Crochet to Go

I've spent the day proofing a pattern for the 2009 edition of the Crochet Pattern a Day Calendar. The deadline is swiftly approaching - get your patterns in now! I'm definitely sending in my easy arm warmer pattern (picture shown), and hope to get organized enough to finish another 1 or 2 patterns in the next week.

Speaking of which, I just received my copy of the 2008 calendar. I have two patterns included - a mesh-weave scarf, and a pretty little clutch. The overall calendar is a bit hit and miss, but I did find several patterns in the 2007 edition worth making. If nothing else, it makes for fun browsing.

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'm finally done with the apron! I'm working on a post about that, but thought I'd put up a few pictures of what spent my weekend on. These are the "in bloom" and "fit to be tied" purses in Stitch 'N Bitch Crochet. The patterns couldn't be easier (total time, including making the lining, was about 3 hours per purse). I'm really pleased with the pocket I made for the burgandy version and those great little clasps holding the bags shut. The white flower is actually an earring from the estate sale I recently attended (and was inspired by this great owl version of the purse).

This is a variation on a charmeuse clutch I saw in InStyle magazine. I loved the crocheted trim, but wanted a simplified version with cleaner lines.

I really pleased with the final version. It's a relatively simple pattern, and the purse itself is quite functional--it closes with multiple snaps, so your stuff won't fall out. I've included a picture of the interior in the pattern notes.