Kids blankets

I promised my kids (why, oh, why did I promise?????) that I'd make them all a blanket for our trip. All the blankets were/will be crocheted with Caron Simply Soft worsted weight. One is completed. It's for Logan (#6 of 6). I chose his colors - winter camouflage. I got the pattern from some Crochet magazine that I cannot think of at the moment. If someone recognizes the pattern, let me know. The pattern was for a rainbow colored blanket/tote bag and sun pillow. Anyway, I forgot to take the measurements down. They are all custom fit for each kiddo. Nothing huge. This first blanket was crocheted with a G hook, following the pattern, but leaving off a row or two. This second blanket is for Caytie (#2 of 6). She picked out the colors. I got this from "101 Crochet Stitches for Afghans" by Jean Leinhauser. It's pattern #13. I used a J hook. I think that the stitches are a little big, but I do like how it turned out... This 3rd blanket is for Emily (#1 of 6). She picked out the pattern from the same pattern book as Caytie's and also chose her colors. I should have known it would take more yarn and time, but, wow, this project! I ran out of yarn and it's not even 1/2 done. I may set it aside for another purpose and just do a simple ripple for her in her colors. It's #10 in the book. I used a G hook. I'm crocheting Jordan's (#4 of 6) blanket now. I purchased Emily's and Jordan's yarn at the same time. His colors are red, black and white. I modified Emily's pattern a bit for his. The pattern for C-Mama's Ripple is here. I am using a J hook and Caron Simply Soft.

Yarn

Originally posted May 17, 2007 Ok, news flash. I love yarn. I know, shocker, right?

I have had to do my yarn shopping at Rag Shop instead of Walmart ecause Walmart just doesn't carry the selection of yarn that I need. Not that Rag Shop is the greatest, mind you and JoAnne's and Michael's are all just as bad.

If shopping online, I found Herrschner's, but the shipping kills me especially when purchasing yarn for projects that I'm not selling.

What I need is to open my own yarn store. That way I can have the yarn that I want at my fingertips, bring in yarns I've only dreamed about, have a place where others can sit and knit or crochet or just sip on a cup of coffee.

It's my dream to have my own yarn store, but lately I feel as if it needs to happen soon before I break the bank with shipping charges. We don't have an LYS (local yarn store) around here. I wish we did. It would be worth the extra cost just to have dreamy yarns locally. But we don't.

Ah, to have the money to open and run an LYS. Seems only a dream....

10 Commandments of Crochet

10 Commandments of Crochet by Cindy Long It's a difficult balancing act to survive the day-to-day routine without raising the ire of a crocheting family member. So, here are the definitive "10 Commandments" of living with a crocheter:

1. Thou shalt not call it "knitting". Nothing will raise the hackles of a die hard crocheter faster than mistaking this craft for the k-word.
2. Thou shalt always look before sitting down. Errant hooks can find their way quite easily among sofa cushions, and thus into tender body parts, regardless of how "well padded" they may be.
3. The Yarn Stash is sacred above all. Thou shalt never touch, move, organize, spindle or mutilate in any way. THIS MEANS YOU!
4. Yes, I do need all those pattern books.
5. There really is a difference between a work-in-progress and an abandoned project, although it may have been just as long since either one of them has been touched.
6. Thou shalt never interrupt my crocheting to have me watch the greatest play the team ever made. No, it isn't special; it's just like every other sports event on TV.
7. Do not remind me that there are more important things in life than crochet. I already know that. Right now, I can't really think what they are, but I know there must be something.
8. Never ask how much I spent on yarn, hooks or patterns. This will only force me to lie to you. Then I will feel guilty for lying, and of course, I can only allay my guilt by buying more yarn.
9. Never refer to my crocheted gifts to you as "homemade". Instead, they are "lovingly crafted" ... or better yet, "custom-styled".
10. Saturday morning is my time to devote strictly to crochet. Please honor it with no distractions ...and Friday night as well ...and probably Wednesday afternoon. And anytime I need to make a birthday gift. But that's it. Except for, of course, if I need to make a baby layette, or ...

Blankets and barefoot sandals

Wow, almost 4 months since my last post. Hmmm. I know that blogging's not my forte. I had promised my kiddos that I'd make them each a blanket for when we go to South Carolina for our yearly vacation. I've made 2 so far (still need to weave in ends for one of them), am working on 1 and have 3 more to go. *sigh* I am using patterns from 101 Ripple Stitches (Knit and Crochet) and 101 Stitches for Afghans (Crochet) by Jean Leinhauser. The first one I made came from a Crochet magazine and I cannot remember which one right now. I got the pattern for the barefoot sandals I crocheted from Lion Brand. I actually used their motifs and made it into the sandals, crocheting the toe ring and anklet into the motif. Kinda cool. I have no photos right now, but maybe I'll remember to take some.