Boteh Scarf

Finally finished, blocked and photographed my Boteh scarf. The pattern, designed by Kathy Merrick, is in the Spring 2007 issue of Interweave Crochet. I used Lorna's Laces Shephard Sock yarn in the color Gold Hill. I thought the variegated colors would make this a nice fall scarf.

And it did turn out very nicely I think. I made it just a good bit shorter than the pattern so it is a bit more wearable for me. There's a closer shot below of the pattern repeat. This was a fun and quick project.

Baroque Jacket

Pattern: Baroque Jacket

Designer: Stitch Diva

Yarn: Brown Sheep's Cotton Fine

I bought the Stitch 'N Bitch Crochet book because it contained this pattern, although it is also available from Stitch Diva's website. Picked up some yarn and I finished this several months ago. But it looked so bad that I tossed it in a drawer and left it there. Now I am trying to finish all the unfinished projects around here, so I pulled this back out and blocked it. Wow! What a difference blocking made (and I apologize for the lack of a "before" picture). It is really a nice jacket and I've already worn it.

The original pattern calls for ribbons to be woven through the lace and tied in front. But I opted instead for raiding my button stash and adding some loops for button holes.

The yarn is a 80% cotton/20% wool mix and looks great but it was a pain to work with. It just kept splitting and I almost gave up. But I think this project was well worth it.

Lacy Treasure

Well, the shawl is still a work in progress, but I did finish a baby blanket.

It's from the book Keepsake Baby Afghans and designed by Kay Meadors. I used Bernat Coordinates for this and I have to admit it turn out gorgeous! The yarn has a bit of nylon in it and the finished blanket just sparkles. So pretty!! But the same bit of nylon made the yarn a bit tough to work with because it kept splitting. ARGHH - hate in when that happens. This blanket is going to my newest step-grandchild. I just know he will love it.

She Still Crochets!

Yes, it is true. I'm still crocheting but somehow, the blogging thing isn't going quite as well. Here's a quick update on recent projects.


Here's a true confession - I hate doing fringe. I tend to do it slo-o-owly. I've spent more time on this fringe than I did on the entire shawl and I'm only half-way done. But the shawl is gorgeous and really needs the fringe to hang properly. So I'm giving myself one week to finish this. Watch for an update next Wednesday!!


I'm working on the Boteh Scarf from the latest issue on Interweave Crochet. The yarn is a variegated shade of Lorna's Laces sock weight that I picked up on eBay. Did anyone else notice that the written directions and the stitch diagram in this pattern were ever so slightly different? The diagram is correct.




Finally, during a brief spurt of spring cleaning I came across this doily. Isn't it cute? It's Irish Crochet and in desperate need of blocking. I vaguely remember doing this but I have no clue where I found the pattern.

More about the Sunflower Afghan

Perhaps the most popular thing I've made is the Sunflower Afghan. I'm still getting comments and emails about it!! It is gorgeous and challenging and is one of the few blankets I've made and kept.
So here are answers to what I get asked most often:

1. As far as I can determine, the pattern is available only in the kit from Mary Maxim. I have seen one copy for sell on eBay.

2. I am not interested in selling my pattern at this time. I plan to make use the center motif to make a large circular afghan one day. I also am a BIG Supporter of crochet designers and their copyright. I will not make you a copy of the pattern and email it to you. (That would also be illegal)

3. The yarn I got in the kit was Red Heart Super Saver.

4. Here is my version of the errata for this pattern. (Thanks to Rita for the Rnd 12 point directions, because I forgot to write down what I did there.)

Sunflower Motif B:

Rnd 9: Join Color 2 with sl st in any ch-2 sp, ch 1, 2 sc in same sp,...

Rnd 12: Join MC with sl st in last st worked, ch 1, sc in same stitch, sc in each of first 4 sts, …
Also the directions for the point on Round 12 are incorrect. It should read “dc in each of next 6 sc, (dc, ch 3, dc) in ch-2 space, dc in each of next 6 sc, …”

Rnd 13: Join Color 1 with sl st in first st worked,…

Rnd 14: Join Color 4 with sl st in next ch-2 sp, 2 sc in same sp, …

Rnd 15: Join Color 2 with sl st in last ch-1 sp worked, ch 1, 2 sc in same sp,…
Rnd 17: Join MC with sl st in first st worked, …

And that's about it. I do thank you all for the comments and emails. Let me know if I've forgotten anything.

63 Squares Afghan

I've somehow managed to almost forget about this blog. Promise - I'll do better! It's been rather busy around here.

I have been doing a lot of crocheting. And not so much picture taking so I'll fix that too! As a matter of fact, the afghan that I started last summer has been finished.

Sixty-three 7-inch squares and each is a different stitch pattern. What a challenge it was! The individual squares were not that difficult (with a few exceptions). But by the time I would get comfortable working the repeats, the square was finished and then I had to learn another pattern.

But I think it turned out pretty good! There's yellow and four different shades of green, since I ran out of one color and couldn't find the same shade at any of the local stores. And it is pretty big - the full photo is spread out on a queen-sized bed.

I gave it to my Aunt when I saw her at Christmas. She loves it so much that she even mailed me a hand written thank-you note the next week! That note was the best thing I got for the holidays. It's great to be able to give love and happiness through crocheting.

Poor Blog - All Ignored

With the ups and downs of Summer 2006 it seems that the blog has been ignored. And now Blogger is giving me a hard time about uploading pictures!! So this post is in two parts.

Well, I can fix that 'cause I've been a bit busy. So what did I do over the summer (besides crochet)? Hubby and I did a bit of traveling! Of course, isn't that what summer is for?

We got up-close and personal with a C-17 and some nice young men from the Mississippi Air National Guard. This is one of the military transport planes that flies troops and supplies from the US and Iraq and back. It is absolutely huge! I've watched this plane doing fly-overs and was thrilled to get the chance to actually go inside one.

Poor Blog, Part 2

We also traveled to Breaux Bridge, Louisiana (also known as the crawfish capitol of the world) and stayed in the cutest little cabin near town. We ate lots of beignets and lots of crawfish - they serve crawfish sauce with everything. We took a swamp tour thru the swamps of Lake Martin. Saw lots of birds, three alligators and a wee little frog.
Then we spent a few days in Tupelo, MS. Tupelo's big claim to fame is being the birthplace of Elvis Presley and there are quite a few Elvis related places around. We stopped by the house that Elvis lived in as a child.

A side trip to Memphis, TN was necessary for Yarn Shopping! Memphis has several yarn shops but I spent all my yarn budget at Yarniverse. Great fun and I'll have to go back sometime soon.

I've been crocheting and I've got a few things to post later on. Ya'll be good now and come back real soon!

Finished objects

Rolled Brim Hats
Waffle Lattice Shawl
Boteh Scarf
Baroque Jacket
Lacy Treasure Baby Blanket
63 Squares Afghan
Sleeping Bunny
Little Princess Baby Blanket
Bell-Sleeved Pullover
Sunflower Afghan
Elegant Poncho
Decoupage Crochet
Yarn-Bee Topper
Child's Poncho
Kitty Blanket
First Socks

FO Sleeping Bunny

What could possibly be cuter than a palmful of sleeping bunny?

Pattern designed by Kristen Alfords and available in her etsy store here.

Made with Simply Soft yarn and crocheted tightly with an F hook.

Now ain't that just the cutest thang?!!

Time for Fun!

Duck





Duck








Goose

Goose

Goose

Goose





Feathered friends at Lakeshore Park! The geese are young Canadian geese. (Canadian geese even though many of these birds will spend the entire year here in Mississippi.)

Little Princess Baby Blanket

Pattern: Blanket designed by Pamela Wood - pattern is in the April 2004 Crochet World. Caterpillar designed by KristieMN - pattern is here on Crochetville.

Yarn: Caron's Simply Soft

Notes: I started this blanket (maybe about 2 years ago) but put it up when I got tired of doing all those flowers. But, in hopes that a good friend of mine will have a baby girl after 2 adorable boys, I pulled it back out and finally finished!
It is a cute blanket. Pattern has a huge error though - one row was totally left out. It was an easy error to notice so I was able to compensate.
I had yarn left over, so I made a matching toy. I love Kristie's patterns!
Ain't it just a precious set? Gee, I hope that baby is a girl.

DIY Crochetville Team

Such an exciting day! So many good things to be thankful for!!

First, I'm officially part of the Crochetville team to apply to be on Uncommon Threads on the DIY network. Wow! Now I'm much more of a crocheter than a designer. I so thankful to all the great designers out there who design such wonderful items. And I buy a lot of patterns each year making me a designer-supporter. So Pfft! to all those low-lifes who copy patterns and spread them all around. (Okay, I'm getting off topic here...)

Then, if you go to the post about the finished Sunflower afghan, you'll note that none other than Kim Guzman herself has left a comment! I 'bout fell out of my chair when I saw that. And she has a blog post up today linking to this blog!

So, it's been a good day.

Scarf Swap 2006

I got a package from the land down under, also known as Australia! Isn't this exciting!! I tore off outer wrapper, then tore through the bubble wrap, and found...happy smiley faces wearing sunglasses. Ain't that just so cute? I stopped tearing stuff, made sure that Hubby properly admired the cute wrapping paper, and took a picture.

Very carefully, I finished unwrapping the package and found all sorts of goodies inside. Let's see, there's candy (and it was very delicious), an Aussie postcard, a souvenior tray with Koala picture, some "g'day"leaves, a flip-flop magnet, and a duck (love the duck). The round thing with the flowers opens up into a very nice bag, which I'm taking on our upcoming short vacation. And the scarf - yellow, orange, and green - to match my blog. With duckies on each end. I love it! I love it! Thanks so much Cupcake!!

FO: Bell-Sleeved Pullover

Pattern: Bell-Sleeved Pullover from the Tahki Crochet book. Designed by Doris Chan.

Yarn: Tahki Yarn's COTTON CLASSIC, color 3931 (100% mercerized cotton DK/worsted weight)

Notes: This was a wonderful soft yarn to work with. I will have to use it again.
The pattern was well-written and easy to follow. I couldn't figure out how this went together when I first read the pattern. But once I got pass the first 2 or 3 rows, the design began to come together.
And I really like the pullover. I've worn it twice so far. The fit is great and the sleeves are just the right length, that is they aren't so long that the bell part gets caught on stuff. I was overjoyed to find a matching shirt at Sam's! Especially since I was expecting to really have to hunt for what to wear under it.
And this is a GREAT pattern book. There are so many really great patterns inside and I'll be making some of them in the near future. The book is available at Patternworks and also at Dreamweavers.

Hey, my back-yard needs mowing! Any volunteers?

Closet Clean-Out

Cleaned out my closet this weekend. I don't know how I managed to stick so many things into one closet but what a trip down memory lane it was! Thought I would share a few of the things I found covering 3 decades of my life.
From the 1970's is this afghan made by my Aunt E. If you didn't live thru the 1970's, particularly the year 1976, then you can't possibly understand the excitement that gripped the USA as the bicentennial year drew closer and closer. Everything was colored red, white, and blue. And this little afghan was given to me. I love it and, God willing, I will still own it when I die.

From the 1980's, is something else that I can't bring myself to give up. My genuine Levi 501 button-fly jeans. Never again will I be small enough to fit into these, which is okay because I almost wore this pair out. These jeans were HOT! I happened to be in Atlanta, GA when they hit the market and I immediately bought a pair. The pants came with instructions sewn to the waistband, because you had to "shrink to fit" for a personal fit. I remember spending a whole afternoon in a laundermat washing, drying, and putting on my new jeans until they were just right.





And my crochet habit started in the 1990's. That's when I made this broomstick lace cardigan. I found the original pattern dated 1993. I thought that the border with all the little roses was so cute. I still do but the cardigan no longer fits. This may well be the first wearable that I ever made. I washed it and hung it back up. Some things just can't be given up.

In other news, I finished two things! (Boy, I've been busy this week!!) Pictures will be coming soon, but hubby's socks are done and I've finished the bell-sleeved pullover.

Works In Progess

WIP No. 1 - The bell-sleeved pullover is coming coming along. This was a great project to start after the afghan. The pattern is well-written and the cotton yarn is so smooth. I'm really enjoying it and it is looking good (if I do say so myself). I do need to find a little top to wear under it because nothing in my closet will do.

WIP No. 2 - I've got a good friend who is having a baby. Now she already has 2 boys, so on the off chance that this one is a girl, I want to be prepared! I pulled out this half-finished baby blanket that I put down because I got tired of doing all those flowers. (Have I ever mentioned that I have lots of unfinished projects stuck all around the house?) I do plan to finish this up before the middle of June. It's a cute pattern with the pink center and a border of pastel flowers.

WIP No. 3 - No picture, but I'm still working on hubby's socks. It's become almost a never-ending project because I messed up on the heel of one sock and didn't notice until I finished both socks. The horror and frustation that I felt upon noticing the mistake, and it was a Big Boo-Boo, almost made me chunk both socks. And, if they had been socks for me I would have. But in the end I got to practice on frogging my knitting, putting the live stitches back on my needles and now I'm just trying to finish.

Future WIP - The Baroque Jacket from HH. This pattern was the reason I bought the book. I had planned to get it from the Stitch Diva's website anyway. The yarn came in this week but I'm not starting on it until I finish one of the three projects above.

So I've got plenty to keep me busy.

Oops...

So I laid the afghan on the floor, turned around for one minute to grab the camera, pointed the camera at the afghan, and suddenly, there was The Cat all nice and comfy-like, perfectly content to lie there and have her picture took. Now why do cats do that?

But the real oops is that there is a mistake in the Sunflower Afghan!I laid this blanket out many, many times as I was working out and I've spread the finished blanket out a few times to show off, and it always looked fine. It wasn't until I was reading thru my thread at Crochetville that I happened to look at the pic I had posted and noticed a dreadful error! One of the 8 sunflower blocks is upside down! How in the world did I miss that? The dark green front-post double crochet stitches, which should be framing the front of the flower are on the back. I've double-checked on the actual blanket and, yep, it's upside down.
One rainy day when I'm bored and looking for something different to do, I'll pull out the border, cut the seams, and turn that block over.

FO: Sunflower Afghan

Project: Sunflower Afghan designed by Irena Janiashvili

From: Kit purchased from Mary Maxim
Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver

Measures: 50.5 inches wide, 72 inches long




Notes: This was a bear of a project from the get-go. The kit was on back-order for a couple of months, and I had given up on actually receiving it when it showed up at my door. The yarn included was Red Heart Super Saver instead of Mary Maxim's Starlette. I've never used any of the Mary Maxim yarns so I don't know if this was an upgrade or not. (I did get a $5 gift certificate for having to wait so long and I've got several full skeins of yarn left over.)
The pattern has several errors and was a bit difficult to figure out at times. I ended up completely changing the last row of the border. The pattern featured crocheted tassel-things, which I thought looked just awful, and I ended up finishing the ends with a row of shells instead.
All in all, I'm really pleased with the way this turned out. It was a challenging project with lots of different stitches. And The Cat seems to think it is all comfy.

Next Project: The Bell-Sleeved Pullover from Tahki Stacy Charles Crochet book. I'm also still working on a pair of socks for hubby and I want to finish a baby blanket I started a while back.

Elegant Poncho

Pattern: Poncho from the Fall/Winter 2005 issue of Family Circle Easy Crochet

Yarn: Paton's Divine, 3 balls Soft Earth

Notes: The pattern calls for the knitting to be done in rows and the crocheting to be done in rounds. Nowhere does the pattern mention anything about seams, which I try to avoid anyway. So I got a circular knitting needle and did the knitting in the round too.
This is currently the favorite item I have made. I've worn it several times and it wears well and looks good! (A great combination for wearables.)
And it was fun to make. The top half is knit ribbing while the bottom is crocheted shells.

Remaining soft, fuzzy yarn went towards a kitty blanket (which The Cat refuses to actually lie on).