Granny's Favorite Prayer Shawl Progress and a New WIP

Eight rows, 72 squares at this point.  I am glad I didn't commit to crocheting one a day or anything like that. 😃 In the last row, I made two two-colored squares.  I may keep doing that once and a while for variety.

My new project is the Eleanor Shrug, a pattern that I originally saw on Ravelry. I am using some yarn I bought at Big Lots a while ago.  I am making this for myself.

I am linking my post to the places listed on this page.


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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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Baby Cocoons

I have made three baby cocoons for little ones recently, and now that they have gone to the recipients, I can share the pictures with you.

The first was for a preemie, who was only two pounds at birth, and 14 inches long.  Fortunately for he and the parents, he grew out of it quicker than I was able to get it to him.

The other two were for newborns, and stretched a little more.  I adapted a pattern from Christina's Sunshine Haven.  In the first one, I decided to sew up the top, to make a hood. I only used one strand of yarn, so it is really stretchy.

The other one is made with two strands of yarn.  I took off the top part, the head rest, and made it a little longer.  I also made a matching hat.  This is the one that was my favorite.

I asked the new mom for a picture of the babe in that one.  I hope it fit!

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FO Friday (night!)

I did manage to finish a sweater vest that I had started crocheting for my husband last winter.  I didn't do anything with it over the summer, because it was so hot.  Since it is cooling down again, and I wanted to finish it in time for him to wear it this year, I have been working on it the last couple of weeks.  I found a pattern for it in an old Workbasket magazine, and used some of my bargain yarn from "Big Lots."  I added the stripe of burgundy in the front, and I like the vertical stripes of front post stitches.  Some of those patterns in that magazine are timeless!

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FO Friday~10/26

Well, it is still Friday where I am, so I guess I will join in to FO Friday.  I have crocheted a Mobius Cowl.  The yarn is some I got at Stitches Midwest.  It is from Blue Heron Yarns, in the colorway called Dawn.  I bought a 400 yard skein of this soft twist wool, and it was enough to do this project.  I was inspired to make a smaller version of  The Crochet Dude's Mobius Cowl in his book of crochet patterns called  "Hug it Out."  I had also bought an autographed copy of this book at Stitches Midwest.  After playing around with the finished project, I found a couple of ways to wear it:

Over the shoulders

Draped cowl

as a scarf

 I also had a picture of it as a hood, but didn't like how it looked, so I didn't post it. ;)

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Finished Object Friday

It has been two weeks since I posted on Friday, and I have both a knitted and a crocheted piece to show you.

The knitted piece is a shawl done in straigth garter stitch, with a two stripes of  stockinette stitch, just because I got bored with all the K rows!  I love the variegated yarn colors of white, navy blue and maroon.  I think it is Red Heart yarn.  I don't know for sure, because I used yarn from a top I had made myself quite a while ago.

Knitted Shawl

The crocheted piece is a seat cover that I made for my office chair at school.  I came back from summer vacation to find that someone (probably a summer worker) had stepped on the seat cushion of my chair and made tiny gauges that grew every time I sat in it.  I decided to make a granny square to cover those marks. It is made of some nylon/wool yarn that should hold up pretty well.

That's it for me this week.  Please see the links on my "Sharing" page to see where I am linking today.
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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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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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WIP Wednesday

Both legs of  baby ovearall back are done!

 I have been busy with finishing up on one of my projects, which I will post on Friday, but here are the other two.  The knitted overalls have the back almost completed.  I have to do another inch in stocking stitch, and then an inch in ribbing.

More stripes on Prayer Shawl

The prayer shawl is half way done.  I told my friends that I wasn't going to try to match up the stripes, but I find myself doing so after all. :)

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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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Star Baby Blanket

Another teacher is having a baby.  This blanket is for one of my husband's colleagues.  I used some fun-fur type mixed fiber yarn that I got at Big Lots and some yellow Red Heart Super Saver yarn.  I made up the pattern as I went.  I may try to write up the pattern. If anyone is interested,  let me know in the comments section.

Linking to my regular sites, on the right side of my blog, as well as this new site.

April Blog Hop

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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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Apache Tears Shawl TA DAAH!

I am thinking I want to keep this, but it is another prayer shawl for charity.  I am very pleased with how it turned out.  I was kind of surprised how well the color combination turned out, too, especially with the pink/rose ombre. I am pretty sure I will be making this pattern again.

To see more finished objects, go to Natural Suburbia and Tami's Amis.

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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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Something I Made for Myself

It has been a while since I made something for myself.  I tried to knit a shawl, but I didn't like how it was turning out, so I took it out and designed a crocheted shawl instead.  The yarn was another bargain I got at Big Lots for a dollar a skein, and it only took three skeins.  It was a unique yarn, with about three strands of different colors that made an interesting blend.  I unraveled the strands for the fringe.  It looks blue in natural light, but the picture doesn't show its natural color.  The funny thing is, it has been in the 70-80's this week, so I haven't really had an opportunity to wear it much.

Fringe closeup

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Knitted Baby Sweater

This sweater has been finished for about a week.  My phone stopped working and things at work got hectic, so I am back today to post.  I haven't done much with knitting or crocheting for a week or so, and I am not sure when I will be back to it.  Suffice to say,  my posting will be limited.  At least you can see the color a little better in this photo.

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Another Knitted WIP Wednesday

I started another knitting project this week.  It is going to be a baby sweater.  The yarn is a kind of heather mauve/maroon that I purchased at Big Lots for a dollar a skein! I am using a pattern from a box of leaflets that I got in the bargain bin at Barnes & Noble, so I guess you could say I am being really thrifty with this project.  So far, I have finished the back side of the cardigan.  I am not really happy with the bodice part of the pattern, but I will see how the rest of it goes before I try it again...

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Tuesday Tally

I have completed a 5 x 5 square grid that is about 24."  I want to add another row of squares at the top and the bottom, but I don't know which side I should put them on, and which colors I should use.  Please advise.  Any input is appreciated.

Gingerbread Girl

Prayer Shawl

Made with Loops and Threads Ombre in the color called "Luxury," and trimmed with Moda Dea Dream yarn. It is so soft and warm!  I pray that it is the comfort intended for the person who receives it.

Inspire Me Monday

Magical Monday Blog Hop