Linda's Lists Too

Splash Dance Sampler Square

2010-11-28T09:07:00.000-08:00

Notes: I did not design the original pattern. I am just a big fan of the pattern. It was originally designed to be a 7” square but I have updated the original instructions to make the square 12” by using a K hook and adding additional rows. I have also corrected any mistakes I found on the original version I had. This is such a beautiful square that I had to share with others so it is not lost.

Materials:
4 ply yarn, size “K” hook

Size measures 12” with a K hook

Main Color (MC) Contrasting Color (CA) Contrasting Color (CB)

With CA ch 5, join to form ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 3, 2 dc in ring, *ch 2, 3 dc in ring, rep from * 2 times. Join with sl st to beg ch 3.

Rnd 2: Ch 5, dc in same corner sp, * in next ch-2 sp work [dc, ch 2, dc (V-st made), ch 2, V-st], rep from * 2 times more, V-st in next sp, ch 1, sc in 3rd ch of beg ch-5.

Rnd 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in same beg corner sp, *ch 1, skip V-st, 3 dc in next sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next corner ch-2 sp, rep from * and, end with 3 dc, ch, join with sl st to beg ch-2, (12 3-dc groups made) finish off.

Rnd 4: Join CB with sl st in any corner sp, ch 3, (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, *dc in each of the next 3 dc, [tr in ch-2 sp of V-st one row below, dc in each of next 3 dc] across, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next corner sp, rep from * and end with sl st in top of beg ch-3.

Rnd 5: Sl st to corner sp, (ch 5, dc, ch 2, V-st) in same corner sp, *[skip 3 sts, V-st in next dc] 3 times in next corner sp work V-st, ch 2, V-st, rep from * and, end with sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch-5.

Rnd 6: Ch 3, dc in same sp, ch 1, skip next V-st, *in next corner sp work (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc), ch 1, [skip next V-st, 3 dc in next sp, ch 1] 4 times, rep from * and, end with last dc, join with sl st to beg ch-3, finish off.

Rnd 7: Join CB with sl st in any corner sp, ch 3, (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, *dc in each of the next 3 dc, [tr in ch-2 sp of V-st one row below, dc in each of next 3 dc] across, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next corner sp, rep from * and end with sl st in top of beg ch-3.

Rnd 8: Sl st to corner sp, (ch 5, dc, ch 2, V-st) in same corner sp, *[skip 3 sts, V-st in next dc] 3 times in next corner sp work V-st, ch 2, V-st, rep from * and, end with sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch-5.

Rnd 9: Ch 3, dc in same sp, ch 1, skip next V-st, *in next corner sp work (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc), ch 1, [skip next V-st, 3 dc in next sp, ch 1] 4 times, rep from * and, end with last dc, join with sl st to beg ch-3, finish off.

Rnd 10: Join MC with sl st in any corner sp, ch 3, (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, *dc in each of next 2 dc, [tr in ch-2 sp of V-st one row below, dc in each of next 3 dc] across to last 2 dc, dc in last 2 dc, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next corner sp, rep from * and end with sl st in top of beg ch-3. (8 tr made on each side).

Rnd 11: Ch 1, sc in each st around with 3 sc in each corner sp. Join in top of ch 1 and fasten off.

The square in the photo used the following color changes: Rnd 1-3 White, Rnd 4-6 Blue, Rnd 7-9 Red, Rnd 10-11 White.

Mother Goose Popcorn

2010-10-23T16:22:00.001-07:00

So yummy.

Pop 4 qts of popcorn. I use an air popper. Put in a large bowl.

Combine:
2 cups sugar
1 c. milk

Add:
2 tbsp butter or margarine
1 tsp light corn syrup

Stir and cook over medium to medium high heat. Cook and stir for 12 minutes or until soft ball stage. Take off heat and add a few drops of food coloring and 1 tsp or vanilla. Pour over popped corn and stir to coat. Spread out on a cookie sheet to cool and sprinkle a small amount of salt over candied corn. Place in a container to store if it lasts that long.

Optional:
Use different colors of food coloring and different flavors of extract.
The most recent batch used orange food coloring and peach extract. I have also used the candy oils, just use less as these are strong.

Linda's Lists Website is Back!!!

2010-04-18T11:18:00.000-07:00

It took some time and work with a tech person on my host site but the problem is gone. Linda's Lists website is back and virus free! It took forever to find the one line of code that did this. All my patterns are still there and working great. Thanks to everyone for the heads up about the situation.

http://www.lindaslists.net

Double Sided Chair Caddy Pattern

2009-11-15T16:29:00.000-08:00

Materials:
Worsted weight yarn in 2 colors. I used a variegated skein (color 1) and a solid skein (color 2).
H crochet hook
Yarn needle to weave in ends

Chain 36 and turn.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd chain from hook, turn.
Row 2: Ch 2, dc in each st across, turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn.
Repeat Rows 2 and 3, 7 times.
Fasten off color 1 and attach color 2, turn.

Row 1: Ch 1, sc in back loop of each stitch across, turn.
This creates a ridge to make the piece fold easier later on. Do not do this in any other rows unless told to do so.
Row 2: Ch 2, dc in each st across, turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn.
Repeat Rows 2 and 3, 20 times.
Fasten off color 2 and join color 1.

Row 1: Ch 1, sc in back loop of each stitch across, turn.
This is the second place to do this to make the piece fold easier.
Row 2: Ch 2, dc in each st across, turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st across, turn.
Repeat Rows 2 and 3, 8 times.
Ch 1, sc in each st across and fasten off.

You will now fold the piece with the ridges sticking out as shown in the photos below.
Starting in one corner sc the front and back together to work along the side.
Sc along the bottom in the loops left from the fold.
Sc along the other edge catching the front and back together.
Sc along the top in the loops left from the fold.

Weave in ends.

An option I did was to stitch one of the pockets in half (seen above) to make it easier to hold remotes and use the other pocket for notebooks or magazines.

Another option is to place a piece of plastic canvas in one of the pockets and stitch along the open edge. This will stiffen it so this part can slide in between a mattress for you to use for a book in bed or a remote.

My sofa has wide arms so I would need to do the repeats of the center color more times for it to hang better. I think I need to make one for my bed now.

Homemade Christmas Tree

2009-11-14T09:02:00.001-08:00

With the help of my son's youngest children my tree is up for this year. I decided to use a 4 foot tree instead of my huge one I usually use. Every ornament on the tree is handmade and has a story. There are knitted and crocheted ornaments. My oldest daughter, Mandy, has a ceramic ball ornament that she made in girl scouts and a plastic canvas penguin she made a few years ago. My youngest daughter has a teddy bear she made in kindergarten and a bear spoon ornament that was made for her by my Mother when Cyndy was small. Mariah, my oldest granddaughter has a tiny moccasin to represent her heritage and a marshmallow snowman she made in Headstart. My son's tree holds his ornament he made in cub scouts and his children's ornaments.

Here in this close up you can see the polymer clay ornaments I made this year and a few of my mini hats, bells and winter wear I knitted and crocheted.

The angel at the top is always the crowning glory. My youngest daughter was killed in an automobile accident on November 17, 2001. This angel looks just like her and is always at the top of my tree. I made her out of porcelain and lace. You can see Cyndy's photo peaking out of the left side of the angel.

Tiny Knit Sweater for Barbie or an Ornament (or both)

2009-11-11T18:34:00.000-08:00

I did one for my tree and one for my Granddaughter’s Barbie.

Materials:
WW yarn
Size 3 needles-1 set
Yarn needle

Cast on 14 sts and turn.
K1, P1 for 2 rows.
Work stockinette stitch (k1 row, p1 row) for 10 rows.

You will now be forming the sleeves.
K across row, do not turn, cast on 10 sts, now turn.
P across row, do not turn, cast on 10 sts, now turn.
K 1 row, turn.
P 1 row, turn.
K 1 row, turn.

You will now be forming the neck in 2 sections while still keeping all the stitches worked on the same needle.
P across 14 sts, bind off 6 sts, P across to end, turn.

You will now be working on the right side of the sweater.
K 14 sts, turn.
P 14 sts, turn.
K 14 sts, turn. Fasten off and weave in this end.

You are now working on the left sleeve.
Attach the yarn in the 1 stitch next to the neck and knit across, turn.
P 1 row, turn.
K 1 row, turn.

You will now be creating the back of the sleeves.
P 14 sts, cast on 6 sts, P 14 sts, turn.
K 1 row, turn.
P 1 row, turn.
K 1 row, turn.

You will now be creating the back of the sweater.
Bind off 10 sts, P across to end, turn.
Bind off 10 sts, K across to end, turn.
Work stockinette stitch (k1 row, p1 row, beginning with a p row) for 10 rows.
K1 P1 for 2 rows and turn at the end of each.
Bind of in k1 p1.
Fasten off.

Sew arm and side seams, weave in ends.

I then used wire to shape my own hanger.

Enjoy.

Here is the sweater before sewign the seams.

Here si the sweater sewn up.

And the sweater on my hanger.

Polar Express and waiting for the snow

2009-11-11T16:25:00.000-08:00

Enjoying a day off from work by watching the Polar Express and designing a tiny knit sweater. One will go to my youngest granddaughter for her Barbie at Christmas and the other will go on my Christmas tree. As soon as I have it done to I can take photos I will post the pics and the pattern. I am doing a knit one right now and may try to do a crocheted one too later. We are supposed to have snow either tonight or tomorrow. We already have people in town with their Christmas lights up and going. I just love it!

A use for those triangular priority mail boxes

2009-11-04T12:12:00.000-08:00

I get and receive at work the long, thin triangular boxes that I receive and ship employment law posters in. Carefully open the end so that you can re-close it. Then cut it in half width wise.

When you have 6 half sections put them together with duct tape to look like a lemon cane of clay or a citrus slice (for non- clayers) . Then cover the outside with a nice contact paper and you now have a compartment with six separate sections to store items in. I have one for yarn skeins I am currently using and and another for my 1 pound bricks of clay. You could do the same thing by alternating them with the point up, then the point down on the next and create a sort of shelf. Hold them together with the duct tape and then cover with the contact paper. I have one covered with a wood look contact paper. I can put tools in sections, my baggies of cane ends that are potential Natasha beads or my rollers.

I think that they need to update my posters now so I can have more boxes (legally) to cut up since you are not to get the boxes just for this reason. I just like a way to reuse them and not just throw them away, what a waste. I want to do one with the boxes cut into halves and then halves again the same way to make smaller sections. Then I can make a tool holder that stands up and holds my sculpting tools. Just cover the ends of the pieces that have open ends with a piece of cardboard since it will be covered with the contact paper anyway.

I have one down the hall that I can post but I am on a lunch break between training classes for work so I will post the photo later.

Here is the photo of the one I did before. I used masking tape and disney babies contact paper (allI had a the time). You can see my yarn in the openings.

The Last Knit - Video

2009-10-25T17:05:00.000-07:00

This is how I am with some projects. I admit that I can be obsessed at times-LOL.

Vinyl Record Bowls

2009-10-18T14:32:00.000-07:00

I decided that I needed a different way to display my crafts at craft shows. I found some vinyl LP's that I saved but were too scratched to listen to even if I had a working record player so I made them into bowls. The tall ones were formed over a large glass bowl that I sat upside down on a cookie sheet in a 2oo degree oven for 5 minutes. The Short ones were done the same way but I used a glass pie pan.

They turned out great. I'll have to look for more albums at yard sales next summer. Maybe some of the smaller records too. The 75's are smaller with the same center as these but a 45 has that big hole in the middle that I would need to cover.

Oops - Owwie Leg

2009-09-27T07:49:00.000-07:00

Been sitting her on the computer and could not figure out why my leg hurt. Just figured I bumped it when I tipped over the evil tree-bush. Decided to look at my leg and apparently I gouged my leg too. Thank goodness for neosporin and dinosaur band aids for the grand kids. I now have a pretty hand and leg. At least they are on the left side so I can still knit and crochet-HA! I'm not much of an outside person but someone has to do it.

I have a Christmas Plan

2009-09-27T07:35:00.000-07:00

I have decided what I am giving for Christmas, at least for the females on the list, maybe even a Grandson or two. I found a pattern for the cutest felted teeny tiny totes:

http://web.archive.org/web/20080201114446/http://sarahsthreads.com/crafts/index.php?pid=40

I plan on making a BUNCH of these and fill them according to the person. One granddaughter will get finger puppets, the other will get pretties and a new DS game. I need to make one first but I am hoping that a DS will fit in it . If so I have wool Camo yarn for the grandsons to make one with boy stuff and maybe a game. For the ladies at work they will get a notepad, postits, and a few Hershey Minis. For my daughter and mother they "might" get small dishcloths, scrubbies, scrunchies for my daughter and sugar-free candies fro my mother. Haven't decided what I am doing for my son yet but I have a few ideas. I know he will also want dishcloths and scrubbies for his dishes. You become a father mother when you are a single father raising your kids on your own.

As soon as I have a few photos I will post them. I have already dug through my stash and have it all over my sofa.

Owwie Hand

2009-09-27T07:28:00.000-07:00

Decided to go outside and trim the bush that thinks it is a tree that is growing on the side of my driveway (cracked the concrete - now that is determination). I do this every year until I can come up with a way to kill it outright and pull from the ground. It is an ash tree that grows like weeds around here. I used my branch cutter and only fell over the top once due to increased enthusiasm at seeing it gone. Didn't realize until I finally stopped to inspect the pile of branches that I had cut open the back of my hand. Shook the blood off, cheered at the pile of branches and came inside to wash,disinfect and bandage my hand so I can start knitting and crocheting for Christmas - Sounds like a plan.

Linda's Lists at Geocities has officially moved

2009-05-17T07:18:00.000-07:00

With Geocities going down later this summer I decided not to wait and lose everything I created so I have moved my entire site to a new location including all my patterns and recipes.
My new url is:

http://www.lindaslists.net

I will be updating this new url and will no longer update the old one. I will be dropping the old site at Geocities the end of June to give people a chance to update their links.I enjoyed working with Geocites but now am looking forward to working with this new company. I still have the increased bandwidth so people can be able to access my patterns and not see error messages when downloading patterns. There area few links I need to update but otherwise, everything is there and working great.I'm looking forward to an even bigger and better website for all.

Linda Bohrn

Crochet Acronyms

2008-10-28T05:45:00.001-07:00

Ok. I realize I did not make these up but I had to post these. I received them in an email and had a ball reading them. Some I use and others I do not.

Crochet Acronyms

A's:

AA = Annie's Attic
ACADD = Adult Crochet Attention Deficit Disorder
AFAIK = As Far As I Know
AFH = Afghan From H*ll
AS = Acquisition Syndrome
ASN = American School of Needlework
ATM = At The Moment

B's:

BC = Back Channel
BF = Boy/Best Friend
BHG = Better Homes and Gardens
BTW = By The Way

C's:

CGOA = Crochet Guild Of America
CL = Crochet List (See also Crochet Musings)
CLADD = Crochet Listers Attention Deficit Disorder
CM = Crochet Musing Website
CN = Crochet Network Website
CP = Crochet Partners Website
CREMA = Computer Reading E-Mail Acquisition
CTH = Crochet Tolerant Husband
CYL = Catch You Later

D's:

DD = Dear Daughter/Dad
DF = Dear Father/Friend
DGF = Dear Grandfather
DH = Dear Husband
Darling Husband
D(word of your choice) Husband
DIL = Daughter-In- Law
DM = Dear Mother
DOLLX = Doll Exchange
DS = Dear Son/Sister
DW = Dear Wife

F's:

FAQ = Frequently Asked Questions

FIL = Father-In-Law
Frog Stitch = To take out stitches (eg: rip it, rip it, rip it)
FUFO = Finished Un-Finished Object
FFUFO = Framed Finished Un-Finished Object
FWIW = For What it's Worth
FYI = For Your Information

G's:

GF = Girl Friend

H's:

HAR = Hardanger (subject identification in header)
HAS = Hook Aquisition Syndrome
HOWB = House of White Birches
HPI = Holes Per Inch (plastic canvas reference)
HSX = Holiday Square or Holiday Themed Square Exchange
HTH = Hope That Helps
HWHN = Husband Who Hardly Notices

I's:

IAE = In Any Event
IMHO = In My Humble/Honest Opinion
IMNSHO = In My Not So Humble/Honest Opinion
IMO = In My Opinion
IOW = In Other Words
IRC = Internet Relay Chat
ISO = In Search Of
ISRN = I'll Stop Rambling Now
ITD = In The Dark

J's:

JMHO = Just My Humble/Honest Opinion
JOMRS = Just One More Round Syndrome
JX = Jewelry Exchange

K's:

KM = K-Mart

L's:

LA = Leisure Arts
LFL = Leaflets For Less (Leisure Arts leaflet club)
LOL = Laugh Out Loud
LYS = Local Yarn Store

M's:

MAM = Mile-A-Minute (Afghan/Strips)
MAS = Magazine Acquisition Syndrome
MIL = Mother-In-Law

N's:

NP = Needlepoint
NRN = No Reply Necessary
NTBFUFO = Never To Be Finished Un-Finished Object

O's:

OL = Out Of Luck
OT = Off Topic
OTOH = On The Other Hand

P's:

PAS = Pattern Acquisition Syndrome
PCA = Pattern Collectors Anonymous
PIGS = Projects In Grocery Sacks (Materials bought but not yet started.)
PMS = Procure More Stuff
PUFFY = Envelope/Package you recieve through exchanges which includes items from other exchangers and is puffy.

R's:

RACK = Random Acts Of Crochet Kindness
RH = Red Heart (Yarn Brand) RDFC = Running, Duck For Cover
ROFL = Rolling On Floor Laughing
ROFLMAO = Rolling On Floor Laughing My A** Off
ROFLWTIME = Rolling On Floor Laughing With Tears In My Eyes
RSN = Real Soon Now
RTN = Read The Manual
RTFAQ = Read The Facts

S's:

SEX = Stash Expansion Expedition
SIG = Signature
SIL = Sister/Son-In- Law
SITD = Still In The Dark
SIGHTINGS = Anything that is see or heard about our craft on television, movies or on the street
SO = Significant Other
SS = Simply Soft (Yarn Brand)

T's:

TAS = Thread Acquisition Syndrome
TBDOOTD = To Be Done One Of These Days
THUD = The Usual Disclaimer (Not affilliated with the company mentioned)
TIA = Thanks In Advance
TIFN = That's It For Now
TTFN = Ta Ta For Now
TTYL = Talk To You Later

U's:

UDO = Un-Designed Objects
UFO = Un-Finished Objects
UPGS = Un-Finished Project Guilt Syndrome
URB = Un-Read Books
USO = Un-Started Objects

W's:

WALLY WORLD = Wal-Mart
WCS = Wip Completion Speed
WIP = Work In Progress
WIM = Work In Mind
WM = Wal-Mart

X's:

XAS = Exchange Acquisition Syndrome
XS = Cross-Stitch

Y's:

YAS = Yarn Acquisition Syndrome
YMMV = Your/Yarn Mileage May Vary

Now that you know these you can finally understand the secret langualge of crocheters. HA!

Which Fantasy Characture are You?

2008-08-10T18:45:00.000-07:00

Guess I'm Princess Leia

A strong-willed herald of causes against injustice, you passionately strive to right the wrongs around you.

Somebody has to save our skins!

Leia is a character in the Star Wars universe. See her character entry at the Star Wars Databank for more information.

Alan Willes

2008-08-04T19:44:00.000-07:00

I was listening to videos of my cousin Alan and decided to post them for your enjoyment and knowledge. I have more but will post one at a time. He makes ceremonial drums up in Jackson Hole Wyoming. Here he is singing a John Denver song (one of my favorites):

Statistics Class

2008-05-04T10:08:00.000-07:00

One more week to go and I will be finished with my Master's level statistics class and life will begin again - LOL. I have casted on for a baby sweater in red for my nieces new baby born on April Fools Day. Otherwise I have had no time for anything. Can't wait to buy more yarn and look at patterns to work with.

Going through yarn deprival

2008-04-03T19:16:00.000-07:00

I have spent the past year using up my stash and not buying any yarn other than an occasional skein of wool as that stash is very small. My normal ww yarns are getting so much smaller. I have knit so many hats lately and needed to do something else so I knit a sweater and booties for a coworkers new grand daughter. White yoke and purple body with purple booties. The purple yarn is some red heart jewel tones I had stashed away.

I have some deep red I want to use next.

Website Fixed!

2008-04-03T19:12:00.000-07:00

I finally have my website fixed (Linda's Lists). Yahoo Geocities apparently did not like the ads from JoAnn's that I had on my site for several years and said that the ads violated their policy? Give me a break. At least my site is back up and going wtih all my patterns.

Yahoo/Geocities Problems

2008-03-30T11:20:00.000-07:00

If you have noticed that my lindaslists website on geocities is down you are not the only one. I am trying to fix the problems but geocities is having issues too. I will post here when the problems are fixed and my site is back up. If the issues continue I may just decide to move my website somewhere else and will post if that happens too. Sorry for the lack of access to the patterns at this time. I may just go ahead and post them to my blog but will keep everyone up to date.

Mitten and hat set

2008-01-05T14:40:00.000-08:00

This is one set of hat and mittens I knitted this year for Christmas using the self patterning yarns. I did another set that used red, white, pink and bits of black to make a set for my youngest granddaughter, Pandora. This set went to her cousin, Damien(both 4 years old). These colors are more like a set of crayons. Brody, Pandora's older brother (7 years old), asked if he can have a hat and mittens. I asked what colors he wanted and waited for the response of wanting blue and red spider webs (big Spider man fan). He said he wanted red mittens and a blue hat. I was so happy to have such a simple request that I already have the hat on the needles and will cast on for the mittens tomorrow. Don't you just love it when they ask you to make something for them and know it is because they want the item(s) instead of making something and wondering if they have ever wore it? Mariah got a set of hat and mittens too but I think my daughter misplaced them so I gave Mariah 4 pair of gloves with her Christmas gifts so she will always have a pair, even if they don't match. After seeing Pandora's socks today I know that kids tend to just pick out what fits and not what goes together. White sock with red hearts and a yellow sock with a bunny on it.

Crochet Christmas Star

2007-11-18T10:29:00.000-08:00

Just sat down this morning and wanted to crochet another ornament but wanted something different. I started wanting a poinsettia flower. I tried a few things, frogged a bit and came up with this star that would look pretty in any window or on any tree or as a coaster.

Materials:

Scraps of Worsted weight yarn - I used a red Christmas yarn with a silver thread in it
G crochet hook. A smaller hook will make a smaller star, a larger hook will make a larger star for a potholder
The G hook makes it about 4 1/2 inches across.

Ch 6, join to form a ring.
Round 1: Ch 4, 19 tc in ring, join in top of ch 4.

Round 2: Ch 1, sc in joining, skip 1 st, *5 dc in next st, skip next st, sc in next st, skip next st* repeat around ending with a sl st in top of 1st sc.

Round 3: Sl st in next st, ch 1, sc in same st, hdc in next st, (2 dc, 1 tc, 2 dc) in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next st, skip 1 st (located between points), *sc in next st, hdc in next st, (2 dc, 1 tc, 2 dc) in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next st, skip 1 st (located between points), repeat around for a total of 5 points.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Simple Ball Ornaments in Knit and Crochet

2007-11-17T13:44:00.000-08:00

These ball ornaments are very simple but can be snazzier up by using the pretty Christmas yarns or adding some lace or dried flowers. Fixed the knitted ball as it refered to repeating rows 2 and 3 but is repeat rows 1 and 2.

Crocheted Ornament

Materials:
Worsted weight Christmas yarn
Small amount of polyester fiber-fil
E crochet hook

Chain 22 leaving a 12" tail, sc in 2nd chain from hook and in each ch across. Turn.
Row 2 - 21: ch 1, sc in each stitch across.
Fasten off leaving another 12" tail.

Use this tail to sew side seam and gather bottom. Fasten off and weave in end. Turn piece inside out (seam inside).

Lightly stuff ball and gather top with other tail. Use remaining tail after top is gathered to crochet a loop for hanging.

Knit Ornament

Materials:
Worsted weight Christmas yarn
Small amount polyester fiber-fil
Size 5 or 6 knitting needles
Small crochet hook or yarn needle

Cast on 21 sts and turn.
Row 1: Knit across. Turn.
Row 2: Purl across, Turn.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 for a total of 17 rows. Do not bind off.
Cut your yarn leaving a 12 - 16" tail.

Using the crochet hook or yarn needle weave the tail through the stitches on the needle and pull tight. Then sew the seam along the side making sure to have the knit side facing itself.

Turn right side out and lightly stuff with fiber-fil.

Gather top and sew tight. Now use crochet hook and remaining tail to crochet a loop for hanging and fasten off. Weave in end.

Sparkling Snowflake

2007-11-16T20:37:00.000-08:00

This is a simple yet pretty snowflake that can be used as an ornament, package tie or even a coaster. I love the Christmas yarns so used that for this snowflake.

Materials:
Worsted Weight Yarn. I used the white with a silver thread.
G crochet hook

Notes:
dc cluster - Keeping last loop of each dc on hook, 2 dc in space or
stitch indicated; yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on hook.

Ch 4; join to form a ring.
Rnd 1: (right side) Ch 2 dc in ring; ch 3; * dc cluster in ring; ch 3; repeat from * 4 more times; ch 3; join in first dc.

Rnd 2: Ch 2, dc in same space as joining; in dc just made work a picot (ch 3, slip stitch in top of dc)3 times; * ch 3, sc in next ch 3 space, ch 3, dc cluster in next dc cluster; in dc cluster just made work (ch 3, sc) 3 times; repeat from * 4 more times; ch 3, sc in next ch 3 space, ch 3; join in first dc.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Steven's Comfy Toes 2007 Donations so far

2007-11-12T08:32:00.000-08:00

Yahoo! I totalled the donations we have received for this year so far. Drum roll please x x x x x x x x x x x:
130 pair of slippers/socks/booties
44 hats
19 pair of mittens/gloves
5 scarves
4 hat/bootee sets

I have a few pair of mittens almost finished. I also have several hats on my needles and hooks that are almost finished. Might get some scarves started as we only have 5 so far. Scarves are nice to put with the hats.

Steven's Comfy Toes has been going since 1999. The first few years we only donated to the Head Start Program. We then realized that there are children in need that are not in the Head Start Program so we branched out into the community and gave ourselves a name. If you go to my website you can read the story of the name and my younger brother, whom this charity in named after. We collect these donations year round and give them out in December, just when it begins to get cold here. It's sad to see a child waiting at a bus stop with just a coat on and no hat or mittens, or to know that a child has a cold because they have no slippers to keep their feet warm when it gets cold at home. If you or your group wants to know more or wants to help here is the URL for our website:

http://www.geocities.com/lindaslists/steve4nscomfytoes.htm

Christmas Yarn

2007-11-11T15:10:00.000-08:00

I was in an organizing/cleaning mood today and went through several rooms. In the room my grandkids call the toy room I found 2 bags of yarn, opened them and there was my Christmas Yarn from last year. Some of it used to belong to my daughter-in-law before she passed away last year. Look at this festive yarn. There are some with gold threads and some with silver threads. Some are red, some are green, some are red and green. Some are an off white. One is black with a silver thread that looks like new years. The circle is a piece Aurora made so I don't have a pattern to make more. I am so happy to find this yarn. Now to knit and crochet away. YAHOO!!!!
I'm going to try making some knitted ornaments. I plan on knitting them in the round with double pointed needles but they can also be done with singles going back and forth. I plan on knitting a rectangle (if using single pointed needles) or a wide tube with double pointed. Then gather the bottom, stuff and gather the top. If they look pretty enough I might make a bunch. I can even get some gathered lace and put on the top for a ruffle and put a small tassel on the bottom. Hmmmm.......
Just for reference I will be using size 6 needles. When I have a few done I will post a few pics.

If anyone knows the pattern for the poinsettia circle shown in the photo I would be incredibly happy if you can point the way.

Just waiting

2007-10-25T12:55:00.000-07:00

I have a dr appt (bone cracker for my neck) in about 2 hours and decided to get on and post. Saw this and had to give my list since I love Movies:

The Inevitable Movies Meme
My turn!
AFI's top 100 movies.
Bold the ones you have seen.
Strike out the ones you couldn't finish.
* the ones you have seen more than once.
1. Citizen Kane (1941)
2. The Godfather *
3. Casablanca (1942)
4. Raging Bull (1980)
5. Singin’ in the Rain (1952) *
6. Gone with the Wind (1939) *
7. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
8. Schindler’s List (1993)*
9. Vertigo (1958)*
10. The Wizard of Oz (1939) *
11. City Lights (1931)
12. The Searchers (1956)
13. Star Wars (1977) *
14. Psycho (1960) *
15. Sunset Blvd. (1950)
16. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)*
17. The Graduate (1967)
18. The General (1927)
19. On the Waterfront (1954)
20. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) * - My favorite film. I watch it year round.
21. Chinatown (1974)
22. Some Like It Hot (1959)
23. The Grapes of Wrath (1940) *
24. E.T. The Extraterrestrial (1982)* Now my grandkids watch it.
25. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
26. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
27. High Noon (1952)
28. All About Eve (1950)
29. Double Indemnity (1944)
30. Apocalypse Now (1979) *
31. The Maltese Falcon (1941)
32. The Godfather Part II (1974)*
33. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
34. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)*
35. Annie Hall (1977)
36. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
37. The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
38. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)
39. Dr. Strangelove (1964)*
40. The Sound of Music (1965) *
41. King Kong (1933)*
42. Bonnie and Clyde (1967)*
43. Midnight Cowboy (1969)
44. The Philadelphia Story (1940)*
45. Shane (1953)
46. It Happened One Night (1934)
47.A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
48. Rear Window (1954)*
49. Intolerance (1916)
50. Lord of the Rings : The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)*
51. West Side Story (1961)
52. Taxi Driver (1976)
53. Deer Hunter, The (1978)
54. M*A*S*H (1970)*
55. North by Northwest (1959)
56. Jaws (1975) *
57. Rocky (1976)*
58. The Gold Rush (1925)
59. Nashville (1975)
60. Duck Soup (1933)
61. Sullivan’s Travels (1941)
62. American Graffiti (1973)
63. Cabaret (1972)
64. Network (1976)
65. The African Queen (1951)
66. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) *
67. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
68. Unforgiven (1992)
69. Tootsie (1982)*
70. A Clockwork Orange (1971)
71. Saving Private Ryan (1998)*
72. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) *
73. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)*
74. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) *
75. In the Heat of the Night (1967)
76. Forrest Gump (1994)*
77. All the President’s Men (1976)
78. Modern Times (1936)
79. The Wild Bunch (1969)
80. The Apartment (1960)
81. Spartacus (1960)*
82. Sunrise (1927)
83. Titanic (1997) *
84. Easy Rider (1969)
85. A Night at the Opera (1935)
86. Platoon (1986)
87. 12 Angry Men (1957)
88. Bringing Up Baby (1938)
89. The Sixth Sense (1999)* – Love his stuff
90. Swing Time (1936)
91. Sophie’s Choice (1982)
92. Goodfellas (1990)
93. The French Connection (1971)
94. Pulp Fiction (1994)
95. The Last Picture Show (1971)
96. Do the Right Thing (1989)
97. Blade Runner (1982)*
98. Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)
99. Toy Story (1995)*
100. Ben-Hur (1959)*

As you can see I didn’t strike any. I have the compulsion to finish any movie I begin. Who knows, it might get better and I would miss it. Then it may not come back on again for another yea. I can tend to kick myself in the pants for a VERY LONG TIME! Besides, movies make great knitting background sounds.

New Me!

2007-08-13T16:54:00.000-07:00

This will be me by Christmas!!

Now to get the body to go with the clothes.

Almost half way there!

2007-08-12T14:40:00.000-07:00

Well I weighed in yesterday and I am down to 232 pounds. Can't get enough vegetables, water, and exercise. I love vegetable soup but it can be a challenge to cook for one or two. I was using the 3 sweating with the oldies tapes (Richard Simmons) but wore #3 out. Had to splice it back together which is just not the same so I started using a set of DVD's and weights called "The Firm". The Billy Blanks group that does Tae Bo does these. They are fun already and my granddaughter loves to just sit and watch them. (She relates everyone to a character in the Bratz movie).

I am in a size 20 now which is a big change from a size 28.

Well this bears fan is happy today. We won the first pre-season game yesterday. These games are more like watching a group of boys playing football during PE. If they win OK, if they lose OK. It was nice to see them win, even if it doesn't count.

I have finally finished and felted my knitted potholder, crocheted potholder, and crocheted Christmas stocking. They turned out great. Now to get the pattern typed up and the final pics taken. I did remember to take a before picture too so you can see the before measurements compared to the after.

I have a pattern for a felted bowler and a beautiful variegated/ombre hand dyed yarn to use. Can't wait to get started.

Weight Changes for the better

2007-07-15T08:47:00.000-07:00

On my birthday this year (March 17, 2007) I weighed myself and saw that I was 285 pounds and needed to jump from my current pant size (26) to the next (28). That along with a photo I took of myself that showed a big body and a tiny head looked like a bad mirror reflection at a carnival side show. I then decided that changes HAD to be made. I started by changing my eatting habits and only eatting until I began to feel full and not beyond that. Eatting was something I was very good at. I started eatting more protien and less carbs (pasta and bread). This helped me to jump start the change, but was hard to sustain. I then decided to join Weight Watcher's online and exercise.
My exercise started to be 2 laps around the parking lot at work each day M - F. Then it changed to walking 3 miles every lunch hour which took the entire lunch hour and had to be changed when I ended up with blood blisters on my feet one day. Probably too much for my feet with this weight on them. I tried Tae Bo but the instructor was a little too fast for me at this stage. I ended up breaking out my set of old Richard Simmon's Sweating to the Oldies tapes 1 - 3. I now workout with them 1 hour every morning M-F and mow the lawn for one of the weekend days (big yard). I might go back to walking after it cools down and I have lost a little more weight.

My eatting had changed. With weight watchers I can eat a variety of foods and see where I stand for the day or even the week. I log in my weight every Saturday morning and can check my progress.

I weighed in yesterday and now weigh 243 pounds and falling. I have gone down 1 pant size to a 24 and have bought a few pair of jeans for when I reach size 22 as my 24's are beginning to feel too confortable-LOL. I have lost inches everywhere too. Two areas I am trying to focus on right now are my abs as I feel that I have an apron there with the hang. I also am working on my triceps to reduce the drag with my set of Grandma wings (grandkids named them). The crunches and curls are helping though.

As I continue on this voyage I will post my results, set backs and challenges. I might even post a few recipes. Now on to mow the lawn ~=o}

Graduation

2007-07-15T08:38:00.001-07:00

Boy, go away from your blog for 6 months and everything changes. I had to reset everything to post. Guess I'd better be more regular. I wonder if corectol would help-LOL. I graduated with my BSBA degree on 7-7-07 in HOT phoenix Arizona. 120 degrees helps you to make me appreciate our 90 degree weather. I now have 6 months to decide if I want to continue to my MSBA degree since it will only take about a year to complete with the classes I have already taken. Maybe I want to have Doctor in front of my name too??? You never know. I'll post some of my pics after they have been developed. Graduation took place in the University of Phoenix Stadium where the Super Bowl will be played next year(2008) with the Bears winning!!!! Boy is it big.

Crochet Felted Basket with Handles

2006-11-12T11:49:00.000-08:00

This is a cute basket for those that crochet and want to felt a basket without having to knit. The first 2 photos are after felting and the last 2 are before felting (the colors in the felted one are correct since my flash decided to work then).

Materials:

100% wool yarn. I used Wool of the Andes from Knit Pics. Variegated would be nice too.

Size K crochet hook

Measurements: before felting 5” x 8”, after felting 4” x 6” (H x W)

Note: always join the end of a round to the beginning of a round by sl st in ch 1. Then ch 1 to begin next rnd. Sc 2 sts tog: draw up loop in next 2 sts, yo and draw through all lps on hook.

Ch 2.

Rnd 1: work 7 sc in 2^nd chain from hook.

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around.

Rnd 3: *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, rep * around.

Rnd 4: *sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, rep from * around.

Rnd 5: *sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st, rep from * around.

Rnd 6: Sc I next 2 sts, (2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts) 6 times, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts.

Rnd 7: *2 sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts, rep from * around.

Rnd 8: Sc in next 3 sts, (2 sc in next st, sc in next 6 sts) around, sc in remaining 4 sc.

Rnd 9: Sc in each st around.

Rnd 10: *2 sc in next st, sc in next 16 sts, rep from * around.

Rnd 11: Sc in each st around.

Rnd 12: Sc in next 8 sts, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 17 sts, rep from * once, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 9 sts.

Rnd 13 - 21: Sc in each st around.

Rnd 22: Sc next 2 sts tog,

Rnd 23: Sc in each st around.

Rnd 24: Sc in next 8 sts, *sc next 2 sts tog, sc in next 16 sts, repeat from * once, sc next 2 sts tog, sc in next 8 sts.

Rnd 25: Sc in each st around.

Rnd 26: *sc in next 4 sts, sc next 2 sts tog, repeat from * around, sc in last 3 sts.

Rnd 27: Sc in each st around.

Handles:

Rnd 28: Ch 12, sk 7 sts, of row 27, sc in next 15 sc, ch 12, sk 7 sts, sc in remaining sts around.

Rnd 29: Sc in each st around. Join and fasten off. Weave in ends well.

Now you will felt your piece. I use the smallest fill cycle and hot water with a cold rinse; before the first hot cycle is done I start it again with a tea kettle or boiling water to reheat the water. Then allow it to finish wit the cold rinse. You can stretch it over a bowl if desired to dry. I liked the shape from the washer so sat tit to dry the way it was. The pic is of it still wet from the washer.

To make a larger basket you can do the same pattern but use 2 strands and an N hook, or 3 strands and a Q hook. If I did this I would do a few extra rounds between rnd 14 and 21 to give it a little height to help with the additional size.

Pandora's Mittens

2006-10-11T09:53:00.000-07:00

Pandora's Two Needle Mittens

Pandora is my youngest granddaughter, and the recipient of this pair of mittens. They are incredibly easy to knit and seam.
This pattern fits a child age 3 - 5 years old. To make them to fit a child age 6 - 8, just add more rows of ribbing for the cuff, the stockinette rows after the cuff, and extra rows after the thumb. If the thumb needs to be longer, you can add more rows for the thumb.

Materials: Small amount of worsted weight yarn
Size 4 knitting needles
Yarn needle

*St st: Stockinette stitch - Knit 1 row, purl 1 row.
*Inc. - Knit in the front and back of the same stitch before slipping it off the needle)

Cast on 30 sts loosely.
Row 1 - 8: K1, P1.
Row 9 - 12: Stockinette stitch (K 1 row, P 1 row) ending with a purl row.

Beginning of thumb row. This will look a bit funny for a while but it will work.
Thumb Row 1: P 6, turn. (You will be working on these sts for the thumb. DO NOT FASTEN OFF)
Thumb Rows 2 - 9: St st, turn. (Ending with a purl row)
Thumb Row 10: K 2 tog across. Turn
Thumb Row 11: Purl across. Turn.
Thumb Row 12: Inc in each st across. Turn.
Thumb Rows 13 - 19: St st across. As you go across the last row in knit do not fasten off but continue across the row knitting the unworked stitches that were left when beginning the thumb.

<>Row 20: Knit across the stitches for the mitten and thumb you knitted in the last row and then also knit the stitches for the other side of the mitten. The mitten stitches are now all on one needle.
Rows 21 - 30: St st across each row. Turn.
This next set of rows will decrease the top stitches.
Row 31: K 2 tog, K 12, K 2 tog, K 12, K 2 tog. Turn.
Row 32: P2 tog, P11, P2 tog, P10, P2 tog. Turn.
Row 33: K 2 tog, K 9, K 2 tog, K 9, K 2 tog. Turn
Row 34: P2 tog, P8, P2 tog, P7, P2 tog. Turn.
Row 35: K 2 tog, K 6, K 2 tog, K 6, K 2 tog. Turn
Row 36: P2 tog, P5, P2 tog, P7, P4 tog.

Leaving the stitches on the needle, cut the yarn leaving a tail about 12" - 16" long. Thread the yarn in a yarn needle and weave it through the sts on the knitting needle. Pull the knitting needle out and pull the yarn tight. Now start seaming the side of the mitten with this yarn. When done, fasten off. Cut another piece of yarn and attach to the bottom of the thumb and seam one side, weave the yarn through the top of the thumb and seam down the other side. Fasten off and weave in ends. Now you can turn the mitten right side out and enjoy your creation.

I got the idea for the thumb from a pattern sent to me for a Dulaan mitten but wanted to make them on 2 needles instead of 4 and wanted the thumb to not be quite so wide.

Crochet Felted Bowl/Pot

2006-03-19T14:53:00.000-08:00

I love felting with knit so decided to use some scrap wool yarn to crochet a felted bowl. Here are the pics before and after along with the pattern.

Materials:
Scraps of 100% wool yarn
K crochet hook
Jar to stretch it over when done for shaping

Note: The first sc done at the beginning of each row is done in the joining sc.

Ch 3 and join in the first ch to form a ring. Ch 1.
Rnd 1: Do 10 sc in ring. Join in first sc. Ch 1.
Rnd 2: Sc in each sc around. Join in the first sc. Ch 1.
Rnd 3: 2 sc in sc, 1 sc in next sc, repeat around. Join in the first sc. Ch 1.
Rnd 4: 2 sc in sc, 1 sc in next 2sc, repeat around. Join in the first sc. Ch 1.
Rnd 5: 2 sc in sc, 1 sc in next 3sc, repeat around. Join in the first sc. Ch 1.
Rnd 6: 2 sc in sc, 1 sc in next 4sc, repeat around. Join in the first sc. Ch 1.
Rnd 7: 2 sc in sc, 1 sc in next 5sc, repeat around. Join in the first sc. Ch 1.
Rnd 8: 2 sc in sc, 1 sc in next 6sc, repeat around. Join in the first sc. Ch 1.

Note: To make the base wider, continue around in the manner shown above just by increasing the number of stitches in between the 2 sc in each round.

First Side Round: Sc in the back loop of each sc around(done only on this round) Join in the first sc. Ch 1.
SR2: Sc in each sc around. Join in the first sc. Ch 1.
Repeat SR2 until you have the desired number of round needed for the desired height. I did 10 rnds for the one shown (not counting the first round).

Now you can edge your bowl. I used a shell stitch across the top. A reverse sc edge would be nice too or a picot edge. Whatever suits your fancy. The shell edge was worked with sc in 1 sc, sk 1 sc, 4 dc in next sc, sk 1 sc. Repeat around and fudge a little if needed as it will not show in the felting.

I threw it into the washer on the smallest load setting with hot water and a few old dark towels and a small amount of soap. Ran it the full cycle with the rinse being on cold. When done I stretch it over the shape needed. It fit over a drinking glass. Let air dry and your creation is finished. Make a little smaller and you can have a can cozy, a little larger and it will fit a 2 liter bottle. I plan on using this at work to hold wrapped hard candies on my desk.

The colors I used are an olive green and orange (all I had). The colors look dark in the photo but turned out to be rather nice. Boy do I need more wool yarn.

Green Cable Scarf

2006-03-19T14:31:00.000-08:00

I finally finished the cable scarf I was knitting. I used light celery by Red Heart to knit it. There are times that you have just got to love doing cables as simple as these. One great big cable up the center. This one is long enough to reach my waist after looping around my neck once.
Addition (11-21-07): I finally found the pattern again for this scarf and plan on making one with a peach yarn. Here is the link.

Cable Scarf Pattern

Olympic Gold

2006-02-26T15:02:00.000-08:00

I have won Olympic Gold and created a medal since I haven't sen one yet. If anyone else finished the Knitting or Crochet Olympics before the last day and earned Olympic gold, feel free to post a copy of this medal on your site (no need to give me credit). You earned it. My reward was being able to start a new project and finish another. I added a few more rows to a poncho I made earlier and needed a little more length in the back. I also started knitting a vest. I have a few ideas for dishcloths but we will see what happens with that. I also edited a pattern for a baby sweater on my site. Needed to sit with a calculator and sketch pad to fix it. Now onto writing more papers for my class (yuck).

Olympic Scarf Finished !!!

2006-02-24T07:07:00.000-08:00

I finally finished my multidirectional scarf on Wednesday but my IE was giving me problems until now. I did 10 triangles with 6" of yarn left at the end. After the first 3 triangles the pattern was no longer the challenge. The challenge changed from the pattern to working on this project and ONLY on this project for two weeks. I always have a minimum of 4 - 5 projects going on at one time and work on all of them almost every night. It was difficult to work on this project alone. By the end I was glad to have it done and didn't enjoy it as much as if I had time to work on it and other projects at the same time. Right now I have socks on the needles, an afghan on the circular and planning on working on a baggy sweater just posted to Lion Brand Yarn website in crochet. I have a mint green yarn I want to use and need to see if I have enough.

Day 9 - Olympic Knitting

2006-02-20T13:21:00.000-08:00

Well today is day 9 and I haven't given up yet. I am in the middle of my 7th triangle with a few more to go. I plan on knitting until I either run out of yarn or the flame goes out and I have to do the final triangle for the scarf. I will add the fringe afterwards as an added touch. Between all of this and work I have also typed several papers for my class I am taking leaving very little time for anything else. I have 7 classes (including this one) until I am finished.

Right now I am trying to cheer myself up since I am a little depressed missing my granddaughter since my last call to her was a sad one with her wanting to come back and live with me. She wants me to get enough money to come and get her. She really has not acclimated to her new surroundings and is used to being around the only family she has ever know other than her Mother. I'm praying that things will get better but it hasn't so far so I push myself into my work, my classes and my knitting to keep my mind on other things. I have designed a spring dress in crochet that will fit a 2 - 3 year old. It has butterflies around the middle using the ones designed by Chris Simon in the square she designed. The rest is my design and will be posted as soon as I can get it typed in. Right now it is written in a notebook on my sofa. Hoping to get it on here instead of my website very soon.

Day 2 - MD Olympic Knitting Scarf

2006-02-12T17:52:00.000-08:00

Well, here is Day 2 on my multidirectional scarf. I am working on day three right now. I figure that each day I will do 1 or more triangles and see how many I have done at the end or when I run out of yarn since I have 2 super saver skeins to use. I have never gotten further than the first 2 triangles so I am now going into uncharted territory (for me). I did have a bit of a damper and would be further but I smashed my middle finger on my left hand Friday twice (long story).

If you are queasy you won't want to read further.

I finally had to relieve the pressure since the nail was deep red and the area around was swelling and turning dark red. I had to use a needle to rough up the spot I was to poke the hole. I have a jeweler's drill that is hand held with very tiny bits. I put this off until today (coward) and the pain was to the point that I wanted it done. I just held the drill and turned it back and forth a little, not around. I just wanted to break the surface. The pressure was such that the surface was broke and sprayed before I hit anything that hurt. Boy does my finger feel better. It is also a better color, though I will loose the entire nail in a week or two. I just didn't want anything to snag on my yarn and really hurt. At least it isn't a finger I really need to knit or crochet with. It just makes it fun to type with.

2006 Knitting Olympics

2006-02-07T19:55:00.000-08:00

I am now showing my case of temporary insanity. I am working full-time, taking college classes again full-time, and have joined the 2006 Knitting Olympics. I am using Red Heart Super Saver in Aurora Print with needles size 8 or larger (haven't decided yet). I am knitting a multidirectional scarf that looks like a challenge but will also be quite fun. If I finish I will try another project but want to try this one first.

I have been trying various gauges to see what size I want to do. I will probably use a circular from a set my Mother gave me from a kit she bought years ago. It has all the different needles, cables and joiners. Need a few more cables and joiners as I am also knitting a round afghan and will eventually run out with my 36" circular. I figure that if I join enough of them together I can have a really big afghan.

I will try to post a photo of my olympic yarn and needles and show my progress as I go.

Maybe next year I'll join the Crochet Olympics.

Breaking All The Rules Hat - finished

2006-01-28T08:34:00.000-08:00

I finished my hat and have started on another smaller version to fit a child. My hat uses 90 sts but could have used 80 instead for a better fit. The one for a child's head is 60 sts. When you start the decreasing you use k8, k2 tog and continue in the pattern. This is a great way to use up extra little balls of yarn. I plan on making a bunch for my charity, Steven's Comfy Toes. A scarf can be done the same way by just casting on 20 - 25 sts and knitting back and forth on the rows until the desired length is done. You can see the pattern (pdf) on the following page: Breaking All The Rules Hat. I plan on doing some with the I-Cord top knot, a tassel or a pom pom.

Spiderman Afghan

2006-01-08T13:33:00.000-08:00

My Grandson, Brody, enjoyed the Superman socks I knitted him and the Spiderman slippers my Mother made him the year before for Christmas, but he mentioned that Spiderman has "WEBS" on him. That's when I realized he noticed the lack in both projects. I started his present for next year to make up for it. He is getting a Spiderman Afghan. I am using Red Heart Hot Red and True Blue to make squares using the 12" Dream Catcher square from Heartmade Blessings. Each square has a dream catcher, which is a spider web, in the center. I am making half the squares in red and the other half in blue. This way he will have an afghan that Spiderman would use. I have the red squares finished and need to get my blue yarn to do the blue. I did all 6 red squares using one Super Saver skein. Then I will get a shade of darker blue to join and edge them. I think he will like this afghan. Maybe that's what I will do for them all. Good thing I'm starting now.

I'm also working on a felted knitting bag I saw on the Berroco website this month. I have a bunch of odd skeins of 100% wool yarn from my mother and am grafting them together at odd points to make my own varigated yarn for this project. I've decided that I love felting and can't wait to see how it will work out. My booga bag turned out wonderful and I can't wait to make more. I felted my older grandson, Justin, a belt holder for his gameboy. Felted really nice and fits perfectly.

I'll try to post pics as I can.

New Year Projects

2006-01-02T11:13:00.000-08:00

Well, I finished everything I had planned to make for Christmas gifts before Christmas. I had to start in August to do it though. I made socks for almost all of my family. My son got socks in Chicago bears colors. His son Brody received Superman socks. the others received socks but these two pair were in special colors and patterns. Brody asked early on for colors of Superman to go with his Spiderman slippers my mother knitted for him last year. Of course he now wants Spiderman ones with the webs knitted in. A new thing to learn. I learned to knit and crochet balaclava's this last year and made one for my son and one for my Step-father. I knit and crocheted socks, sweaters, mittens, hats, scarves, dishclothes, ponchos, squares, wooden hanger covers and so much more. The sad part is that I was in such a hurry to get everything wrapped that I forgot to take photos of my creations to post. This time I am going to get some pics taken first while I remember and am starting early this year, in January. I have so far crocheted a 12" square (Chris Simon's Cygnus www.geocities.com/cdjsimon ) that will be put with others for afghans, a knitted Edgar scarf www.knitty.com that looks like diamonds using red heart circus print, and a knitted Quaker Ribbed Bottom Hat www.frugalhaus.com/homepage/quakerhat.htm .
I'm hoping to post more pics of what I have done and the link to the pattern if possible.

Magic Scarf

2005-11-12T07:59:00.000-08:00

I'm working on creating a magic scarf. I saw a photo the other day and had to make my own. Here is what I am doing incase you want to knit along.

I am using a very large size circular needle. I think it is a size 15 and the needle length is only about 20" max. I am using one strand of Red Heart Gemstone (greens and purples- Super saver size) and one strand of Bernat Eyelash White held together. I have 2 skeins of the eye lash to use on this.

I have cast on 36 stitches and am working in knit around in a circular piece. I am going to work until I have run out of both skeins of the eyelash yarn. When done I will post the bind off method I learned and will tell how to make it magic so it can gbe used as a scarf, a cowl hood, etc. So far I am almost finished with my first skein of eye lash yarn and ready to add on the other. My sample swatch I practiced on workied out great so I can't wait to finish and pull to create this magic scarf.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!!!

2005-11-12T07:41:00.000-08:00

I am chugging along on all of my Christmas gift projects and I am almost finished. I crocheted matching ponchos for my daughter in law(Aurora) and granddaughter(Pandora). I made a stadium blanket for my daughter(Mandy). A sweater, and socks for my other granddaughter(Mariah), superman socks for my grandson(Brody), thinking Harry Potter items for my other grandson(Justin), and reknitting a baclava(spelling?) for my son (Walter). The Blaclava is a sort of form fitting ski mask used by soldiers. He works at an oil refinery that gets cold in winter. The first one I did would fit an elephant-LOL. After all that time I was going to fix it with a needle and thread. Then decided thatI would never be able to handle seeing him wear it that way so I reluctantly frogged the entire thing and am doing it AGAIN on size 6 needles instead of 8's like before. I am also knitting him some socks in Chicago Bears colors since he faithfully watches this team play. The toes and heels are orange with a white stripe and the body is a soft navy color.

Walter, his children and my nephew (Billy) that just returned from the army are coming over today to help put up my Christmas lights. This way I don't have to try to do it when the snow is flying. As soon as I get a chance I will post pics of my finished and in the works projects.

2 more OPH ghans finished

2005-05-28T14:46:00.000-07:00

I finished 2 more OPH ghans this past week and sent them off.

One is in Red, White and Blue, the other is in Purple and White.

I have also finished 2 more bearghans and a bunch of totes.

I will post the other pics later.

Bearghan pic

2005-04-15T15:38:00.000-07:00

This is a bear comfortghan I made for the grandson of a friend who lost his older brother in a school bus accident. These are made for children that have had something tragic happen in ther short lives.

I have two more in progress plus a few Operation Purple Heart Comfortghans. One of the purple/white ones is finished and a red/white/blue one just needs an ourside border to be finished. I will post these pics as I finish them. These colors are just so pretty.

1 down, 6 - 7 more to go

2005-04-10T07:31:00.000-07:00

I have enought squares sent to me by people that were sending them in bulk that I needed extras to make up the afghsn I am assembling for Operation Purple Heart(Heartmade Blessings). I am edging each square, joining them together, bordering the afghan and weaving in the ends. I just finished one purple and white one last night and am now working on a red, white, and blue one. I have one more PW one to finish, three RWB after this one to finish, two bear afghans that we make for small children, ten to twenty totes (for the afghans), one banked afghan (one needed in an emergency), and then I can go back to knitting my socks or working on my poncho.

Linda's Lists

2005-04-09T07:28:00.000-07:00

This is my first blog. It is going to be an off-shoot from my main website:

http://www.lindaslists.com

I am always working on my knitting and crocheting. I am going to college full time for my BS in Business Administration while searching for a new job. I also have many other hobbies which I will discuss such as:
Rubber Stamping
Polymer Clay
Scrapbooking
and so much more. This will become an extension of myself.

I also have a charity that is on going:

http://www.geocities.com/lindaslists/stevenscomfytoes.htm

We make and collect slippers to give to children in December.

I also work with Heartmade Blessings. We create afghans for people who have gone through something tragic in their lives. We created them for 9/11, teh sniper attacks and military deaths besides peole that are dealing with life threatening diseases. If you would like to know more try:
http://www.heartmadeblessings.org