Victorian Spring

I just finished this afghan that I had entered in the Ravelry olympic games but didn't complete it in time to get my award. But no matter...this was worth the extra time and effort....

Fans and Pansies Ripple Blanket

You can find the pattern HERE. Its so pretty...

Fans and Pansies Stitch Closeup

The pattern can be memorized (its a 6 row repeat) but is interesting enough that you wont get bored with it. All double and single crochet. I used the now discontinued Caron Spa and Country...has lovely drape and just enough warmth for a spring evening. A little steam blocking was all it needed. It measures 60" x 38". As much as I LOVE this afghan, I am going to sell it. I will make another one for myself. 

Got more afghans in the WIP pile...will be back with them soon!

Crochet, Away!!

Baby "Buggy" Blanket

Made this for sale as a baby shower gift. The customer wanted a baby boy afghan. I found THIS pattern and thought it would be perfect....a nice pattern without being too much. When I finished the basic ghan, I thought it needed something so I thought about it and got the idea of adding the bug appliques and the lines to represent their flying. The embroidery took time but it really came out great. I think the new mom will appreciate it.

I used a G hook and Bernat Softee Baby, which is not my favorite yarn because of how it splits, but its a soft yarn so it was a trade off. I used #3 crochet cotton to embroider the lines and got the appliques from JoAnn fabrics. I glued on the appliques instead of ironing them on because you will ruin the acylic yarn with the heat. The result works well....probably better, as I find that iron on adhesives tend to wear out after repeated washings.

Hope you are enjoying your Spring....or Fall, depending on where you are on our planet. :)

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Doris's Blanket

This blanket is what I was working on when my friend Doris passed away. She requested a blanket in 100% cotton and very colorful. I chose the Thermal Stitch Preemie Afghan pattern. I used various kinds of worsted cotton....Sugar and Cream, Peaches N Cream, Bernat Handicrafter and Lion Brand Cotton and a J hook. She wanted it very big but when she died, I just didn't feel much like making it as big as she wanted. So I decided to make the width the length and finish it in a smaller size....

It's a very easy stitch and makes a great, practical blanket for a kid. It's easy care....machine wash and dry. Its a warm weight but breathable. I'll save it for a child...maybe a future grandchild or maybe donate it to Project Linus. Either way it will get a good home and be a way of honoring my friend.

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Heirloom Baby Blanket

The first time I saw this blanket about 3 weeks ago, I just HAD to make it. Fortunately, someone asked me if I could make a baby afghan for them to give as a gift. So I sat down and started working on this beauty. Everything went smooth.....till row 9. Then I was totally confused. I did a little research and found out that others had been confused as well. I tried a couple suggestions...still didn't work.

So I was browsing in the grocery store a few days later and found that Crochet Today had published a magazine with their All Time Best Blankets, and what should I find inside but the same blanket pattern. Well, I thought that, perhaps, the pattern had been revised and I could have give it another try. No such luck.....still stuck at row 9. I was ready to throw the thing in the trash when I happened to see something in the pattern notes, which read, “Refer to the stitch diagram while working this pattern. which will clarify the complex instructions.” And I said, "Diagrams? What diagrams?" So I turned a couple pages and there they were....the charts for the blanket. It was a cloud parting moment. I went to row 9 on the chart and Ah HA! THAT'S what she means! And on I went. I didn't look at the written instructions again.

And this is the result. I am very pleased with how it came out. I used sport weight yarn instead of baby yarn and a G hook. You can find the text pattern HERE. If you need the charts, you will have to get the magazine. but its worth it. If there is a baby in the future for you or someone you know, this blanket will be treasured.



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Baby Snuggly

I just finished making this outfit for my son to give as a gift to friends who had a baby a few weeks back. This is one of the prettiest baby outfits I have ever made. I am huge fan of ShiFio's Patterns.....I have about 5 of them now. They arent hard but they are SO pretty...and they arent expensive, either.....they come as PDF's.

This is a Snuggly....essentially its a wearable blanket. Again, I used Emily as my model. This is a 0-3 mos. size, but it has room for growth. Emily is actually more of a preemie sized doll at 18". I did change one thing in the pattern. You are supposed to sew the bottom closed but I chose to leave it open so the baby could wear it longer....you dont have to gather the bottom. Its a very loose garment on purpose, especially the hood. Its just meant to cover the head so if the baby turns its head, it wont smother. The neck is also made loose. But the garment is a good weight....perfect for its purpose. I used 1 1/2 skeins of pink Patons Beehive Baby Sport yarn, one skein of white and an I hook...it called for a G but I wasnt getting the gauge with that. I did well buying the trims....the lace was on sale for 50 cents a yard....and it took 6 yds. The buttons were 99 cents for 5.... I needed ten. The little roses were also 99 cents a pkg.

If you like making baby clothes, like I do, check out the patterns. I really enjoyed making this, and I will be making more from patterns from the same designer. You can sell the items you make from her patterns, too, which is nice of her.

Crochet, Away!!