Crochet Hooks from Polka Dot Cottage

A few weeks ago, I began to see an ad on the bottom of Ravelry for Polka Dot Cottage.  So I clicked on it and got lost in Lisa's world of crocheting.  What a cool blog and store!  So I splurged and ordered myself some custom made crochet hooks in the sizes that I use most for amigurumi (E, G and H).  After anxiously waiting, they finally arrived today.  Here they are:

 

 

Aren't they very pretty??!!  I love the granny square pattern so much!  I am very happy how they came out!  I chose Boye crochet hooks with thumb rests.  I have been using my "naked" Boye hook lately and it will feel so much better with a polymer clay handle.  I used it for over 2 hours last night without a problem.  It is nice to hold and it is super smooth!  I love crocheting with them!

Thanks Lisa for making them for me!

 

Crochet Dish Sponge

Here is a crocheted dish sponge:

I found this pattern and thought I would make one to try it.  I have been using it as a sponge for the last five days and I think it will be a nice replacement from the store bought sponges.  I think that I am going to have to get those green scrubby ones only for those tough baked on problem dishes.  I usually soak them overnight if I need to so it may not be an issue at all.

 

It was super easy and quick to crochet with very little yarn.  It'll be a great project for using up leftover scraps of cotton yarn.

 

Supplies:

Pattern: Crochet Dish Sponge by Krysten Lewelling

Yarn: Peaches N' Creme #173 - Spring Meadows

Hook: US G

Luxurious Ribbed Spa Cloth

Here is a new pattern for some dishcloths for my new camper:

I found this pattern on Etsy from Rustic Threads store.  I was looking for a new crocheted dishcloth pattern that has a tight weave.  I think I have found the perfect one!

I used I Love This Cotton yarn from Hobby Lobby.  A store recently opened in my area and I had to buy some of this cotton to try.  I really liked working with it!  Compared to Sugar N' Cream, the ILTC is much softer, does not separate easily and is not as linty.  When I work with SNC, I am constantly rubbing my nose because the lint is everywhere.  I will buy more of this next time I go there!!!

Supplies:
Pattern: Luxurious Ribbed Spa Cloth by Hillery Towle
Yarn: Hobby Lobby's I Love This Cotton #230 - Woods
Hook: US G

Scrap-A-Long Ruffle Alien

Here is my project for the Scrap-A-Long with the Freshstitches group over on Ravelry.  Meet my ruffled alien:

I made him from a magic ball that I purchased from Freshstitches.  Do you want to make your own magic ball?  Read about it HERE to learn how.  Here is the mostly purple one that I used to make the alien:

It is actually much easier than I thought it would be!  After I purchased this one, I went through my scraps (which wasn't much because I threw most of them away when I organized my craft room closet in November) and made two magic balls for myself.  One is mostly pink:

and the other is mostly green.

I can't wait to use them to make more scrappy amigurumi after I get caught up on my commissioned orders.

Supplies:
Pattern: Ruffle Alien by Stacey Trock from Amigurumi: Design Your Own Monster (Craftsy)
Yarn: Magic Ball from Freshstitches - Mostly Purple
Hook: US G

Lucinda's Ladybug

Here is Vera the Ladybug:

Here's another view of her:

 

This was another commissioned order from a co-worker whose aunt loves ladybugs!

Supplies:
Pattern: Vera the Ladybug by Stacey Trock
Yarn: Caron One Pound #516 - New Scarlet and Red Heart Super Saver in Black and White
Hook: US G

Hubby's Pillowcase with French Seams

Here is a pillowcase that I made for my hubby:

I told him that I was going to use mine in the camper and he wanted one as well.  This was the most masculine fabric that I had in my stash without going shopping.  He said "Boats and lighthouses??"  I told him it was his "vacation" pillowcase!!!

 

While I was searching for fabric for hubby's pillowcase, I was matching up lots more.  I think that I am going to make some to sell in my Etsy store.  I'll let you know!

Blue Nelson

Here is a Nelson owl that was a commissioned project for a co-worker's new nephew:

I think he came out really cute!

Supplies:
Pattern: Amigurumi Nelson the Owl by Stacey Trock from FreshStitches
Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver in Buff, Navy, Light Blue and Black
Hook: US G

My First Swoon Block

In playing around on the internet, I came across the Swoon quilt pattern.  I feel in love with it instantly so I bought the pattern!  I love how one completed block is 24-1/2" x 24-1/2".  So I decided to make one block as a wall hanging for my office.

 

Here are the fabrics that I picked out:

 

For me, the brown fabric is my "grown-up" fabric but the blue is my bright colors that I love so much.  I found this fabric at Meeting House Fabrics in Wales, MA last weekend when they had all their fat quarters buy one get one free.  I was able to find 3 brown, 3 blue and 2 peach.  I am hoping to have enought fabric to add a checkerboard border to it with the brown and blue and binding it in peach.

Stay tuned for the finished product!  I just have to finish my king size brown striped quilt for my bed before I can start another project.

Selah's Monkey

Here is Owen the monkey made for a co-worker's granddaughter:

 

When I turned around to get some yarn out for my next project, Owen decided to start crocheting himself:

 

This was my first time making Owen and I really like how he came out!

Supplies:
Patttern: Amigurumi Owen the Monkey by Stacey Trock
Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver Buff, Cafe Latte and Black
Hook: US G