Lanesplitter done!

I finished my skirt and it came out wonderfully!!! I can definitely see myself making another one of these in a better quality yarn such as the Noro that Tina used to make the skirt. This acrylic tend to fuzz up and look knida kinky but I think I'm really going to like that. I think it will give lots of character to the skirt. Hopefully I'll be able to get a few shots of me wearing the skirt added shortly.

I have some beautiful options for blouses to wear with this skirt! My colors choices are many.

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So as promised I have a couple of photos I attempted to take of me wearing the skirt. I used the self timer feature on the camera and tried to show my 'good side'.
Making this skirt was a very easy, it did not require a lot of concentration but you do have to remember the increases. Then once you've gotten used to that and moved on to the straight portion then you have to remember the decreases. I'm happy to say I didn't have to rip any rows because of forgetting the pattern or forgetting to switch yarns. This pattern definitely gets two thumbs up!!

Keep stitchin'

Say Amen

This started out kinda of strange. I wanted to make a simple hat for someone and I wanted to use yarn from the stash I already have. I went through my bins and decided to try something with Lion Brand Incredible and Vanna's Choice. I absolutely love the way these two work together. This is the perfect marriage, I couldn't have chose two better yarns to blend. The Incredible has beautiful shades of brown, pink and gold. The Vanna's Choice being rust blended perfectly. The Incredible, because it's a ribbon/tape has a bit of sheen that just catches the light and shines. The way the light it the yarn every now I was able to see a special speck of light which guided me in a different direction. I was 'inspired' to create this hat for a totally different person and I couldn't convince myself to do otherwise so I went with it and came up with the 'Say Amen' hat.

With a completed hat I thought something is still missing...a purse! So I dug in my bag of tricks and didn't have anymore of the Vanna's Choice in rust, oh no!!! Since I have had this yarn for some time I was worried I wouldn't be able to find anymore of it. So I went to Jo-Ann's with my fingers crossed and was supposed to find plenty of it! So I came home and made the 'Say Amen' clutch. I used the same yarns to make a crocheted button rather than trying to find a button to go with it.

This set, though winter is almost over, YIPPEE!!!!! I think the colors are perfect fall/winter colors. The photo of the hat almost reminds me of pumpkin pie. It could be that I'm hungry, it's past noon and I haven't eaten a thing today.

The set will end up going to a pastors wife that I really like. She already wears just lovely fashions including hats and purses that match. To me, this is a good set to add to her collection. hope she likes it.

Keep stitchin'

Sides does matter

After taking a huge break from my craft and finally finding my way back, I am learning/discovering more and more about the craft. I have wondered if sides really, really matter, particularly in crochet. I would crochet something and just be glad to be done and have a garment that fits. Now that I am taking the craft more serious, I want that reflected in my hard work.

The Mary-Jane slippers that I just made definitely show that sides do matter.
Exhibit A, my completed Mary Jane slippers…yeah!!

If you look at the contrasting color in the left and right slippers (top is left, bottom right) you can clearly see that sides do matter. I'm showing a close-up shot of where I had to sc2tog. The top (left) has a much smoother look because the new color was added with the garment facing in the right direction. I am not real clear on exactly where I went wrong but being able to see the problem will make me more aware as I make future garments. The problem, most likely is not practicing what I preach (see previous post).
Even with this issue, I have finished the Mary-Janes. I know I will be making more in the near future. Only thing left is finding cute little buttons to put on them. It's definitely easy to make 3-4 pair in a day, depending on your schedule.

Keep stitchin'

Practice what you preach!!

A lesson hard learnt for so many of us. I teach and constantly have to say things like: Follow instructions, Attention to detail, Read the entire sentence. But many times when I am working on a project, following someone else’s instructions, I need someone over my shoulder telling me the same thing. Yesterday I started on a, what is supposed to be, simple pair of Mary-Jane slippers. A one-day project for most people but not me. Why? Because I don't practice what I preach. I had to ripped this simple little slipper sole two times and then switch to a smaller hook because I could see the sole was way to long. It was looking more like a skinny scarf than the sole of a slipper. So I finally got the sole where I was comfortable and continued. Even though my slipper was arched like a boat and pointed at the toe and the heel, I pressed on. The whole time I'm thinking to myself, hmmm this would probably work better as single crochet but I pressed on. When I got to the very last row I decided, what the heck, I'm shaking things up and doing a row of single crochet. DONE!!!!

Hmmmm, I'm scratching my head. Something ain't right! My slipper looks like an elf shoe! I went back on ravelry and took a look. No one else’s look like elf shoes So I decided to have a good look at the directions again. Maybe I worked too many rows of dc…nope that wasn't it. And then, bam!!! Right in front of my eyes! I feel like Homer Simpson. Duh, the English version, I do believe I am American, says that I should be doing SINGLE CROCHET!!! It really does pay to practice what you preach.

So here you can see the entire episode of starting with the sole, working up the sides, adding the border and there you have it...Keebler Elf! What to do now? I decided to make the best of it. I'm going to make another one exactly the same way and put pom-poms on the toes. What fun!!
Then I'll get back to business and make them the way they are supposed to be made. And this time, I'll practice what I preach.

Keep stitchin'

Computer down, computer down!!!!

My internet and land line have been down for almost the entire month of June...Thank You Comcast!!! Everything is finally back up and running and I can get back on top of things.

My cardi to match my skirt is done!! I still need to add the buttons to the cardi and the fastener to the skirt but other than that, I am done and on to the next project.




























Keep stitchin'

Ocean Breezes blowing

So I think I'm finish Ocean Breeze. Not sure if I like the sleeves though. I am having a problem with the shoulder dropping too far over with most of the tops I make. Gotta find an answer for that. With the Chan tops its not a problem because it's all the same the pattern. The shoulder always look fluid with the rest of the garment.
I love the way the sleeves bellow in the wind but I may have to make them a bit longer. The neckline is perfect for me. I was worried I would have to alter the V-neck because it was too low but it is just right. I added a row of shell stitching around the neckline to punch it up a bit, very sexy! I did have a little trouble with joining the rounds so I have the slightest pucker on the side. I trying not to stress over it though or I'll end up frogging and doing the whole bottom section over.
OMG! I AM A PERFECTIONIST!!!
On the other hand, I did a great job a weaving in my end. It's my best job ever, if I say so myself.

Keep stitchin'

Ocean Breeze

It seems me and Doris were just not getting along this time. The top I wanted to make was not cooperating. It's probably me so I still luv ya Doris but I choose to go another route. I think I am still stressed over not being able to make sense of the Moderne Jacket and needed to complete something to redeem myself. Well I found it!! What I needed was something that I could definitely complete and would not require a lot of thought. So I fell back on my old standby. Sweet from Crochet Me. The bottom portion of my 'Ocean Breeze' is from Doris' book Everyday Crochet. I love the way this top is coming out. I wanted to start making some tops for spring/summer and I think I found the right look. I'm not done yet, of course I have to make it longer to cover all my yummies...LOL. I also plan to add a bit more sleeve using the same pattern that's at the bottom of the top. I want to give a bit of flow to the sleeves for the 'ocean waves effect'.
Anyone planning to use this yarn, Lion Brand Microspun, beware of the stretch. I found this yarn to be rather stretchy and very soft to the touch. I used a J hook at the top/shoulder portion and then switched to an I hook for two rows and then transitioned to an H hook for the bust for, for less exposure. The transitions gave a really nice effect by simply changing the hook size, wasn't sure I would like it at first but now I think it adds lots of character. I transitioned to a K hook for the bottom shells in an effort to avoid adding more stitches though I may eventually need to in order to work around my tummy and hips. I think this may be my best Sweet yet. I think I may finally be getting the fit I want which means I'll feel comfortable making one for someone else!
Humble words to any of my followers or visitors: In my opinion, If you want to try your first top/sweater, this is a pattern I would put at the top of the list. You will eventually come up with different ways to change it up so that you always have a different style of sweater/top!

Keep stitchin'

I'm joining a CAL!!!

I am so excited. I DOING A CROCHET ALONG!!
I have read other blogs and boards where people have talked about doing CAL's and wanted to do one myself. Finally, after searching around I found one on the Lion Brand website.
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/60617AD.html?noImages=

I really like this jacket, it has a great texture rather than just plain sc or dc. I'm not crazy about doing a jacket in pieces, I grown accustomed to doing seamless top down. I don't think I'll be using the cashmere blend yarn that Lion Brand suggest for this pattern either. I looked at the section on yarn substitutions and found that Vanna's Choice and Pound of Love fit my budget much better. Another sub is Glitterspun...oh that may be fun!

So, I'll be off the Joann's this weekend to get ready. It start next Thursday 3/12 so if you want join in, get ready.

Keep stitchin'