Monday, April 23, 2012

Comfy in Cream (Baby Sweater)

This project was made as a gift for a little baby boy. I haven't given it yet, so I'm not going to say who :)

Pattern: Crochet Baby Hoodie found through Ravelry
Hook: 5.0mm
Yarn: Bernat Handicrafters Cotton Yarn in Off-White


Pattern Modifications:
Followed pattern as written except for I skipped the edging. After the garment was assembled, I added one row of sc edging around the hem, hood and button band. I then added to the button band 3 rows of sc (with button holes on the Left).

Very happy with the way this turned out!

Friday, April 20, 2012

Heirloom Lace Sampler Bracelet


See this post for the story behind the sampler.

If you’re looking to make this lovely cuff bracelet, please be aware that this is NOT A BEGINNER PROJECT. I’m assuming that you’re already familiar with all basic crochet stitches and skills, and that you have at least some experience making lace. I wrote the pattern AFTER finishing the piece, so if you need to fudge the last stitch or two in a row, don’t be surprised.

Thread: Aunt Lydia’s Crochet Cotton Size 10 in Ivory
Hook: 1.5mm metal lace hook
Notions: 2 small buttons, sewing needle, and matching ivory sewing thread

Begin with a multiple of 8 +1, you want the base chain to be enough to reach around your wrist.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each st across. Turn
Row 2: Ch 6, *skip 3 sts, dc2tog in next st, ch 3 and skip 3 sts, dc in next st, ch 3* Repeat from * to * until the end of the row. Turn
Row 3: Ch5, *in the top of the dc2tog from prev row (dc2tog, ch 3, dc2tog), then ch 2 and dc in the top of the dc from the prev row, ch2* Repeat from * to * until the end of the row. Turn.
Row 4: Ch 1, sc in same st *(ch1 + dc) four times into the ch 3 space between the two dc2tog sts (shell made) in the previous row. ch 1 and sc in the top of the next dc from prev row*  Repeat from * to * until the end of the row. Turn.
Row 5. Ch 5, *in the center ch1 space of the shell made in the prev row (dc, ch1, dc, ch1, dc), ch 2, dc in the sc of the prev row, ch 2* Repeat from * to * until the end of the row. Turn.
Row 6: Ch 3, *dc in the first dc of the shell, ch 1, dc in the first ch 1 sp of the shell, ch 1, dc in the 2nd dc of the shell, ch 1, dc in the 2nd ch 1 sp of the shell, ch 1, dc in the 3rd dc of the shell, ch 1, dc2tog over the next ch2 spaces, ch1* Repeat from * to * until the end of the row. Turn.
Row 7: Ch 1, sc in each of the next dc, ch, dc, and ch sts. *In the dc that is the top of the shell (sc, ch3, sc) to make a picot. Sc in each of the next ch, dc, and ch sts. Sc2tog over the next 2 plain dc sts, skipping over the ch, dc2tog, and ch sts. Sc in each of the next ch, dc, and ch sts.* Repeat from * to * until the end of the row. Turn.
Row 8: ch 4, dc in same st. *ch 7. In picot st from prev row (dc, ch1, dc, ch1, dc)* Repeat from * to * until the end of the row. Turn.
Row 9: ch1, sc in same st. *(4dc, ch1, 4dc) all in next ch 7 sp. Sc in each ch 1 space between the dc’s in the picot* Repeat from * to * until the end of the row. Turn.
Row 10: ch 5, *In ch 1 sp at top of loop (puff st, ch 2, puff st), ch 3, dc2tog over the sc’s from prev row, ch 3* Repeat from * to * until the end of the row. Turn.
Row 11: Ch 1, *4sc in each ch 3 sp, and (2sc, ch3, 2sc) into eac ch2 sp between puff sts.

Finishing: turn your work 90 degrees and working back towards Row 1, add a row of sc along the edge of your lace. You may add as many rows as needed on each edge in order to make room to sew on buttons and create button holes.

To make button holes: Hold your button up to the work and measure how many sc’s wide your buttons are, and call this number W. Determine how you will space your buttons. After an initial row or more of sc sts on the edge of your lace, sc in each st across, stopping where you want the button, and ch W sts. Skip an equal number of sts, and continue to sc across. You’ll need to add an additional row of sc’s on top of your button hole row. For this row, sc in each sc, and W+1 sc’s in each ch sp. Fasten off.

I like to add a dot of fray-check onto any place where the thread is knotted or tied in, just to make sure it doesn’t get away, and then I weave in my ends.

BLOCK AND STARCH
your lace. Did I mention that you should block and starch this??

You could make this longer and wear it as a choker, and I think it would be a lovely gift for a bride-to-be!


Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Lace is Lovely

So I recently bought a new book on Crochet Borders. I'm always looking for inspiration on how to edge the baby blankets which never seem to end. (Seriously, I've hit the phase of life where everyone is getting pregnant on purpose!)

Its a great book, and its given me some excellent inspiration. As if there weren't enough projects on my to-do list, I got the chance to put together a beautiful lace sample swatch.

So my plan is to use the edging on a heirloom bridal veil. I think that handmade lace on the edge of a simple oval veil would make a lovely hand-me down that could stay in a family. It was a request for someone, and I wasn't sure if I could do it until I made a sampler.

I love it. I'm just not sure if the narrower, simpler version wouldn't make a more subtle edge. I'm undecided.

Either way, the sample swatch is going to have some buttons added to one side, and some button holes on the other, so my sister can have it as a cuff-bracelet.

In the meantime, I've got myself started on another afghan (ugh), I've got to put the finishing touches on a baby sweater (need to go buy buttons), and I'd like to start doing more lace-work since I find it absolutely stunning.

Monday, April 9, 2012

I got an Award! Thanks!!!!

So I got this cute award from the girl over at Mostly Nerdy Crochet! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

I am so happy that so many people are able to enjoy my patterns! I just find it so touching that other people enjoy this stuff as much as I do!

Honestly, I started blogging more or less to share with  my other crafter friends across the country, just to keep in touch.

So here are the rules of my award:
  • Thank the person who gave you this award. That’s common courtesy
  • Include a link to their blog. That’s also common courtesy — if you can figure out how to do it
  • Next, select 5 blogs/bloggers that you’ve recently discovered or follow regularly.
    (Pick blogs or bloggers that are excellent!)
  • Nominate those 5 bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award
  • Finally, tell the person who nominated you 7 things about yourself

Here are my Nominees!

Crochet for Free
This blog features two of my favorite things: Crochet and Free! I think I killed a saturday afternoon when I found this blog, and I adore it!

Black and White Side by Side
I found this blog through pinterest, for a valentines recipe, but this blog is SO much more! Fashion, crafts, vintage, and all around fun stuff! This is another blog that I got LOST in!

You Seriously Made That?!
This blog is run by my friend Cami, who I know from way back in High School (gasp!) Her stuff is like wildfire all over pinterest, because its so darn simple but amazingly cute!

The Small Things
Kate is AMAZING! She has inspired SO many of my work-day hairstyles it isn't even funny. Her tutorials rule. Plus she has tons of other fashion and fun stuff to check out!

Charles McKinnon Original Art
This is a blog by a friend of mine who does some art that is just plain cool. I like to check in now and again just to see what he's up to. Plus he did this badass Zombie Portrait of me back at halloween (middle pic)!

Wow, so 7 things about me?

1. I'm a doctor of chiropractic. I know, right? Check me out on my other website doctorhoglen.com! I have a blog there too, which has more to do with healthy recipes and health-related topics. Its a work in progress.

2. I've been a crafter my whole life, but I started to knit and crochet in early 2007 I believe, and I've been an addict ever since!


3. I love dancing and performance. I've had the pleasure of dancing with Tandava Tribal Bellydance and performing with the Players Guild of Dearborn.



4. I'm finding that making a list of 7 facts about me is incredibly challenging!!!! Also, my favorite tv shows are currently: The Walking Dead, Glee, Once Upon a Time, and Face-Off. (which are almost all on a break currently...boo)

5. I'm also an avid runner, and I'm currently looking out the window yearning to go for a quick 5k run in the park!

6. In case crafting, dancing, performing, running, and doctoring weren't enough, I'm also a gamer girl! I'm a PC and Xbox360 gamer, currently enjoying MassEffect3 (multiplayer) and Star Wars: The Old Republic. And to quote Felicia Day "Person about to comment about the [ME3] ending: STOP."

7. I always wish I were a better (read: more patient) seamstress. When I was in high school I made all my own halloween costumes, and I've made several cosplay costumes since, but its doggone hard nowadays. I feel exiled to my little sewing space and I can never seem to finish things in one sitting. I have pinned SO many things on pinterest to sew, and I buy fabric to make things, but do I ever? Nope.

I'm honestly blown away by how many people read, use, and comment on my blog. Thanks so much for following my journey!!!

Oh, and since pinterest comes up so much: follow me!