Sunday, September 29, 2013

Crocheted Sugar Skulls

This is what happens when you get a slight case of insomnia!!  I crocheted up five of these last night.  Who doesn't like sugar skulls??!! 


This afternoon I had an idea with how to finish them off.   I was completely distracted from my housework by this time.  LOL!  

I thought they would be cute appliqued on a granny square. 

And granny squares make perfect potholders!!!!  Now how cute is this??


If you would like the pattern for the little skull you can find it here.  It is an awesome little tutorial and will take all of 30 minutes to bang one out.  The fun part is adding the little flowers and bows!!


I thought they turned out so cute.  The would also be cute appliqued onto a crocheted cap, or a purse.  I have seen some blinged out with buttons and some embroidery too.  

I have also kept myself busy making more pumpkins.  I did a bit of experimenting.  If you use two strands of yarn and a larger hook, you get what you see below!  They mix well with the smaller size!



More leaves and pumpkins!  They are everywhere!  These are headed to a knew home at my sister's house!  

It is time to think about winding down and get ready to start a new week.  It has been a gorgeous weekend.  I hate to see it end!!

Everyone take care!






Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Noro Fall Leaves


Oh yeah!  I totally went there!!  Aren't they cool??  And these haven't even been blocked yet!! 
 
I am completely out of control, to the point my hands hurt from holding the crochet hook for hours at a time!
 
LOL...And I plan to be right back at it this evening! 
 

Monday, September 23, 2013

Pumpkin Porn

Welcome to my pumpkin patch!  As you can see, I have been busy with pumpkins and leaves. 

And what goes best with pumpkins?  Owlies! 

Last week I shared a link for the little crocheted pumpkins, and I see some of you have been making them.  I decided to add some leaves to mine I thought it dressed them up a bit.  I found this pattern for the maple leaves here.  The name of her etsy shot is Golden Lucy Crafts.  I love her patterns!  These leaves look complicated, but her pattern makes it so easy, I can make one up in about 40 minutes. 



 






I love the little green one.  With all this "pumpkin porn" I filled up my etsy shop and started making more for myself.   This is such a great way to use up that leftover acrylic yarn we all have.  I am tempted to run out and pick up some more yellow because I am just about out.  I keep telling myself I don't need it, but then the other side of my brain tells me I DO need it.  LOL

I did a search on pinterest for "crochet leaves."  Holy Crap!  There is some cool stuff on there I want to try. 

Just for fun I did a little Jack-o-Lantern to go with the "Franken-owl".  Notice the little bolts coming out the side of his head!  LOL! 

As promised, I wanted to share my finished sweater with everyone.  I have the buttons on it, it has been blocked, and I have even worn it once already!
 It fits me perfectly.  I can wear it like this..... or....
with the collar up.  I have learned so much from knitting this!!  If anyone is new to knitting sweaters I would definitely suggest this pattern.  Look, I even got brave and added pockets!

I am off of here for now.  I am sure I will be back next week with some more crochet.

Dawn

 

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Pun-kins!!

It's Pumpkin Time!  And before it's all through I will have a house full of these little guys.  I love making them.  I want to put some bling on them, but just can't decide what exactly to do.
Last year I did knit some, which I will probably do again.  For now I am enjoying the colors of the yarn and my crochet hook.  If you want the pattern, you can find it here.   It works up easily and quickly!

Fall is in the air here.  It was down in the 50s last night.  Feels so good!  I finished my sweater, but still have buttons to sew in before I post it.  I can't wait to show it off!

After all the knitting I have done I am in a crochet mood.  Too bad I am not in a clean your house mood, because mine could really use it!  LOL!
I think I need some little acorns and some leaves to go with these pumpkins.  

I hope everyone has a good week!!  Back to the salt mines tomorrow!

Bye!!

Sunday, September 1, 2013

My First Sweater!


Yay!!  My first "official" sweater complete!!  And I love it!  The yarn worked out a little wacky, but I still love it anyway!  
I found this super-duper easy pattern over at "Dances with Wool".   It worked up beautifully.  I made my cardigan a little longer, and also the arms and cuffs are a little longer too.   It is a raglan knit from the top down.  I find the medium size to be dead on.
You can actually see the way the yarn worked up.  Believe it or not, this is actually one yarn!!  It looked like a completely different yarn when I got to the end of the skein.  
What I learned from making this:  
  • It would be easy to custom this to a larger size.  You can try it on as you go to make sure it fits right under the arms.
  • It would be very easy to make a standing collar by doing several rows of k2, p2 ribbing before you start the increases.
  • Also the placket for the buttons could easily widened for larger buttons.  
  • Stripes would be pretty or using two shades of yarn every two rows!
  • I used a k2, p2 ribbing on the sleeves and cuffs, I prefer the look.
  • Once you have made one, you will have to do another!!
As you can tell I loved this.  I have always wanted to make a sweater, and it actually be something that I would wear!  And this pattern has giving me knitting courage to try more complicated ones.  

It will definitely be my "go to" sweater!

I also wanted to share pictures of the shawl I finished up awhile back.  
I used the flower loom to do the flowers and then crocheted them together using some black crocheted cotton I had on hand.  
It took more time than I thought it would, and I started to get burned out before I finished it.  Joining the flowers got a little monotonous and something that required more concentration than I had.  If you look close you will see little places where the joining is off.
It would  be pretty over a black turtle neck.  I am thinking I may put this in my etsy shop.  

So, now I am in full sweater mode, and have already begun another!  LOL!  I am so ready for fall and sweater weather!
Before I go, here is a picture of me in my sweater!!  Isn't it cute!

I'm off for now.  Have tomorrow off for Labor Day so I have a whole day to do what ever I want. Who can guess what that will be?   LOL!