Crochet to Go

My mom is a great crochet supporter. I recently let her know that it's not yarn that I need (I'm drowning in the stuff these days), but rather pattern books. I'm working towards putting together a book of vintage patterns, updated for modern audiences, sizes, yarns, and hooks.

This is her favorite of the latest batch she's given me. I like it a lot too. She requested this hood, which I tried but had to abandon last night. As Adam said, it's just to funereal.

I plan to get started on these projects as soon as I make it through my huge list of holiday gifts.

Today seems to be my day for dealing with failed projects. I just gave up on this shawl, a Christmas gift for my sister. I gave her this blue version a few months back, which she likes a lot. The tan color was a request. Unfortunately, my yarn choice was poor. The ribbon yarn is so much more elegant; the nubbly yarn just looks grandmotherly.

This last picture is the start to a scarf for my mom. I've had it for ages - probably two years now - because I've been unable to find enough yarn to finish the pattern. Thanks to a wonderfully diligent yarn store in the deep South (yet again my local store failed me - darn you Article Pract) I finally was able to officially give up on the project. The yarn, despite the fact that the manufacturer still "offers" it on their website; was pulled out of production 18 months ago.

I think the 2-foot length I've made will make a nice cat blanket.

It's cold today, and I think it might rain in a few minutes. I'm dithering about and trying to clean up my inbox. Here's a designer's website I bookmarked months ago - a young woman who makes handmade crocheted hairclips, among other things. You'll find her bio here.

Crochet Me posted a link to this remarkable project set on Flickr. All of sea creatures, crocheted or knitted entirely out of plastic fibers. I just love it, particularly this white one.

Yes, I've started the Christmas craft frenzy. I'm tacking it in stages: first hats, then ornaments, then scarves and mittens. If I work really hard, I think there's a chance I might actually get everything done. Here are the first six hats. Thanks to Adam for graciously modeling all of them. His favorite is the black and grey one; I'm partial to the fuzzy white hat with blue and brown accents.

I'm really pleased with this year's efforts. Of course, I didn't make anything last year, so it was certainly easier to top nothing. Here's the whole path of events:

In August, Adam requested a pair of white fur pants to wear to Burning Man (nighttime wear; it gets cold out there in the desert.) I've never made pants before, but it was surprisingly easy. Here's what a few yards of fabric and two hours will get you.

October rolls around. We still have about a yard leftover of what I've been referring to as "chicken fur." Adam has been prepairing for a major presentation, leaving me with way too much time on my hands. Inspiration struck on the train last week - a chicken costume!

The entire costume is a single piece of fabric with elastic bands at the top and the bottom. I wrapped a blanket and two towels around my waist and secured with a belt to create the bulk. The hat is also a simple tube, secured at one end. The red top is felt, sewn at the base.

Finally, here's Adam again. We added a pair of horns to turn his fuzzy pants into a satyr costume.