New Beginnings

I wish I could say that the reason I haven't been on here for a few months has been because I was so busy crocheting all the projects I had previously promised. However, after I announced my grand plans for baby floor rugs, toys and clothes, pregnancy took it's toll and I spent most of June/July sleeping and watching TV. Then along came my beautiful baby girl and crocheting was the last thing on my mind! I was very pleased that I could finally dress up my little girl in the clothes I had made for her. Sadly she grew out of them very quickly. I also discovered that some of the tops I had made for her (i.e. the Cozy Cardigan and Envelope Neck Sweater) had very little give and were so chunky that they were nearly impossible to get on her. I suspect that this was due to the yarn I had selected rather than the patterns themselves. Never mind, I now know for next time to make bigger sizes using yarn that has more stretch in it. Hmm, next time... that will be awhile away.

© Interweave Press

So now that I've rested and feel like I've got a handle on being a new mum (for now) I'm ready to crochet again. However, I'm a little over baby things, this time I'm making something for me. I've picked up my latest copy of Interweave Crochet magazine and found a lovely pattern, a 'Birch Vest' by Kristin Omdahl. I headed down to my local Spotlight and discovered that with the warmer weather and Christmas coming the yarn department has halved and been taken taken over by Christmas decorations. As suspected the yarn used in the pattern was not stocked so instead I purchased 6 x 50g balls of Cleckheaton Bamboo in Rose. Reading Interweave Crochet I've discovered another method for substituting yarn, previously I mentioned comparing make up, texture, recommended hook size and stitches per inch guide, I've now discovered Wraps Per Inch (wpi). Interweave Crochet has this nifty page with life-size photos of each of the yarn used in the magazine so readers can place their selected yarn against the picture to check the size, but also on this page the wpi is listed for each yarn. When selecting the yarn for this project I took a ruler and wrapped the yarn around it until 1 inch of the ruler was covered, I then counted the number of times that I had wrapped the yarn around the ruler. Both the original yarn for this project and the yarn I have selected have a wpi of 17, however their recommended hook size and stitches per inch guide differ a little so I'm interested to see the outcome of this substitution method. One last decision to make... buttons! This seems to be a repeating dilemma - color, size, texture - so many to choose from :)

Hat, Scarf & Mittens

As bubs due date fast approaches I'm busy organizing last minute tasks, like packing a labor bag, washing bubs clothes, and crocheting hats and scarfs and mittens.

My latest project has been Sue Whiting's Hat and Scarf set from her book Weekend Crochet for Babies.

For this cute set I've used Cleckheaton 100% Bamboo. It is quite light weight and has a soft silky texture. As I've chosen to use a different yarn from that used in the pattern I also needed to change the hook size for this project to maintain the patterns gauge: I've used a 3mm hook instead of 2.5mm.

I had a little yarn left over and couldn't resist crocheting some mittens to match.

Envelope Neck Sweater Complete

Just a quick update to say that I've completed the Envelope Neck Sweater.

Pics & New Projects

Gee I've been slack, it's been over a month since my last post. Can I blame that on pregnancy? Nevertheless, I've finished up at work and have began my maternity leave. Everyone tells me to rest up while I can but I've suddenly discovered all sorts of things that I NEED to do with my new spare time... crochet, blogging, study, setting up baby's room, getting my hospital bags packed, visiting friends, shopping... the list just keeps growing.

Anyway back to the crochet. I've now completed the Hooded Jacket. 

I've also been working on a couple of other items from Sue Whiting's Weekend Crochet for Babies. These include the 'Furry Hat, Boots, and Mittens' and the 'Cozy Cardigan'.

I'm currently working on another item from the same book, the Envelope Neck Sweater. So far I've found the patterns from this book to be fairly straightforward to follow, and quick and simple to make. I can easily sit in front of the TV or have a conversation whilst working on these projects. There has been some guesswork required with each pattern where instructions for one or two of the rows have been ambiguous. However, by studying the stitch diagrams and using a little trial and error, it has not been difficult to work out these ambiguities.

Other projects on the horizon include: a baby scarf, toy rabbit, floor rug, puppy carriage string, hooded sweater, vest and hat, and much more.

Nicki