Work in Progress Wednesday

Work in Progress Wednesday

Hosted by Tami's Amis and Other Creations

I am still working on the Diamond Waffle stitch blanket, a regular Waffle stitch blanket, my first knitted project - the garter stitch blanket, the doily blanket. There are others but these are the ones I am active on finishing at the moment. I love afghans so it takes awhile for FO's to appear but they are coming.

I am also working on a couple of series posts. As well as coming up with ideas to keep this blog active as my project take so long to complete to just blog about them. Thanks for visiting and come back soon!

Tuesdday Top List #2

Tuesday Top List #2

Top 5 Reasons to Learn to Crochet
5) It only requires you to work with one hook at a time.
4) Crochet hooks seem to cost less than knitting needles.
3) There are just as many items to make in crochet as there are in knitting.
2) Crochet project tend to be little faster to make than knitting.
1) The basic stitches of crochet (sc, dc, treble and such) are fairly easy to learn.

I learned to crochet years ago. A woman I worked with showed me on stitch the single crochet (sc). With the help of youtube I have learn many more stitches. From what I see online there are not as many crochet blogs out there compared to knitting ones but we are here and on youtube. Crocheters and knitters are a community of people who will usually offer you advice or help if you ask. It takes patience to learn anything new. This is a craft. A hobby as well as a skill. It is not for everyone and that is okay. But if you had tried it and abandon it not because you didn't like it but because you couldn't get the hang of it. Try it out once more. With blogs, Youtube, and groups both physical and online there's a lot of support to help you.

Tuesday Top List

Today Tuesday Top List is a Top 5 List.

Top 5 reasons I love the garter stitch
5)It's the only knit stitch I know so far
4)There are many items that can be made with just this stitch. Blankets, scarves, shawls, dish/washcloths, towels etc
3)Brooklyn Tweed has several patterns featuring the garter stitch like the Tweed Baby Blanket
2)Garter Stitch has a beautiful stretchy texture
1)It's an easy stitch to learn and can be done while watching t.v.

I hear that the garter stitch is one of those stitches that you either love or hate. Well put me on the love team. I think that the garter stitch also highlights certain yarns like those self-striping ones.

Sharing Sunday #5

Sharing Sunday #5


Today I just broke on of my knitting needles that had a project on it. My solution until I get another pair is to work on another project that is similar and I may use a needle that is slightly larger or smaller to continue you on with the project. If it's not one thing it's another...right? On to today's post.


Vintage Bedspreads

I am from the south. I have lived in the north most of my life but I am a Southerner. There's no getting around it. I still have the accent, the habits, the culture, and just the plain ole fabulousness of being from the south. One of the things that remind me of home are crochet bedspreads. The are heavy so that give you warmth but they are openwork so they are not too hot. The length of time it takes to make a bedspread varies depending on the pattern but it is not a quick project if made from crochet thread. Go to Something Fierce Designs to for ideas of how to decorate with a crochet bedspread.

This picture is clickable and from robinseggbleunest etsy shop

Sharing Sunday #4

Sharing Sunday #4

How to fix a stitch in crochet. Crochet is forgiving when making mistakes. If you realized that you made a mistake on a previous row some times it is possible to fix the mistake and move on instead of frogging. Gotta love that. The more complicated the pattern the less noticable the mistake will be. Watch my video to see this in action.

Basically you are working on a row, you go to make a stitch and realise that the stitch in the previous row is not there. You work the missing stitch into the previous row, slip stitch that stitch to the stitch next to it. then you go back to the stitch you just fixed and work the stitch on your prsent row on to it. Some patterns you don't that to slip stitch the missing stitch to a stitch in that row. You can just do your present stitch right on top of it and move on but that stitch will anchor it to the work. A pattern like that is the Navajo blanket. There is a simple front post double crochet in that pattern. If you miss that stitch you can just drop down, add it, and work your next stitch as normal.

I know this all seem complicated but it really is not. The more you crochet the more you will know which method will work for the project you are on. I will try to upload videos with different examples in the near future. Until then happy crocheting!

Sharing Sunday #3

Sharing Sunday #3
When people think of knitting and crochet they still conjure up images of Grandma. However, grandma had to learn at some age right. There are all ages of knitters and crochet-ers. It does seem that there are more females into the craft than males now-a-days. I think this is because boys and men don't see many "manly" men with yarn and needle/hook. Well here on Sharing Sunday, I would like to share reasons why men should knit. 1) It helps with dexterity. It has been used by physical theparist for people who have and damage to their hands 2) It's pratical. You can use what you can make 3) Women take notice..ladies you know we do! 4) It's just plain FUN!

Here's a video: Real Men Knit

Work in Progress Wednesday #2

I forgot today is Wednesday! No matter, I am still working on the same projects. Plus I started work on my first knitted item. It is a garter stitch blanket on #9 needles using my favorite yarn color Red Heart Peruvian. A picture will come soon. I am only on the third row.

Another thing I am working on is series inspired by another blog's weekly feature. At least once a month I will link a weekly feature from that blog with a project of mine. As if I don't have enough projects going on but it will be quicker projects such as hats and scarves.

Fixing a cable on the Diamond Waffle stitch blanket

While working on my Diamon,d Waffle stitch blanket, I realised that I forgot to connect a diamond. Instead of frogging all the way back to the mistake, I decided to fix the diamond and continue on. The following video shows how I fix that missing cable. Below the video is the written explanation of what I did.

Make a slip knot with a sizable tail. Insert hook with the slip knot on it underthe previous diamond like normal. Make a slip stitch follow by 2 more chains. Inset hook on the top of the next diamond (like normal) and make a slip stitch. Cut yarn again with a sizable tail and pull tail through the slip stitch. Pull both tails to the back for weaving in later. *When weaving I suggest pulling tight and weaving in and out close to where you pull the yarn out. This will that cable tight, secure, and virtually undectable. Then you can weave the rest of the tail through various stitches.

I posted this as a video response on Youtube to mikeyssmail waffle stitch tutorial. You can also view it on my channel.

Sharing Sunday #2

Sharing Sunday #2

I would like to share with you a cute cardigan pattern. It looks pretty darn simple to make. This is one that I will be making soon. The pattern is called Peanut Butter and the knitted verison is called Jelly...awe. I don't think I would be exaggerating if I said that beautiful crochet cardigan patterns are hard to come by. Crochet stitches can be quite bulky depending on the yarn so finished garment pieces can look a bit awarked. This not the case with Peanut Butter. The only hard part is choosing the color I want to make it in. I will keep y'all updated. Hope you like the pattern for more info about it click here or you can find it on Ravelry. Pattern cost $6.50

I Love Yarn Day

Today, October 14th is I Love Yarn Day. Well duh, if you crochet or knit you better love yarn...right? What do I love about yarn? I love that you can make fun projects that are purely for looking at. Or you can make toy be it a stuff animal or play food. Or you can make items that you can use daily like blankets, sweaters, gloves etc. All from a ball of thick thread!

What is my favorite yarn? I just love yarn. My favorite is Red Heart. LOL...many people consider it cheap and less quality. Well yes it doesn't cost alot but quality...I would say it is a quality yarn. It will last for years. Once it is washed it soften and become quite cuddly. My other favorite is Caron's Simply Soft. Again this yarn is budget friendlly but lighter and softer for projects that'll be worn.

Well that's it for today's post. I don't have and finished projects today. See y'all Sunday

Work-in-Progress Wednesday #1

meme from Tami's Amis and Other Creations

This is my first work-in-progress Wednesday post so let's get to it. I have yarn that I purchased at the beginning of the year and even last year. In an effort use them, I have started projects. So I have a few projects that are started.

In the picture below from left to right:
Granny Ripple - I am liking this pattern. It is my first granny ripple. I love granny squares so I knew I would like this. The colors are tan and a multi rose (muted pink,white,brown,green).
Solas Caomh - This has been around for awhile. I love the pattern. The original pattern is for a baby blanket I added to the pattern so it is huge. Bigger than it needs to be so it will probably to awhile to complete.
Diamond Cable/Waffle Stitch Blanket - I got this pattern from watching Mikeyssmail on Youtube. I like the way it is coming out with this particular yarn (tell you about this yarn and other multis in another post). Plus I am just loving crochet cables right now.
Waffle Stitch Blanket - This is the traditional waffle stitch. I love this pattern and will definitely make another blanket or scarf. Ooooooh I just thought about it....it would make a pretty cool border.
Entrelac Blanket - This is made with baby yarns. I think it was Lion brand One Pound. It will be the multi being shown and a spring green color.

*Not shown: An improvised pattern from a blanket I saw in a magazine, another Solas Caomh, Rings of Love from Youtube

Sharing Sunday #1

Sharing Sunday #1

I have said it before and now I am saying it again. I will began to post more on this blog. I wasn't sure how to keep posting when I haven't finished any projects. I think I have figured out how to do these posts now. Yeah! So here is my first Sharing Sunday post.

The first picture is of Jessica Simpson when she and ex-husband Nick had their show 'The Newlyweds" on MTV. The second picture is the second edition of a look-a-like of Jess's shawl. The pattern is available for $7. To go to the websites where these pictures are from just click on them.

*The pattern is from Stitch Diva "Our patterns are for your personal use only and not to be used to create items for commercial gain." The shawls is pretty but because of this limitation I will not make it but it is pretty, quick, and looks to be a fairly easy project.

Granny Square Baby Afghan

Granny Square Baby Afghan

Whenever you feel as though you are not getting any projects done. The granny square is always there to give you a jump start. I have certainly been neglecting my crochet lately so I decided I needed to finish something. This granny square afghan is orange, a multi color yarn, and a lime green (even though in the picture it looks blueish it is very much a loud lime green). I have left over yarn so I am going to do a completely different baby blanket. I really like this blanket though...maybe I should've made it bigger for myself.

Basket Weave Stitch Baby Blanket

In December I mention the basket weave stitch. I haven't done many projects of late or should I say I haven't completed any. Then someone requested a baby blanket. I decided on the basket weave stitch and is quite happy that I did. I love the stitch it is simple but look complicated and well...it's just plain good looking. I have been working on a throw using this stitch but I don't see myself finishing that any time soon.

Solas Caomh Blanket - Autumn Day

Solas Caomh Blanket

Ok I have not finished the first Solas Caomh blanket and I'm on to another one. This time I am using two different colors both from Red Heart brand (Carrot & Peruvian Print). I'm calling this one Autumn Day Solas Caomh. :-D

The pattern is color coded for the cable stitches. This helped me from being confused about just where I am on the pattern.

Solas Caomh pattern by Jodi Euchner
You can purchase this pattern from here for $5.50. This is a beautiful pattern of crochet cables. That's right, crochet cables. This is achieved by a series of front and back post stitches. It is not a difficult pattern but you must pay attention to what you are doing.

Here are my notes so far:
05/20/2011 - Chain 363

Solas Caomh Blanket

Solas Caomh pattern by Jodi Euchner

You can purchase this pattern from here for $5.50. This is a beautiful pattern of crochet cables. That's right, crochet cables. This is achieved by a series of front and back post stitches. It is not a difficult pattern but you must pay attention to what you are doing. It took me awhile to understand my mistakes. I had to frog it a couple of times.

Here are my notes so far:

I’m making this blanket for myself. I like to cuddle up on the sofa so a throw size just won’t do for me.

01/06/11 I’m tripling the pattern chained 373 (lost count and did an extra 10)

01/07/11 I can’t believe it I got to row 4 and then realized that I skipped stitches starting in row 1. I have to start all over.

01/08/11 color coded the pattern hopefully that will help. I got the second row done and turns out that I only chained one extra not ten. YAY

01/09/11 working on row 3 turns out I didn’t do an extra stitch I missed a FTR stitch.

01/16/11 U ahd to frog back to row 2 and start it over. Now it looks better. For some reason it has taken me some time to wrap my head around this pattern which is why I haven’t worked on it since the 9th.

02/08/11 I finally got this pattern figured out. I was back posting wrong. Duh! LOL. I walked away from this project for a few weeks. Now making pretty good progress. On row 6.