Squares on Sunday

First block joined for my grandma's afghan! This will be the center square. Since I've unfortunately been sick I haven't been able to join any more, and am not too sure if the afghan will be ready for when my daddy goes and visits the 15th, but I'll try. 

On the top left we have #129 Anemone, then #94 Gothic Square. On the bottom left is Easy as ABC and then #42 Lacy Wheel. All block patterns except for Easy as ABC came from Jan Eaton's 200 Crochet Blocks. (Easy as ABC came from HERE.)

Since I was sick but still wanted to knit, I started a charity project which I'll post on more later. But when I frogged a square, Arwen decided to help.

Squares on Sunday: Squares Complete!

Squares complete!, a photo by onepinkhippo on Flickr.

I've finished all the squares for my grandma's afghan, and have begun joining them! Soon I'll have a list of all the squares I've done and where they are in the afghan, but not tonight. I'm wiped!

Goodnight!

Squares on Sunday

Grandma's Afghan!, a photo by onepinkhippo on Flickr.

Almost finished my grandma's afghan! I laid out all the squares, and have found a different layout. I'll put four 12 inchers in four corners, and then have the 6 inchers in double rows in the middle. This way, at the time of this photograph, I had only one 6 incher left and one 12 incher left to do. I've finished the 6 incher, and am almost finished the 12 incher. By next Sunday, I should have the complete layout.

I'm going to join using Priscilla Hewitt's flat braid joining technique in purple, and then I think some sort of granny square round border, one round in white, one round in green, and then perhaps one more round in purple.

Now I'll be able to give it to her in August. Unfortunately, almost a year and a half late, but at least I'll have my wish of giving it to her in person.

Squares on Sunday

One square finished for my grandma's blanket, and four that were just photographed.

Like all squares for this afghan, they were made with an I hook, Lion Brand One Pound in Lavender, Red Heart Soft Baby in Rocking Horse, and Caron Simply Soft in White and Soft Green. All patterns are from 200 Crochet Blocks by Jan Eaton. You can see the whole set on my Flickr HERE.

#69: Fudge

#157: Boxed Square

#42: Lacy Wheel

#117: Granny in the Middle

#19: Lacy Cross

A Large Square for Sunday

Please excuse the horrid lighting in this picture, but this is my newest project. Despite the fact I have a lot of projects to do, and a lot of other afghans to do and finish first, I decided to gather all my Lion Brand Homespun together and crochet a big granny square. I have 4 balls, so I'll probably need more, but I'm not there yet. It's all primary colors: I have two skeins of red, a skein of gold and another of a dark blue. It'll be red, yellow, blue then red again. Hopefully (crosses fingers!) it'll be a decent size by then and I won't need to buy anymore. Since I've been stressed recently it is nice to do granny rounds, which I love, and make something that's for me and doesn't have a due date. It's just a nice project to enjoy and watch grow.

Squares on Sunday!

Yay, features are back!

Gah it's sideways!

89: Spinner by Jan Eaton from 200 Blocks to Crochet

Yarn: RH Baby Multi in Rocking Horse, Lion Brand Pound of Love in Lavender, Caron Simply Soft in White and Soft Green

Hook: US I (5.5 mm)

Date started and finished: January 8

54: Framed Flower by Jan Eaton from 200 Blocks to Crochet

Yarn and hook the same

Date started and finished: January 6

So far I think I have eight 6 inches and three 12 inches to go. It's obviously not going to count as a birthday or Christmas gift, but I don't even think it'll be a New Year's Present, nor do I think I'll be able to deliver it in person. That sucks, but at least she'll receive it.

Squares on Sunday!

Four squares to share with you today! I have been really productive.

I've completed three 6 inch squares, all from 200 Crochet Blocks by Jan Eaton.

First is 19: Lacy Cross.

I used Caron Simply Soft in Soft Green and an I hook. I finished it tonight; it took about an hour. 

It ended up coming out a little larger than 6 inches because I changed the last round to sc instead of dc. I still wanted the border around it. When I sew them together I might take out that last round if it gets too big, but for now it stays.

Second, 43: Four Patch Granny

I used Red Heart Baby Multi in Rocking Horse, Caron Simply Soft in White and Lion Brand's Pound of Love in Lavender and an I hook. It took about one night as well.

It also has a border in the PoL Lavender, but it was added after this picture was taken. Right after I finished and measured it was fine, but the next day was obviously smaller than the rest, and had apparently shrank. I'm not too sure how that worked, but I like the border anyway so I'm not too worried.

Third is 157: Boxed Square.

I used Lion Brand's Pound of Love in Lavender and Caron Simply Soft in Soft Green with an I hook. I finished this one in two settings, two nights, so a little longer than the others because it's not open.

It doesn't look like the picture because I modified the colors. I did an extra round of purple, and three of green because I thought my tension was so tight I'd have to add 3 or so more rounds, but it turned out not needing any white at all. Maybe my tension is evening out.

Lastly, I did the Half-n-Half - 12" square by Melinda Miller

Yarn: All those listed above

I hook, per usual with the squares in this afghan.

It took me five days, from October 27 - 31, because I had a horrible sinus infection. It wouldn't have taken that long had I been well. If I were to make this again I would make the center granny square 6 inches instead of following the pattern's 6 rounds, and then added the dc rounds because it makes it look odd. I added some variegated yarn halfway through so it didn't look like a tiny granny in the middle.

Now I believe I have 11 six inch squares to go, and 3 twelve inch ones to do and then the squares will be finished! Maybe in time for Christmas, even if I won't be able to see my grandma. (Working in retail means no vacation days off in December during the rush.)

Squares on Sunday!

Half & Half square, almost finished!

It needs a row or two more.

But this sinus infection has won, and I'm going to bed.

Hopefully it'll be finished tomorrow. 

Squares on Sunday: The Afghan Version

I know, I've been posting like a maniac, huh?! Hopefully it keeps up, though it'll probably taper off eventually.

Anyway, afghans. If you've been following this blog and/or Ravelry, then you know I have three afghans in WIP status. Unfortunately the hexagon amoeblanket and granny daughters are in hibernation, because I've got to work on Christmas gifts. But I'll still show you my progress so far.

Here's my progress on the hexagon afghan:

I really love it, I can't wait for it to be finished. And all those little hexagons have some sort of memory with them. There's rainbow yarn from one of my first scarves, scraps from my Daddy's afghan and my moms, a hexagon that represents the other afghan I was doing (and now stopped) the Happy Summer Hexagon one, remember that? One day, you shall be finished. 

And granny daughters! It was really bright that day so it's kinda washed out, but this one has been tons of fun. It goes by super fast, and I like just sticking my hand in and grabbing a random color. There's plenty of my own grannies, and then fun and interesting ones I've gotten from swaps. There's even a glow in the dark one that totally freaked me out when I woke up in the middle of the night. I was trying to figure out how there was this glowing string and where it came from, but couldn't get it until I woke up the next morning. 

And as far as my grandma's 80th birthday afghan spectacular, that I've been seriously slacking on, I still have more than half the squares to make. I have 5 12" ones and 12 6" ones to go, so only 17. Yeah, only 17, right?! I need to get working! If anyone has any suggestions for more 6" blocks, throw them my way. My list of blocks to do has some blanks for 6 inchers.

So the goal for the next SoS? Have at least 1 afghan square to show for my grandma's blanket. I think I can follow that. (Even better if it's a 12 incher!)

Squares on Sunday IV and V of April, plus I of May

Whew, I haven't posted a SoS since the 18th! Since then, I've completely finished my Inga's bag, but it needs a lining. On the 18th I did a square for my little Microspun project and took the 19th off. I wanted to start socks, and I wanted to start hexagons with my wool, but I wanted to focus on the socks. I still had some days left so I said the hell with it and started the hexagons:

I only did three squares because I refound my acrylic stash and really wanted to start busting it. So using the same pattern I've been doing two colored hexagons and joining them as I go with white. Here it is a few days ago lookin' like an amoeba:

And a semi good picture after today's 4 hex binge:

With a cactus in the background for good measure!

So that's what's been up for SoS. I've been working on the afghan. I'm not too thrilled with the socks anymore. I've gotten 4 inches into the 1x1 ribbing which is a snoozefest. It's supposed to be 8. O_O No way. I want to start the heel, but the book recommends sitting somewhere silent to really understand it, and I usually knit while I watch TV. Ah, I should just go on ahead and dive in. If I make a mistake I can always frog, right? Plus this afghan is taking up all my time. I made 4 hexes (ha) today and I've been joining them as I go. You should see the back, it's a nightmare. DO NOT WANT to weave in those ends!

I also need to get crafty things organized, because I just found a cross-stitch kit I forgot I had. I never have to buy any craft materials ever again. I always forget what I have. That and we're getting new carpet so everything has to be moved out of my room and the craft room. Ug.

Squares on Sunday III

 

Top left: I finished my Inga's bag! All it needs is a good dunk in the tub to straighten things out and for the straps to be sewn on. I don't know how to put a lining in there, so I don't think it's going to get one. Oh well.
Top right: Easter Day Square, the March choice from the 2010 12" BAM CAL. It took me a while; I hate 12" squares, but I only need 4 more for the afghan. 6" only take a few hours. The big ones get so tedious when I have to add 5 extra rounds, and it takes a few more days.
Bottom left: 161: Daisy Chain from Jan Eaton's 200 Crochet Blocks, the February block in the 2010 200 Crochet Blocks CAL.
Bottom right: 78: Briar Rose from the same book, the April block from the same CAL.

 Oh yeah, I started knitting a pair of socks!!

Squares on Sunday II

Sunday round up! I've been working like a maniac, enough that I had a few days to spare, but even though I had messed up my medicines and had vertigo for two days I still managed to get them finished. For Inga's bag, I only need 1 yellow and 3 blue, the majority of might get finished tonight! I'm going to buy some red yarn tomorrow to join, and will hopefully have it done by the weekend. The two small ones in the bottom right corner are from a scarf I started a while ago but I'm not too sure what I'm going to do with the squares. Mind as well get them all done. I'm itching to start on my hexagon pillow. I might see if I can find a bolster pillow form.

I also finished an orca!

So cute! I love all marine animals, and I love orcas especially. My mom said it looked like a samurai with that dorsal fin. >.<

Killer Whale Amigurumi by Charissa Gascho/AwkwardSoul on Etsy
Yarn: Caron Natura in black and white
Hook: ergonomic E (3.5 mm)
Modifications: None, though I know I didn't do the tail right. I'm not too sure what happens, but it looks ok.
Would I crochet this again? Yes, she needs a momma!

Squares on Sunday I

I finished my first round of squares for the April daily CAL:

All four for Inga's Bag. Spring Green, Yellow, Royal Blue and Peruvian Print. That blue one almost didn't get finished due to migraines, but I persevered!

In honor of Squares on Sunday, and the fact I have all this free time, I set out all my 9 patch quilt blocks from the quilt-a-long started by crazymomquilts a looong time ago, back in August. Remember?  Here are my finished squares:

I have 18 sewn and 23 cut and waiting to be sewn, giving me a total of 41. Now all I need is 29 more to reach the required 70 and we can get to piecing! Exciting!

My 2009 scrapghan from last year's BAM CALs on Craftster and Ravelry has been sitting in a bag waiting to be finished. I was going to crochet it so it would almost cover my bed, but 12 inch blocks are a PITA, and it was too colorful, it started getting on my OCD/matching nerves. So in the closet it sat. I pulled it out the other day and I have enough blocks to just join it and be done, so that's what I'm going to do. I sewed in all the ends and arranged it how I'm going to join them, like so:

I'm going to use the flat braid joining and some pale blue to join, then put a granny-esque 3dc cluster border in the pale blue and some worsted purple I have. Exciting!

Oh, and happy Easter!

Squares on Sunday!

Woa what? Did she just... is that... OMFG, really?
Yes really, yes. I have squares for Sunday! Only three. These were already cut and Tuesday I just sat around sewing so these were just waiting to be finished.

Nota bene: They haven't been ironed or clipped down, so excuse their "roughness."

 St. Jude's clouds and yellow.

This is some weird upholstery fabric I got at Hancock's "$10 for this trash bag of remnants" and pink check. It's off center, so it might not be put in the big thing.

Clouds and blue.

No idea what my total count is, but I'll get to it.

~*~

Isn't this yarn just divine?!

 

Line up something in ROY G BIV fashion, and I'm hooked. It's from the Purl Bee's Holiday Gifts for Knitters post.

Description from the site: 1 to 8 skeins of Lobster Pot's Worsted Hand Dyed Cashmere, 100% cashmere. These colors, from the top, are Salt Rose, Boiled Lobster, Lobster Bisque, Drawn Butter, Sea Lettuce, Hydrangea, Cape Sky, and Shoreline Heather.

I wish! I need to get rid of this acrylic. Mm, yummy cashmere. And I wish I had money to afford $46 a skein. Maybe we'll stick with unraveling thrift store sweaters, or even Lion Brand's LB Collection $14 cashmere.

Speaking of yarn and prices,

Lion Brand's LB Collection (aka fancy schmany non acrylic fibers) now has Baby Alpaca for $5! WIN. I hope it's good, and not splitty and blah. I might need to stock up.

P.S. NaNoWho?

P.P.S. Poor craft blog. I am crafting! Furiously working on Christmas gifts. 

Squares on Sunday Volume III

This week's squares! They're so much better looking that week 1's. Even though there's problems with my cutting and matching the center squares up perfectly, this batch has come out almost perfectly. My favorites are the purple (I call this my Harry Potter fabric) and yellow one in the top row, and the one to the right of it, with the flowers and leaves. And I really like my apple fabric. (Under the flowers and leaves.) Unfortunately, I'm not going to be able to work on any more until I get back from vacation the 20th. I could take my sewing machine and everything, but then I'd have to take my iron, ironing board, and my cutting mat and rotary cutter, because sometimes the strips of three blocks aren't even and need to be cut before they're all sewed together. And besides, it's vacation. I need to relax. And I'm bringing like 8 knitting/crocheting projects that I might not even work on.

In honor of Squares on Sunday, I chose to show my squares for the 2009 Block - a - Month Crochet - a - Long. (Ignore the fact the 2009 block is upside down. Oops.) I wanted to wait until I had done exactly half, but I'm not there yet and I've been working on other projects. Right now I'm just not in the crocheting squares mood. And I know it's not all my squares, but I thought it'd be bigger. Maybe it's because it'll probably be doubled, at least, when it's finished. I could always just crochet one more 6 inch and declare it finished, but I want a big, scrappy, ugly, unique blanket thing so I get through my acrylic stash and buy me some nice yarns. Like Malabrigo. ;]

Squares on Sunday! Vol II

Here's week one of my squares! There's 8 in the picture because I included last Sunday's. I'm surprised that I've actually done one every single day. Go me! Go motivation! And I've gotten my mom on the "I want to match fabrics!" bandwagon. She had the great idea to cut squares and pin them, so it will cut down on time and I can sew two or three a day, if need be. (I'll be out of town for 10 days, and I'm already behind.) I think we have 40 cut so far, and she even allowed me to buy some remnants from Wal-Mart so we could match some more! I'm very excited. When I have 70 (or however many I want. 70 is an odd number...) I'm going to add sashing (that's what it is, right?) like THIS, and a white border. I have no idea what to do for the back or binding, but I'm definitely using white so the blocks POP. I'm really excited about what the finished project will look like. I love finding all these odd combinations for blocks. I've also discovered I completely fail at cutting. Even with a template.

I also really think I have a case of startitis. I really want to start the Weekend Retreat Cardi in my Sugar and Creme Confectionary Colors, and $5 in Paris which is going to be pink. (Thank you Murphy's Mart.) :] Today I've cut fabric for another Purl Frog, gifts for my cousins' new baby, the patchwork pieces for the place mat and coaster set for my uncle and aunt's Christmas presents, and linings for two Singlet Shopping totes, which I just happened to find. Along with all that, as if that's not enough, I bought some twine to crochet an Exchange Bag, and I have a dishcloth pattern that's floating through my head. And there's a ton of projects I need to do for other people, which I need to get cracking on. Thank God for Shark Week on Discovery. I usually just plunk down in front of the TV with crafts, and by the end I've seen every program. Twice.

I soaked the yarn from my unraveled sweater again, because the first time it really wasn't as straight as I liked. I soaked it for a few hours and it's still kinky. Damn. I think it's because it's cotton and acrylic and those materials don't have the magical properties animal fur comes with. Oh well, it's not like it's going on Etsy or anything fancy. I also learned, from re-soaking it, that whatever dye they used it bleeds a lot. When I first got it I washed it, and it's still bleeding pink. I have to remember that when I decide what I'm going to knit it into.

Even though I said in THIS post that I didn't want to make it into a sweater, I'm thinking a stockinette cardigan to show off the yarn. 3/4 length sleeves, ribbing at the cuffs and border, buttonholes, the whole shebang. I went looking on Ravelry for some patterns because I haven't gotten that advanced to create my own pattern. First I found THIS which is perfect, but the pattern calls for 1,790 yards and I only have around 1,300. Even if I don't knit the sleeves all the way, I don't think it will work. Then I found THIS pattern, from DROPS. It's everything I wanted, and I like the shape, it calls for US 4s, which would probably work great with the DK weight of the yarn, and it only calls for 985 yards for the smallest size, which is me. I think I'm sold on this one. But I want to hold off on it and try an easier sweater for my first so I get used to sweater construction, at least a little.

Squares on Sunday!

Yay, a feature! I finished my first 9 Patch Block for the QAL. It came out around 6" because I have problems cutting each block to a perfect 2.5" square. (I had to trim the edges.) So, I'll aim for 6". It's not perfect, but it's good for my first time attempting patchwork. I'm going to try to do one a day, and then post them all on Sunday. To kick things off, here's number 1!