Week 12 Challenge

#25 Aligned Shells from 63 Easy-To-Crochet Pattern Stitches Combine to Make An Heirloom Afghan.

As promised, here is the step-by-step of the join-as-you-go method I am using for this project. There is an excellent tutorial at Annie's Attic on how to actually make the join.

1. With the right side up and crochet hook, 3 sc in middle sc of lower right corner; 27 sc up right side of block.

2. 3 sc is corner sc; 27 sc up top of block; 3 sc in corner sc.

3. 27 sc down left side; 2 sc in corner sc.

4. Using tunisian hook, right side together matching stitches with the right side of the adjoining block, pick up sts.

5. YO, pull through 1st loop, yo pull through 2 loops. Continue across to last 3 loops. YO pull through 3 loops.

6. With crochet hook, turn work right side out; sc in corner sc (so you have 3 sc in corner); 27 sc across bottom of block, do not join.

7. With tunisian hook, right sides together matching stitches to top of adjoining block, beginning with the corner stitches (yes, a little awkward, but it works), pick up stitches.

8. Repeat Step 5. Fasten off.

Completed join

Right side view

That's it! An easy process--it just takes a little practice and hold your tongue just right.

Have a good week!'

Week 11 Challenge

#56 Snapdragon Stitch from 63 Easy-To-Crochet Pattern Stitches Combine To Make An Heirloom Afghan, Leisure Arts.

I seem to have lost a week. Does anyone know where I put it? I could have sworn I blogged last week.

I like to walk, work, and craft while listening to podcasts and audio books. Those darn ear phone lines kept getting in my way, sometimes unplugging the earphones causing my iPod to drop to the ground. Thus came the iPod lanyard. I can wrap up the excess lines around the iPod and shove it all in the lanyard case.

The iPod lanyard is very easy to make. Make a chain slightly smaller than the width of the iPod. Do not join, but continue to work in the stitch of choice until the length desired. I added a flap by working half of the last row and turning. Decrease on each side of the flap until you have the width and length of flap desired. Slip stitch down the side of the flap. Work a foundation double crochet chain until you have the length desired. Fasten off, leaving yarn long enough to attach a lobster claw. It's done!

I have several podcasts I like to hear on a regular basis. Right now (and I mean this very minute) I am listening to the Classic Tales Podcast. B.J. Harrison reads short stories and novels, releasing a free podcast every Friday. Currently he is reading The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy. Even though I have read this novel before, I find myself deeply engrossed in the reading. A couple of weeks ago, the episode left off at a point where I almost got upset. "NO! Don't leave me here for a week! I need to know what happens! Wait. I've read this before. I know what happens."

Have a good week!

Week 10 Challenge

This week's block from 63 Easy-To-Crochet Pattern Stitches Combine To Make An Heirloom Afghan is #33 Silt Stitch. I am not overly fond of this stitch. There just isn't much texture definition. After I added this block to the afghan, I realized that it was wrong side up. Further inspection showed that that purple block next to it was sideways. This is what is so great about joining-as-you-go. I only had to frog the joining round on the offending blocks and re-join. Awesome!

This is what I made for my fiber pal (Hi Jo Ann!) for the month of June. The pattern is on Lion Brand's website. This is a great place to find free patterns. There website is very user friendly. The pattern downloads into MY LYB just waiting for me to make. Each pattern even has a row counter and a place to add notes that automatically saves--ready and waiting for the next time.

Last week's Dishcloth KAL using designs by Alli Barrett, is Ladybug Daze Cloth. These are so quick to make and her designs are wonderful. I'm not sure how often we'll start a new KAL, but I want to make them all.

Other than that, I have been working on Christmas presents. And now my daughter and mother-in-law want crocheted iPod covers just like one I made for myself. More details on that later. Looks like I'll be busy for awhile.

Have a safe and happy 4th of July!