Glass Cozies

I made up some glass cozies with some yarn I had lying around. I'm planning on making more. I did put these up for auction on ebay, along with an auction for a lot of 12 cozies custom made. We'll see.

These are my own pattern using worsted weight and a G hook.

           

           

           

  

Projects I have in mind

I'm putting this here so I can remember what it is that's going through my mind. ;) Glass cozies Headbands Star applique Applique for oval plaque Star for card

Mikaela's Ensemble

I finished the baby blanket and also made a sacque, bonnet and booties. I used an F and G hook and Bernat Baby Coordinates in Baby Pink.

 

Heart Blanket

I made myself a heart blanket. You can find a journal entry here.

I used Caron Simply Soft white and a dark pink. It measures 42" x 60". I was contemplating what to do with it and decided I wanted to keep it for myself. :)

It was VERY bright outside when I took the photo, so it didn't come out exactly how I wanted. I went ahead and put a sephia filter on it.

  

Baby blanket

I picked up 4 skeins of Bernat Baby Coordinates in Baby Pink. I am making another Beth's Little Star.

I'm using a G hook. Coming along nicely. This yarn has a nice texture and is soft. I'm excited to see how it will turn out.

Finding crochet in worship or finding my worship in crochet

For quite a while now, I had been desiring to create my own crochet pieces. But I get stuck on the idea that I just don’t know how to put stitches together, or, in the aspect of making doilies, how much to increase with each round. It’s been catching up on me, though. The need to create my own projects. And, yes, I believe it’s a need. The Lord has given me this gift and the desire to crochet. I love that things are created with yarn and a hook. It’s amazing to me. But there was something missing. I have been working on a Superman blanket that I charted out myself and have come to the conclusion that cross stitching on an afghan stitch canvas would yield better results. I will be finishing the blanket how I started it, but I want to try out the cross stitch on an afghan stitch canvas. Well, today I had decided to practice the afghan stitch/Tunisian stitch. This is a first for me because I usually do not practice crochet stitches, I just pick a pattern and crochet it. But I was a little intimidated by cross stitching on an afghan stitch canvas. I had attempted to do the stitch about 2 or 3 times. The first was successful, however, I got some other requests for items to make so the afghan stitch got put to the side. The other 2 times I just couldn’t get it. I went into my stash and found some grey yarn that I probably wouldn’t be using for anything else and thought this would be good to practice with. After practicing and researching the “curl” and finding out that this is something that happens and that I can work with, I decided to go forward and make a canvas. As I was crocheting, I turned on some teachings from Morningstar. It’s from a series called Beholding His Glory and is a teaching series on worship. In the teaching, “The Life of a Worshipper”, Leonard Jones points out that we need to give over our grey matter of our minds to creating new things. I smiled as I watched the grey yarn creating a canvas, knowing this was an encouragement from the Lord that I was going in the right direction.

Superman Blanket

I started working up a Superman blanket using Red Heart super saver. It's the right color blue, red and yellow. Unfortunately, it's stiff and a bit scratchy. I'm going to finish it, but will not be giving it away. I'll just give it to the kids. I am having fun making this blanket, but the medium is just not fun.

Yarn delivery!

My 4 balls of Plymouth 24K




came in today. I have some orders for foot thongs and ankle bracelets. I'm so excited. These colors are so gorgeous. The girls will love them. :) :) :) xoxoxoxo

Charity Doilies

I forgot to mention. I have made an inquiry to Heritage International Ministries about making doilies. Heritage International Ministries, H.I.M., is an equipping and ministry base for Christians from around the world. MorningStar purchased the former Heritage USA Grand Hotel, Conference Center, and 52 acres in September 2004 and is restoring the property.

Our church is part of Morningstar Ministries and we attended a conference there last week. We stayed at the hotel, which is being used as their church and conference center. I got to looking at all the naked tables there and wanted to see some lace on them. :)

I filled out a contribution form letting them know I desired to crochet doilies and table runners for the hotel. We'll see what their answer is.

In case they say yes, I have started on some already.

Tulip Leaf Doily from a pamphlet called Doilies from American Thread Co. Star Doily Book No. 131, printed 1956.
The Pinwheel Doily from Star Doily Book No. 104, Copyright 1953. I've made one of these before, but I cannot locate a photo at the present. It's there, in my photogallery. I just cannot find it.

I really home H.I.M. accepts my doilies. :)

W.I.P.s

Wow. So I have a few orders coming in. Some for foot thongs and ankle bracelets. I found an online source for Plymouth 24K. Royal Yarns. The price for the yarn was the same as what I paid at the LYS, so I was happy with that. I had to pay shipping, which always bites, but since there are no LYSs around here, it will have to do. I got 4 colors 0467, 1358, 1362, and 1372.

Another project will be another blanket made out of Department 71 Sophie in Beach Party.

And, finally, for now, I have a request to make a Superman blanket. I'm still deciding what yarns to use for this. I don't want to spend an arm and a leg, but I don't want to use Red Heart. I need a bright blue, red and yellow, but it's not easy finding those colors. But I shall persevere. :)

Triangle Foot Thong

Using the same yarn as in the chain foot thongs, I made up some triangle shaped foot thongs.   

Chain Foot Thong

I found this great yarn - Plymouth 24K (not that color) while on vacation. I purchased 4 balls and because it's made from 82% nylon, it's nice and stretchy. I love it. One of the things I wanted to make with it was the foot thongs. This is the first of many patterns I plan on making with this yarn. The pattern is simply chains, slip stitches to form circles where needed. I used a G hook.

To frog or not to frog/Correction to Heart Strings Afghan pattern in Crochet World, June 2005

I am working up an afghan found on page 42 of the June 2005 issue of Crochet World called Heart Strings Afghan.

After Row 18, the pattern says, [Rep rows 13 - 18 30 times. Rep row 13]. I FINALLY crocheted rows 13 - 18 30 times. I repeated row 13 and continued on to Row 19. As I was crocheting this row, something didn't seem right. I read and re-read. I checked my work. No, I'm following the pattern right. But I still knew something was wrong. 98% of the time I "know" something is wrong with a pattern, it's my fault, not the pattern's. But this time it was the pattern's.

The pattern SHOULD read [Rep rows 13 - 18 30 times. Rep rows 13, 14].

I've gotten to row 23 and that one row of hearts is too squishy. I need another row in there.

The question is, do I frog it?

It's similar to a filet. You dc in the row below to raise the stitch and it creates a picture of a heart. Honestly, you can't really tell, unless you look close. But, it's bugging me. So, I guess I'm going to have to frog it.

Dang. I was celebrating when I got to the 30th repeated heart. But, I want this to be perfect and don't want to be lazy on this last section.

Oh, well.

Here it goes...


An hour later: I frogged 3 rows and it's better and I'm happy. No. It didn't take me an hour, since I fooled around on the 'net for a bit. :D

Old Glory

I was asked to make up a red, white and blue blanket. This is what I came up with:   

I've worked up rounds 1-4 in white Caron Simply Soft. Rounds 5-17 are Dark Country Blue Simply Soft. (Takes just less than one skein.)

Rounds 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 are Red Heart Light and Lofty. (Takes just a bit more than one skein.) Rounds 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 are white Caron Simply Soft.

It measures 40" across made with a G hook and I used Beth's Little Star from Heartfelt Angels pattern.

Little Star Baby Blanket

I just finished a baby blanket for a friend. She's due the end of June, however, it's very possible she will be giving birth any day now. This is her 6th child. :) A boy they will name Will.

I used Caron Simply Soft - Country Blue, Dark Country Blue and Light Country Blue and a G hook. I used (1) 6oz skein each. It measures 38" across. I got the pattern from HeartFelt Angels and it's called Beth's Little Star.

  

  

ID Wallet and Some bracelets

I made up an ID wallet and some bracelets. They are all made from Aunt Lydia's Double Strand (about size 3) and I used a #3 hook. I got the pattern for the bracelets from Crochet! magazine - issue May 2006 page 18. The pattern for the ID wallet I got from a web archive of Crochet Partners' Business Card Holder. I modified it to fit my needs. I sewed on a button for decoration and used velcro to keep it shut.

Star blanket

I had a request from a friend on a discussion board to make a baby blanket for his wife who is pregnant with their first son. :) I purchased some Caron Simply Soft - Dark Country Blue, Country Blue and Light Country Blue and I'm using a G hook. I'm using Beth's Little Star Afghan Pattern. Rounds 1-6 done in Country Blue. Then 3 rounds of Light Blue, 3 rounds of Dark Blue, 3 rounds of Country Blue, etc., until it's big enough or I run out of yarn. I have (2) 6oz skeins of each. We'll see. :) Back to working on 3 projects at a time. Yippeee!!!!!!

W.I.P.s - Wednesday 6/7/06

Well, the bag didn't work out. :( I am just not a sewer. So I ended up purchasing a basket/bag from Walmart with the gromet hole aready there. I will add some of the eyelets around so I can have more than one project in the basket. I am working again on Heart Strings Afghan by Winnona Nagy. I found the pattern in the June 2005 issue of Crochet World, page 42. I'm working it up with Caron Simply Soft in white with an I hook. I was going to give it to my friends who got married, but I didn't finish it in time. In fact, right now, I'm a little over 1/3 through. I need to make 33 rows of heart and I'm on row 17. Hmm. My math really isn't good, is it? I'm a little more than 1/2 through! Yippee!. We already gave our friends a gift certificate to Macy's so someone else will be getting this blanket - I just don't know who yet. I have been praying Psalm 84 over it. I'm also making some bracelets. I found the pattern in a Crochet! magazine, but since I cannot find it right now, I don't know which issue it is. I'm a little upset with myself as there were 2 different patterns and I only made one pattern up so far. I can copy the pattern - not difficult, but I didn't make up the other one and I don't know how it works up. I guess I can make a choice to spread my wings into designing my own... :( Not looking forward to that. I also want to make up a small pouch using Aunt Lydia's Double Strand (3) - same I'm using for the bracelets. I want it to put my id in when I don't want to carry my purse. Edited: Yeah! I found the Crochet! Magazine!!! I can now make the other bracelet. It's the May 2006 issue, page 18.

W.I.P.s - Friday 6/2/06

I am working on a bag for myself using Lily's String Basket pattern. I am using Caron Simplly Soft with a strand of Aunt Lydia's Denim and a J hook. I crocheted over the strand of denim for the bottom and then did a round of hdc around - using 2 strands - CSS and ALD. I then do 3 rounds of ch 5 mesh using only CSS and bringing the ALD up each time I start a new round. I then do a round of hdc and will work this up until it's tall enough. I will then be lining it and I want to make a draw-string pocket. I will then be adding eyelets around the top of the fabric so I can put strands of yarn through them. I may even get creative and make some pockets for hooks, scissors and such. :) That's all that's on the WIP list - for now. :D LOL

Durango Hat

I made Yarn Cat's Durango hat for a friend. I used white Caron Simply Soft and size 10 white/silver metalic thread for the top portion and white Caron Simply Soft for the band. I used an I hook. My friend wanted it longer than the pattern so she could fold it up. I finished it off with a reverse sc.

Bag

I made a bag for my friend's blanket. I based the pattern on Lily's String Bag. It's more mesh than what Lily's pattern is. No solid bottom like their pattern. When I ran out of blue yarn, I used white to finish off the top. I sc in sc, 3 sc in ch 5 space all the way around. Then I did a row of seed stitch. I then crocheted a handle. I like it. I used Caron Simply Soft that I had around the house and a size G hook for the bag and J hook for the handle. It measures 15" tall x 17" wide. It's pretty stretchy. If I make another one, I may combine the yarn with thread or use something not so soft like Red Heart. But I really like how this turned out.

Blue Baby Blanket

I finished another baby blanket for my friend. I used Department 71 Hula Blues. The blanket measures 30" x 39". I used an N hook. I ch 112 and hdc back across the stitches. I hdc in between ea hdc across until I ran out of yarn. It took 10 balls.

Pineapple Doily

I just finished a pineapple doily for our little pedastal side table. Yeah! Another doily for us. LOL It measures 11" x 11". I used size 10 ecru thread and a 7 hook. I got the pattern from a borrowed Magic Crochet magazine (don't know which issue) and the pattern is called Quartet Runner. It's 4 of these motifs crochetetd together. But I only wanted one. :)

Help! I'm married to a crocheter!!!

I love this article.

Scarf

I finsihed my friend's scarf. I used the same pattern as her daughter's table runner. It's about 32 x 5 and made from size 10 thread and a 7 hook.

Figgy

A friend of mine's cat passed away a couple of days ago. The family was upset at his passing and I decided to crochet a picture for them as a remembrance. I used a size H hook and some yarn I had around the house - camo green, beige (I think), white and black. I had downloaded a picture of Figgy along with a .pdf of graph paper and used Photoshop to place the graph over the photo and printed it out. I used a reverse sc around the edge. Here is the photo of Figgy:

W.I.P.s - Saturday 5/27/06

Bag *** I finished the fluffy blue blanket for my friend. I'm going to whip up a bag to put it in for her (a good way to use up some of my yarn stash). I am going to use some Caron Simply Soft navy blue worsted weight. I will be using a pattern from Sugar N Cream using this pattern. It's a .pdf and can be downloaded if you join their site for free. Here's a picture of it from their site. I also want to whip up some washcloths for me to use around the house. I found a neat star washcloth pattern and have made one so far. I am also wanting to make up a piece for a friend. I will post more information later as I'm not sure she reads this or not. :)

Pink Baby Blanket

I completed one of the blankets for my friend. She purchased Department 71 Sophie Yarn from Herrschners in Pastels and Hula Blue. I just finished the Pastels one. It's so soft! I used a size N hook. I chained 110 and did hdc across (not easy with this yarn). The second and remaining rows, I simply ch 2, hdc between each stitch across. That way I wouldn't have to search for the stitches. :) Came out nicely, I think.

Froggin' it. Argh.

I finished up a round on the doily I'm making for my friend's wedding gift. I take a took at the doily and how it's coming along and I notice it's bunching up in this one section. Oh no! Where I was supposed to split off the shells for between pineapples, I didn't at this one pair. I look and thought I had to go back 5 rounds. My hubby says, "we'll just get her a gift certificate from the mall." I said, "I wanted to save money by making her something, and I wanted to present her with something that I made." He told me it wasn't worth seeing me getting frustrated. Well, I frogged the 4 rounds I need to frog just now and I'll see how far I get on it today. I just need to pause between rounds to make sure things look right. I don't know that I've ever made a mistake quite like this. I mean, I've made mistakes before, but they didn't affect the pattern enough to frog it. This one HAD to be redone. Well, we'll see what comes of this.

5/10/06 W.I.P.s

* Baby blankets for my friend, Beth. She purchased some Department 71 Sofie in Hula Blues and Pastels. I am using an N hook, ch 102, hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each chain across (not as easy as it sounds since I cannot see the stitches. I decide on the 2nd row to, ch2, hdc between 1st and 2nd st, hdc between ea st across. Much easier than trying to see the stitches. I will be doing that until I use all 10 balls. I'm starting with the Pastels. Wow, it's coming out so nicely. I really like the colors and how they look together. * Doily - "Time for Refreshment" by Mayumi Sato. Page 55 from Magic Crochet Issue December 1988, Number 57. Done in ecru size 10 with a 4 hook, I think. I'm hoping to get it done by Saturday for my friend's wedding. * Scarf - "Oval Runner" by Elisabeth Hiddleson. Page 38 from Magic Crochet Issue December 1988, Number 57. Done in white size 10 with a 4 hook, I think. I had made this oval runner for my friend's bridal shower - see post - and her mom had seen it when it was just a long rectangle. She said it would look great as a scarf. She asked if I could make her one when I was finished with the runner. I'll work it through round 100 probably. * Hat - Durango by YarnCat. I'll be doing this in White Caron Simply Soft with a strand of white/silver crochet size 10 thread worked in. My friend who wanted the scarf also wants the hat. She asked if I could make it in white with silver. I thought this the best way to accomplish that task.

Doily woes

I received some patterns from a friend and they are written in Portugese. They do have symbols on them and my friend translated the symbols for me so I could follow the chart. I made one up and there's definately something wrong. I'm thinking I sc'd instead of hdc or something as it's bunching up in some places. I don't even think blocking it would help. I'm disappointed as this doily was going to be a wedding gift for my friend. The wedding is Saturday. I do not have time to make up another one. See above post about my W.I.P.s. I am about 1/2 through another doily I was making just to make. I piled my plate so high and was getting to a point where I didn't want to do anything that I picked out a doily pattern *I* liked. It's nice to be able to work something like that out because it's enjoyable for me. So, I suppose Eileen will be getting that one. It's done in ecru, so I will put a note with it letting her know I will make another for her in white if she prefers.

Bee Doily

Or so my husband says it looks like. :) I was given some pineapple patterns from a friend. They are all written in Porteguese, but they also have a chart, so I am able to read them. The one I am working on has 8 pineapples and they actually do look like a bee. :)

Next WIP

I am continuing my work on the wedding gift for my friend. I found a pattern for a very nice blanket called Heart Strings Afghan in the June 2005 issue of Crochet World. I'm using an I hook and Caron Simply Soft in white. I'll post pictures when I'm done.

Table Runner finished!

The table runner I made for my friend's wedding shower is finished. Her shower was today and, yes, I was crocheting it at the shower. Now, I have read that it's not polite to crochet the gift you are giving at the shower, however, I did ask permission, and my friends know me well enough that I am ALWAYS crocheting. They did not think it rude of me, at all.

It measures 20" wide by 55" long. I crocheted it using size 10 white, cotton thread. I used a pattern from Magic Crochet, December 1988, Number 57. It is #19 in the book, Oval Runner by Elisabeth Hiddleson. I think I used a size 7 hook. It had a stone handle and I forget what size it is. :D It's between a 7 and 5. I started it Good Friday and finished today, so it took a week and 2 days.

Current W.I.P.

I am currently working on a table runner for a friend's wedding shower. It is so beautiful. I cannot wait until it is finished and I iron it so that I can post a picture of it. I think that it will be finished soon. I also want to make the couple a blanket. I am also working on a blanket for another friend who is supposed to be having surgery soon.

Why is it?

Why is it that I always bog myself down with so many projects?

I decided to make a blanket for a friend I met through the internet. She is having surgery on her shoulder. I just jumped, posted that I'd be making her something, found a pattern for a pillowghan (blanket that folds up into a pillow), bought the material and started working on it.

Meanwhile, I had promised Beth I'd made some baby blankets out of this yummy yarn she brought me. This was before I decided to make that friend a "comfort pillowghan".

Now, I have a bridal shower to attend and I want to make a doily or something and also want to make a blanket for a wedding gift.

No, I haven't finished my friends comfort pillowghan. No, I haven't even started on Beth's baby blankets.

I do not know why I do this to myself. I drive myself absolutely bonkers.

My prayer this evening is that the Lord help me organize my time and my projects.

BTW, I am currently listening to Jeremiah Bowser's newest album, Don't Go Away. I absolutely love it. He is currently recording a new album now. You can check out his MySpace for more information. :)

Eric's Ripple Blanket

I received an order for a queen size blanket from a friend. I had made him a lapghan and he wanted a matching one for his queen size bed. I used a pattern from Lion Brand - Ripple Afghan using both Homespun and Chenille. Because of the length, I crocheted 9" of Homespun and then a skein of Chenille which ended up being 3 rows. This is a picture almost finished on my daughters' queen size bed. Close up: Another shot of the blanket:

Sharon's Blanket

My friend's blanket is finished! It measures approx. 46" x 66" and was made with Department 71 Sofia, color Galaxy. I used an N hook and a pattern from Lion Brand called Super Fast and Easy Throw It is so soft and I love it. :)

Ripple blanket order

I had made a blanket for a friend as a gift.

He notified me that he wants to purchase one for his bed to match. So, I am using the same pattern, but modifying it a bit. I will be using 3 skeins of Homespun Prairie and then 1 skein of Chenille Peacock.

Layettes

I finished the layettes and will be taking them to the post office tonight.

Ripple Blanket

There's always one more. :) Just got a request to make a ripple blanket with Lion Brand Chenille and Homespun. It's going to be 90" x 90" to fit a queen size bed. There's a sale next week at Rag Shop. Maybe they'll have the colors I need. I haven't decided if I'm going to make it all Homespun or not. I don't think I'll like the color changes in a blanket that size. Hmmmm.

One more blanket!

Well, I finished blanket 2 of 3. I went out to purchase another pound of yarn, but I couldn't find the right color. So, I'm going to pray that my scraps will be more than enough. Still waiting for my yarn to arrive from Herrschners so that I can start working up that blanket as well. I bought a pattern from Roxy Craft called Springtime Basket that I want to work up. While shopping for the yarn for the layette, I picked up 2 skeins of Caron One Pound in an antique white and an ecru color. They were 2 for $7 and I couldn't pass them up. I'm thinking of making some sort of wraps with them.

Layette update and new order

I don't know what the deal is, but I am having the hardest time staying focused on the blankets for the layettes. A friend of mine has asked me to make her a blanket. I've ordered 21 balls of Department 71 Sophie - color galaxy - from Herrschners. The yarn is on sale and I had an e-mail for free shipping, so I was able to get rush delivery added for the same price as the shipping would have been. I hope the delievery gets here faster than my last order from them. Which was rush and came 7 days later. So, I'm working away on the layette blankies and we'll see what happens....

WIP

I'm working up blanket #2 of 3 for my friend's grand-daughter-to-be. It's longer than I thought it would be, so I'll be using more yarn than I thought, which means I will need to BUY MORE YARN. It seems to be the story of my life. :)

Kendi is finished

:)