Friday, June 27, 2008

Polymer Clay Hooks

I have a set of Susan Bates Aluminum Hooks with bamboo handles. However, they only start at size G. It was no problem since I was on a blanket making frenzy, but I'm wanting to go back to threads and smaller yarns.

The problem is that my hands are so used to the bamboo handles that they hurt when I use the smaller hooks. I decided to make some polymer clay handles on my smaller sized hooks. They came out pretty cool. I was going to do all my steel hooks, but then I found the Boye® Interchangeable Head Crochet Hook Set, 14 Hooks. So, I just added a handle to the hook I'm using now and when my set comes in, I'll see if I need to add a handle to the Boye handle or not.

Anyway, here's my little trip into polymer land.

Polymer Clay Hooks

1. Hooks with clay handles, 2. Shell on Thread hook, 3. Thread Hook in hand, 4. Polymer Clay Crochet Hook

Monday, June 23, 2008

Belles of the Ball

I was organizing my Ravelry projects and came across a pattern in Magic Crochet, June 1989 that I want to do. It's called Belles of the Ball, design by Mayumi Sato. I will be working it up in size 10 thread and a 7 hook.

It's amazing that after all those years of making doilies, then taking a couple of years off to make things with yarn, how difficult working with thread and small hooks are. I'm looking into either getting new steel hooks with larger handles or baking a polymer clay handle on my current hooks (that looks better to me financially). We shall see. In the meantime, I'll be working with a nakkie hook. ;)

Belles of the Ball

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Silent Night


Silent Night
Originally uploaded by cmama
Hass Design

7 hook, 10 thread

Snowman Doily in Filet


Snowman Doily in Filet
Originally uploaded by cmama
Hass Design

7 hook, 10 thread

Square Rose Doily


Square Rose Doily
Originally uploaded by cmama
Doilies, Star Doily Book No. 104, 1953

Size 7 hook, 10 thread

Summer Breezes


Summer Breezes
Originally uploaded by cmama
Leisure Arts, Doilies for All Seasons, 1998

Design by Hazel I. Henry

25" diameter (approx)

Size 10 thread, 7 hook

Nature's Bounty


Nature's Bounty
Originally uploaded by cmama
Touched by Nature, Leisure Arts, 1998

Design by Delsie Rhoades

Size 7 hook, 10 thread

Ecru Pinwheel


Ecru Pinwheel
Originally uploaded by cmama
Made a few years ago.

Doilies, Star Doily Book No. 104, 1953

Size 7 hook, 10 thread

Violets Doily


Violets Doily
Originally uploaded by cmama
Doily Bouquet, Star Book No. 71, 1950

Size 7 hook, 10 thread

Ruffled Pineapple Doily


Ruffled Pineapple Doily
Originally uploaded by cmama
Made a few years ago.

Old-Time Doilies, House of White Birches, 1994

13" Diameter

Size 10 thread, 12 hook

Rectangular Net


Rectangular Net
Originally uploaded by cmama
Made a few years ago.

Crochet Fantasy Number 3
December 1982

Size 7 hook, 10 thread

Red Band American Flag Bracelet

Made a couple of years ago.

Sunburst Wristband, Crochet! May 2006

Design by Teri Dusenbury

Aunt Lydia's Double Strand

Size 3 hook

Blue Band American Flag Bracelet

Made a couple of years ago.

Sunburst Wristband, Crochet! May 2006

Design by Teri Dusenbury

Aunt Lydia's Double Strand

Size 3 hook

Forget-Me-Not Doily


Forget-Me-Not Doily
Originally uploaded by cmama
Flower Doilies, Star Book No. 64, 1949

Size 7 hook, 10 thread

Ecru Center

Tea Rose Runner


Tea Rose Runner
Originally uploaded by cmama
Touch of Color Doilies, House of White Birches

Design by Zelda Workman

12" x 28"

Size 6 hook, 10 thread

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Jacob's Ladder


Jacob's Ladder
Originally uploaded by cmama
Made quite a few years ago.

House of White Birches Collectible Series, Old-Time Favorites

Design by Josie Rabier

13" x 19"

Pearls and Lace


Pearls and Lace
Originally uploaded by cmama
House of White Birches Collectible Doily Series, Heirloom Table Toppers

Design by Zelda Workman

22"

1,032 4 mm pearls

Size 6 hook, size 10 thread

Pinwheel Flower


Pinwheel Flower
Originally uploaded by cmama
Made quite a few years ago.

House of White Birches Collectible Doily Series, Perfect Pinwheels

Design by Lucille LaFlamme

14 1/2"

Size 7 hook, Size 10 thread

Royal Diamond Centerpiece


Royal Diamond Centerpiece
Originally uploaded by cmama
Made quite a few years ago for my mom.

House of White Birches, Collectible Doily Series

Design by Agnes Russell

30 1/2"

Size 7 hook, size 10 thread

Apple Filet Runner


Apple Filet Runner
Originally uploaded by cmama
Made quite a few years ago.

House of White Birches, Collectible Doily Series

Design by Connie Clark

10" x 26"

Christmas Tapestry


Christmas Tapestry
Originally uploaded by cmama
Made a few years ago.

House of White Birches Collectible Doily Series, Christmas Magic

Design by Agnes Russell

13 1/2" diameter

Tulip Circle


Tulip Circle
Originally uploaded by cmama
Made quite a few years ago. This doily ended up in Wales. :)

House of White Birches, Collectible Doily Series, Floral Beauties

Design by Karen Robinson

20" diameter

Size 10 hook, size 10 thread

All Hearts Come Home


All Hearts Come Home
Originally uploaded by cmama
Collectible Doily Series, A Touch of Color

Design by Blanche Frost

13 1/2" Diameter

Size 4 steel hook, size 10 thread in white and red

Pineapple Fan Doily


Pineapple Fan Doily
Originally uploaded by cmama
This doily comes from the Collectible Doily Series from House of White Birches. It's under the category, Pineapple Treasures.

Design by Della Bieber.

Pattern says 18" diameter.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Panda Blanket


Panda Blanket
Originally uploaded by cmama
Well, I found how to make mosaics and decided to show off the blanket this way.

The afghan measures 38" x 50". I had fun making it, but was really wanting to be done when there was only 5 more rounds left to do.

So, here is the panda afghan. All mine. :)

Friday, June 06, 2008

Rose Garden 'Ghan

I have been wanting to get a collection of afghans made for when situations arise such as births, hospital visits, etc, I am able to quickly get an afghan to that person. I have 2 already and the Rose Garden 'Ghan will be the third.

I found the pattern in the May/June 2008 issue of Crochet Today!.

I will be using Caron Simply Soft, Dark Sage and an I hook. It's a lovely pattern and I cannot wait to start it.



Panda Cross-Stitch Afghan

I've taken photos of my progress. I'm really enjoying this blanket although my fingers itch to use my crochet hook every once in a while. :) I'm "coloring in" the bottom panda (chart B) and then I'll be able to finish the top panda with chart C and whatever is left with chart D (bottom right of the blanket).

Top Panda

Bottom Panda

Both Pandas

Thursday, June 05, 2008

Pineapple Motif Scarf

This project was fun. I made it for a friend out of Bernat Satin Sport and a G hook.

I used a vintage pineapple square pattern I found on the internet - Celt's Vintage Crochet.

I believe the scarf measured 62" long, but I don't remember the width. I'll have to measure it the next time my friend wears it. She wore it Sunday and it looked really nice.

This is my daughter modeling it.


Crochet Lacy Shawl

I found a wonderful pattern by The Crochet Dude called Lacy Shawl.

I used 9 skeins Bernat Cashmere and my Susan Bates Bamboo handle size K.

The pattern worked up rather quickly. Nice pattern, great yarn.

I haven't decided who I'm giving this to, yet. I have a friend online whose mom just had surgery that I'm leaning towards giving it to. But I have another online acquaintance who I may be giving a baby blanket to and I may also give this shawl to the wife/mom. I'm praying for the Lord to show me who to give this to. It may also go to someone at my church, I just don't know yet. But whoever receives it, they are receiving a gem. This pattern is beautiful and I really cannot wait to make up more of them.

48

It measures 20 1/2" wide by 48" long.