Crochet, Please...

After spending some much needed, lovely quality time with my family over the last week, I'm now really itching to spend quality time with my crochet hook.  Getting back to work at the office was a bear and while my mind says I want to crochet, my tired body is saying not today!  Sooooo, I've been doing the next best thing and catching up with my favorite blogs - there's so much creating going on out there!  I'm enjoying all your wonderful images of places and people and projects.

So my goal for this week (once my body cooperates)... try and finish a granny blankie as a gift for my little sister. 

I'm using the join-squares-as-you-go method using Attic24's tutorial.  It does eliminate one step because you're simultaneously working your last row and joining squares.  I love this shortcut!

Happy crafting and creating :-)

Gratitude

I'm thankful for...

• Hubby dearest :: my rock and BFF
• Dearest Son #1 :: The source of much light and laughter in our home
• Dearest Son #2 :: Our angel...quiet and reserved, always in a state of calm when things are crazy
• Sonny, Cher & Squirt :: Who see only the good in us and love unconditionally
• My family and friends
• My new blog community whose ideas and projects provide me with creative inspiration daily
• My faith

My cup runneth over...

Enjoy your bounty and blessings.  Happy Thanksgiving :-)

Crochet Therapy :: Hats for Little Ones

I hope you're all keeping pace with your holiday things-to-do.  I definitely am not.  So to deal with the stress, how about dropping everything for a short while and simply doing this... sit down with your hook and yarn, take a nice deep cleansing breath and begin.  Take time to enjoy the process. 

My own recent personal crochet therapy...

Sugar & Cream 100% Cotton

Filatura De Crosa Baby Wool & Acrylic Blend

Such a little girly-girl hat

I found this by way of Anita at ASE Knits 'n' Crochets who has a lovely version of her own using solid colors.  It is a fairly easy pattern :: took me about 2 hours to complete one hat.

Hope you find a few moments of your own for creative therapy :-)

November Days Rambling

It was a topsy turvy week in my household as we replaced all our worn carpet downstairs with wood flooring (thanks to our doggies).  Much moving of furniture and all our stuff - from one room to another and another and another, like musical chairs - and then all back again.  Not fun.  Fortunately, this is when it starts paying off to have 2 teenage boys.  Taking out the trash and moving furniture.  Life as Mom gets better and better :-)

We are pleased with the result...

Our living/dining room.  The "After," unfortunately wasn't able to snap a "Before."

It's called African Zebra Wood.  Characterized by bold graining in the wood.  We used this in a total of 3 rooms.

To maintain my sanity through all this, I managed to steal some moments of Autumn.  We don't get a true Fall season where I live so I sort of create it.  On average, November days are 70 degrees and sunny, just like today.  So here are some snapshots I took in an effort to collect some of the beautiful colors of the season.

And finally...I managed to do some stash busting using leftover yarn bits.  Came up with a couple of crocheted hot pads.

The solid centers are Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in half dc.  Since it's an extra chunky yarn, the disc came out very dense and firm.  Perfect for the Thanksgiving table.

Happy home-y Autumn days to you :-)

Marathons

The 2nd annual international marathon is taking place in my lovely city of Santa Barbara today.  There's been a buzz of activity in my usually quiet neighborhood as the marathon route runs through a road here and down along the shoreline.

Hats off to those who are undertaking this grueling challenge :: I'm sure their preparation and training began weeks and months before.  My utmost respect to all these participants who push their physical and mental capabilities to its limits.  Quite an achievement.

But while these runners do their thing today, I will embark on a slightly different type of marathon activity.  No running shoes involved, just slippers of the fluffy sort.  Instead of water, my drink of choice will be pots of tea.  It's happening in the comfort of my own home on a worn, but very cushy sofa.  Yup, you've guessed :: it's a marathon of the hooky-knitty type.  My favorite kind.

I'm sure you, my crafty friends, will begin or have already begun your own marathons to complete by year's end.  By that I mean much holiday crafting and homemade gift-making to do!


Washcloth gifts in the making

Screaming for an edging :: but I know Sandy's Flickr will help me decide which one



Only a bazillion more to go...

I send positive thoughts to you for optimum health and stamina this holiday crafting season.  I will cheer you on to the finish line :-)

Crocheted Flowers

There are soooooo many ways to crochet flowers :: infinite combinations of stitches, infinite possibilities!  Here's one that I focused on for a few hours...


A pile of pink and blue daisies



I'm not sure what their purpose is yet...

 

Maybe...

 

this scarf...



plus these...

 

hmmm...



The flower pattern is from a book titled, Crochet Edgings & Trims, edited by Kate Haxell.  Stitches used are:

ch = chain

sl st = slip stitch

sc = single crochet

dc = double crochet

hdc = half double crochet

Pattern

Base ring:  8 ch, join with sl st (I used 4 ch because I wanted a smaller, tighter center ring)

1st round:  3ch (count as 1 dc), 1 dc into ring; [6ch, 3dc into ring] 5 times, 6 ch, 1 dc into ring, sl st to top of tch.

2nd round:  *1ch, (1sc 1hdc, 7dc, 1hdc, 1sc) into next 6ch-sp, 1ch, skip 1 dc, 1 sl st into next dc; rep from * 5 more times placing last sl st into top of tch of previous round.

Fasten off.

Let me know how you get along or if I can help.  Have fun with flowers :-)

Imagine

...the possibilities.  I so enjoy yarn shops and all the endless colors.  My own collection has grown because I can never resist adding to it when I visit my favorite yarn places.  Here's a peek at some of my stash...


Sugar & Cream 100% Cotton



Hap'i 100% Tanguis Cotton and Jo Sharpe Aran

Hmmm...what to create with all this fiber goodness?  I'm joyfully overwhelmed with the possibilities.

I wish you yarn abundance and joy today :-)