After a frustratingly time-consuming set-back, 'Project Sunspot' is back on track. I had crocheted together about 25 rounds — 19 in the first strip, then rounded the corner to come back the other way — when I discovered the vague 'pattern' (read: trying to decipher stitches via pictures) I had been following didn't quite work as I had anticipated. Some gruelling internet searches (I even dragged poor hubby into the search — though he didn't seem as reluctant as I had expected! Perhaps he was just sick of my sulking…) later, and I *finally* found instructions that made sense. Looking back, I think part of the problem was a discrepancy between US and UK crochet terminology. Which, of course, a newbie like me doesn't pick up on quickly.

I found this Flickr sequence by Sarah London Textiles helpful.

…And this tutorial by 'Where your heart is' saved me!

Speaking of crochet, I recently discovered a secret master. My bestie's mum, Ingy, had been crocheting away for the past couple of decades, right under my nose! Hubby and I went to Ingy and Doug's for dinner last week, and I was over-awed by her amazingly intricate works. And best of all — I now own one! My first home-made gift for little George, it's so beautiful I got a little teary. I'll share it with you a little later…