Sorry to have pretty much fallen off of blogland lately, we’ve been busy planning for the wedding and for going home for the holidays (YAY!). In the meantime, lots of projects have been published, so here I am to share. Brett Bara put together a fun compilation of accessory projects for her latest book with Interweave, Clever Crocheted Accessories: 25 Quick Weekend Projects.

She asked me to do some fingerless gloves, and I knew I wanted to work in Madelinetosh, because, well, it’s Madelinetosh. I love, love, love cables and sock yarn and combined them to make these Cabled Mitts (ravelry page here).

I remember I was working on these while waiting for my sister at the local college and an avid crocheter came up to me and remarked that she didn’t even know you could do that in crochet. You can! These are simple to make, because there’s no shaping, so you’re pretty much making an intricate rectangle that’s reversible from hand to hand. I made a second pair of these for myself, but I did a ribbed cuff instead of carrying the cable all the way up, and that’s pretty easy to do, too. I find cables to be so addictive, I guess I like changing things up every few stitches.

The second scarf is an example of what a simple stitch and a luscious yarn can do. The Knotty Herringbone Scarf (Ravelry link)  is made from Malabrigo Twist, a super soft and squishy merino wool. I’ve been wearing this one around Colorado–because we live her now and I can wear warm scarves!– and I get so many compliments, probably because of the fun color. The knotwork adds another interesting detail, and it’s not very hard to do. If you are feeling fancy you can throw some beads in the fringe for extra fun.

The book is full of beautiful and quick designs to make by designers you love, like Robyn Chachula, Ellen Gormley, Marly Bird and more –and you can even download it for instant gratification or quick-start gift making. Be sure to check it out!