Missions Semi-Accomplished

Well, I didn't get any sewing accomplished this weekend after all.  Dang.  Instead I went to the shooting range with my Mister*.  We had a blast!  (hee! I'm punny!) Truthfully, I'm a regular little Annie Oakley and am, as Mister said, "very impressive" with a gun.  Gun slinging notwithstanding, I was still able to cross off some items on my to-do list this weekend.  

*(That's what I call him in real life, so I'm going to start referring to him as my Mister on here, as well.  The funny thing is that he picks up on my quirks/oddities very well, which can be very aggravating....especially when I don't realize I'm being annoying quirky/odd. Self realization can be a real pain in the butt.  So, he calls me, "Mister," too. It makes us laugh.)

1: I finished the Felted Watermelon Tote Pattern.  Let me rephrase that: I FINISHED THE FELTED WATERMELON TOTE PATTERN!!!!!  YAY!  It's now listed on my etsy site, as well as some of my other previous listings.  I went through a personal tragedy this winter and basically neglected everything- this blog and my etsy site, included.  However, I'm picking myself up, dusting myself off, and starting all over again.  Buy my stuff, y'all. ;)

2: * I've uploaded the Watermelon Hat video!  It's taken most of the day to upload via Youtube- I guess HD has it's drawbacks.  Seeing myself in HD....not as traumatic as I anticipated.  Thank the Lord for Oil of Olay. The second video is edited and has been published; I think I'll upload it to Youtube tonight since it'll probably take a good 8 hours to finish.  

*Ok, the video was still processing as I was finishing up this post.  It's been 7 hours since I first uploaded it to youtube.  I've just been notified that it's been rejected because it's too long.  WHAT.THE.WHAT?!?  So, I wasted 2 hours in publishing time for both the videos, plus 7 hours of uploading/processing time. Which means that, in addition to re-editing the videos, I still have another 2 hours of publishing time tomorrow and then approximately another 15 hours of uploading time. A.R.G.H!! 

 

3: A couple of months ago, my Mister asked me to make him a scarf.  I know- he already has the coolest scarf ever so, what could he possibly want another one for?  Well, the Mario Scarf is a tad too thin for him and, since we've apparently been relocated to the arctic this winter, he wants a warmer one.  But, more importantly than that, HE REQUESTED A CROCHET ITEM!  So, I told him that I could make him one like my circle scarves- except in manly colors, of course.  He shot that one down- thinks it'd still be too girly.  Drat- now I've got to think.  Fast forward to yesterday.  I've got a bit of time in the car while we're driving to/from the range, so I start tinkering with some yarn.  I've had this idea for a while and I really like what it's looking like.  I think it looks like bricks- bricks that a manly construction worker would be working with. *Insert Tim Allen grunt here.* He likes my swatch at first, but then decides that it's not exactly what he's looking for.  I text this to my sister asking, "Is this a manly scarf?"

 

She replies, ".....kinda."

Well, what do they know, anyway?  I'm the designer so I'll tell them what to like.  Stupids.  So, I start chaining away and making the darn scarf since I like it and think it's quite cute manly.  As I'm making the 1st brick section, Mister likes it.  Then, I start adding the second blue layer.  He likes it still.  Then I add the gray transforming it into the second brick layer. Mister squnches up his face in disgust. Ahhhh.....so he's ok with the plain blue/gray in the middle.  Oh yes- success will be mine.  This is what the FO looks like:

Mister likes it!!  So, this is my Mister Scarf. Kinda looks like tire treads to me.  I'm working on the hat, so I'll get a better picture soon.  

So, there you have it. An altogether successful weekend.  If I had an extra day all to my lonesome, I know I'd be able to get at least 2 of the bags out of the way.  I'm still a little congested but not enough to take a sick day tomorrow.  Err....I mean....*coughcoughcough*. I....*wheez*...think it's progressed....*gasp*.....into pneumonia....  I think I need to stay home and finish my projects rest.......

Tis the Season for Giving! Free Pattern

Hello All! I love this time of year. :) The Holiday Season is my favorite- I love all the cooking and decorating and the snow....I love it all! I woke up today seeing a beautiful white blanket of snow on the ground- it's still coming down- LOVE it.

As I said in my last post (over a month ago- geez....time flies....), I have been in a creative bent and finally have the time to sit and type up a very cute pattern to share. It's one of many coming down the pike. However.....before I get there, here's a rundown of the last month....

Each year for Halloween, my church holds a Hallelujah party for the kids- it's a safe place for the kids (and parents) to come and have fun and load up on tons of candy without having to knock on strangers' doors. My sis, hubby and I volunteered for the event. Being the creative sorts that we are, my sis and I made our costumes- it was so fun!

For those of you not up on your Disney and Carroll characters, we were, of course, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum.

Teehee! From the crocheted hats (created by yours truly- pattern coming soon), to the handmade skirts, we made it all. We have some matching red tights and black ballet flats to complete the ensemble. We wanted my hubby to dress as Alice to make our duo a trio, but no such luck. He can be such a party pooper sometimes.... Granted, he wasn't the only adult not dressed up for the event....as a matter of fact, other than my sis and I, there were 4 other adults dressed up. Um....yeah. Turns out we were a hit and were recruited to do the puppet show for next year- something about us being creative and dramatic or some such nonsense...

I was out of town the first week of November for work- but I got to work on a travel bag that I'm super excited about- need to line it and then it'll be ready for it's debut. LOVE IT. Then, I had to prepare for my dad's visit for Thanksgiving. His b-day was that week, as well, so we had a blast. As I mentioned before, I used to do drywall finishing with my dad for 6 years when I was a kid. Painting was my area of expertise. Well, my dad offered to help us paint the entry way/foyer of our house. It took 2 days and 3 different colors, but it came out BEAUTIFULLY. It was great working with my dad again- sometimes it really is hard living so far from family.... *le sigh* This time of year makes me nostalgic.....

Ok, enough jibber jabber- on to the crochet!

I was going through a book of crochet stitches and came across one that really caught my eye. I thought it'd make a great scarf- and so it did! I found some Moda Dea Bamboo Wool in Boysenberry on clearance so I bought a ton and was waiting for the perfect inspiration to hit. When I found this stitch, I knew it was time to pull out that delicious yarn. It was great to work with and drapes really well! Here is Pinky LaRue (named by my sis- my mom used to call her that b/c she wore pink all the time).

At first I made it for me- but my sister wanted it. Then, one of my BFF's fell in love with it, so I made her an identical one. I have enough yarn left for another scarf- for ME- but have yet to make it. *sigh* Luckily it's a quick project- very easy pattern repeat. Here's a detail shot:

If you continue the pattern repeat, you can make it into a shawl- here's Blackie LaRue Shawl:

And, here's the pattern!!

Pink LaRue Scarf or Blackie LaRue Shawl

MATERIALS
Pink WW yarn- about 5oz for the scarf; ~ 14oz for the shawl.

Size 5 mm (U.S. H/8) crochet hook
Yarn or tapestry needle for finishing


GAUGE
Not important

NOTE:
Chain multiples of 7 + 1 to make longer if you wish.

Ch 3 counts as 1st dc

ABBREVIATIONS & TERMS
sc = single crochet

dc = double crochet

FPsc = Front Post Single Crochet (Insert hook from front to back to front again around the post of designated st, yo, draw yarn through, yo, draw yarn through 2 loops on hook.)

repeat instructions between asterisks as many times as directed

INSTRUCTIONS

Chain 190.
Row 1: 1 sc in 2nd st from hook. 1 sc across. 189 sc. Chain 6. Turn.

Row 2: Dc in second sc, dc in each of next 2 sc. *ch 4, skip next 4sc, dc in each of next 3 sc; rep from * across to last 3 sc, ch 2, skip next 2 sc, dc in next sc, turn.

Row 3: Ch 3, 3 dc in next ch-2 space. *Skip next dc, FPsc around the post of next dc. Skip next dc. ** 7 dc in next ch-4 loop; rep from * across, ending last rep at **. 3 dc in ch-2 space of turning ch. dc in next ch of turning ch. Turn

Row 4: Ch 3; skip first 2 dc, *dc in next dc, ch 4, skip next 3 sts. Dc in next dc, skip next dc **. Dc in next dc, skip next dc; rep from * across, ending last rep at **. Dc in 3rd ch of turning ch. Turn.

Row 5: Ch 1. FPsc around the post of the first dc. *skip next dc. 7dc in next ch-4 loop. Skip next dc**. FPsc around the post of next dc; rep from * across, ending last rep at **. Dc in 3rd ch of turning ch. Turn.

Row 6: Ch 5 (counts as dc, ch 2), skip first 2 sts. *dc in next dc, (skip next dc, dc in next dc) twice**. ch 4, skip next 3 sts; rep from * across, ending last rep at **. ch 2, skip next dc. dc in last sc. Turn.

Repeat rows 3-6 4-times for scarf; 18-times for shawl (or for width desired).

Last 2 rows: repeat row 3 & 4.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Copyright 2009 Gege Crochet. All rights reserved. Pattern available for personal use only- please don't sell it- that's just not cool. Please don't post this pattern anywhere- you can provide a link back to here, though.

As always, if you find a mistake with this pattern, please let me know!! Enjoy!!!

Scarf-a-palooza

Ok, I've been telling y'all that I've gone scarf crazy but have yet to prove it with a post, and most importantly pictures, of said scarves. Well, today is your lucky day! I finally have been able to get pictures of all my scarves and can now put them in this one, very picture heavy, post. YAY!

To start off, this is the scarf that started it all. This is mine all mine! But, oh no my friends...this is not simply a scarf. It is a 3-in-1 accessory extraordinaire! It is, of course, a scarf.



But wait! It's also a headband! Very boho chic, no?



And, last but not least, it is also a belt.



I made this with left over size 3 thread from a Seraphina shawl I made for my sister...of which I need to get a picture.... I've worn it a few times and always get many complements and then the inevitable, "What?!? You made that?" Hee! My sister loves pink and black and wants one of her own, which I'll probably do in the near future.

From there, I made a brown and pink scarf, which I gave to my friend the same day I finished it. This picture doesn't do the colors justice- it's a bright pink, not a salmon color.



Next, I made a scarf with my favorite color- purple.



Then, I made this scarf, heavily influenced by my Queen of Hearts bag.



Then, another brown and pink one, this time made out of cotton and as a skinny scarf.



Also, a blue and brown skinny scarf:



Then a watermelon colored scarf, though in subdued colors. Made of cotton:



And, last but not least, a scarf heavily influenced by my Hilda bag:



So, there you have it. A ton of scarves that I went crazy making. And, in case it's not painfully obvious, I really liked this stitch pattern. Really really. Really.

There is actually one more that I made- a black, red, and silver one made of thread...I have one more row left to complete it but ran out of the black thread, so as soon as I get my butt to a Joanns, I'll finish it.



PS: I really liked that stitch.

Winter Watermelons part deux- free pattern!

Alright peeps! My long awaited Winter Watermelon scarf pattern is here! I finally sat down and wrote out the pattern. My very first! If you do make this pattern, please let me know if there are any mistakes in it so I can correct it. Also, please send me pics of your finished projects! I'd love to see them!

I completed a new hat, as well, but I still need to tweak that pattern before I list it here...so, more to come... AND....drum roll please! I have a video to supplement the pattern! It's for folks who don't know how to crochet through front/back loops only or who have never crocheted with beads before. YAY!

Here's a picture of the hat and scarf together:



And, here's the pattern!

PS: The Hat Pattern can be found here. 

Watermelon Scarf Pattern

MATERIALS
Green WW yarn- not a whole lot- maybe an ounce or 2
White WW yarn- ditto
Red or pink WW yarn- a little bit more...maybe 4 ounces

Size 6 mm (U.S. J/10) crochet hook
Yarn or tapestry needle for beading yarn and finishing
60 beads (you may have some left over)

GAUGE
Not important

NOTE:
Chain 2 does not count as half double crochet.

ABBREVIATIONS & TERMS
hdc = half double crochet
bhdc = beaded half double crochet
repeat instructions between asterisks as many times as directed

INSTRUCTIONS

With green, chain 187.
Row 1: 1 hdc in 3rd chain from hook. 1 hdc in each chain to end of ch. 185 hdc. Chain 2. Turn.

Row 2: 1 hdc in 1st hdc. 1 hdc in next hdc through back loop only. *1 hdc in next hdc through front loop only. 1 hdc in next hdc through back loop only. Repeat from * to last hdc. 1 hdc in last hdc. Fasten off green. Turn.

Row 3: Attach white. Chain 2. 1 hdc in 1st hdc. 1 hdc in next hdc through back loop only. *1 hdc in next hdc through front loop only. 1 hdc in next hdc through back loop only. Repeat from * to last hdc. 1 hdc in last hdc. Fasten off white. Turn.

Thread 60 beads onto red yarn before continuing.

Row 4: Attach red. Chain 2. 1 hdc in 1st hdc. 1 hdc in next hdc through back loop only. *1 hdc in next hdc through front loop only. 1 hdc in next hdc through back loop only. Repeat from * to last hdc. 1 hdc in last hdc. Chain 2. Turn.

Row 5: First beaded row. 1 hdc in 1st hdc. *(1 hdc in next hdc through back loop only. 1 hdc in next hdc through front loop only.) 4 times. 1 bhdc in next hdc through back loop only. 1 hdc in next hdc through front loop only. Repeat from * to last hdc. 1 hdc in last hdc. Turn.

Row 6: Repeat row 4

Row 7: Second beaded row. 1 hdc in 1st hdc. 1 hdc in next hdc through back loop only. 1 hdc in next hdc through front loop only. 1 hdc in next hdc through back loop only. 1 bhdc through front loop only. 1 hdc in next hdc through back loop only. *(1 hdc in next hdc through front loop only. 1 hdc in next hdc through back loop only.) 4 times. 1 bhdc in next hdc through front loop only. 1 hdc in next hdc through back loop only. Repeat from * to last hdc. 1 hdc in last hdc. Turn.

Row 8: Repeat row 4

Row 9: Repeat row 5

Row 10: Repeat row 4

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Copyright 2009 Gege Crochet. All rights reserved. Pattern available for personal use only- please don't sell it- that's just not cool. Please don't post this pattern anywhere- you can provide a link back to here, though.

Winter watermelons are the best!

Ah yes...summertime... Bright sunny days, everything's in bloom, and you just want to enjoy a nice, cool, juicy slice of watermelon. The refreshing juice bursting in your mouth and dribbling down your chin... the firm red flesh satisfying both your hunger and your thirst....the awesome spitting contests you totally win each and every time (and sometimes even using watermelon seeds!). Awww yeah....watermelons are the best.

This set was made for my sis. We saw a bowl (it might have been felted, actually...I don't remember) that looked like a watermelon and she wanted to know if I could make her a hat like that. I, being ever so humble, said, "Pshaw silly girl! But of course I can! I can do anything!" And then I proceeded to cackle like kitty-Yzma on Emperor's New Groove. ("And then when I turn into myself, I am going to kill you! Hhahahahahahahaha!")

Ahem....back to the watermelons.....I then had to think of how to make a watermelon hat, with the seeds, and make it look different than other crocheted hats. I love the creative process. :) Once I figured it out, I decided I couldn't just make her a hat and not have a scarf to go with it, now could I?




Here are details of both the hat and scarf:



And, of course some ACTION SHOTS!! POW POW!





Since a couple of my sister's coworkers fell in love with them and her scarf has been fawned over since she started wearing it, I think I'm going to make these available on my etsy store (a different set, of course...my sis is pretty much in love with hers. I actually want a set for myself...why do I always make other people the nice things??? I've yet to make myself a purse!). I think both the finished objects and quite possibly the patterns.... I'm not sure yet...I've never written a pattern before. We'll see...