My first CAL

Back at the end of June, I seen this cute crocheted beach bag pattern by A Creative Being.  I can't remember if I found it via Pinterest, another blog, or Ravelry, but I loved the look of the bag.

Wink of A Creative Being was hosting a CAL...what is that you ask?  It is short for Crochet-A-Long. It is where a group comes together (via the web) and makes an item from the same pattern :D  I joined the Ravelry group and was so excited to make my bag along with other crocheters :)

I was even asking questions of the other participates...it was fun.  But then I got to the end of the pattern and tried to use metal rings as she did, I didn't like the way it came out...so I unraveled a bit and just used holes like she explained we could do...I mean this isn't a contest to see who can make it exactly like she did...it is just a guide, but she did recommend you could skip the metal rings :)  

Then I couldn't find rope or handles that I liked so I ended up braiding yarn for the rope and crocheting my own handles.

It is very Neapolitan ice cream :)

She was holding a contest which I missed by 2 weeks because I am slow!  But it was fun regardless :)

Thanks for looking!

Still dreaming of Crafting...

It has been a while since I posted.  We've been doing a lot of household stuff to get ready for a big party next weekend (Super Bowl :/ ), so I haven't been very crafty lately, but I wanted to blog.

For Christmas, I got this Michael's Recollection Binder/Album.  I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it, but I knew I really needed it.

It is similar to a Smash Book, but instead it has binder rings so you can add more papers to it or move the pages around--which I really like!

I did think about using it to put my Instagram photos in it, but I had over 500 pictures since I started in June 2011 and I knew I wouldn't be slowing down on my photo sharing anytime soon.

Then I thought I would use it as sort of a portfolio for my crocheting.  Perfect way to remember everything I have done, sold, given away...

Persnickety Prints has a template for either 2x2 or 3x3 photos (marketed for Instagram) that print on a 12x12 photo.  Perfect!  I have some of my yarn work on Instagram, but the ones I don't I can still print in small squares.  I choose the 2x2 just because you get more for your buck :D

I realized that I have made a lot more than I remember in the past 3 years that I have been crocheting. I also realized I haven't shared everything on my blog.  So I want to share 3 bags I made in 2010 from this Lion Brand Yarn "Circle Dance Bag" pattern.

I like this one because it reminds me of Raspberry, Orange, Pineapple Sherbert :D  (I still have it--to be sold someday.)

This one I didn't change the color so much in order to avoid weaving in the ends.  In 2010, my husband's work had a charity event and this was given as a prize (along with a scarf and a pack of cards--all individually raffled off--people got to choose if they wanted it and they were a big hit!  Who knew?!?!)

And this one was made for my niece.

The first two bags were made from Lion Brand Cotton-Ease Yarn (Azalea/Maize/Almond and Almond/Lake/Charcoal) and the 3rd Bag was Lion Cotton (Black & Purple) and Sugar N Cream (Mod Blue).

The one change I made to the pattern was at the top of the bag, I used all 3 colors for the "rim" of the bag (the last 3 rows of the project).

I am thinking of doing another one for me in this pattern

The pattern on the pillow...not the bird (ha ha ha).  It is the pillow from The Big Bang Theory and I just love the pattern.  It will be quite a project to attempt, but I think I can do it--when I have some extra time.

My Blanket :)

Last Christmas, I received a gift certificate from my Goddaughter to Joann's.  With the funds, I bought yarn to make myself a lap blanket for my couch.

I used Lion Brand Vanna's Choice (which was on sale--I don't care if it is a gift certificate or not, I always use a coupon or buy yarn on sale :D ) in Chocolate, Dusty Green, Mustard, and Beige.  I really liked the 70's vibe it gives off.

Because I love free patterns, I used a free pattern from Lion Brand called Modern Alchemy Afghan.  I made 2 adjustments to the pattern.  1-because I hate weaving in the ends, I went with 4 rows instead of 2 when changing colors.  2-I wanted a mirror imaged pattern, so half way through the blanket, I went with 8 rows in the middle then changed my colors opposite from the way I did when I started. (clear as mud?  ha ha ha)

I actually finished this blanket months ago and I use it all the time (even in the summer!).  I love it!!!  Thank you, Nicole!!! :)

Gift making

I wish I was more organized and would think of gifts in plenty of time to make all my Christmas gifts, but I am not.

This past week, I came across the cutest slouchy pattern via Ravelry.  It was by Julie King at Gleeful Things.  She was generous enough to share her Waffle Cone Slouchy Hat Pattern for FREE!!

I have searched for the perfect slouchy beret type pattern forever and even came up with a pattern last year, but this one is much better.  The only person I knew that might enjoy it was my niece.  I went to Joann's with my 50% coupon and came home with the same yarn the awesome pattern maker used.  This was the first time I used Lion Brand Yarn's Hometown USA...and I love it!!!!!

Here is the hat that only took less than 2 hours to make while waiting for my son at the dentist! :D

One Christmas present down...too many to go.

I am thinking about offering to make anyone a hat for free on my Facebook page.

Baby First Yarn

For some reason, I love Lion Brand yarn.  I know there are plenty of people who do not like "cheaper" yarn that can be bought in the big box stores, but I fall in love with a lot of their yarn.

Earlier this year, I bought some Lion Brand Baby's First yarn in beanstalk (horrible picture, but it is a light green color), because I really wanted to make a baby granny square blanket.  Back in March, this was my first try at a baby blanket.

According to this picture, it wasn't too bad of a first try, but it really was not very square.  

I crochet too tight--always have and I don't think I will be able to learn to stop.  So the answer to that problem is to just use a bigger hook.  This pattern called to use a size K hook which is 6.5mm.  The next "normal" size up in the U.S. is an L with is 8.0mm...what happened to 7mm or 7.5mm???  I did a search and 7mm is "normal" in other parts of the world.  Curious, I went to the forums at Ravelry because those ladies have all the answers.  Prior to asking on the forum, I did an online search to see what came up, but everything was pretty pricey and most came from overseas, so delivery was high as well.  I am used to paying under $3 for a hook.  Luckily, I was given better tips on how to search online and I found a place that was in the U.S.  For under $5, I am now the owner of a 7mm hook.  I took apart the first blanket and crocheted it again.

It is a little off still, but I think I need to now learn how to block my items...that should be fun!

 Last Friday, I was complaining that I was unable to find 5 skeins of the same lot in the Baby's First yarn.  Well later that day, I talked my husband into stopping at another Michaels which happened to be 20 miles away (but we were in that neighborhood anyway doing some other shopping) and I lucked out and found 5 skeins of the same lot color!  I can't wait to start a new baby blanket. 

*regarding picture...one, I love using this bag from Kara's Cupcakes to store my yarn and two, for some reason this picture make it look like the skein are not the same shade even though they are supposed to be the same lot...I just think it is the crappy lighting in my craft room.

Driving Projects

We recently came back from a 22 1/2 hour road trip.  The "original" route was supposed to take 7 1/2 hours one way, but it took us 11 1/2 hours to get there because of a couple of stops and LOTS of traffic.  On the way home, we decided to go another route and make some more stops along the way plus there was added traffic--blah!

The weekend prior to our trip, I picked up a nice supply of yarn at Michaels which was on clearance.  Each of these 8 skeins of yarn were 99 cents a piece!!!  Total score.  The "Over the Rainbow" Lily Sugar'n Cream is normally $1.99, but the Lion Brand Yarn Cotton-Ease is normally $7.99!!!  AWESOME

I search for the perfect patterns before pairing each with a color I had in my stash. 

For the rainbow yarn, I knew I wanted to make a bag, so I found this cute pattern via Ravelry by ~sarahndipities~.  Using 2 balls of the rainbow ombre and a partial ball of white Sugar'n Cream, I was able to complete 3/4's of this bag on the way to our destination.  Unfortunately, during our trip, I was unable to locate a Joann's or Michaels to purchase more white, so the bag had to wait to be completed.

Along with the Maize Cotton-Ease, I used some Cream to start a Child's Chevron Throw via Lion Brand Yarn. (you may have to be logged into the Lion Brand website to see the blanket.)  I was only able to complete about 1/3 of the blanket on our way home.

Over the years, I have enjoyed many hobbies, but crocheting is the one hobby I am happy to be able to do while being a passenger in the car or while waiting around place. 

I cannot wait to show the completed projects. 

It only took me 15 years to make [& 1 year to post :D]

When my daughter was a baby, I did not crochet.  Last year, when I started learning, she asked me to make her a blanket for her 15th birthday after seeing a free pattern at Michaels.  It took me a little over a month to complete.

(Yarn is the Michaels Store Brand Loops & Threads Country Loom in Solarium)

Unfortunately, when I started the blanket, my stitches were pretty loose, but I finished the blanket during all my television show season finales and my stitching was a lot tighter.  Not too noticable until you try to fold it. 

At first, I thought I had missed a stitch somewhere, but after counting both the first row and last row, I realized what I had done and there was no way I was going to start over.  But she loved it and that is all that mattered. 

I finished this blanket in May 2010 and it only took me a year to write about it.  But I had to write about my first blanket.

Granny Square Apron

I seen the cutest apron pattern on Ravelry (you need to be signed up to see patterns on this site).  It was by Tangled Happy who got the idea on Flickr from here. 



I need to work on my sewing the granny squares together.  I also added another round to the pattern on my granny squares.

I knew I really wanted to make the apron, but wasn't sure if I could actually sell it, but I knew the perfect person to give it to.  My Bestie collects aprons, so I knew she would get a kick out of it.

My 16 year-old daughter thought it was dumb, but per the original post--it might actually be a fashionable item to wear with jeans and t-shirts.

I made it with Cotton-Ease (a cotton/acrylic blend) from Lion Brand Yarns, so that it would totally be washable.

I am finally able to share since she received her give earlier this week.

My Favorite Hat Pattern

I usually go through phases where I have a favorite pattern which I will make over and over. 

Currently, it is this Blossom Cap pattern created by Brittany Jackson.  I was searching through the Ravelry website (a username & password are required but are free), when I came across her amazing pattern.

Since I have read concerns about using other people's patterns for items to sale, I contacted her through Facebook...gotta love the internet.  She graciously allowed me to use her pattern as long as I give her credit.

Here are my creations (so far!)

All the hats use my favorite yarn by Lion Brand Yarn in Wool-Ease Thick & Quick.

This is the first hat I completed in Linen

As you can tell from the top picture, it is pretty small.  I am hoping it will actually fit a baby--hahaha.  I have to measure it still before I place it for sale.

My second try was for an adult in Fisherman (off-white)

super cozy for cold winters (I might actually keep this one for myself--shhh!).

Then I got inspiration to make one for Halloween. 

I was totally going to make it look like a pumpkin and place leaves on the top, but after looking on Etsy, I notice a huge supply of pumpkin hats for infants.  Instead, I placed a green flower on the side.  That way, it is more of a fall hat than just a halloween hat for a small child.  The flower can also be removed, if need be.

I love crocheting :D

"Now that's a Hook"

If Crocodile Dundee crocheted, he would totally use an S-hook.  That thing is huge!  I didn't even know I needed a hook that big!  I received an email for a Double-Take Helmet free pattern from Leisure Arts. (you have to sign up to see the pattern), but here is a picture from the website

It is cute except it fits like a helmet (think Little House on the Praire bonnet) and not a beanie, so I improvised and I finally made a slouchy beret!!

I am so happy...I have tried a few times to make a slouchy beret, but it just doesn't turn out right.  Here is another failure--before I found my S-hook!

(it totally looks like a toilet seat cover--you know from the old school days when that was cool to have--ha ha ha)

In the Bag

I made my First bag--yay!!  I found this Produce Bag pattern at the Lion Brand Yarn website. 

I went with using Charcoal even though there was plenty of colors to choose from.  I didn't want anything too light since I hope it will get plenty of use and I didn't want anything too bright because I wanted it to match everything.  I really need to step out of the box when it comes to colors. 

I had decided (before making it) to give it to my godmother as a Mother's Day present.  I hope she likes it and uses it often.

*just a note to anyone wanting to make this bag using the pattern, the pattern called for 4 skeins, but I only used 3 on this project (but I do stitch pretty tight)

Finally a hat that...

doesn't suck--ha ha ha.  I have been trying to make a hat that actually fits.  I have had some troubles in the hat department, but I finally made one this weekend that the family all agreed was pretty cool--YAY!!

I found this pattern in the January/February issue of Crochet Today.  I wasn't too thrilled with the colors, so I changed them around.  I first made it with black & burgundy Red Heart Super Saver yarn.  Since I am still learning about yarn, I didn't realize that this stuff we a lot stiffer than what the patterned called for.  Ultimately, the hat was not only stiff, but it was also too tight on the kids heads--oops.  I really need to learn how to gauge the yarn--something that I have been avoiding to learn to do, but I guess that is why they have it in the patterns.

Here is the aftermath of me frogging that project:

(the yarn looks brown & pink, but it is burgundy & black--I hate the lighting!)

I went back to the store and bought some Red Heart Designer Sport in Cocoa & Ivory which is the type of yarn the pattern called for.  This yarn was much softer.  It did take me 2 tries on this hat, but it finally worked out and the kids thought it was cool and it fit them! 

I may not avoid hat making afterall.

Stitchin' Scarf

I have heard of these "hip" knitting and crocheting books called the "Stitch N Bitch" series.  So when I seen this cover of Crochet Today and that it was from the creator of Stitch N Bitch, I knew I had to buy it

well, truth be told, I feel in love with the vibrant colors of the pictures first.  They totally reeled me in!

The pattern actually calls for Stitch Nation yarn (from the creator Stitch N Bitch, Debbie Stoller), but I used some Lion Brand Yarn Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in Cilantro that I had.  I do plan on buying some of the Stitch Nation Yarn though.

Here is my finished project.