Monday, 7/26/10 My Finished Hex On Shrug

Do you remember from an earlier post, when I first received the Crochet Wear book, and I made the Hex On Shrug for my friend Stephanie? I loved making it and how easy it was to make the hexagons and to put them together. The whole thing took a couple of mornings. When I dropped the shrug off at my LYS Twist to display it in the windows for the month of March, I told the shop owner, Shelly, that I thought she should order the book. Since she is so nice and believes in me, she ordered the book, and the sweet thing about it was that she had just got in the same brand of yarn that the pattern called for. Of course, I couldn’t resist looking at the yarn and then falling in love with it and just had to get some of it for a Hex On Shrug for myself. Like many projects that I think I’ll start for myself, this one also fell to the wayside to make room for more important projects (like the design contest pieces and gifts).

Last Saturday, I had a few hours to try and relax, so I decided to pull my Hex On shrug in from the wayside, take it with me to Twist, and finish it. The funny thing about it was that I had all the hexagons already made and had started putting them together. In the next few hours while I was being inspired by some of my friends that hang out at the LYS, I finished sewing my hexes together and inspired some of them to purchase the Crochet Wear book. When I left Twist, all I had to do was edge the shrug and make a button closure, and I finished that up the next week. What was I waiting for, Christmas?

Anyway, I stopped by my LYS to show off my shrug, and Shelly was nice enough to take my picture while I was browsing her book section, and I think I found another book that I may just have to have. Shelly informed me that she only has two of the Crochet Wear books left after my inspirational visit on Saturday. I love it!!!!

You can order your very own copy of Crochet Wear right here on CrochetSoiree!

Wednesday, 7/21/10 July CAL Doily Prize

When I was trying to choose a doily for the July prize, I found this really cute doily pattern.

I don’t know if it was the easiness of the pattern or the picture of all the different colors of doilies that made me want to make one in every color of thread that I have.

I made myself stop at 6, but I assure you that I could have made a dozen easily. Anyway, I hope whoever wins the July CAL challenge enjoys the doilies as much as I did making them.

Monday, 7/19/10 Lace Weight Shawl

If you read my blog, you probably already know that I have made countless doilies, tablecloths, and one bedspread from crochet thread (size 10), but until now, I had never before crocheted anything with lace weight yarn.

Last weekend I was inspired by a friend of mine named Jordan. I met Jordan in my LYS several years ago and get inspiration from her and my other friends as well. But last weekend, Jordan was wearing a shawl that I couldn’t take my eyes off of. We all asked her about it, and she said that she had crocheted it out of lace weight yarn. Well, there were several of us who couldn’t resist buying some lace weight yarn right then and there.

And look what I finished—a lace weight shawl of my very own, and I know this will not be my last lace weight shawl. I wonder what sock weight yarn would look like in a shawl since I can’t stop buying it as well. Crochet Soiree has some really cool sock yarn for sale here—Kroy, Deborah Norville, Red Heart, Bernat, etc.

Tell me what kinds of things you have made with lace weight yarn.

Monday, 7/12/10 Megan's Tote Made by Joshua and Tamarfied by Me

When Joshua saw the Total Crochet for the Home book…

…and the Multistripe Tote…

…he thought of his good friend Megan.

He came up with the color sequence quickly and crocheted the front and the back very fast. Then it came time to hide his tails. Well, that took a while, and he kind of got side tracked and made a few hats, and one day I told him that I thought the tote should be lined, so I set out to find some fabric in my stash. Of course, when I say I’m going to line something, I don’t have a clue how I’m going to make it. I just jump in with both feet and start in. I decided to put in lots of pockets, and I wanted them to be just the right size for the items Megan carries. So I found out the measurements of her wallet and cell phone, and then, I just added some more pockets for good measure.

The lining took up most of an afternoon to make, and then I stuffed it into the crocheted tote. Well once I did that, I decided I needed to add a closure so things didn’t fall out of the bag. So I made a flap with a snap and a decorative crocheted button. Then last but not least, I just happened to have a handle that was rescued from an old purse, and it wouldn’t be complete without a cover of crochet, so I crocheted over the handle and attached the handle to some fabric tabs. I love the design process and how things just keep building…

…until you have this. Ta Da!!!! I was very pleased with the final product, and it was fun pulling it all together for our Megan. Her favorite thing was the little pocket that I made especially for her Chapstick.

Friday, 7/09/10 My First Christmas in July Project Completed

I’ve been eyeing this Dodge Ball Set crochet pattern for a long time. I was so excited that you use an empty plastic ice cream pail. Since I have a hard time throwing these away, I just happened to have one handy. This was a really fun project to make, and you’ll never guess what I stuffed my dodge balls with! I used some of my husband’s old t-shirts with a little bit of sweater remnant thrown in for good measure (I can’t seem to throw that away either). The combination of the sweater weight and t-shirt makes the dodge balls just the right weight to throw and hit someone without it hurting. I really like the basket and could see skeins of yarn stored in it, also. I might have to make another one and use it just for stash yarn.

Tell me which CAL project you started with.

Wednesday, 7/07/10 Gift for Co-worker's Grandbaby

Since I work for a company that’s fairly small and family owned, it seems like we’re all family. So when one of my co-workers has a baby or if they’re first time grandparents, I try to crochet the baby something. Well, one of my co-workers is a first time grandpa, and I decided to make the baby a pair of booties and a hat, and here they are. I used a combination of DMC Senso and a variegated sock yarn that has aqua, pinks, and yellows in it. Of course, I added my special touches of a flower on top and a personalized label inside.

I couldn’t resist taking his picture as I handed him the gifts. Its fun seeing a country boy melt when he talks about his new little granddaughter named “Piper”. Now I’m off to finish the gifts for another co-worker who is having a boy in July and for another co-worker’s twin nephews who are being born soon.

Phew, what’s on your hooks?

Monday, 7/5/10 Another Idea for “Hats Off to Mother”

Ok. Sometimes or more like all the time, I go a little crazy or overboard with an idea. With these little hats from the Hats Off To Mother Free Friday Pattern, I couldn’t stop making them, and the inspirations on what do with them wouldn’t stop either. Remember when I said you could use them as a pincushion? After I stuffed the rolled up felt into the crown of the hat, I decided to make a flat crocheted piece and stitch the two pieces together at the rim of the hat for more stability.

Well, I showed my sister what I had done, and she said that I should use something inside to keep the pins from coming out the bottom. So I decided to cut a plastic circle from a cottage cheese container lid, and then I poked holes in the circle with an awl.

I used the holes to help with stitching the plastic to the bottom of the hat. Then I sewed the flat crocheted piece together at the edges and sewed a pin back on the back just in case someone wants to wear it as a pin. You could even sew it to a piece of elastic the size of your wrist and use it for a wrist pincushion. The possibilities are endless.

Friday, 7/02/10 July Crochet Along: “Christmas in July”

For the month of July, we decided to have a Christmas in July Celebration for all those crocheters who start their gift making early. We have chosen 10 temporarily-free patterns for the CAL: a couple of toys, some scarves, hats, a doily, several angels, some slippers, dishcloths, and baby items. I think you will find something for just about everyone on your list. These patterns will be available free for the month of July and will revert back to for-purchase downloads after July. In place of the once a week, Free Friday Patterns during the month of July, I will be showing you the progress I'm making with my Christmas gifts.

Here are the 10 patterns:

Dodge Ball Set=5
Bulky Ski Mask=2
Angel Ornaments=5
Starlight Doily=5
So-Simple Slippers=2
Pocket Scarves to Crochet or Knit=2
Helmet & Mitts=5
Winter White Bear=5
Quick Kitchen Helpers=2
Cluster Stitch Cloche=2

The rules for July are:
1. Make your gifts from the patterns we have chosen.
2. Use any weight or kind of yarn and hook.
3. Embellishments are welcome.
4. If the pattern has more than one item to make on it, you have to make all items. The only exception is the Pocket Scarf pattern—you only have to make either knit or crochet.

I’m sure by now you have noticed some numbers beside each pattern. The catch to winning this time is:

Each pattern is worth a certain number of points!

For instance:
Mary Ann makes 1 of each of the 10 Patterns = 35 points, therefore 35 chances to win!
Debbie makes 10 Cluster Stitch Cloche hats = 20 points, therefore 20 chances to win!

I have a special doily surprise for first place this time, second place wins a Mimi Crafters Handbag, and third place wins two great books from Leisure Arts: Dressing Up Baby and Fair Isle to Crochet.

Good luck, have fun, and have a wonderful 4th of July!

Wednesday, 6/30/10 Tooting My Own Horn

Have you found it yet? On the Crochet Soiree toolbar, there’s a tab called Videos and More. At the very bottom of this tab is an item called Coming Soon. Here’s where Crochet Soiree gives you a sneak peek of some of the new books coming out. I was scrolling through and noticed that I’ll be ordering a lot of these books.

Much to my surprise, I also came upon the Crochet Prayer Shawls book coming in July and guess whose design is shown last?

Yes, that would be my design and pattern. I really can’t wait to order this book!

Tell me what you think.

Monday, 6/28/10 Celebrity Slouchy Beanies for the Family

When I first saw the Celebrity Slouchy Beanies book here on CrochetSoiree and discovered that the designs were by Lisa Gentry, I couldn’t stand it; I had to have it.

Before I could place my order, I found the brand-new Soft Dreams and Sophisticated Baby & Toddlers. I’ve been making a lot of baby gifts lately and decided I needed a few more patterns to choose from. Plus, I don’t think you can have enough toddler patterns either.

Then, my eye caught a glimpse of this new book called Grannies Gone Wild. Oh my gosh, if you don’t already know by now, I’m a granny square lover, so I had to order it, too. Plus I don’t think you can have too many granny square patterns either. Ha! Ha!

Anyway, when my new books came, I could hardly wait to open them up and look at all the neat designs. Before I knew it, my son, Joshua, had the Celebrity Slouchy Beanies book and had started on the Lacy Beanie. He told me he was making it for his girlfriend, Riley.

Then, before I knew it, he had finished Riley’s beanie and had started another one, but this time he was making one of the guy’s beanies for himself—unless someone else comes along and wants it. I don’t know when I’ll get the book back to make my own versions of the beanies. Ha! Ha!

Here’s a cute picture of Joshua and Riley when she was trying on her hat.

If you want to join in on the June Crochet Along, you can have a chance to win both the knit and crochet version of Celebrity Slouchy Beanies for your own—or if you can’t wait, just order them here at CrochetSoiree like I did.

6/25/10 Free Pattern Friday: Dog Mat Crochet Pattern

I decided to choose another temporarily free crochet pattern for this Free Friday. Since I had some yarn left over from the New Years Cap, and the fun fur was flying already, I decided to make this Dog Mat crochet pattern. The pattern was very easy to follow, and it went very fast. I used the rest of the Lion Brand Cotton Ease and Fun Fur that I had left over from the cap, and I love how the mat feels. It’s so soft.

Here’s my version. This mat would be suitable for any dog or cat, and if you don’t have a four-legged friend of your own, it would make the perfect gift for that special friend or relative in your life that has a pet.

Have fun making this mat and let me know what kind of yarn you use on yours. This design came from a Leisure Arts leaflet called Crochet Essentials. This publication invites crocheters to enjoy creativity, relaxation, and success—all at once—by crocheting these 19 essential designs with Lion Brand® Yarn. These projects are great for anyone to create, but are especially suitable for beginners.

Remember to download the pattern right away, since it’s free for only a short amount of time.

Wednesday, 6/23/10 June CAL Doily Prize

Take a look at the June CAL Doily Prize!

I’m really getting a kick out of making all these doilies for the CALs because having a purpose and a deadline pushes me into actually making them. I have been looking at this particular doily for over a year now, and I thought it would be perfect for the June Crochet Along since it has flowers in it, and all my flowers are blooming now.

The cool thing about the patterns that I’ve been using is that they are made from simple charts and symbols. I really do like making doilies from charts. All the outside motifs are made first and separately. Then on the last row of the second motif, you join it to the first motif and so on and so on. Then you are left with an open place right in the middle for your center doily to fit. Then you make the center doily and attach it to the outside motifs while making your last row. It’s so cool how when you get done attaching the center doily, the whole thing is done because the edging is already done with the last row of your motifs and center doily. The June doily measures 25½" across.

This is the fourth doily that I’ve made with this big spool of thread, and it still looks like it I have enough for several more. I’ll keep you posted on that. Anyway, I hope the person who wins this doily loves it as much as I loved making it. Good Luck to everyone! The June CAL ends June 30, so get busy posting your red, white, and blue!

Monday, 6/21/10 Finished My Butterfly Doily

I was finally able to get back to my butterfly doily. I had to put down this doily and finish something else many times, then go back to it again and again. The last time I put it down, I was already over half way done. It didn’t take long after hitting the halfway mark because the pattern repeats. I just placed stitch markers at each end of the row that I was to repeat. That way I didn’t need to carry the pattern book around with me. When I finished the filet work of the doily, I decided to add a single crochet edging all the way around. I’m glad that I took the time to do the edging because I think it gives it a more finished look.

I can’t believe I still have this much thread on this giant spool of thread. I’m going to keep track of how many doilies I can get from this one spool of thread. This is Number 3.

6/18/10 Free Pattern Friday: Daddy’s Baby Afghan Crochet Pattern (and a Diaper Bag Idea)

When I saw this cute picture of a young man with a baby and the afghan (and with Father's Day coming up), I thought about the new daddys in my life and thought this afghan crochet pattern would be a cool Free Pattern Friday giveaway.

I have just the right colors of yarns in my stash: Bernat Softee Baby and Patons Bamboo Baby—which you can purchase right here on Crochet Soiree.

Then, I started thinking about the new daddys carrying diaper bags. I saw another really cute picture of a daddy and his baby. Daddy was carrying a cloth diaper bag with a long strap that went across his chest with the bag hanging in the back. I thought hmmmm… I wonder if I could find a crocheted bag pattern that I could crochet into a more masculine looking bag for a daddy to carry. I didn’t have to look far.

I found this pattern called Shoulder Sack Purse that you can purchase for just $2.99 on Crochet Soiree. I purchased it and downloaded it right away. I was anxious to Tamarify this purse into a diaper bag that a daddy who had a baby girl wouldn’t mind carrying.

So here’s my version of the Shoulder Sack Purse made with Moda Dea Tweedle Dee, Bernat Softee Chunky, and Patons Shetland Chunky. I love the way the bag turned out, and it was so fast and easy. If you know me, you know I’m not quite finished with this as I think it needs to be lined with many pockets for all those special things that babies need.

Of course, it was so fast and easy I had to use some more of my stash of cotton/acrylic blend yarns and the colors that I love and make one for myself, too. Now, I have to get my fabric stash out and choose a fabric for the lining for this bag.

Anyway, I want to wish all the daddys in the world a Happy Fathers Day on Sunday and a very special Happy Fathers Day to my Daddy!

Monday, 6/14/10 I Finished My Pumpkin Pillow

I told you that I would keep you posted on my pillow ideas from the Free Friday Pattern Chunky Pillows, so here it is.

Since I could only find 12" x 12" pillow forms at the craft store before they closed on Saturday, I had to think of something. I used a sweater that my daughter purchased at the thrift store that had the same colors as my gold cotton crochet yarn that I made the base of the pumpkin pillow side A from. With the cotton yarn that I used, my pillow front ended up being 9" x 9", so that was another problem I had to solve.

I decided to add a few rows of double crochet around the entire square and then make a little scallop edge for the last row. I found just the right color warm rose from my Royale Fashion Crochet stash, and I think it matches the sweater stripes perfectly. Then, I sewed up the sweater to cover the pillow form, before stuffing the pillow form into the sweater, I hand sewed the crocheted pumpkin pillow piece onto the middle of the front of my pillow.

Then, I found these three little buttons from my button box and sewed some fabric loops on the other side and stuffed the pillow form in and buttoned it closed. I still have to add some snaps between the buttons so the inside of the pillow form doesn’t show. I’m pretty pleased with how it turned out. I’d like to hear how you plan on making your pillows.

6/11/10 Free Pattern Friday: New Years Cap Crochet Pattern

When I decided on this crochet pattern for this Free Pattern Friday, I thought hmm…I’m going to need to buy some of that fun fur. I had tried to crochet with it several years ago and didn’t have much luck, so I had given all of it to my daughter to make scarves out of.

Well, when I went to my local craft store, I found this really pretty color of fun fur and then found these two colors of one of my favorite yarns—Lion Brand Cotton Ease. I love that the Cotton Ease is cotton and acrylic, and it has some stretch to it, and it happened to match the fun fur just perfectly. You can purchase Cotton Ease right here at Crochet Soiree, and they have some really pretty colors. They also have novelty yarns that would work really well for this cap.

I think the cap turned out cute, and I think I know the only person that could pull it off is a friend of mine named Mimi from my LYS Twist. I hope you have as much fun making this cap as I did. Remember that this is a temporary pattern that will only be available for two weeks! Download it now!

And if you like great hats like this one, you need to check out the book it came from—iCrochet: Adventurous Hats & Bags by a really neat designer—Mary Estok Nolfi. It includes 11 crochet designs: a Harlequin Romance Hat (a bold pillbox shown 4 ways) and Bag; a Russian Cap and Document Bag; an Asian Influence Hat and Bag; our free New Year Cap, plus a coordinating Hat and Bag; and a Kente Colors Cap and Bag.

Wednesday, 6/09/10 Joshua Has Crocheted 4 Hats!

When Joshua completed his afghan, he already had some yarn lined up to be a hat. Little did he know that hats crochet up really fast, and he couldn’t just stop at one hat…

…so he continued to finish a second hat and couldn’t stop at two hats.

He made a third hat and decided to make it for his friend Rian and even learned how to decrease from the I Can’t Believe I’m Crocheting book. I found this hat completed the next morning and took this picture. He completed three hats in a day!

Just a couple of days ago Joshua decided to make his drama teacher a crocheted hat, so he picked a pattern that was made from single crochets in the back loop, (back and forth not around). Then you weave in a piece of yarn at the top to draw it up and then make a seam down the back. I think it turned out really nice, and I hear that it fit Mr. Lundin perfectly, and he loved it.

I hope that once Joshua gets done with all the Senior and year end things, he will have more time to crochet. There’s no telling what he plans on making next.

Monday, 6/7/10 Marking Your Crocheted Items

When I was trying my hand at quilting, my sister told me that I needed to make sure to always mark my quilts with my name, date, and who I made the quilt for. That made me think about my crocheted pieces and how I should be marking them. I decided I would start adding a tag to anything that I crocheted. I knew that doilies, lace, or openweave things would be hard to mark, but I thought I had better make a tag with fabric and a permanent type marker for everything that I give away, with the date, name of recipient, and my name. Then, I would sew it in the seam of garments or the wrong side of other items. I’ve been pretty good at doing this, but…

It looks like I was in too big of a hurry to include the date on this tag and my husband just delivered the crocheted blankets to our grandsons Eyan and Alex last weekend. Oh well, maybe I can make sure that I take my permanent marker with me the next time we go and visit them and add the date.

I know you can order labels made and have them personalized with your name on them, but wouldn’t it be neat if someone could make them to have blanks to write in the date of completion and the recipient’s name? Tell me how you mark your crocheted items—or do you?