Toddler Dress

I saw this Toddler's Dress pattern and just had to make it for my daughter! However, after getting part way through and trying it on her, I realized it was not a size 3T like she needs. So, after ripping it back and making some adjustments, this is what it turned out to be. Not my favorite project so far, but she's still cute in it. In fact, I can't imagine her being not cute in anything, so that helps :) I loved the picture with my son with his arm around her too! His comment was "ohhh that's so pretty!" I think he's my biggest fan.

Bright as a Rainbow Bag

This bag was made using the basic idea from the No Assembly Required Market Bag. I modified it to fit my desires to use it as a project tote. I added a button closure and an external pocket to hold my project notebook and hook case. I also lined it with fabric for stability and lengthened the straps (and moved them) to make it a shoulder bag. Its super bright, but was a good way to use up some yarn I may not have used for any other purpose! The best part about this bag is it cost me $0. The yarn was all inherited from a relative, the button too. The fabric lining is an old bed sheet that had gotten torn. My first project in a while that I didn't have to run to the craft store for any accessories!

Sweeeet, Its done! - pattern alterations included

I finished my sweater, and I love it! I can't believe I actually made something I can wear!

This sweater is based on the Sweet Sweater featured on CrochetMe.com. If you're interested in how I altered this pattern, see below:

Yarn: Jo Sharp Alpaca Silk Georgette in "Briar" (4 ply wool/silk blend) and Gedifra Easy-Soft in blue green (2 ply mohair/cashmere blend)
Hooks: J (6mm), K(6.5mm) and F (3.75mm)
Stitch: double crochet
Gauge: 10 stitches/4 inches

Worked holding both strands of yarn together for body of sweater, using K hook
Reduce original chain by one chain (in mine, my "E" number was 26, so I reduced to 25)
Altered Row 1: work as stated, but only work 1 dc in final ch (instead of 2) - 8 stitches added instead of 10
Altered Row 2: work as stated, only working 1 dc in first and last dc (instead of 2) - 8 stitches added instead of 10
Rows 3-6: repeat altered row 2
At this point, follow the pattern as stated, repeating their original row 2 "until the number of stitches for the back is equal to the number of stitches for the 2 fronts added together". I switched to a J-hook just below the bust.

Neckline:
Join the 4-ply wool blend at the "point" of the V on the side toward the right arm of the sweater using F-hook.
Row 1: ch 3, work 4 dc in each dc up the "side" of the neckline, work 2 dc in each dc along the back of the neckline (4 dc if working along the side of a dc stitch and 2 if working along the top of a dc stitch) around to the bottom of the V on the left side of the sweater.
Row 2: ch 3, turn, work one dc in each dc around.
Rows 3-4: repeat row 2, finishing off at end of Row 4

Finishing:
Fold collar in half, toward the outside of the sweater. Overlap the bottom edges as shown in picture and sew in place using the same yarn used for the collar

Stitch Markers

Stitch markers are essential in most crochet projects, but the jewelry makers of our time are now making them beautiful too! I came up with these after seeing so many examples of them on Etsy and thinking "That's beautiful, I bet I could do that!" It took me about 2 hrs to create 19 of them, and it was fun the whole time.

Sweet Sweater - in progress

I have started my first wearable project, the Sweet Sweater from CrochetMe.com. I altered the pattern to give a lower V-neck (I plan to wear something under this since I'm doing a very open stitch) and have added a collar and longer sleeves. I'm hoping it will turn out like something I'll actually want to wear! I bought the yarn to match a jewelry set I was given for Christmas - milk chocolate brown silk alpaca wool and a kid mohair/cashmere blend in almost a sea blue-green.... the color combo is stunning, if I do say so myself! I can't wait to finish this luxurious sweater!

So many forums, so little time!

So far I have joined 1 forum, 1 fiber arts community, one online magazine, and one craft seller's site. I want to check into each of them every day, post stuff everywhere and just see what's going on in the world of knit and crochet... unfortunately, all this distracts me from what I really want to be doing - crocheting or knitting! So I think I'm going to have to limit myself to a certain amount of computer time daily. The internet is so full of information and resources, I could literally waste away an entire day!

Make it from Scratch Carnival

It seems the frog and giraffe are a hit (in the eyes of other adults, if not my children). They were recently featured in the first Make it From Scratch Carnival of 2008 on my friend Joanna's blog. If you're interested in some ideas for homemade goodies or crafts, its a great place to go. Each person featured did something "from scratch" over the holidays that will inspire you for the coming year. Happy New Year, I hope it will be a crafty one!