Goldberry Shawl

 Some of you may know that I am a fan of Tolkien's works. I am a huge fan of Lord of the Rings and you may have seen a couple of my custom made crochet hooks. If you haven't, you really should check those posts out!  This shawl, I had been wanting to make for a very long time. I wanted to make this before I even made my first shawl! It looked so elaborate that I felt overwhelmed but after making a couple shawls this seemed do-able.  This pattern was actually gifted to me by a member of my Random Acts of Kindness group.

It took me two months to make, but that was mostly due to my busy work schedule and the fact that I underestimated the amount of yarn I would be using. If you choose to do this pattern, two skeins of Carron's Simply Soft will not do it. I used close to 1000 yards, if not a little more because I wanted to add a couple of rows. What can I say? I like to bundle up in the cold months.

This Goldberry Shawl pattern is amazing! It follows the Hobbit's Journey using one of Tolkien's poems to guide the pattern and tell a story, more or less. It was such a beautiful idea and I am excited to make this shawl again. I know that by looking at it, you can't tell that it is inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien's works. Maybe that is what drew me to it. I love Tolkien's works but I don't like to let everyone know just how much I admire the author and the movies.

If you like what you see and would like to make one yourself, the pattern is available to download for $5 USD. I firmly believe that it is well worth it.

What projects are you working on? Let me know in the comments below, I always love hearing from you.

Please remember that you are beautiful and well loved.

Hats Galore!

 So, this Fall and Winter, I stayed pretty busy with making hats. I found a slouch pattern that I am just in love with! You might be able to tell because five out of the six hats I made (two are not pictured), were made with the Holland's Slouch Hat pattern (This is a free pattern download). I was looking for a good slouch pattern and most of the ones that I had stumbled across were too short, and more like a beanie than a slouch.

 This pattern is so easy to work and the finished product is just the right amount of airy and closeness. It doesn't get too hot but it keeps you warm, at the same time. The first two hats, I made for myself. I fell in love with Red Heart's yarn in the Mirage colorway and I've been vieing for a hat in it.

 This hat is one I made for my husband, but it was not made using the Hollland's Slouch Hat pattern. I don't honestly remember if I used a pattern for it. He needed a winter hat, so he ended up with this one.

After seeing my first two hats, one of our good friends, Dustin, asked me if I could make him one. His hats are not pictured here because I wanted to get a picture of him in it but he couldn't sit still. I made one in grey and one in more of an olive green color. They are a little longer than the ones I made for myself.

This last one, I just finished, today. When Dustin went home for Christmas, his mom asked if I could make her one. She really liked his olive hat. This picture looks more grey but it was made using Lion Brand's Heartland yarn in the Joshua Tree colorway. It is a nice blend of olive and dark green.

What is your favorite hat pattern? Let me know in the comments below! I always love hearing from you.

Please remember that you are beautiful and well loved.

Spoiling Lily

This Fall, we learned that the couple who runs the open mic night on Wednesdays were having a baby. As soon as I found this out, I was ready to make things. It didn't quiet help that I had baby fever and was itching to make things with no one to make things for. It certainly solved my problem. They were having a little girl and she has since been born.

Here are some of the things that I made for Lily (the baby).

 I happened along a design for a Circle Baby Blanket. I just love the swirl! It was a quick work up but I didn't happen to write it down. It came along by accident but I am certainly happy with the results! I wasn't sure what to do for the edging, so I decided to use some really soft, fluffy yarn (Bernat Pipsqueak) for the border in single crochet.

 I also made a hat, though I'm not sure where the pattern for that is. When I find where I got it from, I will update with a link. I know that it is called Granny Beanie. Again, I used the super soft, fluffy baby yarn to border the hat. So cute!

 A pair of baby shoes, in a soft cream. I was going to add lady bug buttons but it didn't quite go with the theme that seemed to be taking place.

 My first attempt at baby clothes! This was a pattern that I found at JoAnn's. One of the free ones that you can take home. It was called "Flutterby Baby Vest". I have tried to find it online for you, but I haven't had any luck. Again, I'm sorry that I cannot provide a link to the pattern. But, your craft stores are wonderful places for free patterns!

And yet another accidental pattern, as well as one that I can't link to nor did I write down. These booties are too stink'n cute! I love the little fur toppers!

When we gave these to the mother, she told me that she was afraid that she wouldn't have anything like this to pass down to her kids. Her grandmother who would make stuff like this had passed away. I felt so blessed to be a blessing to her, her husband and little Lily.

What baby things do you like to make or see made?

Please remember that you are beautiful and well loved!

Minnie Tp and Another Washcloth

 Way back, in the beginning of May, I had started to design the partner to the Mickey Mouse Toilet Paper cover. My beautiful cousin got married this past Summer and I was told that her bathroom was done with a Mickey Mouse theme. I had a difficult time figuring out the skirt, but after several designs, I settled on a skirt made of Sashay yarn. It was easiest to ruffle.  I finished this design at the end of June, just before their wedding. The pattern is now up for sale at ($1 USD). You can also bundle with the Mickey Mouse TP cover pattern for a discounted price of $1.50 USD!

This Simple Stripes Dishcloth was made in early July for a June Dishcloth CAL. I used Lily's Sugar and Cream yarn and I love it! The pattern is a free crochet download!

What are some projects you are working on?

Please remember that you are beautiful and well loved!

Blowing Off the Dust

I know that it has been a long while since I have posted. Again, there are no excuses. Life got the better of me. I was sick for a while and I'm still not feeling 100%.  My doctor ran a bunch of tests and found that the cause of my sickness is due to my low White Blood Cell count. I go in for more tests and a recount in Feburary. If you are the praying kind, I would be grateful if you might think of me.

I did some crafting and those posts will be coming up, very soon.  This year I am going to try my best to keep up on the blog, again. I want to record the positive things and encourage you to do the same.

Speaking of positive things, one has already happened this year!  As some of you may know, my husband and I have been looking for a reliable vehicle for two years. We had an Izuzu Rodeo that came with many problems and when the suspencion bracket snapped, well...we let that one go. I have been walking or biking to work, most days. Which I'm not complaining, I enjoy my walks, but in the winter it can get very painful with my Raynauds. Last winter, we borrowed my mother-in-law's car, a lot. This year, we have tried to limit how much we borrow it or ask for rides. Meanwhile, we have been searching, test driving and nixing choices of vehicles. Last week, we happened by a little Ford Focus. It has minimal rust and under 150k miles!  My husband test drove it and it seems to be a reliable vehicle for around town, in our price range.  We went back, yesterday and bought it! We are going to pick it up this afternoon!

We are so excited! Two years without a vehicle is a long time to be patient. But I am happy that we waited for this opportunity.

What are some blessings that you have experienced lately?

Please remember that you are beautiful and well loved.