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):

I'm back...kind of

I'm back...tired, but here, in the US. My trip was amazing and I very carefully kept a log of what I did so that I wouldn't forget.

If you want to see pictures from my trip, please see this gallery: Germany
Not all of the photos will interest you, but some of them are really cool. You just can't see stuff like that here in the US.

I have some more yarny things to show as well.

Arm warmers made in one evening...they were very simple to do. It was from the 2009 Pattern A Day Calendar. I used this yarn b/c I just have so much of it lying around.

This is my 2009 12" Square for January. I completed this while I was in Germany. I plan to make all the different squares in this same color and attach them as I go along. I seem to always hit a stumbling block when I have to connect things together..I'm lazy and I hate to sew.

My Layering Cardi is almost done, now I just need to finish the yoke, add the buttons, weave in my ends and wash it. I'm not sure how happy I am with it. It seems too large, but after I was it, that may change a little. I am keeping my fingers crossed. I have in progress pictures on my Ravelry page, I will include a completed photo when this is finally done.

Ciao!

Fuerstenberg....

Okay, so I was going to write about porcelain, and I will get to that, but first.....I recently discovered that I can watch MST3K online (google it). Bad movies plus comedians = hilarity. Check it out if you have some time.

Now, on to grown up type things....
I went to Fuerstenberg to look around and maybe pick up something to bring back to the US with me. I did decide to get two things. I'm very excited. One of them is a small vase and the other is a Christmas ball ornament. I will photograph and upload the photos once I get back....(remember, no camera cord).

I finished making arm warmers from my 2009 Crochet Pattern a Day Calendar. They took me about 3 hours total, including weaving in ends and gauge swatching. So easy to make....the pattern, I think is free from Crochet to Go.

I am very very close to finishing my layering cardi, the only problem seems to be that it is huge. If I finish exactly as the pattern states and the picture looks, the sleeves come below the underarm in an uncomfortable manner. My gauge is fine, so maybe I will do some reading about this pattern. Unfortunately, I'm about half way through the yoke, but maybe there are a few tricks that I can do to make this cardigan fit better. If someone reads this and has advice....leave me a comment....please....

Last thing, tomorrow I leave for Bavaria and I am not sure if I will internet access again until Monday evening, so have a wonderful weekend!

Germany Day 3

Guten Morgen. Wie gehts Ihnen?

So, it's morning over in the US. I still feel a little off.

I learned to make gum today...that was interesting and rather difficult, as you can imagine.

I've been working on my Layering Cardi in Red Heart Designer Sport yarn, colorway, Pool 3825. It's coming along well, I'm almost complete with the right front portion. What's left after that is: sleeves (short...thankfully, I might make them slightly longer), yoke (I'm not making the very top part....I don't like shirts on my neck like that), and assembly. I don't have any buttons here, but I think I will wear it anyway. I'm so excited, and I shouldn't have to block it at all.

I have a confession to make....I don't like the food much. They put creamy crap on everything...it's gross. And they love mayoniase, also gross. I try to order things without mushrooms or creamy crap...forget it. Even if the menu doesn't specify it, it's in there. Makes me a little nauseous. Phew, I'm glad that that is out, b/c I've been very politely fibbing to everybody here....(er...in Germany I mean).

Okay, time to go. More yarny updates, hopefully tomorrow. Ciao!

Sorry to post twice, but now I finally have internet access and I would like to post my blog for today......
It’s now Tuesday, and I did not sleep very well yesterday. Sleeping well on Sunday evening had made me over-confident that I would sleep well last night also. I was wrong about that. So now I’m rather sleepy and my brain is fuzzier than usual.

I have finished with my first assignment here and I’m happy about that. Makes me feel a little relieved that I accomplished something and have not disappointed anyone, including me. Later today, I will be getting a tour of one of the production sites here. I’m excited about that as well. I will write more about that later, after the fact, that is.

Last evening I completed the left front of the Layering Cardi and started on the right front. I hope to complete that very soon. I’d like to wear and maybe get some pictures of it in Germany for you. It’s such a beautiful color, and I’m excited to have it.

I went to a supermarket last night. Many things are similar, set up and pricing. Products are very different. They also sell alcohol and beer together with food. There was such a large selection of meats, cheeses, breads…it was amazing. Just a regular supermarket, but so many specialty (in the US) items.

Today, we get a new president. I’m excited for change. I hope Obama can do the job, and like he says, do the best job you can at the job you have. No matter what you set your mind to, make sure to do the best you can. I hope that this holds true for him and that his best job is better than Bush. Although, I think, the only way that he could do worse than Bush, would be to burn down everything in the country and kill all the people, while making a profit from it. Obama has quite the mess to clean up. My best wishes are with him.

The production site was amazing. Sometimes, you forget the size necessary to complete things that will be used on a international, consumer product level. Always an enjoyable thing to be reminded of. Brings to mind thoughts about conserving and making less waste. So much waste is produced already.