Hotpads and Summer

Ah, brazilian summers. It's beautiful, for sure. The green, the beaches, the sun shining pretty much everyday... And the heat. Oh, it's so hot! For survival purposes it's highly advised that all people have fans. And an ac, because temperatures can go over 40 degrees celsius! 

In those days, I can't knit or crochet much. At least, not with yarn. Cotton helps a lot - it's not as hot as holding wool or acrylic. So, for this project, I used my favorite cotton thread, Anne. 

It's a hotpad I've been in love with for a long time, but never really had the chance of making it. I always have so many WIP's going on! But I'm so happy I found the time. 

It's from By Haafner blog - Haafner has beautiful things in her blog, you need to check it out! I used the popcorn square patter for the front, made 9 rounds. On the back, I used the same pattern, but without the popcorn stitches, also 9 rounds. Joines them together with single crochet stitches and made a simple popcorn border. She has no pattern for it, so I made just by looking at photos of her hotpads. Pretty simple! 

I loved it. Looks vintage, and I LOVE vintage. Also it's a different kind of vintage - most vintage crochet has lace, but this one is not exactly lacy. It does a great job being beautiful anyway. 

Also, I'm pretty happy with the colors I chose! 

Then I got all my hotpads together and made a nice photo! Hope to make even more of those in 2016, so next time I show it here, the whole wall is filled with them. 

Much love,

Tina 

A Lacy Blanket

Sometimes, it's sad to finish a project. Sometimes all you can think of is "Oh thank god this is over!", and sometimes all you feel is pride.

This is one of those times. I'm so proud of this blanket. It turned out much, much better than I expected.

You see, I like variegated yarn. It's fun yarn. But not to use in a blanket - or so I thought. I had these very strict rules over what yarn I would always use in blankets and such - at least in blankets made of a bunch of squares or motifs joined together. I had no idea how wrong I was, really!

As it turns out, I had all those balls of cotton, variegated yarn at home. They were in my stash just being there, using space. Thing is, this cotton is not exactly cheap, and I was getting nervous about never using. I had some ideas in the past, but they never really seemed to work.

I was in love with the Victorian Lattice square for quite some time, thinking about what a stunning blanket it would make. But I was thinking about solid colors only! So silly of me. So one day, I was searching for yarn for another project when one of those yarn cakes pop out of nowhere and I thought "you know what? I'm using this right now. I'm going to make that square with this yarn!" As if that was such an amazing idea, right? If I was more open minded, this would have happened ages ago!

So I started, and as my first motif blanket, I have to say, it was lots of work. But I wanted to see the colors mixing and matching, the joins to look perfect, to find the right border. And I loved every second of it.

Believe it or not, I still have yarn left! :)


Love,

Tina

My Current WIP's

This past few days I've been working on two projects. One is a blanket, the other, a baby cardigan.

For the blanket I'm using the Victorian Lattice Square pattern - It's a beautiful crochet pattern, and I can't wait to start joining them together! I think this blanket will be a present for my mom - If she likes it, it's hers!

Then there's the baby cardigan I'm knitting. The pattern is called Linnie, and this is a very interesting knit. For some people this might be super easy - As this is my first time knitting a garment with more complicated construction elements, for me, it's all new - But it's been fun!

I'm using 100% cotton yarn - Very, very soft. The contrast color is this mix of white, pink and white - The main color is a pastel pink. I'm not sure about the buttons I'm going to use it yet, but I'm looking forward to choosing!

It's going to take a while, though. I've been having awful wrist pain... It sucks, but I'm trying to get better really quick, so no crafting for a few days... It feels like I'm losing something very important :( But, it means I have more time to think about colors, design elements and so on. There's always a good part! Even if that good part is more time to study :)

Love, Tina

So.Many.Projects! *May 2015*

I'm not a normal person. If I was unsure about it before, now I just know it. Maybe it's me driving my anxiety to different things - and if that's what is happening, then this is actually a really good thing. But... This month has been crazy when it comes to my projects. I started socks, hats, blankets, scarves and a lacy table runner. I knitted and crocheted more than ever. I thought making a post about what I've been making would be nice. :)

1- Basic Baby Hat 

This one was such a joy to make - I even learned how to make pompoms just for it!Now I need a blue one for my baby cousin. :) * Project page - you can find the pattern here.*

2 -Sockalong Winwick Mum

I have said many things about this wonderful sockalong in older posts. I finished my pair of socks but for my sadness, I had to frog them. Why? I only had 3,50mm dpns, and needed smaller needles. I was not able to find them here in the yarn stores we have where I live. :( But I will get the smaller dpns soon enough! :) *Project page - find the pattern here*

3 - Isabela's Blanket 

This has been such a wonderful project. It's almost done, but part of me wish I had started the blanket now. This is how much I love making it! I hope my sister likes it too :) *Project page*

4 - I See Hearts 

I have a big trunk in my bedroom, It used to be filled with toys when I was a kid. Now I'm 21 and don't play with dolls anymore, but it's a good wooden trunk and I will paint it white (because it's pink, and decorated with dolls and yellow hearts.) and use it as a nightstand. I wanted to make a doily for it - But not round. So I decided to choose a stitch and make a lacy table runner instead! But I'm not so sure about this. Let's see how it goes. The hearts sure are cute though! *Project page*

5 - Memory Blanket 

I can't stop knitting this blanket, it's so relaxing and such a simple project. I take it everywhere with me, and people always say how cool the pattern is. *Project page - find the pattern here*

6 - Another Blanket

And I think I might be starting another blanket. I made one for me, for my sister, and the memory blanket is for charity. Why do I want to make another blanket? Because I have TONS of cotton yarn in this house. Top quality cotton yarn. I haven't really used it yet because I had not found the perfect pattern for it. I got many of those skeins for my birthday last year - god only knows how much money they spent in all of this. I would not be able to AFFORD making a blanket with this yarn! The only thing I would have to buy to complete the blanket would be white skeins, 2 or 3, but that's minimal. And I already have a pattern in mind! :) 

7 - Lacy Scarf

Oh well.... no photo for this one because I have frogged it so many times looking for the perfect pattern. The yarn I chose is beautiful though! :D

That was quite a list, right? :) 

Love, Tina 

A Very Happy Afternoon

Today I had literally, nothing important to do. Just had to make lunch and that was it. It has been so long I felt that good when I had a day just for myself! 

What did I do? I crafted. Oh yes.

Knitted more squares for my memory blanket; Choose colors for my new design; Choose motifs and took pictures of everything. I spent the whole day in the garden, with the company of my lovely boxer, Mel. She's my love. While I knitted and choose colors, she slept. Actually, she snored. Perfect indeed! :D

For my new project, I want to use that cotton thread you see in the first picture. It's soft and color fast, lovely to work with. 

 This book here is my life saver. It belonged to my great grandmother, then my grandmother, and now, me! It's full of stitches (crochet, knitting and afghan crochet), borders and motifs (crochet). 

This is a little something from my garden, planted by my little sister. She is so talented, and plants are her passion. 

Love, Tina