After doing some physio stretches and using my rocker board I sat down on the spare room bed and looked at my craft bookshelves, scanning the spines of the crochet books. I idly picked up DK A Little Course in Crochet which I’d found in a charity shop for very little money awhile ago. I’d liked the little stitch directory and thought it was well worth the 50p, or pound charge. I found myself flicking through it and then suddenly was delving into my craft cube for some two ply mercerised cotton as instructed. Well, actually I found its rayon. I discovered a 2 mm hook too. That’s the thinnest I’ve got. But I don’t think there’s much difference between the specified 1.5mm hook and 2mm really. Only .5mm. A fine cotton (rayon) crocheted bookmark is appearing, almost to my surprise. I’ve never ever crocheted with yarn so fine, or using such a small hook. Thank goodness for Clover Amour and their comfy handles.

It’s a lovely teal blue, isn’t it?

The rayon was part of a package given years ago by one of my cousins, who had the habit of frequenting auctions and bidding on mixed lots. She would end up with all sorts of things. And consequently, so would I.

I include pictures of the yarn label because it’s almost antique, isn’t it? Or vintage rather. Can you imagine being a young child and wearing a jumper made of rayon? I can tell you that it would have a very strange feel against the skin, and god help you if you got near to an open flame! Any idea how old old this Hayfield Jewel could be? It looks 1970s or 60s to me, but really I have no idea.

If you remember using this, or seeing your mum, granny or whoever then I’d love to know!

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This week I’m reading Restless Dolly Maunder by Kate Grenville.

“Dolly Maunder was born at the end of the nineteenth century, when society’s long-locked doors were starting to creak ajar for women. Growing up in a poor farming family in country New South Wales but clever, energetic and determined, Dolly spent her restless life pushing at those doors. Most women like her have disappeared from view, remembered only in family photo albums as remote figures in impossible clothes, or maybe for a lemon-pudding recipe handed down through the generations. Restless Dolly Maunder brings one of these women to life as someone we can recognise and whose struggles we can empathise with. In this compelling new novel, Kate Grenville uses family memories to imagine her way into the life of her grandmother. This is the story of a woman, working her way through a world of limits and obstacles, who was able-if at a cost-to make a life she could call her own. Her battles and triumphs helped to open doors for the women who came after.” From Goodreads.

If you’ve never read any of superb Australian writer Kate Grenville’s work then I suggest you start with The Secret River. I’ve read it a few times and have enjoyed several others of hers too.

I whizzed through the first half of Dolly’s story very quickly in a few sittings, it’s a very compelling story.

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What are you making and reading this week?

Linking up with Kat and the gang on Unravelled Unwednesday.

Ha! Just noticed what I did there. It’s staying!