Second-Hand Store Find

I just picked this up the other day with the purpose of taking it apart and using the yarn.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was done holding 2 strands together, so I'll have even more yarn than I originally thought!

Now to decide what to make...

Turning your work

Which way do you turn your work?

According to Lion Brand, this is the correct way.

Source

 

 

 

 

 

So I'm curious how many of us do it the 'correct' way and how many do it the 'incorrect' way.

Replacement Blankie

A friend recently contacted me with a desperate plea to crochet her son a replacement blanket. His had been so well-loved that it was literally tied in a knot just to hold it together so that he could continue to snuggle and smell his blanket.

We figured that if he could choose the colors, the transition from old to new would go more smoothly for him. I also hoped to find a pattern that would be similar to the first.

He chose his colors, and I chose some potential patterns. As it turned out, it was all very different from his original, but we still had high hopes that he would be pleased. We also knew that, as it had happened with an older sibling, the acceptance of a replacement would be a long process.

The final product with his choices of red, orange, and blue I Love This Yarn:

Yep, it's just as bright as it looks! What fun when kiddos choose something I never would have thought to put together!

The verdict:
"[His] blanket is awesome!!  Apparently he didn't need any time to get used to it either, he has been carrying it around and was excited to take it to bed with him.  He also wants me to watch it when he isn't able to because he doesn't want anything to happen to it or for [little brother] to drool on it.   "

Haha!!! Music to a crafter's ears.

Hearts Doily

This was a fun and quick doily project for my sister's birthday.

Unfortunately, the picture doesn't do it justice. It's a beautiful bright red. The pattern was found here.

Lovable Owl

Wow--I'm finding lots of projects that were overlooked when I was too busy to post (though obviously not too busy to crochet...hmmm, how does that work? ...one apparently always takes a priority.).

This was a February Mystery Crochet Along at Crochet Spot. It was fascinating to pick out colors and start to crochet parts not knowing how they'd be put together. =) But he turned out to be so fun!

Oh, how I loathe the stitching of everything together at the end!!! Still, I'm glad he's all finished up.

Spring into Summer CAL-Aloha Flower Anklet

I first tried this with medium yarn, as suggested. It was just too bulky for my liking.

The second attempt was done with thread and an additional flower to keep it an odd number (like floral arranging!). I was so pleased with how the variegated thread lined the colors up so well!

...nice tan line... =P

Spring into Summer CAL-Water Bottle Holder

This was a fun project, and super useful, too!

This fits standard water bottles, and even worked for my larger one. It's handy to have a way to throw your water bottle over your shoulder when you don't want to hang onto it all summer long.

Spring into Summer CAL-Dishcloth

This pattern is called Absolutely Fast Dishcloth. It was certainly a quick project, but it wasn't 'absolutely fast' for me. Unfortunately, I'm kind of particular about my dishcloths. Am I the only one?

In fact, the term 'dishcloth' vs. 'washcloth' is an important distinction for me. Wow. What a freak, I know.

Regardless, there are certain 'cloths' that I will use for washing dishes and others that I'll use for wiping down counters or tables. What I use for washing dishes needs to be of medium size with fairly tight stitching.

This pattern looked to fit the medium requirement, but the stitches were obviously pretty loose. Treble crochet was used to make it 'Absolutely Fast.' It makes sense!

However, to fit my tight-stitch preference for washing dishes, I opted for a much smaller hook. It slightly changed the speed at which it came together and the look of the final product, but once I start using it at the sink, it will never look the same again anyway! =D