Pink Girly Dress...

The pattern I choose for the dress is easy to follow, but I had to concentrate on it, specially at the begining while crocheting the yoke. It's a (kind of a) lace pattern at the yoke that didn't allow a lot of multi-tasking while doing it (i.e. watch TV at the same time). But I have to say that I've enjoyed a lot crocheting this.
The dress is crocheted in one piece from the top down, and it has an opening in the back part of the neck so you can pass the girl head without a problem. Later, it will have a button for closing purposes.
Once I passed the yoke, the rest seems to be pretty easy going. It's a repetitive pattern with a few increses every other row, that allow me to do it while watching TV or visiting a friend.
I run out of yarn around a third part of the lenght of the dress, so I had to go back to the yarn store to buy another one. I know you are suposed to buy as much yarn as you will need for a project, so all of it would be the same color as they are dyed in lots... but I decided to buy just one of this to start with.


I have been crocheting for more than 20 years, and also doing jewelry for 13. I don't know if it is because of that or other reason, but after a while (too short while for me) of doing my crafts I start having pain in my hands, fingers and wrists. So I have to stop and I cannot do it for long periods of time any more... wich is really depressing sometimes.
So...... I decided to buy just one skein of yarn, because, since it was primary cotton, I thought it would be hard to work with since cotton is not very stretchy. But so far I haven't had any problem with it.


So I went to the store for another skein, and I bougth 2 this time... one pink and one in a contrasting green (sorry, no picture of that one, I forgot to take it). And this time, instead of making a simple ball like last time, I made a Center Pull Ball with the method shown here and it was such a difference!!!!I hate when you have a regular, simple ball of yarn and you pull it to work with it and your yarn goes rolling and ends at the other side of your living room... with this "tube" method, the ball it's perfect, because the yarn comes from the center and you can place your ball right at your side, or your yarn basket and it won't roll when you pull out the yarn!!! So good!

So now I'm on my way to finish my first crochet dress!!!! I'm excited... and so far, I like how it's going... Hope you like it too!

See you soon!!!

Trip to the Yarn Store.

The spring arrived just when I was finishing the ripple blanket... I needed something new to do, a new project. However, the idea of doing another blanket wasn't inspiring with the warm temperature. So I thought what else it could be... I finished with the idea of a girl dress... Since I don't have kids of my own yet, it should be for a niece.
I went to my local yarn store... mmmmmm I love those trips....
I'm excited all the way to the store, just thinking and anticipating, all the colors and textures that are awaiting me there!! and then, when I got there, and open the door that anounces my arrival with a cheerful bell... I smile, because all the anticipation was right.
Racks and stands, full of yarns, mohair, cotton, wool, acrilic.... wow!!! it's great!!! I love it!!! and I hate it.... I hate the idea of choosing just one, I hate not be able to take them all home with me... so I start walking around, feeling, touching, delighting... filling myself with joy!

I didn't have a pattern yet, so I asked for help. Do I want crochet? or knitting? I'm in a period of returnig to my beginings, so I choose crochet. It's not something easy to find a pattern because, at the store, they have a lot of knitting patterns for a girly dress, but just a few in crochet... finaly, the lady showed me a magazine ::: Crochet Today ::: that had a nice pattern.
So I decided to try it.... ok, Pattern: ChEcKeD!

So now I needed to find a yarn for it... I didn't want a super girly color, I wanted something strong, something alive. Baby colors are ok, and cute, but it was not what I wanted... so I choose a Cascade Yarn from Peru (80% Prima Cotton/20% Merino Wool) in a deep pink...And I made the ball when I got home...
My niece is 1 year old, but this is my first time making a dress (well, besides the ones I did for my dolls when I was a kid), so I decided it will be size 2... just in case I mess it up!

Ripple blanket

Hello!!!

I'm happy, happy, happy...
Spring has arrived with a delicious warm weather, I love to watch the trees and bushes and yards all blossoming with beautiful flowers with diferent colors.
I Love to see our yard, green and ALIVE!!! The breeze that move the trees and get into my window and the kids playing around, riding bicycles and playing ball (not my kids, since I don't have any still, but my neighbourghs kids).
Last week I went out to walk around and found this Daffodils just outside my apt. building, I got so excited about them!!

I had the most Lovely Easter Day!!!! My hubby took good care of that... so we had breakfast out, enjoyed going to the movies, and after our groseries shopping we ended up having a nice evening at home.

Today I want to show you my Ripple Blanket, I think is a good size to finish it... I made it following a pattern written by Lucy which blog I AbSolUtLy LOOOVEEE!!!

I got the yarns as a Christmas present, so it took me around 3 months to finish the blanket (I know it's April, but I din't worked on it for a month).
So I'm very pleased with it, it's a great blanket for snugg in the coach while watching TV, even if we are not gonna use it so often now with the spring-summer time.

See you next time!!
S.