Things I'll Never Make

I love looking on the Lionbrand website for cute crochet and knitting patterns. I've found and made several cute things from that site. But I've also seen some items that I find a little odd, crazy, ugly, or just plain weird. So allow me to share some patterns I will never make.

These cups and saucers aren't too bad really, but I would never make them. Think of how floppy they would be.

This scarf looks like a man-eating blob from another planet. If I was that model, I'd look a little more concerned.

This "enchanting hood" might be nice for fairytale role playing, if you're into that sort of thing.

I would never make a Barbie afghan...for so many reasons.

If I'm ever in the mood to make a hot pad I can guarantee it won't be Halloween themed and especially not pirate Halloween themed.

And I really can't imagine the circumstances that would have to occur to prompt me to make these pom pom leggings.

No, I didn't make these up!

I know what you're thinking. You're thinking I'm crazy for not seeing the beauty, the value, the possibilities of pom pom leggings...so go get the pattern and make those things, ladies!

Crochet Party

I had a blast yesterday evening with about 10 other women who came over here for a "crochet party." All of these women are so neat, so much fun to be with. It all started a couple of months ago when I gauged the interest of some friends about learning to crochet. We got together and about 8 women learned to make a basic scarf. (Note: That was a crazy night...teaching 8 beginners, most who had never even held a crochet hook was a teensy bit harder than I expected. But they all stuck with it and I am amazed at how quickly they have progressed!) The crochet "bug" took off like wildfire in most of them, so my friend Erin suggested I hold another party and teach crocheting in the round, which is the skill needed in order to make hats. Almost all of the original scarf-makers came back and there were even new faces here tonight.

Of course, several of the women mentioned that their husbands or friends said, "No really, where are you going tonight?" when they told them they were headed to a crocheting party. One even asked if "crocheting party" was some kind of code for "bar." And it's certain we are not the typical grannies or dowdy types one might associate with the word "crochet."

I think all of us have a desire to create. It's inspiring to hold a skein of beautiful yarn and wonder what to make from it. It's comforting to form a beautiful and/or useful thing with our very own hands. It's fun to wear something that we made or give it as a gift.

And it's even better to do those things with a group of like-minded women while gabbing, feasting, and sipping wine. Just drop me an email if you'd like to join in on the next party. It's a great way to spend an evening.

New Slippers

Well, I thought I'd make some little pink slippers for my baby niece, but as I was stitching along I realized they were going to be way too big for her but just about right for Ava...

Now Ava has new slippers.

New Hat

I let Ava pick out yarn yesterday for a new hat and she chose purple with a hint of sparkle in it. I found a pattern with a lot of texture to it, something I had never tried before, and a couple of hours later...Ava had a new hat!

Leap of Faith (in Crocheting)

Oh I have become quite the expert on crocheting scarves. I've pumped out dozens in the last couple of months. Here is an extra soft and fuzzy pastel scarf I made for Ava a few weeks ago. She loves it!
But I had an itch to try something harder. I wanted to go for something I had never tried before...a sweater. Just the idea filled me with fear. Looking at patterns confirmed I was over my head. But then...I found this pattern and for once I said to myself I think I can do that. I bought the yarn and then I was committed to at least try. To my surprise, it wasn't really that difficult to make. I did have trouble understanding how to make one of the stitches, but I looked up a different explanation on google that cleared it up for me.

Ta-Da! A sweater for Ava!

I can totally see this over sleeveless dresses next Spring.

It only took about 3-4 hours and I had a lot of fun trying something totally new. Plus it gave me some confidence to try some even trickier patterns in the future.

And of course there is a joy involved with making something from scratch- no matter what it is- knowing that you formed materials into something beautiful or useful...or both!

Crochet Slippers

I admit, I am in some kind of crazy crocheting mood lately. I was browsing pinterest and saw a pattern for these cute slippers and knew I had to make them. The pattern is not extremely difficult, but I did make one slipper that I didn't like much first before I really got the hang of it. I can even tell a big difference between the second one I made (on the right) and the third one which is on the left...that is the one where I felt I totally got it and was fully pleased with what I had made. It only takes a couple of hours to whip up a pair of these and the website has patterns for kids' slippers, too. I would have to add puffy paint to the bottom of the ones for kids though because they are quite slippery.

Now the question is, do I have the guts to tackle a cute little sweater for Ava? The pattern claims to be "easy" but there is a lot involved that I have never done before.

Mine may not look as perfect as the picture above on the pattern website, but maybe it'll be close!

Baby Afghan

I'm going to be an aunt again in February (my brother's first baby!) My excitement over this news teamed up with my excitement about crocheting to produce this adorable little baby afghan. I had to make it yellow because those 2 stinkers are not finding out the gender before the baby is born. But that's okay. Yellow is beautiful, and everybody likes a little mystery.

The above photo was on the Lion Brand website where I found the pattern. It uses a thick, soft, almost cord-like yarn that is easy to wash and dry. And the stitch is quick and easy to do. I had a lot of fun working on this especially knowing my little niece or nephew would be wrapped up in it sometime. In fact, I am secretly hoping this becomes The Blankie that the baby prefers and loves and must carry everywhere in order for anyone to get a good night's sleep. We will see if my dream comes true.
Here is what my finished product looks like. Look at the cute little edging around it. I love this edging. As I was making that stitch and seeing the edging form I called Cody over to look at it. He wasn't nearly as excited about it as I thought it warranted. I mean, that edging is super cute! He merely noted it and went about his business, so I called him back over a few minutes later in hopes he would show a bit more awe. I finally gave up and called a girlfriend of mine who also crochets. She and I were able to gush appropriately over the cuteness of the edging.
I'm looking forward to meeting the sweet little one who will be wrapped in this blanket in a few months.

Curly Scarf

I finished another quick and easy scarf this week. I had been wanting to try making a curly scarf and I found this pattern on the Lion Brand website. I didn't use the type of yarn or exact hook size they recommended but I am still happy with how it turned out. So many crochet patterns are flexible that way. I'm going to make another one of these in a softer, thicker yarn and see what I think.

P.S. I'd like to thank my semi-professional photographer for the photo shoot that resulted in the above photo. He's available for bookings, but you have to work around his preschool schedule and supply him with twizzlers and root beer.

Hat

Just finished my latest project. I used super soft baby yarn and a size j hook to create a soft baby cap. Then I made a crocheted flower using this handy video tutorial a friend sent:

http://youtu.be/94vYpcZ3W64

The hat is too small for Lucas but I stretched it onto his head just to try to get a good photo of it. Thankfully I did have a sweet one year old over here today to test the hat on and confirm the circumference. Thanks for letting me borrow your baby, Rachel!

What I've Been Up To

It happens almost every fall. I suddenly get the urge to crochet something. Sometimes it's an afghan or baby hats...this year it has been scarves. Scarves in every shape, color and size. Here is a pile o' scarves. I even hosted a learn to crochet party about a month ago and taught some of my friends how to crochet a scarf. Scarves are the ultimate crochet project: simple, fast, requiring little to no thought or stitch counting.

But, after making a zillion scarves, I searched the web for something a little more tricky...and elegant. I found a free pattern for the Elegant Simplicity Shawl on the Lion Brand website and got to work. Actually, I tried two other patterns before it and failed miserably! I could not get them to work right at all and gave up in disgust. Then, I found the elegant simplicity shawl and life got much better.
It can dress up or down and goes especially well with bright purple running shirts, don't you think?
And then right after these photos were taken, a bobcat ran into our yard. I'm not kidding! The camera was already out so we got some pics of the huge cat as it casually leaped over our fence into the neighbor's yard. Guess that will be the next blog post.