Since this is my first blog post, I wanted to get you all caught up to speed with the projects I’ve already completed this year. As with everything in life; some came out great and some not so much but that just means I have more to learn, which is always exciting.

I started this year by making myself a pair of crochet Tabi Mittens by Alexa Kari. Alexa owns materialgrrrlz and has a ton of free patterns on her website along with zines and I also enjoy following her on YouTube. I’m actually working on my first knitting project right now using one of her patterns.

I used a Lion Brand Mandala Ombre yarn to complete the mittens. These were worn a lot last winter and will surely get more use this winter too. I think they are just the right amount of weird and wearable. The chunkiness of the yarn makes them very warm which is needed in these New England winters. Also as an avid tabi shoe wearer, this was a no-brainer for me to make.

Find the pattern and a ton of other great patterns on Alexa’s site here: https://www.materialgrrrlz.com/free-patterns-2/crochettabimittens

My next project was another wearable. I had been wanting to make a crochet mesh sweater in black. This is a great layering piece and ended up being surprisingly warm.

I ended up using a black acrylic yarn to complete this sweater. This got quite a bit of use through out late winter and early spring.

Here’s the *almost* finished product, save for the ends needing to be weaved in. I also wanted to add in a silly picture my husband took of me with it on before we galavanted around some antique malls in Brunswick, ME.

This day was actually the first time we had tried Indian food. We still talk about the butter chicken and I am dying to go back. If you’re ever in the Brunswick, ME area, Bombay Mahal is highly recommended. And if you’re into antiquing like we are, Cabot Mill Antiques is one of my favorite antique spots in Maine. They also often have an indoor flea and farmers market next door. It’s the perfect weekend stop to support local businesses/vendors, and get some treasures for yourself or someone special.

The pattern I followed is by Kristine on YouTube and I found it very easy to follow as a beginner crocheter. You can watch the tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOrabJtjKrc&t=1500s

My next project was inspired by my new raised bed that my wonderful family friend, Lorraine, had built out of old barn doors. This is the Tessuti Apron.

This was my first sewing project of the year and also the first project that didn’t come out as I had expected/wanted. The pattern was straight forward and really simple for a beginner. I chose a heavier linen fabric which I got at our local Marden’s. This fabric was easy to use however I was new to the idea of ironing and pressing the fabric to make life easier. Because of this, my hems are very messy and it looks unfinished.

Nonetheless, it is still usable and an apron is made to get dirty. Especially if this was an apron I had planned to use outdoors while gardening.

Here’s the finished product. I have about twelve thousand yards of this fabric leftover with no ideas at the moment on what to make with it. So I’m very open to suggestions.

This is another free pattern that you can find here: https://blog.tessuti.com.au/2020/04/the-tessuti-apron-pattern-and-its-free/

Here’s a couple of pictures of other bits and bobs that I created. This year my big goal is to complete my sketchbook so please enjoy some of my favorite pages out of my sketchbook so far.

I have a big filet crochet project that I’m hoping to complete before next spring…stay tuned!

Tried my hand at the twisty/bent candlesticks and painted them for one of my shelves during the halloween season. It is so much harder than it looks to bend these and not have them crack or break.

There’s so much more to come! I really hope you’ll decide to stick around cause I have so many ideas and projects that I want to share with everyone.

Thank you for being here and welcome to my craft table. Don’t forget to clean up after yourself. ❤

Love,

Kruxlee