Behind on my posting… AGAIN

I have some FOs to show you! Yay!

I’m just gonna dive right in. We don’t need no stinkin’ introduction!

I finished this item a few weeks ago – before my Valentine’s Day post, actually. I intended to include it in that post but I never got around to it. By the time I remembered, the post had already been…posted. Oops. This was link number 10 from this list:

The first part:

The second part:

And the finished item:

I’m not gonna lie…it took me a couple of tries to get this thing started! It really made me realize how important it is to use the same weight of yarn throughout your work. I finished the skull with no problem, but I had issues after I switched colors. I was using a very lightweight yarn and it just wasn’t working properly (not to mention the fact that I continuously misread the pattern). I finally changed to a thicker yarn (worsted weight) and it worked perfectly.

Overall, I’m very pleased with the pattern! It’s really cute and easy (after you figure out your mistakes anyway). I’m slightly disappointed, however, that the skull loses some of its shape after adding on the next color. I wonder if there is a way to prevent that? Hmm…

If I crochet another bag, I think I’ll use this as an applique on it. Or maybe on a pillow?

Did anyone else happen to use any of the patterns I included from the Valentine’s Day suggestions?

I also did a brief WIP post a week or two ago about a baby blanket I was working on. You can find the pattern information here.

I had to finish it a bit earlier that I had hoped because I ran out of one of the colors.

“Why didn’t you just go buy some more?” you may ask. Well, let me tell you. The primrose-y color I used in the blanket was from an old (used) skein of yarn that I got from my mom years ago. I no longer had the label (but I’m very sure it was Caron) and no clue what the color was called. I went to Michael’s to see if I could find it, and also to pick up some more green, but, alas, they didn’t have it. I tried to find a good substitute but I couldn’t find anything close to a match. Dang!

I was pretty bummed that I couldn’t make it any bigger, but it’s only a baby blanket so how big does it need to be? We’ll make it work!

See? Look at us making it work! We use it as a seat for the baby on the couch. The “King’s Chair” as we call any fancy seat he uses. ;) Also, I feel like it’s a good sensory object for the baby because of the bobbles and the bright colors.

After I finished with the blanket, I was ready to start on the next thing! A while back, my sister-in-law gave me a HUGE book containing 500 different stitches.

I decided to do number 413!

I (very) briefly considered doing a blanket with this. Thank goodness I didn’t because I probably would have frogged it. It is super easy but incredibly time consuming. So, I decided to make another scarf instead!

In hindsight, I should have used another color to better see the stitches.. But the color and texture of this yarn was so inviting, and I felt like it would make a cozy scarf.

I’m thinking of making a post on how to make this scarf. What do you think? Would you be interested?

Completely unrelated – I apologize for the lack of Fresh Friday posts. To keep myself on top of that, I usually make some drafts in advance. These last two weeks, though, I haven’t even thought about it until Friday passed. Maybe I’ll start doing it every other Friday instead. Just a thought.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Fresh Friday 2/6/15 – Valentine’s Day Edition!

Hey, y’all!

This week I wanted to do something special. Instead of a list of the most current patterns, as I usually do, I wanted to include ONLY Valentine’s Day patterns!

I have been gathering my favorite patterns for the last couple of weeks that involve all things Valentine’s Day. I wanted to make a Fresh Friday post dedicated to this in order to (hopefully) help anyone who has been having trouble finding the right gift for their loved one or to help inspire you to make your own!

There are a lot of heart-themed patterns out there, but I wanted to limit myself to the usual ten links. That way, it’s not too much of a Valentine’s overload. Also, I know there are many older, fabulous patterns out there, but I wanted to keep with the recently added…because that’s what this weekly post is all about!

Ready? Get set. GO!

<3 <3 <3

1. This Valentine beanie looks super cute and fun! I love the earflaps. Take a peek at all of the completed beanies other Ravelers have shared. There are some truly gorgeous ones!

2. Want to give a plush that’s a little out of the ordinary? Check out the Monster Love Bug!

3. Are you a fan of Fair Isle Crochet? Then these beanie and matching slippers patterns are for you. (Includes video tutorials!)

4. A sweet and simple Valentine’s Day bear!

5. Do you have a loved one who brings coffee or tea to work? This mug/cup cozy would be perfect. (Or make it for yourself – I won’t tell. :) )

6. I don’t know anyone who uses a hot water bottle, but this bottle cozy is so sweet. (And it also includes cross stitch!)

7. An adorable little heart ring.

8. Some crochet envelopes to put your Valentine’s Day cards (or treats!) in.

9. Or, if you don’t want an envelope, this secret pocket heart would work just as well to hold a little treat or note in!

10. And last, but not least, here is something a little on the edgy side – an heart applique with a skull!

<3 <3 <3

I hope these patterns are helpful in your search for gift ideas!

If you have seen some newly posted patterns in the last week or two (including your own!) that you feel should be shared, please feel free to post them in the comments!

Happy (early) Valentine’s Day!

WIP – Baby Blanket

Blackberry Salad Striped Baby Blanket

Just a simple bobble-stitch pattern, but using bright and fun colors makes it so much better!

Fresh Friday 1/30/15

Happy Friday to you all!

Welcome back to another Fresh Friday!

This week we have a little bit of everything: clothes, amis, accessories, household goods… quite a good selection if I do say so myself.

I didn’t get around to crocheting anything this week. Maybe this weekend I can get something done? We shall see. I need to pick out something from one of my (many) lists to make. Hmm… another scarf? Or maybe a plushie?

Or!

Or.

Or maybe I can get around to making one of the many things I owe my hubby. The list is never-ending, I swear. ;)

Onto the list!

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1. Pretty sure I need to make some of these chevron pillow covers.

2. Check out this cute Diglett!

3. A little tiny dino. I like small amis – they are quick and take up very little space!

4. A simple pom pom beanie to keep our ears warm!

5. I love these super hero finger puppets! How cool!

6. Yip yip yip! I thought these were the cutest little aliens when I was little! Do they still have these aliens on Sesame Street?

7. Check out this awesome chinese dragon! It reminds me of Spirited Away.

8. I wish I had the patience to do a project this large. This pineapple mermaid dress is amazing.

9. I tend to put a bit more intermediate/advanced patterns on these lists. For the beginner crocheters out there, take a look at this simple slouch pattern! The addition of the little ribbon/tag is a unique touch.

10. When a pattern is listed as the perfect scarf, you can’t help but take a peek and make it for yourself!

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Well? What do you think? See anything you like? What is your favorite?

I hate to cut this off so quickly, but I don’t have much to say. :)

See you next week!

Fresh Friday 1/23/15

Welcome back, friends!

Once again, it’s Friday and that means it’s time for a new Fresh Friday! If you haven’t joined us before, thank you for taking the time to look. Basically, every week I gather up my top ten favorite (free) patterns that have been recently added to Ravelry. I also (sometimes) include updates on what I have been working on.

This week I worked on this:

I used this Cube Infinity Scarf pattern that I included in this Fresh Friday post. I used Loops & Threads Impeccable yarn in Soft Rose. I followed it exactly but added one extra cube section to make it just a bit longer. Oh – and instead of finishing the last section completely, I skipped the last row and slip stitched the two ends together so there isn’t a doubling up of two rows of double crochet. So… I guess I can’t say I followed it exactly since I changed two things. :) Anyway, once you get the hang of it, it takes no time at all! Very nicely written and designed. I’m going to wash it first to soften it up a bit – then I will be wearing it often.

What have you been working on? Did you happen to use any of last week’s finds?

Onto this week’s list! Enjoy!

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1. Even though I still haven’t finished the never-ending blanket, I think this bold chevron blanket may be my next one. I will cut it down in size and skip the flowers because I’ll be making it for my son.

2. I know I just finished a scarf… but I like this infinity scarf, too! You can never have too many scarves, am I right? I said, am I right?! Okay… maybe you can.

3. Want to add a yummy snack to your outfit or bag/backpack? Check out this little pizza applique!

4. So… I’ve never even attempted to crochet letters or numbers – let alone punctuation! Over at Moogly Crochet you can find all of these things! Have at it! (Link goes to the punctuation page but the other links can also be found on it as well)

5. Twinkie Chan recently added two cake patterns from the Tissue Box Bakery – Loopy White Cake w/ Strawberries and Yellow Cake w/ Chocolate Frosting. They both look sooo yummy! If you are unfamiliar with the Tissue Box Bakery, check out their About page.

6. Hey… do you remember the Pink Panther? Now you can make your own! I wonder if it’s on Netflix…?

7. A cute turtle pincushion! I need to learn to sew… maybe someday.

8. Sometimes you need to add that little extra something to your suit or sweater. These cuffs would be the perfect accessory and you could make them in any color to match your outfit.

9. I wanted to include this Yoda lovey last week but it was taken down. It’s now back up again in all its splendor!

10. Little piggies! Yay!

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Well, that’s all I’ve got for this week. Hopefully I’ve given you some inspiration or some ideas for your next project(s). :)

See you next week!

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Fresh Friday 1/16/15

Oops.

I may have temporarily forgotten I had a blog.

I said I probably wouldn’t post the Friday after Christmas and I didn’t. BUT – I also didn’t post the two Fridays after that! I totally forgot! Well, I remembered… but then I forgot again. Duh! I am so absentminded sometimes. I blame the baby! ;-)

I don’t really have too much to say or have any updates. Aside from the Etsy orders I had leading up to Xmas, my crocheting has come to a standstill. I haven’t even looked at Ravelry until now. Too busy with our little bambino. Well, I suppose I do have a tiny update – our little cutie pie has his second little tooth coming through and he started saying “Mama” on Monday. Although, it’s more like “Mamamamama” so who knows if he’s actually saying it or not. But we’re going to go ahead and say he is. Haha! We’ve also started him on solid foods and that’s an experience all on its own.

So… about that lack of posting. I guess I’m just going to post more patterns than usual to make up for it! Here goes nothin’!

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1. This cute Baby Bear Hat is adorable! I’ll need to make one before winter leaves us in So. Cal! Though it’s for a newborn so I will need to adjust it. (Even if you aren’t interested in the beanie, you should check out the picture of her new grandson wearing it – so cute!)

2. Want your child to have the best backpack in their class? Check out this Puppy Dog Bag.

3. Are you a TF2 fan? Then you may enjoy this Balloonicorn pattern!

4. I’m liking this slouch hat. There is also a matching cowl!

5. Though I prefer not to include patterns from companies, I really liked this School of Fish Blanket from Red Heart.

6. OMG Tree Trunks!! XD

7. What a cute little HootHoot.

8. I’ve seen a lot of minion patterns out there, but this Stuart minion is the best I’ve seen.

9. My Mom is a huge fan of Snoopy, so she’d love this Woodstock.

10. Check out this awesome Tom Servo plush from Mystery Science Theater (MST3K)!

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Well, I didn’t get more than my usual ten links. At least I made it a point to post this week! I’ll try to stay on top of this… maybe I should draft out a few weeks worth of posts?

Have a great weekend!

WordPress Year in Review!

As I’m sure you all know, WordPress has kindly set up a nice review of our past year of blogging.

And if you aren’t aware of this… well, I don’t know what to tell you. They sent out an email. ;-)

Click the link below to see my year in review! Enjoy!

Here’s an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 3,100 times in 2014. If it were a cable car, it would take about 52 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Happy New Year!!