It's Another Swirls Cap

This post should really be called A Day In My Life because this photo sums it up.

Everything I do lately seems to include a screaming child. Really. And I've been sick for 8 days now. It's the icing on the cake. And the state of my house? Well, I won't even go there.

But, I like to look at the bright side of things and the bright side of this week is that I finished my Swirls Cap. I really like this one.


It is crocheted with Berroco Blackstone Tweed.

Next up: my Everyday Cardi. It's almost finished. Then it's on to a newly released pattern that I'm really excited to start, Cassis, by Baby Cocktails.

I have some sewing to show next week and I'm working on some patterns. Say a prayer that I can kick whatever it is that is clogging my lungs and that my kids stop screaming. That would really be nice. :)

Swirls Cap

I don't know if I like this hat on me yet. It's cute and it feels good when it's on, so I'll give it a test drive I guess.
The pattern is the Swirls Cap, which is available on Ravelry. It's a well-written pattern and only took me a day to finish crocheting it, plus one overnight to let it dry after blocking. You probably wouldn't have to block the hat if you used a different yarn, but I used Moda Dea Silk 'n Wool Blend and it definitely needed to be blocked. The Moda Dea also grew a little during blocking even though I tried to keep the original size. It obviously still fits, but if I were to make something else with this yarn, I'd keep that in mind. It's a nice yarn...it's soft and the color is pretty.

Hope you all had a great weekend!!

Great Site for Knitters/Crocheters!!!

Hi All! I'm really busy with my Old Red Barn Co quilt, so there won't be much posting this week. Also, my chihuahua died so I'm pretty sad about that. She was 16 yrs old and was going downhill fast (wouldn't eat, was losing weight quickly). She died here at home as peacefully as one could hope for. My Sophie Pop went to doggie heaven, the sweet thing. I'll miss her.

On the brighter side, I wanted to tell you all about a WONDERFUL knit/crochet site I recently found via Ravelry. Its called Sweater Babe. Oh my, is there anything she designs that I don't like?? No, there isn't! I want to knit and crochet it all! Plus, she has a "help" page where you can ask her questions and get help on projects or techniques. WOnderful site! Why didn't I know about it sooner!?

Elle In Her Crocheted Hoodie

I made this crocheted hoodie back in January and didn't really like it then.


I made it large thinking it would fit Elle by the spring....



Its still a bit too large, but I've changed my mind about it. Its pretty cute.



Or maybe its the girl wearing it.

Toddler Pillows and New Friends

My girls want pillows so they can be like Luke, but I think they're still too young to have regular pillows. So, I made my own "toddler pillows". Super easy. I used two receiving blankets from when they were babies, so I get points for repurposing, right? I folded the blankets in half, cut them to 13"X21", and sewed half inch seams. Then I took four layers of extra loft batting, basted them together so they won't shift inside the pillow, and sewed it into the pillow. Really easy and now my girls have pillows that I'm not afraid will suffocate them and we're all happy!


I'm going to make pillow cases for them because I'm certain they won't wash well unless I quilt the pillow. If I do that they'll be flat and the girls are sure to protest. So, I'll make pillow cases out of two other receiving blankets I have from their infancy.

I also made these two guys:

In these photos you can also see how thick the toddler pillows are...or should I say, how thin they are. They have just the right amount of softness, I think.

Sunny loves the pink teddy. No one loves the rainbow teddy. Poor guy. He's unloved. He was the first one I made and I forgot to embroider his face before I did the decreases to close his head, so I had to do it after I had finished him. That's why he looks like a train wreck. Its not his fault! The pink one turned out pretty cute and Sunny has claimed him. Elle wants a green one, so I'll get right on that!

Crocheted Hoodie

I finished this up this weekend:



Its a little big on Elle, but that's a good thing because I want it to fit her this spring. It was really easy, but it sat in my UFO pile for quite some time. It feels good to have finished it!

I almost have another pair of wristwarmers finished. They are very much like the pair I made last month, but are longer and have a different texture. I like them a lot so far. I'm also ready to start quilting my "greenery" quilt (finally!!). I made another quilt top so I'm going to quilt them both assembly line style. I thought I'd have more time this weekend to sew and quilt, but there must be something in the water because my kids have been awful. Crying, screaming, fighting...I don't know how the human race has survived this long. lol! Luckily the temperature isn't below zero today so we can go outside for a little bit. I'll let them freeze a little and then they'll feel good about spending so much time indoors. Ha! And if you believe that one I've got a few more for you.

Swatches

I love to make swatches. Keep a few around and they're a great way to quickly decide which pattern to use on a project. Here are a few I did last night:



I want to make vests for the girls and think I'll use the "cobblestone" pattern (upper right corner). But, first I have some sewing to do...

Another Photo of the Lacy Baby Frock

Only this time, its Sunny outside. Haha! Get it? Its Sunny outside?


I love this photo of Sunny. It shows how sweet she is.

Crocheted Baby Frock

I finished the Crochet Today Baby Frock. I wish I had a better photo to show you, but its raining outside, so I had to take indoor photos. You can click on the photos to see the pattern better. It turned out really cute, but I don't like the yarn I used. Its a fuzzy acrylic and I think it makes the dress look messy. Since this is the first garment I've crocheted I used an inexpensive yarn just in case I totally messed it up. I'll definitely make this again, but next time I'll use a cotton yarn, like Cotton Ease by Lion Brand.

This pattern was really easy. I made the 6-12 month width since my girls are lean, but I lengthened the straps so the dress wouldn't be tight around the armpits. The seaming is really easy, too.

Half way

I take such awful pictures! That's because I'm always taking them indoors at night. I promise better photos from now on! lol! I'm officially half way done with the Crochet Today baby frock. I left my stitch marker in it (that's the orange thing) because it marks the wrong side. Now I just have to do the front panel and stitch them together. Its an easy pattern and it looks really cute. The next photo you see of it will be taken outdoors and my daughter will be wearing it. Hopefully the photo will be a good one!

Beginnings....

I have 2 projects in the works...the above will be a baby frock from the magazine Crochet Today. I'm embarrassed to admit I had to rip out my first row TWICE!! It was 11pm, so that's my excuse and I'm stickin' to it! Its going much better today. The second project is a knitted hooded pullover from the Lion Brand website. I don't know if that link will take you straight to the free pattern since you have to register to use the Lion Brand site. I will be omitting the front pocket on the pullover and I'm also going to make it longer. If anyone has a link to a pattern for a hooded pullover for toddlers that is like a tunic or a dress, please let me know in the comments. I don't like how bulky the yarn is that the pattern calls for so I was thinking I'll try substituting yarns, checking my gauge and hoping it works. Things don't always work out well for me when I don't stick to knit or crochet patterns, so I'm nervous!