Tuesday, November 11, 2008
A New Baby (Pick Up Your Chins, Not for Me)!!!
Belle needs more diapers as well so I've decided to buy the Darling Diapers Unlimited pattern. With it you can make fitteds, AIOs, covers, and pockets which is just what I need since I'd like to make a mix of all of those for Belle and new friend baby. It is only 14.50 and comes in PDF form that you get as soon as payment is complete (pay through Paypal or money order) which means that you can print it off again and again. I've wanted to try this pattern for years now so I guess this is the time to do it! The multiple patterns, ease of getting the pattern, and the email support are what made me decide on this pattern over Very Baby. Not to mention the numerous recommendations for this pattern.
As it so happens, Joann's is having a sale right now on fleece, flannel, and terry cloth. I'll get the elastic from a local fabric store (the fabric there is too expensive for me but the thread and elastic are just right) and I've got enough Touchtape for now. I'd like to buy a snap machine eventually but for now, it is Touchtape all the way. The DD pattern works with Touchtape or snaps so that's great (and another reason that I voted for it over the Fattycakes pattern that I'd like to try but that requires the use of snaps).
Because we don't have a washer/dryer in our apartment I'm going to make more diapers than I normally would for Belle. I'm thinking that I will be able to wash once a week (I'm underestimating just in case) so that will take about 40 diapers. I won't be able to make all of those right now but I'll just chip away at the number. I'll be making mostly AIOs but I'll make a few fitteds, covers, and pockets as well. In fact, it may be better to make pockets because of the washer/dryer situation.
As for what I plan to make for Friend's Baby Bean here's a list in progress (she has a washer/dryer):
- 10 newborn AIOs
- 3 newborn pockets
- 6 newborn fitteds
- 3 newborn covers
- 1 crocheted soaker
- 1 crocheted longie
- 1 newborn baby sweater
- 1 sewn baby blanket
- 1 crocheted baby blanket
- 5 big burp cloths
- 2 pairs of baby mitts (haven't decided between crocheted or sewn)
- 5 newborn hats
- 1 baby toy
- 1 diaper bag
- 1 wet bag for home (I think it is called a wet bag, it is just a bag that you put the dirty diapers in)
- 1 wet bag for the diaper bag
- 2 pairs of breast pads
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Drafting the Pattern
I'm going to try something new with the diaper. One of the mamas who is in a birth club group with me made a fabulous diaper for her baby. She made these velcro tabs that are backed by fabric and it looks really cool with the end effect being that you don't see the front velcro when the diaper is fully closed. I'm going to try that on this diaper because it looks so cool!
I finally found my camera so I'll update with pictures when I'm done.
Monday, October 6, 2008
A Beautiful Holiday Dress
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Bags
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Backed Up
I've been so completely stressed out between work and bills lately that I haven't had much time to crochet. My charger also broke so I'm only able to use my computer when I can borrow Husband's charger which isn't often. So tonight I pulled up Ravelry to add my "new" project of my mitts and saw all of my uncompleted projects. Not great. So I'm going to work on getting at least a couple of them completed in the next week or so. I have way too many projects that I need to get done for the upcoming holidays/birthdays so I need to get my butt in gear. The end of September is looming and quite a few of these projects were September CALs so...
Hmm... Maybe less typing and more crocheting!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Just a quick update...
I bought four pairs of knitting needles (7, 8, 9, 10) last night. I spent a little bit trying out a knit/purl combo and then started thinking about returning the needles and getting more yarn with which to crochet. I probably will just keep the needles but wait on learning to knit. Many of the patterns that I like require smaller needles/cable needles/circular needles. Plus, I have so many items on my "to crochet" list. One of the things that makes me want to knit is my husband's frequent chant about how there are "holes" in my crochet. Not very nice, certainly. But when I make him things I'd like to keep in mind that he doesn't like the "holes" and knit him something instead. So I'll keep the needles and get some more on my next payday so I can work on that. Plus there are some patterns I've loved forever and wanted to try out.
I have the Amy Butler baby pattern book: Little Stitches for Little Ones and I love some of the patterns in it. Right now I'm in a crochet groove (as proved by the putting down of the needles when I've yearned to knit a sweater for years) but I'll get back to it.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
I'll Be Gone for a Bit...
I'm just a little away from finishing my round ripple for Baby Girl.
And I might be out of the internet world for a few weeks so I'll likely be updating again sometime in late September but definitely by October!
Bye!
Friday, September 5, 2008
Too Many Projects, Not Enough Hands
Longing for Uniqueness but Laziness Dictates Otherwise
That won't keep me from visiting the hand painted yarn pages and sighing though!
Some Pictures
This is the Swish Superwash that I bought from Knitpicks. It is the Merlot Heather colorway.
Shine Worsted in the Hollyberry colorway.
Shine worsted in the Terra Cotta colorway.
Caron Simply Soft Brites, Berry Blue.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Baby Hat #2
I've made a second hat for my local hospital. Another boy hat, same pattern as the first. I'm making my youngest a winter hat now with the same yarn that I used to make the charity hats.
By the way, I found my old phone that has the camera in it. No sign of the camera cord for my old camera nor my new camera. I have my new camera's cord and my old camera but they aren't compatible. But any camera is better than no camera!
Baby Boy Hat #1 for Charity
I bought four skeins of yarn to make some charity baby stuff. So far I've made one baby hat for a boy. I bought two rose colored skeins and two blue skeins. I'm doing the boy hats first. As a mama of boys I know that boys frequently get the short end of the stick. When people donate/buy things they like to buy for girls. I guess maybe because most people giving are women and they think about when they were a little girl and then they buy stuff for girls. Even the stores are biased, most having girl sections at least twice as big as the sections for boys.
So, I'll probably end up donating more hats for boys than for girls. I'm thinking that I'll probably donate the hats to a local hospital. I don't see paying for shipping on these hats when I could spend the money I'd spend on shipping on more yarn to make more hats!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Sedona Skirt a.k.a. Autumn Harvest Skirt
And if you don't know how to do a foundation row, here's an excellent video on it.
YouTube - Chainless Foundation Single Crochet
Chainless Foundation Single Crochet
Got My Yarn! No Thanks to the Post Office
The post office and I have a love/hate relationship in that I hate them and they love to take my money. I usually avoid them when I can but there wasn't an option for another way of shipping through KnitPicks. Ever naive, I was hopeful. Surely 8 skeins of yarn could fit nicely in my itty bitty mailbox. After all, I've avoided picking up my mail for weeks at a time which only resulted in my Mary Poppins mailbox being stuffed to the gills (and a couple times, my mail was held, but that was after about 3 or 4 weeks of not picking up the mail AND getting a couple catalogs). Still, I picked up my mail every day (unheard of!) to keep my mailbox nice and empty for the mailman. I napped in the living room instead of my bedroom lest I miss his knock.
He never knocked. I received a notice dated two days prior that my "overflow mail" was at the post office. I'd checked my mailbox that day, it was completely empty.
So today I ventured out, it being the first day since the notice that the post office was open again. I put on a brave face and walked to the post office, though I did stick a book in my purse for the long wait. At the office I smugly strode past the line of customers and rang the pick up door's bell. No one answered. For almost an hour. Finally, after another woman showed up and she and I both began to chorus our protests at being so blatantly ignored, we were told that no one was manning the door that day. You'd think that someone would have mentioned that to me before that. I'd been waiting patiently. I work in retail and know what it is to deal with jerky people so I quietly read my book and only began to protest when it became apparant that I was being ignored and that there wasn't even an attempt to help me. So then, instead of immediately helping us (especially me, the customer who had been waiting for thirty minutes before the current customers even arrived in the post office) we had to join the back of the line.
I hate the post office. Hate it. Customer service, people.
Back on a happier note, my yarn is beautiful! I got two skeins of Swish Superwash 100% Superwash Wool in Merlot Heather, three skeins of Shine Worsted 60% pima cotton, 40% Modal in Hollyberry, and three skeins of Shine Worsted in Terra Cotta which is more orange than I expected but pretty all the same. I've yet to find my camera cord so I can't take any pictures which really sucks. I'm thinking of splurging on a new camera next payday if I can afford it. This Kodak EasyShare C713 is 7 mps and can take video as well. It is only $89.99 so I'm going to see if I can sneak it into the budget somehow.
Supporting the Little Guy (and Girl)
KTBdesigns I'm going to at least buy the pattern for the tool belt and tools to make for the boys for Christmas. I really like the patterns for the dishes. I didn't even know it was possible to make a crocheted frying pan!
Catcozy Sells a cute snowball and penguin pattern for a bowling game.
Delicious Crochet has a ton of cute patterns but I'm not so sure about the ones with the super mega photoshopped pictures.
Eureeka's Window is the creator of many innovative designs. I love the little television.
How about making your own Count Caterpillar?
Holland Designs Cute baby shoes patterns and more.
Sylver Designs I've admired these booties for awhile now. It is so hard to decide which pattern to buy!
Maria's Handmade Crochet and Jewelry Design I'm not too fond of the dessert patterns at this shop but I love the corn on the cob and watermelon slice pattern.
My4Heads - Creative Crocheted (& Knit) Concoctions pulled me in with the butterflies and seahorse patterns and kept me with the lizard and kangaroo!
Planet June has many patterns you won't find elsewhere like a guinea pig and a dolphin.
Beverly's Boutique is where I found the cutest little workboot baby bootie pattern. I wish I'd known about patterns such as these when my boys were babies!
Pitter Patter Patterns I so want to buy the pumpkin pattern sold here.
Aerie Designs carries a pattern for appetizers that is incredibly cute.
As always, Ravelry has a ton of patterns for free and for pay. Crochet Pattern Central has a huge database of free patterns. My Picot is an online database of crochet stitches. And you can watch videos of crochet techniques at NexStitch.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Single Crochet Foundation Chain
Friday, August 29, 2008
Bags, bags, bags
Bought a Hook
I checked out "Super Crochet Wonderful" from the library. There are a few cute designs in the book that I'd like to try out.
My yarn order still hasn't arrived but I'm hoping it will show up today or tomorrow.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Supplies for the Harry's Happy Hookers CAL
Quoted from the group:
Hooks - B, E, G, and H (or those that suit the yarn you choose)
Yarn - WW or DK in : 3 (or more, get scrappy!) in varigated (your choice of colors, but try to make sure at least one is in bright or jewel tones), black, brown or tan (or a varigated brown or tan), light pink, green (this is the only color we might use a whole skein for), yellow (or gold) and whatever color you want to make your Owl. Also, black crochet thread in whatever size you have; embroidery thread will work as well. If you don’t have that, we will discuss how black sewing thread might be used.
Notions: tapestry needle, black thread (see above), eyes of your choice: google, safety, felt circles, beads or embroidered on. You will need various sized-eyes, from about 1/4 of an inch up to 1/2 inch. All of these projects, if you elect to put eyes on, would look fantastic will embroidered eyes, and that would be a safe option for children.
Remember, you can also add the cauldron muttix2 told us about as a catch-all for your Creatures or as a great way to give them as a gift!
Tee hee! I was mentioned as I told them about a cauldron! :) I love when I show people new things. Anyway, I have most of the stuff needed, I'll just need to buy:
- Black crochet thread
- Jewel toned, varigated yarn (I'll likely get some Peaches and Creme as that is a good deal)
- Black, brown, and tan yarn (I have varigated tan but I'll need some black for the cauldron and will get it for something else as well. So I don't technically NEED this.)
Whatever I make with this CAL will work for my Christmas Year-round CAL as I intend to give the toys to my boys for Christmas.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
I Moved My Crochet Blog...
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Yet Another CAL (A Sock One This Time)
Progress on Belle's Round Ripple
CALs
Monday, August 25, 2008
Peanutzmom's Pattern Page
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Little People
I want to make this doll. I also want to use this pattern as the basis to make a gnome.
Want to Make This Sweater... Maybe With This Yarn
This looks really cool. I also want to do a cute ruffled sweater that I found on Ravelry but this sweater looks pretty easy and cute. Plus, you can't beat three hours for making a baby sweater. I'm going to add it to my list.
I bought some yarn today. Two skeins of 100% Superwash Merino Wool Swish Worsted Weight in Merlot Heather dye lot 24092 that are 110 yards per 50 gram ball. Three skeins each of 60% Pima Cotton, 40% Modal natural beech wood fiber Worsted Weight in Hollyberry dye lot 24140 and Terra Cotta dye lot 23810. Spent too much as we are broke right now but I actually bought the yarn with a project in mind. I'm going to make a scarf each for my mom and my sister for Christmas. The other yarn will be for a baby sweater or longies.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Adding in Another Color
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Belle's Afghan
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Christmas List (A Work in Progress)
a. Cable Hat (saved pattern)
Needed: 3 balls Swish Worsted Yarn in Dublin.
b. Beanie (saved pattern)
c. Toes Up Socks (saved pattern)
d. Narrow Tweed Scarf (saved pattern)
2. Boys
a. Two (one each) Cute Kids' Earflap Hats
Needed: 4 balls Swish Bulky Yarn, one each in Planetarium, Marlin, Verdant Heather, and Adobo.
b. Gnome Home
Needed: 1 ball dark brown bulky yarn, 1 ball lighter brown (possibly mixed colors), tiny bit of green bulky yarn for base, green eyelash yarn, various yarns for flowers on walls.
c. Whimsical Castle Bag
d. Two Medieval Money Bags.
e. Crocheted Hot Dog
f. Easy Peasy Strawberries
g. Simple Crochet Balls
h. Baby Triceratops
3. Baby
a. Little People Doll
b. Baby Grab Ball
c. Blocks
d. Cute Butterfly
e. Baby Mittens
4. Mom
a. Shelly Scarf
b. Gulf Shores Hat
5. Dad
a. Starter Scarf
b. Remote Control Caddy
6. Sister
a. One Skein Scarf
b. L.A.M.B Inspired Hat
c. Quick Winter Headband
d. Fancy Filigree Bracelet (This is for a bookmark but I'm making a bracelet with it.)
7. Brother
a. Aran Scarf
b. Crochet Wine Bottle Cover
8. Niece
a. Hot Pink Bracelet Purse
b. Amigurumi Sprite Doll to go in the bracelet purse.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Sunhat
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Crocheted Soft Rib Longies
Friday, June 27, 2008
Progress on Baby Grab Ball
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Got the Supplies
My dad's birthday is in July so I'll be crocheting him a remote caddy as well.
Project List for July
Crocheted Grapes for the boys.
Easy Peasy Strawberries for the boys.
Baby Grab Ball for the baby. At least two.
Simple Crochet Ball for the kids. At least two.
If I still can't find my camera (boo hoo) I'll at least take pictures with my camera phone.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Floppy Sunhat for Belle In Progress
I’m going to get some yarn from Knit Picks when I get paid. I’m also looking at getting some from WEBS on payday. I love bamboo yarn and they have some pretty good prices (Knit Picks doesn’t carry bamboo yarn, I’m looking at cotton blends from them). I’ve got a ton of patterns on my favorites list at Ravelry and I’ve just realized that the year is half over and I’ve yet to get started on the million things I want to get done in time for the birthday/holiday rush that starts this fall.
I recently got a raise at work and little does the Husband know, but I plan to put that towards my “yarn lust” fund!
After I finish the hat I might make some socks to match, if I have enough yarn left.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
So Many Projects, So Little Time
I'm in the process of making my baby some cloth diapers. Today I made one and realized that I need to tweak the pattern. I used a free pattern but the crotch is entirely too wide and the wings aren't long enough. I cut out a bunch of pieces already which stinks because I think I have to go up in size for her. I did the newborn pattern but it seems as though at one month old she already needs the small size. So today I'm going to draft my own pattern with longer wings and a slimmer crotch.
I finally got my two Simplicity patterns yesterday. I ordered a pajama pattern for my boys and a cute A-line dress pattern (with a matching headband!) for my baby. I have a few yards of plain fabric so I'm thinking of trying my hand at a dress for her by the end of the week.
I also want to make the baby a few hats. When she lies on her side her little ear crumples over itself and I need something to stop that. I was going to make her a few headbands but then I had ugly visions of it being a choking hazard so I decided that I'll make hats instead. I need to make her a few pairs of leg warmers and socks as well. There is a baby knee high sock pattern that I think would work really well with the dresses I want to make her.
I can't find my camera so the pictures I of my final projects look really bad. I hope I find it soon!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Interesting Books
- Get Your Crochet On! Fly Tops and Funky Flavas
- Plus Size Crochet: Fashions That Fit & Flatter
- More Big Girl Knits: 25 Designs Full of Color and Texture for Curvy Women
- Crochet for Babies
- Baby Crochet: 20 Hand-Crochet Designs for Babies 0--24 Months
- The Little Box of Crochet for Baby
- Cute Crochet for Tiny Tots: 25 Modern Designs for Babies and Toddlers
- Mr. Funky's Super Crochet Wonderful
- Candy Crochet: 50 Adorable Designs for Infants and Toddlers
- Crochet for Tots: 20 Fresh and Fun Designs
- Crochet for Babies and Toddlers
- Too Cute Crochet for Babies & Toddlers: A Whimsical Collection of Hats, Scarves, Mittens & Booties
- Summer Crochet Fun
- Easy to Crochet Cute Clothes for Kids: A Gorgeous Collection Of 25 Quick And Easy Designs
- Big Book of Weekend Crochet
- Trendy Crochet for Girls
- Hooked for Toddlers: 20 Easy Crochet Projects
- Positively Crochet!: 50 Fashionable Projects and Inspirational Tips
- Sensual Crochet: Luxurious Yarns, Alluring Designs
- Crochet Me: Designs to Fuel the Crochet Revolution
- Loop-d-Loop Crochet: More than 25 Novel Designs for Crocheters (and Knitters Taking Up the Hook)
- Kooky Crochet: 30 Remarkably Wacky Projects
- Crochet Kid Stuff: 20 Fun Projects
- Toys to Crochet: Dozens of Patterns for Dolls, Animals, Doll Clothes, and Accessories
- Get Your Crochet On! Hip Hats & Cool Caps
- Cool Crocheted Hats: 40 Contemporary Designs
- Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts!: Amigurumi
- Amigurumi World: Seriously Cute Crochet
- Amigurumi Animals: 15 Patterns and Dozens of Techniques for Creating Cute Crochet Creatures
- Creepy Cute Crochet: Zombies, Ninjas, Robots, and More
- Amigurumi!: Super Happy Crochet Cute
- The Cute Book
- Stitch 'N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker
- Not Your Mama's Crochet: The Cool and Creative Way to Join the Chain Gang (Not Your Mamas)
- Sexy Swimwear to Crochet
- Way to Crochet!: 20 Cool, Easy Projects for Kids of All Ages
- New Ideas for Today's Crochet
- Summer Fashions in Thread Crochet
- Cool Crochet
- SweaterBabe.com's Fabulous and Flirty Crochet: Gorgeous Sweater and Accessory Patterns from Los Angeles' Top Crochet Designer
- The New Crochet: 40 Wonderful Wearables
- Son of Stitch 'n Bitch: 45 Projects to Knit and Crochet for Men
- Knitting for Him: 27 Classic Projects to Keep Him Warm
- Never Knit Your Man a Sweater (Unless You've Got the Ring)
- The Knitting Man(ual): 20+ Projects for Guys
- 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders: A world of possibilities inspired by just one skein
- Guy Knits: Sweaters & Vests
- Knitting With Balls: A Hands-On Guide to Knitting for the Modern Man
- Pretty in Punk: 25 Punk, Rock, and Goth Knitting Projects
- Knits for Men: 20 Sweaters, Vests, and Accessories
- The Natural Knitter: How to Choose, Use, and Knit Natural Fibers from Alpaca to Yak
- No Sheep for You: Knit Happy with Cotton, Silk, Linen, Hemp, Bamboo & Other Delights
- Charmed Knits: Projects for Fans of Harry Potter
- Punk Knits: 26 Hot New Designs for Anarchistic Souls and Independent Spirits
- Domiknitrix: Whip Your Knitting into Shape
- Naughty Needles: Sexy, Saucy Knits for the Bedroom and Beyond