Been a While

Hey everyone! Sorry it's been a while! Times have been pretty busy, and I haven't had much time to crochet like I would like to.

I have been working hard on a small baby afghan and matching beanie for a pregnant friend of mine who is due in January (or is it February?). I am way behind on the blanket (it's been about a month since her baby shower...oops!) but the last few days, I have been able to play a lot of catch up. I am still working on the beanie, so once I have that done, I will take pictures of the set before I hand it off to the soon-to-be mama!

I have also been knitting lately. Like, a lot. As in, I really, really, really like knitting. My only problem is, I taught myself, and right-handed at that (I'm left handed, I crochet left-handed), so I am horribly and awkwardly slow at knitting. I don't know how to hold the needles or yarn for tension at all. Anybody out there want to help me??

My main "obsession" right now would be dishcloths. My sis-in-law has several knitted cotton dishcloths and I love them. I have a crocheted dishcloth, but it's not cotton, so it's not super awesome, but it works, and I actually really like the textures and ability to hold water and soap while washing dishes. Walmart, bless its awful heart, has Peaches 'n Cream cotton balls of yarn for under $2!! And so many fabulous colors. I have to save my money so I don't buy them every time I go to the store. I bought black (good dark, solid color for dishcloths) and have been working on one. My only problem is, I keep changing the pattern. I make one for a few good rows, then find another pattern I like better, so I unravel everything, and start all over. It's taking me forever. I am also "practicing" a dishcloth with normal worsted weight yarn at work, and I am actually really liking how it is turning out!

Ooh, I also REALLY want to make socks. And a stocking like this great video I found online!

However, that requires special needles that I don't have, but would love to some day acquire. Oh, someday!!

That reminds me. Anyone know of any good ways to store yarn??? I looked it up online and people were saying things like, "You never need to keep leftover yarn" or "Give the rest of the yarn with the blanket/gift so that if anything happens, they'll have matching yarn to fix it" or "Why the heck would you save leftover yarn you're crazy." What! I mean, some of the projects I've made have barely used even half a skein! I have soooo much yarn left over, and over my dead body will I just throw it out. I just need to find a better way to organize it than throw it in a box in the same plastic grocery bag that it came in.

Anyway, no pictures today. I'll keep working and crocheting and knitting. And spending hours watching knitting and crocheting videos online. And drooling over crochet and knitting books at the store.

Christmas is coming up, so have fun with whatever fun things you are making for Christmas! What is your favorite Christmas tradition? Share!

Happy Halloween!

Happy 1st Halloween to my baby daughter, Hailey!

Have I ever told you about my absolute undying love for flamingos? And my kind of detestation of crochet hats and how I had sort of made a vow that I would never make them?? Well in the end, we know that love wins out all! And now I really do like making the hats! I made this all up on my own, after learning a few basics from online and getting my inspiration from an Etsy shop that I will have to find the link for because I can't seem to find it now...

I think it turned out well and more pictures to come of the hat itself!

Love LOVE my little girl!

A Couple/Few Projects Lately

I decided a few weeks ago that I needed to be better about my exercise routine. So on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, Hailey and I have been bundling up and going for a walk/jog around the neighborhood. It's been pretty good! (although I'll admit I haven't been  for about a week because I have been so busy!)

I had a hat for Hailey, but I really wanted something I could tie around her chin. A few minutes after an online search, and voila! We have cuteness!

I used CrochetnCrafts' pattern right here because I loved the gradual earflap instead of the triangle look. It is all shells (you know me and shells!). I used size G hook as it suggested in the pattern. As for the yarn, well, I just used what was left over from my other blanket! I love leftover yarn!

This hat was super easy to make and I actually started about 3 others all in different colors! I'm really excited about them and excited that Hailey has something to wear to keep her head warm during our jaunts outside.

She is just too cute! The hat was a little too big, but really not too bad!

I also knew that with cooler weather coming in, I was going to have to start making Hailey wear shoes. At least for church! I am going to make her some boots for every other day wear. I am really hesitant right now about buying normal shoes for Hailey because her feet are so TINY that nothing even really fits. Hence the beauty of custom crochet.

The pattern came from one of my favorite youtube videos by tjw1963 on Crochet Geek channel. The pattern is for baby Mary Jane's. I liked this pattern a lot because of the simplicity and easiness. I made these shoes very quickly. Well, that's a lie. I got distracted and only finished one and then the second one just needs some final touches on it. 

Also, I stole the buttons from my mom's collection. Don't you just adore them??

Knitting...

Would you judge me if I told you I've actually picked up on some knitting and am really quite starting to enjoy it...?

There are so many things you can do with knitting. So many types of stitches. I've always looked at sweaters and wondered how that is made and then suddenly...here I am making that in my hands!

It's really incredible. I've got a lot of practicing to go, but I think I might even try to pick up a book and, I don't know, maybe make something!

Don't worry. I still choose crochet as my forte. I'm just saying. Maybe I should have named this blog "I Love Yarn" because, well, I really do love yarn, be it knit or crochet. That way I could write about whatever!

So don't hate me if I happen to start posting about knitting projects, too.

Ok, time for bed!

Wow. Last post August 28. I did not mean for that to happen! I had been having some issues with blogger so I am sorry for my long absence! Doesn't mean I haven't been working, though!

So here it is!

This is the yellow/gray/white baby afghan that I made for my friend's baby in Logan. Her theme was yellow, and making a yellow blanket...is honestly a little sickening. I needed to throw in an accent color. I chose gray at first, but thinking about it, I wish I would have done a cute green or maybe even purple. Oh well! Next time!

I used the same shell pattern, except minus the shell edging (mostly because I was just really running out of time). You see all those strings hanging there? The WORST part about switching out colors so often. Every single one of those loose ends had to be woven in. Yet again another reason why it took me so long to want to finish this.

And I'm sorry I wasn't able to get a full picture. Once again, I was kind of pressed for time.

The next time I make a blanket, I may have to rethink the color-switching thing. It's cute - it really is! But I'm going to have to really put my "press forward" attitude on if I am serious about it. For now, I might just stick with a solid color and my standard ribbon on the corner. Or a flower. Either-or.

I also did a couple burp cloths that I also was pressed on time for and failed to take any pictures.

I promise - I'll do better!

Current project...trying to figure out what to do with 3 tiny skeins of SUPER soft/SUPER thick yarn that I picked up at Walmart/how am I going to turn it into something useful for my friend's new baby? Any suggestions other than a blanket?

Also...Walmart has their flannel on sale for $3.50/yd. How can I resist??? That is SO cheap and SUCH a good deal, I could totally stock up and be prepared for any burp cloths or blanket hemstitch ideas that come my way! Oh, what to do, what to do.

I love to crochet.

Lastly, I had a really fun night with my sister a couple weeks ago. She suggested we have a movie/crochet night! Sounds boring to you, but that's really what we did! That's when you know you love your sister so much that you look forward to nothing more than to sit down and watch "The 10th Kingdom" with her while crocheting!

Stay tuned for more pictures as I continue on crocheting!

Adding in More Projects

I got new yarn, and this new blanket is key-UTE! Hopefully I'll finish it soon, because the baby that this is supposed to be for has already been born and I think has been born for about 3 weeks now, or something. I need to stop dragging my feet on it!

Also, I started another project! I didn't think I would get caught up in the multiple-projects-at-once deal, but I guess I have! I just discovered that the Corn Wagon Quilt Co. at the corner of my street has pre-cut/hemstitched burp cloths for only $4, so if I buy one or two every week, then I can stock up and have them on hand for when someone's unborn baby needs a cute gift! So I am making a couple burp cloths for my friend whose baby is due in October. It's the kind where you crochet around the edges. Ever seen them? My mother-in-law and other friend are both awesome and made us about a bajillion of them. They make fantastic (and not to mention, cute!) burp cloths.

I also want to make Hailey some church shoes, but that won't be until later when it starts getting colder and actually needs them. It's so hot, I wouldn't even think of putting anything on her feet right now! I also want to make some boots for her!

Well, that's it for now. Hope you're all having a fantastic Tuesday! (-says Dr Who #9!)

Can't Wait For My Next Project!

Sorry for that last post, you guys. I didn't mean to go so mad and rant all over the place! I know that's probably not fun for you to read.

I haven't been able to work on anything since I finished that blanket a couple weeks ago, but now I can get yarn again and I am just itching to get over to Hobby Lobby and peruse their yarn selection!!! By the way, does anyone know of any actual yarn shops in the area? Hobby Lobby is good, don't get me wrong. They have a great variety to choose from. I just think it would be fun to go to a real yarn shop, just like I've read in my books! I'm guessing the yarn shops will all probably be in the SLC area, but I'm really hoping and crossing my fingers that there might be one down here, too!

Anyway, I just love yarn. Have I mentioned that before? Because if I had limitless funds, I would buy up all the yarn I saw and made whatever I wanted to make. Also, I am totally up for new patterns/ideas. Like I said, I am still a little new at this (as opposed to the amazing novice crocheters I see all over the internet), so any new patterns/ideas would be great!

Also, I do take requests. Tell me what you want and I can make it for you. The only thing I would ask would probably to pay for the price of materials, unless I love you and want to give it to you as a gift. Like if you are having a baby or something. But I LOVE to crochet and I would welcome any new projects I can get my hands on!

Have a Happy Tuesday!

Darn You, Etsy!!!

Ok, so it's not like I'm mad or anything, but I happened to come across a couple shops on Etsy with the EXACT same crochet blanket ideas that I've had. I mean, really?? Just when I think I'm being original and here someone comes with their own crochet blankets, people are going to think I just copied off of them. News flash, I didn't! With the exception of the shell-stitch pattern that I credited to www.lionbrand.com, everything else is my OWN idea! Mine!

So please, when you see my cute blankets, please don't think I copied anyone off of Etsy. I do like to think that I can do something original at least some times in my life.

I must P.S., though, that now I feel bad, because just like the movie "Inception" says, "Don't think of elephants. What did you think of?" "Elephants." Once an idea is in your head, you can't get it out. I shouldn't have even looked at these blankets in the first place because now I really do want to make blankets like that. Darn you, Etsy!

I Did It You Guys!!!

I did it! My first completed ever afghan blanket project ever! I almost forgot to take a picture of it before it was forever gone into the hands of this new mommy-to-be, so I had to ask her if I could take a picture of it at the baby shower, haha! Sorry if it's not the best picture - I had to snap really quick! Everyone was really impressed. One even said, "If I pretend to be a baby again, will you make me one?" and another said "That really looks professional!" I am not trying to praise myself or anything, but it sure did feel good to have people say that about my work!! My first completed blanket and already getting good reviews. I'm really happy and pleased about it!

So what I did was I crocheted a simple shell-stitch baby afghan that I found online atwww.lionbrand.com (they are a yarn company that gives free patterns on their website!). I used I Love This Yarn! brand (put out by Hobby Lobby) color Ivory. I really do LOVE this yarn because it is SUPER soft, unlike the itchy, scratchy worsted weight yarn of the typical cheap Red Heart yarn. I Love This Yarn was about $3.99, but I LOVE Hobby Lobby for their AMAZING 40% off coupons - I was able to get my skeins for $2.55!! I used a size-I hook and it took me about 4 days to complete. I could have been done sooner, but I didn't realize that it would take more than one skein of yarn (durr, really??) so I had to wait until the next day AFTER work to be able to get more yarn. And then I ran out again, and had to wait another day to get even more yarn. Yeah. Next time, I will definitely do better research and plan more accurately!

I decided to do a solid color for this pattern. The original pattern called for 4 different colors of tan/brown and it actually looks REALLY beautiful, but for a baby, I just wanted to keep it soft and pure. I chose the Ivory because I wanted the off-white look to be more fitting for a boy. To finish it off, I added a brown ribbon with blue stitching down the center (her colors for the baby) tied in a bow in the bottom right-hand corner. I think I might make that my signature. Not really sure yet, and besides, I've only made one blanket! It's not like I have a whole line out or anything!

We'll work on my photography skills next!

Sorry it's not the best picture! Brown ribbon with blue stitches.

The original picture on www.lionbrand.com

I've convinced my husband to let me make another one. With money a little tight right now, we can't really just spend our money willy nilly on crafts (because crafting is expensive!) but since I want to make a white one for my dear friend up in Logan for her baby girl, I think it can be counted as gift money and THAT is A-OK. :D I am really excited to make another blanket. Especially because this yarn is so soft - I love working with it! Hooray for making fun blankets!

I Did It!

Everyone, I did it! I made a blanket and I am happy and I will post more about it as soon as I have time after work today. Yay!!!

Oops

I think I may have grossly underestimated the amount of yarn I would need for this baby afghan I am making. I thought, buy a skein of yarn for $4, make an afghan, and have a quick, cheap, easy gift for the shower on Tuesday! Quick and easy, yes. Cheap? Unfortunately, no. I'm going to need at least 2 more skeins!

I hope my husband can forgive me for going over the $10 limit that I promised him!

...Kind of makes me think of this. Anyone seen it?? "Uh-oh!"

Why I Chose Crochet

I've tried sewing. I've tried cross-stitching. I've tried knitting, embroidery, and scrapbooking. The sewing machine and I have fights. Cross-stitch and embroidery get boring. I could never get knitting down (not to mention I think it's too complicated?), and scrapbooking is just so darn expensive and frilly. So not necessarily by default but because I really truly do like it, I chose to crochet.

I learned how to crochet from my Grandma Septon. I was 10 years old. She taught me the "granny square" and it was easy and I was hooked. That was when I knew that I loved crocheting and I crocheted ALL the time.

And then I stopped. I decided that crocheting was for little girls and I didn't ever finish a project anyway, so why keep crocheting. So I packed up my yarn and hooks and tucked the box away in the back of the storage room and forgot about it for a few years.

In February 2012, I was 36 weeks pregnant and got put on bed rest. I knew I was going to die of boredom if I didn't find some sort of project to do. Suddenly I wanted my hooks back. If I could just get my hands on ONE hook, I thought, I would be able to make it through. After I had Hailey, I went to my parents and dug out that old box that I am SO glad I never had the nerve to throw away. It had YARN and HOOKS and I knew I could never pack this box away again.

For my first Mother's Day, Scotty got me a pack of assorted-size hooks. In June, I did my first hemstitch project. I LOVE to crochet. I love creating and watching my project take shape in my hands. It sort of makes me feel powerful (I hope that's not a bad thing)! I love walking up and down the yarn section and dreaming of things I could make with them. I now understand why the women in my books loved yarn so much.

So I decided to make a blog and share with you the things I have learned and have created. Remember, I'm not perfect and still think I am somewhat of a beginner! But I hope you enjoy what I post and will follow me along my journey of crochet adventures and discovery!

Thanks for reading!
Nancy and her hooks