Crochet Block....

On Sunday, after I finished my sweater, I hit a stumbling block....a form of writer's block, but for crocheters.  I couldn't find another project to make.  I searched through online web pages and my stash of patterns (I have hundreds), but I couldn't figure out what I wanted to make. 
I had a few criteria for creation:
1.  I wanted it to be a sweater
2.  I didn't want it to be made with a zipper, I think it would be too casual for work
3.  I wanted it to be slightly fitted (this is where I had the most trouble), maybe not fitted, but with structure
4.  I needed the sleeves to not be baggy, this always seems to be a problem with crochet sweaters
5.  I really wanted to attempt knitting one, but I'm still a little nervous about my knitting skills.
Those are most of my "normal" criteria; I had plenty of the neurotic kind.
While lying in bed Sunday night, trying to fall asleep, my mind kept floating around my other UFOs and how I shouldn't start a new project just because I had finished my sweater.  I have my blanket to finish, the shawl/scarf that I really want to complete.  I'd like to use that before the weather gets to warm.  But, the need to create something new kept nagging at me and nagged at me all through the day yesterday (monday).
I got home from work and immediately sat down again with my patterns, I narrowed it down and then I opened up an issue of Crochet Today , the September issue .  I found this pattern, the Perfect Fall Sweater .  I really like this and as I read through the pattern and started swatching, I knew that this would be perfect (with some modifications, of course).  So, I started it last night and I will probably make the sleeves shorter, shorten the length (b/c it looks like a coat), remove the collar, and probably not add the pockets.  When I'm finished I will write how I made the changes, although I think that they are pretty self explanatory.
I also want to make a pair of crochet leggings; I'm not really sure where this urge came from, but it is strong and rather demanding.  I find some really great knit patterns, but the thought of using DPNs terrifies me....any ideas?

Scarf = done; shirt = done

Finished Objects:


Pattern: Striped Sleeveless Turtleneck Sweater from Crochet That Fits by Mary Jane Hall
Yarn : Red Heart Soft Yarn in Dark Leaf
Hook : E/3.25mm Metal
Made for : Me
Pattern notes: I actually made this shirt a little too short. So, as you can see in the photo I added a nice little border to it. When measuring your gauge after the first few rows, remember that the beginning includes the length that will go up to the back piece of the sweater.

Pattern: Mist of Avalon Scarf by Paulissa Kipp
Yarn: Red Heart Soft Yarn in Navy
Hook : J/6.0mm
Made for : Tom C
Pattern Notes : I added a reverse single crochet border around the whole scarf.


Pattern : Two Tone Square by Dayna Audirsch
Yarn : Red Heart Super Saver in Pale Green
Hook : I/5.5mm
Made for : me for the 2009 12" Square CAL on Ravelry
Pattern Notes : As you can see in the photo, I have attached it to the January square (can see it better in the photo below) as I made the last round of the February square. I just prefer to do it this way because I can get lazy about attaching my squares once they are complete.
Another photo of these joined squares:

Catching up?

Well, I've been fairly neglectful lately....bad Davana, bad. It's okay though because I've been crocheting and knitting up a storm. If you go to my Ravelry page, you can see all my projects...although I haven't uploaded too many new photos.
I joined the Annie's Hook & Needle Club. This club sends a kit every month to your door that includes any yarn and/or embellishments you will need to complete the project. It also includes directions for both knit and crochet. So far, I enjoy it. They have you making things that maybe you wouldn't normally make.

January: Watercolors Felted Bag

Yarn: Watercolors wool felting yarn
Hook: J/10/6mm Steel Hook
Made for: Natasha's daughter
So, as you can see, I haven't yet felted it. I don't think that I will either. I'm not really a big fan of felting, but I figure I should give it a try. I want to give this little bag to my friend's daughter. So, I think that I will felt it and then gift it.
I'm currently working on the Woven Table Runner kit. I've finished the crocheting of the runner itself, now I have to add the ribbons and tassels. I will include pictures when I'm finished with this.
The Stockinette stitch blanket that I'm working on is coming along nicely. It's almost done...I'm really excited. It will be my biggest knit project. I will include all the specs of the project when I'm finally done and have pictures. I was going to include pictures of the WIP, but it's not really worth it....I don't think.
I'm also working on a shawl, the Crystal Lake Shawl from Lion Brand. It's my first knit lace project that hasn't gone bust. I've been working on it slowly since about Christmas time. It's knitted in a pale yellow cotton Bernat. I do about a pattern repeat per day or so. That will also have all the specs included when I'm finished and I've uploaded pictures. I'm fairly excited about this project.
There are two more projects that I'm working on, that I plan on finishing soon. One of them is a scarf for my friend Tom. I wanted to knit him a scarf, but the project fell to the wayside and I really didn't like the way it was working up, so I decided to just leave it for now. But I promised him a scarf, so I found this pattern on Ravelry and decided to make it. I started it this morning and I think that I will finish it in the next few hours. I will include pictures and specs when it's complete. Ravel it!
The next project I'm working on comes from Crochet That Fits by Mary Jane Hall. I love this book. It has some really great patterns with some really great shaping ideas. So I'm working on the Striped, Sleeveless Turtleneck Sweater. I highly recommend this book. Normally, I don't like to buy crochet books because they are expensive (not because they aren't great), but this book is a must for people who would like to make some great crochet clothing.
I will include specs and photos, again, when it's done.
For an update on any of my projects, definitely check out my Ravelry Page (link above).
My Layering Cardi is still in the works. I'm a little dissatisfied with how it has come out so far. I just need to add a few more rows to the yoke and attach the button, but I'm disappointed, so we shall see. I've been offered some advice and word so encouragement from Ravelry, so I think that I will finish it and just deal with it being a little too big. You can decide.
Here is a photo of the sweater before it was put together (sorry it's not rotated):