Forays into Crochet

News flash...!

2010-06-12T13:56:00.000-06:00

Shame on me for not updating, I know. Here is the main point for this post:

I have had to do some shuffling around and there is a new address for Forays into Crochet. It is foraysintocrochet2.blogspot.com if you are still interested in reading/following! Thanks and I hope to see you there!

Impasse!

2010-04-13T15:29:00.000-06:00

I don't know if it is the weather, or the fact that I'm pregnant (yep, you read correctly! This time it's for real!!) but I have not been doing a lot of crocheting since my last post. *holds out hand for a rap to the knuckles*. I just seem to have lost my motivation. Or, conversely, I have SO many projects that I'd like to start that I can't seem to choose among them. As soon as I found out I was pregnant I lined up a bunch of things I'd like to make, mostly tops, to accomodate my belly as I get bigger. My only problem is my general lack of funds, since I haven't had a job since the beginning of February.

The shawl I was in the middle of is one I have decided to frog. The yarn (Malabrigo Lace) is very soft and very pretty and I want to use it for something that might do it more justice than that pattern. I will probably still use that pattern eventually as part of the 10 Shawls in 2010 challenge, but with a different yarn. So, now, I have to find a pattern that calls to the yarn -- or vice versa. Sigh.

A lot of my time is spent holding still, as my "morning" sickness has started to kick in at random, unpredictable times throughout the day. I prefer to lie down or curl up in my husband's easy chair and just hold still...sometimes the motion of crocheting makes me feel dizzy, even though I know that's illogical. Hopefully I will find my gusto soon and get back to hooking. I miss it, truth be told. And I also have a sister who is waiting rather impatiently for her Renaissance Tunic (sp!? I never remember how to spell that one!).

It's fixing to rain outside. I can even hear thunder. I have a pattern I need to make for my birthday swap partner, so I'm going to go dig out some yarn, battle my nausea, and get to work!

Keeping me sane.

2010-03-24T12:55:00.000-06:00

Here is a baby blanket I recently completed for my cousin, who is having a baby boy later this year.

Gwydion fancies himself a model, I think.

(of course the blanket will be washed and then stored in an airtight container before being shipped/given to my cousin for her bebe!)

My sister likes my tunic so much that she has bought the yarn for me to make her one as well. She has chosen red for her main color, and brown and a vareigated in autumn tones for her accent colors. It will be very pretty, I think. I am also still plugging along on the Malabrigo lace shawl. I've decided to only use one skein of the two I have, so it may be more of a shawlette, but that's okay. It's becoming a bit tedious, to be honest!

It's back to hooking for me.

Shame on me!

2010-03-19T14:33:00.000-06:00

I know, I know. It's been a month and a half since my last blog entry here. I apologize. It is certainly not for lack of wanting to post...mostly it's a lack of internet. We no longer have a computer in my house and so I have to come to my mom's house and use hers. It just makes it more troublesome and gives me one more excuse to be lazy and not do anything about it. That's not to say I haven't been crocheting. Oh, no. I have definitely been crocheting.

Now. Ever since I got back into crocheting 3.5 years ago, I have had my eye on this:

Vashti Braha's Renaissance Tunic

isn't it fantastic!?

(more of Vashti's awesome designs can be found on her blog, Designing Vashti. Go check her out!)

Well, I finally felt ready skill-wise to tackle it. I went with a different color scheme - not that the original isn't pretty, but I wanted something that felt more me. I picked out Caron's Simply Soft in Dark Sage for my main color, Raspberry for one of the accents, and then I bought some Caron Simply Soft Shadows (on clearance! Woohoo!) in Dark Moss to accomplish the striping on the sleeves and bottom of the tunic. I started this project on February 9th, and finished all the major crocheting and seaming on March 12th. (I finally sewed on the button and snaps yesterday!) There was a gap of about a week and a half where I stumped myself trying to figure out what I wanted to do with the sleeves (like their length and flare etc). I managed to overcome that, and then as I was working the peplum (the bottom part) I decided I wanted to add some waist shaping that was not really in the pattern. I have a figure that does not lend itself very well to empire waists - typically I look pregnant. While I do want that look one day, I want it when I'm actually pregnant!! So I simply added a few more rows before I started the increase rows. The result I got was the one I wanted - the peplum hangs straight to my waist and then flares out gently over my hips.

I have a couple of pictures of the tunic while it was blocking. They're not the best but they give the general idea of the colorwork and shaping. I am hoping to get some good pictures of me wearing it today or tomorrow.

But have a look at these for now...

I've also been busy working on my 3rd shawl for 10 Shawls in 2010 challenge. I bought my first Malabrigo Lace. It's interesting to work with - it's very, very soft, but it's the first time I've used a single ply yarn and that has taken some getting used to. The colorway is Verde Que Te Quiero Verde, I'm working with a C hook. The pattern was actually a chart by a Russian designer - very easily memorized!

The way the variegation is working up makes me think of dragon scales...

it's going to look awesome once it's blocked. I've also got some beads I want to add to the edging, if they'll look right. We'll see.

Shawl #2 is done!

2010-02-05T18:17:00.000-07:00

A testament to the wonders of blocking...it probably doubled in size after soaking and laying out to dry.

I've given this to my younger sister to use in her silent auction - any money she makes goes toward her Chamber Orchestra account so she can go on a really neat field trip to Seattle, WA. She can set the opening bid and I recommended she set it at $30 - $35 simply because of all the effort I've put into it, not to mention the cost of the yarn.

My mom, modeling the shawl with the classic wingspan pose :) Thanks Mom!

I got a wonderful surprise today!

2010-02-01T17:25:00.000-07:00

Ok so you know the shawl swap that I've been talking about? I got mine from my partner today!! She lives in England, sooooo my shawl is English LOL. But really, it's a beautiful shawl! It's knitted, since I'm not a knitter that makes it super neat. I can't stop oohing and aahing over it. Or hugging it. It's squooshy.

Below are pictures for your viewing pleasure XD

Really...I'm ecstatic!

She sent a nifty matching shawl pin to go with it:

And a pretty silver necklace with wing pendants!

And a very pretty project bag...I love the fabric.

The highlight is definitely the shawl. I. Am. In. LOVE.

Crochet Hooks.

2010-01-30T11:50:00.001-07:00

Over Christmas my husband and I did some house sitting for some good friends of ours. They have a wood shop - they make hardwood kitchen accessories that are just lovely. It tends to build up a lot of scrap wood though.

For a while now my husband and I have tossed around the idea of turning hooks from these scraps. Well, over Christmas break, he showed me how to use their lathe and I just sort of took off! I finally got around to taking pictures, and I wanted to show off :) All of the heads were shaped to mimic the Boye head, which is the shape I prefer.

This first hook I turned from blood wood. It measures approximately 13 mm (there's no letter assigned to 13 mm), and is 7.25 inches long. I wanted to keep it on the thicker end, since I had never worked on a lathe before, and wasn't sure how thin I could take things without it snapping. The head was shaped (through much frustration and help from my husband!) with a dremel. Blood wood is very dense, so the shaping took a looooong time. It's one of my favorite woods though; the grain is beautiful.

After the shaping was completed, I sanded it with gradually finer sand paper, finishing up with a 600 grit. The only finish I used was a few good rub downs with mineral oil. It feels like silk in my fingers! I love it!

This next hook I turned from zebra wood. It measures approximately 10 mm (N/P), and 7 & 3/8 inches long. I was a little braver and went a little thinner this time! The head was also shaped with the dremel and went much faster this time around since I had all that experience from the blood wood hook! ;)

I repeated the same sanding procedure, and my husband suggested I use a clear, spray-on finish for this hook. Zebra wood is apparently very porous and it wouldn't do for it to be snagging the yarn! He applied 2 coats to the hook, with a drying time of about 30 min in between. The stripes run lengthwise on the hook, giving it a very striking appearance.

Lastly, I turned this hook out of leopard wood. It's my thinnest yet :) It measures approximately 7.5 mm (between K & L), and is 11.25 inches long! I was going for more of a Tunisian style hook with this one. I received an aluminum one for Christmas, and decided to try one out on the lathe.

Same shaping and sanding process. This one's head is closer to the Bates style head, but still has some Boye shaping. This one was also finished simply with a couple good rub downs of mineral oil. (haha ignore the writing on my hand!!)

So there you have it :) My first three wooden hooks, and I turned them. I'm hoping to go back soon and turn some more...it's addicting!

Moving right along!

2010-01-29T16:57:00.000-07:00

Things are coming along in the project department. So far I've experienced little trouble with my Blue Curacao...most of the trouble I have comes from not paying 100% attention. It is not a tough pattern but it does require focus!

I am going to have a lot of free time on my hands and as such, I think I am finally going to try my hand at dyeing. I have a skein of Baruffa Cashwool in white. I don't know yet what color(s) I'd like to dye it...suggestions?

I've also been taking notes - mostly mental, which I need to transfer onto paper at some point - of ideas for dyeing that I've had. I'd like to do some serious brainstorming. I'm bandying about ideas for names of a yarn dyeing company (selling mainly through Etsy, of course) if I ever managed to get to that point. I'd like to...but the logistics part of it scares me. All the technical stuff...getting a business license, tracking sales, making estimated tax payments or what have you...that's all pretty intimidating. Making a few casual sales here and there though...that might work. I guess we'll see.

More (better) pictures of the shawls

2010-01-21T12:38:00.000-07:00

The shawl for the swap:

The first 2010 shawl:

I left it at my parents house for my sister. :)

First Shawl of 2010 - Lion Brand Yarn's South Bay Shawlette

2010-01-18T23:43:00.001-07:00

A close up of the stitch pattern:

An "artsy" perspective shot:

In it's full glory (blocking):

Thank goodness for swatches.

2010-01-18T13:36:00.000-07:00

That's right, I'm thanking goodness for SWATCHES. Having completed my first motif, I determined that it was impossible to get it to lay flat, even after I applied the iron, with the steam on. I've frogged it and set it aside for later. I hate to give up on a project but sadly I don't have the time, dedication, or patience to do that lace piece I mentioned a few posts ago. I am still going to make SOMETHING...but I need a little more practice in thread crochet before attempting something that work-intensive.

I started my first shawl of 2010 Saturday night though, and that is nearly finished. I used the two balls of JL Vinca that I bought from someones's stash a few months ago. It's nice to have the yarn do the color work for you. <3 My sister has taken an intense interest in it and is begging me to sell it to her. We'll have to see.

Pictures of the progress (large images!!)

2010-01-12T11:00:00.000-07:00

First up, the shawl for the swap. It really turned out lovely. I'm quite proud.

Blocking photos...the kitties were not happy to be locked out of the office for the 12+ hours it took to dry. The office is kind of their hang out place.

The obligatory "wingspan" pose. I want to go take some obligatory "shawl on a bush" photos next. When I can find the time. This thing is lighter than air! And SOFT! And SQUISHY!!

Next up a couple of photos of the starghan-in-progress: (Gwydion 'helped' with this shot...darn cat)

A close-up for colorwork and stitch definition. Plus it's just a cool shot XD.

I have more than enough yarn to complete it. I'm hoping actually to finish it today. We'll see. :)

Progress

2010-01-11T20:36:00.000-07:00

My shawl for my swap partner is done! I finished it yesterday and blocked it last night. I've taken a few pictures, I just need to load them to the computer and post them. It's turned out quite lovely, and the yarn has stayed so soft and squishy. I hope my partner is as pleased with it as I am.

I picked a pattern for the baby blanket, and I started that last night while the shawl was blocking. It's going to be a starghan. Luckily I have quite a lot of yarn left over from a previous baby blanket I crocheted and I am using that. I think it's going to be cute.

I started a motif for that top and haven't done much past that. I'm a little intimidated but the pictures of the finished ones are so lovely...I just have to keep on working on it. I think I will focus just on that for the rest of January and start my 10 shawls in February...if I can resist my start-itis. I may not be able to, lol!

Caution: Swamp ahead!!

2010-01-01T20:53:00.001-07:00

I need a signpost that says that right now haha!

Here's what I have (mentally) committed to for 2010:

~a lace KCAL (Knit-/Crochet-Along, for my casual readers). Pattern is my choice, yarn and yardage is my choice. I will be crocheting this (I ganked this pic from the Finished Object gallery for this project) in black crochet thread, size 10:

and quite possibly lengthening it into a knee-length dress. The skirt would have more motifs gradually added to create a flare effect. The pattern itself is in Portuguese but it is fully charted. It will be my first time crocheting from only a chart!

~I currently have in progress the shawl for my swap partner. It will look something like this:

but in that light pink color I posted a pic of a few entries ago. I am about 1/4 done with that project.

~two of my cousins are having babies sometime this year. One is having a girl, the other they don't know the sex of yet so I am waiting to hear so that I can make blankets. I am in the process of selecting a pattern for the baby girl I know about.

~I will be crocheting 10 shawls in 2010. I found a group on Ravelry and so help me I joined and am going to do it. I have not yet picked all 10 shawls but some of the candidates in the race are:

and last but certainly not least, and this will DEFINITELY be in the 10 that I make this year, this beauty:

I'm sure there will be more shawls appearing, too as the year goes on and more patterns are designed. But whew, I need to get myself a little more organized than I am now, and get my nose to the grindstone so I can finish everything!

The ins & outs, ups & downs.

2009-12-07T22:29:00.000-07:00

I'm in a worldwide shawl swap on Ravelry. I know I've mentioned it here before. Well, it got started and I totally thought I had everything picked out. I got it started and it wasn't...it didn't feel right, working up. I don't know how else to describe it. So, I scrapped that one (thank goodness I wasn't very far into it) and have been hunting and hunting and HUNTING for a good pattern/yarn combo.

Finally found a good yarn...

Okay. Personally, I abhor pink. ABHOR. But it is my downstream's favorite color. And this shade isn't too obnoxious. Plus the yarn is maddeningly soft and squooshy. In short, while I don't love the color, I love love love the base.

Now to hunt down a pattern. There is a disgusting shortage of CROCHETED lace shawls...and a disgusting overage of knitted ones!! Don't get me wrong, they're absolutely lovely, but I feel like us crocheters have been left out in the cold when it comes to lace shawls. Maybe...maybe I'll screw my courage to the sticking post and try to design one.

I know I just posted yesterday, but...

2009-12-02T19:10:00.000-07:00

Now I have pictures! Here is my nephew's vest, completed. Sorry for the wash out, the flash on my Powershot is obnoxious. The pattern is actually for a hoodie, but I finished a few rows of it and finished a skein and thought, it looks darn cute this way! So I left it. I found the perfect wooden buttons for it that match the tan shade in the variegation. It was my first time sewing buttons onto any kind of crocheted garment! I was proud of myself.

This vest is actually quite versatile, as demonstrated by my sister (who is 21, I could not believe she actually got it onto her body):

and my cat (he tried it on before I washed it. Notice the peeved expression.):

Next up is a picture of my commission! Overall, I'm pleased. I omitted the ruffles along the bottom of the jacket because I ran out of yarn and didn't want to charge my friend for a 3rd skein of yarn of which only a few yards had been used. The picture is blurry, my apologies. If I used the flash, the purple looked blue/indigo when it's really closer to that lovely shade, just a tad darker.

I'm hoping the sleeves aren't too ridiculously long. I had to play with the sizing because the pattern only went up to 12 mos! Here is a close up of the nifty buttons:

In all probability it will be shipped tomorrow. I'm glad it's done and I hope the people for which it's intended will like it! Maybe I'll even get a pic of it being modeled! That'd be nifty XD

(Bwahaha I just posted this in my regular blog!!)

2009-12-01T22:46:00.002-07:00

"I swore I'd never have multiple WIPs..."

and here I am, with multiple WIPs. One is kind of ongoing - I am using up aaaaaaaall of my extraneous acrylic to make hats to donate to local shelters right around Christmas. To date I've only used one pattern...I honestly just haven't taken the time to peruse others. Perhaps that is something I will do over the next few days.

I just finished the infinity scarf to go with the fingerless gloves for my friend. Picture forthcoming.

I'm going to make another pair (different pattern though) to go in a surprise box I'm sending to a girl.

I'm still on the hunt for the perfect lace yarn, and I changed my pattern idea yet again...who knew choosing a shawl pattern and yarn could be so difficult!? I just want it to be something I'd like to receive if I were her, so I'm agonizing over it. The pink part is especially hard for me...=P

And I'm working on a nifty little thing for me to wear for my husband's birthday. Sorry if that was TMI. *lol*

Whooooosh I'm off to hook!

Flattered...x2!!

2009-11-23T16:05:00.000-07:00

Over this past week I got a tweet (do you tweet? Follow me here!) from a friend of mine, asking me how long it took me to crochet a baby sweater. Since I recently made one for my niece's 1st birthday I used that to gauge the time and told her that if I had uninterrupted time in which to work on it it would probably only take me a day or two. So she commissioned me to make a little cardi for her niece. I was surprised and very flattered to say the least. I pattern browsed on Ravelry (I spend too much time there!!) and sent her pictures of some super cute cardis and from there she narrowed it down to like 3 and then we agreed together on the pattern. You can see pictures of it here. She's requested it be in purple and black. I'm excited. I was able to get the yarn today @ Michaels; I grossly overestimated the yarn I would need to do my nephew's hoodie (which I ended up leaving the hood off of, it is actually much better that way for this particular kiddo) so I had like 4 skeins to return. I returned them and picked up yarn in the same brand but in the specified colors. The purple is a lovely, lovely deep shade. I'm really looking forward to whipping this up :)

My other bit of being flattered comes from discovering that a blogger that I quite admire has me listed in her "Other Authentic Bloggers". She has some really awesome stuff, and her new blog is something she's starting up as part of her dream to have a shop/store of authentic, hand-made items. Go check her out!

I should have taken a picture of my nephew's vest and brought my camera to work to put it up. It turned out so freakin adorable!! I know I put a picture up the other night but now that I have everything done except for the buttons (which I looked for today @ Michaels, without success. Didn't have time to visit Jo-Anns.) I just can't believe how stinking cute it is. His parents are both really into hunting/fishing/other outdoor sports and so I wanted it to look a bit camoflauge. The yarn was obliging. :) I would totally make that pattern again, perhaps I will and set it aside for my future babies.

I recently acquired 2 skeins of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport Solid in a really pretty dark purple. Not sure yet what I'm going to do with it but I'm on the hunt for the perfect pattern. I also got in the mail (today!) 2 skeins of JL Vinca in Colorway 10. It's a super nifty rainbow colorway. I am thinking a pair of armwarmers? The color gradient would lend itself well to such a project. I am even feeling brave enough to design them myself! I see them being long...like to a few inches above the elbow...delicious.

Here are some stitch markers that yours truly made...

2009-11-19T11:15:00.000-07:00

They're the first set I ever made and I think I did pretty good :) My swap partner liked them, anyway.

A Quickie with Piccies.

2009-11-18T22:24:00.000-07:00

I love getting packages _

2009-11-04T18:19:00.000-07:00

So I don't know how well you can see the "glitter" from the picture, but that's Lion Brand Glitterspun in silver, and it finally came yesterday. I ordered 5 balls hoping that would be enough to make both the fingerless gloves and the infinity scarf and now that I've worked a few rows of the gloves I think I'll be fine. They are going to be bulkier than what the pattern calls for but I honestly couldn't find a better yarn that fit what my friend wanted. I'm using a G hook. I think I'll be fine.

These are a couple of pictures of Cheeto - he'd hopped up on the couch and, upon discovering that the box the Glitterspun had come in was empty, proceeded to cram himself into it. He's not a HUGE cat, but he is full-grown and he just barely fits. As you can see. He probably spent a good hour there, in the box, next to me while I started the gloves. It was too cute to not snap a couple of pictures.

Stitch markers! etc

2009-11-02T21:03:00.002-07:00

These are the markers I got from my swap partner on Ravelry. Aren't they fun? I especially like the two in the middle :)

So now that I've found the *perfect* shawl pattern, I just have to re-swatch to see if the yarn I originally bought will work for it. If not, I guess I'll have to find something else. In the mean time I've started stash-busting, and I may have mentioned this in my previous post, but I've completed 3 hats so far. I'm going to be at this for a while - I have plenty of WW to work with, as you can see by the picture of my stash below. The pattern I'm using works up in 1.5 - 2 hours and it's very rewarding to complete a project in such a short time span.

Good times. It's a good thing I love to crochet. XD

Don't you love how things change...

2009-11-01T04:39:00.001-07:00

Isn't that GORGEOUS!? Personally I'm not a huge fan of the color but the motifs are to die for. I have decided that I will be making this shawl instead of the previous one I posted a picture for. I got the yarn and I worked up a few motifs for the other one and it just wasn't jiving, you know? So I trawled the net again, looking for something that made me go "Wow!" and this was it. All the details about this fantastic shawl can be found here. I will have to swatch with the yarn I have and see if it's going to work. But man! I'm just drooling all over the place! I think after I finish making one for the swap I will have to make one for myself!

I've also started stash-busting...making hats (and a matching scarf if I have enough yarn) to donate to local shelters and humanitarian projects. I will also probably make up some little blankies to donate to the animal shelter so that the kitties will have something warm to snuggle in.

Restless hands & pics of the next two projects!

2009-10-23T18:33:00.004-06:00

I've ordered the yarn for both of these and am waiting very impatiently for it!!

More lack of pictures, I know I know

2009-10-19T18:31:00.001-06:00

That is being remedied asap.

I've finished the first of my pay-it-forward gifts! I'm very pleased with how it came out. I hope the giftee likes it as much as she wants to and that it fits and is flattering.

Next up: Robyn Chachula's Aragon Tunic! I want to make something pretty to wear while I'm pregnant so that I don't feel like an ugly huge thing - just huge. Haha!

Late night crochet

2009-10-05T04:02:00.000-06:00

It's helping to keep me awake. Working these overnight shifts are tough, especially when unplanned. Thank goodness for a hook and some yarn.

The Joys of Frogging.

2009-09-18T12:35:00.002-06:00

Well, frogging is not joyful at all, really, and rather frustrating.

I started out on a project - I may have mentioned it in a previous post - using Patons Lacette in a lovely ice blue color. I swatched like a good girl and started making my size. Or, what the pattern told me would be my size. I got the entire back panel done, and I'm looking at it, and it's waaaaay too wide. I measured it with the measuring tape, and it fit what the measurements said it was supposed to (hows the grammar in that sentence!) but fitting it across my back proved it to be at least three inches too wide - and that's if I'm not stretching it, as it is prone to do. I thought about crocheting the front in the size just smaller, but that could make for awkward fit/seaming. So I decided it would be best if I just frogged.

Yeah, no.

As lovely as the Lacette is to look at, it is an absolute PAIN to frog. There are very fine fibres stranding off of the main thread (which creates a pretty "clouding" effect), which constantly get caught on each other, both while working it up and while frogging it. I have frogged about 1/3 of the back and am trying to decide if it's really worth frogging the other 2/3. I bought 9 skeins of it at the local $ store, so I really don't feel like I'd be throwing a whole lot away. What I've frogged so far is about 1/2 a skein, and I have 7 whole skeins left. The debate continues...either way, I doubt I will be keeping all 9 skeins. I'm probably going to try to trade/sell it out of my stash through Ravelry. I'm DONE trying to work with it. I even thought about amigurumi-ing with it, but the stitches would be difficult to see and that's more work than I am willing to try to do right now.

Slowly making progress on the crocheted gifts front (from my "Ain't Nothin But A Thang" post)...and for Christmas I have decided to cross-stitch for each of my siblings their name and the meaning, possibly matted and definitely framed. Each of them will be 5x7. I need to start picking fonts and colors...hmmm...

On the upside of all of this - since this is knd of a whiny post - my new job affords me lots of crafting time on the job. I supervise the swing shift at a girl's transition home, Monday - Friday from 3-11, and my bosses don't mind if I work on 'outside' projects as long as it doesn't prevent me from doing my job. For the most part the girls are pretty well behaved and they don't mind me working on projects either. It's nice.

One last tidbit - I have two new albums I picked up recently, that are going to be fun to crochet to: Imogen Heap's "Ellipse" and Muse's "The Resistance". Both can be found on Amazon.com. I highly recommend both to anyone looking for new music.

New project in the works.

2009-08-24T20:36:00.002-06:00

I'm finally using the Patons yarn that I snagged at the dollar store months ago...it's a laceweight, I forget the specific name but it's a light ice blue...I'm making a tunic type thing, and yes I am using a pattern - still not brave enough to try to wing something like that just yet. One day though. One day.

Also still working to finish up that cross-stitch that I never posted pictures of...I'm so lazy sometimes.

AND I'm making two skirts that I bought the fabric and pattern for before I left to go down to TX for the summer. I have them both cut out, and the first nearly done. I need to put in the elastic and the hem. I have to buy the elastic before I can put it in though...I will have to do that tomorrow after my job interview.

Woot.

New projects are being lined up but for right now...

2009-08-09T01:08:00.002-06:00

I am working to finish a cross-stitch that I have had in progress for the last (almost) 5 years. It's a bigger one, yes, but it's one of those Dimensions Gold Collection ones, which means a LOT of detail, a LOT of shading (which is hard to do in cross-stitch and means a lot of combining strands of similar colors to get the effect), and so a LOT of work. I've made some mean progress over the past week or so though. Which is encouraging. I'm actually probably about 75-80% done. That's an encouraging thought!

I should take a picture and put it up in here. Maybe I will get to that tomorrow.

The projects being lined up are clear back from this post here, and so it is just taking a while to get things moving. I've made some modifications - instead of choosing for the 5 people who got selected, I am letting them choose. I want some challenges of completely customizing a project for someone else; I dislike putting effort into something for someone else that they are not going to appreciate. I want whatever I make to be something that they actually want...hahaha!

I know that for sure I will be making the following:

This last one is a pair of fingerless gloves/armwarmer type dealios.

I'm pretty excited for the two clothing pieces. I have not, as of yet, really made the effort to crochet to someone else's body measurements/shape, so this will be great practice. And, in spite of their somewhat complicated appearance, they're all actually pretty easy pieces. :) Yay!

Sam's baby blanket = done

2009-07-31T02:13:00.003-06:00

I didn't do the full border because I didn't have enough in the solid pink and purple to finish that way. I did however have an entire skein of the variegated left over and so that is what I used for one row around the edge. Not much of a border, but it still works. Besides, it is plenty big as is!

sorry for the flash washing out the colors...

Deesha (my aunt's kitty) enjoying a snuggle with it when it was still a WIP. <3

Pictures...FINALLY!!

2009-07-04T21:11:00.002-06:00

I know I've been promising pictures and I finally made myself snap some the other day.

Here are the photos of the baby blanket I am currently crocheting for my cousin, who is due to have a little girl. Details can be found here. It's pretty fun to make, actually, and the yarn really is dreamy. I've found my new favorite acrylic. Red Heart is too stiff and prickly, Caron Simply Soft is to slippery. I Love This Yarn is a happy medium - it's soft but not slick.

One of my aunt's cats, sleeping on my WIP. As usual. What is it about crochet that makes a cat want to sleep on it?

Close ups of the two color schemes. I <3>

Aaaaaand here is my first project completed without a pattern! Well, the band of shells across the bottom was from a stitch pattern book, and I considered doing the whole wrap in it, but then I thought I was going to run out of yarn and switched over to the mesh in an effort to do it with the remainder of the skein I had. I ended up having to buy another skein anyway, *lol*.

Close-up of the shell pattern. It's actually quite lovely.

Here I am, modeling the finished product! I like the length for sure. But if I were ever to make another one, I would make ties at both ends instead of just the one (honestly, I don't know what I was thinking that I didn't in the first place!), and I would probably try to do some gradual increases so that the edges would meet instead of opening so widely down the thigh. I won't be wearing it, but perhaps one of my sisters will want it, and if not, I might post it as my first item on my Etsy!

Teensiest update ever.

2009-06-26T23:30:00.001-06:00

Just to let you know that the sizing up to an I hook is having the desired effect :)

Happy to be hooking again.

2009-06-25T21:27:00.002-06:00

So, since I have "nothing" to do all day but "sit around" and watch these 5 kids, I decided I would start another much-needed project. It's mostly for -my- sanity...the recipient is probably going to get quite a few =)

I'm making a baby blanket for my cousin who is having a little girl :) Details can be found on my Ravelry. I'll take some pictures maybe later tonight and post them so y'all can see progress.

I got the yarn yesterday at a place called Hobby Lobby...I was staggered by the selection they had!! I think I am going to end up spoiled being down here - they carry 3x the selection that any Idaho craft store I ever went to. Michael's was pretty decent, but they didn't carry a lot of the more exotic fibers. Plus, this Hobby Lobby place's price point is a few cents cheaper - and who doesn't love that? Anyway, the brand of the yarn is "I Love This Yarn!" and it's obvious why it's called that. I -do- love this yarn. It's a very soft acrylic. Don't get me wrong, Red Heart puts out a good standard and they are awesome for things you want to make to be durable/washable/non-stainable...but you really don't want that on a baby's skin right? It should be softer than that! And this yarn is perfect. I've hit a really nice color combo, too. I'm drooling just thinking about it.

The pattern calls for a G hook but I am having a tough time keeping the stitches as loose as they appear to be in the pattern book. I'm too much of a yanker, I guess. So I have switched up to an I hook...that may help me to get it so that the motifs like (mostly) flat until I can wash/block it. Debating...should I block the motifs before putting them together? Or wait until I've finished the whole blanket? I may have to do the latter, I think this pattern utilizes a join-as-you-go method...

Apologies!!

2009-06-21T22:48:00.002-06:00

I have been sadly neglectful of my blogs! I apologize. I've moved to TX, and am nannying for my aunt. She has 5 kids and they take up 99.9% of my time right now! I guess that's not really an excuse, because if I wanted to I could crochet around them, but they are pretty draining!

I finished my little wrap, I'll take pictures hopefully this week and get them posted in here. My next project is going to be a baby blanket for a cousin of mine who is having a little girl. I haven't chosen the pattern yet...maybe I should do that...

Nearing completion

2009-05-26T00:28:00.002-06:00

I'm -almost- done with my swimsuit wrap thing. I am probably going to make it a few rows wider, then sc a waistband type thing and leave one end out long for fastening. I like it. It matches the tones in my swimsuit exactly!!

Next project is probably going to be a baby blanket for a cousin who is having a little girl :)

My first attempt to create a piece without a pattern...

2009-05-18T20:33:00.002-06:00

omg!

But seriously. I haven't been able to find a cover up for my swimming suit that I like, so I've decided to crochet myself one with some of my stash yarn. I recently bought a crochet stitch book and have been swatching up different stitches to see which I like best. It's going to be tres simple...just a rectangle with some longer pieces @ the waist for ties.

Wish me luck!

Yay and nay

2009-05-12T21:09:00.002-06:00

Some more pictures of kitties and yarn!

Gwydion, hunkered under the lid to my stash box...

The actual stash! I'm going to do some stash-busting and make a couple (lots?) of sets of baby booties.

Okay...a close-up of my completed sweater! This one's a bit blurry...actually, I apologize for the lighting in all of them, I took them last night and my flash insisted on working.

The back...

The front...

I'm really a little sad that I'm not going to have a chance to really show it off before I move down to San Antonio - it's far too warm to take it down there!! It will be really nice come this fall though.

My hands feel a bit restless now - I didn't really have anything specific lined up after this because of my imminent move and it's kind of driving me nuts. I am planning to take my stash, and do a bunch of baby booties, because anything else might be a little daunting - anything that might get big enough to cover my lap and make me all sweaty bleah.

I -am- going to crochet a cover-up for my new swimsuit and I didn't have to buy any new yarn for that either. I'm debating though - do I want it to be more of an openwork tunic type thing, or just a tie-around-the-waist type thing? Decisions, decisions...

Hum de dum de dum

2009-04-29T01:02:00.002-06:00

Here's the layout I decided on for the rug. I'm down to one row of motifs left to join, and then I'll be joining the rows and it'll be DONE!

I really should take progress pics of my sweater...

Oh My Goodnazz.

2009-04-26T00:51:00.002-06:00

I didn't realize it'd been nearly a month since I posted in this thing...!

I put the rug to the side for a while and really let myself get carried away with the sweater. It's 3/4 of the way done - i.e. the front, the back (which are joined at the shoulders), and one sleeve. But then I remembered...oh yeah, I did have another project on which I should be working...

So I fiddled a bit with the layout until I found one I liked (it's symmetrical! ooooh!) took a picture of it, got interrupted by a vacuuming request from my mommy, and then sat down with book on knee and hook in hand and started joining the danged things.

I have decided that I do not like this method of joining.

It took me 45 minutes to get the first row put together!!! x_X I think it is largely compounded by the fact that some of the slip stitching on the outsides of my circles is tighter than others, but frankly I think it's just really awkward. However, I am feeling too lazy to figure out a different way right now and so I told myself - "If you do a row a day, you won't get to frustrated by it." That was four days ago. I have 3 and a half rows done - the half was from today, and it's a half because my day got chomped up by some pretty intense cleaning. So that means, only two and a half more rows to do! Then I have to join the rows, which I am making myself not look at just yet because of how tedious it is to make the rows in the first place. But I want to get it done before I leave for TX on May 15th.

My sweater - that Eco really does work like a dream. Maybe it's just me but it seems a little less prone to slicky-ness than its cousin (the regular Simply Soft). It is just as prone to snagging though - I was removing a cat from laying on top of the body and one of his dew claws SNAGGED a strand...luckily it is close to what is going to be the side seam, so hopefully not too noticeable. My only sad thought about this sweater is - "I'm not going to want to wear it when it's done becasuse it's so warm outside!!" =( Maybe I will wait for a cooler day and brave it anyway.

Now...off to bed for me! WHOOSH!

NEXT!

2009-04-08T23:34:00.004-06:00

I bought yarn on a whim today, for a project that had been in the works (meaning my head) for all of about 5 minutes...

It's from the "Blushing Rose Pullover" from the March 09 Crochet! Magazine :) The yarn, which looks devastatingly ugly in this picture, is actually a very lovely purple-y yarn. I'm using Simply Soft Eco in Mulberry Mist (it's pictured toward the bottom and even that picture doesn't do it justice!!). Recycled plastic never looked so good.

I was a good little girl and did my gauge swatches before I started, too. Part of that was to also see if I could actually do the stitch for the body of the sweater =^^=

I'm excited...it's a really pretty sweater.

Also! I've finished all the motifs for the bathroom rug. I've now got to lay them out and figure out how I want it to look all joined together. I've just been too lazy about doing it *tsk tsk shame on you Danielle!!* On the bright side, it's the project that's taken the least time ever! I guess that's something...

I feel like maybe I should be more prolific...OH! I can at least be a little more!! I have a few more pictures of kitties "helping" me crochet. This time it's Cheeto. He has ~always~ liked to snuggle in my crochet tupperware thing...however, he's getting a leeeeetle too big for it!

The pile of yarn next to the box are rug motifs :)

Oh and I also picked up Interweave Crochet's Spring 2009 mag...drool!! There's a ton of stuff in there I want to bury myself under! I need 8 arms...like Shiva...

Alyson's blanket - finished!!

2009-04-04T14:52:00.006-06:00

I finished it last night! It was really fun to make. Here is a shot of the squares before I'd whip-stitched them together - I was trying to figure out placement options and decided on this one. I guess you can't really see the colors of the borders though...

I had some helpers during this stage of the project...my cat, Gwydion. Now, how it is he can help by laying on the motifs I need is something only he understands...

Then he moved up closer and decided to lounge halfway in my lap. He's holding my scissors for me...the orange kitty on the cornder of the bed is Cheeto.

And here it is! I'm fairly pleased with how it turns out...if I ever make this pattern again though I think I will join the big squares a different way other than the whip-stitching it calls for in the pattern.

Next up...a rug for the bathroom! Details can be found here.

Apparently...

2009-03-30T10:37:00.002-06:00

I'm a yanker!

By that definition anyway...not that that's a bad thing.

Last night I tried to hold my hook overhand (like a pencil) whereas I normally hold it underhand (with the shaft of the hook totally enclosed by my fingers) and I seriously don't understand how people can crochet like that!! I felt like I had little to no control over my hook...it was a disconcerting feeling.

I have started bordering the assembled little-into-big squares. I'm probably going to have to block them before I whipstitch them all together. I'm thinking also of adding little teeny ruffles on the right side, to give it a little more texture...I guess we'll see when we get there!!

Progress is progress :)

2009-03-28T00:31:00.002-06:00

I've finished putting the little squares into bigger squares. Then they get a few rows of border, then those get whipstitched together, and the whole thing gets another few rows of border...

p.s. Cruising Ravelry is FUN.

The baby blankie...

2009-03-25T22:12:00.002-06:00

Here are pictures of the individual blocks for the baby blankie I am working on - just the other night I finished making up the green ones. I made 20 of each of them. They're relatively small (2.5 x 2.5 in) and so they worked up in a snap. Then one of each color is combined into a larger block, has a few rows of dc added, and then the larger blocks are joined to form the body of the blanket. It's one of the most fun patterns I've ever done.

Some applause please!

2009-03-22T03:21:00.001-06:00

3:21 am, 03/22/09

I just finished Mom's sweater about 15 min ago. I will post pictures tomorrow. Right now...I'm going to go fall into bed!

*~*~*~*~*

8:27 pm, 03/22/09

And here are some pics :)

Sleeve detail...either I made them too long, or my mom's arms are shorter than normal. In any case, she opted to have me put in these deep cuffs. The detailing around the armhole was also another addition she wanted - it's not called for in the pattern!

Here it be, hanging on a hangar! Mom had me make it one size bigger than her normal size...for whatever reason...and it looks pretty awkward hanging on that little hangar *lol* It doesn't actually have any front closures; I pinned it together for the sake of showing the border. She wants to wear it around for a while before she decides whether or not she wants fasteners for the front.

Here is a close-up of the pattern, which was achieved by alternating rows of dc with rows of blo (back loop only) sc. It creates an interesting ridged effect.

All laid out on the floor, ready to put together!

And so she finally has her birthday present, a month late...on the upside, she loves it. She calls it her Blueberry Pie jacket.

Pictures of Alien!

2009-03-20T22:59:00.003-06:00

Well, here he is, in all his strange glory. He is supposed to be a giraffe, and I suppose he looks a bit like one, but he sure doesn't look like the picture from the pattern! *lol* My camera's flash has washed out the colors a bit.

Here's a close-up:

Bookshelves are an awesome place to hang out.

Wouldn't you agree?

Finally!!

2009-03-20T19:46:00.006-06:00

I finally have my laptop back!

A few years back I decided I was going to make afghans for all my siblings - I'm the oldest of seven. I think I've mentioned this before, but I'm too lazy to check.

This first 'ghan I made for my one of my three sisters. As usual, she picked the pattern and the yarn. Hers was fun to make, if only by virtue of her color choice.

This next 'ghan I made for another of my sisters. She has an amazing sense of color and it really came through with this 'ghan. :) It was a mile a minute, and I'll admit I got sort of burned out on darn thing...it seemed like it worked up really slowly, and I ended up making more strips than I had originally planned. I messed up my calculations somehow. But it still turned out nicely.

This 'ghan was for the last of my three sisters. It was pretty frustrating. The yarn she chose was Simply Soft Brites, which is really soft, but also very slippery! It wasn't a good fit for this pattern. Hers is largely misshapen because of that...and also due to the fact that I gave up on the pattern halfway through and just used a standard ripple for the rest of it. Still, she says she loves it - it's snuggly and has a surprising bit of weight to it. It was worked holding 4 strands together, and a Q hook.

This last 'ghan is for my youngest brother, and it's actually the one I made first. I went in backwards age order - haha does that make any sense? Another mile a minute - the criss cross pattern over the color background was fun. His color choice was a bit weird to me - I liked the one in the pattern book much better, but he likes it. The red looks really washed out...it looks better in person.

Hooking along...

2009-03-10T19:11:00.002-06:00

First, I'd like to share this with you...awesome!

As for me, I seem to be in a rut as far as my mom's cardigan is concerned...I've been having so much fun with this baby blanket pattern that I've kind of neglected her present! It's like...I can't quite bring myself to make myself finish it. My mom though, bless her heart, is a patient person. She knows she'll get it soon enough.

In the mean time, I keep adding to the stack of photos to be posted...I'm such a procrastinator!

I can almost finish!!

2009-03-06T12:51:00.002-07:00

I bought the final skein I needed to finish my mom's sweater - I'm about a third of the way through the last sleeve so hopefully I can finish it today...I can't remember if I mentioned it or not but I have started Alyson's blanket. The pattern is so much fun, and it goes really quickly too.

On a side note, still not having my laptop functional is really starting to get to me...there are so many pictures I need to post! AHH!

I have a Ravelry site!

2009-03-05T20:47:00.003-07:00

This is super exciting for me. I've recently become enamored with online crochet communities - I don't get out much aside from work, and while I realize this is mainly due to my own laziness/mild social anxiety, I still really enjoy connecting with people, especially over something I have such a passion for.

If anyone wants to find me on there, I'm cleverbritches. :)

I have decided...

2009-02-25T20:32:00.003-07:00

That my crochet blog is my cutest blog. *lol*

That's all! Back to hooking!

Alien

2009-02-20T14:03:00.002-07:00

I finished my sister's giraffe.

She named him Alien. I think because he sort of looked like one before I put his ears on. I'd put everything else on, and so his horns lent him a sort of otherworldly look. For eyes I used upholstery screws...I'm not sure what they're called, but they have screws on the back instead of posts and they're used (from what I've seen) to hold armrest covers in place. They're fairly easy to remove/place, and they seem to fit him. They were originally clear, so I colored them in black with a Sharpie so that he doesn't look quite so vacant.

She thinks he's adorable and I'm marginally pleased with him as a finished product. I obviously need to learn the finer points of amigurumi construction, but I think he was good practice. I like his ears the very best, and then his spots. I plan to post a picture of him as soon as I can.

frumps

2009-02-19T19:05:00.003-07:00

My laptop's AC connector has decided to quit on me, so until I can get that repaired I can't post any pictures :( I'm really bummed, because I wanted to post all of the pictures I took of the afghans I've crocheted for my younger siblings. Plus also my mom's cardigan which is in progress - another frustration: I left it at my friends' house while I was house sitting for them, and they live about 40 minutes away so I haven't made it back out to pick it up, neither have they made it out here to drop it off!! My fingers are literally itching for my hooks.

To keep my hands busy I've started a giraffe amigurumi from a pattern I found on www.lionbrand.com. My sister is a giraffe FEIND and I figured I'd make her one and kill two birds with one stone - her birthday gift and staving off withdrawals from my regular project!! It's made from a combination of teal and magenta yarn (which she mentioned she liked the look of together) and he's turning out really rather cute. I just have to get all his pieces put onto his body and then he'll be done. He's my second attempt at amigurumi - my first attempt was cute too (he was a little lavender bunny), but I used too big of a hook size, so his stuffing peeks out from among the stitches, and he never did get a face because I couldn't decide how to do it. He amuses my cats to no end now.

I really, really, REALLY miss my hooks. But after my mom's cardigan is done I'm going to do another baby blanket for a cousin of mine who's about to have her second - a little girl :) Should be fun!

Next up!

2009-02-04T20:21:00.002-07:00

After finishing Abby's top I found myself project-less...so I asked my mom if she wanted anything for her upcoming birthday. As usual, I let her choose the pattern and the yarn. I have several magazines and pattern books, so there were lots to choose from!! She chose a cardigan from the Fall 08 issue of Interweave Crochet, and RedHeart's Super Saver Yarn in Blueberry Pie.

Here is a link to some pictures of the cardigan:

http://www.interweavecrochet.com/issue/2008/materials_fall08.asp#ridgeswing

It's going to look neat, but it's not something I would ever wear/choose for myself! It's just another one of those things that my mom and I are so different about :) I'm going to turn on some Muse and get some crocheting done now...

Aimee's jacket

2009-01-30T18:51:00.005-07:00

I made this jacket for my sister-in-law for Christmas. The picture of the back of the sweater looks a little odd - that's probably a combination of the fact that she has her hands on her hips, and the fact that there was supposed to be a frog-type closure for the front at the waistband, which I chose not to include.

I shortened the openwork section on the bottom of the back - I made it about half the length. I also added Fun Fur trim to the sleeves and around the outer hem.

I used TLC Essentials Fusion, TLC Essentials Razzle, and Fun Fur Raspberry.

That's Aimee in her Christmas morning outfit. :)

Gage's afghan

2009-01-30T18:39:00.003-07:00

This little afghan was soooo much fun to make! I will definitely be repeating this pattern in the future. I really like the color combination and was pleased with how nicely it turned out. This one took me a bit longer, because it called for a smaller hook than Tiffany's, but it still took less time than a regular size afghan. For this one, I let the parents choose the pattern, but I chose the colors because they hadn't really picked any out yet.

I was really pleased with the results. :)

I can't remember which yarns I used =^^=

Tiffany's afghan

2009-01-30T18:32:00.004-07:00

This was my first baby afghan. I made it for my brother-in-law and his wife for their first baby, a little girl. I was really surprised by how quickly it worked up; I guess maybe because I was so used to doing full-size afghans? I actually completed this afghan in approximately a week and a half.

For yarns I used (if I remember right!) TLC Baby in White, and Powder Blue Sparkle.

So, here is Abby's top (in progress)

2009-01-29T22:23:00.006-07:00

The Fun Fur on the sleeves is what I had originally purchased to embellish this same style top that Tess got. After working up the top, I decided that the cream looked much too elegant on it's own to put the Fur with it, and Abby still wanted it on hers, so she chose a yarn to match one of the variegated tones in it. Her top is actually 95% done, there are just some tweaks she wanted me to make, like I added three plain yarn rows to the bottom, and she wants me to add another two with the Fun Fur to match the borders on the sleeves. I also modified the neckline again; instead of doing the diagonal split on the right hand side, I turned it into a sort of a scoop-neck deal. I also made the front a leeetle larger than the back, to give her some extra room across the bust and so that the underarm seams won't stretch as much as she's wearing it.

The plain yarn is Caron Simply Soft in Country Blue. The Fun Fur is Citrus. More photos forthcoming once I've added the extra rows to the bottom.

My first TRUE article of clothing

2009-01-29T21:51:00.006-07:00

This sweater was to be a Christmas gift for one of my younger sisters. I worked on it in front of her to see if she would make any comments as to the color/style, to get a feel for if she'd like it and actually wear it instead of being like "I have to like it because my sister made it for me and I'll hurt her feelings otherwise." No. I want it to be something that she'll actually ~want~ to wear, and show off, instead of a frumpy old piece that ends up in the back of the closet, never to see the light of day again.

She and I discussed it and she told me she didn't really care for the color. Since I was 80% done with this one, I finished it anyway and gave it to the next younger sister (Tess), who really liked the color, and took Abby to Joann's to pick out a color she would wear. She ended up choosing a really pretty dark periwinkle/dusty blue color. Anyway, here is a picture of the first top:

The whole top section, from where the shell stitch ends and all of the sleeves, was supposed to be worked with a furry/fuzzy yarn. Obviously I modified that a bit, carrying the shell pattern stitch up a little higher than the pattern called for. I also modofied the sleeves to include three columns of shells running the length of the sleeve at evenly spaced intervals. The opening at the neck was supposed to have shank buttons, but Tess decided she liked it left open like that.

Actual entries are forthcoming...

2009-01-29T01:28:00.002-07:00

It's just 1:30 in the morning and I've been working on this thing for about 2 1/2 hours, and I have to work in the morning, so I'm going to BED!!