WIP Wednesday: A Bag, a Hat, and a Scarf

This month I have three WIPs (Works in Progress) that I really want to complete and I only have ten days left.  Now, don't get me wrong.  These are not the only WIPs that I have lying around my house, and other various locations; they are the three that I would like to complete this month.  And I have only ten days left.

I'm sure that I can do it.  Really.  I'm sure that I can.




WIP #1:  Plarn Bag
This bag is my own pattern.  I hope to write the pattern out and offer it free on my blog someday soon, but first I have to complete this bag and the initial draft of the pattern.  All that's missing at this point is a row of single crochet around the handles, and somehow it is taking me forever to do it.  

I think I have an actual fear of  finishing things.









WIP #2: Elephant Hat
My cousin had a baby and she decorated the room with handmade elephant-themed items.  I just had to make her an elephant baby hat.  I had to.  This hat has had problems (wow, that sentence has a lot of three letter words that start with ha).  I lost the crochet hook I was using.  I made a newborn hat, and now the baby is three months old.  I still cannot find the hook that I lost or the yarn.  I have more of the same yarn and I finally found another hook of the same size, so it is time to make a larger hat, add a trunk and some ears, and send it to that little baby girl.









WIP #3:  2 Color Brioche Scarf
Oh!  I love this scarf.  I love everything about it; the colors, the stitch, the design, it's all perfect.  And it's almost finished; all it needs is a couple of button holes and some buttons.  This scarf is my own design and grew from a simple experimental swatch that I started, inspired by The Knit Show.  If you have not watched The Knit Show yet, you totally have to check it out.  Vickie Howell is amazing, and inspiring.



Ten days is a ton of time.  I can totally do this.  If only I didn't have this incredible cold that is making my brain not work.  No, really, I can totally do this!

What are you working on this week?

Wordless WIP Wednesday: Almost Done

Wordless WIP Wednesday: Plarn

FO: Baby Boy Owl Hat

Pattern:  Baby Owl Hat
Hook: I hook, 5.5mm
Yarn:  Lion Brand Vanna's Choice and Purl Essence Angel Hair
Made for:  My hair stylist's baby boy
Size:  3-6 month

Baby owl hat #365frandz #project365 #crochet #crochetersofinstagram #ced2016 #owl

A photo posted by Lisa (@lalocadesigns) on Nov 10, 2016 at 9:11pm PST

This hat is my favorite children's hat to crochet.  I only made one modification to the pattern by adding one extra round to the bottom of the hat.

 Isn't it adorable?

 Have you ever tried this pattern?  What did you think?

Stitch of the Week: Double Crochet

It's time for another round of Stitch of the Week!  This week, I am focusing on another basic crochet stitch, double crochet.  This stitch is featured in Volume 4 of the Vogue Stitchionary.  

Sample Info
Hook:  H
Yarn:  Red Heart SuperSaver
Beginning Chain: 14 
Gauge:  4.5 stitches = 1 inch, 2 rows = 1 inch




Double Crochet is another basic stitch, but it is very versatile. It can be used in a variety of projects.






Probably my favorite project using double crochet is the star baby blanket.  I have made four of these already, in different colors, and can't wait until I get to make another.

Here is a video 

.The Craft Yarn Council has a great picture tutorial.

What have you made with double crochet?

Stitch of the Week: Single Crochet

Welcome to the first installment of my new feature:  Stitch of the Week!  This week, I am focusing on a basic crochet stitch, single crochet.  This is the first stitch in Volume 4 of the Vogue Stitchionary.  

Sample Info
Hook:  H
Yarn:  Red Heart SuperSaver
Beginning Chain:  13
Gauge:  1 inch = 4.5 stitches, 5 rows

Single Crochet is a basic stitch, but it is very versatile.  It can be used in a variety of projects, from washcloths to amigurumi.

Here are some projects using single crochet:

Circle Scarf

Washcloth

Single Crochet Beanie

Single Crochet Mini Bag

Here is a video that leads you through the single crochet stitch and beginning a washcloth.

The Crochet Guru also has a left-handed video and a picture tutorial.

What have you made with single crochet?

Monday Musings: Introducing the Stitch of the Week

For the last few years, I have been collecting the Vogue Knitting Stitchionary books.  I even have volume 4, the volume of crochet stitches.  The books are beautiful and a great resource.  

I find these books very inspiring, and recently they inspired me to start a new feature on this blog.

 Each week I will be presenting a stitch of the week, some knitting, some crochet.  I will create a swatch using the stitch and will link to tutorials or create my own video or picture tutorial on how to use the stitch.  Come back tomorrow for the first stitch of the week.  I hope you enjoy this new feature.

Fall Inspiration - Super Scarves

OMG!!  I want to make some super scarves!  I am so excited by this new trend.  Here are some of the patterns that I really want to try this fall.  All images and patterns are from Lion Brand.

Luna Triangle Super Scarf

Olwen Super Scarf

Lorelei Fringed Super Scarf

Artemis Super Scarf

What are you inspired by this fall?

FO: Star Baby Blanket

Pattern:  Star Baby Blanket

Hook:  I

Yarn:  Cotton and Acrylic
Ravelry Project Page

This is the fourth version of this baby blanket that I have made.  I love this pattern.  It is easy and customizable with endless color combinations.  For this blanket, I crocheted two rounds of each color with one round of white in between.  I like the effect.

 I can't wait to mail this little beauty to its new owner!

FO: Unicorn Hat

Pattern:  Unicorn Hat
Hook:  H
Yarn:  Random Yard Sale Acrylic

I made this hat for a boy who camps next to us at Country Fair.  We are friends with his parents, and he loves to hang out with us.  He even made us some refrigerator magnets this year.  In return, I made him this awesome hat.  I cannot describe the joy I saw on this boy's face when he saw this hat.  It was amazing!!  I want to make him a new hat every year just to see that face again.

Sorry the pictures are dark; they were taken at the campsite.

I highly recommend this pattern and will definitely make this hat again.

Wordless Wednesday WIP: Another Stripe, Another Color

Starting a new color while watching #Chopped #365frandz #project365 #ced2016 #100daysproject #100daysinmycraftroom #crochet #wip #crochetersofinstagram

A photo posted by Lisa (@lalocadesigns) on Jul 19, 2016 at 4:18pm PDT

Wordless Wednesday WIP: Baby Blanket

A photo posted by Lisa (@lalocadesigns) on Jun 27, 2016 at 7:17pm PDT

A photo posted by Lisa (@lalocadesigns) on Jun 28, 2016 at 1:48pm PDT

A photo posted by Lisa (@lalocadesigns) on Jun 29, 2016 at 5:52pm PDT

Wordless Wednesday WIP: Another Star Blanket

Wordless Wednesday WIP: Lace Armlets

FO: Earbud Cozy

Pattern:  Easy Listening Earbud Covers
Yarn:  Rainbow-colored thread
Hook:  1.65mm steel hook (#7)

My husband and I recently bought new earbuds.  We both bought the same earbuds, same color, same style.  The thing is I get weird about putting other people's earbuds in my ears, so I needed to find a way to differentiate mine from his.  This pattern helped solve my little problem, and it couldn't have been easier!

To make my earbuds even more user friendly, I added green thread to the rainbow on the left earbud and purple thread to the rainbow on the right earbud.  I love them!

 Have you ever made an earbud cozy?  What do you think?

WIP Wednesday: CYC Crochet Instructor Samples

I have been working on the Craft Yarn Council Crochet Instructor Program for some time now.  When I first downloaded the materials, I got really excited and started reading the two manuals and crocheting all the samples immediately.  Some samples were easy.

Working on my CYC crochet instructor samples #cyc #cip #365frandz #ced2016 #project365 #crochet

A photo posted by Lisa (@lalocadesigns) on Jan 24, 2016 at 10:30pm PST

Others challenged me with color work and crochet cables.  I learned a lot and tried new things and techniques that I might normally avoid out of fear. 

Working on Craft Yarn Council crochet instructor samples. #365frandz #project365 #crochet #crochetersofinstagram #ced2016 #cyc

A photo posted by Lisa (@lalocadesigns) on Feb 12, 2016 at 11:25pm PST

Then I read the actual instructions for the samples that I am supposed to submit.  The instructions for each sample should be adjusted so the end result measures about 5 inches square.  None of my samples measured that size.  I had to start over.

Popcorn stitch #365frandz #project365 #crochet #cyc #crochetersofinstagram #ced2016

A photo posted by Lisa (@lalocadesigns) on Feb 25, 2016 at 10:17pm PST

Reading the instructions more closely also showed me that I had crocheted more samples than I actually needed.  Now I have almost finished all my samples.  I just ran out of yarn recently, but once I buy some more, I should be able to finish quickly.  I am really enjoying the experience and I am looking forward to completing the program and beginning some local crochet classes.

What are you working on this week?

I am linking up with Life and Yarn and Small Things this week. 

FO: Alicia Legwarmers

Pattern:  Alicia Legwarmers
Hook:  H
Yarn:  Pinguin Eclat

Modifications:  Added single crochet edging to top and bottom in coordinating color, completed shell edging in coordinating color, did not add buttons.

This pattern was very easy, and I like the final product a lot.

In progress

And now for the badly-lit action shots....

 I like to wear them all slouchy around my ankles.

 They are a little too loose to wear pulled up.

Have you ever tried this pattern?  What did you think?

FO: Flying Spaghetti Monster Hat

Pattern:  Flying Spaghetti Monster Hat

Hook: G

Yarn:  Acrylic

I made this hat for a friend who loves the FSM.

The pattern was easy to follow and even included a diagram of where to place all the different parts.  I really enjoyed making this hat and especially enjoyed my friend's reaction when he first saw the hat.  He loved it!  I would definitely make this hat again.

FO: Sock Monkey

Pattern:  Sock Monkey

Hook:  F

Yarn:  Random Acrylic

Modifications:  I didn't do all the color changes.  I also did not add any facial features because I felt that the yarn coloring was busy enough without more clutter.  I did not put plastic in the ears.

Rating:  I really like this pattern and would definitely make it again.  It was easy and fun to crochet.

I paired this sock monkey with a baby bear hat and gave them both as a gift to a coworker of my husband who recently had a baby girl.  They loved the gift.

I love his adorable little ears.

WIP Wednesday #7: Writing a Pattern

  

Stitch Along Wednesday and Watcha Workin' on Wednesday

A couple of years ago, I created my own Dobby pattern.  I took notes as I worked, so I could write the pattern up someday.  Well, this week the inspiration finally hit me to start working on that pattern.  I started crocheting a new Dobby this week, using some leftover yarn.

I can already tell that there are some problems with my notes, some things that I need to change.  It's definitely a work in progress, but some day I hope to have a publishable pattern.  I would like to finish my first draft of the pattern by the end of June and then start some testing.  It's a new adventure for me :)

What are you working on this week?