I'm going on a finishing spree (applies only to projects I can finish relatively quickly and easily-- not to projects that have substantial amounts of work yet to be done). It's about time; some of these UFOs have been hanging around for months.
First up was the Celtic Cables Neckwarmer, which technically may not be completely finished, yet, since I'm seriously considering adding a very small, unobtrusive crochet border. Maybe. (Oh, and I've yet to weave in the two yarn ends. I hate weaving ends into knitting even more than into crochet, because I'm not confident about how to do it properly.)
I decided from the beginning to omit the buttons (and thus the buttonholes and ribbing) in favor of a shawl pin or stick of some kind, so that made it easier to finish. (g) On the other hand, I ended up knitting seven pattern repeats-- more than usual. Since my neckwarmer will be adjustable (no fixed-in-place buttons and buttonholes), and because I don’t have a long, thin, elegant, swan-like neck ;o), this just seemed practical and more comfortable to me.
The yarn was a bit itchy on my neck when I held it on for size, but then again, it’s not really wool weather right now. Maybe it’ll be more acceptable in wintertime. If not, at least it was a learning experience! I learned how to cable without a cable needle (and that I prefer that method for projects like this one)-- and I learned that I can make complicated-looking knitted cables. Another lesson: Cables take a lot of time for me to make, but that they’re worth the extra effort, because they are Fancy. ;o) D.V., this will not be my last encounter with fancy cables.
Second UFO to FO-- the Prairie Star Motif Pillow.
I may have mentioned before that I don't enjoy crocheting pillow sides together? Well, I still don't. It's nice having the pillow finished and useable, but somehow the construction part isn't very pleasant. It's more awkward than regular crocheting-- even almost painful at times, with the bulk of the pillow constantly in the way. Anyway, it's done!
I single crocheted the two sides together around the cushion-- sc through both loops for sturdiness-- using the same color as I used to hdc around the separate motifs and for joining. Then, for the finishing touch, I added a modest edging (still in the same beige yarn I used for joining)-- #25 from Edie Eckman’s wonderful Around the Corner Crochet Borders. Simple but pretty and ruffly.
Once it was done, I put it on the couch-- and when I looked at it later on, I thought, "Oh. I didn't realize until just now how... beige it is." Heh. Yeah, if you use lots of beige in a cushion cover, it's liable to look somewhat beige-ish, when all is said and done. Well, I was trying to use up some of my less-inspiring scraps and skeins while still keeping near the colors in the room's decor, and it does that... And beige is harder-wearing than white or even cream, so I'll just be happy with my Very Beige-ish Cushion. I'm certain I'll be glad it's beige and not stark, crisp white, sooner or later-- when it gets something spilled on it, for instance.
Also: That small pillow beside the new one is the ugly duckling of my hand-made cushions. It's not the pattern's fault; it's the colors I chose, I think... Anyway, every time I look at it, I think that it belongs in some 1970s horror flick. That's what it makes me think of. Probably ought to just get rid of it, but I doubt I will. Maybe one of the dogs would like it... (g)
Next up... I'm not sure. There's the small secret project that's 99.5% done (all but the worst, most persnickety bits)... The crocheted mesh bag that just needs a reinforcement at the top and a strap or two... And the knitted pincushion / doo-dad holder that needs sewing together.
Once I get those three wrapped up, I'll feel better about starting a new project. I've been thinking about this one for a while... the Reversible Cabled Brioche Stitch Scarf. But I've never done brioche before, so I'm a little intimidated. (Apparently it's one of those patterns where if you drop a stitch you're out of luck, so lifelines are required. I can do lifelines, but just reading that puts a pall on my ardor... (g)) On the other hand, the similarly named Reversible Cabled Scarf looks a lot like it (imho), but doesn't use the brioche stitch, so far as I can tell.
I'll probably try the one with brioche-- at least give it a try-- if only because I like saying "brioche". ;o) Ooh la la! It brings back memories of high school French class... Gah! What have I done? Opened Pandora's box! Begone, you memories of high school awkwardness! Back! Back into the dimmest, most spider-webby recesses of my mind! ...Whew. Should've seen that coming... (Okay, maybe I exaggerate, but I'm not one of those unfortunates who look back on high school as the best life had to offer. (g))
- - - - - - -
First up was the Celtic Cables Neckwarmer, which technically may not be completely finished, yet, since I'm seriously considering adding a very small, unobtrusive crochet border. Maybe. (Oh, and I've yet to weave in the two yarn ends. I hate weaving ends into knitting even more than into crochet, because I'm not confident about how to do it properly.)
I decided from the beginning to omit the buttons (and thus the buttonholes and ribbing) in favor of a shawl pin or stick of some kind, so that made it easier to finish. (g) On the other hand, I ended up knitting seven pattern repeats-- more than usual. Since my neckwarmer will be adjustable (no fixed-in-place buttons and buttonholes), and because I don’t have a long, thin, elegant, swan-like neck ;o), this just seemed practical and more comfortable to me.
The yarn was a bit itchy on my neck when I held it on for size, but then again, it’s not really wool weather right now. Maybe it’ll be more acceptable in wintertime. If not, at least it was a learning experience! I learned how to cable without a cable needle (and that I prefer that method for projects like this one)-- and I learned that I can make complicated-looking knitted cables. Another lesson: Cables take a lot of time for me to make, but that they’re worth the extra effort, because they are Fancy. ;o) D.V., this will not be my last encounter with fancy cables.
- - - - - - -
Second UFO to FO-- the Prairie Star Motif Pillow.
I may have mentioned before that I don't enjoy crocheting pillow sides together? Well, I still don't. It's nice having the pillow finished and useable, but somehow the construction part isn't very pleasant. It's more awkward than regular crocheting-- even almost painful at times, with the bulk of the pillow constantly in the way. Anyway, it's done!
I single crocheted the two sides together around the cushion-- sc through both loops for sturdiness-- using the same color as I used to hdc around the separate motifs and for joining. Then, for the finishing touch, I added a modest edging (still in the same beige yarn I used for joining)-- #25 from Edie Eckman’s wonderful Around the Corner Crochet Borders. Simple but pretty and ruffly.
Once it was done, I put it on the couch-- and when I looked at it later on, I thought, "Oh. I didn't realize until just now how... beige it is." Heh. Yeah, if you use lots of beige in a cushion cover, it's liable to look somewhat beige-ish, when all is said and done. Well, I was trying to use up some of my less-inspiring scraps and skeins while still keeping near the colors in the room's decor, and it does that... And beige is harder-wearing than white or even cream, so I'll just be happy with my Very Beige-ish Cushion. I'm certain I'll be glad it's beige and not stark, crisp white, sooner or later-- when it gets something spilled on it, for instance.
Also: That small pillow beside the new one is the ugly duckling of my hand-made cushions. It's not the pattern's fault; it's the colors I chose, I think... Anyway, every time I look at it, I think that it belongs in some 1970s horror flick. That's what it makes me think of. Probably ought to just get rid of it, but I doubt I will. Maybe one of the dogs would like it... (g)
- - - - - - -
Next up... I'm not sure. There's the small secret project that's 99.5% done (all but the worst, most persnickety bits)... The crocheted mesh bag that just needs a reinforcement at the top and a strap or two... And the knitted pincushion / doo-dad holder that needs sewing together.
Once I get those three wrapped up, I'll feel better about starting a new project. I've been thinking about this one for a while... the Reversible Cabled Brioche Stitch Scarf. But I've never done brioche before, so I'm a little intimidated. (Apparently it's one of those patterns where if you drop a stitch you're out of luck, so lifelines are required. I can do lifelines, but just reading that puts a pall on my ardor... (g)) On the other hand, the similarly named Reversible Cabled Scarf looks a lot like it (imho), but doesn't use the brioche stitch, so far as I can tell.
I'll probably try the one with brioche-- at least give it a try-- if only because I like saying "brioche". ;o) Ooh la la! It brings back memories of high school French class... Gah! What have I done? Opened Pandora's box! Begone, you memories of high school awkwardness! Back! Back into the dimmest, most spider-webby recesses of my mind! ...Whew. Should've seen that coming... (Okay, maybe I exaggerate, but I'm not one of those unfortunates who look back on high school as the best life had to offer. (g))