Completed Projects!!

I don't know what got into me this summer but I really dove into a lot of projects. First off I had been eye balling a lot of crochet bag patterns ever since I picked my hook and yarn back up 6 years ago. When I was able to actually work up a crochet bag that allowed me access to so many other hookers to ask questions along the way, I definitely jumped at the opportunity. After completing my first crochet bag, my daughter asked me to do one up for her plus I just wanted to do a smaller version as well.

My daughter loved the oceanspray blue color I used in my bag but wanted a gray color as her main color. So I used Stone and Oceanspray as her colors. I did the shell stitching in alternate colors to give a striping effect. I also did the base with some striping as well. I couldn't believe my luck when I found a chevron print in the exact matching blue! I added some silver buttons to each of the flower centers. To add a little extra color I used a very colorful button as the closure button. I added a strip of fabric to the strap to keep it from stretching and also did a border of crab stitch to give it a cord like look around the strap. My daughter loves it and has unpacked her batman bag that she used everyday and is now using this one. I don't know how long that will last because how can you give up Batman!!

I decided to try just using 4 flower squares on this one. It worked up so quickly because I didn't make a separate base but instead whip stitched the bottom together. So it is more like a messenger bag. I also decided to make two straps. I embellished the top with a stripe of white single crochet and added a cute butterfly button.

While waiting on fabric order and the nerve to finally sew in the liners for the bags, I decided to work up a quick Fall Cowl. I used the All Grown Up Cowl pattern by Tamara Kelly. I had the recommended yarn on hand since it was the same as I used on the Wildflower Shoulder Bag. I just made my colors more Fall. I loved how it turned out and it is large enough to also pull down over my shoulders as a shoulder wrap.

I then decided I needed a nice wrap for this Fall as well and set out working up a triangle shawl. The pattern was a solid color but I wanted some pops of color so I improvised and added a few rows here and there of different colors. I also doubled the size so it would be a nice warm and cozy wrap. For the border I decided on a cute picot edge that I found by Attic 24 on her Granny Stripe Blanket. A very simple stitch but adds just enough to the edge to make it not so boring! I think my colors are more reflective of Winter!

I used Lion Brand Heartland yarn in Glacier Bay and Olympic as well as Red Heart Soft in Heather Gray. I still have some of this yarn in each color left and might make a slouchy beanie to go with it. Believe it or not this was a really quick project. It is such a non-thinking pattern that you can actually watch TV and crochet at the same time! My daughter is eyeing it for herself and I might get to use it maybe one time once the cooler air arrives! It is a pretty easy project that I might have to work one up in more fall colors. I do love some burnt orange and yellow!!

I can say that I did experiment with some new crochet stitches on these projects. Learning how to crochet a base on a bag was great. I also learned a couple of new stitches while working on the cowl. I learned the half double crochet foundation stitch. This stitch has become such a great one to have. I now use it to begin almost all of the my projects that call for a chain and foundation stitch. I also learned the shallow post stitch. This stitch really gives a cool stitch line effect to your work. I then learned the picot stitch. I do love learning new techniques that boost the average to just a little more!

I became reacquainted with my sewing machine as well. I have to tell ya that bad boy had been put away for so long that I had to look up a tutorial on how to thread it!! Then I had to look up a tutorial on how to reset my tension. Let's put it this way my google search on my touchpad is filled with Brother XL-2600i tutorials!! But I figured it out and am so glad I took the extra time and steps to add liners to all of my bags. I even added a liner to my bag. I need to add fabric to my strap as well and plan on doing that this week.

That gorgeous ball of yarn is for a new CAL I have signed up for. More about that in a later post!!

It is September and the leaves on the mountains are starting to change. Enjoy your week and check back later this week for an update on my Linen Stitch Afghan!!