Purses in Progress

I know I'm not the only one trying to figure out a more economical solution for round, wooden purse handles...someone out there has to have an idea.  My problem is that the 9" rattan hoops from Jo-Ann Fabrics are so darned expensive; I just can't afford to keep them on hand.

And so, until I come up with a brilliant idea, my completed Super-Fat bags look like this:

Not exactly ideal, but it's working out so far.  I figure I'll stash a few dollars away when I can, and each of these will get handles when I can afford to get them.

In the mean time, does anyone have any brilliant ideas for me?  The hoops I'm buying at the retail store are either $5.99 or $6.99 a set.  I'd love to hear any suggestions you may have.

Happy International Crochet Day!

Today is International Crochet Day, one of my favorite days of the year!

My mom and grandma taught me to crochet when I was a little girl.  I drifted away from it due to boredom and frustration more times than I can count, but somehow the timing was just right after I had my own daughter.  I asked my mom to - once again - show me the basic stitches, and I was off and running...haven't stopped since.  I've found over the last couple of years that I absolutely love to crochet.  In fact, I find it difficult to remember a time when I didn't love this craft.

To celebrate, I think I'll sit myself down with the sweater I've been working on and see if I can't finish off that lower left sleeve...it's the last bit I need to do before I put the whole thing together, and the weather here is getting delightfully fall-like, especially in the morning and evening hours.

Fall is my favorite time of year, and I'm starting to get excited.  Cooler weather means snuggling up under a hand-made blanket with a mug of hot tea, reading a good book...or snuggling up in front of a favorite movie and working on those heavier projects I don't want to deal with in the summer months.

Since International Crochet Day falls at the beginning of that seasonal transition, I really couldn't be happier to see it come around again.  Not only is it a reason to celebrate this craft I love so much, but it's also a sign that the bright colors and crisp weather are on their way.

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.  ;)

Sam the Dragon Amigurumi Prototype

In case you haven't heard, The Hubbs is an aspiring comic strip artist - has been since he was a kid - and he's amazing (and I'm not biased at all).

My very favorite of all of the characters he's created is Sam the Dragon.  Sam was born in 1984 as a way to entertain The Hubbs' little sister, Jello, and he's been drifting in and out of The Hubbs' life ever since.  We are now working as a team to put Sam out there for the whole world to see, and I'm working on a new blog featuring Sam a few times a week.

Naturally, with Sam on the brain, he's managed to seep into my crochet as well.  Here are some (okay, way too many, but I can never choose) pics of the prototype.

I'm ridiculously proud of his fingers, toes and elbows.  They all turned out better than I had hoped, and all on the first try!

Some slight modifications are needed before I'm totally happy with the final product, but this little guy should do nicely as a fourth birthday present for Jello's little girl, K-Bear.  K recently found a book of Sam strips that The Hubbs published about five years ago, and she's been running around the house pretending to be Sam ever since.  Thanks to the wonders of the All-Knowing Internet, this post should be appearing on my blog as we are still at her party.  Here's hoping Sam and K-Bear will be very happy together. 

And if he ever gets lonely, he can always hang with the Totoro I made for her birthday last year.  :)

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

Juggling Balls

The Hubbs taught himself to juggle as a kid.  On a road trip.  In the back of the family car.  With a book and a starter set of three juggling balls.

He still has that set of three juggling balls, and he's still damn good.  The Princess loves it when he juggles, and she presents him with his juggling balls multiple times every day.

Recently, he's expressed an interest in learning to incorporate more than three objects into his juggling fun-time.  Our only concern with this is that we're rather skint of late, and we're trying to be good little donkeys by sticking to our extremely strict budget.

Thinking outside the box, I grabbed my hook and some spare yarn from my stash, and I started stitching.  The first one felt okay, so I made three more to start (we can always add more later), along with a spiffy little storage bag.

The juggling balls are constructed using acrylic worsted weight yarn and pinto beans, and the bag is all acrylic yarn.

While looking at the finished product does make me feel rather resourceful, I prefer seeing them in action.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it's my pleasure to present the love of my life...(drumroll)...The Hubbs!

Hope your summer is going as swimmingly as ours is.  Have fun, y'all!

Olivia's Baby Gifts

One of my good pals at work is about to become a grandmother.  She recently commissioned my services to make an oversized baby blanket, and the shower was this past weekend. 

When I realized the amount of yarn I had left over after the blanket was done, I decided to contribute a couple of gifts of my own as well.

The blanket measures 48" by 48" and the dress is sized or a newborn baby girl.

Here's a close-up of the stitch pattern on the blankie and the dress.

I love working with this stitch, and I think I'll be making something for myself using it soon.  The fabric is so soft and cozy.

Olivia's one-of-a-kind dress.

The granny-to-be saw the dress and blankie, and apologetically asked if I might be able to make a headband to go with it.  Giggling, I told her that I had already started the process...it just wasn't done yet. 

I'm hoping to see a picture or two of the little one with her new loot when she sees fit to join us.  With her family's permission, of course, I'll try to post at least one here for all to see.

Crocheting for a Cause: Cancer Caps

Working in the local hospital, I have to admit I'm in a good spot.  Whenever anything is needed as far as handmade pieces go, my folks are really good about letting me know.

On Friday, one of the ladies from the cancer center told me that she had received a request for cancer caps.  There's a group of ladies in town here who make them, and some of the patients are requesting more muted colors and a more simplistic shape.  There are also a few men in need of caps, and all of the donations that are currently available in the cancer center are overtly feminine.

Well, heck.  Hats, I can do!  I designed this simplistic stocking cap for The Hubbs a few weeks ago, and it seems to fit the bill perfectly.

Okay, so this isn't particularly manly, I know.  But the colors are pretty and fairly muted, so I thought I'd slip it in.

I'm not sure how they'll feel about the color changes in this and the next one, but I'm willing to take a chance...I didn't have enough of either of these yarns to make a full cap, but they're so soft it would be a shame to let them go to waste.

Color-change cap #2: I really like this one.

Plain brown...can't go wrong with plain brown.  :)

And here's a picture of the four I'm donating today.

Ooh-Ooh the Monkey

My brother's step-grandson turned one recently.  I wasn't sure what little A would like, so I went to Hambone for ideas.  He said they call him "Monkey."

This seemed as good a time as any to see about modifying that kitty I've been making into a different animal. 

Here's Ooh-Ooh's  sweet little face.

Ooh-Ooh side view



Ooh-Ooh's caboose  :)



I'm pretty happy with how little Ooh-Ooh turned out.  I have a few other animals I'd like to try making in this simplistic style, and I'll post each of them as they're completed.

And if, by chance, you're in love with Ooh-Ooh here, I can make one especially for you.  Just let me know.  ;)

Couch Arm Remote Holder

If your house is anything like mine, your coffee table is covered in remote controls. I've seen mass-produced canvas pouches for storing them over a couch arm, and I thought I'd give it a whirl.

There are a couple of major bonuses to this particular project:

First, I got to use up some of my leftover bits of yarn from previous projects.

Unfortunately, the color just doesn't want to come across properly here.  For the blues, think jeans.  And the red is more barn than fire engine in real life.

And second, perhaps by separating the remotes into their individual pouches, they'll finally stop multiplying. :)

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.  :)

Elizabeth's Scarf and Hat

Hey, y'all!

Long time, no see. My computer died again, and you know what the holiday season can be like. Things are starting to get back to normal, and I'm going to try posting some recent projects from my iPod app. Here goes nothin'.

First up: Elizabeth's scarf and hat. This set was made using Bernat, and it's super-soft to the touch.

I hate modeling, but I love this set.  :)

View of the right side

Texture shot of the scarf

Front view

Texture shot of hat, with strap and button detail

This order came in after Elizabeth saw my set, which I made from Red Heart Super Saver in brown and mixed fall colors.  I'll post pics of that set soon.  You wouldn't believe how cute it is with my fire-engine red winter coat.  ;)

See you soon!
~One Crafty Broad

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.

Crocheting for a Cause: Little Angel Dress

I'm not sure if y'all are aware of this or not, but I work in a hospital.  This information will become very useful in just a minute...stick with me.

One day during the summer, one of the chaplains came to me with a request.  Some women at a local senior center knit and crochet buntings and clothing for the infants who pass away in our OB/neonatal wards, and the yarn is getting expensive. 

From my office, I publish a classified listing of sorts, comprised of ads placed by hospital and health system employees.  It's kind of like Craig's List, but without the creeps.

This chaplain asked me if I thought we could put a wanted ad in this listing, and - of course - I said yes.  I also mentioned that I crochet and asked what kinds of items our pastoral care team is looking for.

I found out that the senior center ladies have been making primarily buntings for the departed preemies, but there has been a lack in newborn sized outfits.

You see, part of the grieving process at our hospital includes dressing the new baby and spending time with him or her before having to say a final goodbye.  The outfits are then given to the parents as a keepsake...a small token of their baby that they can take home with them.  Our pastoral care team tries very hard to make sure that each of the outfits is special, and they prefer to have them hand-made.

The problem with this is that if the outfits were to be purchased directly from crafters on Etsy or through another avenue, the cost would be extremely prohibitive.

So I asked if I could help.  Chaplain D was so excited, tears popped into her eyes.  Since this summer, my mom and I have been crocheting newborn outfits and donating them to pastoral care whenever we can.  Mom's making little boy outfits that are absolutely adorable, and I've come up with one dress so far.

I'm calling it the "Little Angel."

This photo shows the first three I donated to our hospital's pastoral care team this summer.  I'm playing around with my methods a bit, trying out sleeves and more length...hoping to come up with something that would be suitable as a christening gown.

If any of you are interested in crocheting or knitting for charity, I'd like to suggest contacting your local hospital to find out if their pastoral care team is in need of anything.  In addition to this particular situation, cancer caps and prayer shawls are donated on a daily basis at the hospital where I work, and I know the recipients appreciate every last one of them. 

You may also want to find out if your local hospital, senior center or church takes yarn donations for projects like these.  This is a great way to clear up some room in your stash, and you'd be helping someone else in the process. 

To date, I've collected over one thousand skeins of yarn for the ladies at the senior center...and I'm looking forward to graduation so I can spend some more time with my hook in hand.

Custom Kitties on Etsy!

Hey, y'all!

I've had tons of people asking about the kitties I made for my pal in OR, so I thought it'd be a good idea to put up a custom order listing in my Etsy shop.

Check it out and let me know what you think. And, ya know, if you wanted to order one, I s'pose that'd be okay, too.


Happy Friday!
~One Crafty Broad

The Whole Kitten Caboodle

Editor's Note: This post was originally entitled "The Whole Kitty Brood."  My mother-in-law pointed out the fact that I missed out on an amazing pun opportunity, so the title has since been changed.  :)

If you can't tell by now, I'm kind of proud of these little guys.  Here's a family picture, taken just before they left on their long journey home.

Good luck, guys.  I'll miss you!

Amigurumi Kitty Friend: Beige

Here's the third and final kitty in the brood that will be traveling across the country to live with their real life counterparts.  He's based on K's beige kitty, and I think I love him.  Just a little.  No, really.  I'll be okay when he moves on.  There comes a time in every momma's life when her kids grow up.  It helps that I know he's going to a good home.  :)

Like his brothers, this little guy stands about 6" to the crown of his head and is hand-crocheted using acrylic yarn.  His mouth is hand-embroidered using floss, and he has safety eyes and nose.

My kitties can be custom-ordered in any color combo.  Let me know if you're interested!