Eat, Crochet, Love

There is nothing more satisfying than making something for someone else.  Fall and Winter are the perfect times of the year to start large projects, or to finish large projects. Again today here in Missouri the temperatures have dropped below freezing, making this another perfect day to snuggle down on the couch with a good movie, a crochet hook and a bag of yarn.  As if a crocheter needs an excuse to work on a project!

So I have finally had the time to complete this beautiful purple afghan for a very special girl, and I cannot wait to give it to her!  I made it big enough for her to enjoy for years to come.  And I hope she loves it as much as I loved making it for her!

Unpacking the stash

Well we have finally moved into our new house, so my yarn stash has been packed for what seems like months, and in reality was 2-3 months.  I had one project out to work on and still in that time did not get it finished, although I am much closer to being done.  And true to my CADD as soon as my stash was unpacked I started a new project.  Something simple that I could whip out in a short amount of time.  That something was a hat!  Simple, less than a skein and done in an hour or so!  It's done using a super chunky yarn, so it is very warm!  Perfect for the winter weather!  You can find the pattern here.

And then I started on a second hat! Because it's winter, and you can never have too many hats!  The above hat is for a friend, and the second hat will be too...it is also a one skein pattern (found here) and of course I actually have SEVERAL skeins of this yarn, in a variegated French vanilla, and in the Walnut the pattern features.  I do need to go find some big funky buttons to finish the hats (yes hats, because I have three skeins of each color, which means I can make 6 total hats!)

Until tomorrow, happy hooking!

That's evil!

Happy Hooker checking in!  I have been busy, trying to pack to sell our house...doing blanket and afghan projects, recovering from an emergency surgery, and starting on new projects!

I created a ripple blanket for my niece, seemed only fair because I had started one for her sissy, who's due in September/October.  She doesn't like it at all...lol.


And of course I started a new minion, and posting said minion on Facebook was a great idea, as I have sold him, and have an order for another regular minion.

I have also been asked to create an Evil Minion from Despicable Me 2.  So I am using the standard minion pattern to create a new pattern for the evil minion.

I am using Red Heart Dark Orchid yarn for the body

And Lion Brand Homespun in Grape for the hair.

I am planning on using black yarn to create the buttons instead of purchasing buttons, but we'll see, I may change my mind.

Someone to do my bidding

Time for a new project!  A happy hooker is never happy only working on one project at a time.  So here is my next project

Can't guess?  Well I'm making a Minion.  Despicable Me 2 will be in theaters July 3rd, and this little guy (maybe more) will be attending!!

This is the minion Stephanie, the creator, made.  It is NOT mine!

It all started May 20th, I finally found the just right shade of blue yarn for the overalls, so I finally gathered everything I would need, and dove right in!  I will say, the creator of this pattern (click here) did warn that this was not for beginners, but when do I ever listen?

It took me FOUR tries, FOUR!  Just to get the body started...

But on the fourth attempt it finally worked!  And over the next three days worked on the tube.

May 23rd:
Finally got to the point of adding the hair, while watching Despicable Me of course!

I chose to do a minion with a single spike of hair, after I got all the hairs in that I wanted I wove the tail of the top of the head around, and glued everything in place

This has been an easy project to pack around, especially because I love large purses, I always knew there was a reason I carried bags others referred to as luggage...

May 25th-28th:
I got the head stuffed, and finished!  Well the basic part of the head/body

Just in time for a road trip! Thankfully my husband does almost all of the driving so I could sit and start on the pants!

We went camping for Memorial Weekend, so I had my bag all loaded up and had time to work on this project while enjoying conversation, a campfire and a very energetic niece who wanted to help, but was satisfied with me showing her how to do a simple stitch.  I may have to change my plans on making two and make three because I think she wants one too...

I have a water proof type bag that is perfect for carting a project to a campsite

May 28:
After a fun weekend away from home (and my bag of stuffing and detail material) I spent part of the evening making the arms, and putting on the features.

This means I am that much closer to completing this fun project. I just need to add the legs and goggles and I can hand this little guy off to his new owner!!!

I did spend some time creating my own sew in fabric labels.

This way I can put one on each of my projects!

May 30th:
I am finally finished!!!! Ten days, from start to finish!  Not bad for a beginner!  There were times I wasn't sure I was doing a step correctly, and I really am going to miss this guy...but here he is.

Ba-na-na...ba-na-na-na...po-ta-toooooo!

The lesson here is, just because it says not for beginners doesn't mean a beginner can't do a project.  I hope his new owner enjoys him as much as I enjoyed making him!

Down and dirty, time to distress!

After waiting 12 hours or so for the glue on the armrest to dry I finally found one of my DH's chains so I could beat the chair....seriously!

It really gives the chair an aged used look, and is fun!  But it is also dirty because the chain I grabbed had a bit of rust on it.

Don't worry, I didn't smash my shin, or fingers and the rust washed off!  I still have to go get a dowel to replace the funky buttons that used to be on the chair.

Update on projects past

Well it's been a busy week.  I started on the new project as posted yesterday.  It has taken off, and it crocheting up nicely!

I am down to only two rows of the Do it your way Afghan to connect then I can start connecting the rows

I can't wait to get this afghan done, I'm definately going to finish this one before starting on the ripple afghan I have planned for my living room.  For today I'm going to take a small break and go have fun with my mom.  I may do some more tonight when I get home!

My CADD strikes again!

© Lion Brand Yarn

I am a day or so away from completing my second Ami-gurumi project (post on first Ami-gurumi to follow soon), and here I am starting a baby afghan for my new niece, she is due in October.  I chose what I thought was a simple baby ripple pattern.  (click here, or on the picture)



It really is simple, and once you get the pattern down it goes quickly.  The part that I found to be super hard is the foundation row...after you make the ump-teen chains...I also used a different yarn that what is called for in the pattern.  I used Baby Bee Little Britches, in the colorway Charming.  I highly recommend using a site like Ravelry to "stash" your yarn collection, and to keep record of the projects you want to do, and the projects you have in progress.  Great for any yarn project!

I started with my 131 chain stitches

Then had to kick my dog off of my directions

And then spent considerable time growling, grumbling and crying trying to get my 2nd row done, after a while I got the hang of it, and it came out right!!!  No need to undo most of the row to start over, or heaven forbid the entire thing and re-chain to start over! And they say that crochet and knitting is supposed to be calming!  Well it is, once you get past the first row.

The blanket should crochet up quickly after this point...unless I get distracted by another project that is!