Category Archives: General News

Granny Square Blanket

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I had a bunch of Red Heart My Love yarn lying around and thought I would try the crochet standard Granny Square blanket.

While very basic, I enjoyed learning the classic stitch pattern. Wanting to use up the yarn I had resulted in some odd rows with color swapping, however I still like how it turned out. Here are some photos.

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The blanket came to about 3 feet by 3 feet once I used up all the yarn I had, so not really big but that is ok, I still like how it turned out. Overall it was a fun quick project and a great way to use up a bunch of yarn if you have a lot of the same lying around that you want to use up.

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#Mashup – Rainforest Squares Scarf

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The Yarn

Company/Store: Misti Alpaca
Colorway: Macau CSP24
Weight/Length: DK/327 yards
Material: 83/17 Pima Cotton/Silk

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I picked up 2 skeins of this yarn from Uncommon Threads recently, I am a big fan of green and was really taken by this yarn with so many colors, but they all seem to come together. I did not know the name of this yarn was Macau prior to comparing it to the rainforest when choosing a name for this scarf either! (I do seem to be featuring a lot of scarves lately I know, I will try and do a hat or something soon instead if I can…) It is super soft, as all yarn I buy has to be, and since its mostly cotton I wanted to find a pattern that was good for any season.

For those wondering, I got the idea to wind yarn onto a toilet paper roll after seeing this Pinterest photo.

The Pattern

 Name: Mirror Lake Scarf (Ravelry Link) (FaveCrafts.com also called Green Sheen Scarf)
Author: Lisa Gentry for Caron Yarns

Mirror Lake Scarf by Caron Yarns

So far I have only done 1 of the squares needed for this scarf. I do really like how it is turning out. I wanted to note that I changed my hook size to a G, instead of the I that is recommended for the pattern, I started with the I hook and it was way too loose. The G is working out great for this yarn for me. Otherwise I am following the pattern as described and will update again when completed!

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Post Update: 10/3/2013

After a few weeks of neglecting this project I finally got into gear and completed it! I followed the pattern and made 8 squares, and then did the edging. The only change I made was on the edging where I only did 10 dc instead of the instructed 14, I wanted to ensure I had enough yarn left over at the end. I adore how it turned out!! Photos below!

Final Stats:

Size: 8in x 70in
Yarn Used: 1 full skien and about 1/2 of another, so about 450 yards total
This scarf found a home shortly after completion at a craft fair!

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#Mashup – Rainbow Scarf

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The Yarn:

Company/Store: Schaefer Yarn: Nicole (sadly out of business)
Colorway: Hermione; all colors of the rainbow
Weight/Length: Fingering/405 yards
Material: 80/20 Extrafine Merino Wool/Nylon

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The photo does not do this yarn justice for how amazingly colorful it is. It is literally a rainbow in yarn form. I so wish I could find more but alas the company is no longer in business so I knew I had to choose wisely to find a pattern that shows off this rainbow yarn perfectly!

The Pattern:

Name: Atlee Scarf and Shawl (link to Ravelry)
Author: Bev Matheson of One Yarn After Another

Atlee Scarf and Shawl by One Yarn After Another

Atlee Scarf and Shawl by One Yarn After Another

I came across this pattern on Ravelry and instantly knew, this was the right pattern to show off the ribbons of color in this yarn. So, I know as I continue to crochet I am going to come across things I make that I have trouble parting with, however I know that I will usually have enough will power to list almost anything despite how much I like it. But I am so keeping this one for myself I can’t dream of parting with it, check out the photos of how it turned out!

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I did not end up having enough yarn to fully complete the pattern, it came out super long, but I love how the rows lined up with the color changes just enough to really make it look like a rainbow. Needless to say I am thrilled with the result and cannot wait to show it off this winter!

Thanks for stopping by for another Mashup!

#Mashup – Autumn Leaves Scarf

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After doing a few of these neat yarn and pattern combos I have decided to call them Mashups! I am learning that I really like finding cool patterns and matching them with an interesting yarn that really makes the two compliment each other. I hope to feature these mashups every week or so. I will give them my own unique names so the owners of the yarn and pattern can retain their titles for their respective products. Ok on we go to this weeks Mashup: Autumn Leaves Scarf!

The Yarn:

Company/Store: Cascade Yarns – Pacific
Colorway: 25; A beautiful fall, dark, rustic orange
Weight/Length: Worsted/213 yards
Fiber: 40/60 Merino Wool/Acrylic

While not exactly an exotic yarn, I really love this color orange. I knew I wanted to find a pattern that would be able to be worn in the Fall to show off its wonderful color.

The Pattern:

The pattern I found is by Moogly Blog called Winter Sunrise:

Winter Sunrise Scarf by Moogly Blog

Winter Sunrise Scarf by Moogly Blog

It uses a cluster stitch that makes it puffy but still airy enough to wear starting in Fall. I admit after 3/4 completed I realized I was supposed to stop half way and go back to the start to made the other side match. The pattern causes an arc as you go so the end is rounded. I did not do this haha so not wanting to undo so much work I improvised with 2 rows of shells at the end to make it more flat so it resembled the beginning more.

I am going to definitely use this pattern again and this time make sure I follow it the correct way! However I am super happy with how it turned out, here are some photos of my completed Autumn Leaves Scarf.

This item is For Sale! Link to Etsy Product Page!

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Thanks for stopping by!

#Mashup – Plum Lace Scarf

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Another fun yarn/pattern combo that I found that I am going to call Plum Lace. Details below!

The Yarn:

Company/Store: Western Sky Knits
Colorway: Dark Night; a variegated yarn with dark purples, plums and magentas
Weight/Length: DK/250 yards
Material: 80/10/10 Mer/Cash/Nyl

The Pattern:

I found this pattern by Lacy Crochet called Lacy Stitch for a Scarf:

Lacy Stitch by Lacy Crochet

Lacy Stitch by Lacy Crochet

I knew it would work really nicely with the purple yarn and would really show off the subtle changes in its colors. Here are some work in progress photos:

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It works up quickly but looks really intricate, so I hope to finish it soon and will post a photo of the completed scarf!

Post Update: 8/23/13

Completed! The final dimensions are 6in width x 60in length.

This item is For Sale! Link to Etsy Product Page!

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#SFEtsy Meet & Make: Fiber Note Cards

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I attended another SFEtsy group Meet & Make last night at the San Jose Museum of Quilting and Textiles.

This one was run by Armani Mondragón and our craft project was to make cute felt note cards. You take a plain note card and cut felt and decorative paper to size and shapes you want and then sew them together with thread or thin yarn. Super fun and simple enough for kids even.

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I was deciding what to do with my cute note cards now that they are finished, and I thought they would make great decorative recipe cards. This project would be a great way to gift recipe cards to friends and family, for birthday gifts, shower gifts etc. I really liked the event and look forward to going to more of them!

#Mashup – Ocean Waves Scarf

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I wanted to share another scarf project I am working on currently. I call it the Ocean Waves scarf as the pattern with this yarn reminds me of ocean waves lapping up on the shores of a sunny beach. Another yarn/pattern combo that I am super glad to have found.

The Yarn:

I found this beautiful Schaefer Yarn recently at a yarn shop called Imagine in Bemus Point, NY while visiting family for the 4th of July holiday. While there I learned that the owner of Schaefer Yarn retired and so the company went out of business in late 2012. However I snagged the last 2 skeins of yarn the store had and this was one of them. The color is noted as Julia Morgan however the photo better describes the colors, blues, aquas and sand colors.

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The Pattern:

I am following the pattern called Modulation (Ravelry Link) and I think its turning out really cool. The yarn transitions colors in a neat way that makes these zigzags which after the first few rows started looking like waves.

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Since the yarn is fingering its taking awhile to make but I have about 12 inches done so far and I am really liking how its going. So once  I am done I will post up a photo of the completed scarf! Hope you like it too!

Update 9/4/2013

My photo above has been featured on the Ravelry Page for this pattern! Super neat! Also I am still not finished but as soon as I am will post photos!

Update 11/4/2013

As I got near the end of the skein I had, I quickly realized that this scarf was not going to get too much longer than 40 inches, which I was originally very sad about, its about 34 inches long right now. By luck however I was browsing Ravelry’s stash pages for yarn and happened to find someone willing to sell 2 smaller skeins of this exact Schaefer yarn! What luck! I ordered them right away and they arrived this afternoon so this project is off the back burner and now something I hope to finish soon. I am so looking forward to finishing this as I love the colors. Here is an update shot with the additional yarn I got today.

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Final Stats

Size: 8 inches wide by 64 inches long
Yarn Used: 450 yards (all of original skein) + 250 approx of another skein totaling about 700 yards!

The first skein I bought was a full skein at 450 yards, I ran out of yarn around 40 inches in and was so sad that it might not get any longer! No fear! Ravelry to the rescue! I found someone who had 2 smaller skeins (320 yards each) of this exact yarn being sold as a pair and I snatched them up quick. I used almost all of another of the smaller skeins so I have 1 smaller skein left plus about 60 to 70 yards.

By far the longest it has ever taken me to finish a scarf (about 5 months) however I worked on it off and on, it was a great travel project, and factoring in having to get more yarn played a part too. However it is done and I cannot be more thrilled with how it looks!

I do admit the newer skeins I bought have a deeper aqua color than the original skein I bought so it does shift in color a tad a little over halfway through but I consider it more of a blend and it is not so drastic it looks off, so I am still super happy with it, below are finished pics!

This item is For Sale! Link to Etsy Product Listing!

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#HappyHandMade Week 23 Shares!

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My shares for the weekly #HappyHandMade event sponsored by Daft Crafts!

Red Birds Nest Earrings by AllCraftSharing

Peacock Glasses by Pour no More

Chalkboard Roll-up by Kiser Krafts

BlueberryPie Scarf Pattern!

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So this is kinda a big deal for me and I am super excited to list my very first homemade pattern!

It is for my BlueberryPie Scarf that I originally posted about here.

I have created a Free Patterns section to my site here so as I add more they will all be collected there.

*Drum roll please* …. I am proud to announce my BlueberryPie Scarf Pattern! *Clapping* *Chearing* Woohoo!

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BlueberryPie Scarf Pattern

For those that prefer downloadable PDFs you can use your favorite crafty site here:

  

Please Note: There are no restrictions on the use of my patterns however the patterns themselves are not for sale, resale or duplication. Please give credit by linking to the pattern if used, I enjoy seeing what others make with it!