Crocheted Baby Turban

I LOVE this little hat! It took a day to make, and it looks ridiculously cute.

See? Ridiculous.

The pattern is free, and easy. Just how I like 'em. :)

Sadly, this little lady has moved on from her amazing hat, and my attempt at a second seemed to produce more of a doll-sized one - it is unlikely to fit many human babies...
I am determined to upsize this, and make enough to last her until she no longer let's me dress her (Please let that be at least a couple more years!!).
XO

Granny Squares

After a couple of squares, years apart; the odd start, stop, and unravel; and a final pull toward just starting something (anything!) creative, I finally put hook to yarn and started making granny squares.

Initially, my intent was partially unknown - meaning would I just keep making more and more, until I had sufficient numbers for a blanket? But no. These lovelies want to be a cushion, so a cushion they will be.

It took about 3 squares before I could stop referring to how-to's, and now it's smooth sailing. The best bit? A cushion is super quick! I've only about 6 more squares to do, and then it's just joining them together. Yay! For once, I'm not going for the huge lifer of a project.

XO

*The pattern I'm using is from Mollie Makes Magazine, Issue #13

Crocheted Baby Blanket - A year in the making

Aha! Finished and it isn't even his first birthday yet. That's less than a year to crochet a blanket - believe me, this is amazing for me.

I started knitting this blanket during the week my son was too cosy to brace us with his presence and decided, as his brother before him, that he would take an extra week of belly livin'. The project was ignored for a while after that, as many were, until I finally picked it up again, took it all out and decided to crochet instead as I thought I would be "quicker" at crochet. HA! Well at least I finished it. I think I'll hit up some very satisfying quick and easy projects for a bit now and give myself a break from the major commitments...

Here's the only pic I could manage of my little freedom loving babe with his new blanket.

The specs:
Yarn:
Cloud Cotton Eco
Colour Code: 106, 115, 117 (Don't know which is which, but the colours are a cream, a light brown, and a light green).
Hook:
I/9-5.50mm
Pattern:
Chain 108
*(Light Brown, 6 rows, DC. Green, 6 rows, DC)
*Repeat this sequence 3 more times
Light Brown, 6 rows, DC
Border:
One row single crochet - Cream
One row double crochet - Cream
One row single crochet - Brown
Size:
Approximately 29" x 36"

A few awesome ideas for crocheted baby blankets just popped up over at Fun Fabrication!

Crafty Lisbon

Browsing Lisbon for fabric was a fun adventure despite not really buying any.
I came across a few good shops, and had I not needed to be so discerning due to lack of space I probably would have left Portugal with more.

I didn't actually find any material that was so unique that I had to have it. Speaking with a gentleman at one of the shops, he told me that I wouldn't find any "Portugese" fabric per se, as it was only produced for clothes manufacturing. Likewise, when it comes to yarn there were a few Portugese spun yarns available, but all the wool is coming from elsewhere - mainly New Zealand.

My favourite shop was called Retrosaria - Rosa Pomar, found at Rua Do Loreto, 61 on the 2nd floor(the main floor counts as "0"). (If you happen to arrive there with your baby fast asleep in the stroller just head next door for a 'pasteis de nata' and a drink until he wakes up!).
This shop is just getting in to producing their own yarn and sells a wool they have spun from Portugese sheep - though it is quite a harsh wool. I was told they are working on another, spun from a Southern breed which is much softer.
They sell some great designer fabrics, of which I bought a small bundle of scraps. Unfortunately, I am in love with one of the fabrics in the bundle, but no one knew the designer, or name. Bummer... Maybe, I should post a pic and someone may know?...
The shop also sells a ton of Japanese pattern books for crochet, knitting, and sewing. They were tough to resist- so much so, that I bought one. Shhh, don't tell my hubby. Could there be a worse thing than books to buy when all you have is a backpack?? I suppose yes, maybe a lamp... I know because I wanted one when we were in Egypt but I suppose it made sense that I couldn't buy that one.



I also picked up a few Portugese knitting pins (Aha! something local!). They explained to me that they are the alternative to draping the yarn behind your neck while knitting, which I also was not familiar with. Now, I'll give both techniques a try and see where I'm at. Maybe, it'll all of a sudden make me a crazy, super fast knitter!! Ahhh, dreams...
A woman, who I believe may have been Rosa herself, warned me to use the pins while wearing a shawl or sweater - just something that it will easily pin to - as otherwise you will be left with a hole in your top.



Despite the lack of "local" fabrics, I did pick up a couple of "Portugal" tea towels from a tourist shop for 1 Euro each to use in sewing projects. I have also seen some great tablecloths that I would love to sew with at only 5 Euro a piece. Maybe. before I leave Portugal I should grab one of them too...
No matter what I do buy on a trip, I pretty much always end up kicking myself for what I didn't buy.

A few other shops:

Rua Da Conceicao in the Baixa Ciado area, had several "haberdashery" shops, of which I learned are shops selling pretty much all crafty bits - buttons, ribbons, knitting spools, embroidery floss, yarn, needles etc. Some specific ones I checked out were at #91, 93, 95, 115, and 121.



Rua De Aurea also in the Baixa Ciado area, had a very large multi-level fabric shop called Feira Dos Tecidos. Just down from that one was a 2 level fabric shop called Retrosaria (as so many are), with a nice selection (especially on the lower level).

A small fabric shop is located on the corner at Rua Dos Fanqueiros, 69.

Thrifted Find Needs TLC

I found this awesome crocheted lap blanket at the thrift shop last week for 3 bucks!
The only problem is, it has a serious need for TLC and I'm not quite sure how to give it...
There are a few squares that have unravelled or torn, and the loose ends clipped.







Any links or thoughts anyone can share that may lead to the repair of this blanket would be greatly appreciated.



In the meantime, I'm on a yarn mission to work on this project. This is very likely one of those things that will sit on a project pile for many moons before it receives attention. Hopefully, one day not too far from this one I can show you how I mended it!

Handmades

How lucky are my babes to have a Granny who knits and a Grandma who crochets!

These BEE-OOTIFUL handmades were gifted in preparation for our new little spud, so the brothers can be all matchy-matchy.
Love it!

Knit Pullovers





Crocheted Hooded Cardi's





Can't wait to see them both looking so sweet in these awesome sweaters. Thank you so much!! xo

FINALLY!!

I can't believe it! My afghan is FINALLY finished!!! I think I'll have a glass of champagne to celebrate -oops, not quite yet! Maybe a glass of sparkling pomegranate juice instead. ;) But really that was just shy of a year in total. You can see it in progress here and here. It has been epic, and I am VERY pleased to strike this one off my list!




I used the free Stripes! Blanket pattern from Lion Brand.
I made a few small changes to my blanket, one of them being that I used five colours intead of twelve.
I used Vanna's Choice yarn as they use in this pattern, but the colours in mine are:
Mustard, Olive, Terracotta, Colonial Blue, and Chocolate - in that order.

As in the pattern, using double crochet, I changed colours every two rows. The colour sequence was worked through a total of ten times, ending with an additional two rows of the yellow (which I started with as well) for a total of 102 rows (as opposed to 96). The length is just perfect for getting cosy on the couch with. The entire blanket was bordered in five rows of single crochet with the Chocolate.
I am oh so happy with it, and am now wondering what oh what will I fill my beautiful basket with now??

In The Works

I'm working my way through THE list. I have no illusions of completing said list, but I sure do like having one to remind me of all the things I would love to do. Besides, it sure does feel good when something is checked off!

I've completed the book sling - #16 of my goals.

I have a nightly routine of weaving the ends in to my epic blanket (#15) note to self: (Everyone else is probably smart enough to know this already!) weave in ends AS YOU GO!! Man it sucks, but I will not be deterred. A couple finished ends each evening and then one night, suddenly, it will all be complete.

I have finished one of the two pairs of pants (#5) for my little boys - to be revealed when the pair can share the limelight.

AND...

I'm actually learning how to knit socks (#23). I have signed up for a three week course at my local yarn store which I started last night. All seemed to be going well, until I realized just moments ago that I have several more stitches kicking around on my needles than I started with - I really have no idea what to do with that, and I just can't see where it all went wrong. As it was fairly daunting to get into a rhythm I am very, very afraid to take it apart, but I suppose I may have to.



How are your New Year's Resolutions working out for ya?

My Crafty Goals

2010 was a good year for accomplishing my creative goals, and I think I have to thank blogging for that. I have been so inspired and encouraged by reading the blogs of others and by the great feedback and encouragement I have received through my own blog, so thank you SO, SO much to ANYONE who has read and responded to this little space of mine, and to all those people who take the time to share their own creative ventures and daily escapades. It is a pleasure to share and be shared with.

My goals have a tendency to be scattered on small scraps of paper throughout my life- my purse, my bedside table, my sewing table, the car, the kitchen, etc. It gets a little crazy, so thanks to the blog Make Something and "My Crafty List of Things To Do" I was inspired to compile a list of my own creative goals early this past year, which tend to be extensive.

I was encouraged and motivated by my list and kept it posted in my sewing room at all times. In 2010 I learned to knit, re-learned to crochet (after a brief, half-assed run at the age of 8), definitely improved in the sewing department (there's still a long way to go!), learned to use my serger, made lounge pants for my boy out of second-hand t-shirts using this tutorial, made this car cozy, created a toy strap, a birthday banner, and a rag bag, among a whole pile of other creative goals.
It was a pretty productive year I'd say, and I'm looking forward to an even more productive 2011.

I thought I would share my list for the coming year with you, maybe to inspire you to create your own, and definitely to keep my ideas in one place where I know it will always be when I want it.
And so, my personal list of crafty plans for 2011:

1. Sew a cover for my sewing machine
2. Crochet a rag rug
3. Make a twin bed quilt for a very special 2nd Birthday
4. Sew the "Four Corners Nursing Top" from Anna Maria Horner's Handmade Beginnings. Here is an interview with Anna Maria about the book on Purlbee.com. You can see a photo of the blouse about 4 pics down. DONE!
5. Sew a pair of "Quick Change Trousers" for both my baby boy, and my baby-boy-to-be. These are also found in Handmade Beginnings. I've shown a picture of the trousers in her book on one of my past posts. DONE!
6. Knit a blanket for our little one on the way (I was given some super soft, awesome cotton yarn for Christmas from my man that requires my attention VERY soon!). DONE? (Crochet instead)
7. Re-visit my childhood with a little corking project (also known as spool-knitting)
8. Sew an Ironing board cover. DONE!
9. Sew a picnic blanket similar to one of these.
10. Sew a men's Tie
11. Sew a Travel Laundry bag - A small goal, and yet one I have put off for ages! I meant to have one for our trip to Italy, so for sure this year we will travel with a hand sewn laundry bag (as opposed to stuffing dirty laundry in every small pocket of our backpacks).
12. Make pajama pants for myself. DONE!
13. Make the patchwork denim quilt that has been on my mind for years, and has had me moving 2 full totes of old jeans and denim material from place to place to place to place....
14. Compile and create the perfect travel sewing kit
15. Finish my crocheted blanket that is now on it's way to being in it's tenth month of production. DONE!
16. Create this hanging book display for a kids reading corner in the house - DONE!
17. Make a set of coasters for our family room (Be them knit, crocheted, or sewn, they gotta be soft!)
18. Design a cross-stitch pattern
19. Make Homemade lip balm - I've found some fabulous instruction on the process with this article.
20. Make a cork board out of the insane collection of wine corks I have saved. Here are a few images similar to what I'm thinking of.
21. Make a birthday crown for Levi. Here Soulemama talks about her family's love of the birthday crown and shows a few pics.
22. Create a pinch pouch
23. Knit a pair of socks

This list may be a little aggressive, but that's okay by me. If I accomplish even a few of these I will be as happy as a pig in... well, you get the idea. Accomplishment breeds accomplishment. Just start with one small project, actually finish it, and that toasty warm feeling that can only come from producing something with your own two hands will motivate you to start another, and then WHO KNOWS where your creativity may take you!! I'm hoping it takes me a pretty good distance through this list!
Happy Making :)

A Work In Progress...

I ambitiously decided (3 months ago) my first crochet project should be a blanket. It isn't a difficult task, but it is a lengthy one which can be taxing as a beginner. I figured that it would take long enough that I would have the opportunity to make MANY mistakes and feel confident enough to tackle anything once I had finally finished. I really wanted to make something that I would use regularly, and see all the time. An afghan I can cozy up with on the couch seemed like the perfect project. I originally planned to make a granny square blanket, but the colours of yarn I had chosen were begging to be stripes.



This project is a commitment for sure. It will likely still be in the works a year from now. Every now and then when the mood strikes me, or the moment finds me I pick it up and work in another couple of stitches. I love holding it away from myself a little and checking out my progress. There is nothing more satisfying than creating something useful. 75 rows to go!


(*This is the pattern I am using. I have chosen only 5 colours, with a total of 95 rows. )