Will I Make It?

Well here it is 8 days before the big party and the picture above shows how much I've done on the not so black, "little black dress". Do you think I can crochet another 20 inches before next Saturday? Do you think I'll have enough yarn?

I made the mistake I have told myself never to do. Start a big project without having enough yarn to complete the project. The search continues. Hopefully the dress will look as good on me as it does laying flat so far.

So I apologize for not getting the new patterns designed and on the website. There's just not enough time in the day to do it all, when working on a deadline to complete a project. I think I'll have a few sleepless nights getting this dress done. Me and my great ideas to crochet my wardrobe for the evening. Oh well. It will or it won't get done. Heaven knows I have enough dresses in my closet to wear if I don't get this one finished.

And with that, I'm off to crochet away....

Crochet Do Dads

Live on GettingLoopy.com

Well what an exciting week this has been. After sending out my monthly newsletter last week, I received an email from Mary Beth Temple of www.gettingloopy.com asking if I would like to be on her radio show Monday night. I was thrilled. I wasn't sure if I could talk for 45 minutes about crocheting, but it turns out it was pretty easy. Coupled with the people chatting on-line during the broadcast, I found it quite fascinating. The broadcast, I hope is posted in the sidebar of this blog. If not it is available on my website.

Barring that, it's also been a frustrating week. How many times have you been without a crochet project, started one with yarn you had on hand figuring you'll pick more up the next time your out - only to find out, you can't find the yarn anywhere? Well I normally make it a rule not to do this. Guess what? I did it. Now, I've got the bottom 12 inches of "my little black dress" crocheted and can't find more black yarn. I need that dress for the 24th of this month for a big event I'm attending. I have searched store after store. I can find the same yarn in every colour but black. My little black dress might just end up a little black and red dress. What do you think?

Above is one of my latest projects. A centrepiece that holds a plant. What can I say? I was between projects and just started crocheting with scrap yarn. The centrepiece is what it ended up. I had no idea what it would be when I started. I was just crocheting in circles and ruffles. It is unique, if I do say so myself.

In the meantime, while I'm searching for the black yarn. I've started yet another saddle blanket to be felted. It's done in shells and should be quite interesting once complete. Hopefully I find that black yarn soon. Time is running out until the 24th. I crochet fast, but not that fast, especially given all my other responsibilities here on the farm.

And with that, I'm off for another week to see what I can finish before next week's blog.

Happy New Year!

Well here it is 2009 already. I've had a busy month crocheting and still a few more projects on the go as well. This month I completed a pommel pad, christmas tree, felted purse, a scarf, a saddle blanket and a decorative planter for a table top. I think the two I'm most proud of are the felted purse and the felted saddle blanket. Felting is new to me. However these projects turned out better than I expected. The purse was designated as a Christmas present, however, I liked it so much, I kept it for myself. The saddle blanket, turned out well. I must remember when working with colours to pull the underlying cord tighter and also work a cord under each stitch regardless of whether the colour is needed for a change or not. This allows the shrinkage process to shrink more evenly. Well - nothing ventured, nothing gained. The saddle blanket was a gift for my son for Christmas - he loved it.

I've also just completed a helmet bag or carry-all depending on what you want to use it for. All done in shells. It's quite nice as well. I seem to be into crocheting shells at the moment. My current project is a dress. This is also new for me. I seldom crochet clothes. This project will really test my creativity, I tell you! The reason for the dress - I have a big event coming up this month and wanted a new dress. Seeing as I absolutely detest shopping for clothes, I thought I'd crochet it. If it turns out - great. I'll have my dress. If it doesn't - I guess I'll be shopping. Again, done in shells, so far so good on this project. My biggest dilemna is strapless, spaghetti straps, tanks style or capped or long sleeves. So many choices. I guess you'll find out my choice when you see the finished project.

This is an exciting year for me and Crochet Do Dads. I hope to brake 50 patterns this year. Currently I'm at 34. Plus two of my patterns are being published in a book due to be released this spring or summer. And, my patterns are now being sold in a few yarn stores. I hope to make it more soon. So tell your friends and send them to www.crochetdodads.com. And please, let me know if you're looking for a specific pattern. I like designing patterns that people have specifically requested. Although there are a ton of patterns out there, there is always something that hasn't been done yet.

Over the holidays I picked up my boxes of patterns I've collected over the years - they were in storage. I had quite a bit of fun going through the patterns - recalling the one's I've made, laughing at how ridiculous some of the patterns are - and how ugly too! It's amazing how ugly crocheting can be sometimes. People pick the weirdest colour combinations. But, yet most patterns are quite beautiful. I have patterns that were my grandmother's and great-grandmothers. I found it quite interesting to see some of the antique patterns and realized they're back in style again. Or how people have adapted some of the traditional patterns for other uses in today's world.

I even found a pattern that was sent to my great-grandmother's cousin in Michigan from the original pattern company. The pattern was still in the original envelope. Can you believe the postage on the envelope was only 1 cent. The paper is so brittle, handling it is a delicate matter. One day, I'll catalogue all my patterns. And one day, I'll attempt the tatting patterns too! They intrigue me. I jusn't haven't got the nerve to try them yet.

Well I think I've run on for long enough now. So crochet away and keep in touch. Don't forget you can find our fan page or group page on facebook under Crochet Do Dads or you can find me personally by searching Saturn Stables.