Shawl complete

My Seraphina Angel Shawl is complete. I had a rocky start but once I got the knack of how the pattern flowed it went very easy, and quickly. It took about 7 1/2 skiens of yarn and approximately 2 1/2 days to complete the shawl. The instructions say that this shawl typically has 25 shells per side but I stopped at 19. Since my mother is on the small side I think this is more than big enough. I think she will be happy. Since this is easily a weekend project, I may just make one for myself next month.

















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Seraphina Shawl

I think I've got if finally!

I had to frog this no less than 10 times, but I think I've got it now. I on row 19 and its looking good. I'm not sure if I'll be finished by my Sunday deadline...maybe by Monday evening. Then, since I finally got my first subscription issue of Crochet! magazine, I can find my next project. This shawl may infact be gifted to my mother and I'll have to find something else to wrap up in.

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And the stitch goes on

Christmas has gone, the gifts are opened. The wrappings and ribbons thrown out, what to do now? START A NEW PROJECT. WOO HOO!!!
I've seen several really beautiful Seraphina Angel Shawls on the net and with it being so cold out, it's the perfect project. So I started one about an hour ago. I've had to frog it a couple of times but I think I've got it now.

I'm using a a yarn from Bernat called Caress so it should work up really quick. Having to read the instructions because I haven't quite got the pattern memorized yet is slowing me down... what a drag. I hope to finish by Sunday.
Is it obvious I don't have a life. sighhhhhh

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Merry Christmas

I recieved a gift certificate to Micheals for Christmas, can't wait to go out and touch some yarn. I think I'll get the stretch sock yarn this time.

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Every top needs a bottom

What goes better with a top than a bottom? The only
thing I could think of is a nice skirt to go with the
sweater that came out so well. I think top down crochet is definitely becoming a fav of mine.
To complete this skirt I used BLO sc to give lots of stretch in the waist. After wearing it one time I do believe I will still have to add a bit of elastic to the waist because the fabric is going to stretch it a bit; I do not want a wardrobe malfunction!
After completing the waist I used single crochet across edges of the single crochet increasing to fit my hips for a few inches. Once the width was satisfactory I switched back to the shell stitch that I used on the bottom portion of the top until I was happy with the length.
I got lots of compliments on my finished product!!


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I Love Hard Candies

My first Car Coat

This coat worked up so quick and easy I couldn't believe I made it. The yarn I used: Lion Boucle 'Hard Candies' purchased from http://www.smileysyarns.com/ where you can get yarn at ridiculously low prices. Hook size N is used so it goes really quick.

I used the Sweet pattern, http://www.crochetme.com/sweet to get me started. This is the same Top Down pattern I used to make my Smokey Sweater set. This was so fun and easy I definitely see more in my future and I can't wait to experiment with other yarns, especially light weights for summer.

Hey I have my own photographer/model to help me out. But wait does she look better in the coat than I do!! Shhhhhhhh We can't tell her that or there may be trouble...LOL Why the blur, I think she's in the witness protection program or something and didn't want me show her face or use her name.

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Bed Socks and broom sticks!

Ok, so there are no broom sticks but I have finally made wearable socks!

I used Vanna's worsted weight yarn and the pattern from a lovely book, Learn to Crochet Socks by Kathy Wesley, so they are definitely too big to wear with shoes but they are perfect as bed socks. When I wear them to bed at night to watch TV my feet stay toasty warm.
I gave a pair to a friend for Christmas; I'll find out soon how much she likes them.
I can't wait to try the new stretch yarn by Patons to attempt to make socks that can be worn with shoes.

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Don't trust the State Board of Elections

Well, never thought I'd have much to say about this. I sent in my address change to get ready to vote y'all!!! Would you believe the Maryland State Board of Elections is giving people the wrong polling information... I kid you not!!

This is the information from the Internet, as well as from the card I was sent. I tried to look the school up on mapquest so that I would know actually where to go on Election Day. I continued to get the message that basically said this place did not exist. I called the State Board who insisted that's what they have in their systems so if must be right. While the man was on the phone, I tried to google the school and guess what, it came up with a different zip code and I was able to mapquest it.

THEY ARE IDIOTS!!!!

Check your information now, don't rely on your state to have the information correct!!

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I've been busy

I've worked on several new projects. I like to call this sweater Green apples!. It's made with Jo Ann's Sensations Rainbow Classic yarn. With a few more rows it would be a dress.

And then below, there's Smokey, a nice soft yarn from Red Heart called Smyphony, the color is actually Charcoal. It's oh so soft and delicate.











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New yarn disappointment

I ordered some new yarn Friday and waited for it to come. It did come in a timely manner, Yesterday (8/12/08) but I am so disappointed in my purchase. I tried to step out of the box just to work with somethingnew, this is the result.

I ordered a yarn called MODA DEA Curious and this is what the skein looks like and a small swatch looks like. I knew absolutely nothing about this yarn when I bought it but I see why it was clearance priced. Because it's clearance priced of course I can't return it so I have to make it work. Whoa!!! Hear that Tim Gunn, I'm gonna make it work.

But wait...there's more. I ordered another brand as well,

Lion brand INCREDIBLE. This is a beautiful yarn, excuse me TAPE, but what to do with it other than a scarf, coasters, placemats, hmmmm.

Both of these are what they call 'tape' in the bulky weight group. I looked them up on the Internet and pretty much the only items being made with either of these is scarves. I don't think I'll

be needing that many scarves!!

Anybody with a better idea let me know. I would definitely appreciate it.

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Me and George in Mexico

George is not my pet George is a tourist attraction in Mexico. I went to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in September '07 and among the fun adventures I had, I did the city tour. Along the tour there was a hotel called Barcelo La Jolla de Mismaloya, this hotel infamous for the movie Night of the Iguana starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Because of this the iguana has become part of the attraction there.

More sweater info

Thanks to everyone who has visited me and commented on my sweater. A few overlooked details have been brought to my attention.

1. Hook size - I used 'K' just as the package required for gauge.
2. Guage - I did not have a specific gauge, I just ripped alot until I got it right fit.
3. Finished size - I customed this to fit me and all my lumps and bumps so it is somewhere between an 18/20 in the bust area and 20/22 in the hip area.

This is easily customizable to your size simply by adding and subtracting rows from the center portion of the bodice and, of course, then you would have to decrease or increase stitches picked up along the bottom portion of the bodice.

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Sweater crude schematic

For some, following the schematic

may be easier than reading my

instructions.

The finished product. SUCCESS!!

Just stitchin'

My Fuschia Sweater

This is my first attempt at writing directions so they may not be perfect but they are simple enough to follow. The bodice of the sweater is worked vertically with the peplum stitches picked up along the bottom edge. The sleeves are worked in the same manner.
Note: This pattern was created specifically for my body/shape so some alterations made be required.

Stitches Used: Hdc and sc.
Pattern Used: Solid Shell Stitch
Yarn Used: Lion Brand Homespun but almost any yarn should work.

Front
Bodice
Rows 1: Ch20
Rows 2-4: Hdc in 2rd ch from hook and in each stitch across. 18st.
Row 5: Hdc in each st across DO NOT TURN at the end of the row. Ch29.
Row 6: Hdc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each st across. 45st.
Rows 7-25: Hdc in every st across.
Row 26: Hdc in the first 25st leaving remaining 20st unworked.
Rows 27-56: Hdc in each st across. 25st.
Row 57: Hdc in each st across and DO NOT TURN. Chain 22. Hdc in second chain from hook and each stitch across. 45st.
Rows 58-76: Hdc in each st across.
Row 77: Hdc in the first 18st leaving the remaining stitches unworked.
Rows 78-80: Hdc in each st across. Finish off.

Peplum
Pick up 78 stitches evenly spaced along bottom edge. Here you can pick up more stitches by Hdc twice in the same stitch if you prefer a more flared (A-line) peplum. The directions call for a multiple of 6st plus 1 for the foundation chain.
Row 1: 1sc into 2nd ch from hook *skip 2ch, 5dc into next ch, skip 2cdh, 1sc into next ch, rep from * to end, turn.
Row 2: 3ch (count as 1dc0, 2dc into first st, *skip 2dc, 1sc into next dc, skip 2dc, 5dc into next sc, rep from * ending last rep with 3dc into last sc, skip tch, turn.
Row 3: 1ch, 1sc into first st, *skip 2dc, 5dc into next sc, skip 2dc. 1 sc into next dc; rep from * ending last rep with 1sc into top of tch, turn.Rep row 2 and 3 for pattern until it reaches the length you desire. (I wanted mine to be a bit longer. I counted 15 shells/rows from the top of the peplum).

Back
Bodice
Row 1: Ch20
Rows 2-4: Hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each stitch across. 18st.
Row 5: Hdc in each st across. DO NOT TURN at the end of the row. Ch 29.
Row 6: Hdc in the 2nd ch from hook and in each st across. 45st.
Rows 7-25: Hdc in every st across.
Row 26: Hdc in the first 40 st leaving the remaining 5st unworked.
Rows 27-56: Hdc in each st across. 40st.
Row 57: Hdc in each st across and DO NOT TURN. Chain 7. Hdc in 2nd chain from hook and each stitch across. 45st.
Rows 58-76: Hdc in each st across.
Row 77: Hdc in the first 18st leaving the remaining stitches unworked.
Rows 78-80: Hdc in each st across. Finish off.

Repeat peplum pattern as for front.

Sleeves
Make 2
Sleeve is worked similar to the sweater pattern, meaning the first part of the sleeve is worked from the elbow up and then the stitches are picked up along the bottom to create the shell stitch with scallop appearance at the bottom.

- Ch47
- Hdc each st across. 45st.
- Inc every other row 2 times. 51st.
- Inc every 4th row 3 times. 57st.
- Continue even for 11 more rows.
- Inc every row 2 times. 61st.
Finish off.

Pick up 48 stitches evenly spaced along bottom edge of sleeve and follow instructions for peplum.
Join pieces together.

Neck Shaping
Pick up stitches along neck edge and single crochet around. I did 5 rounds. To create the mitered corners, see below:

Stop 1 stitch short of corner and skip first stitch on the other side of corner and continue to single crochet. In essence you are decreasing by two stitches at each corner.

I hope these instructions are easy enough to follow, if not, drop me an email and I'll try to answer your questions.

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