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my creative space

my creative space

Our knitting guild has received yarn from the Land’s End Share the Warmth project. Have you heard about this? For every Feel Good sweater that is purchased, Land’s End will donate yarn to The Knitters Guild Association to be made into squares for Warm Up America. Our guild received three cones and I’ve got three “yarn cakes” to turn into squares. The colors are really beautiful and the yarn is super soft. I’m enjoying these squares a lot.

What are you doing in your creative space today? If you knit or crochet, consider making some squares for WAU! (You can use any yarn.) Details are on their website. Don’t forget to hop on over to Kirsty’s blog, as well, for more creative spaces.

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tiny crochet ball pattern

tiny crochet ball pattern

It took a few tries until I was satisfied with this pattern. At first, they were coming out too hexagon shaped, so I decided to alternate the increase/decrease placement every other row. That gives the ball a more round shape.

I also wasn’t happy with the gaps that the decreases made, especially on the navy ball. You could see the white stuffing! Then I remembered this invisible decrease from Planet June. Problem solved!

Have fun with this one. On Friday I’ll show you a little variation. Stay tuned!

Tiny Crochet Ball Pattern
worsted weight yarn (I used Aunt Lydia’s cotton)
size G/6 (4.25mm) crochet hook
polyfil for stuffing
tapestry needle for weaving ends

sc: single crochet
inc: 2 sc in one stitch
dec: 1 sc over two stitches through the front loops only

gauge: not important, but mine are about 2 1/2 inches wide

Make a magic ring.
R1: 6 sc into ring
Ball worked as a spiral. Place marker to keep track of rounds.
R2: inc in each stitch around
R3: *inc, sc* around
R4: *2 sc, inc* around
R5: *inc, 3 sc* around
R6: *4 sc, inc* around
R7-11: sc around
R12: *dec, 4 sc* around
R13: *3 sc, dec* around
R14: *dec, 2 sc* around
R15: *1 sc, dec* around
Stuff with polyfil
R16: dec around

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my creative space

cotton crochet bottle

The day before our vacation the little crochet bottles sold. When I got back home, I started to miss having them around. So I’ve decided to make a few more—some for the shop, some for gifts and some just for me. I’m also experimenting with different sizes, shapes and types of yarn. I love how a little re-purposing can transform a castaway into something beautiful.

Speaking of beautiful, don’t miss the lovely spaces over at Kirsty’s blog.

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can’t wait to unravel this sweater

cotton sweater for unraveling

I think my exact quote for the morning was, “You are not allowed to buy any more sewing machines and I am not allowed to buy anymore sweaters for unraveling.” But when my friend and I got separated at a street filled with garage sales, I had no one to help me with my will power. This sweater is so soft. The colors will look great in my house. I’m thinking join-as-you-go granny square lap blanket.

recycle: “…to take an unloved garment, destined for the landfill, salvage the wool, and give it a brand-new start as a beautiful knit gift; it’s sure to be appreciated by any recipient who loves the planet.” Lee Meredith

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reader q+a, plus 2 success stories

While I was on vacation, I received a few questions on some of my posts. Here are answers!

homemade granola
Could you possibly share the recipe??? Thanks, Deborah M. in CA
Definitely! I’m making the recipe again and reworking it to cut down on calories. I hope to get it up later this week.

my creative space (crochet squares at the beach)
Oh they look terrific! What pattern are they? In a book? On line? How big are they? The pic looks deceiving I think! Mandy
Mine are about five inches square. The pattern is Wagon Wheel #2 from Granny Crochet Favorites, which I first read about on Attic24. There are two free versions on ravelry.com.

little crochet balls
Love this ball – where did you find the pattern? Anne Marie
I just started to crochet this out of the blue. I finished my second one and have made a few changes. I’ll take notes on the third and post a pattern. Look for it maybe next week.

I also wanted to share two of my success stories with you.

reusable fabric snack bags
These bags worked great! I used them on vacation for everything from pita chips, cheerios, pretzels—even carrots and raisins. I never had any spills in my purse or when my daughter dropped them. You really need to make some for yourself. They will make you very happy!

wardrobe refashion: beach dress blahs
I’ve changed my mind about this dress. I wore it out to dinner on a date with my husband and wound up really liking it. I paired it with a black cardigan and sandals that had a small heel. It’s been saved from the donation pile!

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back home from vacation

starfish in the sand

My brain is ready to go with lots of new ideas, but my body is ready for bed. I can’t tell if I’m just exhausted from yesterday’s travel or jet lag has set in. Either way, I’m taking it easy this weekend. I’m going to tackle the laundry and some books from my library stack. Have a great weekend. I’ll see you next week.

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my creative space

In my creative space today, I spent the last day of my vacation crocheting squares at the beach. I’m cruising along on these, although it took way too long for me to memorize the pattern. Of course, now that I’m all relaxed and on a roll, it’s time to go home.

Make sure you pop on over to Kirsty’s blog for more creative spaces.

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little crochet balls

crochet amigurumi ball

I started this little guy one day when I needed to cleanse my crochet palette. It’s just a simple ball. Something that will fit in a little hand and is safe for chewing. I blame this project on all of the cute little babies in my life. Maybe I’ll make a whack of them to give as holiday gifts.

stash: aunt lydia’s cotton that’s super soft and machine washable.

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kyuuto! lacy crochet doily

Remember the sneak peek I shared of my doily project awhile back? Here it is completed and blocked.

crochet doily kyuuto lacy crochet

I was really surprised how fast and easy this pattern worked up. It didn’t take long to get the hang of the small hook and working from a chart.

crochet doily kyuuto lacy crochet

I don’t have any doily plans for the future, but I’m not against doing another one. It was even kind of fun (if you don’t count that crazy picot edge.)

project notes: Thrifted thread and clearance hook. (I don’t think I would have purchased a hook that small if it wasn’t on sale!) Pattern from Kyuuto! Lacy Crochet.