plaid diamonds

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Plaid diamonds. That's what this reminds me of.
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Only it's really entrelac. And as confusing as the technique appeared at first -- it becomes reeeeeeeeeeally addicting once you get the hang of it.

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Perfect and precise directions are from this book. And the photos that go along with the directions are exceptional to aid those of us --ahem --who are visual learners.

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I had 2 tiny bits of scrap yarn in my stash that I used to see if I could even do this. And now that I am thoroughly smitten with this tunisian-type crocheting, I am going to do more.

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The stitch used is actually a tunisian simple stitch (or afghan stitch as it is called in the book) and after searching a million different places for a tunisian how-to, I found this from CrochetSide to be so, so helpful!

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This is the backside -- and in my very limited grasp of knitting -- it looks so much like...well...it was knitted.

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So now that I am thoroughly charmed by this tunisian-type crocheting, I am going to do more.

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I can see a scarf in a red and white plaid.

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Hmmm. Time to check my stash.....

irish crochet coaster

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Intricate lace not only intrigues me -- it instills in me a passion & desire to recreate it. And irish crochet is one of those delicate, yet gorgeous laces that just leaves me breathless.

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One of my past issues of MAGIC CROCHET (Oct. 2002 -- issue 140) includes a crochet pattern for an irish crochet coaster.

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An added bonus? It is shown in Christmas colors.

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Perfect.

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So using my size 5 crochet hook and crochet thread that I purchased from the thrift store, I made one little irish crochet coaster that seemed so well suited for this one little, vintage Christmas figurine.

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snowy claus & paws

*gasp* Look at what I received from my swap partner, Diana. Snowy snowmen, snowy Claus -- and yes, there are even snowy paws.




These potholders are just soooooo beyond cute! She used Annies Attic Ultimate Book of Potholders.



And also sent this delicious Patons Pure Organic Cotton and a recipe for Christmas Pudding -- yum!

But that's not all! Oh my, she knows me so well -- look at the books she also sent --->Fun to Crochet Gifts & Stocking Feet. I have wanted these in my collection of crochet books!

Such a wonderful swap with such a wonderful crocheter!

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Thank you, Diana!

rings of autumn bracelet

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Rings of autumn. Think of the deep colors that brings to mind.

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Scrounging through my DMC Pearl size 8, I found those shades of autumn. And seeing so many of these crochet bracelets that use just simple plastic rings, I knew this was my next project.

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The DMC pearl thread is so glossy & silky that it adds a rich sheen to the bracelet.

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And what an 'ah-ha' moment for me when I realized that the colors are crocheted only half of the ring and then joined to the next ring before crocheting the next color on.


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And oh! the possibilities when thinking of all of the color combinations for making these simply elegant bracelets that just slip on right over the wrist.

Edit: Directions for this type of bracelet can be found here: craftstylish, & lula louise. I actually took the idea from here but instead of crocheting an actual circle, I used her same idea to crochet around the plastic rings.

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slouchy hat finish

Taking inspiration from CROCHET that FITS & this fashion designer, my daughter's slouchy hat is finished!

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And she loves it -- but more importantly she wears it. In public. With her friends.

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And to a mom who has crocheted it for her -- & secretly holding her breath to see if she would actually wear it -- well, that's honestly what it's all about, isn't it?

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ice blue mittens

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Winter is on its way. Right?

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Every night our son prays for at least 20 inches of snow. And we know God hears all prayers, but so far He is just sending 50* weather.

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Maybe crocheting ice blue mittens will speed along some frigid snowy weather....

The yarn is from my stash of scraps; the hook -- size J and the pattern from here.

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*sigh* Yes, that book again.

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Okay. Now for some serious snow because these are so soft & so warm.

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the start of a slouchy hat

Our daughter is on a huge quest to have a slouchy hat. And of course, who does she know that just might be able to crochet one for her?....

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I searched many resources for this specific style of hat and didn't really find anything that looked like the popular 'slouchy' hat that my daughter so wants. And the one pattern that I tried to work up was just plain awful.... read ----> frogged.

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But leave it to Mary Jane (again!) because in her CROCHET THAT FITS book, she has a pattern for a beret that is the same style as the slouchy hat.

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And with her terrific technique of hdc in the blo only using 2 different sized hooks -- well honestly, this crochet technique has opened up this huge door for me to actually make gorgeous garments & accessories minus the confusion factor.

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Okay, so slouchy minus confusion makes for one happy mom and one very happy 16 yr. old.

a passion for purple

Anyone who knows me, knows that I have a passion for purple. And not just any purple, but that exquisite purple that has a certain hint of dusty light blue -- the color of periwinkle.
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Well, my package from Kris of Quilted Simple arrived yesterday. The one I was so excited to get because I knew that whatever it was -- it was going to be hand-knit.
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And when I saw the color of it, I was bowled over -- how did she know? Not only the most gorgeous hue of periwinkle, but this is the cutest, cutest cardi ever!

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Very simple said --

1. It's knitted.

2. It's purple.

3. Did I say, it's knitted?

4. But most of all -- I loVe it.

cozy

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Since wearing braces, our daughter has chapped lips constantly. To alleviate that, she carries lip balm everywhere. It often gets misplaced, flung on the floor by the cats, or just lost in the contents of her mom's purse (ahem).
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So I was tickled when I spotted this darling, darling pattern for a crocheted lip balm cover. And Kristy's pic tutorial is amazingly wonderful & helpful!
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The yarn is some of my favorite: I LOVE THIS COTTON! #8 Carousel Ombre -- and yes, I really do think that I love this cotton.
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The pattern is so quick & easy & she has one of the most 'a-ha!' techniques for using floss to adhere to the button to the side of it.

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I found the perfect button for the closure & attached a metal finding so she can easily clip it onto her school bag, belt loop, or whatever....

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...and she now has a super cute cozy for her lip balm!

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eggplant sweater purse (and no more whining...)

Spoiler Alert ---> again! Kris from Quilted Simple --read no further!

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My very funny blogirl-friend, Kris has (I'm pretty sure) had enough of my whining.
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Whine? Me? Why, yes. I do tend to go on and on and on ( read ---> whine) about not being able to knit. So, either fed up with my continuous rants to not being able to knit, or just being the true friend that she is -- she has been very busy, pain-stakingly knitting me a cardi (and oh, my! I can't wait to see it!!) Just the idea of a lovely knitted cardi that someone is making me -- well it simply warms my heart.
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But now the problem. What could I possibly make for her that would equal such a thoughtful gesture?
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Well, it was time to hit one of my favorite books:




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And having made this luscious sweater purse once before, I decided to make this one for Kris in a yummy eggplant colored yarn and shorten the length of the purse to be more sporty.
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And the timely appearance of autumn gourds makes for a very fall-ish look.
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I actually purchased a small leather purse and tacked it to the inside of the crocheted one. I wanted Kris to able to tuck a whole bunch of stuff into it and utilize the convenience of so many pockets, but still have the look of a hand-made sweater without smaller items spilling out between the stitches.
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I do hope she likes it. I know that I will just be bursting at the seams when the mailman brings that lovely knitted cardi from her.