Week 50 Challenge

#50 Picot Stitch

63 Easy to Crochet Pattern Stitches Combine to Make an Heirloom Afghan

Leisure Arts

I kind of like this one. At first I wasn't too sure if this stitch can be used for anything else, but after looking at it for a few days I can see some possibilities. Thirteen more to go!

Projects in Progress

Baby Shells

I Love This Yarn, Cranberry and Cranapple Stripes.

The baby blanket is finished and presented to the mother-to-be. This isn't a color I would choose for a baby, but it's what my friend wanted and she happy with it. And, I got it completed with six week to go!

The blanket is somewhat based an a pattern from 7-Day Afghans. If the directions are followed, the blanket feels more like a rug. So I changed it. Instead of using two strands of yarn, I used one. The same size hook is used. I also worked a row of single crochet around the blanket before starting the edging. The edging is three rows of the shell stitch worked with a single strand of contrast yarn.

Dazzling Details Jacket

Designed by Garnstudio/Drops Design

Crochet! September 2009

Baby Bee Yarn, Grape Jelly

I did my research on this one and the only corrections are very minor. Several people on Ravelry have made it with no problems. So far, I'm lovin' it. The pattern is working up quickly and it is so soft. I'm going to try to keep this one for myself, but I can see one of my daughters wanting it.

What I am Reading

This week's quote from Beloved, by Toni Morrison, is keeping with the theme of loving and the freedom to love:

"He knew exactly what she meant: to get to a place where you could love anything you choose--not to need permission for desire--well, now that was freedom."

Think about. Things we take for granted aren't there for everyone. Could you live like that?

Other Stuff

Today was my grandson's birthday party. Last week he turned four-years-old. It's hard to believe. He is such a little man. As he was opening his presents, he made sure to thank everyone by name and he thank everyone for being there. Such a sweetie, but I'm his grandma.

Please check out DinaMarieCrochet at Etsy.

Have a good week!

Week 49 Challenge

#38 Diagonal Popcorn

63 Easy to Crochet Pattern Stitches Combine to Make an Heirloom Afghan

Leisure Arts

Once again I ran out of yarn to do the whole square, but in this case the color combination works--a little. Fourteen more squares and the challenge will be complete!

Projects in Progress

This should probably be Projects No Longer in Progress--meaning the Blue Ridge Hoodie. The other sleeve was in and it still didn't look quite right. Then it came time to start the hood. The directions clearly state to join at the right front neck edge--what right front neck edge? I checked the schematics and it does show a neck edge and shoulders. Nowhere in the pattern are there directions for neck and shoulder shaping. I went to Interweave Press, where I downloaded the pattern, only to find out that the pattern is no longer available for download. So the pattern is so flawed that Interweave Press pulled it? I googled the pattern and it seems a lot of people were having problems and unable to get answers from the neither the designer or the publisher. This is not the first time I've had problems from this publisher. Lesson learned: research patterns before starting. The hoodie is halfway frogged and I do have a jacket planned that can use the same yarn. And yes, it appears that the directions are pretty accurate.

But first, my friend informed me that her baby is due in eleven weeks. Time to get started on a baby blanket. My friend requested a dark red blanket. This one is done in a simple shell stitch. I'm not sure what I'll do about the edging.

What I am Reading

I am about half way through Beloved, by Toni Morrison. This is a dark novel that dwells into slavery and the time just after the end of the Civil war. There aren't any uplifting quotes, so far, but this quote really made me stop and read it several times.

"Risky, thought Paul D. very risky. For a used-to-be-slave woman to love anything that much was dangerous, especially if it was her children she had settled on to love. The best thing, he knew, was to love just a little bit; everything, just a little bit, so when they broke its back, or shove it in a croaker sack, well, maybe you'd have a little love left over for the next one."

I don't know what it's like to be a slave, so I won't even attempt to address that issue. But I am a mother, and to not be allowed or afraid to love my children as much as I do, well, that is just inhuman.

Other Stuff

It's Spring and that means baseball. My husband and I enjoy going to watch our AAA baseball team play. Today was the first Sunday game of the season and the weather was perfect. We took our grandson and his friend. Too bad our team didn't play well.

Please check out my Etsy shop.

Have a good week and Play Ball!!!

Week 48 Challenge

#20 Plain Square

63 Easy to Crochet Pattern Stitches Combine to Make an Heirloom Afghan

Leisure Arts

Challenge

This one is pretty easy, but I did make one change. The directions said to crochet in the back loop. I thought that looked a little sloppy, so I crocheted through both loops. It looks a lot better, I think.

Projects in Projects

Got the sleeve in my hoodie. The sleeve went in kind of funny and looks funny, but I tried it on. Other than the sleeve is longer than I like, it fits fine. My goal is to one day take a class on designing garments so I can fix problems like that.

What I am Reading

Harry Potter is finished and Beloved, by Toni Morrison is started. I'm not far into the book, but so far we have some memories of slavery and a possessed house. Next week I'll have a better perspective on the book.

Other Stuff

Spring seems to finally be here, although I haven't put away the winter coat. With the snow and freezing temperatures, I was afraid my daffodils wouldn't make it. They were on the ground, but the warmer temperatures over the last few days have popped them right back up. I am afraid the my gladiolas won't be back. I found the bulbs on top of the soil. I dug a hole and put them back in. We'll see. Can you tell I can't wait to get outside with pretty flowers?

I'm waiting for my photographer/husband to get the pictures processed then I will have new items up in Etsy.

Have a good week!

Week 47 Challenge

#43 Puff Stitch

63 Easy to Crochet Pattern Stitches Combine to Make an Heirloom Afghan

Leisure Arts

Confession time. I don't particularly like puff stitches. They have their place and they look nice, but not "my thing". Also, since I'm not a fan of puff stitches, and since I ran out of yarn, I just attached another yarn to finish the square. 'Nuff said!

Projects in Progress

The body of my hoodie is completed. The ribbing on the bottom took forever, but is so easy. I can't wait to get this done.

My plan is to go to the Knit and Crochet Show in Minneapolis this summer. There is a chapter challenge for chemo caps, so I've stepped up the chemo cap project. So far I've made 19 caps.

What I am Reading

I'm still on Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. That is a really big read. I consider myself an avid reader and can usually get through a book in about a week. I've been on this one for almost three weeks and still have about a quarter of the book to go. The Harry Potter books may have been written for younger people, but I can see how adults would enjoy. There's lots of action, lessons learned between right and wrong, images and imagination, and still human.

Other Stuff

My daffodils started to bloom last week when it was warm. Today winter is back. I'm glad I got pictures before the flowers froze.

Finally, here is a preview of what is going up on Etsy sometime this week.

Have a good week!

Week 46 Challenge

Happy Spring!

#36 Little Crowns

63 Easy to Crochet Pattern Stitches Combine to Make an Heirloom Afghan

Leisure Arts

This week's block is added to my list of Least Favorite Blocks. That list is growing. I like picots as an edging, but not this way. I can't even see the picots!

Projects in Progress

This is the start of something for myself--the Blue Ridge Hoodie, design by Katie Himmelberg, Interweave Press--only mine is purple. This is very easy to make, but I do caution anyone making this to pay attention when working on the armholes. The directions are clear and if they are followed step-by-step (instead of taking short-cuts like I do), you will have no problems. I used inexpensive yarn from Hobby Lobby that is so very soft. The sweater will be perfect for taking the dogs for walks in the evening. I can't wait to get this completed.

Other than that, I have been making more chemo caps and making items for my Etsy shop

What I am Reading

I admit--I have become addicted to the Harry Potter books. It started out trying to find out what all the fuss was about, but these are really good books. I am about half-way through Year 5, The Order of the Phoenix.

Other Stuff

Meet Truvy Belle. She says "Hi". Truvy is very interested in cameras, crochet hooks, knitting needles, the sewing machine, and yarn. She has gotten a hold of some yarn, but she didn't harm it in any way. I guess she is like me and just wants to feel it. Truvy is a mix of Australian Cattle Dog and Border Collie--too smart for her own good. This is her first week with us and she quickly became part of the family; we just have to remember that she is still a puppy and a rescue dog. She takes a lot of patience, but she learns fast and is eager to please us. Now if I could just break her of chewing on my shoes.

When crocheting or knitting, I like to listen to podcasts or books. This week I found an app for my iPhone. It's called Pandora. It takes your preference in music--either artist or genre--and generates a playlist. There is an option to purchase any album or song from iTunes. Since my taste in music varies, this is perfect. Thursday, St. Patrick's Day, I spent all day listening to Celtic music; yesterday it was classical, and today I just may listen to some light rock from the 1970s.

My thoughts and prayers to the Japanese people. I hope you and yours are safe.

Have a good week!

Week 45 Challenge

#13 Bushy Stitch,

63 Easy to Crochet Pattern Stitches Combine to Make and Heirloom Afghan,

Leisure Arts

I really like the texture on this stitch. This, too, would make a good scarf. One nice thing about this challenge is that I'm getting some ideas for stitch patterns to use on different things.

The scoodtens (hooded scarf and mittens) are all finished! WooHoo!

I made my first sale on Etsy! WooHoo!

We have adopted the sweetest dog. I'll have more information about her next week. Her foster mom is bringing her over this evening.

It's been a good week--can you tell?

Next week is Spring Break and I'm taking some vacation time AND the weather is supposed to be nice. WooHoo! I hope to start working on something for myself.

This is Sadie on a blanket I crocheted for her out of scrap yarn. She really seems to like it, especially since most of her day is spent sleeping. I'm sure our adopted puppy will keep her more awake. I think that since Amos has been gone, she gotten a little lazy. Truvy will take care of that.

Have a good week!

Week 44 Challenge

#42 Fan Trellis

63 Easy to Crochet Pattern Stitches Combine to Make an Heirloom Afghan,

Leisure Arts.

This stitch is not one of my favorites. Yes, it is easy to crochet; however it is too lacy for an afghan. It would be pretty for a lacy shawl or scarf--not something that will keep anyone warm.

I am still working on the hooded scarves and mittens orders. The last one is just about finished. WooHoo!! I do enjoy making them, but these people have no sense of color. I am so tired of working with black and gray. My next project is going to be a bright color.

There is not much else happening in my crochet and knitting world. The flowers are starting to peek through the ground. There's hope!

Quote for the Week:

I ran across this while reading To Kill a Mockingbird, by Lee Harper. It is so relevant to what is happening in our world today with all issues. The quote, today, has to do with people of all walks of life--race, religion, politics...

"...Jem, I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks."

"Jem turned around and punched his pillow...That's what I thought, too...when I was your age. If there's just one kind of folks, why can't they get along with each other? If they're all alike, why do they go out of their way to despise each other? Scout, I think I'm beginning to understand something."

Have a good week!