Tuesday, May 4, 2010

What's In My Crochet Bag: Debatable Edition

A while ago, I found this pattern, this pattern that I really liked. And I wanted to make it, but I couldn't imagine myself wearing it. I kept it, though, because you know, it was really cute and I thought I might one day find a use for it.

Then, when I participated in the craft meme exchangey thing last year, I immediately thought of this pattern. And then, when Suze signed up, I could just picture it on her.

(Please ignore the total lack of picture quality here, there were many factors at work, including but not limited to, the recovery from a very stressful week and a very annoying fever blister. Just pretend it's not there. We'll all feel better that way.)

I love this necklace. I made it out of the same bamboo as my doily. I also bought about 7 buttons trying to find the one that would fit perfectly in the middle of that flower, too. I ended up using one from my "button drawer" which is the place I put all those little bags of extra buttons you get attached to new clothes. Hey, it worked.


Then, Suze sent me an email when she got the package and mentioned the really cute headband... And I was so excited. Because, even though I would never wear this as a necklace (not because I don't like it, just because I would always feel really self conscious in it) I would wear it as a headband. And, also, I could use some headbands. I am always wanting something other than the sunglasses to do with my hair. You'll be seeing me in one of these as soon as I finish my Mother's Day crocheting.

Also, Suze inspired me at Christmas time with these gift bags. I'm not sure that I'm going to make fabric gift bags, pretty much ever, because I don't like sewing much. But, I am always looking for great wrapping ideas, and I think crocheted gift bags may be one of my best ones yet. I made this one with Red Hart rainbow yarn, because I thought it would be fun for a birthday gift for a kid's birthday party. The ribbon that goes through it will pull tight and tie in a pretty little bow to make peeking impossible. The stuff you see coming out was supposed to help with scale, but not so much. The thing in front is a DVD case and the thing behind is a large format paperback book. Hopefully, this will be a useful size for lots of kid friendly gifts.

I started with a pattern for this, but I altered it so severely that I don't feel right linking to it. It's not that hard to figure out, though, it's mostly half double crochet stitches and a bit of a grind to do. I'm going to work on more interesting patterns, but you want something solid that won't be seen through... I would also like to experiment with ribbon handles. I'm pretty well excited about the prospects, though.

This was the last post on the craft meme project. I had a great time, an absolutely great time doing it, but I won't do it again for a while. It was fun, but it took me way to long to accomplish. No one got theirs on time and poor Suze had to wait five months.

I also have a lot of projects on the burner. I'm truly hoping that I won't miss a Monday all year. That said, I should get off the fabulous interwebz and watch Saturday's Doctor Who while I finish up a project, so I'll have something to post next week.

3 comments:

Suze said...

/this is so funny - i'm glad you mentioned the flower thing is a necklace because I'M much more likely to wear it that way. And YOU'Re more likely to wear it as a headband...so it all works out.
Thanks again for the pretties!!

Jenn-Jenn, the Mother Hen said...

Speaking of the craft meme, I'm such a schmuck that I STILL haven't found time to do what I said I'd do. [sigh] Maybe I'll have time Memorial Day weekend. Sorry I'm such a loser, y'all. :-)

Suze said...

P.S. I wore my necklace to the farmers' market this morning and one of my favorite vendors there just loved it. I told her a friend made it for me and she replied "Your friend has a GIFT!" She was totally gushing and it was really sweet. Also, she said she would probably wear it as a headband, too :)