new hooks, new projects!

Hello everyone!

I know I just posted about how I only like inline crochet hooks, and I’m not taking it back (yet).  But I’ve never seen tiny steel hooks made that way, even from Susan Bates, so I got the Clover Amour Steel Crochet Hook Set on sale.  I plan on using them for Christmas gifts but other than that I don’t often use tiny steel hooks, and the comfy handles of the Clover Amour hooks were so nice that they got me interested in the regular set, and I had to purchase it (on super sale on Amazon right now, made extra worth it because I have a student account which means I get free 2-day shipping on everything):

Clover Amour Crochet Hooks

The set comes w/ US sizes B, C, D, E, F, G, 7, H, I, & J, that’s 10 hooks!

Not only are they comfy to hold, but they’re pretty, so I had to take a photo of both sets together:

Clover Amour Crochet Hooks

The steel & regular Clover Amour crochet hook sets

And with all these pretty hooks, I wanted a pretty pouch for them, because neither of the sets come with any kind of case (unless you pay extra for the gift set).  Instead of buying a pretty pouch, though, I just used my Not Your Granny’s Granny Square Clutch (my free downloadable PDF crochet pattern):

Not Your Granny's Granny Square Clutch

And it was just so pretty I had to take another one (and you can sort of see the cute lining in the clutch in this one, although it’s a bit out of focus):

Not Your Granny's Granny Square Clutch

Especially since I bought the whole set of the regular hooks instead of just trying one (I really wanted to nab that sale before it disappeared), I really hope the lovely ergonomic handles make it worth dealing with the tapered hooks.  I’m about to start a beach hat for my upcoming trip to Pensacola, FL (a girls trip with family members) with one of these hooks after I finish writing this post, so I’ll soon find out!  I’ll use the Fun Shine Sun Hat pattern with these items (the wire is called for in the pattern but it doesn’t say so on the Ravelry page — it’s to stabilize the brim):

Fun Shine Sun Hat beginnings

I actually already made a sun hat specifically for this occasion, but I’ll post about it later; I think this one will be more practical.

Well, that’s all for now, thanks so much for stopping by!  If you use the Clover Amour hooks, do you like them?  Let me know below.  See you soon!

-Hannah

WIP update

Soooooooo many WIPs!  Please tell me you do this too.

I’ve frogged the Sugarfrost scarf:

Sugarfrost scarf begin

I got about 5x farther but it was still so slow…

Too much tiny knitting and it would take WAY too long for my patience (which gets tried plenty at work).  Not sure what to make with the yarn, though.  Still working slowly but surely on the Fino cowl:

stockinette cowl

I’ve gotten about 60% done now though

 

Also started a cool looking cabled hat but it called for small needles and chunky yarn and just hurt my hands too much so I frogged it, too; maybe I’ll start over in a worsted weight yarn instead.  My Harry Potter knit scarves are still the same, kinda hibernating, but whenever I get to it I’ll post the pattern.  I’ve just resigned myself to laziness for this:

Harry Potter knit scarf

My Citrus Stripe Blanket is also hibernating, although it’s looking pretty cool:

citrus stripe blanket

Dunno if I ever even got around to sharing my Wolf River sweater I started a few months ago.  It’s cool but the yarn I ordered was the yarn the pattern called for and it’s not near as soft as I would like.  Stalled out on my Lutz Jump hat, too.  And the Venetian Carnival cowl I didn’t share because it was originally gonna be a Christmas gift got replaced with another knitted gift and is now sitting around, almost done, waiting for me to put buttons on it and block it (it was a cool make but it would’ve been cooler if I’d doubled the length so it could be wrapped around twice, but then I wouldn’t have had the yarn to start the Fino cowl mentioned above).  A couple of other things are hibernating, too (my Paulie cardigan & my Weasley sweater)…

I’m also working on two versions of two individual patterns I’m writing (4 items total), which I’ve super been into as evidenced by the Anthropologie Inspired Hat, the Not Your Granny’s Granny Square Clutch, and the Thai Crochet Cowl, all of which are pretty recent releases.  The new patterns are also crocheted cowls (cowls are THE BEST) but that’s all I’ll say for now.  I’ve got ideas for more patterns to write, too, after those, so it should be a fun year.

The things I’m actually working on actively now are the Aspen blanket and my Chunky Circle Scarf #5:

IMG_5233

Heaping them on my ottoman keeps them in view so I’m constantly reminded to work on them, but they’re super fun so it’s not like it’s a chore.  I’m gonna start a Chunky Circle Scarf #6 soon, too — both 5 and 6 are for coworkers who’ve requested them (so I’m still not really breaking my resolutions because they’re paying for the yarn).

Whew!  That was a bit of an eye opener, just typing that all up.  How many WIPs do you have going right now?

a look back on 2015

2015 was a much more productive year for me than 2014 was, so that’s already awesome!  Here’s a recap of the [finished] projects from this year!

And there are a couple items I forgot to post about. I knitted a Fuego hat with some spare Berroco Vintage:

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And then there’s a secret project that I made as a Christmas gift for someone, but they might see it here so I’ve left it out and I haven’t been able to give it to them yet, so a photo will have to come later!

All in all that’s 13 crocheted projects (counting the Christmas gift) and 11 knitted projects.  Well now that I’ve totaled it up it doesn’t seem like so much, but it’s still better than 2014.

2 of those projects were my own patterns that I released, and I guess I’ve got the bug because there are SO many ideas I’ve got all of a sudden — there are definitely going to be more pattern releases in 2016!  I’ve already got the yarn and everything for almost all of my ideas, and can’t wait to get started!

Also of course there were some big life events this year!  I started working on my LPC licensure (to be a super-fancy licensed counselor) and, best of all, I got married!

I hope that 2015 was a good year for you, too, and of course I wish you the happiest of New Years and a great 2016!

Thanks for stopping by, see you soon!

free pattern: not your granny’s granny square clutch!

not your granny's granny square clutch

The clutch I made is complete and I’ve written down the pattern and typed it all up for anyone who’s interested (for free, of course)!

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It utilizes the flower stitch sampler granny square I made recently (4 of them, stitched together in a special way) and pairs them with a fabric lining and a 7″ zipper.  A sewing machine is nice but isn’t absolutely required.  The clutch holds a checkbook or an iPhone 6 in a case.

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If you’re interested in finding out more, like the specifications, click here.

If you’re ready to download the free pattern in PDF form, click here!

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, feel free to leave them in the comment box below or contact me using the contact form in the menu bar.  There will be even more awesome patterns coming up soon (I’m starting to get on a roll with this pattern thing!) so stay tuned!

I hope you all have the happiest of Holidays, wherever you are, and stay safe if you’re traveling!  See you soon!

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