Gifted Gorgeousness, TUSAL - November Edition!

Ahoy there, crafty peoples~ :D  It's time for the wonderful Gifted Gorgeousness update!

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At least I have something to show this time!

before
after

...o_o. Well, it's something, right? I mentioned before that the colors were pending on the Missus, and that they still are! I took a picture after the second attempt but this too has been picked out. I think it will work best for her inner swirls instead of main body color, though.  I wonder if I can convince my husband that I need every single green DMC makes to get her colors right. It's his gift and he needs it to be perfect of course! ;)  Maybe I should fish out any and all olive-y sort of colors and see what I can come up with.

But this is not the only giftedness I've been working on.  Here is a test piece I worked up to see if a) I could understand the pattern, b) liked the pattern, and c) liked the color combination.

almost like a snowflake

It's not very large, 2" (5cm) square but as a motif in something a bit bigger, I'm very happy with how it turned out!  It was crocheted with a 1mm hook and ancient threads.  I cannot make the rest of them from this thread as there will be enough and I know from past experience trying to match old threads Does. Not. Work!  The motif is from the Star Book No. 78: Television and Radio Scarfs, published in 1950 (originally called for white/green)!  I had a remarkably hard time finding small individual motifs.  This is one of the smallest I've come across (and liked).

Since it's an older pattern, there were a couple of things that I found odd.  One was the "single double crochet" -- what on earth is that?  After studying the description and some Google-fuu the answer:  American half double crochet (half treble for you aliens across the oceans).  Another was the making of the inner "picots."  They're... weird.  Weird for picots even.  I might adjust the pattern.  Otherwise, this is a really quick and enjoyable little motif!  The whole doily calls for alternating the colors (i.e. switch the white and blue) to create a checkerboard effect but I'm not sure I want that... and I can't exactly ask the giftee what they think without spoiling the gift!  I'll make a bunch of this scheme and see if I like the look and decide after (going against all the doily-making rules of joining as you go cough).  I only need 112 by Christmas... if I can squeeze in five per day assuming no weekends or other pesky days off... well... at the very least I need 48 done LOL.

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A few days behind but here's my TUSAL ORTs, looking just lovely in the jar.  Filled with ripped out stitches (again, hah) and some random bits of floss I used for some mending.  I'm pondering starting a big jar for yarn ORTs next year.  I think that pixel square afghan would produce enough to fill it in one go...

November "strings"

Thank you for reading; I know I talk a lot without actually saying anything. :)

FotM SAL - October Edition

Aloha! I am happy you're still reading despite my continued silence. :) I am no longer ill and am capable of breathing through my nose, how exciting!  Are you prepared to be wowed by my spectacular progress on the next flower?

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before
after

Yaaaaaa-- wait, that's like, eleven stitches. I won't bore you with the struggle it was just to get those few stitches in.  I haven't touched cross-stitch since then; I'll get back to it eventually but argh.  I'm a bit sad I didn't get any Halloween stitching in.  I may be able to squeeze things in eventually but right now... I dunno.  Guess I'm in a funk.  Or maybe cross-stitch isn't as warm as yarny projects because...

various stash yarns

I did finish another square for the CAL! This is number four of at least nine (I haven't fully decided I want a small afghan haha). I really liked this square though I still hate that black yarn.  The yellow trim at the bottom of the sleigh was a different weight; I should've doubled up but didn't ah well.  Next up is the elf!  He looks like he'll have a couple of fiddly rows where I have skeins of yarn draped everywhere with all the color changes, bah.  I think I've finally learned my lesson about carrying yarn.  As long as it's touching the same color, it's okay to carry it.  If not, snip snip!

I'm still being bad with the ends.  I'll get them in eventually, with much complaining. :D

lemon and rosemary P&C yarn

I also managed to finish another dishcloth (using the same pattern). This time, I tried really hard to control my tension and it shows! However if I knit any tighter it will be a waterproof dishcloth hahaha. I crocheted around the edge out of curiosity. I was expecting to cover the edge but apparently that doesn't happen! At the knitting group, it was suggested that I knit around the edge to achieve what I was going for.

Next up is a simple scarf (yarn bought but not cast on yet)!  I am all gungho about socks and lace but it was strongly suggested that I increase my skills carefully hah. I see the logic but but but......  :)

I'm glad everyone else has been keeping busy with their stitchy goodness~  I'll return sometime.