Crochet to Go

This is my first project from The Baby Book of Knitting and Crochet. I drastically modified the pattern to get the gauge to work. Thank god for pictures of what things are supposed to look like, right? My finished version appears to be close to what the author intended. My impression of this book, based on this one pattern, is that it's great inspiration but only suited to a more advanced crocheter or knitter who knows how to identify and correct problems. For example, this tells you to repeat pattern stitch "across until 72 star sts are made. Cut off remaining chain." Huh? The whole thing with unravel.

All that said, I love how this turned out. Definitely a keeper. It could be expanded into an entire dress - you could leave the back open and just attached a crocheted skirt.

My adjustments to the basic pattern: I used South Maid 100% mercerized cotton in peach, size 10, and a 3.5 mm hook. I essentially halved the stitches per row (to 36 star sts in the first row), but kept the number of rows the same.

I just finished my grandmother's scarf. I did end up adding a scalloped border around the entire thing; I think it works quite well. The complete scarf - which is about 70 inches long - took 125 grams of RY Cashsoft Classic 4 Ply (gray) and 15 grams Rowan 4 Ply Soft (dark gray).

The pattern itself is quite simple - it's the "Fan Pattern" in The Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting and Crochet Stitches. I started with a foundation chain of 37 stitches and used a K / 6.5 mm hook. The border alternates clusters of 5 dc with 1 sc.

Alicia of Posie Gets Cosy recently wrote a post that includes a great popcorn-stitch purse. It's quite sophisticated - much more so than this playful sweater I made for Charlotte last year. I also used a popcorn stitch trim on these arm warmers, which are featured in the Crochet to Go Deck.

What else can be made? I like this purse I found on flickr. I'm thinking scarfs, obviously, but there's something else...

Maybe a lamp shade? Very retro-looking. I'll have to give that some thought.

I've mentioned before my love for aprons. I really think they're wonderful, and generally spend several hours a day wearing them. Some people have security blankets; I have a security apron. My boyfriend, Adam, is starting to get with the program, too.

An excerpt from an email he sent from his office on Friday:

Nicola was featured in this week's daily candy - she makes a wide range of attractive, clever jewelry. Dig a little deeper into her site, however and you'll find a fine art section; all crocheted. I like the combination of text and flowers in this piece. There are several longer text versions crocheted out of cassette tape.

I'm making good progress on my grandmother's scarf. I bought two colors (shown) so that I have the option of adding a scalloped border around the entire scarf. I'm not sure if I'll actually add it - I'm really liking the look of this stitch all by itself.