Washcloths Galore!

Another post after a period of silence. I have approximately 14 days and 2 hours before my semester is over. Hallelujah! I have so much to do these next couple weeks, but I am trying to relax and not become overwhelmed. I've scheduled my week so I force myself to do a little a day - I will be all caught up in no time. I even got groceries tonight so I have some fresh food (if only I had more time to cook!).

I haven't been crocheting much, but I did do some easy dishcloths (or washcloths, whatever they will be used for). I needed something mindless and repetitive and I wanted to use up some of the extra yarn I've accumulated. The pattern is the Sandy Shore Washcloth Set from Lion Brand and it includes 4 extremely simple patterns. I'm really happy with the way these turned out.

This is some yarn I picked up over Christmas break at the GoodWill called Flutter. It was super cheap and the colors are quite lovely (my favorites). It's thin, about as thin as Knit Cro-Sheen. I really want to make something pretty with it, I just don't know what yet.

I plan on starting more projects after I graduate. The next couple weeks are going to be insane, but they will be over before I know it. A little over two months remain until I am a college graduate! Can't wait.

Finished Doily!

So, I finished my doily. The pattern was 22 rounds, and I ran out of yarn and decided to finish it off after round 20. I contemplated doing the rest in white to give it a cute little border, but for now I think I am going to leave it how it is. I can always add to it later.

It still needs to be starched, but that will be done some other time. It was made using a knock-off of Knit Cro Sheen, a 0 hook, and a pattern from an old crochet magazine (gotta love the Goodwill!).

Today was the first time in a while I have spent much all day in my apartment (besides a short break to the gym). It was rather gloomy out and a great day to sit in and craft. Tomorrow I really need to got more homework done, as today was spent crocheting, watching Netflix, cooking, working out, and not really paying attention to college priorities.

The rough draft of my thesis is due Monday, and I really need to get that together. I plan on going out tomorrow to work on it. It drives me a little crazy just sitting in the same place all day. I definitely appreciate a change in scenery.

I wish I had more time to crochet, but I am trying to fit it in where I can. My classes will be done in a little over a month (thank goodness!) and I will hopefully have more time to read for pleasure and craft. I did finish something else today - a gift for a friend - but I will post that later on. I'm working on Darth Vader and other Star Wars figures as well.

The temperatures have dropped - it's been so hot lately. I'm not a big fan of mid- to high-80s temperatures, but I love upper 60s and 70s. We've definitely been spoiled here this winter/spring, so I can't complain too much.

It's Been a While...

It's been a looooong while (longer than I anticipated, anyway). Classes, work, homework, exams, and spring break have kept me away from crochet and this blog for too long. I also joined a gym, and that's been eating up lots of time and energy. I graduate in a little over 3 months and there's lots to do before then.

I wanted to get back into the swing of updating, however. I've missed crochet so much. I have some projects I'm currently working on and some other things in store.

I made another R2, this time for one of the guys I work with (he was the one I made the previous Yoda for). I'm slowly making him the entire set. He is passionate about photography and plans on taking some pretty splendid photos of them when he gets his new camera (and, of course, when I get him the rest).

I also started a doily. I am using Knit Cro-Sheen (well, not EXACTLY that brand, but basically the same weight) and a bigger hook than it calls for, but I wanted it to turn out bigger. The yarn is a pretty light peach/pink color and I like how it's turning out so far. I've never followed a pattern like this, but it's easier than I thought. It's explained for the first part and the rest is symbolic, as shown:

That is going to be my constant work in progress. I love working on doilies partly because I feel so accomplished once they're finished. It will be another item to add to my craft fair bag. 

My overall project has been trying to use up a lot of the yarn I've accumulated (I don't have room for much more!). It's funny though, because so many times I go to start something specific I find I need yarn I don't have. Someday I will have my craft room and yarn wall!

Tonight I am going to start a Darth Vader and watch the MSU basketball game. Go Green!

Urban Jungle Hat

I started this hat a few weeks ago and just got around to finishing it this past week. It's called the Urban Jungle hat, and I found it on the CARON website (pattern is here).

It was an easy pattern to follow. The finishing was a little tricky, but by attempting to follow the pattern, eyeballing it, and making a bunch of scs it ended up looking pretty good. I used the heather grey simply soft yarn and I do recommend sticking with that yarn for the hat. The finished product looks pretty tall as you can see below, but it slouches in the back when it's put on.

I apologize for having no pictures of me wearing the hat, but it looks the same as the picture on the page the pattern is located on. I also had quite a long day and am not feeling the most photogenic right now (I know...excuses, excuses). 

The only issue I had was that the band seems a lot looser than the rest of the hat, but I imagine once it's worn that problem will fix itself. Overall it's pretty cute and is pretty versatile and something that could be worn during any season.

Spartan Helmet Hat

I can never get over the cuteness of baby hats! Being a student at Michigan State University (our mascot is a Spartan), this hat was especially relevant to me. From the moment I saw it on Etsy, I knew I had to purchase the pattern and make it. The pattern is so affordable for such a cute item. I am SO happy with how it turned out.

I used chunky yarn for the actual hat and worsted weight for the plume. It turned out fine, but Kat used chunky yarn for the plume. I think the chunky yarn may have stood up better, but it still ended up looking great either way (I would still recommend using chunky yarn for the actual hat, though). The plume did take quite a bit of time to finish and I just eyeballed it until it looked about right.

My mom gave the hat to a lady she works with for her grandson (she is a big Spartan fan). Look at how cute he is!

I look forward to making more of these hats. I still have some Star Wars figures to make - 2 exams this week and hopefully after my life will be a little less busy. I am almost done with another hat I started a while ago - I'll post it soon!

Small Update

I've been really busy lately...so much going on. Organization, classes, homework, upcoming exams, etc. My mom came into town last night so we could spend time together. We went to Cracker Barrel and Goodwill and did laundry. It was a lot of fun and it always cheers me up to see her. She took a few of the hats I have made because some ladies she works with were interested in them.

I do have a hat I recently made that I need to post, but I am going to do that later in the week. I also am working on R2 - I've just been slacking in the crochet department and get it together.

To make this a worthwhile post, I do have another Yoda picture that Jerod took. It is super awesome and I wanted to share.

Although I am not a fan of the new Star Wars movies (except maybe the third one), The Phantom Menace in 3D is coming out on Friday and I have plans to go see it sometime soon. It should be a good time. I don't even remember the last 3D movie I saw...I think it may have been My Bloody Valentine. Longgg time ago.

Anyway, I will update with more creations soon. There are just never enough hours in the day!

"Sweet November" Scarf

My mom actually found this pattern, and she sent it to me in case I wanted to make one. Having a number of skeins of Simply Soft yarn, I decided to give it a go. I love scarves and wanted to see how it would turn out.

The pattern was easy to follow and very repetitive. Once you get the basic idea for how to create rows, you can finish it without really thinking about it or looking at the pattern (just be sure to count the rows!). I spent a great deal of time on Sunday watching Erin Brockovich and finishing it.

I am pleased with the way it turned out...it did take more than one skein of yarn, but just a tad more. I made the entire scarf and most of the fringe with one skein, I just needed a little extra to finish the fringe.

(PS I had to show off my new Sinful Colors Polish - the best polish brand ever! The color is "Hazard" and it's a nice peachy orange. You can find the polish at Meijer/most drug stores for $2.00 a bottle and it lasts forever without chipping. I don't even do a clear base/top coat and it still stays nice for at least a week. I may blog about it later on.)

My mom tried the pattern as well and it did not turn out as long as she had hoped on the sides. She is going to remake it using a larger needle, which is a possibility. You can also simply add more rows to reach the desired horizontal length. The pattern to that is here.

As a final note, I would not recommend switching out the yarn unless it is very similar. I think the Simply Soft yarn by Caron worked perfectly and it's nice and comfy to wear. Some worsted weight yarns tend to be a little scratchy.

Tomorrow is Friday and I am ready for the weekend! I think I am going to shop the clearance racks at Kohls. On another note, I just downloaded the mobile app for Jo-Ann Fabrics and I really recommend it. It's so nice not to not have to print off coupons! I also heard they take competitor coupons (but don't advertise it). I may be bringing my weekly Hobby Lobby coupons over there from now on.

Hope you all have a great weekend!