Photo Monday!

Who needs anymore stress on Monday? So here are some beautiful photos of a baby blanket that I just finished and shipped off on Saturday!





I simply love the beautiful colors and it is wonderfully soft. It is 36" square.  It was a custom order and started from these beautiful yarns. It was a super quick crochet job as I started it on Sunday and shipped on Saturday!



I am working on another custom order now and it is huge. I believe it is going to take 150 crocheted granny squares. Yes, 150! Yikes, I have a plan though and it is happening pretty quickly. I have about 80 centers worked now. I will show you more at a later this week.

See you on Tuesday!

Karen

New baby blanket

I just had to show my newest creation. It is a custom order baby blanket and I just love the colors. They are a bit daring and different for this part of the country. It completely updates the granny square afghan and in beautiful modern colors. The yarn  is soft, cuddly and completely washable. Pop it in the washer and the dryer and have it out clean and ready to go in no time. Perfect for new babies.

Check out the bright and beautiful granny stripes.



Completely bordered with granny circles. This beautiful baby afghan is finished with beautiful scalloped edging and a ChocolateDogStudio tag. There is a teeny tiny baby bonnet with flower to go with it. I am so excited that it turned out so well. It was tricky to get it finished while moving from one state to another. So finishing it on time was the icing on the cake. This one won't be in the Chocolate Dog Studio shop but I sure hope to make another in a similar style also complete with bonnet! So keep checking back and I hope to have the next one up quickly. http://www.chocolatedogstudio.etsy.com

talk to you later,

Karen

 

Scrap Yarn projects

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="570"] http://www.etsy.com/listing/62030561/pdf-crochet-pattern-mighty-mug-cozy[/caption]

It seems like my yarn stash has/is growing out of all bounds. I have been searching for scrap yarn projects and found these. I hope that they help you find more room in your house, too.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="570"] http://www.etsy.com/listing/89170166/pdf-pattern-pretty-up-your-fruit-bowl[/caption]

 

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="240"] http://wolfcrochet.wordpress.com/2012/02/[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300"] http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L20077.html[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300"] http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L20081.html[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="308"] http://www.crochetme.com/media/p/112553.aspx[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="448"] http://verypink.com/2012/01/26/todays-work/[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] http://elisabethandree.posterous.com/threads-threads-lots-of-threads[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="342"] http://www.etsy.com/listing/38871159/scrap-yarn-afghan-crocheted-stained[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="570"] http://www.etsy.com/listing/77038019/knitted-banner-pattern-happy-day-bunting[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] http://crochet.about.com/od/afghansquaresandblocks/ss/Rainbow_Crochet_Square.htm[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] http://knitnut.blogspot.com/[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] http://maribelmade.com/[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500"] http://sheepspace.ca/category/crochet/[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="460"] http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/aug/23/how-to-make-crocheted-flowers[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="640"] http://resurrectionfern.typepad.com/resurrection_fern/2008/10/crochet-acorns-and-felted-pumpkin-bowls-a-tutorial.html[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300"] http://www.crochetbug.com/tag/scrap-yarn/page/2/[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400"] http://valzcorner.blogspot.com/2012/06/4-more-summer-crochet-projects.html[/caption]

 

Well, this is a small list of ideas that are out there on the internet. I hope it sparks some inspiration for you and sends you in new directions. What do you do with all your scrap yarn? How do you use it up?

See you later,

Karen

 

 

Wednesdays Squared: granny #4

This is a fun granny square and is really simple and you can make it any size. I can see this square being used in a contemporary granny square blanket with diagonal stripes or  any quilting patterns that are created with right angles.



I also got this square pattern from the book Beyond the Square Crochet motifs by Edie Eckman. I haven't decided how many squares of this pattern I will need.

I will see you later,

Karen

Wednesday squared: granny square 2

Here is my next square. I added the border around the edge to make it easier to stitch together. I am going to try to sew it together as I go.  We will see how that goes.



I am also going to try to use four of these in my sampler. So I need to stitch up the other three.  This square is also from Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs book by Edie Eckman. She has done such a great job of writing directions that I would look up the instructions in her book. Don't you like the color combinations in this one? I do. I can't wait to see what the other look like.

See you next week.

Karen

Wednesday Squared: square 1

I enjoy the mindlessness of crocheting granny squares. I have long felt that I need to try some new squares. I have been intrigued by this

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="http://www.ecrater.com/p/13757362/better-homes-and-gardens-crochet-knitting"][/caption]

crochet blanket and I have long wanted to put together my own crochet sampler. Here is my square a week.



This pattern is taken from Beyond the square Crochet Motifs by Edie Eckman.

I think I will use at least four of these in my crochet sampler blanket.

What are you doing new this week?

See you later,

Karen

 

Crocheting....

Crochet has been calling my name again, patterns are running through my mind and interrupting my sleep. I have been googling patterns and finding lovely items all crocheted. Lovely colors and items with texture and life. Moving is difficult even at the best of times, and I usually reach for yarn and a hook for comfort. That sounds a bit odd. I also pray deeply while I am crocheting and think. I let the yarn run while my mind is planning or thinking about the future. I have crocheted at least 6 blankets and numerous other items since Christmas.

[gallery link="file" orderby="rand"]

I find myself wanting to head in a different direction with the crochet. I am not sure which direction, yet. Possibly just a change in yarns and colors. I am craving the bright colors that I see from the European crocheters. They are light and bright while the US yarns seem a bit grayed and drab. Do you even care about this? It doesn't matter to me I need a place to talk about it and think about it. Is it worth ordering yarn from over the sea? Shall I venture out into wools or cottons?

Here are some of the items and blogs inspiring me at this point.

Lucy at Attic24

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2009/09/baby-ripple-tadah.html"][/caption]

Aren't they bright and cheery.

Jules at littlewoolie

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="512" caption="http://littlewoollie.blogspot.com.es/2012_04_01_archive.html"][/caption]

Gorgeous colors and great ideas.

Sandra at Cherryheart

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="400" caption="http://sandra-cherryheart.blogspot.com/2011/04/colour-explosion.html"][/caption]

Wow, this one is just gorgeous and beautiful!

 

Well, there are others but these are the few that I visit, again and again. I am thankful that they share their days and projects with us. I have been through three computers in the past year, so I have lost many others that I had bookmarked.

Well, I will check back in another day. Today is waiting and there is much to be done. Thankfully, I don't need to solve this small problem today!

Karen

 

 

Piles of Blankets

 

Here is what I have been up to, besides dealing with a rotten cold.....

A new camera, which is a birthday gift and then also these wonderful afghans that have kept me warm while I worked on them! I have fallen back in love with yarn again and I am going to be listing these in the shop when I get to feeling a bit better. I am not sure of the size of the brown one and it might need to be a bit bigger than the lap size it is now. The others vary between lap size and throw sized.

 



 



Three are huge granny squares, the other is the one shown above. It is crocheted on the diagonal.

 



I have crocheted four since Christmas and I am have two more in process.

 



 

Finally this one in shades of brown and green. It reminds me of the Autumn leaves. They are all crocheted by me since Christmas!

Talk to you later!

 

Karen

 

Yarn goodies and New Item Ideas!

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="454" caption="http://www.lemondedesucrette.com/2012/01/27/rainbow-ripple-it-is-done/"][/caption]

 

Yes, I have been doing some research for new items in the shops. Pinterest has been my downfall. There are so many crocheted goodies on pinterest that I am in love with Yarn..... AGAIN! When I originally opened my shop I was making crocheted goodies like hats, scarves, shawls and items like this. They weren't really selling, probably because I had no feedback. I have been looking at these wonderful little items and just falling in love all over again. Isn't that afghan gorgeous doesn't it make you want to wrap up in it on a cold dreary day and drink something warm and wonderful!

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1024" caption="http://www.littletinbird.co.uk/2012/02/04/2012-baby-blanket-number-1/"][/caption]

All that  beautiful crocheted yarn goodness. Wow, I have been in serious curiousity about whether I can create something as beautiful as these. Then there is this blog site full of wonderful colors and beautiful yarn!

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="500" caption="http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/hexagon-howto.html"][/caption]

I love all of Attic24's pages. They are bright, cheerful and she has so many tips and tricks. It keeps inspiring me to try crocheting again. So I am and I hope to have some pictures up soon. My camera isn't working so I am slow on new photos. I can't wait to show you what I have been working on and what is in the works for the shop. I also have some great new items that are en route to the photographer and I should have those back soon!

 

See you all later.

Karen