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'

Baby It's Cold Outside!

I know it's been a minute but it's so cold here. Our gas and electric company, BGE, is off the hook. Some people's bill is two to three times higher even though they have not made any significant changes in their life styles. Honestly, I keep my thermostat set at 62-65 degrees and shiver wrap in shawls and sweaters. Thank goodness for handcrafts!! I can so easily whip up a hat, a neck warmer or a pair of bed socks to keep me warm. It's been too cold to sit at the computer or do anything but stay wrapped up and wait for the heater fan to kick in. As soon as I start to thaw and cuts off and amazingly in about a minute I'm shivering again. So since it's a bit warmer today... yeah, and even warmer this weekend, I can get caught up.

I bought Doris Chan's book 'Everyday Crochet and made her sweater called Soft Serve. It was a bit sketchy in the beginning because the directions seemed off, to me. What I've learned is that I have to simply trust and follow the directions. Mine came out really nice. I used Caron Simply Soft. The book says its a good bed jacket but once I saw it I knew I wanted it for day/evening wear. It's perfect for covering my arms when I wear a sleeveless dress. The yarn drapes very well and the garment looks very feminine.

I also created a couple of heart-shaped bookmarks for Valentine's Day. They were given to two lovely sisters to use in their bibles. I used J&P Coats Royale Crochet Thread #10. I have not worked with this thread in quite some time worried that it would bother my arthritic hands, espesically during the cold weather. I guess because it was such a quick project I had no problems. One of them has hearts on each end while the other has beads added to glitz it up a bit.

Lets see what else do I have. Oh, I made a hat to match my coat. I found a pattern on the Lion Brand website that called for one skein of yarn. Since I already had some green yarn in my stash I figured it is perfect. Instead of using Lion Brand Homespun like the pattern called for I used Red Heart Light & Lofty which is another super bulky yarn that works up really fast. The hat is kinda goofy looking but very warm and roomy since I just braided my hair.

Keep stitchin'

Dishcloths

I found a really cool Tunisian stitch dishcloth on Ravelry and wanted to give it a try. I like it a lot and it was easy once I understood how to get the second wedge started. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tunisian-short-row-dishcloth

The other one is just a simple pattern of single and double crochet. Another pattern found on Ravelry. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dorothea-dishtowels
It's supposed to be 10.5 inches but I ran out of yarn at 9.5. I love the natural pattern of stripes that came out in this cloth. It looks as though I put some thought into creating a diagonal plaid design. I can definitly see myself making a set of dishcloths with this yarn, or should I say cotton. What is it? Lily Sugar'n Cream.














Keep stitchin'

Crochet classes

I started offering crochet classes at work. This past Friday was my second class. My first class only one person showed but this time I had two. I had a lefty and a right-handed person which made things much more interesting. I actually made an attempt to crochet left-handed in order for my student to get a better understanding.

I have a simple pattern for a dishcloth/potholder that will teach single crochet and double crochet to complete the project.

Keep stitchin'

Completed sweater

Finally getting around to posting pics of my last sweater. It's been one of those weird times when I don't want to do much of anything but sit in front of the TV and crochet. So now that I'm back on track, kinda, I'm posting.
I think it came out very nice. I still have not put buttons on but I went to Jo-Ann's yesterday and bought bone rings to make them. I saw a cool pattern right there at the store to show you how to make the buttons. I shouldn't have any trouble making something similar.

Keep stitchin'

Round Motifs

I finished my red, white & black cardigan. Final pics will be loaded after I get someone to take pictures of me in it. So, I move on other projects.

ROUND MOTIFS: I found this really cool top in an old CROCHET! mag. It's a very skimpy halter top that I would never wear but the motifs can be used to make something I would wear.
This pattern is so pretty. I know they probably look like hexagons but they are not. The pattern reads:
Rnd 1: Ch 4, 15 dc in the 4th ch from hook, join with a sl st in 4th ch of beg ch-4. (16 dc) (I choose to use the magic ring for a tighter close in the center).
Rnd 2: Ch 3, 2 dc in next st [dc in next st, 2 dc in next st] around, join with sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch-3. Fasten off. (24 dc)
It says to make 30 motifs, arrange motifs and sl st them together.
My question: How do I join round motifs. I have never done any work with motifs before so... help is needed on this one. Squares, I don't see a problem. Hexagons, I don't see a problem. But round; don't quite get it yet so I can't go shopping for yarn. :(

I had to take my car in for service this morning, freaking up because the engine light was on. Guess how much it cost (drum roll please) NOTHING!!!! it was something to do with the thermostat but it was covered under warranty. What a relief!! I took my travel supplies with me, yarn and hook, and I made a very nice hat while I waited. All thanks to Dot http://patternsbydot.blogspot.com/2005/11/bobble-beauty.html

This hat was very quick and simple. It calls for two rows of bobbles. I think if I make another one I'll add another row or two of bobbles.

Keep stitchin'

Red, White & Black

Well, I was supposed to be working on The Chevron Lace Cardigan based on the pattern and software download by Milobo http://milobo.wordpress.com/ I am not happy with my yarn choice. Someone gave me some Reynolds Lopi Lite which is 100% wool. I have never worked with 100% wool before so it takes some getting used to. So I frogged it, toss it aside and started looking for idea for something else.

I don't do New Year's Resolutions, too disappointing, I do Life Changes. So this year's life changes in the craft department include working with colors and texture and better fit. I also look forward to trying crochet with wire and beads.

Anyway, yesterday I started a cardigan based on the Sweet pattern by Amy Houck http://crochetme.com/sweet.

I can't get enough of this pattern. Any beginning can used this pattern and make the perfect sweater on the first try. In this one sweater, I have already achieved my 'life change'. I have colors, texture and the fit is awesome. I thing of either making this a twin set with matching shell or mock twin set with the inset shell front.

Here is a closer shot of the texture I added with a simple twists of the switches. This whole design is inspired by fellow member on Ravelry that I added to my fav's. I hope she doesn't mind. But thanks Riotflower http://www.ravelry.com/projects/riotflower/sweet-sweater
















I bought a skein of Paton's Grace yesterday. I just want to experiment with it, get a feel for it and maybe that will make a great lacy cardigan for spring. My son and his girlfriend have adopted a godchild so maybe it would be good to make a cute little jumper or cardi for her. I think if I wanted to make a sweater for myself I'd want to use two strands together just to bulk it some a bit so it would take to freaking long to get it done. But isn't beautiful! Lots of lilac, lavender, white, and sky blue. Of course all these colors probably go by different names but I'm old school.

Keep stitchin'