baby booting

A lot of girlfriends are having babies lately, so I spent this week end "baby-booting". I used Ruth's baby bootie pattern and Rhian's bootie pattern for two different set of booties. Both nice and easy. Very neat and delicious patterns :)

This week end I also managed to intrigue my sister with crocheting, she started a lovely scarf and I have the feeling that she will not only finish it but also start a new project afterward. Will we spend the winter crocheting together from now on? I surely hope so!

Knitting New - difficult - Scarves

I Love this book. It's beautiful and full of challenges. One, my personal defy, is the "Driftin Pleats" scarf on page 30. I LOVE the look of this scarpe and I've been trying to make one since last winter. The set up pleats explanation isn't that easy to get, and the DP needles are always turning.

Yesterday, though, I tried for the third time, this time I was knitting on my bed, and it was maybe the positon maybe the concentration, maybe the cotton yarn (instead of wool) but I did complete the setup pleats!! I am so proud! Now unfortunately the yarn I choose this thime is a bit thinn and the scarf will be a bit small, but if I make it, maybe next time I will be able to make one in wool to, I hope pretty as this one by bluegarter.knits

Thank you so much for your support!

Thanks so much, to all the nice people that wrote to me these days saying that they are sorry for the closing of this blog. You are so sweet!

All this support gave me the strenght to try again, I'll make an effort and go on posting sometimes, now I know someone cares :))

So here a pic of the collar I've just finished, the pattern is the "wham bam thank you lamb! neckwarmer" by Insaknitty

Loop Scarf, finished

Gator Scarf, originally uploaded by Cloudy Crochet.

I finaly have some time to post some pics of my Garter Stitch Loop-Through Scarf by Marci Richardson, that i made from the book "101 designers One Skein Wonders".

I changed the pattern a little, switching from the original garter stitch to a stockinette st (that I prefer). It's a lovely, easy and really rewarding pattern. Was a pleasure to knit.

My sister fell in love with it so I gave it to her and she's always using it, I'm very happy about it :-D

My So Called Scarf, finished!

I did it! I loved this pattern, it's amazing, a joy to knit, never boring and the results are gorgeous.



I was so pleased by knitting this that I've immediately started a new project, the Foliage Hat by Emilee Mooney on Knitty. I'm doing it in Mondial Extrafine Merino (Color 629) so I will have to adapt it a bit to this yarn. I hope I won't run out of yarn at the end. So far is a bit of a challenge and I'm really liking it. It's my first knitted hat on dnps, and I'm addicted to it. I wish I could bring it in the subway with me, but dpns aren't exactly easy to use in a crowded wagon ;-)

So Called projects going on

Here a few pics of my progress on the So Called Scarf. I must say that I fell in love with this pattern. It's easier and faster that I thought. I have to really thanks heyjulie95 for her really helpful video tutorial, especially for suggesting an alternative way to realize the crossed stitch on the right side. Now I'm thinking about realizing my own video for those among us who knit the English way (as opposite to the "Continental" way).

Anyway the scarf is progressing well, thanks to circular needles I knit on the bus, on the subway, at work, watching tv, etc... Very funny.

I only have a doubt on Manos del Uruguay, it's a pretty rough wool. I hope it will soften after washing. The pattern is also pretty stiff, so the result is a quite rigid scarf. We'll see when it's finished and washed, I'm pretty sure this wool and pattern would be perfect for a purse. I'll do it maybe after I've finished this one.

I also progressed a bit on Hairpin Lace, the tool is amazing. I'm thinking, though, that maybe it's more fun with a thicker yarn. I want to try it also with very thin mohair and see what it looks like. Vik, don't worry your hairpin lace scarves are on the go! :-)

Starting to finish

Besides the Brea Bag that is finished and only needs to be sewn (by someone else, I guess, because I'm TOO bad at it), I've managed to finish the Pima Poncho I've been knitting and undoing since June! :-D

Well, it actually looks more like a scarf, but I have to join the two sides and add the fringes. Again the joining scares me. I guess I have to take some sewing classes ;-)

Giles Deacon bulky scarf

I love it! Maybe with such a huge yarn, even I could finish a scarf before the winter is over ;-)

I even found the pattern online but I'm not sure if the "lana grezza" will be easy to find.

I like it so much!!

I started using the Hairpin fork, is fun and fast. If only I had some more time at night to crochet a bit. Anyway I'm confident I'll finish one of Vik's scarves soon!

Other update, I've finished the Brea bag (yuhuu) but I'm totally unable to sew it, I guess I?ll bring it to the next Stitch 'n' Bitch in Milan to seek for help from the girls ;-)

Brioche Scarf for Claudia

Here it is, I've finished! :-D
I'm pretty happy with the results. This Brioche stitch goes pretty fast and the texture is so soft and fluffy, I guess that's why it is called "brioche".
Anyway, I'm thinking about adding one or two knitted or crocheted flowers to the edges of the scarf, just to make it more feminine, but I'm not sure my friend Claudia loves "girly" accessories ;-)

A scarf I Like

I love this scarf. The last two years I have looked at the pattern and I wanted to make it so much!

Only problem: the wool. The pattern uses a Bulky Alpaca by Blue Sky, that it's very hard to find in stores. Now that I live in France it's even harder, and the shipping too too expensive. So annoying!
If there is among you a French blogger who knows where can I find or order a similar yarn with same gauge please please tell me!!

Love is in the air

Oh yes, St. Valentine is approaching, and because I live very far from my friends I always have to think about presents with a lot of anticipation.
In Italy St. Valentine is not a big deal, we just expect some chocolates or small presents coming from our boyfriends (things that never come...) but we don't really send cards to friends and stuff.
Because I'm here in the US, though, I thought: "this year I will send a couple of St valentine's cards". But I didn't want to send just a card so I made this scarf for my dear friend Sabina, in Rome. Hope she gets it in time!

I also sent this book to my friend Puli, who lives in London, and wants lo learn crochet. I hope that she gets into it, because once you start crocheting it's so funny!!

Skinny Mohair

A few months ago I went to Artfibers, in San Francisco, my favorite spot every time I'm in town. I didn't have any specific idea at the moment so I bought a bunch of leftover yarns (a big bunch, apparently, because I ended up spending 50 dollars!!!). Anyway among those leftover there was this magnificent green mohair. I wasn't sure of the amount of yarn, so I decided to try a very thin mohair scarf.

Here is the pattern:
I used a hook US M / 9 mm


I started with ch 7 and on round 1, I worked 7 sc
Round 2, I worked 8 double chains.
Round 3, *1 sc, ch1*, and then I just repeated Rounds 2 and 3 until the end of the yarn, closing with 7 sc.
I must say that I really like this skinny scarf, so delicate and warm at the same time :-) Hooray!

Scarves, scarves, scarves!

Winter is approaching and scarves are always welcome. I love making scarves, it's fast, easy and in the end you have an item that you'll use a lot!
Recently I've made 5, for me, my family and friends.

The first one was made with this Superfine baby alpaca beautiful orange yarn, named Mammoth, that I've found at Artfibers in San Francisco. I worked a Diagonal Rib pattern, found on About.com using knitting needles n.15/10.00 mm and casting on 8 stitches. The result is a very long, extra-soft and extra-warm scarf, which became immediately one of my favorites.

I wasn't totally satisfied of the pattern, though, so I've used the second skein of Mammoth, in dark red, to make my mother a slightly different Christmas scarf. I've casted on 8 stitches and modified the pattern this way:

Row 1: *k2 p2*
Row 2: p1, *k2 p2*, p1
Row 3: *p2 k2*
Row 4: k1, *p2 k2*, k1
Rep rows 1-4

Obtaining more horizontal diagonal stripes. I've finished the scarf crocheting the edges with a beautiful purple extrafine merino wool. The result is simply elegant and fashion. I should have taken a picture but I had to send the scarf very fast as my mom could get it for Christmas.

For one of my most beloved best friends I have crocheted a very simple yet showy Mohair scarf. I've found the pattern on the book "Cozy Crochet". Unfortunately the picture couldn't capture the beauty of the pattern and all the colors of this great Di.Ve Mohair with nuances that go from dark red to purple.

After that I've also finished my boyfriend scarf made in beautiful baby alpaca. I've worked a very simple vertical rib "k3, p3", and I'm very happy with the results.

To finish, I've made this holiday cachecol white and red. I've used the Fuzzy Galore's V-ery easy scarf pattern. Adding a single-crochet red edge and closing the short scarf with a red button. Isn't it fancy? :-)

Little gifts

I made this little gifts for some friend's kids, and I hope they'll like it.
The small purse is made in single crochet, the flower is a classic flower made in round, and the little scarf, for a 2-years-old girl, is made with baby alpaca, worked with n.10 knitting needles. I made an hole at the end, with a 10.5 crochet hoot, so that she can use it as a foulard. I made the pom pom with some yellow wool. Isn't it pretty? :-)

Preparing for Christmas

I am working hard to be ready for Christmas with presents for my girlfriends and parents. It's a hell of a job and sometimes I'm not even sure they'll like what I'm doing. At least, I must say, I enjoy crocheting so much that I don't care too much ;-)

This week I've been progressing a little bit. Finished a scarf, started another one in mohair (I cannot post pics because they are presents), added a few rows on my bag, that I have actually decided to felt... How am I going to do it, it's still a mystery (I don't have a washing machine), but I'll try anyway.


I've also started a little throw for my kitties. It will be they're present. I can post a pic of that because the kitties don't browse often the Net ;-) here it is!
I'm making it with a US H8/ 5mm hook working TLC Essentials Worsted weight - 4ply - 4,5 oz/127 gr Color falling Leaves. I have found the pattern on the yarn label and it looks really nice, very autumn.


I have also completed my first Granny Square (I am proud) and tried a ripple effect sample. Looks nice. I think I'll do a bag with the granny square, maybe for my cousin's daughter...

Crochet bag + hat + scarves

I'm experimenting. And because I also need a bag, I'm trying to make one with the Gjestal Naturgarn yarns I bought on Elann.com. The colors are pretty but the wool isn't soft enough to make scarves, sweaters or other clothes, so I thought I could use it for a bag! :-)

I used this patter by Coats and Clark as a base, then changed it a little bit. When I'm done, if the bag is nice I'll post the complete pattern. I've done the base with the "Forest" green, the used the "Gold" and now I'm going to switch to "Ultra Blue" to finish the bag.


This week end I've been working also on a couple of other projects. I've tried making a hat to match my furry scarf but I ran out of yarn before finishing and the shop I go to doesn't carry it anymore :-(((

Then I've been working on a knitted scarf for my boyfriend. It's made of Kantuta Baby Alpaca Wool color n. 14, bought it at Artfibers in San Francisco. Now I must go back to the store to get another yarn to finish it.


And then I'm doing a scarf for one of my girlfriends. It's made of Lion Brand Homespun, Corinthian 345. The pattern I'm using is a V-Stitch pattern found on Fuzzy Galore. Very nice. I'm not sure if I like the color or not, though. I will finish it and then decide if I like it or not...

A furry scarf

As a beginner I don't want to spend too much money on precious yarn that I KNOW I will be wasting. So I went to a store close to where I live in Berkeley. There I found this Caron Bliss furry yarn that was quite cheap. I took three balls. With the first two I made this scarf. The last one, I'm keeping it for a hat.


The pattern I have used is the Alternating Windowpanes Scarf kindly shared by by Donna. I got bored of the windowpanes very soon, so I made some only at the beginning and at the end of the scarf. As you can clearly see the width of my scarf is variable. This was not an intended effect, just mistakes... ;-) Anyway, I like it, it's warm and soft and I made it!!!

First projects

How to?
The first problem that I had was LEARNING how to Crochet. I had tried a couple of times in the past, but with no success. This time, though, I had the Internet to support me and plenty of fantastic online tutorials!!

Stitch Guide This website is magic!
Crochet Pattern Abbreviations
Understanding Patterns, the most difficult part in learning crochet is understanding patterns. Here's a very good help!


First Patterns

This Daisy Scarf was my very first finished job... As you can see from the pic it's not exactly as the one made by Heidi Pollock, but let's say it's close...?








Then I made a Sunflower pot holder
This is the original Sunflower by Marlos Crochet Corner. very very nice!






...And a couple of diagonal hotpads . This pattern is really nice, and you make a Double-thick hotpad! :-) Thanks Mielke's Fiber Arts!