My Yarndale Mandala

If you're familiar with the internet world of crochet you probably know of Lucy and her blog, Attic 24. She crochets amazing, colorful, awesome things and is one of the organizers for Yarndale.

Yarndale appears to be an awesome festival of all things wool and yarn related. I wouldn't actually know since it's all the way in England and I'll probably never get to attend. Last year at Yarndale there was an amazing display when Lucy put out the call to fellow crocheters around the world to send in granny bunting. This was the jaw-dropping result:

Picture courtesy of Attic24

This year she put out a request for just one mandala and since I never actually sent my granny bunting triangle last year I really wanted to participate in making a mandala. So, the above pictures are my mandala. It's a little late so I don't know if it'll actually be included or not but it's possible!


Yarndale Mandala:

• Yarn: Leftover Simply Soft Yarns
• Hook Size: 4.00mm
• Time: One evening.
• Size: 7in diameter
• Fun: 9/10. I like pretty much anything that's quick and colorful.
• Pattern (ish): I started out by making this Little Spring Mandala by Made In K-Town then adding a couple rows of my own making to get the proper size.
• Help: There are links on the original Yarndale Mandala post by Attic24 for various tutorials.

So, there you have it! I can't wait to see updates after Yarndale to see all the amazing mandalas people have made. Hope you enjoyed seeing mine!

-Mrs. 246

Patchwork Granny Blanket

I'm not sure if you guys remember the Summer Garden Throw I made for Luna's first birthday last year, but I had a ton of yarn left over when I was done. I also immediately went into project withdrawal and needed something to work on right away. I got to work right away on making this beauty and a little over a year later, it's done!

I worked on it off and on (truthfully more "off" than "on") throughout the whole past year. Maybe TV shows were watched while making this blanket. Also, a lot of Harry Potter audio books. Hehe.

I love the end result though...88 Squares later, here it is in all its glory!

 

Of course once you finish a big project like this you must prance it about with you take pictures. How would it look in a chair? How about with a matching pillow? Folded up?

And for those who are curious...here are the stats:

Patchwork Granny Square Blanket:

• Yarn: Tons of leftover Simply Soft Yarns
• Hook Size: If you look closely you'll see I didn't use the same size hook for the whole thing. Ugh. I started off with my favorite 4.25mm hook but then around Christmas I got the awesome Clover Hook Set and switched to a 4.00mm hook. I didn't think it would make so much of a difference but you can kinda tell one side is skinnier.
• Time: One year off and on. If I worked on it consistently then it probably took about 2-3 months.
• Size: 42in x 58in
• Fun: 6/10. I tend to think of really large projects like this as not so much fun. It's super fun at first, then it becomes a battle of discipline, perseverance, and dedication.
• Pattern (ish): I used the Granny Patchwork Tutorial Lucy made from Attic24.
• Help: Click on the links above for help!

Bonus shot! Lucy is right...this blanket totally is reminiscent of Elmer, the Patchwork elephant:

I must have a problem because I just started another project (another copy cat version of Attic24's Granny Stripe Blanket) this past week. A queen sized granny stripe blanket. I may not be done for two years or so at the rate I work on things. Follow me on instagram (twofortysix) to watch the progress on my crochet projects. You can also click here to see some of the other crochet projects I've done.

I know the Attic24 designs are pretty darn popular so...how about you? Have you made one? Link to it in the comments, I'd love to see it!

-Mrs. 246

*Affiliate links used when possible. I do receive a (very) small amount of commission which will probably be used to buy more craft supplies. ;)

Feel free to pin!

Crocheted Shell Stitch Baby Blanket

I have a confession: Months and months and months ago I had such an urge to crochet a baby blanket. I don't like making things without a purpose so I thought about who I could make one for? Random coworker I don't really know too well? "Friend" from high school who just announced on Facebook that she was pregnant? No, no...that's just too weird ...

"Hey, I don't know you too well but here's this thing I spent hours and hours on for your baby I will probably never meet."

A crochet blanket is a lot of work and anytime I set out to crochet something for someone I like to make sure it's for someone who will appreciate it. That being said, it was perfect timing for Cameron at Krug the Thinker to announce her pregnancy. Still a bit weird since I don't actually know her personally but I adore her blog and I knew she would totally appreciate it. And it was just so neat to read all her pregnancy updates. It was like I was along for the ride...definitely kept up my motivation to finish the blanket in time.

I've been meaning to post pictures of this blanket for a while but I'm just now getting around to it. Truthfully, it's perfect timing since the baby was born this past week! So, without further ado...

Apparently I lost all the photos I took and these are all I have left so these will have to do. I loved making this blanket. It was easy, it was gorgeous, I love how the yarn looks! (It was quite the yarn eater though since I used two strands to make it go quicker.)

Here's the stats:

Quick(ish) Shell Stitch Baby Blanket

• Yarn: Tons of  Simply Soft Paints in Spring Brook and a little bit of Simply Soft Medium Country Blue for the border. (I lost count on the # of skeins but it was seriously like 8-10 skeins.)
• Hook Size: Don't quote me, but I'm pretty sure it was a Boye Crochet Hook, Size K
  
• Time: 2-3 months. But honestly it was probably only about 1-2 weeks of daily crocheting. I would work on it in spurts.
• Size: 36in x 34in (ish.) I think that's about right. I don't remember exact measurements. I actually think it was a bit larger than that. I just know that it wasn't as long as anticipated but I had given up buying more yarn. Lol.
• Fun: 8/10. Would have been more fun had it hooked up a tad quicker but it went pretty quick for two strands. I think was really made it awesome was the yarn. If you see the blanket in real life it looks like your staring into an ocean of crochet. I think it's a very relaxing color palette and pattern to look at.
• Pattern (ish): I didn't really use a pattern. It's just a simple shell stitch with a couple rows of HDC border except I used two strands to make it thicker and quicker to work up.
• Help: Stitchin' Mommy has a similar blanket with tutorial. Also, here's a video if you like that sort of thing better.

Happy I could share with you! And super happy for Krug the Thinker's new bundle of joy. If you'd like to see more of my crochet projects click here.

-Mrs. 246

*Affiliate links used when possible. I do receive a (very) small amount of commission which will probably be used to buy more craft supplies. ;)

Feel free to Pin!

Easy Crochet Ribbed Scarf

This past week I finished up a quick little crochet project. I needed some new scenery in my crochet projects and I wanted to make my uncle something nice and cozy. He lives up north so I'm sure he can still use it for a couple weeks.

Every time I make a scarf length wise I swear to myself that it's the last time. The rows just take so long and I always like a tad of instant gratification. My uncle is well over six feet tall so I had to make the scarf extra long. With the ribbed look however, it kind of gives the scarf a knit look.



The yarn I used is kind of...eh. When I was picking out yarns I was going for three things: a color that was somewhat manly-ish, not super expensive, and not thin. (Remember, this was supposed to be a quick project!) This is terrible, but I can't remember exactly what yarn it was. After looking, I'm pretty sure it was Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in Taupe. It doesn't feel too terrible to the touch, but close up it looks kind of fuzzy and ick. Like it's a scarf you've had around a while and loved it already. This issue with that, however, is that it's brand new. Maybe it doesn't bother some people, but it bothers me a bit.

Sorry for the lack of action pics. I've been waiting to send out this scarf because I really wanted to take pictures first and generally the only time I have to sit and take pictures is late after Luna goes to bed. I've worked all day (therefore I look like poo) and I decided I wouldn't force Mr. 246 into taking late night portraits on a work night so there you have it. You get the general idea, though. You all know what a scarf looks like.

Alright, let's do some stats:

Easy Ribbed Crochet Scarf

• Yarn: Two skeins of Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in Taupe. 
• Hook Size: My trusty 5.0 mm Clover crochet hook (I have the whole set of Clovers and they're so nice! My hands don't get nearly as crampy. Special thanks to my MIL!)
• Time: 2-4 nights of TV watching (the last couple episodes of Firefly :( I'm late to jump on the bandwagon but believe me, I'm now just as outraged that they would cancel such an awesome show.)
• Size: A little over six and a half feet long. 6-7 inches wide.
• Fun: 6/10. Repetitive, very plan. I do like the end look of the ribs and also that I only went through the back loop only on the foundation chain. I hate crocheting out of the foundation chain and on such a long foundation I was glad not to be too fiddly about it. 
• Pattern (ish): Crochet a chain as long as you want your scarf. (A good rule of thumb for a winter scarf is to make it as long as the wearer is tall.) Single crochet along foundation chain working in back loop only. Chain 2, turn, double crochet along length in back loop only. Chain 1, turn, single crochet along length in back loop only. Repeat rows single crochet row, then double crochet row until your scarf is as wide as you like it or until you run out of yarn. Tie off. Weave/sew in ends.
• Help: Click here for a tutorial video on chain stitch, single crochet, double crochet. Click here for a tutorial video of working through the back loop only. Also, feel free to comment or email me if you have any questions. Especially about the "pattern." I realized it's not really a pattern. One day I'll get the hang of writing them up properly.

Anyone else have new crochet in your life? What've you been making?

- Mrs. 246