I was in Dallas for a few days attending a conference for work. While I was there I visited with an aunt and cousin. I gave my aunt this Blue Curacao shawl for a belated ninetieth birthday present. The pattern is from Doris Chan's Amazing Crochet Lace, using Valley Yarns' Goshen, a lovely silk/cotton blend.
During flight times, I crocheted up the beginnings of a table runner, using Berroco's Naturlin yarn.
From the same book, I made myself a vintage looking potholder. And I will confess that there are more of Lacy Crochet's cute little things in the works.
It can be difficult to do Christmas shopping and not get a little something for your self. I ended up getting Lacy Crochet while browsing at Black Ink in Harvard Square. I had some pearl cotton sitting around and made the flower pot holder/doily from it. I didn't have enough for the last 7 rows so I had to improvise and make a smaller doily. It also looks cute as a pouch. The lampwork glass beads on the drawstring are from Roessler Glass in Boston's South End.
This just finished crochet thread zippered coin pouch looks like it could be a pattern in the book.
And an unexpected Christmas present, my invite to Ravelry arrived today!
Next up and also almost completed is a cardigan from the Doris Chan book, whose title I'm blanking on at the moment. I had some leftover Plymouth Encore from a charity project, so I thought I use it up. I love these patterns that don't require seaming.
I had enough yarn leftover from the Staggered Web top to whip up these shell wrist warmers. I found the pattern through Crochet Pattern Central.
And, what the heck, I'll throw in another picture. Because, who knows, it could be awhile before my next post. An all day carry tote from the Lotta Jansdotter book, made using leftover upholstery fabric I've had for ages, and some wool that's too thin for hooking.
I finished the Abydos vest a few weeks ago. It's a pattern from Doris Chan's Amazing Crochet Lace. I used the yarn called for in the pattern, Filatura di Crosa's Brilla, a cotton rayon. If I had seen this yarn in a yarn shop, I probably would have passed it by. I purchased it for a great price at Elann. It was quick and easy to crochet, with no seaming.
Yesterday I took a quick train trip to Salem to the Peabody Essex Museum for the last day of the Joseph Cornell show, and I'm so glad I did. It was a full survey of all his work. There were many collages and box constructions I hadn't seen before, along with many favorites. A day full of wonderful images, and a very blue-colored day. It was an extremely well put-together show. I believe it travels to San Francisco next-go- if you're in the area.
I crocheted this scattered web lace for a sweater while I was traveling on the train. It will be the lace top in the new Loop d Loop Crochet book. I feel like the fabric is a little stiff even though I have the right gauge. I may block this piece and see if it softens up. Tomorrow, some rug hooking to show you!
A delicious dinner thanks to the farmer's market, including homemade mozzarella cheese.
1: My clivia is blooming! Friends gave me this plant about 7 years ago when they moved to California. It sprouts a couple leaves every year. I was so surprised when I noticed the flowering stalk had appeared. Isn't it pretty?
I have had the worst time trying to photograph this bag. The pale pinks keep washing out, so this will just have to do for now. I finished punching this bag a few weeks ago and this weekend sewed the sides and put the zipper and lining in. Rug hooking really goes fast with the Oxford Mini needle. It's primarily worsted weight yarns except for the pink which is Paton's SWS (soy-wool). I'm liking the pencil case shape. It's about 9 inches long by 4 inches with a gusseted bottom.
Yesterday morning 3 old Victorian homes were moved along the middle of Mass Ave in Cambridge to a new location a few blocks down. What a surreal parade. The photo above is from today's Boston Globe. I stopped by their new location Saturday early evening and a crowd was still checking the scene out. The worker below answered bystanders' questions and filled us in on the details of the move. The houses were placed on hydraulic trolley beds with tiny little wheels, about 4 ft off the ground. It then only took 3 men to steer the houses down the street using remote controls, much like a video game or remote model cars. Trees had to be trimmed, posts and street lights removed or shifted. The largest mansion had to straddle the center median. The move took 5 years of planning. It made me think of Howl's Moving Castle.
Now the houses stand in their new places while their foundations are built.
Here's the spot they used to occupy.
And now to shift topics completely, here's the finished wrap. I'm very happy with it all around except that's it's smaller/shorter than I had hoped. I went with a smaller gauge so I guess that's what I get. I think I'll have to redo it or else I may never wear it. It was alot of fun to crochet so it wouldn't be horrible to redo.
Thanks to a couple free weeks between classes I was able to finish the summer wrap. I wove the ends in last night and now I just have to block it and sew the side seams. Once that's done I'll post a proper modeling shot.
I recently acquired Amy Oxford's new fine punch needle. You can punch worsted weight yarns and finer cut (size 3) wool strips. I've been playing with various yarns and think this will eventually become a little zipper bag. The handwoven basket made by Rachael, a fellow rug hooker at work, is the perfect size for holding yarns while I'm punching. Now if I could only find my size 3 cutter head...
While I'm riding the bus or waiting for class to start, I've been working on a simple scarf with one of the yarns my sister gave me. This week I've been doing it in style with the Lantern Moon project bag Bonnie gave me. It's a beautiful dusty purple color that changes color. The scarf is a simple stitch so l decided to add a beaded edge once the bulk of the scarf is done.
It sure has been a good long while since I've posted. Between work, going to school, being between ISPs, and a broken camera, I've really been slacking on updating my blog.
I have the best sisters! Bonnie sent me these 2 skeins of KnitPicks Shadow laceweight yarn. They're such pretty colors. I wound the Sunset color into a ball yesterday. Now I'm at the library to check out a crochet stitch guide and find a nice stitch for a scarf. Thanks alot, Bonnie!
The motif: Pineapple S-737, found through Crochet Pattern Central
I never imagined I'd be crocheting doilies one day, but that's what I've been up to and finding it intriguing and fun. This is another pineapple motif doily for my mom. Same crochet thread and hook as the last. It measures 15 inches across. One more to go of the same for her. What could be next?
