Finished.

So that Charity Blanket is finally finished...

Ends are sewn in, and the edging is done.

You know the way some projects just go ON and ON and ON and ON and you seriously start wondering if it is EVER coming to an end???

I enjoyed the pattern itself - a nice simple Granny Stripe - which made it an easy one to work on while watching TV, or supervising the kids at the park or the pool... or gossiping at a Crochet Meet.

I think that I was just SO incredibly bored with the colours, that I lost interest in it.



So here are the details:

Pattern:

• Granny Stripe Blanket, by Lucy of Attic24
• click here for FREE online pattern

Yarn:

• mostly 8plys, with a few 10 plys, and some doubled 4 plys...
• a variety of reclaimed yarns in navy, greys and cream

Hook:

• 4.0mm aluminium hook

Modifications:

1. First of all I skipped Row 1. Simply worked the pattern straight into the row of chains. Tried it the way the pattern was written, but prefer it my way.
2. Then instead of working 2 rows per colour, I changed at the end of every row. Just Because.
3. To finish off neatly, I worked 2 rounds in pattern, then turned my work and did a round of hdc in each st. The hdc gives it a nice firm edge.

Getting There.

Those ends are almost all sewn in... but I'll still need to crochet a border to finish the blanket off.

As always, I'm keeping my scraps!

Scary.

The main part of the blanket is finished, but look at ALL those ends to sew in!

Procrastination...

I think that I might just be the eternal procrastinator...

And it's not just about putting off those dreary, boring household chores - to focus on craft instead...

I also procrastinate about my Craft Projects.

For example, right now I have the following to do:

1. Finish charity blanket before Saturday - crochet is ALMOST done, but there are a million ends to weave in - I've been at this one for such a long time!
2. Finish Freeform Wall Art by Friday - this is my contribution for the 2012 International Free Form Crochet Guild Show - still need to attach my piece to the backing, and add finishing touches - also take some magnificent photographs to submit for the exhibit.
3. Finish making the April CAL Sample for next month's Challenge by Friday. At this stage I am only about 30% done. Will also need to take some time to prepare clear photographs.
4. Write and edit the pattern for the April CAL piece before Saturday.

And what am I doing???

Well, I'm fiddling about with my IntNatCroMo Freeform piece instead!

Maybe it's not just a procrastination issue - it might be a total lack of self-discipline as well...

My Wonderful Pattern Testers:

I am SO DELIGHTED with all these versions of Callipo, that I wanted to share them with you!

My wonderful Pattern Testers did an excellent job of recreating the little monkeys...

Julie made the adorable Doora - who is actually weighted inside, 

so she can serve as a door stop.

Hazel switched the red for blue, but kept those striking black and white stripes...

I really, really love the stripes, 

so it was fabulous to see how they look teamed with another colour.

KnittingBelle went with more traditional toy monkey colours - 

and I love the idea of the variegated yarn for the tummy - too cute!

 

Jorel came up with this inspired colour combination...

and also chose to make the arms shorter than the legs, and the hands shorter than the feet. 

 

 Aeonie's monkey isn't naughty at all - in fact she's rather sweet and well behaved...

just look at that embroidered flower - GORGEOUS!!!

On the other hand... Juanita's monkey was SO NAUGHTY 

that he refused to sit still for ANY embroidery!

(but he's still adorable)

 

And just look at the ATTITUDE from Daphne's creation, with those folded arms...

I can just imagine her tapping her foot... and saying 

"About time you got to MY photo"

Now didn't they do an amazing job?

My patterns are always thoroughly tested before I offer them for sale.

I want everything to be PERFECT for you when you purchase the pattern,

so that you can ENJOY the process of creating, 

and NOT tear your hair out trying to interpret the instructions!

Thanks again to these guys for the AWESOME job they did xx

Just a reminder that the pattern is now available as a PDF for AU$4.50.

Easy to make, and fun for the kiddies - I think I'll make some for our Gift Box.

Right now I'm picturing a Monkey made using my CRAZY YARN for the arms and legs!
 I think he would look spectacular, and I'll end up with multi-coloured limbs
 without needing to work any colour changes.
I wonder if I should start ANOTHER new project???
Why not! Life's too short not to...

Callipo: Pattern Now Available

Aren't they adorable???



The red one is my original Callipo... and the purple one was made by Daphne, a dear friend and wonderful pattern tester!

As always, I had a very difficult time getting a true representation of the purples - but her purple/pink variation of my monkey is really, really gorgeous. Unfortunately the photos don't quite do her justice.

Anyway, the pattern has been through the testing phase, and is now available to purchase in PDF format for AU$4.50.




A Super Big THANK YOU to my fabulous testers- Juanita, Shilo, Daphne, Hazel, Jorel, Aeonie and KnittingBelle.

Will hopefully have photos of their Monkeys to show you soon!

It's Party Time!

Is anyone else participating in International Crochet Month (IntNatCroMo) over at Ravelry???

I'm a little bit late to the Party - since it's now already the 22nd of March - but I've joined in the Freeform CAL... and I'm so glad that I did.

Each day there is another Freeform instruction posted online... so I have lots of days to catch up on!

Here's a glimpse at some of my work so far:













If you're thinking that you might like to dabble in some Freeform Crochet for yourself, but you don't quite know where to start... you should head over to this thread at Ravelry. My dear friend Tora has been offering the most wonderful instructions there - and it never ceases to amaze me, that although we are all working from the same guidelines, we end  up with vastly different pieces...

Why not try one for yourself?

Denim Coils...

Have you seen the crafty Denim Coils around???

They are made using the seams from old denim jeans. You simply cut down either side of the leg seam, then work the strip into a coil - securing with stitches as you go.



People are making them into coasters and trivets... but I have a slightly grander plan!

I'm working on a Denim Coil Rug.

Unfortunately, at this point, most of the work is happening in my imagination... but I have made ONE COIL.

Trouble is, it's only about the size of the lens cap from my camera...

My Doll and her Matryoshka

I hadn't really designed the Matryoshka or the Kokeshi dolls with PLAY in mind.

The idea was that they were decorative - more of a show piece than a toy...

But Little Miss Seven doesn't think so:

A Bright Monster...

Sometimes I lose track of time completely...

Like have NO IDEA at all just how much time has elapsed!

For some reason, the hours between 9pm and 2am always seem to disappear in the blink of an eye... One minute I'm winding down with a little bit of craft, then before I know it - we're in the wee small hours of the morning...

And my blogging...

I knew that I had missed a few days - but it would seem that it was WAY more than just a few...

So what have I been doing?

Just the usual crafty stuff...



Yesterday I finished working on this Bright Monster. She's quick and easy to make... and there's no decreases - I know how much some of you guys HATE the gapey appearance of decreases in your amigurumi!

Anyway. If there is enough interest, I'm thinking that I would write up the pattern for her and offer it for free here on my blog. If you think that you would use the pattern, please leave a comment so that I can get a general idea of interest. The pattern would be for a non-striped version, and I think she would look pretty spectacular worked in a variegated or hand painted yarn!

 

Jerry Giraffe Pattern Now Available

I love that Jerry is Not Your Average Giraffe.

His ears are way too big, he has an unusual snout, a startled expression - and don’t even get me started on those colors!

Detailed pattern has been thoroughly tested.

Click here and you can view all the toys made using this pattern.

The pattern for my Jerry Giraffe is now available as a PDF for AU$4.50

Winner Announced

Congratulations to Juanita on her winning Jenny Giraffe!


 

I would never have imagined a giraffe wearing earrings, a feathery boa and colourful striped stockings - but I’m so pleased that Juanita did!

She is such a wonderful interpretation of my original pattern.

So, as the winner.... Juanita will now tell ME what to design for the next Crochet Challenge, which will begin in April 2012.

Stay tuned, and I will let you know what she chooses!