Tunisian Crochet Iris Purse

My mentor and friend is retiring this year.  Congratulations to her!  I have been trying to figure out what I could get for her that wasn't a gift card.  I also didn't want to make something that she could make for herself.  She is also a crocheter, though maybe not as neurotic as I am about it.  I thought of a scarf, but it is finally getting warm here in Montana.  Then I thought of a light summer shawl.  I would love to lovingly work on some beautiful lace for her.  But she doesn't really seem like the lace shawl type (kind of like me).  So I finally settled on a bag.  I have recently been playing around with messenger type bags and tunisian crochet and different designs.  I thought too that now that she doesn't have to carry a laptop bag and testing kits and whatever else around with her all the time (suffice it to say that we work in education), maybe she would like to carry just a cute little bag that might hold a good book or her most recent project. 
I don't know what her favorite flower is but I love irises so that was a selfish design design decision but I don't think she will mind.  The yellow inner part of the iris is done in a chenille yarn so it is kind of fuzzy just like the real thing. 
I also found some inexpensive sturdy nylon (or maybe I should say "cheap" as it was a $0.39 remnant) to line it with.  My sewing machine won't handle the crocheted material so it is handsewn to the inside. 
I twisted the handle before attaching it to the second side because it limits the stretch when carrying heavier items.  I actually really like the finished product.  Maybe someday I will make one for me!

Hats, Hats, and more Hats!

Okay, so my most recent obsession is baby hats.  They are quick and fun and I love changing up the details a little.  Here are thre of my most recent.  I love the one with the little point on top.  It reminds me of a Hershey's kiss.  The yarn is absolutely yummy too, rainbow and soft.  I love how it goes from yellow to pink to purple to blue to yellow, again.  Machine washable too!  You can't beat that.  They are all listed in my Etsy shop as of now:  Alison Grace

I recently finished a wrap sweater for a toddler too.  Ivory and Mint, so pretty.

Vintage Family Heirloom Repair

A couple of weeks or so ago a co-worker asked me to take a look at a bedspread made for her parents when they got married 65 years ago.  I was of course intrigued.  I love to see true vintage items and family heirlooms.  Well this thing is gorgeous.  It is done in a really fine crochet thread in spiral motifs then stitched together.  And it fits a queen-size bed.  Holy Cow, the work that went into it!

So here was her ulterior motive, some of the motifs are falling apart and separating and the blanket has some rather large holes in it.  She is a knitter, not a crocheter, and was hoping that maybe I would be willing to work on it.  I very quickly agreed - it would be a pleasure.
After I took it home I got to looking at it more closely.  It is obviously very old.  I had some fears that I would not be able to match the thread used.  In fact, I did have some trouble with that but found some that would work.  It is about the same color but has more of a sheen to it.  It also has more plies to it so hopefully will be stronger than the original.
So, now I have been working on it for several hours.  I thought I might put 10-12 hours into it but most likely it will be double that.  I thought at first that I may have to remove the border and disassemble the whole thing.  I don't think that is the case now, which is good.  I am doing my best to jump in wherever the extra thread is needed and replace the original stitches.  I'm hoping it will be stronger than before.  I will attach pictures as I go along.

Yay Store is Open!!

I finally got my new store "Alison Grace"   http://www.etsy.com/shop/AlisonGrace?ref=pr_shop open on etsy.  I have a new banner, items for sale, and there is a free shipping sale until the end of April!!  Check it out!  Much of the stock are things that have been shown here in the last few weeks.  I also am looking forward to special orders.  I would also like to start selling my original patterns.  Hopefully I get some positive feedback.  My self-esteem has taken a huge hit this week and I am still recovering.  The good news is that I may get to finally move back home.  Every cloud has a silver lining, I guess, or at least that's what I'm trying to tell myself. 

On another note, my gorgeous little model and niece will be 2 in about a week and a half.  I would like to make her a little sun dress.  I also want to get her signed up in a gymnastics class once a week or so.  She is so physical and loves dancing, this may be a good first step.  I guess they teach them summersaults and basic stuff.  I think she would love it.  I would love to get her into baby ballet but her momma would have to have the time to go with her.  We'll have to talk about that!

Beep Beep Sweater

I think this sweater turned out pretty cute.  I ended up frogging it several times to get the intarsia cars right but it worked out in the end.  I really like the "Beep Beep" on the sleeve.  A friend of mine, Cathy,  recommended that I make car buttons in red, yellow, and green so I did.  I love polymer clay for making my own buttons.  I hate button shopping.  I can never get what a want and they are always the wrong size.  Then when I find something I like, they either come in a package of 500 or they are $5 a button.  Crazy! 

Anyway this little sweater took me about a week.  I sort of started on one pattern then changed my mind and made up the rest myself.  The pattern actually started as a little girl's dress!  I like it better this way.  Tell me what you think! 

Ladybug Top

 

This is another variation on the yellow sun top.  The ladybugs on the front are pockets.  I want to make another one later this month that is longer for my niece to wear as a sundress.  Here is modeled by the ever-adorable Lily.  

I hope to get my store up and running on Etsy.com this weekend.  The grand opening of Alison Grace! The store will offer beautiful and unique baby clothing, blankets, and toys. 

Crocheted Bolero

Crocheted Bolero (size 24 months)

Yarn: Bernat Ping Pong Gauge: 8 sts x 6 rows in dc = 4” x 4”
Hook: K

Ch 37

Row 1: dc in 4th chain from hook (counts as first dc), dc in next 4 ch, *3 dc in next chain (corner made), dc in next 5 ch, 3 dc in next ch (corner made),* dc in next 10 ch, repeat from * to * once, dc in next 5 ch, turn.

Row 2: ch 3, dc in next 5 dc, *3 dc in next dc, dc in next 6 dc, 3 dc in next dc,* dc in next 12 dc, repeat from * to * once, dc in next 6 dc, turn.

Rows 3-4: Continue as established, dc in each dc except 3 dc in each corner dc.

Row 5: ch 3, dc in next 8 dc, ch 5, skip next 9 dc, dc in next 18 dc, ch 5, skip next 9 dc, dc in next 9 dc, turn.

Row 6: ch 3, dc in next 8 dc, dc in next 5 ch, dc in next 18 dc, dc in next 5 ch, dc in next 9 dc.

Trim:

Working in end of rows, ch 4, 6 tr in end of row, (sc in next row, 5 tr in next row) twice, sc in next row, working in beginning chain, skip first ch, (5 tr in next ch, sk next ch, sc in next ch, skip next ch) across neckline, continue pattern (5 tr, sc) in end of rows working 7 tr in corner, skip next dc, sc in next dc, (skip next dc, 5 tr in next dc, skip next dc, sc in next dc) to next corner, join to first chain 4. Finish off

Sleeves are worked in a 2-row spiral without joining between rows:

Round 1: Join yarn with sc in middle dc of 3-dc group in corner of armhole. Dc in each dc to first dc of 3-dc group, sc in next dc, end of next row, and in 5 ch, sc in next end of row,

Round 2: 3 dc in next first sc, (sc in next dc, 3 dc in next dc) around shoulder, sc in next sc and in each sc to end of round, slip stitch to first dc.

Repeat for other sleeve.