Weekly Update!

So, on the downside, I did not keep up with updating regularly due to my back hurting and other sundries.  On the upside, I have some neat stuff to show off!

First, what I consider my current "big" project: the Mystery Crochet Along blanket.

The original pattern called for 4 by 5 rows of squares, but that seemed too small.  I decided to make it 6 by 8 instead.  These are the first three rows joined together, and I've started on the first step for the rest - that's 28 additional squares and more than double the original requirement, so... yeah.  I'll be at this for a while.

I've been playing with a new technique called Bruges Crochet, that I learned from Crochet Master Class by Jean Leinhauser and Rita Weiss.  The basic building block of this technique is a pretty simple pattern that can be combined in some really neat ways.  It tends to curl up on itself, so this looks like it will also be my first experiment in blocking a piece.

Here's a closer look at the join between each loop:

Next, because I seem to have developed a fascination with translating quilt patterns into crochet, I learned how to do a 2-tone granny square and have started on a super-basic star pattern:

I showed it to my sister, and she immediately said it could be made into a tulip pattern.  Theoretically, this could be accomplished by changing the full green squares (bottom left and bottom right) into squares that were 3/4 green, and 1/4 blue covering a corner.  I've figured that it would be pretty easy to do a 3/4 and 1/4 square over a side, but the corner is going to take a bit more math and some experimentation.

Lastly, just for fun and relaxation, I've been playing with my new markers and coloring book.  :-)  It's a little crinkled from Sam sitting on it, because what else is a piece of paper for if not for a kitty to sit on?