Our Tree

I finally got the tree decorated tonight. If I do say so myself, I think it came out beautifully....one of the nicest trees I have ever had. Ron said I did a beautiful job, and considering what a perfectionist he is, that is praise indeed :)





Like a lot of people, I collect ornaments. I always get a few Hallmark ornaments every year, but I also collect other kinds as well...especially blown glass or porcelain. I got this one about a week
ago when we got the tree.

And this one was made in Egypt

and trimmed in 24k gold....all glass and crystal.

And this is my Clara from the Nutcracker. She is all porcelain. She is jointed at the waist and legs and is one of my favorites.



I hope you enjoyed looking at my tree. I will be back again soon.




Crochet Away!

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!

Crochet Away!

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....

Crochet Away!

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.

Crochet Away!

Snowflake Afghan

Here is one of several WIP afghans I have going.

This one is my favorite....a Snowflake Afghan. I have 2 rows finished.

You can find the pattern here.

The motifs are relatively easy to do....its the joining that

is tedious. A lot of ends to weave in, but its coming out really nice.

I am using Caron Simply Soft in the Country Blue and 2 strands

of Bernat Softee Baby Sparkle in the sport weight. I am starting

to run out of the Sparkle and I havent been able to find any in

the sport weight so far, just the fingering weight, so I hope I have

better luck soon. I wont be able to work on it till after Christmas,

anyway, so its ok. I just wanted to show how it was coming along.

Crochet Away!

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?

Crochet Away!

SIP (Sock in Progress)

Here is the sock nearly finished. I'ts been like that for several days now.....I just got around to taking a pic so I could post it. I have to have my D try the sock 0n before I do the toe so I can see if I have the proper length. I should be able to finish it up this week, then I'll work on it's mate.

I have started another sock for myself in cotton thread and its coming out very nicely, but it's a toe UP sock instead of a cuff DOWN, like this one.

Still looking for a good Thanksgiving project. Hope I find one soon :)

Crochet Away!

First Socks

I have been wanting to make a pair of crocheted socks ever since I saw the lovely knitted ones that have been made in K&C. I had seen socks crocheted of regular yarn and they were more like slippers than socks. I wanted regular socks I could wear with shoes. So I was fortunate to find a good book that has step by step instructions about making crocheted socks. The pattern for the socks I am making is in the photo....it's a beginner pattern to get used to the form. Although I have made bootie socks in this fashion, I thought it better to start from the beginning and see how it goes. I am alergic to wool so originally I wanted a cotton blend but I found this Pima cotton and I really liked it so I bought 3 hanks of it....should be enough for a couple pair. I love the color, too. I have the leg, heel and heel turn finished and I have just started on the gusset. If this first sock comes out right, I will continue on to the second one. One thing I like about this pattern is that it's done in one continuous piece. Will post another photo when I am finished.

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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.

Crochet Away!