Lapghan for Charity--Finished!

I'm finally getting some projects completed so I can post them. Here for your enjoyment is a completed lapghan made by using "magic ball" yarn with another strand (I used black) and basically double crocheting it the desired size. I got the idea from this blog. I liked the idea of using my little "leftover") yarn balls. I think it is better than using the granny square technique because granny squares are (for me) a tedious process of weaving and sewing after the squares are made. UPDATE: My round ripple afghan has only 4 more rounds to go! I hope to have it completed and a picture posted soon. Hugs to all...

Slippers For Friend--Complete!

A dear friend of mine will be having an operation soon. Like so many of us would, she wanted a decent robe and maybe jammies and slippers to take with her. I made these slippers and popped them in the mail to her the other day. She should have them today so I think I'm safe posting a pic of them. The black yarn I used is Caron Pounder and the bright coral (no it's really not pink) is a vintage yarn that I picked up somewhere. The pattern I used is a favorite that you can check my blog and see that I've made many, many times. Here's the pattern.

Crochet Update

I know I have to have adult ADD or something. I find it hard to concentrate on my crochet projects lately. I worked on 3 differed ufos (for non crocheters, that's unfinished objects). I bounced between my chocolate mint rr, and 2 different lapghans I'm making for charity--you can see them here. The one lapghan is a real pain because I have to sew 91 squares together. The other lapghan is made by using the magic ball technique. To make a "magic ball" you windup all sorts of leftover bits of yarn. For the afghan you crochet with another strand of yarn. In this case, I'm using black. You can see pictures of my lapghans here. I'm hoping to donate them to the VA hospital. I think I better get a few more going before I donate the pink one. I wonder if some macho guy would like it???? LOL! Hugs to all...

A Nice Family Day Today

Here's a picture of my baby boy! He was over today and we were setting him up with his own page on one of those online social type places. Duh, I can't think of the name of it just now lol. Anyway, I had to take a few pics of him for his page and I thought I'd post this one on my blog since it has been a while since I posted one of Justin. Anyway, we got him all set up. It is hard to believe that he is 29 and just now getting into learning how to use computers! He's always been a "late bloomer" so I guess this shouldn't be a surprise. Anyway, for the person who snoops here to see pics of my "boys" here's one.

Today, I fixed a very good pork shoulder roast. I had this huge thing in my freezer and I thought I had better make it so I did. I found a great recipe for an oriental style roast and it was yummy. You can see the recipe here. I made rice (of course) to go along with it and I had some stir-fried veggies. Justin, his wife Karen and her gd plus my mil shared the meal with us and just about everyone had seconds so that's a good sign that they enjoyed it. Added 24 March 09--I adapted this recipe to use in the oven instead of the slow cooker. I put the roast in a cooking bag and then mixed all the other ingredients and poured on top of it. Worked out pretty good and the meat just fell off the bone.

Take care everyone and hugs....>

Chatting About Some Crochet Things

I've seen some very cute crochet things for babies. Some of them I would be a little bit leery of having around babies. Those cute stuffed animals or amigurami could be hazardous to babies if there are little plastic doodads like buttons sewn on them. Babies put just about everything imaginable in their mouths--even their toes! When buttons go into babies mouth, there is a chance that the button will come off and the baby swallow it. Maybe not the first time but on a subsequent time when the thread holding the button on has weakened. I believe it is much better to embroider eyes and other features on these toys for babies.

Most crocheters know that it is not a very good idea to make potholders or hot pads out of acrylic yarn. This yarn will melt if it is exposed to heat. One thing I've seen lately on some projects are plastic eyes used on character hot pads. These too will melt not only messing up the cute crocheted item but also quite possibly getting stuck on one of your nice pots leaving you with lots of scrubbing to do in order to salvage the pot.

Did I do any of these things I've talked about? I'm embarassed to admit that I made a potholder out of acrylic yarn and well, the inevitable happened and it partially melted and stuck to a pot! Yick!

I've wondered about hats that don't cover the ears. They really don't warm you up or keep you warm.




Update on my crocheting: I put aside the afghan for the day. I started and am almost finished making a pair of slippers for a df who is going into the hospital. I haven't told her yet so maybe she won't check out my blog and I can still surprise her. I'll finish them tomorrow and try to get them in mail tomorrow or Saturday morning. Once she gets them I'll post a picture for you. Here's the pattern I'm using. I'm using one strand of black (Caron 1 pounder) and one of a bright coral (a "vintage" find). The picture shows you the colors.

This is it for now. Hugs to all....

Sneak Peek at Latest Afghan WIP

I am posting a couple "sneak peek" photos of the round ripple afghan I am making. It's getting VERY big and I hope it doesn't take too much longer to finish. Hugs...

Potholder Pattern to Coordinate With Meshie-Washie Dishcloth

Here is the pattern I promised you to coordinate with the Meshie-Washie Dishcloth.

This pattern is mine and by being posted here it is copyrighted as of 13 March 2009. You may use this pattern to crochet gifts or for your own use. Absolutely no selling of finished objects! Do not sell the pattern or copy my pictures for your own use or sale because I hold the copyright for them too. You may print out copies of this pattern and the accompanying photos to use as reference only. Do not post this pattern or the accompanying photos elsewhere on the web. You may link to the pattern here please. So enough of that and here's the pattern...

Meshie-Potholder

You will make 2 "squares"

Materials:

All cotton ww yarn (examples use 3 colors)
G Hook
Tapestry needle


Directions:
1st Square: We'll call this the front piece
With color A chain 29
Row 1 In 2nd ch from hook sc then sc across (28 sc), ch 3 then turn

Row 2 skip first sc then dc in next sc, ch1, *skip sc then dc in next, ch 1*

Row 3 sc across {last sc will be between a dc and ch3 ( 28 across)}

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until you have 9 rows of row 2 and 10 rows of row 3

Fasten Off

2nd Square: We'll call this the back piece

With color B chain 29

Row 1 In 2nd ch from hook sc then sc across (28 sc), ch 3 then turn

Row 2 dc across row

Alternate dc with sc rows. Do 10 rows of sc and 9 rows of dc

Fasten off

Weave in Ends (or you can leave this to the end)

Assemble:

Lay the back side of the back piece (are you following me??) down on table with the back side down.

Lay the back side of the front piece on top of the back piece. (Have I confused you yet?)

Matching up the sc and dc rows will simplify crocheting these pieces together.

Edging:
NOTE: Both pieces together

1st round--

attach color B ch1

sc around-- In corners, put 1 sc ch2 and 1sc

slip stitch into first stitch when finishing row

Fasten off

2nd round

attach color C in a corner ch3

dc around--In corners put 2 dc ch1 and 2dc

slip stitch into first stitch when finishing row

Here you may opt to chain 10 and sl st to corner to make a hanger-circle thingie.

Fasten off

Weave in all loose ends

Note: If you see that I have made a "goof" please let me know. I am the only one who has "tested" this pattern so some "goofs" may have been missed.

If you use this pattern please give me some feedback on it. Thank you for visiting and hugs to all...

Potholders Galore

Good News Today

Yippee! I got a temp. job with the Census Bureau for Census 2010. I will start my training the end of this month and it's PAID training! Just had to share the good news with you. Yippee! Oh, and the picture is of a badge an enumerator would have worn for the 1900 census--I thought that might be of a history kind-of interest to you. It will be interesting to compare it with the new one when I get it. Ok, I'll hush up for now. Hugs to all...

Free Crocheted Dishcloth Pattern!

I've been playing around making dishcloths without a "regular" pattern and this is one of my favorites to make and use. If it is similar to one you have seen elsewhere then I'm sorry. This is one that I've developed by trial and error and lots of experimenting :). This pattern is mine and by being posted here it is copyrighted as of 13 March 2009. You may use this pattern to crochet gifts or for your own use. Absolutely no selling of finished objects! Do not sell the pattern or copy my pictures for your own use or sale because I hold the copyright for them too. You may print out copies of this pattern and the accompanying photos to use as reference only. Do not post this pattern or the accompanying photos elsewhere on the web. You may link to the pattern here please. So enough of that and here's the pattern...

Meshie-Washie Dishcloth

Materials:

All cotton ww yarn (examples use 3 colors)

G Hook

Tapestry needle

Directions:

With color A chain 25

Row 1 In 2nd ch from hook sc then sc across (24 sc), ch 3 then turn

Row 2 skip first sc then dc in next sc, ch1, *skip sc then dc in next, ch 1*

Row 3 sc across {last sc will be between a dc and ch3 ( 24 across)}

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until you have 7 rows of row 2 and 8 rows of row 3

Fasten Off

Edging:

1st round

attach color B ch1

sc around-- In corners, put 1 sc ch2 and 1sc

slip stitch into first stitch when finishing row

Fasten off

2nd round

attach color C ch3

dc around--In corners put 2 dc ch1 and 2dc

slip stitch into first stitch when finishing row

Fasten off

Weave in all loose ends

For Your Dishwashing Pleasure...

More dishcloths are popping off my hook! Here are 3 more colorful versions for someone's kitchen. I really love how the varigated yarns make different designs. I have been perfecting a pattern for a dishcloth with matching potholder that I really like and I should be posting info on how to get it soon. Hope you enjoy these. Hugs to all...

Peace Corps Established

President Kennedy Greets Peace Corps Volunteers (1961)

On this day, 01 March, in 1961: President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps was designed to encourage mutual understanding between Americans and other cultures of the world.

Visit this page at the JFK Presidential Library for more information on the establishment of the Peace Corps. Here is the statement as delivered by President Kennedy on the establishment of the Peace Corps:

I have today signed an Executive Order providing for the establishment of a Peace Corps on a temporary pilot basis. I am also sending to Congress a message proposing authorization of a permanent Peace Corps. This Corps will be a pool of trained men and women sent overseas by the United States Government or through private institutions and organizations to help foreign countries meet their urgent needs for skilled manpower. It is our hope to have between five hundred to a thousand people in the field by the end of this year.
We will send Americans abroad who are qualified to do a job. We will send those abroad who are committed to the concept which motivates the Peace Corps. It will not be easy. None of the men and women will be paid a salary. They will live at the same level as the citizens of the country which they are sent to, doing the same work, eating the same food, speaking the same language.
We’re going to put particular emphasis on those men and women who have skills in teaching, agriculture, and in health.

For more information visit the Peace Corps official site.