Cowl

Cowl.

The Forevermore Cowl.

Finished.

At last.

One of those frustrating projects that just should not have been.

Frustrating, that is.

Because once my head was functioning properly

it really went smooth and rather quickly

and was an easy repeat pattern.

If I did not have such a long history with said cowl,

I would be tempted to make another in a finer yarn.

Maybe someday.

But not too soon.

I have already been working on scarves.

One completed,

another begun,

and yarn set out/purchased 

for two more.

Autumn Afghan

Finished a last.  The autumn afghan for myself. 

I love the bright colors and it is snuggly warm but seems like it took forever to finish.

I used the chain free method which is not that difficult to learn.  I just had lots of interruptions since this was worked on before Christmas.  The added bonus is that I broke down and bought myself new recliners and the dark chocolate color is a perfect match!

Scarves

The scarves are finished.  In plenty of time to mail!

Same pattern different yarns.  First I used Red Heart's Boutique Midnight in Misty.

Then I used Bernat's Alpaca in Indigo.

I may just send them both.  I still have some time to decide.  

The pattern is Chic Crochet Cloche & Scarf.

Wow, this was surprising.  This pattern is designed by Katherine Eng and is from the Coats and Clark's website (see the above link).  But when you bring up the pdf pattern it has the Red Heart website listed at the top.  However, on the Red Heart website the pattern by this same name and same author is completely different!  How strange is that?

Finished Blocking

Here is what the sweater looked like when I removed the towel.  Good job.  I let it finish drying.

You can see the pattern much better on the dress form.  The back:

And the front.  I added about 4 rows to the length.  Even though I am short I tend to like things longer and I think the design really called for it.

The cold front arrived last night so I should be able to wear it this week!!!

Blocking

I recently finished a sweater for myself but it needed blocking.  The pattern had directions for blocking that I had not seen before but since this was a kit with a mercerized cotton yarn that I do not generally use I felt I should give it a try.

"Lay it out as desired and place a damp towel on top.  Press down firmly and leave until towel is dry.  Then remove towel and leave until the sweater is dry."

Sounded easy enough.  And it was...  after I spent the entire afternoon cleaning the garage so I could set up the card table to lay this out.

But the weather was perfect for doing this much needed project and I feel so much better having  it finished.  Well, almost finished.  I have a few things for a top shelf that are waiting for my tall grandson to help me with.

It sure feels good to have things sorted and organized again.  And I just might have this new sweater finished in time for cooler weather!  

Getting in the Halloween Spirit

Working on a little surprise for the new granddaughter.

While Delilah, the other granddaughter's Chihuahua watches as my daughter works on the skirt.

I was glueing on eyes.

Check back later to see how this works out.

Christmas Sweaters Finished

I finally finished the Christmas sweaters for the three little girls.  

This is for the littlest.

And this is for the middle girl.  I love this color and don't see it often.

This is for the oldest girl.  The silver strand doesn't show up well in these photos but I am told the girls will love the sparkle.  I just hope they fit.  Time will tell as they are for Christmas.

Distracted

I just saw a plaque for sale in a catalog (Potpourri) that says:

"I can't clean because....

I get distracted by all the Cool stuff I find."

Oh that sooooo describes me!  

Not to mention the condition of my house!

Every time I start to put something away or organize or sort

I start finding stashes  

of all kinds of things

And patterns or instructions for wonderful projects

that I plan to try  -  someday.

And instantly I forget all about what I came in with or for

and want to begin work on:

a flamingo quilt

or a new blouse

a knotted bracelet

or a crocheted sweater

a card for mom

or some tatting for a challenge (how long ago?)

Sprang that I still don't have the hang of

or Broomstick Lace that looks so neat

Christmas ornaments

or grapevine wreaths

weaving a shallow basket for picking blueberries

or maybe knitting a cap for my grandson

A new recipe to try

or that painting of the squirrel I photographed on the fence.

I could go on and on and on and on.

How about you?

What distracts you from cleaning?

Found it!

I found it!  I finally had a few minutes to relax and think about where I put that purse pattern.  Guess what?  I have been so busy that I realized I had not PUT it anywhere.  It was still in the bag with the leftover yarn from making the purse.  HA  Yeah, I know ya'll have a different bag for different projects with more than one full at a time.  I know I sure do.  More project bags than I care to admit, truth be told.

Anyway, when I looked there it was, right where I left it.  It is a free pattern from Bernat called Mermaid Tears Purse.  You can find it here.  Enjoy!  And thanks for your patience.  It is worth waiting for.

100

Wow, this is my 100th post for this blog.  It is also my comeback after an almost 5 month absence.  I knew I would be gone awhile but had no idea it would take so long.  Family matters.  They aren't finished.  Not by a long shot but I am home again.

I wish it felt as good to be back as I thought it would.  I am still spending hours every day on paperwork and sorting.  It is beginning to take a toll on my wrists/hands and my Carpal Tunnel is complaining.  All of which explains why I have not done much fun stuff for the past few months and still am not finding myself able to enjoy life as much as I would like but it is getting better.

In the meantime, as I come across the few items I did work on and finish I will post photos, beginning today with this alligator stitch purse.  I had been seeing this stitch everywhere and wanted to try it out but when I saw this purse I could not resist.  The colors are not what I would have bought or even dug out of my stash at home but I considered myself lucky to find these neutral colors laying around my room in California and personalized it with the teal blue flower.

I have to say it was fun and the top band has a neat stitch effect as well which was also new to me.  While we are at it the handles were totally new techniques that I still am not certain I did correctly.  Some detailed drawings would have been helpful but regardless it produced nice softly padded handles that unlike most crocheted handles do not seem to stretch out!  I haven't had a chance to try it out yet so can't be certain.

I would love to give credit for the pattern and if/when I run across it in one of my boxes I will post it.  I do know I got it off the internet.  I know that isn't a huge help but there it is.

Anyway, I have SO many things I want to do that I don't know where to begin but first I have to finish sorting out all this stuff and organizing it and catch up on two months worth of mail.  Yikes!