It's July. Say It Ain't So!

Photo (c) ILikeCrochet.com

To where have the last few weeks disappeared? I have been working on a few projects behind the scenes, as well as items in my Hot Fun In The Summertime a-long, so I've been knee-deep in yarn and paints. 

NFC Rustic Fingering -
that Columbus Circle
colorway is something
else!

Before I provide you with my first finished item in the a-long, I am thrilled to show off my latest published design, the Summer Mist Poncho in the August 2016 edition of ILikeCrochet.com. Utilizing the always wonderful Neighborhood Fiber Co. Rustic Fingering in the Columbus Circle colorway, it is a true, lighweight summer topper. I did not have summer wedding on the brain when I designed it, but the magazine's styling brilliantly shows off such a possible use. I just love this pretty colorway that screams summer.

Additionally in this edition, I have a second written tunisian crochet technique article utilizing the ponchos's edging as an example.

And now, onto my first completed item in the a-long. I worked up my own personal version of the Summer Dance Shawl, and I am pretty pleased with my handiwork, if I do say so myself. To the right you'll see how I used a contrasting colorway on the edging to provide a nice pop of summer color. To the left, you'll see a closer look at the beads I used along the last row of the edging. 

Color and bling - love it.

I hope everyone in the U.S. has a great July 4th holiday, exercising independence in the way that fits each of you best. And for everyone in Canada, happy Canada Day weekend. 

We can't seem to get out of the way of holidays here in North America cause hey, it's summer!

I'll Be Using Hooks and Sticks

So we're just into the summer K/CAL celebrating my 5 


year design anniversary, and I thought I'd share with you my project plans.

Initially, since WIPs (works in progress) count, I am hoping to get a few done and clear some shelf space for other projects.

These are the sleeves of my personal version of the Definitely in Africa Cardigan from Leather, Lace, Grit & Grace. I actually started this last spring, but then so many other designs took precedence on my hooks. However, I really want to finish this for fall, so I'm fairly motivated.

This will eventually become a custom version of the Flying Blanket in greens and blues (which design is also from Leather, Lace, Grit & Grace).I'm thrilled to be working with my needles and using up some serious stash.I also started this last Spring, but never even made a Ravelry project page. I wish I could say this was the only WIP without a project page, but that would be incorrect. 

In keeping with the home theme of the blanket (which is a minor focus of this K/CAL, although everyone can make any of my paid designs), I intend to work up a few more of these Mais Oui Padded Hanger Covers. I love them, use them all the time, and they are a relatively quick one-skein project - the perfect summertime crafty make, no?

Finally, I plan on working up a Summer Dance Shawl. Again, I plan to hit stash, and below is what I want to use for it.

I love both of these fibers (bottom, silk; top, linen, and this is the end of it in my stash), and I am totally excited with the addition of these beads, which I picked up during my recent annual local yarn shop tour. 

I have the next almost two months to complete these projects, and if I do, I will be rather pleased with my crafty self. I hope you'll join me (and the others who have already joined) and have some yarny fun!

It's All About Hot Fun In The Summertime

Ok everyone, it's June 1st! In the United States, Memorial Day weekend is over, and the unofficial start to summer has begun.

And so, the next K/CAL celebrating my five year design anniversary will begin - how's about a little summertime fun? This a-long will last for two months - all of June and July - and pretty much anything goes. Participants can make any of my designs (excluding my three free self-published designs), and works in progress will absolutely be allowed (because, hey, it's easy living in the summertime). Think lovely, lightweight shawls, easy-breezy-to-make home items, projects that can be made on-the-go, any and all of them will be fair game for the next two months.

To whet your summertime design appetite, I am thrilled to show you my latest design worked up once again for the folks at Yarnbox - the flirty and fun Summer Dance Shawl. Worked up in yummy Lorna's Laces Pearl, this worsted weight silk/bamboo blend blocks so amazingly well that just two skeins makes a generous, full-sized shawl. The openwork stitches make the best use of Lorna's Laces dye pot - it almost looks like dappled sunlight in an impressionist painting.

The other benefit of the stitch pattern? It's a breeze to work up! (Are you all now singing "hot fun in the summertime"?)

Do head on over to my Ravelry group to check out the K/CAL details, as well as the super summery yarn prizes I'll be giving away to two random winners once the a-long is over. 

Hot fun in the summertime, indeed.