Two Little Mittens....

.....but not for kittens. :)

I wanted to make some mittens for Christmas gifts but was having trouble finding a pattern that was more than just a tube with a hole for a thumb. I was very happy to find THIS pattern (scroll down to the last row of pattern links). However, it called for baby yarn and I was not liking the result. So I decided to use a sport (DK) weight yarn and this is how they come out.....


They are a little small for me, but that means they would fit a small woman's hand....I would just have to add a couple rows for the hand and thumb and they would be perfect. I like the pattern because there is a thumb shaping added which makes the thumb more like a thumb instead of just something sticking out the side. Hope that makes sense. :)

They are an easy pattern, but I think they are really nice. Depending on the color, they would work for any gender. Give them a try!

Ok....back to the Christmas gifts.

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A Touch of Antiquity

I was searching for a nice hostess gift I could give this Thanksgiving when I came across the pattern for this bread cloth....I thought it was perfect! I dont work much with thread, mainly because of the hooks (Note to self...need to get thicker handled steel hooks). But this cloth only took me 4 days of off and on work to complete. I love the design. You can find the pattern HERE.

The pattern calls for size 20 thread with a size 9 hook, but I used size 10 thread with a size 7 hook because thats small enough. :) I also used ecru instead of white thread because I like that antique look. This would even make a nice gift for a church to cover the Communion bread plate. If you like filet and you need a little gift, this might fit the bill. I am planning on making another one for a Christmas gift....its already on the hook!

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P.S. I Love You Cap and Keyhole Scarf

I had no intention of doing any kind of designing until after the holidays but this was rather unintentional. I made a pair of the Fingerless Mitts (same pattern that I used last year) for my son's g/f but I couldnt find a scarf and hat pattern that would match it so I made one up. I like the way it came out and am considering writing the pattern down next year.

The P.S. in the pattern name comes from "post stitch", which is what this set is entirely made of. Its a very thick and warm set and I hope she likes it. I know I do :)

Hope everyone out there is enjoying their holiday season. I know things are tough all over but they WILL get better....I have faith :)

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Mike Nesmith Would be Proud

You know who Mike Nesmith is...right? Well, if you don't, he was the lead guitarist of The Monkees. And if you ever saw the tv show, he used to wear a green ski cap....even in the summer. This cap reminds me SO much of his cap.....and it's a classic design. I found out that in Canada, it's called a "toque" but its all the same hat. Find the pattern HERE..... it's super easy and also easy to adjust to any size. This cap was made from the Caron One Pound worsted, but you can use any yarn with a comparable hook. I have made 3 so far...one in rose color Simply Soft with a pom-pom on top. It's a very thick, very warm hat....perfect for winter. I am making these for charity and I think they will do the job. This cap I am crocheting a matching scarf for using the same BLO stitch. It just might become your favorite winter hat pattern. And the mitten patterns on the same page are terrific, too. Enjoy!

I am waiting for more entries in the contest. The month is half gone so come on and join in!

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Butterfly Wing Shawl

I LOVE this shawl. The pattern is definitely a keeper. It's easy but it looks SO elegant. Took me only 2 nights to make it. I used Cotton Plus instead of a laceweight yarn but, surprisingly, it's not heavy and it drapes SOO nicely. Not to mention it's easy care....machine wash and dry. This is the second one I've made and it wont be the last. Find the pattern HERE.

I want to thank everyone for their birthday wishes, here and on Ravelry. Yarn artists are the BEST people! Next post will be about the contest....I promise! :)

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For Sydney

I dont know why, but I seem to work better under pressure. I dont ENJOY working that way, but I am more productive. I have had Sydney's outfit half done for WEEKS but just decided yesterday that I HAD to finish it since her birthday is next week. So here it is....the Pretty in Pink Sundress and Hat from the Simple Crochet for Cherished Babies book. (If you click the link and scroll down, you will find they show some pages from the book and you can pick up a pattern free! ) I used Cotton Plus and a G hook instead of DK weight yarn and and E hook so its heavier but I like the easy care of the yarn. The shrug I designed myself....I thought the dress needed a LITTLE something so you could dress it up or down. I think its a perfect add on.

Not sure what the next project will be...maybe something for ME? :)

ETA: The outfit was a hit.....especially the shrug. She put it on Sydney right away and she wore it for the rest of the party. Everyone thought it was so cute. I havent seen any patterns for baby shrugs so I just might have to write it down and share it. :)

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Cutting it Close

Here it is....the hoodie sweater I have been working on for the past month. It didnt take me a month to finish it....I got kinda tired of it after I was about 1/2 done and put it aside. But little A's birthday is tomorrow so I was under the gun. Worked on it every day this week and I just finished it this evening. Thank goodness. This was one of the biggest PITA projects I ever did. It was sewing a shirt except you had to make the FABRIC as well as fit it properly and sew it all together. But the finished product is worth the effort, I think. It was good practice too.

Now its on to less stressful stuff :)

The pattern is a Coats and Clarks freebie. You can find it here. The yarn is Bernat Satin Sport in Meadow.

ETA- I swapped out the original pic for this one of A modeling her new hoodie....isn't she cute!?

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Not Just a Bib...

This is my favorite baby bib to crochet. You can find the pattern HERE. You can't tell from my pic but it has a fpdc design in it. Its more appearant in the photo on the pattern page. But I like it because it doesn't have ties. Its easy to make....only takes a couple hours. Its not a small bib....it would be too big for a newborn, but an older baby starting on solids would benefit from it.

My b/f visited his little grandson William the other day and the baby's father said they didnt have many bibs for him. So I made this one for him today. Tomorrow my b/f will deliver the bib. I bought some extra cotton ww yarn today to make more.

I havent tried, but you could probably use a finer weight cotton and a smaller hook to make one for a newborn. I might just have to try it. :)

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Fingerless Mitts

I have been seeing a lot of fingerless gloves lately. But most of the patterns have been pretty standard and plain. I searched for a good hour before I finally found THIS pattern. These were VERY easy to make...only took a few hours for the pair.....and they are nice and warm. I made them for my D but I think I might make some more to give for gifts in different colors. I used the Simply Soft and I upped the hook size by one to get the proper gauge and they came out great. The pic isnt all that good since I am no expert in modeling while I take a photo, but you get the idea. Check out the pattern and give them a try!

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Something Quick and Easy

These Pepperming Candy Coasters are todays Pattern-of-the-Day at Annie's so you only have about 5 more hours to get it. Each coaster took about 15 minutes to make. I tied up the set of 6 to give to my hair dresser tomorrow as a little gift. The other 2 I will find other uses for. You can put a hanger on them and hang them on a tree or use them under a candlestick. You could even join them to make an afghan. Go give them a try!

Note: My computer is fixed and I am back!

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Tree Skirt

Ijust finished this little tree skirt for my D's tree. She uses my old artificial tree.....a 4 ft., so she doesnt need a full size skirt. The pattern is VERY simple....find it here. As you can see, I didnt embellish it with the ribbon but its not necessary, since I used more than one color. A tip: If you decide to do a stripe instead of a solid color, carry the colors up the side instead of ending them off. Then just sc along the edge to cover them. MUCH easier :)

ETA- 12/12/08: I took a photo of the skirt underneath my D's new, full size tree I think it looks great!

And if you need a festive cape, this is PERFECT! I put it around my shoulders and it works just great. So it has a dual purpose. I used the Lion "Thick and Quick" Chenille.....has a velvet feel to it that is just right for the holidays. But be warned....this skirt only measures 17" and it used 4 skeins. One each of the red and green and 2 of the cream. So if you want to make a larger one, its going to cost you :) Unless you can find a sale....or just substitute 2 strands of worsted.

Note: My computer is down...I am using a friends to post this. So I might not be around as much till the problem is resolved. But I will try to post again soon. Till then....

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Happy Thanksgiving!

I just finished my Thanksgiving Bread Basket. I learned a lot making this basket and when I make another one (for myself) I will do a couple things differently. But I think it came out rather nicely. You can find the pattern for this basket AND a Christmas basket HERE. Tomorrow, I will slice up the Cranberry Nut Bread I made and put the inside to give to the hostess.

Now I am going to go and try and finish up my Thanksgiving Turkey Wreath...my own creation. I will post a pic of that when I am finished, even though it will be after the holiday.

I hope everyone has a happy and blessed Thanksgiving. Be safe.

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Smiling Snowman

Thats the name of the pattern for this little guy. I just finished him a short time ago. Giving him to the neighbors downstairs....a retired couple. She likes my crocheting and my b/f suggested I make her something. So I saw this guy in the current issue of Hooked on Crochet and I HAD to make him. The only thing I didnt like about making him was the SEWING. I dont like hand sewing. :)

I did a couple things differently than the pattern dictated. For one, I used sport yarn with a strand of white crochet cotton for the hat instead of varigated worsted. I think it came out better. I also used a varigated, double strand crochet cotton and an esc for the scarf....again, I think it looked better. And I crocheted the cuff right on the mitten instead of making is separate and then sewing it on.

Its a little early for snowmen here but what the heck?

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My Second Favorite Dishcloth

I say these are my second favorite because my favorite is one I make that is a simple square, alternating sc and dc, but I use cotton THREAD, so it takes longer but its a great cloth. THESE, are my next favorite and they make GREAT little gifts....make up quick, too. I use a pattern that is for a regular round dishcloth and omit the first few rounds. I do 48 sc around the scrubbie and then continue with the pattern as written, with one exception......I skip only 2 dc instead of 3 in round 4, so it lays flatter. You end up with more petals, thats all. But you dont even NEED the flower pattern....you could just make a dc circle and make it look like fried eggs, if you wanted :)

If you are interested in the pattern I used, with all the matching accessories, click here. I actually made the whole set as an exchange gift and it came out great.

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The Snowman Scarf

I finally finished my D's Snowman Scarf and I think he came out rather well. I measured him....he is about 5-6 inches wide and SIX FEET LONG! But my D is a tall girl so it wont matter. I hope she likes it.

No pattern for this one....just cast on with your Knifty Knitter and get going. I used the pink colored long loom and used all the pegs....so this scarf is actually a flat tube. Took a lot of yarn.....probably cost me about $40 for everything but its thick and warm. :)

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The Simple Things

I have been trying to think up easy and quick little gifts for people.....especially for little N....her birthday is next month and she will be 5. With money being tight, but yarn being plentiful, I went online and found this set of patterns. I am going to make a few of these sets and give them for Christmas. It took me about 2 hours to make up this little puff. I always liked bath puffs, but I dont like the nylon kind...I have actually scratched myself using one of them. This one is made of the worsted cotton yarn and is just perfect. I think N will like it too...and so will her mom. I am going to make the rest of the set for her too, except for the facial cloth....she wont need that. Give it a try :)

Crochet Away!