project #30b - dare to be square

pattern used -

• Dare To Be Square by Lisa Gentry
• found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

yarn used -

• mostly 8ply recycled yarns
  

hook used -

• 4.0mm bamboo hook
  

comments -

• I need ten of these squares, which will be joined together to make a jacket
• working each round in a different colour, to create a totally random effect
• my plan is that each time I use a yarn for a different project, I will stop and add another round to one of these squares
• so it will be an ongoing project
• if it doesn't look any good as a jacket... I'll make a throw or a wrap instead

project # 30a - floral neck warmer

pattern used -

• Beadiful Accent by Lisa Gentry
• found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

yarn used -

• 5ply/sports weight recycled wool

hook used -

• 4.0mm bamboo hook
  

comments -

• I made five of the motif flowers, joined in the last round of each, according to the pattern
• the pattern calls for the last flower to be beaded with about 60 small pearl beads... but I quite like it without the beads
• I also left off the buttons, and used my Grandmother's old brooch to pin the scarf

project #29c - needle guard

pattern used -

• Needle Guard by Lisa Gentry
• found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

yarn used -

• 8ply/DK recycled wools

hook used -

• 3.5mm aluminium

comments -

• these pansies are actually very cute and very simple
• also finding it very handy for storing my wool and tapestry needles when not in use... they're usually too blunt and too thick to push into a regular pin cushion... so this needle guard works perfectly

project #29b - kitty's keychain

pattern used -

• Key Chain Little Kitty by Lisa Gentry
• found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

yarn used -

• 8ply/DK cotton

hook used -

• 3.5mm aluminium hook
  

comments -

• super quick and easy to make
• this pattern comes with instructions to turn the kitty into a key chain... but my daughter loves it just the way it is
• if you made a few, they would be just the right size for a cute mobile... or pram rattle... each cat could be done in a different colour, and embellished differently
• I'll keep the mobile/pram rattle idea in mind for future gifts
  

project #29a - kitty's treasure

pattern used -

• Kitty's Treasure by Lisa Gentry
• found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

yarn used -

• 8ply/DK acrylic

hook used -

• 3.5mm aluminium hook
  

comments -

• this is a really easy pattern... and very simple to embellish
  
• my daughter ADORES it, even though she is not a huge fan of 'Hello Kitty'
• I pretty much stuck with the pattern as written... although I did use a larger hook for the flower, and added the button at the centre
• around the opening of the bag, I used a contrast colour for the sc... but that was only because I had misplaced the white yarn, and was too lazy to look for it!

project #28b - hidden delights - wine bottle bag

pattern used -

• Hidden Delights by Lisa Gentry
• found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

yarn used -

• burgundy reclaimed cotton, 5ply/sport weight

hook used -

• 4.0mm bamboo hook

comments -

• I love the combination of ribs and shells in this piece
• pattern is simple and easy to follow
• I didn't make the cord in the pattern, just used some kitchen string to tie around the neck... and added some beads to each end
• this would be the perfect 'wrapping' for a gifted bottle of wine
  

project #28a - warm 'n cozy hooks

pattern used -

• Warm 'n Cozy Hooks by Lisa Gentry
• found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

yarn used -

• 12 ply grey reclaimed wool
• 8 ply tweed reclaimed wool
  

hook used -

• 4.0mm bamboo hook

comments -

• there are two size options in this pattern... I made the cozy for the thin hooks
• the shell edging was a bit too 'frilly' for me, so I worked a simple sc edging instead
• worked all in the one colour... then I added an extra sc edging, including buttonhole loop, in the tweed yarn
• omitted the ties
• the button I used was taken from one of Mum's tops... so it gives the case great sentimental value to me
• I love the ribbed effect on the outside of the case
  

project #27 - glitz & glamour desert gems

pattern used -

• Glitz & Glamour Desert Gems by Lisa Gentry
• found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

yarn used -

• size 3 cotton

hook used -

• 2.1mm steel hook

comments -

• there is also a pattern included for matching earrings, but I didn't make them
• I was amazed at how quick and easy this project was to make... it would certainly be a good beginners piece for someone just learning the art of beaded crochet

project #26 - ocean waves

pattern used -

• Ocean Waves by Lisa Gentry
• found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

yarn used -

• size 3 cotton

hook used -

• 2.1mm steel hook

comments -

• this pattern is for a candle drape... which is something I haven't ever heard of before
• it works up quickly and easily
• I didn't have a candle which was the right size... so I've positioned the drape over a glass for the photos
• just looking at the photos now... I'm thinking that this would look nice left on the glass the way it is... with a candle placed inside the glass

project #25 - forever beaded trim

pattern used -

• Forever Beaded Trim by Lisa Gentry
• found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

yarn used -

• size 10 crochet thread

hook used -

• 1.75mm steel hook

comments -

• not quite sure what I would use this trim for... I just worked a short length to see how the pattern worked up
  
• the beads which I used are actually too heavy for the thread, so next time I would probably go smaller in the bead department

project #24 - roller coaster

pattern details -

• Roller Coaster by Lisa Gentry
• found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

hook used -

• 4.0mm bamboo

yarn used -

• recycled 8-10ply/DK-worsted cottons

comments -

• I had originally planned to make a few of these coasters... but just making one was a bit of a nightmare
• I think I HATE the roll/bullion stitch!!!
• this was the first time that I have ever attempted it
• it looks effective... but I find it so hard to co-ordinate my yarn and fingers in just the right way... it took me forever to work the final round of this piece
  
• in my opinion, the bullion stitch is too much effort for too little result!
• just wondering if any of you have mastered the bullion??? did it take long? or did it come to you fairly immediately? are some yarns easier to bullion than others? are some hooks more effective?
• edited to add - if you are like me, and struggling with the bullion stitch, you should take the time to read through the comments below... mary has offered some wonderful and detailed advice on where I might be going wrong... and it will probably help you out, too!
  

project #23 - buddy bandit bandana

pattern used -

• Buddy Bandit Bandana by Lisa Gentry
• found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

hook used -

• either a 3.0mm or a 4.0mm... I can't remember which
  

yarn used -

• recycled 8ply/DK wool
  

comments -

• so this pattern actually makes a beaded bandana for a dog's neck...
• no dog living here! so I decide to modify it a little for my daughter
• I left out the beading
• instead of the ties, I worked a row of sc around the entire triangle, and added a button to secure it
• the added benefit of the button, is that you can button down the point of the bandana, if you are wearing it over the top of the hair
  
• I also wove two strands of a contrast colour along the front edge of the bandana
  

project #22 - a walking we will go

pattern used -

• A Walking We Will Go by Lisa Gentry
• found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

yarn used -

• 8ply/DK acrylic

hook used -

• 3.5mm aluminium

comments -

• since I don't have a pet to use this leash for, I just worked the leash part and omitted the handle
• I'm thinking I will use it as a strap for a bag at some stage
• I was a bit disappointed with the pattern... only because in the photograph it looked like the combination of shells and crossed stitches made a row of hearts... but in reality it didn't quite have that effect
  
• 
  
• still nice though
  

project #21 - bowl cover

pattern used -

• Bowl Cover by Lisa Gentry
• found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

hook used -

• 1.75mm steel
  

yarn used -

• I'm guessing about a 3ply cotton...

comments -

• I omitted the small beads from the pattern
• the centre of mine came out very wavy

• but it blocked nicely into shape... just by pinning out each of the points, all of the centre waves disappeared

• the piece works nicely as a doily or a jug cover, too...

project #20 - beaded embrace

pattern used -

• Beaded Embrace by Lisa Gentry
• found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

hook used -

• 3.0mm steel
  

yarn used -

• 8ply/DK acrylic

comments -

• decided not to add any beads to my bag

• it's not quite finished yet, but the body of the bag is fully crocheted
• I am planning to line it in a deeper colour, which willl accentuate the shell patterns
• once I decide on the lining colour, I will choose my strap and embellishments for the bag

project #19 - slobber stopper

pattern used -

• Slobber Stopper by Lisa Gentry
• found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

hook used -

• 3.0mm aluminium
  

yarn used -

• 8ply/DK acrylic

comments -

• instead of the picot trim which the pattern uses, I just added a simple sc trim (with a chain between each sc)
• added an embroidered flower

project #18b - kozie toezies

pattern used -

• Kozie Toezies by Lisa Gentry
• found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

hook size -

• 4.5mm bamboo

yarn used -

• recycled acrylic blend, 10 ply/worsted weight

comments -

• I added a round of sc as a trim in a contrast colour

• also a couple of felted hearts

project #18a - kozie janezies

pattern used -

• Kozie Janezies by Lisa Gentry
• found in Hooked For 30 Days e-book

hook size -

• 4.5mm bamboo hook

yarn used -

• I used two strands of 4ply/sports weight yarn, worked as one
• pattern actually calls for a 10ply/worsted weight to be used

comments -

• I really wanted to make these in the ruby red, because I am totally in love with the baby ones
  
• unfortunately they're nowhere near as cute as the baby ones, but then again... I don't have cute baby feet any more either!
• 
  
• I had to stop a round or two early, because they were coming up too high on the top of my foot
• take a close look at the photo below... see the shaping on the inside heel of the feet? I don't know if it is my crocheting, or the yarn, or the pattern... but for some reason it seems to stick out like a bit of a growth
• 
• I should try blocking them to see if that helps... but next time I would fudge the pattern a bit, to avoid the stickie-outie-bitties (yes - that's a technical term)
• despite the fact that this style is not very flattering for my feet (it makes them look shorter and fatter than they need to) they are actually quite comfortable to wear
• instead of buttons, I used a couple of beads from an old bracelet