Crochet Crazy

I've been working with the moss stitch, or linen stitch, depending on where you learn it, for several months now. I've made more than a few Cakes Two to Tango shawls. I've even modified the pattern a little to make a stole shape with the same design. This time, I wanted to make a poncho. I started with the single crochet cast on, worked a few rows, then switched from one cake to the other every row. 

The result was this fun striping effect. I liked it enough to work to the end of my first cake. I used two cakes of Lion Brand Mandala to create this poncho.

At the end, this is the poncho I had. Overall, I'm calling this a success. Every time I try this, I think I should have started with the brighter colors, but by then I've gone too far to turn back. I'm going to play with this effect a little more. I like how it looks an awful lot like brioche knitting. I'm sure it will be striking in two colors.

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):
Crochet hooks: Clover Crochet Hook Set (10 hooks)
Lion Brand Mandala is available on Amazon, though you might be able to find it cheaper locally.

Crochet Crazy

I've been working through this project during those little moments of waiting. Using the linen stitch to create a triangle shawl is super easy and with a large hook and yarn it is a somewhat quick project.

Want to see more of this project? I shared the start of this project earlier this month. 

I think I know someone that will like this fall-colored shawl.

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):
Crochet hooks: Clover Crochet Hook Set (10 hooks)

Crochet Crazy

When we went to New England a few weeks ago I saw this yarn in a discount shop.

With that price tag, how could I refuse?

This past weekend I wound it into cakes.

There were three pieces tied with knots. which made the caking a little easier. I did a burn test, and the majority of the fiber is natural, though I'm not sure what it is. It ended up being over 500 grams of fiber. I have no idea how much yardage that is, but it should be enough for a shawl.

I decided to make a simple moss stitch shawl out it. I'm always surprised at how amazing some yarns look in a hank but then become this jumbled mess once you start working with them. Oh, well, it will keep someone warm.

I have no idea how big this is going to get. I made it through the first cake and started the second.

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):
Crochet hooks: Clover Crochet Hook Set (10 hooks)

Crochet Crazy

We took a short trip up to New England to visit with family and friends in advance of the holiday season. We got to catch up and share food with our friends and family. I say short trip, because we were only gone four days, but it meant hours and hours of driving. I worked on this crochet shawl along the way. 

There was also coffee.

This shawl is based on the  Cakes Two to Tango shawl. But, when you get to about 30 repeats (60 rows) you begin to work back and forth on the bias. It results in a slightly different shape. 

It's the same great fabric and color fun, but with a long shawl instead of a triangle shawl. 

Since I finished that one, I picked up some more yarn at the local big box store and got to work on another shawl. This one is loosely based on Stephen West's Dotted Rays (knit) shawl. I'll share it when it's done even if it looks a hot mess.I fear it won't look as good in execution as it is imagined.

Find the original pattern on Ravelry: Cakes Two to Tango. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):
Crochet hooks: Clover Crochet Hook Set (10 hooks)
Lion Brand Mandala is available on Amazon, though you might be able to find it cheaper locally.

What I did on my Summer Vacation - Rhode Island

We made our way from Pennsylvania to New York where we stayed at the U.S. Army West Point campground run by MWR. I took very few pictures so you'll just have to believe me that we spent the night there.

The site was very quiet with a nice pond. A pond that seems to be frequented by turtles.

Then we made our way to Rhode Island to visit with friends and family.

We stayed at Whispering Pines Campground in Hope Valley, RI. This is the second time we've stayed at this park. It is great if you have kids. There are loads of things to do with the kids.

There is even a train that goes around the park in the morning. There is a pond, with fishing, a pool, shuffleboard, and likely a dozen other things we didn't even ask about.

We did have family over for some toasted marshmallows. Because, nothing says fun like catching your dessert on fire.

In the Mail Monday: Embroidered Love

After I returned from the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, I found the most wonderful package from a friend.

Inside were some cookies (none for you) and this delightful package. I love the hand written note almost as much as the beautiful hand embroidery.

Look at this beauty! The background fabric is re-purposed fabric from a hand-dyed skirt. That makes it even more awesome in my book! Thank you Melissa for this treasure! Now I just have to figure out how to finish it. Because she knows me. She gets my creative drive. I think this little darling will become a wall hanging. But I'm not going to rush it. She's hung on my design wall, to sing her siren song every time I glimpse her shiny scales.

Design is Aquarius - Mermaid by Urban Threads. The hand embroidery design is a very affordable $1.00.

Mischief is a Batik Kitty

I had to grab this quilt from a few years ago (dated 2009) and take it outside to see the sun.  There is a quilter's show and tell over at the Quilting Gallery and I wanted to play along.  And... a great "Pets on Quilts Show over at Lily Pad Quilting.

Here is the text I included with my quilt in the Show & Tell:  "I made this quilt in memory of my cat Mischief.  She was my first baby after I got married. Every day she managed to live up to her name. She brightened my life and kept my feet warm for over 16 years. Today I have two beautiful, fun-loving, rescue dogs to keep my feet warm and make me laugh."

This picture doesn't show the quilt very well, but it does show you the smiling faces of my puppies.  The pattern I used for the applique is by Darcy Ashton  in her book Claire's Cats.  This book doesn't appear to be in print any longer, so availability may be limited.
The contest starts on Friday, so please go check it out and give me a little voting love.

Joanie over at Joanie's Trendy Quilts pointed me to Pets on Quilts.  Check it out at the link above.  I'm totally torn on this one, is it a "dog on quilt" picture or a "pet-themed quilt" or both?  Can it be both?  I don't know.  I suppose if I had to pick one, if I can't pick "dog on pet-themed quilt," is pet-themed quilt, since it really is about the quilt.