On the needles

I’ve been so busy this year with work that I haven’t really had much time for any type of crafting – scrapbooking, needlework, nothing. And, honestly, I’ve been so busy that I haven’t really missed it, either.

However, things seem to be slowing down a bit at work (thank the Lord) and I am not quite at the collapse-into-bed stage in the evenings when the kids go to bed. So, I started getting itchy fingers and looking for something to crochet or knit. I think the ladies at the dance studio were influencing me because most of them are knitters and bring their projects to work on while our daughters dance.

I found two projects that I fell head over heels in love with – one is a lacy scarf that I think I’m going to make into a wrap by doubling the project. (I bought double the yarn called for in the project)

The yarn I bought is full of fall colors – reds, mauve, purples – and I think it will be beautiful in this pattern.

It looks a lot more red in this picture than it really is. There’s a lot of blue-ish purple there in real life.

The second is a beautiful shawl that is inspired by Princess Kate’s shawl that she wore shopping. I love how feminine it is – that ruffle is just beautiful. I’m sure the original costs hundreds of dollars, but my version, based on a Ravelry pattern is much cheaper – especially since I found the yarn on sale for $2.50/skein!

The original is a beautiful forest green, but I fell in love with a navy yarn and decided that would go more with my wardrobe. Here’s what I chose:

Caron Simply Soft in Dark Country Blue

I’m loving the pattern – it is easy enough that I can remember it (mostly) even with the repeats. It’s got a “spine” down the back with an open line and then the ruffle will be added at the end.

I am not even finished with the first skein and it calls for four (!) so I will most likely be working on this project for a while. I have been trying to spend an hour or so a day working on it but some days I haven’t had time to do anything.

I am in no rush, though, and I am really enjoying the project. You can follow along with me on my Ravelry page. One thing to note is that the pattern on the website is incorrect and the author notes on Ravelry that you can email her and she will send you the corrected pattern. I did that and received a return email within a few hours so I didn’t have to wait to start my project!

I can’t wait to have it on my shoulders when it’s finished.

My helper can’t wait, either. I think he thinks I’m making it for him.

On the Needles (sweatyknitter.com)
October 22, 2013 ~ Time Turner Shawl (lisasff.wordpress.com)

On the needles

I’ve knocked out a few washcloths and now, after a little struggle with a pattern, I’m off and running with the afghan I wanted to make – (this is the pattern on my Pinterest board)

I’m making it with a chunky yarn – it’s so soft and cuddly. I can’t wait to finish! Maybe I’ll be done in time for next winter! (ha!)

I’ll keep you posted on my progress.

What’re you working on?

Off the needles: Baby Blanket (thoughtsalonglifeshighway.com)
On the Needles: Stash Bustin’ (thoughtsalonglifeshighway.com)

On the Needles: Stash Bustin’

I’m in between big projects right now – not really ready to start on another blanket or something big, so I decided to finish off some cotton yarn I had and make some washcloths. Quick, easy and gives you a sense of accomplishment because you can usually do one in a day…

So I’m chugging along here – the one above is a single crochet I started this evening while watching Duck Dynasty with the family… probably finish it off tomorrow.

And this one I made on Sunday afternoon – I think I did a double crochet, but I honestly can’t remember. (I’ve slept twice since then, you know?)

It’s about 9×8 inches… They shrink quite a bit when they’re dried, so I make them larger to allow for that shrinkage. If you air dry them and stretch them back out while they dry they’ll hold their size and shape pretty well, but I’m lazy and usually just throw them in the dryer with the other towels.

They are extremely durable – they hold up to pot scrubbing, face washing, counter cleaning – you name it – and bleaching. I have some knitted ones that are close to three years old now and they look just like they did when I first made them. (Especially the ones the girls claimed for Barbie blankets LOL)

Do you crochet or knit household linens?

Off the needles: Baby Blanket (thoughtsalonglifeshighway.com)
New Needle Crafts (vernellc.typepad.com)
I am Totally Hooked on Yarn! (francineclouden.typepad.com)

Off the needles: Baby Blanket

I decided I should rename this series to “OFF the needles” instead of “On the needles” since I seem to wait to share my projects with you after I’ve finished them –

This is the latest creation –

Little Bit asked me to make a blanket for her teacher who just had a baby boy. She had such fun in the yarn shop picking out just the right yarn – it had to be soft and fluffy and just the right shade of blue.

We decided on a chunky yarn – Deborah Norville Collection in the Ocean Foam colorway.

Isn’t it pretty?

I did an extended double crochet stitch to make the stitches a little higher – I only had 4 skeins so I wanted to get as big a blanket as I could with what I had. It turned out really pretty – light and airy and yet really warm with the chunky yarn.

Little Bit was so excited to take it to school to give to her teacher.

And now I’m trying to figure out what my next project should be. I’ve done three baby blankets in a row… and the weather is getting too warm for hats or scarves. I’m thinking I may try my hand at a bigger project – a shawl or an afghan…

Happy girl

On the Needles (thoughtsalonglifeshighway.com)
On the needles (thoughtsalonglifeshighway.com)

On the needles

Or, rather, recently OFF the needles!

I just finished this baby blanket for a friend of mine. She’s due in April and I can’t wait to give this to her the next time I see her.

I love how the bright, cheery colors turned out and am especially in love with the scalloped edges. (a first for me)

It seemed like it took me FOREVER to finish this blanket – a lot longer than the last one I made. I think it’s because the yarn was a little bit smaller gauge than the last one I made, which was a chunkier yarn. But I love how this one turned out, even if it seemed like the never-ending-blanket-project for a couple months.

And as soon as I finished I started the NEXT baby blanket. Sheesh! How many people are having babies these days?

I’m just a blanket makin’ fool…

On the Needles (thoughtsalonglifeshighway.com)
Sparkling Squares Baby Blanket (antolilly.wordpress.com)
baby’s first blanket. (eliseblaha.typepad.com)

On the Needles

So, I’ve been stitching away over here – I am finding it is a terrific stress reliever and fast becoming my favorite past time. I’ve got a couple projects going simultaneously – thought I’d share a little peek with you.

I bought this yarn intending to make a baby blanket out of it. I kinda fudged on the sizing and now I think it’s a little bit too big for a baby blanket. Rather than ripping it out, I’m thinking about either making a shawl or a lap throw out of it. It’s a really pretty lavender with green threads throughout – and it its oh-so-soft and cuddly warm. It’s from the brand Loops & Threads – Country Loom line and the color is called Lavender Blues. (from Michaels)

The second project on the hooks right now is another baby blanket – since the first didn’t work out, I found this yarn and started another blanket. With this one I was a little more deliberate in my sizing, so I think it’s going to turn out well. It’s a Hobby Lobby brand of yarn – “I Love this Yarn” – and the color is called Sherbet Stripe.

It is coming together nicely. Easy to crochet with – even with a “helper” in my lap. I like the vivid colors – yet they are not too in-your-face for a baby blanket. Cheery and happy, I think. I’ll share the finished project once I am done.

Now I’m off to get a few more rows done before bedtime – if the “assistant” will permit.

baby’s first blanket. (eliseblaha.typepad.com)

Stitchy Gifts

For Christmas this year, I made my sister-in-law a scarf. My niece and nephew are on ski race teams and they spend every weekend on Mount Hood racing and skiing. I figured a scarf would be a good gift for her – something to keep her warm and cozy while the kids were zooming down the mountain.

I had bought some Deborah Norville chunky weight yarn that was so soft and just crying out to be made into something like a cozy scarf.

I did a take on a pattern I’d found on the Fiber Flux blog.

I have to admit, it was a little challenging for the first couple rows. Once I saw the pattern emerge, though, it was a very quick crochet project. I think I finished in about 2-3 days.

I love that it looks a little lacey even though it is a substantial scarf and very warm and cozy feeling.

I used two skeins and then about a half skein for the fringe at the end. I have a skein and a half left from my original purchase and I’m thinking I may make another, narrower, scarf for myself.

I think my sister-in-law liked it. She wore it one day while she was here. It was cute on her with jeans and a sweater. I should’ve gotten a picture, but I forgot. Sorry!

I have to tell you, I LOVE this yarn. I think I may go back and pick up another color to make an afghan. It’s so soft and cozy I think it would be great to snuggle under on a cold night. The scarf is made in the Amparo Blue color, just in case you’re wondering.

** UPDATED **

My sister-in-law saw my post and had my nephew take a picture of her with the scarf. I think it looks MUCH better on her! (Isn’t she beautiful!?!)

The best laid plans…

Do you know that quote?

The best laid plans of mice and men
oft go awry…

Yes, that’s me. The little mouse who had the greatest of plans to blog every.single.day this week.

And, well, we know how that went, don’t we?

Please be patient with me.

Apparently, I’m going to have to ease back into this blogging schedule. But I’m here. I have big plans. I just have to get myself settled down to write again. Life is busy and when it is busy my brain finds it hard to focus to write. But I’m feeling the tug to write, so it’s coming. And my list of things to share with you is growing… I have a page full of topics already!

Anyway…

Here’s a little something I was working on in December. Well, actually, the week we spent at Mom’s house. Have I mentioned before that sometimes I can get “stuck” on one thing to the exclusion of others? Well, if I haven’t, I’m confessing now.

This little obsession is actually my friend Kim’s fault. We went to a craft show together in November and they had these beautiful ruffled scarves. And all we could both say was “I can make that! Why would I pay $20+ for it?!”

And so, Kim promptly went out and bought some of the yarn and started to make them. And they were beautiful. And she made one for me for Christmas. And I thought “Hmmm, I would love to have more of these!”

And thus it began.

I got SuperMan to take me to JoAnn’s to pick up some Homespun yarn to make a scarf to match the hat I got last year at Christmas. And there they were, gazing at me from the bins – those beautiful, ruffley, sparkly yarns. And they said to me, “Take us home, please! And make something with us!”

And so I did.

And then I went back two days later and brought some more of their friends home with me.

And while the kids played and my family visited, I crocheted. Quite happily.

The best part of these is that they work up quickly. Once I got the hang of it, I could make one in about two hours. Fast results. I LIKE that!

The girls wanted their own scarves, too. Big Girl got the one with the pinks and greys. Little Bit got the one that is pink and white. The others are mine. All mine. But I’ll share if I have to…

After all, I can always make another one…

If you are interested in making one, they have super-easy instructions posted online. That’s how I figured it out.

On the Needles (or off)

Happy Super Tuesday! If you live in the United States, I hope you have, or are planning to vote today. Regardless of who you vote for, I just hope you exercise your right to vote.

We voted two weeks ago – I love early voting!

I thought I’d share with you some of the recent yarn projects I’ve been working on. It seems the more hectic life gets, the more I have retreated in my free time into my yarn crafts. I think it is because it is simple, repetitive, tactile and relaxing. I don’t have to think. I don’t have to plan. I don’t have to react. I can just sit quietly and weave the yarn and watch something beautiful develop. And right now, for me, that is very therapeutic.

I’ve finished this little item –

But I can’t share more with you (yet) as it is a gift and I want to give it to my special someone first before doing any more of a reveal.

I also decided on Saturday that I wanted to finish my shawl – the one I had earmarked as my “church shawl” – that I would wear on Sundays in Church when they have the air conditioning on “freeze yer hiney off” and I am shivering.

I’ve been working on it off and on for a month or two. I ran out of yarn, had to order more, and then finally decided it was getting cold enough that I really needed to focus on finishing so I wouldn’t turn into a popsicle in church on Sunday.

It’s a basic shawl – a big rectangle, really. I did it in a half-double crochet and then made a ruffle on the ends by doing four double crochets in each loop. I think it turned out really pretty.

The yarn is Lion Brand Homespun in Ocean. Mom had given it to me a few years ago as part of a yarn package Christmas gift. The yarn is a pain to knit with but it wasn’t too bad to crochet with. I used a large needle (L, I think) and tried really hard to control my tension (in more ways than one!)

It was serendipitous that the colors actually match the colors on our volunteer “uniform” shirts for church. So, I look very coordinated, even though it was a total accident.

And, I used it on Sunday. It was so warm – like snuggling in a blanket!

Although, I have to say, I think my model is even more beautiful than my shawl! Don’t you?!?

Now, I’m vacillating between which project to do next. Finish the shawl that seems to be turning into a lap blanket? Start a scarf and hat project that will be quick and easy? Tackle some finer yarns that I’ve purchased because I love but am afraid to do something with for fear of messing it up?

Decisions, Decisions.

I’m sure I’ll figure something out.

I’ve got plenty of yarn to choose from. That’s for sure!

Stitchy Twitchy (thoughtsalonglifeshighway.com)
Sunday Afternoon Knitting – Again! (letissierdesigns.com)

On the Needles

Well, off, actually.

I finally finished the carpool scarf!

You might remember that I had started it the first week of school… well, it sat in my car and got worked on a little at a time for weeks and weeks and weeks and… well, you get the idea. You don’t get very far when you only work on something for 30 minutes a day, that is for sure.

Anyway, FINALLY I finished it.