Diamonds!

It took far longer than I expected, but I have finished the Raised Diamonds Cinched Tote Pattern. I could've thrown it online last March, but I wanted to test the pattern to be sure it was accurate and to make the tote in another yarn to see how it translated. I am loving how these totes function! The drawstring makes it so easy to grab and go because it is self-closing. No zipping or snapping. And it opens up to a nice wide circular opening, making it easy to see inside your purse and get to the items you want in there.

The pattern is available now on Etsy, Craftsy, Ravelry, and my website for $4.99.

This was my original bag made from Sinfonia in "Teal".

Sinfonia is mercerized cotton so it doesn't pill or fray. It's also washable making it a good choice for a handbag that will get a lot of use. Sinfonia comes in dozens of colors online so you can get it to match just about any outfit or to suit anyone's taste, from traditional to wild! Here it is again with one of my favorite blouses.

I decided to make the next one from Omega La Espiga size 18 nylon cord. This stuff is sturdy (think fishing nets) and is one of my favorite choices for purses. Getting used to crocheting with a stiffer cord like this takes some time. But once you adapt, you will love the results! And Omega La Espiga comes in over 80 colors.

Here is the Raised Diamonds Cinched Tote Pattern in Rose colored nylon cord.

 

I am thinking of putting this Rose bag up for sale on Etsy, since I already have the teal one in my closet. Hopefully it will find a good home and make someone very happy. :-)

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Lisa

Cabin Fever

Today marks Day 12 of my captivity.

Okay, so I'm not exactly a captive. Just cooped up. The weather pummeled us for nearly a week, making it extremely unpleasant, if not impossible, to go out most days. Then, just as the storms broke and the roads were finally clear, I come down with a respiratory thing, and I'm only comfortable next to the vaporizer with a box of tissues and a package of cough drops within reach. Going very far from home is not a serious option.

So I'm exploring my inner hermit this week and working on a few crochet projects. I've revamped most of my website pages ... just a few more to go. And I've started a new lapghan project from some rusty terra cotta colored yarn I had bought a few months ago. I'm using the moss stitch and loving how that looks. The moss stitch creates a nice tight weave, which means warm! And the stitch is reversible, so texture on both sides of the afghan. Here's a picture of the work in progress:

Also, I found some cute patterns for hood / cowl combinations on Etsy, and I'm trying one of those. It's about half done. I think it will come in handy if the weather keeps being ridiculous. Will post pics of that when I have it done. Hopefully by then, the end of my nose will no longer be bright red from blowing. :-)

Stay warm and happy crocheting!

Crocheting in the Cold

It's freezing outside today -- like sub-zero. And the wind ... well, it's whistling so hard through my bedroom windows they sound like they are screaming in pain. The schools were closed, and the dog refuses to go outside. So, obviously, I'm not terribly eager to leave the house either. I lit a fire in the fireplace to help the overworked furnace and I'm settling beside it in my comfy recliner to crochet. But what to make ....

I finished up my latest project. I call it the Raised Diamonds Cinched Tote. It's made from Sinfonia, which is available in about 10 colors at Hobby Lobby, and has a unique closure.

The pattern will be available in a couple of weeks on my site and Craftsy. But while I'm finishing the work on that one, I'm itching to start another project. All this cold weather has me thinking of ponchos or wraps, something to add a layer of warmth. Now to hunt up a warm, cozy yarn to make it with.