Shawls, other gift ideas, and a Renaissance Tunic (?)

I am pretty close to being done with my first poncho. I just need to do the edging and the collar. I was hoping to finish it over the weekend, but I was too busy doing other fun stuff. Oops. ;) It looks like it might not be too large for my 4-yr-old niece, after all. Or at least, not too long. My gauge is weird. I thought it was right on, but it's not. 4 rows in the "block" stitch of the pattern is supposed to be 4"; in mine, it's more like a little over 3 1/4". Whoa. Guess I should switch to a P hook for the next ones? I'll see how this one ends up first.

I am totally waffling about which shawl to make for my grandmother. It's going to be a combination (95th!!!) birthday and Chanukah present, so it's got to be good! I wanted to make a Seraphina's Shawl for her, but it calls for a very large amount of yarn, which makes me worry about a few things. First of all, I only have 2 colors of Homespun in that quantity, and I don't think either of them would look great on her. Second, the shawl is huge, and she is tiny! She is under 5 feet tall and very petite. Third, it looks difficult!

I am also considering Doris Chan's All Shawl. This calls for less yarn and looks easier to make. However, I know my grandmother...She'd take one look and go "It has holes in it!" LOL. This is what she did when I gave her a Snuggly Scarf a few years ago, and the scarf is not particularly hole-y. But the shawl would be warm and cuddly anyway, so...probably a good option. I'd also like to make one of these for my mom for Chanukah, but I kind of doubt I'll have the time, what with all 3 girls' ponchos and a shawl for my grandma. I have been crocheting maybe an hour or so per day when I have time, and I'm not the world's fastest crocheter in the first place.

I am also considering this shawl, but it looks ridiculously easy and ridiculously boring. I have no problem with the pattern actually being easy, I just don't want it to look like it was!

Decisions, decisions. If anyone has any suggestions or opinions on this, please let me know.

I'd like to make something small-ish for my sister for Chanukah, too. I'm thinking about these Dorothea Dishtowels; then I could make it a gift for her and my brother-in-law, since I never know what to get for him. But again, I'll have to see if I have the time.

We went to a Renaissance Fair yesterday. Now I've decided that I really want to make one of these so I'll have a costume to wear to these things. It's for experienced-level crocheters, though. Ummm...Maybe I'd have it finished by Ren Fair 2012 if I started today? ;P Yeah, I think I'm being overly ambitious.

WIPs (WsIP?)

This weekend's been very low-key, since I've been sick and want to make sure I get enough rest. I spent yesterday at home doing various things (nothing the least bit strenuous!), and today looks like it will be much the same.

Last night, I started working on an oven mitt (got the pattern for free from the Bernat web site). I messed it up a few times, but now it's coming along nicely.

Took a break from that today and decided to start working on a Pilloghan, since the "easy" ripple afghan I'd started earlier wasn't so easy! I ripped up the ripple 'ghan and started the Pilloghan. It took me a few hours just to master the basic granny square in the pattern. D'oh. I've got it now, though. :) (And now that I know what to do, it's really easy!) I'm excited about the Pilloghan--I need more pillows, and I need an afghan, so this works well! And I love the geometric pattern. I'm only doing it in 3 colors--light blue, orangey red, and mustard. (I have a great multicolored rug in my living room, and this will match nicely.)

I'm using Caron One Pound yarn for it, which is proving to be a little annoying. I had never worked with it before, but it was such a good deal that I figured I should use it for this afghan. Well, talk about a yarn with no give. I mean, I was working with cotton yarn all day yesterday for potholders and the oven mitt, and the Caron One Pound seems to be even less stretchy! Weird. I had to switch the Pilloghan pattern from a G hook to an I hook, but now I think it'll be fine.

I was all excited to watch the episode of "Bridezillas" that my DVR recorded for me early this morning...when I turned it on, it was the same ep I'd seen last weekend. :( I am addicted to that show. It makes me feel sane in the midst of my wedding-planning frenzy. If I think about it too much, the show offends my feminist sensibilities--so I try not to think about it and just laugh at the crazy ladies. ;)

And a potholder for a friend...

Also finished another potholder in the same colors, but stripey. I'm not sure if I will keep it, or give it to my mom.

Edited to add: I gave it to Mom. :)

My first crochet projects...

Time to post some projects in chronological order. ;) Here's the first project I ever made, a potholder. Very exciting, I know. (Well, it is useful!) I made it with Peaches & Creme cotton yarn.



Next project: a scarf for myself. I really wanted to make a scarf for my friend J, but I was having trouble and knew I needed to try making one as a "rough draft" with the pattern I wanted to use (the fabulous Snuggly Scarf pattern!). Good thing I did, 'cause I screwed it up! It still looks pretty, though; it's just a little less snuggly than it's supposed to be.



Made with Lion Homespun yarn, in Tudor. Here's another pic:



Clicking on the pictures will take you to my pictures on Flickr.