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!!!