Timeless Textured Baby Crochet

 My new book

I purchased the book as I wanted something to make other than what I had been making, and that looked a little different.  I had not realize at the time of purchase that I had already purchased two of her patterns, although I had not made either one yet. I don’t know how her patterns will fit children as yet.

There are twenty patterns and they are all on the intermediate side of things. The pattern I chose to make was called Bobble Romper.  It is cute, but have no idea what to do with it! LOL! I didn’t make it for a specific child.  The pattern wasn’t nearly as hard as I thought it might be. Bobbles, front post dc and back post dc are the main stitches other than sc. Counting is a must. The straps are whole, so not buttons or snaps, which I am not sure is a good idea.

As far as the instructions go, I find her verbiage a bit odd. An example would be when she says “sc in first st, sc in each of the next 6 stitches”. Why not says sc in the next 7 stitches? It is like she needs to fill the page full of words. 

Her decreasing is nice, and the bobbles are easy and look neat. It was, all in all, an enjoyable pattern to make, and didn’t take a long time. Three days for me, but then I crochet a lot in one day.

Front

Back

Olivia's Little Mauve Dress - 3 month

 For Olivia

Front

Back

This is a combo dress, just like one of the other ones. I didn't have buttons again, so put on two ties. I think it looks okay, but buttons would have been better. Not as "busy" looking. I made it a little longer, too, since a little one most likely won't have leg coverings.

I'm going to send it to a friends daughter, (Olivia) was born late May I think. And the pup.

The yarn is Baby Soft by Lion Brand for the mauve, as well as the pink.  To me, it just isn't really soft enough after working with the StyleCraft Special DK (did I spell that right?). Also, the StyleCraft comes in so many colors it is amazing! I only have a few as bought it for an afghan and over purchased, unfortunately (or fortunately). Am now trying to use it up along with the other "million" skeins of yarn I have!

HOT

We were originally told it would be in the 90's this coming week, but it started today that we are to be over 100 every day for at least a week. Our humidity was 15% today, so I am able to keep the a/c on 75 or 76 with some oscillating fans. The dogs left the living room to "reside" in a bedroom without fans! I think they were tooooooo cold!

As long as the fans aren't blowing directly on me I am fine…just feeling it moving around the room is good enough.

DECK 

I have been having the deck worked on. The previous owner spent no time whatsoever keeping it in good shape. Had it been stained and/or painted as often as it should have been it would still be in excellent shape. The cracks between the boards were stuffed with dirt that it had to be chiseled out. That means the water has been pooling on the deck and just rotting the boards.

Always something with a house!!

Knitting Machine for tube hats

 “Hunting” Beanies

My niece thought the hats for her grandsons would be the trick since I sent dresses to the granddaughters. The request was for either a camouflage hat or one in orange. I assume those are the hunting colors for the woods.

Unfortunately the camo color from Lion Brand worked up into a stripe instead of the big blotchy type of camo you see on clothing and hats.

I think that, while it was still a tube, it looked rather like a snake!  Sort of like a coral snake. At any rate, I am told they will love the hats…boys about 8 and 10 years of age I think.

The knitting machine is one I bought on Amazon and was about $80 I think. There were some better ones that were more expensive, but I didn’t want to spend the money if I wasn’t going to be actually using it. Although the crank is a bit hard to use as time goes one (plastics rubbing against plastic) I am glad I bought it.  I’ll make more tube hats for winter for the kids in the family…and any oldie but goodie that wants one.

Pistachio Gelato Sweater for my Great Grandnephew Archer

 

This sweater is made with about one skein of yarn, divided between two colors. I think it was a G hook. This is called Pistachio Gelato Sweater, and is a design my Michele DuNaier.

I hope that I will get it mailed off tomorrow. Not as enthused about it as a gift as the mom didn't acknowledge the dress I sent her new daughter. I'm beginning to think the younger generation doesn't like hand made gifts…would rather be sent something from Nordies. Maybe I am too sensitive.

The mom of the two girls was ecstatic about the other two striped dresses I sent, so that does make me feel better. I'm making her two son's hats in a camouflage color. Maybe another one in bright orange. Do you think they hunt with their dad some, as this was their request. Or perhaps it is just the rage these days to wear camouflage. I think they are around 10 years old give or take a year or two.

My sweater

I'm working on my own sweater…put it up for now. Lost interest, but it is still in my line of sight so I won't forget it and do plan on finishing. No pattern. Just fitting it to me as I go. Nothing special.

Sister’s dress

 

Another pinafore, this one for the sister.

This is made with the Mandala Sparkle which is supposed to be a DK, but is honestly more like a worsted weight. Not light at all.

I am finding that the arm opening is generally huge on these angel wing dresses. This is no exception. I should have closed it up some as it looked huge to me. I see no reason now, after making several, to chaine 5 or more where they do the separation for the “sleeves” and think that. You can just do one more room of the yoke with increases in sc or dc, then add a ruffle around the arm hole later. That would give you the extra stitches for a more flowing dress, and keep the arm holes at a more agreeable size.

The girls don’t seem to notice the arm holes were too big. I did warn the mom ahead of time on how to fix it as I am sure she would have thought it too revealing, too.

These are pretty fast to make and with the self striping yarn I find them pretty relaxing. Have run out of candidates after the next one is sent. I’m making a sweater for myself…which I can only pray and hope will turn out okay. Yikes!