Olivia Blanket

Oh my, they've updated blogger and I have no idea what I'm doing lol so work with me for a moment. ;)

I've been working more toward putting more time into my crochet. I have several projects going at once and I tend to overwhelm myself then put things off. In November I had told a friend of mine that I'd love to try my hand at crocheting a baby blanket for her first grandbaby and all I needed to know was the sex. I have never crocheted a blanket before. A few months later she found out they were expecting a granddaughter. I had lots going on at the time and forgot about the blanket. In May they were getting closer to the baby's due date. I had yet to start this blanket. I had lunch with my darling friend and she told me that the new mommy's colors were a light pink and brown. I believe my words were "shut-up!" I just so happened to have two small bundles of Red Heart Soft Baby Steps yarn in Cherry Cola. It's a gorgeous yarn and I'd started playing with circles ages ago but never did anything with them. Here was my chance!

I piddled around with the circles and made them squares. It's easier to stitch them together into a blanket that way. I had many made up so I used them up and looked at the remainder of my yarn. Hm. After spacing things out and moving them around I decided to put squares in there also. I made several "basket weave" squares and put those in. I was worried it would be too light around the edges with the baby yarns and would cause the edges to curl. It would also fray/frizz easily with more use on the outer edges. I went to Walmart (as where I am now it's a 45 minute drive to a yarn store) to find more Cherry Cola yarn or something like it. I searched online once before for the Cherry Cola yarn but they want, in some cases, as much as $6 a skein for it and it costs nearly that much to ship it. Um. What?

Instead, I found the Red Heart Super Saver Pink Camo. It's very similar in color, though it is thicker. This should minimize any frizzies! I finished the blanket and added shell edging. It measures roughly 29" x 42". The new grandbaby was born in early June and her name is Olivia. I present to you, the Olivia Blanket. I'll be mailing that this coming week.

Annabella

In our family, just after Christmas, a beautiful baby was born.  She was born many months premature and is now just barely 3 lbs.  I started a hat for her but was worried that the yarn was too scratchy.  So I waited until I could get better/softer yarn.  Here are the two hats I've made but have yet to send because I want to either make her some booties or a little blanket to go with it.

Grr baby Very grr... Lion Hat

A friend requested a hat for Christmas for her hubby.  I've known my friend since we were 5 years old and her hubby for about 15 years so I have a good idea of how oddball we all are.  She said "whatever you've been thinking about making, make one in this size".  Well nothing I had at the time said "make me".  I hate that.  I started on one item and half way through the hat I had a vision.  My friend's hubby with his brood of 3 kiddles, the pride so to speak.  The image of this Lion popped into my head and before the night was out I had finished. 

Ok that's not exactly true, I did have to work on that wacky hair for a while.  I am completely unaccustomed to using the fur yarn and it was very difficult to use.  To the point that when it didn't do what I told it to, I wanted to smash it with a hammer.  Too bad it was already flat or that would have actually done something to it. :p  I'm most proud of the eyes, I think.  The nose area also.  I still snarl a bit at the hair but it does look good. :)  Ear flaps included and he seemed to have really enjoyed it. So I'm happy.  Still debating if I want to make these to sell.  Comment your thoughts.

Baby Owl with Flower Booties

I modified the old owl pattern a bit and used a softer girly color scheme. Thus the new Sleepy Owl pattern has been born. Colors are Strawberry and Grape with Caron Simply Soft yarn. Sized so far only for a newborn and it was a requested item. I'll be honest in saying I didn't like the old booties with the freaky little bug eyed owl pattern going on. It's a little creepy and off putting. I opted for a simple little flower on each bootie instead. This time I used a free pattern from Lion Brand Yarn Company's website.