I am really enjoying playing with colours and new techniques.

I love the wool over and through action of crochet.

I love that the stitches are relatively limited so working out new effects is doable even for a beginner like me.

I have joined a washer swap organised by Jellywares.

It is my first blog swap and my first attempt at a washer.

Each swapper has to make a washer and send it and a five dollar bar of soap to their swap partner within the next month.

I love this whole new world of craft and swaps that Foxs Lane is opening up to me.

I love the idea of making a washer.

Until now all the washers in this house were shop bought and machine made but not any more.

Apparently in years gone by girls used to make washers in home economics at school and members of families each had their own.

Obviously I have some practicing to do.

None of the washers I have made so far have ended up as wide as they should and there's something a bit strange going on with the holes in the right side of the one below.

Perhaps I am using the wrong size hook or the wrong ply cotton.

But the best thing of all for me is the practicing.

I just can't stop.

The patterns for the top three squares are from 200 Crochet Blocks by Jan Eaton.

This book was a gift from my Mother-in-law to her Mother-in-law a few years ago. After her Mother-in-law died, she gave the book to me, her Daughter-in-law.

The Daisy Fancy Dishcloth pattern came from here.

The Scalloped Washcloth pattern came from here via here.