Crochet Vest

Hooray! I have FINALLY finished this Crocheted Vest. It's not that it was a hard pattern, or a big article of clothing but this was just one of those projects that you start, then put aside to work on other patterns, and suddenly it is two years later and you've almost forgotten about it. Please tell me this scenario doesn't just apply to me- you have two year old unfinished projects laying around, right? Anyways... with a growing list of WIPs I decided to take this out and finish it already. All I had to do was seam the sides, add the trim and a button. That's it! it only took me an hour to finish.

The original pattern was a buttoned up cardigan, but I decided to forego the sleeves- aiming for more of a boho vest feel, and used one large coconut button instead of a line up of small buttons. I love the way the vest drapes open on top, creating a lapel effect.

Isn't this button amazing! I've always like big natural buttons and this coconut one is the perfect size to slip into the large shell pattern.

I used a soft 100% cotton yarn to achieve this glossy,yet firm look. I've always admired the stitch definition cotton lends to a project. If you are interested in more detailed info on this vest, check out my Ravelry page for yarn,needle size, etc.

Currently I am working on a secret knit for a dear friend, so I cannot share photos :(

 oh the struggles of a blogger...

but know my hands are not idle!

Do you have any finished projects you'd like to share? Feel free to share the link in your comment below so I can check it out.

xo

Amanda

WIP: a puffy petal pillow

Inspired by a lovely post over on the creJJTion blog, I decided to pick up my crochet hook and make a cute  granny square pillow for the living room. I've already ran out of the white scrap yarn I had in my stash, so i'm going to need to pick some more up before I can continue this project (along with a pillow insert.) I'm thinking of crocheting one more row of the flowers, then I'll knit up the back of the pillow in with the white.

 I just love the texture of the petals. As you can see, I had some leftover alpaca yarn from the Dovetail Cowl, so i'm using that to sew up the squares- I think it brings the project together nicely with a punch of color. You can check out details of the project and the pattern by checking out my Ravelry page.

As I wait to get the white yarn and pillow insert, i'm going back to work on my Noro Blanket, at least do one hexagon a day. Its worked on double pointed needles though, which i loathe so I doubt this new found energy to work on it will last. Other than knitting, i'm trying to think of something fun to do with the girls today. We usually have a playdate today but sadly it didn't work out this morning. Though fresh biscuits did seem to make Evelyn and Flora feel better. 

Any ideas? Two cups of coffee and my mind is still drawing a blank.

xo

Amanda

Eclectic Granny Square Blanket

My mom and I have been working on a granny square blanket for little miss Evelyn :)

There is something so chill and addictive about granny squares! We started about a week ago and already have all the squares done- well.... i have 3 left but my mama is the queen of crochet so she was done yesterday. Now the tedious,less fun part, of putting the squares together. But I am so excited to see the finished project, i know i'll be whipping them together quick so i can wrap Evelyn's blanket around her tight!

Fun,bright colors for a fun,wild girl!

The blanket consists of five different granny square motifs, in 4 coordinated colors.

The pattern gives instructions for (starting from left):

Puff Flower Square

Petal Flower Square

Cluster Square

Basic Granny Square

Popcorn Flower Square

The pattern is pretty poorly written,but anyone who has crocheted before can figure it out.

 Evelyn's Eclectic Granny Square Blanket uses all worsted weight yarn, I am using a J hook and Mimi is using an I ( I crochet tight, she crochets loose) but basically the squares come out to 5 1/2 inches across. Here are the yarns used:

Pea Green by Lion Brand Vanna's Choice

Eggplant by Lion Brand Vanna's Choice

Light Raspberry by Red Heart Ltd. Super Saver

Aqua by Red Heart Soft Baby Steps

* Mimi is using Turquoise by I Love This Yarn! since her JoAnn & Hobby Lobby didn't have the 'soft baby steps' they are pretty much the same color though * 

I was inspired by Monsters Inc. , one of Evelyn's favorite movies, for the color selection. She already ooohhhs and ahhhhs over the squares so i know she will love them when they join forces to keep her cozy at night! I'll post pics of the finished project once it is well, finished.

My 'Mongolian Lamb' Stole

This Fall, you would have to be blind to not notice all the mongolian lamb wool vests,scarves and stoles that are featured in almost every September issue fashion magazine. I instantly fell in love with the white,curly wool. So when my J.Crew catalog arrived and a white mongolian lamb stole was between its pages, i squealed in excitement and was going to order it that second...until i saw the price of course. $98 is a little steep for this mama, but i had to get my hands on that stole- or at least something like it. So i decided to crochet my own version of the stole, not with mongolian lamb wool of course but with a yarn that would still evoke the same feelings of delicate glamour that made me fall in love with the J.Crew original.

I grabbed two 100gram skeins of white Angel Hair yarn by Sensations from Joanns and went to work! I chose this yarn because it was bulky enough to give me the 'coziness' i wanted and it had the soft,fuzzy texture that i was looking for.

After working on the pattern for the past day and a half i am done! It crocheted quickly due to the large size 8 needle that was used.

 I am in LOVE with it! The knit texture makes it not as 'dressy' as J.crew's, so i can wear it during my usual errands as a mom and not feel overdressed,but still glamourous. Putting it on i instantly felt like a classy actress from those old hollywood films :) And who doesn't want a nostalgic piece in their wardrobe? I am certainly happy i saved my money and invested my time instead.

Evelyn's Toddler Scarf

I crocheted a few squares for an afghan when i realized i wanted to start crocheting baby clothes instead. Little newborn hats, cozy blankets, textured rompers and cardigans danced in my mind. Not wanting to waste what i had already done, and the yarn i had to buy to make the afghan, i decided to turn the squares into a little scarf for Evelyn! She is too young for one now, but come winter time she will be 2 and ready for a darling scarf made with love. Oh goodness, i can't believe my baby girl will be two by wintertime!

obviously too big for her now, but it should be a good size for her toddler years :) She is so adorable! She just ran around with this big scarf around her neck smiling for me.

The pattern i used is from a leaflet titled 'Old Fashioned Garden.' The pattern itself is called Southern Blossoms designed by Maggie Weldon