Fans, Fences and Lace

 This week, I have been doing a lot of work on a couple of shawls since I left my pattern notebook and my swap blanket in the back of a friend's vehicle from our road trip. The above picture is from a dark purple "Cascading Lace Shawl". I downloaded this pattern for $2USD and I must say that I absolutely love the way it works up. Although the pattern is written completely out, row by row, it is a repeating pattern. I found that I like who complete the pattern is because I don't have to go back and count my rows, and how many times I have completed rows 1-9. I can simply continue on through the pattern and know that I'm at row 32. I don't feel as lost as I sometimes do with repeated patterns.

This next shawl that I'm working on is another experiment of mine. I like how open it is and it is an easy work up, as well. I'm using Red Heart's Super Saver Solids "Frosty Green" for this shawl.

Both shawls are going to become rectangular shawls.

Also, I have been looking up on a new ambition, somewhat related to crochet but doesn't have much to do with yarn. I've been looking on Etsy and E-bay at the beaded crochet stitch markers and admiring them. Some of the prices seem a bit high but I love how unique they are. My husband used to dabble in beading jewelry and I do believe that he still has some beads I might be able to use. I think I'm going to invest in some "Lobster Claws" (clippy things), some beading pins and a pair of needle nosed plier and try my hand at making some of these beauties! Of course, when I do start, I will post my adventures with beading on here as well.

What are you working on right now?  Any new ambitions?
Feel free to check out my other posts and leave a comment below. I always love hearing from you.

Remember that you are beautiful and well loved!

Dear Santa, May I Borrow Some Elves?

I finally sat down (during a lunch break) and wrote down a list of projects that I need to start and complete before Christmas comes around. Yes, it is only September but I'm sure all you crafters know just how long it takes to make something special for someone. I glanced at my list, today and I'm starting to wish that I hadn't written everything out.

So far (I usually end up adding things) I have:

Two afghans- one is for a swap and needs to be finished by December 1st, I'm about halfway finished; the other is still in the process of having the pattern written. Eighty rows are written, still have about 108 rows more.

A "Stitch" hat for my neice.

Ten winter hats

Three Earwarmers

Three Shawls

Six ornaments

Ten scarves

Nine potholders

Four dishcloths

and possibly a third blanket but I'm not sure I'll have that much time.

Since I have started crocheting, one person has received a blanket each year. The first year it was my dad and step mom, the second was my mother in law, this year it will be my husband and I'm thinking next year will be my brother in law, once I figure out what he likes. Now that he is in high school, I don't know if he still wants the Star Wars things or if he wants things to be  a little more grown up.

Which makes it difficult for this Christmas, for him. Last year I made him a "Creeper" scarf from Minecraft. Last year he was in middle school. This year, he is in high school and I'm not sure what he wants.

Out of all the projects that I need to do, I have the blanket for my afghan swap started and...yeah, just that. Well, I may have one scarf and an earwarmer finished...depending on if I want to give away my prototypes of the Strawberry Wine patterns.

Every year, my list gets longer. I'm just going to have to start crocheting for Christmas 365 days ahead of time.

In all of the chaos, remember: You are beautiful and well loved.
 

Always the Ambitious One

I have been trying to work on a design for a crochet top, for the past week or so. I was able to design most of one side, but I seem to run into trouble along the neckline. It is more of a mesh top and I'm thinking that the part I have already designed might, possibly, be to small. Although it could work for a size small...possibly a medium. The neckline is not broad enough. So, I frogged (rip it, rip it) what I could and left what I couldn't. Which means I just frogged the neckline and kept the rest. Ha!

I decided that until I make at least one top that isn't a poncho or a jacket type pattern, I will be putting this design on hold. I still have the sketches and the written part of what I have designed. But that neckline is a pain in the patootie.

Although I am disappointed that I have to let this one slide for who knows how long, I am relieved that I actually get a chance at working on my other design ideas. Things that I do know a bit about like scarves, hats, fingerless gloves, potholders, more bags....etc.

The one I really want to work on takes a cable stitch. Ambitious me, has never done one and the beautiful stitch book that my husband gave me for my birthday shows me how to make little cable stitches. I'm not sure how to make one wide, celtic type, woven, cable stitch. Apparently google is confused and shows me cable cars. Thanks, Google, not what I was thinking but nice views.

So, if anyone knows of a website or a book that I can reference on how to make a wider cable stitch, please let me know! I have this really cool design that I would love to do and the border that I want is going to be kind of like a braided rope. I'll have to figure that one out too but it will be fun!

What projects are you working on? Let me know in the comments below!

Remember, you are beautiful and well loved.

Christmas is Just Around the Corner...

I was on Ravelry.com, today, and sifting through the groups that I am in. I ventured into this new Christmas Crochet group that I recently joined and had a sudden realization that we are in the middle of August. Yep! That is right we are in the middle of the eighth month and December is only four months away. I am working on two blankets, one I keep frogging (ripping the stitches) and the other I'm thinking about it. The thing is, it takes me about 6 months to make one with as busy as I get with work.

Part of the freak out began when I realized I have four months to make two blankets. That is two less months than what I have for one. I can see every waking moment from here on out going to Christmas presents. Which is sad because Halloween and Thanksgiving are also coming up and I wanted to make things for those holidays as well.

The freak out didn't take full effect until I realized that for the past two Christmases (which are the two that I actually knew how to crochet), most people recieved a scarf and hat set; if they did not recieve a blanket. Now, my family/friends are loving people but I'm sure that I might get a little bit of an eye roll or fake excitement over, yet, another scarf.

This realization and complete understanding of the possible reaction leaves me in a more than slight panic that goes something like this:

"I have four months until Christmas! I have to make two blankets (which I don't mind and love doing), and I have absolutely no ideas for anyone on the Christmas list because they all have at least one scarf and hat!"

Now, imagine me running around in circles in my tiny living room with Sasha, our dog, wondering if her paws would be able to actually push the buttons on the phone to dial some sort of crochet anonymous hotline.

So, here is my question to you:

What are some gifts that you make for people on your Christmas list? Please leave your ideas in the comments below.

Remember that you are beautiful and well loved.

My First Crochet Design

I have been racking my brain, and playing with my yarn, all week just trying to figure out what to make for my first design. I finally did it! This one was accidental. I was thinking too big for my first design, I think. I am quite the ambitious individual. I was trying to make a market bag because I like that the bottoms can be different designs and I have tried all week to make one using different bottom designs.

I didn't like how this would have turned out for a market bag so instead of frogging (rip it out, think of what a frog sounds like "Rip-it, Rip-it") I decided to stop at the two petal rows and make it into an ornament for our Christmas tree. I already love the pattern (not to toot my own horn) because it is simple and I can see it in any color. It comes to be about a three inch diameter with potential to grow if more rows were added.

This is a free download from my Ravelry store.

I hope to come up with more designs that are, hopefully, better than this one. Also, I'm still designing that market bag! It will be done! I am determined. I figured out the bottom I just need to figure out how to make the sides without it getting too big in diameter.

Have you written a craft pattern? What are some of your methods? What is something that you are working on right now?

Feel free to let me know in the comments below! Also, check out my previous posts!

Remember, you are beautiful and well loved.

I've been working on a pattern!

Have you ever had that moment when you know exactly what you want to make for someone and you spend hours searching for the pattern that matches the picture in your head, only to reach the horrible conclusion that no one has made a pattern for it yet? I most certainly have. From potholder designs to shawls to blankets. I have a picture in my head of what I want to make and no pattern to go off of.

I have been thinking of writing my own patterns ever since I started to crochet, back in 2013. I never have because I wasn't comfortable with knowing what stitches to use and all that good stuff. Now, that I know a lot of stitches and have crocheted enough that I think I have grasped the concepts of a good design, I'm going to try my hand at it.

The pattern that I am writing, right now is one that I have spent months trying to find on the internet and in craft stores. My husband is a huge fan of the Boston Red Sox, baseball team. I know, I know, but to each their own. Me? I'm an Arizona Cardinals fan but I don't even think they are in the same league. All judgement aside, I decided that I wanted to crochet him an afghan for Christmas. Yes, I am aware that it is only June but it takes me a few months to make a blanket. I have two that I need to make right now.

I couldn't find a pattern for the Red Sox, anything, anywhere. It was difficult enough finding a hat for him, last year. Which my Aunt Amy got him and he loves! So, I decided to make a pattern. It took me a couple of days to actually draw out the pattern and then I transfered it to graph paper (difficult to find the amount of squares I needed). Now, I am working on the blanket and writing out the pattern as I go. So far, I'm on row 22 but I'm not even a quarter of the way yet.

I'm not sure how long it is going to take to write the pattern. Probably as long as it is going to take to make the blanket. I am really enjoying writing the pattern and I think that I will write more after this. I am also thinking of selling my patterns on Ravelry and possibly Etsy. I wouldn't sell them for much but it would be a great way to keep my yarn stash growing so that I can create new patterns.

What is your method of pattern writing, if you have written one?
What is your favorite pattern (it doesn't have to be yours)?
Feel free to let me know in the comments below! Also check out some of my other posts!

Remember, you are beautiful and well loved.

The Aftermath

Many of you may know, or followed, my journey through making several baby items for a friend's shower. Her baby shower was on Sunday. It was very nice. I had never been to a baby shower before and I wasn't sure what to expect. Her family is so creative and it was cool to see some of the things they came up with. Someone handcrafted a giant ruler so that they can measure Emiline as she grows. Nifty! There were games and the cake was decorated so beautifully. I wish I had brought my camera to take pictures.

The couple was so funny, when they opened the presents. She almost cried wen she saw the ladybug blanket. He was wowed by all of the things that he kept pulling out of the basket. My husband nudged me and gave me that "I told you so" look because I didn't think that we had done enough. I mean, afterall, it was just a blanket, two headbands, two pairs of baby booties, a hat and some other little things. They were ALL little things, except the blanket. The new parents seemed to think that I did more than I should have. I still think I could have done more. But, maybe that is just me.

Now that I'm finished with my Ladybug blanket, I have been on a quest to find something new. Something that I have not made before. My new manager came into work, this past week with a kind of wrap around her shoulders. It wasn't a shawl. I didn't know what it was, but I thought that it was super cool/cute/nifty and decided that I wanted to make it.

I found a pattern. Apparently, it is called a "mobius"? I don't know. I just finished one in a light blue.

Don't mind the random string in the background. I was trying it on to make sure it fit before I cut the yarn. I really like this, whatever the true name for it is. It has several uses and I can use it at work. It keeps your upper arms warm and super cozy! Also:

It can be used as a cowl! Which can keep your neck warm while you wear a sweater to keep your arms warm! I love it!

I found this pattern for free. I did not write it but I do love it! It took me about five-ish hours to make.

Now, I need to find something else to make. I think I spend more time trying to figure out what I want to make than I do actually making it.

If you have any ideas, let me know in the comments below. I am taking a short break from baby things before I start on a baby dress for Emiline.

Remember that you are beautiful and well loved!

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes...

I don't know what it is, but I have been on a, rather ambitious, crochet kick. I first started to crochet about two years ago. The process of learning was more frustrating than I would like to admit, because I had no one to show me and I am one of those 'see and do' learners. My first project was a scarf, which I gave to my husband. Then, I made a couple afghans, which I gave to my step mom and mother-in-law as gifts for Christmas.

More recently, I made a Santa pillow. I was bored. I had yarn. It was the middle of July and I was feeling a bit ambitious. I saw the pattern and decided to make it. It took me three days to make, which isn't bad for over 48 pieces for his beard alone.

Here is a picture of the finished Pillow.

I am selling it on Etsy.com because I have this terrible knack for making things and having no idea what to do with them, afterwards. I also have a ton of ruffle scarves and other things that I will be putting in my shop, soon. The moment it stops raining on a day I have off and I can get my husband to help take pictures.

My birthday just passed and I have been yearning to make something with crochet thread. Little did I realize just how difficult and frustrating the process of being able to, would be. The hooks are almost as tiny as a sewing needle and the thread is...well, thread.

Still I have been able to create a snowflake each day, for the past three days. Here are the ones I have created, so far:

 

I found the pattern for the first snowflake at the Snowcatcher Snowflake Directory.

The person who runs the directory and blog has created all of the designs for the snowflakes and has amazing stories to tell for each design. I love her snowflakes and I think I'm going to try several of her patterns.  

These last two snowflakes, I found the pattern for in the December 2010 issue of Crochet World Magazine. I love being a subscriber and trying new patterns. I am going to make a few more snowflakes and then stiffen them so they keep their shape while they are hanging on our tree. I will probably make more than our poor tree can handle, and end up selling them in my Etsy shop.

What are some ornament ideas you have?

The "Husband Interview"

Last night, my husband and had a little chat. It was more like coming to terms with the fact that we are both so busy trying to make a life for our family that we forget to make time for US. And the US is a very important thing in marriage. We don't quite seem to be on the same page anymore and we both understand that a wedding doesn't make a marriage. The people who are in the marriage (the bride and groom) do.

Love isn't a feeling or a noun, it is a verb. An action word. A word that needs another verb, communication. Which is a word that we feel we have been lacking in the bustle of life.

So, my solution? Or the start of it, was to create a "Husband Interview" while he was sleeping. I wrote down all of my questions and asked that he write or type his answers so I can read them and we might be able to talk about them.

Here are my questions:

1. What are your goals?
2. What are the top 3 things that you like about yourself?
3. What are 3 things that would change about yourself?
4. How do you feel about our marriage?
5. What can I do to be a better wife?
6. When do you feel happiest? Angriest? Most loved?

And then a quick think "A few of your favorite things"
Book
Movie
Actor
Actress
Quote
Vehicle model
Destination
Animal (domestic and wild)
Color
Flower
Board Game
Hobby/Pass time
Name (Boy and Girl)
Food/Meal
Number, why?
Season
Holiday
Memory

_____________

I also invited him to create questions for me so that I can answer them. I wanted us to write them down so that I can keep them as a refection and that way I don't mishear anything he says. I intend to give the first six questions to him, every year, at least once. Because I really do want to be a good wife and I don't think I can do that when I don't know his goals or how I can improve.

Communication doesn't always have to be by mouth. Sometimes, it is easier when it is written because you can't mishear and the words are in front of you so you can talk about it.

If you have thoughts or comments, I invite you to post them below. What do you do to keep the communication open with your spouse or significant other?