End of Vacation

So, every year my extended family goes down to Florida for a beach trip together.  I love being down there and greatly enjoy the family time, but the drive is frustratingly long.  Yesterday's drive home was especially painful because we had to drive through thunderstorms...which if you are reading this and don't know me, storms give me pressure headaches.  Sometimes migraines if the system is bad enough.  In any case, I had a wonderful time at the beach but vacation is now over and I need to go find a job.  Tomorrow.

I don't have any test patterns to work on right now, so I'm trying to figure out what to do with my yarn time.  I am going to crochet a couple of hats for family members who graduated this year, but I don't have all of the information on those yet.  I could work on the table runner that Mom wants for her kitchen table.  I think maybe I'll do that or work on weaving a new scarf.  Maybe I'll even finish editing a pattern and get it tested for you guys.  What do you think I should do next?

I've gotten a few things crocheted since the move that I haven't posted pictures of yet.  

Let's see how many...

Pea Hat Test
No Pattern Available Yet.  Still in Testing.
There is a Pea Pod that went along with this test, but I did not sign up for it...so I have not finished crocheting it.

Patchy Puppy Hat Test
Pattern Link
This Hat is both adorable and really fun to make.  You should try it out!

We went to the zoo...
this has nothing to do with crocheting, but I like the picture.

Commissioned Hat!!  I got paid!
Plus I really like the way the hat turned out.

Brimmed Sun Hat for Mom
Pattern Link
I finished it in time for her to wear it on the beach!

Apparently I have finished 4 projects since the move.  I thought I had done more than that...strange...

So, let me know what you think I should crochet next.  Until next time, ~Andromeda.

Moving Woes

Well, for those of you that don't know, we are in the process of packing up our apartment for the move to Middle Tennessee.  I am currently avoiding packing up the kitchen.  Anyway, while 'packing' my studio I found out that I have a lot more yarn than I remembered...so I'm on my first yarn diet.  I'm not sure if I should be stash-busting or trying to make my yarn last as long as possible so we can save money.  I think it might last me quite a while either way.  I'm not sure I've seen any stash-busting projects that aren't blankets, so maybe I'll just work on Christmas presents, writing more patterns and whatever else I come across along the way.  Whittle down the stash one little project at a time.

I have been working on that belt pattern, but goodness I am terrible at sizing!  Normally when I make hats and write down patterns, I avoid gauge like the plague.  I suppose it is time for me to actually start paying attention to such things, but I really just like crocheting by the seat of my pants and altering patterns to fit me along the way!  I will probably end up putting a different pattern up here before that belt one is finished, but for now I think I'm going to test for other designers.  At least until we are settled in the new location.  That way I don't lose any of my patterns in the move.  

We've decided that the loom will be kept in our bedroom at the new house, but that means we won't be able to keep Pippin in there when she is being a bully towards Whiskers.  Not sure how that is going to work out, but it was the best solution for me to have easy access to the loom and be able to practice my weaving skills.

  

Oh, the husband started cleaning/packing...I suppose I should stop procrastinating and get back to work!

Easy Shell Headband Pattern

And now the pattern I promised you guys yesterday!  Same rules as the other pattern: You are allowed to do whatever you want with items made from this pattern (because it is free on the internet and I obviously can't stop you).  Sell them, donate them, give them to your dog as a chew toy, whatever.  

Just don't claim the pattern as your own or try to sell it.  Give credit where it is due.  

Thanks!

EDIT on 08/04/14: I have created a photo tutorial for this pattern. Go here if you need it.

For child-sized, see my new post here.

Easy Shell Headbands

Hook:

H

Yarn used:

Simply Soft

Stitches and abbreviations used: The pattern uses US crochet terms.

• Slip stitch (sl st)
• Chain (ch)
• Stitch (st), stitches (sts)
• Skip (sk)
• Treble crochet (tr)
• Shell: (3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr)
• Treble decrease (tr dec): YO twice, insert hook in next st, YO, pull up loop, YO, (pull through 2 loops on hook) twice. Repeat in next st, YO and pull through all 3 loops on hook.

Gauge: Not important for this pattern, just change the number of chains in the last row to make it fit any sized head.

Notes:

• The headband is worked lengthwise from narrow-to-narrow end.
• Row 18 can be altered for fitting. 14-16 chains fit my head, but I don’t like things to be tight.  The best way to size it is to try on the headband as written and then decide if you want it looser (chain more) or tighter (chain less).
• This headband takes me ~20 minutes to make when I am consistently working.  You can make this in one sitting.
• The treble stitches in Row 13 shells are inserted in both ends of the shell, in the top ch space, and the 2 tr on either side of the ch space.
• Shells can also be done (3 tr, ch 1, 3 tr) if desired.
• Ch 4 at beginning of each row counts as 1 tr.
• The top of the shell mentioned is the ch space.

Pattern:

Row 1. Ch 5, tr in 5^th ch from hook. (2 tr)

Row 2. Ch 4, turn, tr in same st, tr. (3 tr)

Row 3. Ch 4, turn, tr in same st, tr in next 2 sts. (4 tr)

Row 4. Ch 4, turn, tr in same st, 2 tr in next st, tr in next 2 sts. (6 tr)

Row 5. Ch 4, turn, tr in same st, tr in next 5 sts. (7 tr)

Row 6. Ch 4, turn, sk 3 tr, shell in next tr, tr in last st. (2 tr, 1 shell)

Row 7. Ch 4, turn, tr in same st, shell in top of last row’s shell, 2 tr in last st. (4 tr, 1 shell)

Row 8. Ch 4, turn, tr in same st and next st, shell in top of last row’s shell, tr, 2 tr in last st. (6 tr, 1 shell)

Row 9-10. Ch 4, turn, tr in next 2 sts, shell in top of last row’s shell, tr in next 3 sts. (6 tr, 1 shell)

Row 11. Ch 4, turn, tr dec, shell in top of last row’s shell, tr dec, tr in last st. (4 tr, 1 shell)

Row 12. Ch 4, turn, shell in top of last row’s shell, tr dec. (2 tr, 1 shell)

Row 13. Ch 4, turn, tr in outside st of shell, sk st, tr in next st and ch space, tr in next st, sk st, tr in next 2 sts. (7 tr)

Row 14. Ch 4, turn, tr, tr dec, tr in next 3 sts. (6 tr)

Row 15. Ch 4, turn, tr dec twice, tr. (4 tr)

Row 16. Ch 4, turn, tr dec, tr. (3 tr)

Row 17. Ch 4, turn, tr dec. (2 tr)

Row 18. Ch 14, sl st in 5^th ch of Row 1.

Pattern Stalling

I have another pattern ready to be posted on here...but I didn't want to put two patterns in a row and get you guys all excited that I'm going to start posting patterns everyday.  And I didn't think it would be finished testing so quickly.  So this is my post to stall the pattern and hopefully show exciting things.  Tomorrow is my official presentation for my research topics from this semester, so I'm scrambling to make all sorts of things in an attempt to have more to show...and make myself less nervous about the whole process.  It's not working.  If you could see my nerves they would look like this:

Except they don't have the excuse of caffeine

*does nervous jittery things*  Wait, you are still here?  I suppose I could talk some more to make myself less nervous.  I Love Ravelry.  Just so you know.  I have gotten so much encouragement for writing out my own patterns and designing, not to mention the awesome friends I have made so far.  Like I mentioned earlier, I had another pattern being tested, but my testers got done earlier than I thought they would...in less than 24 hours I requested testers, found them, sent out patterns, and everyone finished testing.  Granted, it is an quick pattern to make, but that is record time for a test!  Here's a picture of what I was having tested so you can get excited for the pattern: 

Easy Shell Headbands!

In other news, the clay baskets I've been working on in the ceramics studio are finally dry and ready for their first firing.  They won't be done for the presentation tomorrow, but I have some pictures of them to show what I've learned.  I'm praying they survive, because they will be awesome if they ever get glazed and finished.

I particularly love the basket bowl on the right!

And I have pictures of Doilies 7-10.  I was hoping to get #11 done before my presentation, but my hands are too shaky to crochet tonight.  Maybe I will be able to finish it in the morning.

Doilies 7-10

Doily #7

Doily #8

Doily #9

Doily #10

Today I wore my new hat made from Frugal Fashionista's Spider Web Slouchy Hat pattern!  I wanted to wait and wear it at the presentation, but I could not contain my excitement and ended up wearing it to the studio today.  It was one of the CAL hats for this month...so I finished it on May 2nd.  I suppose that means I need to work on the other hats for this month.  OR maybe I'll just make more from the same pattern.  I ended up counting out warps in the studio today to prepare the loom for a blanket (when I'm finished with its current warp...which may not be for a while).  And I finished testing a pattern for a fellow Ravelry member. In any case, here are my finished hats:

Cyclops/Zombie Frog.  AKA the unfinished Frog Hat.

I think that is enough stalling.  I will post the headband pattern tomorrow after the presentation.  :)

Indiana Memory Pattern

I told you guys that I would post up the finished pattern for the Indiana Memory scarf, so here it is!

Enjoy! 

Just for the record, you are allowed to do whatever you want with scarves made from this pattern (because it is free on the internet and I obviously can't stop you).  

Sell them, donate them, give them to your dog as a chew toy, whatever.  

Just don't claim the pattern as your own or try to sell it.  Give credit where it is due.  

Thanks!

Indiana Memory Scarf

Yarn used: 

• Caron Simply Soft Bone (Color A)
• Caron Simply Soft Collection Pistachio (Color B)

Hooks:

• H for beginning chain,
• G for rest of scarf

 Stitches used: This pattern uses US crochet terms.

• Single crochet (sc)
• Slip stitch (sl st)
• Chain (Ch),
• Double Crochet (dc),
• Treble cluster: YO twice, insert hook in next dc, YO, pull up loop, YO, (pull through 2 loops on hook) twice. Repeat in same dc, YO and pull through all 3 loops on hook.
• Petal (single crochet, ch 4, treble cluster in next st, ch 4, single crochet in next st)

Gauge: Gauge is not important for this scarf, so it can easily be done in any size yarn with a hook that goes well with that yarn.  My finished scarf had a width of 4.5 in./11 cm and was approximately 5 ft 10 in./178 cm long. 

For base (not edging):

Colors alternate one row of Color A, 3 rows of Color B (except when noted).

There should be 13 dc per row (or 7 dc alternating with 6 ch).

Ch 3 at beginning of row counts as 1 dc.

Pattern:

Row 1:          Ch 16 (with H hook and Color A)

Row 2:          With G hook (from now on) in Color A dc in 5^th st from hook, dc across, in last dc keep 2 loops on hook

Row 3:          In Color B, finish last dc, ch 3, turn, sk st, dc across

Row 4:          Ch 4, turn, sk 2 sts, dc, *ch 1, sk st, dc*

Row 5:          Ch 3, turn, dc in 1^st space, dc across (there should be 2 dc in the ch 4 space), in last dc keep 2 loops on hook

Row 6:          In Color A, finish last dc, ch 3, turn, sk st, dc across, in last dc keep 2 loops on hook

Repeat Rows 3-6 until desired length without edging.  In last row of Color A, don’t keep 2 loops on hook…just dc last st.

For Edging:

There should be 7 petals on each end of the scarf.

  

Edging:

Row 1:             In Color A, sl st in top of last dc (or ch 3 sp), ch 3, *sc in side of next row, ch 3*, sl st in bottom of first dc

Row 2:             Repeat on other side

Row 3:             In Color B, start at second row from end, sc in ch 3 space, ch 3, sc in next ch 3 space, ch 4, treble cluster in first st of end row, ch 4, sc in next st, petal across, last petal should end with sc in side of the top row

Row 4:             In Color B, *ch 3, sc in next ch 3 space*

Row 5:             Repeat (Row 3)

Row 6:             Repeat (Row 4),  Sl st in first sc of (3)

Row 7:             Finish off and weave in all ends

Weekend Before Finals

The last week of classes are over and the only 'finals' I have are presentations for my research topics.  That basically means that this next week I will be doing a lot of crocheting and researching various ceramics artists.  This next week will also be my last week of work at the BCM.  Sad day.  I rather like being a secretary, but it is time to move to the next stage in my life.  Hopefully I can get a job at Hobby Lobby (or maybe some related store near to where we are moving).  I would love to work at a local yarn store, but I know I am not experienced enough with knitting and do not have connections...yet.  But Hobby Lobby would be good, because I love their brand of yarn and convince people to get it all the time.  Plus I've helped many people find what they need in Hobby Lobby stores, almost as much as the people who officially work there. *wink*  And I wouldn't have to worry about working on Sundays, because Hobby Lobby is closed for religious reasons!  I would get to go to church every week!  Perfect!

Anyway, I finished the April CAL hat and have finished another doily in my "Doily Challenge".  Below are the pictures.

Doily #5.  I know I said I wasn't going to photograph it until blocking, but I was able to stretch it into shape by hand.

Doily #6

I have two more of the doilies finished and I'm about halfway done with #9, but I don't have pictures taken of those yet.  Maybe when I finish 9 and 10 I will post pictures of the newest ones.  I did get my Indiana Memory scarf pattern tested, so soon I should have that available for you guys on here.  I know I don't have a lot of readers on here, but I'm hoping that will change when I get a couple of patterns posted.  I now have one follower!  Exciting day.  Here's to more followers in the future:

Cheers!

CAL

This past 24 hours have been crazy.  I officially hate my Children's Literature professor, but I'm done with all of the work for her class now so I don't really have to deal with her ignorance anymore.  Hooray! More time for yarn! I joined a new group on Ravelry this afternoon called "Hat of the Month" where we do crochet-alongs (or knit-alongs for those needle people).  They abbreviate it CAL, which just reminds me of "Silence In The Library" which is sad because we just finished watching through Doctor Who with the roommate.  (We have watched through it several times, but we had introduced him to it and he and the husband watched all of the episodes together...I sometimes tagged along.)  In any case, I started my first CAL on this pattern. I like it so far, and just happened to have the yarn listed in the pattern in my stash from Phil's scarf.  Score!  Oh, by the way, I made a belt yesterday.  My pants were falling down, so I made up a belt while sitting in the fibers studio.  It needs some tweaking before it will be considered a good pattern, but it served its purpose yesterday.  :)
Here's a picture:

Impromptu Belt

Those last two pictures are dreadful...but my camera doesn't like indoor night photographs. 

So, that's about it.  The Pippin is leaving with the mother-in-law this weekend.  We need her to get used to her new roommate, Whiskers, and it will help not to have her under our feet when we pack everything up for the move back to middle TN.  I'm really going to miss her during the last week of classes and finals, but I'll use that sadness to propel myself into new crochet projects.  Right now she is trying to help the husband play LOTRO.  She likes pressing the buttons for him.  

I swear if she had thumbs she would be a computer guru.  :P

Until next time,

Andromeda