To the Races!

When I saw a link to this pattern on One Pretty Thing, I bookmarked it with a certain little boy in mind. This little boy loves cars. He has been known to use the border lines on my area rug to imagine a road for his cars. I knew without a doubt that a racetrack rug would be the perfect gift for his fourth birthday.


It's a good thing I love this little boy, because having completed the project, I can now say there is no way I'd ever make this for anyone else! It was not hard to make at all, but it was a lot of around and around and around and around.... It's made with rounds of single crochet, just like Amigurumi. The big difference is that, with 40 rounds that work up to a total of 342 stitches in one round, it is way more taxing than a little crocheted bunny!

Nevertheless, I was happy with the finished product, and the birthday boy expressed his pleasure by giving the rug a big hug. Gentlemen, start your engines!


(Note: I did discover one major and one minor error in the pattern. The minor error is simply a typo in the final stitch count for two rows. The major error is a typo that throws off the pattern of increases in a round and can cause some head-scratching if you're not familiar with the way this type of pattern is built. The author suggests visiting Ravelry for any edits to the pattern, which I have not had the chance to do, but if you think you want to attempt this one, I'd recommend checking it out.)

UPDATE: I will try to post the corrections on Ravelry soon, but in the meantime, here they are:

Round 36 should read: ch 1, sc in next 17 sc, 2sc in next sc, sc in next 31 sc, 2sc in next sc, sc in next 14 sc, sc in next 54 sc, sc in next 17 [CHANGED FROM 23 TO 17 HERE] sc, 2sc in next sc, (sc in next 31 sc, 2sc in next sc) twice, sc in next 14 sc, sc in next 54 sc, sc in next 17 sc, 2sc in next sc, sc in next 14 sc, join with sl st to first sc (306 sts)

Round 41, total number of stitches should be 318.

Round 42, total number of stitches should be 159.

*Poof!*

As you can see, the work area looks pretty much the same as it did last time I took a photo (plus a few stray buttons).

Or maybe a tad messier:


I'm going to be pulling a disappearing act this week while I whip up another one of these. I'm using the same pattern and the same yarn again because I need it in a hurry and this one is a sure bet. Off I go!


(Apparently I get very thirsty while I work.)

For Kassidy

Here, as promised, are the baby blanket photos. Considering what a frustrating project this was in the planning stage, I think it turned out ok.


I usually do patterns that require holding two strands together for a squishier, softer blanket. (I think the extra strand makes the stitches bigger, thus allowing the yarn to lay looser and feel softer than when worked up in a single strand.) I also wanted a pattern that would work up quickly, since time was tight.

I started by looking for suitable yarn and found the local selection sadly lacking this time 'round. Since I needed this blanket done, oh, three or so weeks ago, I had to settle for what I had, so I chose Bernat Softee Chunky Twists in Tangerine Twist.


Alas, everything I tried using two strands just wasn't right. I experimented with patterns and needle sizes, knit and crochet, for several days and finally admitted defeat. Desperate for a finished gift, I downloaded a free pattern designed specifically for this yarn, switched to a single strand, chose a needle one size larger to get the look I wanted, and got to work.

The pattern is incredibly simple--way less complex or interesting than what I prefer to do--but it did whip up quickly, and I still think it's pretty. Now it's all wrapped up and ready for the post office. Whew! Better start making reminder notes about these things, as my brain seems to have turned off!

Deep Breath. Happy Dance. Carry On.

Whew! It has been a busy week! Since the weekend I have been wrapping up all sorts of projects and am finally feeling like my wip basket is under control. I have a couple more "personal" projects that need to be finished, and then I am back to being creative. Hopefully I'll get a few more fall-ish items done before I have to start plugging away at Christmas gifts.

One teeny project I completed was a baby turtle, Amigurumi style. I've done this pattern before, but I made it smaller this time by using a smaller needle. It's meant to be a "big brother" gift to a little boy who just recently gained a new sister.


I also made a weensy little felt teddy to go with the baby blanket. It has a yarn loop at the top, and I will tie it onto the blanket when I wrap it up. It takes no time at all to make, and I think it adds just a tiny bit extra to the presentation of the gift.


(Photos of the blanket will have to wait until tomorrow when I have better lighting.)

There's another big project that I am quite pleased with (you can see it a bit in the first photo), but that will have to wait for another day and another post. Be warned that if you think you may be one of my family members, you may want to avoid this blog for a while or risk spoiling your Christmas surprises!

Screeeech!

All other crafting has come to a halt while I whip up a baby blanket. I always make one for each of my good friends' new babies. Since we're at a place in life where we're all building families, that's a lot of blankets! In mid-2007 through early 2008 I had five or six in a row before it finally slowed down. Then, suddenly, I got word a couple days ago that a good friend who lives two hours away just delivered her second baby and I realized I hadn't even thought about a blanket. It totally skipped my mind! I used to be able to throw these together in a day or two, back when I had unlimited time, but now I've got more on my plate. That means I have to concentrate on this blanket when I can or the baby will be having her first birthday party before I get it to her! I have an almost-finished embroidery project to share soon, but in the meantime, while I am putting nose to grindstone, here are a few photos of baby blankets I've made in the past.