WIP Wednesday

This week I am crocheting a little more.  I finished my last radiation treatment today.  My oncologist encouraged me to keep as active as I can, so I consider crocheting a therapy for my cancer.  :-)

I started a new Corner to Corner baby blanket, using more yarn from my stash and a pattern from Ravelry.  I have used Simply Soft yarn in Baby Bright Ombre and Snuggly Wuggly yarn in Soft Lilac so far.  I am almost to the point where I will start decreasing, to make a rectangle.  I ended up buying more yarn today, as I ran out of the Simply Soft yarn.  I hope it will blend in.

My other project, Granny's Favorite prayer shawl, is 2/3 done.  I have crocheted 162 squares into 18 rows of 9 squares each.  I have nine more rows to go.   I like how it looks like several nine-patch quilt blocks.

I finished reading Daughter of Twin Oaks by Lauraine Snelling.  I really enjoyed this book, with it's surprising ending.  I also finished another book on my Nook, The Preacher's Bride by Jody Hedlund. It is set in the 1600's, in England, around the time when the Puritans were being persecution by the Royalists.  At the end of the book, the author says the book is inspired by the story of John Bunyan, the author of Pilgrims Progress, and his second wife, Elizabeth.  I received both books for free from Book Bub and read them on my Nook Color.

I am sharing this post at the links on this page.

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Four Finished Projects

I am staying home a lot lately, except for doctor appointments, so I have had more time to finish things.  I guess it also helps that they are smaller projects. ☺

The Star Blanket is the first project completed this week.  I used this pattern from Yarnspirations, but used worsted weight yarn from my stash.  I edged it with one row of white dc, and one row of variegated slip stitch.  I tried to do sc first, but ran out of yarn!

The next project was supposed to be a baby sleeper, but turned into a "fleece" vest.  I was using yarn from my stash again, and didn't know how much there was.  So, I yet again ran out.  It looks warm a cuddly.

In honor of Valentine's Day, I made a Heart 

Valentine Candy Basket.  This is another Yarspirations pattern you can find here.  Instead of the yarn listed, I  used a ribbon yarn from my stash.  I originally made it for us, but my husband suggested that I gift it.  We'll see.

Last night I made this Triple Loop Skinny Scarf. I used a free pattern from Little Monkeys Crochet, that you can find here. Again, using stash yarn, I had to modify the pattern.  I used an L hook, worsted weight yarn for the main rows, and edged it with novelty yarn with single crochet.  I added an antique button from my button jar for the wrap piece.  This is my favorite project of the week, and definitely a keeper.

I am linking this post to the parties on this page.

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Finally Back

I have been away from this blog for over a year.  Life got very busy, and I had to choose between this blog and another one at WordPress.  Obviously, this is the one I had stopped posting on.  I have continued to crochet, but have not posted the pictures and wips on here.  Because of a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer and it's complications, along with MS, I have had to quit working and have more time on my hands.  So I am here again.

I crochet many prayer shawls and baby items/children's clothes for mission projects at my local church, and the most recent item is the Zig Zag Filet Car Seat Blanket.  The pattern is from a book published by Leisure Arts.  I made it from some old yarn I had in my stash, Sayelle, in the color Frosted Cherry.

I am linking this post to the places on my Sharing Page.

30 Minute Comfy Cowl

When I saw this pattern on All Free Crochet, and read the post written about it at Busting Stitches, I felt like I had to take the challenge right then and see how long it took me to crochet this comfy cowl.  I used some ivory handspun wool that my husband had brought back to me on a trip to Oregon.  It is so soft, I knew it would be perfect for this cowl.  I watched a couple of TV shows, and was also doing laundry, and it took about three hours for me.

I love the textured waves in this pattern.  When I finished it, I decided I wanted to stitch the ends together instead of using buttons.  I really like how it looks on me, and like how it doesn't hug my neck.  Warm enough, but not too hot to wear.

Look on my Sharing page to see where I am linking up.

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Gingham Baby Blanket

I have fallen way behind on my Granny-a-Day Challenge.  Back in September, I bought a bag of granny squares already made for $3.  All I had to do was stitch them together.  There was probably more than 200.

I started with the white, light blue and dark blue squares, and based my blanket off a pattern in one of my granny square books.  I finished with a border of dc's in a soft fuzzy blue yarn from my yarn stash.

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Stitches Midwest 2012

When I first heard of Stitches Midwest a year ago, I was actually up in the area where it was held, on the weekend when it was held, but I decided not to go at the last minute.  This year, I promised myself I would go, and I did.

This is a show/expo hosted by Knitting Universe, with several events and classes as well as a large market place.  I decided to only go to the market place for my first experience.  Next year I may decide to participate in a class.  There was plenty to do and see.  There were thousands of yards of yarn, hundreds of books and patterns, kits galore, wool  drop spindles, knitting needles, and other items too numerous to mention. There were "yarn tastings," demonstrations of techniques/gadgets  and appearances by some crochet celeb's~ Drew Emborsky, aka The Crochet Dude, and Kristin Ohmdahl.  There were also representatives from some charity organizations.

Project Linus is one of those groups.  They had an area as part of their booth where people could sit and crochet a granny square that would be added to other granny squares to make blankets.  The colors are red, white and blue, and the blankets that are made go to children that have lost a loved one who was in the military.

Ladies at the Project Linus booth, with a blanket and squares behind them.

I made sat down and made a square, in the Filet Starburst Pattern that I have been using lately.

I also learned a needle felting technique, and made a flower.  When I finished, I realized that the color of the flower would go perfectly on the purse that I had brought with me.

What a great experience!  I can't wait to go again next year.

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WIP Update

Prayer Shawl/Lapghan

So, I have been making this for two weeks now, with more progress lately than before.  I have changed patterns, needles and frogged and started over at least twice. But now I am through a whole ball of yarn,  I am sticking with this.  It is rows and rows of garter stitch with a stripe of stocking stitch near the end of the current ball of yarn. I like the trees and shadows that I see coming out in the first section.  Do you see it?  Now that I have stuck with this pattern for so many rows, I think I will finish it much faster than I started.

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Playtime Overalls

Yes, they are finished!  As you can see, I ran out of the variegated yarn, so I put my spin on the pattern with the white bib, red straps and blue buttons.  All in all, a success.

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Progress on WIP

The back half of the overalls is done, and the front legs are started.  With the other projects I am doing, this is a pretty good pace.  I believe this is the second most complicated knitting pattern I have used, so it is going pretty well.  I know it will keep a little one warm this fall/winter.

Linking with these sites:  

Work in Progress

Susan D's

Ambassador Crochet

Simply Crochet

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Baby Ensemble

There are many people I know having babies, so I just keep making outfits and blankets for the newborns.  Someday I will be donating to the local charity again. :)

This sacque and bonnet were from a pattern in Workbasket Magazine from September 1985.  I used Gala Yarns in baby pink.  The only adjustment I made to the pattern was that I made an i-cord instead of using ribbon for the ties. The pattern included instructions for booties, but I chose not to include them.  I find that patterns like these are timeless.  I hope that the receiver is as pleased as I was making it.


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In the Loop

My newest creation was a difficult one.  I found Crochet! Magazine's Easy, No-Sew Crochet at a local store.  It had over 60 projects with no needle assembly required.  I couldn't wait to start my first pattern.  I finally decided to try the "In the Loop" pattern that is described as a halter-style vest that can also be worn as a buttoned cowl.  I used Red Heart's Super Soft in Burgundy and Gala Yarn for the scallop edging.

It took me three times with crocheting the entire pattern, including the time-consuming scallop edging, before I finally got it to fit right.  For some reason, in the second half of the pattern each row had to be crocheted in reverse order.  I  don't know if it is a left-handed thing, or what.  Anyway, I am pleased with the result.  I think it was worth the effort.

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WIP Wednesday

I can't believe I am knitting again already. :)  I have started a baby blanket made with Patons Mosaic yarn in the color called Mexican Tile.  It is paired with Incredible ribbon yarn from Lion brand in a pink/fuchsia combination using size 10 circular needles.  This has been working up pretty fast. The pattern is called the Hints-of-Spring Afghan from The Little Box of Knits for Baby, the source of the pattern for the sweater I recently finished.

I am almost done with my Apache Tears Prayer Shawl.  I only have eight more rows, and hope to be able to share it for FO Friday.

You can see more WIPs at Tami's Amis, and Ambassador Crochet.

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Granny a Day Week 7

Since finishing the baby blanket, I have gone back to crocheting granny squares from my BH&G Crocheting & Knitting book, using my stash.  However, I did make one special square that I found online for Valentine's Day.

Granny Heart Square

Diamond Circle Motif

Diamond Circle Motif

Violet Motif

Rose Motif

Diamond Square Motif (modified)

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Apache Tears Redo

Two weeks ago, I shared the first twelve rows of the Apache Tears pattern I was using to make a prayer shawl.  The above photo shows what I had finished, so far.  My intention was to use a variegated rose yarn as the fourth stripe, and as the week went on, I did that, plus another repeat.  So I thought I would have 32 rows done,  but in the middle of the thirty-second row, I ran out of the variegated yarn!  When I was trying to decide what to do, I discovered that I had completely missed the fourth row.  Being the conscientious crafter, I had to frog all rows back to the third row, and, as long as I was there, I decided to add four more colors to the mix.  I am really happy I did that, and this is the result, so far.

WIP Wednesday

Since I finished the other prayer shawl on Sunday, I jumped right into a new one on Monday.  I am using the Apache Tears pattern in grey heather, off-white, maroon, and a variegated pink/maroon.  I have twelve rows so far, over 254 stitches.  I like how the "tears" are so prominent with the light/ dark contrast.

Bubble Suit and Bunting Update

Since I made the bunting, I was in the mood to do more quick projects.  I saw a pattern for a bubble suit I liked on Miracles Happen and decided that was my next project.  I used some scrap sport weight yarn and decided to put my own spin on the pattern by making the bottom part look like a separate pair of shorts.  I hope a new mother will be happy to have it for her newborn boy.  It will be donated to my local church mission project.

I also decided to add the trim on the bunting, and am pleased how it turned out.  It is a little more feminine for the new baby girl.

Tuesdays Tallies on Granny a Day

This is my baby blanket so far, with the first square I made January first, plus the other ones I made the second week and into the third.  I keep moving the squares around, until I get a color combination I like, but I know how it is all going to come together now.  That is, unless I change my mind again, or run out of scraps in those colors. :)

Linking to Tuesday's Tallies

Puppy Snuggle Blanket

Recently, I became blog friends with Melissa at Lazy Day Crochet, and she posted about a snuggle blanket for a toddler, with a puppy's head.  She was looking to find testers for the pattern she had made.  I signed up to be a tester, and was one of the three chosen.

This is my end result.  It is made with about four ounces of one color, and a small amount of the second color in worsted weight yarn.  When spread out, the blanket is about 16"x18" ~ just the right size for a toddler.  The pattern is easy to follow, and will be for sale soon.

Linking to  Magical Monday Blog Hop, Creative Everyday, and Make Something Mondays

Scrap Yarn Dog Blanket

When I saw a video tutorial yesterday for a Lazy Wave Crochet Afghan from The Crochet Crowd. I decided to use scrap yarn and make a blankie for our dog, Pippi.  I used variegated scraps and some matching scraps to create the piece, following Michael's pattern.  It's not perfect, but I don't think Pippi will complain. ;0p  Besides, it is reusable, washable, and nicer than the old newspapers she used to put in her crate when we had to leave the house. ;)

Grannies for Week #1

This is is how I will be posting the granny squares this week, but I am not sure how I will continue. I may do one each day, or weekly, or monthly, depending on my time.  I have enjoyed the challenge so far, and have used up several scraps.  I have been using patterns primarily from two books.  The first book is "The Great Granny Crochet Book" from the American School of Needlework, and the second book is Better Homes and Gardens "Crocheting & Knitting."  I got each of these books from garage sales, and am eager to complete some more of these patterns.  If you were a follower before this challenge started, most of the granny square ornament patterns I did at Christmas were from the first book.



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#6 Diamond Square Motif

#7   Star Motif