February 2012 | Crochetapy

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

WIP Wednesday

It's been a busy week and it's only half over. I've made some progress on my WIP. The bed ripple...

As for the table/dresser runner, I mostly work on it on my breaks at work. Usually get a few rows done a day, give or take. Because the stitch basically makes it double sided in the look, the progress is a bit slower. You are crocheting the stitches off the hook on one pass and then back on the pass back. But if you want to make something durable, this is the method, cro-hooking.

I acquired this book this week. I seen it on Made in K-Town blog where she challenged herself to make each of the motifs illustrated in this book. As I followed her postings of each motif, I wanted to get it and give these are try.

Also a few weeks back I hit some thrift stores and found a few yarns for $1 for both of these. Not sure what to do with them but I'm sure I'll find something. Never enough yarn.

I'm joining some other blogs in there linking on WIP Wednesday. Even though my Wednesday is nearly over. Here at Simply Crochet. Another at Our Creative Spaces and at Ambassador Crochet.

Check out these blogs.

Happy Leap Day! And RIP Davey Jones.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Grannies, Ripples and Liebster

Oh how I love Sundays. Get up when you want, have coffee, read my blogs. Of course it's the day to get chores done :( But, I added a few more double rows so far on the ripple. It can't come along quick enough if you ask me. Each added colour gets me more eager to finish it.

I also made a few more grannies. Smaller ones and added a new colour to the scheme. Course the new colour seems to be a bit thicker yarn than the others. Oh well, should me fun for joining. LOL

My honey was playing with the cat last night. The cat loves playing with him, he knows how to get him worked up. I had to take this quick video. He doesn't hiss often but when honey gets him going he does.

My cat hissing

Remember my special project I was working on a few months back? Well I pulled it out. It's somewhat done. Not completely happy with with it yet. I may add some ribbon or something on the edges to dress it up. I'd like to pin the squares in better as well. But I finally took a decent picture of what I have.

On my last post I received a Liebster Blog award from Lelo's Blog . It's a kind of chain mail of sorts to share people's blogs.

There are rules – there are always rules – and yes, you could take the attitude that rules are made to be broken! But I will try to be good. There aren’t that many rules – only 5.

You thank the person who gave you the award
Then link back to that person’s blog
Copy and paste the Liebster award to your own profile
Pick 5 blogs who you feel deserve to be noticed (they have to have under 200 followers)
Then finally blog it and leave a comment to let your 5 choices know they have been chosen

1. Thank you Lelo of picking my blog.

2. Lelo's Blog

3. Above

4. Whistle Stop Crochet

Suz Place

SusanD1408 Crochet Addict

U Knit Me

Not Your Gram's Afghan

5. Let them know.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Ripples and Kitties

I have been working on my single sized bed ripple in double rows this week. The cats like to watch and paw at the string of yarn when they can. So glad tomorrow is Friday. We're going to be getting some good snow this weekend so I might just get some good progress done it. I've also really been loving this crochet hook as well. Ergonomic for the hand. It's a 4.5 mm.

I couldn't resist

taking this picture of my can in his bed with this paws tucked in.

I joined a blog hop an if you scroll all the way down to bottom of page you will see the links to other blogs to check out.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

One A Day Update

On the weekend I started my ripple blanket I've been wanting to make for the single bed. It would be nice to have it done while the weather is still cold and can use it. The first day I think I finished 4-5 rows.

I started with the single rows, now I'm going to do doubles reversing colour order and end with single rows again on other end of blanket. Then I will put a border on.

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Color Goodness

I've made some progress on my crochet bag. I am just itching to finish it and use it. It shouldn't be much longer.

I've also been working with the double ended crochet hook on the runner. It's a really nice technique if you wanted to make something double sided.

I also had to try to take a better picture of my heart swag. I always seem to finish projects at night and then get anxious to take a picture and want to post it. But it is now daytime and had better lighting.

I am hoping to get more done on the bag and I am dying to get working on a new ripple blanket for a single bed.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day!

Why couldn't it fall on a weekend. When you're more relaxed. Not trying to wake up for work, make the coffee, forgetting to put the garbage out the night before only to remember as the garbage truck goes by. Anyway. I did put together my Valentine's heart swag.

I also worked on Granny Squares last night.

I took another picture later today of the heart swag hanging from my shelf of my Cherished Teddies.

Any my honey surprised me today with the Valentine's classic, dozen red roses :) Thanks honey!

I also forgot to post about the hat I made on the weekend when I went to my Stitch & Bitch with the girls. It used 2 strands of bulky weight yarn which made the hat quite thick and warm. But it turned out well. I think I'll put it on my Etsy Store.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Monkey Hat & More

I managed to make a child's hat for my Etsy Shop. I love these Sock Monkey hats and had to try one. I mostly followed the pattern here on Crochet in Color's site and did my own improvising at bit on edging etc. Girls can wear with the flower or optional boys with topper pom pom. Fits kids 4-12.

Still plugging away at my crochet bag. I figure another series of colours and it should be near desired depth, then the handles.

After seeing this bag, a co-worker asked if I would make a runner type mat for her daughter's new dresser to protect the top in a nice bright pink and green. So with yarn ready and new double ended circular hook, I am getting that going as well. And I am also learning how to use this type of hook and practising more tunisian type crochet.

I know you cannot seen alot yet but it shows off the hook at least. ;) LOL Also completed on the weekend another Tunisian square that I'm sort of still trying to do with the CAL with KRW Knitwear Studios, also in Ravelry. I believe we are to be on another tunisian stitch that I have yet to try out but I will fit it in.

Top View - Not Blocked Yet

Back side, obviously not blocked yet.

That's it for now. Thank God tomorrow is Friday. It's been a long week on a new shift at work.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Versatile Blogger Award

I'd like to give a big thanks to Ali from her blog Hooked !! A Crochet Addict's Blog for this honour.

For awarding this to me today:

The rules:

1. Add the award to your blog.

2. Thank the blogger who gave it to you.

3. Mention 7 random things about yourself.

4. List the rules.

5. Award to 15 bloggers.

6. Inform each of those 15 by leaving a comment on their blog.

1) Added

2) Thanked Ali

3) the 7 random things:

1. Hate having to come up with 7 random questions about myself. Not one to just give you personal details.

2. I am a Aries

3. I have cats. Love em.

4. I have worked in a male dominated trade.

5. Found my crocheting to be a saviour from daily stresses.

6. My favourite food Mexican styles.

7. Still secretly love girly movies, I guess not so secretly.

4) Done

5) My awards go to:

1. http://crochethealingandraymond.wordpress.com/

2. http://teacuplane-sandy.blogspot.com/

3. http://hakenenmeer.blogspot.com/

4. http://appleblossomdreams.blogspot.com/

5. http://vickyfully.blogspot.com/

6. http://gratefulcrochet.blogspot.com/

I can really only have time to get to 6. It's been a long day and have to get up for work in the morning.
Also added my larger granny to the blanket tonight.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Granny Squares

Keeping with Tuesday's Tallies and One A Day, that could be a square a day, a row a day, I've gone back to an on going Granny Square Afghan. It's a neutral male color scheme I guess.

This square is going to be a larger one, close to a four square size of the rest, to fit into the mix. I joined on 5 smaller squares yesterday while my honey watched the Super Bowl. Meh, I'd rather watch the Stanley Cup final.
I want to get my hearts finished up this week to make a Heart Garland. I also listed my V-Stitch Cocoon Shrug on my Etsy this weekend. That's another goal, to get more things made and listed on Etsy.
Happy Tuesday Everyone!!

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Coziness, yarn and the cat

My cat decided he wanted to cuddle in the bag I'm crocheting. I might just have to make one for him as a cat bed. LOL I did manage another few rows today even with him sitting in it for a while for his nap. I just can't seem to get this done fast enough for my liking. Of course it would help if I focus more one fewer projects.

I got a chance to fix up my favourite crochet hook with the tip from Teresa Richardson using gel pencil grips and pvc tubing. This video linked she had used the first aid flexi tape to build up some thickness before putting on the gel grips. It is much more comfortable for the hand than a thin hook.

I did finish a WIP tonight however, the ruffle scarf. One Skein of the Red Heart Sashay yarn produced this length of scarf, just enough to add something to any outfit or neckline.

Then I came across another heart tutorial, again by Teresea Richardson. It makes a really cute, super easy heart that you can add different edging to it if you want. Here's mine.

Finally, I got a sewing machine from a friend that was the first one she used when learning how to sew. I've been wanting to get my hands on a working older machine, as I somewhat remember how to use, for a while now so I can sew in linings etc on my crochet pieces. I got a chance to get familiar with it again and tried some practise stitches. I did find the thread bunched (bird's nest they call it i guess) under the material. I read that you may have to play with tension or re-thread machine. If any of you sewer's out there have suggestions please let me know. It's a Singer 700 series machine.

Tomorrow's Sunday and it's quite late as I am posting this on Saturday night for me. I will try to get some decent sleep but on Monday I start a new shift at work and it's much earlier in the day than I've been used to.

Happy Weekend!!

Crochetapy