I've never done this kind of crocheting before. I've always stuck with the simple, bulky-type looks. I've never ventured into the lace side of crochet before. Not that this is really lace, but it is closer than anything else I've ever done. I found this pattern on Pinterest and it can be found on this website www.garnstudio.com. The direct link is here. Anyway, it took me a couple practices to get this right. Before I had the yarn for the blanket I am going to make, I only had crochet thread. Which still worked out very nicely! Here is a sample of one of my practices. I did finally get the yarn and I'll hopefully be done with the blanket around Wednesday next week.
Isn't it beautiful??
And now I just can't help myself whenever I see a beautiful lace alter cover! I'll admit that I was a little focused on that during last night's session. But come on, haven't you ever wondered how those covers are made, too??
Also learning this makes me want to learn tatting. I wonder if I know anybody that can teach me...
I actually finished another blanket/beanie a week or so ago! It is a beautiful denim blue with a grey edging. My friend loved it so much that she said she wanted to use it for her baby photos! How awesome is that! Since I don't know what happened to the pictures I took and put on the computer, I'll wait until she has her baby and maybe show off those pictures!
I also joined Ravelry. HOW COME I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS WEBSITE BEFORE?? I love it. I am in love with it. Or maybe lust. It's hard to tell the difference. But anyway, I have found SO many adorable patterns that I want to buy and make for Hailey before winter is over, my favorite being this sweater!
And yes, it is knitted. I love it so much. I could do it!
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!
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!
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??
