Merry Gift - A - Long

Well, my friends, gift making has begun in earnest.  I have spent the last couple of months working on shawl patterns and now find myself mixing in the annual Christmas/Birthday gift making with my design business.  Works out nicely when the designs can be gifted.....

Blue Ridge Shawlette

Becky loved it and I think it came out well! It is a one skein project using Malabrigo Worsted or you can use Manos Del Uruguay Maxima.  Either way, the result is lovely....and warm!  The pattern should be available by the end of next week here, and on Ravelry. I'll keep you posted!

Next, I am working on a Crochet Hat for Emma's best friend, Esther.   I'll be using these lovely African Flower hexagons. You can find the pattern for these, here.

Not joining as I go...I'd much rather seam these into the shape I want for the hat...something fitted, I think!

I'm also working on a couple pairs of socks for Mom and Hubby, both DK, so no biggie. Should get them done with no problem.  And a two-needle hat is in the works for Dad and David, which may end up being a free pattern, if everything works out!

For now, I'll get back to my stitchin' !

Distractions

...like I need one. But then, who does...at least, a little fewer of them might be helpful. But let's face it. I am, by nature, easily distracted. It's who I am, but I can't help wanting a little more order in my life.
I couldn't really sleep, so I have thus far spent my waking hours with my new toy....

I even learned a different technique to make the center. There are several videos for various kinds of centers at knitting-and.com and they are all reasonably simple. This one is called a back stitch center. I did two rounds...

Emma and I are probably going to make more of these...would like to make a small throw.  We'll see! In the meantime,  I have started a knitting project and it is one of my least favorite techniques...colorwork. But, since this one is a simple slip stitch technique, in only two colors, it isn't so bad.

Of course, this can be done in other colors, but, imho, black and white are the most elegant.

Chunky Puff!

 It has been a long Summer and Fall. I have been working in earnest for the last month on several patterns and wanted to share the self-published item with you briefly. It's called 'Chunky Puff.'

It is crocheted in Bernat Chunky Big Ball in the aran colorway with a size K hook. It comes in sizes S(M,L) and works up very quickly, for the experienced crocheter.  Emma loves it, and she gets lot's of complements, too!
You can find the pattern here, on my Pattern's page or at Ravelry.

Left Foot, Right Foot

Here's a pair of cute slippers I made for my friend Becky, for her birthday.
I had a blast making them, too! This is a simple pattern. I was able to make the pair in a day and the best part is that the construction allows for a deep heel. I added a loop at the heel to make them easy to slip on.

You can find the pattern for the slippers, themselves, here, and the pattern for the flowers, here. The only change I made to the slipper pattern is that I single crocheted around the slipper opening in brown, before I went around in the pink.  This made the trim much neater. I love brown and pink!
I hope Becky likes these and that they fit.

The daylight hours are already starting to wane and I believe summer is coming to an end.  Because we've had excellent rains during those months, I have high hopes for beautiful color this Fall.  But I'll miss the summer fun:0)

Old Friend, New Friend

There have been many projects and designs displayed on this table....and lot's of happy memories, too!
But, weather and time have taken it's toll.  So my lovely table has been reduced to this....

Sad, but I am happy that I have an ingenuitive husband who, using the old frame, rebuilt a new table top.

I love it! The tiles on the outside edges are ceramic projects that Will and Emma made at various times in their art classes. It still needs a glaze coat, but, other than that, it is ready to go! So, as a first project for my new table....

This is a baby hat I made for one of my friends at church. It's called the Shell Stitch Beanie from Dainty Daisy and you can find the pattern here.  I hope Christie likes it!