I Won! I Won!

I'm very pleasantly surprised! I was one of the 20 winners of the First Plurk Design-Off Contest. :) Read about it and Plurk (the coolest most awesome communities on the web ever) here: First Plurk Design-Off Winners. Still haven't seen anything about that gift certificate, but I am so happy people liked my little plurk creature. I think I posted a picture of him before, but for shits and giggles here he is again...



I wasn't totally pleased with how he turned out (I *suck* at sewing) and I would have added some more color to him. He's pretty cool though. I guess I'll not be ashamed of him anymore. :P

Look for a new post tomorrow! I finally got to give my sister her broomstick lace baby blanket, so I will be posting pics and a quick tip or two on making broomstick lace. Until then...Go to plurk and sign up. It is fun fun fun. :)

Broomstick Lace Shawl Pattern! It's here!

After much delay, I'm finally getting around to posting my new pattern. The pattern is written in multiples of 7, so if you need to adjust it just make sure you start the base chain at a multiple of 7 plus 1. I'm calling it the Meryle shawl, for my Mother-In-Law.

Here is what the shawl looks like when finished:




If you are unfamiliar with how to make broomstick lace, I highly recommend watching this video: Intro to Broomstick Lace. Just watch the series (it's short and easy to follow) and you will be ready to make this beautiful pattern!

You will need:

• A lightweight varigated yarn of your choice (TLC Baby Ultra Soft was used in the example above)
• A 4mm or 5mm crochet hook
• A 1/2 inch wooden dowel

Chain 189

Row 1 - sc in each stitch across

Row 2 - Draw up loops through each stitch across onto broomstick

Row 3 - Join in groups of 7 loops with 7 dc in each loop group (for the first group, insert your hook through the loops, ss, chain 3 to count as first dc and then 6 more dc in group)

Row 4 - Repeat Row 2

Row 5 - Repeat Row 3

Row 6 - ss in first 7 stitches, draw up loops through the next 175 stitches

Row 7 - Repeat Row 3

Row 8 - Draw up loops through each stitch across onto broomstick

Row 9 - Repeat Row 3

Row 10 - ss in first 7 stitches, draw up loops through the next 161 stitches

Row 11 - Repeat Row 3

Row 12 - Draw up loops through each stitch across onto broomstick

Row 13 - Repeat Row 3

Row 14 - ss in first 7 stitches, draw up loops through the next 147 stitches

Row 15 - Repeat Row 3

Row 16 - Draw up loops through each stitch across onto broomstick

Row 17 - Repeat Row 3

Row 18 - ss in first 7 stitches, draw up loops through the next 133 stitches

Row 19 - Repeat Row 3

Row 20 - Draw up loops through each stitch across onto broomstick

Row 21 - Repeat Row 3

Row 22 - ss in first 7 stitches, draw up loops through the next 119 stitches

Row 23 - Repeat Row 3

Row 24 - Draw up loops through each stitch across onto broomstick

Row 25 - Repeat Row 3

Row 26 - ss in first 7 stitches, draw up loops through the next 105 stitches

Row 27 - Repeat Row 3

Row 28 - Draw up loops through each stitch across onto broomstick

Row 29 - Repeat Row 3

Row 30 - ss in first 7 stitches, draw up loops through the next 91 stitches

Row 31 - Repeat Row 3

Row 32 - Draw up loops through each stitch across onto broomstick

Row 33 - Repeat Row 3

Row 34 - ss in first 7 stitches, draw up loops through the next 77 stitches

Row 35 - Repeat Row 3

Row 36 - Draw up loops through each stitch across onto broomstick

Row 37 - Repeat Row 3

Row 38 - ss in first 7 stitches, draw up loops through the next 63 stitches

Row 39 - Repeat Row 3

Row 40 - Draw up loops through each stitch across onto broomstick

Row 41 - Repeat Row 3

Row 42 - ss in first 7 stitches, draw up loops through the next 49 stitches

Row 43 - Repeat Row 3

Row 44 - Draw up loops through each stitch across onto broomstick

Row 45 - Repeat Row 3

Row 46 - ss in first 7 stitches, draw up loops through the next 35 stitches

Row 47 - Repeat Row 3

Row 48 - Draw up loops through each stitch across onto broomstick

Row 49 - Repeat Row 3

Row 50 - ss in first 7 stitches, draw up loops through the next 21 stitches

Row 51 - Repeat Row 3

Row 52 - Draw up loops through each stitch across onto broomstick

Row 53 - Repeat Row 3

Row 54 - ss in first 7 stitches, draw up loops through the next 7 stitches

Row 55 - Repeat Row 3

Row 56 - Draw up loops through each stitch across onto broomstick

Row 57 - Repeat Row 3. Finish off.

For the border:

I unfortunately did not write out the border as I crocheted it. :( I always forget something. The pictures I took for the blog don't show the start of the drop stitch shell pattern, and I cannot remember how I began it. I already gave the shawl to my MIL, so alas...no pattern. Boo! It's ok, I deserve to be boo-ed for this. I might be making another one soon. If so, I will record the pattern as I go along. But, basically, to make the angle of the triangle from the steps of the loop groups...slip stitch into the furthest stitch out in the group, chain 6, ss into the next step down's further stitch out, all the way down. This will give you a nice flat base to work from. The drop stitch shell pattern came immediately to mind when I was working on this. The long part (for around the neck), was done in an alternating front post/back post double crochet over 6 rows. I'm really sorry I don't have the pattern for the border. :(

If anyone tries this pattern and finds something wrong with it, please contact me so I can alter the original pattern. Also, please don't sell this pattern or claim it as your own because it took me forever to get it the way I wanted it. Seriously, I'll be mad. And I am internet savvy. I will find you. :)

I hope you enjoy this pattern. The basic broomstick lace pattern presented here makes a beautiful fabric for afghans, shawls, scarves, skirts, etc, etc. It works up fast and looks much more complicated than it really is. :) Don't be afraid of the broomstick. It is your friend.

The Need for Speed

I have a deadline. One of my Mother-In-Laws' birthday is on Wednesday and my darling husband asked me to make her something. Which is fine. But, give me say...more than 2 days. He wasn't thinking ahead and yeah, I have two days to make this thing.

Two freaking days.

I wanted to knit a shawl for her, but after three failed attempts to follow a pattern...I decided (in the best interest of TIME) to crochet something instead. Wracking my brain for a fast shawl, I decided on Broomstick or the very apt knickname: Jiffy lace. Booyah. I'm working it in a step fashion so once the edging is done it will be one big triangle.

I really enjoyed writing this pattern up. I was able to set the base chain at a prime number, have each loop section be in groups of seven, and have every single row contain an odd number of stitches. Oh, the happy happy joy!

I will be posting the pattern once the shawl is complete...just in case I screwed something up. But, so far, it's looking nice. I wish I had more time to make this. I would have ordered a nice wool yarn. However, I had virtually no prep time (think about 3 hours), so I ended up with a very soft baby yarn in a soft, subtle blue/green/purple colorway. It's really pretty yarn and worked up in the broomstick lace, it makes a nice soft fabric. It has a surprisingly lovely drape so far, which I can only imagine will get better as the piece gets larger. I'm really excited to see how it turns out.

At this point all I can say is...it's a damn good thing I am a speed crocheter. I think I can do this. But, I have to get back to it instead of writing this inexpectedly long blog post. :)

Look for the pattern by Wednesday! 'Cause if it's going to get done...it's got to get done by then.

I've never been happier

...To finish a project. Jesus. This thing took way too long. The main part was quick and easy enough, but the lace border I decided to use...that's another story. Took about an hour per section, there were four sections to the border and then I had to sew the stupid thing on. Then, there were gaps between the border sections, so I had to fanagle it so it didn't look fugly when finished. I think it turned out ok, but you be the judge...



Here is a close up of the Pineapple Lace Border:



Yeah, it's pretty, but it is also tedious and tremendously taxing. My fingers hurt, same with the wrists and forearms. Arrrrgh.

Funny story...last week when I started to work on the border, I nearly impaled my finger with the crochet hook. I had NO IDEA it was possible to get cut by one of these buggers, but yep. Thankfully blood did not get all over the piece because then I would have lost my mind. I had (and still do) a neat little slice on my finger....The finger I use to hold and stabilize the work. It's all good though. My lace calluses are back and the piece is finally finished! Wooooo! There will be more because I'm making not one but TWO baby blankets coming up soon. Two pregnant sisters. What are the chances of that? Until next time...

I Promised...

I totally promised some updates awhile ago, so here we go.

I've been busy. Very busy. I'm working on a present for a friend of mine who will be having a baby girl soon. I can't say what it is, because she reads my posts. :) Pictures to come after she receives the totally awesome, amazingly fantastic thing I'm making.

Anyway, I was commissioned to make a lace name thing for my Great Aunt, which turned out very nicely. I finally blocked something! Though, I ran out of pins so it is not perfectly even. Grr...

This was made with a size 10 cotton thread and a size 5 (1.9mm) steel hook.


I also had the fabulous fortune to get a coupon in the mail from Jo Ann fabrics for 40% off. So...I took my time browsing the ridiculously priced yarn. I found some Patton's Merino in denim and immediately fell in love. I got a 5.99 skein for 3.50 something. Booyah! I got home and immediately began crocheting. I made some socks! I looked at patterns online, but I knew they wouldn't work for me with just one skein and two rather large feet. (I'm a size 11 womens. I know, it's weird.) Anyway, I got two very comfy socks out of a 3.50 skein of wool. I freaking love it.
These were made with Patton's merino wool and a 4mm aluminum crochet hook.


Awhile ago, I was working on a dog jacket for my parents' dog, Patrick. I keep forgetting to get a picture of it on him, but here is a detail of the stitch patten I used. Once again, totally original. I like doing the math part of crochet, what can I say? :)
This was made with 3 balls of Vanna's Choice yarn in Autumn and a 4.5 mm crochet hook.


I am still working on a few other things. I'm making a really neat looking drop stitch blanket for our attic room. It looks really neat, and despite the very open shell pattern...it's pretty damn cozy. I'll post pictures when that one is finished. I'm totally going to make some bitching lace border for it. Oh yeah. I've also been commissioned to make several more of those lace name thingies. I don't have a name for them. They aren't really doilies, but they aren't big enough to be table runners. Therefore, they are thingies. I have to really move my ass on two of those actually. Damn. I'm suddenly very busy with commissioned crochet! I love it. Let me say again here that if you want something made...let me know. I love, LOVE doing this. :) Though, it would be nice to get paid for it. :P I'd love to crochet for a living. That would rule the universe.

Yeah, so I'm one of those people and take pictures of my cats. I have to share this one, because it epitomizes the very nature of cat-ness. This is The Peach It:


He's the handsomest, laziest cat I know. I have two other cats, but I won't bore you. Even though they are just as awesome as The Peach It.

Check back for more crocheted stuff. The weather is warming up and I'm thinking...tank tops. Oh HELL yeah!

Completing Projects

I've actually become rather proficient with finishing things! Wooo! Go me. I finished the dog jacket blanket thingy I was making for my mom's dog, Patrick. He's the cutest big little dog ever. He's an Irish Setter. Anyway, I will be presenting the finished project tomorrow. I'm going to fit it to him with the last two pieces. They just need to be whipstitched on, so it will only take a second or two. :) Another project completely created by moi.

I finished the chart for a gift I'm making for my mom's employer's mom. Haha. It's more lace, and I gotta say...it is pretty damn cool looking. I can't wait to make it. My mom cracks me up. She keeps calling me from Walmart to see if I need any yarn or cotton thread. I gotta come up with something else cool to make for her. :) Pictures to come tomorrow. I have some now, but I wanted to show the jacket blanket thingy on his glorious red coat.

I've Been Busy

As the title implies...I've been very busy lately. My husband decided that I should have my own room to paint, draw, sew, etc, etc. So, we moved my drafting table and a bazillion other things down into one of our spare bedrooms. Squeeee! It's awesome. I now have a library, arts, and crafts room. Complete with a tv that doesn't work Woo!

All silliness aside, as soon as my stuff was in one place my brain just exploded with all these ideas. So, without further ado...a pictural journey of my work in the past couple (?) of weeks. I don't even remember.

I've been crocheting more again after my brief hiatus (much to the chagrin of my husband). I finally got the guts to try filet crochet and you know what? It isn't all that hard to do. For more information on how this was made, please check out: Easier Than You Think

This is the table runner!



Yes, those are my husband's magazines. But, how cool does that look?

I also had the privilege to get a picture of one of the scarves I made for Christmas, but forgot to take a picture of. Please read previous post...something about me being stupid. Anyway...this one was my absolute favorite. Ted likes unicorns, and the color pink.



His wife tells me he likes to wear it.

These are just some cool clouds I saw last week. I like that you can see the sun through the clouds.



I am almost embarrassed to post these, but since no one knows how I am anyway...I figured why not. I tried watercolor painting for the first time this week. I don't know if what I made is good or what. I look at other peoples' paintings and they look good. I look at mine and think...this doesn't look like theirs. I dunno. I did make a sweet nebula. I have named it the Seahorse Nebula. Maybe it exists.



Close up of one of the crappy paintings. Sorry about the shadows, I couldn't escape their clutches.



This is the Seahorse Nebula. I like this one.

So, yes. I was busy. I hope to have pictures of LACE in a few days. That's right. I'm doing lace now. Booyah!