Just go my hot little hands on a copy of Fabulous & Flirty Crochet by Katherine Lee! Can you say gorgeous sweaters! Above are my favorites from the book. Right now, I'm working on the Flutter-Sleeve top (pictured in the center). This is not a compilation book like The Happy Hooker, these are all of her designs. You can tell this designs were created by a REAL crocheter. The instructions are everything that a crocheter, whether a beginner or advanced, could every want. Katherine has included not only concise written instructions but also symbols and schematics! In this book you'll find cute summer tops, and awesome cowl neck pullover, gorgeous cardigans, beautiful shawls, scarfs and hats and very fashionable handbags. These patterns are fresh, trendy and funky... all done in luxurious yarns. This book is definitely a winner!
Yes, I know it looks like a tornado struck. This is a 
After everyone in the knitting world has already done this, I finally started on the Orangina for the Sexy Knitters Club KAL. I started this on Sunday and I was so excited to cast on that I didn't realize that I didn't own any Size 3 circulars. So, I ended up getting started on straights. This was an instant reminder why I only like knitting on circulars.
Looks like I've been bitten by the crochet bug. This is the very cute Flutter-Sleeve top from Fabulous & Flirty Crochet. I'll tell you a little more about this book later... 
Some good, some not so good. Some that are buried deep in the back of my closet, that will never, ever see the light of day and some that I wear proudly with my head held high. I look at it as a learning experience. Learning new stitches, shaping techniques, how to "correctly" read patterns and abbreviations. And most of all, the difference in yarn!
Okay, now back to the original question: "Will I ever crochet again?" Of course I will! Crochet is my first fiber lover. No matter how many lovers you have had, you always remember the first! I guess you can say that at this time, I'm just somewhat burned out. And as you can see, I have discovered knitting (my new lover) -- BIG TIME! I am like a kid with a new toy! All of the months I spent harboring knit envy, salivating over the beautiful, endless variety of patterns, wishing I knew what to do with those two sticks. Now I do and I am having a great time. But to the crocheters, I have not given up on the craft, it's just on hiatus!
Submitting crochet patterns
A couple of months ago, I was reading Vickie Howell's blog and she was requesting patterns for a new book of hers entitled "Catwalk Crochet". She and her publisher are only willing to pay $75 - $100 per design. Ok, two months later she has extended the deadline for submission for three more weeks to April 4th. It appears that she has been inundated with crocheted accessories and possible fugwear crochet. She said that she is looking for "high-fashion" designs comparable to Marc Jacobs, Anna Sui, Stella McCartney, etc... I know I could produce something along these lines, but do I really want to make the investment on the yarn and TIME for at the most 100 bucks just to say I have a published design? Hell-to-the-no!
Back to knitting
The Soleil is coming along nicely. I've just entered the world on endless stockinette, this is always the part that I hate.
Have any of you guys seen the preview patterns from here:
I think there may potentially be some decent projects in here. Usually I'm pretty happy when Interweave puts out a crochet edition. Here a few projects that caught my attention:
Two very cute dresses! The dress on the left could possibly have some potential. I envision it with a pair of espadrilles or gladiator sandals. The one on the right is a tank type dress entitled Joie de Vivre (Joy of living). From this small pic it looks cute. I'd probably lengthen it to right above the knee and add some increases to give it a slight a-line.
Now this, I already don't like, even before the magazine can hit the newsstands! What's the prerequisite for this one, an honorary membership in the "Itty Bitty Titty Committee"? I don't think I'm going to risk the 'girls' falling out all over the place or just looking plain nasty!
These are kinda cute. Can you have enough cardis to wear over tanks and sundresses?
I really want to see the full pics on this. It's a crochet/knit combo... it even has cables!
This I really like. It's a hairpin lace skirt by Jennifer Hansen. I haven't done this technique before but I'm always down for learning a new skill.
Berroco #246 Crochet
While shopping at my LYS, the lovely Jamie showed me this one. I wasn't completely blown away, but for a mere $6.00 bucks and the fact that Jamie always winds my hanks for free, I bought it.
There is this hat pattern
that I like.
And this halter that I also like.
Tahki Stacy Charles - 2006 Crochet Patterns
Haven't bought this one yet, still debating. Not a lot in there that I would consider unique. Who knows, I may be in a good mood one day, because shopping for yarn always makes me feel euphoric, I just may spring for it.
After working on a project for 16 days, I need some instant gratification... so I'm back to crocheting for this project. This was my Crochet Olympics project that I didn't have time to work on so I got going on this yesterday. This is the Zip Up Jacket (front & back) from So Simple Crochet. This is going to be a really easy project because the body is worked in one piece. Any time I don't have to do any hand sewing is good for me. I decided not to go with the Noro stripe yarn and do mine in a very spring white. The thing about this project that excites me is I get to install a zipper for the first time! I'm not sure if I want to do this by hand or on the machine. I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.
After being so terribly disgusted with all of the major crochet magazines and fugly ass fun fur patterns and pattern books that cater only to the novice crocheter, this book is quite refreshing (not a freakin' doily in sight!). Leave it to Debbie to do it up right! These patterns are wearable and trendy. 
This is a hat that I made for my oldest daughter, Amber, 13. As you can see she is a "pink" kinda girl. I did this had out of yarn I found at A.C. Moore. It's now been discontinued and I think the company has even gone out of business (The Cats Meow), but it is really pretty.
This will probably be my final FO of 2005 (maybe). I saw this beautiful yarn in my LYS the other day and had to have it. It's done in Berroco Foliage. Really simple... only took two evenings.
A couple of you have inquired how I am able to produce FOs as quickly as I do. Good question. Well, I guess I'm just a fast crocheter, not Lily Chin fast, but pretty fast. Plus, I'm always crocheting. I can't sit and watch TV without a hook and yarn, my hands have to always be going!
This little capelet/shrug was inspired by the "First Frost Capelet" from Anthropologie's Gift 2005. Very simple, done in raglan form form the top down. I have seen knitted versions of this on Craftster and on Jewell's blog. This was done in Bernat Soft Boucle.
This is my version of the "Fiona" dress from Cool Crochet. I had done this dress a while ago, but I was never satisfied with the straps. I removed the first set and re-did them and now I'm quite pleased.
BTW, I guess you all can tell that I got a new digi cam for Christmas!
This scarf was done in Patons Bohemian - wandering wines and Flutter - black.
This was a fun project to do. This was loosely based on Kristin Omdahl's Swirl sweater. I made a few changes:
- Single yarn color - Berroco #3144- Technicolor.
- Added several more rows to the body.
- Changed the sleeves... worked the pattern's version first but they looked awful on me. The came out 3/4 length! Not a good look on some one of my stature. Worked the sleeves seperately in DCs and sewed them to the body. I love seams because they give the garment a more tailored look.
- Decided to go with an "off-the-shoulder" double-breasted look. Used 6 wooden buttons positioned in an arc.
Overall, I was pleased with the way it came out. What I didn't like about the original pattern is the fact that it did look like it would give a tailored look and that's a must with me because I have a 28" inch waist and 42" hip (yeah, I know). Also, I don't think the designer had the tall woman in mind when she wrote the pattern.
Click pic to read As I flipped through my stack of holiday greetings, bills, catalogs and magazines, I came across the January issue of Elle magazine. I always flip frantically through major fashion mags looking for just one glimpse of a crocheted garment when low and behold in the "ElleFirst Trend" report I spot the caption -- Crochet Club! Wow! How excited was I? Very! O.K., I read on and see "knit pieces"? WTF?!?! Are the writers and editors at Elle, you know the ones that sit front row at runway shows, that stupid unfamiliar with the fiber arts that they can't tell the difference? These are the people that fashionistas look up to as a guide on the latest trends and this is what they serve me? Let's see, from the title, one can assume that the article is going to represent crocheted garments, but yet they continously describe them as knit! This is the main reason why I have to always explain to people the difference between knitting and crocheting and how they are not the same thing.
This is my latest project. I saw this sweater while browsing in Anthropologie and I thought it was unusual and cute. I decided to tackle this project because I can't justify spending that much on anything crocheted and it seemed simple enough. I used Cascade 220 Quatro which I believe is a worsted weight but it worked up like a sport/DK weight. The Anthropologie sweater used a hidden snap with a button on the outside as a closure. I decided to crochet a small flower using the same detail as the edging and hidden hooks.
