The Lil Hat Shack

Two books and a block......

How about a couple mini book reviews.  I was lucky to come home at lunch today and find my latest Amazon order at the front door.  It was two books by the oh so fantastic....Susan Cropper...Vinatage Crochet and Pretty Knits.

Vintage Crochet was a book that as soon as I saw the cover and the title, I had to have and just flipping through the first couple pages - I was hooked.

My favs from the home accessories section.... 'popcorn-stitch cushion, lovely picot star tablecloth and of course the twinkle lampshade.  I adore this book because of its simplicity, it takes you back to your Grandma's back porch with a glass of sweet tea. 

From the apparel section - the Lula scarf and cloche and absolutely the first pattern i'll try is the French Girl's 'Betty' shrug. 

She also has a pattern for a crocheted hangers with dangling flowers....very charming!  Out of all the patterns in this great book, there were only two that didn't appeal to me.  One of the most interesting details, aside from the photography, is the fact that most patterns aren't your typical rows of single and double crochet.  There is a wide variation of novelty stitches....popcorn, bobbles, puff-stitch, etc.   With all the illustrations at the back, even the novice crocheter shouldn't be intimidated by the patterns.

Before Christmas I couldn't wait to get my hands on the new hip crochet book 'Crochet Me'
- mainly because of Amy Oneill Houck's   'Baby Doll Dress'.   Imagine my surprise when there was also a pattern from Donna Hulka too - a circle rug and its fantastic.  There are a few additional patterns that I liked, Annette Petavy's sweater (love all her stuff!), Mesmerize sweater by Kristin Omdahl is unbelievable and bless you for adding the underarm gussets!  I have to say the front cover was very impressive.  I love the creativity in the design of that Victorian Wrap by Robyn Chachula with the button up front flap - ingenious!  The illustrations and color combos are fantastic throughout the book and enjoyed very much the Designer Profiles attached to the patterns.

Finally finished my Lace Wrap from Louisa Harding's 'Gathering Roses' book and am officially blocking it for a few days.  Here's the blocked wonder...any suggestions out there on blocking ribbon yarn?  would love to hear them....steam block, water block, wishful thinking block - you name it - i'm willing to try it. 

Goodnight Crocheters, Knitters and other crafters - take care!

 

 

Two thousand miles and one left turn......

listening to:  Sugarland -  'Baby Girl'

And there are fancy cars and diamond rings,
But you know that they don't mean a thing,
They all add up to nothin' compared to you.

Hello New Year.  Hello 2008.

Its been a busy New Years Day - had the beans in the crockpot (pinto - no black eyed peas) and a Law & Order marathon on for a little while - got lots of knitting done this weekend and New Years Day.  I finished the fidget from one sheep hill.  What a fast little knit this was.  I loved working on it - I used Lorna's Laces shepherd bulky in color gold hill.  I changed the pattern just a tic on the end and added a little picot edging on the end.  Really happy with the twisted moss stitch pattern and its oh so forgiving - when I forgot which row I was on and just winged it. 

I also am working on some other knits - here's the Chevron Scarf from Last Minute Gifts....and this scarf would never be 'a last minute gift' as its knit on size 3 circs...and also at a turtles pace.  I bought this little hand-dyed cotton yarn in McKinney and was going to use it for socks - but I have yet to try socks.

Also working on another scarf from Louisa Harding's book Gathering roses - this is the wide lace scarf made in Caron Pizazz - about 10 skeins that I found at Michaels for $1.00 each - great find.  I have about a skein and a half to go - then blocking and finished.

I'll post a blocking pic of this hopefully by the end of the week so the lace pattern comes through - its really a great pattern and a wonderful book.  While I was Michaels I had a few coupons to use for after Christmas and opted to pass on the red and green decor and go for some crochet and knitting accessories - here's some great bags that I picked up and I dig the color combinations too - they are by 'knitpickers' and they were very reasonable.

FInally I wanted to show off this adorable ornament my sis Lisa got for me - its one of my favorite gifts - i'm keeping it out year round!  His little tag says 'knotty or nice?' - very cute - he's got lots of knit to work on too!

I've got crochet in the works too - but i'll post about that in the next few days or so.  Just wanted to get a New Years Post out there.  I don't plan on making any real resolutions this year - just maybe be a better person, daughter, sister, aunt and friend.  Also stop gambling at work (yikes - new Survivor is coming up) and be more tolerant of foreigners.....or should I just say folks that are different from me.  Especially on the road. 

Looking back on the past year, I will say that I learned alot about myself and others.  I found out that you can't change people - no matter how long you've known them.  I also learned more about loss this year than I have in my whole lifetime.  I learned that turning 40 isn't the end of the world....just the end of your thirties. 

Here's to your New Year - hope, health and happiness to all of you!  God Bless!