I'm Baaack!

Yes, I know. I kind of fell off the map for awhile, but before I go visit my Mom for her 92nd birthday, I felt I should throw a post together - just to make sure you all don't think I've retired to some remote island somewhere. So, this is what I've been up to during my posting absence

 As you might recall, my nephew's wife is due in December (a girl!) and this is what I will be gifting her with at the shower this Saturday. The Unicorn Lovey I designed myself and the pattern is now available in my shop. The booties pattern still eludes me - sorry. The sweater is a free pattern offered by Caron Simply Soft yarn here. Lilleliis' doll pattern is sold here, but I did add the crocheted heart applique based on Pink Milk's free pattern. The baby blanket is based on the pattern by Debra O'Leary Patterns, Arielle's Square, available for purchase here. The edging is different than her pattern - row 1 - sc around; row 2 - *hdc, skip one sc, ch 1, hdc in next sc*, repeat * to * around; and the bobble edge is *sl st in next st, sl st in next st, 3 dc's in next st*, repeat * to * around. A simple but cute border, even if I do say so myself. And you could weave a ribbon in the hdc row if you wanted. The squares were whip-stitched together.

 I am still totally in love with Lilleliis' Cuddly Baby Amigurumi doll. The one on the right is being given away and I'll list the middle one for sale in my shop. The one on the left is the first one I made. He has button eyes and a button heart on his chest, so he wouldn't be any good for a baby/toddler. I think I may just have to keep him for myself!

I love doilies but really don't have much of a use for them. I do like the idea of framing them or attaching them to hoops for decoration, though. This Wispweave pattern by Julia Hart really caught my eye, so of course I had to try my hand at it. She has much better lighting in her photos to show off the textural stitches, so go take a look at her post. Above is my version. I plan to try this in multi-colors - this could make a great base to a dream catcher. It is an intricate pattern and a little fiddly, but well worth it

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In trying to keep with my resolution to use up my stash, I have delved into my collection of Loops and Threads Woolike yarn and began this cowl. It has been inspired by the very lovely and economical Botanica Cowl Kit being offered by Willow Yarns (anyone say "Christmas"?). I love the little "bobble-ish" texture my cowl is taking on, and I'm very happy with the colors. Plus, since Woolike is a fingering yarn, the weight of this cowl is perfect for the mild California winters.

Well, I hope this proves that even though I may be very behind in my blog posts, I certainly keep moving forward with my crochet projects. I hope everyone has a great Halloween, and I'll see you in November. Till then, happy crocheting!

Perchance to Dream

I'm still in the process of making the afghan for my nephew and his soon-to-be new wife - I think I'm safe to say that because I don't believe either one of them follow this blog! - and so I thought that doing a piece on dreamcatchers would be very appropriate for everyone's mid-summer reveries. 

Black Magic Boho Dreamcatcher by CleanS18 at https://www.etsy.com/shop/CleanSl8?ref=l2-shopheader-name

 

Many dreamcatchers have feathers - why not make your own? https://poppyandbliss.com/2017/05/19/tunisianfeathers

Monochromatic design by Marion van Kooten-Stok at http:// https://www.facebook.com/handmadebymarian

Dreams of blue are on your way - http://eslamoda.com/cositas-azules-que-necesitas-anadirle-a-tu-habitacion

Erin Black's Dream a Little Dream at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dream-a-little-dream-dreamcatcher-inspired-wall-hanging-homdec009 Dream A Little Dream Dreamcatcher

Lovely and lacy Dream Weaver's design at http:// https://www.etsy.com/shop/DreamWeaverDesigns1?ref=l2-shopheader-name

Not a dreamcatcher, but wouldn't it make a fantastic one? Starflower Mandala from Zelna Olivier, free pattern at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/starflower-mandala

Dreamcatcher on steroids! By AGAAZRA at https://www.etsy.com/shop/AGAAZRA?ref=l2-shopheader-name

Even the iconic Granny Stitch gets to show off! Rainbow Granny Spiral Sun Catcher by Jaime Ramsey at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rainbow-granny-spiral-sun-catcher

Pleasant dreams everyone!

10+ Ways to Use Doilies

Some of us have been blessed to inherit vintage doilies. Some of us still adore the delicate patterns so lovingly hand crocheted. Some of us just love all things lace! No matter what category you fall in, most of us succumb to the allure of these dainty pieces at one point or another in our lives.

But what to do with them? Our grandmothers used them as decorative protection on the backs and arms of chairs and as underlayments to centerpieces, but this is so out-of-date today. Never fear - the creative powers on Pinterest have come to the rescue!

Displaying them in frames seems totally appropriate for their beauty

Group doilies to make an eclectic table runner

What an elegant place to store the remote!

Lovely way to brighten a room

A lacy work of art from http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/2014/03/vintage-thingie-thursday-wall-art-using.html

Sooo cool - I want one!

A diminutive sachet or pincushion, from https://www.livemaster.ru/topic/470805-kruzhevo

Decorate a plain tablecloth – from http://ana-rosa.tumblr.com/post/31532747462

Fantastical light fixture from http://www.topinspired.com/top-10-home-decor-diy-tutorials/

Doilies make a stunning window screen framed in embroidery hoops; from Dishfunctional Designs

 While wandering Pinterest, I also spied many other examples for doily use - mobiles, stiffened for bowls, gift bags, jar or tea light covers, decoration for scrapbook covers/pages, to create a banner, decorate a tote bag or throw pillows, use as a stencil, to press into clay for plates/bowls/ornaments, crochet together to make a curtain/lightweight throw, or as an insert for a room divider. And please don't forget - doilies are usually made from cotton, which is a very dyeable material; you certainly don't have to limit your creativity to the traditional whites and ivories. Vive le doily!