A bit of Recycle AND Crochet

My scissors and rotary cutters used to be stored in a lovely milk glass vase.  The base chipped badly (more like a CHUNK) when I was cleaning up my Work Room last week so I needed a replacement right away.

So I rummaged around in the recycle bin, found my Stylecraft Stash, and pulled up Attic 24 for some inspiration.  I was very happy to use my collection of buttons that I bought at the Thrift Shop.

Best $1 I've spent in a long time.  =)

Granite Stitch Baby Blanket

This pile of yarn ...

Hooky, hooky, hooky ....

(I see a stray yarn I forgot to clip, LOL )

Finished ... =)

Inspiration - Kristen's Beach Stripe Surf Blanket  

Yarn - Northern Wool and Baritone (deep discount @ Webs)

Hook - Size I/5.5mm

Border - Crab Stitch (the crochet version of I-Cord)

I am SMITTEN with Granite Stitch!!!!!!  It looks Really Intricate but is So Simple to do.  =) 

This hook/yarn combo is perfect ... not to stiff and not too floppy.

Baby Levi is now wrapped in this blanket.  He is the 5th child of Mr. K's high school buddy.  It was pretty exciting when he was born ... he has FOUR big sisters.  

Erin's Favorite Shawl

Half Granny Square Shawl
by Anastacia Zittel
(Ravelry link) 

One Skein of Lang Yarns Mille Colori - unknown colorway
 Ultra Alpaca Fine - border (from the All Shawl pattern)

Size 7/4.5mm hook



In Progress ... working on it whilst I wait for Abigail to get out of school.  Yes, I am That Weird Mom that sits on the steps knitting or crocheting All The Time.  =)

Do you see the little duck up by my shoulder?  That is my grandfather's tie pin that he wore every Sunday for as long as I can remember.  I use it as a small shawl pin.  

This shawl is 100% Erin and I could wear it Every Single Day.

Orange and white polka dot cardigan ... it matches.

Green Max Studio dress ... it matches.  

100% wool LL Bean sweater ... talk about being cozy warm!

(that's the sweater I am wearing in the pictures - $2 thrift store find)

Khaki, Jean, or Grey ... it matches.

I think everyone should have a shawl like this in their wardrobe.  =)

Sushi Roll ... or Chevron Scarf?

I actually crocheted a scarf just so that I could take an artsy picture like this!

Shepherd's Wool  from Stonehedge Fiber Mill. 
They are located in Michigan ... I like supporting their Economy.  =)

No two skeins are a like ... they ply their Mill Ends with a strand of alpaca.

The result is scrumptiously soft yarn for a bargain basement price.  

Pattern is free on Raverly - One Skein Chevron Scarf 

(mine actually took two =) )

I'm looking so Happy because I'm ready for a Cold & Snowy Pittsburgh winter.

So, for those of you living in the Northern Hemisphere ... what are YOU knitting/crocheting/sewing for the Coming Cold?

Love ... Erin
XoXoXo

Should this go to the Pillow Frog Pond?

I was so tickled to find Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky in the sale room of my LYS for a bargain basement price.  The colors called out to me ... bring me home!  

I decided a pillow or two would be nice and crocheted up this beauty.  What an experience to work with this yarn ... it flowed effortlessly over my hook ... sigh.  =)

I turned the square each time I joined a new color but it still turned out Wonky.  The Wonkiness is accentuate by the plump pillow form.  =( 

There is enough leftover yarn to make new pillow fronts.

Little squares perhaps?

I could salvage the two squares and use them as backs.

What do I do?  

Am I being too Fussy? 

Opinions Please!

Love .. Erin

Not a Lace Flunky Anymore!

I can't KNIT lace but I sure can CROCHET it.  

=)  =) =) =)

I used a hank of hand dyed sock yarn from my stash.

The color is such a lovely green ... like a forest canopy with sunlight filtering through softly.

Or it looks like an over-fertilized yard!!

The pattern is from Ravelry (free of course!)

South Bay Shawlette

Slightly modified as I ran out of yarn for the border (doesn't that always happen!)

Self-Portrait

I love this shawl and have already made one for Abigail's teacher.  =)

If you have a favorite shawl pattern, please share it with me in a comment!

Love ... Erin =)

Autumn Jewel Blanket

A gift for my Niece.  =)

I started it last Fall ... I even Blogged about it!

 Granny Squares  +  Join As You Go = Hooking Gratification.

I did not darn in the yarn ends as I went along so it was not
Instant Hooking Gratification.

PSA ... Darn in Ends as You Go!

IMPORTANT DETAILS

Yarn:  Wool Ease purchased at an AC Moore in Delaware.
Color names ... Unknown.  Ball bands clutter up my project bag so they are promptly thrown away.  =)
The color order was random ... well, sort of random!

Hook:   I'm sure you guessed it ... Susan Bates H hook.  =)

Pattern:  Granny Squares ... my favorite Tutorial is at The Purl Bee.

Do you see the  "Oops!" ???

Thanks for letting me share another project with you.  =) 

The comments you leave Bring me Cheer and Brighten my Day!

Love ... Erin

The Fiesta Blanket ... Ta Dah!

I started this blanket in April or May as a Vintage Vertical Stripe but I wasn't feeling the Love so I tucked it away for the Summer.  =)  The beginning of August I decided it must be Frogged!! Abigail and I spent a morning unraveling each row and carefully rolling all that yarn into neat little balls to be used on another project. 

One of my favorite blogs is Signed with an Owl and Kate has a wonderful tutorial for this Circle in a Square block.  Three weeks of hooking and the blanket is D.O.N.E.  I've never made a blanket so fast and I am so happy-happy-happy!!!! 

The border is my favorite part!

Oh my ... isn't it BeAuTiFuL?????  I made this for a Very Special Person's Birthday Present.  Alas, that is not until December but I am afraid if I keep it in my house much longer I will not be able to part with it.  So I will wrap it up in plastic, shove it into a Flat Mailer Box and send it to her this afternoon.  =)

Now for all the Important Details.  =)

YARN - Stylecraft Special DK in 13 different colors.  I bought all the Lucy colors from Deramores and used those for this blanket.

HOOK - Susan Bates #7 (4.5mm)

PATTERN - Squaring the Big Circle by Kate @ Signed with an Owl

The color sequence for each block was completely random.  I kept the project in a big LL Bean tote bag and would close my eyes, stick my hand in, and pull out the next color for the following round.

The border is 9 rows of granny trebles followed by a row of simple scallops. 

Fresh off the Hook ... Squaring the Circle Blanket

I'm in LOVE!!!!!!!!!!  

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

 

Granny Dolly Blanket for Felicity

I love simple projects that work up quickly and look so sweet when completed.  =)

 A few simple granny squares leftover from a pillow cover project joined together with natural wool yarn.

Edged in pink and and a bit more natural wool.

Felicity will be Warm and Cozy  this Winter.  =)

Crocheted Bunting Pattern

One Sunday afternoon this Summer I started crocheting these triangles and before I knew it there were enough for a bunting! 

A quick puff of steam from the iron and a bit of tugging made all the points Pretty and Perky.  =)  I was delighted with the results and set about to find the Perfect Place to display my new bunting.

Across the mantel ... no.

Tacked to the bookcase ... no. 

Sewing Room window ... yes!

Here is a close up off the triangle:

And here is the pattern:

Crocheted Triangle Bunting

Rowan Cotton 4 ply yarn & Susan Bates size E hook

Round 1:

• Chain 6 and join with slip stitch to form circle.

• Ch 3 (= 1 DC), 4 DC, Ch 3 ... 1st side and corner done

• 5 DC, Ch 3 ... 2nd side and corner done

• 5 DC, Ch 3 ... 3rd side and corner done

• Slip stitch to top of first ch 3 to finish round

• Clip yarn and pull through loop to fasten.

Round 2:

• Slip stitch new color in any Ch3 corner to join

• Chain 3 (= 1 DC), 2 DC, Ch3, 3DC ... 1st corner done 

• 1 DC in the next 5DC ... 1st side done

• 3DC, Ch3, 3 DC in the chain 3 loop ... 2nd corner done

• 1 DC in the next 5DC ... 2nd side done

• 3DC, Ch3, 3 DC in the chain 3 loop ... 3rd corner done

• 1 DC in the next 5DC ... 3rd side done

• Slip stitch to top of first ch 3 to finish round

• Clip yarn and pull through loop to fasten.

Round 3:

• The corners are made the same way as in Round 2 - 3DC, Ch3, 3DC

• The sides are made the same way as in Round 2, except you will make 11 DC instead of 5 DC.

• Slip stitch to join round.

• Clip yarn to pull through loop and fasten off.

Round 4: 

• The corners are made the same way as in Round 3 - 3DC, Ch3, 3DC
  

• The sides are made the same way as in Round 3, except you will make 17 DC instead of 11 DC.
  

• Slip stitch to join round.
  

• Clip yarn to pull through loop and fasten off.

Joining Triangles:

• Layout triangles in the order you'd like them connected and choose the yarn you want to use across the tops to join them

• Chain 25 to 30 to form a string for attaching to wall, bookcase, or mantel.

• SC across the top of the first triangle ... 23 stitches total.

• Pick up the 2nd triangle and SC across the top of it ... 23 stitches total.

• Continue in this manner until all triangles are connected.

• Chain 25 or 30 for the second string to match the other side.  

Ta-Dah!!!!

On my Mind ... Present Potholders

The last of the Rico Creative Cotton was hooked into potholders this month.

 

  I've enjoyed working with this yarn and highly recommend it because it comes in MANY wonderful colors!

They were added to the Present Pile to be given away as a housewarming or a Christmas gift. =) 

I invite you to visit Down to Earth  for other "On My Mind" posts.

Another Log Cabin Blanket

Yarn - Knit Picks Comfy in Worsted Weight

Colors - Just about all of them.  =)

Hook - Susan Bates #7 or 4.5mm

Size - about 30 inches square

A new friend at church is having a baby in September and I think this will be the perfect gift for her!

On the Road Again

We are going to Michigan to visit family for a week or so.

My project bag is packed for the drive.  =) 

I plan on writing a few tutorials while I am there, too.

 Rowan Glace Cotton Yarn ... love, love, love it!

I'm hoping for nice weather so that Mr. K and I can go for long walks every night after Love Bug is tucked in bed.  Grandpa & Grandma Babysitters are the Best!

See you Soon!

Erin

Trinket Box Blanket

 My Grandma gave me this Trinket Box when I was a little girl.  It is so lovely and precious to me! 

As I was crocheting these Basic Granny Squares for this blanket they reminded me of it and so I named it Trinket Box Blanket.  =)

Can't you see the resemblance?!?!

All those jewel-like colors make me feel like Royalty.  =)  

It is the perfect size for our new loveseat.

Don't you want to have a seat and visit for a bit?

Thank you, Ikea, for having the perfect pillow covers!

Here are the Important Details:

BLOCK - Seven Round Granny Square.  Love, love, love, love Granny Squares!!!!  Can't get enough of you, Sweet Granny Square.  =)

SIZE - 6 blocks across and 8 blocks down.  48 blocks total.  Finished size is approximately  46" X 58"

YARN - Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Worsted Weight.  Grab a pencil and paper so you can jot down the colors ... 

Amber Heather

Amythest Heather

Arcitc Pool Heather

Black Cherry Heather

Blossom Heather

Calypso Heather

Firecracker Heather

Forest Heather

Green Tea Heather

Indigo Heather

Pampas Heather

Papaya Heather

Persimmon Heather

Sapphire Heather

Solstice Heather

Wonderland Heather

This yarn was WONDERFUL to crochet.  The heathered colors have such depth!!!  Each ball made three squares.    

Lions Fisherman's Wool ... oh how I love, thee ... let me count the ways! ... was the natural colored yarn used in this blanket.  It paired so beautifully with the Wool of the Andes.

HOOK - Wool of the Andes is not a true worsted weight, in my opinion, so I went down a hook size to a 4.5mm/7.  The density of the crocheted blocks is perfect! 

FINISHING - I am a Die Hard lover of the Join-As-Ya-Go method but I decided to try something different.  I laid out the blocks, slip stitched them into rows, and then slip stitched the rows together to form a blanket.  The ridge formed around each block looks very much like knitted I cord.  I like I cord so I'll probably use this method again.  =)

I like simple borders ... one row double crochet around the blanket followed by double crochet scallops.

Thanks for looking ... leave a comment if you have ANY questions ... Happy Hooking!

Love, 

Erin

Tutorial - Crocheted Treasure Bag

These darling bags were a HIT as Abigail's birthday party take-home favors.  So I thought I'd share the pattern with you. =)

I used Rico Creative Cotton (Lucy Pack) and a size 4.5mm Susan Bates crochet hook.

Round 1:  
Chain 5 and join together to form a circle with a slipstitch.
Chain 3 (equals a DC), 11 DC into circle.
Join round by slip stitching last DC to top of first DC (chain 3).
12 DC total.

Round 2:
Chain 3 (equals a DC).
DC into same stitch.
2 DC into each stitch all the way around.
Join round by slip stitching last DC to top of first DC (chain 3).
24 DC total.

Round 3:  
Chain 3 (equals a DC).
DC into same stitch.
** 1 DC into next stitch.  2 DC into next stitch.
Repeat from ** all the way around.
Join round by slip stitching last DC to top of first DC (chain 3).
36 DC total.

Round 4:  
Chain 3 (equals a DC).
DC into same stitch.
** 1 DC into next 2 stitches.  2 DC into next stitch.
Repeat from ** all the way around.
Join round by slip stitching last DC to top of first DC (chain 3).
48 DC total.
Cut yarn and pull through slip stitch to secure.

The base of the bag is done.  You will no longer increase in each row but work around evenly to form the sides of the bag.

Round 5: 
Attach new color by slip stitching into any stitch.
Chain 3 (equals 1 DC).
DC into each stitch all the way around.
Join round by slip stitching last DC to top of first DC (chain 3).
48 DC total

Round 6:
Chain 3 (equals 1 DC).
DC into each stitch all the way around.
Join round by slip stitching last DC to top of first DC (chain 3).
48 DC total
Cut yarn and pull through slip stitch to secure.

Repeat Round 5 & 6 three more times, changing colors at the beginning of Round 5 so that stripes are formed.

A picture is worth a thousand words.  =)

Round 13:
Attach new color by slip stitching into any stitch.
Chain 3 (equals 1 DC).
DC into each stitch all the way around.
Join round by slip stitching last DC to top of first DC (chain 3).
48 DC total

Border:
I'm very partial, as you know, to a scalloped border, so that's what I did as the last row.  You may do the same or change it to whatever border you fancy.  A picot or v-stitch border would look very nice!

Drawstring:
Crochet a string 60 chains long.  I tried all sorts of numbers -- 50 is too short and 75 is too long.  =)  Thread it over and under through the last row of DCs.  Knot ends together.  Add some beads if you have them handy.

They don't take much time to make -- perhaps an hour each.  =)  Fill the bag with little goodies and you have sweet and thoughtful present ... Mother's Day, Teacher Gifts, Shower Favor, or Just Because.

Happy Hooking!

Erin

Edited 8/9/11 - Correction made in Round 4!

Rainbow Granny Pillow

There were a few blocks leftover from the Rainbow Granny Blanket and they were too lovely to let languish in a closet.  So I made a pillow.  =)

I am not much of a Pillow Maker as the whole sewing process is terribly fussy.  

But a Crocheted Pillow ... it was a lot of fun!

Red and White is a classic color combination so I used them for the checkerboard border.  The back is exactly the same as the front except done all in natural wool.   

Both the front and the back have a Dark Lavender 3 round granny border.  I slip-stitched them wrong sides together around 3 sides, stuffed in the pillow form, and slip-stitched the last side.

It was a Smashing Success and I plan on making lots more pillows this way!  This beauty didn't sit on my chair too long ... it whisked it's way across to town to live at my friend Joanna's house.  =)

Cheers!

Erin

Mid Week Musing

I am enjoying my time at home today.  Yesterday I spent HOURS driving here, there and everywhere to get a PA drivers license and plates for my car.  It rained all day so that did not make the job very pleasant.  =(

This morning I mixed up dough so I can make Home Made Pizza for supper.  My Cooking and Baking Mojo is slowly coming back!!   I even have Homemade Pizza Sauce in the refrigerator.  =)  Don't you wish you pop over for a bite this evening?!?!  

Projects after projects are flying off my hook.  I had a bad case of Start-itis last fall so I've been finishing those up this Spring.  It is very satisfying indeed and I can't wait to share them with you!  But I must be patient and type a proper post for each project.

I will leave you with one picture.  =)  

Abigail's birthday is Friday and we are having a little party for her on Saturday morning with all the girls in her class.  There are 6 of them total and we are going to paint pottery at a local shop.  Such fun!  Here are the "Thank-You-For-Coming-to-my-Party" favors:

Little crocheted pouches filled with little girl loot (stickers, candy, nail polish, etc). 

Enjoy your Wednesday ... love always!

Erin

Wagon Wheel Potholder

I was playing with my cotton stash one Saturday and this came off my hook:

The pattern for the circle was from Ravelry ... such a source of inspiration!!!

The border is my own ... I saw something like it on Flickr and thought it was so pretty!  It lays so nicely with the curve of the potholder.  There is nothing I detest more then puckered borders. 

Miss A thought it matched her tea set perfectly!

PROJECT INFO

Yarn - Rico Creative Cotton ... "Lucy Pack" colors purchased from First4Yarns

Hook - Susan Bates #7 hook (4.5mm) purchased from Knit Picks

Pattern - free off Ravelry, but I don't remember the exact name ... will update with link when I find it.  =)  Found it!

Happy Hooking ... Love,

Erin

Rainbow Granny Blanket ... PATTERN

This pattern came out of my head and onto paper much easier then I anticipated.  =)  So let's get started:

YARN

Blocks:

 Patons Classic Wool

Bright Red (BR) -- Currant (CR) -- Water Chestnut (WC) -- Old Gold (OG)

Lemongrass (LM) -- Leaf Green (LG) -- Emerald (EM) -- Aquamarine (AQ)

Royal Blue (RB) -- Royal Purple (RP) -- Orchid (OR)

Checkerboard Border:

Patons Classic Wool - Dark Charcoal

Lions Brand Fisherman's Wool - Natural

It took a bit of searching to find all the colors but my tenacity paid off.  =)  I used up pretty much every bit of each skein of color and even had to dip into my leftover basket to finish off a few rounds.  But it all worked out in the end.  =)

HOOK

I used my good and faithful Susan Bates size H hook ... lovely as always, my dear!

SIZE

5 round Granny Square  - this is my favorite tutorial if you need a little refresher course.  =)

63 squares (7 across x 9 down)

 

COLOR SEQUENCES

Make 3 of each, following the abbreviations next to the colors:

• Bright Red, Currant, Water Chestnut, Old Gold , Lemongrass
• Leaf Green, Emerald, Aquamarine, Royal Blue, Royal Purple
• Orchid, Bright Red, Currant, Water Chestnut, Old Gold
• Lemongrass, Leaf Green, Emerald, Aquamarine, Royal Blue
• Royal Purple, Orchid, Bright Red, Currant, Water Chestnut
• Old Gold, Lemongrass, Leaf Green, Emerald, Aquamarine
• Royal Blue, Royal Purple, Orchid, Bright Red, Currant
• Water Chestnut, Old Gold, Lemongrass, Leaf Green, Emerald
• Aquamarine, Royal Blue, Royal Purple, Orchid, Bright Red
• Curant, Water Chestnut, Old Gold, Lemongrass, Leaf Green
• Emerald, Aquamarine, Royal Blue, Royal Purple, Orchid
• Lemongrass, Old Gold, Water Chestnut, Currant, Bright Red
• Royal Purple, Royal Blue, Aquamarine, Emerald, Leaf Green
• Old Gold, Water Chestnut, Currant, Bright Red, Orchid
• Royal Blue, Aquamarine, Emerald, Leaf Green, Lemongrass
• Water Chestnut, Currant, Bright Red, Orchid, Royal Purple
• Aquamarine, Emerald, Leaf Green, Lemongrass, Old Gold
• Currant, Bright Red, Orchid, Royal Purple, Royal Blue
• Emerald, Leaf Green, Lemongrass, Old Gold, Water Chestnut
• Bright Red, Orchid, Royal Purple, Royal Blue, Aquamarine
• Leaf Green, Lemongrass, Old Gold, Water Chestnut, Currant
• Orchid, Royal Purple, Royal Blue, Aquamarine, Emerald

ASSEMBLY

I decided not to block the granny squares before adding the final border and joining them together.  That was my choice ... you may feel free to block them if that's your thing.  =)  Lay them out on the floor in a please arrangement (remember 7 across and 9 down).

Each square has two rounds of border color and it was in the second round that I used the Join as You Go method of connecting it to it's neighboring square.  Worked out just ducky ... pleased as punch with the results!

BORDER

Very Simple ... 

First Row - granny clusters all around the blanket with no chain one between clusters

I followed this technique to combat any "ripple effect" that is so common in crocheted blankets.  It works like a charm!

Second row  - chain 4, slip stitch in space between 3 DC cluster.  Repeat this around blanket so you have little "loops."

Third row - 5 single crochet in each "loop" all around the blanket.  These makes a very simple but pretty scallop.  

I just re-read this post and it makes sense ... to me.  =)  Please, please, please post questions or email if you'd like to me explain something differently.  

Love always,

Erin