baby blanket ideas

I'm fishing around for baby blanket patterns/ideas. I'd like something light, soft and easy. There are millions of patterns, but some just aren't..well..just right, if that makes sense. Looks like I may just have to dig deep into creativity and just start crocheting and see what happens. Oy! Pretty tough for a 'follow the directions' kinda gal. ;)

hat patterns

I'm looking for "the perfect hat" pattern. I'm interested in more of a "beanie"-type or one that some would label a "cap." I think they're the best fitting and looking. I want to try to make it for myself first, then see if maybe I can make some for babies and children, including adults later on.

I've recently seen Project Linus ads for blanket patterns, etc., but I also think a nice, soft cap would be great too!

I'd love feedback and any patterns you can point me to. :)

crocheting again!

I cannot believe how long it's been since I picked up a crochet hook (or even a knitting needle)! I have so many unfinished projects (some I've promised to folks for years now...AAACK!) I have and it's about time I .. er.. finished them. :)

I'm working on a pattern I thought I'd totally forgotten how to crochet yet, within minutes, I was going at it like a pro. I can't wait to share it with you! (Can you tell I'm excited?) You can't see the colors as true as I hoped, but I'm mixing a gray with rose then with a mint green. Sounds weird, but it looks really good.

found this great blog today...

There are a lot of people who tell me they can't crochet. I say it's really not that hard and I found a blog that helps folks "keep it easy." If you've had trouble getting started, check this out and crochet your heart out!! :)


http://crochetme.com/blog

***It looks like you'll have to copy/paste the link, guys. The "add link" seems to be on the blink.***

shawl/jacket

I started the shawl/jacket (since I can't decide exactly what it is, that is what I'm calling it) the other day and it's REALLY simple. It looks like I have to -- SO glad I didn't get too far into the pattern -- make it a little longer. As it stands, it would do well on a child and/or a smaller built teen/woman. Since I'm not either of those, I have to make it longer to suit my 'ape arms.' I'm being my own guinea pig for this. If it works, I'll make another for my friend. I'm always relieved to find out that a pattern is much easier than it looks at first, aren't you?

What are you making?

mini-jacket

I guess you'd call it a mini-jacket...I think. I found this great (looks simple too) pattern for a little thing that has arms and has a back panel. Does that sound familiar to anyone? It's kind of like a little jacket, ergo me labeling it a 'mini-jacket.' When I saw it, I immediately thought of my friend Em and she likes it. I'm hoping to get a good multi-colored yarn for her. She likes to wear mostly black (ugh! hehehe) so I have to find a combination that gives her color, but on the dark side. Make sense? :)

Anyhow, I'm REALLY looking forward to whipping it up and will post pictures when it's done. Doesn't look like it will take me too long. Yay for new patterns to try.

time, time time

I realize time is slipping by and I'm not getting anywhere with my crocheting. Granted, school is taking a LOT, if not all, of my time which doesn't leave me the luxury of crocheting. But...I will be finishing projects that are "in the works." After all, how can you really move on if there are so many loose ends?

I'm excited about a throw I'm finishing. It's fall-ish in color and I know that its final resting place (ooh...sounds like a death..it's not though..haha) will be a loving home. This reminds me that around this time a couple years ago, I was making blankets for the Peabody House here in Portland, but they shut down the house. Now, I'm left wondering what project I can contribute blankets/throws to. Hmm...

No matter, I will get on the ball and finish what I started so that I can jaunt off to the next one. Pictures to follow!!

current projects...

UPDATE: I've finished the 'lace' throw and my friend loved it!! What is even better is that her parents loved it too (good thing, since it was a Christmas present for them)!!! I only wish that I'd taken a picture of the finished product. :(

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This is a "lace" afghan, I'm working on for a friend. It's not finished and I'll post another photo when it's done. This is a little hard to do with a dark yarn, regular worsted weight. It think it'll look even better with the border...yet to come.

I just gave away an oatmeal-colored afghan to a friend this past weekend. I thought I had a photo of it, but it must be elsewhere. Anyway -- it was my favorite, but was just sitting there. I can't abide having a blanket around that's not being used/loved. I'm glad I gave it to her...she said it was just right for her family and sooo warm. YAY! :) oh...wait! just found the photo! Double "YAY!" It's not great, but you'll get the idea...

handbag

I had a lot of little squares that I made on a whim. I had an idea of a lap blanket and remembered how much I detested putting squares together. Needless to say, I set it aside because of the daunting task it represented. Later...much later...I was surfing the web and found some free patterns and a handbag being one of them. I could try this...I said to myself and I set out to do so. The minute I sat down, I remembered all those blasted little squares that were just sitting in my closet. I raked them out of the pile yarn and set my face like a flint toward a goal of making this horrible little squares into a tote/handbag!

About a week later, I came up with this. Not too bad I guess. :) The only thing is...it is not able to carry any of my books. The weight must be light...even after doubling the bottom, sides and strap. Oh well...at least it's done and I've created something I never thought I would set out to do. Ka-ching! Trial and error, eh?

New Year -- New projects

I'm working on a few new projects and hope to get a picture up of them soon.

I started school this past fall and haven't had a chance to work on ANYthing! Of course, I didn't really pick up a crochet hook this past summer either so, that argument falls a little flat once the truth is known. ha!

I'm looking forward to these new throws. I still haven't got a clue about what to do with the little squares I started. I have a bunch and will probably end up using them for 12" squares to send down to the Northwind Afghan project in Oklahoma. It's about time I did something for someone else...aaack!

little squares

The age-old question: what to do with little squares?

I got myself into a predicament by saying, "Oh, I'll make some little squares for an afghan." But didn't stop to think that I would have to put them together. I HATE putting squares together! Why did I bother?! Now, I've got a whole bag of them and I haven't done anything else with them. I wonder if anyone would want them...sigh!!

Oh well -- it will give me something to do while I've got down time during school this fall. We'll see....

ugh

I've been sadly neglecting my blog. I cut my knuckle off a couple months ago and it's been hard to get back into a regular schedule again. It's not as painful, but it still aches if I do too much at once, which is irritating. I want to jump right back into crocheting NOW, not have to ease into it...aargh!

Anyway -- my friend is coming up from Virginia and they're having a baby shower for her. I'm hoping to get a small blanket done for baby Brahm. Here's hoping it'll come along easily and that my hand won't start acting up.

yikes!

I can't believe I haven't posted before now. I sliced my knuckle off and haven't been able to crochet for ages. I feel like I'm drying up -- funny that, huh?!

Anyway -- I've got a TON of projects in the works and hope to post about them in the near future. Stay tuned....

snowbound

We're in for a nor'easter here and it's probably a good thing. I'm chugging away diligently on the green blanket. I'm please with the outcome so far. I think a border will finish it off beautifully. I'll have plenty of time to work on getting it done since we'll be snowed in...AND...it will keep me warm as I work on it. :) That's the nice thing about doing blankets in the winter time.

I've started a new pattern for a scarf using a motif I cooked up with Red Heart cream and am using a Lion Bran Homespun for a border which ties it all together! It's coming out great. I'll post a pic when it's finished.

spring

Here is the blanket that I'm working on for someone who actually commissioned one. I'm not sure if it's exactly what they want, but all they said was that they didn't want white and preferred greens. So, here is my take on it:

Medium green worked together with a Mint green, then alternating with the Medium green worked together with a cornflower yellow to offset - or bring a little variety to the blanket.

I'm working with a pattern that I am altering a little. I like the original idea of the pattern, but found it too, well, regular if you know what I mean. I've broken up the rows of fpdc with a row of sc. I think it makes it look a lot nicer and even softer. :)

I've got about half of it finished and am looking forward to seeing how the border will come out. I haven't decided what color(s) I'll use for the border, but I may just be wild and incorporate all three some how...

chunky one

Here's one that I've been working on and had to put on hold because I just recently moved into my first house!! I'm so excited about having a home that I can call "mine." There's been a LOT that I've had to learn, but it's great and I'm starting to enjoy it!!

This afghan will be just for me since it's so bright. Of course, there may be others who like it too, but I wanted to try out this extra chunky yarn to see how it was to work with. It works up fast and there isn't a lot to it, but it will certainly be a nice, warm throw if nothing else!

hmmm

It's really bad when you don't make an entry for almost a month! But...I DO have a good excuse.


Anyway -- I just got back from giving my annual gift of blankets to the Peabody House here in Portland, ME. It always thrills me to be able to do something that makes a difference even if I never meet the clients these blankets go to.

I wasn't able to get my usual six done, but they told me that was OK. I even felt bad that I had to 'substitute' complete yarn/crocheted blankets for two fleece blankets that I crocheted borders on. They told me that they were just fine and would be appreciated.

I don't know -- I hope so. I guess I just have a certain standard I try to live up to, especially when I'm giving a blanket, ya know?

Well, at least they will help someone stay warm and that can't be bad! :)

Merry Christmas!

blankets, yet again...

I found two nice, thick fleece throws at the Christmas Tree Shop (a place I don't usually like to frequent) for $3 each. I made sure they were nice and thick and thought I'd have something cozy to curl up in this winter. But...I realized that since I sold one of the blankets I intended for the Peabody House, I was short by two. Aack! So, I trimmed one and think that might work for a substitute. I hope they won't mind that these two are not full yarn/crocheted. I really try to make it so they are all from scratch for these lovely souls who need them. Here's a pic of the one I finished. I have a tan one that I think I'll edge with a cream color...still not sure about that, though.

ugh

I'm SO frustrated with AC Moore! They send out these fliers for sales and give you 2-3 different dates and you're always hit or miss. I went today because the flyer's front page had today's date -- all the while meaning that you had to wait until tomorrow, which is noted at the very bottom of the BACK page! AARGH! I just walked out. I haven't done that in a long time. I don't even know why I was upset...maybe because it happens to me often! Now, I have to wait for ANOTHER sale week before I can get started on a blanket that someone has commissioned me to make. I just didn't want to feel rushed throughout the project...SIGH...

Does this happen to anyone else?

yipee!

I sold a blanket! Well, actually, my sister sold it for me. She had a coworker ask about buying one after she saw the one I did for my sister. Even better is; she wants another one but bigger!! I'm really excited and glad. Don't get me wrong, I love making them for gifts (knowing they are appreciated) and donating them to charity but, it's nice to know that someone would want to buy one...does that make sense?

Anyway -- so, I've gotta get off my anty and get crackin'! Oh BOY! When I think of all I have to get done by December....shudder....

oh yeah -- this is the one I sold.