Don't worry...I won't quit my day job!

Well, I'm finally making money on my crocheting! Albeit very little...well, um, hardly any at all...but its something!? I've had a few requests for the Mini-handled Purse from co-workers who don't crochet. I've altered the pattern a little, by request, to make it bigger, by starting with 30 sc's over the handle edge. But I've also eliminated the rows of cross-double crochets and just done twenty even rows of dc. It makes for an easier pattern, and a slightly roomier purse. So I got another request on Thursday and finished it on Sunday. I had just enough Paton's Brilliant in Black Dazzle to make a short version of the Total Torque Biker Scarf at Interweave Press. Its a very 'holey' scarf, so the short version can be worn as a keyhole scarf.

Flower

I originally planned to make a poncho with flower motifs, inspired partly by this one by Drops Design/Garn Studio, but the motifs of that one were a little 'pointy' for me. So I decided to design a flower myself. Then once I made a few, the idea of the poncho kind of became, shall I say, less desirable. But the flower is cute enough to be used in other patterns or added to other designs (as we shall soon see).

You can find the pattern here.

Toddler Sundress

So the flower motif found a home, but only by accident. I had been trying to find a sundress to crochet like the knitted Victoria Sundress at Berroco. I'd tried at Crochetville, Crochet Pattern Central, and Google, all to no avail. So I figured, @$%& it, I'll design one myself. And so I did. I took measurements from a dress in Sears and came home to figure out the increases. The dress is made out of breathable cotton, but is heavy enough to stay down on windy days. And the straps are buttoned in place, so they can be crossed or straight, as well they can be raised and lowered to fit. I apologize profusely for the state of the photograph. Crappy cameras yeild crappy photos!

Materials
Lily Sugar N' Cream Cotton - 70.9 gm (2.5 oz) - 4ply, worsted weight cotton - 4 balls, Hot Pink (or preferred colour)
Size 5mm crochet hook
Yarn needle
2, 1/2" buttons

Gauge - 11 rows (in pattern) X 14 stitiches = 10cm (4")
Finished Measurements - Chest 24" (size 4), Shoulder to hem 23"

Front
Row 1 - Ch 65, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. Turn.
Row 2 (RS) - Ch 3, dc in each sc across. Turn.
Row 3 - Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next dc and each dc across to last 2 dc, sc2tog. Turn.
Row 4 - Ch 3, dc in each sc across. Turn.
Row 5 - Ch 1, sc in each dc across. Turn.
Row 6 - Ch 3, dc in each sc across. Turn.
Repeat rows 3-6, 9 times, until piece measures approximately 15". Fasten off.

Armhole Shaping
Row 1 - Skipping 6 stitches, join yarn with slst to 7th dc, ch1, sc in same stitch and each stitch across, leaving last 6 stitches unworked. Turn.
Row 2 - Ch 1, sc in each dc across. Turn.
Row 3 - Ch3, dc in each sc across. Turn.
Row 4-10 - Repeat rows 2-3, decreasing 1 stitch at beginning and end of each sc row.
Row 11 - Reverse sc across to end of row. Fasten off.

Back
Work as for front, until piece measures 15". Fasten off.

With wrong sides together, sew side seams.
Join yarn at top left corner of bib. Ch 50. Dc back along chain, single crochet down left side of bib, along back edge, up right side of bib, ch 50, dc back along ch, join with slst. Fasten off.

Attach buttons approximately 3.5" from side seams at back.
Attach optional flower motif (instructions below).

Lewiscraft Closing? What about the kids?!

So its sad enough that Bentley group is closing all 80 Lewiscraft locations across Canada. It is also sad enough the Peterborough location was the only still-standing original retail store in our downtown mall. To be honest, I was ecstatic about the discounts on existing stock. But, I was nearly heartbroken when I realized that Lewiscraft was the other half of the Salvation Army's Knit for Kids program, which pays for the yarn for local knitters and crocheters to create hats, mitts, scarves, sweaters, etc, to be included in the Christmas hampers every year. Last year alone, the program collected over 40,000 items across Canada, a goal achieved after two decades of the program.
The Salvation Army fears that this program may see its demise this winter, without the co-operation of such a huge retail partner. But I call on all knitters and crocheters (especially the small business owners) to take up the torch. Continue to create these much needed items and donate them directly to the Salvation Army. Or donate your time to the collection and delivery on behalf of the program. You can also donate any yarn from your stash that can be used by others to help offset the cost of the program. Anything can help! But its up to the individual to continue this incredible program.
If you need any ideas, or have any other suggestions, please contact me. I'm doing my best in my community to get a couple of local shops on board for this coming winter. It may be a few months off, but the earlier we get started the better.
Let's try to beat the total from last year, despite this major setback!

Michael's Bunting Bag

A friend was due back in December and I know how great bunting bags are for newborns in Canada. I used a sweater pattern of my own, altering it to a bunting bag. I also used a skein of sari yarn (a little pricey to buy more than that, alas...) combined with a skein of good ol' Red Heart!

Materials
2 skeins of Red Heart Super Saver in Soft Navy (or colour of your choice)
1 skien of recycled sari silk yarn (or silk/rayon blend)
size 5.5m crochet hook
2 (1" - 1 1/2")buttons

Size
Fits size 0-6 mos

Yoke (using RH)
Row 1: Ch 42, dc in 3rd ch from hk and in next 5ch, inc (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in next ch, dc in next 6ch, inc in next ch, dc in next 12ch, inc in next ch, dc in next 6ch, inc in next ch, dc in last 6 ch.
Row 2-6: Ch2, turn. *dc in each st to ch1 sp, inc (2dc, ch1, 2dc) in ch sp, repeat from * across ending dc in each st to end of row.
Row 7: Ch2, turn. *dc in each st to ch1 sp, inc (1dc, ch1, 1dc) in ch sp, repeat from * across ending dc in each st to end of row.

Body
Row 1: Ch2, turn, dc in 19 sts, dc in ch1 sp, sk next 32 sts for sleeve, dc inn ch1 sp, dc in next 38 sts for back, dc in ch1 sp, sk next 32 sts for second sleeve, dc in ch1 sp, dc in last 19 sts. Fasten off RH. Join sari yarn with sl st in last stitch.
Row 2: Ch2, turn, dc in each st across. Continue until sari section measures approximately 6 inches (you'll need to reserve some sari for trim). Join RH with slst and continue in pattern until piece measures approximately 24 inches from neck to bottom. Fasten off RH.

Hood
Row 1: Join RH with slst to front right edge of neck. Ch2, dc in same st and in each st around entire edge of neck.
Row 2-?: Ch2, turn, dc in each st around. Continue until hood measures approximately 8-9". Fold hood in half. Ch1, slst through both thicknesses in each st to back edge of hood. Fasten off.

Sleeves
Row 1: With wrong side facing, attach RH with slst through the ch1 spaces at each end of sleeve. Ch2 (does NOT count as stitch), dc in each st around, join in top of first st.
Row 2-3: Ch2, turn, dc in each st around, join in top of first st.
Row 4 (decrease round): Ch2, turn, dc2tog, dc in each remaining stitch to last 2 sts, dc2tog.
Continue for a total of 12 rows, decreasing every 4th round. Fasten off.

Trim
Join sari yarn with sl st in last stitch. Ch1, working 2sc in end of rows and 1sc in stitches, sc evenly up right front edge (making spaces for buttons), around hood edge, and down left edge. Fasten off. Join sari yarn on sleeve ends and sc evenly around edge of sleeves.
If there is any remaining sari yarn, make 2 tassles and attach in bottom corners of bag.

Sew on buttons to correspond with button holes.

Sirdar Camisole

So, I'm working on a camisole for my mom (didn't have enough for the cardigan that I'd started for the Olympics, ARGH!) and I'm confused by the pattern. I've posted a new thread at the Crochetville Forum and hopefully I can get some help from someone there. This is the camisole.When I do finally get the piece done, I'll post a picture.
In the meantime, I'm also working on a metamorphosized skirt. I bought a pale blue sweater (cable knit) at Y's Buys in Peterborough for $6. I ripped it apart at the seams and I'm going to reassemble with the front as the front and the sleeves as the back (works well because of the increase working down to flare the skirt). Then I'm going to weave a thick satin ribbon for a gathering belt at the waist. In my mind, it looks great, but we'll see.

The Hooker is In!

You know how they say that things always happen for a reason. I have always been a firm believer in that sentiment (and that it all comes out in the wash, which I guess is pretty much the same thing?!). Anyway, my mom and I experienced grave disappointment upon discovering that the college instructor strike in Ontario would preclude us from enjoying our biweekly massage at Fleming College! After confirming that in fact NO ONE was going to rub us down, we proceeded to Chapters, our usual post-massage destination, and sat with our Starbucks and chatted, flipping through magazines. When it was time to go, we took a quick stroll to the crochet section to see if there was anything new. Its been a while since anything new appeared on the shelf, I was absolutely delighted to see Debbie Stoller sitting on the second shelf in all her funky glory! And because I hadn't spent the money for the massage I could afford to finally get my copy of the Stitch 'N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker.
After returning home, I pulled out the 5-drawer wheeled cabinet where I keep my stash, pulled out two skeins of Red Heart Super Saver in light fuschia and proceeded to make the YeeHaw Lady, the cowboy hat pictured on the cover. I finished it in two days and my daughter loves it! I'm definately going to make another for myself and I can't wait to try another pattern, if for no other reason that to deplete my stash!

Crocheted Felted Diaper Bag

My husband's exwife (my kids' biomom) is expecting another baby and in the name of being the 'bigger' person, I made a felted diaper bag as a gift. It turned out so well that I think I might make one for myself (it doesn't have to be a diaper bag). I was inspired by the knitted felted bags on Knit Kit Web Page, but designed this one myself. The picture shows my finished one in grey and blue, but have fun with the colours. Do one in one solid colour, or do something in rainbow stripes!

You can find the pattern here.

Dishclothes, dishclothes, dishclothes...

So my mom dropped off a bag of 4 balls of Bernat Handicrafter Cotton so that I could make some dishclothes. Its a quick way to make a bit of change, so I crocheted them while watching a great documentary called The 70's Dimension. Its a steady stream of 70's era TV commercials that will have you in an acid flashback like no other. Some of them, like the L&M cigarettes and a seatbelt safety commercial put out by the State of Washington Traffic Safety Commission had me laughing out loud. I also managed to get a glimpse of my own vintage stereo system (apparently called "The Gothenberg") in a Packard Bell commercial. It is worth renting, if you can find someone that has it.
During the movie, I managed to get six disclothes done. I can get one regular square and then a smaller one (I did one triangle, one circle and one oval) out of each 50g ball. I can't get the pics to upload to the blog, so maybe I'll add them later. On the other hand, I suppose everyone knows what dishclothes look like; not terribly exciting shit, really.

Mini-handled purse

I have a new pattern. I designed it one night while watching CBC's Hatching, Matching and Dispatching (Newfie comedic genius!). It was made to go with the Rebecca scarf from Cool Crochet which I made with the same Patons Brilliant. I also added purple glass beads to the edges of the scarf and the bottom edge of the purse. I think that Grandma Vereana will love them.

You can find the pattern here.

We're not gonna take it....anymore.

I have been staying on top of my crocheting (trying to finish the cardigan and the preemie stuff for the hospital) but I have become completely obsessed with the two sisters from Mississauga who have been convicted of drowning their mother. I've read everything I can find online from the Bob Mitchell coverage for the Toronto Star, to the transcript of the judges findings at Murdering Whores, to the email conversations at TuckerMax. I am more and more stunned at every step. I was so sympathetic when I first heard about them; it seemed like such a tragic story, two teenage sisters so desperate for an answer to life with their alcoholic mother that they feel the only answer is to kill her. But the more I read, the more I see them for the twisted sisters that they are.

First Entry

This is the first entry and I don't have much to say. I'm in the middle of my Olympic project, but have neglected it the last couple of nights. Monday I spent (into the wee hours) making a black on black [with funfur] shrug for my daughter to wear for Valentine's. Last night, we had a friend over for his birthday dinner and a movie.
So I've got to get back at it tonight!