Crochet with Love

Gift Giving Stocking - a quick and easy project

2014-11-03T11:50:00.000-07:00

So the holiday season is upon us and more and more we give gift cards to those around us. Last year I made this simple pattern for a small stocking that can be an ornament or simply the package for giving a gift card to a loved one, teacher, etc.

These stockings take just about an hour to make, they can easily be made with scraps or bits and pieces from your stash. The perfect size for a gift card, small jewelry or a couple pieces of good chocolate. I used traditional Christmas colors, but blue and white, team colors, pink & purple would all make great stockings personalized for someone special.

Finished size approximately – 3.5” at the top, 5” across the toe, 5.25” long

Hook: H (5mm)

Yarn – 2 colors (be creative)

Large yarn needle

Narrow ribbon – 24”

Sides of Boot – make 2 – Color A

Row 1 – chain (ch) 12, single crochet (sc) in 2^nd ch from hook and each across (11 sc)

Row 2-10 – ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across (11 sc)

Row 11 – ch 1, turn, sc in next 10 sc, 2 sc in last sc (12 sc)

Row 12 – ch 1, turn, 2 sc in first sc, sc in each across (13 sc)

Row 13 – ch 1, turn, sc in first 12 sc, 2 sc in last (14 sc)

Row 14 – ch 3, turn, 2 sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sc in next ch and in each sc across (16 sc)

Row 15-16 – ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across (16 sc)

Row 17 – ch 1, turn, sc in first 14 sc, single crochet decrease (scdec) in last 2 sc (16 sc)

Row 18 – ch 1, turn, scdec over first 2 sc, sc in next 12 sc, scdec over last 2 sc (14sc)

Row 19 – repeat row 18 (12sc) – finsh off an sew in all ends

Assemble Boot

Place sides of boot together and whip stitch from top of heel, around the bottom, over the toe and back to the top. Leave the top of the boot open. Sew in any ends and turn the boot right side out.

Crochet the Cuff

Row 1 – attach color B in the join at the top heel of the boot, ch 1, sc in same place, sc in back loop of foundation chain around and in the join on both sides, join to first sc of round – (24 sc)

Row 2 – ch 1, do not turn, sc in same sc and in each sc around, do not join

Row 3-6 – sc around in each sc (24 sc)

Row 7 – slip stitch (sl) in next sc, ch 1, sc in same stitch, ch 2, skip (sk) next sc, (sc in next sc, ch 2) repeat around, sl in first sc (12 ch 2 spaces)

Row 8 – sl in first ch 2 space, ch 2, (sl in next ch 2 space, ch 2) repeat around, sl in first sc of row 7) finish off, sew in ends.

Turn down cuff

Add the bling

Cut a piece of small width ribbon to 24”, weave through ch 2 spaces on row 7 ending with both ends at the heel. Pull one end around the first sc of row 1 of the cuff, pull the other end through the stich below & the corresponding stich in the boot, knot the ends there. Then knot the ends about 3” from the first knot. Add a tassel, bell, charm to dress it up. Then hang on a tree or give as a gift!

Yarn Choices

2013-05-13T10:29:00.001-07:00

First understand I work on a very, very limited budget and my gifts are for people who want to use items all the time, so they need to stand up to wear & tear and washing without fear of ruin. Both of these reasons eliminate most of the designer and high end yarns. Plus I have had issues with allergies popping up when I tried using wool, so I avoid animal products.

Afghan made with Caron acrylic

Caron acrylic yarn, sold in "One Pound" skeins is perfect for afghans, hats, stuffed toys, etc. It has a good thick fiber with a soft feel. There is a nice range of colors and with no dye lots I can always match yarn from project to project or even years later. I find this yarn very durable and affordable.

Afghan worked in Caron Simply Soft

Caron Simply Soft - this is fantastic, but expensive acrylic. I love using this for cowls, hats or finger-less gloves, - small items that one skein is typically enough. I made one fantastic afghan out of it, the drape is really amazing. But the price is prohibitive for me to use for large projects.

Tapestry bag worked in Bernat Handicrafter Cotton

Double strand afghan using Bernat acrylic

Bernat Handicrafter Cotton - sold in the larger skeins I find it perfect for bags and bottle cozies. The color range is not fantastic, but I adapt my projects to what I find available. I also tend to stock up when it is available as they rotate special colors and patterns of this yarn only once or twice a year. But the colors don't bleed, it is strong and soft after a washing. They have a "Deluxe" version that is twice as expensive, a bit softer and in a wider color palette.

Bernat acrylic - this is another good yarn for afghans, hats, scarves, cowls. Super soft and in a nice set of colors. The colors Bernat offers differ from Caron, they tend to be a bit earthier and the fiber is a bit thinner. I have used it several times for afghans and other projects.

I find that yarn choice is up to the crafter, some people love the feel of the silky bamboo, or a good home spun wool. The yarn discussed here are the choices that work best for the projects I make and the people who receive them. But it is a bit fluid and tends to be based on specific projects, if I need a very specific color I may choose Red Heart or Sensations from Jo-Ann's, it all depends on what I need and what I have the budget for at the time. Some projects I have on hold while I find the "perfect" yarn, which most members of the #fiberatti will tell you can be an impossible mission.

It's the Small Things

2013-02-27T07:54:00.000-07:00

Over the holidays I tried my hand at crocheting with thread, you know making doilies. I have always been intimidated by the idea of working with thread. "It is so small" "The hook is tiny." "How do you see the stitches?" are all the thoughts that I would have when I would see patterns in magazines or when browsing in the yarn store. But emboldened by the G+ community, I decided to give it a try and started searching my magazines for a nice and easy project. I decided to do the Spring Break Doily from the February 2013 Crochet World magazine. It looked like a simple pattern I could easily follow, so off I went to buy some #10 thread and small hooks.

I learned a couple of things with this first project, first, the darker thread is much harder to see the stitches in when you are working. And I was so uptight about the process I was tensing up and getting cramps in my shoulders. Once I relaxed and just went with it the project went very quickly and was very satisfying.

It was a challenge to work with the dark color I chose for the flower. You can see behind it the picture from the magazine, their pattern called for this to be a spring colored doily, but I used red and white to make it more appropriate for the holidays. Good lighting was a necessity for this process so I as at my kitchen table for most of it.

A closer look at the fans as they came together around the flower. The chains are not as tight as I would like, but this was a learning experience and it was not that visible once the project was finished.

The finished doily (well the ends needed to be woven in) and I love how it turned out. Better, the family member I gifted it to was very happy with it. The "wave" to it is how it is supposed to be, this is not a flat doily but one with some depth to it.

Happy with the results of my first effort, I scoured my magazines and decided to try the Christmas Doily in the December 2012 issue of Crochet World magazine. This one also started with a flower in the middle but was actually several pieces attached together. I enjoy watching how things come together so I took a bunch of pictures of the process (luckily I am only sharing a few here).

I was more relaxed about the process so making the flower I was better at finding the right stitches and getting the gauge consistent. For the colored piece that the flower and edging are both attached to for finishing the doily I was also much happier with the chains and gauge in how this one turned out.

The pattern called for the smaller petals to be affixed or tacked to the center. This gives the flower a nice sense of depth and keeps the petals in place. I like tacking things like this in place as it keeps the look of the piece consistent.

As the white was going on for the final rounds of the project I chose to tack the larger petals in place as well. You can see this removed the curl without blocking and makes the doily easier to maintain as a finished product.

The pineapple pattern came together very quickly and I love how this project came out. I would do it again using different colors for the flower. In all it took me about a day to make this project and it was much easier than I expected. I posted this picture on the Facebook page of Crochet World and it is in the April 2013 issue, which is really fantastic!

If you have never worked in thread I would suggest giving it a try, start with a #3 or #5 and a bit of a larger hook if you are intimidated by the smaller threads. Like anything, it just takes a bit of practice to get the feel for these projects. I have moved on to making bracelets out of thread but that is a story for another day.

Flowers Two Ways

2012-11-28T06:42:00.002-07:00

Recently I have been working on two projects involving flowers, the one was a great pattern from "Crochet with Heart: Best Loved Afghans" by Leisure Arts, the other is from the December 2012 issue of Crochet World magazine. What I found interesting about these patterns was how they both use flowers as an integral part of the project but in two completely different ways.

"Floral Cascade" from the Leisure Arts book is a beautiful afghan that uses front and back post stitching to create vines, berries and flowers on the front of the piece as you work the panels. Originally I was a bit intimidated by the pattern and I waited a few years before I attempted it. But this summer I decided to just try a panel and see how it would go. To my surprise, and delight, it was very quick and easy to follow. The patterns repeat so once I got the flow it was very quick work.

The middle panel is quite wide and is a vine of flowers working from bottom to top. I actually worked this project one panel at a time from one side to the other. Typically, I will do all the panels that are the same and then just join at the end of the project, but with this I wanted to break up the work so it was different and not quite as "boring".

The flowers are flanked by berry panels worked with cluster stitches, they add a lot of texture to the project.

And then the leaf panels break up the vines of flowers and berries quite nicely. Each of these panels took about 2 hours to finish, quite quick for me.

Here you can see the panels joined to form the blanket, they are joined with a reverse single crochet using both colors, it really adds a bit more interest to it.

I used Caron in a bright yellow to match the colors in my friend's family room. With the fringe added to the ends this project is just right. It weighed in at about 5 pounds, it is large but perfect for cuddling under and displaying on the back of a couch

My other flower project could not be more different, it is the Winter Rose Afghan from Crochet World magazine and it is worked as individual flowers that are joined as they are made. The original pattern called for all the flowers to be the same so the result looked like poinsettias and is quite stunning. But I decided to use this as a stash buster and made each flower unique. At this time I am still working on the flower blanket as I call it, but I have enough finished to know how much I like it.

Because I wanted each flower to be unique I made a spreadsheet with all the combinations. I used nine colors in all and I mixed it up so not only were they unique but the same color did not repeat as the center, middle or edge of more than five flowers. Originally, I was going to just "wing it" as I went along but I really did not want to repeat one color too often, have flowers that were too similar touching or even repeat the same flower. I had completed about 20 flowers when I stopped to make the chart and it made the project move along much more quickly as I was not spending all my time trying to figure out color combinations as I worked.

Because I wanted to balance the colors throughout the project I made all the flowers before I began the join. I then laid it out to decide on the order of the flowers. I used a piece of yarn to string them in order, working from the center, and now simply pull off the next flower as I move along.

The flowers are joined at the points and worked in a hexagon from the center out. Typically, I don't like doing piece work like this because of the added time needed to work in all the ends. Each flower has eight ends to work in, that is 488 individual ends of yarn to weave in during the making of this project. Because I made the flowers first I worked in the ends of the yarn for the first three colors before I started joining. I am now working in the ends from the joining round every few flowers as it will be harder to work with the larger it gets.

Although the project is not joined completely, you can see how it looks here after 21 of the flowers connected. There are 61 flowers in the final project, and it is left in the hexagon shape. I really enjoy using the different colors, even with the challenge that has brought. In the end it will be a garden of flowers for a dear friend to have displayed in her living room.

So that is my tale of two flowers, one with the pattern stitched into panels and worked using specific stitches, the other worked in the round making individual flowers that are joined to make the blanket. I really love how these turned out. If you are looking for a quick project that looks fantastic I would definitely recommend trying the "Floral Cascade." But if you are up for a challenge, check out the Winter Rose afghan, worked either in all different colors or with identical flowers it is a wonderful project.

I Love Yarn Day

2012-10-12T12:12:00.001-07:00

There are many reasons I love yarn, it is just such a versatile medium to work with when you want to make something for yourself or someone else. My mother always had yarn around when we were kids. We did not have a lot of money growing up so she made a lot of things for us. One of the first things I remember were matching shawls she made my older sister and me for Halloween one year. We wore those for years and used them to carry dolls, toy horses, and to dress up our younger sisters when they were old enough to play with us. She even made clothes for our Barbie dolls, I still have the pattern book she used.

My mother always made us things we needed, hats when we were on the swim team that had our names in the pattern around the edge and the team logo on top. Afgans for each of us to use in our beds and that I believe we all still have somewhere today. Toys like snakes that were easy to make and stuff. Even bookmarks made from a quick crochet chain and a tight double crochet at one end to make a curl.

When my older sister needed something to dress-up her outfit for her 8th grade dance, my mom whipped out her knitting needles and got some matching yarn and made her this shawl.

And here it is today, somehow I am the guardian of it and I found it residing in my box of mementos.

For years my mother was our Girl Scout Troop Leader, one of the staples of her bag of tricks was to bring yarn and have us make something. We learned to use a basic macrame knot to cover wire hangers (you would tape two wire hangers together then wrap them from the top of the hook all the way around with the yarn). Often we would use two different colors alternating so it was bright and cheerful. The result was a colorful but useful object, clothes did not slip off and the were much stronger.

We learned how to made a small loom out of drinking straws, you clip one end and thread the yarn through it then back through the rest of the straw. If you help four or five of these together and wove yarn through you got a headband, belt, wristband, just about anything you wanted in the colors you wanted. Again, something we shared with friends and used in Girl Scouts all the time. But if we had no straws we just wove through our fingers and created a small tube that way. We used those for hair ribbons, doll accessories, you name it.

Funny the things you remember, the trick to getting the yarn through the straw is to twist the ends, insert into one end of the straw then suck it through from the other end. Something only kids could think up, but it works.

One of the first projects I ever made on my own was a papoose for my Baby Alive doll. I must have been 8 or 9 at the time. I had it in the memento box as well and you can see it was a simple granny stitch pattern.

In high school to fulfill my art credits I took a class offered by one of the sewing teachers, but the catch was it was a craft class. She really let us work on just about anything as long as it involved a needle, thread, yarn or sewing. Being the hard rocking chick that I am, I needle pointed a pillow with the name of my favorite band emblazoned across it. My friends mocked me horribly over this, but I still have it and I enjoyed the process.

Yarn was just always present in our lives, it was the ultimate tool for my mother to keep us busy and for us to use our imaginations. I know that she got yarn at times from outlet type stores, she would just get a big bag of ends or "rejects" for really cheap. We would often have to wind that yarn into balls because it was not even in skeins when we bought it. But that was just more of the fun and part of the experience.

As this was the stone age, before digital cameras, phone cameras and the internet, we simply don't have pictures of all the crafts we made. But I remember them and all the fun we had creating them together. Yarn was just something we always had, used and enjoyed together as a group whether it was with my family, Girl Scout Troop or friends.

Additional Pictures - after seeing my post my sister uploaded these pictures for me, thank you Celestine!

This is the afghan our mother made her when she was a kid, it still has fantastic color. It is acrylic yarn, probably Red Heart or the equivalent.

And this is a poncho she made Celestine when she was in elementary school. Pictured here, Cele's daughter Amethyst happy to model it!

Embellishments are like Jewelry for my projects

2012-09-28T08:48:00.000-07:00

Embellishments can make or break a project as much as the right yarn choice. I actually do not add embellishments to many of my projects. As you may have read, I don't like to sew and most embellishments need to be sewn onto projects. Plus, there are all those pesky ends to weave in when you are done.

But sometimes a project just calls for a good flower, pom pom or applique. I have been working on a set of projects for a toddler and last night I added the jewelry to them.

Above is a shot of the projects yesterday before they were adorned. They were cute, the colors are great and the yarn is a super soft Bernat Softee Baby that I got at Walmart on clearance (great place to look for yarn if you use basic acrylic and cotton). It is a three ply light weight yarn, which did offer a bit of a challenge when making the hat. The hat is Textured Newsboy by Brita Graham. I did find that because of the lighter yarn the hat was not gaining enough depth, I added four extra rounds of the textured pattern to make it big enough. When I make this again, I would use the contrast color, in this case the pink, for the entire edging. I think I will try it in cotton and see how it comes out.

Here I have added the flower to the hat, it is just so cute and now really looks finished. It was a cute hat without the embellishment, but with the flower it just gets better. But you have to know when to say when, adding three flowers would be overpowering.

Above you see the finished poncho with pom poms. Nothing makes a little girl happier than having pom poms to play with or dangling from a hood or poncho. Love how soft and fuzzy they came out using the light yarn, it really is fantastic. And like the hat, the poncho was cute and serviceable before, but is just at a better place with these added.

The booties are not quite finished yet, I will put them in a separate post in a couple of days. I plan to add buttons and paint to make them non-skid.

Now to convince my daughter to sew the buttons on the booties for me...

Crochet Along on Google+

2012-09-19T08:45:00.001-07:00

Inspired by the fun and camaraderie I saw among the crocheters on Google+ I decided to tackle the September Crochet A Long (#sepcal). It is a stole published on Ravelry by fibberbabble called the "Mist Stole." It is a lacy open pattern using a lot of chain stitches to get the effect. The written pattern was a bit of a challenge to follow, but the chart of stitches was dead on and worked for figuring it all out. Once I got the hang of the pattern it was quite easy to repeat through the project.

Having purchased some baby weight 3-ply yarn on sale, I decided it would be perfect for this project. I used a G hook because of the weight of the yarn, but I know people used a variety of yarn types with great results. As always it is about choosing what works for you.

Here you can see the work in progress, because it starts with a chain the one end is a bit wider than the finished project. I find that happens in a lot of my work due to my chain gauge. I probably need to work on a slightly tighter chain on a project like this. But I don't think it negatively impacts the final project so I left it as it. The author of the project did suggest working out both directions from the beginning chain, that would at least make the two ends the same width. I did find that for the chains within the pattern I had to make them very tight in order for it to look right.

Because of the light yarn I used it does have a bit of drape, but it is not as "lacy" as if I had used a different yarn.

My finished piece is not very large, it is intended for a fairly petite person and I suspect her baby girl will use this more than she will. The finished project is just 17" x 36".

I chose to do stripes to give it a bit more visual punch, I the order and number of rows is as follows:
12 rows of green
6 rows of pink
6 rows of green
24 rows of pink
6 rows of green
6 rows of pink
12 rows of green

The end result is balanced and yet fun. Check some of the other projects on Google+ by searching "#sepcal".

A nifty little toy

2012-09-09T08:17:00.002-07:00

A couple of months ago my sisters posted an online "game" where you Google your name in images and see what appears. Seemed a bit silly but fun so a group of us did it and posted what we found. I found an image of Audrey Hepburn from the original movie Sabrina which is where my mom got my name. My sister Celestine came up with an image of a "Celestine Star," a twelve pointed (dodecahedron) star pattern that you can knit or crochet.

I was intrigued and a bit challenged by this pattern. I don't do a lot of toys, typically you have 5-8 tiny pieces that need to be stitched together and then little features added with embroidery or felt. If you have read my earlier posts you know I don't sew, so these projects rarely make my to-do-list. But this project was different, each point was connected at the beginning round and worked from base to tip, so there was no sewing!

I was in a bit of a moratorium on crochet projects at the time so I decided to try making one of these to see how I liked it. I had some really fun Bernat 4 ply variegated cotton yarn that I had picked up on sale that I thought would be perfect for this project. Plus, I had family members with babies that I could give the final projects. I find I enjoy my projects much more when I have a person already planned as the recipient of the final result.

I used an F hook so I had a good tight gauge since this is a stuffed toy. This also helped it maintain a good shape. For stuffing I used a poly-fill and started stuffing before I joined on the yarn for the last point. I did find that it was easiest to stuff the first 11 points first then actually start the first few rows of the 12th point before finishing stuffing the center of the toy. The first of these I made it was a bit difficult to join the last point with the center bulging with stuffing. I opted to not add a jingle bell or rattle to the center. But I can see how it would make this toy more interactive.

With the heavier yarn and the larger hook (the original pattern calls for a 2 ply sock yarn and E hook) the finished toy was close to 12" across, it took a lot of stuffing!

I did find one error in the original pattern, the 11th point will only be a chain 7 then connect to four previous points. It was also important to rotate the star the same direction when adding each additional point. I actually made one point inside out on my first star and did not realize until I was finished with the third point. Of course, no one but me (and now several hundred of you) will ever know I made that mistake but I corrected that on the second star I made.

It took me about a day to make each of these, crocheting for several hours. I found it a fun, easy pattern that I will make again in the future.

What do you carry with you?

2012-07-11T16:23:00.000-07:00

I am often asked what I carry my crochet hooks and tools in when I take my work with me. For the last six years or so it has been a pencil case that I bought my son. He did not like so I adopted it for my things. Best part, I think I paid a dollar for it. Really it is not about something "specialized" it is about finding what works for you. Often I look in the hardware or fishing section of the store to find boxes and cases for craft things, a tackle box can cost half as much as a craft box and is essentially the same thing.

The pencil case is just the perfect size for carrying everything I might need when working on a project and as you can see it zips closed and has a loop for carrying or hooking to a bag.

Everything fits neatly and is easy to find when I need it. Although I will admit that finding my yarn needle can take a bit longer as it always slides to the bottom of the bag.

So these are the "tools" I keep in my bag: scissors, a 6" ruler, tape measure, safety pins, yarn needle and pen. For yarn projects you really don't need a large set of scissors, just sharp ones, I got this little pair for a couple of dollars at Walmart. The ruler I have is quite old and is clear, I feel it is really easier to count stitches per inch with the clear ruler. Safety pins are perfect for keeping your work between sessions, just fasten through the last loop and it won't unravel when you travel. A long tape measure helps with large projects that you are working on that may not have specific row or round numbers but a specific size for completion. I found I prefer a good steel yarn needle after having a couple of plastic ones break on me. And finally a pen is useful for taking notes or marking your place in patterns.

Assorted sizes of hooks are of course essential. I keep everything from an "N" sized (wooden handle I love it) to a "D". The "D" is perfect for weaving in ends after color changes or at the end of projects. I do have a few acrylic hooks but will admit I do not like them very much.

Finally, one of the latest additions to my tool kit is a row or stitch counter. They can be purchased in pairs for a couple of dollars at any good craft or yarn store. The set I have are two sizes so they fit on small or large hooks. For patterns that have many changes by row they are an essential tool. I do keep them on the end of the hook and have learned to adjust my grip just a bit to account for the bulk it adds to the end.

For taking projects with me I find I have everything I need in this little bag. I just slip it into the canvas tote with my current project and I can go just about anywhere. I have carried this on airplanes, the only change is I have a yarn cutting disc that I carry in place of my scissors. Personally I have never had an issue with security when traveling.

What do you use? Let me know in the comments I love to hear about what people are using for their tools and gadgets.

Another bag - another pattern adaptation

2012-05-22T07:15:00.000-07:00

After a bit of a crochet hiatus I found a project that got me back in the swing of things. One of my crochet connections on Google+ posted the link for this pattern for a simple bag that she was working on for the weekend. After looking at the pattern I decided to give it a try. The pattern is Ripple Bag free on Red Heart's website. I used Bernat cotton 4 ply yarn because I find it holds up really well for this type of project.

The ripple pattern is very basic and once you get the foundation right easy to repeat. I found the foundation row instructions a bit confusing, really after the last 3 sc in one stitch you sc in last 4 chains. In addition, due to my dislike of weaving in ends, I repeated the pattern for 4 rows of the green and 2 rows of the off white. I like the smaller stripes of white accenting the color. The texture of the cotton yarn also gives it a wavy look in the way the project lies, not just in the pattern.

I was looking for a bag that I could throw on as a backpack to take with me when I want to carry more just my wallet and phone. I am not someone who carries a purse the size of a suitcase, so just something big enough for my Kindle, water bottle, wallet and phone. I added a button with a loop made from a chain/slip stitch that was 10 stitches long.

For the handle, I did a stronger handle long enough to pull through the two metal loops I attached at the top of each side. This allows me to wear the bag across my body messenger bag style or as a backpack. I ordered the metal D-rings from Strapworks and thought it was much easier and less expensive than finding them in a craft store.

The final alteration to the actual bag was I crocheted "sides" that were 4 sc wide instead of sewing the bag together. For me I wanted a bag with a little more depth than the one in the original pattern. Then I added a few pockets and hooks to customize the bag for my needs.

Here you can see I made a pocket for my cell phone that is sewn to the back of the bag, a 1/2" bolt hook is sewn in next to it to attach the small wallet for my ID and then there is a 1/2" ring (you can't see it in this picture) that my water bottle cozy hooks to on the other end. I can slip my Kindle in front of my cell phone to balance the bag and I am good to go. I like adding these extra little bits and pieces to bags to make them personal and more organized.

I already have a request from my girl for a bag like this of her own. I am making it the same width but it will be deeper and have wider sides so she can carry notebooks and such for school. Once I finish I will add the pictures of that bag.

I like this pattern, other than the foundation row, it was easy to follow and created a nice useful bag that was the perfect size.

Tackling projects outside my comfort zone

2012-02-04T09:05:00.000-07:00

Recently I took on a project that was a bit different from the ones I usually do. I wanted to make some coordinated afghans for my parents newly renovated family room and after looking through all my patterns decided to do a "Plaid Winner" in Afghans For All Seasons published by Leisure Arts. The original pattern called for two colors that are crocheted in a striped mesh and then woven with strands of yarn to create the plaid effect.

The project started with a trip to JoAnn Fabrics to look for yarn. I knew the basic colors that I was looking for, blue and brown for my Dad and rose and cream for my mom. When I shopped I made the decision to make a third blanket for their new couch using the brown and cream. I really wanted the three blankets to coordinate and yet be individual.

First I tackled my mom's blanket as the color scheme for it was easy, I knew without a doubt it would be rose with the cream accent. I frogged* a bag I had started and used that skein of rose to start her afghan. The mesh structure quickly takes shape and the stripes were very striking. I was very happy with how it was working out. In addition, it was very quick, only three days and I had the mesh base finished and was ready for the weaving. Now, if you have read my other entries, you know I do not like sewing and I put weaving in at a very close second to sewing in my dislike column. The only reason I took on this project was because my daughter promised to do the weaving. So with the first base finished I decided to just weave the first few pieces of yarn in order to see how it was going to look. And loved the outcome! So this piece went in my girl's room for her to work on and I started my Dad's piece.

Now here I started to rethink my game plan. I love the brown and blue together, but the Cape Cod blue from Caron is a strong dark color and with the brown I thought it was going to be too dark, so I decided to add a white stripe to the plaid. The pattern is a 12 row/column repeat so it was pretty easy to simply substitute 2 rows of blue in the repeat with white. I started crocheting the base and as I did I was already rethinking the third blanket, I was no longer happy with the cream and brown color option. As I crocheted the base of his blanket I kept working on different color options in my head. Finally, after finishing the base and starting the first few columns of weaving, this blanket joined my mother's in my girl's room and I was ready to start the third, I had to make a decision.

With a two color plaid in the works and now a three color plaid in the works I decided I would simply use all four colors in the third blanket. Don't as me why, it was just what seemed right to me, but the problem was now how to make the 12 row/column repeat work. I did not want to simply use three rows/columns of each color. This was a puzzle that took me a couple of days to work through and a few hours of planning on my computer. Finally I settled on a plan using all four colors with a slightly enlarged pattern to accommodate the changes. I could not use the original dimensions and have a symmetric color scheme, I had to add several rows and columns to make the pattern work. It was not an easy decision and I drove my girl a bit crazy over the next few days as I worked on the base. I loved the way the stripes were coming out but I had some concern about the plaid, until it was woven I would not know how the colors were really going to look in the final product.

And as I finished the final mesh base, I realized my girl was not going to do the weaving, it was too boring a project for her and then she started the new semester of school and just did not have the time. Oh well, I would have to tackle the weaving of all three blankets in order for them to be finished. Since I was most concerned about the third blanket I chose to weave the plaid pattern into it first. And slowly as I worked through the blanket I started to love the outcome. It was definitely worth the time and effort to get the end result. I then worked through my dad's and finally my mom's. It was really fascinating to see how they looked in the end, different and unique and yet they used the same basic technique. It was simply a difference in how many colors I used that changed these up.

Here you can see the final two color plaid pattern using the rose and cream, these are the perfect colors for my mom and the blanket is now draped over her recliner exactly where I pictured it.

The three color pattern was fairly easy to adapt and execute. The white stripe worried me a bit as it is is actually a bit different in size from row to column. If I were to make a change I may do a single crochet for the single row of color in future projects instead of double crochet. But I do like the end result it is masculine and yet not dark. It now resides draped over my dad's computer chair where he can easily grab it if he needs.

I think the four color blanket looks better in person than this close up picture. It really has a good mix of the colors offering something that is bright but not too feminine. I really did not want to make a brown and cream blanket it just seemed too neutral for the space. And using all four colors seemed to tie the project together a bit better for me. They actually purchased the sofa yesterday so soon I will be able to see it draped across the back as I envisioned.

It took much longer to weave the plaid pattern than to crochet the mesh bases, about twice as long, and it was not a process I enjoyed to be honest. Although I would not use this pattern again, if you enjoy both weaving and crocheting I strongly suggest to try this out. Using the same technique you could make fabulous place mats among other things. These projects were truly a challenge for me not only in execution but in planning, from color choice and pattern adaptation, to using techniques that I am not comfortable with in order to get the result I desire.

* Frogging is when you rip out an unfinished project to re-use the yarn. Think about it, you will get why!

Presents for me!

2011-12-25T20:04:00.001-07:00

This morning when I opened gifts my daughter had thoughtfully gotten me a set of circular hooks. They can also be made into one really long hook for doing an afghan stitch. She also got me a book all about Tunisian crochet with some practice projects included. I am so happy, I have been wanting to learn Tunisian crochet and it will give me a new challenge. I have done an afghan stitch but it rolls up on me, I don't think it is my tension and I am doing it exactly as directed, so I am hoping this book will help.

All of my gifts I made and sent have been opened and enjoyed. Thanks to modern technology I was able to share with them the opening of the boxes and all were really happy.

Now to pick play with my new toy! I am buying yarn in the next couple of days for my next big project so I want to practice this a bit first.

A creative break

2011-12-22T14:28:00.002-07:00

I have not really made anything for a couple of weeks now. Finished my last holiday gift and took a bit of a breather. So I have been sitting and thinking about what I want to make next, a birthday gift for my friend's daughter? An afghan for my living room? Finish an old project? What to make has eluded me, until yesterday.

I was out with my girl and we were talking about the addition my parents just finished, as well as the gifts we had gotten for each of them. I got my mother a nice fuzzy warm house robe, you know the "old lady" kind that zips up and has pockets. Now here is a secret, I love mine, it is so warm and cozy I don't care how old I look when I wear it. Anyway, as we were talking about the new addition that doubled the size of their Arizona room (really a family room area) I mentioned that I think it will be chilly in that room. And the few times we have been in it the last week it has been chilly. Granted, we only get chilly around here for a couple of months, but being in their 70s my parents feel it more than I do.

Well, I can't buy my dad a fuzzy robe, well I could but I am sure he would not appreciate it. So I realized what I really want to do is make him a nice lap robe or smaller afghan to have on his recliner. Something made of a nice brown and deep blue that he can throw over his legs or stretch out and pull up over his arms on those extra cold nights. So I know the yarn I want to use, I just have to decide on a pattern. I guess I will be spending the next few days looking through my books for the perfect one. Then off to the store to buy yarn.

I don't think I will start this until next week, maybe the week after depending on how bored I get, but it will be the next project I take on. And I am relieved that I have figured out what to work on, I was almost fearing I had reached a state of apathy after all the months of furiously hooking projects. And I am happy that I don't feel any pressure to finish for the holidays, it is just not necessary, he will like it and use it whether he gets it on December 25th or January 10th. I feel so much happier...then I can work on that gift for my friend's daughter.

I picked a project today, my daughter and I looked through the books and I found a really nice plaid throw that you make a simple base and then weave different colored strands of yarn through it. We are going to make two, in complimentary colors, one for each of my parents. Can't wait to get started!

It was worth every minute!

2011-12-20T18:09:00.001-07:00

So my older sister was the first to open her box of holiday gifts from my list of projects. She had peeked but her kids and husband did not know what they were getting. We did it as a "Hang Out" on Google+ so I got to see their reactions.

My niece Kyra literally danced around with her flower throw, she loved it. Did not put it down for about 5 minutes. It was great.

Next came Tyler, the boys always make me nervous, crocheting things that are cool for little boys is very difficult. But he also loved it! Did a bit of a dance of his own and kept telling me how much he liked it. I was so relieved, he really liked now it works with the colors spiking from one row to the next.

And then for the big one, my brother in law took one look and said "Cowboy colors, this side is mine!" Yup, they totally appreciated how it came out. And he and my sister sat under it together each under "their half" right away. This project took two different reds and three yellows before I found the right 49er colors, but I think it came out pretty awesome.

So yes, every single minute spent working on these was worthwhile, as was every pound gained.

Bottle Cozy - pattern included

2011-12-04T14:38:00.001-07:00

Last year I started making cotton cozies for our Tupperware tumblers and water bottles. I like using cotton as it absorbs the condensation so you can carry the bottle in a bag and it won't soak everything you are carrying. I have made these several different sizes, this pattern is specifically for the 32oz Smart Water bottle, which would also fit most wine bottles.

I use a 4ply (worsted weight) cotton yarn and a G hook, of course your gauge may be different and you may need to go to a larger or smaller hook to get the size to fit.

This is the end result, I like using 2 colors, with the darker color for the bottom. Although they are machine washable, these are items carried daily and you want them to hide a bit of the dirt they will pick up. I make a looped drawstring so it can't come out and it helps cinch the cozy to the bottle. Before adding the drawstring the cozy often fell off when people were carrying there bottle by the top.

Magic circle or chain 3 and join to first chain to form a ring using MC

rnd 1 - 6 sc in circle/ring - pull tight join with slip stitch to first sc
rnd 2 - chain 1, do not turn 2 sc in each sc around - 12 sc total, join to first
rnd 3 - chain 1, do not turn 2 sc in joining, sc in next stitch, (2 sc in next stitch, sc) to end - 18 sc, join to first
rnd 4 - chain 1, do not turn 2 sc in joining, sc in next 2 stitches, (2 sc in next stitch, sc in next 2 stitches) to end - 24 sc, join to first
rnd 5 - chain 1, do not turn 2 sc in joining, sc in next 3 stitches, (2 sc in next stitch, sc in next 3 stitches) to end - 30 sc, join to first
rnd 6 - chain 1, do not turn 2 sc in joining, sc in next 4 stitches, (2 sc in next stitch, sc in next 4 stitches) to end - 36 sc, join to first

I do the next round in the back loops only to define the bottom

rnd 7 - chain1, do not turn sc in back loop only around - 36 sc

rnd 8-15 sc in each stitch work in the round - 36 sc

rnd 16 sc in each stitch work in the round slip stitch in next three stitches then join CC with slip stitch in next stitch, cut and weave in end of MC

rnd 17 chain 2, hdc in each stitch slip stitch to top of chain 2

rnd 18-33 chain 2, hdc in each stitch around slip stitch to top of chain 2

rnd 34 chain 2, hdc in each stitch around slip stitch to top of chain 2 using MC, cut and weave in CC

rnd 35 chain 4 (counts as dc and ch 1), skip next stitch, (dc, ch 1, skp 1) repeat around - 18 dc, 18 ch spaces, join with slip stitch to 3rd chain of original chain

rnd 36 chain 1, sc in chn space, sc in dc around - 36 sc, slip stitch to first sc and finish off

Make drawstring - chain 41, slip stitch in each chain back to the first, finish off but do not weave in ends

Weave drawstring through row 35 of bottle cozy

Take one of the unfinished ends and draw through the other end of the drawstring (making it a loop) and knot together with other unfinished end, weave ends into drawstring

Here you can see how it makes a loop, once the ends are woven in it is very strong.

You can used this same basic pattern for 20oz bottles, simply change the number of rounds after rnd 7 to get the desired pattern and height.

For 12oz and 16oz bottles, make the base 5rnds and work up from there, each rnd will have 30 stitches instead of 36. The drawstring can be the same size or reduced to a chain of 36 if desired.

Please let me know in the comments any questions you have. Enjoy!

Here is a new cozy I made my dad using Peaches & Cream cotton yarn. One small ball is the perfect size for one of these projects. He had specifically asked me to make a red, white & blue one for him so I was ecstatic when I saw this in the store.

I made this new one for my mother also using Peaches & Cream cotton yarn. It is pink and white for Breast Cancer Awareness month.

If you enjoy this pattern, please make a donation to Relay For Life. Thank you!

The Amoeba - Holiday project 2

2011-11-28T11:55:00.001-07:00

With Bryan's gift finished, I made the decision to make individual afghans for each of my ten nieces and nephews and four siblings. And so I began combing through my library of patterns searching for the "perfect" pattern for each person on my list. Yes, I made a list to keep it all straight. In the same pattern book Leisure Arts An Afghan for All Seasons, I picked "Fall Splendor" as the right pattern to make for my brother Bill.

Now I developed certain criteria for choosing patterns, I had a limited amount of time to finish and ship all of my gifts. Even though it was June when I started I needed to have them all finished by Thanksgiving in order to have everything shipped in time for the Holidays. So I looked for patterns that looked like they were simple, quick repeats. I also tried to find patterns that used larger hooks so they would take fewer rows or rounds to complete. I should have read this pattern more closely....

"Fall Splendor" uses an N hook and one strand of yarn, you work a two row pattern that changes color every four rows. What I love about this afghan is that it works from one corner to the other so the stripes run diagonally. It is a very handsome look and using Red Heart Super Saver yarn in coffee, buff and warm brown I thought it would stand up to a household of all boys.

The mistake I made was I started working on multiple projects at a time. I tend to get bored with long projects if I sit and work on them all at once, so I had up to five projects at a time that I was switching between. I would do a couple rows of color on this project and then work on the others and come back to this one a few days or a week later. What I did not notice was the pattern was more complicated than I anticipated, it was very easy to drop a stitch and not notice for a couple of rows. And working from the corner it got a very odd shape, it was long and pointy and we started calling it the "amoeba" because it did not seem to have any shape for a while.

When I started the decrease towards the last corner I realized I was way off on my stitch count, like 40 stitches a row off. The weird shape and working in fits and starts had lead to not following the pattern as closely as I thought I was. It was very frustrating and I actually sent the project home with my parents at one point and they spread it out and counted stitches to find my mistake.

I did something I almost never do with a project, because there was no way to fix it at this stage, I tore out over a third of the project. I went back to where it was correct and then just concentrated on this one project for several days to get it right and finished. The end result was worth all the work, I love how this turned out.

This is a picture of some of the yarn balls created when I tore out the rows I needed to fix in the amoeba. The little ball on the top is what was left after I had fixed one row.

Here you can see how the rows work from the corner, it turned out perfect once I remembered to count, something I won't forget again.

The border of the afghan really is what brings it together, it gives it a bit of structure and shape.

So Holiday project 2 was finished.

Family Holiday Project 1 - how it all began

2011-11-28T11:37:00.001-07:00

I had already been making gifts for several friends and family members when I thought it would be a great idea to make holiday gifts for my siblings. As I wrote about in Holiday Madness, this turned into an adventure that lasted several months and produced gifts for over 26 people by the end.

It all started when I decided to make a nice afghan for my brother Bill and his boys, something nice and warm for them to cuddle under when watching movies and TV together. They live about 300 yards from Lake Erie so it is quite cold during the Winter and a nice sturdy afghan would be perfect.

Off to the store I went with my fearless sidekick (also known as my supportive and patient daughter Xylona) and I found the perfect shades of blue for the pattern I had picked. I spent the Spring looking for a pattern book I had in the 90s and had accumulated several others in the process. There were a slew of new patterns I wanted to try. Since I had recently finished an afghan that used a basket weave pattern and wanted to try another version. "Fourth of July Fanfare" in Leisure Arts Afghans for All Seasons was perfect. So with Navy, Light Blue and Ecru Red Heart Super Saver yarn I was ready to go.

I like this pattern because it has an easy repeat and creates an afghan with great texture. It was fairly quick to work through with a nice border.

My gauge always seems to be off just a bit, I tend to have the perfect width but the length is off slightly. But as long as the project comes out to a good size I don't worry about it. If necessary I add a few rows at the end to make it the length I want.

The colors are perfect for a boy who is just about to turn 15 and with the strong border this is a blanket that will last him years. I really like how the basket weave pattern turned out.

So this was Holiday project 1.

A bag for everyone!

2011-11-12T13:20:00.000-07:00

Every now and then I come across a pattern that I just fall in love with and want to make for everyone I know. Recently I pulled out the pattern leaflet "Enviro-Totes" by Leisure Arts. I have had this leaflet almost two years and never tackled a project out of it. I had been working through my holiday list and after making some hats and scarves for my friend and her daughters I thought I would try one of these bags to go with them. After reading all of the patterns I decided to make the Bucket Tote. I used the same yarn as I used with the hats and scarves so the totes matched. As soon as I finished the first bag I knew this was a winning pattern. I love the way these bags come out and they are a great size for packing enough for an overnight or even a weekend getaway. Even better, they take just a couple of days of work to finish, they are fast and easy as well as easily adaptable to different colors or patterns.

For the first three I used acrylic yarn, if you have read my earlier posts you know that I like to mix it up and use yarn that I feel fits the project more than yarn that is outlined by a specific pattern. I love the way these totes came out. By the time I finished the third tote, I had added a pocket for a cell phone.

The first one I did in light blue and navy (Red Heart Super Saver) that matched the hat and scarf, I wanted this for the younger sister in the family.

The bottom of the tote is worked in the round using two strands of yarn to give it a good shape and strength.

I then added some lettered beads with her name to customize her bag. I used a fishing line to attache the beads so the thread is not visible. It can also easily be removed if necessary.

I used a ecru with the navy for the older sister in the family, I also used a different pattern for the hat and scarf so they are unique. I felt the color combination was a bit more mature and appropriate for someone about to enter her teens. Again, the added name in beads customizes the project.

For their mother, I added a cell phone pocket sewn into the band of the bag. If she wants to just throw things into the bag to run to the library or go away, she can easily find her phone.

As those of you who read my blog know, I do not like to sew. I have not made liners for these bags, I feel they will hold up without them. However, my daughter has fallen in love with these bags and told me I am to make her one that she can add a lining to herself. I used pinks (country rose and light country rose) as the girls are currently in a blue phase, this gives mom something uniquely her own.

The other change I made to this project was I used a basket weave pattern for the bag to make it match the hat and scarf. The bag has a 100 stitch base so I simply made the basket weave a five stitch pattern to have it work all the way around. I love the texture of this pattern. I also added a stripe to the handle to add a bit more of the lighter color to the project. All of these hats and scarves are all from the Leisure Arts leaflet Noggins and Necks.

Finally, I decided these would be the perfect gift for my best friend living in Florida. A hat or blanket would not be very useful, but a bag is something she can use on weekends or even to carry everything back and forth to work. I had some great orange cotton Bernat yarn that I knew was perfect for this orange loving gal.

I added a water bottle cozy that is the perfect size for Pepsi bottles (her preferred cold drink) and it may hold her coffee mug. I used the same pattern but reversed the yarn color for the bottle cozy, it includes a drawstring at the top keep the cozy snug to the bottle and it can hang from this loop from a hook I am going to add to the bag.

The other addition is not only a cell phone pocket but a pocket for her Nook e-reader. This way she can slip it in her bag and not worry about it banging around or falling to the bottom. As mentioned above, I also plan to add two clips, one on each side of the cell phone pocket for her keys and the water bottle cozy to hang from.

I am working on a blue bag with DS and cell phone pockets for her daughter now. They will have matching bags to carry when they visit the Uncles in Orlando or family in NJ.

A few nights ago as I was finishing the orange bag I looked at my daughter and told her "I want to make these for everyone!" She thought that was very funny, but I am already planning a couple more I am going to make and send off before the Holidays.

Holiday Maddness

2011-10-27T12:51:00.000-07:00

Here is the story of how one simple idea turned into a five month obsession.

Back in May of this year I was working on some baby blankets for a friend and decided that for the Holiday season this year I would make afghans for each of my siblings families. I have three sisters and one brother, so it seemed simple enough. I chose the first pattern from a book I had and the yarn was quickly purchased. My brother Bill's family was up first, and so it all began.

About one third of the way through the blanket I looked at the blues and cream and thought "these are the colors Bryan likes". I had used these colors for a hat I made Bryan several years ago, as I looked at this new project I kept seeing it wrapped around Bryan and I knew he would enjoy it. I knew that this project was meant specifically for him. So all I could think was that his brothers John and Aiden would feel left out if I sent an afghan that was clearly made with Bryan's favorite colors. I discussed this with my ever patient daughter and decided that maybe I could just make afghans for each of my nieces and nephews. How hard could it be? How hard indeed!

And so began the journey to find the perfect pattern and yarn for each of my 10 nieces and nephews. I tried to pick patterns that would be quick to finish (often using a larger hook) and that had few color changes. But then for some reason I decided I also needed to include a "family" afghan for my siblings and their spouses to share. Something they could have in their living room to curl up with on cold nights for the next 50 years. And so began more pattern searching and yarn purchasing. I went to Joann's Fabrics so often they recognized me, of course the fact that I was leaving with 8-10 pounder skeins of yarn each time made me pretty memorable. I was working on projects all the way through the decision process, it was rarely easy to match the right project with the intended recipient.

In the end I have completed 13 afghans/throws, 2 hats, a shawl and a scarf as gifts for the holidays. I used patterns found online, in magazines (the frustration of those are documented in earlier posts) and from my ever growing selection of pattern books. It has been all consuming in many ways as I worked 10-12 hours most days on these projects. Some of them (the "amoeba") were challenging, some of them were fun, some I love but were tedious to work through (the "Cowboys/49ers).

So I am now photographing, running through the dryer (to remove dog hair and lint) and packing all of the projects to send off. When I first started I planned to ship everything by Thanksgiving, but I moved that deadline up as I finished more of the projects. By Halloween all of the projects that are being shipped will have been boxed and shipped to the appropriate families.

I will be posting pictures of each project in the coming weeks and after the holidays I hope to have pictures of each person wrapped in their new blanket. It has been a crazy, fun journey but one that I do not plan to repeat. Not to worry I have more projects on the horizon, my daughter has a friend having a baby, there are friends and their kids to make Holiday gifts for, and I promised my own kids I would work on something for each of them after the Holiday season is over.

How yarn can make one patter so different...

2011-10-19T08:24:00.000-07:00

I recently completed a couple of projects using two different styles and types of yarn. It always amazes me how changing the yarn can make such a big difference.

Ponchos for little girls are just fun and quick projects that they can use for years if sized correctly. These are some I made recently for a 2 and 5 year old cousins. The addition of the pom poms really made these ponchos perfect for a little girl to wear during the Fall or Spring. My mother made shawls and ponchos for all of us when we were little. My niece wore my sister's poncho when she was a toddler, projects like these are perfect to pass down to younger generations.

As you can see, here the two ponchos are in bubble gum pink and turquoise blue baby soft yarn. I did a simple white border and pom poms. The pattern is adapted from one I found on the Lion's Brand website, I personally do not like the border on their pattern, it is not symmetrical.

When I showed them to a friend she immediately asked me to make one for her daughter but followed up by asking if I could make her one as well. She is travelling with her infant for Thanksgiving and thought is would be perfect for the airplane. She would keep warm and would be able to nurse the baby with more privacy using a poncho.

After looking as many, many patterns, I actually used the same pattern as the one I used for the little girls. But I used a heavy weight (5) yarn and a large hook. The result is a really pretty but simple poncho that offers warmth and privacy. I did just a very basic single crochet border at her request for "nothing too girly". The Lion's Brand Homespun yarn was perfect, it is silky to the touch so it has a fabulous drape. It is typically hard to work with, but using the "granny" style pattern and a very large hook made it easy to find the stitches as I worked.

So rethink some of your favorite patterns, a change of yarn can often get a great result that is new and exciting. I often make baby blankets from "regular" afghan patterns simply changing to a baby weight (3) yarn and a smaller hook.

It's like magic!

2011-09-16T08:56:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when I am working on a project I just am awed at how one piece of yarn becomes something more, something beautiful, useful, practical. Just from twisting and pulling loops. A particular project recently showed the process of how this single thread of yarn became a big beautiful afghan. I took some pictures to share the experience. The pattern is "Elegant Daisy Chain" from Afghans For All Season (Leisure Arts) and is an engagement present for a friend.

First we start with a single strand of cream yarn, I used my daughter's cut board to show scale.

The foundation is a chain with a loop every ten stitches.

And then you add some fans...

This row is very subtle, you are simply "bulking up" the top of each fan.

But when you follow up with a row behind the fans, that bulk give definition to the flower.

A little "lace stitch" to add some texture and depth.

And finally a simple frame and one half of the strip is finished. You can see that it is now just a bit more than 2 inches wide and one side of the strip is done.

Add fans to the other side...

Bulk and a connection to the other side that closes the outside of each flower.

Push it forward with a row in back...

Add the lace stitch...

Frame it and you have a finished strip for your afghan, and it is 4-5 inches wide.

Sew 12 of them together and you have a fabulous gift that I hope will last 50 years or more.

I am not a great photographer, pictures just don't convey the beautiful rich yellow hue of the yarn and the flow and texture of the pattern, but it is truly one of my favorites and relatively quick to make. I can easily finish one strip in a day. I worked on this project on and off for a couple of months, it was a great way to break up the monotony of large projects with very repetitive patterns.

Pieces and Parts

2011-08-22T23:43:00.000-07:00

When choosing a project sometimes the decision hinges on how many pieces and/or yarn changes are involved. I am a bit of a lazy crocheter, I don't like to change yarn every round or row. I want a pattern that repeats enough that I can quickly move through a project. Plus the more yarn changes the more ends to weave in and that is just not my favorite thing to do. Add to that my abject hatred of sewing, and anything that needs to be sewn together is quickly moved down the list of projects I want to complete (thus the holiday gift for my one nephew is waiting to be assembled).

There are some great projects that take flower motifs and make beautiful blankets that look like a garden of flowers...and they are usually made up of hundreds of pieces sewn together. Not what I am looking to take on, I get bored pretty easily so I try to stick with projects that have fewer than 20 pieces. Too many more than that I am unlikely to finish; either because I get bored before finishing all of the pieces or I just don't want to sew them all together.

I have taken on an afghan for my sister Celestine and her husband Max for the holidays. I chose an afghan that includes a pocket so it easily folds into a pillow. Great idea and wonderful way to keep a throw in the living room even when it is warm outside. I have chosen a pattern (Pillowghan from Leisure Arts A Year of Afghans Book 2) that I actually did once before and enjoyed even though it is 27 pieces.

What I really like about this is that the motif really looks like a flower, and because you use a large needle for 3 of the 4 rounds, it is actually pretty quick to make.

In this instance, I chose to use a mauve, green and cream to really make the flowers pop. The flower is actually created using a K hook. You then add the other rounds using 2 strands of yarn and a 15.0 mm hook (these are labeled anything from an N to Q so you need to check the size). I made this one so I could really see the colors and confirm this was what I wanted.

Usually I like to make each strip or piece completely, it feels like you make quicker progress that way. But in this instance, because of the three colors and the change of hooks, I decided to work the remaining 26 pieces one color at a time. So I am making the pink flower portion, then will add the green and finally finish each with the cream. Once all 27 pieces are finished I will suck it up and whip-stitch the whole thing together. In the end I will have a great versatile throw and another holiday gift off my list.

Edit - I have added a couple of pictures of the finished blanket at my sister's house. They love it!

What if the yarn says the wrong thing?

2011-08-19T12:51:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when I start a project I think I know exactly who it is for...and then something happens while I am making it and things just change.

Recently I decided to make an afghan for a friend's daughter for her engagement party. There is a pattern (Chain of Hearts, Leisure Arts A Year of Afghans Book 2) that I thought would be perfect. So off to the store we went to pick yarn. And I really was having trouble picking the right colors. The original pattern is shown in blue and white, but I did not think that was quite right for Amanda & Ray (the happy couple) and pink would be too girly in my mind. I really wanted to make something that they could have thrown across the back of their couch for the next 50 years. Finally I decided on a nice lavender and light green with an off white border. And I was quite happy with this color choice.

It happened that we were spending the day with my Dad so I brought along the yarn and started right away. And even with alternating colors for the hearts, I found the pattern quick and easy follow. Within a couple of hours I was starting (and restarting when my girl noticed I was not using the backloops only) the border. It took me a couple of days to complete the first strip.

And when I looked at it I knew right away that it was meant for Amanda's mother, Laurie, not Amanda & Ray. I decided this was the perfect holiday gift for Laurie, the colors match those in her bathroom and her office. And she has the biggest heart, so the pattern really fit as a gift for her. But I also felt that the purple was a bit overpowering as a border for all of the strips. In the original pattern they call for you to alternate the starting color for the hearts but maintain the same darker color for the inside border of each strip. I decided to alternate border colors along with the starting hearts.

And I love the way it is turning out, three strips are done (out of seven) and the afghan is living up to all my expectations. Laurie will get a great surprise for the holidays as well.

Of course, this means I had to choose another project for Amanda & Ray. So I went through my books and found a great neutral pattern that is perfect. But that is a discussion for another day.

Which yarn is right?

2011-08-17T07:39:00.000-07:00

Choosing the right yarn for your project can be just as important as choosing the right pattern. Yarn can be soft, silky, thick, fuzzy, bumpy, velvety... These days you can find just about any type of yarn you can imagine in a good craft store. But what yarn is right for your project?

Baby projects are pretty easy, you need a baby weight (usually 3 ply) yarn. These come in an amazing variety of colors these days, though they still tend to be a very standard pastel palette. With some of the new striping and jacquard yarns you can create wonderful patterns in your projects just by picking the right yarn. Bernat has a great selection of yarn for baby projects and is the "go-to" yarn when I am looking to create something for an expectant mother or very little child. These skeins come with patterns that work well and show the yarn at it's best.

Probably the biggest challenge with baby projects for me is the lack of colors I find appropriate for little boys. I like using primary colors or strong colors so the afghan can grow with the child. Baby colors just don't work for toddler boys. Often, if someone is expecting a boy (strangely rare these days among my friends/family) then I will make something for the baby to grow into and enjoy when he is older.

When choosing yarn texture is an important factor to consider along with color. I love Caron's Simply Soft yarn collection. The colors are a bit softer than in a traditional acrylic yarn and the product is super soft and silky. It also has a sheen to it so your project has a very high-end look when you use this yarn. I have used it recently for a couple of projects and I always love working with it. The one drawback would be that it can be a bit pricey to buy enough yarn for a big afghan. But it is perfect for hats or scarves that you want to have a more polished look. This yarn is also very easy to care for, machine wash/dry which is a must for me when making something to gift someone.

Years ago I discovered Lion's Brand Homespun yarn for making hats and scarves. I love the feel of this silky soft heavy weight yarn. You use a larger hook when working with it and you get an incredible look. Almost all of the colors are a blend of various shades or colors which have a very unique look. I recently used "Edwardian" a blue mix and "Colonial" a black/grey mix to make a throw for my niece.

I love the final outcome and the throw has a great feel and look to it. But, I find this yarn incredibly difficult to work with, it is not wound very tightly and it is made up of many very tiny fibers. When crocheting with it I find the fibers get caught in stitches and loop around my hook which slows down the process, a lot. In addition, the color variations mixed with the texture make it extremely difficult to distinguish between stitches. For this throw, I did not count stitches for quite a few rows and then when I got about 10 rows from the end I "fixed" each section adding or decreasing stitches as needed.

But the majority of my projects are made from ordinary 4 ply worsted weight acrylic yarn. There are two main brands I use Red Heart Super Saver and Caron. Red Heart is available at Walmart as well as pretty much any store that carries yarn, Caron is found in "pounder" skeins in most craft stores . These are the most cost effective yarn you can buy and come in a standard array of colors. Red Heart includes a pretty good selection of variegated colors including "Camouflage" which I am using for my army obsessed nephew right now.

The Red Heart Super Saver yarn has a fairly rough texture to it until it is washed a couple of times but is great for bags and hats - projects that you want to have hold their shape. In addition, Red Heart has a pretty good selection of variegated yarns which I like using for bags and small throws. The Caron yarn has a smoother, softer texture, some of the colors actually feel as soft as a cotton yarn. Economically, these yarns are pretty cost effective, a 14 oz (Red Heart) or 16 oz (Caron) skein of yarn retails at the store for about $8 each (I try to wait for a sale where and get it for less). For a standard afghan I use between 3-4 of the larger skeins of yarn.

Cotton yarn is a new favorite with me for small projects. I use it for making little bags, "Tumbler cozies", and stuffed animals. What I really like about cotton yarn is the texture and feel as well as how it holds it's shape. When making little stuffed animals the cotton yarn just holds up better than an acrylic. The color choices are great and you can get it in a "natural" color for projects like shopping bags. The yarn is absorbent and can be machine washed though you should use cold water.

Every project is a labor of love for me and it usually starts with picking the right yarn. This may mean spending 45 minutes wandering the yarn section of my local craft store or simply going through my bins of yarn here at home. But it is to me one of the most essential steps in creating the right project for someone I love.

Sometimes bigger really is better...or at least faster

2011-08-14T12:28:00.001-07:00

As my friends and family know, this year I made the decision to make gifts for all of my siblings and their children. For many people that may seem quite simple...but I am one of 5 children and I have 10 nieces and nephews. Add in the odd friend, in-law, etc and I have quite a list of projects...17 at last count.

So I had to make smart choices on the projects I was going to tackle. I tried to find unique projects that reflect how I feel about the recipient...but also looked for projects that used a large hook or had very few changes in color in order to speed things up.

One of my favorite projects I just completed, it is a granny square afghan for my nephew. I used red and blue because those are Spiderman colors and he is always wearing Spiderman clothes, shoes and seems to enjoy the show. The pattern used strands of yarn with a large hook. Now, when they call for a "Q" hook always look to see if they have a size printed in mm referring to the size needed for the pattern. I purchased a "Q" hook only to get it home and find out it is 50% bigger than the one called for in the pattern. In fact a current "N" hook is the size that is needed for most of the patterns.

Pictured at the bottom is the "N" hook I have been using alongside an "H" hook. The majority of projects using a sport weight (4 ply) yarn call for an "H" or "I" hook, you can see the "N" is much larger. I found that I even hold it differently while crocheting. If you use a hook that is larger than called for in the pattern you will have a larger project that uses more yarn than expected. Sometimes I purposely use a larger hook to simply make a pattern I like in a larger size.

I like this granny square pattern (Leisure Arts "A Year of Afghans Book 2") it is made up of 20 squares and each is just 5 rounds because it is the large hook. Using 2 strands of yarn, and 2 colors you create a checkerboard pattern quite quickly and easily.

Half of the squares use one strand of each color and I like the look, I think it is very appropriate for a small boy and will be something he can keep as a throw for many years. I am going to make the same pattern in green and brown (The Hulk colors) for his brother.

The edge on this blanket uses a reverse single crochet, a stitch that I find challenging every time I use it. But it is the perfect stitch for finishing off edges of simple blankets and bags. I even use it in my "Tumbler Cozy". You move backward inserting from front to back and left to right and the result is a twist in the stitch. It really is unique.

So yes, bigger can be better simply because it is faster. When you want to whip up a quick project it is a great way to produce something quickly. This blanket took me 2 days to finish, not too bad!