The rippit stripe!

I’m hoping for a happy accident when this latest crochet project is completed. You know what a happy accident is, right? It’s when a project or situation turns out better than you’d planned, even when “oh, no!” moments occur.
My current project is a baby afghan. I decided upon the pattern stitch, the size crochet hook and the colors. It would be turquoise with a white border. Happy with my vision, I crocheted and crocheted and ooops! “Oh, no!” I ran out of turquoise yarn! No problem. A minor setback. I’ll just go back to the store and purchase more, right?
At the store, I realize there is not enough in the bin to complete the afghan. Now what? Redesign! Searching the yarn bins, I find a nice variegated yarn that includes turquoise as one of its colors. Yea!!! Now, instead of the turquoise and white afghan I’d planned to make, I’ll make a paneled afghan. Two panels will be turquoise and one will be the variegated. Smiles. Happy, happy, happy me! Hmmm…I think I’ll add a picot edging with the variegated yarn.
A few days later, I’m really liking the effect of the variegated panel next to the turquoise one. Just six more rows and the variegated panel will be done and then on to the finish line! Uh, where’s the other skein of variegated yarn? “Oh, no!” Now what!?
I go back to the store for more yarn. They haven’t restocked. So, I go to three more yarn stores in search of the yarn I need. No luck. However, the last store has a terrific selection of yarn. Maybe I can redesign once again with success. I find a yarn called “Angel Fleece”. It has a compatible color and an interesting texture. It will be an accent stripe for the afghan completing the middle (variegated) panel.
This yarn is challenging. It looks like a silky string with nubby yarn wound around it. As I start to crochet with it, I quickly realize it’s like leaving footprints in a snow storm. I can’t see the stitches! I trudge onward feeling my way across the rows, hoping I’ve added just the right amount. Six rows later, the textured stripe is slightly ruffled. ~sigh~ Rippit. Rippit. Rippit. I unravel six rows.
What happens next? I ordered the variegated yarn online and I’m anxiously waiting for it to arrive; so, I can complete this baby afghan. I just know it’s going to be a happy accident!

Fingertip Inspiration

Keepsake Card
The front of this card (little girl) made me think how perfect this would be as a nursery accent. Just change the theme from gardening to baby and voila!
Baby Sock Rattle
Recycle Knit Dress into Baby Hat
Crocheted Baby Quilt
Plastic Canvas Baby Blocks

A Ball: part 1 and part 2

Hmmmm. Well I can crochet booties that are sized the same, left foot bootie and right foot booties match. So, I should be able to make two halves of a ball match, right? You bet! And so, voila! I present to you my first and second crocheted balls. 

Variegated Crocheted Baby Balls - My First!

Yes, the second ball is larger than the first one. I used a larger hook for the second one. 

I have to ask. How do you keep up with stitches and rows completed? Do you use a stitch counter? Or, do you do it like I do with pen and pad? I find it helps my concentration to actually write it down. 

Keeping Track

Fingertip Inspiration

Felt Baby Booties
Knit Frog Suit with Hood
Baby Burp Cloth Tutorial
Pacifier Clip Tutorial
Organic Bottle Covers

Granny Square Baby Sacque

If you are a beginning crocheter, I would highly recommend learning how to make granny squares. This is actually the way I learned! Granny squares make up quickly and give you a sense of accomplishment. Once the squares are made, you can manuever them to create anything from a bootie to an afghan. It all depends upon the sizing and number of squares you crochet. You, the beginning crocheter, are in total control of your project. Yea!

Fingertip Inspiration

Tutorial for Baby Onesie Card
Free Diaper Bag Pattern
Hankie Baby Bonnet
Tee Shirt to Newborn Gown Tutorial
Eco-Friendly Baby Rattle