Stash-busting granny

The two hexagon blankets were supposed to deplete my stash of Caron Simply Soft. Unfortunately, my stash seems to be greater than my life expectancy. I keep crocheting, but I still seem to have years worth of yarn!

I started this quick giant granny to used up much of the stash. I've already been able to use several smaller balls of yarn, and am making a dent in some of the larger skeins - and the granny pattern is so fast! I just started this and it's a decent size already. Of course the rounds get bigger as I go, and my progress will slow, but I'm determined to use up some of this yarn before buying more for a new project!

Lia's Blanket

I just finished weaving this little blanket for baby Lia.

It was very challenging to complete, but I think it turned out quite pretty!

I used Bernat Baby Jacquards in berries and cream. I love the way the colors mix! It's winter though, and the yarn was plagued by static electricity. It was difficult to weave and finish because the yarn kept clinging to itself. I'm glad I didn't give up. I have baby Lia likes it!

Patchwork Blanket

I finished my hexagon patchwork blanket this morning.

I did a simple double crochet border in lilac. I considered doing a second color for the border, but thought it was best to keep it simple and finish it in a baby color.

This blanket is warm and snuggly. I'll donate it to Marine Corps Kids.

Motifs are done

I finished all my hexagons! Now I just need to figure out the border. I think I'll do a simple DC again. The blanket is so busy, it doesn't need a fancy border.

Still working

on my patchwork Hexagons. I like the way this looks, but for some reason it feels like it's taking forever!

In a previous post, Marni commented and asked for the pattern for the hexagon. Instructions can be found here. The instructions are for the 4-color version, but it's simple enough to complete the pattern in a solid color.

Sunshine

Ghost of Ghost's Yarn Tales sent me this award. I love reading Ghost's blog and seeing all the fun projects she is working on. Thank you, Ghost for this fun award!

I'm supposed to share the award with others, and when I get it all figured out, I'll come back and do that.

No name set

I don't have a name for this set. I made it for a specific baby in mind, but it turns out that is doesn't match her nursery, so......... this set will probably go to Marine Corps Kids instead.

The blanket was woven from Araucania Knitting Fever in Ranco for the warp and Cascade Heathers 220 in Iris for the weft.

I love the way the colors play with each other in the weave.

The little cap was crocheted to match in the Araucania.

I stand corrected!!!!

My Octagons are really hexagons!!!!

I do know the difference between octagons and hexagons, but when I was searching for patterns, I searched for both and found so many. Then I kept saying octagons while I made and blogged about hexagons. Sorry for my boo boo. My 9th grade geometry teacher would hang her head in shame.

Octagon Patchwork in progress

I have a lot of yarn to use up in a scrap-ghan so I decided to use the octagon motif in solids to make a patchwork blanket.

It's not as colorful as the mixed color motif blanket, but I think it will be pretty. Hubby actually likes the solid motifs better than the mixed colors. I like that it goes so much faster and there are less ends to worry about.

It's done!

My octagon motif baby blanket if finished!

I wanted to do another round on the edging, but it started to ripple so I tore it out. It's now complete with just one border of magenta dc.

I like this pattern because it hides the mistakes well. There are a few in there, but I don't think they are obvious.

I plan to do another octagon motif blanket using solid octagons in an effort to use up a lot of scrap yarn. I don't think the solids will be as visually compelling, but I think it will be pretty and there won't be so many ends to work in.

This blanket will be donated to Marine Corps Kids.

Motifs done

I finished all the motifs for my octagon blanket. There are two joining mistakes that I know of, but I think the pattern is so busy that I was able to hide them well - or well enough.

Now I have to edge the blanket. There is so much going on with this that I think a very simple solid border is all that is needed.

I also already took advantage of a sale at Knitting-Warehouse and ordered yarn in 8 pastel colors to start another of this design in real baby colors.

Progress Report

I'm starting to really like this motif blanket. I need to do a few more rows before I can edge and finish it, but it's growing on me. I was never big on motifs, but I love how colorful this is.

I don't like the way that my darks are clustered together in the blanket. I'll need to be conscious of that as I finish the blanket. It's not perfect, but the random nature of it makes it fun, and this will be a very warm cuddly blanket.

Stuffy Blanket

This blanket felt like it took forever to weave, and it took almost as long to twist the fringe. The photos are horrible - it's really very pretty.

I used mint green Pound of Love for the warp and Bernat Lulu for the weft. It's super soft in tones of blue, green, white and yellow. I would love to cuddle up in this blanket, but it's made baby size.

I have to wash it, and then it will be off to Marine Corps Kids.

Let's Go Colts!

You can't move to Indiana and not be sucked into Colt's Fever! They're a great team, and it's been an exciting season! Looking forwards to their second SuperBowl win in just a few hours!

Go Colts!

It's 5 o'clock somewhere

It's a cold snow day, and I couldn't wait till 5 pm to try my new Chocovino.

Chocovino is a combination of dutch chocolate and red wine. When I saw it in the store, I just had to try it - it promised to be either awesome or awful!

It's actually quite good. I'm enjoying some on ice. It tastes like a chocolatey Bailey's. I wouldn't have guessed it was red wine - it tastes sort of like chocolate Irish Cream.

I'm told it's also good served hot. May have to try that next.

Taking Forever

It feels like this blanket has been on the loom forever! It's taking me so long to get it done.

This is the first piece I've woven that really stretches the width of the loom, and it's much more challenging to work on wider pieces. It's less natural for the arms, and almost feels like work.

I'm using Bernat LuLu for the weft, and the blanket is so soft and comfy. It will be lovely if I ever get it done!

Making Progress

My Octagon motif project is growing.

Somehow I made a mistake and had to remove and a few motifs. The white trimmed motif in the top row is wrong - somehow I have an extra section in there. I didn't notice until I added the next row on, and it was all wonky.

I removed 3 motifs from the top and reattached them on the now bottom row. I think that the mistake won't be so noticeable when I'm done and edge the entire piece.

A few more rows and it will be large enough for a baby blanket. I'm enjoying making the motifs, but not enjoying the joining so much. Still, I think, mistakes and all, this is a colorful and fun piece.

You - in 30 seconds or less

As I get older I find that most people I know define themselves through their work or their children. We become known as someone’s mom or dad. When asked what we do, we answer with our job titles. I wasn’t blessed with kids, and, for the moment, I don’t have a job; so when asked what I do the common answers just won’t suffice. It leaves me wondering who I am and how to define my identity.

I’m a wife, a daughter, a sister and an aunt; but while I cherish all of those roles I don’t think I care to define myself by them. Surely I must be more than a relation to another. But then I think of friendships, and I am more comfortable defining myself as a Friend. Being a friend means so much more than being an acquaintance. It involves giving something of ones self.

I’m very proud of the work (though I hesitate to call it work since it’s a labor of love) that I do for Marine Corps Kids. It brings me great joy to see how so many people, strangers, will give of themselves for others – and to being involved in that effort is continually inspiring and delightful. Still, I can’t define myself through my involvement with Marine Corps Kids or any other activity.

So, who am I (besides someone who is desperately fighting the urge to sing out, “I’m Jean Val Jean!”)?

I recently learned about the business concept of “elevator introduction”. You have 30 seconds in an elevator to sell yourself to the big wig you’re trying to impress, and the idea is to professionally shove all your accomplishments into a 30 second spiel which will make Mr. Big Wig think you’re the best thing since sliced bread and hire you on the spot. So, how would we do a personal elevator introduction? It’s not about what we’ve done at work, or our relationship with family – it’s about what we value, how we live, how we treat others. In 30 seconds or less – who are you?

I’m not sure I can answer that eloquently. I like to think that I’m kind – though sometimes I’m filled with snarkasm. I believe that I’m sympathetic and empathetic, but sometimes I want people to just get over themselves. I think I have a good sense of humor. I like to believe that I have a sense of humility. I prefer order to chaos. I am understanding and tend to give people the benefit of the doubt, but I have no patience for stupidity. I think I have a tendency to be lazy, but I also love the feeling of accomplishment.

I’m working on putting all this into my 30 second elevator introduction. Not sure if I can do it. Can you?

Feel free to leave your 30 second spiels in the comments section!

And so it goes

I'm making progress on the Octagon Motif's piece.

I find that I like better to make circles from the first 3 colors. Then when I have several circles made, I start to attach the fourth color and join the motifs. It allows me to get into more of a groove with the crocheting before dealing with joining, and then makes the joining less disruptive to the progress.

I like the many colors in this piece. It's not going to be very big, and I hope it ends up being balanced between lights and darks.

It's been more fun than I expected!

Progress

The octagon motif project is progressing. This will take some time, but I've gotten into a groove with the pattern, and I'm now finding it somewhat relaxing. The changing of colors and joining (as I go) are no longer tedious. I think it will be some time before this is a size that will work as a carriage cover, but I have time.

I also have another baby blanket on the loom that I'm working on. Working on wider projects takes much longer for me than narrow items - it involves a lot more yarn work and is harder to get the weaving even. I'm sure this is because I'm still a beginner, and that I'll improve as I continue to practice.