Tulip Meets Daffodil

Crocheting With Wire and Keeping My Goals

Productivity at work this week: good.

Crafty creativity this week: not so good.

Also, my father in law has been visiting, and while he's a wonderful houseguest - very chill and laid back - and we love having him here... it's thrown my schedule a bit off. Not enough granny square time - too much eating out time! (Note: not complaining. :)

Before my dear FIL arrived, I was in a wire crochet jewelry frenzy. Well, maybe not frenzy. More of a dabbling. But I'm growing to love it, really. And I think I'm also developing a bit of a bead addiction! (Trying to control myself though, for my pocketbook's sake.)

I think my favorite so far is crocheting with copper. I also made a wire-wrapped necklace, which turned out neat (albeit a bit lopsided), but - it didn't make my heart flutter like crocheting with wire did. Looking forward to making some more pieces. And more practice, practice, practice!

And... I also didn't want to get completely off-track with my granny square a week goal, so I did start a square last night. See?

Not done yet, but - I'm really trying to stick with this goal. Really and truly. :)

Granny Square a Week : Week Seven

I'm a bit late in posting my weekly granny square (ok, squares!), but - I did have them done last week. For real. It's just been cloudy and rainy for days now and I was waiting for some sun to take a nice photo.

Well, today, STILL no sun, but I went rogue and took the photo anyway! So, not my finest moment photography-wise, but I am sticking to my goal!

I was hesitant to take the photo at all as these squares do not match in any way, shape, or form, but I have some new colors and wanted to use them. And I think all will be well when (months away) I start actually putting the darn blanket together.

And - if I'm being fully honest here - I did not weave in my ends yet on these, so I'm not sure if they are "officially" done. But, for sure, they're "done enough". :)

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.

♥

Granny Square a Week : Week Six

Week 6 square. Not quite sure I'm in love with the color combo - seems a bit "Sesame Street" to me! Regardless, it's been added to the pile. :)

I did order four new colors this week: Sugar, Turkish Plum, Violet, Pesto and Shell. Pinks, purples and greens... I think they will definitely round out my color palette for this blanket. More yarn! Love it!

Granny. ♥