Weeks 42 & 43 Challenge

This week challenges from 63 Easy to Crochet Pattern Stitches Combine to Make an Heirloom Afghan, Leisure Arts:

#47 Ripple Stitch

#32 Aligned Cobble Stitch

I really like the ripple stitch. There hasn't been much time lately, but I would like to develop a crochet hooded scarf set. When that happens, the ripple stitch is on the list.

Speaking of hooded scarf sets, or as my daughter calls them, "scoodtens", I have finally managed to snap a picture of one before it went out door. This one is made in a basic garter stitch for the scarf and stockinette stitch for the mitts. Everyone so far seems really happy with them and I am about to finish all orders for now. I imagine the orders will pick up again in the fall.

Other than the scoodtens, I have only had time to work on the challenge and crochet chemo caps.

Have a good week!

Week 41 Challenge

#63 Parallel Cables from 63 Easy-To-Crochet Pattern Stitches Combine to Make An Heirloom Afghan, Leisure Arts.

I may not have chosen a good yarn for this as you can't see the cables very well.

Warmer weather is here! OK. So it hasn't even gotten to 40 degrees yet, but it's better than what we have had. Yesterday we took a walk on the trail. There is still a lot of snow and ice out there, so the walk was a challenge, but it was nice to get out. Spring will be here soon. The groundhog said so!

I haven't gotten much else done this week, except to get orders for more scoods and mittens and work on items to put on etsy. My Etsy shop is up and running. I am sure there is a way to put a link somewhere on the page, but for now you can get to it from here. Please stop by and check it out. Let me know what you think. I'll be adding more items over the next several weeks.

Have a good week!

Weeks 31-40 Challenge

It has been a busy time since my last post.

We lost our dog Amos to cancer on Christmas Eve. The cancer was quick and he didn't suffer too much. It was about a week from the time we noticed Amos just wasn't quite right, until we had to make the decision to put him to sleep. He was a good dog and my protector. I still miss him. Sadie is still here, but it's awfully quiet with only one dog in the house.

I made my daughters hooded scarves (now nicknamed "scoods") for Christmas. It seems their friends really like the idea and I have been making them ever since. One no sooner comes off the needles, and it's gone. I'm glad people like my designs. Fingerless mittens are also included with the scoods and those have been just as popular for this texting generation.

Which brings me to my designs. Very shortly, my etsy store will be open (another reason I've been so busy). I'll post information in this blog as soon as I'm ready for visitors. Please stop by and leave comments.

Back to The Challenge. I'm not going to post pictures of all 10 blocks, so below is the most recent block; #27 Block & Offset Shell Stitch, from 63 Easy to Crochet Pattern Stitches Combine to Make An Heirloom Afghan, Leisure Arts.

There has been a little time to make something for myself. Below is a hooded lace sweater I made for myself while dreaming of warmer days. The sweater is Apres Surf Hoodie, designed by Connie Chan Chinchio, Interweave Knits, Summer 2008.

I have decided that even if there is two feet of snow on the ground covered by two inches of ice, I am going to wear this the first day of Spring. Winter weather has been tough this year for everyone and I am sure we are all ready for Spring.

Take care! Stay warm and stay safe!

Weeks 27, 28, 29, 30 Challenge

I've been really bad about blogging. This is my favorite time of year. I promise, after Christmas I'll get back to more consistent blogging.

For November we have from "63 Easy-To-Crochet Pattern Stitches Combine To Make An Heirloom Afghan", Leisure Arts:

#34 V-Stitch

#40 Fan Stitch

#35 Twin Stitch

#6 Trinity Stitch

Thanksgiving Breakfast

Turkey Placement from Lily Sugar 'n Cream and Knit Turkey designed by Kirsten Hipsky; made from Sugar 'n Cream Terra Firma, Warm Brown, and Country Yellow.

Since my daughters are grown and have families of their own, we have been celebrating Thanksgiving with breakfast. This makes it easier for them have Thanksgiving dinner with their other families. This year I made a pancake buffet. It was great and pleased even the picky eater. I don't mind because then my husband and I spend the remainder of Thanksgiving with my in-laws. I think I have finally made sweet potato eaters out of my husband and mother-in-law. I don't use the "heavy on the sweet and marshmallows" recipe. Instead I whip sweet potatoes with cream cheese, brown sugar, and cinnamon; followed by a layer of cranberries and apples; topped with an oatmeal crunch.

Book and Craft

Duck Pon designed by Agnes Russell; made from South Maid 100% Mercerized Cotton Ecru.

This month I read "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger. This was a little depressing and I had a hard time feeling any sympathy for the main character, Holden, except that his brother died and that obviously had an adverse effect on him--something his parents probably should have caught. The last line of the book really gets to me: "Don't ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody". That's a terrible way to feel.

Why the ducks? Several times through Holden's monologue, he mentions the ducks in Central Park and wonders where they go during the winter when the lake is frozen.

Next is "The Grapes of Wrath" and socks.

Have wonderful and safe holidays.

Weeks 22, 23, 24, 25 & 26 Challenge

From 63 Easy-To-Crochet Pattern Stitches Combine To Make An Heirloom Afghan,

Leisure Arts

Starting at the top, right to left:

#48 Raised Ripple - pretty

#11 Horizontal Relief - the wrong side is nicer

#24 Clusters - simple and pretty

#18 Woven Relief - would make an interesting scarf

#39 Popcorn Diamond - who doesn't like diamonds and popcorn?

Between sinus infections, allergies, work, and life in general, the days just seem to fly. I can't believe it's the end of October.

Even though life seems busy, I've still had time to get a lot of crocheting and knitting done. This is Pearl's Cardigan, designed by Kristen Omhahl, made with Lion Brand Microspun Sterling. I love this cardigan. It worked up quickly and it is so very soft. The belt is made from a wide satin ribbon and a buckle. For the colder months I plan to wear a deep red shirt under and the warmer months I can wear a tank top. That's what I like-an all season cardigan.

The book and project for the month was The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Provence Cloche, designed by Cecily Glowik MacDonald, made with Paton Grace Blue. I love this hat. It's made in three parts-the cable band, the brim, and the crown. The brim and crown are worked in the round. The button made with a plastic ring. If I decide to make this again, I will probably not use the Paton Grace. It was slippery and the drape isn't exactly what I had expected; but, I still love it.

The Great Gatsby* is also a quick novel to read. I've read various essays about this novel; but my take is that it is a novel about the decadence before the Great Depression and a very strange love story. The genius is in Fitzgerald writing: "The track curved and now it was going away from the sun which, as it sank lower, seemed to spread itself in benediction over the vanishing city where she had drawn her breath. He stretch out his hand desperately as if to snatch only a wisp of air, to save a fragment of the spot that she had made lovely for him. But it was all going by too fast now for his blurred eyes and he knew that he had lost that part of it, the freshest and the best, forever" (160). What a beautiful way to say the Gatsby realized that he had lost his love.

The sock blanket is progressing nicely. I have had many people interested in its progress and a couple people laying claim to it.

*Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby The Authorized Text. Simon & Schuster, Inc, New York. 1925.

Week 21 Challenge

#60 Doubles

63 Easy-To-Crochet Pattern Stitches Combine To Make An Heirloom Afghan

Leisure Arts

I haven't quite finished Ulysses, but since this is the last post for the month, I'll give you my thoughts.

Yes, I do "get it". What I don't know is why this book was written. It's all over the place. We have Stephen, my favorite character, who is the philosopher. Then there is Bloom who, to me, is just a dirty old man. I am now reading the part where they have both met and are drinking coffee. Well, Bloom wants Stephen to drink the coffee.

The writing is pure genius--words and phrases really make the reader think. My favorite from this past week is from Stephen:

In this country people sell much more than she ever had and do a roaring trade. Fear not them that sell the body but have not the power to buy the soul. She is a bad merchant. She buys dear and sell cheap. (542)

Stephen and Bloom have spotted a prostitute looking in the window of the coffee shop. It's obvious that Stephen is referring to the prostitute, but is he also referring to Ireland? The book does get a little political at this point.

I have struggled with this book, but I don't regret reading it.

Joyce, James. Ulysses. Wordsworth Classics.

Vortex, designed by Chrissy Gardiner

Toe-Up! Pattern and Worksheets to Whip Your Sock Knitting Into Shape

Sydwillow Press

I love these socks! I love this book! I tried toe-up socks before and I just couldn't get it to work and they didn't fit. I was so upset that the socks ended up in the trash. This book takes you through the whole process with step by step instructions with pictures. Gardiner gives several options for starting the toe, how to knit the heel, and casting off so the cuff stretches. The patterns in the book are great and there are worksheets in the back to plan your own socks.

Next month is The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and a knitted cloche.

Have a good week!

Week 20 Challenge

#19 Circle in a Square

63 Easy-To-Crochet Pattern Stitches Combine to Make An Heirloom Afghan

Leisure Arts

This is going to be a quick post--today is my birthday! I've been spending time with my family and had a wonderful day.

This crochet block was fun and, believe it or not, I've never thought to put a square around a circle. How fun!

Ulysses is coming along. I'm finding that I have to read every word - no skimming allowed. You just never know what Joyce is going to put in there and if you skim, you might miss it.

The cable socks are almost done.

The sock blankie just keeps going and I have a lot of yarn left.

Have a good week!