Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (20 July 2015)

It's not too soon to start thinking of projects for Christmas. Today's project is for Christmas decorations. You'll find this pattern booklet has a chubby Santa and Mrs. Claus plus more characters too. Benefit to working on these projects now is that they're small enough to work on during the hot summer days. Here is the link to download the booklet.





The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus

New Crochet Gadget

I bought these crochet gadgets the other day. I thought they would be handy for traveling.

I tried one of them out this morning. I like the feel of holding this device as I'm crocheting. What I do not like is the fact that it repeatedly folded back in on itself as I crocheted. I think I expected it to be like pocket knives that are a bit stiff to operate and this is very loose. At the present time, these items are only available at select Walmarts (per a post on Boye Facebook page). The cost for one of these is almost $8.

Granny Mandala is Finished!

I finished the granny mandala that I started last night. I love the colors--reminds me of the 1940s and 50s. The yarns I used are by Peaches and Creme and the colors I used are chartreuse, peace (a multicolor of chartreuse, yellow and red) and a bit of red for the border. There seems to be some activity in the online crochet world where crocheters are making mandalas in memory of Wink who became known for the beautiful mandalas she made.Unfortunately, depression came down extra hard on Wink and she lost her battle with it. In memory of Wink, here's my mandala--

Pattern

Lapghan is Finished

At last, it is finished.  It is time to launder it and put it with the other lapghans that are designated for donation to the veterans' home when it opens.  The new project that I'm working on is a granny mandala that I hope to finish tonight.

Take care y'all and stay cool and dry...

Hugs,
Sharon

Still Working on Lapghan...

I'm still working on this lapghan.

I have all the squares crocheted together and I'm enlarging it a bit by crocheting around the assembled squares. I have gotten a bit frustrated with this project. The squares were obtained by my mil at a thrift store or yard sale or someplace like that. All the squares have round of single crochet around them and a very small tail. I did my best to get a weave or 2 with the tails done but I'm not happy with it. I should have removed the rounds of single crochet. Anyway, I was almost finished and noticed a pretty bad case of the "ruffles" so I undid the rounds and redid with fewer increases at the corners (2dc, ch2, 2dc for 2 rounds and 1dc, ch2, 1dc for 1 round). This seems to be working out better. I want to do a few more rounds, then weave in the ends and launder before putting in with my donation stash.

I needed a break from this lapghan and made, what else, a pair of slippers! My stash of slippers for gifts had zeroed out so I need to start replenishing them. Here they are...

pattern 

Guess this is it for now. Take care and keep on hooking!

Sharon

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (13 July 2015)

Today's link takes us to a wearable pattern for women. This is a cute sweater that would be nice worked up in a fancier yarn for dress-up days or a plainer yarn to wear with jeans. Sizes S-XXXL are included so this pattern will work for many people.

Not much else to say except to wish you a good day.

Hugs,
Sharon

An Old-Fashioned Dessert

Here's a yummy old-fashioned dessert that was published in a newspaper back in 1934. Sounds like good summer treat.

 

Source:  The Evening Review (East Liverpool, Ohio), Monday, October 22, 1934; page 15.

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (06 July 2015)

Actually, we have 2 links today. The patterns are a hat and a set of mittens that seem to go together so I thought I'd link to both patterns. I especially like the mittens because they do a good job of covering the wrists. I'm tall and some winter coats have sleeves that creep up on me just a little bit and skin is exposed. These mittens take care of that problem. Items are made of aran/worsted weight yarn so there isn't a problem finding yarn to use.

Have fun my friends...

Hugs,
Sharon

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My Current Project

...is a lapghan made of granny squares. There is a story behind these squares. My mother-in-law had bought these squares at a thrift store and there was matching yarn included with them. I made a bunch of new squares to add to these sqares make an afghan and discovered that I had used the wrong size hook. I then made a bunch of black squares to coordinate with some of the squares and alternated black and multi-color squares.

The afghan I made in 2013--

I ended up with a bunch of odd squares that literally "didn't fit."  Fast forward to yesterday, and I started to use these squares to make a lapghan. This is one that I hope to donate to the veterans. What I do not like about these squares is that whoever started making them put a single crochet around each square and only left an inch of yarn that really doesn't weave in nicely.

Here's what I have so far--

That's all for now folks...

Sharon

Pretty Pink Lapghan--Finished

Hot off my hook last night is this pretty pink and creamy white lapghan. This would also work out as a toddler blanket too. No pattern just solid granny squares in 4 rounds and 12 rounds. This is a gift for an older relative. Now I need to figure out my next project.

Have a great 4th of July!

Hugs,
Sharon

Patriotic Popeye

For your 4th of July holiday pleasure, here is a Popeye cartoon "Patriotic Popeye."  There aren't many places that you can live that you may protest the government and openly work to change it. God bless all our veterans who have fought or been ready to fight for all the freedoms we enjoy. Have a great holiday and remember the foundations our country was built on.

 

WIP is Pink...

I'm finishing up a project and should be able to show it to you in a day or two. I'm making use of some pink yarn that I had gotten a sale on a few months ago and added too many (ten) 1 pound skeins to my stash. 

Stay tuned...

Sharon

TropiShade 9-Feet Bronze Aluminum Market Rust Polyester Umbrella cover (Base sold seperately)

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (29 June 2015)

I love the look of crocheted doilies. They're pretty and add a lightness to the decor. Today's pattern link isn't for a doily but rather for a doily-ish rug. It is made out of t-shirt yarn but you might be able to "fudge" and use several strands of worsted for a different look. Whatever you do, have fun!

Hugs,

Sharon

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In a Crocheter's Ideal World...

In a crocheter's ideal world, they will never be told by the recipient of a crocheted gift that said gift was tossed in the trash. When a crocheter makes a gift, even a small object such as a hat, much time is spent making said object. Love is worked into the stitches and a bit of the crocheter's affection rubs off on the person every time they use the item. If the item is not wanted or doesn't fit or some other reason, please donate it or give it away but please don't trash like-new things such as hats and slippers. It doesn't take much to put it in the donation box at Goodwill and someone else can be touched by loving stitches.

Our Nellie Belle

Nellie Belle will be 10 in August. That's not too old for a chihuahua because life expectancy is about 16 or more years. Nellie started hobbling on 3 legs and developed a cough that sounded very similar to a cat trying to bring up a hairball. So, being the good mom that I am, we went to the vet. Nellie was all happy to be going bye-bye in the car (she loooves going for rides).

Diagnoses
*Arthritis in her rear right leg
*Heart murmur. The cough is a classic symptom of heart murmur in canines.

The vet prescribed a pain killer for the arthritis to be taken as needed and Lasix for Nellie. The Lasix has eased her cough by removing fluids from around the heart. She drinks like a gazillion gallons of water and pees like a race horse but she is doing better. There is no cure for a heart murmur other than very expensive surgery and it was not offered for Nellie. On a scale of 1 to 6 with 6 being the most severe, Nellie's murmur is at a 4. We learned that even though she may still like to play like a puppy, we have to try to keep her from getting over stimulated. About 2 weeks ago, she was running the fence line while the neighbor was cutting his grass. She has done this for almost 10 years every time he cuts his grass. Now, the exercise is too strenuous for her and she fainted. I never heard of a dog fainting before and I rushed her to the vet and that's when I learned that even though our Belle-Belle is playful as a pup her health is fragile and she has to take it easy. A murmur can develop fast. Just a couple months ago she was at the vet in Florida and her heart sounded good. Nellie has become a bit picky with her food and treats but otherwise she is very playful and active.

I wasn't going to post about this but I decided so that if any of your fur babies has an innocuous sounding cough, you might want to get it checked out because there may be a more serious issue.

Hugs,

Sharon

Sharon's Clothespin Bag

Per request, here is the pattern for the clothespin bag I designed. If you find any problems with the pattern, please let me know and I'll see what I can do to fix it or explain it.

Here's the link to the pattern --> LINK

Hope this pattern suits your needs.

Hugs,
Sharon

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (22 June 2015)

In some areas, stores are starting to charge for shopping bags. As we know, crocheters are not only talented they are also thrifty and there are many patterns available for crafty crocheters to make their own bags. Here's one that I like the looks of.

Sending you wishes for a great week.

Hugs,
Sharon






Ikea 172.283.40 Frakta Shopping Bag, Large, Blue, Set of 5

Mostly Green Charity Lapghan Finished

Here's the latest lapghan that I'm hoping to donate to the veterans home when it opens here later this year or in the spring. Most of the yarns, with the exception of the "checkerboard squares," were from the batch of yarn my son and daughter-in-law picked up for me at a yard sale. I just played around with graph paper to make this arrangement of squares of 4 rounds, 6 rounds and 12 rounds.

Thanks for stopping in and looking!

Hugs,

Sharon

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing

Hat from Scraps

 This is such an easy pattern to make and I can use up some of my odds and ends making something besides granny squares. The pattern is available on this Ravelry page.

I'm listening to thunder rumbling and watching lightning shoot down from the sky. It is a good night to be indoors and enjoying a cup of decaf as I crochet. I am almost finished with making squares for another lapghan for donation. The squares are mostly done in shades of green from the stash my son and his wife brought me from one of their yard sale jaunts.

This is it for now.  Take care my friends.

Hugs,
Sharon

Clothes Pin Bag

I needed a clothes pin bag to hang on my clothes line and I decided to make one instead of spending good money on an inferior quality one from China. I found the items to make it available at Dollar Tree.

Used a pack and a half of this plastic-like twine

I bought 2 packs of these and used 2 of the middle-sized ones.

And here it is on the line full of pins--

Basically, I made it by starting out with a hat-like item, then I made it a little narrower for several rows before the opening. Hooked the carabiners between stitches and voila--a clothes pin bag! I did take notes on what I did so if anyone is interested, I can write it up.

Hope your week has started off on a good note. 

Hugs,

Sharon

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (15 June 2015)

Today's link to a free pattern is for the exciting butterfly bolero vest. It is a cute vest with cap-like sleeves that would look great over a dress or even with jeans.

Have a great week everyone!

Hugs,
Sharon

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Found Alternative Source for Pattern

I've been sleuthing around the Internet knowing that there had to be an alternative site for afghan pattern I posted about yesterday. There is and you can find it here. Just thought I'd share this with you. It was driving me crazy that I couldn't find the pattern because I knew it had to be online. Have fun!

Take care my friends...

Sharon

At Last, I Finished this Afghan

I've been working on this afghan off and on since April. It really wouldn't have taken me so long except my CADD (crochet attention deficit disorder) kicked in a few times and I temporarily worked on other projects. The pattern is on a Red Heart label but I can't find it anywhere on line. It is called Ragged Ripple. It will be off in the mail this afternoon. It's a surprise and I hope it is liked.

Close-up--

Here's a freebie pattern e-book from Amazon for crocheters and knitters-->  Welcome to Our Home - Knit and Crochet Ideas from Red Heart. I don't know how long it will be free so hurry up and get your copy.

Hope y'all are well. Hugs to all...

Sharon

Great Son and Daughter-in-Law

My younger son and his wife were out yard sale shopping today. They brought me a great gift--YARN! I'm going to use most of this to make lapghans. I'm making them for the veterans home that opens either the end of this year or early next year. I hope they'll accept donations of these. If not, then it will be off to the local nursing home. I just like to give to the veterans because I am one.

Here's my great new stash--

I temporarily piled it on my crocheting chair to see what I had. You can get a little look at the afghan I am making for a special someone. 

Hope everyone is well.

Hugs,

Sharon

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Lapghan for Charity Finished

A Veteran's nursing home will be opening in our town either late this year or early next year. I've made and put away a few lapghans over the years and I will be donating them when this facility opens.

Today I finished another lapghan. I'm very happy with how it turned out and how the multitude of colors blend so well. To make this, I made solid granny squares. The large squares are 12 rounds and the smaller squares are 4 rounds. I single crochet the squares together (on the right side) and made a round in black of double crochet to give a bit more of a finished look.

Then after looking at it a while, I decided that the edging seemed sort of blah so I added another round of DC in black, 1 round of SC in white and the final round of HDC in black. Now it looks much better.

I took a break from the afghan I was making to make this. I focused on the afghan so much that I faced burn out with it and had to distract myself with something else. Making the squares was just what I needed with the different colors and use of the colors so it wasn't boring and didn't require so much attention to detail.  I have 11 more rows to go on the afghan and I'll share pictures then.

I do have a couple hats I haven't posted pictures of but I'll save that for another day too.

Y'all take care...

Sharon


Caravan Sports Infinity Zero Gravity Chair

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (01 June 2015)

Today's pattern is for a Nike inspired pair of baby booties. They're really cute and I can see them worked in pastels for girls and darker colors for boys. Have fun!

Hugs,
Sharon

Nike shoes for the family

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (25 May 2015)

Bet you thought I forgot to post a link to a pattern for you. I almost did and I'm sorry for being so inattentive. Today's pattern is a cute purse modeled after a Slushy/Slurpee/Icee cup  A little girl might enjoy putting her treasures in a purse like this. Twinkie Chan  designed this and she has created many cute patterns. Here's the link to today's pattern.

Hope you enjoy!

Hugs,

Sharon

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (18 May 2015)

I have seen numerous types of crocheted food that I think are great for kids to play with. Here's a link to a pattern for a bologna sandwich that the kids will enjoy serving up. These toys won't take up too much room and are fun to boot!



more play dishes for kids

It's Mothers Day

To all moms, I'm wishing you a blessed day. To my mom, thanks for your love. You may be gone but never forgotten.

Review: Amish Confidential

I love to read. I was so disappointed in the book I recently finished reading that I felt compelled to put my review here. The other day, I finished reading the book Amish Confidential. I had enjoyed watching the television series on Discovery Channel but, I believed from the very first episode that I watched that many of the events on this show were scripted. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed watching the show. The last episode of the series promised that Lebanon Levi Stoltzfus was writing a "tell-all" book. I am disappointed that his definition of "tell-all" and mine are quite different.

I was mildly interested in the biographical information on Stoltzfus that was written in the book. He was one of seven children. His father died due to a farming accident when Levi was 2. Levi's mother remarried a widower with 8 children. Levi went a little "wild" during rumspringa drinking and received 2 DUIs. That may not be the norm but it's not surprising since many teenagers test boundaries and try their wings as they are entering adulthood especially when the strict rules they live by are suddenly eased.

The book also did a rundown on crimes the Amish were involved in or committed such as the shooting of Amish students at the West Nickel Mine School. Another big emphasis in the book was about a politician bashing the Amish and Stotlzfus bashing the politicians. This wasn't a surprise because the last few episodes of the show placed a huge emphasis on these events.

When we were promised a "tell-all" I expected to get the low-down on the Smucker family whose father was in charge of Amish Aid before Stoltzfus was. I was anxious to learn of the ties between Esther Smucker and Levi. I was disappointed to not read of any of this. The final episode showed that Levi had a baby with an "English" woman and there was no mention of this in the book.

My opinion of this book--Not worth your time or money if you had watched the show. This book read like it was just thrown together to make a buck and keep interest alive in the show. Don't waste your money; get it from the library if you still want to read it.

Star rating: 2 out of 5

Hope y'all are okay.

Hugs,

Sharon