WIP Wednesday

· by · in Crochet WIPs. ·

I know I usually don’t do a WIP Wednesday post but I’m really excited about a few of the things I have on my hooks!

If you follow me on Instagram you’ve probably already seen some of these WIPs. Well, lucky you because you get to see them again!!!

Picnic Blanket

picnic blanket

Earlier in the summer I really wanted to make a picnic basket and blanket for me and hubby because we love to take little picnics. The basket was not going as I had planned and I think I’m going to need to sit down and think for a bit on how to make it. I did however, start on the blanket! I’m using the woven crochet technique that I used last March. I have a few more chains to make and weave then add some fringe and it’s ready for picnic fun!!

Caron Cakes Sweater for Madeline

maddie sweaterMy daughter Madeline loved the Summer Fun Sweater that I made at the end of July and asked me if I could make her one for Fall/Winter with long sleeves. I’m using the wool blend Caron Cakes in Funfetti for this one. No problems with the yarn so far. If you recall I had a lot of issues with the Cotton Caron Cakes yarn. I need to make it a few inches longer then add the sleeves and a hood!

Dancing Butterflies Sweater

dancing butterflies sweater

Earlier this summer I made the Dancing Butterflies Wrap and really enjoyed the stitch pattern. I liked it so much I was inspired to design a sweater using the same stitches. I guess I should call this sweater Dancing Dragonflies because the Red Heart Unforgettable yarn that I’m using is called Dragonfly. This will be short sleeve with a deep V neck similar to the Summer Fun sweater style but using the fan stitch pattern in the body of the sweater.

And finally because I am really getting tired of making things with stripes I am doing a little experiment. First of all I was squealing with excitement when I was at my local Walmart last weekend because they started carrying the Lion Brand Mandala yarn!!!

So my experiment is that I’m going to try to Unstripe the Self Striping yarn!! Yeah it’s silly and maybe even a little bit weird but I don’t care. I love the color combinations in the self striping yarn cakes but I want to find someway to show off those gorgeous combos that doesn’t result in a stripe. My experiment involves using Hairpin Lace which I’m always excited about making. We’ll see how this goes. It could end up being weird and awkward or it could be brilliant!! What it will not be (I hope) is striped!!

I’m still plugging away at reading all of your posts. I’m really sad that I had to miss another Bake Along. I’m especially sad because it was for bread this month and I love baking bread!! I will be getting a new oven at the end of the month so hopefully I will be able to jump in on the next one.

Thanks for reading!

~ Tami

 

66 responses to “WIP Wednesday”

  1. How are you doing with the unforgettable yarn? I found frogging it to be a disaster, and one of my students hated the yarn because it’s thickness varies so much. The colors are so pretty though I always have to fondle it when I go through the yarn aisle.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Oh my gosh yes!! It is so so tempting to touch it and the colors are so mmmmmmm!! 😀 The first time I used it I did have to pull it apart and it was awful. I ended up snapping it a couple of times. So now I’m very very very careful and keeping my fingers crossed there will not need to be any frogging. The varying thickness of the yarn threw me off at first but I kind of like it now. I am going to be very picky about what I use this for not only because of the frog issues and the texture but mostly because it is a bit pricey for a cheap yarn addict like myself. 😀

      Liked by 2 people

    • Thanks Hayley! I’m hoping the un-stripes works. If this experiment doesn’t work I’ll come up with another one. I’m just obsessed with making things other than stripes with this yarn! They really shouldn’t make it so pretty, I just can’t resist buying it!! 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Lots of great projects going on Tami! I need to take inventory of my unfinished work and see what I can put on the “done” list.
    I have also used that Unforgettable yarn. I used a huge hook, maybe a P? and single crocheted an infinity scarf. I wanted it really lacy. It’s not how I imagined it, but it’s nice.
    It’s one of the bright summery blends, lots of pink and turquoise. I want to make one with one of the fall/winter blends so I will be watching for a sale.

    Liked by 1 person

    • There’s just so many luscious color combinations in this yarn!! I’m glad when I picked out the Dragonfly my daughter was with me to advise me and keep me from filling my cart with every color! I’m also keeping an eye out for sales on this. Speaking of which I got an email from Michaels today with a Buy 2 get 1 Free on all yarn. I need to check to see when that sale ends. 😀

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    • She has been eyeballing those Caron cakes for a while wondering what I was going to make with them. She was really excited when I said I would use them for her sweater. She is an artist and loves bright bold colors. 😀

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  5. All of these projects look awesome! I’m going to use two skeins of Katia City to make a Dancing Butterflies shawl (I’m excited about this future project). I am so jealous you got your hands on the Mandala yarn. I keep checking around here to see if it’s available yet. I want some N-O-W! LOL.

    Liked by 2 people

    • I’m pretty sure I made an audible squeal in Walmart! Not sure if that is such a unique noise for Walmart though LOL!! It’s a really lovely lightweight yarn – probably not the best choice for my experiment but it will do. I’ll know after I make the first few hairpin strips whether or not it will work. I can’t wait to see your Dancing Butterflies! I couldn’t decide whether or not to convert the pattern into a triangle shawl or a sweater. Ultimately the sweater won because I already have a few shawls that I’m not wearing plus I’m on a little sweater kick right now. Warming up the hook for winter apparel making!

      Liked by 1 person

      • I’ve already started some winter wear. Good luck with the experiment!! Hairpin lace sounds like a good idea for self-striping yarn.

        Liked by 1 person

    • Thanks!! This was a very stripey summer so far. It’s been fun but I’m excited to see if I can make something completely different with the self striping yarn. 😀

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  8. Wow 😳 You have some fabulous projects going on.
    I love your daughter’s sweater 😍I have a Caron Cake sitting here…the colors are so pretty, but I can’t decide what it’s gonna be. I act like it’s the last Cake ever 😜
    I can’t wait to see ‘Dancing Dragonflies’ – such a pretty name too 😃
    Good luck with the ‘un-striping’ – I’ve never tried hairpin lace – looks interesting 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thanks Tina! LOL I was sitting on the 3 cakes that I’m using for the sweater for about 6 months. It’s really beautiful yarn but it’s so hard to decide what to use it on. I’m really excited about the Dancing Dragonflies sweater. I’m making this one for me! I’m already planning on making a long sleeve one for winter!! 😀
      I love making hairpin lace and trying to work it into different projects. It’s a little bit tricky to learn at first but it doesn’t take long to figure it out. And there are tons of ways to make different stitches and methods for joining the strips. 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  10. I enjoy seeing such a beautiful WIP-s. I think the Picnic blanket looks very beautiful! And of course everything else that you shared also. What kind of problems did you have with the basket? Maybe my new post about cloth yarn baskets might help a bit.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you Helina! For the picnic basket I was playing around with crocheting over the top of some rope. It was very tight and fiddly so I set it aside. Plus I wasn’t sure if I wanted a rectangle or an oval shaped basket. I’ll check out your post to see if I can get a some ideas there!! Thanks!! We love picnics and I thought it would be perfect and special to make our picnic gear for us to use! 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  11. So much eye candy here Tami! I am at the opposite end, just finishing and finishing, and then I got very disciplined and opened the UFO drawer whilst cleaning, so now will get a few of those moving forward before starting anything new. So, I’ll just enjoy all of your yarny goodies!!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thanks Kathy!! I’ve been really (uncharacteristically) good this summer by actually finishing all of the projects I’ve recently started. There are a couple of things in the ‘dust off the cobwebs’ UFO pile though. I’m trying to squeeze in as many summery projects as I can before it’s time for fall/winter things. Good luck with cleaning up all of your rediscovered UFOs! I can’t wait to see them all. And maybe a little tatting too?? 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  12. I need to do hairpin lace swatches (for my course) and then join them together. I bought a hairpin lace loom and have been looking at a bunch of videos. I haven’t tried it yet but I can’t say I’m feeling this craft. The only way I’ve found to finish them off is with tassels. I don’t want a bunch of tassels on my swatches! I might have to go out and buy a book or something, or dig around in my book collection and see if I already have something. Maybe once I try it I’ll like it. But I like the way the yarn is looking on on your loom. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Oh there’s a ton of ways to join the strips! I really like making and using hairpin lace but it can be tedious because it’s always at least a 2 part process. Make the strips then join the strips. I guess it’s not much different than granny squares though. It took a while to find a video to learn how to use the loom and make the basic strips but once you learn how it’s very simple. Before you spend any yarn money on books you should look around on youtube a little bit more for finishing and joining techniques. I really like sheruknitting – she has a ton of hairpin lace tutorials. Some are very fancy! Ruby Stedman also has a lot of hairpin lace projects. Good luck and as always my dear Twinternet friend you can email me if you have any questions or get stuck. 😀

      Liked by 2 people

  13. Some lovely projects on the go there Tami! Can I ask do you use a template pattern for your sweaters/ cardigans? Looks like you have a raglan sleeve design one? I am still looking for patterns to make mine but as I’ve not found one I like yet was thinking to have a go myself , just not quite sure on the shaping for sleeves etc. Haha love how you think outside the box, can’t wait to see your hairpin lace design ! X

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you!! I do use a template for my sweaters – http://www.bobwilson123.org/uploads/1/6/3/0/16302954/adult_v_neck_cardigan_bobwilson123.pdf I hope that link works. I have made cardigans and V necks with this template. I have plans to make crew neck and cowl neck sweaters using this too. It’s very simple and easy to adapt for tons of sweater styles and yarn sizes. Using this template you can easily make your own design which is really a lot more fun anyways! Good luck, there’s also a video tutorial for this basic design. Let me know how you make out. I’m pretty excited about the hairpin lace experiment. I hope it works out the way I want it to. It might end up being a small blanket or if I get bored with joining all the strips it might end up just being a scarf LOL!! 😀

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    • The wool blend cakes seem to be okay. I still haven’t given the cotton blend ones another try. I’m hoping that I’ll end up with color chunks and then some intermingled colors too. I’ll be joining the strips with a kind of braided type of technique. If all goes well it’s going to be a small blanket. If not it’s going to be an ugly a$$ scarf instead. 😀 😀 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Damn girl haha I love that you’ve switched it up though and can’t wait to see how the stripey plan goes! Your picnic blanket is the same colours as my mum’s first ever crochet blanket haha it made me smile 💜 that sweater will be awesome once it’s done can’t wait til winter and see what your wips are then haha

    Liked by 1 person

    • I crocheted way too many stripes this summer!!! The picnic blanket is like 95% done – I just need to add fringe to it. I’ve always like red and white together – it makes me think of picnics! I’m so happy that it reminded you of your mom’s blanket and made you smile!!! I have so many sweaters planned for this winter. You will be sick of seeing posts about sweaters by December I promise!!! 😀

      Liked by 1 person

      • It’s been a stripe crazy summer it’s been a made craze! It deffo has the picnic feel and will even more with a fringe 😀 – winter and autumn are my favourite seasons so I won’t ever get sick of your jumper posts 💜💜💜 I loveeeeee winter fashion

        Liked by 1 person

  17. Good luck with the unstriping. I think I also squealed when I finally saw Mandala at our Walmart last week. And jumped up and down. lol

    Liked by 1 person

    • I’m pretty sure I jumped up and down a little too!! Did you happen to see the Mainstays Basic yarn at your Walmart? Mainstays is like the Walmart brand for lots of home decor things and they came out with a Basic yarn. It’s less than $2 a skein!!! I haven’t bought it or used any yet but next weekend when I go grocery shopping there will be some in my cart for sure!!! 😀

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      • I just saw the Mainstays today. I haven’t tried it yet but I was tempted! They only had it in white, cream and tan so far. Between Mandala and clearance yarn I’ve bought too much in the past couple weeks though. lol!

        Liked by 1 person

  19. Love love love all your projects! I’ve also slowly been making my way through posts, I find that I’m normally okay to read during the week but I’ve been unplugging during weekends so I’m always a bit late to read posts. Better late than never though, right?!

    Liked by 1 person

  21. I’ve been writing so much within the class I’m taking and the writing challenges over at WDC, that I haven’t crocheted at all this month and after looking at all your fun projects my fingers are twitching to get at a project. Plus fall is approaching and my mandala isn’t ready for the bed yet 😦 I wish there were 2 of me.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Hi Lyn! It’s been the exact opposite for me. I’ve been sitting outside most days crocheting and not getting much of anything else done. 😀 I already have my ‘crochet dance card’ full for Fall too. Between starting my Christmas gift projects and trying to get a few more sweaters into my wardrobe I might need 3 of me! 😀

      Liked by 1 person

  24. Oh wow how lovely!!!! I haven’t been doing much. I am doing an African flower blanket at the moment but it’s all small motifs which need to be sewn together. Not an ideal one for on the go! Looking forward to seeing some more of your projects you always give me inspiration! X

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thanks Kirstie!! I love the African Flower motif! I have a few sitting in my bits and pieces pile that I need to either make more of or find something to work them into. 😀

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  25. You’ve made beautiful things! I’ve only sewn a cushion for my daughter who had made many pompons and decided to incorporate them into a cushion ( which, in her plans, I would make). Love baking bread too! And eating it! And thumbs up for unplugged weekends!

    Liked by 1 person

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