Baby Blanket Free Pattern and Flower Petal Bib

I made these for a coworker's first child. The bib is the Flower Petal Bib from One Skein and the blanket is my own pattern. I used Elann Sonata for the bib. Knitting the bib gave me my first attempt at short rows, which turned out well for the most part.

For the blanket and chained the width I wanted it to be using an L hook with Bernat Baby sport weight yarn and Patons Cha Cha eyelash held together.

First row: hdc in 3rd chain from hook, hdc across; ch 2, turn.

All remaining rows: hdc across; ch 2, turn.

When the blanket is the length you want, fasten off.

Edging:

Anchor a sc anywhere but in the corner with white Bernat Lu Lu or similar yarn.

*5 dc (shell), then sc*, repeat from * to a corner.

7 dcs in the corner and continue with shell repeat above until another corner is reached. Fasten off.

My blanket was at least 30" x 40", but you can make it any size you like.

I used a cone of Patons Cha Cha for the blanket, so I can only estimate how many balls to use. I'd say 5 balls at least. You can also use Bernat Eye Lash, too, as it's the same stuff, although both yarns have been discontinued. Each ball is 77 yards, so about 400 yards of any similar weight eye lash yarn will do.

International Freeform Show is Live

Finally! The group challenge exhibit for this year's show is up and running! I only submitted pieces for the elements and you can see them here. I had a fun time doing it!

Project Updates

Over the past month or so I've had to make some quick projects that I haven't had time to take pictures of before I gave them away. I crocheted some baby booties for my nephew for his baptism and knitted a mini sweater vest that I attached to a card for an SnB friend who is moving. I also monogrammed some mugs by etching glass for the first time using etching cream and stencils I made from Mack Tack. They turned out well for my first time.
I finished a shracket for my stepdaughter using a pattern I found on an episode of Uncommon Threads. I still have yet to take a picture of it. It turned out quite well and she loves it.
Right now I'm working on a Berroco zippered cardigan for my son using Lullaby, which I think is discontinued. It's turning out well so far. I don't have a lot of experience seaming and have never sewn in a zipper, so this will be a challenge for me.

Crocheted Wire Buttons

I just received the May issue of Threads magazine and started browsing it. I found instructions for making crocheted wire buttons. I've already done some wire crochet and have the tools I need for that, so I'll definitely be making some of these! They'd be a great addition to freeform, knitted, or crocheted garments, too.

Freeform in Progress

I've been working on my scrumbles for this year's International Freeform Challenge. There are two challenges:

• Elements: The first exhibit will be based on your interpretation of 4 elements:
  Fire, Earth, Air and Water. Each element is a separate scrumble.
• Tree of Life: The second exhibit is The Tree of Life/Peace will be a display of 3 dimensional FF pieces that will hang from the limbs of tree branches.

Each challenge requires that gold thread be somewhere in each piece to signify unity. We could do one challenge, both, or parts. I chose the elements.

I'm finished with Water and not really pleased with it, but it's good enough. The deadline is next week for the online exhibition, so I can't be too picky. I'm working on Fire now and really liking how it's turning out. Next I'll tackle Air and finally Earth.

Unfortunately, I can't post pictures until the online exhibition because the pieces are going to be unveiled all at once. I'll post more information here once that happens.