Turtleheart Crafts!

I forgot to post about what I made for my husband this year for Yule. I surprised him with his very own Dr. Who scarf.

He’s always been a big fan of Dr. Who, and when I found the pattern online, I just had to make him one. Of course, his is crochet instead of knit, but he’s cool with that. It took some doing to find the right colors and all SEVEN of them, but I was successful in the end. Well, at least I got pretty darn close. I also became an expert at changing colors at the end of a row.

I also was kind enough to NOT make his scarf 14 1/2 feet long– that’s the length of the original one. I figured Firehand would be more apt to wear it if it wasn’t quite so long. I was aiming for about 10 feet long, but ran out of time, so it is actually 8 feet, 6 inches– not including tassel length.

So, 8 ft. 6 in. long, done in single crochet, 40 stitches wide x 519 rows… that’s 20,760 SC, folks! Can you imagine if I’d made the whole thing?

The Tribe & Boudica were finally able to get together to exchange Yule gifts last weekend– on Epiphany, actually. Due to money constraints, we all made homemade gifts for each other this Yule and then bought little stocking stuffer items. The *beautiful* gifts that were made for me are posted at The Cove.

And now, at last, I can post pictures of all the items I have been working on for so long!

First off, I made Morning Monkey a stocking hat. She had said a long time ago that she’d always wanted one. I based mine on this pattern by Janelle Schlossman. Morning Monkey wanted a really long stocking hat, so I increased the number of rows in the pattern to make it as long as possible. Its made with Red Heart SS in Soft Navy and Sh. (shaded?) Dusk. I believe I used a J hook for the whole pattern.

Here is Choco Cat, modeling my creation:

I also made Morning Monkey something else she’s been wanting:

A little garbage bag for her car! She kept mentioning how nice it would be to have a crocheted bag for her car to put garbage in every time she saw me crocheting, so I thought maybe I’d better make her one~ wouldn’t want to disappoint her!

Its made with Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in Grey Heather using an I hook. I used the DC Texture stitch (from Leisure Arts Little Book called “More Crochet Stitches & Easy Projects”) for the front of the bag. The back is done in plain double crochet. I used single crochet to join the sides and edge the whole bag. I am very pleased with how it turned out. In fact, I may have to make myself one.

Next up is Cheeky Monkey’s kitchen set:

She has been needing new towels for the kitchen, so I thought I’d make her a few more kitchen items to go with the towels I got her. All of these items are made with Sugar ‘n Cream cotton yarn. Pattern for the dishcloth is HERE, for the scrubbie HERE and the towel topper HERE.

I also made Cheeky Monkey this halter top to wear:

The pattern came from the Sunset book “Crochet: Techniques & Projects” that I bought online. Its made with Sugar ‘n Cream cotton in ‘Hot Blue’ using a G hook. I did alter the halter pattern a bit; I increased the size, made the ties for it longer, and added loops along the sides so that the ties could be laced through and criss-crossed in back for added support in the bust. It fits her much better than it fits me; as you can see in the photo, I’m not well-endowed enough to fill it out properly.

I already posted the beret and scarf set that I made for Boudica. But here is the other gift I made for her this year:

Glass etched jars for her herbs! This is my very first glass etching project.

I know the names on the jars are a bit hard to read with the glare– they are: chamomile, burdock, lemon balm and nettles. These are Boudica’s favorite herbs for making teas. I thought she might enjoy having labeled jars for her favorites, and etching an elegant and permanent way to do that.

I really had a good time making homemade gifts for my friends this year. At times it was challenging, I admit, but I also learned a lot in the process. I learned how to design my own patterns, learned how to increase patterns and I learned a whole new skill, glass etching. Overall, it was a very satisfying experience to give gifts made with my own hands.

Don’t forget to check out the fabulous homemade gifts I received, over at The Cove.

Presenting a beret and keyhole scarf, graciously modeled by Monsieur Chococat as he enjoys a cup of hot cocoa:

Both are made with Lionbrand Homespun in “Country” using a K hook.

The beret pattern came from the Lionbrand website. The keyhole scarf is the Cozy Neck Wrap pattern from “Beginner’s Guide: Crochet Stitches & Easy Projects” (a Leisure Arts Little Book). It is made using the cluster stitch.

I made them for a friend for Yule; she has beautiful red hair and I think the green will look wonderful on her. Both patterns were quite easy and quick to make. I’m pleased with how they turned out.

… doesn’t mean I haven’t been busy crafting! Here are some crochet projects I’ve completed over the summer:

Lacy Crochet dishcloth in Sugar ‘n Cream cotton. Pattern from Dishcloth Boutique.

Lattice Stitch dishcloth from Dishcloth Boutique and matching scrubbie by Suzetta.

Next up, a baby blanket for Warm the World.

This pattern is Beth’s Little Star Afghan; a very easy pattern that worked up quite fast. I think it turned out just adorable. I may add little tassels on each of the star points. I like it so much, I’m thinking of doing another one in yellows and purples.

And don’t think I’ve been neglecting my thread projects, either. Here’s a project I’m still working on:

These flower motifs are for the border of a placemat I’m making for a tea tray. I still have a few more motifs to make before I join them all together and fill in the middle of the placemat. I had to put this project aside for a while, my mind was beginning to boggle from all the varigated threads!

And there’s more to come, but for now I’m done posting. Check back soon.

I decided to make another square for the C’ville Charity ‘ghan, since they are needing more to complete it.

This is square #23, Slant Stitch. It turned out very nice, an interesting stitch; however, I could not get a picture that shows it off very well.

I’ve been working on all sorts of afghan squares recently.

This first one is for the Crochetville “63 More Squares” charity afghan. Interested members from C’ville were asked to make seven inch squares and send them to Julie Kay along with a postcard from the member’s home state/country. Julie Kay will assemble the squares and then auction off the afghan to raise money for C’ville. I think its a great idea.

I chose my pattern from the original LA’s “63 Easy-to-Crochet Pattern Stitches” book for my contribution. This is square #25 “Aligned Shells.”

I’ve also been working on granny squares for Warm the World. I decided to start with some of the more obnoxious colored yarn that was sent to us. So far, I’ve gotten a dozen squares made. They work up pretty fast.

Its hard to tell from the photo, but the lighter orange yarn has speckles of green and purple in it. The color-combination actually isn’t turning out too bad. Its bright and cheerful, thats for sure.

Also over the weekend, the Monkey Tribe got together to crochet. Junky Monkey and I gave Cheeky Monkey her first lesson. She was a bit frustrated at first, but she picked up on it really fast. She’s practicing single crochets. Yay! Go Cheeky!

What’s funny is that **all 3 of us** are lefties! So we don’t have to worry about doing the opposite while we’re teaching. That makes things much easier.

Can’t wait til we get together again to work on stuff for Warm the World.

Remember the issues I was having with this scarf? I finally found a pattern and stuck with it. It’s finally complete.

A close-up.

While I think it turned out nice, and I love the yarn, I don’t like how difficult it is to see the pattern because of the characteristics of the yarn. But it *is* soft and snuggly, and I think Auntie will like it… So, the question is… now that its so late in the winter, do I still send it to her, or wait until next winter?

Yarn, yarn, YARN!

When I got home last night after celebrating Imbolc at Monkey Mansion, there was a large box on the front steps. And inside was all our yarn from Warm the World for making blankets!

Woo-hoo! I am so thrilled! The whole Tribe is excited. I can’t wait to see what all we create!

When we were back in IA over the holidays, Firehand’s aunt said something about wishing that she could find a longer scarf, because she likes to wear them a certain way that makes it warmer around her neck. She doubles the scarf and then hangs it from her neck, takes the free ends and slips them through the loop created on the other end and pulls it snug.

So when I heard her talking about this, I thought maybe I could make her a nice scarf that would be long enough for her to easily wear it the way she likes. I found some beautiful soft TLC Amore yarn in a color (Lagoon) that I thought would look nice on her and go with her coat.

But I have been having the darnedest time with this project. I just can’t find a pattern or stitch that looks nice with this soft, variegated yarn!

My first attempt:

Too wide, too chunky, too holey. It really needs to be a skinny scarf, I think. Off to search for skinny scarf patterns…

I frogged it and began again with a new pattern. The scarf morphed into this:

Still too wide. Too thick to loop it like Auntie wants to wear it. Too lumpy. Off I went to search for more patterns yet again…

The scarf has morphed yet a third time. Third time is the charm, right?

This project didn’t take long at all! Only a few hours spread over a few days.

And so, for your viewing pleasure may I present– The Clothespin Bag.

This is the first time I’ve crocheted something using two strands held together. Took a bit of getting used to at first, but I really like how sturdy it made the bag.

The pattern called for an “I” hook, but I used a “J” hook cuz I didn’t have the other. I think my bag is a bit smaller, but still plenty of room for more clothespins. I used one (3 oz.) ball + a little more of Lily Sugar ‘n Cream Potpourri, and less than one (4 oz.) ball of Lily Sugar ‘n Cream Ecru.

Thanks to Crochet n’ More for the pattern!