For Lack of a Better Title...

Well I did it. I got myself a digital SLR camera. I can't believe it! There was a great black friday sale on the Canon EOS Rebel XS, and I could ignore the urge no longer. Also, ironically, my ol' point and shoot died Thanksgiving morning. It was a big spend and I am still (kind of) in shock, but from what I have seen it do so far I know I will not regret this purchase. It's just matter of patience and time, and learning how to really use those bad boy. So as I was playing around with my new toy I realized I had two FO's I could show you!

So first is the Everyday Cardi by Robyn Chachula from Crochet Today Sept/Oct 2010. I used about twelve balls of Knit Picks Swish Worsted in Navy to complete this cardigan. This was gift for my mom on her birthday. She was apparently thumbing through my magazine and she liked this one so much she wrote "Mommy likes this one!" right on the page. She didn't know, but I got the hint.

She wanted me to get a picture of the "special stitching". My mom crochets a little. Towel toppers, granny squares mainly. So I liked crocheting a sweater for her because its a craft she can relate to. This is a top-down cardigan so it was relatively simple but still interesting. Having never crocheted a sweater before I found it intriguing, though it got very heavy towards the end. I made an odd size. My swatch was too on a J hook, but the size I was crocheting was 36" and she likes her clothes not too clingy. So I crocheted the yoke with the J and then used an I for the rest of the cardigan. I like how it worked out and she loves the fit. Here's a shot of the back and a better shot of the "special stitching".

I like this photo a lot. So that's Mom's cardi. She has already worn it about four times since I gave it to her on Tuesday night. I also attempted to take some better photos the Southbay Shawlette like I promised.

The second one more accurately portrays the color, but the first one was so pretty I couldn't help myself. Now, understand that it was perfectly mild all day and as soon as I went out to take photos it became so windy. Such is life. So there you have it. I've been thinking lately that the content on my blog might be a little boring/redundant so I am going to try to switch it up a little.  Shouldn't be too hard now that I have an amazing camera to inspire posts. I'd also like to learn how to edit HTML a little. Any suggestions? What you like to read about?

A Little Crochet Surprise

Right when the Spring semester ended I decided I would reward myself and do nothing but crochet for a week straight. I had been taking six classes and working two jobs (something I will not be repeating this semester) and seldom found crochet time in the recent months. So after finals I sat down and crocheted this...

This is Dora Ohrenstein's Drapey Vest featured in the Mar/April 2010 issue of Crochet Today.When I saw this vest in the magazine I immediately fell in love with it. The silhouette is a very popular and trendy one right now. Also, I had been dying to try anything from Debbie Stoller's new yarn line. So I crocheted this in Bamboo Ewe in the same colorway as the pattern,  Twilight. I have to say this yarn is great. I loved working with it. It is so soft and very drapey (duh!) and a dream to hold in your hands and crochet with. It also offers just enough warmth to be a great layer in Spring and Fall.  Here's another...

Also, I can't say enough about the pattern. It is well written, easily executed, and great construction. The pieces are crocheted together (as opposed to sewn) and I love that about it. This pattern is everything that crochet-haters say crochet can't be. Flattering- this vest looks great on all kinds of body types. Check it out on Ravelry. Non bulky- it features a sc through the front loop only so it is not bulky like most people believe crochet garments to be. Trendy- no grannies here! And the grand finale.....DRAPE! This vest has amazing crochet drape. Five stars for this pattern and a big thanks to Dora Ohrenstein.

I entitled this post "A Little Crochet Surprise" for a few reasons. I was surprised at how much I loved making this and love wearing it. Also, I planned on blogging all about it but never did so it's a little surprise for my readers. Surprise! Finally, I almost never post FO's here for some reason.....so, surprise!

Represent.

So, in my first post I mentioned that one of the big reasons I am starting this blog is to help represent crochet in the blogosphere. Staying true to my promise I present the mini wrap sweater (rav link).

This adorable little sweater is brought to you by none other than my favortite magazine, Crochet Today. I'm not sure in what issue it was originally published but I got it in the special "gifts" issue.  Personally, I think it is the perfect gift for my little cousin's first birthday. Also, I'm trying to maintain tradition seeing as I gave her mother a crocheted baby blanket at her shower.


This is my first garment-like attempt in both knitting and crochet so I was a little hesitant. However, after a few days of mulling it over I started to get really excited. I convinced Andrew to take me to AC Moore so I could get the yarn. I went with Bernat instead of the recomened Red Heart Baby Econo just because the Bernat was softer. Usually I am all about them natural fibers, but let's be real people. It's a baby sweater. The thing will be covered in food, dirt, or other less pleasant materials in a matter of minutes.  Anywho, I swatched (yes, that does say swatched) Monday night and here was my progress as of the next morning.

I know, I know. It's not much but by nine or so I was crusing along. By Thursday morning (if you haven't noticed Tuesday and Thursday mornings are usually the few moments I get to steal away and crochet) it was defintley slightly more impressive.

See? Adorable. And so quick to crochet. This is literally probably two and half hours of work. Which is good because knowing babies that is about the time it will take her to grow out of it. But in all seriousness it has been a lot of fun to crochet so far. Right now it has two sleeves and just needs a bit of finishing. Hopefully I will stop dragging my feet and finish it this week. Even more hopefully, I will get an adorable pic of the little cutie wearing it.