Getting Ready for Christmas 2015

The 2 Santa hats I made for last Christmas went over so well that I had requests for more. I was requested to make one in green for one of the elves in California at the North Pole.  This is a fun pattern to make--it's easy and for me, it takes a little over an evening watching television to make one start-to-finish. It's great to have such an early head start on projects for next Christmas.

Pattern

There will now be one elf staying warm next winter. 

That's all folks. Hope y'all are doing okay. Take care my friends.

Hugs,

Sharon

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (12 January 2015)

Here's a pattern for a border on a basic shawl that is pretty and looks very special. Chilliness in the house this time of year makes shawls very practical. If you hot flash like I do, then a shawl is an easy and practical "on-and-off item" to own.  You might try this border on a baby blanket or afghan too.

Hat and Scarf Are Finished

These items were a love and hate project to make. I loved the softness of the Homespun Yarn by Lion. The yarn is so smooth and soft but unfortunately it splits, snags, is hard to see and I'm always worried that it will unravel. I loved the colors I used but was a little shaky about the matching issue but now that the scarf and hat are finished, I think they look nice. I will be headed into colder weather for about a week and I need something to help keep me warm and this should fit the bill.

Here's the hat; the pattern is called Lovely Lady Slouch Hat.

The scarf pattern is Just Another Chevron Scarf. I used a heavier weight yarn and a smaller hook (J) to make this. The colors I used are lagoon and forest--nice rich colors.

This is it for now. Take care and stay warm everyone!

Hugs,

Sharon

Lion Brand Yarn Holiday Homespun Yarn

Shades of Brown Hat and Scarf

I finished these about a week ago except for getting a button for the scarf. I enjoy both of these patterns very much and I'm happy to share the links with you. I like a nice pair of leather gloves for winter warmth and this set needs a nice pair of dark brown gloves to match.

Rubylene Hat

One Ball Ripple Scarf

I have no where to take pictures here. I moved my current project off my recliner to put the scarf and hat on and now I see the yarn hanging in one of these pictures.  One of these days I'll get it together.

Y'all stay warm.

Hugs,

Sharon

Coasters--Bright and Cheery

Good afternoon everyone!

Just getting a little laundry done and sipping on a cup of hot decaf coffee; I just love a cup on chilly winter days.

I want to show you my latest, finished project. I made another set of 4 coasters. Husband likes to have drinks such as water and Crystal Light on the night stand at night. Me, I get peeved at the rings and mess on the furniture from these drinks. These coasters will help protect the furniture and keep my temper chilled. If you notice, these coasters aren't lacy and that is added protection. Here's a peek--

Pattern

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (05 January 2015)

The holidays are over and life has slowed down for you. You feel the urge to crochet something but not a time consuming project. Hey, you know a young lady who received a doll for Christmas and she's in need of clothes and accessories. Here's a pattern that includes how-to information on making a few, quick accessories for an 18" doll. Included are instructions on how to crochet a hat, vest and purse. Check it out here.

Hope life has settled down for you and that this new year is looking bright. Take care my friends.

Hugs,
Sharon





18" dolls

Wrapping Up the Year of Crochet

Here's my crochet in review for 2014. I made this with the free slide show maker that comes with the free picasa software, but when I tried to add audio, the sound was distorted. I went looking for another way to make a slide show and I found this freeware program called Free Slideshow Maker. It's a no-frills way to make a slideshow. I couldn't figure out how to reorganize the order my pictures showed.  It did allow me to put in an audio portion of royalty free music clip I found at  Incompetech. Anyway, I'll stop my complaining and get on with the show--



I see that I need to be more patient about taking pictures. I should wait until I have good natural light. to avoid the harsh light "spots" in some pictures from overhead lights and the washed out look when the lighting is too dark.

Wishing you all a wonderful New Year.

Hugs,
Sharon

Three Pairs of Slippers and a Hat

Just a quick post to show you my latest projects. I'll get the boring part out of the way first--you know, the slippers I seem to have a compulsion to make.

Pattern

The first 2 pairs are for a man and the third pair I modified the woman's size because I wasn't sure if I had enough yarn to finish a pair. Here's how I modified them:

• Where it says "Back: ch 11"  I chained 4
• Then I continued as the pattern said on 31 stitches
• Dec Row 1: Sc in each of next 13) sc, dec over next 2 sts as follows: draw up a loop in each of the next 2 sts: 3 loops on hook, YO and pull through all 3 loops on hook, work 1 sc, dec as before over next 2 sts, sc in each of next 13) sc, ch 1, turn. 
• Dec Row 2: Sc in each of next 12 sc, dec over next 2 sts, work 1)sc, dec, sc in each of next 12 c, ch 1, turn.
• Dec Row 3: Sc in each of next 11 Sc, dec, work 1)Sc, dec, sc in each of next 11 sc; ch 1, turn. 

That's all there is to it.

The other project I've recently completed is a slouchy hat for a woman. I love the yarn I used. I have no idea of what type it is because I got it at Goodwill and the only label on it was $2. The pattern is Lovely Lady Slouchy Hat. I did it one night as we watched television after dinner. I had to frog the edging and redo it with a larger hook (N) because it was way too tight. I crochet loosely so this was a surprise to me. With this happening to me with 2 separate hat patterns this month, I'm beginning to think I have a fat head.

I sure wish I brought my styrofoam heads with me to model the hats I've made. I think it gives a better "real life" look at hats.

That's all for now.

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (29 December 2014)

Today's pattern is for a pineapple scarf. Instructions are for fingering, sport or worsted weight yarn. Check it out here.

Hugs to all,
Sharon






Pineapple Crochet Patterns

Christmas Greetings

Sending out wishes for happiness, good health 

and peace for all. God bless everyone.

Love,

Sharon

Replacement Green Hat Finished

After my bad luck with the hat I posted about yesterday, I surfed the Internet and found a different pattern to make. I made the hat pattern called Rubylene that is on Ravelry. This pattern is easy to make and the directions are clear. I used the yarn I frogged from the first green hat and the Rubylene hat used about half the ball I had salvaged. Here's the hat--

It's almost time for Santa to make his around the world trip with gifts for all the good children. You can track him on the Google Santa Tracker.

In case I don't get back on here before Christmas, I'm wishing each and everyone of you a happy and blessed Christmas.

Hugs,
Sharon

Green Hat Finished

The other night I finished a hat--

Pattern

 to go with this scarf--

Pattern

I decided to not put a flower on the hat. I really, really liked it until I tried it  on. No way could I wear it. It is very, very tight. The brim is too large and obstructs vision although the brim probably could be turned up for a different look. My crochet stitches are loose so I was surprised at the tight fit. This hat will be frogged and become a new project. I do like the looks of this hat and the great way the pattern was written. I may try this hat again with a larger hook and take off a row or 2 on the brim.

It's almost Christmas so I hope everyone has caught up with their holiday chores and are enjoying the season with family and friends.

Hugs to all,

Sharon

Note:

If you were here earlier, you may have noticed a problem with the pictures displaying. I have fixed this now (fingers crossed). Thanks for your patience.--S.

Sewing Machine Sales at Amazon

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (22 December 2014)

Finally, you are caught up with making and buying holiday gifts. But wait a minute, there isn't a gift for Furbaby! OH NO! Never fear, in a night or 2 you can make a sweater for your furry one.

• Sweater 1
• Sweater 2 for chihuahua-sized dog.

Here's 1 pattern that is good for slippers for men, women and children. Yes, I know this pattern is the same that I've crocheted a gazillion pairs of slippers from. I love this pattern and I think everyone else should too (giggle, giggle).

And last but not least, slipper socks for a baby.

You should be about finished with holiday preparations (other than cooking Christmas dinner) so prop your feet up and have a cup of eggnog in your choice of regular or unleaded.  Now RELAX!

Hugs to all and to all a good night!

Sharon

Downloadable Christmas Music

Coasters Made for Last Minute Christmas Gift

I made these coasters as a last minute Christmas gift. I used 1 1/2 thingies of cotton yarn and ended up with 8 coasters.

Pattern

I already had a Christmas present for the person I'm giving these to, I just saw a need for some coasters on glass topped tables in his living room and I was between projects. Hope he likes them.

I'm done with Christmas shopping. I finished up yesterday. I went to Lowes and was able to get it done. No one was in the store and cashiers were standing in the aisle by the registers letting people know that there was no waiting to check out. Compare this to Walmart--the parking lot was jammed full of cars; no telling what it was like inside. It is so nice to have gift shopping finished. Today I'm going to the grocery store to get some last minute goodies for our holiday meal and then I'm done except for the cooking.

Take care everyone.
Hugs to all...

Sharon

Selection of coasters

Little Christmas Tree--

Here's a little Christmas tree for a special person. It was fun making this although a bit tedious sewing all the "ornaments" on. The thread spool I used was from an assortment of thread I bought at a thrift store. The thread sticker said that it originally cost 18 cents. I also twisted a novelty Christmas necklace around it to give it some lights. Here it is--

Pattern

I am just about finished with my Christmas shopping. Sent something off to son last week. Just need to get 2 gifts and then I'm done. Hubby and I decided not to do much for gifts this year since we are spending money fixing up our "Camp No Mo Sno" here in Florida.

Sending you all happy thoughts, wishes and hopes for a blessed holiday.

Hugs,

Sharon

A Couple More Things Finished...

I finished another pair of slippers. This is sized for a woman and is in black and yellow. One of the things I enjoy about this pattern is mixing colors together (made out of double strands of ww yarn).

Pattern

The other project I finished was a scarf. It's in Red Hearts paddy green color. This is a super color for holiday wear. I will be making some kind of hat to match and then probably be taking it back to Kentucky to give to someone for next winter.

Pattern

The only thing I didn't care for about the scarf was the little openings next to the shells are not the same size from one row to the next. I did modify the pattern a little bit on Row 10. Wherever it says to chain 4, I chained 3 instead and it looks quite a bit more uniform but still not quite.

That's all I have to share for today. Hope y'all are enjoying yourselves.

Hugs,

Sharon

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (15 December 2014)

Only 1 1/2 weeks until Christmas and we still need a gift or 2. Here are a few patterns that might help you out.

• Do you still have some of Lion boucle yarn that was discontinued a few years ago and sold at Dollar Tree? I know that more than a few of us hoarded stockpiled a fair amount of it. Anyway, if you did or you have a comparable yarn, here's a cute hat pattern for the ladies on your list.
• Ski hat for man (or woman too)
• Checkers game for kids
• Lovey blanket for baby

Don't forget to wrap your gifts as you make/or purchase them. The last minute rush to wrap 

gifts can turn into a hair-pulling event.

Cheers--
Sharon

Gone But Not Forgotten

JoAnn

16 November 1936 - 14 December 1969

Rest in peace Mom.

My Christmas Slipper Socks

Finished my slippers to wear with my Christmas pajamas.

Pattern

For Your Viewing Pleasure...

Donald Duck and the rascally Chip and Dale bring their own special talents in these cute seasonal cartoons. Get yourself comfortable and maybe a nice cup of hot chocolate and watch the antics of these little critters.



Hugs to all--
Sharon

If my blog is playing Christmas music, you may turn it off on the top of the screen.