First Baby Blanket

I wanted to make a baby blanket because its small size would be easier to carry around while working on it. The problem was that I didn't have a baby to give it to and I wasn't sure what I would do with something that small in size. Then it struck me, I DID have a baby in my family! My cousin Audrey (who I haven't seen since she was physically unable to have a baby) recently gave birth to her son Wyatt. As if it was meant to be, I happened to have two shades of blue stash yarn and immediately went to work.

The first pattern I tried was great. The instructions were easy to follow and it was starting to work up nicely but VERY slowly. Here it is when I started:

It was a single crochet stitch and was taking forever, plus the instructions only wanted me to crochet in the back of the stitch so the blanket was taking on a texture that was less than soft. At the same time I was making similar blanket with different instructions which was faster and much easier. I had to slightly modify the pattern but I think it turned out quite lovely! I can't wait to send it to Audrey!

Baby Blanket 2.0

Sometimes I have trouble making a decision and sticking with it (ahem...more blogs by me here!). So it's no surprise that the baby blanket I started working on for my cousin in early March has been altered ever so slightly.

Baby Blanket 2.0

I started looking for a ripple blanket pattern that used super bulky yarn for a blanket I planned on making for myself. As I started working on it I realized that I could probably use the same pattern with the thinner yarn and it would be faster and easier to work on. I also discovered this new patten makes blanket much softer, which will be even better for my cousin and her new baby!

Like Crocheting with a Bat

On Friday, my friend Christy and I decided to make a run to Joann Fabrics for yarn. I needed more super bulky yarn for a ripple blanket and she needed supplies for a granny square blanket. When she told me she needed super bulky yarn too I was surprised, but still being a beginner I figured why not? But when she told me what size hook she needed I couldn’t believe it.

After a few minutes of hunting, we finally found the size "S" crochet hook the pattern required. To me a size "S" hook is hilariously HUGE but we both agreed that with super bulky yarn and a large hook, her project could be very fast, easy and fun.

We were both so VERY wrong. Today when I asked how her blanket was going she simply said, "Using that hook was like crocheting with a bat." She's now chosen a different project and will be returning the "bat-sized crochet hook" to the store.

Time for a New Blanket

I've decided to almost entirely give up on the Hawaiian Flowers Blanket. Nothing I try seems to work and mostly connecting the flowers ends up looking ugly and makes me angry. Maybe I can used the flowers for something else...

ANYWAY, I've decided to work on a new blanket. I've wanted to work on a baby blanket before tackling a regular-sized blanket but I didn't know what I was going to do with the small one once it was finished. Then it hit me! 

Recently my family received an invitation to a baby shower for a cousin I pretty much NEVER see. It's likely I won't be able to make it to the party, but I was planning on sending her a gift. Since I've given up on the Hawaiian Flowers Blanket I have a ton of extra yarn and luckily for me two of the colors I was using were Pool Blue and Denim Blue; PERFECT for this new blanket since she's having a boy! As Charlie Sheen would say, WINNING!

Here's a picture of my first few rows:

Ripple Baby Blanket

Too hip for Granny Squares?

It's no wonder that when I tell people I'm learning to crochet that almost everyone looks at me funny and asks if I'm old. Everywhere I see new crochet patterns I come across the Granny Square. Sure, it's just a name and it doesn't mean much but it wouldn't help my argument that crochet is for more than just Grandmas if I went around saying, "I'm crocheting Granny Squares!" 

Granny Coaster Facebook Convo.

So I put off making Granny Squares for a little while (my first attempt was a giant fail anyway). Then I got Crocheting for Dummies and I decided that Granny Squares were a very important part of the crochet worlds so I should learn how to make them. Turns out they're just as easy as everyone online says they are and I can't wait to decide on a Granny Square project. 

Mike's Finished Granny Coaster

For practice I worked a small swatch and when I was sure I had it after about 4 rows, I cut it off, weaved in the ends and showed it to a friend. She thought it would make a great coaster, so I gave it to her and she posted the picture on Facebook.

Now I've made two Granny Squares and can't wait to send off the other one to Mike!

I won't be a dummy for long!

For Christmas, my roommate bought me Crocheting for Dummies. When I opened it I was thrilled. Most of my crochet training has been through a couple of sessions with my aunt and lots of time on the internet searching for illustrated and video tutorials. What's great about this book is that it is filled with everything I need to know and makes a great reference for stitches I may forget.

A great tool for beginners!

As I flipped through the book my roommate was concerned that I might feel offended by it or that the book would be below my skill level and totally useless. I love her confidence in my crocheting ability! There are some sections in this book that I'll probably never read since I have the basic skills down but there are many more sections that will be a great deal of help as I start working on more complicated projects.

So far, so great. This book has taught me a couple of new things already and has a lot of different stitches and techniques that I can't wait to learn!

Crafty Holidays

The holiday season is upon us and for once in my 28 years of life, I might actually be ahead of the game.

My roommate has been doing Christmas shopping since October because she wisely decided that instead of buying gift for everyone all at once, it would be smarter to buy things over a longer period of time. While it's cut down on her stress it's certainly upped mine.

I know it still seems kind of early for Christmas shopping but her comments about how she only has two more gifts to buy is making me feel like I've waited until the last minute. It's a great motivator though! Due to the building panic, I actually have enough time to make gifts for a few people with my new found hobby.

First Three Rows

For one of her gifts this year, I've decided to make fingerless gloves. Ever since the weather has turned chilly, she's decided that fingerless gloves would be perfect for her at work and has begged me to make some for her. Of course I hopped on Ravelry.com and found a super nice, super easy pattern for Beginner's Wrist Warmers with Ridges.

I haven't gotten very far yet since I've only worked on it for 30 minutes or so and I can't work on it at home for obvious reasons, but so far so great!