Wanna See?? (WIP)

Part of the reason my blog posts have been lacking is due to the fact that my WIPs (Work In Progress) are all orders for Christmas gifts. I don't actually know *who*, for sure, is reading my blog consistently (well, some I know, -- Hi Granma! Love you!), so I just avoid putting any pictures up of commissioned-for-Christmas orders. All these orders have kept me B-u-S-y! which is an awesome thing, but not for the ol' blog. 

So, I'm pleased to show you an excessive amount of pictures (15, so you don't have to count) of my current WIP. This is a baby blanket commissioned by my cousin for her baby-girl, due technically any day but expected at the end of this month. It's inspired from my Bed of Roses blanket, but I'm alternating Granny Squares in to add some more...

COLOR! 

Is this yarn familiar? ;)

Found this old metal strainer at the Goodwill for $2. It's the perfect width and depth for fruit, so that's what were *were* using it for. But when I started this blanket last night I realized I needed it for my yarn. Now I have no place for my apples, avocado, banana and tangerines. But, it's all done in the name of Crochet. 

Using the Join-As-You-Go method, check out a great tutorial by Attic24

Yum. 

Can't wait to show off the FINISHED BLANKET!

Hope you all have a fantastic day!!

Sharing (Pinterest)

Crochet ♥ 

Click that link (that one, right there, see?? ^^^) to have my Crochet Love Pinterest board automagically appear before your eyes! I'm having a lovely morning crocheting a scarf while I slurp my coffee and the boys play nicely (!) with their cars in their bedroom. Can't lose momentum, but I don't want to leave you all without crochet eye-candy either.




Here's a favorite image from today, just for fun:

Image courtesy of clothogancho

Oops, I've spent too long on here and the crying has begun! This puts my scarf making in jeopardy. Time to sign off!

Not Days, Weeks! (Inspiration)

It's been WEEKS now since I updated my blog! Shame! In my defense, I've been busy.  Between Christmas and Cooperative Press and now Knit Picks (yes! I'm part of the Independent Designer Program! Well, will be as soon as they restock some yarn that I need), I haven't designed anything new (which is a bummer, since I have so many great ideas in my head and have no idea if they'll *actually* work) nor have I been sifting through Etsy searches for more fantastic finds. :( Sad.

I need some inspiration. And maybe some more.  And maybe one more. Okay, good.

The good news is that I received a box of yarn! This is not how it looked when I opened the box, this is how I put it all back together. And to be honest, the colors do not look as vibrant as they truly are because the natural light bleached them out instead of warming them up. Boo, pictures!

But they're pretty just the same.

This yarn is the quite excellent Lion Brand Cotton-Ease (follow the link to see all the pretty colors much truer to life). I've used it quite a few times now and I simply L-O-V-E it. It's soft, which most cottons don't have going for them necessarily. They're usually very tough and not amazing for wearing. It comes in pretty colors- again, unusual for a cotton yarn. Most times they're either pastels or singe-your-retina bright. And being Lion Brand means that it's usually included in the sales that go on at JoAnn's, which is where I tend to buy my yarn. Buy one get one half off, those sort of things. Delightful!

So this post is intended to inspire me to keep on keepin' on. I've been keenly aware of the Christmasy deadline and getting overwhelmed. But seeing the pretty yarn and talking some things out to no-one and everyone simultaneously, thanks to the magic of the internet has helped.

And now I'm off, to finish one more Flora Infinity Scarf! Will it be done today? Time will tell!

Been Busy (WIP)

I've been busy! Here are some visuals to prove it!

A Flora Infinity Scarf in "Green Sheen" for a friend.

My oldest's Christmas gift. Green Hat = Doesn't Get Much Better

Christmas gift for a nephew

Christmas gift for a cousin.

Christmas gift for a niece.

I'm not even halfway down with the Christmas gifts. Oye, what have I gotten myself into?? I think I asked myself that last year as well...

So many scraps!! 

Waste not...

...want not.

The plan is to border them up in Ecru and have a nice throw blanket that matches everything...

...and nothing simultaneously.

Which is exactly what my eclectic side craves.

BLAH I hate you messy scraps! Be organized into granny squares!

I do love that blue... and the yellow. 

A lovely pile of granny squares. Another Crochet Cliche.

New yarn for a commissioned order! 

I stuffed them in the Market Tote bag and realized it's makes a much better stash bag. 

The times I've brought it to the grocery store the employees get scared and only put 1 or 2 items in it. 

What my desk looks like right now. Not a disaster, but not all that put together either. It works, and that's enough for me.

What's on the hook? A purple something. :) I love me some pyrex too- check out my yarn bowl!

I have plans for some lovely earrings from this green. It's much greenier in Real Life. And less blurry.

Love the warms in autumn. :)

Current yarn stash.

Hope you've enjoyed your sneak peek into my current crochet projects! What's on your hook right now?

Simple is Best (Fantastic Finds)

Right now I'm making a cowl. I'll tell you exactly how to make it, no pattern lingo, nothing. It's simple.

Chain as many chains as will reach around your neck. More for a long cowl (keep going and going for an infinity scarf!) less for a snug fit.  Half-double-crochet in each across. Then, double-crochet in each across until the cowl is to a depth of your liking. Half-double-crochet in each across. Either slip-stitch the sides together, or find another way of fastening the two. Maybe add a twist before you join the sides. Maybe fold the cowl in half and add a button. The little finishing touches add visual interest, but don't change the simplicity. 

While we're on the subject, check out how beautiful simple is...

Image courtesy of Akkord

Image courtesy of dualchocolate

Image courtesy of KnitAndWedding

Image courtesy of KraeO

Image courtesy of LoveandKnit

Image courtesy of LoveKnitAndCrochet

Image courtesy of thehouseofhemp

Gorgeous, classic and perfect in their simplicity, these finds are fantastic.