It's been awhile....

Okay folks, I know that it's been some time since I've written.
I have a lot going on and not much that would interest anyone but me really.
So, I promise that I will add photos tomorrow when I post again.

I've been just been knitting and crocheting like crazy for Christmas and I still have a few things left to be completed.
So tomorrow, hopefully there will be some sun and I can take some photos.
The freezing rain we've had here all day makes it tough to take photos.

Take care!

MSW08 - Experience 1

So, I'm already behind. I dragged my feet ordering yarn because the yarn that was recommended and offered at discount, although beautiful and I'm sure very high quality was way out of budget for me. So, my naivete in buying lace weight yarn was following me around as I searched through chain stores for it. Finally, I was on yarndex...uhm...tonight and I decided to check out KnitPicks. I was pleasantly surprised at the selection and I decided to purchase the recommended hank size for the project and some extra, just in case. I'm really excited.
So, hopefully, by next week I will start my swatching expedition and then get ready to knit up the first clue.
Wish me luck.
Also, a quick note, an update on all things knit and crochet is coming soon...I promise.

Christmas Crochet

Well, it's been a little while since I last wrote, but I've been good, and I've finished a bunch of stuff on my list.
I've finally finished my Body Pillow Cover, now it sits in my window for the kitties and me to sit on.
I finished a sweater for my mom and sis for christmas. I plan to make one more for each of them.
I finished a X-mas stocking for my hunny....I plan to make one for me and one for each of my kitties. I have a little pile of snowflakes and other such trinkets to starch and give out for X-mas as well.
I also started a new sweater, but this one is for me. I couldn't resist it any longer. Although I have made some heavy modifications to it. It's from Crochet Today! Sept/Oct 2008 issue. The Star-Studded Sweater. Only I removed the color changes in the yoke and started it at the fifth row. You can check it out on my ravelry page (Davana is my user name). I have many other things going on as well and I plan to update again soon.

New Project & Other stuff

Before I start talking about my new project, I'd like to mention that I went to my first knitting group last week and I absolutely had a blast. I can say that, I'm not the most sociable person and I really loved it anyway. The people were happy, relaxed, and just generally comfortable around each other. I know I had a plug in my last post about joining a group...but I will do it again. Join, it will be the best thing you do! They usually welcome "hookers" (crocheters) also.

Now, onto bigger and maybe not so much better things. I started the Lush Lace Pullover from Lion Brand free patterns. I would post the link, except that you have to be registered with Lion Brand to view their free patterns. So mosey on over to their website and check it out. I think it will be perfect for winter and I think I can finish it in time for X-mas, unless I get distracted.....

Knitting...to learn or not to learn

I've been sort of trying to knit. I think the hardest part, is learning how to hold the needles and the yarn. I keep switching back to the way that I crochet, and I think that is what makes it hard to for me to knit properly.
Hopefully, practice makes perfect....wish me luck.
I encourage anyone who wants to learn to knit or crochet, to get on Ravelry, and join some local groups. I can say that so far, I've interacted with many extremely friendly and rather lovely people. If you already know how to do one or both, I would definitely say to join. The free patterns are great! If you decide to join, definitely look me up!
Davana's Ravelry....

Tear/Rain Drops

Let me just relay a few warnings before attempting this pattern. Firstly, I'm the only person who has made it; I've made it twice, so if you find any errors, I apologize for it in advance. You're welcome to leave me comments if you find any errors (or if you just feel like leaving me some ;-o ).
This pattern is fairly crude and sort of awkward, but once you start with it, you get the point and can go off on your own, I'm sure. If you have any questions, please ask, but I can't guarantee a helpful answer. Okay, now that my disclaimer is complete, here goes nothing:


Tear/Rain Drops
Originally uploaded by aurentium

Tear Drop Pattern

Sz 10. Thread
Sz 5/1.7mm Steel Crochet Hook (Susan Bates)

Notes: ch 3 counts as first dc throughout
dec = decrease

Pattern:

Row 1: ch 4, 1 dc in first chain, turn
Row 2: ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in next dc, turn
Row 3: ch 3, dc in same st, 1dc in ea next 2 dc, 2 dc in last dc, turn
Row 4: ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in ea next 2 dc, 2 dc in last dc, turn
Row 5: ch 3, dc in same dc, dc in ea next 3 dc, 2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in ea next 3 dc, 2 dc in last dc, turn
Row 6: ch 3, dc in ea dc across (12dc)
Row 7: ch 3, dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, (1 dc in next 2 dc, 2 dc in next dc), repeat until end; only 1 dc in last
dc, turn
Row 8: ch 2 (first hdc), hdc in same dc, hdc in next 2 dc, 2 hdc in next dc, 1 hdc in ea next 7 dc, 2 hdc in next dc,
1 hdc in next 2 dc, 2 hdc in last dc, turn
Row 9: ch 3, dc in next hdc, dec over next 6 hdc (2 sts at a time), 2 dc in next hdc, dec over next 8 dc (2 sts at
a time), 1 dc in ea last 2 hdc, turn
Row 10: ch 3, dc in next dc, (dec over next 2 dc, dc in next dc) across, 1 dc in last 3 dc, turn
Row 11: ch 1, sc in ea dc across, turn
Row 12: ch 1, sk first sc, sc in each sc across, sl st in last sc, turn
Row 13 - 15: Repeat Row 12; but at the end of Row 15, continue around edges to make it smooth, sl st to first sc.
Finish off.
Starch as needed.

More new stuff

Okay, well...there are many things swarming around in my brain.
Let's stick with crochet. Many of projects, both WIPs and FOs are on my Ravelry site. My Ravelry.
So, I'm all over the place with my WIPs. I have the doily, the rosemary sweater, the tunic (made a boo boo), the body pillow cover, and now, the Christmas pillows from the new Crochet Today issue.
I just started the pillow on Monday....I'm sort of excited, but only sort of. We'll see, I think I'll be more excited when they are complete.
My crochet to do list is very big.
I want to make a costume for Halloween....pfft...yeah right.
I want to make Fall/Thanksgiving type decorations (also pfft...yeah right)
I want to make Christmas decorations and gifts....that's my biggest aspiration currently. With the new house, it's easier for me to crochet gifts for everyone, rather than go out and buy something.
I also have aspirations to write up that tear drop pattern...
BTW, my loverly friend Jenifer loved her Tote bag (see previous entry).

I made stuff up...yay

I made up two patterns. Neither are all that impressive, and I haven't typed them up, so they aren't ready for the debut on my blog just yet. I'll try to get to that in the next few days, but I make no promises.

One of the patterns, the Tear Drop or Rain Drop pattern, I had been sort of throwing it around in my mind for a while. The shape of a drop is elegant and (for some reason) precious. So I gritted my teeth and wrote something up. Just doing that, which is something I've attempted before makes me realize how much work it is to design patterns. Some people are just so talented, I can't believe it!

The second pattern, which I may not type up, mainly b/c I've seen many versions of it floating about, is a hook case for Jen. It will be a gift to go with the 8 Pocket Tote that I made for her.

Pictures: First is the rain drop, second is the hook case, third is the Tote, and lastly is an update on the rosemary sweater.

Lazy

Okay, well, I never got to washing and blocking my Rosemary Sweater....I'm just a big lazy bum.
Ah ha, but, you might be proud that I just have to sew the straps onto my Eight Pocket Tote from Lion Brand and I shall be finished and I shall bequeath it upon Jenifer...my beloved friend.
Next on my agenda...not so exciting, but I have started a motif pattern for a raindrop. I finished the pattern, but it's not all that uniform. As it is my first attempt at anything other than circles that don't curl up, I'm proud of myself. I might try to refine it or post it as is.
I think in my next post, I will include pictures of aforementioned rain particle and the pattern, which was originated by ME...woot!
Regards!

New Project Alert

Okay, so I've put aside the rosemary sweater, at least until this weekend. I have to wash and block the first part of it, so I'm going to wait until I have some time. AKA, the weekend. Let's all cross our fingers.
Now I've decided to start Lion Brand's Eight Pocket Tote. It's an easy, free pattern from Lion Brand. I like it so far. It has one of my favorite fabric stitches, alternating sc and dc. Makes a nice resilient and stretchy fabric. I've made a skirt with it before.
Sorry, but no pics today, my other harddrive died on Tuesday and so I've lost all of my patterns, photos, documents, all my personal stuff.....so I have to go through data recovery. Should be fun....
Still draining our pool. More than 3/4 of the way done now. This weekend will more than likely involve: standing in the pouring rain, taking the pool apart, and starting to rip apart the deck around the pool.
Wish me luck! I'd really like to get back to the Rosemary Sweater.
PS. Both patterns I've mentioned are free. If you don't have access to ravelry (which you should sign up for), then the Rosemary Sweater is from Knitting Daily TV Episode 110 (you have to sign up at both of these sites also). The Tote pattern is from the Lion Brand website.

Rosemary Sweater

Ugh, I'm about to start the sleeve? I'm confused. I feel like I ended facing the wrong side or something b/c the chain 9 attachment doesn't seem to have anywhere to go. Or, I just can't figure out how the pieces come together. I'm feeling crocheters frustration, which is no fun....
I also just finished watching "About a Boy" with Hugh Grant. It was ok, slightly lame, but otherwise, okay is a good descriptor. I don't recommend it though.
Anyway, back to my evil, evil sweater.

Eh....untitled?

Okay, first things first, I wanted to put an updated version of my kitties, b/c the previous post shows when the kitten was smaller. So here is the updated photo, please enjoy their cuddly goodness.


Now, onto other things; quick rundown of my hectic (sort of) life. Ready??
I wake up early, drive to work (44mi), work all day, drive home from work (44mi), listen to my boyfriend/fiance ask me how to: find things, do things, clean things, do anything, I crochet for as long as my eyes will stay open and then try to fall asleep (despite the fact that I'm so f-ing tired). Okay, now that you understand me.....onto my next topic.

We are draining our pool, and by pool I mean tiny little above ground no deeper than 4.5' and by draining I mean flooding the backyard profusely...anyone want an above ground pool? It's free if you come pick it up?? Didn't think so.

Now onto better things.
I am moving along fairly well with the Rosemary sweater.
This is where I left off last night at bedtime. Hopefully, I have this all figured out. The advice I got from both the designer and the nice woman from crochetme really helped out a lot.


I think my next order of business, in terms of crochet, will be to learn some Tunisian Crochet. It certainly seems, conceptually, to be easy, but we shall see what reality has in store for me. (I always seem to feel that way).

J Update 9.17.08

Here are some of my projects....like any crocheter, you will notice that I'm no different...I have many projects at once....I'm crazy (for many reasons, not just this one).

Body Pillow Project: Side 1 of this giant pillow case will be done in horizontal stripes that are all in different stitches and different colors. I will use buttons to enclose the case (makes for easy cleaning and adds some "style").
This is a pic of side 2 of this particular project, it's all double crochet rows; the pillow is next to it (for effect)
This is the Gentle Wind Doily (almost done):

The Rosemary Sweater (by Robyn Chachula): This pattern can be found on knittingdailytv.com Episode 110 (great pattern). This one, I had gotten to almost the point of where you see in the picture and I had to frog the whole thing b/c I had made a very large boo-boo...now it's all better; not even nearly finished yet though. This yarn is great; it's JoAnn Sensations Angel Hair.


My baby number 2 (kitten not child) is growing very quickly....now she's bigger and annoying, instead of just annoying (still love her though). She's giving the big kitty a lickin'

Dress - 1970 Pattern mod

This pattern I got from that Groovy Crochet website. It's such a simple dress that it won't need much or any modifications to create a more modern look. I will post the pattern as I got it for free, I will also attach the link for the pattern.

Once I've finished I will add the photos, if anyone is interested. This pattern is extremely simple to make, the directions could be a bit more clear. When I post them, I will clean them up a bit.

I will start soon....

Considering that I'm still settling in to my new home and adjusting to life with a significant other, I have been rather busy, but......
I would like to start posting my crochet creations and maybe any other blather that pops into my "pretty" little head ( pretty is merely for the quote, I assure you).
Hopefully, for anyone who is bored enough to read my blog they will, A). get some ideas for projects of their own or B) will continue to be bored.
Langhorne is quite a lovely "little" place. Although the town itself isn't very small, I truly feel like it's a small town. It's just a nice place to live....or it seems as much so far.

My regards.
"Be the change you want to see in the world."
-Ghandi