cameo flapper

I can always tell I'm in the fall spirit when I mix vintage tees, long cardigans, and my spiced pumpkin late habit with crocheting flapper hats.

This one consumed me today. It's quite literally the biggest flower I've ever put on a hat. It's also my attempt at creating a pattern for a rose. I think the pattern still needs a little perfecting but I'm happy with the color combination. The ivory and pale blue remind me of a cameo brooch and highlight one of my fashion favorites - incorporating light spring colors into a fall/winter wardrobe.

But essentially, for me, it's the first day of autumn.

Short N Sweet

I finally finished the Short N Sweet Bolero (also from Stitch N Bitch - surprise, surprise) and wore it to work today.

Confession: I didn't even tell my coworkers I made it when they complimented me on my sweater. They all know I crochet and since this is my first garment creation I was thrilled beyond belief that no one asked if I made my sweater. I want to look creative and chic not "crafty".

Sunday Funday Fasion Show

So of course I crochet but do I actually wear the items I make in public? But of course!

Pictured above top: me preparing to see if our lottery ticket was in fact the "golden ticket" at Fair Park during my beau and I's Fair Day adventure. Note the crochet market bag. I made these all summer long and have yet to run out of uses for them. Note also my fondness for Mexican party dresses and moccasins. (Aside: free market bag to anyone who wants to mail me a Mexican party dress in exchange)

Pictured also above: my beau and I at the Dallas World Aquarium. Note: my flapper hat with yellow carnation accent flower. Note also that yellow carnations symbolize rejection and disappointment - two things I experienced firsthand from the bird I tried to befriend in the third level rain forest portion of the aquarium.

skull pot-holders

I've spent all weekend making these and I must confess I love them! I love home crafts and "nesting" in general so anything that puts a quirky edge on those activities is so me.

I began this little project as a way to teach myself to read crochet graphs (I have a large butterfly afghan project to undertake) and quickly fell in love with it. My first completed skull potholder was in pink and white. I next did the pink and yellow - and then it hit me.... could variegated yarn look like confetti and therefore create a Dia de los Muertos skull pot-holer... I next made my two "confetti" potholders and have plans to make many more with all of the kitchen cotton I have laying around.

The pattern is from Debbie Stroller's Stitch N' Bitch - one of my all time favorite crochet pattern books.

sweet pea swap

I recently participated in a "swap" on a crochet forum I frequent. Pictured above are the items I sent my swap partner Caroline:

1. a little lucky buddha for pocket sized protection;
2. a soy friendship candle;
3. amber insence resin;
4. Anna Karenina by Tolstoy;
5. a thread crochet bookmark;
6. a leaflet of shawl patterns; and
7. a SWEET PEA SHAWL from Debbie Stroller's Stitch and Bitch.

I made the shawl in Classic Elite Flash, a mercinized cotton yarn that drapes nicely is soft to the touch. She mentioned her favorite colors were blues and greens which is the reason I selected this slightly variegated hue. She received her package yesterday - I hope she enjoys it.

She sent me a box full of lovely things as well and I will post pictures soon.

welcome baby Sydney

My cousin Keri just had her first daughter and in honor of that event I finally mustered up enough attention span to finish my first lap-ghan. I chose three shades of baby soft yarn with a pearlized thread running throughout and created, basically, a giant granny square.

It was a fun project and went very quickly. This only took me about a week to complete and mail off. Just in time to welcome Sydney Renee Jones into the world.

yarn stash update

I've just added several balls of Kid Mohair by Filatura Di Crossa in breathtaking teal as well as several more of Premiere by Classic Elite Yarns in a lovely spring green hue.

I'll be using these yarns to make Doris Chan's Chrysanthemum Tea Shawl and Irish Mist Stole.

I'm working with the Premiere yarn now and love, love, love the way it feels. I'm on the third round of this shawl now and it's working up so quickly I'm envisioning gifting it to several people for Christmas. I might be underestimating this large shawl (not to mention my general lack of free time in the holiday season) though. Regardless I plan on gifting this green gem to myself.

New rule for this holiday season: pamper yourself, let the elves deal with everyone else.

Darling Clementine

Darling Clementine is what I've named this little shawl. The colours in this variegated yarn remind me of the leaves and blooms of one of my favorite fruits. And of course there's the folk song which always brings a smile to my face.

I've based Darling Clementine on the vintage design pictured below (oh how I adore vintage patterns) originally published by Bernat in 1975. I opted for a light cotton yarn (Patton's Grace) instead of the bulky weight yarn suggested in the pattern. I also omitted the suggested fringe for a simple single crochet edging.

I'm pleased with the light weight airy feel of this shawl. It's the perfect weight for surviving the addiction to air conditioning in Texas.

and so the crochet blog is christened

The Moirae, often called The Fates in Greek Mythology, were the white robed personifications of destiny and controlled the metaphorical thread of one's life from birth to death - and beyond. Said to be the daughter of Nyx (Night), feared even by the gods, and offered locks of hair by the brides of Athens the three fates by name are: (1) Clotho, who spun the thread of life from from her distaff onto her spindle; (2) Lachesis, who measured the thread of life allotted to each person with her measuring rod; and (3)Atropos, the cutter of the thread of life who chose the time and manner of each person's death.

Clothos, Lachesis, and Atropos, were said to appear at an infant's side three days after its birth to determine its destiny. In similar fashion my current project will be unveiled here in three days time.