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