C is for crochet

I gave in to the temptation and started a crocheted baby blanket. My college roommate just had a boy and another friend is supposed to have a boy next month. Since I don't have really boy-appropriate yarn in my stash (stop snickering, its true that despite all that yarn there wasn't anything just right for a baby blanket for a boy), I fell victim to the acrylic at one of the big box stores. Now, not all acrylic is equal. Sadly, I got some crappy acrylic because I thought the colors were exactly what I wanted. I am not enjoying the actual crocheting of this blanket but it is turning out lovely. I'll just have to steam the crap out of it so its not so scratchy.

A photo of the ABC Afghan:



From the side its easier to see the puff stitch which creates the outlines and letters:


Again, the colors were perfect for the recipient so I went with it. I'm sure she will appreciate the easy care acrylic but it sure is tough on my hands. On the other hand, it is such an easy project, it is just zooming along and makes for great TV crocheting.

Guess what came in the mail yesterday?



Yeah, because I really need another distraction from my work during the day. (It's actually DH's anniversary present. Wednesday marked 4 years since we got married.)

Bad Blogger

Um, yeah, its been a few days since I posted and I owed you some photos.

First, the nearly finished Baby Surprise Jacket:



When I seamed up the first sleeve, I went too far over and the neck opening was too small so I had to pull out the seam. This time I'm going to use safety pins to help me figure out the right spacing. I need to find buttons--what side should the buttons be on for a girl? I never know these rules... Since this isn't for anyone in particular now, I have time to find something perfect.

The yarn haul from MDS&W was modest. There was some Socks that Rock (mediumweight) in Lodestone and Ravenscroft:



Its hard to see but there is some green in that black:



I think that together they are destined to be a beautiful shawl. Its hard to tell from the pictures but the green hue in the black is picked up in the Lodestone (those parts that look kind of dirty are really a green color).



There was also some Worsted Weight (Russian American) yarn from Peace Fleece in Siberian Midnight:



Look at all that tweed-y goodness:


The base is navy blue plied with a dark brown and then its got white, gray, and tan flecks. I'm thinking it might be the perfect Cobblestone yarn.

The Peace Fleece customer service was fabulous, just so you know. They only had 6 skeins left at the festival and I wanted 7 just to be sure I didn't run out of yarn. I paid for 7 at the festival and they shipped me (free of charge) the last skein. I can't wait to cast on.

Next time, how I succumbed to the call of crochet.

Crochet is calling

I'm almost finished with my Baby Surprise Jacket. Only one more ridge, the bindoff and I'm ready to put it all together. I love the colors and think it will make a great gift. Unfortunately, its intended recipient is already too big for it. (I guess I should have actually started this while the baby was still in the womb.) I didn't bother to swatch since I knew I wanted to make the pattern and I knew I wanted to use this yarn so I don't really care. Of course, it means I need to come up with another gift for the baby girl.

So I went to Maryland Sheep & Wool and did the abbreviated tour (I was only there on Sunday). I actually got to meet Casey and Jess of Ravelry fame. I showed some restraint and only came home with two skeins of Blue Moon Fiber's Socks that Rock and some beautiful tweedy wool from Peace Fleece--enough to make a Cobblestone sweater for hubby. (Well, in theory since we all know how often I actually finish a sweater for him.)

But what is most interesting about the whirlwind trip to the MD/DC area? I came back with a serious hankering to do some crochet. Honestly, I think its the STR--it is screaming to become a crocheted something. (Or maybe it was all the exposure to other crocheters like Carrie, Pam and newbie crocheter Christi.) Perhaps a Blue Curacao?

I'll finish up the BSJ tonight and then take pics of the FO and new yarn tomorrow.