MARCH IS CROCHET ALONG WITH SHIBAGUYZDESIGNZ

Well we are rapidly moving into the 2nd week of March and the Crochet Along sponsored on RAVELRY by SHIBAGUYZDESIGNZ is moving along.  It is such a fun activity.  I chose the Wrap Front Shrug for my project.  Since I'm trying to use up stash yarn, I chose Lion Brand's Microspun in royal blue.  It is working up very nicely.  Right now, there are almost 300 of us knitting and crocheting one of their designs.  Stay tuned to hear how the crochet along is going.  Now, I must get back to my shrug.

My Roundabout

Well, I decided to keep this one for me. After all the yarn cost over $80 and that is a bit spendy to charge someone, especially when some of the yarn has been used twice already. Ha! That's because the first item I frogged and then the 2nd item that I started I stopped. So, 3rd time is supposed to be charm. This is lovely yarn but I just couldn't find anything I liked and then when I made the bone roundabout I thought it would look good in the multi-colored Berroco Comfort Sock and it does! I'm almost finished so will be replacing this partial picture with a complete item soon. I still have new yarn to use and have done very little to reduce the size of my stash. Going on 2 years now and still.....but I'm enjoying myself. Retirement is terrific. I recommend it!

SWEATER JACKET

Last night I completed the sweater--added the buttons and frog closure and it looks complete. And, it is really warm. My husband suggested that I make an ankle length one for my winter coat. I am tall so have trouble finding coats that are long enuf in the length but don't have sleeves that cover my hands. I am considering the suggestion but for now, here is the completed sweater. It turned out even better than I expected. This was my first attempt to crochet a sweater. I took 4 skeins of Lion Brand's Homespun yarn in Edwardian, using a K hook. The yarn is hard to start because the individual chain stitches are hard to see but if you make the chain loose and then 'guess' at the number--erring on more than not enough--you can make the 1st row work with the correct number of half-double crochets. Anyway, it did turn out lovely. The black trim is worsted weight but still using the K hook to maintain the flex in the sweater. The pattern is from Lion and is the Matinee Jacket. The trim I added to be stylish. It is for my cousin (like a sister) and I know it will keep her warm. She will look lovely in it. Can't wait to see a picture. Now I'm on to other projects.

L