X-tra Thick Unisex Textured Slippers

My son asked me to make him a new pair of slippers and I wanted to try out a new pattern. I went on a search for a relatively easy pattern and found THIS one.

I like the fact that you dont have to make separate soles and stitch them together. I started a pair like that and lost interest. So I tried these and I was sold on them. Easy to make and very little sewing (just the seam in the back). I made them larger for my big footed son by using a J hook and increasing the amount of rows. I think he will like them....heck, I like them and may just make myself a pair.

Christmas crocheting is finally finished! To all of you who celebrates, have a WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!! 

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Rainbow Ripple Afghan

I finally finished this afghan which I am giving to Annie for Christmas (I am currently making an identical one for Naomi). It looks a bit like a color card for Vanna's Choice yarn, but I think its perfect for anyone who likes a bit of color and it will go with just about anything. I made it adult size so unless something disastrous happens, they should have this forever. The yarn should last a good long time as long as its cared for properly, although you cant do much to acrylic. 

You can find the pattern HERE (I believe you have to register with Bernat to view it but registration is just giving an e-mail address, if I remember correctly).  The patten is easy and quickly memorizable. I used a G hook so I got a heavier, denser blanket. Each color section used 3/4 of a skein, so you can count how many skeins I had to buy. And the picture doesn't show the entire length....there is about another 24 inches behind the chair. If I sold this blanket, I would probably have to charge between 3 and 5 hundred dollars for it, so its certainly not an inexpensive project.

However, THIS.....

.....is not expensive. Its the Branching Leaves Scarf and it only took one skein of Lustersheen. Not sure who I am going to give this one to, but I plan on making another one....with beads.

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ETA - 7/28/2014 - I had to edit this post as the pattern for the Branching Leaves Scarf is no longer available. Sorry.  :(

Quick Stitch Cowl

Here is a really quick and easy project for you or as a gift. I found it in the current issue of Crochet World magazine. It's made with Homespun, which is the bane of many crocheters (myself included) but once you get past the foundation chain, it's very easy because its made almost entirely of post stitches. The Homespun is actually perfect for this cowl....adds bulk without a lot of weight and the colors just add to the look. This one I made as a gift but the next one is for me. Perfect if you don't want "hat hair" but need a little protection from the cold. It's made to be worn either down around the neck only or pulled up onto the head. Check out the magazine....there are some nice holiday patterns in it.

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"Have Fun Stormin' the Castle" Afghan

As I mentioned in my previous entry, here is William's Christmas present.....

As soon as I saw the pattern I immediately thought of blocks and the way the pattern colors I chose were stacked after a few rows, reminded me of a castle wall, so I named it after one of my favorite movie lines. William is into castles and knights so I though it would be perfect. The colors are similar to the ones I used in the Pinwheel Afghan, but they are not the same, nor even the same manufacturer. I think they are great for a kid and I made the afghan about 5 ft. long so he will have plenty of time to use it. You can find the pattern HERE.

Ok....on to the next Christmas gift.

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Water Ice Afghan

I decided to make afghans for all the little kids and this is the first one I have finished. Its for Sydney, since I am sure she has outgrown the baby afghan I made for her.....

This pattern comes from the Leisure Arts booklet, "Circular Baby Afghans". Its the colors I decided to use that make it stand out from any other ripple ghan. And the edging is different, too. I used the Simply Soft Brites, which makes it look, IMO, like Italian water ice colors....hence the name I gave it.

Now I have to work on finishing William's afghan...which will probably be my next entry here.

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Not Another Dishcloth??

Well, yes and no. I would have to say that this is NOT just another dishcloth.

This one was made in Short Row Tunisian....which I never tried before and I am totally impressed with the technique. Its made in one piece with the first and last rows sewn together. You can find the pattern HERE. There is a video on the site but I never watched it.....the written pattern was enough for me and I had it memorized after I finished the first section. But if you are totally unfamiliar with Tunisian, I would recommend viewing it. These cloths look knitted on the right side, but they are crocheted.

I whipped up one in a couple hours.....made 2 on the 3 hour trip back and forth for my son's wedding. Give it a try if only to learn the technique. It might tempt you to learn more about Tunisian.

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An Experiment

Sorry that I have been out of touch. My mother passed away and I haven't had much time to devote to my online pursuits. But I do have this to share.

Some time ago, I found THIS baby pattern on the blog of an online friend which was translated from the original Portuguese. I planned on making the sweater but had no baby to make it for. So I thought about it and wondered how it would look in an adult size. So I found a pound of mill ends in a craft store, upped the hook size to a J  and decided to give it a try. This is the result.......

Its about a small/medium size and although it wouldn't fit me, I knew it would fit my mother. But she didn't live long enough to wear it. So I brought it home and will try to find someone else that can use it. I do plan on trying to enlarge the pattern even more so I can make one for myself. But if you are a small sized lady or you know a young girl that might like this, do try it. You can adjust the length of the body and sleeves very easily.

If you feel adventurous, you could get some bulky yarn, an M hook and try the pattern. It should give you a size Large. :)

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Beginning DC With Color Change

I wanted to add this video to my blog because I think its a great help and addition to my other beginning dc video.



I am working feverishly on Christmas gifts.....all afghans! When will I learn?? LOL!

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Fireworks Afghan

Note to Self: NEVER make another afghan in Catherine's Wheel Stitch unless poking yourself with crochet hooks isn't masochistic enough. :D

Seriously, It took me what seemed forever to finish this ghan. It was SO boring that I regretted starting it after only a few rows. But stubborn woman that I am, I wanted to make it. NEVER AGAIN! The stitch is nice but one row doesn't get you very far with all the stitches you have to do for each wheel. I edged it in 3 rows of sc in the BLO and one row of crab stitch....which didnt take long at all.

If you are curious, you can do an online search for "catherine's wheel stitch" and you should find some directions. I got mine from a book but since stitches aren't copyrighted you can put them anywhere.

I am glad its finished so I can move on to other things. This project is one reason it took me so long to post....I haven't been able to finish anything else.

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Yes, I am Still Alive!

I keep coming back to my blog but have had no new projects to share. Not because I haven't been crocheting....I do that every day. But the projects are taking time and I am not finished with them.....and I prefer to share finished work.

However, I do have a couple projects that are nearing completion and hope to post about those soon. In between my crocheting, I have made a couple videos for Ravelry which I want to share. This is a short one which explains how to do a no-chain beginning dc. Its easy and a lot of people have found it helpful.....



Other videos to follow. :)

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Changes

For those of you who regularly check out my blog, you may have noticed things are a bit different. After almost 3 years of blogging, I thought it was time for a new look.....I hope you like it. :)

In between posting my work, I am going to occasionally look for some feedback from my readers by asking some crochet questions to which people can post their answers. I thought this would add a little depth to the blog. :)

For my first question, I am going to ask what are you all working on right now? I started working on a summer top....the Sea Breeze Top. And I just bought the thread and beads to make the Beaded Cobweb Lace Scarf....looking forward to starting that.

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A New Video

I was asked on Ravelry if I could explain how to do cables in crochet. Rather than just do step by step photos, which you can already find online, I decided to make my second video on the subject....

This is the most common method of doing cables, but you can make wider cables or narrower ones. I am currently working on an afghan with a 3 stitch cable, with only one crossover. Cables are a great way to add texture and interest to a pattern. If you have never tried making cables, maybe my video will help. I hope so. :)

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And Now For Something Completely Different....

I like thongs and was lucky enough to come across THIS pattern for this one. It calls for crochet cotton and a B hook. Being a little on the larger size, I used a C hook and sock weight yarn. I started one in Panda Cotton, but didnt have enough yarn to finish, so I found a skein of Sockina Cotton in my stash and tried using that. This is how it came out.

I made a couple changes in mine. I made it in one piece and connected the sides instead of using ties and I left out the side straps in the back. But it fits....and comfortably! I am going to finish the other one as soon as I get some more yarn.

If you dont like thongs, you could make the back the same as the front, only a little larger....the pattern is repetitive. There is also a chart that makes the pattern very easy to follow, however it is hand drawn and very small, so you might need a magnifying glass or a way to enlarge it, but it DOES help. The link page is in mostly in German but at the bottom there is a PDF link for the pattern in English. I hope you give it a try.

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My Spa Cloth

I am very into spa items. I like a little luxury in my bath. So I wanted a luxurious face/body cloth that would be soft, yet be textured enough to exfoliate. I made this up myself and have put it on my pattern page, if you want to try it. It makes a thicker cloth, which I prefer. And I wanted to make something I could sell without needing permission from a designer.

I like this pattern so much, I will probably make a face towel and maybe a soap saver. If I do, I will post those as well.

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Heirloom Baby Blanket

The first time I saw this blanket about 3 weeks ago, I just HAD to make it. Fortunately, someone asked me if I could make a baby afghan for them to give as a gift. So I sat down and started working on this beauty. Everything went smooth.....till row 9. Then I was totally confused. I did a little research and found out that others had been confused as well. I tried a couple suggestions...still didn't work.

So I was browsing in the grocery store a few days later and found that Crochet Today had published a magazine with their All Time Best Blankets, and what should I find inside but the same blanket pattern. Well, I thought that, perhaps, the pattern had been revised and I could have give it another try. No such luck.....still stuck at row 9. I was ready to throw the thing in the trash when I happened to see something in the pattern notes, which read, “Refer to the stitch diagram while working this pattern. which will clarify the complex instructions.” And I said, "Diagrams? What diagrams?" So I turned a couple pages and there they were....the charts for the blanket. It was a cloud parting moment. I went to row 9 on the chart and Ah HA! THAT'S what she means! And on I went. I didn't look at the written instructions again.

And this is the result. I am very pleased with how it came out. I used sport weight yarn instead of baby yarn and a G hook. You can find the text pattern HERE. If you need the charts, you will have to get the magazine. but its worth it. If there is a baby in the future for you or someone you know, this blanket will be treasured.



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An Apple a Day....

.....keeps the dishes clean. :)

I have been wanting to do this dish scrubbie ever since I first saw it ages ago. You can find the pattern HERE. Mine came out bigger because I used a larger scrubbie and had to make more sc's around the edge. But I actually like the fact that it's a little bigger. This is a great little gift item or even better in your OWN kitchen. A quick project with a practical use. :) Enjoy!

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My First Video!

I finally did it. I figured out how to successfully create a video with my new camcorder AND upload it to YouTube. I did the video mainly for my crochet column on Ravelry, but I was told I should link it here, too...so I did. Its a short tutorial on how to do a single crochet foundation row. I hope you like it...I think it came out fairly well. :)

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