UFO grows up!

UFO grew up and became FUFP yesterday :)

Had pictures taken and stuff.
Original pattern from the book 50 Sensational Crochet Afghans and Throws.
Underwent many changes and the border of course, is my own!
I used aluminum hook I. Not sure what hook Kirtana used.

Sooooo................ my young padawans, what new project is next in line?


Let us see!!

UFO comes out of the closet!!!!

Happy New Year!!

New Year resolution for 2013. Let us see how it goes :)
We went to our new house in Yelagiri. It was quite cool, the floors were cold, prompting me to go and search in my closet to start a new project. This one beckoned me and chided me for not finishing it. Kirtana had finished most of the motifs during her last visit. I have started finishing them and joining them. A border after and TA-DA ufo will be FP  and ready for posting. Sneak-peek for now :)

November Beading Adventures!

Kirtana and I decided to go back to necklacing yesterday. The inspiration just came to both of us on the same day, so we decided not to waste time and got down to it rightaway.
Here are some of our creations:

Sunshiney!

Just realised today that it is not enough to start and finish projects, and even take pictures. One must remember to put them up in the blog :)
My sister asked me casually why I had not done anything since July. Oh Oops! Here it is!!
Of course, after that I have been a bit slack. I could blame it on my health, but the truth would be my new toy, the iPhone and the games it came with :)
Sunshiney was admired by all. I made it with the same polymix crochet thread I picked up in "town".
and the usual US #7 steel hook. The pattern is also the usual, my "as I went along" brainwave.
I'm happy to say my craft group really liked it.
Oh, I can blame them too for my slacking. My sister went to US and came back. Three others have gone to US. My sister-in-law is in Singapore on her way to US.
It's getting close to the music season in Chennai. But maybe that will give me the push I need to make me look busy:)

Diamonds and Roses Shawl!

Did my disappearing act again!. Thankfully, I am back again after a short absence.
Back in good 'ol Chennai, to the heat that melts doorknobs and such. Almost over the jetlag, took advantage of it as long as I could :)
Started and finished this shawl while I was in Denver. I made this with silk yarn, as always from Silkindian. # 2 needles, of course US size. Pattern is from Ravelry - Travelling Roses. I'm very happy with the way it looks and drapes.
My younger daughter claimed it as she saw it first.

Pink Sunshine!

I'm in Seattle for the past week and half. Just relaxing and not doing much craft, when I decided I wanted to see a good friend I hadn't seen in some years. When I mentioned it to my daughter-in-law, she said why don't we invite her to dinner on friday. And to make a long story short, my friend is coming over this evening.
This all started on tuesday. After it was decided I told my elder daughter Kirtana, about it. She said I should make a stole for my friend. I didnt think I could have it ready by friday. Kirtana told me to show her (she is in Canada) whatever yarn I had.
She chose the pattern and a raw silk yarn I got from Silkindian. I started work on tuesday morning, without too much confidence in my ability to finish it by wednesday and block it on thursday to be ready by today.
I'm delighted and dancing with joy at the result. YES!! It is all done and ready for my friend!

Pritty Purple-Plum!

One more scarf I have made from the silk yarn I got from Silkindian last year. I love crocheting and it feels great with this yarn. I made with hook US E/4. As usual, I start with chaining required length and work the pattern as I go along.

Somebody asked me why I dont put the pattern along with my post. I can always give the pattern on request or direct them to where I got it fr

om. Or I can make it on order too :)

Grey Dawn!

Grey Dawn! Can you guess I'm in the mile-high city? Cold misty mornings with the sun trying to shine thru' giving the much needed warmth. The pattern is my own, made with Vardhman rayon thread and crochet hook US#7.

True Blue!

Took me a year to finish it, but.... now it's done and I am really happy with the way it turned out. I needed a little extra to finish up the border. Thankfully, I had some gold yarn, also from Silkindian, which has made it look really glamorous. Somewhat like a pattu sari, midnight blue with twinkling stars and gold border!

Reminds me of the immortal poet Bharathi's "pattu karu neela pudavai padhittha nal vairam, natta nadu nisiyil theriyum nakshathirangaladi!"

Autumn Leaves Shawl!

One more from the past. The pattern is from Ravelry made in very soft acrylic yarn with #5 needles. I like the way it has turned out.

Saigeetha in Amigurumi!

My first and only attempt at amigurumi, so far!

I really enjoyed making it, and would love to make some more. One of these days, I will make more for my wee friends. lol, also for the older friends too, I hear protests in the background!

Plumberry Afghan

I'm here, I'm here!

Been travelling and jetlag is my excuse.

Here is one more project from a couple of years ago. It was a mini-afghan I made in a hurry for a visiting friend.

The yarn is a wool-blend made with I hook. I will try and remember where I got the pattern and add it.

Cellphone Cozies!

Yes, my blackberry is very comfy and cozy in it.

My younger daughter's Iphone is also very happy in it, making it a nice and chic cellphone napping place.

Cute Little Pouches!

My daughter and I made these cute little pouches. Somebody wanted a few for a Marwari wedding ceremony.

We realised there are other uses for these cuties, amulet pouches, for example.

It's a lot of fun making them too :)

Silk Scarf..... in Blue!

Shhhh.... we are not supposed to notice that it looks like blue is my fave color.

The yarn is so soft and lovely, of course, from Silkindian. Pattern is mine, crocheted with E hook(US) 3.50mm.

Lol! My naughty little Winnie thought it was for him, when he heard me saying this is for somebody special! Silly Bear!!

Haruni in Silk!

The pattern is from Ravelry - a knit shawl in #5 needle. The yarn is from Silk Indian. I love working with the silk yarn. I love the name too, which is close to my best friend's name.

My Achievement!

This is a project I worked for some years. Never thought I would ever finish it. It is called "A Gracious Era" by Alan Maley, a counted cross stitch kit from Dimensions Gold Collection.

I had promised to make it for my son when he was in college. Married and with two children and settled in Seattle now, he got it for his birthday last year. It now adorns the wall above his fireplace!

I'm happy to say I have started on my next Gold Collection, hoping I will finish it in less time.

Nostalgia!

I made this vest some years ago, with leftover yarns. I look at it now and each one brings memories of the original projects they were a part of. What happy days!

My older daughter had claimed and I had forgotten about it. One day my aunt asked me if I had a pattern for a vest and I searched for a picture of this one. I realised this was before the days of my owning a digital camera. I asked my daughter for a picture and here it is!

Back To The Present!

Let us come back to 2012 for just a bit. I finished and blocked my version of the Stylish Stole. A bit late, but my first project for this year, started and finished in less than 2 weeks. The crazy quilt we made a few months ago is peeping from under the stole.

Snow in Seattle too!

I made this for my young friend's baby daughter to keep her nice and warm in these snowy blowy days in Seattle.

Little People Stuffs!

Mealtime? Again? The zebra is mom"s helper!

My daughter got an order for baby things for a baby shower. I volunteered to help out by working this pretty little cross-stitch bib.

Small blue and blue!

A small knit scarf this time. made in blue and blue requested by a dear little one.

Silk Dazzles!

My first project with Silk yarn. It's also a back-to-knitting project, so am very proud of it. A triangular shawl, pattern from Ravelry. Took me a while to finish it, but looks beautiful and feels deliciously soft.

Missing Links!

Hmmmm..... I just felt this strange feeling. See, I actually feel my feelings, unlike some people I know:)
I checked the blog and found out my feelings were not lying. It wasn't that I did not craft in the missing years, but I had ignored my finished projects and let them go into the anonymity of my closet.
They decided enough is enough and have claimed their rightful place. I will try and post them all slowly and if at all possible, chronologically.

Stylish Stole!

My daughter starts this year off with this stylish stole she made for a good friend of mine, who is her godmother. I suggested we make a stole and we both started together. Mine is yet to see the end of the tunnel. She whizzed past me and finished, blocked and gave it her godmom too. I'm a little jealous of her and yet mighty proud too.

One of these days, (hopefully soon) mine will see the successful completion too.

Hooray for me!!

I know I promised and sort of broke it. Never really came back. This time around I'm really back. Life has been a whirlpool and I seem to be trying to get out of it, but getting deeper and deeper. But. I'm happy to say I survived to tell the story and it's all happy now.
The project I'm working on now should be done and up here soon.

She Returns!!

I feel the urge to return to blogging. It's been a very very long time and I'm kinda lost now. At least I'm back to my doilying and making baby blankies and stuffs. Let us see where we go from there. I'm also into CM these days, what with my son-in-law being an uber musician. I'm learning a lot about what goes into these concerts, be it listmaking, following certain paddhathis, professional competitiveness and so on.
That's it for now, but I'm here to stay this time around, I promise :)

Shimmering Pineapple Purse

This is a project based on a pattern from Annie's Attic

Materials Required:
Crochet ombre metallic size 10 - 2 balls (500 yds)
size 10 steel hook
Pearls/Beads - 8 + 9 + 90(optional)
1/4 yard fabric
fabric stiffener
needle & thread for pearls

Size - Approximately 8" square

Special Stitches:
Shell: [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] in indicated sp or st
Beg Shell: [ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] in indicated sp or st.
Cl: Holding back on hook last loop of each st, 3 dc in indicated sp or st, yo, draw through all 4 lps on hook
V-st: [dc, ch3, dc] in indicated sp or st
P: Ch 2, sl st in 2nd ch from hook.

Pineapple Square (Make 2):
Row 1: Ch 2, 8 sc in 2nd ch from hook, join in beg sc. (8 sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in same st as joining, ch 2, [sc in next sc, ch 2] rep around, join in beg sc. (8 ch-2 sp)

Row 3: [Sc, 3dc, sc] in each ch02 sp around, do not join (8 petals)

Row 4: Working behind petals of last round, sc in beg sc of row2, ch 3, [sc in next unworked sc of row 2, ch3] rep around, join in beg sc. (8 ch-3 sps)

Row 5: [Sc, 5 dc, sc] in each ch3 sp around, do not join. (8 petals).

Row 6: Working behind petals of last row, sc in beg sc of Row 4, ch 4, [sc in next unworked sc of row 4, ch 4] rep around. join in beg sc. (8 ch-4 sp)

Row 7: Sl st in each of first 2 ch of first ch-4, ch 1, sc in same ch 4 sp, ch 5] rep around, join in beg. sc. (8 ch-5 sp)

Row 8: Sl st in each of first 3 ch of first ch5, beg shell in same ch of last sl st, *ch 2, V-st in center ch of next ch5, ch2**, shell in center, ch of next ch-5, rep from * around ending last rep at **, join in 3rd ch of beg ch-3 (4 shells, 4 V-st)

Row 9: Sl st in each of next 2 dc and in next shell sp, [beg shell, ch 2, 3 dc]] in same sp, *ch 2, 7 dc in next V-st sp, ch 2**, shell, ch 2, 3 dc) in next shell sp, rep from * around, ending last rep t **, join in 3rd ch of beg ch 3.

Row 10: Sl st in each of next 2 dc and in next ch2 sp, beg shell in same sp, *ch 5, shell in next ch2 sp, ch2, sk next ch2 sp, dc in next dc, [ch 1, dc in next dc] 6 times, ch 2, sk next ch2 sp**, shell in next ch2 sp, rep from * around, ending last rep at **. join in 3rd ch of beg ch 3.

Row 11: Sl st in each of next 2 dc and in shell sp, beg shell in same sp, *ch 2, V-st in center ch of next ch5, ch 2, shell in next shell sp, ch 2, sc in next ch01 sp, [ch 3, sc n next ch1 sp] 5 times, ch 2**, shell in next shell sp, rep from * around, ending last rep at **, join in 3rd ch of beg ch3.

Row 12: Sl st in each of next 2 dc and in shell sp, beg shell in same sp, *ch 2, dc in next V-st sp, (p, dc) 4 times in same sp, ch 2, shell in next shell sp, ch 2, [cl in next ch-3 sp, ch 2] 5 times**, shell in next shell sp, rep from * around ending last rep at **, join in 3rd ch of beg ch3.

Row 13: Sl st in each of next 2 dc and in shell sp, beg shell in same sp, *ch 2, sk next ch2 sp, dc in next dc, [ch1, p, ch1, dc in next dc] 4 times, ch 2, shell in next shell sp, ch 2, sk next ch2 sp, sc in next ch2sp, [ch 3, sc in next ch2 sp] 3 times, ch 2**, shell in next shell sp, rep from * around ending last rep at **, join in 3rd ch of beg ch3.

Row 14: Sl st in each of next 2 dc and in shell sp, beg shell in same sp, *ch 2, sk next ch2 sp, dc in next dc, [ch 2, sk next ch2 sp, dc in next dc, [ch 2, p, ch 2, dc in next dc] 4 times, ch 2, shell in next shell sp, ch 2, [cl in next ch3 sp, ch 2] 3 times **, shell in next shell sp, rep from * around, ending last rep at **, join in 3rd ch of beg ch3.

Row 15: Sl st in each of next 2 dc and in shell sp, beg shell in same sp, *ch 2, sk next ch2 sp, dc in next dc, ch 3, p, ch 3, dc in next dc, ch 3, p, ch 3, tr in next dc, [ch 3, p, ch 3, dc in next dc ] twice, ch 2, shell in next shell sp, ch 2, sk next ch2 sp, sc in next ch 2 sp, ch 3, sc in next ch2 sp, ch 2**, shell in next shell sp, rep from * around, ending last rep at **, join in 3rd ch of beg ch 3.

Row 16: Sl st in each of next 2 dc and in shell sp, beg shell in same sp, *ch 2, sk next ch2 sp, dc in next dc, ch 4, , ch 4, dc in next dc, ch 4, p, ch 4, tr in next tr, [ch 4, p, ch 4, dc in next dc] twice, ch 2, shell in next shell sp, ch 2, cl in next ch3 sp, ch 2**, shell in next shell sp, rep from * around, ending last rep at **, join in 3rd ch of beg ch 3.

Row 17: Sl st in each of next 2 dc and in shell sp, beg shell in same sp, ch 4, dc in next sp, [ch 4, dc in next sp, ch 4, sk p, dc in next sp] twice, ch 3, [tr, ch 3] twice in next tr, dc in next sp, [ch 4, sk p, dc in next sp, ch 4, dc in next sp] twice, ch 4**, shell in next shell sp, [3 dc, ch 1] in next shell sp, turn, sl st in ch 2 sp of last shell made, ch 1, turn, 3 dc in same sp as last 3 dc made, rep from * around, ending last rep at **, [3 dc, ch 1] in last shell sp, sl st in ch 2 sp of beg shell, ch 1, 3 dc in same shell sp as last 3 dc made, join in 3rd ch of beg ch 3, fasten off.

Row 18: With RS facing, attach thread with sl st in any corner ch3 sp, ch 1, beg in same sp, *5 sc in corner ch 3 sp, sc in next tr, [3 sc in next sp, sc in next dc]6 times, sc in each of next 2 dc, sc in next sp, sc in sl st joining 2 shells, sc in next sp, sc in each of next 3 dc, p3 sc in next sp, sc in next dc] 5 times, 3 sc in next sp, sc in next tr, rep from * around, join in beg sc, fasten off.

Block each side to 7 1/2" square, let dry.

With sewing needle and thread, sew 1 pearl/bead in center of each flower on each side. Sew 1 pearl/bead on each petal of the 2 round of petals on each side.
Sew 1 pearl/bead at base of each cl on each pineapple on both sides. Sew 1 pearl/bead at each corner tr on both sides.



Joining sides:
Row 1: With WS tog, working through both thicknesses, attach thread with sl st in first sc to left of any corner sc on row 18, ch 1, sc in same st, *(sk 2 st, shell in next st, sk 2 st, sc in next st) 10 times**, 2 sc in corner sc, sc in next st, rep from * once, then rep from * to ** once (3 sides joined), fasten off.

Top Opening border:
With RS facing, attach thread with sl st to corner sc at rhs of top opening, ch 1, sc in same sc, *sc in next sc, [sk 2 st, shell in next st, sk 2 st, sc in next st] 10 times, sc in corner sc*, sc in corner st on next side, rep from * to *. Join in beg sc, fasten off.

Lining:
Cut 2 pieces of fabric, each 8 1/2" x 15 3/4" for lining. With RS tog, allowing5/8" for seam on each edge, sew pieces tog around all 4 sides to within 2" of beg.
Turn lining RS out, sew rem opening closed. Fold lining in half so 2 short edges come together to form top opening. Sew sides together and turn inside out again.
Insert lining in purse, Sew top opening of lining to top opening of sides.

Optional:
With sewing needle and thread, sew 1 pearl at base of each cl.

Optional Button:
Join with sl st to center of one side. Ch 6, sl st to first ch, sc in each ch and without joining continue on to another round spiraling up, hdc in 3 sc, sk next st, hdc in 3 sc. sc in each st around. sc in each alternate st. sl st remaining st together.
Join with sl st to center of other side (on row 18). Ch 1, sc in same and, joining loops from row 18, sc in 5 more. ch 1, turn and sc in each sc.
Continue with sc rows until desired length for buttonhole.
ch 1, turn as before, hdc in 2 st, sl st in 2, hdc in 2. ch 1, turn.
hdc in 2 st, ch 2, hdc in 2. ch 1, turn.
Continue for another 2 sc rows, fasten off.


Strap:
Attach with sl st to center sc below shell on row 18 on one side of square. sc in 7 st of row 18. ch 1 turn.
Continue with sc rows until strap is desired length.
Sc in corresponding stitches of row 18 on opposite side from beginning of strap, taking care not to twist the strap.
Fasten off.

Ice Cream Cake Doily

And another colloboration effort!

Materials Required:
White Crochet Cotton size 10 - 1 ball (500 yds)
Red or ombre size 10 - 1 ball (500 yds)
Steel Crochet Hook No. 7
App. size: 15 1/2 inches in diameter

With White ch 10, join to form a ring.

ROW 2: * Ch 20, single crochet (sc) in ring, repeat from * 11 times.

ROW 3: 10 sc, ch 5, 10 sc in each loop.

ROW 4: Slip stitch (sl st) over next 10 sc to next ch 5 loop, ch 4, 4 treble crochet (trc) in same loop, * ch 5, 5 trc in next loop, repeat from * 10 times, ch 5, join in 4th st of ch.

ROW 5: Ch 4, trc in same space, 1 trc in each of the next 3 trc, 2 trc in next trc,* ch 5, sc in next loop, ch 5, 2 trc in next trc, 1 trc in each of the next 3 trc, 2 trc in next trc, repeat from * all around ending to correspond, join in 4th st of ch.

ROW 6: Ch 4, trc in same space, 1 trc in each of the next 5 trc, 2 trc in next trc,* ch 5, sc in next loop, ch 4, double crochet (dc) in 1st st of ch, sc in next loop, ch 5, 2 trc in next trc, 1 trc in each of the next 5 trc, 2 trc in next trc, repeat from * all around ending to correspond, join in 4th st of ch.

ROW 7: Sl st to next trc, ch 4, 1 trc in each of the next 6 trc, * ch 5, sc in next loop, ch 4, dc in 1st st of ch, sc in next loop, ch 5, skip next trc, 1 trc in each of the next 7 trc, repeat from * all around ending to correspond, join in 4th st of ch.

ROW 8: Sl st to next trc, ch 4, 1 trc in each of the next 4 trc, * ch 5, sc in next loop. work a rice st (rice st: ch 5, trc in 1st st of ch), sc in next loop, ch 5, skip next trc, 1 trc in each of the next 5 trc, repeat from * all around ending to correspond, join in 4th st of ch.

ROW 9: Sl st to next trc, ch 4, keeping last loop of each st on hook, 1 trc in each of the next 2 trc, thread over and work off all loops at one time, * ch 7, sc in next loop, work a rice st, sc in next loop, ch 7, skip) next trc, keeping last loop of each st on hook, 1 trc in each of the next 3 trc, thread over and work off all loops at one time (cluster st), repeat from * all around ending to correspond, join.

ROW 10: Ch 3, dc in same space, * rice st, 2 dc in next loop, repeat from * once, rice st, 2 dc in next cluster st, repeat from 1st * all around ending to correspond, join in 3rd st of ch.

ROW 11: Ch 4, trc in next st, * rice st, skip next rice st, 1 trc in each of the next 2 sts, repeat from * all around ending to correspond, join in 4th st of ch.

ROW 12: Same as 11th round.

ROW 13: * Work a 2 trc rice st (2 trc rice st: ch 5, keeping last loop of each st on hook. 2 trc in 1st st of ch, thread over and work off all loops at one time), repeat from * 3 times, dc between 2nd and 3rd trc rice sts, 2 trc rice st, trc between 1st and 2nd trc rice sts, 2 trc rice st, skip next rice st, sc between next 2 trc (scallop). Work all scallops in same manner, join, cut thread.


EMBELLISHMENTS:
INNER CIRCLE: With right side facing, attach Red or Ombre in any ch 5 loop of 3rd round to right of 5 trc group, sc in same space, working upward and around the petals in trc groups, * ch 5, sc in next loop, repeat from * 5 times, ch 5, sc in same loop after 2 dc, ch 5, sc in next loop, ch 5, sc in same loop after 2 dc, * ch 5, sc in next loop, repeat from * 4 times, ch 5, sc in same ch 5 loop of 3rd round, ch 3, sc in next ch 5 loop of 3rd round and complete edging all around trc groups in same manner, ch 3, join, cut thread.

OUTER CIRCLE:
ROW 1: Attach Red or Ombre in space between rice sts at top of any scallop, ch 7, * double treble crochet (d trc: 3 times over hook) in same space, ch 3, treble treble crochet (tr trc: 4 times over hook) in same space, ch 3, d trc in same space, ch 3, trc in same space, ch 5, 1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc in next dc, ch 5, 1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc in next trc, trc in next sc between scallops, 1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc in base of next trc, ch 5, 1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc in base of next dc, ch 5, trc in space between rice sts at top of scallops, ch 3, repeat from * all around ending to correspond, ch 5, join in 4th st of ch.
ROW 2: * 3 sc in next loop, work a picot (picot: ch 5, sl st in top of last sc), 3 sc in next loop, ch 5, sl st in 1st st of ch, ch 7, sl st in 1st st of ch, ch 5, sl st in 1st st of ch, sl st in last sc made for 3 picot group, 3 sc in next loop, sc in next loop, picot, 2 sc in same loop, sc in next loop, picot, 4 sc in same loop, 2 sc in next loop, picot, sc in same loop, 5 sc in next loop, insert hook in next loop, pull thread through, insert hook in next trc, pull thread through, insert hook in next loop, pull thread through, thread over and work off all loops at one time, 5 sc in next loop, 2 sc in next loop, picot, sc in same loop, 5 sc in next loop, picot, repeat from * all around ending to correspond, join, cut thread.

My New Website!

The title says it all.
This is just a quick post for my truly inspirational and ardent fan club membership - My daughter set up a brand new web presence with a gallery and everything! Take a look at The Girl Who Cried Wool and let us know what you think :)

Denim Blues - Annie's Attic

It's always more fun to crochet together. Here is another project my daughter and I worked on at the same time. It's fun to see how the results differ.

Another Annie's Attic free pattern. The pattern itself was not well written, there were a couple of mistakes in lines 4 and 20, but once they were unearthed, the project flew across our needles with fun and adventure in mind.