New Crochet Offerings

I've been crocheting this summer although not as often as I might have intended.    It's just been too darned hot!!!!  I am more than ready for a real autumn and all the cool weather it can bring with it, to say nothing of being ready for a cold and snug winter season!  However, I have been working on another baby ripple and here is some of my progress.

I am almost finished and at present I'm putting 3 rows of hdc on each side in each of the 3 colors used in the blanket.  I have one side completed and it looks really lovely, now for the side with all of my color ends to weave in and it'll be a 'wrap' so to speak, both literally and figuratively.  :)

I've also begun a baby shells blanket using Caron Simply Soft for the first time and a size I crochet hook.  I'm loving how soft this yarn is to work with and the definition that the rows of shells have as I go along.  Actually, I'm further along than this photo shows but haven't taken another picture recently.  I will put one in my next post, I promise.

I do think that now that summer is supposedly over (that's the biggest joke yet), I will be picking up my crochet hook daily rather than semi-weekly so there will be more pictures to show you.  I certainly wish all of you happy autumn days with gorgeous leafy colors and apple cider, pumpkins, and all your favorite things.

Crochet Inspiration!

                                        Completed Colorful Baby Ripple Blanket 

I just visited Lucy's blog, Attic 24 and been thoroughly transported to 'merry old England' which suits me just fine and which brightened my day considerably!  The sheer beauty of her photos and the friendly way she has of sharing her everyday world is a tonic for my outlook.  I  haven't been blogging much these days, but one visit to Lucy's blog and I realize how remiss I've been and how much I've missed putting down my thoughts about my daily life and my crochet goodies.  

On the crochet front these days it's been 'slim pickens' to coin a phrase.  However, I've been inspired (yes, from none other than Lucy herself) to begin a baby ripple in a variety of bright and cheerful colors, using her pattern, naturally.  :)  I intend to begin in the next day or so and I will share pictures with you as some progress emerges.  In the meantime, I wish you all much crocheted joy along with whatever inspirations you find along the way.

Grandchildren, Yes!

Talk about a long time since I've updated anything here on my crochet blog...yikes!
I haven't been crocheting as much as I've wanted to but that's no one's fault but my own.  I did manage to complete a baby blanket for my grandchild who is due in March.  (Update:  it's a girl, Claire Elizabeth, and she's adorable).  I can't seem to find a picture of the lovely ripple baby blanket I crocheted for Claire but I'll keep looking and if I find it I'll post it here. (YAY:  Found the picture!)

I'm lucky enough to have another grandchild due in June and we don't know whether it's a boy or girl so I have completed the one above and I'm working on another one just in case it's a boy.  (Update:  it's a boy, Owen Michael and he's adorable.)

Christmas was totally lovely and enjoyable hosted by my youngest son and his lovely wife who couldn't have done a better job.  The food was delicious and everything was decorated so beautifully.  These two are truly a great couple with so much love and caring for their family and I appreciate that so much more than words can express.  They are one of the couples who are expecting their second child this June.....such a lucky little one.  The other couple is my son, Matt and his wife Amy who are expecting their second baby in March and again, how lucky can the little one get to have such wonderful, loving parents.

As for the 'so called' winter months here......they AREN'T.  It's been way above normal temps here other than a couple of days sprinkled in just to entice the winter lovers, and then it's right back to mid to high 50's and even low 60's.....ACK!!!  In any event, I'm making the most out of it and thankful that I have the good health and energy to enjoy each and everyday.  The good news is that I've lost 15 pounds and am on my way to the next 15 so it doesn't get any better than this, at least for moi.

Easter Decorating!

Here is my humble offering for the Easter season's decorating in our home.  I got the pattern from Lion Brand's site and it's a keeper, to be sure!  I had such fun crocheting the eggs and used worsted weight on most of them rather than the suggested baby yarn, ergo, my easter eggs are the 'jumbo' size, LOL.   I made a few changes to the basket as well, using 2 strands together rather than 3, since I used worsted once again and I decided to finish the top of the basket itself with a reverse single crochet because I feel that it looks prettier than just ending off at my last single crochet.   I used Vanna's Choice acrylic yarn in case you're wondering.  I don't think I'm finished making the eggs yet, and if I make too many, I will give some to my granddaughters along with another basket to keep them in.

 Here are some springtime blooms to make your heart lighter now that spring is here, at least as far as the calendar is concerned.  It hasn't felt much like spring other than a few days here and there but it's still early in the game, so we'll wait and see.  I want to take more pictures this year of the beauty of nature in and around my neck of the woods, so I will share them with you from time to time. 

In the meantime, I'm going to begin a baby blanket using 'birdlebee's' Rasberry Ripple pattern and rather than the pinks and whites in hers, I plan to use baby blues and white, most likely with Vanna's Choice or Encore Worsted because I believe in having yarns that are soft and lovely on the one hand, but can be thrown into the washer and dryer with wild abandon which is what every new Mom needs since she is plenty busy enough already without having to worry about hand washing a blanket.   There is no particular recipient in mind for this little blankie just yet, just my own feeling as to which will be my next grandchild, a boy or a girl.......based on my color choice, you can plainly see which I think it will be. :)

I wish you and yours a very happy Easter with lots of assorted goodies for all!

Working on an Unfinished Project

I just got back to one of my ten or so UFO's (unfinished objects) and will endeavor to work on this until it's completed.  I really like the colors and the yarn is lovely to crochet with so there is no reason that this should have sat in one of my crochet bags for as long as it did but there you have it.  I'm using Jaeger's Matchmaker Merino Double Knitting yarn which may or may not be discontinued.  

I have always been a big fan of most of the Jaeger yarns but sadly I don't think there are many left for sale out there, so it's lucky for me that I've stashed some different varieties of it, such as Matchmaker Merino Aran, and Chamonix (absolutely luscious), just to name a few.  It seems that in the wide world of yarns, they come and go quickly, so if you really love working with a particular yarn, it would be wise to stash a good bit of it because you never know when it won't be available anymore.  The same goes even more so for knit and crochet books.....they disappear quickly.

When I am knitting so many things, after awhile I start to pine for some crocheting content so I think what I'll do from here on in, is have ONLY two projects going at a time, one knit and one crochet, so that way I'll satisfy both of my favorite things to do at the same time.  

A Brand New Year

February of 2011 already...wow, where is the time going?  I've been knitting more than crocheting so no real pics or projects to share with you but I think I'll do this meme one more time and see what changes I've made.

TYPE ONLY 1 WORD. IT’S HARDER THAN YOU THINK!!!

1. Where is your cell phone? PURSE
2. Your significant other? HUSBAND
3. Your hair? BLONDE
4. Your mother? FRIEND
5. Your father? HEAVEN
6. Your favorite thing? KNITTING
7. Your dream last night? MOVED
8. Your favorite drink? MILKSHAKE
9. Your dream/goal? SLENDER
10. You’re in? CONTENTMENT
11. Your fear? LOSING SOMEONE I LOVE
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? FIT, ENERGETIC, AND HAPPY
13. Where were you last night? HOME
14. What you’re not? BORED
15. Muffins? BANANA CHOCOLATE CHIP
16. One of your wish list items? GIFT CARDS
17. Where you grew up? USA
18. The last thing you did? CLEAN
19. What are you wearing? CLOTHES
20. Your TV? PANASONIC
21. Your pet? CATS
22. Your computer? PC
23. Your life? BLESSED
24. Missing someone? JOHNNY
25. Your car? 1998
26. Something you’re not wearing? MASCARA
27. Favorite Store? WILLIAMS-SONOMA
28. Your summer? HUMID
29. Your favorite color? LAVENDER
30. When is the last time you laughed? YESTERDAY
31. Last time you cried? YESTERDAY
32. FOUR PEOPLE WHO E-MAIL ME? SON, DAUGHTER, KAY, YARN STORES
33. FOUR OF MY FAVORITE FOODS: DONUTS, MILKSHAKES, CANDY, PIZZA
34. FOUR PLACES I WOULD RATHER BE RIGHT NOW? NOWHERE
35. FOUR PEOPLE I THINK WILL RESPOND: MY DAUGHTER

Wow, I've Been Away Too Long!

I just realized that it's been 6 months since I've posted here on my crochet blog....that's just not right!  I've crocheted on and off during that time but not enough, as knitting (I know, how dare I) has taken center stage in my craft life.  Now that I've completed the Christmas stocking I was knitting, I'm going to concentrate on my crocheting which I have missed of late.  Having a sore lack of photo crochet, I'm posting a picture of our tree in 2010 which is largely decorated with my knitted and crocheted ornaments, so I hope you enjoy looking at it.

I'm thinking of diving back in by giving the stars on Lucy's Attic 24 lovely and colorful blog which I am constantly inspired by.  I have lots of odds and ends of yarn which would work beautifully for these ornaments and heaven only knows, but I am a sucker for crocheted or knitted Christmas ornaments.  I stalk the free patterns for new ones, but rarely find much that I haven't already crocheted or that I like.  Lucy's patterns are always the exception.

I wish all of you a blessed Christmas and a wonderful, happy, healthy New Year in 2011 with lots of crocheting in the mix! :)

The Baby Ripple

Here is a picture of the completed baby ripple for the birth of my grandchild should he be a boy!  You can see the baby ripple for a girl on an older post which is equally satisfying!  I must get back to crocheting my square granny which is a combination of the three colors you see below.  I love working with this yarn.....Jaeger's Merino which has a lovely hand and rarely splits while crocheting.  I have put this project aside for far too long because it seems I am always crocheting baby items, which of course, I don't mind at all, but now I think it's time for some regular old crocheting with that satisfying granny repetition.

S

So, I'm off to pick up my crochet hook and work on this granny for awhile.  Little by little, one of these fine days I'll have it completed!

Finally, A Post!

It has been way too long since I've updated this blog but once again I'm going for the newest look on Blogger using their Template Designer which is lots of fun to play with and basically easy to understand.  This look may or may not change in the upcoming months, but then, that wouldn't be anything new to those of you who check in here from time to time.....I seem to get bored (something I rarely do in everyday living) with my templates very easily and like to change them whenever the mood strikes.

I dug out my spring colored acrylic yarns to begin making many 6" Granny Squares using Lucy's from Attic 24  Garden Granny, appropriately named.  Check out her blog as it is an explosion of colors, finished pieces, and gorgeous pictures!  Below you can see the pattern worked up in the 3 I've done so far.  I'm planning on doing 4, then sewing those together, 4 more and when they're sewn together , sew them to the previous 4 and so on.  This way when I'm finished there won't be so much to attend to and 'viola', I'll have a completed Garden Granny.

Otherwise I've started a pair of socks and I'm furiously working on the baby ripple blanket....it's a labor of love since it's for my grandchild to be born sometime in late June, early July.  It's the first baby for my youngest of 5 and I'm so happy for them and can't wait to see what they're having.....they want to be surprised.  So I will sign off for now and promise to do more updating on this blog.

 

Wow, I've been neglecting my crochet blog something awful and that will have to stop. I hope to begin posting at least once every month or so, but I have no idea how I skipped 8 months!! Any-hoo, I discovered this meme over at Peek-a-Boo Street's blog and couldn't resist giving it a try, so here goes (the award goes with it which is so very nice:

1. Where is your cell phone? In my purse.

2. Your hair? Blonde.

3. Your mother? Living & Healthy.

4. Your father? Deceased.

5. Your favorite food? BEEF STROGANOFF.

6. Your dream last night? Family Oriented.

7. Your favorite drink? Milkshake.

8. Your dream/goal? Write a Book.

9. What room are you in? Sunroom.

10. Your hobby? Knitting.

11. Your biggest fear? LOSING SOMEONE I LOVE.

12. Where do you want to be in six years? Right Here.

13. Where were you last night? Matt's Home.

14. Something that you're Not. Phony.

15. Favorite Muffins? Chocolate Chip

16. Top of My Wish list? Good Health.

17. Where did you grow up? Prospect Park.

18. Last thing you did. Sipped Coffee.

19. What are you wearing? Jeans, Sweatshirt, Sneaks.

20. Your Favorite TV show? Masterpiece Theatre.

21. Your pets? Bunny & Trixie.

22. Friends? Kay, Rosemary.

23. Your life? Contented.

24. Your mood? Happy.

25. Missing someone? Johnny.

26. Vehicle? Cadillac

27. Something your not wearing? My Watch.

28. Your favorite store? Williams-Sonoma.

29. Your favorite color? Purple.

30. When was the last time you laughed? Yesterday.

31. Last time you cried? Last Week.

32. Your best friend? Kay.

33. One place you go over and over? Perkins.

34. One person who e-mails you regularly? Matt.

35. Favorite place to eat? My Kitchen.

Baby Ripple Blanket

Here's the blankie in all it's colorful glory......I call it my Fiesta Ripple. Since I have the solid pink and the pink throughout the variegated yarn, this baby blanket will be for a baby girl who is still awaiting arrival. As always, after washing the blanket and putting it in the dryer, it's very soft and lovely so I'm sure it will keep the little one to be very snug and warm.

On another note, I'm beginning a couple of Christmas crocheted gifts which I can't really tell you about since some of the recipients read this blog, but I promise pictures asap. It feels good to be able to begin this soon, because waiting until August or September never seems to work out for me. I wind up scrambling to finish and if I make one mistake, it's a disaster because there's not enough time left to be patient and fix it. So, here's hoping this year will be better in that regard.

Baby Ripple Afghan

This ripple blankie is moving right along as I'm closing in on the last 15" or so. The colors are really lovely and very vivid in person and not at all washed out as they look in this photo for some odd reason. This afghan is a 'make ahead' gift for the next one of my sons or daughter, for that matter, who has a baby girl sometime in the future. There is a bit too much pink in this one to present it to a baby boy.....the father would probably have something to say about that, I think. :)

I've been making more granny squares as well and you know how addictive they can be. Here are a few pictures for your perusal:

I've made more but don't want to overwhelm the post with too many pictures. Next on my agenda is a hexagon blanket for a gift. I have so much yarn in so many colors that I think it would be great to give a hexagon afghan a try......only problem is the sewing together.......it may not be a pretty picture, but time will tell.

Blanket & Completed Baby Sweater

Here is the finished picture of the assorted squares and finished blanket. I was happy with the way it turned out and it's amazing how soft it gets after each washing! I know the little one, who's due any day now will be snug and warm underneath this blanket made with Mimi's love.

 Not to forget showing you a picture of the completed crocheted baby sweater.  I love the way it turned out and if you need particulars you can read the hook size, yarn used, etc. on a former post.  This sweater is addictive to crochet because I kept thinking all the way along.....oh, just one or two more rows before I put it down and it was always difficult to actually stop along the way with this.

Here is a fun questionnaire that I copied from My Living Room blog. It is indeed, very difficult to put in only One word......I cheated twice.

TYPE ONLY 1 WORD. IT’S HARDER THAN YOU THINK!!!

1. Where is your cell phone? PURSE
2. Your significant other? HUSBAND
3. Your hair? BLONDE
4. Your mother? FRIEND
5. Your father? HEAVEN
6. Your favorite thing? KNITTING
7. Your dream last night? MOVED
8. Your favorite drink? MILKSHAKE
9. Your dream/goal? THIN
10. You’re in? CONTENTMENT
11. Your fear? LOSS
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? HEALTHY
13. Where were you last night? HOME
14. What you’re not? BORED
15. Muffins? BANANA
16. One of your wish list items? YARN
17. Where you grew up? USA
18. The last thing you did? BREAKFAST
19. What are you wearing? CLOTHES
20. Your TV? DVR
21. Your pet? CATS
22. Your computer? PC
23. Your life? BLESSED
24. Missing someone? AUNTJOAN
25. Your car? OLD
26. Something you’re not wearing? MASCARA
27. Favorite Store? JIMMYBEANS
28. Your summer? HUMID
29. Your favorite color? LAVENDER
30. When is the last time you laughed? TODAY
31. Last time you cried? LOSS
32. FOUR PEOPLE WHO E-MAIL ME? SON, DAUGHTER, AMY, KATHY
33. FOUR OF MY FAVORITE FOODS: DONUTS, MILKSHAKES, ICING, PIZZA
34. FOUR PLACES I WOULD RATHER BE RIGHT NOW? NOWHERE
35. FOUR PEOPLE I THINK WILL RESPOND: NO IDEA

Crochet With a Deadline

I've been crocheting my little fingers off in the past few months and here are some pictures to prove it. Above is the baby ripple blanket I'm working on using a size J hook and Red Heart Strata in 'Bambino''. The trouble is I only bought 3 skeins and now could kick myself since I haven't been able to find anymore of this yarn. If you know where I could buy some, please let me know because 3 skeins aren't going to be sufficient to complet this adorable blanket.


Next up is the baby sweater I began a week or so ago and I'm really enjoying this project. I'm using Bernat Softee Chunky and a size G hook. It's a top down sweater so there won't be any joining when finished....it'll be all ready to go other than adding button bands, a collar, and buttons. I do need to find a baby hat pattern to go with this though......any ideas would be very welcome.


Finally, I'm still working on my squares in order to sew together in the end and have a baby blanket sampler, so to speak. I'm using Bernat Softee Chunkyfor this also, and a size H hook. The patterns are ones I've picked from the Crochet Stitch Bible, and 63 Crochet Stitches booklet. I tried to make each one about 10" wide but some are about an inch short so I'll have to tweak and stretch a bit when sewing it together. I'm not sure which method I'll use when I sew it together but I'll probably just go for it and if I don't like the way it looks I'll try another method. I'm going to have to finish these by March 6th so I need to buckle down and get those crochet hooks 'a flyin'.

Squares Aplenty!

Above you'll see a few of the squares for the Lion Brand CAL (made using Red Heart) and all with an H hook, but I kind of got side tracked with that project but only for the short term.

I'm on a granny square kick and lovin' every minute of it, let me tell you! I've been wanting to hone my crochet skills for awhile now and challenge myself with a few more intricate patterns. Sometimes I'm in the midst of one and I know I'm doing something wrong, or I've missed a key part of the directions and I don't always know how to fix my mistake right off the bat. However, I'm more stubborn than I used to be so I trudge on and rip out, curse a bit, and rip out again if absolutely necessary.

I've been working on squares from a Better Homes & Gardens Crocheting & Knitting (1977) and the afghan has sampler squares of every variety and the thing is that some of the directions are have errors in them, so it's a big challenge sometimes to figure out what's what. When I can't, I go to my pals at Ravelry where every crochet & knit problem can eventually be solved by some of the fiber wizards who frequent the site. Below is a picture of several of the squares I've crocheted from the BH&G book and I gotta' tell you, it's addictive.



The top squares were crocheted using Vanna's Choice (100% acrylic) and it's the first time I've used this yarn. I really like the loftiness of it and the way it makes the patterns pop so much more than the bottom two which were done with Red Heart. I think I'll be using VC more often in the future especially for things made to throw into the washer and dryer. I can't say yet how it will hold up in the long run, but we'll see.

Lion Brand CAL Afghan

I've decided to join a Crochet Along since getting my LB newsletter and seeing the completed blanket! It's a beauty and I am getting started in earnest over the weekend. I like the idea of not only crocheting one square at a time, but also the sizes of the squares make perfect sense to me because sometimes when knitting or crocheting squares, they are too big, IMHO.

This will be so much fun as we'll also have a group at Ravelry where we can exchange ideas, check out which yarns are being used, which size crochet hooks, and general info as to how things are going for each member......to say nothing of the great help available there.

As for other crocheting content I've been too darned busy until now to get back to some of my former 'languishing' projects, but in between the CAL and my knitted linen shawl, plus a pair of Opal socks for my granddaughter's birthday, I should be just fine. I like having at least 3 projects going at a time so I don't get too fed up with working on just one thing all the time. I've tried working on ONE thing at a time till finished because I always thought it was a good idea and so many crafters do it that way, so that they actually FINISH each project before beginning another, but I just can't seem to stick to just UNO. So, as my dear mother loves to quote: "To thine own self be true" and that's what I'm doing!



The unpacking of boxes is finally coming to a close, although there are many more attic boxes, but those are seasonal things, not things I need everyday, so it's now official....we're moved in and settled in much less time than I thought it would take, although I know I've been 'driven' to keep unpacking and decorating until I got our home looking just the way I wanted it to look. Such a peaceful patio to knit on, which is just what I did for the past two evenings......how blessed am I.

The Move is Complete!

We're officially moved in and it's a glorious feeling, I've got to say! No more 'showings' , keeping the house pristine at all times (or at least trying to, LOL), comments from perspective buyers which send my blood pressure up, nor wondering when we'll be selling in this very slow market! Nope, it's all over but the shoutin' , so to speak.

We moved into our new home in July and are still unpacking as I type, but that's okay because there's only a little bit left to do and then my DH can finally get his car in the garage. It's great to finally go at our own pace rather than be pushed along by this deadline and that.

We have such a lovely, peaceful view from our backyard patio and although I've always been a 'deck' type person, I think I could get used to this beauty! The way I see it, once it cools off, weather wise, I can get some serious crocheting done sitting out here while I occasionally look up to see just such a sight as this:



That is just my not too subtle way of saying that once again I have no crocheting content on this post but that will soon change and there will be mucho pictures and more stories to relate. Do take care and happy crocheting!

Moving, Packing, & Aching All Over!

This is only a small sampling of the (now) hundreds of boxes we've packed up for our move in just a week from now! Albeit, they're small boxes, but who knew we had so much 'stuff'? I am making a pledge to myself and anyone else who cares to listen, that once we get to our new home and I begin to unpack, it's not going to be clutter here and clutter there, no sir-ee. I will be getting rid of more 'stuff' by either giving it away, or trashing it. What can I say except that if I had it to do over again through the years, I would not have bought many things I used to think I just HAD to have.

Simplicity and uncluttered spaces will be my new living plan and I really am serious about this. I feel sinful that both my husband and me have accumulated so very much, especially when others are doing without the basics. I will take any and all necessary steps to rectify that as much as I'm able in my own little corner of the world.




Speaking of corners of the world here is a lovely picture of just such a thing, sans deer in the background. It's a great place for meditating and thanking God for all of his many blessings.


As for crochet content, I've been falling down on the job. The only thing I haven't packed yet is my (GASP) knitting, and I've only got one thing out just in case I have a moment to work on and that's a linen shawl. I should have kept out the granny square I began awhile ago, but I promise that I'll get back to that project just as soon as things settle down a bit...........and, I locate it, LOL.

It's Been Too Long

Wow, I've been spending way too much of my online time at Ravelry and neglecting my own crochet blog.......that must cease, LOL. Things here have been busy and I haven't been crocheting very often which I do miss.

Right now I'm trying to organize our 'stuff' and begin getting rid of excess items which can be daunting. There are many emotions that rise to the surface when I began going through things and it's not easy to give up certain things even though they haven't been used in quite awhile. My mind starts justifying why I shouldn't get rid of this or that and I have to use some darned good self discipline to either sell it, donate it, or trash it. So, between this activity each day and all the other things we all have to do daily, my online time has been limited as well and when I do log on I wind up doing what must be done and any extra online time I spend on, yes you guessed it, Ravelry, which is quite addicting.

I've been trying to finish up 2 knitted items before I pick up my granny square blanket to be. Here's a picture of it in case you forgot what it looks like:

I really like the color combination and when I don't crochet for awhile I start to miss it so I better get back to this soon. I've been trying to finish a second sock which I'm knitting and finish up a linen shawl that I'm knitting for one of my sweet daughters-in-law (which one I cannot say, just on the outside chance she might be reading this). So, until next time, dear readers, crochet on!

Baby Ripple Blanket

Here is the finished blanket for my sweet new grandson, Johnathan! It turned out lovely and it's so soft and toasty for him with my use of two strands of the Jaeger Baby Merino at one time into this blanket. My daughter wrapped him right up in it and put him in his crib for a nap and he looked like one contented cherub! The only think is I wish I had more yarn (I used all 10 skeins) so that I could have made this a bit wider and longer but it's adequate for at least his first year or so, and I can always make him another crib blanket.