Big Cat

Cat, no hat

With fish!

This is my first completed crochet project. I'm already making another one, and I have plans for a third.

I stitched up her little fish too.

I'm very pleased with myself. My cousin Laura taught me the basics more than a year ago when we were in London. I started two scarf/shawl type patterns, but never completed them.

I saw this pattern in a book (Hello My Name is Amineko) at Borders. The book was on a super sale, and the cat looked basic enough that I could figure it all out. It was a great first project. It's all single crochet, but you learn how to increase, decrease, and change colors. There is one fancy decrease on the mouth that I may not have done 100% correctly, but it looks ok to me.

Project Update

A green cowl for me.

Hand dyed sock yarn from Kitchen Sink Dyeworks, knit up in a twig lace pattern, with the ends grafted together to make a seamless tube.

And a Space Invaders Hat for Josh.

Josh's hat was designed for his birthday. It's double knitting, so it's completely reversible and super warm. It's also made to measure, so it shouldn't squish his curls too much.

Happy Birthday to me!

A snapshot of my yarn haul from yesterday.

A closeup.

Dream in Color, a yarn manufacturer in the Chicago suburbs, had a warehouse/mill ends sale yesterday, my birthday. I brought home about $300 worth of lovely hand dyed yarn for $75.

It was great!

Happy Halloween

Shetlandish Shawl

Designed for an auction benefitting Family Rescue in Chicago.

Close up of it on the dress form.

A shot of it blocking.

Merino silk lace weight yarn with glass beads in the edging. The beads don't really show in these photographs.

Inspired by Shetland lace knitting traditions.

Mushroom Galette

Mushrooms, red wine, fresh oregano, cheddar cheese, pastry crust, what could be better?

The guts, pre-assembly.

Can't figure out why this one is sideways, I'll fix it and re-upload.

The galette, assembled and waiting for the oven to finish heating.

Inspired by the SmittenKitchen, I love her.