Monday, March 5, 2012

Happy Monday

 Happy Monday!  Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.  I got lots and lots done around my house and a bit of crochet, too.

 Five Flower scarves are blocked, and boxed up ready for the trip to my sister.  They are made from 100% cotton and are so fun for spring and summer.
I made one of these last year for myself and I have to say I wear it more than most of my knit or crochet items.  When I wear it people stop me and ask where I bought it, which is a compliment and an insult all at the same time, if you know what I mean.  Last year when wearing it at a fancy smancy mall near me I had four people stop me, a record.  So hopefully someone out in Etsy land will like them, too.

You know I love to keep track of my finished projects, so here we go.  The two crochet baskets will count as one finished project and two scarves will count as one.  So that puts me at 13 1/2 finished projects for the year so far.

 Until I know if more flower scarves are needed I thought I would try and work on this lovely sweater from Interweave Crochet Winter issue.  I spent yesterday afternoon making swatch, after swatch, after swatch, and not getting it right.

This yarn is so thin it actually is weaving thread.  I don't think I have ever used yarn this thin.  It reminds me of dental floss.  Super fine yarn is apparently not my thing.  I had to put on my reading glasses because I couldn't see where to insert my hook.

In order to get gauge I had to double the yarn and go up two hook sizes.  This of course creates the dilemma of running out of yarn pretty quickly.  So I am going to experiment, this could be a major bust!  I am going to alternate square colors so I use an even amounts of yarn.  I am going to start at the back and work out on both sides equally.  And I am going to make it into a vest instead of a sweater to save on yarn.

I think because the colors are somewhat muted that alternating the squares will not make it too busy.  I actually drew out the pattern to see how it would look.  It is a giant rectangle with openings for the arms, very similar to the blue vest I recently finished.  This could be a colossal disaster or the work of a genius, only time will tell.  I think what will happen is it will be fantastic and then the styles will drastically change to super tight, cropped sweaters.  Well too bad, I am going to wear it anyway.  That is if I don't run out of yarn first.

29 comments:

Unknown said...

Happy Monday to you too. Wow. I adore those flower scarves. I love that your tulips are out too. Hope they are still blooming in two weeks when I head that way. Ready for some relaxing beach time and of course a long stroll along the shores of Redington Beach.

Petunia Pill said...

I LOVVVVE your scarves! The colors are scrumptious! I bet they'll sell quickly! Keep us posted! Hugs, Annette

Brenda Pruitt said...

I LOVE the flowers, Mere! I think you should put pins on the back of single ones and they could be worn on a shirt or as a clippy in one's hair. Love them! And hats! Embellish hats.
Brenda

JCDiTaranto said...

Also sending best wishes for good luck on the sale of the flower scarves -- such beautiful colors!

Unknown said...

Hope you have had a lovely monday. Im loving the flowers for your scarf can't wait to see it finshed such gorgeous colours. They will sell im sure. Enjoy the jumper making. dee x

serendipity said...

Love the flower scarves. That yarn for the sweater is so fine. Not sure I'd have the patience!. I've seen women making dolls house crochet things with thread so fine it made my eyes hurt! Good luck. :)

Liz said...

No wonder you received so many compliments...the scarves are beautiful. I can't wait to see your new crocheted sweater. Have a great week,
Liz

Grateful4Crochet said...

those flower scarves are amazingly beautiful
xx

Grateful4Crochet said...

those flower scarves are amazingly beautiful
xx

Between Me and You said...

I love that your scarves look exactly like the inside of your tulips! Great work as always (wish I lived nearer so that I could actually buy one!). Happy Monday to you to, Meredith. x

MaryMargaret said...

Those scarves are beautiful! You are so talented. Fine yarn is not my friend, either- I've got one half finished scarf in a super fine threadlike yarn that I'm afraid will never be finished! It's hard to work on a project when you really dislike the materials you are working with. Happy Monday!

Sentimentally Me said...

Hi Meredith!

Thanks for stopping by my blog (and The Flower Bed!) and for the kind words. Your blog is new to me, but I'm going to follow as I love what I've read so far (lots of catching up to do!)

Quick question. I LOVE the cotton flower scarves. Would you mind if I ask how many flowers they are and approx size of your flowers?? I'd love to stitch one up in cotton for spring/summer.

Thanks so much :)

P

Emily said...

That's so funny! Fingers crossed for having enough yarn - you could always make a hat?!
Emily x

kathy b said...

you just wear that wonderfully

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Meredith, those scarves are so pretty, I hope they fly out of the shop!!! You sure do get a lot accomplished.
Good luck with the sweater, will keep my fingers crossed. xxxxx
xoRobin❤

bellaboo said...

Thanks for visiting and for your lovely comment.
I'm just trying to master a crochet flower...yours are lovely,I think it will be a while before I can make some like that :)

lovestitch said...

Happy new week to you! Oh how I love your flower scarves, really wonderful! You did bring a great inspiration to me!!! Can't wait to see your finished sweater, it must be amazing for sure!!!
Best wishes,
LS xx

Teresa Kasner said...

Hi Meredith! Wow, I also love your flower scarves! You'll have to make up a card and when people admire them, whip out a card with your Etsy shop URL! Enjoy your week.. now I'm going to look at your shop!
((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Susanne Tyree said...

The scarves are so pretty, your color choices are smashingly beautiful. Next time someone asks you where you bought your scarf tell them at your etsy shop, lol. You can be a walking advertisement for your shop.
Susanne :)

Faeryfay said...

Those crochet scarves are just beautiful! Good luck with the interweave pattern! It looks gorgeous!

Teresa said...

Those scarves are really, really nice, Meredith, no wonder people stop you on the street :) you should get some business cards for your etsy shop and tell them "here, this is where I got it" :)
I do love that interweave sweater / vest too! Can't wait to see the finished result, those colors are lovely :)
Big, big hug, my friend.

A Whole Lotta Magic said...

So pretty! I don`t have the patience for this.

S
xo

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Thank you for stopping by and leaving such kind comments! I really appreciate your offer of help. I rely on Youtube a lot! Thank heaven we have actual videos to watch that are free! Reading patterns are really frustrating for me. I guess that will be something that will have to come in time. I can knit a little but crochet seems to come easier for me. Have a fantastic day down there in warm and sunny Florida!~Hugs, Patti

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Hey there, Meredith! I just got caught up on your past few posts. Max is such a handsome boy! I'm sorry to hear that he has hip problems but he sure is lucky to have a loving family to take good care of him. Your flower scarves are very pretty! I hope they sell well! Good luck with the sweater/vest. I have a hard time working with thin yarn and likely would never figure out the pattern you are working on. I tend to stick with simple projects that I know I can do. Too many instructions or rows in a pattern and my eyes glaze over. Ha! Time definitely has not been on my side of late. Or our internet gives me fits and I can't do anything. I agree with you about blogging -- I so appreciate the friendships I've made with likeminded folks. I like simple things, honesty, personal interaction. There are some blogs I only view for inspiration. And then there are others I feel I must visit just as I would spend time with a good friend. :) Take care of yourself. Hope you have a great week. Best wishes and blessings, Tammy

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

Your flower scarves are awesome! I love them. :)

I just love that people wanted to know where you got them...they are beautiful. :)

Wishing you a lovely day.

Deb said...

Gorgeous flower scarfs!!
Such a pretty pattern ♥

Sue Pinner said...

Good luck with the Etsy scarves and the new design too
Have a fun week x

Annaboo's House said...

I too, am loving those flower scarves- beautiful colours and a really lovely pattern.
Good luck with the next project - I look forward to seeing how it turns out!
Xx

Karen said...

I so admire your patience when trying a new project! The flower scarves are pretty as can be. They just shout out 'spring'!