A Smidgen Challenging

Granddaughter of my heart has a half-sister who is going to be a mom in the spring. I decided to take the time and try something a little challenging to make a baby blanket even though I don't know her. I made Gigi's Block Party Blanket (go about 1/3 down the page) rounds 1-50. I found that with this pattern, I had to keep count because somehow I would drop a stitch or add a stitch and my count would be off. This is a beautiful pattern. Although, I do have a bit of a complaint about the pattern. After a good start, the pattern stops adding totals of the various stitches  such as popcorn after a while. My insecurities with working a new pattern go into over drive. The other problem I noted was that the pattern would tell you to repeat a previous round and going to that round, the instructions would say to follow instructions for yet another round. This was frustrating for sure but I will probably make this pattern again because of how beautiful it is. I kept a notebook handy to jot down notes to keep track of where I was in the pattern and other important data.

The yarn I used was Caron Cakes in the cherry chip color. This is a very pretty yarn and easy to work with. I was fortunate to get a deal on it at Michaels when I bought 2, I got 1 free. I used a little more than 3 cakes.

Hugs, 

Sharon

Baby Blanket for Sweet Baby Boy

My niece had a beautiful baby boy last month. I wanted to make him a traditional baby blanket to cuddle and snuggle with. I decided on the Midwife Blanket. This pattern is based on a baby blanket seen in the television show Call the Midwife. I liked the vintage look and the light blue color I used is a traditional color for baby boys. I did use worsted weight yarn and added an additional "set" of stitches so that the blanket would not only be suitable for a baby but also for a toddler.

Enjoy!

Sunshiny Days Baby Afghan

Recently finished this baby afghan (some of you may call it a baby blanket). At the request of my mother-in-law, I made this for her friend who recently had a little boy. This is a great pattern that is easily adjustable in both width and length. I did my own version of the stripes that I thought suited the colors I used much better. Enough blathering, here's the pics--

More Crochet Travel Mugs

I'm Still Here...

I know I haven't posted lately but life has been a bit chaotic. We decided not to buy the Florida townhouse. I loved it but because it has a flat roof, the insurance was going to cost up to 150% more than a comparable home with a traditional roof. Since the plan is to ultimately move down there when I'm eligible for Social Security, we're just getting a manufactured home in a 55 and older community and taking what would have been a down payment for a townhouse and pay cash for a manufactured home. That way, we can save more money, and easily sell it or rent it when time comes to permanently move down there. When that time comes, we'll sell out here in Kentucky and buy a house down there. Hopefully by downsizing, we won't end up with a mortgage. We're headed for Florida sometime next month to do a quick move in and maybe paint some walls and that sort of thing. We had a home inspection done and it was in very good shape although needs a little tlc to make it pretty.

I have accomplished a few crochet projects and I have an afghan in the works. Here is an afghan that was supposed to be for a baby but I got a little carried away with the size.

No pattern, I just graphed it out on graph paper to use a variety of sizes of traditional granny squares.

Here are a few more dishcloths that I made from a pattern found in the Leisure Arts book Dishcloths (12 Designs).  This is pattern #8 by Barbara Clark. I picked this book up at WalMart and I think (not sure) that it is one of those Walmart exclusive things. 

I love this dishcloth pattern so much, that I am using it as the basis for the afghan I am making for our Florida place. Here's a little glimpse at it.

The green is a mills end that I picked up at Joanns in Tavares, Florida earlier this year. The red and white are Red Heart Super Saver. This afghan is a bit slow going because it is made completely of single crochets. Not sure how big it's going to be--all depends on how long the yarn lasts.

Take care everyone! Hope you are enjoying your summer.

Hugs,

Sharon

Spiderman Baby/Toddler 'Ghan is Complete

It's done and now I'm getting ready to start a new project. I need to make a minion hat for a little boy.  There are several cute patterns in cyber-world and I need to pick one out.

Today is canning day. Yesterday's sauce is cooked down and I need to heat it, get it in jars and processed. Love the smell of tomato sauce cooking--it's like walking into an Italian restaurant. Who would of thought that plain ol' simmering tomato sauce could smell so good?

I'm rambling now so I'll be a good girl and get out of here.

Take care and stay tuned!

A Glitch in Finishing Blanket Tonight

I'm crocheting along, only a few minutes to go and my latest project is finished. When to to my wondering eyes should appear but a "lump" on my project.

Seems that Nellie Belle wanted some attention and since she's now an only child, the yarn and hook were put aside and it was time for some cuddling.

I'll finish the blanket tomorrow and then we'll probably have some more "quality time". 

Take care,

Sharon

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (12 August 2013)

Today's free pattern link is for a pretty baby blanket done in shell stitches.

Enjoy!
Sharon

Peeking at a Work in Progress

This is what I'm working on now. It is going to be a Spiderman baby afghan for a friend's soon-to-be-born new grandson. I have more rounds to make and the webbing to put on. I love making round ripple afghans, they're so relaxing to work on.

Stay tuned for the final product....

Hugs,
Sharon

Soft Green and Purple Baby Blanket.

Just finished this baby blanket today. The pattern I started with didn't work out. The center of the baby blanket was a granny stitch--meaning it looked similar to the pattern of stitches around the side of a granny square but it was made in rows and not rounds. The squares were supposed to go on the outside edges. My squares did not fit the sides of the center portion so I frogged the center and made a baby blanket out of basic granny squares. I think the colors give this blanket a special appeal. Okay, I've gabbed enough and here are some pictures. That's my Buster trying out the blanket. Now it's off to the washer with this one and time to tuck it away because the baby it's meant for isn't due for a few months.

Hugs,

Sharon

Blue Baby Blanket out of Squares

I finished this blanket for a baby boy tonight. I'm going to do a quick wash and blocking and then it's off in the mail. You can find the pattern here.

I have 2 more baby boy blankets to make--one is almost done and the other one will be another spiderman one (per request). Oh yeah, and there may be a 3rd one, but if it is a girl, then I have a pretty one in the gift drawer that I may use but if it's another boy, then I'll have to whip up a quick one in boy colors.

My tomato sauce is still cooking down on the stove. It smells delicious! I'm getting in the mood for some Italian food. I'm thinking that I might try out a new recipe tomorrow night. Stay tuned...

Hugs,
Sharon

Definitely Needs Blocking!

DSCN0169, a photo by Ms Sharon Marie on Flickr.

This is going to be a baby blanket soon. These squares are wonky and I'll be blocking them.

Current Project--

I'm working on another baby blanket. Seems that there are lot of babies going to be born lately. I have 2 more to go after this one. So far this is what I have finished--

There are some granny squares that get worked with this too. This will be for a little boy. His grandmother has been a friend since high school so of course I have to make a blanket for this this guy's grand entrance.

Pattern is from an Annie's Attic publication called Best-in-Show Baby Blankets, edited by Brenda Brinneman, published by DRG in 2005.

Stay tuned for more...

Have a great day everyone,

Sharon

Crocheted Spiderman-Like Baby Blanket

This week I finished a baby blanket reminiscent of Spiderman's web. This is going to the soon to be born grandson of my neighbors. Their daughter and son in law are decorating the baby's room with a super hero theme. The basic round ripple pattern is by Aggie May of Crochetville. I finished it up by using bits and pieces from other similar "web like" patterns others had done. Hope the new parents like it.  Oh, if anyone is interested in the basic round ripple pattern I used, Aggie May has generously shared her pattern to Crochetville members who have pm'd her at Crochetville.

Take care everyone.

  Other Spiderman clothing

Summer Sky Baby Ripple

I finished this last night. The pattern is a freebie from here. This blanket goes with the one in the next picture (you may remember it ) for my cousin's twins due in a couple months.

I started and ended with 5 rows of color A (blue/green). 2 rows of color B (multi/cream) between colors A and C. Color C ripples are 3 rows (yellow/pink). I listed the first colors as "boys/girls." I enjoyed making this blanket. It just takes a bit longer since it is all single crochets.

Moving on to my first real wearable...

More ripple patterns

Quick Look at My New Project

I'm making a baby blanket. This is for one of the twins that my cousin is awaiting the birth of. He's having a boy and a girl. I've already made a "girlie" blanket and now I'm on to one for the baby boy. Here's a quick look:

Blue, yellow and a variegated yarn

Close up view

You might remember this one I made for the baby girl.

Gotta go get son. He needs a ride to come over for laundry day. I'm going to take him to Michaels with me so I can have him use one of their coupons for me.

Take care everyone and have a great day!

ps--If anyone is interested in the pattern, this is the one I'm using.

Finished Baby Bright Baby Blanket

I finished making what I'm calling "Baby Bright Baby Blanket." I was originally going to go around with another set of squares but this one turned out to be a nice size for a baby.

I used some DK yarn from my stash and some baby yarns that I bought to make this. I need to do a quick wash on delicate and a light blocking and it will be done 100%.

I used 3 styles of squares--traditional granny squares, closed/solid granny squares and one style that is a combination of both that you can see in the center.

It's pretty nice here but we're in for a heat wave next week again. I've been canning and freezing some foods lately. The other day the big pot of tomato sauce cooked down and yielded 3 pints and 3 quarts so a total of a gallon and a quart. The quart sized containers are a nice size to make spaghetti for dh and me.

Today I have some broccoli to freeze. Tonight I'll be working on 2 projects--a pair of baby booties and weaving the ends in on an afghan I made.

Hope y'all are having a nice weekend and later gator!

Jewelry Clearance

WIP Wednesday (18 July 2012)

Not much done this week--only a few more squares.

After the purple squares, I'm going to go with a round of squares in greens. The greens that are here are for the corners. Once those are done and everything is sewn together, I plan on going around the entire thing one or two times in off white.

I'm sharing this at:

What I've Been Up To...

The other day when I told you I was making and canning tomato sauce, it smelled so good, that I decided to use some of it that night and make spaghetti so my daily yield wasn't as much as originally expected--2 quarts and 2 half-pints.  Here's what I got.

When I date them, I only put the year, some people put the entire date but tomato sauce is one of the quickest items to get used up so I don't worry about it.

Spent some more time on the baby blanket/afghan. Here's the update:

I know, it's a bit on the colorful side.  :) Still don't know who this is going to. Anyway, this is it for now. Have a great week. Hugs...

WIP Wednesday (11 July 2012)

It's going to be a baby blanket when it's finished. I'm working on this in between other things. I finished a "surprise" last night but since it is a surprise for someone I can't show it to you just yet. Also finished an afghan except for weaving in the ends so when I get that done I'll show it to you. Anyway, here's the baby blankie--

The center squares are from this pattern. These squares are a pain in the patootie to make difficult because there are many, many ends to weave in. I'm also using a traditional granny square and a solid granny in this. No plans on who to give this to yet but I'll find someone.

I'm linking this up to the following sites. You can visit them and see some great things and link your project up to them too.

• Ambassador Crochet WIP Wednesday
• Tami's Amis WIP Wednesday
• Yarn Along
• Hooking on Hump Day
• What You Doing Wednesday

Have fun everyone and stay cool!

Crochet Patterns for Kindle

A Finished Crib Blanket

I really enjoyed making this pattern. It did seem to take a long time but maybe that's because it's mainly made out of single crochet.

The pattern is here.

Nice yarn stash storage unit: