December Already

"Good Grief" as one of our favorite cartoon characters would say, I can't believe the year is almost over.  Where has it gone?  What have I done?  I feel like the white rabbit talking to Alice, I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date......but can't remember what it was.  Oh well, that means I can do it all over again.  Of course, we know that my date included crocheting.  I have been very busy.    I finished 85 afghans for the HAP Charity, made more than 20 shawls and cowls to give away, and made a couple of afghans to test new patterns.  I haven't been just sitting around but have been sitting around with a crochet hook in my hand.  In between Shaunti demanded her fair share and we played Frisbee.  I toss and she retrieves at least until she tires and then she just runs to the door and drops it.  I get the hint and open the door for her.  She has me trained.  We just came in from a Frisbee toss so now I must get back to my Excel spread sheet.  I'm finally organizing my CD collection and filing them in a nice spinner cabinet.  Who knows, maybe I'll even listen to some now that the holiday season is upon us.  Chestnuts roasting on an open fire.....sounds like a nice way to begin December.  I have high hopes for another blog entry before the holiday season begins, BUT in case I don't make it, I wish everyone a Happy Holiday!

Shawls for the Holidays

Well, once I get started I go to town.   I made all five of these shawls in about a week and used up lots of stash.  All the Lion Glitterspun, all the Paton's Brilliant Gold, a Caron Soft Bone, one 4 oz skein of Red Heart Painted Desert, a skein of Red Heart Eco in mushroom, and 2 skeins of Red Heart White.  Just to let you know that I mix and match as appropriate.  They are lovely and I am keeping the middle one for me.  It is brownish with gold glitter and the painted desert gives it a southwest appearance.  Very pretty.  The others I will donate to a convalescent center near me.  I'm sure the ladies will feel special when wrapped in something lacy and warm.  It is the Lion Brand Doily Shawl pattern and is a delight to make.  You can use any yarn weight and any hook size.  The size and weight will determine the length and width of the shawl.  Since I like larger yarns, I used a P hook and doubled the strands.  The beauty of the pattern is that you can mix the strands as you go and it still comes out lovely as demonstrated in the brown/painted desert one.  I love the pattern and will probably make lots more. ade all five of these shawls in about a week and used up lots of stash.  All the Lion Glitterspun, all the Paton's Brilliant Gold, a Caron Soft Bone, one 4 oz skein of Red Heart Painted Desert, a skein of Red Heart Eco in mushroom, and 2 skeins of Red Heart White.  Just to let you know that I mix and match as appropriate.  They are lovely and I am keeping the middle one for me.  It is brownish with gold glitter and the painted desert gives it a southwest appearance.  Very pretty.  The others I will donate to a convalescent center near me.  I'm sure the ladies will feel special when wrapped in something lacy and warm.  It is the Lion Brand Doily Shawl pattern and is a delight to make.  You can use any yarn weight and any hook size.  The size and weight will determine the length and width of the shawl.  Since I like larger yarns, I used a P hook and doubled the strands.  The beauty of the pattern is that you can mix the strands as you go and it still comes out lovely as demonstrated in the brown/painted desert one.  I love the pattern and will probably make lots more.

THANKSGIVING 2007

Well, it is the Monday after Thanksgiving and a rainy day. This year the holiday was quiet--lots of football and crocheting with my poodle in my lap. She is always there when I work--she likes to get under the light and cuddle onto the item underway. Right now it is a sage green and multi-sage-orange mix. It's turning out to be very nice. A single yarn, large size afghan. I got my first unsolicitated inquiry about my afghans from my web site. It is a good thing that the fee for the site is slight--I'm not depending on sales to fund the site. I really created the web for the fun of it and now must update it with new items. I just finished a lipstick red shawl and hat combination--and here it is. So now it is back to work--crocheting that is.