Pictures of Kendi - the Valentine Lion

Valentine Lion almost finished

Well, the lion is finished. I just have to put the mane on. I had picked up some fun fur but it sheds too much. So now I have to take out what I've put on. I will have to go out and pick up some Simply Soft or a skinny chenille. The only other red I have at the house is Red Heart and that's just not soft enough. Oh, I do have some Red Heart Light and Lofty that may work...

Valentine Lion

I received an order for a Valentine Lion. I figured this would be my chance to make a white lion. :) :) :) :) I am crocheting him with crochet cotton and am thinking of adding some fur yarn as his mane instead of yarn strands. I'll see how it works out, though. To see previous lions I have crocheted, click here.

One little word

It's an important word, even though it's little. It has 4 letters. But if you ignore the word, you are unable to complete a project. I have 3 booties left to make for the layette. (3 because I have lost one. :( ) I would love to send this out tonight. My friend's surgery is Monday. I followed the pattern the first time and my eyes skipped over the word TURN. I couldn't figure out what was wrong, and of course, *I* did nothing wrong. *sigh* I could have saved myself so much frustration had I read closely. I wonder if I'll ever learn.

Baby Layettes

A dear friend of mine called me a couple of days ago. Her son is expecting their first child - my friend's first grandbaby, a girl. This is very special, indeed. But what makes it even more special is that my friend has cancer. She has been fighting a long, hard battle with this nasty disease. We have been praying for a breakthrough for healing. She is going to be having surgery done on 1/23 and I believe it is her desire to present her son and his wife with 3 outfits for the baby before then. I was so honored that she asked me. I went to JoAnne fabric last night and picked up 2 skeins of the Pound of Love by Lion Brand. I wanted to get some baby yarn, but my friend wants the outfits in an ecru color and I was having problems finding that locally. The Pound of Love was on sale and it seemed perfect. I was looking at the pattern books they have and decided on one by Leisure Arts called Lacy Layettes . My friend wanted the outfits to look old fashioned and able to be passed down from child to child and kept in the family as heirlooms. This book kind of called out to me so I picked it up. I was able to get the 2 skeins and book for under $20. I was intimidated by starting this project and still am intimidated a little. I am afraid that I will not meet my friend's high expectations. I know it's silly. I was also unsure of my ability to make the jackets. I've only made one dress. Any other clothing has consisted of ponchos, shrugs, hats and scarves. But I'm working up the sacque now and am almost finished. It's working up quite nicely. I was also unsure of the size since I'm working with worsted weight as opposed to the sport weight called for by the pattern. But, it's pretty much on gauge. If anything, it will fit the baby at 3 months which is not bad. My friend has also asked me to make another hat for her. So, I'll be whipping up another hat for her, praying I get the size right. ;)

WIP part 2

Still working on that blanket and have also started another one for a friend who was not doing so well - health wise. I've finished up the snowmen and started on my mom's garland/scarf for her picture frame. It's finished, I just have to add embellishments. I was making up some angels from Priscilla Hewitt's site to give away at a Christmas party we went to Sunday evening, but I was only able to get 3 of them made. Oh well. Maybe next year. I hate when I'm working on more that one project at a time. I feel like I don't have enough time to finish the projects I want. I need to get better organized.

WIP

I am currently working up a blanket for a gift. It's made with Lion Brand Chenille - Peacock. I got it on sale at Herrschners for $3.97 a skein. Nice. :) I'm also using Lion Brand Homespun - Prairie. I LOVE this blanket. It is so much fun to make. But, I also have a infant lapghan I want to finish and a snowman. So, I'll be busy today switching back and forth.

Penguin

My daughter wanted to give her friend a stuffed penguin for his birthday (12/1). We will be seeing him tonight so I thought I would be able to quickly design a pattern for a large stuffed animal looking very close to Tux, the Linux penguin. But, the challenge proved a bit too difficult to tackle in such a limited time-frame. This afternoon, a package arrived from Herschners with some yarn that I ordered and a pattern booklet for stuffed animals. It's Cuddle Buddies from Annie's Attic. There is a pattern for a duck in there, so I decided I could modify it a bit for my needs. ;) I used a size G hook and worsted weight yarn. Just some scraps I had lying around. He's 7" tall.

Snowman

I'm hoping this is only 1 of many I'll be making. These guys are fun to make and quick, too. :) I found the pattern at Roxy Craft. I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease in White Frost. His scarf is Peaches N Cream cotton green/gold metallic and his hat is simply soft black. I used simply soft for his eyes as well. I used a size F hook. He stands 6 1/2" tall, not including his hat.

Lion Brand Super Fast and Easy Throw

I made a blanket for a friend for a Christmas gift exchange. The blanket was a bit more than the $10 limit, but I couldn't resist. ;) I found the pattern at Lion Brand. I used Homespun color Nouveau and a size N hook. This blanket was so fun to make. It might have something to do with the changing of the colors in the yarn. I forgot to take a picture of it, but when my friend received it, she took pictures of it for me. I didn't take it's measurements, but I'm sure it was close to the 42" x 55" the pattern stated.

Chenille hat and scarf

I have made up 5 sets of these. They are quick and fun to work up. I found the pattern at Lion Brand. I used Chenille Thick and Quick and a size P hook. I've made them in cream, ruby, black, marine and basil. 2 of my friends let me put their picture up, so here it is...

WIP

I've been back online for a while now, just haven't posted anything. I finished my shrug - just need to weave in the ends. I completed a blanket made from Homespun Nouveou (can't spell this morning) and an N hook. Need to take measurements and a picture. The blanket is for a gift exchange on a forum I'm part of. I have also completed a hat/scarf set for a friend of the same forum board - done in Lion Branch T&Q Chenille - Ruby - and a P hook and another friend from the board in a white chenille. The blanket was from here and the hat/scarf set from here. I'm not sure what I'll do next. I want to make 2 friends at church shawls of some sort for Christmas gifts, so I'll probably get some more Homespun for that project.

Offline for a while

Because of Wilma, I will be offline for a while. Our internet is down and I'm not sure when it will be back up. Scott will probably be uploading some pictures of what Wilma left behind, and they can be found here. W.I.P.s I have finished the rectangular portion of the shrug. I ran out of the ribbon yarn and the Walmart by my mom and dad's house didn't have any. So I figured I would try and add Red Heart Plush - red to the ruffle. We'll see. I may copy a doily pattern, but I may just wing it with something else. I am almost finished with a small loopy puppy. I made 3 pumpkins and 3 candy corn for my mom. My mom wants garland that's about 33" to drape a picture that's in her living room. I'll be working on a design for that. I hope to post again soon.

Shrug

I had gone to Walmart yesterday and drooled after Lion Brand Incredible Ribbon Yarn. I had just told my daughter that if I had extra money, I would buy myself some so I could make a shrug. Someone at my church blessed me with a beautiful purse and $20. Scott took me to Walmart and I picked up 4 balls of the yarn. I am now starting on my shrug based on the schematics from Mrs. Who at Crochetville. I'll update as my work progresses. Finally. Something wearable for me. :)

How Long?

Downloaded Molly Williams' new cd a couple of days ago. Love the song, "How Long". How long oh Lord Till I see Your glory How long oh Lord Till Your power falls How long till I walk in love Like You told me How long How long will I be content With the leavings How long will I choose To stay lukewarm How long till I will explode With Your fire How long Consume me Burn through me How long will I only love Those who love me How long till I really Walk with You How long till I'm set ablaze With compassion How long How long till I pour on out What You give me How long till I live my life for You How long till Jesus comes Bursting out of me.

Christmas Gifts

64 days until Christmas. I have some ideas of what to make, but I'm not completey sure. My list: My kids Scott My mom and dad Scott's dad and step mom Scott's mom Scott's brother and his family My brother and his family Some aunts and uncles Some close friends at church (3) Add 8 to that if I decided to do something for the worship team A Christmas exchange at GT I have some patterns for small stuffed animals that I will probably make for my kids and my nieces and nephews. Actually I purchased a pattern from Roxy Craft that is perfect for one of my nieces. I have no clue what I'm going to make everyone else. I have some items already made on my display table at church that I will probably be giving away as gifts, but that only accounts for about 8 of the people. Unless I give them all Coffee Cup Cozies. LOL *sigh* I'll keep you posted as I make my decisions. ;)

Blue Teddy Bear

I've made my last teddy for a while. Here he is. I have not named him yet. He's made just like Rosey. He's 20" tall and made with Caron Simply Soft and an F hook. Pattern information can be found by following Rosey's link.

Candy Corn!

I was surfing around at Crochetville and found a pattern by user earthwhisper. Her pattern can be found here. Mine was crocheted using worsted weight yarn with some scraps of yellow and orange and sport weight white. My plan is to get some new yarn for the candy corn and also for a basket for my friend who just moved into a condo as a housewarming gift. It's 4" tall and 3 1/4" wide.

Pink Teddy Bear

Not long ago I made a brown teddy bear. Read about him here. I didn't make the loop stitches correctly and didn't realize it until I stuffed him. The loops weren't "locked" and were coming undone. :( But I had so much fun crocheting him, that I wanted to give it another try. I had some extra pink lying around and made Rosey. This time instead of putting the hook around the loop to pick up the yarn for a sc, I brought the hook through the loop, grabbed the yarn, brought it back through the loop and completed the sc. The loops are now secure! Here's Rosey.

Hmmm. Seems that I have deleted the images. Oh no! I'll have to do some searching and find those images.

I think I made one side too short, so she's not perfect, but, hey, who is, right? I'm in the process of making a light blue one now. ;) For the collar, I crocheted rows of 6dc until it fit around her neck. I made a rosette from this pattern and placed velcro on the collar and the rosette for an easy switch-out.

More cozies

I like to have photograph record of the things I make, so I'll be putting all my cozies here.

Coffee Cup Cozy

I had seen some patterns for a coffee cup cozy and took 2 patterns to make my own. I used one from Crochetville user vigilant20 and one from Crochet me Magazine by Kelly A. Jackson. Worsted weight yarn and any novelty yarn for the edging. Size H hook Do not join rounds unless stated. Use stitch marker to mark beginning of the round. *By going through the back loop only, lines are made in the pattern. Going through the back loop for each round will look like this: Going through the back loop only for every other round will look like this: Chain 31, join with sl st to form a ring (Chain should be about 7 3/4" - depending on how tight or loose you crochet/type of yarn used/size hook used, simply make sure your beginning ring is about 7 3/4" around, increasing the stitches by one stitch every other round for a total of 4 increased stitches. Keep crocheting until the cozy is 3 3/4" tall. 1 - sc in ea ch around (31) 2 - sc in 1st st, 2sc in next st, sc in each remaining st around (32) 3 - Going through back loops only, sc in each st around (32) Rounds 4-7, repeat rounds 2 and 3 4 - Rep rnd 2 (33) 5 - Rep rnd 3 (33) 6 - Rep rnd 2 (34) 7 - Rep rnd 3 (34) 8 - Going through both loops, sc in each st around (34) 9 - Going through back loop only, sc in each st around (34) Rounds 10-14, repeat rounds 8 - 9, join with sl st and fasten off. Attach novelty yarn with sl st, ch 1, sc, ch 1 in each st around. Weave in ends.

Hexagon Slippers part deux

Well, I made one up that's my size, but I don't like it. It's the soles. I just can't get it right and it looks unattractive. So, on to something else.

Shawls

A few months ago I had purchased some novelty yarn from Joanne's. It reminded me of pussy willows. It's brown ribbon with a pink cottoney bulge every inch or so. I picked up 2 balls of it, not knowing what I wanted to make. Well, I finally found something I wanted to make - a shawl. I was looking for something with an open, lacey look and couldn't find anything on the web at first. I tried making something on my own, but my brain wasn't thinking clearly. Then I found this pattern and already worked through both skeins. I will be purchasing 2 or 3 more when I get paid for a doily I sold at church. I had 2 other skeins from Walmart that I had to have but didn't know what to do with and I'll be making shawls from them as well.

Hexagon Boot Slippers

I've decided to make some hexagon boot slippers for my next project. I found the pattern on Priscilla Hewitt's site. I'm using an H hook and black, frosty green and denim blue worsted weight, Red Heart yarn. I like softer yarn, however, I think a stiffer yarn would work better. I have one hexagon made and need to make 5 more, attach 3 together for each boot and make the soles. I think they'll turn out nice.

Teddy's pictures

I just finished up a teddy bear. I found the pattern in a hard-cover book titled, "Old-Time Crochet Made Easy". The name of the pattern is, "Old-Style Teddy Bear" revised by Agnes Russell. He's adorable. I made him with a G hook and worsted weight yarn. I may make his eyes with larger, more noticable buttons, but I'm liking how he turned out.

Roses and Pinwheel

I have finished my doily. It's 25 1/2"! I used a size 10 ecru thread and a 2-5 hook. I can't remember the actual size as it's a Graydog with no number on it. ;)

Current WIPs

I finished another lion (pink/purple - no pics). I finished some small stuffed animals (if no one purchased them, I'll post pictures on Thursday evening or Friday). I made some baskets (yup, pictures to come later). I attended a friend's baby shower on Sunday afternoon. I made her a basket and am making a mat. The mat is cool. It's made in pockets with worsted weight yarn. I stuff the pockets with fiberfill as I close them up. they are 120 stitches long and 9 rows high. But because they are pockets, they are 240 stitches around. I am using a pattern from a hard cover book I got, "Easy Living Crochet". The mat also is going to have handles and strips that have velcro on them to hold toys. I am currently making a pinwheel doily with roses done in filet. The pattern is by Alice Gundel and is found in Dec 1993 issue of Magic Crochet. I'm using ecru, size 10 and a size 2 hook, I think. I'm not positive as it's one of my Graydog hooks that doesn't have a number on them.

Cooper - Lion in OD and Black

So, I held a drawing for someone on a forum I frequent to win a lion. Jonathon's name was drawn and he wanted a lion in OD and black. So I made him up and named him Cooper after Jeff Cooper. I think he's cute. :)

Another lion - pink and purple version

A friend of mine wanted me to make her granddaughter a lion. The girl's room is pink and purple and she wanted her to have a pink and purple lion. Here is what I came up with. I used Caron Simply Soft and a G hook.

Leupold is finished and waiting to be played with!

So I finished up his muzzle and made a tail.

We have a mane - well, sort of

I was able to make his ears and get some of his mane on. As you can see in the second picture, it's not quite done. ;)

Wednesday Leupold progress

Today I created his muzzle and face, put on his eyes and created the bridge of his nose and the nose. I also "embroidered" a mouth. I don't embroider. Scott's not liking the mouth. I may scrap the mouth. We shall see. I'm thinking this guy needs fur. :)

Leupold has legs

He can sit now!

Leupold

His name has changed! Scott decided he liked Leupold. Here he is so far, and Logan LOVES him. Silly guy. I have him sitting next to the pattern with a picture of a finished product. We'll see how close I can get it. ;)

Scrappy the Lion

I have decided to finally do something with all this yarn in my stash. I found a pattern I had wanted to do for a while, Leopold by Angela Winger found in "Blue Ribbon Crochet" by House of White Birches. I am using Red Heart Super Saver - Eggnog (someone gave me 2 8oz skeins and it was only $1.50/skein) for the lion, Red Heart Super Saver - Maroon for the mane and probably Red Heart Super Saver light, light brown. Don't know the exact color as the wrapper is long gone. ;) I'm using a G hook. It's working up quickly for now. I am using an eye hook with some beads on it for a stitch marker. Pictures to come soon. ;)

Pineapple Hearts Doily

I just finished another doily. I made this one from white, size 10 cotton thread using a number 7 hook. I got the pattern from Magic Crochet April 2002. The name of the pattern is Birthday Breakfast, but I call it Pineapple Hearts. :) The pattern called for a picot stitch edging, but after doing it, I decided to frog that and not put an edging. I think it looks softer and neater. Of course, had I blocked it, it would have worked, but I do not have what I need to block, so I don't. ;) It's 17" across.

Kids' blanket finally finished!

I first posted about this mammoth on May 11. I finally finished it today. The blanket measures 60" x 105". There are 15 squares and each square measures 20". I used Caron Simply Soft and an H hook. Some of the squares have the white in the middle.

Each square uses a 6 oz skein of yarn!

The intent of the blanket was so that the kids would have something to cuddle with when they are on the couch. It worked!

Here you see, from left to right, Jordan (7 - yes, he is crossing is eyes), Caytie (10), Logan (15 months), Emily (11), Kenaniah (3 on the 30th) and Levi (8). Oh, and yes, they ARE all mine.

RIpple blanket for a friend's daughter

My friends' daughter is sick and I whipped up this blanket for her. I used the same pattern as the PODS blanket but used Caron Simply Soft and an H hook instead of the baby yarn and G hook.

Frogg'n it

So I was making a halter top for my daughter. I made it up myself, just a simple hdc pattern. I was holding it up to her bare skin to make sure it fit. So far, so good. Well, last night I finished it, held it up to her this morning and she tells me, "It's scratchy." Grrr. This is a child who I have purchased clothing for after she tries it on. We get it home and she complains that it doesn't feel good. I frogged the green ruffle and was going to make her a headband with it, but I'm putting that aside right now because she has decided to have an attitude this week. I'll work on their blanket instead.

Shrug/Jacket

I made my daughter, Caytie, a shrug jacket using the schematics posted on Crochetville.org. It turned out really nice. I used 5 balls of Peaches N Cream, Orange Sherbet and and H hook. The rectangle is simply done in DC and the ruffles are V-stitch. She picked out the color and wanted a more closed stitch for the arms. I was happy she picked that yarn out as it was done in no time at all.

Rippled Baby Afghan pictures

Blanket for PODS

My SIL volunteer for an organization - PODS Angels. PODS Angels is a non-profit support group organization for parents of Down syndrome. My SIL asked me if I would like to crochet a blanket for one of their new mommy bundles. I said yes. So, I'm working up a ripple blankie right now made from Red Heart Baby soft. I'm using up the colors I used for Benji's turtle - lime green, variegated purple, yellow, green & white and a solid white. It looks very nice so far - I'll post a picture as soon as I get it off the computer. I'm using a size G hook. I'm thinking I need to start looking for handmade hooks in the letter sizes as they are so small compared to my handmade thread hooks. I like fat hooks.

Arrowhead Blanket

I have finished my friend's blanket. It's 71" x 43". I used a pattern from a book titled "White Crochet" by Better Homes and Gardens. I used Caron Simply Soft, light blue, and an H hook.

Blankets

I am just about finished with my friend's afghan. I look forward to finishing it sometime either today or tomorrow. Today I have to work and then I have a crochet meeting - not sure how much time I'll have. Wednesday looks promising. As I told Scott that I had 2 more stitches to do to join the afghan pieces together, my SIL calls me. An organization she volunteers for needs someone to make one blanket - I think they'll donate materials. I told her I would be honored - it will be my first charity item. I make things for people all the time, but have never donated to a charity before. It will be a baby blanket - given to a new mom in the hospital with a basket of other items. I'll find out what organization it's for and exactly who or why that particular mom/baby will receive the basket. I don't know about accepting donated materials. If I'm going to make the blanket, I want to choose the materials and not just crochet with any 'ole yarn. I want it to be soft - although most baby yarn IS soft. I'll have to wait and see. I've already got ideas swirling about. I will probably just follow a patter. I have a book on baby ripple afghans I was just looking through 2 days ago.

He's finished!

I got the little bugger finished. He's not perfect, but I think I did ok for my first stuffed animal. I did not use buttons with the legs. I just couldn't get it to work. I did not embroider a nose/mouth. I think he's cute enough with just the eyes (could be that I don't know how to embroider.) :) Entry 1
Entry 2
Entry 3
Entry 4

Turtle - Day 6

I have finished crocheting all the turtle parts. I will now working on sewing the parts on, sewing the velcro, and his eyes on and finishing off the ends.

Turtle Day, uh, 5?

:D Having a hard time keeping track. I've gotten the shell done, the diaper done and all four legs done. I'm working up the underside now. The pattern is a bit long, but things are moving along nicely. I was asked what I was using to mark my place. I've been into adding beads and such for bookmarks and keychains. What I did was take one of those fishhook earrings and added an eye pin with beads on it. My own homemade stitch marker. You can also use a safety pin.

Turtle Day 3

I have more of the turtle done...

Turtle!

My nephew, Benji, is sick. :( I have decided to make him a stuffed animal. I am praying over it as I make it. My BIL says that Benji LOVES turtles, so I hope this little guy makes him happy. I'm using Red Heart Soft Baby in Lime for the body and a size E hook. The pattern comes from June 2005 issue of Crochet World. It's called "Baby Misty Turtle" (Interesting because Benji's mommy's name is Misty), designed by Fran Goreham. It's on page 33 for those of you with this issue. The color I chose for the shell is a variegated white, green, yellow and a purple/blue. Other than that, the colors I chose are the same as the pattern. I'm excited and can't wait to see how he turns out.

Doilies

I finished my friend's order last night. I made three of these doilies:    The doilies are made from a pattern, "Pineapple Fan" by Della bieber. It's from the House of White Birches Collectible Doily Series, "Pineapple Treasures". I used size 10 ecru thread and a #7 hook.

WIP

Well, it's been a while since I posted. I still have not finished my kiddos blanket. I promised them it would be done by the time they got back from their grandma's house last week Thursday, but in the time they were gone, a friend asked if I could make up 3 doilies and 5 bookmarks. She is going on a ministry trip to Poland and wants to take gifts for those who she is ministering with. Also, last week, I made up 3 prayer kerchiefs for friends who have loved ones suffering from some kind of sickness. 2 friends have mothers suffering from nasty cancer (what cancer isn't nasty?). One has cancer on her tongue and her dr. is not seeing her until the 23. She is in so much pain and barely eats. My other friend's mom - it came on her suddenly and they aren't expecting her to make it through the summer. I'm so sad for my friends. I felt impressed by the Lord to make up small doilies, pray over them while making them, and sending them to the moms. I believe the Lord can and will heal these ladies. My prayers continue to go forth for their healing. The other doily is for a friend's 4 year old daughter who has some intestinal problems. Prayers for her healing continue to go forth on her behalf as well. Those prayer doilies are complete and are enroute to their new owners. I'm finishing up the last doily and will make up the 5 bookmarks today. I then have another blanket to work up for another friend who is having surgery this summer. Time for a nap. :)