Blue Crocheted Granny Square

This was a wedding gift for yet another wedding this past year. One of Shane's closest friends from college was married a week after my sister. This blanket is just a giant granny square with a couple different shade of blue and some cream too. I liked how simple yet soothing it looks. It is a perfect size for a lap blanket.

I also made another one of these for our landlord for Christmas. It was a dark hunter green and this same cream color in big large stripes. Of course, I was finishing it up right until we gave it to her so I forgot to take a picture.

Crocheted Halloween Costumes

I have wanted to make Sydney's Halloween costume since she was a baby. This year I finally got the inspiration to really go for it. She really wanted to be Astrid from How to Train Your Dragon, which of course made Shane really proud. We actually looked around for a costume for her but couldn't find one anywhere. We did see some girls wearing pre-made ones on Halloween so they must have been available but maybe just sold out. Either way, with Shane's encouragement, we decided to make Sydney an Astrid costume ourselves.


First I picked out some yarn and crocheted the vest/shirt for her. It is two different yarns, one aqua color and a tricolor, that I crocheted together. I just chained enough to fit around her waist and slip stitched to the first chain to make a large loop. Then I just did rows of double stitch up her torso. I was worried the double stitch would be too big and not tight enough for a shirt but because of using two yarns and a H hook it worked out great. Once I made the tube big enough for her torso I just winged it to go up around on shoulder and then attached it to the back. Then I crocheted the other side. I was in a hurry so I didn't keep track of stitches or anything like that. Basically the poor girl had to try it on every hour or so as I went to make sure it was going to fit correctly.


The skirt is a faux leather I picked up at Joann's. I just made myself a little template and cut out all the pieces by hand. Then sewed them onto a waist band piece. I didn't really have the time to finish the skirt well so we just cut belt loops right into the waist of the skirt and put her brown belt on the inside of the skirt. It worked perfectly. Plus, this method means it is adjustable so she can wear it again next year if she wants. The skirt also includes a basic tube of brown cotton fabric for the bottom layer. The 'studs' are just silver buttons I found and sewed onto the skirt. The little skulls and the studs on her shoulders are clay Shane mixed up for me that we baked in the oven until set, then we just hot glued them into place.


The shoulder pieces are made for cardboard, hot glue, spray paint, and more of the clay for the spikes. And to finish it all off I made her headpiece from a scrap of the 'leather', extra buttons, and verco. Viola! Astrid.


Next up was Violet. We thought it would be cute if she was a little dragon. We talked and sketched some ideas for a little beanie and spikes as well as other details but in the end time limited her costume to just wings. It worked out because at 15 months she wasn't really liking the idea of a detailed, cumbersome costume. I just used some Red Heart soft green yarn. Once again I just sort of winged it without a pattern (sorry for the pun.) It is all double crocheted as well which made it come together quickly. Shane helped me add wire (from a wire hanger) then I just added a couple buttons to attache the harness.


I was happy with how they turned out and I look forward to making more costumes for them in the future. It was also good to try my skills at creating something with no pattern to even base it off of. Definitely a stretching experience.

Cherilyn and Jake

I know it has been a while since I blogged so get ready for some catching up. While I haven't been on here much I have been creating and making new stuff. I'm looking forward to sharing them and getting some feedback too. So without further delay...

(Photo property of Cherilyn)

Congratulations (belated though it is) to my sister Cherilyn and her new husband Jake. They were married this past October. Cherilyn is my only sister whom I love dearly and Jake is a wonderful husband for her. He really brings out the best in her and for that I love him too.


I made them this crocheted blanket for their new home together (yes it is an old picture because I forgot to take pictures of it completed). It is something you may have seen a glimpse of all the way back here. It was definitely a labor of love but I think it will be a nice blanket to cuddle under for a movie. It is big enough for two to use for just such an occasion. This is my first attempt at a chevron or zigzag pattern. I really like the look of these and think I might make one for our home too. I'm thinking a bunch of bright colors. Maybe something for on Violet's big girl bed since it will probably take about that long to make. :)

Black and White Throw

Here is a black and off-white crocheted blanket for a friend. It is a large granny square crocheted in a soft yarn. These are so quick to make and I always love how they turn out. I have a few more crafts and crocheted projects in the works so I'll share more soon.

Happy 29th Shane!

The man I love turns 29 today. I struggled with what to get for him. He means so much to me and another Blu Ray or book just seemed sort of....not enough. In the end, Sydney picked out a record for him (his newest hobbie) and along with a couple small gifts we each made him something. Sydney used some clay that bakes in the oven and made him a pencil holder for his desk. I decided to make him this crocheted yoda to sit and guard the pencil cup. The pattern was a little confusing to me so I sort of changed some things as I went, but that may be because this was my first attempt at any sort of animal or doll. I am happy with the way it turned out and I look forward to trying other creatures in the future.


Shane, I love the way you love me and the girls. You are such a wonderful man of God, an amazing artist, and of course, an amazing father. May your birthday be filled with lots of laughter and fun, and may the Dodgers win today for you! ;)

Care Package

Here is a crocheted lap blanket for my grandma who recently had hip surgery. It is a big granny square and made mostly of Red Heart Soft yarn. We love getting handmade gifts, and unexpected gifts in the mail are always fun, so I thought we would pay it forward. Sydney made a potholder from a loom to include. She is getting really good at making those little potholders.

Cherilyn's Washcloths

My sister just bought her first house and I wanted to give her a little something to celebrate. As you know I have decided to try and make more handmade gifts this year. I've desired to try making washcloths for awhile so I thought this would be a good opportunity. I used some 100% cotton yarn I already had in my stash and just started crocheting away. It took a couple tries to get a size I liked but I think these turned out well.


The stitch is just a simple double crochet except I crossed them to make little X's. Basically, I would skip a stitch and double crochet into the follow stitch, then for the following double stitch I would work into the one I had skipped. I will definitely be making more in the future and will be trying different patterns too.

Snowflakes

Here is a snowflake garland I crocheted for above Sydney's window. I thought it would be a fun decoration for her room. Is it too early to mention Christmas? Since I've seen it in all the stores and on some blogs already I think it's okay. I like how it turned out for my first try at a crocheted garland. I can just imagine more of them in the future. Maybe flowers for spring??

Hexagons

Marissa and I started making these large hexagons for a blanket before completely understanding how we were going to put them all together. It all turned out okay but that middle section keeps bugging me. I think in the future I would change it just a bit. The hexagons were fun to crochet and Shane kept teasing that I was making a giant doily. In the end each one was probably four feet across. The whole blanket all together will fit a king-size bed I think. This was made for a dear friend who was married this past Sunday. Sydney was their flower girl.


Victoria and Gary we hope you enjoy the blanket for years to come. May God bless your marriage abundantly!

Another Blanket in Progress

Even with the other three blankets in progress I started another one this past week. This is a hexagon shape in burgundy with rose pink stripes. The plan is to have four large hexagons and then use triangles to connect them all. I am not sure exactly how it will work out yet but I have a visual in my mind. We all know that sometimes it takes a little trail and error to get something in our minds out into the world so I will let you know how it goes. Like the previous WIP's this one is for a gift too.

Works in Progress

Here are a few current projects I am working on with the crochet hooks. They are all various gifts so I won't share too much detail yet. I will try to remember to take pictures before giving them out to share with you.

A basic granny square blanket

A large ripple blanket in blue and cream

The beginnings of a basket weave stitch blanket

Hat for Monsters Vs. Aliens

I thought it might be fun to throw together a hat for Sydney to wear tomorrow when we see Monsters vs. Aliens. So I introduce you to the blue, one-eyed monster hat. We have family coming to celebrate with us. It should be fun to see it in theaters and see everybody else's reaction to the film Shane worked on for so long. Plus it is always exciting to see his name up on the big screen (yes we are some of those weirdos who stay through the credits.) If you get a chance to see it let me know what you think. The reviews are pretty good but I like knowing what other people think not just critics. I know the pictures are a bit redudant but Sydney was just being so cute I had to post more than one.

DreamWorks Holiday Bazaar

I had a great time participating in the DreamWorks bazaar for the first time. I met some really nice people including some ladies who make amazing children's clothing. I had an array of blankets, elf hats, scarves, and onesies. You may remember a little sneak peek at a new pattern I was working on. Well, as you can see from the picture I worked on a design for an ogre beanie. It was a big hit. I sold all the ones I had and took orders for a few more.

I learned alot from my first two craft fairs. I learned that you never can predict what people will like. I also learned that in economic times like these people prefer smaller items. I look forward to doing more shows in the future but for now I am ready to only craft for our own gifts and my own fun for a little while. After I finish up a few more Christmas gifts and a couple orders I really want to try my hand at some new things. I will be working on getting the extra blankets and hats in the shop over the weekend so check back.

A guessing game

DreamWorks has a holiday bazaar for employees, friends, and family on December 4th. With encouragement from Shane, I have signed up to have a table. To say I am nervous to show my things to people who breathe creativity would be an understatement. I mean, its DreamWorks!


Here is a little glimpse of a pattern I am working on for a new hat. See if you can guess what it might be. (No guessing for you Shane.) This picture is from the first time frogging I think. Let's just say it has gone through a few prototypes already. ;)

Elf Beanies

Here is a picture of the new hat and scarf set I have started creating. These are like the ones I sold at the boutique but I thought you all might like seeing it on Sydney. :) She makes them looks cuter. It was sort of by accident that I made the elf hat originally but I really like them. With a little adjusting to the pattern they are becoming my new favorite thing to crochet while I watch movies in the evenings. This set is over in the shop if you are interested in more details. Let me know what you think.

Holiday Boutique Coverage

Thanks to everybody who stopped by at my first ever boutique. It was super fun to participate. The event too place in beautiful Pasadena and I was lucky enough to spend the day with Amy. We spent the time talking with each other, with other vendors, and with lots of visitors. I felt like if I sold one thing I could consider it a success and so it was a success. Hee hee.

Actually I sold an owl onesie, both of the elf beanies below, a bunch of buttons, and received a very special commissioned lap-size blanket that I will share with you all soon.

I have posted a couple of the blankets that did not sell in the shop and I hope to post more blankets and possibly a couple hats in the next couple days so stay posted.

Holiday Boutique

There will be a holiday boutique in Pasadena on November 15th. I will be participating and sharing a table with a dear friend, Amy from Knit Me Pieces. If anybody is in the area and available please stop by and say hi. There will be lots of opportunities for holiday shopping for unique and handmade gifts. This is my first time participating in anything like this so I am a bit nervous to see how my creations are received. I have a list of things I am trying to make in time for the boutique including crocheted baby and lap blankets. You will just have to come visit to see all the fun things I am making. ;)

The boutique will be at 1841 Fiske Ave. Pasadena, CA 91104 from 10am thru 3pm. Some of the handmade items will include dolls, quilts, cards, soaps, jewelry, bags, and my stuff just to name a few. I hope to see some of you there.

First Commissioned Baby Blanket

When little Ryken was born a few months ago, I made him this brown and green blanket as a gift. Well, his mommy wanted another one for him so she asked if she could buy one from me, thanks Amy! So here is what I made. She asked if it could match his bedroom decor which has browns, greens, blues, and touches of red. I hope that Amy and the babe both love this one too. This one is the same basket-weave stitch I learned from Marissa with a machine-washable soft yarn.

Christmas Gifts

Even though the weather is not cooperating much yet it is autumn so I have started crocheting more. Last year I did not make as many Christmas gifts as I would have liked so I decided to start a little earlier this year. Sydney and I made a list of what we would like to make for the holidays and I have made some progress already. Here is the first blanket (almost finished) and a scarf.

A Crocheted Hat for Syd

A close friend was experimenting with making a baby hat. The gauge was a little big so it didn't quite work for a newborn but it was perfect for Sydney. Thanks again Marissa.