Another Version of the Ribbon Top

My husband pointed out to me that it was hard to see the chevron pattern in my Ribbon Top in a photo. It is hard to photograph Incredible ribbon and really show its colors, so I decided to make another Ribbon Top in Sensations Rainbow Boucle.

This top looks better in person, but maybe the photo shows more of the chevron shaping. I didn't use the shell edging on this one.

I Hope Etsy is Better the Second Time Around

The old song goes, "Love is better the second time around." Maybe the same applies to Etsy. I had an Etsy shop last year, with no sales, but the web site was new and mostly unknown. Now it has really grown and I'm hoping that it will prove to be a good venue for selling my patterns.

In the meantime, I have completed my Ribbon Top! I made this top originally with Sensations Rainbow Boucle in shades of blue for my sister (my willing guinea pig) and it was a hit, but I wanted to see it in Incredible Ribbon. I used Autumn Leaves, with a ball of a different dye lot for the back yoke for an effect. The pattern includes sizes small to 3X.

I hope everyone likes this top as much as I do!

It's Finally Ready!

I just published my revised version of my Pineapple Pullover, which includes sizes Small to XXXL. Hopefully, everyone will be pleased with the updated yoke, which uses the pineapple as an center accent.

The sweater shown (which is modeled by my sister Mary) was crocheted with Lion Brand Cotton Ease in taupe. It has side vents and can be crocheted in any length desired.

I hope everyone thinks it is worth the wait!

Making the Grade

Pardon the pun! I am in the process of rewriting my Pineapple Yoke Pullover pattern and calculating all the changes necessary for sizes small through 3X, so it's amazing that I haven't pulled all my hair out and gone mad.

Grading and revising are not my favorite things, nor are they numbered among my accomplishments. However, this revision has provided an opportunity to make this a better pattern, and I hope everyone likes the new improved version. If all goes as planned, the pattern should be available for purchase in two or three weeks.

My Newest Design

I've gotten really behind in my designing and pattern writing progress, due to illness and some crazy schedules, but at last I've finished my newest design, the Shades of Autumn Shawl.

I chose to crochet my model in colors that remind me of fall leaves and cool weather, but the shawl would look great in other color combinations--- even other yarn weights.

Just a Bunch of Crazy Hoosier Gals-- and a Guy or Two

We had a great meeting this month of our crochet group! I forgot that I had brought my camera until Ann had gone, so one of our group is missing from the photo. Have to get her in the pics next time!

Steve, as usual, made goodies for everyone to eat. This time it was his famous chocolate mousse, served in tiny Belgian chocolate teacups and topped with maple-flavored whipped cream and tiny dark-and-white-striped sticks of--- guess what--- chocolate! (I think this was Nancy's husband's favorite "project" at the meeting!)

It was fun to share what we all had been working on. Shelle (from Crochet Cabin) brought the most projects--- she made me feel lazy! Nancy was crocheting away on a gorgeous baby afghan, Stephanie was working on a burgundy ripple afghan, and I brought the Bon Bon Print jacket I'm making for my mother-in-law.

It was a lot of fun!

My New Bag Pattern

Finally--- I got a better photo (but only marginally better!) of my newest crocheted bag and was able to update and publish my pattern. I've been so busy lately with family (two new great-great-nephews on the way) and health issues that I really am very behind in my pattern writing and publishing.

The Come to the Point Handbag was fun and easy to make, and can be made in a variety of worsted weight yarns. I crocheted my model in cotton simply because I had purchased several skeins of Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Naturals last autumn and I loved the color combo of New Natural and Chocolate Ombre. My niece saw the fimnished model and fell in love with it, so it is now in her wardrobe. A lady never can have too many handbags!