Completed Project: Greenway Variation for Julian

When I've got a bunch of baby blankets to make, I try to find a blanket pattern I really like, both for the look of it as well as the fun making it. This happened last year with the waves blankets (one, two and three). This year, I'm loving the Greenway pattern. After finishing Lennon's blanket, my hook was busy crocheting this one.





As always, details on Ravelry.

Using Knit Picks Brava worsted weight yarn in an array of blues, blueish greens and gray, I changed the striping pattern so I could buy the same number of skeins for each color. I was able to use just one skein of each color so I've got a second blanket waiting to be made.

The border was improvised using single crochets, half-double crochets, herringbone half-double crochets, and sometimes crocheting into the back stitch.

The Brava yarn that I used is a new line of 100% acrylic yarn for Knit Picks. I ordered it because the colors were exactly what I needed based on the baby's nursery. But I was very impressed with the quality of this yarn. I find it to be a bit softer than Vanna's Choice (of which I'm also a big fan) and you get more yarn for your money (219 yards vs. 170 yards).

Little Julian arrived last weekend and I hope he enjoys his new blanket.

Completed Project: Lennon's Blanket

FINALLY!!! It's DONE!!!!

After missing 5 or 6 self-imposed deadlines, this blanket is finally done. It's bigger than a baby blanket for a good reason. The recipient is for "C's" new 4 year old grandson whose favorite color is green. Just because he joined the family at an older age doesn't mean he wasn't going to get his own blanket.


It's Lion Brand Vanna's Choice Yarn made with a J hook. As always, all the details are on Ravelry.

It is so great finally completing this project - and it's going in the mail TODAY! Now I can start two other baby blankets before I have to start two more. What's in your queue for the New Year?
 

Completed Project: Mandy for The Mother Bear Project

I found out about the Mother Bear Project during my trip to the Minneapolis Knit and Crochet Show in July. It's a great charity "dedicated to providing comfort and hope to children affected by HIV/AIDS in emerging nations, by giving them a gift of love in the form of a hand-knit or crocheted bear." For a $20 donation, I got the yarn, crochet hook, and pattern to make a crocheted bear. It also included the tag and the shipping costs to get it to the kids overseas.



This was a fast crochet project and a fun one to do. The instructions are super easy with only chain and single crochet stitches. This would be a great project for any beginner. I did tweak the design a bit by giving her some red shoes and her skirt is slightly different from the pattern. The ears are a bit more cat-like than I wanted but I didn't really understand what the pattern wanted me to do. Maybe the little flower decoration will take attention away from the less than perfect ears. It took me three tries to embroider a face I liked. The plain round eyes looked creepy when I tried them though I didn't find them creepy on other people's bears.

And I named her Mandy because I had the song "Mandy" from the movie White Christmas floating in my head the other day. Random.





As always, details on Ravelry.

To learn more about the Mother Bear Project, visit motherbearproject.org. You can see other bears on Ravelry, join the group on Ravelry, and also buy the patterns. Once you buy the pattern, you can make as many bears as you'd like as long as you send in $3 per bear for shipping.

Completed Project: Ravens Scarf

As always, details on Ravelry.

I completed this in plenty of time for the official start of the NFL season. (Sorry - I just don't give a hoot about preseason football.) I think it compliments my Ravens shirt ever so nicely. I expect it will also look good with my black winter jacket.

It also looks great on Seamus.



Go Ravens!!!

Completed Project: Tropical Colors Baby Blanket

When I make a baby blanket for a friend, I ask the mom- and dad-to-be if they have any particular colors or patterns in mind. Sometimes I get very specific details on what they like (i.e. purple, but not bright purple, more of a lightish blue-purple violet but not pastel) or don't like (i.e. no pink anything!). Some want to see pattern samples and others want to be surprised.

In the case of this baby blanket, I was given the following info - anything with blue and/or green - maybe even some orange. I was also told to let my creative juices fly! Or drip. Or whatever creative juices do.

So here's what I came up with...


As always, details on Ravelry.

The pattern is Willow from the book "200 Crochet Blocks" using bright colored cotton yarn and a G hook.

My plan was for a 5 x 5 square blanket and I had made all 25 squares. But when I laid out the pieces, it was too big. I went with a 4 x 5 design which is still a little large but I liked the shape and size better than a 4 x 4. Plus I couldn't handle not using 10 squares I had already made.

I kept the border to a minimum as the blanket was already so big. It's one round of orange sc, one of green hdc and one of blue Hhdc. The final size was about 41" x 32".



I literally finished weaving in the ends from the border about 30 minutes before leaving for the baby shower yesterday. I usually cut things close but this was a little stressful for me. The mom-to-be and grandmas and aunts liked the blanket (yay!) and I got to meet another Raveler who knitted the cutest little booties, hats and mittens.

There's a lull in babies now...I'm sure it won't last too long so I better get to work on my other pending projects.

Completed Project: Queen of the Snow Cow's Blanket

There was one, then there were two, and finally, there were three.



In just under a year and only days after Sheep and Shenanigans, the blanket for the Queen was finished. As always, full details on Ravelry.

This won't be the last big blanket of the year if my plans stay in tact. There is a brightly colored granny square blanket I'd like to complete before Christmas.

Photos of Stockinette Stitch Shawl

There was too much giggling and general merriment during the shenanigans that better photos were not taken as planned. You'll just have to deal with these that don't do the finished project justice at all.



The original post is here and as always, details on Ravelry.

Completed Project: Blanket for the Mistress

During this welcome lull in making baby blankets, I've been able to stitch like crazy to complete some grown-up blankets. Here is the second one for another chosen sister, Beth-la.



It's nine skeins of Lion Brand Homespun in beautiful blues. As always, details on Ravelry.

She'll be picking this up in person in a week. A WEEK!!! Yes, Sheep and Shenanigans is only a week away!!! So many preparations to be made! But I also must finish the final blanket of the trio, the one belonging to the Queen.

I can't wait to see my girls!

Completed Project - Stockinette Stitch Shawl

It's finally done! And I love it!

Not only did this take me over a year to finish, the yarn itself is some beautiful boucle I bought at my very first trip to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival in 2006 - yes, FIVE years ago! But I now have a wonderful wrap in beautiful shades of reds and oranges.

So where are the pictures, you ask?

Well, I haven't been able to take a decent photo of the shawl. The angles were wrong, the placement was wrong, the lighting was wrong. A handful of photos taken and nothing worth saving or posting. So I'm going to publicly ask my dear friend Perches to assist me in a couple of weeks. Her photography is beautiful as you can see on her blog.

What do you say, lady? I'll barter with you - some photos in exchange for an extra helping of pierogies? :)

I learned three important lessons from making this shawl -

1) Working on a big monotonous project goes much better and faster if you just work on a little bit every day or every once in a while. I was able to get this shawl finished over the last month by working on it during lunch each day. It was amazing how much progress I made without focusing on the daunting challenge of finishing it.

2) I have really got to get knitting terms straight in my head. I thought it was garter stitch but it was actually stockinette stitch. D'oh!

The last one may be more of reinforcing behavior rather than a lesson...

3) It's okay to buy yarn you absolutely love even if you have no idea how the heck you're going to use it. You will find the right pattern someday.

Completed Project: Perches' Socks

Ten months in the making - and finally, one of the three blankets is done!




As always, details on Ravelry.

So why the title? Because Perches requested a pair of socks instead of a blanket, thinking the blanket would be too much work. I'll make her socks someday, but this year it was to be blankets for my girls. I've got two more blankets to finish - 3 skeins a piece to crochet. There's a comfy chair in the craft room with my name on it.

Completed Project: Plaid Baby Blanket

I took a photo of this little blanket a couple days after I started it. I was meaning to have a post showcasing this new project and how quickly I had worked up a good part of it. But I didn't post it last weekend and then I went and completed it in just over a week. It is so good to have my crochet groove back!



As always, details on Ravelry.

Isn't this a cool technique to simulate the look of plaid? The free pattern is from Lion Brand. I did use a different yarn (Lion Brand Vanna's Choice in Cranberry and Vanna's Choice Baby in Lamb and Chocolate) and a different hook size (J as called for by the yarn label). The colors were selected for the recipient as he will have a sock-monkey themed room. I didn't want to go overboard with the monkey faces (which honestly, creep me out a bit) that adorn some blankets. Plus the parents-to-be are going with a subtle theme, not monkeys everywhere. I think this blanket will be a nice addition.

Completed Project: A Baby Blanket for Maebh

The love of rainbows for baby blankets continues...





I used the pattern from Lion Brand - but as my color progression is nothing like the pattern, this is really just a big granny square. The same colors as the other rainbow baby blanket, and just as sweet of end product. As always, full details on Ravelry.

The title of the post is not a typo - the little girl's name is Irish and is pronounced "Maeve" like 'save' with an 'm'. She's such a cutie, just like her big sister. I appreciate her patience in receiving the blanket since she was born in early January.

Now on to a baby blanket for a little guy to be born in April. It's nice to be ahead of the game again.

Completed Project - Baby Rainbow Ripple Blanket

Started in mid-December...
with the plan to finish it by New Years...
sidetracked by a fall on the ice...
it is now completed!!!

And I absolutely adore it!





As always, details on Ravelry.

It will be put in the mail soon to finally be delivered to little Kate who was born in October. I hope it helps brighten for her these cloudy days of winter.

Completed Projects: Spider Doilies

As part of an October craft swap with friends, I made a trio of doilies to sit under votive candle holders.

Unfortunately, the photos of the doilies aren't great (poor lighting) and I took them before I attached cute little spider embellishments. I completely forgot to take photos of the candle holders until the packages were on their way across the country.



As always, details on Ravelry.

The changes I made from the original pattern are that I stopped after round 10 and modified round 11 to make it the last round. I also used a thicker thread (size 3 instead of 10) not on purpose, but because I picked up the wrong size at the store. I'm still happy with the results but would use the thinner thread in the future.

I received for the swap some ever so lovely knitted goodies from Perches and a wonderful package of holiday cheer from the Queen. If I had more free time, I'd participate in more swaps like this. But for now, there's barely time to finish the projects currently underway and those currently on the to-do list. And there are too many on both lists!!!

Completed Project: Blueberry Hat #2

I was particularly fortunate to have a stash of completed baby hats on hand when I found out about a new coworker who is expecting twins - a boy and girl. With no time to make blankets, hats were the answer.

I had both a blue and a red hat completed previously but they had different tops. Not because anyone would have cared and not because anyone would have said something - but because I had a problem with the difference, I had to have a matching pair. So I quickly cast on for another blue hat.





As always, details on Ravelry.

They were a big hit for both Dad and Mom as well as with my coworkers. And the babies should be arriving any day now!

Completed Projects: Two Knitted Baby Hats

Two for Tuesday - two completed projects from the last couple of weeks.

The first hat is similar to the blue hat I recently completed, but I did use a different pattern. You'll see there is colorwork done to make the green part look more like leaves.



As always, details on Ravelry.

This was my first ever attempt at colorwork with knitting, beyond the basic color changing. I had a number of twisted stitches to correct as I was trying to carry the yarn behind the color I was working with. I'm not sure if this an issue only for continental knitters or not. I did get the hang of it, but there were a few twisted stitches that made it through (don't look too close and it's fine).

The second hat was completed in record time for me. I started it during my morning commute on a Wednesday and completed it during my commute home the next day.



As always, details on Ravelry.

I absolutely LOVE the way this yarn works up. The colors and self-patterning are great. I'm tempted to get another few skeins of this in order to knit up a matching baby sweater.

But first, I must complete some other top-secret projects before my October craft swap. This also means that there probably won't be many (if any) completed project posts put here on the blog since the main readers are members of the swap. Maybe I can get away with a few 'sneak peek' photos?

Completed Project: Berry Baby Hat

Started on vacation and completed in just four days...



As always, details on Ravelry.

This yarn was purchased at the 2010 Knit and Crochet Show. I'm still debating whether or not to add a leaf or two to the top. I might but it will be whenever I get around to it. This hat doesn't have a recipient in mind yet - but I'm sure that it will soon enough. I'm thinking it may be perfect for my friend due in November. A lot of us (including the Mom) think it will be a boy - but maybe I'll make a red one just in case it's a girl.

Shore Living

To celebrate my DH's birthday, we headed to the Eastern shore for a few nights. Staying in our favorite town, St. Michaels, we were able to really enjoy our time there. Past visits were only day trips that always seemed to end too soon. Not this time - this time we were able to see and do all the things we wanted to over a few relaxing days. We went to the maritime museum, the St. Michaels museum, wine tasting, a cruise on the Miles River for long afternoon ride, lunches and dinners at so many wonderful places, and great accommodations at the B&B.

And knitting - lots of knitting...


at the winery...


on the boat...


at dinner...


and (though not pictured) in the room and at the LYS sit and knit.


The sit and knit took place at Frivolous Fibers on Sunday afternoon. I had such a wonderful time meeting the new owners and the local crafters. It was a welcoming group that made the two hours I spent there fly by.

Before I worked on the new baby hat, I first finished the fourth ocean waves baby blanket. (Not before I left for the weekend, as I had hoped, but at least now it is finished.)



As always, details on Ravelry.

In total, this is three more items off my list for a Year of Lovely Things - spend a weekend in St. Michaels, go wine tasting, and go to a knitting/crocheting group.

I hope you had a lovely weekend, too.

Completed Project: Hat for Uncle Bobby

I finished this project inbetween my days at the CGOA conference. I'm not quite sure why my hat looks so different from the photo in the pattern and on Ravelry.





My hat didn't end up with the distinct decreases leading up to the top, instead looking like sloppy seams. Was I supposed to actually SSK or just K2tog through the back loop to make the stitches twist? Was I supposed to SSK everytime or SSP when I came to a purled stitch? If you've made the hat and have some answers, I'm all ears - especially before I try to make this hat again.

As always, details on Ravelry.

Completed Project: Crocheted Netbook Case

The Knit and Crochet Show is less than two weeks away. In preparation, I was thinking what crocheted and/or knitted items I should bring with me. There is usually plenty of oohing and aahing that goes on at these conferences as participants check out what everyone else has made. It's nice to have other crafters appreciate the time and craftwomanship that goes into a finished crocheted or knitted project.

I knew I'd be bringing my crocheted purse with me, though it will be inside my shameless-self-promotion bag. I thought about making a shawl but that would be too much to accomplish in just a few weeks. Since I knew I'd be bringing my netbook to take notes and look up information onsite, I thought a cover would be a quick and easy project to accomplish.

After playing with a few ideas of how I wanted the case to look and function, I thought about incorporating some granny squares. At first, it was going to be all granny squares pieced together. Then I thought I could use the three granny squares as the flap of the case, having the buttons come through the middle. But that morphed into a band of granny squares in the middle of the case with a flap and buttons accented in the same colors as the squares.

Voila!







Besides using part of the granny square pattern (only 4 rounds of the possible 7), the rest of the case was improvised as I went along. My squares seemed a bit wonky when I attached them together so I did a DC/HDC/SC pattern to straighten things out on top and bottom. That worked a little bit but it's still a little funky. I also did a lot of crocheting in the backloop of stitches to get those fun lines to show up.

The bright colored yarn is acrylic and the ecru colored yarn is cotton. I should have used a larger hook for the blue and orange acrylic which may have lessened the mega-wonkiness of the flap.



Shoulda, coulda, woulda - I didn't. So I'm living with it since it is just for my use.

I thought about lining the bag and purchased two colors of fabric - blue to show through the crocheted stitches and squares on the outside and a bright fun yellow and orange pattern for the inside. But as I am not 100% happy with the completed project, I'll save the fabric for another project.