Cinderella in Combat Boots

When I was in elementary school I watched a "production" of Cinderella in Combat Boots. I believe that it must have been put on for our benefit by the high schoolers, who were frankly awe inspiring to a miniature, impressionable me. I recall thinking that there was nothing more fascinating than the juxtaposition of the feminine and masculine, nothing more beautiful and powerful than the way those boots looked on her in that dress. Perhaps, those thoughts were not so clearly formed, but I was indeed stirred. I blame that production on my proclivity later in life for combat boots. One pair in particular were worn until the nails had worked their way through the sole, and then worn some more. These days it becomes more and more difficult to find occasion for combat boots. So, I have laced up a pair for my new mannequin. And as she models my latest creations, I cannot help but admire how lovely she looks in those boots.

Orange Grown Up Baby Sweater

It turns out that I had not lost this sweater, but rather had stuffed it into a decorative box.  I suppose at some point that seemed like the best thing to do.  I wonder what I will find in all the other nooks and crannies of the apartment.

As mentioned previously this sweater followed the pattern for a toddler sweater.  A friend mentioned after I modeled it for her, that yes, it is evident that this was intended for someone without any particular shape to their body.  Perhaps I can find a giant toddler who would want to wear it.

Jefe, what is a plethora?

I have a plethora of yarn.  I have been accumulating it for years now.  While moving has necessitated the disposal of some of the more unruly clumps of knotted skeins I still find that I have more yarn than one ought to have.  It is tucked into hidey holes all over the house.  I have a broad spectrum of yarn, too.  Dollar stores, discount shops, remnants, and inherited yarn leaves me with a random hodge podge of unrelated balls and floppy, loose skeins. 

I have determined that I will find purpose for all of this yarn, and so I have set out to work through my collection.  So, whether it is a simple hotpad, or a stuffed bunny rabbit complete with sweater and hat I will begin to chronicle my progress.

Hot pads are the simplest way to get rid of extra yarn.  The red was from a blanket commissioned for a young man.  The green was selected for a blanket that never got made.  The orange is from a sweater, which although it was designed for a baby- I made adult sized.  I'll upload a photo as soon as I relocate the sweater!

This hotpad and bracelet came from a small skein found on sale at Joanne Fabrics.  I think I was just taken with the texture of it, but had no plans for its use when it was purchased.

The handtowel (a staple at craft bazaars) is also a frequently requested gift item from my mother.  The yarn is old enough that I forgot its origins (most likely a dollar store).  I think I may have made a youth blanket with it.

Left over baby blanket yarn.  I bought too much, because it resulted in 2 baby blankets and a scarf.

This scarf was made with an inherited skein of yarn.  I used the afghan stitch, which I'm thrilled to say was taught to my by my 11 year old niece!

While at Target I saw fingerless mittens (with a mitten hood) and crocheted ear muff.  It was yet another, I could do this myself moment.  So I did.  I used dollar store yarn which had been purchased to make purses (one of which I actually sold to a security guard at my place of employment).  Alas one of the mittens is larger than the other, because I did not follow a pattern.

Yarn from the blanket that never was.  My grandmother sent me to her crochet binder, where she chronicled every pattern and project she had made.  She told me to retrieve the mitten pattern (this after I told her that my mittens were of two different sizes).  The hat is out of the Happy Hooker book and has ear flaps and buttons.  The scarf again utilizes the afghan stitch.

This rabbit is made from the unused yarn from a baby blanket and sock yarn.  His ears have pipecleaners in them to hold them up.  He has no legs.  I ran out of yarn.

Doily Freestyle

I had my grandmother's lazy susan in mind when I started this.  I did not follow a pattern.  I find doily patterns to be challenging.  I suppose I should address that issue one of these days.  In the meantime I will just enjoy freestyling.

Making a blanket, just because the I liked the color

I had no need for another blanket, and I cannot think of anyone who would want one, let alone someone who would tolerate the color.  All I know is that when I saw the yarn at the craft store I thought, this is too terribly beautiful to pass up.
The pattern comes from The Complete Book of Crochet Stitch Designs: 500 Classic & Original Patterns by Linda P. Schapper. It ended up being a perfect Springtime afghan. This blanket is currently available for sale on my Etsy site. Click here to check it out on Etsy

Grandma's Gift

After giving my grandmother a Victorian ring purse she went into her room and came back with this:

She explained that this small satchel's expressed purpose was to hold your crochet thread while you work on projects.  I gladly accepted this gift and examined it.  I have since produced two replicas.

Baby Blanket coincidence

I made this baby blanket primarily to use up yarn, which I had purchased for a previous baby blanket.  Shortly after I had finished it my mother called and informed me that the boy from my Sunday School class (yes, I briefly taught a Sunday School class) and his wife were having a baby.  Of course it's a pretty sure bet that someone somewhere in your life is having a baby- why only last year I had to crank out several baby blankets.  Which is to say nothing of my many friends who actually had to crank out babies. 

I, on the other hand, have a cat.

Commissioned Baby Blanket

This baby blanket was commissioned by my roommate's mother.  The pattern came from one of my all time favorite books, The Complete Book of Crochet Stitch Designs: 500 Classic & Original Patterns by Linda P. Schapper.  Sometimes I just sit with it musing over the many stitches, and possibilities.

 

If you are interested in this pattern I am happy to provide the pattern information below.

 

Chain multiples of 3 plus 1.

 

Row 1: Dc in 5th ch from hook, dc in next ch, working over last 2 dc made, dc in ch to the right of last 2 dc made, *skip next ch, dc in each of next 2 ch, working over last 2 dc made, dc in last skipped ch; rep from * across to within last ch, dc in last ch, turn

 

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), skip first dc in each dec across to turning ch, dc in 3rd ch of turning ch, turn.

 

Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as dc), skip first dc, * skip next dc, dc in each of next 2 dc, working over last 2 dc made, dc in last skipped dc; rep from  * across to turning ch, dc in 3rd ch of turning ch, turn.

 

Rep Rows 2-3 for pattern.

 

Below I've included the crochet symbols for the pattern. I tend to be more visual, and found the symbols to be especially helpful. I strongly encourage crocheters to invest in this book. It will keep you endlessly occupied!

 

 

I used a shell stitch for the border, but you can finish the blanket how ever you would prefer.

Victorian Ring Purse

My grandmother gave me a few of her small crochet magazines (two from the early Nineties and one from the Fifties).  In one of the magazines (one from the nineties) there was a pattern for a Victorian ring purse.  My mother, who was delivering the magazines reported that Grandma had one, which was white.  This fact was reiterated in the magazine as my grandmother had written "I had a white one".  So inspite of my limited pattern following abilities I set about to make a white Victorian finger purse for my grandmother.

Gilgamesh

My sister, and often my muse inspired the creation of the Gilgamesh hat and beard.  No pattern was followed, and I'm not quite sure how I could duplicate it, though I'm sure I will make the attempt.  Maybe next time I will try to record the pattern.