An Inspirational Moment

I started this project last year and recently brought it out of my WIP basket to work on again. It was originally an afghan pattern but that changed. I finished 5 of the motifs and held it up to look at it. And it hit me....wouldn't this make a lovely shawl? So I wrapped around me and I LOVED how it looked. So that was it....good bye afghan....hello shawl.

The pattern is from the Leisure Arts booklet "Absolutely Gorgeous Pineapple Afghans". The first motif was a learning curve for me but after the first, I pretty much had the technique down. If you are adventurous, check out the pattern and try this....I think you will like it. :)

Crochet, Away!

Carefree Cardigan

I got happily lured into a CAL on Ravelry for the Carefree Cardigan from The Crochet Closet by Lisa Gentry. I have had the book for while now but never seemed to get motivated enough to try anything from it....the CAL was a great incentive. If you belong to Ravelry, you can check out my projects page where I have the project photos broken down into completed sections of the garment.

Ron took the photo for me, so thanks to him for that. This is the first really wearable sweater I have ever made...working from the top down is SO much easier.....no seams and you can make it any length you want. I made mine with 3/4 length sleeves because I dont like long sleeve sweaters. I used Caron Country in Renaissance Rose. Check out the pattern and give it a try. I find it runs big so if you make it, use the yoke as a guide for size....if it seems too wide, use a smaller hook. I did a gauge swatch, thought it was right, but the stitch pattern made the yarn VERY stretchy.  :)

Crochet, Away!

Circle in a Square Pillow

I found THIS pattern in my Ravelry travels and thought it would make a nice gift for my DIL...she seems to like colorful things.

Its easy to make...the motifs dont take long to crochet. I used mattress stitch to join them and added a zipper so the cover can be easily washed. This would make a pretty afghan and I only used the leftover Vanna's yarn  from  the Rainbow Ripple Blankets I made.

I keep telling myself to start making things for myself or to sell.....but I get such pleasure out of crocheting for others. Still, MUST.STOP....LOL! (At least for a little while)

I started another Crochet Corner column for Ravelry. Not sure when it will be published but you can keep a lookout for it.

Crochet, Away!

X-tra Thick Unisex Textured Slippers

My son asked me to make him a new pair of slippers and I wanted to try out a new pattern. I went on a search for a relatively easy pattern and found THIS one.

I like the fact that you dont have to make separate soles and stitch them together. I started a pair like that and lost interest. So I tried these and I was sold on them. Easy to make and very little sewing (just the seam in the back). I made them larger for my big footed son by using a J hook and increasing the amount of rows. I think he will like them....heck, I like them and may just make myself a pair.

Christmas crocheting is finally finished! To all of you who celebrates, have a WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!! 

Crochet, Away!

Rainbow Ripple Afghan

I finally finished this afghan which I am giving to Annie for Christmas (I am currently making an identical one for Naomi). It looks a bit like a color card for Vanna's Choice yarn, but I think its perfect for anyone who likes a bit of color and it will go with just about anything. I made it adult size so unless something disastrous happens, they should have this forever. The yarn should last a good long time as long as its cared for properly, although you cant do much to acrylic. 

You can find the pattern HERE (I believe you have to register with Bernat to view it but registration is just giving an e-mail address, if I remember correctly).  The patten is easy and quickly memorizable. I used a G hook so I got a heavier, denser blanket. Each color section used 3/4 of a skein, so you can count how many skeins I had to buy. And the picture doesn't show the entire length....there is about another 24 inches behind the chair. If I sold this blanket, I would probably have to charge between 3 and 5 hundred dollars for it, so its certainly not an inexpensive project.

However, THIS.....

.....is not expensive. Its the Branching Leaves Scarf and it only took one skein of Lustersheen. Not sure who I am going to give this one to, but I plan on making another one....with beads.

Crochet, Away!

ETA - 7/28/2014 - I had to edit this post as the pattern for the Branching Leaves Scarf is no longer available. Sorry.  :(

Quick Stitch Cowl

Here is a really quick and easy project for you or as a gift. I found it in the current issue of Crochet World magazine. It's made with Homespun, which is the bane of many crocheters (myself included) but once you get past the foundation chain, it's very easy because its made almost entirely of post stitches. The Homespun is actually perfect for this cowl....adds bulk without a lot of weight and the colors just add to the look. This one I made as a gift but the next one is for me. Perfect if you don't want "hat hair" but need a little protection from the cold. It's made to be worn either down around the neck only or pulled up onto the head. Check out the magazine....there are some nice holiday patterns in it.

Crochet, Away!

"Have Fun Stormin' the Castle" Afghan

As I mentioned in my previous entry, here is William's Christmas present.....

As soon as I saw the pattern I immediately thought of blocks and the way the pattern colors I chose were stacked after a few rows, reminded me of a castle wall, so I named it after one of my favorite movie lines. William is into castles and knights so I though it would be perfect. The colors are similar to the ones I used in the Pinwheel Afghan, but they are not the same, nor even the same manufacturer. I think they are great for a kid and I made the afghan about 5 ft. long so he will have plenty of time to use it. You can find the pattern HERE.

Ok....on to the next Christmas gift.

Crochet, Away!

Water Ice Afghan

I decided to make afghans for all the little kids and this is the first one I have finished. Its for Sydney, since I am sure she has outgrown the baby afghan I made for her.....

This pattern comes from the Leisure Arts booklet, "Circular Baby Afghans". Its the colors I decided to use that make it stand out from any other ripple ghan. And the edging is different, too. I used the Simply Soft Brites, which makes it look, IMO, like Italian water ice colors....hence the name I gave it.

Now I have to work on finishing William's afghan...which will probably be my next entry here.

Crochet, Away!

Not Another Dishcloth??

Well, yes and no. I would have to say that this is NOT just another dishcloth.

This one was made in Short Row Tunisian....which I never tried before and I am totally impressed with the technique. Its made in one piece with the first and last rows sewn together. You can find the pattern HERE. There is a video on the site but I never watched it.....the written pattern was enough for me and I had it memorized after I finished the first section. But if you are totally unfamiliar with Tunisian, I would recommend viewing it. These cloths look knitted on the right side, but they are crocheted.

I whipped up one in a couple hours.....made 2 on the 3 hour trip back and forth for my son's wedding. Give it a try if only to learn the technique. It might tempt you to learn more about Tunisian.

Crochet, Away!

An Experiment

Sorry that I have been out of touch. My mother passed away and I haven't had much time to devote to my online pursuits. But I do have this to share.

Some time ago, I found THIS baby pattern on the blog of an online friend which was translated from the original Portuguese. I planned on making the sweater but had no baby to make it for. So I thought about it and wondered how it would look in an adult size. So I found a pound of mill ends in a craft store, upped the hook size to a J  and decided to give it a try. This is the result.......

Its about a small/medium size and although it wouldn't fit me, I knew it would fit my mother. But she didn't live long enough to wear it. So I brought it home and will try to find someone else that can use it. I do plan on trying to enlarge the pattern even more so I can make one for myself. But if you are a small sized lady or you know a young girl that might like this, do try it. You can adjust the length of the body and sleeves very easily.

If you feel adventurous, you could get some bulky yarn, an M hook and try the pattern. It should give you a size Large. :)

Crochet, Away!