Hibernating

Wow, it has just been a crazy crochet time! So many projects to get done for birthday and Christmas gifts....yes, I did get them ALL done and then some. Most I did not get pictures of because they were given almost as soon as they flew off my hook! One I am particularly proud of I do have a picture of. I made a bag given to my step-son's girlfriend. When I started it, it was not intended for this gift, it was going to be for me but then it came to me, Emily is studying environmental conservation...a bag made from a recycled sweater and shirt from the thrift store would be GREAT for her. It was going to be a "welcome back to school" gift but it was not done in time so it became a Christmas gift. I used a LionBrand pattern, part of the yarn from two recycled 100% cotton sweaters, a recycled 100% cotton shirt and a magnetic snap. The pattern is not something I would do again...WAY to many pieces to sew together for my taste, but I like the way it looks. The lining was seamed together by machine - thanks mom :-) - and the main lining and strap lining were sewn in by hand using a blind hem stitch. Very time consuming but I was really pleased with the way it turned out!

So now it's time to slow down again. I've been unraveling sweaters from my huge haul at the thrift store "all sweaters $1 sale" last spring. But there are babies on the way this summer so I won't be slowing down for long. Part of hibernation is looking for patterns and planning the year's projects. whew, it's good to be January!

God bless your stitches