Pattern #2 - Jan 3rd - 7th

When I first looked at this pattern, I hated it!  I thought this thing was ugly and I had absolutely no need for it.  So I decided to skip it in hopes that I could figure out how to alter it to make it cuter.

I worked pattern #3 then looked at the snowman again...nope, I still wasn't ready yet.  So I worked pattern #4 and then #5.  As much as I hated to admit it, I guess I procrastinated long enough.  I just had to start working on it.

I started by changing the main yarn used.  While the yarn itself is pretty, it is incredibly difficult to work with, especially on an amigurumi.  So I found a regular acrylic yarn that had a silver thread through it for a little sparkle.  After making the body of the snowman, I used black yarn to embroider the eyes, mouth, and buttons instead of using seed beads.  Then I took orange yarn to create a carrot nose since again, I hated the seed beads.  Plus now a baby could play with it and I wouldn't constantly worry about the chocking hazards.

Next, I decided to make a black derby hat instead of the stocking cap.  I planned on embellishing the hat but after I finished it, I realized that it didn't need it.  Lastly, I crocheted a simple scarf and put it all together.

The final result...still not my favorite pattern but I think it turned out much better than expected!

Pattern #1 - Jan 1st - 2nd

I was so excited when I saw the first pattern in the 2014 crochet calendar.  We are expecting baby #3 and as luck would have it, the first pattern was a baby blanket.  Not only that, we found out on Dec 30th that we were going to have a little girl so I knew exactly what color to use...PINK!!!  The pattern was, however, for a baby boy blanket done in a pretty pale blue but I couldn't get myself to make a blue blanket just 2 days after finding out we were having a girl.  It just wouldn't be right!

I immediately went to my local yarn store and found the exact brand of yarn the pattern called for in a pretty pink color.  There was only one problem...the pattern called for 4 skeins and there were only 3 skeins on the shelf.  So instead of bypassing my all time favorite color and choosing a different (less appealing) color, I decided that I could scale the pattern down a little and make 3 skeins work.

I started by making my initial chain shorter than what the pattern called for so that the finished blanket would still be in the right proportions.  Even after making the blanket smaller, the pattern still took me a total of 6 days to complete, which ate into my pattern #2 time.  In my defense, who can finish a whole afghan in 2 days while also working full time?  Please...

When I finished the afghan, I decided to add my own touch to it by sewing lace around the border to give it an even more girly touch.  I love the way it turned out and I know my little girl is going to look precious with it!

I will probably block it so that it lays nicely but I was anxious to show the end result.  What little girl wouldn't love this blanket?

2014 Crochet Calendar

For Christmas this year, I received a 2014 Crochet calendar from my wonderful husband (after a few hints from me) that has over 100 patterns throughout the year.  As I opened it a few days before the new year and started flipping through it, a crazy thought occurred to me...I could work each pattern as it came up so that by the end of the year, I will have worked them all.  Would I be just insane enough to give myself this challenge?  After all, I work full time, have an online shop on the side, have 2 toddlers at home, and am expecting baby #3 in May.  The answer is yes, I am that crazy.  So be prepared because the majority of my posts in 2014 will most likely be as I work through this calendar.  Wish me luck because even as I write this, I am already behind...