Amazing Yarn Scarf

I first mentioned this project a couple posts ago Pretty Pretty Scarf

It didn't take me long to finish the scarf, a couple of days maybe?  It was a very quick and easy pattern. (Silk Garden Sock Crochet Scarf)  I finally had some good light here in Pittsburgh.  I haven't really been using my digital camera to take pictures.  I've been using my Droid phone.  So far it has just been easier to take the pictures and email them to myself instead of getting out the camera cord and such.

So, here it is!

I am LOVING the pinks, purples, and blues and even the golden parts!  It fits right into my color palette!  Every time I look at it, it seems different.  I love how this project was full of instant gratification!

There's only one problem....we have started having amazingly warm weather since we are into Spring now.  This scarf is pretty warm...........

Thoughts?!

Sam

ETA:  The GIANT hanger at work (yeah I took most of the pictures at work...what can I say, my new seat is next to a WINDOW!!!  woohoo) where I usually hang my coat is making my blazer look weird.....

A few posts planned!

I have a few posts planned, but the weather here in Pittsburgh has been COMPLETELY dreary!  That means I have zero light for good pictures!!

The Amazing Yarn Scarf is finished and the Yummy Yummy Yarn arrived!  Also, my Super Secret Afghan is almost complete...another week maybe?

I promise I'll get these posts up as soon as I get good light!!

-Sam

Pretty Pretty Scarf

So, didn't I just have a post about how I don't want to have too many WIPs?

Well this weekend I started another one.  It kind of has a back story.  I went to the store to buy yarn to make myself feel better after a minor mishap in the kitchen where I lit a skillet on fire and ruined it....not sure I want to fully explain my stupidity.

I had been drooling over this yarn for a while:

I got this picture off the Lion Brand page.  I forgot to take a picture of the yarn before I started using it.

I had a coupon, so I got this yarn for 50% off!!!



This is the scarf partially done.


The pattern I chose to do is silk-garden-sock-crochet-scarf.  I made mine a lot skinnier than the pattern said.
I have my scarf over halfway done already.  I thought one skein would do, but I actually had to go back out yesterday and buy a second one (another coupon, so also 50% off).  Its amazing how new yarn and a new project can make you feel better.

--Sam

Yummy Yummy Yarn!!

Since I started crocheting a few months ago I have been addicted to Lucy's blog over at attic24.  She uses these awesome bright colors.  Everything is bright and cheery!  I started reading her blog right about when she revealed her Granny Stripe blanket.  She used Stylecraft Special DK yarn.

For the longest time those of us in the USA in the We Love Lucy ravelry group have struggled getting Stylecraft yarn.  NOT ANYMORE!!!  Someone in the group posted that on http://www.deramores.com/ they ship to the USA for free....FREE!!!

I could not help myself!!!  These are the colors I got:

Row 1:  Apricot (1026), Aspen (1422), Bluebell (1082), Bright Pink (1435)
Row 2: Clematis (1390), Cloud Blue (1019), Fiesta (1257), Fondant (1241)
Row 3: Grape (1067), Lavender (1188), Lipstick (1246), Magenta (1084)
Row 4: Matador (1010), Plum (1061), Pomegranate (1083), Raspberry (1023)
Row 5: Royal (1117), Sherbet (1034), Teal (1062), Turquoise (1068)
Row 6: Wisteria (1432)

Aren't they just awesome?!!!  I know what you are thinking 21 colors?!  I struggled to ONLY choose that many.  (side note, anyone else besides me think its weird that Magenta is a purple-ish color?)

So if you are in the USA go get yourself some Stylecraft now without paying super high shipping!!

-Sam

WIPs (Work in Progress), How many is TOO many?

I have to admit, I am very OCD at times.  I'm the type of person where I had to finish the book I was currently reading before I would start another.  I thought I would be the same way with crocheting, but I'm not as extreme.

I have two WIPs right now.  The first is another afghan that will be a gift, for now lets call it Super Secret Afghan.  Yarn choices below:

I tried to stay in the recipient's color palette, which is pretty much mine too!

I am mixing brands of yarn on this one.  I haven't had any issues really so far.  You'll have to wait to see what I'm doing.

Second WIP is for ME!  First project for myself!  I am making myself a beautiful and super soft scarf out of the yarn below.  I showed my Grandma Betty a picture of the scarf I wanted to make and she immediately said, "Let's go to the store and get you that yarn, you need to make something for yourself!"  So, Thanks Grandma Betty!! I love this yarn and I'm super excited about my scarf.


This yarn is Patons Silk Bamboo.  It is the softest yarn I have ever felt.  I am so excited.


I think I would definitely have more WIPs started if I had unlimited funds to buy the supplies.  It would probably still bother me starting something new without having the previous things finished, but I know it would happen.  Since like most others I do not have unlimited funds, so I'm stuck with one or two projects at a time.

So, what do you think?  How many WIPs is TOO many?  Do you find you have issues finishing your projects if you have a lot going on a once?

--Sam <3

Not Your Grandma's Afghan!

Hi Everybody! (I know I know, as of right now there is nobody!)  This first post might be a long one, but I promise a lot of pictures!

My friend Julie had a special facebook post a while back, January 7th to be exact.  It definitely changed my life.

I immediately accepted her challenge and got to thinking about what I wanted to make her.  The first thing that came to mind was crocheting.  I had learned when I was about 10 and then I pretty much didn't do it since.  I thought that I wanted to make her an afghan.  Thinking back, that was probably pretty darn ambitious for a first project.

I found this book on BarnesandNoble.com:  200 Crochet Blocks

As soon as I got that book, I flew!

Not quite square, but pretty good for my first finished block!

This is my second block and it didn't quite turn out square either, but I thought it was workable.

It took my under 2 months to finish the 49 blocks that I would need for a 7x7 afghan.

It slowly built as I put it all together...

Eventually I finished it on 3/19/2011!!!

The edges ruffled a bit...at first I didn't like it, but now I LOVE it!!  I think it adds a bit of flair!

The edge of the edge is the crab stitch, or reverse single crochet.

And HERE IS THE FINAL PRODUCT!!!!  As some would say....Tah daaaah!!

It ended up being a decent sized blanket.  Each block was about 8 inches square, plus a few inches for the border.  I'd say it ended up being about 60"x60"

I was so nervous to send it to Julie, but I was nervous over nothing!  She loved it and she sent me a few pictures of it in its new home!

Julie told me that her first reaction to the afghan was, "This is not your Gramma's afghan."  Thus a blog was born.  I am so addicted to crocheting now and I figured why not SHARE it!  Love Love Love it!

Tell me what you think!!