Google

Autumn Cables Carpet Bag


Can I start by saying how much I love this bag? I've been using it ever since I finished it - and I could hardly wait to finish!

The pattern is Autumn Cables Carpet Bag, from Lullabies and Lace. I was given the pattern as a Christmas gift from a fellow Crochetviller. I can tell you that this pattern will get lots of use. The pattern name and the purse make me think of Anne of Green Gables, who arrived in Avonlea clutching a carpet bag containing all of her worldly possessions. As every woman knows, that's what it feels like we carry around with us!

I used 9" round handles from Joann Fabric, and two balls each of flecked cream and gray Wool-Ease yarn. (Each side took about one ball of yarn, and the lining and pocket that I added was about two balls) Without giving away the pattern secrets, the purse is worked by two sides stitched together and then a lining is crocheted in. I added a pocket while I was stitching in the lining, and I do love that, too.

Each side took me just one evening, but the lining is quite dense (as a good lining is) and took a few days of sporadic stitching. I really should have been working on Christmas presents, though!

I kick myself a little for not picking bolder colors, but the gray peeping out through the mesh of the cream picks up the flecks in the outside color, and it really will last for years and goes with everything. And it holds everything, too!

Labels: , , ,

posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 22, 2006 @ 12:31 AM

3 comments

Holiday RAOK Elves have been here

The ornament exchange isn't the only thing that's been keeping my postman busy this past week; C'ville Holiday RAoK elves are an active bunch, and some of there work ended up in my possession (lucky me! thankful me!)

What have the elves been putting in my shoes (wait, wrong elves)?

  • The Crochet Dude's pattern Allison: A Purse to Crochet
  • Some animal stickers for my daughter
  • A festive Christmas card and a pack of Santa notecards (oh, that doesn't sound as cute as they are - they're mostly white with holly and scrolling at top and bottom, with Santa standing cheerfully in the middle)(just trust me, they are great!).
  • Lullabies & Lace's pattern Autumn Cables Carpetbag (if you haven't seen this pattern and the previous, check them out - the whole site for each, since they're both great!)
  • A big ball of Christmas colored thread - Red White and Green - plus some hooks for our crochet ministry at church
  • More stickers for my daughter! (she really loves stickers; they will all be used, loved, and restuck more than any glue should really be able to do)
Thank you, Elves, and have yourselves a very Crochet Christmas!!

Labels: , ,

posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, December 06, 2006 @ 11:13 PM

0 comments

Crochetville Ornament Exchange




Do I have great swap partners, or what? Let me tell you what you are looking at in the slideshow above (although I have to say, my pictures aren't the best - it's always tough to capture the true beauty of items, but these are especially subpar pictures; I apologize):
  • My swap package from Jimmie Lu included the beautiful hand-stamped tree card, which accompanied a wonderfully soft and beautiful plush stocking with white eyelash cuff. The stocking ornament was stuffed with a bag of beaded stitch markers!
  • The box from Melissa (tezcatlipoca98) was nicely padded with bubble wrap (which my husband took as a present for himself). The contents were worth protecting! I am in awe of the thread angel with jingle bell - not only are the stitches beautiful, but the stiffening has me baffled and impressed. But the box did not end there... there were three snowflake ornaments, two with beads and all with optional suction cups. As you can see, we chose to put the beaded flakes on the window, but you can't see how great they show up at night when the soft glow (yes, that's sarcasm) from our neighbors menagerie of lit and inflated winter creatures comes through the window. Plus chocolates (not pictured; eaten)
  • Last but certainly not least was the package from beth_eathorne . A friendly stuffed snowman was the first out of the box. It's been hard to keep him on the tree; certain 2-year-olds seem to find him friendly, as well. But wait, there's more: a fan bookmark and two other ornaments that were amazingly beautiful (but I blush to admit my ignorance - I didn't realize they were thimble holders until I read Yelutci's post).
Thank you to my swap partners - the ornaments are so happy on my trees, and I look forward to putting them out for years to come!

Labels: , ,

posted by Anonymous on @ 10:53 PM

0 comments

Someone in Michigan love me

I got a great surprise in my mailbox! Mary Card's Crochet Book Number 1. I hadn't heard of this book before, but it is fascinating. I not only read through the book, I looked online for more information.

Mary Card was an Australian lace designer of the early 20th century. The crochet is done on, in, and around linen, to create more than just insertions and edgings, but a melding of cloth and lace that flows beautifully and looks amazing. With Australian crochet terms and some new (to me!) techniques, this will be a new challenge that I am eager to undertake!

Here are some links that you might find as interesting as I did:

Thank you, F.G.!*

*An F. G. is a Fairy Godmother from Crochetville who has performed a Random Act of Kindness (RAOK).

Labels: , ,

posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 03, 2006 @ 4:51 PM

0 comments

Doily Swap Received!


This is the absolute stunning doily I received from Lavelle26 (aka Anna) in the Crochetville Doily Swap. This picture does absolutely no justice to the gorgeousness that is this doily. You can tell it is a beautiful doily. But what you can't see is each of the intricate details - spiraling center, crossing arches, and spiral spans. You can't feel how softly it drapes and the body it has. You can't tell how perfect the color is or how the thread's sheen catches the light just so.

This was my first exposure to a Patricia Kristofferson doily design. I now own two of her books! I was enjoying making doilies, but now I am hooked (no pun intended)(but now that I note it, yes, pun intended).

Let me tell you a little about how special this doily is: First, Anna interviewed me, because she wanted to make sure she picked a doily that would go so well with my house I couldn't help but display it. She looked through pattern books and says this one said "Make me for Katherine! I'm the doily for her!" (very smart doily pattern, that one). Then, she crafted the most exquisite doily I have ever seen. It is in my living room, and sometimes, when I'm walking into the room unprepared, it catches me again with it's startling beauty and I have to take it all in again.

Also, Anna was just a pleasure to exchange emails. Hooray for swaps, Crochetville, and new friends.

And here is a plug for Anna's site (so you can see what awesome work she does - Lullabies & Lace

Thank you, Lavelle26 (Anna)!!!

Labels: , ,

posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 06, 2006 @ 12:26 AM

2 comments

SWAPS


I'm so excited to be starting my second Crochetville swap! A "Doily Swap"!

Ijust finished my first doily - it is about 20" and done in ecru DMC Baroque. I need to block it and then get some pictures up.

I also have the items from the Accessory Swap to take pictures of (besides the bracelet below).

The best part about crocheting might just be sharing it with people who truly appreciat it. And who appreciates it more than fellow crocheters?

Labels: ,

posted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 09, 2006 @ 11:21 PM

1 comments

Crochet Along!

63
I'm so excited to join the 63 Squares Crochet Along at Crochetville (well, I havne't officially joined, as that page is down temporarily). Other people working on the same afghan I am, but they will all look so different (and many have already finished, with stunning results).

Labels:

posted by Anonymous on Thursday, May 25, 2006 @ 11:15 PM

0 comments