Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Crafty Creations

I've had a cold this past week or more and I've been quite fatigued. I haven't been feeling up to much of any real work or outside activities while I'm trying to rest and recuperate.

Usually when I'm sick, I like to read a good book but this week I got crafty.

First up was this jumble of knitting. I made two sets of dishcloths.
This first set is made with a smaller needle. I like this colour combination for kitchen cloths and have made a set for myself in this colour before.

This dishcloth and it's mate (not in this photo) was made for a friend of mine who recently helped me pack up mom's apartment. Her kitchen has whites, pink and browns so I thought she'd like this colour combination. I've made it in a slightly larger knit which I've found works very nicely for dishcloths.

I love this colour blue and actually made this one in the Autumn. This week I've wrapped a bar of dove soap inside and will gift it to a friend who loves this colour blue.
This yellow item is an aborted experiment in crocheting a baby dress. I didn't have the right size of hook and I don't think the yarn is soft enough for a baby.  As I progressed, I could see that the dress was really too small at the top. I believe I know what the problem is.  I think it is missing the chains at the ends of each row. I may try this again when I get the right size hook and softer yarn.

Determined to make a baby dress, I started a different pattern. I am using some light pink yarn that was given to me by a friend.  The colour looks washed out due to the lack of good light at that hour of the morning.

In this photo you can see the proper colour of the sweater. This is the first time I've tried this pattern. I always find the first time making something to be quite challenging and I don't usually work in yarn as my preferred material is crochet cotton.  Now that I am getting close to the finish, I think it looks very cute. I will post a photo of the  finished product after I find some ribbon and rosettes to adorn this sweet little jacket.
Close up detail of the sleeve.


I hope you've enjoyed a peek at my crafting week.
I'd love to know if you've been busy making anything 
and whether you have any knitting or crochet patterns 
of baby things to share with beginners like me.

24 comments:

Diane said...

Hope that you feel better. I am impressed with what you have made and that baby dress is spectacular. Diane

Colleen said...

Joyful, those are beautiful creations! It must be very rewarding to have a talent like that!

I hope you are back on your feet soon my friend! Have a lovely day!

Bossy Betty said...

These are wonderful!!! You are very talented. Hope you feel better soon!

Joyful said...

Hi Diane, I'm afraid I'm not feeling much better. I stayed up far too late! But if this weather would improve a bit I know I would feel better ;-)

Joyful said...

Colleen, thank you for that compliment. I'm still learning to work in yarn but I'm sure once I get used to it it will be fine ;-)

Joyful said...

Thank you Bossy Betty.

Lavender and Vanilla Friends of the Gardens said...

The tiny baby jacket is very sweet. In our throwaway society it is so nice to see the knitted dishcloth. Even a dishcloth can be handmade. I love it how you wrapped it and bundled a nice soap inside. I used to crochet or knit a lot. I am still knitting on blanket squares, which is quite nice as I knit each square individually with different patterns and embroidery. I do it only occasionally when I feel like it, it is an ongoing project!

EG CameraGirl said...

Knitted dishcloths make lovely gifts. Yours are almost too pretty to use! :)

Boo-Bah AKA Iris said...

I love the pink baby jacket. The dish cloths are very pretty. I have crocheted a few. I never learned to knit.
I liked the color combinations you used.
Hope your feeling better soon.

Joyful said...

Thank you EG Wow. I do sometimes feel bad about using the dishcloths to wash dishes but I soon get over it :-)

Joyful said...

Titania, I do so enjoy to make something with my hands and challenging my brain to follow patterns. Thank you for your lovely compliment on the baby jacket. I'd love to see some of your blanket squares and I hope you will post some on your blog :-)

Joyful said...

Thank you Boo-Bah. It's great that you can crochet. You can make many nice things by crochet method. I'm feeling a little better today. Bit by bit I'll be well.

Meanqueen said...

I can't share any patterns with you, I couldn't follow one if I tried. I love the blue cloth wrapped around soap, makes a lovely pressie. Hope you're feeling better.

Joyful said...

Hello Ilona, I'm sorry you can't follow a pattern because I know how wonderfully crafty you are ;-) I am feeling better today and hopefully will be back to normal soon. The weather needs to improve and that would help too. Thanks for stopping by!

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

Those lovely pictures are inspiring me to go back to do some projects too. I have not done any in several years and I think it's high time I did.

Joyful said...

Wonderful Heidi. I'd love to see some of your knitting and crochet when you have some done :-)

Jan said...

You have had an impresssive craft week for someone feeling off-colour, Penny. The baby dress is a lovely hue, and quite an intricate pattern.
I often see about people making dishcloths, I don't know anyone who uses or makes them... doesn't seem to be the thing here at all.
Hope you feel much better soon.
Hugs,
Jan

candy said...

I wish I could knit/crochet as well as you!!! Your awesome!
I can knit dishcloths but just a plain square, I dont know how to do a fancy edge yet. Wish I did but I have to wait for my mom to show me the next time she visits :)

Joyful said...

Jan, I actually had a slow pace of knitting given I wasn't feeling well and I did absolutely nothing else (except bathe and do laundry). Doing something productive keeps me feeling like my time being sick isn't a total waste and I can do it while sitting covered up, drinking tea and watching a bit of the TV. The dishcloths here do seem to be gaining in popularity. Love and blessings. xx

Joyful said...

my white home, thank you for your very sweet comment ;-) you can actually learn some knitting and crochet from youtube. I've used the videos to learn how to knit the cloths but already knew how to crochet though am only learning to use wool :-) I'm sure you can knit well but we often don't think much of our own abilities. I think anyone who tries to knit, crochet, sew, quilt and otherwise do home making things is doing a great thing. Keep up the great work!

Kilauea Poetry said...

Well I had to pop some fish in the oven (lol)..just wanted to say I enjoyed your work and hope your feeling better! (hugs). I do hope you have a restful weekend:)

Joyful said...

Thank you KP. I am feeling better. I hope to get some good sleep this weekend ;-)

Joyful said...

my white home, thank you for your very sweet comment ;-) you can actually learn some knitting and crochet from youtube. I've used the videos to learn how to knit the cloths but already knew how to crochet though am only learning to use wool :-) I'm sure you can knit well but we often don't think much of our own abilities. I think anyone who tries to knit, crochet, sew, quilt and otherwise do home making things is doing a great thing. Keep up the great work!

Joyful said...

Jan, I actually had a slow pace of knitting given I wasn't feeling well and I did absolutely nothing else (except bathe and do laundry). Doing something productive keeps me feeling like my time being sick isn't a total waste and I can do it while sitting covered up, drinking tea and watching a bit of the TV. The dishcloths here do seem to be gaining in popularity. Love and blessings. xx

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