Posted in Crochet on January 20, 2009| 6 Comments »
A tisket a tasket a little striped basket
 |
| From Projects |
This was a quick crochet project to make. I made the small size which works up to about a 5″ square basket. I used two skeins of Sugar’n Cream in the color Natural Stripes and an E hook. The pattern is Stash Basket by Bernat. This link is to the pdf pattern.
I keep working on that stash!
Posted in Crochet, Knitting on January 9, 2009| 3 Comments »
It’s Friday!! Another week has flown by. Today, at least, is sunny and beautiful. It just makes me feel so good to see the sun. I finished two more projects that I thought I’d share with you today. The first is called Pretty in Pink Beret by Relynn Johnson. This was such a fun and quick project.
 |
| From Projects |
I used Caron Simply Soft Heathers in the color Deep Teal and a size H hook. I decided to do a little experiment. When I got to row 17, instead of finishing the pattern as written, I used a size 7 knitting needle and picked up the stitches all around the hat and did a k2,p2 ribbing for about 6 rows and then I did a bind off by Grumperina. She used this for socks, it works for any bind off that you need stretchiness. I love this bind off. You have to scroll down a little on the page, it is highlighted in red.
The next project I finished is a Herringbone Stitch Scarf
 |
| From Projects |
I used one skein of Wool-Ease Thick n Quick in the color Claret, it is much lighter in the picture, but I left it this way so you could see the stitch. I co 14 stitches and used size 35 needles. A little fiddly to start, but I got used to it about the time I finished it! You need to bind-off in pattern or your end will flare out (ask me how I know). The tutorial is here.
I hope you all have a wonderful and relaxing weekend!
Posted in Crochet on January 8, 2009| 4 Comments »
On Ravelry one of the groups I participate in is the Bag a Month Club. They do one crochet bag and one knit bag a month. It’s a fun group and they often find patterns I have never seen before. Not that I can see every pattern available. This month’s crochet bag is the Little Sock Bag by CoggieTM. This is a fun and quick project.
 |
| From Projects |
I used Peaches & Creme worsted weight in the color Shaded Brown. I used Sugar’n Cream in the color Warm Brown for the trim and a size G hook. I made this in an evening. Very easy!! I put a super size ball of cotton inside and still have wiggle room.
Posted in Crochet, Knitting on December 18, 2008| 1 Comment »
Hi Everybody
The holidays here are fast approaching so in the Spirit of… Here are a couple of ornament patterns that I found.
Little Snowman by Brenda K Brown
 |
| From Projects |
I used Red Heart Sport yarn, a size F hook and some beads for eyes, nose, and buttons. He is worked all in one piece except for the scarf. A really quick project.
This is a Mini Christmas Stocking by Needles, Notes and News
 |
| From Projects |
I used Red Heart Sport and size 3 needles. This is worked from the cuff down. This is also a quick project and there are so many variations that you can do with color and patterns. I only had the two colors, so I went the simplest route.
Must go – still need to get my tree up!
Posted in Crochet on December 5, 2008| 6 Comments »
As we approach the middle of December the days are, of course, getting cooler. I happened to pick up a flyer at our local store and it had this pattern for an easy crochet afghan. It is called One-skein Crochet Lap Throw.
I have been trying to use up yarn in my stash, so I used Moda Dea Metro (which is a bulky). I used a size L hook and I had 7 skeins. This pattern works up so fast.
 |
| From Projects |
I was pleasantly surprised how warm it is. I think this is the perfect time of year for making blankets. I hope you are all staying warm!
Happy Friday!!
Posted in Crochet on November 18, 2008| 6 Comments »
This is a crochet tote bag that I have been working on, I call it Wagon Wheels Tote. I got the block pattern from Crochet Today! Jan/Feb 2008 Issue, in the magazine the afghan is called Sunshine Cables. I wanted to try this pattern but didn’t want to make an entire afghan. I had a couple of skeins of Red Heart Super Saver in the color Warm Brown and I used a size J hook.
I made 8 blocks, sewed 4 of them together for each side, then made a side panel – I chained 11 stitches, sc in the 2nd chain from hook for a total of 10 sc stitches – then worked enough sc rows to fit around each side and bottom with several rows extended to start the handle then attached this panel to the front and the back (this formed the sides and bottom of the bag and started the handle).
 |
| From Projects |
I lined the inside with 2 fabrics. On the side facing the outside of the bag I used a prequilted fabric and then used a cotton print for the inside. This gives the bag a nice stability. Of course, I had to add pockets. I attached the lining to the bag by sewing around the top on the sewing machine.
 |
| From Projects |
For the handle I extended the side panel up a few rows and then did a few rows of decreases until I reached 4 stitches. I then worked these stitches in the round. Increased back up to 10 stitches and attached the handle to the other side with slip stitches. It’s different!
 |
| From Projects |
You could make a bag similar to this one with any block pattern. There are many free ones available, or maybe you too have a block pattern you would like to try but don’t want to spend the time on an afghan. The size of your tote would depend on the size of your blocks or how many you used. I usually enjoy experimenting, I never know what I’ll come up with.
Posted in Crochet, Knitting on November 17, 2008| 2 Comments »
Another week has flown by again. The weather has definitely gotten colder here and they are calling for snow showers tonight. Just a little tease. This kind of weather just makes me want to sit in front of a fire, snuggled underneath a blanket and knit and read.
I have been working on a few more projects, trying to justify all of this yarn that I have obtained over the passing of time. It just seems to multiply.
One of the projects I have completed is the Catch-all Bowl by Leanne Walker, published in the One-Skein Wonders Book. I used J&P Coats Crochet Nylon in the color Natural and a size D hook.
 |
| From Projects |
This is the perfect size to sit beside my nightstand to hold my watch etc at night. The next little project I did was for the Bag A Month Club on Ravelry. It is called Sweet Soap or Sachet Bags by Kathy North. I used Aunt Lydia’s Fashion Crochet Thread (size 3) and an E Hook. I had just a little bit of this left and managed to make 3 sachets. The middle bag doesn’t have the ruffle, but it still works. I like the suggestion of putting cotton balls in these and giving them to the recipient so they can put there own scent on them. I did a simple sc tie and put beads on the end. I may have read the pattern wrong (entirely possible), but I had to add 4 extra rows to get them to the size that I thought looked right.
 |
| From Projects |
I liked making the Eyelet Lace Beanie by April Paddock so much that I had to make another one.
 |
| From Projects |
I used Moda Dea Tweedle Dea in a green color with size 10-1/2 needles. I really like this pattern and have more bulky yarn that I would like to use to make a couple of more.
Another hat that I made, The Boyfriend Hat by Stephanie Nicole. I made this one smaller for my grandchildren. I co 80 stitches, used a size 7 needle, and used Lion Brand Wood Ease in the color Wood.
 |
| From Projects |
Can’t seem to keep enough hats for the grandchildren! I have another project to share, but will save that for another day.
Happy Knitting/Crocheting!
Posted in Crochet on November 9, 2008| 3 Comments »
I’m so excited LizardKnits was finally able to get her pattern on Ravelry. ( I understand it can be quite a pain.) Here is the link Elizabeth’s Crochet Tote Bag. This is such a great pattern – there are so many variations you can do!
I showed one that I made on a previous post – here are two more, I just couldn’t resist. They are so nice and sturdy – you don’t even need a lining. The first one is per the pattern
 |
| From Projects |
I used Red Heart Super Saver in Shaded Browns and Sandy Print. This is a great use for Red Heart yarn, if you have any lying around wishing you had a use for it. The yarn has a stiffness that is really good for this project.
This second one is a variation – I call it a Project Bag – It’s smaller than the top one. I will use it for smaller projects. I used (for the most part) single strands, but I varied the weight from sport weight to bulky weight. It is such a great feeling to use up little bits of yarn and turn them into something useful!
 |
| From Projects |
Here is a picture of the bottom
 |
| From Projects |
The two middle yarns are bulky and the green is a sport weight – I think they work well together.
I hope you have a chance to give this pattern a try – I think it is one that I will use very often. I am already thinking of people that I could “gift” them to.
Posted in Crochet on November 6, 2008| 2 Comments »
I have made so many blankets in my lifetime, that I usually don’t make one now unless I have someone in mind to give it to. Every once in a while I find a pattern that appeals to me and I just want to make it. I don’t have anyone in mind, but I figure I’ll find someone to give it to eventually. In the meantime I get to enjoy it. While I was out one day, I picked up a small leaflet/book called Home Style Knit & Crochet Collection by Red Heart/Coats & Clark. One of the patterns called “All Around Throw”, looked appealing to me so I decided to give it a try.
 |
| From Projects |
I used Vanna’s Choice in Dusty Blue and an I hook. This is a simple project and I enjoyed working on it while watching some of the new shows on TV. I did end up having to rip out one row, I wasn’t paying attention to my stitch count! Oh well.
If I were going to make this to fit on a flat surface, such as the top of a bed, or on the floor for baby to lay on – I would leave out one of the wedges. That’s just my personal preference.
Posted in Crochet, Knitting on October 29, 2008| 1 Comment »
It’s been a busy week so far, and it’s only Wednesday! I have managed to make a little progress on my hats. The first one is called Crocheted Brimmed Hat by Sue Norrad. This was an easy pattern and I made it in one afternoon/evening. I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease in the color Wood and a size G hook. I used just over 1 skein. I think this hat also looks cute without a brim. I didn’t take a picture without the brim, but here it is per the pattern. I also used a little piece of fabric craft stiffener in the brim.
 |
| From Projects |
This next hat is knit. I found the pattern in Knit Simple Magazine in the Holiday 2008 issue. It is called Eyelet Hat and comes with a matching scarf pattern. I haven’t decided on whether to do the scarf pattern or not. I used Vanna’s Choice in the color Dusty Purple and size 8 needles.
 |
| From Projects |
This hat has a nice “feel” when it’s on my head. I don’t like hats that are really tight. This one has plenty of “give”.
I have a few more patterns that I am looking forward to working on and will keep you posted as I complete them. I think hats could become addictive!
Moonlight Knitting 