Current Projects

I am currently working up a new afghan. I am using the Granny Sunburst Square pattern by Priscilla Hewitt with some very nice cotton yarn by Sprightly Yarns.

The colors are Caribbean Blue, Magenta and Ecru.

After starting this project I realized I have more than one project using this pattern. I completed one blanket years ago that I gave to my sister. The other one, Rosie Posie afghan, is still in a project bin. I started this project back in 2014. Man time really flies!! All the squares are complete I just need to join them. I began joining them a few years back, but didn't like the pattern I was choosing with the join. I need to pull out the bin and undo the few I have joined and really figure out how I would like it to flow.

Another project I picked back up recently is the Ventura Swing Crochet Top pattern by Stacey Tallman. I started this one up back in the summer of 2016. I am currently at a stand still because the yarn I am using, Cascade Sateen,  is now discontinued and I have yet to find a comparable yarn in a color that I feel will match nicely. So the hunt is on to find a yarn that will complete this project. 

On a cute note, we have a new family member.

Her name is Dixie and Rango loves being with her. I was so surprised in him. He warmed up to her immediately!! We let them meet at the adoption center and took them on a nice long walk prior to bringing her home. We are currently just fostering but I cannot see giving her up after only 5 days of having her!! So I will make it official this weekend.

Yarnspiration & Crochet Crowd Cardigan Tutorial - love this video tutorial!!!

I wrote how I wanted to try my hand again at crocheting a top in this post. My YouTube subscription alerted me of a new crochet tutorial upload by The Crochet Crowd. It is a very simple granny square cardigan.

I sat and watched the tutorial this morning while sipping on my morning coffee. It doesn't seem very difficult at all!! Now my dilemma is deciding on a color palette and yarn. The pattern used Paton Classic Wool Worsted. Now I do not have this type of yarn on hand and I really do not want to purchase anymore at this moment. I do have wool yarn in a couple of different brands.

Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash:

I have a few colors in this brand, but I just don't know if I have enough to complete the whole project. These are the colors I have on hand:

Can you tell I love natural colors? LOL!!

I have plenty of the Walnut Heather and Pumpkin Spice so I know I could make these the main colors.

I also have a few skeins of Lion Brand Fisherman Wool in Maple Tweed. I just don't know if I want it all one color, but I do have enough to complete the project.

I have never mixed these two brands of yarn together in a project so I do not know how they would work up together. My thoughts are to maybe work up the body in the Lion Brand Fisherman's wool yarn and do the cuffing in the Walnut Heather in the Cascade brand. Anyway I do it, I think it will be a pretty quick project and once passed the center portion of each granny square, very non-thinking.

Pinterest Inspiration - Crochet Tops

Last year I attempted to begin my first crochet sweater. It didn't turn out pretty. In fact, I gave up once the easiest portion was completed which was the bottom body portion. Once the pattern started going towards reducing and becoming more fitted I freaked and gave up. I still want to crochet a top. I have an easier one that I started which will end up being a tank top. It is hibernating right now, but the pattern is much easier.

While browsing Pinterest daily, yes daily, I have came across a lot of great looking crochet top patterns. Some are purchasable while others are free. I do find the purchasable patterns seem to have more elaborate techniques and look so professional. Then again it is by a person who really is professional and is good enough to sell their patterns.

Here are a few crochet top patterns that I really want to attempt:

 The Polar Star Poncho Sweater is so gorgeous!! This is a purchasable pattern but I feel will be well worth the money. The author of the pattern is Natalia Kononova and she has so many beautiful patterns on her site. I feel that if I start this project this spring I might can have it completed by next winter.

 A Kimono Crochet cardigan is definitely an item I would wear very often. This is actually a free pattern but it is a graphed pattern and I am not the best when it comes to graphs but I am willing to try it. You do this in four pieces and then connect them all. The pattern is posted by Noticias on Crochet Hooks and Yarn blog.

This poncho looks perfect for Fall weather!! It is a free pattern you can find on Yarnspiration. I just love the color of this yarn and think this will definitely be a project this Spring as well!!

So much inspiration on Pinterest!! I really think I will have to start the last poncho this Spring for sure. I hope these crochet tops have inspired you as well.

Cheers,
Winnie