Photo Challenge - Photo 43, Above

A photo from above, my neighbor's dog trying yet again to steal my yarn!

Weekend away

It's been a while since I have been able to crochet all day.  Honestly it was the day after I learned to crochet.  I had asked my neighbor to teach me because we were driving to Tennessee to visit family and I wanted to do something on the drive.  Well this weekend we were doing another long drive.  We were headed to Dallas, Texas for my cousin's wedding!

Dog sweater

I had the darndest time trying to start a new crochet project.  I don't think I have ever had such a time trying to decide what to do.  I've had this fun funky self patterning yarn for a while now.  And I was looking for the "just right" project for it.

I don't know how many times I started and stopped various projects with this yarn, and other yarn, before I finally settled on a dog sweater for my beagle Hammond.  And not just any dog sweater.  This pattern is supposed to be the end all be all of dog sweaters,  based on your dog's individual measurements...it's not a pattern as much as it is a tutorial.  And best yet, it's FREE!  Yup...head on over to Jenna Wingate Designs, and download the PDF!  I LOVE free patterns!!!  If I wasn't distracted by things like cooking and cleaning I would have been able to complete this project much faster.

As it is, my pup hasn't wanted me to take this off him, even when I was just trying it on for fit while I was working on it!

But now that it's completed he has been snug as a bug in a rug.

Stay warm!

Rags to dolls

The history of rag dolls is interesting, most of them are made with cloth, spare scraps and are even stuffed with the same.  One was even found buried with a child in Rome, dating back to 300 BC.  Today you can find rag dolls on Etsy, or other such sites for sale, most made with old materials or vintage findings.  These dolls can be expensive (to say the least) and some are too precious for every day loving.

One one of my many trips to the library here in town I found a book on how to make rag dolls.  The book is The Making of a Rag Doll: Design & Sew Modern Heirlooms and can be found on amazon by using the link.  I think the book is a great idea, but I did find after reading the book, and tracing the patterns, that the pattern that is provided in the back of the book is TOTALLY different than the dolls she shows in the pictures.  I created one such doll, and ended up altering the pattern  as provided, and still wasn't sold on the results...don't get me wrong, my doll is SUPER cute and I will make more of these, but after doing more research I see where the differences lie.


To start, the body pattern is all wrong,  Jess' dolls have a wider neck, and the arms are attached separately.  Secondly and what I think is MOST important is the book pattern shows the back piece in two pieces...but her dolls are made with matching front and back pieces and are stuffed a different way.  I will be altering my patterns to be more like the Jess dolls.  The knickers are a lot longer in pattern than in pictures, but the dress and apron I made match well.  I did add the crocheted shawl to my doll, just to add that touch of me. And used yarn for hair instead of the strips of fabric Jess suggested.  I don't want to sound ungrateful for the pattern, but if I had purchased this book thinking I was going to get the pattern that she used and found out afterwords that it is a totally different pattern, I would be taking the book back for a refund.

I started a new doll, based on the pattern from Jess Brown.  I altered the pieces on the back of the body/head.  I did remake the patterns, this time using something that will hold up to repeated pinning, Card stock works well for this pattern.  You can pin it multiple times and make a lot of dolls!  Start by gathering the tools you need; patterns, good fabric scissors, iron, fabric, needle and thread for the hand work, the yarn or other fiber for the hair, some frey stop (or you can just sew the edges) and some liquid stitches.

Iron the fabric and pin the pattern according to directions.

Then cut everything out.  I was working like a dervish because I am me, and that is what I do.  Head down and forget to take pictures!  But I can say that I will alter the above pattern even more because I ended up trimming the back of the head quite a bit before I liked the way it looked.  After everything is stitched and turned right side out I decided to tea stain the fabric.

I didn't leave it in very long, just long enough that it wasn't bright white anymore! Wring the pieces out, and if you want you can toss them into the dryer to speed things up, otherwise lay them out and let them air dry.  In the meantime you can begin making the clothes.  I am in love with the sundress pattern that Jess provides so I went with that

After the dress was cut out, embelished and stitched up I turned my attention to stuffing the legs and arms (while watching Game 4 of the World Series) and getting the legs attached to the body, and the body stuffed.  After stuffing the body it's time to close up the hole in the back.

I chose to use dark thread, and as soon as my bobbin is empty I will be using the dark brown to sew the doll too.  Again because I was watching baseball I did not stop to take any pictures of sewing the face, or the arms, or the hair.   But I'm sure if you read the book you can figure out how to put the pieces together.  For this doll I did not use buttons on the shoulders like I did on the first one.  And the dress straps are actual bias tape straps made out of the fabric of the dress.  I still need to make bloomers and a messenger bag for her, and if I have time a small book full of uplifting educational phrases.  This doll is being donated to P.E.O. Chapter NI for the annual auction next month.

I'm putting down my hook

Well I'm putting it down because I'm DONE with my wave afghan project!!!  Finally!  And I decided to post it to the Crochet Crowd on Facebook.  The response has been overwhelming!  I have over a thousand likes, countless comments and shares galore! See my post here.  Join the Crochet Crowd here, it's free, and there is soooo much eye candy and inspiration!!!

So without further ado, here is Leslie's Scrap Afghan!

And now that this is done I have started another project, and this time it's NOT crocheted!  Yeah I know!  Wow, but I needed to give my poor hands a small break.  In a few short months I will be hosting a table at a formal tea at church, and decorating my own table!  So I decided to make some place-mats, I used colors that match my decor at home, so I can use them after the tea.

The blue is leftover from my wedding, and the print I found at Wally World, on clearance!  After you cut a front and  a back for each place-mat you want to make you pin them right sides together

Then set up your sewing machine.  It helps to tape off the measurement so you make sure your seams are the same.

Sew up three sides, and part of the fourth, I left my opening in the middle of a side, it will help camoflauge it in the final steps.  Turn them right sides out.

That is as far as I have gotten on them so far, I still have to press them and do the final stitch, more blog on that later!

Tarry not, for the hook awaits thee.

 Yarn is an addiction for me, it is my happy place, and gives me peace.  Seriously!  Now there are times that I growl in frustration at whatever project I'm working on...but for the most part, crocheting makes me smile.  So when I get the chance to feed my stash I do it with GUSTO!  This past weekend was once such chance.  I am not a fiber artist that can afford the really expensive yarns so when there is a sale, or coupons you can find me taking advantage of that!  I was shopping for an afghan request.  I got to choose the colors.
















The pattern I will be using is a broomstick pattern, so I also got a dowel and had my DH sharpen one end to make it easier to draw up the loops and to crochet them off.

I also got a pom-pom making set because anyone that has ever made poms knows that they can be difficult and tricky.

And I didn't stop there!  There were a few more skeins that called to me.

I love blues

I see a teddy bear...

And I have started one project already!  A hat for me.

The pattern was a bit confusing as the stitches just don't look the same in the pictures compared to what mine looks like

And I have some custom buttons, designed by me, made by my dad! These go on the brim of my hat, well two of them will!

I hope I get this hat done soon, otherwise it will be too warm to wear it!

It was a sheet...now it's yarn

I finally found a pattern that my brother and sister-in-law would "allow" me to crochet for them.  It's a cat nest, or a cat poof...so of course I was ready to get started on it asap!  The poof doesn't use "yarn" it calls for fabric scrap yarn.  Click the picture to go to her site.

Today was an adventure in making my own scrap yarn.  After a mostly failed attempt to do it at my house because the dogs thought they should lay on it, or that it was time to play because I was on the floor I packed it all up and headed to my parents house, and their dog free wood floors.

After removing the hemmed edges, and ripping out the top hem cause that added almost a foot of extra fabric, we trimmed an edge so we had a straight edge to start.

The cat, liked the scrap edge.

Fortunately she didn't disturb us as we lined up the edges and started cutting!

And balling the yarn

I had no idea how to make a sheet a continuous strand of yarn and I'm so thankful for the "interwebs" because I found a fabulous blog that gave excellent and clear instructions to make this yarn.  It took the better part of today to get two sheets cut and rolled into balls.  So the cat nest will have to wait for another day.

Maybe tomorrow.

Scarves for everyone!

Original Scarf

 Since Christmas the weather is not as frightful, snow is gone, but it's till chilly!  And I have a lot of single skeins of "fancy" yarn in my stash.  Since finding the awesome "V" pattern I have created several more scarves!

Super soft periwinkle fuzzy

Green Fuzzy

If you aren't familiar with the "V" stitch it's super simple! Make the foundation chain in multiples of 3+1, DC in the 4th chain, then CH2, and DC in same stitch, skip two CH then *DC (in the 3rd chain), CH2, DC in same stitch*, repeat until last ch, and do a single DC, CH3 and turn. *DC, CH2 DC in the space from the CH2* repeat until end of row, single DC in the DC below.  Repeat until you run out of yarn!  These scarves only took one skein of yarn each.  The Periwinkle and green were a foundation chain of 10, the purple was a foundation of 13.

And I have made great progress with my scrap afghan!

This is a keeper of a pattern, and the black in between each color really sets it off! Once this is done I'll be making some lap blankets in this style!

Hope you are enjoying winter!

Stash busting projects

Last week I received this beautiful skein of yarn from a member of the knit and crochet group at church.  She found it difficult to work with, so she passed it on to me because I practically drooled looking at it.

So I tried to make a scarf, using simple dc in a row, tangle city...so that got unraveled several times before I just frogged it.  And i have been scouring Ravelry for just the right stitch to make this wild yarn into a beautiful scarf!  And I finally found it! (click here for pattern).  It's a simple V stitch and I'm using a N hook.  The pattern calls for 2-3 skeins, so i'm just going to see how far I get using this single skein I have.  I also altered the pattern by starting with a length of 21 foundation chains instead of the 31 the pattern calls for.

I think it's turning out nicely!  And this is the perfect stitch for this type of yarn!

And an update on the wave afghan, it is coming along nicely, and should be completed in a month or so!

Yes a month, especially if I keep getting distracted with other small side projects...

Heirlooms

This time of year is so wonderful! Presents are wrapped and under the tree, stockings hung, cookies made and decorated.  Now comes the fun part!  Getting together to celebrate the reason for the season, family.



Here in Missouri we got a bit of ice, and a nice layer of snow, so we left early today to drive south to my DH's parents.  And of course I took my most recent project with me.  I got a chance to work on it a bit at their house and my oldest niece sat with me and watched me for a while.  She wants to learn how to make stuff too.  So I have a good idea what I want to get her for her next birthday!

Besides stuffing myself silly on all of the delicious food I love when it's time to give the gifts!  This year I made my oldest niece a scarf and hat, this is the second hat I have made for her, but the first that fits!

She spent the better part of the evening running around the house wearing it, so I think it's safe to say that she likes it!

My favorite gift this year so far was the two quilts we got to select from the "pile" there were several handmade quilts that my DH's Grandma and Mother made.  I have always wanted a vintage quilt to put on a bed and now we have two!  So of course as soon as we got home tonight I stripped the bed in the guest room and put the quilts on!  I love the look...and now I have an excuse to paint!  And there are pillow covers to be made!

All in all it was a wonderful day filled with love and laughter, and you just can't beat that!

Not while I'm counting!!!

Moments are defined by how we react to them.  I am learning to react differently.  Yes my dogs wake me up at what seems to be an ungodly time, but I get to see the sunrise, and if I get the chance, I get to snuggle and take a nap with them later.  Yes, the afghan pattern I'm trying to learn and memorize got interrupted, but I had a great conversation, and maybe I had to tear most of it out after finishing three rows (it's a big afghan) but I can tighten my initial stitches and it will look better.  Not to mention I drug out all of my random skeins and balls because I'm finally starting the Scrumptious Scraps Afghan (click here for pattern).

The foundation chain and first row is where I had my initial problems.  And if we are all being honest, who doesn't?!?  The single most frustrating thing about making afghans, is the foundation chain and first row.  It is a test of mental strength, and reason we drink wine (or other beverage) while crocheting.  For those reading that have never made an afghan, try it, you will understand.

I am so glad I ended up with a ton of random skeins, this pattern/style of stitches is turning out to be one of my favorite, even more so than the ripple!  I have a lot of plans for this stitch! And I know where to get more so I can create lap blankets and who knows what else!

The possibilities are endless!

Gifted yarn and a Pompadour stitch

The great thing about joining a Craft group, or in my case a knit and crochet group is the pattern exchanges, and the yarn exchanges!

I got fun yarns because not many people in the group like working with them

I love getting new yarn, or getting to experience different types of yarn.  One of the ladies in the group brought in a bulky yarn that almost has a homespun quality to it, very soft, and the most lux mix of colors!

She didn't want it, found it difficult to work with, so I took it on!

We did a bit of show n tell, so I could see some of the projects they work on as a group, and stuff they donate, and I saw a scarf done in a beautiful pattern, turns out that pattern is actually a baby blanket stitch, but as with most projects it can be altered and just use the stitch for a scarf, so I will be attempting the Pompadour stitch using the above yarn!

The pattern for the Pompadour is simple.

Ch20

Row 1 - Start in the 5th ch, work (1dc, ch2, 1sc) in the same stitch, *sk2ch, (2dc, ch2,1sc) in next st* repeat * to * across, end (2dc, ch2, 1sc) in last ch, ch2 and turn

Row 2 - Work (1dc, ch2, 1sc) in first ch-sp, * work (2dc, ch2, 1sc)in next ch-sp* repeat * to * across, ch2, turn

Row 3 and on - Repeat row 2 until desired length, weave in ends.

UPDATE: Yeah, I am so ambitious!  There is no way, well there is no way I can do the Pompadour scarf with the pretty fluffy yarn, so I am simply doing a row of 10 DC until I have the desired length of scarf.  I will however find an appropriate yarn to do the pompadour stitch.

New adventure with Plarn

Today is not a normal Thursday.  Sure it's 6 days until Christmas, but that is still not what makes today special.  Before we moved I was told about a group of women who get together and knit and crochet. Helping each other with patterns and projects, sharing yarn, making things for charity. And today I am finally going to join them!  Yeah!!!  I am taking "my" hat so I can continue to work on it, as well as the plarn I have been making.

What is plarn you ask? Well let me show you!

This is plarn, it is yarn made from plastic bags, like these.

It is great for making outdoor rugs, or sleeping mats for the homeless.  Which is where my balls of plarn are destined for!

And I'm sure you want to know just how to make this ball of fun, well let me break it down for you!

Lay out your bag, and smooth it out, so it looks like it did before it was used

Then fold it in half lengthwise

And again

Cut off the handles

Cut off the bottom, but don't throw that away, it is still recyclable!

Then fold it in half,

And again,

Then with scissors cut the folded sides to create four pieces

Carefully unfold each piece into a loop

To make the ball, loop each piece together like you used to connect rubber-bands as a kid, and carefully pull tight, making sure the loops are even!

Now do this a hundred or so more times and you have enough plarn to make a mat to donate to a homeless shelter!  Or you can just make the plarn and donate it to a group that makes these mats!