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

In a Creative Funk

I always have an ebb and flow with my creativity. I am usually in a creative high around this time of year, but the political unrest in our country has really put me in a creative funk. I have actually unfollowed a few bloggers. It is nothing against their political views or thoughts it is my inability to keep my thoughts to myself. Maybe in a few months I will start following them again.

I am to the point where there is nowhere to go on the internet to have a numb the brain moment anymore. I used to love yahoo because of the entertainment articles, but I am now anti-celebrities. So no good there. So I am just going to Pinterest and browsing all the cool crochet patterns and crafty ideas, as well as Ravelry.

All of my WIP's are still in there project containers unfinished and collecting dust. I really want to get out of this funk, but I know it is my ex-military background and the fact my son and husband are still military members that keep me on this political journey of gathering information and becoming upset when the media gives half truths. I really am to the point where I do not watch the news anymore. I am also to the point of deactivating my Facebook account. When did Facebook become a political soapbox? I remember when it first came out and it was exciting getting back in touch with long lost friends and family. As well as sharing statuses of your personal life and pictures of your family and friends. Now it is all Memes and political crap. I am just sick of it!!

So to get off the political crap on my own blog I would like to share some great Pinterest ideas and inspiration.

Corn on The Monkey blogspot beanies: Came across this blogger on Pinterest and just loved the stitch pattern and texture of her beanies.

Petals to Picots never disappoints with their patterns and keeping it fresh and new. Love this Inside Out Cowl pattern. I think when I do this one I will make it more an infinity scarf instead of a cowl.

Sewrella Handmade Home blogger has a wonderful faux knit fair isle pattern. I love fair isle knits and one day want to learn how to do them, but I came across the blogger, Sewrella, that has a free pattern for the Faux Knit Fair Isle Crochet Beanie and Cowl!!

I could go on and on with so many talented crocheters and their generous nature. To come up with such technical crochet patterns and allow free access to them is just wonderful. So amidst all the turmoil happening in our country today, we can still enjoy talented, creative individuals and get lost in their beautiful creativity.

Cheers,

Winnie

My Geeky Love of Project Planning

My Geek Confession

Yes, I am such a geek when it comes to being organized and planning! My daughter makes fun of me when I get excited about a spreadsheet or accounting program. What can I say? I'm a geek!!

So speaking of My Geeky Love of Project Planning, I found a gorgeous and I mean gorgeous tote bag pattern on Ravelry just the other day. I of course saved it into my Library, but I couldn't just leave it in there. I kept looking at it and pulling up everyone's project info. I really do not have the time or yarn to do the project right now. I have way too many other projects that I need to conquer and complete, but there isn't anything wrong with "planning the project", right?

The project is The Enchanted Garden Tote by Courtney Laube. Now this isn't just some ordinary tote it is definitely Enchanted!! You have to use 3 different patterns to complete this tote. Yes, you read correctly, 3 different patterns! It will be a challenge. I will have to only have this pattern on my docket when it comes time to begin.

Picture courtesy of AFwifeCrochetNut 

Picture courtesy of AFwifeCrochetNut

Now isn't that just a beautiful project!! I have printed all of the patterns, which came to over 100 pages. I placed them in a 3 hole folder with tabs. I have highlighted areas that I need to keep an eye on when I begin the project such as when to switch from pattern to pattern. Yes, you have to work with all 3 patterns at the same time. Like, you might need to use pattern 1 for rows 1 - 7 and then pattern 3 for rows 9-13 then back to pattern 1 for rows 14 - 16 and then pattern 2 for rows 17 - 21 and so forth and so forth. So I am definitely reading this complete project prior to beginning it.

I have actually set up its own board in my Pinterest account. I am looking at different color schemes and pinning other completed projects to this board. I just love the looks of this project and if the first one turns out great then I will make more as Christmas presents to a few of my sweet family members (only the sweet ones though)!

That is my Geek Confession for this week. Everyone have a great rest of the week!!

Cheers,

Winnie

What's in the Project Bag?

Hello everyone! It has been unusually cold around here in the Wasatch Mountains, but this weekend it has warmed up considerably. Maybe some of the piles of snow will melt out of my courtyard.

I last wrote about working up a baby afghan for my boss. I finally received all the yarn I think I need. I had to order from 3 different websites, but finally received the colors that my boss likes. Also luckily today I received an email from Amazon showing that the Lion Brand Organic Cotton is in stock on their website as well. Bonus is that they are all available through Prime. So I might order a few more skeins just in case I need more.

So What's in the Project Bag?

I am loving the color combo! I was going to go with a ripple pattern but when I began hooking it up I just didn't like how this particular yarn looked. I decided to go with my Tried and True stitch the Linen Stitch. The bonus about this stitch is not only the stripey goodness it does, but it is a pattern that I can watch TV and hook at the same time without worrying about a missed stitch.

While waiting on the Lion Brand Natural Organic Cotton yarn to ship, I started on another project. I am using the gorgeous yarn my dear hubby gave me for Christmas. I did order another color through Craftsy. I really vibrant mustard yellow.

My camera didn't really pick up the yellow color all that well. I am working on a Spicy Diamond Blanket. It will be a long term project. This is one pattern that I cannot be distracted while working on. I came across the pattern on Pinterest and although I should have just pinned it I had to begin this project!!

This is the blanket that Kristen made up and provided such a wonderful pattern and tutorial on her website, Haak maar Raak.

I really loved that she also provided a layout template that you can print out blank. I played around with my layout and came up with the one you see in my project bin above. One thing I do love about searching for a project is the planning. 

On a different note, my son was in town this week and we were able to hang out and catch up. We enjoyed the empty slopes during the week.

He can be such a nut and always makes me laugh. But I am proud of the young man he has become.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Cheers,

Winnie

Winter Soup & Finished Projects

This weekend was a cold one!! We had a dusting of snow and I took time out to finish up my scarf and a beanie I decided to hook up to go with it.

I'm happy with it and it will keep me warm and cozy for the rest of this cold forecasted winter!

I am a soup lover and make a pot of soup each Sunday for my lunches through out the week. I came across a yummy looking soup on Pinterest the other day and just had to make it. It is called Veggistrone. I didn't add the cauliflower because I just don't like the texture or taste of it. But everything else was added and it makes a huge batch. I was able to freeze two gallon size ziploc bags of it. Now I won't have to make any soup this coming Sunday.

For most of the weekend I stayed inside sipping on cups of hot tea watching the snow fall. I did go out on Monday (since it was a holiday for me) and went skiing. The slopes were packed and my poor husband had to assist a poor guy who broke his leg. One thing about being a ski instructor, he stops to assist anyone who has fallen or looks distressed. It was good that he stopped because the guy's buddy was frantic and didn't know how to contact ski patrol. We still had a nice day on the slopes and of course I ended up taking a wrong turn and the husband had to wait for me to go back up the ski lift and finally take the "left at Albuquerque" (my Bugs Bunny analogy). We finished our day of skiing at our favorite pub, BoutTime. They serve this appetizer called Irish Nachos and they are just yummy. They are fried potato chips with bacon, sour cream, ranch dressing and cheese. Delicious!!

Stay warm and dry during these cold winter months. 

Cheers,

Winnie

Project Planning

Hello! Hope everyone has had a wonderful week so far. All is well in my Creative Corner. I have been perusing Pinterest and Ravelry looking for the perfect projects to work on these next few weeks. I have to have knee surgery next week and will have plenty of down time to start and hopefully complete a couple of projects.

I have collected all the yarn and colors I want to work with and now I think I found the perfect projects.

Chevron Pattern found on the blog All Things Bright and Beautiful by Andrea Baker. I loved the pop of red she used on her afghan. I have been wanting to work up a chevron blanket but couldn't figure out a color scheme that I wanted. When I saw Andrea's with the red stripe between the bright white I knew I wanted to do one with red and white, then I saw this charcoal grey and those were my colors! If all works out well I will make a matching pillow to go with the afghan.

Picture courtesy of All Things Bright and Beautiful by Andea Baker

Textured Stripes Throw is a pretty simple looking pattern, but what drew me to it was that it uses the shell stitch to give it a very neat texture look. I'm planning on using the seafoam blue as a few accent stripes between the chocolate brown.

Picture courtesy of Laura Dyer on Ravelry. This is what she worked up using the Textured Stripes Throw Pattern by Marilyn Losee.

I am now at the design stage of my Rosie Posie Granny blanket. I try laying out the squares and figuring out a pattern on the floor, but I sometimes need a more precise breakdown. I came up with a template in MS Word that I use to configure a few different layout patterns. I have narrowed it down to two now and just need to make a decision. I will have enough left over squares to make a matching cushion. I have a few more squares I need to block and then I will begin joining the squares with the invisible join method. After I have all the joining complete I have to figure out a border and which colors to use. I really can't wait to see all these cute rosie posies all joined together!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful week. Hopefully I will have a FO to share soon!!

I am linking up with Tami's blog today. Please check out other shared WIP's !

FO Friday - Hair Tie Headband & Mug Rug/Cozy Projects

Happy Friday everyone!! I hope your week went great and your weekend is even better!!

This week I worked on a cute mug rug and cozy. I had found the pattern and idea on Pinterest. The tutorial is by Wink @ Tutsplus.com. It is a very simple pattern. The only thing I would recommend is that you have the mug nearby when you begin the cozy portion. By having the mug on hand you can adjust the cozy to match up with your mug as you crochet. I didn't do this and my cozy is a little wonky. I am still happy with it and how it turned out, but the next one I make I will keep the mug at arms length away to make sure it fits perfectly.

The cozy did a great job keeping my Chamomile Tea nice and warm!!

I also worked up a cute Hair Tie Headband! I have recently cut all my hair off and have an abundance of hair ties!! I thought about what I could do with them and came across a wonderful tutorial for a headband using hair ties! The tutorial is written by Kinga of My Hobby is Crochet. The tutorial and pattern is the Thread Headband. Kinga used crochet thread and so the look and texture is completely different than mine. I used Martha Stewart Cotton Hemp yarn which is much thicker. I was so glad that she included measurements for each section so I could adjust how many rows to fit the thicker yarn I was using.

I am still debating about adding a flower to the headband, but since I made it for my DD she gets to decide on the size and what kind. If she decides on a flower, I will make it with the ombre and teal colors shown in the left top corner. This headband is such a quick and easy pattern!! Kinga did a wonderful job with this tutorial and shared many pictures to help in each step. I am thinking the next one I make will be with a less dense yarn. There is no give in the cotton hemp which is why the hair tie is really necessary when making a headband out of this yarn. It gives that added stretch and give you need.

I am now thinking about another large project. I am considering another blanket and came across a beautiful project with a tutorial!! It is called the Primavera Flowers Granny. The tutorial is found on Dada's Place blog and written by Dragana Savkov-Bajic. The tutorial is very well written and includes terrific photos for each step. I love the color pallet she chose. I am in the process of searching for the best colors and yarn. I think that is my favorite step in deciding on a new project....the yarn search!!

Picture courtesy of Dada's Place Blog by Dragana Savkov-Bajic

Take a moment and hop over to Tami's Amis blog and check out better  other FOs!! Everyone have a great day and weekend!!

WIP - 3in1 Wrapper

Hello everyone! If you have read my blog enough, you know how much I love Pinterest. The other week I came across a great wrapper pin that I just had to find the pattern for. Luckily, it was a free online pattern through elann.com. You can also find it on Ravelry as well. I do love when I can keep track of my project through the Ravelry project page. It really is a project saver when you have stepped away from a project for awhile to be able to come back to it and know exactly what yarn and hook size you were using. It has saved me a few times.

It is called Crocheted Easy Rapper by Flora Yang. The yarn is only 1.75 oz, so a 4.5 hook. Unfortunately, I have lost do not have a 4.5 hook so I am using a 4.25 hook. I never crochet that small, so it is truly an Advanced Beginner pattern for me. Now for a look at what the end result should be:

In this picture the model is wearing it as a poncho and if you look closely there are buttons along one side that will allow you to wear it also as a cardigan or shawl. That is why I am calling it a 3in1 wrapper.

The yarn color I chose is a variegated coral. I was going to go with a blue but when I saw this color I had to snag it up!!

I'm hoping this yarn does it justice since it is 100% Acrylic and the elann Sonata Soft that the pattern used is 100% Mercerized Cotton. I thought when I bought this yarn it was the Mercerized Cotton, but I think I veered from the brand that was to this brand because of the color selection. If this yarn doesn't work out, then I will just order the Sonata Soft and do another. I'm sure I will have to hook another one for my daughter. She doesn't like this color for herself because coral doesn't go well with her skin tone. So I might be able to keep this one!!

I hope everyone's week is great! I am hitching a ride with Tami's amis blog. Please check out other WIPs!!

WIP Wednesday - Hooded Scarf

Hello Everyone. My blogging has taken a back seat as well as my crocheting these past few months. Sorry for the lapse in blogging, but I just haven't had a very creative spirit as of late. I have been enjoying the snow and ski season. So instead of crocheting or crafting I have been spending most of my time outdoors on the ski slopes.

A view of Peak 9990 at the Canyons Resort in Park City, UT. It was a perfect bluebird day to hit 94 turns!!

My face is completely covered because it was about 15 degrees and I was freezing!

~Hooded Scarf by Sedruola Maruska~

I came across this lovely pattern on Pinterest last month and I just had to purchase it!! I have always wanted to work up a hooded scarf, but never really found the right pattern. I love the edging detail in the hood and it has some cabling as well. So a very rich textured scarf and hoodie. This is a purchasable pattern, so I cannot share too much about how to make it, but the pattern level is for Intermediate Beginners. Hopefully, I can conquer making this lovely hooded scarf. If you are interested in purchasing the pattern you can find it here.

Picture courtesy of  yarnobsession.com

Even though I do know how to do a cable stitch, I was a little confused on the directions of this particular cable stitch. It is more of a long double cable stitch that crosses over and I found a great video tutorial to help me understand it better.

Cross-Over Long Double Crochet Stitch by CrochetNCrafts

I came across this lovely colored green yarn on clearance the other week. It is a Bernat product called Vickie Howell Sheepish. It is 30% wool and 70% acryllic. Although I love the blue in the pattern picture, I thought the green would be just as lovely. I hope I bought enough skeins to complete the hooded scarf because I would hate to need more. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Progress has been pretty good considering I just started yesterday. I have 75% of the scarf part completed and will begin the hood part today.

Crazy how the lighting in the second picture makes the green look so light!

Everyone have a great week. And for those that are in the middle of this horrible East Coast storm, stay warm and safe.

Take a moment and hop over to Tamis blog and check out other WIPs!!

WIP Wednesday - 1st Whimsical Birdie Ornie Complete

Hi everyone!! Well it is Wednesday and we received over a foot and half of snow since Monday! I'm loving the white landscape!

I started working on the cute felt ornaments that I wrote about in this post. They are pretty easy and probably a breeze for you that do needle point. I am a beginner and had to look up what a blanket stitch was. I found a great video tutorial here.

Not the best stitching I have seen, but it will be adorable adorned to the stocking I am planning on making. I have two more to finish and then work up some little felt ornies that I have been spying at on Pinterest!

I haven't really worked on much these past few weeks. I need to concentrate on Christmas decorations right now so I will have something up before the big day!

Everyone have a great week! Take a moment and hop over to Tami's Amis Blogspot.

Elf Hat & Snow Hiking

Hello everyone!! Sorry for the lack of posts lately, but it has been a very busy few weeks for me and not much crafting has been happening.

Elf Hat Pattern

I am very much into the Christmas spirit! I have been perusing Pinterest and Ravelry for some Christmas ornaments and hat ideas. I found a great pattern for a pixie/elf hat on Ravelry and just had to sit down and make one. The Crochet Pixie Cap by Teresa Richardson is an easy and fun little cap to make.

I went with non-traditional colors of aqua and grey. The brim has a row of popcorn stitches that make it a little more whimsical. One great thing about this pattern is once you are at the width you want you just keep crocheting in the round until you reach your desired length. Also the pattern link has video instructions!! I find video instructions very useful when you are trying a new stitch. I had never done the popcorn stitch prior to this pattern, so having the video was great. I am now working on another cap that will be striped.

Snow Hiking!!

This weekend we had some phenomenal snow fall! Sunday was a day off for the husband and I, so we decided on a nice snow hike. Enjoy the few pics we took during our hike!

Enjoy your week!!

Pinterest Inspiration - Colorful Afghans

Happy Monday everyone! It's only a happy Monday for me because today is a holiday and I am able to enjoy a quiet Monday morning at home. And during my quiet time I was enjoying the many colorful posted afghans in Pinterest. With the temperatures dropping and the signs of snow, I am wanting to make more afghans! Here a just a few that caught my eye this morning:

Granny Square Garden by Past Perfect Patterns Etsy Shop

Lovely Stacked Afghans!! Flowers in the Snow by Sarah Dotson 

Sunny Daze by Laura Pavy

Well those are my Pinterest Inspirations today! I hope all have a great week!

Pinterest Inspiration - Gorgeous Crochet!!

I will admit that I am addicted to Pinterest!! Where else can you go and find so many wonderful ideas and creativity! So today I am sharing a few pins that I find very inspiring. I don't think I will be making any of these anytime soon (mainly because I have a lot of work left to do on my open projects), but I do love looking at these wonderful crochet works. :-)

This is just a gorgeous afghan!! So many different types of granny squares all worked together! Pin is courtesy of Clothogancho blog. This blog has so many great pictures of her crochet work!

Framed Crochet Squares as art! This is a great idea to add some splash of color to any room. Plus, you can decide on the exact colors. If you tire of them, then you can make more and replace! This pin is courtesy of Marian van Kooten-Stok.

I have made this afghan, but I think I will have to go with a more earthy tone next time!
This pin is courtesy of Tartlime from Flickr.

One more pin from a blogger I love to follow:

 



Dawn Sparks of Fiddlesticks blog has so many crafty ideas. She has a color palette that I love.

 

Well, that is my ramblings for today. I hope all have a great week. I am now going to go back on Pinterest and drool!



Pinterest Inspiration - Crochet Beaded Bracelet

Once again my interest has been peeked by a few pins I have seen on Pinterest. I came across a crochet beaded bracelet pin. The link sent me to Patternfish website where the pattern is by Diane L. Augustin.

Picture courtesy of Diane L. Augustine/Patternfish website

So being the cheap penny pincher person I am, I started perusing Ravelry and found a few free patterns.

Wind Rose Fiber Studio blog has a great tutorial for a Summer Cotton Crocheted bracelet.



Courtesy of Wind Rose Fiber Studio



I also found a purchasable pattern on Ravelry by Kimberly Dijkstra called jingle jangle crochet that provides 3 different crochet patterns. This pattern is the one I love:

 

 

So I have been inspired to venture into crochet jewelry making! I will have to ask assistance from my daughter when I begin these projects. She is our little jewelry maker in the family. I think she won't mind since she will be the intended owner of these.