Finishes 150, 151 & 152

I love finishing projects. Who doesn't? Plus I am ALMOST at halfway. hahaha No way I will finish all of the projects, but I can aim for halfway!

150: Grad Owl (June 22)

151:  Sundae Oh La La Cheesecake (Mar 7)

152:  Hearts Doily (Sept 22)

Finishing Things Up.

I've finished a few things recently, and it's high time I shared them. Sharing these finished project posts is like the final check on my list for each pattern. If you're new here, I started this in 2010 by posting a pattern a day, with the goal to finish all 365 projects by the end of 2014. I still have a ways to go, but I'm happy with my progress. A few patterns have disappeared after I posted them, so I'll change them up (that's the case with the Newsie Hat). Anywho.

First up is this adorable Newsie Cap [Jan 16]. My friend requested it for her son and I just could not say no! I took a few pictures of my own, but the one of him wearing it is just too precious.

Next is a doily that I actually finished back in October. I just forgot to take pictures before I gave it to my mom and then I kept putting off updating the post. Now the Cluster Stitch Doily [Sept 21] is fully complete, posted and all! Also, I hate cluster stitches. Aptly named, this pattern is fully of them. Boy was I glad to be done with this!

Lastly are these two adorable baskets. I made them in one or two days (I only crochet for an hour or two a day). They are chunky yarn, and two strands together, so they worked up FAST. I used this pattern and this one too! Oh, and most importable, my friend loved them. She found them on pinterest and just had to commission me to make them! :)

What have you finished lately?

[Note: the links will take you to my original post and the pattern links]

Doilies

I finished up a few projects last week that I wanted to share with you. First off the hooks is this cute little doily. It's one of the first patterns that I found, when looking for doily patterns. I was not sure if I would like the final product, but I was really happy with it after blocking.

September 3: Pineapple Doily

I also finished a baby blanket for a co-worker. Her shower is next month, but I doubt she will see this! I used a doily pattern and two strands of worsted yarn. I LOVE how it came out!

August 15: Summer Splendor Doily

As always, click the link for my original post with the pattern and more information. What have you finished lately?

Midsummer Doily

Looking for the giveaway?  It's here.  :)

Anywhoozle, I think that it is pretty sweet that I finished a doily entitled "Midsummer Moon," right as summer is dwindling down.  Wait, who am I kidding?  It is definitely mid-summer in So Cal!!  haha

The pictures are not the greatest, but they are taken (at 10:30 last night)!  So there.  One more pattern down, only way too many  more for me to think about!  And yes, I have like 100 projects on my hooks right now! haha

I wasn't sure if I liked the crazy colors at first, but it is starting to look good to me.  It is not as florescent as it looks in the pictures though, more pastel.  It is going in our Easter bin.  As always, you can check out the original page with pattern link here (Midsummer Moon, Sept 25).  And yes, this counts as my August Break photo for today.  Deal.

Hello and a doily

Wow.  I just realized how may more followers I have!  Thanks guys!  I'm definitely feeling the love :)  So I wanted to share a finished project today.  This one took a few months -- but it has also been on the backburner for the month or so leading up to my craft fair.  This Snowdrop Doily turned out beautiful, for more info you can check out my Ravelry project page.  It ended up super long, as you can see, it barely fit on our coffee table.  But thankfully it was just short enough to fit on my  ironing board -- that's what I use for blocking.  I had to edit the pattern as I only needed 2 rows instead of 3.  It was made to fit a specific area in a friend's home.

Ps.  You should definitely check out Sew Mama Sew's giveaway lists... today is (mostly) the last day to enter!

Table Set

I wanted to share my most recent creation with you.  I made this doily, first in a set of three.  The next doily will match this one (approx. 12" x 16"), but the last one will be approximately 12" x 36".  It will be interesting to see how that turns out.  I used sized 3 crochet thread.  I think that's the biggest thread.  That made the pattern work up pretty quickly! haha

Can you tell what I am making now?

I am excited to finish up that project and start my next.  But that remains a secret too! haha  I also finished another beret for my sista, but I have not gotten a picture yet.  Plus, I think it is too small for her. Bummer.  I want to design my own slouchy / beanie / beret patterns... so we will see how that goes!

SpiderWeb Doily & Blocking

Last week I talked a little about blocking.  Blocking is something relatively new to me.  Well, it seems new but I guess I have been blocking for almost a year now! haha  I love the way that a weird oddly shaped thing can turn into something beautiful with a few pins and some water!  This project is September 23:  Spiderweb Doily.

This is the original doily:

Now it's time to block it!  I start by pinning down one point.  You can see that I use straight pins without a plastic top.  You don't want to have plastic that can burn under heat of an iron, when you block doilies.  Then I pull the exact opposite point as far away as I can, and pin down.  Then I will go to the points between the two blocked points and pin those down, stretching again.  I keep doing this until all the points are equally stretched out.  Then you spray with water and let dry.  Since these are doilys, I usually just iron it and then spray starch on and iron again.  This keeps them nice and stiff!

And the finished product:

So happy with is, as is my friend who bought it!

Doilies

A few weeks ago, I was asked to crochet a bunch of doilies for a friend.  This is a huge paid order for me, so I'm pretty excited.  I'm also trying to stay motivated and just get them done!  I started with the two tiny doilies, they are only 4 inches across, but I love em!  Three of the doilies are for her daughter, and those are the purple variagated thread, but the rest are white.  Here are three recently finished doilies...

This first picture is to show what a difference blocking and starching make.  The doily on the left is blocked and starched.  The one on the right is not.  Once I block it (basically stretch it into the exact shape it should be with pins) and starch (ironing with starch) they will be identical.  So fun!  The pattern is Tea Time by Denise Augostine.

You find more about the easy doily and other completed projects in the completed projects page,  on top.  :)

Finding Old Patterns

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you all.  Today we are celebrating with Chocolate Stout Ice cream and our friends.  Remember them from a few weeks ago?

And some crocheted leprechaun Gold for us all!

A while back, someone asked about the pattern for the Easy Doily that I made.  The original link (http://www.crochettreasures.com/freepatterns/free21.htm) that I posted did not work anymore (sad days).  I found the best way to find old pages is the wayback machine, http://www.archive.org/web/web.php.  You will type in the link and then take me back.  THis will bring up a list of where the pattern can be found.  It shows you the different pages that should be it for each year.  I do not even try to understand how this technology works, but I am just greatful (and it is why I print out patterns -- backup!!  haha).  Now you have a new link of: http://web.archive.org/web/20080618072911/http://www.crochettreasures.com/freepatterns/free21.htm

That was for the Easy Doily, for those who asked :)

Easy Doily

Finally!  I have pictures to share with you!  This doily was definitely a labor of love.  I still think it is a bit wonky, but I love it nonetheless.  Also, I'm not sure I can part with it (because it is supposed to be a gift)! So here is the reveal of September 17th's Easy Doily...

It actually ended up way larger than I thought it would be.  You can see the penny next to it in the below picture.... crazy, right?

I am so excited to have this finished.  And I think I'm officially crazy, because, as you all know, I started a new one.  The pattern for the easy doily was 27 rounds, the current doily pattern [September 4: Oh! Danny Boy] is a mere 14... and I'm already on 12!

Just in case you are interested, you can check out my project page on Ravelry.

Currently Crocheting: Doily

I have been working on this "Easy Doily" since October.  It is easy, but it is just taking FOREVER!  I have one and a half rows left, so I hope to finish it today!

Also, check out the cute button & flower cabuchon ring that I made!  I LOVE it!

Poinsettia Doily

I found this on Ravelry and just LOVE it!  I can't post it as my challenge, because I wanted free patterns, but you should check it out.  I am totally adding this to my to purchase list!

Poinsettia Doily

Picture from Maggie's Designs

November 7: 8 Point Star Doily - COMPLETED

Pattern # 311:  8 Point Star Doily

This is just another sweet doily pattern.  I am definitely going to keep some of these for myself!

--------------

Updated September 18, 2011:  I finished this in about three days. A friend requested one in a seventeen inch size.  This was just ten inches shy. haha  But its seven inch diameter is perfect!  I love how it turned out. If she does not want the small one, I will keep it for our house!  I used size 10 ecru colored crochet thread.  And now, the pictures!

October 22: Rose Doily #804

Pattern # 295:  Rose Doily #804

This is the last of our doily patterns, for now!  I found this during my searc for doilies for my mom back in September.  How fun are the 3D roses?

Picture from Celt's Vintage Crochet:

October 7: Comet's Tail Doily - COMPLETED

Pattern # 280:  Comet's Tail Doily

Today is my Mom's birthday!  Happy Birthday to my wonderful Mother!  This pattern was inspired by her, as she asked for doilys.  And yes, I still have yet to make one. But I have a good excuse.  I have been very busy working on tomorrow's pattern!

------

Updated April 1, 2013: This doily is gorgeous. I was afraid it wouldn't lay out straight, but a hot iron + starch did the trick. I could have blocked it, but I'm lazy. Still, it's a beaut! I think it's going to be a Christmas or birthday gift for someone special!

October 6: Octoberfest Doily Blanket - COMPLETED

Pattern # 279: Octoberfest Doily

So. I originally  posted this as Gina's Shells... which was a pattern from January 5. So now I get to find a new pattern and post it. :)

----------------

Updated January 5, 2012: I made this doily as a blanket and am really happy with the final product. I just kept repeating the rows until it was as big as I wanted. Very cool. Better pictures to come later! :) I used two strands of yarn. JoAnn Sensations in a variagated blye colorway and a bright blue Lion Brand Pound of Love. Same colors as the Gina's Shells Scarf.

I finally took some close up pictures... although I forgot to get pictures of the centermost part (actually the sprinklers were on and I could not use the lawn) and now the blanket is in the mail. Oh well.

 <-- You have to check out the project page. There is an amazing parasol in there. Such a wonderful idea!

September 25: Midsummer Moon Doily - COMPLETED

Pattern # 268:  Midsummer Moon Doily

It's our last doily pattern.  I do have something fun lined up for next week. Okay, so it's just another week of beanies. But I'm thinking of doing some giveaways.  What do you think?  Would you be interested in that??

----------------
Updated 8/23/2011:  This bad boy is finished.  It only took me about a month, off and on.   I love how it turned out, but I should have blocked it better.  Oh well.  Iron and starch will do wonders when Easter arrives and it is time for it to be on display again.  :)

September 24: Touch of Irish Doily

Pattern # 267:  Touch of Irish Doily

Oh how I love doilys.  Can you tell?  Now -- I just need to courage to make some!  My time is currently occupied by baby booties (they are supposed to look like motorcycle boots for my friend's baby's Halloween costume) and a blanket (a Christmas request from the in-laws... see, I'm getting started early!).

Picture from Jacqui Cunningham:

September 23: Spider Web Doily #2 - COMPLETED

Pattern # 266:  Spider Web Doily #2

I just realized that it is only 13 weeks until Christmas.  Wow.  That means I have a lot of crocheting to do and a little time.  Okay, a lot of time.  But I feel like I have TONS to crochet.  And in case you were wondering, I still have a few years to complete projects from all of the patterns on the blog.  When I started, I knew I would not be able to complete a crocheted item every day.  Maybe if I wasn't working.  Or being a wife.  Or... yeah.... lots of things get in the way.  So I gave myself this year to post a pattern every single day, and then until 2014 to have everything completed.  So my first year of crocheted goodness is almost done, and I will have 4 years left once 2011 begins!!  It would be AWESOME if I could finish by like 2012, but I doubt it!

Other random thoughts.  I was thinking of doing a crochet-along.  I did one for the La Push! Blanket and really enjoyed it.  I liked having a deadline.  I also think it would be a fun way for us to get to know each other better.  What do you all think?  I plan to make it something easy, like an ornament or fall decoration.  But I'm not sure.  Would you be interested? Do you have any pattern ideas?  Let me know in the comments!

Oh yeah, and today's pattern is a sweet little doily!  :)

-----------------------------

Updated 3/23/2011:  It is finished!  I love how this doily came out!  And I definitely prefer the spiderweb type doily to the pineapple.  It takes so much less time! haha