Getting Serious

So as you may have read, I am making a shell pattern afghan throw for my mother for mothers day. The problem is, I KEEP GETTING DISTRACTED. This pattern is so quick and easy it seems stupid to be behind. So, I am not working on my doily or any squares until i finish this blanket. I probably wont have anything to blog about either.  : (

I hate time sensitive projects.

Your Crochet Voice

So, as usual Ive been nosing into people's business browsing blogs. : )

I follow a lot of crochet blogs, some designers and most just people like me trying different stitches and patterns and sometimes creating something wonderful. Anyway, to the point, I've been reading alot about how crocheters are attempting to find their 'voice', what kind of crocheter they want to be. As I ponder this myself, I HAVE NO IDEA! I am just running around trying everything. Sometimes I like to sit down and just read books, see all the patterns and then dream about creating everything.  My favorite book for these dreams is 300 Classic Blocks for Crochet Projects. I swear you could stare into the pages for HOURS.

So in conclusion, I have no voice right now. Right this moment I am using the voice of other crocheters.  I hope to find out my crocheter's voice sometime in the next few years.

The Delicate Pineapple-For Charlotte

The Delicate Pineapple

CH 8 join to form ring
RND 1- Ch 4,  23 tr in ring, sl to join
RND 2- Ch 6, skip next tr, (dc in next tr, ch 3, skip next tr) around, join
RND 3- skip st in first ch 3 sp, ch 4, 4 tr in same sp, ch 3, sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3. -5 tr in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3 repeat from - around, join ( 30 TR)
RND 4- Ch 8, tr in same st, ch 3, skip next tr, tr in next tr, ch 3, skip next tr, tr ch 3, dtr in next tr, skip next 2 ch-3 sps (the round continues, put this is where I am jammed up.) This is what I have so far, I can not tell if my dtr is in the right area, I get confused b/c where it says skip the 2 ch-3sps, when that is where i have placed the dtr b/c there is not a tr where it reads it will be.

Mother's Day Blanket

I've been making a blanket using a simple shell stitch for my mother for mother's day. It's going to be a throw, 50" wide...still debating over 50" or 60" long. The colors were not my first choice...but they were picked to match her new design of their den. I might make a matching lapghan for the back of a recliner...maybe.

Red Heart: Coffee
Red Heart: Sh Browns
Red Heart: Buff

My Shell Pattern:

Materials List

Size I (5.50mm) hook or whatever hook size gives you gauge

Around 32 oz of textured worsted--texture helps boost the appearance of this pattern

Finished Size

50" by 50" Add extra length for larger people :)

Gauge

7 shells = 4 inches/10cm

The Pattern

Ch 151.

Row 1:  sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across.  ch1, turn.

Row 2:   sc in first sc, *skip next sc, 1sc and 1dc in next sc* repeat from * across until the last sc. sc in last sc. ch 1, turn.

Row 3:   sc in the first sc *skip next dc, 1 sc and 1 dc in next sc* repeat from* across until the last sc. sc in last sc. ch1, turn.

Repeat row 3 until throw is 49" inches/122.5cm long or at your desired length

Last Row: sc in each sc and dc across -- do not fasten off --weave in ends.

Border:

Rnd1: sc evenly around throw -- 3 sc in each corner

New Project!!

I've started a new blanket, I've decided to put my granny squares on hold. I am doing a simple shell pattern, with red heart yarn. Its planned to be a throw 50 x 50. I have about 5 rows in, I will take a picture when I color change.

Change of the Master Plan

I have completed the baby afghan, all I need to do is the SC white border. I might do this sunday night...as for the rest of my list...

1) The Delicate Pineapple- I am jammed up on round 4, it calls for 3 tr in every other st before the sp, of course I only have 5 tr in the round before. I've checked the previous round, it is correct. I have no idea how I am going to figure this out.

2) My Granny Square Afghan- I have changed the center colors. I am using about 5 different shades of green including 3 varigaided. I do not know what I will be doing with the pink Caron yarn, I have two pounds. Maybe I will make an addition granny square afghan with pink and white later in the year.

3) I had originally planned on learning the ripple...I might decide against this. I might work this shell pattern on a sample.

4) Make a throw-Chocolate, Buff and Brown Varigaided...possibly in ripple or shell pattern depending on how #3 goes. : )

5) Learn the BroomStick Lace, I am still dreading this...

6) Make 4 Pillowcases with BSL

7) Make Liam a checkerboard afghan...i have learned the pattern so I crossed a number off my list.

8) Make a christmas doily for my aunt Maura
.
9) Slap myself for planning all these projects that are due by x mas
#9 is the only plan that has stayed the same!! : )

Two New Squares

Simple square- Red Heart Lime and Red Heart Teal

Checkerboard pattern, using trebles. : )

A Granny Square Problem

I am really stuggling to make the final SS to complete my granny squares in the right spot. All my squares look deformed. : (

I've been searching for someone to ask--helppppp! but, it seems I am on my own.

A Random Present

This morning I woke up to this gift from my mother in law! Doily Thread!!
The Colors:
White
Burgundy
Frosty Green
Orchid Pink

When will this project be over??

The thing about just learning to crochet is, YOU WANT TO DO EVERYTHING. Its impossible for me to work one project at a time. I am doing my best to focus on my baby afghan but, yet again, last night I was distracted. As you might have read I was attempting pineapples last night. I had to yell at myself today...how can I possibly be doing round three of a 'delicate pineapple' when I only have 10' left on my baby blankie. Ohh, how I make myself mad.  I see some people constantly work multiple projects at once...I don't think I want to be one of those people. About a week ago I watched some news reporter report that people who multi task or take on two or more projects at a time will actually SPEND MORE TIME doing each task than if they would have single tasked. Food for thought.

So heres my plan...note that this might change 6 times before next week... :)
1) Complete Baby Afghan
2) Make the damn Delicate Pineapple Doily
3) Begin Making my Granny Square Afghan (Ive chosen Pink and White...I will need 110 squares)
4) Learn the Ripple
5) Make my First Ripple (Chocolate, Buff and Brown Varigaided)
6) Learn the BroomStick Lace
7) Create two/four pillow cases in broomstick lace for a gift to my gram
8) Learn the checkerboard granny squares
9) Crochet a checkerboard afghan (For my beloved cousin Liam)
10) Make a christmas doily for my beloved aunt Maura...shes a doily kind of lady.
11) Slap myself for planning all these projects that are due by x mas

Don't worry crocheters...I know this is a year long list.  : )

Pineapple Doilies

After a bad day, I decided to give a pineapple a try. The thread is beautiful and the needle is sooo SMALL!! This is my first round--for those who have not tried to make doilies yet-start with a Granny square. The center is very similar. Be sure you know the following stitches: treble, double treble and a shell.

Thread color is Almond Pink.

St.Patricks Day Ideas

I was thinking about a seasonal project--something for St. Patty's day...but I've hit a wall. The only thing I can think of that is not too extravagent is a scarf. I don't want to make a scarf because spring is knocking on Pennsylvania's door. I could make a baby afghan out of green granny squares. I think I could get away with 6 5" accross with 8 5" down. I guess i'll really have to think about it. I can probably make about 5-10 grannies a day. Maybe I should just scrap this idea and make something more spring like. There are just way too many project ideas out there...not to mention I really want to learn the broomstick lace to make pillow cases for my grandmother for Christmas. I have this feeling that it's going to take me months to perfect the stitch before I am satisfied enough to gift it to my grandmother.

This square is made with Red Heart Yarn; the center is paddy green, the inner border is lime and the outer border is hunter green. Measures 4" x 4.5".

Project Update!!

So today my baby afghan is at 16"...WOOT WOOT!! It's so long that when I measure it, its too large for my lap. I know for seasoned crocheters, 16" isn't much...but I'M PROUD!! So far the tension and stitching is pretty much perfect. I am feuding a little bit with the Bernat Baby yarn, when it comes in the pound its extra knotty. Everytime i've worked out a knot, I pull the center string and BAMMMM theres another knot. I should confess though, usually my husband is sorting out the knots. He is helpful like that. The total picture is just irritating because after the body I have another pound to sift through to make the white border. Next time I will just spend the extra cash on the 6-7 oz.

Crochet and Knit your way to Less Stress!!

After reading an article in a magazine my aunt had shown me, I did a little research:

There is proof substantiating the claim that knitting and crochet help lower stress levels, thereby leading needle workers to a greater state of calm. ”Human beings are bodies, minds and spirits. Health necessarily involves all of those components,” says Dr. Andrew Weil

Read more at Suite101: Health Benefits of Knit & Crochet: Return to Hand Needlework Reflects Longing for Stress Reduction http://www.suite101.com/content/health-benefits-of-knit-crochet-a35275#ixzz1FZ7DPgeH

My First Baby Afghan!!

So recently, my grandmother has taught me to crochet. I've decided to document my learning journey...
Month 1- February, I learned the basics: foundation chain, SC, DC and SS.  With that knowledge I crafted my mother a valentines day themed scarf.
Month 2- March- I've begun a baby afghan doing a DC thru the back loops. I am currently using Bernat Baby Varigaided (on sale $8.99 per pound at A C Moore) with a G.  Today my blankie is 10" and I am hoping to finish it by next week. Once I am done the body of the afghan I am going to do a very basic SC white border. I thought about attempting a fancy border, but it occured to me that babies wants to pull and eat everything...yarn probably included. With safety in mind, basic, this border will be. :)
I really like this particular stitch. It looks great in solids ( my grandmother did a beautiful baby yellow) and in varigaided. I think the layers and texture give it spunk that a regular DC can not possibly give.