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.
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.
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.
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".
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.
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. :)
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. :)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
An internet friend of mine and his wife recently moved into a new home - a new state, too. I wanted to make them a housewarming gift.
I used a pattern from Lion Brand, Super Fast and Easy Throw, an N hook and Lion Brand Homespun, Williamsburg.
I didn't record the exact measurements, but it's around 44" x 60".
