m still working on the baby blanket I mentioned last week, and after finishing Quiet Sky I am absolutely throwing everything I have at getting it done. Why the urgency? Because there is a project waiting in the wings that I have been looking forward to for a very long time…

It might involve Bellica Yarns.

BUT I MIGHT JUST KEEP YOU ALL IN SUSPENSE. 😏

Until next week — keep your needles clicking and your yarn stash growing (not that any of us need encouragement).

All the love,
Adie & David