Ann Arbor is having one of those flawless Fall days. Bright sunshine, cool breezes and the birds are singing like there's no tomorrow. So what am I doing sitting inside in my ratty robe, pounding on my lapt... Ok, I moved to my balcony to continue this post because it's just too darn nice to stay inside. I decided that today was the day I'd open my treasure chest and take pictures of the completed crochet projects I've been tossing in there since the Spring. The problem with putting them away to protect them from dust and such, is that I'd nearly forgotten what I'd stashed in there! The box itself is a cool plastic storage box with a pattern of the British flag that Sam got me last year. Here's what I found: |
The hooded scarf is very warm and the color is a subtle variegated green with a nice sheen to the yarn. It's one of my favorites, Lion Brand Heartland in 100% acrylic, so it's machine washable and super simple to take care of.
The Autumn Waves Cowl is made of a mixed fiber yarn in the gorgeous shades of early Fall. Here's another project I made with this yarn:
The Autumn Waves Cowl is made of a mixed fiber yarn in the gorgeous shades of early Fall. Here's another project I made with this yarn:
The Midnight Sparkle shrug and the Trellis Cowl are made from the same beautiful yarn but in vastly different stitch techniques. The trellis pattern was a little tough to figure out at first but I'm very proud at how it turn out. When worn at night, these two items will sparkle like diamonds. The yarn is Red Heart Party, 100% acrylic but very soft and fine.
The Wooly Beanie is 100% virgin wool from France and a gift from my beautiful friend Jenn Doss. It was supposed to be an Irish tam but the pattern turned out a little small so it's a beanie now. That teal shade is truly striking.
Lastly, there's the Pumpkin Tam, a slouchy hat with a nice ribbed band and simple puff stitch. Made with Caron's Simply Soft yarn, it's easy care and lovely warm.
My friend and co-worker "Mad Dog" Melissa T gave me a skein of pure Alpaca wool from a horse show she went to on vacation earlier this year. It's a happy blend of blue and deep purple and I kept it on the shelf for months, just waiting for the perfect pattern. This week I saw a post from Stephanie of All About Ami blog fame, and knew that was it. It's a twist cowl that has different stitch patterns on each side so that they both show when you wear it. I made one side as her pattern suggested, with slightly ribbed half double crochet stitches and the other half with a box filet stitch I decided I liked better. The awesome thing about Stephanie's patterns is that there's so much room for customization. I have in my head a maize gold and UM blue twist cowl. I bet our students would love it! Here's what mine looks like:
The Wooly Beanie is 100% virgin wool from France and a gift from my beautiful friend Jenn Doss. It was supposed to be an Irish tam but the pattern turned out a little small so it's a beanie now. That teal shade is truly striking.
Lastly, there's the Pumpkin Tam, a slouchy hat with a nice ribbed band and simple puff stitch. Made with Caron's Simply Soft yarn, it's easy care and lovely warm.
My friend and co-worker "Mad Dog" Melissa T gave me a skein of pure Alpaca wool from a horse show she went to on vacation earlier this year. It's a happy blend of blue and deep purple and I kept it on the shelf for months, just waiting for the perfect pattern. This week I saw a post from Stephanie of All About Ami blog fame, and knew that was it. It's a twist cowl that has different stitch patterns on each side so that they both show when you wear it. I made one side as her pattern suggested, with slightly ribbed half double crochet stitches and the other half with a box filet stitch I decided I liked better. The awesome thing about Stephanie's patterns is that there's so much room for customization. I have in my head a maize gold and UM blue twist cowl. I bet our students would love it! Here's what mine looks like:
I have quite a few works in progress or WIP's as my fellow crocheters call them. There's a white cardigan for my grand-daughter, a pair of fox gauntlets for my youngest daughter to go with the fox hat I made a couple of weeks ago, an amigurumi Groot for my handsome nephew, which has only a head and a flower pot right now, and a cabled slouchy hat. There's also a man's neckwarmer on order, just waiting for the yarn. Plus there a million other projects I want to make but, for the love, where does the time go?
I'll be posting these items, with the exception of the Twist Cowl, in my Etsy shop, as soon as I find the time. By the way, Etsy is sending me a debit/credit card reader to use with my iPhone so I'll be able to take payments without people having to go to my online shop. How cool is that?
Next up, my New York ComicCon pics and maybe a few more projects to show off. If you've read this far, you need to get out more. Thanks!
I'll be posting these items, with the exception of the Twist Cowl, in my Etsy shop, as soon as I find the time. By the way, Etsy is sending me a debit/credit card reader to use with my iPhone so I'll be able to take payments without people having to go to my online shop. How cool is that?
Next up, my New York ComicCon pics and maybe a few more projects to show off. If you've read this far, you need to get out more. Thanks!