Basic Borders: Tiny Waves

This is another baby/lap blanket I completed a couple of weeks ago (I’m on a roll with these). I decided to create my own basic trim. I call it “tiny waves.” This trim is great to use with medium to worsted yarn, and is very easy to make. Here are the stitches: slip st in any st, sc in same st, *[hdc, dc in next st], sc in next st; rep from * around, join with slip st. Sue

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Basic Borders

I hope everyone had a happy and most importantly relaxing Mother’s Day. I wasn’t able to see my mom for this holiday (she lives up north) but I’ll be visiting her for Memorial Day (yay!). Anyhow this past week, I spent the afternoons working on a baby/ lap blanket. I’ve come to the conclusion that in order for my blankets to be officially coined as “finished” they must have a border. Without one, they seem so sad (at least in my eyes).

I’m not the kind that likes over-the-top frilly borders, but a basic one can really make any granny square blanket pop!

I’ve been getting ideas from Crochet Borders; it’s a great resource for all different kinds of crochet trims. This simple one is called border #104; it just uses alternating double and treble crochet stitches, simple and pretty! Talk Soon, Sue

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In Honor

March got me inspired to crochet a new blanket (did you know March is national crochet month? I was clueless until about 2 weeks ago!). My last big crochet project I completed right before the new year, so I thought it was high time to start a new one.

This is my 1st completed granny square blanket. I had originally wanted to make it a bedspread but I got lazy and decided a lap blanket would do just fine.

It’s made up of 132 squares. After finishing its border, I learned not to use gray again because I felt that it dulled the rest of the color scheme.

My “Crush” lunchbox was the springboard of the color scheme for my 2nd blanket. The yarn colors I found at Michaels were half off which was an added bonus. They’re a mix of frosty aquas, yellows, and beiges.

I started the blanket last Saturday and finished it this Friday. It’s 35″ x 35″, so it’s more of a baby blanket . . . cute. Sue

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Finishing What I Started: Granny Square Blanket

Rummaging through my closet, I came across my collection of granny squares I had crocheted a couple of years back (over 200 to be exact!). Creating these squares really made me fall in love with crochet, so I thought it was high time to start seaming them together. As I seam the squares, I’m not quite sure why I chose gray as part of the color scheme. Since it was truly my first expedition into the granny square world, I’ll chalk it up to inexperience. ;-P

Surprisingly, seaming up the squares has been quite fast. It’s going to make a great lap blanket; can’t wait. Oh, are you ready for Thanksgiving? I’m excited about getting together with the family! Talk soo! Sue

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Friday’s WIP Wrap-up

Today I woke up super early to tackle my 1st dressing-making project. After much prepping with the pattern, to my dismay, I didn’t have enough fabric for all my pieces (ahhh!). After getting over my disappointment, I focused my energy on working on my friend’s baby shower gifts.

Here’s a peek at my burp cloths. I added some embroidery to jazz it up a bit.

And here’s the update on my crocheted teddy bear. As you can see the body parts have been joined (except the legs – I ran out of yarn – yikes!). I’m still debating the bear’s nose; not sure if I’ll keep the felt nose or embroider it (any feedback??).

I thought it would be nice to monogram the A onto the teddy’s shirt. Hopefully my friend will like it too.
Well that’s about it for now! I’ll be back this Sunday with a new embroidery lesson! Talk soon, Sue

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Vintage Craft Progress

Part of my end-of-June projects was to create another vintage craft*. I decided to use a 1970’s pattern from the McCall’s Crochet magazine series (Book 4).

I chose to crochet the panda bear and thought what a cute gift it would be for my friend’s upcoming baby shower. 

After finding out the color scheme of the baby’s room, I decided to use almond, cream, and honey dew-colored yarn instead of black and white. I’m still following the exact pattern, but  I decided to have the bear wear a shirt. The pics above show the body parts I’ve completed so far(JIC – head, torso, arms, and ears!). I’ll have more pics of my vintage-style bear later this week! Sue

*If you interested in knowing more about the Vintage Craft Challenge, click on the button in my side bar! 

 

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Vintage Craft Challenge

For the last two days, I’ve been fervently working on finishing up this vintage bunny pattern that is near and dear to my heart (read about it here). I was inspired to create the bunny thanks to Danielle Thompson’s Vintage Craft challenge.

When I began the task of recreating this bunny there was one bitty problem – the instructions are for knitting and, well, I’m not too keen on knitting. Not that I don’t know how to knit because I taught myself awhile back, but I just never got used to the knitting needles (my hands always felt awkward).
At first I was bit discouraged but decided then and there that I would translate the pattern into crochet stitches.

Easier said than done because I had never done such a thing before. After using my bf’s bunny as a model and many stumbles and fumbles, I finally got the hang of it.

I’m happy with the outcome. Even though my bunny isn’t the spitting image of its original, I think it captures that vintage feel. I still have one gnawing question – since I didn’t go by the actual vintage pattern, can my bunny still be considered vintage craft? Hhhhmmmmm . . . Sue

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Shop Update: Cute New Change Purses

I’ve got a new lot of bow crochet purses at my shop! Stop by when you have a chance! Sue

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This Sunday . . .

was kind of doing much of nothing. Seems like I’ve lost some steam with my craft endeavors. My pouches are coming along (slower than expected to my dismay). For some reason I’m feeling unmotivated, but this sometimes happens to me from time to time.

I’ve dropped crochet today, and I’m picking up baking. I have this monkey bread recipe that I want to try. I’ll let you know how that turns out! Sue

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Project Roundup!

This weekend was the first weekend that I was actually able to work in my sewing room. Since the move, I’ve been on pause for many projects. The first on my list is working on my coffee cozys. I’m aiming to make at least about twenty (yikes!) – the bands are the most tiresome to crochet, but once they’re done it’s pretty much smooth sailing. Once I’ve scratched my coffee cozys off my to-do list, I’ll be crocheting more of my pretty pouches. I’m aiming for about 12-15. And then I’ll be taking out the big guns and whipping up some rag dolls (as many as I can humanly make!). You may be wondering why I’m going so crazy and it’s simply because there are several craft shows that I’m hoping to be in and a well-stocked inventory is key! Are you prepping for any future shows? If so I’d love to hear some tips on selling at craft shows. Sue

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