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.

My Chihuahuas Have Their Own Blog!

Opi and Nellie Belle have their own blog now. Go here to visit them. Hugs and wagging tails...

Dishcloth Addiction Shows No Sign of Abating!

This dishcloth was made from a free pattern from the Lion Brand website. I did my own thing as far as the number of rows for the stripes because some of the yarn I used was from other projects. You can find the free pattern I based this on a washcloth pattern from Lion Brand Yarns. I did my own thing as far as the number of rows for the stripes because some of the yarn I used was leftovers from other projects. You can find the pattern here.

This dishcloth I made by doing 1 row of sc and 1 row of dc. I ended with a sc row. Some people do not like edgings on dishcloths because they say that it is easier to wash inside of a glass with a dishcloth without an edging. So I'm trying to make about 1/2 of my dishcloths with edging and the other 1/2 without.

This was another dishcloth I "winged." I did 2 rows of sc and 1 row of dc every other stitch. I put one round of sc as an edging.

I Need Your Help

I am asking for your . If you happen to notice that one of my links doesn't work, then please let me know. I will temporarily put a notation next to it saying OOC (out of commission) and I will go back and check it several times to make sure it isn't just a temporary thing. I appreciate your help so thank you very much! Hugs...

On 18Feb1943 White Rose Leaders Arrested

• On this day,February 18, in 1943:
  Nazis arrest White Rose resistance leaders--Hans Scholl and his sister Sophie, along with their best friend, Christoph Probst(see photo). The White Rose was a student resistance group in Germany. Many of the members had been part of Hitler's Youth but had become disillusioned when the Nazi's true agenda became apparent. Visit the Jewish Virtual Library to read an article about this group.
• Crochet update: I've been working a little on my rr afghan but took a break from it to finish making the granny squares for a lapghan I've been making for charity. I finished the squares and have started to sew them together--my least favorite crochet chore.
• I thought it was about time I made a history entry in here. I like to put down a little entry and include a reputable link for my readers to go for more information. I hope you have enjoyed today's entry. Hugs...

Valentine Day 2009

Happy Valentine Day to all my family and friends! A special greeting to Miss Elaine my cousin. She is new to e-mail and deserves a big welcome! Here she is with her "faux" pet named Elizabeth.

Speaking of "faux pets," here is my Nellie Belle with her "faux boyfriend" lol! She loves this toy and at times is even amorous with him--he received a special loving from Nellie Belle for Valentine Day!
This is dggd. She spent the night with me last night. I promised her that we would bake cookies today and she could take some home. Little cutie couldn't even wait to get out of her pajamas! We had a great time. I remember making cookies with an aunt when I was her age and I cherish those memories to this day.

Belated Birthday Greetings

Belated birthday greetings to my special uncle-- Uncle Lawrence "Larry" J. He has been more of a dad/uncle/big brother to me than anyone could wish for. His birthday was February 8th and even though I talked with him I had planned to post a greeting to him here. Anyway, happy belated birthday wishes to one of the best uncles ever! Love, "Sharee"

Today's Version of a Dishcloth

Today I stopped at Michaels after dropping my son Matthew off for an appointment. I needed some tapestry needles to weave in the loose ends of my finished crochet projects. In the display of sugar and cream yarn there was a never-seen-by-me self-striping version in pretty spring-like colors. I had to have it! I also picked up a hook--a crocheter can never have too many of those LOL! I sat in the car and waited for Matt's appointment to be over and started crocheting a dishcloth. I just used one row sc and 1 row dc for the entire thing after chaining 37 which ended up making each row 36 stitches long. I love how the colors look. I looked at the skeins of yarn I bought (3 in this color) and thought of spring and Easter. I hope you like. Making dishcloths are a recent interest of mine. I really didn't need any but there was a good sale on cotton yarn not too long ago so of course like any good stash builder I bought some! I took a couple of my creations out of my gift drawer the other day to try for the first time. I love these cloths. They're soft and VERY absorbent. I'm a convert fer sure lol! OK, I'll stop rambling and let you get back to your web surfing. Hugs to all...

A Favorite Old Picture

This is a favorite old picture of my sons and their friend Annette. It's hard to believe that they have grown up. They were such little cuties! I'm posting this picture for my dear friend Jackie, Annette's mom.

My One-Skein Scarf

Hi Everyone!

I just finished The One-Skein Scarf (Stoller, Debbie. Stitch 'n Bitch Happy Hooker. New York: Workman Publishing Company, Inc. , 2006.). It was a quick and easy pattern to make. The pattern calls for only one color but I used two so that it would more or less match the hat I made on my knifty knitter loom. I enjoyed making this pattern and I will probably use this pattern to make another scarf. I'm glad I finally got this set for ME finished before the end of winter lol!

Some of My "Kids"

My son Justin, being the good guy, came over this weekend to help clear fallen tree branches from his Omi's (Oma--German for grandmother) yard. My sweet ggranddaughter came with him. When they were holding the little chis, I just had to group them together for a photo-op! I love how this picture turned out. I really have a handsome son don't I? He doesn't think he's even a little cute but I think he's gorgeous! I may be a little prejudiced but I don't really think so in this case. Hope all my friends and family enjoy it.
I'm finishing up a scarf to color-coordinate with my new hat. Stay tuned for a picture of it. :)
Take care and lots of hugs to you all...

Hat Finished!

I finally finished the green and black hat I was making on my knifty knitter. It turned out pretty nice if I do say so myself lol! I like a basic hat for winter-wear and this style is just perfect. One of these days I'll learn to make something a bit more complicated on my knifty knitters but for now this hat will do fine.

Yarn Creations--Finished and WIPs

This is a dishcloth I made. I did not use a pattern for this one.

This is another dishcloth I made and I did not use a pattern for this one either.

I am making a hat for myself on my knifty knitter loom. I think the black and green will look nice with my black coat. Green is my favorite color and it complements the black.

At last I am making an afghan for US! I have made numerous round ripple afghans but have given them all away except for one that I plan to put in the spare bedroom. As you can see, I'm using my favorite color, green, in this afghan.

Here are a couple small projects that I have recently completed. I have been a little slow with my round ripple afghan. I love this pattern! I think that the next afghan or baby blanket I make I will have to try something different to break-up the monotony lol! I hope you have enjoyed these pictures. Leave me a comment and any suggestions you might have. Hugs...

Ice Storm

Here are some pictures of the ice storm we just went through. The white "blobs" on some pictures are actually snowflakes. We were without power from January 28th at 3 something in the morning until February 2nd about 9pm. Most of the pictures were taken from my yard except for a few of the later ones were at my mil's house. Many, many trees and powerlines snapped from the weight of ice on them. Son Matthew didn't lose power and son Justin lost his for a couple days but he has a wood burning stove that he uses for heat so his major problem was not having lights or working refrigerator. We lucked out with our freezer being in the unheated garage and we didn't lose as much food as we could have. The only heat we had was from our gas fireplace. I had amassed a bunch of candles so we did ok with light too. WARNING these pictures are COLD so BRRRRR lol!

I'm On a Dishcloth Making Binge!

OK, I admit it--I'm getting a little obsessed with making dishcloths. Do you think I might have a problem?!!!! The pic is of my latest. I bought a cone of the yellow and white varigated yarn and I'm getting quite a few dishcloths out of it. I promise, the next one I make will be a different color :). Here's the pattern.

Some Crocheted Dishcloths Made in January 2009

Here are some pictures of dishcloths I made this month. The patterns were very easy. I'm sorry but I'm not sure where I found the patterns for the square cloths. I sat at the table and read the pattern off the laptop's screen. The fish pattern I really like--it's cute! You can find the patten for it here. I had recently purchased a large selection of yarn suitable for dishcloths and when I saw this pattern and the orange yarn I just knew I had to crochet a goldfish dishcloth LOL!

Something Different for Today--A Classic Poem

The Lady's Yes
poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

"Yes," I answered you last night;

"No," this morning, Sir, I say.

Colours seen by candlelight,

Will not look the same by day.

When the viols played their best,

Lamps above, and laughs below---

Love me sounded like a jest,

Fit for Yes or fit for No.

Call me false, or call me free---

Vow, whatever light may shine,

No man on your face shall see

Any grief for change on mine.

Yet the sin is on us both---

Time to dance is not to woo---

Wooer light makes fickle troth---

Scorn of me recoils on you.

Learn to win a lady's faith

Nobly, as the thing is high;

Bravely, as for life and death---

With a loyal gravity.

Lead her from the festive boards,

Point her to the starry skies,

Guard her, by your truthful words,

Pure from courtship's flatteries.

By your truth she shall be true---

Ever true, as wives of yore---

And her Yes, once said to you,

SHALL be Yes for evermore.

A Look at Presidential Inaugurations Past and Present

The above video is of the new President of the United States being sworn into office and his inaugural address. I am proud to be an American on this day. We, as a nation, have shown that we are ready for change and aren't afraid to do it. Many Americans praise the election of a black man to our highest office. He isn't totally black nor is he totally white but rather he is a blend of both. To get a more historical look at inaugurations you may go to this page and see a video of the history of Presidential inaugurations and a few other videos of several other Presidents' inaugurations.

Oldie but Goodie Photo

I was looking at some old photos the other day and ran across this one. These 2 little guys are my sons back in 1985. I was in the Navy then and getting ready to go away to a school. I was missing them before I left and feeling a little guilty too so I crocheted the vests my little guys are wearing. They were such cute little guys; now, they're really handsome big guys! Hugs to all...

22nd Anniversary Today!

Hard to believe it's been 22 years that dh and I have been married! We were both in the Navy at the time. We had planned to get married a few weeks before we did and I thought dh had stood me up! Actually, we were going to go to Reno and do it but we had issues such as not enough money lol! Anyway, I was working extra hard with decomming my ship--the USS Ajax. When I met dh after getting off duty he said let's go get married now--so we did! If you notice, this picture taken the night we got married shows our casual wedding duds. Gosh, this is almost ancient history now! I love you Sweetheart and here's to another 22 years!

On 14 Jan 1969--Explosion on USS Enterprise

On 14 JANUARY 1969--On the USS Enterprise the exhaust from an aircraft engine starter unit was directed onto a pod containing four ZUNI rockets. Heat caused a warhead to detonate. Fragments ruptured the aircraft's fuel tank and ignited a fire. Three more ZUNI warheads detonated less than a minute after the first explosion. The shaped charges blew holes through the flight deck allowing burning fuel to invade the lower decks. In all, there were 18 munition's explosions and 8 holes were blown through the flight deck. Losses totaled 15 aircraft, 28 dead, and another 344 injured. Below is a film clip of some of the damage from this explosion. If you would like more information about this first nuclear powered aircraft carrier in the U.S. Navy you may visit her official online pages.

Hodgepodge--Me Rambling On

Update on Challenger Center--It's closing down February 28th of this year (Finley, Marty "CLC Closing Date Set for Late February." The News Enterprise, 11 Jan 2009, sec. A, p. 1, 14.) I originally posted on this scenario on the 9th of this month. Anyway, that's good since the money that was budgeted to run it can go back into the city's budget and hopefully keep us from going broke once again. I'm sorry to see the employees lose their jobs but you know, one has to wonder at their qualifications--they did not have to be a teacher nor did they have to be a college graduate to work there. Anyway, I'm glad to see it going away--it met the needs of too few of our town's residents at too high of a cost. I'm still waiting for Mr. Chance Fox, Financial Officer for our city, to get back to me with the budgeted figures for the Challenger Learning Center that he promised me on January 9th.

This Day in History--Ever hear the names Amos and Andy and wonder who the heck they are? Originally, they were a two-man comedy series "Sam 'n' Henry"on Chicago's WGN radio station. Their first show was on 12 Jan 1926. Two years later they changed their names to Amos and Andy. Eventually they also made films. Controversy arose because the actors were white and they wore black-face makeup and this became a racial incident with the NAACP involved. Click on the icon below to see a clip of one of their filmed shows.


You can go to this page and download for free some of the older radio shows they made. For more information on "Amos and Andy" you may go to this page.

Crochet Update--I'm finishing up a toddler size blanket. It's mainly made of paton's poochie yarn. I'm not sure if I like it or not. It seems like it will be nice and toasty warm but the care label says to handwash and dry flat. That seems like a lot of work for this size item. Maybe it can be laundered in a mesh bag on delicate/gentle cycle and dried on low. Has anyone laundered this type of yarn? Let me know how you have cared for items made of it and what results you have gotten.

Thought I'd Share Pics of Younger Son

I thought that I would post these silly pictures of my younger son. I had to chase him around the family room with my camera as I tried to snap his picture! He's a great guy and in these pics he's showing off his great sense of humor. He's a wonderful son and he has a fantastic memory too! So, without further ado, here come the pictures... Be brave, post a comment!

Hexagon Afghan Finished for Friend!!!

My dear friend recently found out she was diabetic. She's really feeling pretty down so I thought I would make her this afghan. It's about 5' across. It's a good cuddling size lol! Here are pictures of it for you--the complete afghan and a closeup of the colors and stitches. I hope she likes it. What do you think? Leave me a comment...

Hardin County Challenger Center to Close

This week a decision was made by our city's mayor, Sheila Enyart to close the Challenger Space Center that our city of 23,906 has operated since February of 2000. It is funded until June 2009 by the current budget. It is called the Challenger Learning Center of Hardin County but is in fact operated/owned by the city of Radcliff.
On the Hardin County Challenger page I was trying to research how many students at what ages and a budget amount for this center; I had no luck. I did learn that grades 5-9 are the primary patrons of these facilities from the national page. So lets look at the population of students of the approximate ages who would use this facility. Based on 5th graders being 10 years of age and including students up to the age of 14 for 9th should give us a reasonable estimate of potential visitors from Radcliff, KY. Age break down for Radcliff based on Census 2000 is found at this page.

• 10 yrs old 425
• 11 yrs old 406
• 12 yrs old 420
• 13 yrs old 403
• 14 yrs old 398
• Total 2,052

I spoke with Mr. Chance Fox, Chief Financial Officer, about the budgeted amounts the city contributed for the operation for the Challenger Center. He was rather vague and tried to avoid giving me specific amounts and told me that I could estimate the amount from the city's budget at $350,000 per year includes $190,000 bond money that has to be paid back no matter what. I insisted on knowing exact amounts and he said it would take him quite a while to get the information for me. I gave him my email address and hopefully it won't take too long for that information to get to me. I'm not holding my breath though. Anyway let's do some rough math calculations Estimated $350,000 from the city divided by number of eligible students in Radcliff eligible IAW Census 2000 that is 2,052. This ends up costing the city $170.57 per ELIGIBLE student in Radcliff. This does not mean that all these students visited this facility in one year. This is a big chunk of money for one city to put out for such a small number of residents. OK, I know, students from other towns and districts come there but remember, Radcliff pays for it! I'm going to step out on a limb here and say that a fourth of the students from Radcliff would use this facility in any one year. That means that we are paying out $682.26 for each student from Radcliff who may actually have used the center in one year.

The mission statement for this town can be broadly interpreted to possibly include anything . Let's take a look at it:

CITY OF RADCLIFF MISSION STATEMENT The City of Radcliff is dedicated to being responsive to its citizens, enhancing the quality of life for all residents by providing quality services, and promoting Radcliff as a community of vision.

I think this statement could use a little "tweaking." It is too broadbased and its interpretation can take on a different meaning depending on who is reading it. My quality of life has definitely NOT improved due to this facility and it is doubtful that it has improved the quality of life for most of the town's residents. I will post updates here if/when I get any.

Bush Senior Was Married on 1-6-1945

On this day in 1945 (06 January)
George H.W. Bush married Barbara Pierce in Rye, N.Y. For more information on the Bush family you may want to visit the George Bush Presidential Library online. More photos are located there.

Here is a crochet update. In a few more days I should have the hexagon afghan I am making for a dear friend completed! I hope she likes it. I'll let you know what she thinks and of course I'll post a picture of it when it's finished. Stay tuned for more....

MIL Gets a Tat!!!

My mil called the other day and asked me to go with her when she got her (are you sitting down???) tattoo. Of course I said yes. We went today and she got a really cute one of her Westie that passed a few years ago. Here are the pictures of her visit to our local tattoo parlor.