Frozen Falls Crochet Throw

No doubt about it, quilts make a house a home.

But when quilts and crochet throws intermingle,

homey is elevated to cozy.

#loveofcrochet

This one is from the Winter 2013 issue of Love of Crochet.

It's called Frozen Falls and I thought the

Martha Stewart Extra Soft Wool Blend yarn

in Igloo was the perfect frozen color to pair with the pattern.

It is such a soft yarn and when combined with this stitch pattern,

makes for a beautifully, soft, drapey throw.

One feature that I've never stitched before is the reverse crochet around the edge.

The pattern instructs to work a reverse single crochet around the throw.

In my excitement to finish up this project, I wasn't paying close attention,

and I ended up crocheting a reverse double crochet.

Of course, it was more time consuming than a reverse single crochet would have been,

but I am pleased with the end result.

My daughter commented that the edging finishes it off like binding on a quilt.

Some You Tube videos proved to be helpful in learning this new technique.

I love how it completes the throw.

Have you ever done reverse crochet?

I had never even heard of it until I stitched this pattern.

Happy crocheting, my friends!

It's a Wrap!

Not sure what the 'scrunchy' face is for!

The Colette Patterns Osaka skirt from the March issue of 

Seamwork is a quick and simple reversible wrap skirt

that takes only a couple hours to sew.

Definitely use light to mid weight fabrics for this one

as there is a lot of bulk where the seams join.

I clipped the seams and pressed them in opposing directions where they all intersect.

That helped reduce the bulk.

The lightweight denim print by Gretchen Hirsch

and the lightweight wool suiting from my friend, Linda,

paired nicely for this year-round skirt.

I can wear it with tights (as shown here) in cool weather or

with strappy sandals or flats when the weather is warmer.

There is a button closure at the top of the skirt,

and a snap midway down, where the different fabrics meet.

Those two closures are enough to keep the opening secure.

From this side angle, you get an idea of how the wrap stays closed.

Skirt:  Osaka by Colette Patterns - Jacket:  Simplicity 2728

For the reverse side of the skirt, I used another denim print by Gretchen Hirsch

and another wool suiting from my friend Linda, this time in fuchsia pink.

If you are not familiar with Seamwork, I recommend it as a terrific

source of monthly sewing instruction and inspiration.

Check it out on the Colette Patterns website.

Skirt and Cape Combo

Cape:  Liesl & Co. Woodland Stroll Cape   Skirt:  Simplicity 2475

First off, my apologies because this fabric does not play nice with the camera.

It is a beautiful green wool plaid from the Pendleton stash gifted to me from my friend Linda.

Second, my apologies for the skirt wrinkles, but I did just return from church service,

and well, this is real life and sometimes life gets wrinkled!!!

The pocket flaps are edged with purchased green bias tape.
I've sewn the Simplicity 2475 pattern a couple of times,
but this is the first time I've tried the Woodland Cape pattern.

 The pattern is quick to sew, fits true to size with no alterations,
and is extremely comfortable to wear.
I have big plans for this one in the fall.
I've already purchased the fabric and plan to sew it up in August or September.
I will post an in-depth review at that time, so stay tuned!

Until we next cross paths again, my friends, keep sewing.