Short-Sleeved Shruggy Sweater Thing

Mm-hmm.  I'm gettin' all technical on ya with the names, now.  :)

I love cardigans and sweaters of all kinds.  My problem is that I tend to run warm, so here's my solution...at least for the summer months when all I really need is a little something for when the office AC tries to turn me into a girl-sicle.

When I decided what I wanted to do, I visited the ol' Mountain-O-Yarn in the basement and picked out one of my favorite colors of Red Heart Super Saver.  It took about 3 of the 5-oz skeins to complete, and I'm typically a 2X or size 18-20.  In my neck of the woods, that would make the total investment about $9, plus time.
The really cool part?  I already had this yarn from a trade or previous craft store raid, so it was essentially free.  Bonus!

It's really comfy, too.  I think I'm going to end up making another one or two in different colors.

If you want one, you know where to find me.  ;)

Work in Progress: Lacy Checkered Afghan

Hey, y'all!

Long time, no see.  This has been a busy summer at our little yellow house, and I realize I've been neglecting you.  Not to worry...you're not alone.  I just sat down and replied to a couple of emails that were over a month old.

I guess it's time to catch up, eh?

Even though summer isn't always the most comfortable time to crochet, I've completed a few things since I last posted, and I have more in progress.  I'll post the completed projects after they've been given to their new owners - wouldn't want to ruin any surprises! - but in the meantime, here's a sneak-peek at a current work in progress:

These grey and purple motifs are almost 12" square, and I'll be joining 25 of them together to make a checkerboard afghan.  I'm using bulky acrylic yarn that I got through a trade, and I think the combo of the bulky yarn and the lacy motif will make this blankie quite interesting.  I'm about halfway to the finish line on this one...stay tuned for more pics of the completed project!


See you soon,
One Crafty Broad

Lacy Bedspread: Completed!

And this post, my friends, could be alternately titled, "FINALLY." 

Let the record show that today, January 25, 2012, I completed my first motif project.  Holy crap balls, did this thing take forever, but it was worth it. 

I have a feeling it won't be my last motif project, either.  Not by a long shot.  While it lacked the whole instant gratification factor of the smaller projects I've previously completed, there's something satisfying about putting all the little pieces together to make something ginormous.

So, without further ado, I present the completed lacy bedspread.

View of the details, from the foot of our bed

See?  It covers the whole darn thing!  Bonus.  :)



I think this may be my favorite shot so far of the completed bedspread.

Our bed is a queen, and the bedspread is constructed completely out of Lion's Pound of Love baby yarn in antique white.  I believe there are 69 squares, including the giant one in the center.  The border is simple double crochet, and I'm really happy I didn't try anything fancier.  There's enough detail in the bedspread itself without adding frilly poopers on the edges.

In case you can't tell, I'm pretty happy with it.  Not bad for a first foray into motifs, creating my own and winging it much of the time, eh?  Whaddaya think?

Lacy Bedspread: In Progress

Remember a couple of months ago, when I said I was starting to make motifs for a lacy bedspread?  Well, I've finally started putting it together this weekend.  I wanted to see what the squares looked like connected, especially after deciding to make a center square that equals four of the regular ones. 

Here's what it looks like so far:

The first 33 squares (including the giant one) have been assembled.

Here's a closer shot so you can get an idea of the texture.



It just about covers our queen-size bed width-wise as is.  I have enough squares to add another round, making it 8x8, and then I'll need another row or two to get it to the proper length.

All in all, the project is moving along nicely.  I'll post more pics as the work progresses...or at least when it's finally done.  :)

Variation on the "Little Angel"

When coming up with the pattern for my Little Angel dress, I wondered what it would look like as a top for an older child.

Not a bad idea, if I do say so myself.  The Princess loves this top with all its textures and holes that are the perfect size for poking with her grubby little grabbers.

Lacy Bedspread: Part One

It may be hard to believe, but up until this point I have never constructed anything from motifs.

I found this so odd that I figured it was time to bite the bullet and go for it.

Here's the square I've come up with. It measures just over nine inches wide and is worked with a J hook using Lion's "Pound of Love" worsted-weight acrylic yarn in Antique White.

I figure it will take 90 squares to make my queen-sized bedspread, and I'm working on #23 as we speak.

Even cooler? My momma has decided to help me, so this will end up as a multigenerational family project.

Stay tuned for updates. ;)