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.

A Brand New Year for More Crocheting!

Happy New Year everyone and I hope it's a great one for you and yours.

I hope to do quite a few crochet projects along the way this year and I'm starting off with a baby blanket for my grandson (our first grandson) due in early February. Needless to say, I can't lolly- gag along with this project so I'm off and running. I'm using the 'Ribby' pattern from Jan Eaton's book, 200 Crocheted Ripples and a size J hook because I'm doubling the yarn. I didn't think it looked substantial enough with just one strand and I like the look and feel of the yarn (which is Jaeger's Baby Merino 4 ply) doubled up. I'm crocheting it to be more like a carriage blanket in size with it measuring only about 24" in width and I'll probably go to around 34 to 36" in length.

I also hope to crochet a sweater for him with a matching hat but not in time for his birth, most likely. Possibly I can get that completed by the beginning of March which will be just fine then, as well. I crocheted a sweater for my granddaughter last year using a pattern from Mary Rhodes and I really enjoyed making it. So for now, that's all I have on my "to crochet" platter, but there will be more as I finish each project.....and did I mention that I'm only using my stash yarn for all my projects this year? Yes, that is one of my resolutions and I fully intend to stick to this one, believe me.

This is It!

Well, it's finally finished and I couldn't be happier with the results! I used an I hook and my pattern was from the Family Circle Crochet Magazine, Fall 2006 issue. I still have to block it but I am very happy with the way this cotton ripple turned out....it was a joy to crochet and I love the way it feels, not too heavy and yet warm and toasty.

It's a big project off my list which frees me up to get finished at least 3 Christmas gifts.....a knitted shawl, a pair of socks, and a Christmas stocking for my sweet granddaughter. I knitted one for my first GD last year so I must make one for A's first Christmas in time for this year.

Here's the Latest!

A picture of the very, very close to completed multi-colored afghan! I want to do about 5 more inches or so and then it's on to the edges with all those pesky ends to weave in....but, I am going to do a row of reverse crochet along the two long edges, so that should help as I can crochet over them and maybe have to neaten up a few here and there. I'm anxious now to finish this because I have at least 9 other WIP's on the back burner that have been competing with this for crochet time. I've loved working on this though and I'm so pleased with the way it's turned out.....very soft and lightweight too, and for a cotton afghan, that's unusual. Now that it's finally getting a bit cooler here, I can cover myself with it while I work away.....a win-win situation to be sure.

I am going to be starting on a new ripple using Jaeger Baby Merino DK and doubling it up using a J hook. I've tried swatching it this way and it looks good and will still be lightweight but toasty warm for my new grandson to be (in February). Using a J hook will allow this blankie to grow rather quickly and I'm going to crochet through the back loop for every row on this one since I like that look better overall. When I get some appreciable progress, I'll definitely post a picture here.

In the meantime, I wish you all a great upcoming weekend and please feel free to leave comments! :)

Spending Time on Ravelry

Wow, is Ravelry every addictive! I just got in on September 29th and all I can say is it's a blast, but also a huge time hog! At first I thought I'd take it slow and just do little by little.....NOT! Once you start finding out how one thing works, you then want to input everything you have that's not nailed down, LOL. I'm having a great time but my DH isn't thinking this is such a great thing.....he can't understand how I can get all excited about yarn sites, can you imagine? If you're waiting to get your invitation, it shouldn't take too long now because they're moving right along and when you get there you'll see what I mean.

Since I wanted to take pictures of my stash (which will be a gargantuan job in itself), I offer you the following picture of just a very small tad of said stash. I have about 5 bins and 5 big plastic bags full so I never need to buy anymore for the remainder of my lifetime.....but you didn't hear me say that!

Here's the latest progress picture of the ever present ripple blanket. It's now about 3/4 of the way completed. I'm having a hard time deciding which color I will use for the sides. I plan to do a reverse single crochet but which color to do it in....any suggestions?

That's about it for now because, well....you guessed it....I need to get back to cataloging my ample yarn stash into Ravelry! Till next time, have a great weekend with many fiberly treats and pleasure.

Making Some Progress

I've been crocheting up a storm with my cotton ripple once I received a shipment of more of my yarn. Here is the blanket so far and it's over the halfway point now. It doesn't seem to grow very quickly but I enjoy working on it and it's very comfy on my lap now as I crochet it.


Here is another gorgeous sky shot for your enjoyment and reflection. I think that sunsets are about the prettiest sky pictures to take.....and as the weather turns colder, the sky has so many more colors right before the sun sets.

I'm also working on the continuous granny square afghan in between the ripple and my knitted shawl (and a pair of socks, but I digress). Seems like I've go too many pans in the fire but I will finish them one by one, I'm determined. Other than that, I will leave you with some of summer's last bounty which we bought at a roadside stand......I hate to see the peaches and tomatoes go, don't you?