Handmade CJ Gifts

CJ is one super lucky girl. She received tons of handmade gifts. Each one was so sweet of the crafter to think of us and spend the time making them. A lot of them are from fellow crochet designers, which really touches me since I know how little time they have to crochet. And the ones from family are especially touching, in the knowledge that we are all connected through our crafty ways. I hope they inspire you in your next gift. (If you really like one of the ones from the designers, I would get in touch with them to see if they have the pattern. I am not sure if they do or not, but it wouldn't hurt to ask them)

Granny Square Cardi from Diane Moyer- very clever construction. Basically it is two panels of granny squares.



Bobble Cardigan and Hat from Margaret Hubert- I love this stitch pattern. I used it recently in a beret. Its like an extended extended extened single crochet stitch. So the fabric is very thin for a bobble, very cool. I think the size is about 12mths, and I can't wait till CJ can fit in it.





Bouncy Ball from Ellen Gormley- The stitch details are quite fantastic, much easier to see in person.




Knit Sweater from Aunt Barbara- so special that my Aunt and I share the obsession with yarn. I'm guessing the size is about 24mths. The little ribbon and button details are so cute.








Quilt from Cousin Kathy- The stitching is so intricate, I am so impressed. My quilts never look like this.





Lime Blanket from Kim Guzman- This one I am almost positive is the sample from Kim's book Tunisian Baby Blanket. It is incredible. The stitch pattern close to looking like a weave. We snuggle under it quite often.

Mommy Crochet Life

In my 4 short weeks of being a new mommy, I have quickly learned that doing anything with two hands is a total luxury.

So here's my short list of what I now can do one handed (while holding a sleeping CJ in the other):

-wind a hank of yarn- of course with a swift and ball winder while sitting down and CJ over my shoulder.
-drawing crochet schematics- with a portable mouse when little miss is nursing
- typing- leaning back with pumpkin sleeping on me

I still haven't figured out how to nurse and crochet yet. But everyone has to have a goal right?

We're doing really well over here, esp compared to all our challenges. Well, my challenges. For the first 2 weeks I was dealing with complications from the surgery. Following week, CJ didn't sleep while we tried to figure out what in my limited diet was upsetting peanut. And this week I got sick with a fever and chills while solo parenting. But even with that rocky road, we are happy and getting healthy over here. We have received some wonderful gifts that I can't wait to show off.

Hope you all have been having a crafty fall!

Crochet Today Alternatives

My designs in the latest Crochet Today all have alternatives that you can try to expand the patterns.



Like for instance, the cowl can easily be extended for a wrapping shawl for a different wintry look. Honestly the only difference is the length, you just keep crocheting till it fits around your shoulders.



Also the booties are easily changed from straps to shoestrings with just a few different steps at the end. Here's a picture of the straps and of the shoestrings.

To make the shoestring option, follow the pattern as written to Rnd 8 of the booty.

Rnd 8 Join CC 4 hdc back from last hdc with sl st, ch 1, sc in same hdc, sc in next 14 (16, 18) hdc, 4 ch, sc in next 3 hdc, sc2tog over next 2 hdc twice, sc in next 2 hdc, sc2tog over next 2 hdc twice, sc in next 3 hdc, 4 ch, sc in ea hdc to end, sl st to first sc, do not turn. (30, 32, 34 sc)

To make the shoestrings:
Ch 20 with CC, hdc in 3^rd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, sl st in ea ch to end, join to boot 2 sc from ch-4 sp with sc, sc2tog over next 2 sc on boot 3 times, sc in next sc, ch 20, hdc in 3^rd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, sl st in ea ch to end, fasten off, weave in ends.

Of course, you can also change the candyland sweater into a more lacy design just by using a solid fiber instead of the boucle that is in the pattern. Just look at CJ's sweater to see what the stitch pattern looks like in your basic merino wool.

And that's it. Hope you enjoy the options on the projects!

Candyland Sweater

Candyland Sweater
Originally uploaded by rchach

As promised, here's the sweater that I based CJ's sweater on.

You can get a copy in the Holiday issue of Crochet Today.