What's on my hook....Beach Cottage Chic

My puter woes continue, it has taken me almost 2 hours just to upload the following 2 pics!!! I really don't think it's my new puter, so that leaves my internet service (satellite), could be the weather, have I mentioned how badly I want dsl????

So finally, here are the pics....it's a work in progress, developing into a large lap afghan and I am in loveeeeee with the colors and how it's turning out. I wanted to design a light-weight blanket that would be right at home in a beach house/cottage, and I really think I've nailed it.

I'm crocheting it using a light-weight organic cotton yarn in colors you would find on the beach; aqua, driftwood, stone and clouds. I think making large horizontal stripes is giving it a very contempory look (I'll be sure to post pics of the finished blanket when it's ready). I can already picture it layed over the arm of a wicker chair in someone's beach cottage...or over the back of a cream color plush couch in an elegant beach house. Maybe even just dropped on a chaise lounge on a deck over looking the ocean, could be a lake....

The best attributes of making it out of cotton is that it will be machine washable AND the softness that only get softer with age. Don't you just love the softness of an old, used quilt? I sure do, the more you use it and wash it, the softer it will get, but you get that softness much sooner with a yarn as opposed to fabric.

I'm using the same pattern for this one as I used on my Nature's Gradation Lap Afghan/Blanket only bigger. AND on my new one, I am using two different colors together between the solid stipes to make the transitions between the stipes a bit softer. Let me know what you think so far....also this post has been linked to a few parties...go check them out!

What's on my needles....

I'm starting a new series that I'll call "What's on my needles..." to show everyone what knit & crochet projects I'm currently working on. I plan to post photos, some tips and tricks I've picked up, along with mistakes and hopefully how I fix them.

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I was inspired to do this series when I realized how much I've learned from other blogs and websites. One of my favs is Brenda of phydeaux-designs.com (yes, I finally learned how to just put in the name of the link instead of you seeing the whole link! Thank you Nikki!!!!). Below is a picture of one of her handmade buttons listing in her etsy shop .

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I made one of her cowl patterns and I just know I'm gonna have to have me some of her buttons to finish it...I plan to keep it for myself!

So, on my needles today, err actually my crochet hook, is this circle afghan. I'm using an acrylic yarn from Lion Brand Homespun so that it will be machine washable (you can't imagine how hard it is to hand wash a large blanket...or maybe you can). Normally, I prefer good quality natural fibers and don't like using acrylic yarn, but in certain cases like this and some baby items I do make an exception.

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This is my first time working a circle pattern, but I'm finding it really fun except for when the hook keeps catching little strands of the yarn it's not supposed to (sooo not fun when that happens).

I suppose that happens because the yarn is super fluffy, but the fluffiness is going to make this afghan SSSSSUUUUUPPPPPEEEEERRR soft, so I'm willing to put up with the "catching" and finish it. I can tell you that I won't be using it to crochet with anymore, but I think it will be fine for a knit pattern.

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I did love the neutral colors, I really stink at taking pics so they don't really show the gorgeous cream, it tends to look washed out in the pics. And the brown is really a rich chocolate with a few touches or rust to give it a lovely marled look.

Afghans take me quite a while to make as I only work on them a couple hours at a time and then I have to switch to a different project so may hands don't cramp up. I'll be sure to post pics of the finished project...then it will either go into my etsy store or become a gift to give someone.

So what projects are you working on?

FEATURED on Etsy FRONT PAGE

I was going to post this tomorrow but couldn't wait! My Aqua Dreams Afghan was featured on the FRONT PAGE of etsy!!!! HUGE HONOR...MEGA...STUPENDOUS

Click on the above pic to see it as it was on etsy or you see the front page archive on craft cult at this link...
http://www.craftcult.com/vault_list.php?list=16671&userid=&fm=0&esn=&m=12&d=15&st=1&pagenum=1&ls=0

I would never have known if it wasn't for a great etsy seller, Mila (micerv84). To see her store go to http://www.etsy.com/shop/micerv84

She is a jewelry designer and sells some really unique jewelry, AND she sounds like an amazing woman! Here is a pendant I love.