Branching Out

Another crochet goal of mine for 2012 is to stretch my comfort zone a bit. I certainly spent more time in 2011 crocheting than I had previously and mastered a few new things - like simple clothing and such. I think, like Stephany, I really enjoy making afghans the most. Scarves are great for a quick accomplishment, but there's something about looking at the size of a finished afghan that makes me feel like I've accomplished something big. I came across a beautiful pattern for a strip afghan called, Irish Lace and Roses. It's worked in strips, then joined using the looping technique that Donna used a while back. It also has white crocheted roses appliqued over all. I decided to jump in (not unlike me) and quickly needed the Donna hotline. The strips are shells with picots in between and while I had done picots I must have been reading the pattern incorrectly and was chaining across instead of up. Naturally, my shell count was off but Donna straightened me out quickly and I'm off and running. I thought I'd post occasional updates as I go. There are 6 panels of green shells and picots, which I am currently doing. Each panel is 110 rows and I am about 70 into the first one. I'll post again when I start tackling the looping - not before an emergency call to Donna I'm sure :)