Day: 25 July 2007

books, children's clothing, craft, craft magazines, crochet, embroidery, miscellaneous, musings, planned projects, sewing

What I’ve been reading

While many of you have been reading Harry Potter, I’ve been browsing these books and magazines over the past week or so.

I wonder how many of the projects within them are likely to come to fruition?  “Designer Smocking” has the most adorable children’s clothing – but I’ve never done any smocking!  I figure that since I can embroider (although I don’t do it often) I should be able to smock.  We’ll see!  I still have two unfinished embroidery projects from “Inspirations” sitting upstairs waiting to be completed – one started while Clare was still a baby – if I don’t get a move on soon Stella won’t fit into it either!

“The A-Z of Crochet” is an excellent crochet resource.  I am certain that it is going to be well used over the years.

And I love “Threads” and “Australian Stitches”!  I subscribe to both, and find that they often have excellent advice, tips and hints that assist in the quality of my sewn projects.

I’m enjoying browsing through these, although I’d love to be reading Harry Potter . . . but that would require extended periods of time and concentration . . . not likely to be found in this household at the moment . . .

by thornberry
craft, crochet

Zig-zag scarf

The scarf is finished!

I really enjoyed crocheting this one.  The pattern can be found here – it is for a matching hat, mittens and scarf set – I just did the scarf.  It’s in Cleckheaton Vintage Hues again, and matches my beanie.  I crocheted a flower brooch to hold it closed – it’s from the same pattern as the one on the beanie.  Little Miss Meshell, I expect to see a similar scarf on your blog soon!

It’s not a very long scarf, and is fairly thick, probably due to the yarn substitution and because it’s all done in single crochet.  Nice and warm!  The fringing is done with rows of chain.  I rather like the effect!

I suppose that this is really a practice for making a ripple blanket!  Although I wouldn’t make a blanket so thick – I’ll probably use a pattern with treble stitches, and maybe a bit more wavy than zig-zaggy.  Time to start browsing ripple blanket patterns – although first I have to finish off the pram rug and the larger than life bag.

Why is it that it’s so easy to start new projects, and so hard to do the finishing touches to existing ones?

by thornberry