Lacy Shirt

  This was a really quick work up. I found the pattern on Ravelry. You can find it on Lion Brand's website, it's called Crochet Bronze Beauty Top. The original pattern has long sleeves, but I think I will keep it just like this. I want to make one in another multicolored yarn with the sleeves.

  This pattern didn't give me any problems, I just followed along and everything fell into the right places. It starts off with a foundation single crochet which they call a base ch/sc. The wording through me off a little, but once I realized it was just a foundation sc, it was fine. If you don't know that stitch, they have an explanation in the pattern stitches section to tell you exactly how to do it. Piece of cake! Let me know if you try this pattern.

Green Bay Logo

Someone inquired about the pattern for the Green Bay logo that Debi made on the last Show & Tell. If you missed that post, here is a picture. She used my headwarmer pattern and made the logo to adorn it. The person inquiring also happens to be named Debi! Thank you to both of you! 

  So I emailed her and asked if she would be willing to share her pattern and this is what she said:

"Oh my, it's not a pattern but I'd be happy to tell you how I did it. I just crocheted a circle with the gold in single crochet, 4 rounds, then trimmed that in green to form the patch. I then half double crocheted a strip of white long enough to shape into a G and then attached that with needle and thread to the patch. That was it! I hope this helps."

  Let's see, I will try to break it down and make a pattern from what she said. Before I get into that I want to tell you that after making this, I googled the logo and noticed that the green should be on the inside and the yellow on the outside. I will incorporate that into the pattern, so don't think I'm confused or have my colors mixed up even though I did it the other way. Either way looks fine to me, but I'm no expert. Now lets get started..

Notes: I used two different size hooks, I and F. I didn't join my rounds, making a continuous spiral, but you can join if you'd like. 

Using size I crochet hook, start with Green, make a slip knot and chain 2
Rnd 1: 7sc in 2nd chain from the hook 
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each of next 7 stitches of previous round for a total of 14 sc
Rnd 3: (sc in next st , 2 sc in next st) repeat for a total of 21 sc
Rnd 4: (sc in next 2 st, 2 sc in next st) repeat for a total of 28 sc
Here's where we change colors
Insert your hook into the next st and cut yarn as shown

Tie the green and yellow in a knot close to your work

You can crochet over the tails so you won't have to weave them in later. 
Sc with yellow all the way around
Join to first sc
Fasten off and weave in ends. 

To make the "G" change your crochet hook to size F
Make a chain of 30, turn
Hdc into 3rd chain from hook and each ch across
Slip stitch into last chain (you will have a hdc and sl st in the same ch)
Fasten off and weave in ends.

With wrong side facing, position your white strip into a "G" shape and pin in place.

Using white yarn and a yarn needle, sew the "G" in place. When finished, I tied my two ends together just to make sure it won't come loose.

Now we are ready to adorn a hat, bag, or headwarmer for a special fan. 

Order Up

  I'm happy to say that I just shipped an order out to a customer. He ordered some wrestling gear, boot fringe and arm bands - Ultimate Warrior style. He might be a wrestler, or it might just be for a Halloween costume. Either way, I was excited to get an order. It always makes me happy when I see comments on my blog, online store, or even my facebook fanpage. I get even more excited when I get an actual order!

Here's what was shipped out today:

Show & Tell

  Debi send me a picture of her Green Bay Headband made from my Easy Headwarmer pattern. It looks awesome! It's a Christmas gift that I'm sure will be loved. Thanks for sending the picture, Debi!

 I love seeing finished products from my patterns. If you want to be featured on my blog with your finished items, just shoot me an email. If you don't want to be featured but still want to send me pics, that's great too! Just let me know in the email if you want me to post your pics or not. 

daperfectmix@gmail.com

Another Freeform Technique

  Here is another freeform technique from Myra Wood's book. This one is called Doodle Lace. I used a scrap cotton yarn and a G crochet hook. I think this would look nice as an applique on a bag or maybe a shirt. I must say I do like the randomness, or I should say freedom of freeform crochet.  The only thing you really have to worry about is keeping your work flat. Other than that, let your imagination run wild. This swatch started with 12 dc in the ring, then in the next round I made random chains and sc in every other dc. In the next round and throughout, I made random stitches into the loops of the previous rounds and chained in between, being sure to check that my work stays flat. Another option would be to stop and turn, instead of completing the round, leaving one side flat (creating a half circle), which could eventually become a shawl or scarf.