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? :-)
My work is progressing a little bit. I'm almost done with all the Christmas presents. 
I've done a couple of flowers pins, a playing ball for my dad's cats (my kitty seems to enjoy it), a really lovely mohair scarf, a sunflower potholder and even a pair of baby boots for the newborn of a couple of friends in Chicago. 
I hope They'll like it, it's a sort of Robin Hood style! I have used a nice pattern in the book Cozy Crochet.
I've also bought 2 skeins of incredibly soft baby alpaca bulky yarn at Artfibers, it's called Mammoth and it is incredibly soft and warm. 
I made a brim hat this morning but somehow the yarn is too thick and it didn't look right, so I undid it (I should have taken a pic...) and now I'm using the same yarn to make a purse.
I like the "felted" effect that this soft yarn has, but at the same time it seems a bit silly using baby alpaca for a purse... Anyway. This is how the texture looks like. Very thick and messy.
A crochet case for my new little friend: Nano! :-D
Used Lion Brand Cotton - Fuchsia and Purple
Hook US G6/ 4mm
Ch 6
work sc in 5 ch
2 sc in last ch - do not turn
sc in the back of every ch
sc in rounds for 12 rounds
change color, work sc 4 rounds
sl st, fasten off
:-)
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...
I'm trying to achieve the perfect crochet cloche hat. I haven't found the perfect pattern online, but mixing Marlo's Lady Cloche with A Little Bit of Funk by Janelle Schlossman, I've done this. It isn't perfect yet but it will be with a little of work. I'd love a slightly larger brim and a straighter line of the head.
Anyway there is the pattern :-)
SINGLE CROCHET CLOCHE
Gjestal - Pure wool - Chunky : 1 spun Ultra Blue + a few mt of Deep Gold
Gauge: 5 sc x 5 rows = 4"x4" (10 cm x 10 cm)
Hook size US H8/5.00 mm
----------
Do not join rounds, mark the beginning of each round
Chain 2
Round 1 : 8 scs in 2nd ch from hook
2 : 2 scs in each st a, working only one sc in last st (15)
3 : 2 scs in 1st st, sc in next 2 sts, repeat a (20)
4 : 2 scs in 1st st, sc in next 3 sts, repeat a (25)
5 : 2 scs in 1st st, sc in next 4 sts, repeat a (30)
6 : 2 scs in 1st st, sc in next 5 sts, repeat a (35)
7 : 2 scs in 1st st, sc in next 6 sts, repeat a (40)
8 : 2 scs in 1st st, sc in next 7 sts, repeat a (45)
9 : sc in each st a
10 : 2 scs in 1st st, sc in next 8 sts, repeat a (50)
11 : sc in each st a
12 : 2 scs in 1st st, sc in next 9 sts, repeat a (55)
13 : sc in each st a
14 : 2 scs in 1st st, sc in next 10sts, repeat a (60)
15 : 2scs in 1st st, sc in each remaining st a (61)
16 : 17 : sc in each st a
18 : sc in next 6 sts, *2 scs in next st, 1 sc in next 11 sts, rep from * 3 more times, 2 scs in next st, sc in next 6 sts (66)
19 : sc in each st around (66)
21 : 1 sc in same st, *1 sc in next 12sts, 2 scs in nest st, rep from * 3 more times, 1 sc in next 14 sts (70)
22 - 26 : sc in each st a. Join w sl st (70)
27 : change to yellow sc in each st a. Join with sl st (70)
BRIM
28: back to blue. sc in next 7 sts, * 2 scs in next st, 1 sc in next 10 sts, rep from *, 1 sc in nest 7 sts (76)
29: Sc in each st
30: change to yellow. Sc in n each st around. Fasten off!
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...
I made this three baskets using some ideas I found in "Simple Crochet". I combined kitchen twine and cotton or wool yarn.
The first one is worked all in single crochet, starting with a circular base, increased every 2 rows. Isn't it great? I cannot believe I did a basket with a crochet!!! 
The white and orange is a mini-basket for my ponytail holders. I made it with kitchen twine and Gjestal Wood (got it in elan.com. Not very soft but great texture)
And the last one is an experiment. Made with hemp and cotton yarn is worked in double crochet.
I am so proud of myself!! :-D
Finding a store who sells nice and cheap yarn for beginners isn't easy. Here in Berkeley there aren't many shops and even in San Francisco I couldn't find easily places where to get some simple yarn. I went to Aftfibers, in Sutter street. Beautiful and precious yarns, but nothing "easy" to start with.
So I went online (Internet you are the REAL world) and found two great places with a lot of savings. I got some nice bargain yarns at Elann and some other Lion Brand yarns at Jo Ann. Placed my orders, and today received the first yarns! Yuppie!!! I will be making a very fancy and warm scarf !
Yesterday, in search of fancy ideas for Christmas presents, I went to Barnes & Noble's and found THE book of my dream: "Simple Crochet" by Erika Knight. It is full of very nice ideas for your house.
It tells how to use uncommon yarns - such as yuta, kitchen twine, strings and much more - to make baskets, bags, boxes, bottles covers etc... I've already started a project to make a potato-bag. I'll post it when it's finished.
In Barnes and Noble's I also found this lovely crochet kit "Cozy Crochet". I've found a nice pattern for a Christmas present. Hope I can make it! :-)
