Where Have All the Lambs Gone?

So winter doesn't want to end this year.  Fine.  March came in like a lion and is going out like a... lion.  I decided to crochet a scarf in an effort to bring on some spring.  I chose the thickest yarn in my stash in a nice winter-ish color.  It's been washed and is drying as I write.  So while I do look forward to wearing it tomorrow, I hope I have tempted fate enough to bring me some spring!

Eternal Winter Infinity Scarf

I figured I had to make an infinity scarf to go along with this never-ending winter.  It is made without joining, in the spiral fashion, for a no-seam look (just as winter gave us no breaks).  I love how it looks like a big, thick, squishy knit when it is actually crocheted. 

This scarf is so stinking easy and fast to make.  And once you get past counting the chain, barely any brain cells are needed.  It does require knowing how to place the hook in the right spot though, so some who have never done this might have a hard time seeing the difference in loops.   

For this pattern, don't put your hook in the "V" like normal.  There is actually another loop in the back of the stitch under the "V".  This is where you are going to be inserting your hook. Then complete the stitch as normal.  This way, you are pushing the "V" down and towards you, which is what creates the knit look.

It looks really good using thinner yarn and a smaller hook also.

I typically like my scarves a bit thinner than most, but this pattern can be easily modified to be longer (more starting chains), shorter (fewer starting chains), wider (more rows), or thinner (fewer rows).  The only thing that matters is to crochet into that back bottom loop of the half-double crochet to keep the knit look.  And the stitches all have to be going in the same direction, so no turning for this pattern.  


ETERNAL WINTER INFINITY SCARF

Measures almost 5 inches wide and 54 inches around.

Stuff I Used:
1 entire skein Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick
Size P hook, 11-1/2 mm
Yarn needle

Stitches used: ss - slip stitch, sc - single crochet, hdc - half-double crochet
                          special - place hook in back bottom loop of stitch, not in the "v"

Ch 75.  Join with a ss in first chain.  Do not ch 1.
Round 1:  hdc in same ch as join.  hdc in each ch around.  Do not join.
Rounds 2-7:  hdc special of first hdc of last round, and in each hdc around.
Round 8: sc special in first hdc, loosely ss special in each hdc around.  

Done!  Fasten off and weave in those annoying ends.

IT'S MARCH 26th...

And I woke up to freshly fallen snow and temperatures in the teens.  This winter was crazy harsh, and yes, winter is supposed to be cold and snowy.  I get that.  But this one was particularly unrelenting.  It is now "supposed" to be spring, but apparently mother nature forgot to check her calendar.  So I am going to make a nice warm scarf today in the hopes that it will finally put a stop to this nonsense.

Soft as a Cloud Baby Blanket

I managed to finish the baby blanket for my new niece/nephew.  I started it thinking my sister-in-law was due at the end of March, but she is actually due right now.  I don't know how I messed that up.  I knitted for almost 2 weeks straight and got it done in time.  I haven't knitted anything in months, and it is always awkward to get started after crocheting so much, so I really can't believe I finished it.  My brother lives 6 hours away, and I didn't want to pay for shipping so I had to get it done before my mom left town to visit them. 

Soft-as-a-Cloud Baby Afghan

The pattern is by Laura Polley, and I found it on Ravelry.  It is so soft and squishy.  I think I might make one as a throw for the couch.  The pattern was simple enough for a beginner - just a lot of counting.  I would definitely recommend this to others and will make it again.