Yarnjeannie's Crochet Cache

The grange fair has come and gone again, and I'm glad to say that I was able to submit 3 items for judging in the needlework competition. My favorite was the L'il Buster doll, a Kathleen Early design. I won a blue ribbon with him, and was thrilled to find out at the end of the fair that the doll was also selected by the judges to compete for Best of Show! The Best of Show award went to a lovely quilt, but I'm happy nonetheless that my work was chosen as one of 5 items considered in the BOS contest. I also submitted a baby afghan. It was a simple round ripple blanket, in a combination of melon and a creamy buttery color. It was awarded a fourth place ribbon. I'm very happy with placing fourth, because I honestly did not expect it to place for a ribbon at all. The third item was a dishcloth which I thought had a very interesting pooling pattern. It didn't finish with a ribbon, but I did see some very lovely dishcloths in competition with it and totally agreed

My son brought home my projects from the grange fair. I'm happy to say I won two blue ribbons this year, out of the three projects entered. The ribbon winners were both projects of my own design, too! The child's poncho and the blue keyhole scarf - photos included here. I was pleased that, even though the afghan didn't win a ribbon, there was a very nice comment on the back of the entry card attached to it, saying that the afghan was well made and uniform, with nice even stitches. I am very proud of the afghan, currently listed on Etsy.

I am hooked on round ripple afghans right now! I finished one rainbow afghan for my former boss, who is expecting her first baby in about 3-4 weeks. I missed her baby shower last week, so I dropped it off today. She seemed to like it a lot. I used Red Heart worsted weight yarns, and I've just recently started washing and drying the items I make. Red Heart seems to be so stiff and scratchy lately. But wash it on a gentle cycle for a few minutes and dry it with a dryer sheet and it comes out so soft! I have another RR in the works - also in rainbow colors, but in pastel shades. I haven't finished it yet. It's worked with two strands of yarn for a blended look. It's going to be massive, though! I goofed and made each section 4 rows wide. I should have used 3 rows. I'll post a photo when it's finished. I guess it will make a good "mom and baby" afghan! LOL!