Crocheted Necklace

I have been mostly into knitting lately, but I enjoyed making a crocheted necklace this weekend.  Last July I took a class at Knitting Next Door to learn how.  The only stitch you need to know for this is how to chain.  It is made with ladder yarn, which looks more like ribbon than it does yarn.  The finished necklace reflects the light and looks like it is made with beads instead of the fabric that it really is. It is an easy, but unique project.

I don't know if the pattern was created by Cindy Peters, my instructor and the owner of Knitting Next Door or if it originally came from somewhere else.

You will need:
1 skein of Darkhorse Beautiful ladder yarn
Size L crochet hook
yarn needle
a decorative bead

1. Cut 5 lengths of yarn 110 inches long each.
2. Leaving a 10 inch tail, chain until you have a 10 inch tail on the opposite end.  Tie off.
3. Repeat for the remaining 4 lengths for a total of 5 strands.
4. Tie all 5 strands together in a knot close to the last stitch on each end.
5. Thread the loose ends onto a yarn needle and put through a decorative bead.
6. Tie all loose strands together and trim ends even. The bead allows you to slide and adjust the length of the necklace.

My Very Crafty Christmas

1. A Few of My Favorite Things, 2. Sweater Girls, 3. Washclothes, 4. Torin's Hat, 5. Olivia's Wallaby (2), 6. Nadine's Scarf, 7. Mom's Pillow Cases, 8. Michael's Scarf (2), 9. Lisa's Hat (2), 10. Kendrick's Hat (2), 11. Dish Clothes (2), 12. Crocheted Necklace, 13. Colin's Hat (2), 14. Baby Wallabies (2), 15. Recycled, 16. Giggling Sweater Girls

 For the second year in a row, I made almost all of my Christmas gifts.  I started early in the year, and added to my collection as the year went on.  I learned a lot this year about knitting, in fact I took several knitting classes.  I really improved as the year went on.  I am proud to say that I got everything finished and shipped in time for Christmas, though it was touch and go for a while there.  I did not finish Olivia's sweater until 10:00 on Christmas morning.  It was so much fun to see Olivia and Juliette wearing the sweaters I made for them.

Being the Student

Yesterday was a very busy day, with two classes at Knitting Next Door.  In the morning I took a Crocheted Jewelry Class.  We used a ladder yarn to crochet jewelry.  It was a lot of fun, and super easy.

After that I went home for a few hours to hang out with the dogs before going back for my 5:00 class.  This class was a knitting class.  We were learning how to knit a shawl.  The pattern is called Highland Fling, and is the most complicated pattern that I have tried so far.  My evening class had it's ups and downs, and you can read more about that on my Day's Class Notes blog.

Ladder Yarn

It was Knit and Crochet Night at Knitting Next Door.  I just spent a couple hours sitting and knitting with other knitters.  While I was there I signed up for a Crocheted Jewelry Class.  I will learn to make jewelry with this ladder yarn.  The colors and sparkle are very eye catching.

Day 13/366: Finished Scarf

I finished my scarf.  It took me six years to get around to using this yarn, but I really like the way it came out.  Unfortunately, I left my camera at school.  I had to take the finished photo with my phone, so it doesn't have the clarity of the other two photos.

Day 8/366: Making Progress

During December I started crocheting, sewing, and card making to make Christmas gifts.  Once I got involved with technology I had pretty much quit doing crafts.  It felt so good to make things again, so I am determined to keep it up.

Lisa gave me this yarn, along with the pattern, for my birthday in 2006. It had been that long since I had done any crocheting.  Now I'm "hooked" again (excuse the pun, please), and I am making progress on this scarf.  I'm about half finished. I love the way you take a ball of yarn and turn it into beautiful fabric, and something useful.

Day 1/365: Blue Potholder

Day 1: Blue Potholder
Originally uploaded by BarbaraLN
Last fall I decided I was not going to do a third year of 365 Project, but it's like an addiction. I've been going through withdrawal, and I was feeling left out, so I'm in. Here is photo #1/366. I've been doing a lot of crocheting during the past month and I just finished this potholder on New Years Day. I like the way it came out.

Photo #352/365: Hooked on Crochet Again

I have been very crafty this Christmas season.  I finished my baby hats, discovered an on-line network of knitters and crocheters called Ravelry.com, and crocheted a potholder.  I started this because of budget limits, but I feel like I have rediscovered myself.  It is very satisfying to make things.

Photo #350/365: Baby Hat

Last night I learned how to crochet a flower.  I am enjoying getting back into sewing and crafts.