Wedding Afghan 2.0

I know I didn't post anything last month, but believe it or not, I have been busy! I spent 2 weeks visiting with my Mom at the end of September/beginning October,  as well as going to my nephew's wedding on 9/30. What a beautiful wedding! The reception was held at a gorgeous country club and the food was fantastic. And the bride was stunning - they make such a good-looking couple. It was truly a lovely day, and I was so happy I could share it with them.

As I hoped in a previous post (And Another One Bites the Dust), the 2.0 version of the wedding afghan was definitely an improvement over the first one I made here (sorry Nate and Chelsea, but it's true). I modified the "brick" sections slightly and I added the cable "ropes". I did stay with neutral colors, but anyone could certainly choose whatever colors they would want, maybe perfecting the ombre look I was going for. I used Michael's Colorwheel no-pill acrylic yarn and it was wonderful! I don't know their reasoning, but Michael's is discontinuing it - it's currently on clearance for 99 cents a skein. How sad.

Close up of a diamond panel with cable

I used a crab stitch (reverse single crochet) for the edge

Ta Da!!

 As I was doing the diamond panels I fell in love with the diamond lattice stitch, so I decided to try it out on another project (more on that later). It is so lovely and reversible! I found this stitch online from a video made by a very nice Russian woman; of course I can't find it now. The stitch isn't super complicated, just a little tricky to describe in words. Perhaps I should make a video? Anyway, the pattern is currently available in my Bonanza store, which you can find here. Check it out!

For the Paranormally Inclined

I realize that Halloween is coming up pretty fast, especially for those planning to create costumes and/or decorations for this annual "ode to spirits that have passed". However, in my wanderings around the internet I discovered that there is a National Ghost Hunting Day, celebrated on the last Saturday of September (this year, the 30th). This is a fledgling holiday, officially created in July 2016, but with a seemingly robust following (check out http://www.nationalghosthuntingday.com/home.html for more info). So in keeping with the "spirit" of the day, I have chosen to do a little of my own ghost hunting - of the crochet variety, of course!

Whimsical Boo Ghosts by Beverly Mewhorter, free pattern at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/boo-ghosts

I wouldn't mind a visit from this Casper-inspired ghost!

From Ophelie at http://www.ahookamigurumi.com/en/halloween-special-n1-one-pattern-for-two-ghosts-amigurumi/

Could a ghost get any cuter? From The Itsy Bitsy Spider at https://www.etsy.com/listing/59612765/pdf-crochet-pattern-halloween-ghost?ref=shop_home_active_1

 Adorable baby hat inspiration from Soap and Stitch on Etsy - https://www.etsy.com/shop/soapandstitch?ref=l2-shopheader-name

What a dapper fellow! Halloween Ghost free pattern at

https://amigurumi.today/halloween-ghost-crochet-pattern/

 Who wouldn't keep themselves cozy with this on a Halloween night? By Maggie's Crochet at https://www.maggiescrochet.com/products/halloween-ghosts-afghan-pillow-set-pattern-1

If you're looking for a sexy ghost, Little Miss Spooky is here!  https://de.dawanda.com/product/107163507-haekelanleitung-little-miss-spooky-geist-pdf

Who could forget Zero - in a lovey form, no less! Free pattern from Jamie Hackford at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/zero-lovey

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And this little sweetheart comes from Gateando Crochet at

http://gateandocrochet.blogspot.nl/2015/10/la-fantasma-lola.html#english 

(I used this pattern to make the boy and girl ghost in the pumpkin below!)

I ain't 'fraid of no ghosts! Classic "Ghostbusters" logo free design by http://www.triflesntreasures.com/my-attempt-at-blogging/i-aint-fraid-a-no-ghostfree-crochet-pattern#.V5Ix7IMrKUl

I hope you enjoyed this little ghost tour and possibly found a little friend to crochet. Oh, yes - and happy hunting on the 30th!

It's National Teddy Bear Day!

We love teddy bears. I don't believe I have ever known someone who didn't at least like teddies, and many people had one as a "best friend" as a child (me included!). Ever since the shopkeeper Morris Michtom and his wife Rose made a stuffed fabric bear in honor of America’s 26th commander-in-chief (Teddy Roosevelt) and displayed it with a sign, “Teddy’s bear,” in their store window, these bears have been a perennial favorite. So in honor of this beloved creature that has given us so much comfort, let the love begin!

Have you ever seen such a sweet face?!!

Inspiration only https://jzamell.jimdo.com/teddy-s/

Gorgeous free-form teddy by Irina Iriss, at

https://www.livemaster.ru/item/6539925-materialy-dlya-tvorchestva-master-klass-fifi-mishki-opisanie-v

What a delightful way to stay warm! Pattern for sale by Carolina Guzman at

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/teddy-bear-hat-10

Such little cuties! Free pattern available at https://amigurumi.today/amigurumi-teddy-bear-brothers-in-sweaters-free-crochet-pattern/

                        

Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear...and the free pattern is

by Irina Nikolajeva; http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/little-bear-4 free pattern

Aren't these booties adorable? Free pattern from Helena Asmu Lim at http://www.clearlyhelena.com/teddy-bear-booties/

Sweetness overload!

Inspiration only - https://ami.guru/forum/gallery/image/116489-image/?browse=1

What child wouldn't go to sleep with these friends? By Christins from Sweet Potato 3 at

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sleep-tight-teddy-bear-blanket---lovey

My childhood teddy was a panda bear! Designed by

Kristel Droog and pattern available at https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/461552466/crochet-pattern-my-little-panda-bear

What lucky mother wouldn't want to receive this beauty for her newborn?Teddy

 Bear blanket by MingazovArt at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/teddy-bear-blanket-59

There's even a Halloween Teddy - Frankie the Zombie Teddy by Krawka at

https://www.etsy.com/listing/472432946/crochet-pattern-frankie-the-zombie-teddy?ref=shop_home_active

                                                                                                                            

(I have to admit that there were so many teddies and teddy-related items that it was really difficult to decide what to include in this post. Trust me, this is only a fraction of what I found on Pinterest!)

The Dog Days of Summer

I remember as a kid I would kind of dread August. First it meant that I only had one month of summer vacation left before school started (in Chicago school starts the day after Labor Day). But second, August usually had the worst weeks of summer heat, and without any AC it generally meant I spent a whole lot of time in the basement, or when I could, at the local public swimming pool.

Now that I'm into crochet, however, "dog days" has an entirely different meaning. So in honor of National Dog Day being on 8/26, I will devote this blog entry to our four-pawed, tail-wagging, tongue-drooling best friends, and to all the wonderful crochet they inspire us to create!

I couldn't resist! This Schnauzer puppy reminds me so much of my own Mickey! Inspiration only by Lemowan - https://www.instagram.com/p/BCptrRojjqM/

Adorable hats for kids (or the young at heart!) Free pattern at http://www.repeatcrafterme.com/2014/01/crochet-dalmatian-dog-pattern.html

Moss the Puppy Dog pattern for sale at http://www.amigurumipatterns.net/shop/Patchwork-Moose/Moss-the-Puppy-dog/

Cute dog bowl mat by Bauta Witch, free pattern with translating on page - https://bautawitch.se/2015/12/14/diy-virkad-matskalsmatta-till-din-hund/

Remember the Slinky Dog? Here's the crocheted version, but will need translating - http://stranamasterov.ru/node/105178

Exquisite hound dog, inspiration only by amiguru_mi --https://www.instagram.com/p/9_comrlFrQ/

Wonderful dog toy bones, free pattern by Lime Green Lady - https://limegreenlady.wordpress.com/2014/01/27/23/

Pretty in pink Pomp-a-Poodle by Red Heart - free pattern at http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/pomp-poodle

These dog-face cup cozies are just fantastic! Created by HookedbyAngel, you can buy the patterns on Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/designers/hookedbyangel  or her shop - https://www.etsy.com/shop/HookedbyAngel?ref=l2-shopheader-name&section_id=16355592

And now, from the "Waaay Back" machine, it's none other than Mr. Peabody from "Mr. Peabody and Sherman" (there is a new cartoon version out!) Free pattern available from K. Godinez at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mr-peabody

Ah, yes - the iconic dog sweater! Above is actually an adorable hoodie from Jenna Wingate at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dog-hoodie

Of course we can't forget one of the most famous dogs! Snoopy with his friend Woodstock - https://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=424990.msg5057883#msg5057883    I couldn't find the photo's pattern, but this very close version is for sale by Amanda L. Girão: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/snoopy-inspired-dog-amigurumi

 

 

 

 As always, all photos have been procured from Pinterest, and I try my best to link to the original designer. I will be glad to post any corrections in future posts, if necessary.

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!