Savannah's Song

6/6/08 Update - Sadly, Savannah passed away about 2 weeks ago. Prayers of comfort and healing to her family.

My friend's daughter's friend, Savannah, is 14 years old and has a brain tumor. The doctors are saying she will not live long.

When I crochet, I touch every inch of every fiber that goes into the project. I pray over the items when I crochet them.

When I heard about Savannah, I immediately wondered what I could make for her.

I was thinking a hat, because I thought she would be losing her hair during the treatments. But the doctors say that with the type of treatments they are using, she will not be losing her hair.

And, we live in Florida, so hats aren't too helpful.

I went to the craft store to pick out some yarn. I picked up some Bernat Bamboo in Water and used an L hook. It's one of my favorite yarns to work with, it's so soft. It's 89% Bamboo and 11% Acrylic. One of the free patterns on the label was for a shrug (basically a rectangle sewed about 8-10 inches from each end to make sleeves). I thought this would be a nice accessory to give her.

It's about 42" x 14". I used my 14-year-old daughter as a model for sizing and for photos.

I just kept hearing, in my head, "Savannah's Song" as I was making this. I also like to search the scriptures to add a Bible verse to the items I make. I really felt that these verses are for Savannah.

Psalm 42:7-8 Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.

By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life.

Unconventional Baby Blanket

I have been asked to make a baby blanket for a friend whose friend is having a baby. The baby is due in April. I asked if they knew if the baby was a boy or girl. She told me a boy. She told me his name and why he was going to be named that. I am creating a blanket in afghan stitch and will be adding his name to the blanket in cross stitch (I hope since I've never cross stitched before). The blanket will then be edged appropriately.

I'm keeping this a secret until the project has been finished, but let's just say that the musicians reading this may appreciate it. I have also consulted my husband with textures and colors.

k-jacket in green

A friend of mine had seen a jacket/bolero worn by Joyce Meyers and asked if I could make her something similar. I was confident I could find a pattern in my millions of patterns around, but nothing jumped out at me. I then became nervous as I knew this would me I would have to try my hand at designing. And since I'm a perfectionist, this was not something I looked forward to.

I started by choosing the yarn. She told me the color she desired and I had in mind a certain yarn. I went to Michael's to check it out and the yarn was perfect. I chose Bernat Satin Sport in Jade. My friend wanted the jacket to have small openings so one would see the color of the shirt under it. I chose a pattern in Jean Leinhauser's book 101 stitches for afghans, stitch #40. I crocheted it in 8 pieces. Front left and right, back, sleeves, edging left, right and bottom. There were a few times I needed to frog it, however that was due to me not taking measurements properly. I was so concerned with making sure it wouldn't be too big that it was too small. It would have fit like a shirt, but she wanted to wear a shirt under it.

I must say that the Lord really showed me what to do with this jacket. I had crocheted vests before and took my knowledge of that to make the pieces, but a jacket is a bit different. I prayed and asked for guidance and He really met me and showed me what to do. I have not been to design school or anything like that. I learned to crochet reading patterns and sometimes panic if I don't have a pattern to follow - I just draw a blank. So this jacket was an awesome work of God. He used my hands to make it. :)

Well, I had finally finished it and she wore it Sunday. I got a picture of it on my iPhone, and once my camera comes, I'll get some more photos.

Guitar Stand Cozy

A while ago, I had crocheted a cozy/cover for my husband's guitar stand. It was an older stand and he just wanted something soft around it so his guitar could be protected.

He has the guitar stand on the stage at our church where he leads worship. One of the team members saw it and asked if I could make one for him. His brother makes guitars and uses a finishing on the guitars that the stuff on new guitar stands eats through or something. So he wanted something that would also protect his guitar.

I explained to him that the cover was crocheted directly onto the stand. I would need the stand in order to do the project. He went out and purchased a new stand and I used a skein of yarn that had been given to me by an online friend. I have no idea what kind of yarn it is. It appears to be wool(ish) and worsted weight. But it's a bit silkier than wool.

So I crocheted 2 rectangles for the legs and sewed them on, leaving a hole towards the bottom where the body of the guitar rests on the stand. That is covered by a foam that we do not believe eats through the finishing. If it seems to do so, I will cover that part as well. I also crocheted a cap for the stand. I crocheted it in 3 pieces, front, back and top; sewed them together and then sewed the cap to the legs.

He was very pleased with the outcome, as was I.

A new picture will be added when I get my new camera.

Jocelyn Cape

I made this cape for my daughter. I'll be making a second one for my younger daughter as well. It's from a pattern from Gourmet Crochet.

I used Caron Simply Soft Shadows Moss Green and a J hook.

Emmanuel Banner

I was inspired by Ashley Blalock and created this banner which I plan on hanging at my church above my table which shows some of my crochet work.

I used size 10 crochet thread, a 7 hook and FFF Kristha ribbon and an L hook.

For more pictures, see here.

iPhone pouch

I got myself an iPhone on Saturday. I LOVE it. I had to crochet up a pouch to keep it safe in my purse or pockets.

I first made one up using a hdc stitch, which wasn't bad, but I like the sc look better.

This one is made up using Bernat Cashmere which is 65% Acrylic, 30% Nylon, 5% Cashmere. The color is Rain.

I also crocheted a hairband around the top to keep it closed.

They're heeeere!

On September 6, I ordered some Susan Bates crochet hooks with bamboo handles from Coates Collection by Herrschners. They were having a sale (still are) where you can buy a set of 8 hooks for $12.97. Good deal since, if you purchase them separately, it would cost $22.xx.

They were on backorder so I had to wait FOREVER. I almost gave up, and would have given up if they were sold locally.

I received e-mail notification that they shipped last Thursday. They came today. I ripped out my current project - a baby blanket a friend asked me to make for her friend. I hadn't gotten very far, so it wasn't a big deal. I like them. I like Susan Bates hooks and figured I'd like these. I was right. :)

I. Need. To. Work. With. Yarn.

I was working on that filet banner thing. It's going to say, "Emmanuel God With Us". Us and With are finished. DO and part of G are finished. But I just have to work with yarn again.

Last night I drove to Michaels and picked up 8 balls of Patons SWS in Natural Pink. I'm making a vest - #8 Empire Vest as featured in Paton's The Look pattern book. It's coming along nicely. I needed to switch to a size larger hook than the pattern called for, of course. I should have started large. SWS is NOT frogger friendly.

This with be for 1 of 4 or 5 girls at church. Who knows. Maybe they'll all love it and beg their mommies to lay down $51 each so I can buy the yarn to make the vest. LOL

Such a dilemma

I'm making a thread project. But I miss working with yarn. I want to go to Michael's and pick up some Lion Brand Suede to make a vest or some Paton's SWS to make a vest. The dilemma? Scott is going to be taking me to a LYS on Saturday. We're going to the Boca Town Center Mall (Apple Store) to get him a new iPod (Emily, our oldest daughter is going to be getting his old one for her birthday) and I figured since we were in the neighborhood, could we check out Great Balls of Yarn. I've never been there.

I don't usually like going into a LYS without having a project in mind, and I don't know what they carry. I suppose I could go to "scout" the joint out.

See? Dilemma. Go to Michaels, spend my money on Suede or Wool/Soy or wait (that's the key word here) until Saturday to see what the LYS has in store for me.

A shawl for Sorrita

A dear woman I know was wearing a friend's shawl today. She asked me if I would make one up for her. I looked at it - it seems simple enough. I just needed to find some fine or sport weight mohair or wool in an off-white. I found Paton Lacette (39% nylon, 36% acrylic and 25% mohair) in cream. It's really nice. Not the easiest to work with because of the mohair and using a size D hook. But, if Sorrita likes it, it will be more than worth it. She's a lovely lady and I am blessed to have known her. She is going through chemo for cancer and my heart just goes out to her. I will be praying healing over this shawl for her.

Inspired by Ashley V. Blalock

I am going to be crocheting banners/ribbons with words from the scriptures prophesying the Savior's birth. I was inspired by the works of Ashley V. Blalock. So far, I'm using white #10 thread and a 7 hook.

MORE yarn

I (mistakenly?) stopped at Tuesday Morning. I had to get some coffee beans from Dunkin' Donuts and Tuesday Morning is right across the street. I was alone and had some money, so I thought I'd check out the store. I had never been there. Well, it's very junky looking on the inside, but if one is willing to sort through and walk through the entire store, one is probably able to find something.

I heard that they sell yarn there. I really didn't know what to expect. I found 6 cardboard bins of yarn. They were all just tossed in with each other, some yarn was dreadfully fuzzy from being tossed aside with other yarn. Most were small balls of ribbon yarn, furs, etc. I did find a skein or two of homespun, but those were the ones that were really too fuzzy from being in there for so long. While sitting on the floor - yes, it was junky, I'm sure the floors were dirty, but the yarn was on the bottom shelf and there were no tables or shelves for me to put the yarn on, and I didn't want to miss one single skein - I found some Kristha Metallic. First I found 2 60 yd balls in this real pretty pink/white ribbon. Then I found 3 balls of black/gray/white. I was going to get all 5 and then I found more yarn and another ball of black/gray/white. I settled on 4 balls of the black/gray/white. This yarn is from Italy, and the tag says it's regularly priced at $11.00. I got them for $4.99 each.

When I got home, I searched, couldn't find the website, but saw a place selling it for $10.99 a ball. Cool deal.

What will I make with it? I have no idea. :)

Altering Creator of the Universe shawl

I have come to the conclusion that the shawl I made is simply too long. After thinking about it, I am going to alter it. I am going to add to it to make a nice, long blanket. It's only 17" wide, so I'll have to add quite a bit. But I haven't decided what to add. Maybe some different colors of Homspun and Suede, maybe some other kinds of yarns like SWS and Chunky Softee. Just some thoughts....

Crocheting a dream details

I'm using Bernat Satin Sport in beige and a G hook.

Crocheting a dream

First, I'll start off saying that it's my belief that God speaks through dreams. Not every dream is from God, but those dreams from Him are there.

I'm quite a dreamer. I try to remember to write them down and see what God (if it's from Him) is saying to me.

Let me also interject here that I have been praying and asking God to help me design my own crochet projects. There are a TON of wonderful crochet patterns out there, but along the way, in this funky world of design, some of these designers got the message to tell others who use their patterns that they are NOT to sell items made with their patterns. Frankly, I think that's a bit snobbish of them. Do they seriously think they'd be able to fill all those orders? No, I think they don't want someone else making a profit using their pattern. As this whole electronic/internet age widens out and I read more about what others are doing, it just saddens me. Before I purchase patterns, I read what the designers do not want you to do with their patterns. If they do not want finished products sold, I refuse to purchase their patterns. I will gladly lay out money for patterns, just not for those. Trust me, I can be snobbish right back.

Where was I? Ok, so in light of all that, I thought it would just be easier if I could make up my stuff from my own pattern and had been asking God for help. See, I don't want to take the time to do the designing. I want to go straight to the crocheting. I admire and appreciate the work that goes into designing crochet patterns. That's why I don't mind paying for them. But I thought, hey, maybe God will give me something in my dreams. I won't know unless I ask. And I believe that when I ask, He will answer in some way.

I had dreamed about crochet 2 other times that I can remember. But I didn't follow through with crocheting them out because I was too intimidated. I'm a perfectionist and was afraid of messing it up or not getting it right. I think if I had just simply worked them up the next day, He would have blessed my work and I would be getting better at this. I did write those dreams down, but since I cannot draw, those images are lost. :(

2 nights ago, however, I was crocheting in my dream. The focus was on the work I was doing at one point, but for the most part, even though I was walking around crocheting, the focus was on other parts of the dream.

I wrote the dream down, and wrote down as much detail of the crochet as I could remember. The piece made no sense to me and I didn't know what it was. I had some other things I wanted to finish yesterday, so I put the dream crochet on the back burner, periodically thinking about that dream, wondering if I'd try it out. It was a bit simpler than the others I had dreamed, but there was still that fear there. How do I start it out? What if I don't get the pattern exact? And just what the heck is it? Yes, I was saying "what the heck is it?" to God. Like He doesn't know my thoughts anyway... :)

On Friday nights we go to church. Our church started having a Friday night service years ago. It was strange, at first, going to church on a Friday night, but now I cannot imagine doing anything else. The kids and I get there about an hour and a half before church starts. I brought along the yarn I used in my dream and began. I was going to start with a swatch because that's what you do, right? Well, how many designers get patterns from God in their dreams? I'm sure some of them do, but I think I'm skipping that swatch stage (yay!). So, the swatch didn't work out as I didn't know how to work a swatch for this particular piece. I just dove right in. It was funny. As people came in, they asked what I was making. I said, "I don't know. I'm crocheting a dream." I still don't know what it's going to be and I don't know if it will BE anything. I think God was saying, "You asked for a pattern. I gave you one. Now, are YOU going to do anything with it? If you do, I will give you more." So, against every fiber of my being, I will complete this. Why is it so hard? Because I don't know it's purpose. It's hard enough to walk by faith, but crochet by faith? And the fact that this is so difficult for me shows me it's from God. My flesh screaming out in rebellion is a good indicator.

We shall see what transpires.

Digital Recorder Case

My friend asked me to make up a case for her Digital Recorder. It's 1 3/4" x 4". I forgot to measure the depth. I didn't even measure the width and height, as I didn't have my tape measure handy. I just drew around it on a piece of paper. :D But, it's about 1" thick (deep).

I had just under $20 with me, so I went to Michaels. I thought I wanted to work it up in SWS, so I picked up 2 balls of Natural Blue which is a light blue, lighter blue, beige and light beige. I know it would look nice in that, but my friend is a bit more classic in her taste. She wears flashy things once in a while, but I think something in one color and a cream/beige would be best for her. So, in addition to the 2 balls of SWS (hey! I WAS on sale. I couldn't pass that up.), I picked up a ball of Bernat Satin Sport in Beige. Pretty color and I think it will work well for her.

I'm going to use a G hook and simple single crochets. Hopefully I won't have to frog too much. The question for me is, what to do at the top? Pull string or flap/button down? I guess I'll see how it progresses.

Hooker I Am

I would crochet in a box.
I would crochet with a fox.
I would crochet in a house.
I would crochet with a mouse.
I would crochet here or there.
I would crochet anywhere!
I would crochet green eggs and ham.
I do like them, hooker-I-am!

Originally Posted by Mermaiden on Crochetville.

Eve's blanket

My friend, who had me make up a blanket for her son-in-law's sister's new baby, received an e-mail from the recipient and forwarded it to me. I love hearing things like this back from the recipients. Makes my heart smile. :)

---

Hi _{c-mama's friend}!

Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the gift you sent with _{your daugher and her husband (my brother)}! The blanket is so beautiful!! It is honestly one of the best presents I have ever received and _{my husband} and I were so touched by it. I am sure that Ève will cherish it for always!!

Attached is a picture of Ève with her new Godparents. _{This part deleted for lack of significance to this post}

Thanks again for thinking of us. I truly adore the gift, it is sooooo beautiful!!!

Love,

_{Your son-in-law's sister}

SWS Bag and Beret

I made up a bag and beret using Patons SWS in Natural Earth. To find out more about the pattern I used, see this post. I used an I hook. The pattern called for 3 balls for the bag. But I used 2 plus a little bit from the 3rd. A friend's daughter, a junior in high school, asked me if I'd be able to make a beret like one her friend has from Urban Outfitters. Well, I couldn't find a pattern I was happy with (in making it look similar to the ones at Urban Outfitters), so I tried to make up something. It wasn't big enough for a teenager, but it fits my 12 year old. :)

The bag measures 9" wide at the bottom, 2" deep and 18" from the bottom to the top of the strap.

It's not lined, so I can't put heavy things in it, but it's great for a ball or two of yarn, some hooks, my wallet, keys, etc. Perfect little purse for ME! :)