crochet : sophie's universe

A couple of weeks ago, I stumbled upon a CAL (crochet-a-long) on Instagram.  It was so gorgeous (check it out here and you'll see what I mean), I knew I wanted to join in.  But I also had this Rainbow Ripple blanket in progress, and the 12" granny blanket for 2015, how could I possibly start another blanket project? 

So I made a little deal with myself: finish the ripple and start the new blanket.  

I finished it with just one added round of rose red, and justified the small size by deciding it would be the perfect lap blanket to keep warm at the ice rink.

And I began the gorgeous Sophie's Universe after a trip to the store for some new yarn, of course! {wink}

It was love at first sight.  Dedri does an amazing job of writing the pattern, including detailed instructions and photographs to help you along.

The design is amazingly detailed, and the pattern contains a genius combination of stitches.  Clusters and popcorns, and surface front-post stitches create gorgeous texture and dimension.

I look forward to picking up my crochet hook every chance I get to work on it.  

It's never too late to join in.  The crochet-a-long runs for 20 weeks, so even if you start now, you'll still have a gorgeous blanket finished before the end of the year. 

on my hook : hanger and sachet

Over the weekend I worked on a covered crochet hanger and sachet.  

It is the February project of Linda's Flower Yarn-A-Long.

I had never covered a hanger before, but have always admired the beautiful ones on Pinterest and Instagram.  It was a fun little project and I love how it turned out.

Linda's design is filled with beautiful details like these stripes,

this floral collar,

 but my favorite part is the cute little lavender scented sachet:

Thank you, Linda, for sharing your beautiful pattern with us.

on my hook : pincushion

A week or two ago, I came across a fun YAL (yarn-a-long) on Instagram.  It's being hosted by the lovely Linda at Wild About Yarn.  The theme is flowers (my favorite thing!) and each month she will share a stash-busting crochet project and the pattern to go with.  Please check it out and join us!

January's project was a gorgeous Crochet Granny Pincushion.  I had never thought to fold a granny like a little envelope to create a pillow--genius!

I love how it turned out.  I did already have a cute pincushion, but can you really have too many pretty pincushions?  

 Wouldn't these be the perfect little gift for your sewing friends.  It came together in an afternoon, and   forced me to pull out the old sewing machine and some fabric (to create the cushion insert).

The February project is already posted if you want to hook along!

what's on your hook? wednesday

We survived the Blizzard of 2015.  No downed trees, no power loss.  Just lots and lots and lots of snow.

We're on Snow Day Number 2.  The boys are loving all the extra screen time, and I'm loving all the crochet and reading time.  Which brings me to this week's

I'm working on a pair of fingerless mitts using some self-striping yarn and a (US) D hook. 

 The pattern is from Red Heart and can be found here.

 What's on your hook this week?

crochet : ripple star blanket

It's been a while since I've posted a What's on Your Hook Wednesday.

This little project has been in the works since the end of October.  I started it during a four hour family car trip to Jay Peak, VT for a hockey tournament.  What else are you going to do on a long car ride?

The pattern is called Rainbow Ripple Baby Blanket and was created by the lovely Celeste Young.  You can download it for free on Ravelry here.

I first discovered the pattern on Sarah of 322 Yards Of Yarn's Instagram feed.  I used her gorgeous color choices to inspire mine.
 The yarn is Loops and Threads Impeccable yarn in Pumpkin, Grass, Aqua, Navy and Mustard.  I am using a size 7 hook (4.5mm).

Since these photos were taken in November, I have also added a round of Rouge.  I'm thinking the next round may be a shade of deep purple or maybe a green.  We'll see....

Happy crocheting!

what's on my hook: mandalas ( and other stuff )

These early fall days have been filled with many crochet projects.  

Something about the cooler nights, the crisper air, and the hectic schedule makes me want to get out my hooks and yarn.  Or maybe it's just the hours of waiting in hockey rinks that comes from our jam-packed schedule of games and practices.

this ongoing project

Crochet relaxes me.  It makes me feel creative when there doesn't seem to be time.  It's the perfect take-along craft, and I get the gratification that I am producing something.

Lately I've been waking early to crochet, especially on the days I go into work.  I'm finding it's a happy way to start my day: productive and relaxing.  And if I keep it up I'll have hand-made gifts for giving this holiday season.

Last week I was inspired to do a little decorating in our bedroom.  Maybe it was the change of seasons, or just being plain sick of staring at bare walls.  Some hoops filled with a mix of pattern papers (yes! you can put thin pretty papers in embroidery hoops) and fabrics, layered with some vintage doilies, and finished off with a crocheted mandala made the perfect little cluster to dress up our wall.

You can find the mandala pattern here.  I followed the pattern until Step 8 (round 7), then just kind of made the rest up as I went to fit my hoop (which is 7").

I'm kind of in love with mandalas right now.  You can check out more on my mandala board on Pinterest

C R O C H E T♥ {mandalas}

So what's been on your hook lately?  Share it in the comments; I'd love to see!

on my hook: can cozy

It's actually Thursday, and it's actually snowing (no surprise there), and I'm making the most of the "found time" on this snow day from school and work.  

I made pancakes for breakfast (a snow day tradition), took photos of some projects that have been in the works over here, and have been editing them to turn them into blog posts.  Yup, it's been a happy day with this view outside my window:

Good morning! Today is going to be a good day.

A photo posted by Michelle Neddo (@lifemadecreations) on Feb 11, 2014 at 5:02am PST

It's the perfect day to also work on a little crochet project, too.  Here's what's on my hook this week:

 I purchased this beautiful rainbow of yarn from the lovely Love Knitting online store

a #rainbow of new #yarn from @loveknittingcom.

A photo posted by Michelle Neddo (@lifemadecreations) on Jan 28, 2014 at 11:51am PST

Unfortunately, the DK weight is a little too light for my blanket.  But it is perfect for some flowers that I'll be crocheting soon.  And also perfect for a crocheted can cozy to hold my new yummy crochet hooks.

#ohhappyday new #crochet hooks arrived #rainbow #colormakesmehappy

A photo posted by Michelle Neddo (@lifemadecreations) on Jan 29, 2014 at 12:04pm PST

The plan is to wrap this tea canister with a rainbow of single and double crochet.

Hopefully I'll be able to post the finished project soon!

What do you have on your hook this week?

on my hook: fingerless mitts

Happy Wednesday!

The sun is shining today and it looks deceivingly warm outside (but only 18 degrees...brrr)

So I am keeping warm by the space heater and working on an ancient old WIP:

Adeline Fingerless Mitts: first blogged here

This week I went through all of my old works-in-progress.  I have a terrible habit of starting projects and not finishing them.  I blame it on my Crafty Attention Deficit  (or too-many-projects-too-little-time syndrome).  Please tell me you suffer from this, too!

To help me stay organized, I created a "Crochet Projects" sheet for my planner:

I can log all the important information so if the hook gets separated from the project, or I have to use some of the yarn for something else, I'll be able to look at my planner and pick up where I left off.  When the project is finished I can glue down a photo and move it to another binder of finished projects (hmmm...that binder might be empty for a while!).  Or maybe I'll just burn the planner page in celebration of finishing something!

So, how 'bout you?  Are you hooking anything up this week?  Are you trying to finish some of your WIP's?  Please share about it in the comments!

Happy Hooking!

stripey stocking (in progress)

Last Christmas (2012), I had this awesomely stupid idea to crochet our family a new set of stockings. Yeah, in the last month before Christmas.  On top of all the other Christmas craziness.  Needless to say, I did not finish a single one.  

Then I readjusted my goal, and thought I would have them all made during the year and in time for Christmas 2013.

I did finish. One.  

You can read about here.

Well, it's a brand new year, and I'm back at it again with the stockings.  At this rate, I figure I'll have all 5 complete for Christmas 2017!

The pattern I'm using is from Lily Sugar and Cream and can be found on Ravelry.  

I'm sure this one will  make several appearances on "What's on my hook Wednesday" before it is completed!

granny coffee cozy

made with the Rhonna Designs and Snapeee Apps

I have decided to designate Wednesday's here on the blog to crochet.  I'm very excited to share whatever bit of crochet I am working on and to hear about what you might be hooking up as well.

I work with a fantastic teacher with an ice coffee and hot soup addiction, so for Christmas I hooked her up a granny square coffee mug cozy.

I used a traditional granny square pattern to create two granny squares.  I joined the two squares on one side with a series of single crochet (long enough so that the 2 squares and the band would fit around the mug).  I framed the whole piece with a row of single crochet.  Next, I made three bands to connect the handle side (again in sc), and stitched on some buttons.  The buttons simply fasten in the spaces on the granny square design.

I wish I had more of a precise pattern to share with you, but it really isn't too difficult to make.

Now it's your turn: What's on your hook?