May 3rd: Long Time No Update

Apparently I do not update this blog as much as I should.

I have updated one thing, today, to help me keep track of my projects. On the right hand side there is now a list of my ongoing current projects (which I keep track of in Ravelry) and how much I have completed. If you have a birthday or an event coming up, don't look, since I might be making something for you, but otherwise feel free to take a look and see if its something that peeks your interest.

I have been working on and completed tons of different items since the last time I posted. Currently I have ongoing:

Blankets:

200 Crochet Blocks - Using the book and started with blue yarn and have since added some purple and green. Recently joined a few of the first squares completed together using black yarn and so far it seems to be headed in the right direction. My original plan was to put all squares in one blanket. The book actually repeats a few of the patterns (just shows them in different colors (28 blocks shown in multiple colors with different block #s)), but even with 116 blocks that is a big blanket. Still trying to figure out what to do. (17/116 squares done. 6 joined.) ** Been ongoing since 2012!

Ripple Lapghan - No clue why I started this, but so far I have not used a single yarn twice. Hoping to add between 6-12 more rows. (12/24 rows done.)

Multicolor Granny Squares - No clue why I started this either, but the original idea was to have multicolor centers with a black border. Found an orange yarn in a small amount which matches the orange in the multi, so decided would have a few squares of solid colors with white borders as well. I could also turn it into something else like a bag, hat, or scarf. (10/? total: 8 multi with black border, 1 orange with white border, 1 multi needs border)

Wonder Crochet Blanket (CAL) - This is a crochet-a-long, which means the there is a schedule and over the year sequential parts of the pattern instructions are provided. I am behind (I actually started this late), so I am currently working on part 6, but part 8 has already been released and 9 will come out May 5th. (Completed part 5.)

Toys:

Alien Face-hugger - Life-sized. For J... Not sure if there is really anything else I need to say...
(Finished 2 front legs, 2/6 back legs, 1 back leg in progress, body almost complete - 85%)

Animal Dress Up Doll - I joined another CAL and I should of had this done way before the CAL started, but I have been running behind. I hope to get up to date with finishing the doll and the outfits, blankets, etc. released so far. (I think only the head is made.)

Dino the Dino Puppet - Trying to figure out if I should give up or not. Still need to make eyes, nostrils, teeth and set all on. It is big, so not sure how it is going to work out in the end. It might have been the yarn and hook size I used or it might be the pattern or any other possibility out there. It is a cute puppet though and I have made it this far, so I do not want to give up on it. (To Frog or not...  but really not much left to do.)

Super Banana - If you guessed for J, you would be right. Super B is made.. Just need to make the S for his chest and give him his drawers (underwear for people not from GA) as well as give him legs (just sew a line). Oh yeah, forgot that he also needs a cape, and probably eyes.. this one I still need to look at to really judge where I am, but I am closer to the end then the beginning. (Who knows at this point.) ** Been ongoing since 2014!


MISC:

Duality - Group Challenge that was sent a long time ago!!! It is a very nice hat though and I am using a grey yarn with multicolor "specks" throughout. Hope to get this done this upcoming weekend.  (behind on, but just need to do the decreases (the top part of the hat)).

Tabby Cat Scarf - From a book my SIL gave me. I am making it for myself (unless someone decides to steal it from me). (90% done)

* Entralac and Lace Wrap - I am still waiting for pics, but I want to keep this one fresh so I remind myself.. This is an oldie as well, but it has been completed for a while, so it does not count in my list of things I am currently working on, but it will show up in the list on the right had side. (100% done, just need pics.)

I will try and get some of these done and post pics as well as share some of the other things I have made in the last year or two.

That is all for now.

First Granny Square Blanket

I am in love! ~swoon~

 

 

Basic Granny Square instructions. Center square is 5 rows. Each color afterwards is only 3 rows.

New Technique - Finger Crochet

I learned something new today! You are able to crochet without a crochet hook.

I had heard about Arm Knitting before, but Finger Crochet was a new one to me. I gathered up four strands; 2 stands of Caron One Pound in Off White, 1 strand of Caron One Pound in Black, and 1 strand of Red Heart in Pink. Here are the results:

CO 10 stitches + 1 for turn.
Rows 1-4: sc
Row 5: dc
Row 6: sc
Row 7: hdc
Row 8-9: sc

The result: This makes a breathable, loose, thick square. It would be good for a blanket for colder weather locations or as a floor mat/rug.

I believe using a finger to crochet is a good way to understand how the crochet hook needs to operate, but it is not for those who have stiff or older joints. The dc really made my questions the whole idea and I needed to take a break after that row.

Overall: Would do again. A++++++.

1st Week Going Strong

My 1st week this year went well with projects.

I was able to make this delightful pattern, Diamonds Crochet Hat by Agrarian Artisan. The pattern is easy to remember so you able to crochet while doing other tasks, like watching TV and movies. They also turned out comfy and all yarn colors/materials worked and finished great.

 

I also got to make some mitts, Wabi mitts by Karen Templer. I used Big Lots yarn and thought the two skeins I used were the same. They were, but it turns out this shade of yarn has some variegation in the colors and my second mitt did not come out in stripes like the first one did. I plan to see about making at least two more in the same yarn to see if I can come up with a match. I have also set aside another yarn to make another pair for myself in the future.

 

 

They have neat thumb sections which make it super snug and yet still breathable.

 

 

This week also included learning about wiggly crochet using the May Flowers Hot Pad & Coaster Set by Susan Lowman. So far the pattern is going great and I am hoping to have it finished next week.

 

 

 

If you are still waiting on something from me, this year should be the year to get it. I am going to tuck in ends and felt away until everything is done. Happy New Year! 

My Love for the Rainbow Ripple Baby Blanket

The Rainbow Ripple Baby Blanket is turning out to be a go to pattern for a quick blanket that works for all ages. The last few rows feel like they are taking forever but then I remember that the inner circle part goes really quickly so it evens out. I love this pattern and am sure when I can I will squeeze in more of these.

 

 

This blanket is made with an ivory, blue and a blue and white variegated yarn that looks like a light purple when viewed from far away and is child sized. The purple one is made with a lavender,  deep purple and white yarn and is adult sized. The third is a yellow, pink and white baby yarn and is child sized. The only thing that makes them different is the yarn size used, which lead to some being larger then others though they are all super fluffy and soft after being machine washed and dried (low heat). 

 

 

 



Till next time.  

Updates

It has been a crazy year of ups and downs, but through it all I was still able to get some crafting done. I hope to post more often in the future and give progress reports and insight into the construction of future projects. Seeing it come together is really weird. Some of the completed projects which look wonderful did not start out that way and many times I though they would fail. It is an interesting process.

Recently I have been trying to get caught up on all the projects I have started. I wanted to start the new year with nothing in wait, but at the moment I have 6 in the middle of being completed with 3 projects not yet started but have been requested (though none are on a time limit). There are 23 days until the end of the year for me to try and squeeze it all in. That does not include finally felting a few mohawk hats and any other distractions (cute patterns I run into that just have to be done, looked into further) that deter my attention. Wish me luck!

I made a Ripple Waves Crochet Blanket, but somehow managed to not follow the pattern. I did not do the same color repeats though I do like how it turned out in the end. When I was younger I loved the green and purple color combo and this blanket shows it off well.

 

 

This cute Seamless Tissue Cozy was quick to make and is super handy to have at hand for the holidays. I plan on trying a few patterns out but after how cute this turned out I plan to make a few more in my future. Quick side note: unattended tissue cozies will get hauled off by a cat. :)

 

 

A first for me, a knit stocking, #25 Candy Cane Stocking. I decided to pick a random magazine and make the first thing I saw and this was the winner. The pattern was easy to follow and I believe it turned out great. The true test will be when it is full of gifts for Christmas.

 

 

 

The stocking got me into the holiday spirit and I wound up making a Snowman. This is the first pattern out of a magazine on holiday gifts and I hope to get around to making them all.

 

I finished my third Chevron Love Car Seat Blanket and it turned out as wonderful as expected. This pattern is a delight to make and is so innovative. There are two slots in the middle of the blanket where the bottom of cat seat buckle fits. This way the blanket cannot fall off and get dirty! It can easily be modified to a larger size and the pattern is easy to remember and quick.

Pic of Blanket

 

There are many other things I have made this year since the socks; blankets, hats, socks, bears, mittens, owls, headbands, baby booties, puzzle pieces and more were discovered and completed and some of them even found new homes.

 

(bottom left sheep is not made by me, but it is super cute!)

 

 

Till next time.

New Year, New Socks

There are over 17,000 (over 5,500 free) sock patterns available on Ravelry.com at the moment and I needed to find out what the fuss was about! Before I read anything I set out for my daunting task expecting to fumble and make many mistakes along the way.

I went to my local yarn store and picked up the first yarn that said sock on the label (On Your Toes Bamboo) and picked up a size 4 (3.5 mm) set of five double pointed needles. I have since found out that Size 1-2 are the the most common sizes in sock patterns (at least on Ravelry.com).

Size 1 (2.25mm) - 4,016

Size 1.5 (2.5 mm) - 3,901

Size 2 (2.75 mm) - 3,221

Size 3 (3.25 mm) - 1,375

Size 0 (2.00 mm) - 1,360

Size 4 (3.5 mm) - 975

I wound up picking a pattern that called for a smaller needle and larger yarn, but since I was only trying to "make a sock", not necessarily a "wearable" one I was not hesitant on the alternate supplies. 

I started with the knit pattern Starter Stockinette from the sock shaped book Knit Socks!: 15 Cool Patterns for Toasty Feet which turned out to be a great beginner pattern. The first thing I learned is sock patterns are knit many ways but the two main are from top down (leg to toe) and toe up (from toe to leg). This pattern called for the sock to be knit top down so it started with a cuff made of rows of the rib stitch.

I cast on using even large needle and then moved the stitches to 4 of the double pointed needles and worked the sock going down the parts from top to bottom: Cuff, Leg, Heel Flap, Turned Heel, Instep, Foot and Toe. I made sure to just take it small section but section and before I know it I had one sock and then two!  In the end I like the pattern, the yarn and love the bamboo needles, but would change the yarn and needle size to match the pattern or use a different pattern with the yarn and needles. The socks, due to the large needles and smaller yarn, came out more like a slipper sock then a normal, everyday, in your show sock. They do look great and are comfy and taught me the basics of sock assembly.