WIP Wednesday: Mermaid Tears Purse Almost Done

My Mermaid Tears purse is almost completed.  I just have to weave in a few ends and then put a lining inside.  I've only done a lining in one other purse before so I'm not really looking forward to this part.  With the Hello Kitty purse I sewed the lining to each side of the purse and then crocheted the purse together.  The lining for this purse however will be sewn into the already completed purse.  So it's a slight difference but I'm sure it will go fine once I get started.

I ended up making the flower for this purse which I did not in my previous attempt.  I can't decide if I like it better with or without the flower. 

Christmas Placemats

When my husband was deployed a few years ago I crocheted a few Christmas placemats. I used the same Bernat cotton yarn for this as I did for the Christmas Potholders I made recently.  Nothing to exciting about the pattern itself, it's just single crochet stitches.  But this simple pattern kept me busy for awhile while the hubby was away.

Speaking of my husband, I spent a wonderful day with him in Rothenburg ob der Tauber for Thanksgiving.  We got to do some shopping for Christmas nutcrackers and smokers.  Unfortunately, the store I wanted to go to for pottery was closed for the week.  November is considered the off season there and it was kinda crazy how few people there were walking around, especially in the famous Christmas store.  The 5 or 6 other times we have visited it has always been packed.  Next week when the Christmas markets start it will go back to being very busy.

As always, don't forget to check out the link parties at the bottom of the page!

WIP Wednesday: Another Mermaid Tears Purse

I was so happy with the outcome of my Mermaid Tears Purse that I decided I should make another one.  I'm using Red Heart Super Saver in Windsor Blue.  I haven't yet decided whether or not I will add a flower this time.  I might just go ahead and make one and then decide if I want to attach it at the end.  I really like how the purse is coming together so far.  It really is an easy pattern and like I mentioned before there is a video tutorial if you have a hard time following the written pattern.

I hope all my American blogger friends have a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow!  Since my husband and I aren't going to be here in Germany much longer we decided to pass on celebrating at home and will instead visit a nearby German town and do some shopping.  We want to stock up on some German kitchen items before we leave. 

Christmas Potholders

It's been awhile since I've made some potholders so I decided to break out the holiday cotton yarn I had stashed away and get in the Christmas spirit.  I still have a little bit of yarn left over so I might make a few more to give away to friends and family. And I might make a few coasters as well.  The yarn I am using is Sugar 'n Cream in the Christmas Mistletoe Ombre. 

FO Friday: Herringbone Afghan

 Today I get to show off my latest completed project, The Herringbone Afghan.  The main part of the afghan was finished a few weeks ago but I still needed to do the border and weave in the ends.  I finally got motivated to get this done last night.  Overall, I'm happy with the outcome.  As you might remember in my previous post, I got to learn a new stitch.  I also did not run out of yarn, although that is probably due to the fact I did not complete as many rows as the pattern suggested.  I am happy with the length and width so I didn't feel a need to add more rows.  I will probably end up donating this afghan to Bridge and Beyond although it probably won't end up there until next year when we are settled at our next duty station.

As always, don't forget to check out the wonderful link parties at the bottom of the page.  It's a great way to see what other crafty folks are up to.

Round Dishcloth

My husband and I were watching a tv show on the computer last night so that meant I couldn't look up a new pattern online.  So I decided to try and do something different and ended up making a round dishcloth.  Since I've spent so much time this year making hats, I basically followed my favorite hat pattern but did regular old double crochet stitches instead of the front post double crochet stitch.  The best part is I got to use up some of my scrap cotton yarn.

WIP Wednesday: Christmas Ripple

I have an interesting project to share today.  The reason I find it interesting is because I have no idea if this is a completed project with just the ends to weave in or it is a project that needs a few more rows added.  I know for a fact that I started this project right after Christmas using the Ripple Pattern from Attic24.  However, my memory escapes me on how it ended up in a container in our storage room.  Did I run out of yarn?  Was this the final product and I was too lazy to weave in the ends since Christmas was already over?  God only knows.

My main concern with this afghan is it is way too long. Maybe the reason it was put on hold was because I was undecided about whether or not I wanted to continue or just rip apart everything and start over.  I like the pattern, I'm just not happy with my overestimation on how big the starting chain should be.  Even though I feel guilty I think I will end up taking this apart and maybe start over or find a differnet pattern.  No sense in finishing something that you aren't entirely happy with.

As always, don't forget to check out the different link parties at the bottom of the page!  

Star Dishcloth

Slightly lost my crochet mojo these last couple of days but I did manage to finish a dishcloth.  Janelle's Star Dishcloth is a free pattern that was simple to follow and took hardly any time to finish. 

So it looks like our time in Germany will be coming to an end soon.  Finally after two months of waiting for the paperwork to be approved we got word that we will be out of here in the next few months.  Am I still a little bitter that all of this was caused due to a clerical error? Yes.  Am I even more ticked off that it took two months to correct a mistake?  Of course.  Am I surprised that nobody bothered to change our original leave date and just assumes its easy to make all the necessary appointments without official orders?  No, I am not surprised at this point the people that are in charge of our future did not think about the 2 week wait time for orders and the fact there are shortened work weeks in November due to Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving.  This makes it even more difficult to plan a move.  At least some people were looking out for us and are helping us get the necessary paperwork signed so we have a little extra time.  Yes, the extra time will mean we won't make it back to the States for Christmas but it also means we don't have to run around like chickens with our heads chopped off trying to get everything done at a rapid pace for a move literally halfway across the globe.  But on the bright side, even though our leave date is still up in the air at least now we know it is official that we will not have to spend another year here.  I wouldn't trade the experience of living in Germany for anything but these last 6 months have been so stressful that it really is time to move on. 

And once again to the readers of my blog, thank you for letting me vent.  Ranting about the military every once in awhile on my blog is helping to keep me sane.  I'm hoping when we get to Hawaii I will have more positive stories to share because these past 6 months it has all been negativity.

WIP Wednesday: Basketweave Purse

Lately it seems like I've either been making a purse or using the basketweave technique.  And in some projects, like this one, I have combined the two.  Yes, this is my attempt at the Basketweave Purse pattern.  This is a different pattern from the one I previously attempted.  I ended up using  about 9 oz of Red Heart Super Saver in Dark Orchid.

This purse is not worked in the round like the other pattern instead you work about 19 pattern rows make the gusset/strap and then attach to the purse.  Or at least I hope that was what I was supposed to do.  Now I need to buy a metal ring and a metal fastener.  That should be fun, trying to find that in Germany. I have absolutely no hope that these type of items are sold here on base.  Someone posted a photo on Ravelry where a large button was used instead.  I think I will keep that option in mind if I strike out on the metal parts.

Have a wonderful day everyone and don't forget to check out the different Link Parties at the bottom of the page!

Washcloths Again

I have two recently completed washcloths to share today.  The first one I just came up with on my own using the basketweave technique.  The yarn I used I had bought a few years ago and the label must have gotten thrown away.  I do know that it isn't the typical cotton yarn, I think it was mostly cotton mixed with some other type.  I'm curious so I think I will have to scour the Internet and see if I can figure it out.

I loosely followed a Dishcloth pattern but at some point I realized my count was off and one side had an extra stitch.  Oh well.  Also I have discovered that I prefer Front Post stitches rather than the Back Post.  It seems like most of my projects lately have utilized both of these stitches.

And on a personal note, we still do not know when we will be leaving Germany.  It's amazing how a simple clerical error led to all of this.  Apparently now it is in the hands of the final person that has to sign off on it.  I'm just praying we will find out soon and  they give us a reasonable amount of time to move. 

FO Friday: Tulip Washcloth

I don't have anything super exciting to share with you all this Friday other than a washcloth.  I followed the pattern for the Tulip Stitch Cloth.  Easy pattern to follow and did not take more than a few hours to complete.  I love projects that are easy enough to do while watching a tv show.

I am now debating what I should make for my next project.  I'm seriously considering doing another purse since I've had such good results lately.  At some point in time I will have to try making the Fat Owl Bag.  My husband and I started collecting owl related items since we moved here to Germany.  We've gotten items from quite a few different countries.  The only thing missing is an owl that I have crocheted.  So I think once I have the right yarn for the bag, I will have to tackle this project.  But for now I think I will search for a different handbag pattern.

Wishing everyone a fantastic Friday!  Also don't forget to check out the different link parties at the bottom of the page!