First Communion Dress Pattern PDF

Just in time for the First Communion Season.  You still have time to make this adorable, modest little girl's First Communion Dress in time for Spring! I've been keeping my brilliant tech editor busy!  She has gone over this pattern with a fine toothed comb and added some schematics and tamed my desire to freeform on the skirt.

The dress comes in 3 sizes 5/6, 7/8, and 9/10

It is made of Plymouth Jeannee, cotton. The 'Buy now' button takes you to Ravelry to purchase the pattern. 


$8.00

ZOOM Tunisian Cardigan! PDF is here!

I'm so excited!

It's ready!  Finally a Tunisian garment for a child. This fun little cotton cardigan was worn by baby Ellis in last week's post and the pattern is ready.  It was edited by one of the most brilliant tech editors I know.  It comes with a schematic and some process photos.  This pattern for Baby and Children comes in an incredible range of sizes: 3, 6, 12 mos, 2T, 4T, 6, 8 and 10!  (The adult version is coming along well and be ready soon! As soon as I can whip up a model!)

The sleeves are "tube sleeves" which means they are not decreased, so they are just as wide at the wrist as they are at the armhole. The pattern is worked raglan style from the neck down.  Skills you will need.... basic understanding of Tunisian.  I did add a few photos of the actual stitch, so you can learn that from the pattern.  There is increasing at the seams (I'll show you.)

The model is made in Universal Cotton Supreme in both yellow and pale green (love it). 

$8.00 (it is a PDF, you'll need a PDF reader software like Adobe, to use it)

Crochet Today! The Ultimate Blanket Handbook

Crochet Today magazine has just put out a new blanket special issue available at retailers this month. It is a compilation issue of blankets that have been previously published, now in one handy spot! I have FOUR blanket designs in it! Find photos of all 28 patterns here, Ravelry link.  You can see one of my four in the upper right hand of the cover, the orange/blue/yellow Connect the Dots blanket.  (Does that count as "cover"?, LOL)  My other designs in the issue are the Let it Snow Winter Throw, the Snuggly Blanket, and, the Ballpark Blankie

Sunny Spread Question

Here are two questions that came to me via Ravelry about the Sunny Spread pattern and the yardage necessary to complete the project:

Question 1:
I’m making your Sunny Spread, but out of Classic Elite One Fifty, which is more of a DK weight, so I’m debating whether to make 81 motifs (9x9) or 100 (10x10). I’m wondering how much yarn I will need for the edging. Each ball is 150 yards. Do you know? Thank you!

And my reply: 
Thanks for your interest in the pattern. I don’t know. :) But almost 300 people have made the pattern in one form or another, certainly someone has made it in DK weight. Here’s the link to the Ravelry page of the Sunny Spread Projects. 150 yds isn’t very much when it comes to blankets, I usually use skeins that have more like 270/290 yds and I would generally reserve at least one of those, if not 2 just in case if I were designing a blanket. So, my educated guess is have 3 for the edging (450 yds).
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sunny-spread/people

Question 2:
 How many skeins of that Moda Dea yarn did you use for the gold blanket? I would like to make one that same size and am trying to figure out what yarn and yardage to use. It's so beautiful! Thanks,

And my reply: 
The Moda Dea was discontinued 2 years ago, so I’m guessing you will not be using it. To help you choose the best yarn, look at some of the great Sunny Spread projects our Ravelry friends have made. The pattern specifies 7 skeins of Red Heart Super Saver, which is 333yd per skein = 2548 total yards. I can’t wait to see what you choose.

Mobius Cowl Pattern

Since the Ammonite Scarf is not available yet, how about Mobius Cowl?  This one IS available now! It was first seen in Inside Crochet Magazine, Apr/May 2010.  The skills you will need for this pattern are FPdc and dc2tog (double crochet decrease).
  The photo with the purple cowl is in Manos del Uruguay yarn. (Yum).

This pinky/coral one is made of Plymouth yarn, Baby Alpaca paint.  I believe this yarn has been discontinued (what a shame!) but some colors of it are still available at Webs at yarn.com.

It is ready for PDF download for $6.00

The Ammonite Scarf - in US terms

The Ammonite Scarf, first seen in Inside Crochet Magazine, is now available in US terms!  ACK!  I'm not allowed to sell it yet. We have to wait until April?  The PDF includes several photos to help you see how these interesting dog-bone shaped motifs are joined "As you go".  One skill you will need for this project is "Sc Foundation".  Here's a good tutorial with photos on how to do that on The Crochet Spot Blog. 
Of course, I also describe how to do a single crochet foundation in the pattern.

When I'm allowed to sell it, it will be $6.00   Practice your single crochet foundation until then. 

Valentine's Day Tradition

Grandma Glenda came by on Sunday to help the kids make their Valentines. This is the third year for the tradition and the kids love it.  They were the only children to do handmade valentines in their classes and it was a fun way to spend the afternoon.  You can see my empty chair... with the line up of motif middles in stacks of 5 for easy counting. (Sneak peek, sorta).

Monday

 Charlie found his way up high onto the hutch and looks like he's about to drop down on my head...

Up on the hutch he found some yarn that I've been dreaming about using, but haven't had the time to break open yet.  Things are starting to finally slow down around here a little bit!  That's great, because soon (3 more projects to go!) I'm giving myself the gift of free-reign to crochet whatever I like!  I can't wait.  I'm hoping that it will open the door to exciting design, completed projects and fresh energy.

In the meantime, the 3 last projects will be fun because the deadlines are reasonable!  A great blanket, a great bag, and a fun garment! 

Zoom Tunisian Cardigan!

The Zoom Tunisian Baby Cardigan pattern is coming soon!
Here is the happy recipient of the original prototype.

She had a little bit of a rough start to life but seems to be on a good path now! I can't tell you how much I want one of these sweaters for myself!  This one is made of Universal Cotton Supreme (love it).
And it comes in many great colors, not just baby colors either, but some nice rich magentas and blues...

To do list

Everyone is back to school or work today.  Thank goodness.  I think we'll still be having a mild menu today and taking naps, but we're on the mend.

I just deleted an item off my to-do list as if it were done.  I'm calling it 'thinking positively' and 'self-fulfilling prophecy'. LOL.  

When are you getting off the couch?

Charlie wonders when we are going to get off the couch.  Chickee and I are in recovery mode today trying to focus on nutrition and preventing dehydration. The Captain is home sick today but it appears he has a much milder case than what Chickee and I had.  Today, I am weak, but able to crochet, which is so important because I have a deadline Friday, so I need to ship tomorrow.

I am sick.

I am lay on the bathroom floor, sick.  See you tomorrow?

Sneak Peek

I know some of you think I've been slacking off...nothing could be further from the truth! At this point, I'm daydreaming of several projects I can't wait to make when I finish all my contracted work.  I've been keeping the US Postal Service and UPS in business. They've been getting plenty of my overnight shipping business! 

TWO new patterns are coming out soon to my independent publishing line. I'm so excited to have one of the most awesome tech editors on board to help me make some progress.  I'll keep you posted.

Fasten off Coma

There seems to be a trend with me lately.  I have been working so hard that with each Fasten off, I go into a little crochet coma. I just shipped another finished project and the idea of jumping into the next tight deadline is just not appealing.  So, I'm playing a little computer, did a load of dishes, ran an errand or two, etc, trying to gear up to get moving on the next item on the to-do list.

Many designers use their 'fasten off comas' to straighten their office.  I really should use the time to sketch or swatch or even knit, but for a few minutes, I might just sit here and stare out the window. Maybe I'll even paint my nails or leaf through a magazine. 

The photo, is not out my window, but inspired the next project on my to-do list. 

Cheshire Tunisian Blanket Revealed

Here's the link!  To the new issue of Crochet Today

Today

I'm working feverishly. I have no less than 20 designs waiting to be revealed to you but alas, they haven't been published yet!

Hang in there!

The Project Linus project is coming along GREAT!  It looks like we might have enough Sunny Spread squares to do TWO blankets if everyone keeps coming through with their pledges. We still have room for more people if you would like to participate.  Find all the details here on Ravelry.