My Month Off

To my dear blog readers, please forgive me for my over-a-month absence. Things just got crazy with my family and with my crochet.

First I got commissioned to make necklaces for my workplace. My workplace, Farmer's Daugther's Market holds the ideal that people still make homemade things like crocheted items, quilts, wall hangings and various other household/accessories for one's person and one's home.

So my boss asked me to crochet some necklaces. I made a few for her to sell. I thought they turned out great. She is selling them at the store and someone has purchased two! I hope the wave catches on!

I am currently still working on some necklaces she especially requested  and  saw on Etsy. I am hoping to have them to her soon.

Then my immediate family went into a somersault. So I had to rush home to comfort my family in the only way I knew, which was to pray for them and visit them in their need. We are all slowly healing, but it is still a long road of healing especially for my father and mother.

Cotton Lover's Necklace from Etsy

Well, all in all I have been busy, I finished crocheting one dress for a niece and am still working on those necklaces, which really should be completed this week.

Lariat Necklace with Shamrocks

Well, wish me luck for my final push to Christmas!!!

P.S. The last two pictures are the completed necklaces that my boss wanted me to make. They turned out pretty good. She especially like the Cotton Lover's Necklace. No sales yet!

Hello Fall!

The trees are just spectacular this fall! I have no idea why I am so drawn to them. Maybe I have more time to think about it, whatever the case, I had to take some pictures. Here are a few. . . .

It has gotten chilly, there really wasn't any time to think about, or get my wardrobe ready for the

chilly weather. Luckily I guess, I had some jeans in easy reach. I mean, it's Iowa the weather changes everyday, it could be cold and blustery (like today) one day then sunny and warm the next day.

I took a chilly walk to get those pictures, after the walk I just HAD to get something warm. I couldn't find any cocoa, but I had chamomile tea! And it is delicious, almost tastes like fall....

Last weekend I went back to my "hometown" to experience a Fall Festival. There I had to purchase something fall like for my fireplace.

It's a combination of fall greenery. Does anyone know what those orange things are called? The little pointed things that look like a pumpkin?

I think it looks pretty good up there. And I found a reason to bring out that wonderful burnt orange plate! The wall above looks rather empty and thought about making a bunting to go above, kinda like Lucy's from Attic 24. Only I would use orange and turquoise.

But alas, I have many projects to complete, patterns to learn etc. To get done before Christmas. I hope this finds you all well! Maybe enjoying the fall weather like me!

The Last Weeks of September

I was busy the last couple of weeks of September because I finally got to meet my newest nieces and nephew!

I quickly whipped up a couple of hats to given them. They turned out super sweet, especially the little girl's hat with the addition of a bow (handmade by someone I met at a farmer's market).

 Besides the hats, I have been working hard on finishing all the animals for the baby boom in my Sunday School class. The newest additions include a snake and dolphin, I am currently working on a kitty with a bed.

Then on top of that, I have been working hard on getting my Christmas presents made. I have 2 of the 4 scarves I plan to make completed. The last scarf is just waiting for it's ends to be weaved in.

Pile O'Scarves

I am planning on starting to make the dresses for the little girls real soon. I just have to wind up the yarn for easy crocheting with my nifty Yarn Pop (seen here).

All in all it has been a productive couple of weeks despite being so busy. I hope to see you all soon!

P.P.S. (Post-post-Scriptum)

The night I wrote the last post I was not done with the Teddy Bear.

But didn't he turn out great? Just as SUPER cute as I said right?

Just a Few Things...

I am very sorry. This month has gotten away from me. Work is going smoother though and I am a little less stressed about it.

My fingers have been busy! I officially finished the Polar Bears and they are as cute as can be! And I am continuing to work on other animals from the book which include some sea creatures! Namely a cuttlefish and a narwhal.

The Teddy Bear's parts are finished and it will just be a matter of darning (or sewing?) together each part. I think he will be SUPER cute when he is done.

Cuttlefish and Parts

I have decided to take a break from my bedspread and start to work on Christmas projects. Yes I know it is three months away...plenty of time. But I've started quite a list. I have finished one scarf of my four I am going to make for presents. I am currently working on the next one. Luckily it is just the same pattern.

Narwhal and Part

Then I am also planning on crocheting two toddler dresses for my two new nieces! Which I can't wait to meet!

Since I am unfamiliar with making clothing that is why I started a little earlier so I can get the pattern down and appropriately made for them. I hope it will be easier than it looks!

I hope this finds you  well and working on your own projects!

 P.S. The proper term for putting parts together is darning, at least in the case of a yarn and a needle. You learn something new everyday!

August=Fingers Exhausted

Life unfortunately has been busy and I deeply apologize for my absence the last couple of weeks. But I started a new job and have been working my fingers numb to get all the projects I have lined up completed!

As you know, I have been working on lots of amigurumi for all the pregnant women in my Sunday School. I have almost completed two more for the amigurumi round-up. I need to add a fish and a fuzzy top to my polar bears and then they will be done. (I got the pattern out of Amigurumi Toy Box by Ana Paula Rimoli).

Ben's scarf crochet has been done, but it still needs to be blocked and I need to measure it! Then I can give you a complete pattern.

I also finished and crocheted edges on some pillowcases that I will give to a cousin-in-law for her wedding coming up in September.

What else? Oh yes, I am making another large bear for a friend of mine. Remember this from way back when I began blogging?

It has been hard keeping it to three projects because I have all this beautiful yarn (below) that I would love to make a shawl out of for my writing room, but there are other pressing more important things that need to get done.

For a moment I mastered the stitch I am going to use that can be found on Attic 24 (here).It is a ripple stitch of Lucy's creation. (Below is my mastery of the stitch) But have been unable to use it on the yarn!

I also am determined to get all the squares for my bedspread completed. I think the colors will work well together. See how it's going to turn out? (Course it's still a work in progress).

Ah well, it will all get done in due time. Thanks for joining me!

The Last Couple of Weeks...

The last couple of weeks have been interesting. I got a new part-time job that is slightly stressful (one part of it I have never done before) and a part release.

I also recently made it a goal to make stuffed animals for all the new incoming babies and their siblings. My Sunday School class has six new babies coming into the world!

So that is a lot of amigurumi to be making! But I look forward to passing them out. The picture above and the next couple of pictures are all the amigurumi that I have finished.

  What else am I working on? Oh yes, I am making a bedspread for my bed now. With the shades of linen, turquoise blue and a silver blue, using three different square patterns.

Also, I am creating a pattern for a scarf for my husband and working on it at the same time. I am glad he likes it so far!

Other projects I have in mind and would like to do in the near future include:

-three scarves for my good friends (Christmas gifts)

-baby blanket and another stuffed bear

-maybe a black and gold scarf for my father (for Christmas?)

-maybe a wedding gift, maybe edged pillows or trivets (at least part of a wedding gift)

Yes, I know that is a lot to think about. But I am determined to complete it. I am working on the scarf, blanket and amigurumi all simultaneously (it keeps the crocheting interesting).

A note on the scarf: I hope to have the pattern worked out eventually for you. But I am only in the middle of making the scarf and do not know how long it will be or how many rows it will have. This is my first ever pattern and would like to make sure it is written clearly and that it is understandable.

The Scarf

I hope this finds you busy in your own right, or preparing for the school year or just enjoying your summer! Until next time, see ya later!

Felting Flowers part 2

The flowers turned out pretty good! All it took was to sew the stems to the base and the base to the spathe (the flower of the calla lily) and the spathe to the spadix.

After sewing flora wire into the stem I realized that it would be good to sew it in before washing it. The fabric shrunk some and required some squeezing to get the stem to look good. I also decided the best way to sew the stem together was just more yarn. It was easier to handle and made it look ten times better than just ordinary thread.

I made a little one for my antique cat on my mantle and a larger one just to display. I think it looks pretty. They would be good gifts for people who like flowers.

The pin turned out well too. I look forward to giving it to the person I made it for. The buttons were easily purchased at Wal-Mart and made the pin look smart. I could see it on a black winter coat or a purple one.

I purchased pin backs at Michael's and sewed them on with thread. I sewed the buttons on with thread as well. I used the picture in the book for reference for the button placement.

I still have quite a bit of yarn and  might make a few more. Just to have as gifts as the need arises.

I think felting is a worthy practice and a look forward to more in the future!

Felting Flowers Part 1

I took the plunge and crocheted flowers to felt. I have never felted anything before in my life, but have been very fascinated since I started crocheting again.

I  found these flowers in Nicky Epstein's Crocheted Flowers book. The pictures in her book are spectacular. I immediately fell in love with the book when I first ran across it in the book store.

The patterns in the book are written in the common word form. But there are diagrams to follow as well.

The patterns themselves were easy to follow but it has taken three good washings for the flowers to be felted to my preference. According to Epstein, that is the way to go.

Also according to Epstein, the yarn needs to be at least 50% wool to be feltable. That did not seem to be correct in the instance of one of the yarns I used called Amazing from Lion Brand. The 53% wool was not enough to beat the acrylic that was in it as well.

The other brand of yarn I used was Cascade 220. It was 100% wool and worked great for felting.

When felting anything, I have read, that it is important for the wool to be very agitated in the washing machine. I put some jeans in for more friction (thus adding more agitation).  I put my washing machine on Hot and turned it to Heavy Duty. Then I let it go for a normal cycle (wash, rinse and spin).

The results were good. They continued getting better with each cycle. After you are done felting your project you must allow it to air dry.

I look forward to putting these flowers together. One will be a pin and the other two will be display flowers.

Wait for my next post, so you can see how they turned out!

Beautiful Crochet

Recently I have been working on some crocheted flowers from Crocheted Flowers by Nicky Epstein.

So far making the flowers has been pretty easy, but I am still in the middle of perfecting the felt.

 There are so many desirable flowers to make in the book that I can't wait to try them all! Unfortunately I haven't covered as many flowers as I would like to before I give a review. But so far so good.

Epstein also has been featured Vogue Knitting: Crochet 2012 issue where she has displayed more fabulous projects that I would love to do. Including a awesome throw that I would love to try.

Mostly I am excited about the magazine itself. I have seen Vogue Knitting since I started crocheting again, every time I saw it I wondered if there was a crochet version. 

One day I was in the neighborhood Barnes and Noble in the magazine section and I found the crochet version!

It has been a delight to look through. My aunt, who helped me learn to crochet, was just as impressed when she was at my house not to long ago. I mean there are so many fantastic yarn options and yarn patterns! I am amazed every time I look at it.

So, I would suggest, if you are looking for some inspiration to get your hooks out, look through Vogue Knitting: Crohect issue out now. You will be surprised and delighted at what you can find to crochet!

June Projects

It has been a busy hooking week. Busy finishing projects and adding new and unexpected ones.

I recently have finished a little lamb I'm giving to my sister-in-law Toni for her newest baby coming in September. He turned out cute for coming from an "old" amigurumi pattern.

 The next project was a spur of the moment project that my husband asked me to do for his co-worker. It's just another sweet dog from Ami Ami Dogs book I reviewed. My husband said, and it is true that he is the smallest dog ever produced from that book. But he still thought it was super cute. I hope the future mother and father will like it too!

I also finished those pillows that have needed for our basement living space. Once I sat down to finish them it was a quick stitch. It also has been quick stitching around them to get them around the pillow forms.

The pattern was called "Unholy Granny Square" that I found on Raverly. Very easy to follow and it produced great pillows! I highly recommend it, if you are looking for a quick pillow to crochet.

I made these dishcloths just to pass some time. But there are several birthdays this month so I'm not too worried about giving them away. They turned out pretty good, even though they came off the Sugar n' Cream label.

I do not recommend going off the label all the time. I've had lots of bad luck with label crochet patterns. This label pattern happened to turn out just great.

If you are looking for patterns I suggest you find a good pattern book. If you don't like buying a whole bunch of books I recommend you sign up for Raverly which is fun to look at their patterns and find suggestions for other good patterns out there.