A shawl for Sorrita

A dear woman I know was wearing a friend's shawl today. She asked me if I would make one up for her. I looked at it - it seems simple enough. I just needed to find some fine or sport weight mohair or wool in an off-white. I found Paton Lacette (39% nylon, 36% acrylic and 25% mohair) in cream. It's really nice. Not the easiest to work with because of the mohair and using a size D hook. But, if Sorrita likes it, it will be more than worth it. She's a lovely lady and I am blessed to have known her. She is going through chemo for cancer and my heart just goes out to her. I will be praying healing over this shawl for her.

Inspired by Ashley V. Blalock

I am going to be crocheting banners/ribbons with words from the scriptures prophesying the Savior's birth. I was inspired by the works of Ashley V. Blalock. So far, I'm using white #10 thread and a 7 hook.

MORE yarn

I (mistakenly?) stopped at Tuesday Morning. I had to get some coffee beans from Dunkin' Donuts and Tuesday Morning is right across the street. I was alone and had some money, so I thought I'd check out the store. I had never been there. Well, it's very junky looking on the inside, but if one is willing to sort through and walk through the entire store, one is probably able to find something.

I heard that they sell yarn there. I really didn't know what to expect. I found 6 cardboard bins of yarn. They were all just tossed in with each other, some yarn was dreadfully fuzzy from being tossed aside with other yarn. Most were small balls of ribbon yarn, furs, etc. I did find a skein or two of homespun, but those were the ones that were really too fuzzy from being in there for so long. While sitting on the floor - yes, it was junky, I'm sure the floors were dirty, but the yarn was on the bottom shelf and there were no tables or shelves for me to put the yarn on, and I didn't want to miss one single skein - I found some Kristha Metallic. First I found 2 60 yd balls in this real pretty pink/white ribbon. Then I found 3 balls of black/gray/white. I was going to get all 5 and then I found more yarn and another ball of black/gray/white. I settled on 4 balls of the black/gray/white. This yarn is from Italy, and the tag says it's regularly priced at $11.00. I got them for $4.99 each.

When I got home, I searched, couldn't find the website, but saw a place selling it for $10.99 a ball. Cool deal.

What will I make with it? I have no idea. :)

Altering Creator of the Universe shawl

I have come to the conclusion that the shawl I made is simply too long. After thinking about it, I am going to alter it. I am going to add to it to make a nice, long blanket. It's only 17" wide, so I'll have to add quite a bit. But I haven't decided what to add. Maybe some different colors of Homspun and Suede, maybe some other kinds of yarns like SWS and Chunky Softee. Just some thoughts....

Crocheting a dream details

I'm using Bernat Satin Sport in beige and a G hook.

Crocheting a dream

First, I'll start off saying that it's my belief that God speaks through dreams. Not every dream is from God, but those dreams from Him are there.

I'm quite a dreamer. I try to remember to write them down and see what God (if it's from Him) is saying to me.

Let me also interject here that I have been praying and asking God to help me design my own crochet projects. There are a TON of wonderful crochet patterns out there, but along the way, in this funky world of design, some of these designers got the message to tell others who use their patterns that they are NOT to sell items made with their patterns. Frankly, I think that's a bit snobbish of them. Do they seriously think they'd be able to fill all those orders? No, I think they don't want someone else making a profit using their pattern. As this whole electronic/internet age widens out and I read more about what others are doing, it just saddens me. Before I purchase patterns, I read what the designers do not want you to do with their patterns. If they do not want finished products sold, I refuse to purchase their patterns. I will gladly lay out money for patterns, just not for those. Trust me, I can be snobbish right back.

Where was I? Ok, so in light of all that, I thought it would just be easier if I could make up my stuff from my own pattern and had been asking God for help. See, I don't want to take the time to do the designing. I want to go straight to the crocheting. I admire and appreciate the work that goes into designing crochet patterns. That's why I don't mind paying for them. But I thought, hey, maybe God will give me something in my dreams. I won't know unless I ask. And I believe that when I ask, He will answer in some way.

I had dreamed about crochet 2 other times that I can remember. But I didn't follow through with crocheting them out because I was too intimidated. I'm a perfectionist and was afraid of messing it up or not getting it right. I think if I had just simply worked them up the next day, He would have blessed my work and I would be getting better at this. I did write those dreams down, but since I cannot draw, those images are lost. :(

2 nights ago, however, I was crocheting in my dream. The focus was on the work I was doing at one point, but for the most part, even though I was walking around crocheting, the focus was on other parts of the dream.

I wrote the dream down, and wrote down as much detail of the crochet as I could remember. The piece made no sense to me and I didn't know what it was. I had some other things I wanted to finish yesterday, so I put the dream crochet on the back burner, periodically thinking about that dream, wondering if I'd try it out. It was a bit simpler than the others I had dreamed, but there was still that fear there. How do I start it out? What if I don't get the pattern exact? And just what the heck is it? Yes, I was saying "what the heck is it?" to God. Like He doesn't know my thoughts anyway... :)

On Friday nights we go to church. Our church started having a Friday night service years ago. It was strange, at first, going to church on a Friday night, but now I cannot imagine doing anything else. The kids and I get there about an hour and a half before church starts. I brought along the yarn I used in my dream and began. I was going to start with a swatch because that's what you do, right? Well, how many designers get patterns from God in their dreams? I'm sure some of them do, but I think I'm skipping that swatch stage (yay!). So, the swatch didn't work out as I didn't know how to work a swatch for this particular piece. I just dove right in. It was funny. As people came in, they asked what I was making. I said, "I don't know. I'm crocheting a dream." I still don't know what it's going to be and I don't know if it will BE anything. I think God was saying, "You asked for a pattern. I gave you one. Now, are YOU going to do anything with it? If you do, I will give you more." So, against every fiber of my being, I will complete this. Why is it so hard? Because I don't know it's purpose. It's hard enough to walk by faith, but crochet by faith? And the fact that this is so difficult for me shows me it's from God. My flesh screaming out in rebellion is a good indicator.

We shall see what transpires.

Digital Recorder Case

My friend asked me to make up a case for her Digital Recorder. It's 1 3/4" x 4". I forgot to measure the depth. I didn't even measure the width and height, as I didn't have my tape measure handy. I just drew around it on a piece of paper. :D But, it's about 1" thick (deep).

I had just under $20 with me, so I went to Michaels. I thought I wanted to work it up in SWS, so I picked up 2 balls of Natural Blue which is a light blue, lighter blue, beige and light beige. I know it would look nice in that, but my friend is a bit more classic in her taste. She wears flashy things once in a while, but I think something in one color and a cream/beige would be best for her. So, in addition to the 2 balls of SWS (hey! I WAS on sale. I couldn't pass that up.), I picked up a ball of Bernat Satin Sport in Beige. Pretty color and I think it will work well for her.

I'm going to use a G hook and simple single crochets. Hopefully I won't have to frog too much. The question for me is, what to do at the top? Pull string or flap/button down? I guess I'll see how it progresses.

Hooker I Am

I would crochet in a box.
I would crochet with a fox.
I would crochet in a house.
I would crochet with a mouse.
I would crochet here or there.
I would crochet anywhere!
I would crochet green eggs and ham.
I do like them, hooker-I-am!

Originally Posted by Mermaiden on Crochetville.

Eve's blanket

My friend, who had me make up a blanket for her son-in-law's sister's new baby, received an e-mail from the recipient and forwarded it to me. I love hearing things like this back from the recipients. Makes my heart smile. :)

---

Hi _{c-mama's friend}!

Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the gift you sent with _{your daugher and her husband (my brother)}! The blanket is so beautiful!! It is honestly one of the best presents I have ever received and _{my husband} and I were so touched by it. I am sure that Ève will cherish it for always!!

Attached is a picture of Ève with her new Godparents. _{This part deleted for lack of significance to this post}

Thanks again for thinking of us. I truly adore the gift, it is sooooo beautiful!!!

Love,

_{Your son-in-law's sister}

SWS Bag and Beret

I made up a bag and beret using Patons SWS in Natural Earth. To find out more about the pattern I used, see this post. I used an I hook. The pattern called for 3 balls for the bag. But I used 2 plus a little bit from the 3rd. A friend's daughter, a junior in high school, asked me if I'd be able to make a beret like one her friend has from Urban Outfitters. Well, I couldn't find a pattern I was happy with (in making it look similar to the ones at Urban Outfitters), so I tried to make up something. It wasn't big enough for a teenager, but it fits my 12 year old. :)

The bag measures 9" wide at the bottom, 2" deep and 18" from the bottom to the top of the strap.

It's not lined, so I can't put heavy things in it, but it's great for a ball or two of yarn, some hooks, my wallet, keys, etc. Perfect little purse for ME! :)

Quilt/Crochet afghan Swap

There is a user on an internet forum that I am a part of who suggested that she and I swap blankets/quilts. I'm excited about this as I love quilts and this also gives me an excuse to make another blanket. :)

I have a bunch of Lion Brand Homespun in Williamsburg. I'm not sure what pattern I'm going to use. I'd like to do something different - a pattern I've never done before. Hopefully 8 skeins will be enough to make a queen sizeish afghan. :)

God is Love Comfortghan

I finished my friend's comfortghan and I absolutely love it. It's so soft and huggable. I don't know if it's because of who it's for, but I hope that she feels the love in it like I do.

The finished size is 47" x 60". It was made with Bernat Softee Chunky in Denim Heather, Soft Taupe and Nature's Way. I used a Bernat free pattern, Treble Cross and an N hook.

I call this the God is Love Comfortghan because of the song, "God is Love" by Jonathan Helser that I kept listening to over and over when crocheting it. The words:

I will dance on the chains of my circumstance
Walk on the waves of the storm

Nothing is impossible to those who believe
That God is Love

God is Love
I won't be afraid
God is Love
Nothing is impossible

I will live out the dreams You place in me
Shout down the walls of fear

'Cause nothing is impossible to those who believe
That God is Love

I can scale the walls
I can move a mountain
I can slay a giant
With You on my side

I can raise the dead
I can free the nations
I can fly!

Letter to Michaels

I have been so excited about the yarn that my local Michaels carries that my husband encouraged me to write their corporate office a letter. So, I'm posting it here and will be mailing it out tonight. :)

Michaels Stores, Inc. 8000 Bent Branch Dr. Irving, TX 75063

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to tell you how happy I am with the yarn selection at your store located at 2075 N. University Drive in Coral Springs, FL.

I am a crocheter. I purchase yarn on a weekly to monthly basis. I had not been to a Michaels in a couple of years because I was not happy with the yarn selection. I had, instead, purchased my yarn and other crocheting supplies at Walmart, Rag Shop and Jo-Ann.

But recently, Walmart has revamped their store and the craft section has dramatically diminished. The Rag Shop has gone out of business and I have not been happy with the yarn selection at Jo-Ann. I had decided it was time to see what Michaels had to offer. I went in to purchase some graph paper and take a look at their yarn selection. I was extremely pleased to see a large selection of brands, weights and colors of yarns, and a nice selection of tools and patterns. I went in a week later with my electronic organizer to take an inventory of what they had so I knew what I would be able to work with. Michaels is now number one on my list of stores to shop at for my crocheting and craft needs.

I have seen many craft stores slowly reduce their inventory, forcing me to shop elsewhere. I hope that Michaels will not be one of those stores. I look forward to continuing my shopping experience at Michaels for a long time to come.

Sincerely, Debbie

Patons SWS

Hubby went along with the Youth Group this past weekend to Night of Joy. He came home with some extra money and tonight asked if I'd like to come along to the music store. He wanted to pick up a "brick" which is a power supply for his pedals.

I said sure. He said that with the leftover money after that we could go to Michael's. Yay! :) So, I picked up 3 balls of Patons SWS in Natural Earth. This is my first Patons purchase. I knew the yarn was out there, however, I had never seen it in person. I had only been to Walmart, Rag Shop and JoAnn's and none of those stores carried Patons. But Michael's does.

I don't like picking up yarn without knowing what I'm going to make. I do it sometimes, but tonight I wanted to make sure I had enough yarn, and with only $25 to spend, I wanted to do it wisely. So, I ended up getting Patons SWS the Look booklet that has a set of mittens, a bag and a hat. I'm going to make the bag. I was going to get 4 balls and make the hat and bag, but I don't wear hats and I want this bag to be mine.

So, after the two blankets, I'm going to get working on the bag.

Pics of this luscious yarn to come soon.

How do you choose your yarn?

This question was posed on a forum I frequent and I was pleased with my answer, so I figured I'd post it here, lest I forget. Maybe I need to subject myself to more literature to grow my vocabulary. Hee hee. I just finished watching "Stranger than Fiction". Amazing what some movies can do to stir up things...

Anyway, here's what I posted:

I go with a project in mind, but then I see some yarn that catches my eye, the feel of the yarn is just too irresistible to pass by. Then, sometimes, I'll pick up the yarn and wonder what I can make with it, the previous project pushed aside in my mind. I'll leaf through the pattern books, wanting to buy them, but knowing that I only have X dollars to spend and I want to spend every penny on that irresistable yarn that I simply cannot pass up.

I'll either give in to my desire and pick up that yarn, which usually means I don't pick up enough for a project, so it sits in the drawer, to be pet occasionally, and I dream of what I can make, or I will, against every fiber of my being, slowly put that delicious yarn back, take a deep breath, look longingly at the skeins that I must pass up, turn around slowly and with a heaviness in my step I will get the yarn I came to get. But as I put each skein in the basket, my heart lightens. I remember that this yarn I came for, I chose with a purpose. I love this yarn, too. The colors are perfect for my friend who needs a yarn/blanket hug that I cannot give in person. The colors are the absolute best colors for her, I just know that when she sees this finished project, she will feel the love and the hugs I have put into it. And all is well again. As I turn and walk past the yarn I got distracted by, I reach my hand out for one last squeeze, one last lingering touch and tell those skeins that the next time I come, I will pick them up, and I will have enough money to buy plenty of skeins for another lovingly crocheted piece, to either sit on my bed or be mailed off to another friend who is in need of a fibrous hug, a long distance prayer.

I think there's something wrong with me...

I purchased 18 balls of Bernat Chunky this morning for the comfortghan I'm making for my friend. I packed up my new tote with 9 balls, my hook and my scissors. I then started getting anxious thinking I wouldn't have enough yarn with me. What if I use up all this yarn? I need to bring it all with me.

Where, do you ask, was I going? My husband is the worship leader at church. The worship team has practice on Thursdays. By the way I'm talking, you'd think this practice was an all day event, right? No. Hubby and I get there before the rest of the team - I'm not on the team, btw - I go to get out of the house ;). I'd say between 6:15 pm and 6:30 pm. People start showing up at 7 and practice starts at 7:30. They go until 9.

Yes. 9. And I'm all concerned thinking I won't have enough yarn. *sigh* I could have brought 4 balls with me and enough. I'm making a blanket that I have to change colors in, so that's why 4 would be more than enough.

Yes, I do believe I may have a problem. But, just a little one. LOL

BAMBOOOOOO

I like bamboo. The Coats and Clark Collection at Herrschners has a set of 8 Susan Bathes crochet hooks with bamboo handles on sale for $12.97. I purchased mine this afternoon.

I was hoping Michael's would have them. I'd be willing to spend a bit more per hook to save on shipping and have them now. But, they didn't have them. It's alright. I can wait. I'm going to have to. :)

It was a good day. I got the yarn I wanted because it was still at $1.99 a ball. I ordered the hooks I wanted. Yup. A good day.

Friend's comfortghan

Ok. So, I found another pattern I liked. Well, it was the yarn that I liked. The pattern AND the yarn. :)

It's a free pattern on Bernat's site called Treble Cross. I figured I would make up this blanket if Michael's had the yarn for $1.99 a ball - Softee Chunky. At that price, I could even make the main color in the variegated, as variegated has less yarn in it than solids. Well, Michael's had it for $1.99. I cleaned them out of the Nature's Way. 11 balls. I needed 12, but remembered I have one or two at the house. I also picked up 3 in New Denim Heather and 3 in Soft Taupe. I think this is going to turn out quite nicely.

Comfortghan for an online friend

I have a friend who has been going through a lot this past year and is now in the hospital with kidney stones. I had been wanting to make her a comfortghan for some time now, but this last bit of news about her in the hospital has pushed me to want to get started on it now.

I have to wait until tomorrow to get the yarn. I had been torn between coziest throw and Say it with hearts. I would like to make the "coziest throw", but in order to make it the way I really want to, I'd have to spend too much money on yarn and I can't do that right now. Besides, I've been thinking about the hearts afghan for about a week now. So, off to Michael's I'll go tomorrow and hope that they have some nice worsted weight yarn on sale. I need 64 oz! Wow.

I hope they have some Susan Bates Bamboo hooks in. Even though I can get a deal on Coats & Clark, I really want them NOW. :)

Maybe I'll finish the doily baby blanket I'm making up, but if I don't, it's ok. I still have a bit of time before that baby is born.

Bernat Bamboo Wrap

I finished weaving in the ends of the Bernat Bamboo Wrap today. It's so nice and soft. I really like it and am very happy with the results. I used 6 balls of dill and 6 balls of wicker and an N hook. It's 15" x 60".

Velvety Brown Ripple Throw - Finished again

Update: The blanket was given to her daughter and her daughter sent me a photo of it on their living room couch. Nice!

:) Wow! I cannot believe that in only 2 days - actually a day and a half - was all it took for me to add another 42" to the Velvety Ripple Throw. The kids and I went to Michael's on Friday morning to get the yarn needed and I started working on it Friday afternoon. I finished weaving in the ends last night, only needing to work on 4 ends this morning.

I believe the Lord was speaking Philippians 4:4-8 for this blanket.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

I was having a difficult time coming up with something for this blanket. But last night I was feeling overly anxious about some things. I thought it was unrelated to the blanket. But when I searched out the above scripture, I thought that, maybe these verses were for the blanket - the owner. As I wrote them down, peace started coming over me. I'm sure that was just as much for me as for the fact that this is what God wanted me to write down.

I will be delivering the blanket to my friend today. I have received a ton of compliments on the blanket. I'm very happy with the way it turned out. I wish I could have incorporated a bit more suede into the blanket, but the finished project is good.

I do not have photos of the completed project, but if you check out this post you can see pictures of it half completed. :)

Baby blanket - Bernat Softee and Coral Rose Doily

I am making another baby blanket from Bernat Baby Softee in Baby Pink Marl (it's white and pink twists), a G hook and a pattern from Creations by Rebecca Leigh called Round "CoralRose" Baby Afghan.

"Pink" Tidy Tote

I finished the "Pink" Tidy Tote and I LOVE it!!!!!!!! The yarn is great and so is the bag. See posts here and here for the yarn(s) I used - I ended up needing to use the lighter taupe for the handles because I ran out of the twists - and the pattern.

The bag measures 16" wide x 13" tall x 2" deep. The handles are about 8 1/2" tall.

Knowing the pattern now, if I make it again, I know what to do to make it wider or taller or even deeper. Very simple. I am planning on using this to carry my W.I.P.s in. I have a cart that I use that carries my books when I go to church and my crochet work. However, besides the fact that I love bags, I sometimes need a bag only to carry my work in. Also, I will use it as a purse to hold my wallet, iPod, phone and keys when I don't want my purse with me.

Blue Jeans Star Baby Blanket

I made this blanket for an online friend whose wife is due to have their first baby around the 21st of September. I chose to make a blanket with Bernat Softee Baby in His Jeans Ombre, a G hook and Beth's Little Star pattern. It's a nice little blanket, measuring about 29" across. It's soft and perfect, I think, for a newborn baby and I can even imagine a little boy carrying this blanket with him. :) I hope it's as loved by this baby and his parents as it has been by me as I made it.