My Cupcake Top

This was not what I started out making . I was looking for a crochet or a knitting project to use my new yarn that I had purchased but ended up using something else all together. The few patterns I tried, I just couldn't get it to work. Wrong gauge, way too big, etc...so I searched through my books/pattern for some ideas. I decided on the cupcake top. The pattern is from the book, Happy Hooker - Stitch n' Bitch. I used just over 1 skein of the Bernat Softee Baby Yarn in pink.

The recommended hook was "I" but I only used that size for the shells for the trim. For the top, I crocheted it using a size "K" hook. At times the stitches look a bit sloppy due to the large hook.

I also had trouble with getting the right gauge on this top but with the K hook, I felt comfortable with the starting chain length and thought it would fit. I think it's a bit tight for my liking but I still like this top a lot. I worked on it quite a bit these last few days because I wanted to finish this quickly. I want to start on my next project, the Orchid top by Lily Go. I have been admiring her work and I finally decided to buy the pattern. It was pretty inexpensive comparing to some of the prices of patterns out there. I hope all goes well on that top.



Here's a photo of my cupcake top:

Back to Crochet

I'm still on a 1 or 2 skeins kick, easy projects...so I decided to crochet this "elegant shell". I saw this pattern before but I really didn't like it. Maybe it was the color? I really liked the ones on Ravelry so I though decided to crochet one. I used yarn that I had intended to use for another project. It took under 2 skeins of caron simply soft in a light blue. (H size hook). The pattern is free from the Lion Brand website.

This is a very easy and fast pattern. I was a bit unsure about the fit but with the finishing (2 rows of sc around the edges) it was a perfect fit! I LOVE this! This is something that I would actually wear a lot. I am thinking of making another one in a different yarn/color. I'm not sure yet. I may even alternate between knitting one project and then back to crocheting !

As a reward to myself, I stopped in a LYS today. (It's the 2nd time I've been there but the first time I just looked around). I bought myself some cascade yarn in a green color and some plymouth yarn in a purple variegated color. (I'm anxious to try out these yarns)! Enough to make 2 more shells.

Today was such a beautiful day, it was in the 70s! I probably could of worn my elegant shell out!

Now I'm going to take my daughter out to enjoy the great weather!

My Week and Shrug This #4

My mother in law was in town with us all week. It was great to have the company and someone to talk to. I really enjoyed her visit. She got a chance to bond with my daughter and we even worked on a knitting project together. I was trying to finish my shrug and she was starting on a shrug which she finished. It turned out beautifully, she used 2 skeins of homespun in blue. I wish I had taken a photo of it before she left. It was also nice to show her all my crocheting and (some) knitting projects. She was so positive about all the things I made. I think she liked the short n' sweet I made for her too.

I finally finished my "shrug this" yesturday. This is my 4th knitting project and again, I made the shrug (practice makes perfect). I used a pair of metal knitting needle this time in a size 11 instead of 10 1/2. I noticed with the metal needles, my stitches were not as tight. I used 2 skeins of Bernat Softee Chunky Yarn in Red. I really loved the way this turned out. After a light blocking, it was a much better fit than the other 3. I like the color too. My next knitting project will probably be a fitted tank top. I'm actually going to try a different project. (I still need to try out my harmony needles that I purchased)! For now, I think I am going back to crocheting. I actually started crocheting the elegant shell today. I'll proably be able to wear it when I'm done - today the weather was just beautiful!

Valentine Short n' Sweet

I finished this last night. It took a little over 10 days. Crocheting really has not been a top priority where every free minute is crocheting. I usually crocheting in the evening when my daughter is setting down and getting a movie or two. I was a little nervous that I may not finish this on time. Yesturday, I crocheted both the sleeves and weaved in the ends last night.

It feels good to get this done. I'm glad that I'm not stressing today to finish this. Normally, my M.O. is to wait until the last minute but not this time. I even started cleaning the house a week ago and just doing some cleaning every day! Change is good. Anyways, my mother in law will be in later this afternoon. I sure hope she likes it and it will be a good fit!

This is made with 1 big skein of red heart super saver in cherry red. (I wanted to use a different yarn but I didn't like the selection of red colored yarn at Walmart). Later, I ordered some red yarn (and my new harmony needles) from Knit Picks but I decided to just go ahead with the red heart. This is crocheted using a size H hook. I had some trouble with the 1/2 shell increase on the front but I printed the diagram which really helped! Crocheting this the second time around, I was able to pick up the pattern pretty quickly.

Here's a photo of my Valentine Short n' Sweet, maybe I can get a photo of my mother in law wearing it later!