Apparently I'm in the book for triangle shawls. This is a yarn I had used for another project a while back that I just never wore. So I unraveled it and decided to try something new. I love it in this triangle scarf. This is a slightly different pattern than the last one, but same overall design.


I did realize that the way to make the neck flatter is to not to try to reduce stitches for the first few rows when you go in the round.




Hat in a similar pattern.




With a pony tail hole!

I finished the shawl at a show and had yarn left over so I kept going.


This hat has a pony tail holder in the top with a hole to make it easier to wear when you have your hair up (which I always do).




I've never made mittens before, but it actually wasn't all that hard. They fit perfect. Next time I think I want to try the kind that fold back so you can get to your fingers.

It's fall and that means it's time for scarves again. I made a triangle shawl a while ago and I felt like I needed another one in a different color. This yarn is APple Season in Killington by Miss Babs. It fits fall nicely. I made this pattern up as I went. Took me a bit to bring in the neck and figure out how to still make it lay flat.


I like to make these so that I can bring my arms in if I'm cold.




It's basically just a triangle shawl with a neck added to it.

This sweater worked up pretty quickly. I used just over 3 skeins of Venice Twilight Fingering Tweed from American Ewe Yarn. Each skein is 440 yards. I love this yarn, its light, but really warm.


This stitch is called Crow's foot lattice.
Stitches:
ch - chain
sk st - skip stitch
sc - single crochet
dc - double crochet
tr - triple crochet

Cast on in multiples of 4 + 4. You're going to make one back panel and 2 side panels. The two side panels should be however many multiples of 4s you have divided by 2.

Row 1: dc in the 4th chain from the stitch, *ch 1, sk 2 st, sc, ch 1, sk 2 st, in the same stitch (dc, ch 1, tr, ch 1, dc). Repeat from *, end on the tr.
Row 2: ch 1, sc in the tr, *ch 1, in the sc (tr, ch 1, dc), ch 1, sc. Repeat from *,
Row 3: ch 1, sc in the sc, *ch 1, in the ch 1 between the tr and the dc (dc, ch 1, tr, ch 1, dc), ch 1, sc in the sc. Repeat from *.
Row 4: ch 4 (tr + ch), dc in the same stitch, *ch 1, sc in the tr, ch 1, in the sc (tr, ch 1, dc). Repeat from *.
Row 5: ch 5 (tr + ch), dc in the same stitch, * ch 1, sc in the tr, ch 1, in the ch 1 between the tr and the dc (dc, ch 1, tr, ch 1, dc). Repeat from *, end with the tr.
Repeat rows 2-5 until you get your desired length.
Use the same pattern for the sleeves, collar, and pockets.

I started this cardigan shortly after the Sheep and Wool, but only had 2 skeins of yarn. I needed 3 to complete it and it was out of stock. Luckily Kim Dyes Yarn has a notify me button and it came back in stock after only a month or so. This is on her Cronut Sport yarn which is a Superwash Marino in the Forget Me Not colorway. I love how soft and silky it is.


This cardigan uses the Hydrangea stitch pattern.

Stitches:
ch - chain
sk st - skip stitch sc - single crochet
dc - double crochet
Special stich - 4 dc into the same stitch, on the 4th dc don't finish and leave 2 loops on the hook

chain in multuples of 16 + 9
Row 1: ch 3, dc into the 4th chain from the hook, dc into the same stitch, dc into the same stitch but don't finish and leave 2 loops on the hook, sk 7 stitches, 4 dc into the same stitch,* ch 4, sk 3 st, sc, ch 4, sk 3 st, special stitch (4 dc into the same stitch, on the 4th dc don't finish and leave 2 loops on the hook), sk 7 stitches, 4 dc into the same stitch. Repeat from * until the end, ending with a dc.
Row 2: ch 3, Special stitch (the ch 3 counts as the first dc), 4 dc into the 4th dc from the previous row, * ch 5, sc in the sc, ch 5, special stitch into the first dc from the previous row, 4 dc into the last dc from the previous row. Repeat from * across ending on a dc.
Row 3: ch 3, Special stitch (the ch 3 counts as the first dc), 4 dc into the 4th dc from the previous row, * ch 6, sc in the sc, ch 6, special stitch into the first dc from the previous row, 4 dc into the last dc from the previous row. Repeat from * across ending on a dc.

Row 4: ch 7, sc into the connecting dc, ch 4, Special stitch (the ch 3 counts as the first dc), 4 dc into the 4th dc from the previous row, * ch 4, sc in the sc, ch 4, special stitch into the last (opposite of what you did before) dc from the previous row, 4 dc into the first (opposite of what you did before) dc from the previous row. Repeat from * across ending with a dc.
Row 5: ch 8, sc into the sc, ch 5, Special stitch, 4 dc into the 4th dc from the previous row, * ch 5, sc in the sc, ch 5, special stitch into the first dc from the previous row, 4 dc into the last dc from the previous row. Repeat from * across ending with a dc.
Row 6: ch 9, sc into the sc, ch 6, Special stitch, 4 dc into the 4th dc from the previous row, * ch 6, sc in the sc, ch 6, special stitch into the first dc from the previous row, 4 dc into the last dc from the previous row. Repeat from * across ending with a dc.


The hardest thing about this is the transition from row 3 to row 4. You're basically reversing the order of the clusters of dc and the chains. I hope this makes some sense, it looks really cool once its done.

This Sunday is the Bel Air Festival for the Arts 9-5. I hope to see you there if you're local!. This stitch pattern with the very thin yarn that I used took a long time, but it was actually a pretty easy pattern over all. I love this linen merino high twist yarn from Apothefaery.


Double Diamond Mesh Stitch

Stitches:
ch - chain
sk st - skip stitch
sc - single crochet
dc - double crochet

Cast on in a multiple of 6 + 2
Row 1: ch 4, sc in the 6th ch from the hook, * sc, sc, ch 5, sk 3 st, sc. Repeat from * across the row, when you reach the end of the row ch 2, sk st, dc.
Row 2: ch, sc in the dc, ch 2, * sc in the middle of the 3 sc, ch 3, sc in the 3rd of the 5 ch. Repeat from * across, the last sc should be in the 3rd chain from your first row.
Row 3: ch sc in the sc, sc in the first chain, *ch 5, sc in the chain before the sc, sc in the sc, sc in the chain after the sc. Repeat from * across, you'll end with just 2 sc.
Row 4: ch, sc in the sc, ch 3, * sc in the 3rd of the 5 ch, ch 3, sc in the middle of the 3 sc, ch 3. Repeat from * across, ending with a sc.
Row 5: ch 4, *sc in the chain before the sc, sc in the sc, sc in the chain after the sc, ch 5. Repeat from * across, end with ch 2 and dc. Repeat rows 2-5 until you get to your desired length.

This sweater is two panels sewn together and then the same pattern for the arms.

I have picked up and put down this sweater for years now. I started with leftover yarn from A Hundred Ravens from their Phoenix Yaksha Mini Set. I loved it, but I felt like I needed more. So I waited for the next time I saw them at a fair and bought another one, but it wasn't enough. The next year at Maryland Sheep and Wool I bought 2 skeins of Lannister Yaksha. That got me closer, but again I ran out of yarn. This year I was only going to buy one skein more, but then thought better of it and bought two - just in case.

When I got to the edging someone from work suggested that I do leaves. My first go round I ran out! So I frogged it all and spaced them out a little more and now its done! It's amazing and really soft. I can't wait for it to get just a little cooler to wear it. It's a very fall sweater.




I've crocheted this tree before in my Rainbow Tree of Life Poncho. This started as a large granny square. Then I added in front panels and sewed them on.




From there I added a collar and simple sleaves.

I can't remember where I found this stitch and I don't have the link open anywhere. It is 3 rows of chains followed by a row of 3 double crochet in each chain. It reminds me a bit of a lattice.

The Yarn is Fiber Optic Yarns Kashmir in Boneyard.


To start I cast on in a multiple of 4 + 5. The first row was chain 5 and sc in every 4th stitch. The second row is chain 5 and sc in the chain space. The third row is chain 3 in and sc in the chain space. The fourth row is 3 dc in the chain space - repeat.

This cardigan took me longer than it normally would have. It's based off of the Argyle Shell Crochet Stitch from Heart Hook Home. I feel like I barely remember April. This cardigan took me most of the month because I was so busy I could barely pick it up.

The yarn is three skeins of Into the Whirled's Fingering weight yarn in Captain Tight Pants.

I started making this at my sister's bachelorette. I couldn't make the rose squares without her seeing so I needed a simple project. I ended up making a lot of it as I waited for everyone else to get ready. I now have the answer to the question - how do you get all the things done that you do? While other people are spending time showering, getting dressed, putting on makeup, etc. - that's when I get all the things done. I was the last person to start getting ready and the first one done, every time. Once I finished the blanket, I only had a couple of hours to finish this off.

Anyway, this yarn is another set from Cat Mountain Fiber Arts. I've used it before making the Down by the River Poncho and the Sleek Poncho. It is 10 different yarns in the same color pattern that are each 100 yards for a total of 1000 yards.

Since this started as a ruana I made two panels that were long enough to go over my shoulder and end up on my waste on both sides. However, when I went to put it together -it really just wanted to be a shrug with sleeves so that's what I did. It's going to be perfect for spring.




With a closer view you can start to see all the different textures of the yarn.




I tried to make it still seem balanced on both sides by using similar yarns in similar places on both sides.

It's finally done! I purchased a fleece backing at the JoAnns going out of business sale and a rotary tool that cuts holes equidistant apart. I crocheted a boarder on the fleece then joined the blanket and fleece together with single crochet all around.

I struggled a bunch with the border. I ended up deciding to make more flower petals around the edge and to alternate the colors.

This blanket is for my sister who became a Rose this past weekend with her wedding. She definitely won the new last name lottery. I'm hoping that this Wrapped in Roses blanket keeps her warm for years to come.

I wish that I had learned this earlier. This was so much faster and with basically no ends to weave in. I don't think I'll ever go back to sewing squares together. I got the idea from this blog page which gives you the basics of what it is, but there are lots of pages and videos on how.

Now I need to add the backing and the edging.

I feel like I've been making squares forever, but its only been a couple of months. I designed and redesigned this blanket a few times before settling on 7x9 square pattern. It meant I needed 8 squares of all the variations except 1 where I only needed 7. Technically I needed 9 of one and 7 of another, but I fudged it since I had didn't have the yarn to change :) No one will notice but me.

This square pattern is from the Granny Square Sourcebook by Joke Vermeiren. It is the Rose Square on page 74. I used the 100% cotton yarn recommended in the book Yarn and Colors Must haves and got it from Linde Hobby.

I'm going to try join as you go stitching, fingers crossed. River has decided to supervise.

This sweater has some fall colors and some spring colors. The yarn is all from Miss Babs and is Yowsa. I used Old Gold, Garden Party, Zinfandel, and Dragon Claw. I use almost the entire skein of Old Gold, a good amount of Dragon Claw, and only a bit of the other two.

This sweater used a repeating pattern of a row of 2 half double crochet in the same stitch and then skipping a stitch. Then 4 rows of single crochet and chain in the chain spaces. I really like how those two types of stitches came together. In various places I used the pop of color in the garden party in the half double crochet stitch to accent.

This might be the coolest sweater that I've ever made. I found the stich for this in The New Crochet Stitch Dictionary by Nele Braas and Eveline Hetty-Burkart. I found this book recently and there are a ton of new stitch patterns in here that I hadn't seen before.

I used Miss Babs Yowsa for the yarn which is a DK weight yarn, but has a massive 560 yards per skein. The main color of the sweater is Plum and the ropes alternate Orchid and Chances are. I used 3 full skeins of the Plum. It's hard to say exactly how much I used of the other two, it wasn't a full skein, but it feels like a bit more than a half. I used a 4.5 mm hook.




Stitches:
ch - chain
sk st - skip stitch
sc - single crochet
hdc - half double crochet
dc - double crochet
fhdc - foundation half double crochet

sp sc - sc inserting the hook in the diagonally located hdc underneath the front loop of the hdc with the hook from the bottom to the top. More succinctly - you're doing a sc but in the middle strand of the hdc. This will create a bit of a ridge. The stitch pattern is cast on in multiples of 7 + 3. I cast on 105 + 3 (108) for my panels.

Back Panel + 2 front panels:
Row 1: hdc in the 3rd loop from the hook and all the way across
Row 2: ch 1, sc, sc, *ch 5, sk 4 st, sc, sc, sc. Repeat from * across ending with the 3 sc.
Row 3: ch 2, hdc in each stitch or chain all the way across
Row 4: ch 5, sk 2 st, sp sc, sp sc, sp sc, *ch 4, sp sc, sp sc, sp sc. Repeat from * across until you get to the end. Finish by sk 3 st, ch 2, dc in the last stitch.
Row 5: ch 2, hdc in each stitch or chain all the way across
Repeat rows 2-5 until you get to your desired width. Note: in my first attempt I didn't notice that row 3 is chaining 5 and row 4 is chaining 4. Instead I did chain 5 for both - this will do an increase and not keep the rectangle. I did a total of 41 rows for all of my panels. Sew together the 3 panels leaving 7-8 inches for the arm holes. When you sew together the panels make note of which side has the ridges. It's personal preference which you want for your outside, but make sure all 3 are the same orientation. Across the top I decided to sew 4 sets of holes in or about 6 inches




Next you're going to add on the arms. Make sure that as you're doing this the ridges are the same orientation as the panels. For the sleeves you already have a row of hdc since that was the last row on your panel. I picked up 8 holes for mine and then made it work with the stitches. I know, not exact but that's me.

For the sleeves you need to work back and forth. Row 1: ch 1, sc, sc, *ch 5, sk 4 st, sc, sc, sc. Repeat from * across ending with a slip stitch from a chain.
Row 2: Turn your work and go the opposite way. ch 2, hdc in each stitch or chain all the way across. End with a slip stitch
Row 3: Turn your work and go the opposite way. ch 5, sk 2 st, sp sc, sp sc, sp sc, *ch 4, sp sc, sp sc, sp sc. Repeat from * end with a slip stitch
Row 4: Turn your work and go the opposite way. ch 2, hdc in each stitch or chain all the way across. End with a slip stitch


Make the sleeves your desired length. My sleeves are 24 rows long.




Next you're going to make the weaving ropes. The pattern says to do 10 fhdc for each pattern repeat plus 11. What I actually did was do the first one pretty long, weave it through, ripped out stitches until I got to the desired length and then used that as my measurement. Not at all exact, but it was easier than trying to count all those stitches. When you're weaving them in make sure to keep them as flat as you can. I think its impossible not to have some kinks, but you want as few kinks as possible. Sew both ends in once you have it looking the way you want.

I really like the alternating colors, but you could do the ropes all one color as well. You'll need a rope for every set of holes. I had an idea that I was going to use one long rope for the sleeves and it just didn't work well, the holes don't line up to neatly go from one row to the next.




I decided that it needed a collar. I did alternating rows of back loop only hdc. I made my collar 18 stitches high and it worked out to be 65 rows long. Sew it to the top of the 3 panels.

Last I decided I wanted buttons for when I wanted to wrap up tight. I had these amazing large hazelnut buttons from Favour Valley Woodworking. It took me a bit to place them because if they were too far down they looked a lot like headlights. I decided to put them both on the right front panel. One is just below the collar on the open side and the other is just below the collar on the sleeve side.

Having the 2 buttons means you can wear it completely open (first picture above), you can button just the inside panel (second picture above), or button both (picture just above)




This sweater was definitely a lot more work than most of my other sweaters, but I absolutely love how it turned out!

I made this shawl while I was traveling a lot for work and doing a lot of shows. It's a fingering weight yarn and it feels like it took forever. I had intended to write down the pattern, but got really busy and did not. The yarn is from Kim Dyes Yarn and is the Smoothie Fingering in Bunch of Zinnias. I have two tags on my desk, but I can't remember if it was 2 skeins or 3.

It's a lightweight shawl. When I started it, we were still having random 70 degree days where I totally could have worn it. I am writing this now in January while its frigid and there's a snowstorm so it will now have to wait for spring. I intentionally made it really large so that it will stay on my shoulders without having to wear a clasp. I call it a Butterfly Shawl because it has 5 points on the back and looks a bit like a butterfly.

I saw a picture of a granny square ornament a few weeks back and thought - I can do that! I took some extra yarn to a show and tried it. The individual pics are wip before they were fully finished. It's just two small granny squares sewn together and pulled tight at the top.


Which is your favorite?




This is leftover from my Ziggy Stardust Sweater




This is leftover from a blanket I made a few years ago




This is from a shawl I made years ago

This Saturday is Small Business Saturday and I will be with 100+ other small business owners on the Avenue in White Marsh. Please come out and see us if you're local! It's a chance to get out and walk off some of that turkey while finding some great holiday gifts. I designed and made this sweater over two shows. It's actually pretty similar to the Birthday Sweater I made a few years ago. Since I was designing and making at a show, I didn't write anything down so no pattern. This is Miss Babs Big Silk Yarn which is a worsted weight yarn. One skein of Ziggy Stardust and 2 of Moss.


All of the stitches in the moss is the lemon peal stitch - one single crochet followed by a double crochet. In the alternating rows you are double crocheting in the single crochet and single crocheting in the double crochet. The Ziggy Stardust is mostly half double crochets. The exception is the edging on the collar and pockets which is 4 half double crochet in each stitch.




Big Silk is one of my favorite Miss Babs yarn for winter. It's super soft and its really warm at the same time.




I made the sleeves slightly shorter because my experience they will stretch a bit with wear.