I can crochet...

...as I'm sure regulars who visit my blog can confirm.

I always have a blanket or throw in progress as they don't take a lot of concentration and are things that can be done whilst watching TV.

However, it is a good many years since I made anything 'fancy'.

I have also managed to confuse myself by watching a mix of American and British videos about crochet as we both tend to have different terms for the various stitches - so I decided to attend a class.

Denise at Craft Arena had a basic refresher class advertised but unfortunately it was full so I bit the bullet and signed up for the class where we would be shown how to make a crochet necklace. The class was taken by a lovely lady called Sue Broughton and in the two hour class we completed a necklace and had a play at making one with beads - fab two hours.

So what did I do when I got home?

I dug out a ball of Rowan Egyptian DK cotton that I bought a couple of weeks ago...

...I love this dark teal colour and the yarn is so soft...

 ...and next to no time I had made another necklace (Just needs a suitable button for fastening).
This was the necklace that I completed in class...

 ...and I had a button for this so it is completely finished.
Unfortunately, Denise was out of stock of the white Rowan cotton so I bought some DMC...

...it is slightly finer but with the added beads I was really pleased with the finished look.
I had some 'Sugar & Cream' cotton yarn which is a heavier weight...

 ...and this red necklace was soon added to the stack.
I didn't have many beads left but decided to make another teal necklace...

 ...the beads are threaded onto the yarn before starting...

...and the beads are crocheted into the foundation row...

...another necklace completed...

...with beads evenly spaced around the neck edge - it looks much prettier in proper light.

Would you believe these pieces only consist of two rows of crochet - so they are very quick and easy to complete.

All I need now are some pretty buttons to act as fasteners.

Of the cotton yarns I have used so far, the Rowan is by far the nicest to work with so I think a few more colours will be jumping into my basket in the not too distant future. I also love the glass beads so will be getting some more of those (they do a lovely pearl colour that I think will look fab against the teal).

I have made and added these to my present stash for occasions coming up during the year and yes, I think a few will also end up as Christmas gifts.....................................................