Lost Battle

I want to turn this neck warmer into a table runner by doubling it and then making it long enough for a table.... Who knows if I will ever be able to do it!

I have attempted this pattern several times. Seeing it was one of the reason I got back into knitting. For the life of me I cannot seem to get my hands to do it right without messing it up! 

I did however manage to get further than I did before. I succeeded at making one leaf and leaving a giant hole on the other half. I won't show you the hole- that is slightly embarrassing. Once again I will remove this from my needles and find another project until I get brave enough to tackle this one again. 

Bridesmaid Dress

So here is the dress. It looks great laying here on the bed, but feels a little too poofy for my style. I'm debating taking it all apart and taking some off the skirt. But I don't know if I have the motivation to basically spend another day taking this apart and putting it back together...

If I decide to wear this in the wedding I will definitely take it apart and remove some of the fabric from the skirt part. My friend has a grey dress that I haven't seen yet and she said I can wear it if I want to. Maybe I will do that and save this for a date night?

Relaxin' with some Pineapples doily

This is another exciting day for me as I have managed to complete a second doily! Considering I wasn't sure if I would finish the first one, this is a very serious accomplishment. This one is a lot smaller than the last one, but equally as charming. The pattern is called "Pineapple Delight" and it was designed by Cille Heckenbach just this year! When I first started hunting down doily patterns I wasn't too keen on the pineapple ones, but after crocheting one I am completely in love.

I wonder what the next doily I make will look like? Time to start searching for another pattern! Perhaps I will someday design my own...

The designer herself

I have been absolutely honored to talk to the actual designer of this fabulous doily pattern. I continued to get hung up on the 5th round. If I had only read on to round 6 where is said "flower" I may have realized what it meant. Luckily I shot an email to Jacqui herself and she cleared it up for me. 

Now I have made it all the way to round 9! I am feeling so excited about making doilies for myself. Jacqui was eager to help and also told me that I may be interested in miniature crochet. I am definitely interested and I think everyone should take a look at her ebay shop. What she does is simply phenomenal! Her shop is called eastwick*dollhouse. 

Can you imagine making these tiny treasures? Such skill. I'll admit I am interested in trying, but reproducing her amazing work will definitely be a challenge. Great job Jacqui!

Knit Purl Knit Purl

 

So, I'm addicted to anything yarn related these days. I think it's because it is the easiest hobby to take on the go! Portability for a mother is necessary- not only for out of the house, but for in the house too. My toddler loves to help momma with everything so there are times where I have to be able to pick up and move QUICKLY. This weekend I explored an old hobby- knitting. It all started with this.... DeVine Neck Warmer. I would love to someday turn that neck warmer into a table runner- only doubled in width. I tried about twenty times before I finally gave up, but I still regained an intense love for knitting. I decided since I'm a bit rusty- again another hobby I was never formally taught how to do- I'd better start with a simple stitch. The one pictured above is called the:

Seed Stitch II

Cast on an odd number of stitches.

Row 1: K1, *pl 1, k1, rep from * across row.

Row 2: P1, *k1, p1, rep from * across row.

Row 3: P1, *k1, p1, rep from * across row.

Row 4: K1, *pl, k1, rep from * across row.

Rep Rows 1-4 for pattern.

   -This pattern can be found in the Complete Photo Guide to Knitting

I plan on using that pattern to make a table runner. Once I get the base done I will add on a bunch of crocheted flowers and embroider on some vine-looking design. I'll definitely share pictures when I get it completed. This project is for my husband's aunt Julie for a nice Easter table runner. Super fun!

On another note, crocheting isn't to be forgotten. I am still working on a few things. The granny square blanket is still in progress and I stumbled across this neat pattern for a Trellis style number. I haven't broker down and bought the pattern yet, but when I run out of fun projects to do, you better believe I'll go there first! If any of you happen to buy it and complete it, POST SOME PICTURES! I'd love to see!

There seems to be a lot of debate as to whether crocheting is harder than knitting. I can do both, though I'm no expert. I started with crocheting and at first knitting took a little work. Had I started with knitting, I think crocheting would have seemed hard. There are advantages to each and knowing how to do both makes the possibilities and options unlimited. I love to crochet, but knitting is more peaceful and relaxing for me. Crocheting is faster for me, but sometimes when I do it I get so focused on going fast that I tense up. Haha maybe that is just me, but I don't tense up with knitting. BUUUUUUT I love both crocheting and knitting both!