The Necklace Saga - Part 2: Gold Crochet Necklace

My friend Yaawireds loves anything in yellow. It's serious. So when she saw a cute crocheted necklace and realized I could crochet somewhat, she asked me to make one for her. Ever ready for a challenge, I said yes, and we went yarn hunting. Oh yeah!! We found this lovely Mirasol Yarn Tupa in a yellow colorway that looks like spun gold. Oooooweeee! I went crazy with joy. Sorry sorry, back to the necklace.

This pattern is simply titled Crochet Necklace, and is offered for free by a Ravelry user called creativeyarn. Here are the end results of my foray into the world of crochet. The model is Yaawireds herself, who got to take the finished item  home after the photoshoot. The rest of the yarn will be used to make a lovely shawl for her. 

PS: My photographer was not available, so I had to make do with an old digital camera. The difference in quality is so clear, isn't it?

The Necklace Saga - Part 1: Little Green Scarflet

Of late I'm into knitted or crocheted necklaces. For the past three times or so when either the Gospel Choir or Celebration Choir at my church have ministered, I've knitted a little something to wear around my neck (I'm in both choirs). I can't put the first necklace up as yet because it's a personal pattern and I'm hoping to get it published in one of the knitting magazines. If that doesn't work out, I'll self-publish it here and on the Ravelry site.  But, I will share with you the second neck thingy. :)

This scarf is is the Soft Linen Little Leaf Scarf by Pam Allen, which was featured in Classic Elite #9086 - Make it Modern Booklet. I bought this booklet in 2008 and I hadn't made anything from it until this scarflet. When I was told the choir would be wearing green, I felt I had no option but to make myself this little beauty. My friend Yaawireds graciously agreed to model for me. I hope you like it.

PS: My usual photographer wasn't available so I had to use my old digital camera. I'm giving serious thought to investing in an SLR camera for myself.

Test Knitting - The Tree and Arbor Wrap by Michelle Miller

Mid last year, I got the opportunity to test knit the "Tree and Arbor Wrap" by Michelle Miller. This pattern was really easy and intuitive, and I would love to make it again. I used KnitPicks Palette yarn in the Peach colorway, but I found it too pale, so I overdyed the shawl after I finished knitting it. I used McCormick and Wilton food dyes, and white vinegar to set the dye and make the shawl colorfast. It came out a beautiful burnt orange color, almost like the setting sun. I gave this shawl to a friend who had just undergone chemotherapy for cancer. As always, pictures are courtesy of Irene N. of livedstories 

Trying my hand at making headbands

I know, I know. Making a headband shouldn't be hard after making lace shawls and such. But you never know what knitting style is going to stump you. So, my cousin came to visit us this past Christmas, and she was such a great help around the house and with the poopoola that I decided to knit her something. She chose the Flower Headband Earwarmer by Elise McLaughlin, which I made with some gorgeous Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Paints in a Pink/Purple Variegated yarn. The yarn looks like a bowl of berries. Deliciousness! Here are a few pictures of this experiment. Sorry I don't have really great pictures. That's my head in the picture. Don't laugh. :)

Shetland Triangle Lace Shawl in Madelinetosh Merino Light

I love the Shetland Triangle Lace Shawl by Evelyn Clark. And to get to make it in madelinetosh Tosh merino light yarn is the icing on my knitting cake. :) So, when my friend Lynn asked for a shawl in this same pattern, in a cobalt blue yarn (Lapis colorway), I jumped at the opportunity. Here are the beautiful results of this great pattern/delicious yarn collaboration! 

Green Aviatrix

A number of people have been telling me that Andrew's hat was getting old, and hinting not so subtly that I should make him a new one. I finally felt motivated to make him that new hat a couple of weeks ago. The pattern is "Aviatrix baby hat" by Justine Turner. I made it in the Olive green colorway of Louisa Harding Kashmir Baby yarn. The yarn has quite a few plies on it so it got caught on the sharp needle tips. However the finished product is so soft and squishy. I can't wait to make something for myself with this yarn! Pictures are by Irene of LivedStories, and the model is my little poopoola. :)

Updated version of Long Way Scarf

My pattern "Long Way Scarf" was designed on the fly, as I had all this extra yarn I wanted to get rid of. I just completed a scarf order using this pattern, and so I've subsequently modified it. I'm going to post some pictures of that scarf, and update the post with the pattern itself. Thanks to Irene Nyavor of LivedStories for the lovely pictures!

Nurse Appreciation Scarf 2 - For Sheila

Nurse Sheila was my night nurse, and she was extremely patient with me when I struggled to learn how to breastfeed Andrew while he was crying up a storm. She and nurse Della put up with my numerous requests for more and more ice. This scarf is for her.

Red Sheila

This pattern uses the basic feather and fan pattern from "The Harmony Guide: Lace and Eyelets" with a large size needle to create a soft, squishy scarf that is of a sizable length

            Notions

Manos Del Uruguay Wool Classica, Flame Colorway (115) - 1.5 skeins or any other worsted/aran weight yarn, approximately 207 yards
US #11 (8mm)
Crochet hook 
Darning/tapestry needle




Feather and Fan Pattern (multiple of 18 + 2)
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: K1, *k2tog(3x), [yo, k1](6x), k2tog(3x)*, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Row 4: Knit

SCARF
Cast on 24 stitches (18+2 for pattern, two border stitches on each end.)
Knit 2 rows, slipping the last stitch of each row purlwise. 
Start Feather and Fan pattern, keeping two border stitches on each end and making sure to slip last border stitch of each row purlwise. 
Knit Scarf until desired length, ending with Row 4 of feather and fan pattern. 
Knit 2 rows, and bind off loosely. Weave in ends of the yarn with tapestry needle. 


Optional Fringe: Cut 20 (or 40 for a thicker fringe) 10inch pieces of yarn, and with a crochet hook, attach 10 pieces to each end to create fringe.

  

Nurse Appreciation Scarf 1 - For Della

I had some amazing nurses during my labor and delivery and also my post-partum stay at Stanford Hospital. In appreciation, I decided to do what? Knit each of them a scarf. Here is the first one, for Della, a lovely nurse who is as bubbly and friendly as I am. We got along extremely well, like fire and petrol! :)

The scarf is a combination of two drop stitch techniques separated by long stretches of garter stitch. I'm thinking of writing it up but I am a little tired right now. :( Maybe later. :)

Blue Shetland Triangle Shawl

A very, very lovely lady at our church, Pattie Q., was so gracious to me throughout my pregnancy. She gave me a car seat for Andrew, and a Fisher-Price swing that has been a lifesaver! When she gave me these two things in December, I immediately went out and bought yarn to make a shawl for her (what else is new?). I went back and forth on what pattern to use, and never got around to it till two weeks ago. Even then, I changed the pattern at the last minute and switched to the Shetland Triangle Lace Shawl by Evelyn Clark. I've been meaning to knit this pattern for someone else for a while, but I was always daunted by the lace charts and the provisional crochet cast on. Well, it was EASY! So easy I'm a little embarrassed and annoyed with myself that I took so long to make it. And the resulting shawl is absolutely stunning. My friend Irene was kind enough to take the pictures, and I sort of "bullied" my mother-in-law to model it for me. Take a look at the pictures and tell me what you think. I hope Pattie likes it. I think I'll make one for my mother-in-law also. :)