Cats and yarn

I think it's important to recognize the special relationship kittens have with yarn. That's why I'm posting these Whiskas commercials! The commercial about Hank demonstrates the yarn/cat connection, and the others are just too funny to leave out! Enjoy!

Boris

Hank

Hubert

The FROG - this crocheter's best friend

I'm a huge believer in froging my work until it is perfect. (FROG means fix by ripping out your stiches and, in some cases, groaning). I started a project that I have been wanting to do since the fall of 2004. The pattern is called "Hooded Car Coat" and I discovered it in a hard to find publication by Better Homes & Gardens called "Simply Creative Crochet." I say it's hard to find because I've never seen another one since this 2004 issue.

Anyway, the main part of this easy pattern is a faux cable stich, where you skip one stitch, do a dc in the next two, then go back and do a dc in the one you skipped. I was working away at this pattern and I realized fairly early on that my cables didn't line up properly. But, I was content to let it go and just enjoy the simple repetitive stitch. So I worked and worked and I got to the part of the back panel where armhole shaping begins. After a few stiches Irealized I would need to fix everything else because all of a sudden my cables were lining up. So, I froged about 12 inches of work and looked at the pattern again. Good thing, because some how I failed to notice that after every faux cable row I was supposed to do a row of sc! Ooops!

I'll post some pics as soon as the work is big enough! I'm using Bernat's Harmony yarn in Nature's Blues.

Project List

There are a number of projects on my mind right now, so I thought I'd publish a list of those I want to complete by Christmas - maybe doing this will keep me accountable, ha ha!

First up is a pink boucle poncho. I've got a couple of ideas for it, but I'm still searching for just the right pattern, or inspiration for a pattern.

Next, I want to make a hanging dish towel with some leftover green Lustersheen cotton, which apparently no longer exists, as it's not on Coat's and Clark's website.

Before I go on, I have a confession to make. I like buying exotic yarns that are being cleared out or on sale for really, really good prices - without even knowing what I'm going to make with them. Are all crochet-aholics like this??? I have found this strategy has worked for me, with very few exceptions. That being said, I've got three skeins of boa yarn that needs the right project. Suggestions are welcome!

Getting back to my list, I have a baby blanket I'm currently working on that I'd like to finish in the near future - like in the next two weeks!

I NEED to finish the Half Way top I started this spring.

That's it for now. I'm sure as the holidays approach I'll decide on other projects that I'd like to make as gifts - and I'll add them to my list.

Bad Blogger!

Wow - has it been a long time since my last post! Oops! Oh well, the important thing is that I've still been crocheting, just not posting. I'll have to work on that. Anyway, in light of my recent shortcomings as a blogger, I thought it appropriate to post many pictures of my most recent projects for your viewing pleasure.

Half Way!

I started this top in March and am happy to report that at least the back is finished! Unfortunatly, I got the pattern from a library book but had to return the book before I could finish the top! It's a great, tight pattern but I found that it took forever to do this little section! I'm too accustomed to making afghans with a much larger hook, which gives me the illusion that I'm "flying" through my work so quickly!

Color-Crazy!

This is one of my favourite afghans of late. I started this at Christmas time and finished months ago, except I decided to put fringe on the sides - something that looks nice but takes me forever to do, mostly because I have to psych myself up to set there and cut yarn for a few hours! My thoughts on the color scheme were to make it look as much like a stripped sweater or scarf as possible, to really play up the image of a "cozy" afghan for a cool winters night (hey, it's less than six months 'til Christmas!) This will make a beautiful Christmas present for someone special this year.

Baby Boom

It seems like so many people I know are pregnant, so I've been experimenting with patterns and textures as I stock pile baby blankets. I made this ripple with Bernat's Miami yarn. It's heavy, yet drapes very well. And, thanks to the pattern, some little princess will be able to stick her toes through it one day soon!

Little Boy Blue

Baby Connor loves sticking his toes through the blanket I made him! He also plays hide and seek with it, and sleeps with it as his cover every night! It's nice to see your creations being enjoyed by others. I always tell people to go ahead and use the baby blankets I make because they'll bring so much more joy that way then if they sit tucked away in the linen closet.

Another Blanket
Just because I haven't posted in a while doesn't mean I haven't been crocheting! Here's a pick of a blanket I did for baby Sophie! I edged it in white for a lacy look.

Halter Pattern!

So many people have been asking for the pattern to the lace crochet halters I've done, so here it is: http://www.angelfire.com/art/bubamara/free/mariahtop.html. Enjoy & happy crocheting!

Baby Wave

Baby wave pattern blanket.

A change in season

As the weather changes, so does my crochet focus. The 15 halter tops I've made this summer have been put aside (I even sold some!) in favor of other, more pressing, projects. I've got baby blankets to make! Two cousins and a dear friend are expecting - one in September and the other two in December - so I've got to get with the program. Pictured above is one of the blankets done up in a delicate, colourful acrylic/nylon yarn. The pattern is wave stitch - very popular for these little blankies and super easy to make. It's the second one I've made this summer.

Busy Summer!

Wow - it's been a busy summer and a while since my last post! I've been busy, though not with a lot of crochet projects. Here's a quick list of what I've made since my last entry: A baby blanket; a queen-size afghan; 4-5 halter tops; a tote-style purse, and I think that's it. I gave the first two away as gifts for a baby shower and a wedding. Silly me, I was so proud of my large afghan that I made a painstaking effort to fold it and tie it up with ribbons and decorate the gift bag, etc, that I forgot to take a picture of it! I started it at the end of April and completed it in time to give as a gift on June 18.

I've got a bunch of projects lined up for the next little while, including some ponchos, a couple of afghans, two different styles of purses and a crayon-shaped pillow. All of these will make great Christmas gifts!