Beginning a Sweater: Swatches

Nicole finally convinced me that it would be worth my while to knit my own sweater, and to make it CustomFit.

Her rationale?

Yes, it will take forever, but it will fit you exactly and it will be high quality.

Previously, all my sweaters had basically been what I found at Salvation Army.  I'm excited for this change, since I'm a big sweater-wearer.

I did some swatching, as advised, and decided on size four needles.  In the picture to the left, you can see that each swatch uses a progressively larger needle, and each ahs the corresponding amount of "yo, p2tog" pairs to indicate the needle size.  I ended up ripping out the bind off of my chosed needles, size four, and re-attatching the yarn to make it about twice as big so that I could better measure my gauge for my CustomFit measurements.

I've started the sweater and I can't wait to see how it comes out!

Travel Blanket: Ocean City Block

You've heard by now, I'm sure, of the travel blanket I'm making for the family.  Well, this past vacation, I added on a simpler block, to balance out some of the more complex ones.  This was, again, originally a dishcloth pattern, but it worked quite well for these purposes.

The yarn was purchased at The Salty Yarn in Ocean City Maryland, a store on the boardwalk with a vast array of crochet kits, a room of yarn, and more.  It boarders the ocean and has kites flying outside, like a true shop on the Easter Seaboard, complete with the overly friendly staff.

I purchased two skeins, one water and one sand, not sure what I'd do with either, and I just love the way it turned out.  What do you think?

Here's the blanket so far.

Ravelry Pattern
Ravelry Project: Block
Ravelry Project: Blanket

Dishcloth Update (6)

Yet another update! :)

Dishcloth Sixteen

This dishcloth was crocheted using a Pot-holder pattern called Stir Me Up Potholders.  I like the spiral, but it's not particularly bumpy or good for dishclothing!

Ravelry Project

Dishcloth Seventeen

I really like the simplicity in this design and the quirkiness is brings.  This crochet pattern is called Scrap Ripple Cloth, true to its looks, and came out pretty well indeed.

Ravelry Project

Dishcloth Eighteen

This last crocheted dishcloth used a pattern called Apache Tears, which really was pretty unique.  I like the result, but I worry about the fringes coming apart during use.

Ravelry Project


If you liked this, you might like:

• Aunt Vi's Yarn
• knit Dishcloth Update
• knit Dishcloth Update (2)
• knit Lopsided Dishcloth
• knit Zig-Zag Dishcloth
• knit and crochet Dishcloth Update (3)
• knit and crochet Dishcloth Update (4)
• knit and crochet Dishcloth Update (5)

Travel Blanket: Boston Cobblestone Block (Take 2)

As I wrote previously, I made a Cobblestone-themed block to represent where I come from - Boston - in our family travel blanket.  I also mentioned that I would probably end up frogging the whole thing.

And I did.

So here's the update of the block.  I used the same pattern as before, I just actually used it correctly this time, and I love the results!

When I looked at it at first, it was very oblong, so I decided to block it, trying to make the cobblestone ridges stay more in place, before I added the single crochet around the edge.  It worked so well, that I actually undid all the edging on all of the other blocks, blocked them, and re-did the edging.

I made one more change before I put them all back together: I decided to use a braid join.  Previously, the single-crochet edging had pulled at the blocks and made them pucker as they tried to line up with each other, so I did some research on different kinds of crochet-joins, and decided to go with the Flat Braid Join to give the squares some breathing room, and I love the results!

What do you think?

(Oh, and you can see that I attached the Roberts "R" Block as well.)

Ravelry Project: Boston Cobblestone Block
Ravelry Project: Blanket

Travel Blanket: Roberts "R" Block

For those of you have have been following, I've been posting about the travel blanket that I'm making for our family.  (You can see all of the blocks posted to date on the bottom of the page here.)

Today, I'm going to show you a block that represents the time my husband and I spent together in college, where we met.  The block features the emblem "R" of the school, and used up some old yarn, which was a bonus.  I haven't finished the single-crochets around the edge yet, but as of my departure for Maryland, here it is!  Hopefully there will be more to post when I get back.

Ravelry Project: Block
Ravelry Project: Blanket

Carry-On Bag

Here's a bag that I made based on the Daytripper Bag, but I changed enough of it to justify a second pattern.  Mostly, I changed the lining and got rid of the straps for the buttons (which I might add back in later).  However, I'm heading off to vacation, with said bag in tote, and by the time you read this I'll be perusing literature on the beach somewhere, so the pattern will have to wait for my return.

In the mean time, feast your eyes up the beautiful fabrics I just couldn't resist!

Upcycled Shirt-Dress

Here's a dress that I made for this vacation based on the Joyful Upcycled Summer Dress.  I used a 5x men's shirt, and made a few modifications since the shirt I bought had decals sewn into the sleeves and bust, but over all, I'm pretty happy with it! :)

Dishcloth Update (5)

You know what's coming next!

Dishcloth 13


This was a pretty basic dishcloth, made with a pretty basic pattern, called, you guessed it, "Dishcloth."  I wasn't blown away by it, but it did crochet up quickly.

Ravelry Project









Dishcloth 14

This pattern, the Ballband Dishcloth looked pretty neat, but it sucks itself in as you knit.  I ended up using it again, later, in my Boston Cobblestone Blanket Block.  I liked the outcome, though, even though I cut it off early.

Ravelry Project











Dishcloth 15

The Starfish Dishcloth pattern called out to me, so I whipped it up one evening watching TV with the hubby.  A pretty satisfying crochet.

Ravelry Project


If you liked this, you might like:

• Aunt Vi's Yarn
• Dishcloth Update
• Dishcloth Update (2)
• Lopsided Dishcloth Pattern
• Zig-Zag Dishcloth Pattern
• Dishcloth Update (3)
• Dishcloth Update (4)