Making good on a promise: Crocheting a Flourish Jacket

For Christmas, my sis only got a symbolic gift ... the promise of a self-made cardigan/jacket.
As I wanted her feedback on the color and shape she would prefer, I wrapped some yarn, a pair of knitting needles and a pattern as her present.

And ah, don't I know my sis well ... she loved the pattern of the flouncy jacket 

http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Sweaters/Flourish-Sweater-Jacket-Crochet-Pattern-from-Caron-Yarn/ct/1

She would love the jacket in an Aqua/Teal color. The yarn store was finally open again today, and I went to get some very soft yarn by Lang & Co. (a 97% cotton/3% polyester blend - for a crochet hook 4/4.5) http://www.langyarns.com/index.php?nav=7,45&prod_id=85 Color 707.0072

I made a beginning this evening and must say it's a very agreeable yarn to work with.

What I also like about this pattern, is that you work it from the neck down. It means that you crochet just as long as you need the jacket and/or sleeves to be.

6 January 2014

After the 2nd ball of yarn I have now gotten under the arms, and am crocheting the body of the jacket. The design on the back of the jacket is also starting to take shape.

8 January 2014

Motoring along! I'm really pleased with the speed at which I am crocheting. Love how it starts to look.

11 January 2014

Just one week into the making of the jacket and I'm almost done.

I almost can't believe how fast I am. At this rate, sis will have her Christmas present very soon.

All that is now missing is the ruffle all around the front and bottom of the jacket.

15 January 2014

I'm sad ... sooooo sad! I ran out of yarn. This is how far I got.

The yarn store does not have my yarn available, now I need to wait for the new order to come in.

Out of frustration I started the same jacket in another type of yarn. I can't be without something to do.

My daughter thinks I'm a machine, she does not believe how fast I am going.

18 January 2014

As I am still waiting for the yarn to complete the jacket for my sis, so to keep my hands busy, I finished the second jacket. 

The question is now: "to sell or to keep?" - and "what will keep my hands busy while I still wait for the yarn?"

I'm really crabby, the yarn store promised to get the yarn in by Tuesday, Wednesday at the latest. Today Thursday still nothing arrived. At this pace I will not be able to finish the jacket before Saturday, when I see my sister again.

14 February 2014

Finally went to pick up the yarn to finish my sister's jacket! 

Yey just finished it this evening, and am very glad that I finally will be able to give her her Christmas present.

Sis, don't quite know when I will be able to get to Antwerp, but here you are, your jacket is ready!

Christmas: Preparation v. Procrastination

This year my preparations don't seem to be getting into a higher gear.
I had to postpone our family get-together because I was assigned a shift on 24 December. So this year the family will come to my place on the 25th instead.
You would be correct to think - great, one more day to get ready - not so, just one more day to procrastinate.
Result, I am shamefully behind in all preparations. Especially the cleaning needs to be done.
Good that I have done the shopping for the meal today, and I have prepared the party favors.

I have some lovely home made Sugar Body Scrub for my sister and my mother, and for my daughter and brother in law a nice bar of soap.

And in Scarlet O'Hara's immortal words 

24th December: Home from work.

Just made the Tiramisu for tomorrow. This is such a simple dessert to make, and it tastes so good.

I'm now going to do my "mise en place" for the Tajine I'm making tomorrow. At least, when all the veggies are cut, the cooking won't take to long. I'll marinade the chicken and put it aside in the fridge. 

And when that is done, I'm going to bed, have to get up early to do all the things I have been putting off till the last minute.

25th December

Started cooking at 10AM. The Tajine in the oven smelled really good right from the start and bathed the kitchen in good cheer. The spices and cinnamon heralded the party.

At 1PM my sis arrived and helped me get the cleaning finished. The kitchen sparkled and Bryce put some order into the living room and decorated the tree. She did a real good job.

Then, getting ready and setting the table. Mum and my brother in law were a bit early so I was not completely ready, but not far of.

The company was good, the food went down well, stories were told and presents were opened.

And all 5 doggies behaved wonderfully.

It was a very good evening.

26th December: Rest, dishes and some TV. Tomorrow we go on.

Ah, I am so glad others seem to see the world through my type of glasses

Christmas knit-things for doggies

Some time ago I saw Paul Croes' pictures of Greyhounds with raindeer hats on, and immediately my creative knitting fingers started itching. I had to get my dogs Christmas hats too!

Here you see the first 3, I ran out of wool, so tomorrow I must get some to make a fun hat for number 4 too.

6AM and Gitana's hat is finished. I'm quite sure she was not very happy about getting woken up to have her picture taken.

Gitana

Lyrysa

Bones

Tika

(https://www.facebook.com/pages/Paul-Croes-Behind-eyes-Animal-Photography-in-studio/184008208324096)

Last minute project: a little Santa suit for the little doggy of a friend