Poodle Security System In Place

Friends remembered me when on travel and brought me a poodle security welcome mat they saw in Kansas City.  Of course, my poodle had to check it out to be sure it 'worked.'  Guess it is working, we've had no strange poodles in our house.  Shaunti is the official guard poodle in our house.

December and Sunny Days

Red Heart's Key Hole Scarf

I've been busy the past two weeks finishing up projects for a charity event and making new items for friends and other organizations.  Sure keeps me hopping but happy.  The above scarf is for the daughter of a friend.  Can't send it though until I finish a second scarf in navy blue for the youngest daughter of the same friend.  I'm hoping this red scarf isn't too long for the 8 year old.  Red is her color!  Anyway, we shall see.  And, in the meantime I must make a shawl for another friend and then ..... and then .... well you get the picture.  Isn't it wonderful to have such a wonderful hobby that makes me happy and is so useful to others.  I will never be bored.  I just ordered some audible books of The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon and am listening to these epic novels based in Scotland and some in Colonial America, and back and forth.  I just crochet away and drift with the characters as they go about their lives.  If you haven't read any of these books, I recommend them.  They are the best!  You can read about them at  Diana's website.

BEAUTIFUL FALL DAY

Well, I've been in a computing mood lately.  After going to National Theatre and seeing 'Jersey Boys' I had to have some clips so I could continue to enjoy the songs and singers.  We so enjoyed the play.  Oh What a Night!  And this was in 2011 not 1963!  It was a great play.  I recommend it to anyone who has not seen it.  In between downloading some clips and playing the songs, I finished two more projects for my charity work.  Sometimes things just go together fast and these two did.  Today I even cleaned out the yarn closet to see what is there and what needed to be rearranged so I can find it.  Threw out a big box that originally had yarn in it but was now just storing miscellaneous skeins.  Now I have everything in its place in plastic see-through bags.  Much easier to pick and choose that way.  Let's see if I reduce my stash significantly between now and December 31st.  The problem is much of what is left is lace weight and this takes a long time to crochet into a shawl.  So, now for the finished two items.

First is the scarf out of Lion Brand's Jiffy yarn that matches the beret.  The pattern called for a cowl but I turned it into a keyhole scarf and added a shell edging.  The second hat just finished today was with Red Heart Zoomy yarn which has been discontinued but was perfect for this slouchy beret designed by Ellen Gormley.  Both are in the bag to go to the charity fairs scheduled for the end of November. 

Made from V-Stitch Cowl & Beret Pattern

Slouchy Beret by Ellen Gormley in Red Heart's Zoomy Yarn

Another Spring Like Day in November

Hard to believe that today is November 14th.  It is 70 degrees and sunny.  The leaves crunch under foot and it just doesn't feel like mid November.  Enjoy it while it's here...it could  snow a foot tomorrow.  Yes, it's been that kind of weather, changeable.  But, I have been steady in my crocheting and in knitting on my cousin's shrug.  I have completed a 2nd skein of yarn and another 4 inches of shrug....only 30 inches to go now.  I'll get it done soon.  I can only knit for so long before I wear out so in between time I made this lovely hat for the HAP group.  Check out their activities at their site.  Soon I'll have a cowl to go with the hat.  Both were made from Lion Brand yarns.  The orange is Jiffy's Rust and the other is Tweed's Woodlands.  The V-Stitch Beret and Cowl pattern was designed by Mara Callahan.  So, gotta go finish the cowl.  The model is unnamed at this time but she is happy to just be sitting wherever I place her.  Life is Good!!!

Mobius Shrug in Tweed

Today was a cold and blustery day.  It is now dark and only 5:30 p.m.  The loss of daylight savings time is always a transition.  More time to crochet!  Today I finished a shrug that I had started sometime ago.   The yarn is Tweed by Lion Brand and the Sequoia Shrug is the pattern I started out making.  It is a simple rectangle so when I determined that I didn't have enough yarn to finish it, it was easy to just twist one end, sew it together and then finish it using the same stitch as in the shrug pattern.  I added the shells and picots to make the edging pop out.  Of course, I had to devise something to cover up the seam so I made a strip of shells and picots and sewed it over the seam.  The yarn is stretchy and worked great for a mobius.  If you decide to try it, the pattern is free.  I recommend you get 4 skeins of yarn for the mobius.  If you decide to make the shrug, you'll need 5 skeins.

Notice the strip of shells covering the seam.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! BOO!!

Today seemed like an appropriate time to update my blog with a new look and a recently completed project.  I have been remiss about keeping current on here but hopefully you will excuse me.  I have been visiting family in Tulsa after over 18 years and it was great fun to see everyone after such a long time.  In my rental car I was happy to be able to get around just like always...as long as I stayed off the bypasses and took the numbered and named streets.  Everything was 10 minutes away from where I stayed even the Hard Rock Casino/Hotel where we went for dinner one night.  This was a new adventure since there were no casinos when I lived in Tulsa.  We played the slots and the video poker.  My cousin said she won which is good because I didn't.  I'm not a big gambler so I didn't lose much...$60.  But, just think of the yarn I could have bought?  Oh well, my closet is still full so maybe there will be more room for new yarn later.  In the meantime I'm making inroads in the stash and am slowly but surely using up my older yarn.  Only buying new for special projects.  I know, I know no new yarn but for some projects my old yarn just won't do.  Excuses!  Excuses!  Here's the latest Circle-Edged Wrap by Kim Guzman.  The pattern was published in Crochet! Magazine January 2011 issue.

New Charity Projects for Washington Hospital Center's Cancer Center

The weather is finally cooler and sunnier.  We had lots of rain earlier which made it easy to stay in and crochet.  I've been working on using up my stash yarn and have managed to make up several projects to donate to charity.  specifically, I'll be donating the lapghan and the shawl shown below to the Washington Hospital Center's Cancer Center.  

Both items turned out quite nice so I will be mailing them next week to Lorna at the Cancer Support Services.  I love to crochet and it is so nice to be able to share the warmth with others.

A heavily modified pattern using Lion Brand's Homespun in Black 

and N.Y. Yarn's Grande in Chocolate. 

Tranquil Shawl made with Wool Ease Chunky by Lion Brand

Also made a bulky best for a small woman or large girl using a heavy chocolate colored N.Y. Yarn's Grande.  The pattern was furnished by Patternworks which sold the yarn.  It made up in just a few hours but putting the buttons on took some thought.  I don't expect it will ever be buttoned since it is so heavy but the buttons add a nice detail.

Baby Snuggle Bug Papoose and Hat

It seems that fall is right around the corner.  Today it is cooler and the sun is peeking in and out.  Forecast is to have cooler and dryer weather after today with highs in the 70's but much less humidity.  That will be nice.  For me it doesn't matter much since I crochet in a climate controlled house.  As long as my yarn lasts, I will be happily crocheting while the weather does whatever it pleases.  Just finished another Snuggle Bug, a design by Sue Childress, which is just wonderful because it makes up so fast and is so cute.  When a hat is added, it makes a very attractive ensemble for some lucky baby.  Here is the one I just finished for a very good friend's grandniece using Red Heart.  The hat was made using a free pattern from Caron Yarn.  The model is a rabbit I keep for just these kind of patterns.  My poodle won't sit still as a model.

 

FUN FUR PROJECT FOR CHARITY

What fun I'm having making all these things for a craft show later this year.  I discovered that the Lion Brand's Fun Fur is fun to work with as long as you use large hooks and a soft 2nd or 3rd strand of yarn.  I just made a hat and a scarf using  Lion Brand's Tweed in Marble and Fun Fur in Lava.  It was fast and looks like it will be something that will sell.  I'm thinking of getting some more fur to go with my Homespun.  Wouldn't candy apple red and red fur be a pretty combination?  I have lots of the candy apple red Homespun.  Just never sure what I would do with it...now I may have a project.  Today it is raining!  Pouring!  We don't need more rain but guess the rain gods aren't listening.  Anyway, it's a good day to sort out some yarn projects, take some pictures, and post my results on my Ravelry Page.  Here are the recent project pictures.  Now it's time to go back and work on the Doily Shawl by Doris Chan. 

Is Fall Far Off?

Today is a glorious day.  Sunny and 80 degrees.  I should be out doing something but that would mean spending money.  I can do that right here at the computer and probably faster.  So, I'm inside while my husband is outside working in the yard.  He loves it (I hope) because he has to spend a lot of time on it.  We have a big yard.  I am beginning on some new projects for charity.  All of my organizations say shawls, hats, throws, and more shawls are what sell.  I love making these items and it is a great way to use up some of my yarn that is hanging around way too long.  Let's see, if I use up some yarn then I can replace it with new yarn, isn't that right?  Forget that I've been emptying my yarn closet since I started this blog in 2007 and so far I can barely shut the door.  So, if I'm going to use it up I'd better get to hooking hadn't I.  So, I'll be off but first here is the latest hat and scarf I've finished using Lion Brand's Hometown USA super-bulky yarn.  It works up fast and is machine washable/dryable.  Great for kids and grownups alike.  Well, as you can see, the hat is for a small child but the scarf is for anyone.  The next hat will be made bigger.  Who knew that this pattern with this yarn would make a 16 inch hat.  Even the dummy can't get it over her head!

2012 Special Olympic Scarves

Well, I finished 5 of the Special Olympics pattern for Maryland.  I'll be shipping off to the coordinator but not for another few months in case I make some additional scarves.  Just saw where I can use any pattern as long as the red and blue theme is followed.  I think I'll make a few more using a different pattern but keeping the 6x60 inch size.  It's for a good cause.  Here are a couple of picture of the two patterns selected for the State of Maryland olympians.

September is Here and Cooler Weather

September is here with cooler weather but still lots of humidity.  We survived Hurricane Irene with no significant damage, just lots of rain and moderately strong winds.  It was strong enough to blow down some leaves and leafy limbs that covered the yard but caused no damage.  Guess we were fortunate when the next day we heard about all the power outages.  And even today, some homes and businesses are still without power.  The kids got to miss the beginning of school in many locations nearby.  And, of course, there was lots of damage on up the coast in New Jersey and Vermont.  It is amazing how much damage a Category 1 storm can do.  Sure glad it wasn't a Category 3 or 4!  Here's a picture looking out the back door the evening before the storm.  The humidity is almost thick enough to cut with a knife.  Sure glad for the AC! 

This shows the humidity in the air

This is looking through the door toward the same area as in the first photo.

Fearless Scarf for Pat

Oops!  How could I have forgotten to mention Tracie Barrett's scarf on my blog?  Too many other sites where I posted the picture.  The pattern is very pretty.  I did use Crystal Palace Yarn again but doubled the strands to add softness and drape.  Also added the edging to the ends of the scarf.  In my opinion the straight ends were not 'girly' enough for the friend I'm gifting.  The trim made it just right.  I've posted two pictures, one with trim and one without.  Both are lovely!!!  Sure glad I still had enough yarn available.  So I have used all but about a half ounce of the yarn.  Not sure what I'll use the little leftover for but it's in my remnant bag for just the right thing.  Maybe a trim for a hat?  That might work.  Anyway, now I'm off to my errands and lunch.  Time's awasting.

Hobobird Shawl by Anastaciaknits Using Crystal Palace Yarns Mini Mochi

Good Morning, It is a beautiful day here in Maryland.  The humidity is low and the temperature mid-80's.  Know it won't last but it is lovely while here.  Errands this morning and then back to my crafts.  Finished up a shawl (hobobird pattern) I've been working on using Crystal Palace Yarn's mini mochi in color neptune.  It turned out quite pretty.  The pattern is fun to make and works up in a lovely shape.  The thing that makes the pattern so delightful is that you can use any yarn weight and just crochet until the size suits you or you run out of yarn...whichever comes first.  After blocking mine, the size is perfect for a petite woman.  I have just the one in mind but can't name her yet...it's a surprise!  As you can see, Shaunti loves to pose and my talented husband put the shawl in a lovely stained glass frame.  All in all, I think it turned out very pretty.  Thank you Anastaciaknits for the pattern and to Crystal Palace Yarns for such lovely yarn.

Lapghans for Washington Hospital Center's Sit & Knit Group

Yea!  All because of a simple question about a project made a few years ago, I met a lovely new friend at www.ravelry.com and she told me about Washington Hospital Center's Sit and Knit  group that meets monthly to crochet and knit shawls, wraps, and throws for cancer patients. I an thrilled to be able to participate in such a worthy cause.  It is a lovely way to use up some of my stash yarn, too.  I have tons of acrylics which is perfect for these items.  I just finished this throw which will give comfort to someone going through treatment.  So, I better get back to work and make some more items for the next meeting.

New Baby Papoose and Matching Hat

When I heard that my friend's son was having a new baby I just had to make something special.  Every baby deserves his or her own "blankie" to be cuddled in.  I had bought this Baby Papoose Pattern at Annie's Attic and had already made two for another friend so I knew that it would be perfect.  Of course, I had to do this quickly so it could be sent and received within a week.  Good thing I knew that this pattern was easy to do and worked up quickly.  I started and finished it in two sittings while watching my favorite TV shows.  I hope you agree that the turquoise and navy blues will brighten up any new mother and father even if they are sleep deprived.  We all know that babies are demanding little creatures but so worth the trouble.  After all, we were all babies once upon a time....

FINALLY...A PROJECT BY ME

Bet everyone thought I had given up crocheting anything but HAP afghans.  Not true.  In between the putting together of HAP afghans, I have been working on a couple of small projects.  Here is the one I just finished, the Infinity Scarf designed by Shannon Mullett-Bowlsby.  It is a lovely scarf and while it looks complicated, the pattern is easy to follow and do consistently.  I will make another one but will make it longer.  For this one I wanted to use up some yarn I had in a cotton acrylic Kiwi...couldn't buy more 'cause it isn't available any longer.  I hate it when that happens.  Oh well, it turned out just right and will go over my head and drape just inside the opening of a jacket or sweater.  Now I'm off to finish another afghan and then work on my cousin's knit shrug.  G-r-r-r-r-r-r-r!  Knitting is s-o-o-o-o-o slow!

HAP is What's Happening!

You might wonder what is HAP?  Well, it is an organization founded and managed by Deborah Starobin Armtrong to provide afghans to wounded soldiers.  She has signed up over 1,600 volunteers who crochet or knit 6x9 inch rectangles that are put together by volunteers into afghans.  Each afghan is made from 49 rectangles and then crocheted together.  So far, over 6,200 afghans have been sent to wounded soldiers at many different military hospitals.  Here is a sample of the work beginning with the rectangles, then the designed afghans pinned together into seven columns, and then the finished product.  I am just one of many volunteers participating in this marvelous activity.  So far I've put together 11 afghans and crocheted about 100 rectangles to be used in other afghans.  To see more, go to the web page Handmade Afghans to Thank Our Armed Forces Project (HAP)

The designed afghans come in bags of seven stacks numbered 1-7.  They are then crocheted together in order of 1st column to 7th column.

The is the almost finished afghan.  The outside edging is now being added.

Lake ChargoggagShawl by Anastacia Zittel

Just finished the last test pattern for a bit.  This gave me a challenge because I couldn't figure out the edging and had to do it twice before I got it right.  It turned out very nice once finished.  As you can see, even Shaunti likes it.  She plopped herself down right in the middle all by herself and then looked up at me as if to say, 'now what are you gonna do MOM?'  I just took her picture.  All of the patterns that I have tested for Anastacia have been fun and easy to make.  Visit her web page and see for yourself.

Another Great Anastacia Zittel Design--Hobobird Shawl

I am so embarrassed....I had promised to finish this shawl back in February and here it is April.  What can I say???  A senior moment perhaps? I hope it is just over commitment.  Seriously, the pattern was a delight to make and it came out beautifully.  The yarn was lovely to work with and helped make the shawl look like a butterfly.  Needless to say, I'll make more Anastacia Zittel designs and I would love to make more things with the Smooshy Dream In Color yarns.  In fact I tried to get more of the color I used for this shawl which was pansy go lightly and found it sold out at most stores.  Fortunately for this shawl I only needed the one skein but if I had a second skein I would have used it to make the shawl larger.  I am tall and like my shawls and shrugs to wrap around.  This shawl will be perfect for a smaller person so it will be a gift...lucky woman!!!  Anyway, now you know why I've been out of touch...because I've been catching up on all my commitments.  I'm almost there.  But what would it be to not have multiple projects going on.  Life is just so much fun when you can have your hobby turn out such luscious projects.  Keep turning out these pretty designs Anastacia!!!