My Sleeve-less Mini

I finally finished this last night. I have been putting my crochet and knitting aside for the past few days (and even longer for crochet, a few weeks). I think I got bored/unmotivated with my crocheting. Besides that I find crocheting and knitting takes so much time away from my daughter! This has been a month long project. It probably could easily be done in less than a week.

There is no pattern for this mini really (I tried to take some notes while I was crocheting this). I was inspired by 2 of the clothings I made previously. I like the rib look from the side to side cowl sweater and the stitching from the circular shrug, so I kind of modified and incorporated the 2 items into this. I knew when I started out, I wanted this to be an easy and fast project. So instead of all hdc for the cowl sweater, I used all double crochets. For the middle, I wanted it to be different too so I modified the V stitched used in the circular shrug. Instead of 1 hdc then a sc, I used dc and sc into one stitch. I made the neck (cowl) part shorter, left off the sleeves and added length to the sweater and made it into a mini.

The yarn used for this project was Carons simply soft in pink heather. I had originally purchased this yarn to make a short cardigan but decided against it. It took a little over 2 skeins.

This was done with a size K hook. Easy. It was meant to be a project that would work up fast, using a large hook and mostly dc.

I took a photo of me in my mini yesterday. It was getting late and I couldn't find any black tights or stockings but here's a photo:

Shrug This #3

I finished this today. It took about 4 days. I was trying to get it done because I have a crochet project in mind. I seem to be doing better every time I knit! I actually got the ribbing done around the collar, sleeve and bottom this time! I had to frog the ribbing 2xs on the bottom because the 1st slip stitch threw me off so I just decided to skip it and do the knit, purl rib. I cast on 52 stitches instead of 53 for easier ribbing and it made the sweater too small. I have yet to block it, hopefully it will fit better. I used less than 1.5 skein of Bernat Softee Chunkee in Grey Heather. I really enjoy working with this yarn. The yarn is easy to work with but I wish there were more varieties of color. I may have to try another type of bulky yarn. For now, I think I will put the knitting on hold. Honestly, I think I'm a little burnt out! I've knitted 3 of these things in about 3 weeks! Not bad for a newbie in knitting. I'm proud of myself though! For now, I will be going back to crocheting.

There's a dress I want to make in the new issue of Crochet! Magazine. It's a dress by Doris Chan. I'm really excited. It's so pretty and best of all, it uses one of my favorite yarn, Caron's Simply Soft and only 3 skeins! I'll have to start on it today or tomorrow. It always seems like I'm in the mist of a project. Which I am, I feel kind of lost if I don't have a project to do!

A day to REMEMBER and 2nd Knit project complete

This is the day my grandfather passed away many years ago but I always remember this date. My grandfather was the one who really raised me. He gave me lots of love and I wished that he could be alive to meet my daughter. I really miss him. Today is also my nephew's birthday. It's kind of ironic because he's one of my favorite nephews...

Today, I finished my 2nd knit project. Pretty good for only "really" knitting for over 3 weeks!

It's the same pattern, as shrug this. I extended the length to make it into a shrug-cardigan. I'm not sure if I really like the color of the yarn but I love how it turned out. I used a total of 2 skeins of yarn.

Here's a photo of the finished shrug-cardigan and one of me wearing it:

Shrug This!

Finally, here's a photo of me wearing (very proudly I might add...) my first knit project called Shrug This! I'm so proud of my finished work! I love this yarn, Mod dea (tweedle dee). The color is beautiful! Best of all, it's done in only 1 skein.

Thanks for looking!

Two Finished Projects

I finished these on Wednesday and Thursday (12:05am) . I probably could of finished the Side to Side Cowl Neck Sweater in a week (instead of 2 weeks) but I got bored with it. It's a very simple pattern, done all in hdc. This is a free pattern from the website, Lion Brand. I used 3 skeins of Red Heart Super Saver in Aran using the J hook. Overall, I do like this sweater. Next time, I would definitely make the cowl neck smaller.

While on break from this sweater, I dabbled in knitting and started my next project. I wanted to make this in knitting but it's a bit too advanced for me right now. I may try again though! I was so excited when I found this pattern done in crochet. The is a free pattern from Craftster: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?action=topic=64889.0. I LOVE this capelet. I used only 1 skein of Lion Brand Homespun in Ocean. For the collar I used a size "K" hook and then switched to "P" hook for the rest. It was very easy and fast. Best of all, it was custom made for me! This could easily be done in 1 day.

I know I will be making more of these in all sorts of different colors. I really, really LOVE this capelet. Here's a photo:

Crochet, Knitting and YARN

I should be in bed but I just finished up on my 2nd project of the year a few minutes after midnight. I had been dragging my feet on the Side to Side Cowl Neck Sweater. I got bored with it and then I tried knitting for a few days. Finally, on Tuesday I sewed up the sides and on Wednesday I finished the sleeves. Today I weaved in all the ends and washed the sweater. I'll post a photo of the sweater tomorrow w/ details. In the meantime, I also started a new project on Wednesday evening. (I bought more yarn AGAIN, this time I bought 5 skeins of the Homespun all in different colors)! I'd been obsessed about learning to knit a wearable and I saw this pattern called the interpretation of Anthropologies's Caplet. I LOVE this caplet. It is super cute. I set out to knit this but it's too beyond my capabilities right now. I was discouraged but I was not ready to give up on the Caplet. After some looking around, I found someone had done a crochet version of this! Yeah, I was so excited. The pattern is from : www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?action=topic=64489.0. I hope I have the correct link.


Thanks to that wonderful person for posting the pattern! I'll post more info. tomorrow.


Here's a photo of my finished caplet:

Lately, I've been on a yarn shopping spree! In one week, I have purchased a LOT of yarn. I have replenished my stash and then some. I have been buying different yarns and some just one skein. I'm on a one skein kick...I want to make wearables w/ only one skin. Simple and fast projects. Just like this one I just completed. I've also purchased several knitting books and of course, 1 of them is called 100? one skein projects. (I'm still waiting for my book, Every Day Crochet). I'm not giving up on crocheting. I LOVE crocheting and find that I've learned so much in just over a year of crocheting (its brought me so much joy, fulfillment and satisfaction). I want to expand my horizons and keep learning and growing as a person :)