Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Get Ready for Spring

The weather is still playing games with us. The calendar says it's spring and we are couple days away from April but the temperatures linger around freezing point out here. Brr. By now we usually have temps at least in the 50s.What's going on? I AM ready for spring! At least we can warm up with some spring knit or crochet projects while we wait for the warmer weather to arrive and be ready in style.

Interweave Crochet, Spring 2011
Have you seen the preview of the newest Spring issue of the Interweave Crochet magazine? I got my issue a few days ago, and I absolutely adore the Chamomile Cardigan by Doris Chan and the Petal Pullover by Robyn Chachula. If I had unlimited time on my hands (looking forward to that one day :)), i would also love to make the Bluebell Cardigan by Edie Eckman; it looks like a lovely cardi for spring. It uses very interesting method to start the project, make sure to check it out.


Hialeah Bag
Since we still need to wait for some flowers to come up, in meanwhile you can  make my new Hialeah bag that you can nicely pair with any of the cardigans or pullover in the issue. The bag is fun, chic and a bit retro to cheer you up. I loved the flowers "blooming" under my fingers when making it. This projects can be made in any color combination you like. Hope you will enjoy it too!

The bag is lined with double lining - the light yellow inside to insure an easy search for things in the bag; and the light silver one that nicely matched with the bag's main color. Though if you like, you might make a single lining that will work just as well if it's sturdy enough.

The Tahki Cotton Classic Lite was very nice to work with; it's smooth with a light sheen and does not split. It also produces fabric that will not stretch dramatically on you. I will definitely consider this yarn for my other crochet projects. Loved it!!

Project Requirements:


Finished Size: About 11" wide, 7½" long, and 3" deep. 

Yarn: Tahki Cotton Classic Lite (100% mercerized cotton; 146 yd [135 m]/1¾ oz [50 g]): #4017 steel gray (MC), 4 skeins; #4532 pale lemon yellow (CC1), 3 skeins; #4807 dark turquoise (CC2), 1 skein. 

Hook: Sizes E/4 (3.5 mm) and D/3 (3.25 mm). Adjust hook size if necessary to obtain correct gauge. 

Notions: Stitch markers (m); yarn needle; bag handles 7" in diameter; two pieces of fabric for lining measuring 15 × 19" (including ½" seam allowance); sewing needle, matching thread. 

Gauge: 6-petal motif = 3" in diameter with larger hook.