A Little Dress and Some George Jones

My gramma died almost 7 years ago.  She taught me to crochet and embroider.  She was the matriarch and the queen crafter of the family.

I have very recently acquired some of her hooks.  She's got every kind I've ever seen and some bamboo and white plastic ones (which I've never seen in the store).  She never had much so I feel like these are just random hooks she picked up here and there with a random skein to play around.

I came across this little dress.  I generally dress my daughter like a little tomboy.  She loves the outside so I just don't see a reason to put a dress on her that will inhibit her movements.  But this dress is so cute, and warm.  It's also a vintage pattern, which I love.  It felt like to right thing to use the green I hook.  That I remember learning on when I was in elementary school.  

The pattern itself is a little intimidating,  but it was easier to follow than I thought it would be.  Lots of dc.

Here is is on Ravelry.  ----  http://www.ravelry.com/projects/GraceFaithHope/angel-wings-pinafore

 I used my gramma's I hook and 4 ply yarn to size up from the 0-3 months to my smallish 14 month old (she wears 12-18 month shirts and 9-12 month pants).  I should also say, I figured it would be too short since the pattern is for a 0-3 mo.  So I made it 21 rows, the pattern calls for 18, but it was too long.  I pulled out to 18 and it comes just above her knee.  Shes 29 inches tall.  

I listened to George Jones and crocheted faster than I ever have, I think.  I took about 2.5 hours.

The yarn is "Seafoam" by Red Heart Soft.  Its a really nice green/blue/gray and reminded me of the kid's eyes.

For My Baldy

Just something cute  :)

Statement Necklace OR My First Pattern Hack

I found this pattern.  Then I decided it worked but could be better.  I wont link it just because I don't want to say that this particular pattern is bad.  Its just not exactly what I was looking for.

So, I wanted to make it what I was looking for.  

I'm not a big fan of math.  So when I realized that I was about to embark on the most math intensive project of my life I was a little hesitant.  

The problem is that you don't know if it works or not until you are done.  Until the last stitch.  It took me about 4 hour to break it down.

I realized that the pattern is 4.  There needs to be a multiple of 5 double crochet.  To get a multiple of 4 loops.  But there is a turning chain so that makes one less chain than there will be double crochet.  BUT to make the side symmetrical you have to put 3 double crochet (or two loops) in the same stitch.  Then you have to have three rows of dc on the bottom layer, 2 in the middle and one on the top.  

Yeah.

So this is basically my pattern...

Bottom Layer
1 - ch 20
2-4 - ch2, dc into 2nd ch from hook and dc across (21)
5 - ch5, dc in same st as the ch *ch3, dc in next* rep 19 times.  Ch3 and dc into the same stitch to create 21st loop in the same stitch as the 20th looop. (do not use turning chain)
6  - ch3, *tr,ch,tr,tr,tr,ch,tr, (Into first loop) ch3, sk loop, sc into the next loop, ch3* Repeat * to * until the last loop.  tr,ch,tr,tr,tr,ch,tr, ch3 (into the last loop) sl and tie off

Middle layer

1 - ch 16
2-3 - ch2, dc into 2nd ch from hook and dc across (17)
4 - ch5, dc in same st as the ch *ch3, dc in next* rep 19 times.  Ch3 and dc into the same stitch to create 21st loop in the same stitch as the 20th looop. (do not use turning chain)
5  - ch3, *tr,ch,tr,tr,tr,ch,tr, (Into first loop) ch3, sk loop, sc into the next loop, ch3* Repeat * to * until the last loop.  tr,ch,tr,tr,tr,ch,tr, ch3 (into the last loop) sl and tie off


Top layer
1 - ch 12
2-3 - ch2, dc into 2nd ch from hook and dc across (13)
4 - ch5, dc in same st as the ch *ch3, dc in next* rep 19 times.  Ch3 and dc into the same stitch to create 21st loop in the same stitch as the 20th looop. (do not use turning chain)
5  - ch3, *tr,ch,tr,tr,tr,ch,tr, (Into first loop) ch3, sk loop, sc into the next loop, ch3* Repeat * to * until the last loop.  tr,ch,tr,tr,tr,ch,tr, ch3 (into the last loop) sl and tie off

Then I added the chain.  Use the left most and right most chain stitch the attach the chain.   

WHEW. 

Do you like it?  :)

Lil Necklace

I'm been working on larger projects.  Large animals, afghan and some more gifts.  I'm waiting on some yarn to get here in the mail and needed something small to do tonight.

Pinterest delivered again.  

Here is the tutorial.  It is in UK stitch names. It took me about 30 minutes to complete.

Note:  You have to sign up for the site and "buy" the download for free.  The rest of the site looks interesting so I didn't mind giving up my email address.

I also took the photo and edited in Lightroom.  (best program evar!)

This is my favorite thing to do.  Make some thing then make it look cool.  :)  I added the B&W and color version simply because I couldn't decide which I liked better.

Hope you like!

Also, if you are interested... my photography site.... tmpd.me.  

Sewing: Crochet Hook Case

I found this on Pinterest.

Its awesome.  I needed something cool to put my hooks in so I gave it a try.

Keep in mind I am not a seamstress.  But I like it  :)

The link above gives some great examples, I also documented my experience for a hook case.

The book I found a a thrift store and thought it was perfect.  I always say I love grannies cause of the symmetry.  "Brief Analytic Geometry".

Materials:  Glue gun, fabric, book with the pages out, exacto knife, ruler, scissors, and a piece of Bristol Board we had left over from another project.  (you want to add something like this or cardboard to the book binding to give it some structure.)

You will also need a sewing machine and stick pins.

So I tried to do this: 

But it totally didn't work out.  there was stitches everywhere and I was really nervous I was going to break the needle on the hooks.  I finished this piece but quickly threw it out.  I elected to go this route instead. 

I used the failed piece to measure out another piece.  It was 10cm by 10cm.  I kinda just put the hook on it and eye balled the sizing.  Its a cut up t-shirt so there is more give than most fabrics. (also, this is why I can't sew, too much "eye-ballin")

I used this stitch so I didn't have to try to fold it under and have an extra stitch.

Next I sewed on the reverse side.  A ruffle from the shirt to hold needles, and a little pouch to hold my scissors that I can't seem to keep my hands on.

Next you're going to hot glue it onto the book.  Don't forget you have to fold the edges under, don't glue to far out or you will have to rip it off.  I did.

Done.  :)  Like I said, Its not perfect.  But I really like learning more about my sewing machine and playing around with it.  :shrug:  I like it. 

Flower and Bow Headbands

One of the things I couldn't show you until now are these...

I made these for my 11 year old cousins.  Each one took under 5 mins and I found myself wishing that I wouldn't look ridiculous wearing them.

I picked up a pack of headbands at Target and used a simple bow and flower pattern.  I happened to have the yarn that matched the colors really well.

In the bow, I wrapped it together and around the headband at the same time.

In the flower I added the button and used that to affix it to the headband.

I used 4ply yarn and my trusty G hook.

I'm happy to say the girls seemed to love them.

DforV: DONE!

I ended up with 331.  I'm missing 5.  I'm not worried about it.

 And now for the hard part.  

Sewing all these little buggars together.

Also, I was shooting for her 1st birthday.  That was Nov 21st.  Then Christmas.  That's in 4 days.

Towards the end this wasn't something that I exactly enjoyed doing.  I can knock out 20 in an hour and a half.  I had about 30 other projects for Christmas, an ornament exchange with my lady friends and an art show that I participated in.  So I decided to lift my goals for this blanket.  Vi will not know or care when I gave it to her.  Just that I made it for her.  I hope she grows to like yellow, gray and blue.  I still hate green.

YAY!!!  

On to the next big project.  It's for baby of a couple that are awesome.  I just hope they get the reference.  I have one month to complete.  :)