Progress on the "Pink" Tidy Tote

It's coming along nicely. I just finished one skein and it measures 13". I need to crochet this piece until it measures 34", then sl st the foundation row to the last row, make the base, join it to the bag and make 2 handles. I hope I have enough yarn. If anything, I have a ball or two of Bernat Softee Chunky in just Taupe and also a taupe/blue/dark taupe color that might work. Might. Probably not. I should just stick with solids if I run out and don't want to buy more. :)

Gauge

I purchased Bernat's pattern book, Easy Living with Crochet. I want to make a few of things in the book, but am starting today with 2a. Pink Tidy Tote. Why do people include colors in their titles? What if I'm making this Pink Tidy Tote in a different color? Oh, well. I'm using Bernat Softee Chunky Twists - Twilight Twists. It's taupe, light taupe and light blue. Very nice colors.

The pattern calls for a G hook. Yes, you got that right. A bulky, size 5 yarn with a G hook. Well, I start with my 4.25 G hook, knowing I will probably have to use a larger hook. I end up with a J. A J! From G to J. That, to me, is a huge difference. I cannot imagine how loose this designer crochets! Unless it was a misprint. Oh, well.

Tina needs clothes

My 14 year-old daughter has a Cabbage Patch doll that been in our family since she was born. Her name is Christina and Emily called her Tina from the time she could talk.

Well, Tina has been given to our youngest son, Logan. He's 3. But, by now, Tina has no clothes. So I told Logan I would make her some. Easy enough. I'm sure there are patterns online for a 14" Cabbage Patch Doll.

I can't find a pattern that I don't have to pay for. And I'm not paying for a pattern.

So, I got out my 101 stitches for crochet. I sketched an outline of a shirt and an outline of a pair of pants on 2 plain pieces of paper. As I was leafing through the book, I figured I'd just make, for the shirt, 2 5" granny squares and sew them together up the side, leave a hole large enough for her head (and boy, does she have a big head!), leave arm holes and crochet an edging for the bottom and the neck. Then I guess I'll do a simple sleeve, haven't figured that out, yet.

The granny square I like to make is:
Round 1: Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, *3 dc, ch 2, rep from * 2 more times. Connect with sl st on 3rd chain of beg ch 3. Do this around the Magic Adjustable Ring
Round 2: Ch 3, *dc in ea dc, sh (2dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in corner ch 2 sp, rep from * around. Sl st to join. Repeat round 2 until square measures desired width.

Eating milk chocolate fudge sandwich cookies under a blue sky

What a name! What a blanket! This beautiful ripple blanket was lovingly crocheted using 9 balls of Bernat Softee Chunky yarn. Bernat Softee Chunky yarn is 100% acrylic and holds up well to machine wash and dry. A size K hook was used.

The blue/taupe/vanilla variegated stripes bring a nice touch of color to the dark and light taupe stripes.

It measures 30" x 62".

Bernat

Today after church, I dropped the kiddos off at home and drove over to Michael's. I picked up 3 skeins of Bernat Softee Baby in Baby Pink Marl and 3 skeins of His Jeans Ombre. There are 2 couples that are having babies and I wanted to get new yarn for them.

I picked up 3 more skeins of the Taupes and Blue/Taupe variegated for the ripple blanket I'm making. I wasn't sure how much yarn I would need, so I figured 3 more skeins would be safe.

I picked up 3 skeins of Bernat Softee Chunky Twists in Twilight Twists. I got their booklet, easy Living with Crochet to make, among other things, the tidy tote. I'm also wanting to try the stash baskets and pretty much everything else in the booklet.

I'm going to be a Busy Bee. Yee Haw!

My profit

Is dwindling. Thanks to Vashti. Ok. It's a good thing. I was just lamenting to my friend how I'm scared of color. I see Vashti's entry on Color Scheme Bible and I think what better addition to my library? No free shipping, but that actually saved me money as if there was free shipping on orders over $25, I'd have to buy more books. :)

I also added $25 to my Starbucks card. Hey. A girl's gotta enjoy a luscious cup 'o joe every once in a while, right? I think tonight I'll try the Blueberries & Crème Frappuccino® Blended Crème.

Hmmm. That leaves me with about $48. Ok. That's good. Enough money left to buy that baby yarn for the 2 baby blankets I want to make. Now, when's my next order coming in? :)

Bernat Bamboo

My friend decided we should make the blanket twice the length it is now. Darn! Hee hee. She gave me the rest of the money owed for the entire blanket. I needed to go to Michael's anyway, so I figured I HAD to pick up some of that Bernat Bamboo. Oh. My. Goodness! I picked up 12 balls. Yes, I am aware that each ball is $3.99. I wanted to make the wrap pictured on the wrapper. I needed to find out if the finished project is as soft as the yarn is by itself.

I also picked up a Clover J hook with a soft handle thing. Ok, I need to take a creative writing class or something. My descriptions need a little help. ;) I cannot find one of my many J hooks and you never know when you need one, right? Oh, and whoever heard of an L hook? I honestly did not think there were L hooks. I have a K and I have an M and an N and a P and I think a Q. Oh, well. I tend to crochet tighter than the average designer, so I'm sure the M hook will work out just fine for my bamboo wrap. After I finish my friend's blanket, I'll whip out the bamboo. Yeah!

Velvety Brown Ripple Throw

A customer requested a blanket for her daughter. She told me she wanted a nice blanket to snuggle up with. I went to Michael's and decided on 2 balls of Lion Suede Taupe, 3 balls of Lion Suede Mocha and 3 skeins of Lion Homespun Faun.

I used my c-mama ripple pattern. I started with one row Suede Mocha, one row Suede Taupe, one row Suede Mocha and 6 rows Homespun Faun. I ended with the Suede rows. I ran out of Homespun after 5 rows, which I had anticipated, but the blanket measures about 45" wide and 42" tall.

I have some ideas on how to proceed, but it depends on how much more my customer wants to spend. I can use up the rest of the suede and crochet a border around the blanket. I used about 12" of the last ball of mocha and have an entire ball of taupe left. Or, I can purchase another 2 skeins of Homespun to make the throw about 24" taller. Or, I can purchase another 3 skeins of Homespun and another ball of mocha and make the throw twice as tall. So, I'll find out tonight which directions she wants to go in. Here are pictures of the throw as it sits now.

Oh, and after making this throw, I want one for myself made entirely of suede. This throw is divine.

YARN!

How many posts do I have here with that title?

I spent over an hour at Michael's today. I first took inventory on my Palm Tungsten of what they have and the prices. I wanted to know exactly what I will be able to work with.

Then I walked around trying to figure out what yarn I should get for a new blanket I'm making. The customer wants something soft. She will be gifting it to her daughter who, I guess is a snuggler. :)

Wow. There were lots of choices. I found some yarns I hadn't seen yet (I know, where have I been hiding, right? They don't have these in our Walmarts, Rag Shops or Joannes). Patons SWS that I want to try out, Bernat Bamboo (Oh, My GOODNESSSSSSSS!) and Bernat Silk Sport. I almost picked up the Silk sport for my customer, but I really wanted to make something up using Homespun and Suede.

I also picked up some Bernat Chunky - it was $1.99 a ball! I got 3 balls of Soft Taupe, 3 balls of Nature's Way and 3 balls of True Taupe.

For my customer, I picked up 2 balls of Lion Suede Taupe, 3 balls of Lion Suede Mocha and 3 skeins of Lion Homespun Faun.

Well, better get hooking. :)

Added:

I have decided to simply crochet the c-mama ripple pattern. One row of Suede Mocha, one row of Suede Taupe and 6 rows of Homespun. I'll see how that looks.

Shawl/scarf in Trendsetter Love

While in Ft. Mill, SC, we stopped by a darling yarn store in Pineville called The Yarn Shop by Rainy Day Creations. I picked up a couple of balls of Trendsetters Yarns Love in Ocean Sea Life. It took me a little more than a month to pick it up. I was a bit intimidated and didn't know what to make with it. Well, I knew I wanted a shawl/scarf/wrap, but was still intimidated.

Well, I surfed to Annie's Attic for the Lace Tunisian stitch and got my M tunisian hook. I'm simply chaining 25 and following through with the pattern until I either get the length I desire or I run out of yarn. ;)

Personalized Baby Afghan is finished!

I finished weaving in the last ends last night and took the pictures of the blanket this morning.

It measures about 35" square. The blanket was easy, but challenged me in that I had to sew the personalized mat to the border. I don't like sewing. And the other challenging part of this blanket was making sure the mat fit inside the border. I was surprised that it fit. It's a beautiful pattern. I'm happy with the results.

Michael's

Boy, oh, boy! I hadn't been to Michaels since before Hurricane Wilma. The hurricane destroyed a lot of buildings and I had heard that Michaels took some damage. But I hadn't been to Michaels before that because I was extremely unhappy with the selection of their yarn. But, our craft stores have been disappointing me lately. The Rag Shop went out of business. Joann's yarn selection stinks. I mean, they have a few yummy brands, but, really, it's becoming a waste of my time to even think about going there. Walmart has been through reconstruction and their craft department has been cut in half. Their yarn selection is not what it was.

I THINK we have a couple of LYS around here, but it's quite a drive. I was getting tired of not having anywhere to go for good yarn. So, I had heard that people were happy with Michael's yarn selection. So, today, I gave it a try. I needed some graph paper to work up the name on the Personalized Afghan and figured I would try out Michael's and peek at their yarn. I was blown away! I was finally able to see some Paton's in real life. Funny, I know, it's not like Paton's is some exotic yarn, but where I live, it is! I went home empty handed because I don't have money for yarn right now. But, when I do, I know where I'm headed. I'm just sad I stayed away for so long. :(

Personalized Baby Afghan Notes

These notes are simply for my benefit regarding yarn usage. Kim's directions are over and above. She did a wonderful job. In fact, reading her very precise directions, I made a swatch before starting. Not something I normally do, especially for a blanket. ;)

• I had to switch to a size I hook. I crochet tight and my swatch was an inch off of what Kim's gauge said. I'm still a centimeter or two off, but I'm ok with that.
• It took one 6 oz skein of the Caron Simply Brites to work up the bottom portion of the heart border and the first side until the instructions say to fasten off. I was only left with 6 meters of yarn.
• Ok. I was trying to figure out if I read the pattern incorrectly, but I've given up on that. On row 43 of the second side of the heart border, it appears that I am a row off. But according to the graph, not according to the written directions. I start on the correct side, the edge instead of the middle, however, I will have 28 open square on the inside of the border going up instead of 27. I will just have to make sure that I measure and make a swatch for the inside portion, the personalized mat so it will fit inside the border. I was frustrated with myself and was unable to frog it since I had fastened off and weaved in the end on the left side already. But I believe I can still work with it.
• More to add as I go on

Missing Child, Please Help - Now Found!

A crochet designer, and esteemed CGOA member Tammy Hildebrand, has a 14-yr-old daughter, Chelsea, who's been missing since 7/31. She's the one on the left. Chelsea was last seen today at 2pm driving along I-95 in Fredericksburg VA with her friend Crystal Armstrong (pictured on the right) and an 18-yr old boy.

Starting the Personalized Baby Afghan

My friend gave me the money tonight to purchase the yarn for the personalized blanket. We don't have a LYS here (yet) so I wandered into Jo-Ann not expecting to find much. And I wasn't disappointed. You know, their website has a decent selection of yarn, but my local store barely has anything. Every time I go in there it looks as if they are going out of business. Tonight, there were whole baskets of yarn missing. :(

So, it was off to Walmart I go. I know that they had some Caron Simply Soft that I'd use if I couldn't find anything "yummy" locally. I picked up 6 skeins of Rose Violet and 2 skeins of White. While there, I noticed they had Bernat Softee Chunky. I picked up 5 skeins in Medium Sea Green. I figured I could make up a nice masculine blanket.

Yay! I'm off to work on this blanket.

Swatches

As I typed this out, I had to check and make sure that's what they're called! I was quickly transported to the 80s. Wow! Back to 2007! :)

Because my friend will be making her decision on the color of the blanket she wants me to make and to let me know the name tonight, I have some time between projects.

I wasn't sure what I wanted to work on, not wanting to start a huge project, only to put it down to work on my friend's blanket. So, I pulled out my book, 101 Stitches for Afghans by Jean Leinhauser and am making up some swatches. I make up patterns 1-3 already. I just have to figure out how to organize the swatches once they're done. I'm just using up some Red Heart worsted I have lying around and an I hook. Maybe I should try them in an H hook, too.

I would like to say that my thoughts and prayers are with those involved with the collapsed bridge in Minnesota.

Randal Cutter's thoughts on the tragedy.

2nd Doily Baby Blanket

My second doily baby blanket is finished. This one measures 30". I like the color arrangement. It's made with a G hook (4.25 mm) and Bernat softee Baby yarn in Pink Rose and white. This is the Coral Rose round baby blanket from Creations by Rebecca Leigh.

ANOTHER blankie!!!!

A friend of mine has been watching me make blankets all summer. Last week she tells me that her son-in-law's sister is having a baby. She wants me to make a blanket for her. I showed her some patterns on the internet and she really liked CrochetKim's Personalized Baby Afghan.

As soon as I'm able, I'll be purchasing some Caron Simply Soft in the colors my friend approves of and get started on it.

And I realized that sending Minnie the already finished Doily Blanket will keep me on track.

My desire is to have a basket or baskets full of blankets and shawls already made for when situations come up. So far, I have 3. One shawl, a large afghan and the second Doily Baby Blanket I've yet to finish. But since that doily blanket is already tagged for an internet friend, I suppose it shouldn't count.

While searching for the posts to link to in this blog, I realized just how many blankets I have crocheted since the end of May. Since 6 of them were for my kiddos, I can safely assume that I will be able to get my comfort basket filled.

Oh, I was surfing last night and found some new crochet/craft blogs. I added them to my reader if you are interested in more blogs. :) Thanks to Robyn for posting her shared blogs.

Comfortghan for Minnie the service-dog

An internet friend of mine and her husband each have service dogs. Her dog, Minnie, a sweet, adorable dachshund, is going through a tough time right now and is in some considerable pain. Years ago, she was on pain meds for months for what was thought was a bad shoulder. Now it seems that it was preliminary to this injury. She appears to have a problem with her cervical spine.

Minnie was x-rayed on Monday. They were inconclusive, so she needs a myleogram for better diagnosis. The vet needs to do the myleogram with her under sedation and, if all is not well, surgery will need to be done immediately while she is still sedated.

The vet has given them 10 days as an outside date on Minnie's comfort level.

They have her on prednisone and confined to a kennel with hopes that things will get better rather than worse.

So, I'm making a comfortghan for Minnie. I don't have any blankets just sitting around. I suppose I could just send one of the doily blankies that I had finished. That would work for sure and be guaranteed to get to them in a couple of days. Yes, that's what I'll do.

I really need to have extra blankies around for situations like this.

But, you know what? I was really having a difficult time when praying over this last blankie. I was, in my mind, associating it with a baby of one of two internet friends. But I believe now that the Lord knew this blankie would go to Minnie. I guess when I'm praying over these blankies, I need to step out of the box and realize that they may not be going to whom I originally thought they would be going to.

Minnie, I'm praying for a miracle for you. xoxoxoxo

Pink and White Doily Baby Blanket

I finished the Pink and White Doily Baby Blanket last night. It measures about 35" across. I'm very happy with the results.

Pink Coral Rose Baby Blanket

I got a tip from Crochetville about some doily baby blanket patterns. Now, I could probably have just taken a doily pattern and made up a blanket, but I really didn't feel like figuring it out if I wanted to add some rounds. So, it was worth, to me, spending $5 on a pattern. ;) I do have 2 more baby blankets that I want to make by September.

So, with a G hook (4.25 mm) and Bernat softee Baby yarn in Pink Rose, I set off to make Coral Rose round baby blanket from Creations by Rebecca Leigh.

Green and White Arrowhead Baby Blanket

I finished the Green and White Arrowhead Baby Blanket. Good timing, too. My friend brought her new son home on Monday. I need to call her sometime today to see if I can bring this gift over.

It measures about 35" square. I so love the way it turned out. I was a bit nervous at first, because I thought the square would be too big and that it would not be right, but when all was said and done, it's perfect.

More Baby Blankets - White & Greet Arrowhead Afghan with Popcorn Stitch

One would think I was tired of making blankets, right? Well, I'm not and I'm going to take advantage of that!

I have a friend who is adopting a (boy?) from a teenage mom when the baby is due - any day now. There are 2 users on an internet forum I am part of that I'm friendly with whose wives are having babies. But their babies are due in September. So, my friend who is adopting gets the next blanket.

I'm using Lion Brand Pound of Love in white and pastel green. I'm using an H hook and a pattern called "Arrowhead Afghan With Popcorn Stitches. I have used this pattern before for my kids' blanket (the one that they cut with the scissors grrrr). It's from a book "Better Homes and Gardens White Crochet". Hmmm. I'm unable to find it online. If you want more information about the book, let me know - cmama (dot) busybee (@) gmail (dot) com.

Blue and White Blanket Finished

I finished the other baby blanket today. It measures 32" x 34".

Oh, and when I first took these photos, I neglected to check the lens. It was cool in the house and quite hot and humid outside. This is how the photo first turned out:

2nd Baby Blanket

I've started the 2nd baby blanket. I'm using Lion Brand Pound of Love in denim and white, a J hook and c-mama's ripple pattern. I'm using one strand of denim and one strand of together. I'm really liking this look. :)

Star Blanket Done

I completed the Star Blanket. It's 32" across.

Unfortunately, my camera's on the fritz. I'm going to see if I can get it working, or get a disposable camera so I can get a photo.

Phew! Camera is working. I'm SO relieved.

Baby blanket update

Ok, so I was afraid I wouldn't have enough of the Red Heart Soft Baby in New Mint Twinkle to make a good size blanket and I was really liking the way it was turning out. So, after 7 rounds of the Star Blanket pattern, I used the Lion Brand Pound of Love in white for 3 rounds. I'll continue with the green for 4-6 rounds and continue the pattern until I run out of yarn or when the star is big enough.

I am really liking the way this is turning out.

BABIES!

No, not for me - :D

I am making baby blankets for two acquaintances on an internet forum I am a part of. I purchased 4 skeins of Lion Brand Pound of Love. 2 skeins of white, 1 skein of denim (I LOVE that color!) and a skein of pastel green. When I got back home, I found that I had two skeins of Red Heart Soft Baby in New Mint Twinkle.

So, I'm working up a star blanket in the New Mint Twinkle using Beth's Little Star Afghan and a G Hook. I'm going to see how large that works up with (2) 5 oz skeins. I couldn't find more at the store where I was.

I'll then make up a ripple using my c-mama's ripple pattern with an H hook.

Fiddlesticks and Frogs

Argh! I sewed the sides of the vest to the back and was scared that it just wasn't big enough. I measured it again and just wasn't happy with the gauge. Ribbit! I just frogged the back and am going to try using a K hook and MAYBE crochet a bit looser. Yeah, right. We shall see what happens.

Newest Projects - Doily and a Vest

Not together, but I am getting ideas to put small doilies together to make some jackets/vests/tops. ;)

While up in South Carolina I had been working on the Inheritance Blanket and needed a break from the heavy yarn. I had brought along some size 10 thread and a crochet magazine, Magic Crochet, April 1990 issue. I saw a doily pattern called "Winning Entry" (#11) designed by Mayumi Sato. I'm about half way through it as of today.

But I'm taking a break to make a friend of mine, who does my hair, a vest. There is a yarn shop in Pineville, NC, just outside of the town where we were staying. It's called The Yarn Shop by Rainy Day Creations. I went there last year and bought some yarn that I'm unable to get at my local hobby stores. After talking to my friend about what she wanted, I went to the yarn shop and found some wonderful yarn for her. It's a cotton/wool blend (80% pima cotton, 20% merino wool) by Cascade Yarns, Sierra. It's an off white color. It's so nice to work with. My friend chose a vest pattern (the first pattern on the link) by N.Y. Yarns. I started that today because that's when the pattern came in. ;) I'll post photos as soon as I'm finished. I so love this yarn.

ETA: Pattern calls for an I hook, but I couldn't find mine when I wanted to start it, so I picked up the J hook and I am obtaining gauge with it.

Blanket - Inheritance

When I make items, I pray and ask the Lord to show me some scriptures or song lyrics that will speak to the person that I'm making it for. I don't always know who will receive the item, but I know that the right person will be touched by it and know it's for them.

Our family went on a vacation of sort the during the last week of June. It was a conference with MorningStar Ministries, which is the ministry our church, New Dawn, is part of. I started this blanket on the drive from South Florida to Ft. Mill, South Carolina. During this conference, I felt out of place at times, feeling as if I didn't belong. Not because they weren't welcoming. It was because I felt as if I didn't deserve to be there. Silly, I know, but I do have issues with things like that and I am trying to work through them. This verse really spoke to me for this blanket - 2 Corinthians 4:7 - But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. Then I heard one of the speakers, Bill Johnson, from Bethel Church in Redding California. He was speaking on our inheritance. Our kingdom inheritance. Then I remembered that I have a book co-authored by him called The Supernatural Ways of Royalty. I knew that this is what the Lord wants the recipient of the blanket to know. He wants this person to know that they are a child of the Living God and that He wants them to live as a Prince and not as a Pauper. That is why I call this the Inheritance Blanket.

This is made out of Lion Brand Homespun Mediterranean. I used an N hook and the pattern, Super Fast and Easy Throw. It measures 40" x 70".

Yarn!!!!!

I'm just about finished with the doily. I also found out that The Rag Shop is going out of business. I went this morning - their products are 20 - 50% off. The yarn and crochet/knitting tools are 20% off. Yarn is going FAST. I picked up 13 skeins of Homespun. 7 of one color and 6 of another (cleaned them out of both colors). I picked up Williamsburg and Mediterranean. I feel like I've worked with Mediterranean before, but the colors don't seem familiar to me. Anyway, it's beautiful.

Framed Roses

My newest project that I'm working on is a doily called Framed Roses. It's from the House of White Birches Collectible Doily Series and it was designed by Lois Waldschmidt.

I'm using Frosty Green, Ecru and a light pink size 10 crochet thread and a size 7 hook.

I miss working with thread and making lace. It was strange, however, working with the steel hook and thread after working with the N hook and bulky yarn. :)

Comfortghan finished

The Super Fast and Easy Throw (click link for more info) is finished!

It measures 44" wide x 60" long. I love homespun! It's a great blanket and I hope the recipient finds much comfort in it. :)

Super Fast and Easy Throw

I have a friend who is suffering from some unknown sickness. I enjoy making blankets/shawls for friends who are suffering from either physical or emotional things. I really ought to have a few items made up ahead of time, because it seems that things strike several people at the same time. But, I don't, so I'm stuck. ;) I have another friend who I would love to make something up for, but I promised myself I'd get this one out, first.

I'm using Lion Brand Homespun, Prairie, Super Fast and Easy Throw from Lion Brand and an N hook. I'm on the 3rd of 6 skeins.

It would be nice to finish this before the 24, but we will see.

Update on Kenny's c-mama ripple

I washed Kenny's blanket today. It was made from Red Heart. It's not as soft as the other blankets made out of Caron Simply Soft, but it did soften up a bit. Good, because it was a little too scratchy and I just would have been upset if it hadn't softened.

Emily's c-mama ripple

Well, the blankets are all done. I am amazed. I gave myself until June 23 to complete them all. Here it is, June 18 and they are all done. I just have to wash them and all will be great! Yeah!

Her blanket was made with Caron Simply Soft, c-mama's ripple pattern and a J hook. It measures 31" x 60". I probably should have made it a bit wider, but it'll work.

Here are all 6 of the blankets in a basket.

Blanket #5 of 6

Woo Hoo! I can seriously believe that I'll finish these blankets BEFORE our trip.

I have Caytie weaving in the ends on her blanket. Phew.

Levi's blanket measures 38" x 50". The blue is Caron Pound and the black is Caron Simply Soft. Again, it was made with the c-mama ripple pattern and a J hook. I think of the colors, it's my favorite one of the 5.

C-Mama's Ripple Pattern

Notes:

The above photo was made using a J hook and Caron Simply Soft worsted weight yarn

dc dec - yo, insert hook in next dc, draw through loop, yo, draw through 2 loops on hook, yo, insert hook in next dc, draw through loop, yo, draw through 2 loops on hook, yo, draw through remaining 3 loops on hook.

Join new color - at the last 2 stitches of the row before color change, yo, insert hook in next dc, draw through loop, yo, draw through 2 loops on hook, yo, insert hook in next dc, draw through loop, yo, draw through 2 loops on hook, and with new yarn, yo, draw through last 2 loops on hook, chain 2 and turn.

Row 1 - Foundation chain multiples of 17 until desired length. I usually chain another 17 to make sure that it's wide enough. dc in 3rd chain from hook. 1st 2 skipped chains count as 1st dc, dc in next 5 chains, *dc, ch 1, dc in next chain, dc in next 7 chains, sk next 2 chains, dc in next 7 chains, repeat from *.

Rows 2 and following - Chain 2, turn. *dc in next 7 dc, dc, ch1, dc in ch 1 space, dc in next 7 dc, sk 2 dc, repeat from * to the last 8 dc, dc in next 6 dc, dc last 2 dc tog, ch 2, turn.

***Note*** To make this ripple with Homespun and Suede - see this post for photos, etc. - 7 ripples 45" x 65", 5 skeins of Homespun, 5 balls of Suede. For blanket that is 7 ripples 45" x 84", 6 skeins of Homespun, 10 balls of Suede.

Blankets 3 & 4 of 6

Well, when making blanket for all 6 kids, the blankets need designations, too. ;)

This is Kenny's blanket. It measures 34" x 34" and was make with Red Heart. I know. But he picked the colors out. I'm hoping, hoping, hoping, that it will soften with a washing.

I used my C-Mama's Ripple Pattern and a J hook.

This is Jordan's blanket. It measures 34" x 48" and was made with red, white and black Caron Simply Soft, with a J hook and C-Mama's Ripple Pattern.

I am working up Levi's now. Caron Simply Soft black and Caron One Pound navy blue. Emily's blanket will also be C-Mama's Ripple Pattern using Caron Simply Soft white, navy and light blue. I finished Kenny's blanket in 6 days, so I'm confident I'll get Levi's and Emily's finished before we leave. Now, about those ends in Caytie's blanket that need to be woven...maybe I can show her how to do it. :D

Crochet Overlay Jewelry

I recently purchased "Crochet Overlay Jewelry" by Melody MacDuffee. I had purchased 2 Trixie Belden books from Amazon for my daughter with some babysitting money I owed her. But the total was less than $25 and they qualified for free shipping on orders $25 or more. So, I went searching for a crochet book.

It came in the mail today. First, let me say that this book is different than other pattern books I have seen. Melody has a nice "Welcome" in the front of the book briefly describing what overlay crochet is. Besides an apparently gifted crocheter, she is also a gifted writer. The next section of the book is the General Instructions. Normally I do not read these. But, normal crochet pattern books do not have 5 pages of instructions. They simply have the patterns, which are the instructions to the project. Melody takes the time to let the reader know that they do not have to strictly stick to the patterns. She gives suggestions such as larger hooks and yarns if crocheting with sewing thread is intimidating or impossible. I think that's great for new crocheters to know. When I first began crocheting I thought I had to use the colors/yarns/hooks that the pattern called for. LOL Very funny now, but that's what I thought.

After Melody speaks about the general instructions of overlay crochet, assembly and beading, there is a Stitch Dictionary.

Then come the patterns. They seem to be written very clearly and come with diagrams. The photos are color and simply exquisite.

The only downside to receiving this book is the commitment I have on making 2 1/2 more blankets before June 24. Oh, how I want to try my hand at crochet overlay!!!!! Well, I'll make time on our trip to work this.

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.