Monday, May 26, 2014

Crochet granny square bag done

Finished my bag inspired by the green dragonfly blog. So pleased with it but the colors (balls from my stash yarn) are not my total favourite but I do like it A LOT. There was much weaving in of ends. The joining wasn't too arduous. Made the shoulder strap thicker than the pattern. I will report back with comments since this is now going to become my "go to" everyday bag.

Once I loaded it up the seams starting coming apart. Spent another two evening sofa sessions undoing all the sewing and joining squares by crocheting them together. Solved! Still look like LSU colors but I am enjoying showing it off. Already have my eye on a pattern for a crochet bag for the fall / autumn.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Crochet hat

Found this wonderful cotton crochet sun hat in TKMaxx for a bargain $10. Just couldn't resist it and thinking I may have to make a few.

3/4 done: granny squares for bag

Only two and a half squares off, ends to weave in and strap to make for my glorious crochet granny square bag. Didn't realise its going to look like I went to LSU (one of my girl scout students pointed this out to me). I'm having to be super disciplined to stick to this project since I want to move onto the next one, or two or three! Keep spotting so many lovely inspirational things on highly distracting Twitter and Facebook.

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Suitable granny squares

I'm a little lazy about some things, mainly related to finishing: blocking and lining. I plan to make a bag of granny squares using some sale stash yarn in pleasing colors using a pattern from The Green Dragonfly Blog (thegreendragonfly.wordpress.com). I don't want to have to line this bag so I need a square with hardly any gaps. Have been working on this a couple of days but I think I may be there.


Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Look what just arrived in the mail

I love knitpicks Such gorgeous patterns and their yarn is wonderfully good value too! Now I must get on with my day job before I lose myself in this!

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

The baby afghan is growing

Love making this. It's getting so big so fast. Have recommended to two of my students already. Need to invest in some bigger hooks!

My cousin is having a baby

So I just had to leave off the teacher market bags (only one out of six left to do) and started on a granny square crochet baby blanket. Found two large balls of white identical acryllic yarn in my stash. Using my largest hook 8mm and doubling it up. Its already sizable. I'll pop a single crochet edging in a color around it to finish off.

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Vogue Knitting Crochet

It is hard for me to resist buying crochet magazines. There is SO much great free stuff available online that it makes me feel rather guilty but there were several gorgeous patterns in here to justify its purchase. The cover picture alone with coral-like crochet formations is just SO visually appealing. Kaffe Fassett, incredibly talented with color, has designed a granny afghan (a major weakness of mine). It also contains a stunning horizontally striped cap sleeved top with wedges which I have had on my project list, pinned on my Pinterest crochet board, for soooo long. And finally an article on edgings ideal for two planned projects -  bottom hemlines on a plain white a line linen skirt and a dress I love but is just an inch too short. 



Informal kids party teach

I have taken to popping a beginners kit in my bag wherever I go (6mm hook and ball of knitpicks comfy worsted in a light color). My friend hasn't crocheted for ten years but she is hooked again and is planning a portable project of an afghan throw in squares.

15 hours teaching DONE

This Friday I hit my 15 hour teaching requirement for the crochet 1 certificate teaching my local yarn store assistant how to make a market bag and a session with seven girl scout juniors which included a dad and a mom who had crocheted years before. Yay! I did it. 15 hours is quite some time.

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Market bags

Making these as teacher gifts with Lily Sugar 'n Cream using the pattern from knotyournanascrochet.com Have modified the pattern a little to make them slightly smaller starting with 10 dc in a magic ring and giving them a longer strap to go across the shoulder. I do so want to crochet one for myself but it will have to wait until I have done all the gift ones and before then another pattern will inspire me I bet!


Magazines

Delighted that Mollie Makes now publishes a US edition. Have subscribed for a print copy for one year this week. I also subscribe to Simply Crochet, a UK magazine, as an overseas reader.  My favorite crochet guru Lucy from Attic 24 writes a monthly article in the latter.


Crafting on the coach

Field day to Austin State Capitol. I continue to work on my crochet market bags for teacher gifts. My daughter's classmate borrows some yarn and shows me how to finger knit. Then I teach her to crochet and she teaches my daughter to finger knit. She says this was the best bit of the field trip and she doesn't want the coach journey to end. Sweet!