Knit Yarn Bomb Spotted in Seattle

A while back I was walking from Capitol Hill to downtown Seattle, when I happened to spy this lovely knit yarn bomb on a sculpture outside Cornish College of the Arts. Such a stylish wrap the figure has!

Crochet Shrimp Amigurumi

Alexis, my former co-worker turned friend, has the most adorable child. (She's also an excellent hat model.) He is currently three years old and melt-your-heart cute. I always enjoy the stories Alexis shares about him, especially the funny things that he says.

One day, Alexis was working one-on-one with an elementary student who attends the school that I manage. She planned a mosaic art project for the day, a snowman made of ripped pieces of construction paper. Upon returning home, she shared her example project with her son. The following is my best second-hand account of their conversation:

Alexis: "Look what I made at work today. What is it?"

Adorable child: "It IS... a shrimp!"

Alexis: "... a what?"

Adorable child: "It IS a shrimp!" *points to nose of snowman*

Alexis: "No... see? It's a snowman."

But alas, the little one was insistent that the snowman's nose was a shrimp. He didn't stop there, either. Over the next several weeks, he declared several other things to be shrimp, including a slice of lemon in a glass of water. I decided that I needed to make the little dude a crochet shrimp, so that when he emphatically declared "it IS a shrimp" he would be right. When Alexis mentioned that I was making a shrimp for him, he commented "Oh! It will be tasty."

I'm not sure how tasty it is, but here is the shrimp. I made it with leftover yarn from my Sushi Baby Set, which worked out quite well. I recorded pattern notes for the shrimp, but don't have an official pattern for it yet. I may develop one later if there is interest.

Alexis has mentioned that her son is quite pleased with his acquisition.

Snow Blossom Beanie

It's almost time for spring! Boy, am I ready. The winter weather around Washington hasn't been as intense as other parts of the country (my friends in Portland and Boise were drowning in snow!), but it's definitely time for the grey to make way for green. Appropriately, today I released my Snow Blossom Beanie, which is perfect for the last of the chill. It is available on Ravelry and Craftsy. Thanks go out to the lovely Alexis for modeling.

The Snow Blossom Beanie reflects the hopeful transition from winter into early spring. It is delicate and feminine with sweet little flowers. Surface crochet and appliques provide nice texture and stand out in the cold. The pattern includes a chart, written instructions, and a short photo tutorial on surface crochet. The yarn used to make this pattern has unfortunately been discontinued. Alternative yarns are suggested.

Fantasy Wrap Crochet Pattern

Sometimes things take way longer than you expect them to. This wrap was on the hook for a very long time because I started a new job at about the same time as I began writing the pattern. I snuck in some stitches here and there at coffee shops and during the evening until it was finally complete.

I gave my testers plenty of time with this pattern, especially since I took so long to write it! Now that it's ready I'm chomping at the bit to share it with you. The pattern is available on both Ravelry and Craftsy.

Pink Lemonade Baby Blanket

Us crocheters sometimes have to start projects in the off-season to get them done on time, especially large projects. Yesterday I released an exciting new pattern with that in mind. Relive memories of warm days, fun with friends and family, and cool treats as you make the Pink Lemonade Baby Blanket, my newest pattern that's available on Ravelry and Craftsy. It's perfect for any spring or summer babies you might have coming along.

That picture is pretty darn sweet, isn't it? It was actually taken by Doris Chan! Since I submitted my blanket to the CGOA Design Contest it got to have its picture taken. How special! Doris is very graciously allowing me to use the photo in whatever way I'd like.

So cute and girly! Want to make it for a boy? Simply change out the yellows for two greens and the pinks for white and light yellow and tada -- limeade! Though I love the whole blanket in all of its cuddly goodness, I have to admit that the lemon slices are my favorite part. What do you think? I can't wait to see other folks' finished objects.

Blush and Tumble Ruffle Scarf

Are you scrambling for a few gifts? Has a friend's birthday crept up on you? Just want some instant gratification? Look no further than my newest pattern, the Blush and Tumble Ruffle Scarf! It's pretty, it's fun, and it's quick.

So springy, so ruffled! The Blush and Tumble Ruffle Scarf pattern is available on Craftsy and Ravelry.

Review: Manos Del Uruguay Franca Yarn

Today I'll be reviewing Manos Del Uruguay Franca yarn. Disclaimer: I received this complimentary yarn in exchange for a review. I am not being paid to write this review and everything shared here is my real opinion.

I'm always excited when I receive yarn in the mail. What fiber lover doesn't enjoy that first squish of a new acquisition? However, when the parcel with Franca came I wasn't prepared for the delightful poof that would pop out.

Seriously. It was the biggest, softest poof of yarn ever. And so colorful! The colorway is Granada and it reminds me of a tropical drink. Franca is 100% superwash merino. Superwash! Yarn this soft and exciting that you can actually wash? Sweet! Also, the yarn label included information about this yarn's fair trade status. Manos Del Uruguay seeks to improve the lives of Uruguayan women and their communities. The label was even signed by the artisan who dyed my hank!

Franca is a pure delight. It's everything that's fun about yarn: colorful, soft, squishy, fun to work with. It's a lot like roving without the hassle. What to make? I pondered my project as I wound the hank. By the by, I put the whole hank around my neck first like a scarf just because I could :p

That is one formidable cake of yarn! I was worried that its thickness would affect winding but I had no trouble at all.

Okay, now, what to make? I finally settled on a simple stitch since the yarn rather speaks for itself. It's colorful and bold without needing a complex stitch pattern. I wanted my item to have some movement, so I chose the tall triple crochet stitch. I used a 9mm hook since it's the biggest that I currently own, but this yarn could go for a 10mm or even a 12mm as well. Ready to see what I made? It's a snuggle-worthy neck warmer! It only took me a little over an hour and used up not quite the whole yarn cake.

Yay! So let's recap. This yarn is soft and fun to work with. It works up quickly. You can wash it. Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Instant gift! It's perfect for whipping up nice holiday or birthday gifts. You get to have fun and the giftee gets a beautiful, easy-care gift. Slender scarves, hats, neck warmers, and cowls would all be good projects for this yarn. With several other temptingly pretty colorways, I may just have to get some more!

Remix Friday: Ghadah Blanket

Crocheters, really fiber lovers in general, are some thoughtful and generous folks. I have seen so many crafters go out of their way to bring something special and personal to a handmade gift. When Mana made a blanket for a special baby she didn't stop at the pattern... she took it to a new level of awesome with this creative Remix.

The Crocheter
My name is Mana (Manahil, actually), and I’m 23 year-old, from Saudi Arabia. After graduating high school back in 2007, my aunt gifted me some crochet hooks and yarn, and I didn’t know the slightest thing there is to know about crochet back then. I asked her to teach me and she showed me the basics. Then, I pretty much did the rest on my own!

The Original Pattern
Personalized Baby Afghan by Kim Guzman 

The Story

I loved the pattern from the first time I had seen it on Ravelry, and I always thought it was too special to make it for just about any baby!

In August 2011, one of my closest friends, Ghadah, passed away in a terrible car accident. It was truly a tragedy! Then two years later, her sister who’s also a friend of mine, gave birth to the most beautiful baby girl I know, and they decided to call her Ghadah after her aunt. It was the best news I heard, and right away, I knew that blanket was going to be made for her!

The Remix
I wasn’t too crazy about the heart border, so I decided to change it, but I wasn’t too sure of what else to make! I thought of afghan squares, and I had few designs in mind, but nothing really clicked, until I stumbled upon a picture of the Fantasy Blanket on Instagram, and I thought “yes, I want something like that!” also, the Mixed Stitch Stripey Blanket was another pattern I took inspiration from.

Crochet is... I can’t think of three words, I can only think of one... ART! Crochet is art, to me. ❤

What a kind and heartfelt gesture. The blanket is beautiful! Well done, Mana. You can connect with Mana as “manakhq” on Ravelry, Instagram and Pinterest. Happy Friday!

Schultertuch/Dreieckstuch aka Orchideeflower Shawl

Have you every crocheted with Knitpicks Chroma? They have such lovely colorways! I had been gazing longingly at Wondermint for a long time and finally decided to purchase it for myself. I'm so glad I did -- they are retiring it! What did I make with my precious Wondermint fingering weight yarn? A lovely shawl.

Such pretty colors! The pattern is a really great four row repeat that was very easy to memorize. Here it is on Ravelry. The original pattern is in German so I ended up using the chart. As other Ravelers suggested, I subbed in a ch 7 for the ch 10 loops and it came out very nice. I also added a simple single crochet border at the very end which I think ties everything together. I definitely recommend it as a great pattern for showing off a slow striping yarn. Thanks go out to my lovely husband Alex for helping me take pictures! Also, wow do I need a haircut or what?

I may end up vending at a craft fair this winter, but if I don't this shawl will eventually show up in my Etsy shop.

Grandma's Chevron Blanket

When my brother and I were very young our grandmother made each of us a traditional crochet chevron blanket. I didn't know what crochet was at the time. All I knew was how much I loved my pink and purple blanket. Dan's blanket is blue and cream. In addition to sleeping under them we often incorporated them into our games. They were our mushroom tops when we danced around like the mushrooms in Fantasia, they were our caves when we played "diggers", and they were our robes when we were royalty.

My grandmother passed away when I was six. The chevron blanket has always been very special to me, but when I became serious about crochet I saw the blanket in a new light. I can now see all of the individual stitches and know just how she made it. It makes me wish that I could show her my own crochet. It's amazing to make items that others can cherish and to write patterns that will be followed and lovingly made by grandparents, parents, siblings, etc. Crochet is warm and fuzzy on both the outside and the inside.

If someone in your family makes things by hand, take a moment to appreciate them today. If you're the one who does the making, I'm taking this moment to appreciate you! Thank you for sharing your skills with others and giving them items they can cherish for years to come.

Paris Baby Set

I'm really excited about my new pattern, the Paris Baby Set. While it did take a lot of hark work, I am happy to have written this pattern in such a way that confident beginners can successfully follow it. I've sometimes seen really fun and interesting color work patterns that lack any color changing instructions and/or only show a chart. If you don't know how to read a chart, you won't be able to complete the pattern! That just wouldn't do for me. I endeavored to write a pattern with clear color change and row by row instructions so it could be accessible to everyone. This meant a lot more work on my part but less work for those who follow my pattern.

Don't you just love the little beret? It took shape exactly as I had hoped. I had a lot of fun writing this pattern, which is good because I am just about to start writing another tapestry pattern! The Paris Set can be found on Craftsy and Ravelry. Je suis très heureuse!