Never content with what I already know, I decided it was time to learn how to do Tunisian Crochet. So, I got out my extra long crochet hook (actually a crochet hook end for my Denise Interchangeable knitting needle set), and sat down with some instructions from PlanetJune. Here’s my first swatch:

Tunisian Crochet Swatch

As luck would have it, I hit the gauge I needed for my first Tunisian crochet project: Tunisian Striped Purse by PlanetJune. I actually bought the pattern last year, when she first released it, but I was too afraid/worried/concerned about learning a new technique to start it. But, June has a CAL (crochet-along) on Ravelry for her accessories patterns (which are all fabulous!), so I figured now was the time! And, of course, I shouldn’t have been worried, since June’s instructions were super easy to follow.

Yarn Choices

I’ll be using two shades of Bernat Satin: Grey  Mist Heather and Lavender (which is actually more of a darkish purple). Wish me luck!

And why not share in the comments some new technique you’ve learned. I always want to learn more!

A Different Type of Crochet is a post from Reflections in the Pond

I think a lot of you are aware of my love for all things PlanetJune. I’ve talked about her patterns and her fabulous stuffing tools on numerous occasions. Well, I was lucky enough to win a free pattern for leaving a review in her shop during the month of June. And, what could I pick but one of her new dinosaur patterns? (Okay, I actually bought all three, but only one was free.)

Here is her Dimetrodon, crocheted in Mary Maxim Starlette yarn in colour Dark Amethyst. It is a very dark purple, which was very difficult to photograph.

Dimetrodon from PlanetJune

I’d also like to mention that PlanetJune now as an affiliate program. If you click on one the links earlier in this post, or in the PlanetJune link in my side bar, and then purchase a pattern (or two, or more) I get a wee bit of money. June is a fabulous designer who writes great patterns, and I would say that (and have said it many times) even without the affiliate program. I’m always excited to see what she’s come up with. And, speaking of which, head over to her craft blog to check her tribute to the great rumpled detective, Lt. Columbo.

PlanetJune Dinos is a post from Reflections in the Pond

I won’t go into my love for all things PlanetJune again. All I will say is that she sure makes super cute dinosaur patterns.

Plesiosaurus from PlanetJune

Example one: a lovely blue Plesiosaurus, crocheted from Bernat Satin in colour Teal. Nessie never looked so cute.

Stegosaurus from PlanetJune

Example two: a bright orange Stegosaurus. Bernat Satin again, this time in Sunset. He might not last long in the wild, but he sure is adorable.

These guys are now on their way to a lady in Kentucky. Hopefully her little man will love them.

Bright Dinosaurs is a post from Reflections in the Pond

I little while ago I mentioned that PlanetJune was holding another crochet-along (CAL), this time for her Christmas designs.  Being a PlanetJune fan, of course I had to participate again. So, I made two sets of her super cute PocketAmi – Christmas.

PocketAmi Christmas from PlanetJune

I used Bernat Satin, as I generally do for my amigurumi. I’m so happy with how they turned out. Although, they look a little squished in this picture because Baby Man stepped on all of them. :/

I’m still hoping to do one or two of June’s pointsettia pattern, but that depends on how much progress I make on other projects.

If you’d like to know more about the CAL, head over to June’s blog.

A Pocket-Sized Christmas is a post from Reflections in the Pond

I’m sure most of you are aware of my great love for PlanetJune crochet patterns. I’ve taken part in a couple of her CALs, and I’m planning on taking part in the newest one focusing on her Christmas designs.

This time around the CAL is a contest. All you need to do is make one of PlanetJune’s patterns (see above, and several are free), post about it, and let June know. All particpants will receive a discount code for a future purchase, and you just might win a $10 gift certificate to PlanetJune’s shop. You can read all about it here on June’s blog, or here at the PlanetJune Ravelry group.

Last year I made a whole bunch of the Christmas pudding ornaments, so I don’t think I will do any more this year. I’m leaning towards the poinsettia (a free/donationware design) or maybe the little PocketAmi set. Although, I’d have to buy that pattern and my crafting budget for the month is shot.

(Images of PlanetJune Christmas patterns belong to June.)

PlanetJune CAL is a post from Reflections in the Pond

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m deep into holiday knitting and stitching, which means I don’t have a lot of pictures to share.  However, I did forget to share the socks and ferret that I sent off to a lady in Texas.

The socks are Cookie A.’s Kai-Mei from her fabulous book Sock Innovation. They were knit with Crystal Palace Maizy, a corn fibre yarn. If you are interested, you can see my project notes here.

Kai-Mei Socks by Cookie A.

The lovely stitch pattern wraps around the top of the foot, and looks so pretty. I am absolutely going to make a pair of these for  myself someday soon. In fact, I think I have them in my sock of the month club I have planned for next year.

Kai-Mei Stitch Close-Up

And here is the cute little ferret I crocheted. If is from PlanetJune’s Fuzzy Ferret pattern, done in Bernat Satin, my go-to amigurumi yarn.

(Un)Fuzzy Ferret by PlanetJune

I’m hoping to finish up a project or two that I can share some time in the next few days. I have some ornaments I’m stitching up for my mom to give as gifts, another ornament for an exchange, and then there is my ornament of the month club ornament that I need to get cracking on. Thankfully, my holiday knitting is very nearly done, with the exception of two small projects, one medium project, and one large project. Ack. I guess there still is a lot to do.

Headin’ to Texas is a post from Reflections in the Pond

No, not Frank Burns, but this cute little guy:

Ferret by PlanetJune (WIP)

That’s the head of PlanetJune’s Fuzzy Ferret pattern, crocheted in Bernat Satin. I’m making it for a lady in Texas, and I just sent off this picture to get her approval on the face before I finish him up.  He looks so sweet!

Ferret Face! is a post from Reflections in the Pond

Yesterday I took a little break from cross stitch to whip out a few small Halloween decorations.

PocketAmi Halloween by PlanetJune

The pumpkin is a free (or donationware) pattern from PlanetJune. The three other little guys are from PlanetJune’s PocketAmi Set 3: Halloween. All were made using various colours of Bernat Satin, except for the ghost, which was done in Bernat’s discontinued Glow in the Dark.

Boo!

They are very quick to do. I started yesterday after lunch, and had them all done before bed (and that includes time for cooking, cleaning, and playing with Baby Man). Why not make some yourself for Halloween?

And here is another fabulous and quick Halloween idea: Things That Go Craft in the Night at CraftyPod from SisterDiane.

One last Halloween thing: Head over to Annette’s to enter day 29 of Missy Ann and Annette’s 31 Days of Halloween giveaway. There are still a few days left to win!

A Little Halloween Crochet is a post from Reflections in the Pond

First off, thanks for all the comments about my monster pile of project.  I know, it is ridiculous. In my defence (if there is any!), some of them are quite old and about 10 or so are class projects I just haven’t gotten around to finishing.  And several of them are small. Really. Okay, yeah, I need to start finishing things.

So, that leads me to a new project I’m working on: punchneedle! I did start it about two weeks ago, but I haven’t made much progress because I am actually finding it kind of hard.  I’m not really sure what is so hard about putting a needle in and out of fabric, but if it can be messed up, I can do it. Yay, me.  I think I’ve figured it out finally, and here is my piece so far:

Live Simply by Dimensions (WIP)

I need to do some touching up along the bottom to make it more even, but I think it is looking pretty good.

Here’s a picture of the back.  You can see that I’m a novice for sure since it isn’t very neat at all.

Live Simply by Dimensions - Back (WIP)

If you are interested in punchneedle, I highly recommend a little booklet Planet June put out last year.  (Yeah, I know I recommend her stuff a lot.  I’m not a shill and I don’t get any kickbacks. I just really, honestly think that she is very talented.  I’ve also met her twice [for a total of about 30 minutes], and I think she is a very sweet person.) If I can make my way successfully through this Dimensions design, I’m going to try Planet June’s moon design next. I think it would look great on a bag.

I still don’t know what to do about Castles in the Air, but I appreciate the suggestions. Anyone want to buy it off me? Yeah, I didn’t think so.

I’m also trying to get a little better at commenting on blogs.  I read a lot of cross stitch and knitting blogs but I rarely comment because I just don’t know what to say.  I’m actually very shy and more than a little afraid of sounding dumb when I leave a comment.  I bet my cousin doesn’t even know I read every one of her blog posts because I so rarely comment on them.  Anyway, I’m trying to get better.  And if you read my blog and feel too shy to comment, please do. I want to read your blog too, if I don’t already.

Playing with Punchneedle is a post from Reflections in the Pond

I’ve realized that when one has a toddler days rarely go as planned.  Take today: Baby Man and I were going to go out to have fish and chips for lunch since Daddy had gone out for a business meeting.  We weren’t going to let a little rain stop us.  Unfortunately, halfway to the restaurant (which is a block away) he had his first real meltdown.  I carried him all the way home, and he cried for about a half an hour.  I feel sorry for the little guy because I know he doesn’t really understand why he is so upset, but, my goodness, that is not something I want to go through again.  I’m very proud of myself for keeping my temper, even when he totally lost his.

On to the good stuff! This morning I finally finished up Polly Dolly from Knitted Toy Tales. She is knit from Bernat Satin in Camel (skin), White (dress), and Mocha (hair and eyes).  Her shoes are Mary Maxim Starlette in Black, and her mouth is some Week’s Dye Works in Old Red Paint.  I gave her a bit of a crooked smile on purpose because I knew if I tried to give her sweet little lips it would end up looking funny anyway. (My Ravelry project page for Polly Dolly is here.)

Polly Dolly by Laura Long (Knitted Toy Tales)

This week I also crocheted Planet June’s next to newest pattern, Water Lily.  I’m sure you can guess that this was a must do for me!  It was done in Bernat Satin and some unknown sport weight yarn. (There are more details on my project page here.)

Water Lily by Planet June

I have been cross stitching a little, but I have to admit that I haven’t felt very inspired. However, I talked to Cathy at Victoria Sampler and she is doing her best to get my the box for Christmas Treasures, and that has prompted me to pull it out again and try to get it finished for Christmas. (Yes, the wedding sampler is languishing. I will get back to it, but I’m aiming for the beginning of August now.)

Christmas Treasures by Victoria Sampler (WIP)

A few other notes: Victoria Sampler is having a sale on some of their accessory packs this weekend.  You need to poke around in the catalogue to find them. I remember seeing some of the birthday rolls and a few of the later letter samplers.  Also, Châtelaines’ 10% sale ends very soon! You have until midnight CEST to make your purchases.

Water Lilies and Dollies is a post from Reflections in the Pond