Not Just Twiddling My Thumbs....

Really I haven’t been just sitting around watching Frank do work around my moms house. I finished a shawl got it in the mail, and oops, forgot to take a picture of it! Dang. With the leftover yarn I made a little hat for Riley, I sure hope it fits……


I’ve been practicing my knitting, if you can call it knitting. I only can do the knit stitch, I’m totally baffled by the purl stitch. I’ll have to have Ruth show me when I see her next, but I do need more practice doing the knit stitch, so I’ll keep at it.
How does it look bh?

Then I started a baby blanket, the pattern is out of the Happy Hooker Crochet book. In the book it is a small blanket for the car seat, but I wanted it for a crib size and I’ve probably managed to even get it bigger then that. I could run the stripes the long way though, so I’ll consider doing that. The colors remind me of that Brachs candy with the coconut.

Stocking Cap

Being on the Ferry to Washington with another crocheter, I learned how to make a simple stocking cap. Instead of crocheting in the round, you make a chain of 25 or so and then just single crochet back and forth in the back loop only. It looks a lot like you are making a scarf, but when it gets to the length to wrap around a head you slip stitch the ends together. Weave a double length of yard in and out of one end, pull tight, tie and you have a stocking cap with a different look.
I like it better with the edge rolled up, but the wind was really blowing so we wanted my grandson to keep his ears covered. I didn't add the pom pom that was recommended for the top either.

More Fingerless Gloves

I made these on the ferry ride down from Juneau. I like all of the colors, I think I'm going to have to make myself a pair when I find some green yarn to match my coat. I had picked up this yarn at Walmart, they only had one skein, so I'll have to look for more down here.

The Cassia Scarf

I made this Cassia scarf from A slice of Life blog, in some red yarn I had leftover from something....but I love this pattern. It works up easy and fast. Of course I changed it a little, I didn't make it as wide as the original and I didn't read the directions all the way through, oops, so I didn't start again from the middle and work the other end, so both ends would be the same.

I'm making another one in some green mohair that I have, this one I will work from the center to ends so they will both match. I think this would look great in a shawl too.

Arachne's Tears Scarf

I've been getting Interweave Crochet magazine in the mail for almost a year now, and this is the first thing I've made from one of them. This scarf was in the spring 2008 issue. I've really enjoyed the magazine, it really inspires me, don't know why I haven't made anything until now.............but this scarf is very simple, with a simple design, sometimes less is more.............
I didn't sew the beads on it like in the magazine, mainly because I have none, and where would I buy some here. I think I am actually going to keep this one for myself, and I might even wear it!

Cable Slippers

This is the first time I've ever written a pattern (pictures included, they always help me when I am learning something new) for anyone but myself. That takes time to write those! If anyone would like to try it out and give me feedback, I would really appreciate it.
Womens size 7 1/2 -8
Size J hook, red heart super saver yarn

Sole: Chain 21, sc down and around chain to beginning, keep working around for 7-9 rows (or to get to desired size) Adding and extra 1-3 sc’s on each end to keep it flat. If sole ends up too wide and too short for your foot, start over with a longer chain. I cut out and sew a fleece bottom to the inside (wrong side) of sole. If you do, make sure you leave the last row of stitches open.


Top (working from the top of the toes up):
Row 1: Chain 14, dc in 4th chain from end (this counts as 1st dc), and in every chain, for 12 dc’s across. Chain 3, turn.
Row 2: fpdc (front post double crochet) in next 3 dc’s, bpdc (back post double crochet) in next 4 dc’s, fpdc in last 4 dc’s. Chain 3, turn.
Row 3: bpdc in next 3 dc’s, skip next 2 dc’s and fpdc in 3rd and 4th dc, then go back and fpdc in 1st and 2nd dc’s that were skipped. Bpdc in last 4 dc’s. Chain 3, turn.
Row 4: fpdc in next 3 dc’s, bpdc in next 4 dc’s (these will be scrunched together due to the cross over, just separated them to find the right ones), fpdc in last 4 dc’s.
Row 5: bpdc in next 3 dc’s, fpdc in next 4 dc’s, bpdc in last 4 dc’s. Chain 3, turn.
Row 6: Repeat row 4
Row 7: Repeat row 3
Row 8: Repeat row 4
Row 9: Repeat row 5
Row 10: Repeat row 4
Row 11: Repeat row 3
Row 12: Repeat row 4
This completes the top, do not end.

Sides and heal:
Chain 22 and attach to other side of top with slip stitch, opposite of beginning of chain. (lengthen or shorten chain according to fit).
Row 1: With front side facing you, sc down top and all the way around (including chain) putting 2 sc’s in corners of toes. ( I ended up with about 20 sc’s on each side, not counting the heel). Slip stitch when you get to beginning. Chain one.

Row 2-3: sc all the way around in back sc only.

Check here for fit against the sole for fit. Mine were a little big so on the 4th row I decreased sc’s, about 1 per side. After the 4th row you can end or make a big loop and start from there when you secure to sole.

Attach to Sole:

Pin top to sole, wrong sides together, starting with a pin at the toes and heel to make it even. Slip stitch around. You can end here or add a cuff.

Cuff:

Attach yarn where the heel and top join.
Sc around back of heel in back stitches only, work around back of heel to top (do not work across the top yet), slip stitch into top, chain one, turn and sc back along heel in back stitch only, this time go all the way around across the top, ending where you started. Chain 2 (turn ?) This is a good time to try on and see if the heel is too loose)

Working back across the top (clockwise) dc in all the sc’s (decrease in heel if needed) all the way around, you want an even number of dc’s. I decrease randomly until I have 30 all the way around. Join at the top of your chain 2 with slip stitch. Chain 2 (counts as your 1st dc)

Row 2: fpdc in next dc, bpdc in next dc, fpdc in next dc, switching back and forth all the way around. Join with slip stitch. Chain 2.

Row 3: fpdc in next fpdc, bpdc in next, etc, working your way around so you have the front posts in the front posts and back posts in the back posts. Slip stitch to join.

Don't forget to add some "no slip" on the bottoms. I use that rubber stuff from craft, and just cut out any shape and hand sew it on.

Swirly Hats

It has been doing nothing but raining for weeks now, so I've been doing nothing but crocheting! I was working on slippers when an idea came into my head for some hats with fun fur. I wanted to make a hat for my great nephew who will be 2 years old in November. I love the swirl pattern, and thought that would be really cute on little kids' heads. Here's what I came up with:



It's a good way to use up fun fur when you are tired of making slippers!