Summer Shrug CAL update!

If I haven't said it before, I'm going to say it now: I love Crochet Alongs (CALs)! I love knowing that I'm not working on a project alone. There are some people who are able to work ahead and in turn help answer the many questions that I end up having. These people are patient and enjoy helping others who share the same interests in making things that they do.

This is my second CAL and another one of my "Firsts". The last CAL was my first shawl. This one is my first article of clothing that isn't a poncho. Yes, I am working on a shrug, along with several others who are working on the same pattern. The pattern is amazing! I have had some troubles with it but I cough that up to trying to de-stress from my current job which makes my brain not work correctly all the time and things that should make sense, don't. So, my confusion is of no fault of the pattern's author. Just mine.

I have enjoyed seeing what everyone has chosen as their colors for the shrug. One chose to do theirs in autumn colors, which I just love and I wish I had the yarn needed for that one! Looks like I might have to meander on down to the local craft store and see if I can find any. Oh, no! What a terrible, terrible task....ha!

We are all on clue two out of three, or four. I have finished the body of the shrug and seamed the sleevies (as my husband and I call them thanks to a youtuber (Markiplier). Here is a picture of where I am at, right now.

I'm getting ready to do the border around the opening of the neck-waist. This pattern is available for $5 (USD) on Ravelry. Adrienne writes such beautiful patterns and I am excited to see how this one turns out as well as what other patterns she has in store.

What projects are you working on? Feel free to post in the comments below and if there is a link to the pattern, feel free to post that as well!

Remember that you are Beautiful and well loved.

RAKs and CALs

 

Yesterday,  I recieved a package from a beautiful heart, (Knitru) who is in a Random Act of Kindness group that I joined. This month, I asked for yarns so that I could get busy with a granny square blanket for someone special. She warned me of a "Yarnsplosion" and I am so excited with what she gave me. I love each and every one of the colors and I can't wait to see how they look in the blanket. Thank you, so much, Knitru! You are amazing and you helped make my week. 

I also received a Dragon shawl pattern from_ Vivilion. It is a pattern that I have been wanting to try and now that I have the pattern, I am waiting for my yarn to tell me that it is ready to be made into a DRAGON! So, hopefully a future post will be of my journey making this beautiful dragon shawl.

  

In other news! CALs have started again! For those of you who don't know what it is, a CAL is a Crochet Along. I participated in one a few weeks back and enjoyed it so much that I joined another one by the same person! This pattern that she is making is of a Summer Shawl. I am so excited because it is my first piece of clothing (that isn't a poncho). I am making one in a pale yellow color and I'm hoping that I am able to make one that rocks as much as the pattern does. The great thing about CALs is that I'm never making it alone and I can ask as many questions as I need to. There is a wonderful group of crocheters that are ready and willing to help explain when I don't understand.

What are you working on? What was something nice that someone has done for you or you have seen done for someone else?

Feel free to post in the comments below and check out my other 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.

Ember Shawl!

I made a shawl, a couple weeks ago, and I forgot that I didn't put it on here. How silly of me!

This one is made from a  free pattern and I chose to color block it. I love the pattern! It  was easy, I could crochet while watching Netflix or amaze people by looking at them, while they talked, while crocheting. Oh, yeah, it is that kind of pattern! The pattern doesn't call for tassels, in fact it comes with a very nice border of it's own.

Here is a shawl I made using the pattern, following all directions:

 I made the shawl for a family friend whose sister has cancer and is undergoing Chemo-therapy. It is something that she can use during her treatments. This is a close up of the border:

 Now, for the Ember shawl, I left off the border and put in tassels (using one string from every color, about 12 inches to make a 6 inch tassel) in every other space (I forget if it was chain one or two).

Here is my Ember Shawl:

This is the first thing that I have actually made for myself. In the three years that I have been crocheting I have made scarves and hats for everyone else but this one is mine. Sorry, guys, I just love it too much.

I would love to know what you think, in the comments below! I always love hearing from you. Also, if you have a favorite shawl pattern, feel free to post a link!

You are beautiful and well loved.

Bags and Potholders

I know that I haven't posted in a while. Things happened at work and I was the only one out of six employees who stayed. These past couple weeks I have been training our new manager and now I'm training two new people on top of that. Work is stressful and some days, crocheting doesn't even help.

Here is what I have done in the past couple of weeks.

 I tried my hand at making my frist bag. This one is called a market bag. I love the flower pattern on the bottom of it! It was a quick make, took me a few hours but I just love, love, loved the pattern and I'm looking for the perfect yarn to make another one.  The best part is, the pattern is free! You should check it out!

 This one is a daffodil washcloth. I left a couple of rows off because the pattern wasn't making sense. I found it in Crochet World Magazine June 2015. I love the flower on it but the rows after a very confusing, the way it was written. I think that I'm going to try and write the designer and see if it was a me thing (which it probably is).

These two potholders are my new favorite pattern for potholders. They were a quick make and they are a double thickness so it will keep your hands from burning! Something that is very much needed in my house. In fact, I think that we should wear potholder outfits when we cook. So many burns. Ha!

Let me know what you think of these projects! Also, if you have any patterns that you would like to share, feel free to leave a link in the comments below! I always love hearing from you.

You are beautiful and well loved.