Recreating a...Classic?

I have a very interesting and fun challenge ahead of me. My friend's grandmother crocheted a blanket a long time ago, most likely in the 70's when these colors were still used together. Her sister loves this blanket and keeps it with her wherever she goes. Unfortunately, it's showing the signs of being well loved and is a little worn.


See how loved it is? So my friend asked me to recreate this blanket. I even decided to make a "travel" sized blankie so the whole thing doesn't have to be packed in a suitase.


Looks pretty good, huh? Pretty close to the original. I've started the full-sized blanket and it's going to take some time to make a lot of progress. The color bands are really wide but it's very fun to see it grow. I wish I could be a fly on the wall at Christmas when this package is opened!

It Couldn't Last

OK, you knew it wasn't going to last, right? I fell off the yarn wagon just a little bit. But it's OK, it's really OK. It's perfectly reasonable and justifiable. And I'm hopping right back on now that I got that out of my system. I had lunch with a friend a few days ago and she's going to have a baby and I promised her a long time ago that I would make a blanket for her baby and, well, they just found out it's a girl. This...


is for the princesa. It was NECESSARY for me to buy this yarn. It's OK to fall off the wagon if you're fulfilling a promise to a friend, right?

And look what I saw today when I was getting yarn...


It's a pigeon-toed chicken. Anyone else find that funny? No, just me?

I'm back!

I'm back home in Florida and it's very good to be home although I wish I could have had another day or two at home in Indiana. It was difficult getting back into the swing of things at work this week. I joked with a friend that I felt like I left my brain in Indiana...it doesn't have the same sentiment as leaving your heart in San Francisco but it's every bit as detrimental to your well-being. Although, a piece of my heart is always left there as well. Isn't that how it goes though? It would always be nice to have "just one more day" before going back to work.

As I mentioned before, it took me FOREVER to figure out what projects I wanted to take with me. This was my suitcase at one point...


I just dumped all the potential project yarn in and weeded it out from there. I ended up with two scarf projects, a shawl and a neck scarf and I actually worked on all four projects!! I hate to think about the amount of yarn I'll be "forced" to pack next time. HA!

The first scarf project I completed. It was a very fun pattern. I used Vanna's Choice yarn, which is a worsted weight yarn that is soooo soft to the touch. It might be a new favorite to use on projects like this. It works up so fast and so beautifully.


I love this dusty purple color.

The other scarf project is still a work in progress. I've been wanting to make the tube scarf that's in my Etsy shop again and "accidentally" ended up with yarn for three different ones. For some reason, this particular scarf begs to be made in the brightest colors I can find! I've started it with turquoise...


and it will be edged with lime green. I probably wouldn't have picked these colors out on my own even though I do love to play with color. My godson was playing with a toy the other day that had those colors in it and I thought of the tube scarf and had to give it a try. I'll post pictures once the green is on and you can tell me what you think!

The neck scarf is made with Vanna's Choice also and it worked up SO FAST! I couldn't believe how fast and easy the pattern was. It just needs a flower on the front and then I'll attach a button on the back so it can be fastened loosely.


My last project is my favorite right now. The pattern is so pretty and intricate looking when it's actually surprisingly easy to work up. Once again, I went with Vanna's Choice yarn. This will eventually be a shawl and the color is a pretty dusty green.


This is probably what I'll be working on the rest of the afternoon. I go back and forth between this and the turquoise scarf but I love to see progress on this.

I've decided to put myself on a yarn diet until some of these projects get worked up. There are so many different things I want to try and I'm finding new patterns all the time and then I go out and buy yarn for them and, honestly, what crocheter/knitter can actually say that their stash is "in hand" but mine is seriously getting beyond out of hand. I love it though. hehe It's so amazing having a variety of colors and projects to work on. But the yarn diet goes into effect immediately. I'll let you know how long it lasts.

HOME!!

I'm in Indiana right now and really enjoying being home with the fam and feeling sooooo much better. This will be short since my sister just got here. Also, I forgot my camera cord so I can't attach pictures. You'll just have to check back to see what I decided to bring with me!!

It took me about two minutes to pack my clothes and then I sat on the floor in my room with patterns and yarn spread all over the place. It was rather ridiculous and I feel a little silly saying that I brought yarn for four different projects. Not the entire amount needed for each project, just enough to have lots of things started.

So, I will leave you in a little bit of suspense as to what pictures you will see when I return to Orlando. I'll give you a hint...one project is neon and the others are more earthy tones. A very fun variety.