Made | Sweet Sunday surprise.

Sundays aren't for working, but today I'm having to go against all my greater instincts and get a headstart on the crazy week ahead of me. And during one of my can't believe I'm working on a Sunday breaks, I found this lovely surprise at Ashley's blog, The Sweet Season. Ashley is the very talented photographer behind Ashley Slater Photography based in Michigan. At the end of last year, she requested some newborn props for photo shoots she had coming up, and I so happily obliged. I've let my plans for an Etsy shop fall to the wayside, and this was just the push I needed to get back to it. Thanks, Ashley!

Made | Fingerless gloves

About a month ago, I bought a pattern on Etsy for fingerless gloves. Halfway through making the first glove, I realized that I didn't really like the pattern after all. The gloves would be long, which is cute but a little impractical when wearing a coat and multiple layers. So I went off book (or off PDF, rather) and shortened them up a bit. The best part about the pattern, however, was learning how to make that ribbed pattern with crochet stitches. I love that ribbed detail the most about knitted things, and always lamented being better at crochet than knitting, but now I've found a middle ground.

Any new crochet tips you've learned lately?

Made | Crocheted star tree-topper

After decorating our tree, we realized that we didn't have anything to go on top. We tried to find something at Target and the Dollar Store, but nothing really stood out to us. When that happens, it usually means you should just make it yourself.

So that night we put on Christmas Vacation, and I whipped up this little guy. I used this crochet star pattern, but you can find all kinds on Pinterest, depending on your size needs. It took me less than an hour to make this. First, I crocheted two of these stars in a mustard yarn. Next, I made a mini star pillow out of pieces of felt cut into a smaller star shape. I sewed them together by hand (pretty roughly, since the seams won't show), and then stuffed them with Polyfil before closing it up. Then I sandwiched the pillow between the two crocheted stars and sewed them together with the mustard yarn and a crochet needle. 

I would love to make another one of these with some yarn laced with gold or silver thread. Next up on the Christmas decoration to-make list is a tree skirt. Luckily, Rachel recently posted a tutorial on vintage-inspired tree skirts over at Smile and Wave.

What's on top of your tree?

Things I'm Making: Chevron Blanket

Lately it feels like I always have a crochet needle in my hand. I love projects that are fast, that I can take from idea to finished product in one night, but I also enjoy having something to go back to, a project I can savor. Right now that project is this chevron blanket in yellow and gray. I've been drawn to this color combination for a while now, and I was excited to be able to start a handmade project with this palette. I recently bought fabric for our living room curtains with yellow and gray, so this blanket should go nicely in there on chilly nights with hot chocolate and a good book.

What are you working on these days?

(Interested in making a chevron blanket of your own? I found an easy [and easily adapted] pattern right here.)