Tulip Meets Daffodil

Infinity Scarf In My New Favorite Yarn

When we went to West Virginia for our ski weekend, I didn't actually go "skiing" per se... (no coordination = no thanks, I'll stay in the condo!), so I spent a LOT of time crocheting. I actually made two scarves that weekend. One I already gave to a friend, and have no pics of it, but I used the wonderful Surreybelle scarf pattern - which is quickly turning into one of my faves - and Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick yarn in Oatmeal. I made it mega long (well, not mega, a little over 5 feet), and it worked up in just a few hours.

The other was an infinity scarf, using this pattern. I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick yarn in Constellation. It's a charcoal grey color - with silver metallics running through it. I love this scarf, and I'm keeping it for myself - in fact, I've already worn it many times. It is warm and snuggly and not too itchy.

Here's a close up of the yarn. Just enough sparkle...

Now back to my grannies. ♥

My First Crochet Hat

Here's another project I never posted about... drumroll, please... my first hat!

For my first attempt, I think it came out OK (I really have very little experience crocheting in the round...)

I made it over Thanksgiving. I had an awful migraine for three days straight, but did manage to make this... it worked up surprisingly quickly. I used Caron Simply Soft yarn in Dark Country Blue, and this wonderful pattern.

This was made with my hubby in mind, and he was a good sport and wore it out and about in public! The biggest problem with the hat is that I really made it too long - definitely added too many rounds. It actually looks kind of silly on unless you fold up the bottom about an inch and a half. I should have also used a thicker yarn (even though I love the Simply Soft), or at least doubled up the yarn.

But I do think it's a great "masculine" pattern and I love the texture. Great for a guy gift!

I Heart Handmade Crochet Dishcloths

Just a quick "project dump" post!

I made these in December actually... I wanted to work on a couple of quick-and-useful-and-pretty projects, (to supplement "the beast", aka my seafoam afghan, and my grannies.) And - I am of course completely obsessed with cotton yarn. And my kitchen.

So ta-da. Just a couple of dishcloths for your viewing pleasure! I did not follow a pattern for these, but they are certainly inspired by this lovely pattern, which I have used before.

For this one I used Lily's Sugar 'n Cream yarn in Country Stripes, which I had leftover from the rug I made for my sister.

What turned out to be so freaking cool is that the stripes came out almost perfectly even. Looks like I planned it, right? (I didn't, believe me.) If you want to try it - just start with 27 chains (I believe that was what I did).

Gotta love striping yarn!

And here's one with a ruffly edge, using Lion Brand Cotton Ease yarn in Seaspray. I had never used this yarn before, but I bought a skein 'cause I couldn't resist and of course had to start using it asap! It's really quite nice - very soft.

I'm actually not using this one for a dishcloth. I think it's too pretty to get all yucked up in the kitchen sink. I will probably save it for a gift or use it under hot plates at the table.

♥

The Year in Crochet

One of my goals this year was to continue to crochet regularly, and I'm happy to say I think I accomplished that. Of course, I could have done better, but isn't that always the case? Looking back on my projects throughout the year, I actually thought I did more! But overall I suppose I'm happy. I'm a lot more confident about my skills, and tackling new projects. And I made my first hat! (Actually, I've made two this month, but haven't posted about them yet...)

Here's 2012. In crochet.

♥

Finished Crochet Scarf and Pink Gerbera Daisies

I finished my vacation scarf (so named because I WORKED on it on vacation, not because I plan to wear it ON vacation... although I suppose that's possible!)

And yes, I did find the pattern. It's called the "Surreybelle Scarf" and it's wonderful - definitely a keeper. Works up very quickly and creates a wonderfully dense fabric:

And no edging needed because the stitches create a slight scallop at the edge. Love it.

I used Cascade Yarns Chunky Baby Alpaca in Ivy Twist (three skeins), and a size G crochet hook.

I am now back to my Seafoam Afghan - the thing is a beast, but I'm still enjoying it, and hoping to get it finished before the holidays. (We'll see... not holding out too much hope!)

And lastly, some gorgeous pink gerbera daisies I bought (on sale!) at Whole Foods last weekend. Not very "autumn-y", but I couldn't resist them and they really are really brightening up the house.

Plenty of time left for autumn!

Back to Blogging and my Finished Crochet Rug Project

You know, I really don't have a very good excuse.

Not one reasonable enough to explain my absence from my dear blog for... what is it... six weeks now? Feels longer actually. And to be honest, I've missed posting on this blog. It keeps me happy and (somewhat) sane.

But - I will provide one excuse... my hubby and I moved to a new house at the beginning of July. Just across town but - a move is a move. I am the type of person that thrives on Order and Routine and - in the past six weeks - I've had very little of that. Thankfully though... things are getting back to normal here. (And I LOVE love love my new home!)

And - after not picking up the hook for several weeks, I got back into it and finished the rug I had promised my sister. I was SO happy with how it came out. (And kind of surprised actually... I really think it came out that good. Very proud of myself on this one.)

Here's a couple of quick snaps I took of it before I sent it off to her.

I used Lily Sugar & Cream in White and "Country Stripes". And this Red Heart pattern, (although I did not add the fringe or add a border around it... seemed a bit much actually.)

And yes, I plan on making myself one (or two) of these for my new digs.

So thanks for reading... it's great sharing and chatting with you again. I will be back again soon. ♥

Crochet Thread, Little Hooks, and Rings

The other night I picked up some crochet thread (have never used it before) and some teensy tiny crochet hooks (never used them before either).

And came home and proceeded (in a surprisingly quick amount of minutes) to make myself a ring.

Always wanted to do that. And now I've done it. :)

Besides the fact that my carpal tunnel was screaming, (my wrist was NOT appreciative of that size 7 hook!), I loved whipping that little ring up. Made my mind all swirly with ideas...

Crochet Cotton Dishcloths

I'm still working on my ripple blanket and I think it's coming together quite nicely! I'm still not 100% happy with my color combos... but regardless - I think it will be a striking (and cozy-cozy is important!) afghan. (I love, love, love making afghans!)

Still not quite ready to show it off yet, though... I want to get a bigger chunk of it done first. :)

I worked on my ripples quite a bit last weekend and felt I just needed a short break from them this week. I also realized that I needed some new dishcloths. (My old ones are, well... becoming embarassing.) So - I decided to crochet a few.

I have to admit I've never actually MADE a dishcloth (can you believe it?) but I think mine came out very pretty. (As much as dishcloths can be "pretty".)

I decided to just do a half double crochet stitch throughout. Yes, I could have gotten fancier with the stitching... maybe added some front and back post stitches or something, but quite honestly - I think a simple half double crochet is a very pretty stitch. And perfect for this type of piece. Not as boring as a single crochet stitch - and a bit more sturdy than a double crochet stitch. 

Don't you think this one came out nice? I think it looks great draped on over my sink.

I made the piece above with a skein from my Rowan Handknit Cotton stash (in Raffia), with (I think) a size G hook.

I made two more using Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton yarn... (a much better choice than the Rowan cotton for this type of project), and a size F hook.

Loving the wonderful crisp, white cotton!

It's a great feeling to create something and then put it straight to use.

Crochet Ripple Scarf - Done, Done and Done

Finished Project Alert: my ripple scarf is DONE. Woo hoo! I probably could've made it longer, (I like my scarves very long), but I think it's fine how it is and I am quite ready to move on to my next project, (still TBD).

Ironically, you can't really see the ripples in the first pic below... but they are there and I love them. I used the Pacific Wave stitch found in Robyn Chachula's Crochet Stitches Visual Encyclopedia (great, great book - highly recommend), my go-to LB Collection Cotton Bamboo yarn, and a size G hook.

Sadly, it is quite warm here this week in Northern Virginia, and hopefully I did not miss my window to actually wear the darn thing out and about. Perhaps there are still a few cool nights headed our way, (and if not, believe me, it will be worn regardless!)

The scarf is far from perfect, but I am happy with it - and since it's a 'for me' project... I'm not stressing too much about it.

You can see in the picture below that I actually do need to block the scarf... one side is curling in and I'm quite sure I can fix that.

On to the next adventure...!

More Mini Daffodils, and My Crochet Shamrock Garland

I admit I'm not the best photographer, but I do enjoy it - and I'm always learning... (and hopefully - maybe - getting better as I go).

Here's another shot of my mini daffodils, taken on a different day with more sun.

And at a different angle than the pic in my last post. I'm discovering just how important light is... especially really good, natural light. Like I said, always learning, right? :)

I had a lovely, quiet weekend with the hubby. I did some work on the infamous ripple scarf (no, not done yet! almost...) and made this adorable (well, I think it's adorable!) shamrock garland for St. Paddy's Day.

I hung it on the kichen window (please, just look at the garland and not my backyard... long, long story there... :)

I followed the cute pattern I found here, with a few changes, (including starting with a magic ring, and adjusting the stem a bit). I also used my favorite Lion Brand Cotton Bamboo yarn, with a size G hook.

I just wanted a bit o' the green in the house!