Freeform Crochet

 

   I found this interesting book at the library recently. Creative Crochet Lace by Myra Wood. I didn't get through the whole book yet, but I just wanted to share my first freeform swatch with you. This technique is called "funky filet." In this exercise, I took groups of 5 double crochet and did whatever I felt in each grouping as long as I had 5 stitches in each group. It could be 5dc, or 3chains and 2dc, or 5chains, or 1ch 2dc and 2ch... You get the picture. The point is to keep the work flat which is why you keep track of your stitches. I did about 6 rows and here is my funky filet swatch. There are four other techniques for freeform in the book that I have yet to learn.

Marley Tam

   I got inspiration to make this tam from watching "Marley", it's a documentary about the King of Reggae, Bob Marley. He was an amazing man. When he passed, there were so many Rastafarians wearing a tam like this one, so I decided to make one and call it the Marley Tam. I know it's very un-original, but obviously that's not what I was going for. You can find it in my online store, PerfectMix Creations.

~One Love~

Garment in the making

  I found my next crochet garment in Interweave Crochet Magazine's summer issue. It's called Lauren Sweater by Mimi Alelis. I actually started this garment a few months ago but set it down for a while because I realized that it was turning out too big for me. I was following the pattern for the medium size. I also think my gauge might be off a bit because I am substituting the yarn with a sport weight yarn. I dreaded frogging the whole thing, I hate to feel like my time and energy was wasted, so I just didn't do anything for a long time. Finally, I took it apart and started over. Well, not completely over, but I took it out until the ribbing was short enough to make the smaller size. (The pattern starts with the bottom ribbing.) It's better than doing nothing and I really want to make this sweater. So I will post pics and updates as I go along.

Trendy Nail Wraps

  My daughter and I went to Sally's Beauty Supply yesterday and we found these cool nail wraps. They are basically stickers with designs on them that you put on your nails. We bought some and gave them a try. They look pretty cool, but if you look closely at the nails you can kind of tell they are stickers. Here is what they look like before applying.

 
   I think it's a really good idea and makes manicures less messy and less time consuming. You just stick them on, trim, then file them down to fit your nail perfectly. I applied a top coat in hopes of making it last longer. Isabel loves them and I'm sure she will be showing them off on the first day of school on Tuesday.