Braids and Twists

   I haven't had a hair post in a super long time. Newer followers probably have never even seen my hair posts. Not only can I manipulate fiber, but I can manipulate hair a little bit as well. So I'll leave you with some images of my cosmetology skills and my precious hair models.

Two-Tone Shrug Pattern

  I found another free pattern to try out, the Two-Tone Shrug, designed by Erika and Monika Simmons.  This is a pretty quick shrug to whip up. I can see it over a summer dress or something like that. I used a multicolor yarn instead of two different colors like the pattern suggests. So I guess mine is a multi-toned shrug. I used Hobby Lobby's "I love this Yarn!" The color is called Blue Camo.

  I really need to check the gauge when I do projects. I don't know why it's such a problem for me. Maybe because I just want to jump right into the project. I must crochet a little tighter than the twins do because it's just a bit small. It didn't come out too much smaller, but I will definitely use a larger hook next time. I used the suggested size H crochet hook. This will probably look better on my daughter than on me.

  My big lesson from this project is learning how important gauge really is. Does anyone else skip checking your gauge, or is it just me?

Halter Top

  If you've been following my blog for a while you might remember my unfinished halter top. Here's a pic if you haven't seen it.

  I finally picked it up and decided to work on it again. I wanted to undo the bottom part because I thought it was a little too ruffly. I think I'll keep it as it is and make it into a dress instead of a shirt. Hopefully it will come out the way I imagine it in my head.
  So here's what I'm working with so far:

  Anyone have any suggestions? Is it too ruffly? Should I keep going? What do you think? Thanks for any input.

V-Topper Completed

  My V Topper is complete! The pattern was very easy to follow and well written. If you'd like to try it, you can find the free pattern here. I haven't blocked the sweater yet, so I think it will look better after I do that. The bottom kind of rolls up a bit, so blocking will eleminate that. The only thing I might do different next time is to make the sleeves a little longer and maybe not as wide. So here is the final product and a sneak peek at the 3d wall art in my new craft room. (The room is still not done yet.)

Stitch Markers Tutorial

  This pattern that I am working on called for some stitch markers. Usually I would just use a paperclip or another color of yarn or anything that will work. I had nothing on hand at the moment and decided that maybe it's time I had some real stitch markers. So I made some, and this is how I did it:

Start with some materials:

• findings
• beads
• tools

Thread some beads onto a headpin.

Bend the pin as close as possible to the last bead so the pin is at a 90 degree angle.

Cut off the access leaving about 1/4 of an inch. I just eyeballed it.

Using round nose pliers, bend the pin back towards itself to make a loop.

Now add the jump ring and the clasp.

Another variation would be to have the beads on separate headpins or eyepins so the piece will be more dangly. You can go as long or short as you'd like. There are so many possibilities.

Work in Progress - A Garment

  I think garment patterns intimidate me. I don't know if it's because I think they will take forever or because I think they will be too difficult, or because I might get bored and never finish. I've only made one garment. It was decent, but could definitely use some improvements. If you'd like to see my purple cable jacket, click here.

  I think I should do more garments this year. I would learn a lot more and it will surely make me a better crocheter. I was looking through some books that I have for something that I can see myself wearing. I started making a gypsy duster. That pattern was made by the Double Stitch Twins, Erika and Monika Simmons. I'm not sure if I was doing it right or what, but I'll have to come back to that one another time.

  I found this free pattern on Ravelry and decided to give it a try. It's called V Topper by Renee Barnes and can be found here on the Caron International Yarns website. So far so good. I haven't had any problems yet. Hopefully I won't, and it will be a smooth ride the whole way. I even learned something new, this pattern features a double slip stitch (dsst), which makes the textured stripes going across. This is the back side, so far. The pattern goes up the back then will continue around the shoulder area and down the front.

Happy Three Kings Day!

image from http://www.sundayeducation.com/

My Gift from the Gift Exchange

  I'm really late with this one, but I wanted to show you what I got for the gift exchange that I was a part of recently. I was partnered up with Holly. She was really nice and sweet. You can check out her blog here and she has a tutorial on how she made my gift. She made a wreath for my front door! It matches perfectly. The hubby made a face when I took it out of the box, but after I put it on the door he said it looks good. (That's a huge compliment coming from him.) I love it and think it looks great! I probably should have put it a little higher, but it still looks good.

Zeke wanted to get in the picture

  I wasn't sure what to make Holly. I decided to be safe and made her a headwarmer. Then I thought that wasn't enough, so I made a scarf to match.. and while I was at it, I threw in some earrings. Hopefully they get some good use. It's actually starting to feel like winter these past couple days. I'd rather have the heat, but at least my crocheted stuff will come in handy now.

2012, It's a New Year!

  I hope everyone had a happy new year celebration, vacation, and all that jazz! Now it's time to get back to our normal work schedules, fighting traffic, school, and other activities. Be glad if you don't have traffic to fight. Hopefully everyone is back with a new year attitude and being extra nice and considerate. As for me, I am trying to get over this horrible cold the just keeps morphing into something worse than it was before. Maybe the saying is true that it will get worse before it gets better? What a depressing statement.

  Anyway, this year I will have a new craft room which will hopefully inspire new projects and designs. The craft room has been in remodeling mode for a while which is why I haven't told you about any new projects lately. I was going to post a before picture, but I was too embarrassed of the mess I had. Maybe I will change my mind when I have an after picture to show. Well, here's to the new year, new attitudes, and new ideas!

image from http://www.youknowwhereyouare.com/

Marble Nails

  I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! This post is out of the ordinary crochet talk, but I thought it was interesting enough to post here and tell you about it. I found this crackle nail polish as I was doing some last minute Christmas shopping and thought I'd give it a try. I was looking online to see how other crackled nails had turned out and came across this video for making marble nail designs. It's actually pretty easy to do. All you need is a cup of room temperature water, some nail polish, toothpicks or a pin, and a q-tip. The design is made on the surface of the water with the polish. You can see the video that I saw here, and there are many more tutorials and designs out there. Here is my first try at it, I think it came out really neat and I will probably try different colors sometime. I only had a few colors since I don't do my nails regularly, but after I did it I bought these tiny bottles of polish to try called Bon bons. Has anyone tried this technique before? It's new to me, but I'm sure it's not new. I really like how it looks.

Show n Tell, Headwarmer

Here is Shelly's headwarmer made from my free pattern found here. It looks great! Thanks for sending me pics!

Crochet Christmas Trees

  I found this great pattern for crochet Christmas trees by Teresa on her blog.  I used Hobby Lobby's "I Love this Yarn." Isn't that the perfect name for great yarn? I love it! I used all the same color since it had the sparkly ribbon already in it. I also had to make my chain longer since I wanted a bit fuller tree. I think it came out great. I'm still contemplating if I want to decorate them any further.

Lizzy's Blanket Final Update

Home Gift Show

  I only got a few pictures of my booth at the Home Gift Show in my neighborhood. Unfortunately, the battery in my camera wasn't charged. It was a fun time but I didn't sell much. There wasn't that many people that showed up either. At least, I learned a few lessons. For one, I need a table cloth. I also need to have customers prepay when they order something. I need to come up with new designs, and I need to market my stuff for the season. I'm sure there is much more I need to learn.

Handmade Gift Exchange

  I just joined the Handmade Gift Exchange on http://www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/! This is my second time signing up. I had a lot of fun the first time and I'm sure this will be just as fun. There's still time to sign up and join in the fun!

Touch Phone Cozy

   I had previously made a cell phone case, but being that my phone has a touch screen meant that I hardly ever used it, because I would be constantly pulling it out of the case. So I decided to try to make something that would still give my phone some kind of protection, but keep the screen accessible. I ran with the idea and this is what I came up with.



Back view




Front view

   I used "I Love this Yarn" by Hobby Lobby, sport weight. I don't really have a pattern, but I can give you an idea of what I did. Using a size G hook, I chained about 20 then worked back up the chain with hdc stitches. I worked in the round, using the back loops, and increasing only on the ends to keep an oval shape. Then when it was a little bigger than the phone, I weaved in some round cord elastic into the last round. Then it fit on the phone like a short sock. If I make another one, I would cover the elastic better, and maybe make it a little smaller. This is just the prototype. I also want to add a pocket to the back and some kind of handle that won't make the phone fall out.

  The only con that I've found with this cozy so far, is that it just covers the sensor at the top, left corner. It senses when you have your ear to the phone which makes the screen go black so you're not pressing any buttons on the touch screen with your cheek. So when I'm done with a call, I have to uncover the sensor so my screen comes back. I can deal with that.