Review of Bernat Baby Bobble Blanket

I have blogged about this baby blanket before and if you must know - I finally finished it. Yup... I did. This is the finished product of all the hours I put into it....

 

Yup... after putting 8 hours into this blanket, I frogged the whole thing. Having gotten such little return from the pattern in so much time, I couldn't get into the pattern and I decided to start over with a different pattern.

Photo By Bernat

Here is a picture of the "real" pattern posted by Bernat.

It's a lovely pattern and I fell in love with it visually. Unfortunately, I didn't consider time and functionality of this blanket. I say functionality because I am not sure how much good a blanket with so many little bobbles all over it is going to do - especially since a baby could very easily get his or her finger snagged in the blanket, either warping the blanket or hurting the finger.

I spent around 8 hours or so and only got an 8 or so inch return. I was not a fan that the back of the blanket did not match the front. The back seemed "unfinished." I wish I had taken a picture of mine before I frogged it - but honestly, I was ready to be done with it.

I think the blanket would make a stunning heirloom type blanket but not one that would be used regularly. I think Bernat saw a pattern that was lovely and took full advantage of it; however, I think the pattern would have been just as stunning if they had done a diamond pattern using the bobbles around the edge of the blanket and left the middle flat and functional.

I personally think that if you are wanting to make a blanket that is great for photo ops and heirloom purposes, it's a fabulous pattern - just expect to put a lot of time into it. If you are looking for a functional baby blanket, then steer clear of this one.

I rate this pattern 2 and a half balls of yarn out of 5 mostly because it is such a slow pattern to work.

[Video] Shamrock Fringe for Shamrock Shawlette

Crochet Spot has graciously given permission for me to make a tutorial on how to make the shamrock fringe for the Shamrock Shawlette (click for pattern).

If you are watching this on my blog, then mention of the link bar is not applicable to you. That is for YouTube watchers only.

Finally Finished Friday

In addition to WIP Wednesday, I've decided to partake in FO Friday (or Finished Objects Friday) although I'm going to call mine Finally Finished Friday. The premise of the post is to post items that I finished since last Friday.

So - why wait? Let's just right into it.

I have finished one item since last Friday that I have not already blogged about. This is the shrug for my youngest daughter. She is constantly wearing short sleeve shirts but with it being winter, I want to make sure she stays as warm as possible. I had some alpaca/wool blend laying around. I personally did not like the yarn. I ordered it from ebay and as it turns out, it's like a #10 thread - and anyone who knows me at all knows I do not like crocheting with thread (I will, but it is not my favorite thing to do). I made a wash cloth out of it and stuck all 10 skeins into my stash, figuring I'd never need it again.

I got the idea to make her a shrug mostly after being told a close family member passed away. Having panic disorder, I needed something to work on and since all her dresses were short sleeve, a shrug would be a good road project. I didn't want to buy more yarn and the ash grey alpaca popped into mind.

As expected, the shrug worked up quickly using 4 strands at a time.

I was planning on doing little empress sleeves but she decided she wanted nothing but the sleeve to "just end." So - that's what I did. I got it stitched together and all ends weaved into the seam. I did make it about an inch larger than needed just so it would have some grow room over the course of the next couple months. You can see a little "buckle" on the backside. This is that extra space.

I'm guessing she likes it considering I snapped these pictures as she was getting her lunch ready - the shrug was on and part of her school outfit for the day.

It is always a good feeling to create something for someone and they appreciate it and use it.

If you like seeing projects that people have completed, visit Tami's blog and check out the list.

WIP Wednesdays

Greetings, readers - it's Wednesday and as promised, it's WIP Wednesday.

For those of you not familiar, I declared Wednesday a good day to dedicate to sharing my WIPs, or works in progress. So let's take a look at last week's post and see what I finished:

- Hat for a co-worker: This is done done done. He loved it.

Yup - that's it. I got the hat done (and even blogged about it here). I did finish a full size shawl. I saw the pattern last Thursday and decided to make it. It worked up so fast that it isn't hitting any WIP Wednesday post. I just wanted to mention it because I didn't want to feel like a crochet slacker. *smiles*

So with all that said - here is my WIP list for this Wednesday and a little update on each.

1. Baby blanket for friend on West Coast
ok, seriously - I don't think this one is going to get done. I said last week I wanted to put a good hour into it but I just can't get into this pattern. I don't like working on the pattern because it goes so slow and the more I think about the pattern, the less I see it as functional and more as just fun. I think I'm going to frog it tonight and get the yarn balled up and ready to go. I have quite a road trip tomorrow (3 hours one way) so I may start a newer pattern, one I can really get behind, on the trip and maybe finish the blanket tomorrow since we are making the round trip all in one day.

2. Dishclothes
I think these will be on my WIP list for a very long time. That's ok though - I really just want to focus on getting a few sets for sale in my etsy store.

3. Scrapghan #1 (the big granny)
I fed a few balls of yarn into this one last week. It is growing slowly now but the more it does, the more I know it'll be a unique blanket with a lot of personality.

4. Scrapghan #2 (the small granny)
I really don't know why I do this to myself. I should only have one scrapghan going but the bigger one is giving me fits considering it makes me fall asleep under it because it's so toasty. I decided to start a small granny square scrapghan, which of course takes yarn away from the bigger one, slowing both projects down. I really don't know why I do this to myself.

5. Legwarmers for friend
I have made no progress on this one. I don't think it'll take more than a couple hours to get them done but it is a matter of creating the pattern. She liked the other pattern I did but she wasn't a fan of the flare. I'll probably post that pattern up here soon and then move forward in getting a new pattern together.

6. Kitty Toys
This is still in concept phase. I've crocheted a few cat toys already and haven't found a design I really like. Once I get the pattern perfected to what I like, then I'll be able to move forward with the idea of selling these little toys for money to donate. I am still needing to write a letter to the organization I chose to donate to (to meet etsy's charitable sales policy).

7. Shrug for daughter
I decided last night I wanted to crochet a simple shrug for my youngest daughter. I would like to begin working on it tonight and possibly even finish it. She's not very big so it shouldn't take more time than a standard scarf and if I use an open stitch, then it shouldn't be an issue at all.

Not technically on a hook, a couple of my friends love the shawl I made and are asking me to show them how to do it. We are going to meet up soon over lunch, with hook in hand, and I'm going to show them how to do the shawl. I think it'll be really fun and am looking forward to it.

So - other than that, this is my WIP Wednesday list. Hopefully by this time next week we'll see some items leave the list, new items show up on the list, but most importantly - get that baby blanket off the list!

If you enjoy reading what other people are creating, then I suggest going over to Tami's blog and checking out her WIP and the list of other people who post their links on her site:
http://tamisamis.blogspot.com/2011/03/work-in-progress-wednesday-31.html

Super-Size Shamrock Shawlette

This is a picture of my shawlette.

Now, before you say "Cris, how can that be a shawlette - it's covering an office chair!?!" .... well, I know.

I saw a pattern posted on Crochetville from The Crochet Spot blog (link to original pattern: here). The pattern caught my eye and I knew I had to make it. I read the measurements and for some reason it didn't sink in with me about how big (or small) it was going to be. This didn't really matter because after I got it started I knew I was going to extend it to a larger size.

So this is the final result. I thought the pattern worked up quickly until it came time to do the shamrock fringe. Oh boy, was that time consuming! I used the L hook as recommended in the pattern and while the shawlette size (the 18 rows it would have ended up) ended up smaller than the dimensions given on the pattern, it didn't bother me - again, because I was making a full-size version. If I were making the actual shawlette, I would have used an M or N sized hook because I do crochet tightly.

showing the shamrock fringe up close

For the shamrocks, I stepped down to an I hook because I didn't like how they looked using the larger hook. I was much happier with the fringe using the smaller hook.

I did attach a cute green button to the front of it in case I choose to fasten it, but honestly, it's pretty heavy and stays put very well on it's own. For the technical on the yarn, I used "I Love This Yarn" brand yarn in the color mid-green. 

So, this is my new shawl.

I wore it all day today (my office is cold!). I was very pleased with it and a lot of people made a comment about it. They loved the color. I am very glad I picked up this pattern and decided to start the project. I would highly suggest it to anyone - the pattern is written rather clearly and is easily increased or decreased in size. If any difficulty would be had by a new crocheter, it would be in making the shamrocks. It would have been nice to have a little more instruction on how to work around the ring at the center of the shamrock, but it doesn't take long to know how to do it, and do it consistently.

So, considering all of this and the general enjoyment I have gotten from my new shawl, I give the Shamrock Shawlette Pattern 4.5 balls of yarn out of 5.

Links:
Crochet Spot Website
Shamrock Shawlette Pattern

Secret Craft Admirer

I am not sure what I have going on at work but it has something to do with crafts and making me curious as a cat.

Last month I walked up to my desk and noticed an interoffice envelope in the chair. I was excited because this would mark my first official piece of mail at work. I opened it up and there was a craft book inside. And not your average craft book - the book was about how to make little animals out of walnuts. I will admit that I was completely confused. Was this person trying to send me a message about how nutty I was? Maybe that I'm weird like this book? or perhaps just that they know I enjoy crafts.

I don't know. There was no name to give me a head's up on who sent it. I shot an email to all my friends who work there and everyone kinda laughed at me (and stopped by my desk to check out this book on nut animals).

Fine - no one wanted to fess up. I could deal with that (although it did bug me who would send it to me and not tell me).

Since I got the book - I didn't think much more about it. Well - until this morning.

I got to work and did my normal routine getting water and getting my PC booted up. I stood up to talk to my cube-neighbor when I noticed this little gem of a bug.

Sitting on my desk, this little buggy is made of a styrofoam egg shaped belly (painted orange), a puffball head and nose, googly eyes, pipe cleaner antennae, felt wings, pipe cleaner legs and felt feet.

Perhaps whomever left it made it themselves or they bought it or got it from a creative child. No clue - but it did brighten my morning to find it on my desk.

I just don't understand why and I really want to know who. It is sweet someone is thinking of me, be it for a laugh at my curiosity or just trying to make my day a little better through these craft related surprises - but it is sweet in it's own, odd little way.

I just wanted to share with you this (for what seems to be at this moment) random act of kindness of what appears to be a secret craft admirer.

Stocking Cap Done

When I'm faced with needing to make an item for someone, I really don't prefer to re-invent the wheel. I had made a scarf for a co-worker which prompted him, within 5 seconds, to request a matching stocking cap. While this normally is no major challenge, I was faced with making a hat in blue and orange. Yup - Illini colors strike again. If you remember from previous posts, I had made an Illini lapghan for my husband. Those colors excited my co-worker who asked for a scarf who has since asked for the hat. I cannot seem to escape the blue and orange!

my finished Illini stocking cap

So, to make life a little easier, I want on a hunt for a stocking cap pattern that would be somewhat modifiable to address the two bold, non-complimentary colors I needed to be using. I found this gem: Easy Crocheted Hat.

I read through the pattern and it seemed doable other than the two color situation I was facing. What I chose to do was half double crochet in back loops in blue for the main portion of the hat, just like the original pattern. The main modification I did here was to cut back how long the piece was. I made room for the brim which was added in orange as half double crochets, not in back loops only. I edged the orange in a little blue, added a puff ball to the top and called it a night.

I can't say that I'm 100% happy with the results but it turned out well nonetheless.

Do you do the same - modified patterns to fit your needs? Start from scratch, making your own pattern as you go? Find an exact pattern that fits your needs?

WIP Wednesday

I definitely am needing to get a little more regular in my posting. Once I got the initial flow of "how to" videos up, I kinda had a break in my blogging. I figured one great way to make sure I have a good, regularly-updated blog is to share my WIPs with those who care to know. I'm at work right now but I'm sure I can take some pictures later and update the blog post.

1. Baby Blanket for friend on west coast
Ok folks, this one isn't going anywhere fast. I blogged out the Bernat Bobble Blanket that seems to be dragging on forever, but I have a feeling one of the reasons its not moving forward fast is because I'm not getting as much hook time on it as I wish I could. I'm going to make a conscious effort to put a good hour into the blanket before next WIP Wednesday. I want to be able to update my ravelry project listing at least by 10%. If I don't work on it, then I at least need to just frog it and make a blanket I will definitely finish.

2. Hat for coworker
While this one has not technically started, it needs to be listed because it was officially put on order yesterday. On request, I made my coworker a scarf. I delivered the scarf yesterday and within moments he had money in hand saying "I need a matching hat" - my plan is to bring my tape measure tomorrow and get his dimensions so I can make a good stocking cap for him - one that matches his scarf.

3. Dishcloths
I bought two cones of cotton yarn from walmar to make disclothes. My original plan was to make them and sell them in pairs on etsy. So far, I haven't gotten any put up for sale but I have made a few for myself, in a spiffy stitch I have never seen in a pattern before. Yes, I do plan on eventually sharing the stitch, I'm just working out all the "things to know" about it first... oh, and a spiffy name!

4. Scrapghan
Yea.... I can't put much time in on this one because it makes me fall asleep. It's so toasty warm and sooo nice to lay under. *chuckles* I blogged about this monstrosity too. I really think it'll be pretty when I finish it.

5. Legwarmers for friend
She requested a knee-length leg warmer so I'm currently working on that. I have finished one and brought it in as a prototype. Seems there are still a few things about it she would like changed so I think the one I have will be put up as a free pattern here on the blog. The new one (I have not made yet but will have all the changes) will most likely not be put up as a free pattern. I may even try to make it into a sellable pattern - we'll see though... we shall see!

6. Kitty Toys
This is still in the prototype phase. My thoughts are that I want to either sell cat toys in my etsy store with 50-75% going to some animal rescue organization (not yet determined) OR donate the toys so they can be sold at the organization office. Either way, I have made a couple and my kitties are in testing phase - they are my pilot study group. *laughing* I have a video that I may post tomorrow, provided I can get my new video editing software to work. *smiles*

I think that's pretty much all the projects I'm working on. I have a couple "in the hopper" but because they are new patterns I don't want to spill the beans.

I want to say thanks to you all for following my blog. I hope you find it informational, enjoyable, and/or entertaining. Do leave a comment below because I love hearing from you!

- Cris