Crochet Crazy!

I've been working monogamously on this blanket for my  friend's sister's baby since this past Thursday.  I'm about a quarter or so the way through and already used 5 balls of yarn.  This is a crocheted blanket and you can find the free pattern on the Bernat website.  The directions are a tad over complicated but I bookmarked several Ravelry users and their suggestions and it's been smooth sailing from there!  I hope to be done by the end of the week with this and that's if I hustle.  I sometimes long for the days when Angie would just lie next to me on the couch, dozing off in his wrap while I worked on my projects.  

Ah well, it's good thing he's so good looking.  For example: 

Stud!

....ho hummm....

#stuffonmycat

Move along...nothing to see here!

Crocheting Fool!

 I didn't realize it but the last few projects I've been kicking out have all been off the hook!  This past week, I made two Cardiff Cowls for my Mom using Berocco Vintage DK in black and gray.  I really love this pattern, seeing how I have made four of these so far.  My Mom requested another one in a heathered teal but I told her she's gonna have to wait for Christmas crafting to be over before I even begin to go there.  The Cardiff Cowl is a free pattern from Lion Brand and has a simple pattern that really makes it look more complicated than it is.  I love how you can pick up stitches at the foundation and go the opposite direction.  It makes for a very interesting pattern, even after the fourth time!

 I've also been making these little crocheted ice skates as ornaments for family members in green and red using Plymouth DreamBaby DK.  I was channeling my Grandma P as I was making them.  I have a pair she made many years ago that go on our tree and was excited to find a free pattern on the internets with very simple instructions!  I debated making more for co-workers but decided that since I'm at a new job, I was going to nix going handmade for gifts.  I'm thinking a card and some candy canes this year.  My co-worker who is also a knitter made me feel better about not going that route.   You're allowed to be selfish when it comes to your hobbies - a motto that I will try to uphold next year!  Even if it will only last past two projects!

The last thing I'm showing off are some crocheted booties.  I made these for my friend's sister who is expecting. These were made out of Plymouth Worsted and was another pattern off of Lion Brand for free.  I'm not a fan of making booties because they look weird when not on little feeties but I'm sure once these are on the babeh, they will look way better!  The pattern was easy to follow and I liked crocheting through the front loop to make the ribbed effect along the top of the toe.

I am about seven gifts away from being finished with my Christmas crafting.  How about you?

Helping out

3rd of the way done!

When a Raveler needs help, all they need to do is shout.  In my local Rav group, one of our members needed help knitting an afghan for her godmother who is battling cancer.  Many of us stepped up to help her out.  The blanket is based off of The Great American Afghan.  Because I am no where near being a cabling queen, I volunteered to make a square using some mock cables out of my Knit and Purl Harmony guide.  I think I chose well and thought the stitch pattern was really interesting.  I used Berocco Vintage, provided by Sheep Thrills, in the mochi color way.  I dropped off my square today.  I don't think I could've made another square with what was left.  I was surprised how much yarn this square sucked up but I must say, it's such a pretty pattern!

Now, back to my regularly scheduled program of Christmas crafting!

Fake cables and puffs

Swatching!  A first time for everything!

Donation to the hexipuff cause! Thank you, Chelsea!

This past week....

Trying to ply on a wheel

SO excited to use this Isager!

I freaking love this button!

Can you guess who I am?  Pre-guillotine of course!

I love DPNs something fierce..and Manos del Uruguay yarn

It's that time of year... :-P

Sunday afternoon....

I want to knit, mama!

How about crochet, Haze?

I'm making you a sweater, and a hat, and some mittens.

Gotta start them young!

Bits and Pieces

Amigurumi - guess who?

Christmas crafting is underway!

Got this fiber last year for my birthday - Still love it!

Birthday Fiber!

Awesome mail day yesterday!

The year I turned 25, I stopped keeping track of how old I am.  It wasn't a vanity thing but I saw it more as, eh, who cares?  For those who are keeping track, I am 32 today!  The day has been very nice so far, I had a meeting with my new principal about a lesson of mine she observed.  My favorite part of the meeting?  'We are so happy to have you with us, Nicole."  Whoohoo!

In other birthday news, my lovely friend, Jen, sent me a birthday gift straight from Rhinebeck.  She picked out some Into The Whirled merino silk fiber.  She opted for the fiber so that I have more hours of crafty enjoyment.  Dang, she knows me!  I am so jazzed about spinning this up, I can hardly contain myself! 

I craft so I don't kill people

Wanted so badly to conquer this corner

Puffed for some stress relief

5 puffs!

 The last few weeks, I've been so busy with my new job that my yarn crafting has fallen to the wayside.  Since I boosted up my work hours from being .5 to .8, the work load has followed suit.  I have also been pretty pooped because I feel like my life has been go go go!  But that's usually the case for teachers in September and October.  Hopefully, life will slow a tad come November and I am more on a routine.  Even with next to no time to craft, I managed to squeak out five hexipuffs after finishing my last project.

Crafty citrouille

Babeh color crafting

Toddler Halloween crafting

Crafting came in many forms the last few days so I suppose there was some crafting going on after all!