The optional (ha!) dog hair now comes in more colors and is keeping me very busy!
A Chicken for Every Pot
I have a weird obsession, um, I like things that are chickens, they amuse me and make me smile. I don’t know why. I also need something to keep me from burning my fingers when I cook. And so, I needed to make this chicken potholder. (I had to do it, I tell you!)
A Bit of Snow
We had a blizzard! 24 inches of snow, or so. Here is a picture of Zip in the small bit of the yard that is cleared. All that snow is from this one storm, all the previous snow had melted away and the yard was just grass before this….
Pretty Petals Potholder
I really love vintage patterns! I don’t remember how I found this pattern on the web, but I am glad I did. It is called Pretty Petals Potholder and was published in 1946, perfect for my kitchen. It does make a very nice potholder. I used my Handicrafter Cotton again to make it. I know I have seen stunning pillows or cushions on other blogs with a similar pattern, so I just had to join in the fun. I am very tempted to make this into chair pads, I think it would work nicely for that.
Here is a better view…pretty and practical! I will be making more of these.
Loopy Ruffle Dishcloth
This basic stitch, from a Bernat pattern (you have to join to view and download the patterns, but it is free to join) I think is one of my favorite stitches for dishcloths. I have seen it called a Linen stitch, Woven stitch and Moss stitch. Wonderfully functional with a nice texture, fast and easy as pie. The pattern is fabulous just as it is.
I prefer to work in squares, it gives you an edge that is the same on all sides if you don’t want to do an edging and it naturally comes out square. So, I worked out how to do the stitch in squares.
They are very nice plain, with a longer loop in one of the corners for a hanging loop, but I decided to add an edging. I made these with 11 rounds, then the ruffle edging is 2 rounds, one in the stitch and then one of the ruffle. The ruffle is super easy, ch4, sc. Ch4, sc, over and over again. For a hanging loop, ch8 for the center loop of one of the corners instead of ch4
A sample size diagram of the in the round pattern, just add how many rounds you would like.
The only bit that is a little different and needs some explanation, is the start of each round. The ending is as usual, slpst to the top of the sc. Then I slip stitch into the corner ch3 space, and instead of doing a ch1 to get the height for the sc, I pull up the loop of the slpst a little so I have the proper height, and used that instead of the ch1. It made the start of the round less obvious without the extra thickness you get with the ch1. You can do it with the usual ch1 if you prefer.
I used Bernat Handicrafter Cotton in Country Yellow, Country Red, Robins Egg and White, with a size E (3.5mm) hook. I love the colors, fun, vintage-y and festive! Maybe I will like washing up dishes more with pretty dishcloths (well, can’t make me like it worse, and maybe I will think crochet thoughts while doing them, which can only be good : )
Double Crochet with No Turning Chain
This is an interesting crochet technique, will have to give this a try! By TXCr1cket on YouTube, there are other videos you may want to watch there too, including the same technique done in the round.
672 Squares
I wish I had made this…
But I didn’t. This stunning granny square blanket was made by Sandra’s Cherry Heart. 672 small grannies. Oh, how I want one! I so love the colors! I am overwhelmed at just the thought of all those squares, the sheer number of them! And yet the itch to make is strong, they are such little squares, little squares go fast….
So many beautiful things to crochet, so little time!
Pretty as a Picture Dishcloth
Use any beautiful flower granny square and then frame it with what I am calling Picture Frame edging, because it reminds me of victorian picture frames. All made in Bernat Handicrafter cotton and a size E-4 3.50mm h0ok.
I used these very lovely flower granny square patterns for the centers. I used a sliding loop to start all of them, only tightening the loop enough so the stitches fit perfectly.
- Flower Garden Granny Square by Harujion Designs – I changed the ch1 between the petals to ch2, which made the center less tight and easier to do for me when making the sc’s of the next round.
- Daisy Granny Square by Tillie Tulip
- Flower Squares by rose hip
A diagram for how I did the border…
Maybe these are too pretty to use!
Beauty in Simplicity
Thought I would start to share some of the beautiful crochet I run across on the web, usually on Pinterest. It is so inspiring to see what gorgeous things others have made. This one is from the blog lana verderosa, a simple granny blanket with beautiful colors and design….I think this is going on my (only in my mind) ‘to make list’. There is no pattern or directions, just this image to inspire.
Maybe I should make an actual list, might remember some of these things and make them. Oh, I can add a ‘want to make’ tag which will create a list here!
First Freeform Crochet
When I first saw freeform crochet, I fell in love with it. I love the asymmetrical look, the wide variations of color and pattern and the let you imagination go aspect of it. I had no idea how they did that!
So, I finally just did it, grabbed some of the cotton yarn I was using for dishcloths and just started thinking the worst that could happen is I wasted a bit of time…
It was so much fun to do! There is no pattern, no do this x number of times, you just do what you feel like. Somewhat modern looking, somewhat folk art looking and just fun : ) My mind is already busy thinking and plotting…so many possibilities. I am definitely going to try more of this!
Crochet Again 