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!