That One Sweater I Made...

Ok, I have already posted about this sweater that I made for my niece, Macy, but I took these photos off of my Mom's blog so that I could show anyone else who happens to be interested, some more detail.  I designed this myself, when I was really just getting into crochet.  There are some things I would improve upon, certainly, but over all, I just LOVE this sweater!  It's Alpaca and Sheep's wool.  

My First Commissioned Project!

Teri, a lady at work, commissioned me to make a baby hat with a baseball theme for her son, and his wife, who recently found out they are expecting.  She is a softball player, and he a baseball player, and it's how they met, so Teri really wanted to give them a little something for Christmas to let them know how excited she is for them.  I took the challenge, and had a lot of fun with this!  I found a picture of a similar hat, and then recreated it using my own pattern.  I wish I had better pictures, but this will have to do until the baby is born.  I hope you enjoy!

More Hand Warmers!

Here's the truth:  I was making these for me, because I liked how my friend Melanie's turned out so well.  I was overzealous, and they ended up being much too large for me.  My friend Vonda, who was here visiting from abroad, was over so I could show her my crochet chaos in my apartment, and I came across these...  They fit her perfectly, and I am SO glad they didn't go to waste!  I like them better for her than for me, anyway.  It must have been meant to be!  :)

Yay!

I just want everyone to know that I do have more completed projects, but they are Christmas presents, and so forth, so they will be coming soon!  

Crochet Fingerless Gloves

Well, for my friend Melanie's birthday in August, I told her she could pick out what she wanted to have crocheted for her, and pick the colors.  She went with fingerless gloves with dark and light grey, with aqua.  Here is the result!

 I designed these myself, and had a lot of fun with them.  I had no idea if they would turn out, but I was VERY pleased with the result.  

 I was really unsure about the seam up the middle as part of the creative design choice, which could be worn on top or on bottom, but I think it's really cute.  

 Having the differing colors on the top and bottom was also a bit of a risk, but Melanie really liked that I did it that way, so all is well.  

The lady herself!  She does really love them, and I am so pleased.  I like this customized birthday gift idea, and will have to use it in the future. :)  

Crocheted Halloween Utility Apron

Finally a new post!  Sorry it has taken so long!  I am right in the middle of multiple projects, but I have finally completed one of them... :)  At the craft store I work at, which shall remain nameless, but let's just say it's really similar to my own name, they told us that we can make our own work aprons, as long as it is made from materials found in the store.  I went a little crochet crazy with my Halloween themed Utility Apron.  I hope you enjoy!

 Please note the pocket just for scissors, since I spend A LOT of time cutting fabric.

 My very FIRST attempt at embroidery.  I really like how the tree turned out!

I'm not 100% in love with how the pumpkin turned out, but I love the candy corn!

Raw Materials for a Rag-Quilt

I am working at a fabric store, and I don't know how to sew.  It's a bit depressing really, so I intend to rectify that, starting with a rag-quilt project to become familiar with my mom's sewing machine.  The first one will be for me, since it is an experiment.  If it turns out well, I think more rag-quilts will be nice gifts for family members, but with themes to suit each person.  I picked a Halloween theme because my birthday is the day before, and no matter how I try to shake my childlike enthusiasm for the holiday, it stands firm at first place in my heart.  

 I had a total blast picking out Halloween fabrics.  There's just something about raw materials that scream "possibilities" to me.  I love having a vision or idea in my mind of something, and then actually creating it!  I know I have only shown works in progress to this point, but rest assured, the completed works will show up soon!

Wish me luck!

Squares for a Baby Blanket

 My friend, Alisa, had her firstborn, a daughter named Autumn, back in January, and I have been meaning to make a blanket for her.  It has become VERY clear to me that I won't be able to complete the bedspread I'm working on in time to enter it into the county fair next month, but I'm going to bust out this baby quilt to do just that.  I'm using the same kind of cotton yarn that I'm using on my bedspread, Lily brand Sugar'n Cream.  I found that fun variegated yarn, and pink and white seemed to be the obvious choice for a new little female life in the world.  Autumn is beautiful, and I'm hoping to make a really cool blanket that will be one she and her mother will enjoy.  I'll post more pictures of this project as it moves along.  I have half the squares completed...  :)

Bedspread Crochet Quilt Project

 Here is my work in progress!  I'm trying to get it done in time for the county fair this Summer, but I find it's taking much more time than expected.  However, I'm very pleased with how it's turning out!  It's going to be a queen size bedspread, and is made mostly with Lily brand Sugar'n Cream cotton yarn, as well as Lion brand Cotton-Ease yarn.

 I've really liked the combination of the two yarns.  Sugar'n Cream is a bit stiffer, and creates really clean lines for good stitch visibility.  The Cotton-Ease is super soft, and a total pleasure to work with!  It adds a flexibility and coziness to the blanket, and works well with the Sugar'n Cream.

I'll keep you posted on this project. ;)

A New Beginning...

 I love to crochet!  I have many different artistic bents, and will be carrying out new projects all of the time that I would love to share!  I hope you enjoy!

 These are squares for a bed spread that I am working on.  There will be a detailed post about this project in the future...

 This is a hat I designed and made for my dear friend, Ingrid.

Here are a couple of sweaters I designed and made.  I entered them into the Deschutes County Fair in 2012, and won a blue and a red ribbon.  The one on the left was my very first sweater, and I was quite pleased with how it turned out.  The one on the right I made for my niece, Macy.  She picked a pink and green theme, and I added in the off white color.  I was THRILLED will how this sweater came out!  I'll post more detailed pictures of these projects at a later time.