The One Where I Had to Get the Scissors Out

The Parasol Is Finished! 🎉

It's done. After what feels like approximately one million rounds, the parasol is FINISHED. If you've been following along, you'll know this one's been in progress since our holiday — I was crocheting it under an actual parasol in Fuerteventura, which felt very on brand. I first mentioned it in a previous post — you can read all about that here. It's been quite the journey, but I am delighted with it. Worth every single stitch.

The Quiet Sky Blanket — A New Project Begins

In true Over The Hook fashion, the moment one project is finished, another one starts. I've begun the Quiet Sky Blanket — if you missed the blog post all about it, you can find it here. It's made up of 25 individual panels, which I'm blocking separately — and yes, I'm doing them one by one like a very patient person (I am not always a very patient person, but here we are).

For blocking, I've been using Asevi Ocean Breeze Fabric Freshener to set each panel on the blocking board. It smells absolutely gorgeous and honestly makes the whole process feel a lot more luxurious than it has any right to. I also did a reel on blocking the panels — go and find it on our socials if you want to see it in act. 

 

My Confession... Even I Make Mistakes! 😱

Now, I know this may come as something of a shock, but I have to come clean. Even I — even I — make mistakes.

The Quiet Sky Blanket has been keeping me on my toes, and not always in a good way. I have, on more than one occasion, put the corner squares on back to front. Back. To. Front. And yes, that means getting the scissors out and cutting them off. Not exactly a quiet experience. The Quiet Sky blanket has made me anything but quiet. 😅✂️

But here's the thing — I'm not alone. Debbie is also making the Quiet Sky Blanket, and she has made the exact same mistake. So either the pattern is trickier than it looks, or Debbie and I are simply kindred spirits in our corner square chaos. I'm going with kindred spirits. We're sticking together on this one. 🧶💪

Consider yourselves warned: check your corner squares. Both sides. Every time.

Francis's Mosaic Blanket — Absolutely Stunning

Now, I have to talk about Francis, because she has only gone and finished the most incredible mosaic blanket. She doubled up her yarn to get a super chunky feel, and the result is jaw-dropping. Seriously. The kind of finished object that makes you stop mid-conversation and just stare. Brilliant work, Francis — we are in awe. 🙌

The Geometric Pattern Blanket — All About the Colours

We've also got a gorgeous geometric pattern blanket on the go, worked in Stylecraft Special DK — specifically Carnation and Black. What a combination. Bold, graphic, and absolutely striking. If you're looking to get the same colours for your own project, both are available in the shop — and for the full range of Stylecraft Special DK, you'll find everything in our dedicated collection.

New In — Stylecraft Naturals Pure Wool 🐑

We are so excited to announce that we are now stocking a brand new yarn from Stylecraft — Naturals Pure Wool. And it is every bit as gorgeous as it sounds.

Made from 100% superwash wool, Naturals Pure Wool combines practicality with pure luxury. It's naturally warm and breathable, with a soft, premium finish and outstanding stitch definition — meaning every cable, texture, and colourwork design looks absolutely its best. Whether you're a knitter or a crocheter, this is the kind of yarn that makes you want to cast on immediately.

Here are the specs:

• Weight: DK
• Ball weight: 50g
• Meterage: 110 metres / 120 yards
• Needle size: 4mm
• Hook size: 4mm
• Tension: 22 sts x 30 rows to 10cm
• Composition: 100% Superwash Wool
• Care: Machine wash at 30°C. Do not tumble dry. Cool iron. May dry clean. Do not bleach. Dry flat.

There are 32 beautiful shades in the full range, all drawn from the much-loved Stylecraft Special DK palette. We're starting with the core 12 colours and will be expanding the range as we go — so watch this space!

David's Allotment Adventures — and a Very Special Bank Holiday

Meanwhile, David has been busy on a whole new venture — he's moved to a new allotment site and has well and truly settled in. This bank holiday weekend he's been in full production mode: baking, making chutneys, and generally being the most useful human being in Suffolk.

Which brings us to some exciting news: on Monday we're opening the coffee shop for the day — which we don't normally do — and we are doing a proper bank holiday spread. Think ploughman's lunches and David's absolutely legendary Homity Pie. If you've never had his Homity Pie, this is your moment. Come in, sit down, have a slice, and stay a while. You deserve it. ☕🧥

A Date Night, a Bus, and Some Very Interesting Characters

On a completely different note — David and I went on a date night! An actual, proper, out-of-the-house, not-talking-about-yarn date night. We headed into Norwich for a meal out, and we got the bus so we could both have a drink. Sensible. Romantic. Very practical.

The bus journey home was... eventful. We met some interesting characters. I'll leave it at that. You know the kind.

The restaurant itself was absolutely amazing — a steak restaurant called Estabulo, and if you haven't been, honestly go. It was brilliant. And the best bit? We had a voucher that our wonderful Friday Knit and Natter ladies bought us as a gift for the shop's birthday back in May. We've only just got around to using it, but it was so worth the wait. What a thoughtful, generous gift — we are very lucky to have such lovely people in our little community. Thank you, ladies. You are the best. 🧶❤️

And That's a Wrap... For Now!

What a week it's been. A finished parasol, a new blanket project underway, a mosaic masterpiece from Francis, a stunning geometric in the works, brand new yarn on the shelves, allotment chutneys, Homity Pie, and a very memorable bus journey home from Norwich. Just a normal few weeks at Over The Hook. 🧶

We hope to see you on Monday for the bank holiday coffee shop opening — come for the Homity Pie, stay for the yarn. As always, thank you for being part of this little community. You lot are the best thing about this job, and we mean that sincerely. ❤️

Until next time, Adie & David x