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?

New Projects

I've begun a few new projects, not because I necessarily needed to, heaven knows, but because it makes me happy and I feel more creative. I know though that I cannot take on too many or the creativity turns into overload and that's not a good thing, right? I began these single crochet squares to eventually sew together for a warm, yet lightweight baby blanket, using Red Heart Soft in white and a multi-color called Hobby Horse. I think I'll make 4 across and possibly 4 rows up, maybe 5 and see how it looks at each juncture. Also, take note that my pictures aren't crystal clear for some reason and my camera never took 'filmy' pictures before....does anyone know what might be wrong with it, or what I'm doing wrong?

I decided against the rectangular afghan pictured below because I had yarn from a sale on Jaeger yarns and decided to make a square afghan out of the 3 colors I purchased. It's the Jaeger Matchmaker DK merino and it works up very soft. The colors will go nicely in our family room but I know this will take awhile to complete, especially since I had to go down to a G hook to get the look I wanted. After working this far I started thinking that perhaps what I should have done is doubled the yarn since it is only a DK and moved up to a larger hook as this would have given the piece more body and I don't think it would have made it too dense in the final analysis. However, I was just too lazy to take it all out so I'll keep going just as I am and utilize my patience....enjoying the journey as well as the destination.

That's about it for this post and I look forward to any and all comments which always get me so excited when I see that I have some! I leave you with this funny quote that I chuckled and associated with 100%.

"All I ask is the chance to prove that money can't make me happy".
Spike Milligan

I've been a busy crochetin' bee with way too many works in progress at one time. This is the beginning stages of a rectangular granny using a yarn I bought ages ago called Bernat So Soft acrylic. I don't think they carry this line anymore and that's a shame because it's a great, soft, chunky yarn and for something like this it works out well. I got the pattern from Erin's blog and I thank you so much, Erin. This pattern is so addictive and sharing it was very nice of you!

I'm also working on my cotton ripple whenever I can, furiously attempting to make significant progress. I'd love to get this finished before summer is over but I will definitely need more yarn in order to do so. It always amazes me how much yarn crocheting eats up! I'm really enjoying the feel of this afghan as I crochet it....light and airy but soft at the same time.

I crochet these hexagons where ever and when ever I can and hope to eventually make a granny afghan once I have enough to crochet together.

These are just a few of the "too many" things I'm working on at present but I promised myself I will complete each one before starting anything else new! Yes, I've said it publicly so now I have to stick to it. My new mantra for August will be "I came, I saw, I crocheted, and conquered!

Till next time, friends, crochet on!