2 UFO's Tackled makes for an AWESOME Tuesday!

Today I actually tackled not one UFO...

but TWO! 

Extreme excitement here, as they are also to be Christmas gifts! 

(Fellow crafters will understand the excitement about finishing UFO's!)

 I was very excited to find the pattern for the Bohemian Stevie Nick's Vest (from www.theedgeof17.com) that I found  while looking thru www.ravelry.com
The pattern starts off centered around the back, working in armholes and then the edging.  The pattern seems to be a write-up of the older pattern that I found at the very bottom of the pattern.  For those of you like me that just like a chart to follow, not each row written out, then skip to the bottom!

                                                                      Front


I knew that the Deborah Norville's Serentity Garden Yarn (in Hydrangea) would be perfect with my tucked away Paton's Silk Bamboo (in coal).  The Hyndrangea blend is amaing! AMAZING! The perfect blend of my favorite colors! I had to order this yarn, as I can never find it in any local stores!
 

                                                 Back

I didn't like how it focused so much on the center motif circle that the pattern originates from, so I decided to add two belt loops and a basic sash tie belt. 

                                     Detail of the edging

I decided early on that it was just going to be wayyy too long.  It definitely is for taller people! 

So I skipped a few rows, adding hdc's instead of dc's etc.  The edging I even cut short.  I will definitely be playing around with this pattern again, lots of ways to change it up!

 UFO Take Two

Awhile ago I came across this blanket done in cheery colors, making rows of pretty hearts across the blanket.  So when I was going thru my yarn basket at the time, I picked out the soft baby pink & cream wool.  I wasn't sure if I liked how it was turning out, the thick wool and only two-tones just wasn't "doing it" with using that pattern.  So I tucked it away...until today!

Yay! 

I do have to say that I'm happy that I just tucked it away 

and that I didn't tear it back and start over with something else!

Baby Blanket Finished!

I started this baby blanket in bamboo crochet thread using size 7 hook quite awhile ago.

It was tiny stitches and definitely took me many evenings hooking to finish it!

So I feel very happy that this project is finished, and turned out so beautiful!

 

 What pattern did I use?

For most of the blankets that I create, I use basic stitch patterns that can be found on www.mypicot.com

or in one of my favorite crochet books.  

This stitch pattern for the baby blanket was found in this book, one of my favorites!  

 

It's called 'Fan Lattice' located on page 101

*Changes I made. Instead of the tr stitches, I did a dc. It fit better with the thinner bamboo thread.

 For the edging I just did a basic sc row around, weaving in the loose ends.

 

Hooked Bodice Top

 I love how so many summer tops are having hooked pieces to them!
So when I stumbled upon a Japanese crochet pattern for this hooked bodice top with a fabric skirt attached, I knew that I had to make it!

 It starts very easy, you create the squares that form the ring around the mid-riff area, attaching each one to each other as you go.

I used size 10 crochet thread in off white/ecru and a size B hook.  This was hard for me, as I typically use a size 6 or 7 hook with the crochet thread.  The pattern called for a size B to create the right gauge, so I kept with that for this first attempt.  Perhaps now that I finished one, I will try one using the smaller hook and adjust the pattern to fit the smaller pieces. 

 Next you add a row of mesh to the top of the ring formed by the attached squares.
From here you continue upwards to create the top of the bodice.

Ending with basic dc straps and a sc edging.
The bottom is a basic mesh row, then dc rows, with an added basic edging.
Topped off with a crochet tie/bow and some hidden snaps.

 

 I attached a skirt of pink rosebud print and here it is!

I love how it turned out!

 

Now to send it off to our oldest niece and *fingers crossed* it fits her and that she likes it! 

Another patchwork skirt!

Another patchwork skirt done!  

Our niece Allie went thru my fabric drawers last month 

and after "ohhhhing and ahhhhing" on several fabrics, 

she informed me that she wanted a "twirlly one with owls...

and birds...and girls...and...and...and...and".  

I think that I covered all the "ands" and then some!

 

These are so much fun to make and a great way to use up the 

bits & pieces held onto for something special! 

I love adding all the little trinkets that I've held on to also...

the special buttons, the hooked flowers & trims that I have made,

and the patches that I made out of favorite fabrics.  

Super easy to do.  Measure the waist and cut your fabric like you would for any draw-string waist band skirt.  There are SO many youtube videos to help you thru this if you haven't made them before and need some help to follow along.  I just make 2 buttonholes on my machine for the drawstring waistband (cutting a piece of elastic 1/3 the dimension of the waist measurement and sewing on two ties to the ends, weaving out the buttonholes).

Each row after the 'base waistband row' I add a bit more material and gather...before you know it, you are done! 

I started making this summer tote out of my little bits & bobs of crochet thread. Hooking it until I have the perfect size to toss in a book, sunscreen, bottled drink...and head to the beach! 

Summer starts tomorrow...so I better get hooking!

Doily...Skirts and Skirts

I wasn't sure if I had shared this here or not...so if it's a double it's a double ha!

I found a Japanese vest pattern that I thought was sooo pretty and after taking a longer look at it, the center of it starts with this beautiful pineapple doily piece.  So I created it just as a doily and love it!  Wedding season is starting and  many gifts to find...one down!

And Skirts!  My nieces ask for SKIRTS!  So here are a few of the latest I made.
I love this wildflower cotton print I found, reminds me so much of The Little House on the Prairie! 

A recap of projects...

 

A cousin of mine is preparing for a new little one...so to my hook I go! 

I picked up some really soft bamboo crochet thread 

to start a baby blanket out of the basic granny square pattern!

 

 We don't have red meat often, so this night was a real treat!

I made asparagus roll-ups with red potatoes sprinkled with garlic, fresh parm, & parsley.

Very yummy!

Details:

I dunked the fresh asparagus in boiling water for 4 minutes. Let it cool.

In a saute pan-browned fresh garlic, red onion, and some herbs de Provence.

I then laid out the flank steak/skirt steak and spread the garlic onion mixture on it, topped with a slice of smoked gouda from our local cheese market, and added the asparagus.  Gently rolled up and placed on my grilling pan and seared the sides.  

Tucked in the oven to finish off by baking with the potatoes.

Easy...yet looks like you spent forever in the kitchen creating a gourmet meal! 

 

 Rainbow zippered bags for a group of lovely ladies to celebrate LGBT Pride Month this June!