Ho hum

So it rained today. All day. And I have absolutely no inspiration and an enormous deadline due. Crap. I made some itty bitty baby slippers based on this cute little pattern. It takes some reading and investigating to understand the phrasing on the pattern at first, but it comes and its a great one. I didn't like the top so I just lopped it off and now I have little tiny slippers. Adorable.

Anyway, if anyone know of some good hat patterns, send them my way!

photo from freefoto.com

Photos Galore!

So as promised, here are the photos of the projects I finished out of the new book I bought.

Here's the Alpine Hat:

I used Cascade 220 so its washable but still has the warmth and heaviness of wool. Its also a good kelly green. Perfect for St. Patty's Day. I got the skein at Blazing Needles (my favorite yarn shop in Salt Lake City). The picture makes it look a bit washed out here but I promise its a much deeper shade.

I love how the small cables wind around themselves in this pattern, as opposed the fatter cables usually associated with cable crochet.

Here's the Aran Pillow (which I might just make into a purse...). This is the easiest pattern in the world but it looks so complicated which is awesome cuz you look like a pro without breaking a sweat. I hate sweating while I hook. Plus you can brag about your skills and no one will be the wiser! I made the other side out of a denim blue, both are Bernat Alpaca which is REALLY soft and feels a lot more expensive than it is.

A new, new book

So I decided I really didn't like the Interweave book. The only pattern I really liked, I could get for free at Crochetme so what's the point of owning a book of patterns you'll never do.

So I went back to Barnes and Noble and bought this book:

It's full to the brim with great new stitches, really handy techniques and amazing projects. I have loved every minute of working with this book. The patterns are super easy to work and they, from my experience thus far, have had no problems.

The other thing that I love about this book, is how beautiful the pictures are. I just love looking through it at all the pretty projects and stitch swatches.

I'll be honest, I bought the book for the Alpine Cable hat. I've seen it on Ravelry, but I could never get the pattern because it was in this book. But the pictures online were so beautiful and I have always wanted to work it. Plus Lisa Naskrent and Crochet Garden always have the most unique patterns that are I am always drooling over. (Too bad Whole Foods doesn't pay me enough to buy all the patterns I want...)

Well I did and I am soooo happy to announce that this is a GREAT pattern. Its GORGEOUS, its new and its different. I'll put up pictures when I'm not in the middle of Eastern Idaho without my camera.

I'll also post pictures of the Slip Ring Aran pillow. Another great pattern. Its uses the front post double crochet and a popcorn stitch, with a worsted weight yarn so its a thick, with great texture. I'll put up some pictures of that too.

Anyway, I'm going to post more, I have A LOT more yarn and a lot more ideas for projects. Plus, I'm not enjoying salt lake so maybe if I lock myself in a room full to the windows with yarn I'll be happier.

Keep on hookin!

photo from DRG Publishing and BarnesandNoble.com

New Crochet Book!

So I got this new book... and I think I like it. Kinda...

I really love some of the projects, and can't wait to get my hooks in them! For instance, I'm really excited for the Berry Baby hat and booties, by Chloe Nightingale. It looks like a really simple hat, almost exactly like her Secret Method hat. So I'm not quite sure why I bought the book, if I could get the pattern for free. But that's besides the point.

I'm also excited for the mitt by Kathryn Merrick. They look really easy, and I love that she's included instructions for bigger and smaller mittens.

I also can't wait to try the Ravissant Socks pattern by Robyn Cachula. They look easy and not too thick. Crochet socks often times become crochet slippers because we just make thicker stitches than knitters.

But there are somethings in this book, that although some might love them, I would never make. While I understand that every book can't be made for me, its a little frustrating that after spending $20 on a book, and thinking that all these patterns would be so much fun to make, getting home and realizing that I can't really make all of these patterns (either because I don't like them, or because they're actually meant for pregnant women, not me...).

I guess I should have read these patterns better, before I bought it.

Still though, I'm happy with the book. I love interweave's products and I know that the patterns are well written (not confusing and missing instructions... which is just frustrating and makes me REALLY angry).

I suggest looking into the book though. Its really great, and it supports your fellow crocheters.

Keep on hookin!

photo from interweavestore.com

A new blog to look at

So while I was goofing around on ravelry, I found a woman who makes the cutest stuffed animals. And now I have to share her site.

The Roman Sock is one of those blogs that you fall in love with the minute you start reading. But to add to it all she has the CUTEST squirrel ever.

I mean look at this thing! I just want to make it. But she hasn't put up the link but she did but up a how-to on brush crochet that is a must read. It will make your furry stuffed animals look fluffy and sweet.

Anyway, that's really all I wanted to write about.

Happy hookin!

photo from the Roman Sock

Moorish Mosaic Pillow

So, way back in October I said that I was going to work on the Moorish Mosaic Afghan from Interweave Crochet.

Well, true to my word, I got bored. And I stopped working on the blanket. But I did have a lot of motifs and I really didn't know what to do with them. Well then I took a look around my living room and I saw my ugly, red, Ikea pillows and then BAM! I knew what to do.

Thus: The Moorish Mosaic Pillow! I ADORE this pillow. Its pleasantly hippie but not overwhelming and its so nice to put my head on.

When I was a little girl, my mom had these amazing pillows that one of her relatives

before my time. I can't remember if it was my great aunt or my grandma but either way, the woman who made these pillows had skills. They were grannie squares, surrounded by black and then sewn together with a buttery soft black fabric on the back. I spent hours running my hands over these squares and fell asleep with my head resting on the work of my fore-mothers.

I want this pillow and the 2nd one that I intend on finishing, to pass down through my (future) girls and their daughters and beyond.

And that why I love yarn and doing what I do.

Wishlist Number 2

Oh how I enjoyed working with you Cascade 128. I used the Cedar and the Turtle. Mmmm.

So I told you guys that I would do a Two Buck Chuck Wishlist. Yeah. I suck. Its been awhile, and now its not in time for Christmas. But its here!

1. Vanna's Choice: So I've gone on at length on the wonders of Vanna's Choice. If you're gonna go cheap that this should be your choice. The colors are vibrant, the yarn is soft and easy to work with. Unlike other acrylic yarns, this one doesn't hurt my fingers when I use it at length. It doesn't itch and it doesn't feel cheap at all. This is the best of the best cheap yarn. In my humble opinion.

2. Sugar and Cream Cotton: So if you're looking for the best yarn for purses, wash clothes, towels and any other creations that needs a lot of sturdy yarn that's still easy to work with and isn't too stiff, this is your yarn! Sugar and Cream was my first yarn. I used a ton of it when my mom was just starting to teach me to crochet. Its great for beginners because you can see your stitches clearly and it holds up and to lots of frogging.

3. Patons: is lovely. Just lovely. My favorite is the Classic Wool. This yarn feels good and its felts really easily. There are some wools that take a few washings to felt up well, but in my experience with Patons, its felts easily. One wash and I have a felted stuffed animal. Which is great when you make a ton of animals and you don't have a lot of time for multiple washings. Its also sturdy. A kid can grab on the leg of your stuffed chicken and yank forever and Patons will stand up to it all, which is a good feeling when you're selling a lot of chickens.

4. Impeccable: This is a good all around yarn. Loops and Threads makes softer yarn, but the Impeccable yarn is great for household goods. Its heavy and thick and so its sturdy. I use it for kids toys because it's washable and durable and drool proof.

5. Knit Picks: So I love Knit Picks (I have some issues with them that I'll rant about later). Its a great site and their Wool of the Andes is by far the most affordable yarn on the site. Its great, if a little rough, but it works up really nice and its felts easily. Word of warning, they don't have a whole slew of colors at Knit Picks. You really have to settle sometimes, for a color that you don't actually want. But you're paying a really good price for high quality yarns, so you deal.

So that's my top 5 best affordable yarns. I hope you all had a great Holiday and that your 2010 is better than 2009. May all your yarn dreams come true!

Photo Credits: yarn.com, Lionbrand.com, Sugarncream.com, patonsyarns.com, michaels.com, knitpicks.com