Do-Over!
17 Jan 2012 2 Comments
in Crochet, Personal notes Tags: blanket, crochet, first, good job, memories, mingled yarn, NaBloPoMo, photography, pooh, Project Linus, quasimodo, Quote, shakespeare, slip stitch, teacher, variegated yarn, william shakespeare, wool eater, yarn
"My Flag" on 365 Project
”The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together.” ~William Shakespeare
I’ve been feeling a little better today. Not great, still kinda punky but definitely better. So I have been crocheting on my wool-eater blanket today and listening to music. I’m still working on cleaning up my itunes music. Anyway, I added a row of this bright variegated yarn that had some purple like the previous row. Each row is getting bigger so it took me a while. I never like to stop before I finish a row and that is going to get harder and harder as I go. So, whenever I finish a row I always like to hide the ends before starting a new row so I decided to get that done right away. I make sure and do a really good job since these blankets for Project Linus will get washed a lot and I don’t want it to fall apart. I always make sure the hidden tails don’t show. When I was finished I laid it out to take a picture and noticed it was ruffling at this one spot. Then I realized why.
See on the top? Quasimodo happened...
I had added an extra shell where there was supposed to be a slip stitch (Valley). I also noticed another spot where I messed up. UGH! I really wish I hadn’t hidden those ends so well! I had to sit and find them and dig them out. Thank goodness the errors were all on the last stretch that I had just done. So I unraveled that side and fixed it. I think it looks good even though the center is pink and the color in the bright variegated yarn is more of a red but it isn’t easy to tell and it doesn’t obviously clash. I don’t think anyway…….. Anyone else???
I need another row of solid next I think. I wonder if I have enough blue?
Fixed!
Okay, so the NaBloPoMo Prompt for today is
Tell us about your first teacher who was important to you.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm……… thinking………. thinking……………. (picture pooh with his hand to his forehead)
Nope, can’t think of any. They were all evil.
Fill in the _____ Friday
13 Jan 2012 2 Comments
in Crochet, Personal notes, Photos Tags: crochet, diet pepsi, fiber, Fill in the blank Friday, free crochet patterns, knitting, memories, photography, wool, yarn, yummy cake
3. Using the letters in my name I can spell my name LOL [donna] okay, I can spell.. do, on, an, nan? I can’t spell much
Anyway, about my wool-eater blanket I’m making…. I don’t remember where I left off yesterday but this picture shows me adding the first row of the blue. The second row of blue is now finished completing the circles. I’m ready to start adding a new color but I am having a really hard time deciding what color to use. I’m trying to use yarn I already have – yarn that was donated for Project Linus – but it’s all so random. Some of it is probably from the 70′s and wouldn’t look good at all. I might go with some purple…. but I’m not sure… I actually started to add this mid-toned purple baby yarn with some green fun fur… it looked cute at first but once I got a full section finished the fun fur just made it 
all hard to see. I realized I made a mistake too and when I tried to take it out it got stuck. So I grabbed the scissors and I’m glad I didn’t go any further than I did. Fun fur is bad.
So apparently the NaBloPoMo prompt I used yesterday was actually today’s. If I blog later they already have put the next days up. Alaska’s time zone is 4 hours earlier than Eastern. Screws things up nicely.
So Thursday’s prompt was
Tell us about your earliest school memories.
I remember playing out on the playground and hanging upside-down from the monkey bars. Then this little girl I didn’t know came up and pulled me down on my head. It hurt and a big chunk of one of my molars broke off. I told the teacher but she just told me to quit tattling and go play. I showed her my broken tooth and she just said it was a piece of gravel and tossed it in on the ground so I couldn’t find it again. She told me to go play and quit whining or I would have to have a timeout. After I got inside I told another teacher about what happened and they actually made me apologize to the girl who did it for making up stories about her. When I got home I showed my dad my broken tooth and the bruises from where I fell and he went in there storming mad. That is when I learned my evil passive aggressive ways…. I used a baggy to pick up a soft dog poop and put it in her coat pocket.
Crochet allergies
12 Jan 2012 2 Comments
in Crochet, Photos Tags: allergic to cats, allergies, bright colors, cat hair, cats, clooney, cluny, crochet, eye lids, free crochet patterns, garfield, irritated skin, photography, pollen, Project Linus, triple, yarn
This is my photo for my 365 project. A close up of my little garden cherub that I kept inside instead so it wouldn’t get dirty.
So, I was crocheting last night when I had an allergic reaction. I couldn’t figure out what I was allergic to but I had to take something and go lay down. Of course I couldn’t sleep since I was trying to scratch myself bloody. I know I’m allergic to cats but I don’t have one….. and I haven’t allowed Garfield over either. Since I didn’t use any soaps I’m allergic to and nothing is able to pollinate since it’s all FROZEN… it must be cat hair.
I started itching so bad I thought I was going to claw my skin off. It was so bad I look like a lobster and felt like a basketball! My eyes were red and burning and the edges of my eye lids itched. I jumped in the shower and then slathered lotion all over my irritated skin and it finally started to sooth. I’m sure the benadryl was kicking in about then. I racked my brain for causes and couldn’t think of anything. Of course sometimes I can be a little dense. Last night I was working on that “wool-eater blanket” and after I got the first row finished with the pink yarn I used for my headband I went into the garage to look for another color. I have a bunch – several large tubs full – that have been donated for Project Linus. That isn’t counting the large tubs that are mine. Anyway, I went looking for bright colors to add to this blanket and I didn’t even think that they could have been donated by someone who has a cat. The last time this happened (the same thing) was when someone donated a bunch of magazines and pattern books. I was sorting through them and separating the useful material from the doily patterns and suddenly started itching. So, I’m a bit surprised that this happened to me again…. and I didn’t figure it out.
Anyway, this morning when I got up I popped a benadryl and went to work on my blanket some more. (I always wash the blankets before giving them to a child) I learned a lot when I started this pattern yesterday. I’ve never made anything like this before. I started off making these shells and then turned around and did the same on the other side making circles. I took it out several times playing with different size hooks until I found something that I liked. 
You have to be really careful to make sure there isn’t too much of a gap between the stitch you are making and the last one when you are making the triple crochet stitches or it leaves a sloppy looking bump on the back. So I took this out and started over many many times trying to get it right. I started out using a size H hook but I didn’t like the large holes in the centers of the circles (see pictures). I ripped it out and switched to a size G hook which is kind of small for the yarn but is easier for making those triple crochet stitches. The holes are still there but smaller. Then I started adding a row of blue (which I now can see has white cat hair on it) You connect the yarn just like you do with a new color in a granny square but then it says to make a “Cluny”. I had to look that up. I thought a Clooney was a handsome 
older fellow. He wouldn’t be very helpful with this pattern though… kinda distracting actually. So I googled it. Apparently a “Cluny” is a cluster of stitches that are all finished off at the same time. It is used a lot in making lace. So when you make the required number of triple crochet stitches you leave the last loop of each stitch on the hook. At the end you yarn over and pull through all of them – making a handsome stitch :O)
Here is a picture of all of the stitches with he last loop of each still on the hook.
Then, I yarned over and pulled through them all to get my cluny cluster.
This row is only half of the actual stitch. I think the colors look pretty together.
I really like how the new row makes the pink circles turn into diamonds. I am currently working on the second row of blue which makes the blue look like rows of circles like what the pink looked like in the beginning. I’ll have a picture tomorrow. If you are interested in trying this pattern it is on Sarah London’s Website.
Well, the NaBloPoMo Prompt today is
Tell us about the first time you were in love.
…but I already wrote about when I met my husband and so it’s the same story :O) No one else ever got even close to that.
Finally finished
09 Jan 2012 10 Comments
in Crochet Tags: boarder, crochet, crochet geek, headband, inflated ego, red heart, seam, stitches, warm, yarn
Yes, I did it. I did what would normally take a few hours in like 3 days but it is hard to focus when you are in pain. I felt better today mostly and actually went overboard a bit. I was listening to music and was otherwise distracted and realized my headband would have fit my oldest son – he has a big head (or a hugely inflated ego LOL) So I took out a few rows and seamed it up. The way she shows to seam it you can’t even tell where the seam is at. I followed the instructions in Teresa’s (Crochet Geek) video. I crochet way tighter than she does so I had to go up two sizes to a J hook and it was still not as wide as hers. I liked the width I got with the J hook so I stuck with that. She says to crochet 46 rows but that was only about half the size I needed. I really like it and it goes nicely with my new scarf my husband bought me. It is black with pink so I may add a little black boarder later but right now I really like it as it is. It’s nice and warm too.
Blue liked it too. Only because I had a carrot for her though.
Here is a close up of the stitches. I was trying to capture the colors which are different shades of dark pink and a medium pink. It is kind of dark in here though so that wasn’t easy. I used Red Heart Super Saver – multicolor in Candy print. It isn’t the softest yarn but I think I’m going to line it with some matching fleece. I live in Alaska so that would make it warmer and help stop the wind from penetrating it.
So what do you think?
Focus! Focus!
12 Dec 2011 1 Comment
in Craftyness, Knitting Tags: bracelet, knitting, knots, pinterest, Turk's head, yarn
That is what my husband says to me all the time. I’m horrible at starting project after project and jumping into new hobbies one after another without finishing anything. What can I say? I’m a great starter… just not such a great finisher. So today I found this simple little project on Pinterest.com and I’m going to do it and finish it before doing anything else!
First I’m going to knit a simple icord. It’s just 3 little stitches a bazillion times. Sure, I can do that.. I think. Well, after I dug through my yarn stash for something to play with and found some suitable double-pointed needles to use I realized that I couldn’t really remember how to start out so I watched this video. It is really clear and easy to follow just don’t think you can keep up with her LOL Just watch the video and take notes and then try it. Really, you don’t need to take notes…. it’s only 3 stitches.
So once I have enough I’m going to make a bracelet from this Turk’s Head (Woggle Knot).
This is the pin that led me to this craziness. I think I need one in every color of the rainbow and more.
Source: animatedknots.com via Donna on Pinterest
Well, I made an icord that would loosely wrap around my hand 4 times and decided to get it a try. At first I tried using a cable pin to hold the loops so I could avoid binding off until I knew if it was long enough but the yarn still attached to the ball just got tangled up and made a mess (duh). I snipped the yarn leaving a bunch of yarn to work with if I needed to add some more stitches. Well, it wasn’t long enough so I knit until I used up all of the extra yarn until I had barely enough to bind off with. I had to use a crochet hook to help bind off actually. I ended up with 42 inches and then I tried again. Still too short!!!! So now I’m working on another length of icord and I’m just going to sew it onto the first one. Until then….
Learning the Crocodile Stitch
23 Nov 2011 4 Comments
in Crochet Tags: crochet, crocodile stitch, red heart shimmer, yarn
Yay! *singing* The sun’ll come up….today…. and I’ll be awake to see it…
I’m so happy I’m awake during the day time! With Fibromyalgia it is really easy to get your days and nights mixed up. I’m actually glad I got a cold since I slept extra and woke up closer to mourning yesterday and now today I woke up at 5:30 am!
I’ve decided that I’m going to use today to learn to crochet the crocodile stitch and make a pretty scarf. I know it is easier than it looks since I mostly learned it yesterday – I just had the wrong yarn. I’m not using the yarn I wanted to use because the boucle is too fuzzy and makes it impossible to see the stitches. That just doesn’t work so hot for learning something new. I’ll save that for after I’ve learned the stitch better. I’m learning from watching video’s on youtube.com. I’ve watched several (there are a lot of variations) and many of them just don’t show the stitches clear enough. The one I’m using is here but it is really long (half an hour) and has several commercials throughout. This will be a post in progress as I work on learning the stitch and making my scarf. I do have some pain in my hands (I also have osteo-arthritis) so I’ll probably have to take several breaks as I go.
I’m using red heart shimmer in snow. This yarn came out last year around Christmas and I’m sure we will be seeing it again soon. It has a pretty iridescent sparkle to it. Vanna also has a yarn very similar to this. I haven’t used Vanna’s version but I really like the Red Heart Shimmer because it is thinner (even though they say it is worsted weight it is definitely a thinner yarn). This stitch looks much nicer in a thinner yarn like this. I am using a size H hook which is the recommended size on the package from the yarn, however, this stitch is easier to learn if you start out using a larger hook so you can see each stitch.
So basically, from what I’ve learned so far…. You chain in sets of 3…. 3 times an even number and then chain 2 more. For my scarf I chained 32 (3 x 10 +2)
Row 1
- Double crochet in 2nd chain from hook, chain 1.
- Skip 2 chains, in next chain work 2 double crochet, chain 1, skip 2 chains, in next chain work 1 double crochet, chain 1 – continue until you get to the end of your row. You should end with one double crochet in the last chain.
- Chain 1, turn
What you end up with looks kinda like a ladder… made up of v stitches (2 double crochet in one chain) alternating with an individual double crochet. Mainly, in the next step you are going to work around the post of the V stitches. Just think of the double crochet stitch as a bar or a post that you have to work around. Just stick your hook under the stitch and through to the other side – in the space between the two double crochet, wrap the yarn over your hook and pull back through. It helps to fold your work so that the double crochet you are working around is at the top.
Row 2
- Skip the first individual double crochet. Next you see a V stitch (two double crochet in one chain). Working around the post of the first double crochet of the V stitch work 5 double crochet. Now you are going to turn your work over so the V is upside-down. Grab the 2nd double crochet of the V-stitch and work 5 more double crochet. (So basically you start out on the right side of the V, work 5 double crochet going from the top to the bottom, then you continue around like a U shape working 5 more double crochet into the other side. You can check the video linked above if you need to see it done. You end up with something that looks like this (See picture to the right)
- slip stitch around the post of the individual double crochet then repeat the above step on the next V stitch.
- When you get to the end of the row you should end with a slip stitch around an individual double crochet, chain 1 and turn
Row 3
- Now this is where it gets a little confusing and it’s hard to see what she’s doing. Immediately after turning you need to find the top of the first double crochet – the last one you worked from the previous row. It should be right at the beginning edge of a tongue shape – the stitch you worked a slip stitch around in the previous row. I actually had to undo a little bit to find that last double crochet so I knew where I needed to go. Into the top of that double crochet make two double crochet and then chain 1.
- double crochet into the middle of the tongue shape (If you turn it around you can see the space in the center of each one) then chain 1
- like before it is very hard to figure out where to go here but try to find the top of the individual double crochet from the previous round. It should be right at the edge of the tongue shape. If you can’t figure it out just find a stitch that lines up with the edge of a tongue shape that is closest to your hook. Don’t go into a large space because it will shift. You need to make two double crochet and then chain one. Make one double crochet into the space in the middle of the tongue shape and then chain 1. Continue to the end. In the chain at the very end (the chain you made before turning to start this row) make two double crochet. Chain 1 and turn. Please refer to the video above by Teresa if you can’t figure this out.
This is what I ended up with. Basically another ladder on top of my row on tongues (I’m sorry, that’s what they look like to me!)
Row 4
- Now turn the work sideways and work 5 double crochet around the post of the first double crochet (first one of the set of two), turn the work around so you can work 5 double crochet into the next double crochet.
- Work a slip stitch around the post of the next individual double crochet.
- Work 5 double crochet around the next double crochet (first in set of two), turn work and work 5 double crochet around the next double crochet, slip stitch around next individual double crochet. Continue to the end of the row finishing with a tongue shape and then a slip stitch into the chain at the end.
This last row of tongues are overlapping the previous row and it looks pretty cool!
Row 5
- You start this row by making a double crochet into the center of the first tongue shape, chain 1
- Work two double crochet into the top of the next individual double crochet, chain 1… cont. to end ending with an individual crochet in the center of a tongue shape, chain one turn
Row 6
Repeat row 2
(My beagle Blue is snoring and making it hard for me to concentrate… do they make breath rite strips for dogs? We need some. Maybe I could just use some duct tape….you think?)
I’m going to post this now but I’ll add to it as I go.
Zentangles and other tangles of mine
15 Nov 2011 4 Comments
in Knitting, Personal notes Tags: art, birthday, free class, knitting, mandala, willowing, yarn, Zentangle
About a month ago I went to a meeting with the Watercolor society here in the Fairbanks area. They had a Zentangle instructor come in to show us how its done. It was fun and a nice change from what I usually do. I still prefer to sketch and paint but every now and then I like just play and have fun.
Here is what I did during that meeting in October. This is my very first Zentangle!
The instructor sent us an email showing everyone’s tiles next to each other and it was neat to see how different they all were considering we were all learning the same “tangles”. The picture isn’t very big. You can see mine down at the bottom left. The email also contained a link to this video on youtube. Rita, I think the calligraphy and pen at the beginning is neat and it made me think of you LOL
This pattern is called ”Betweed”
Here is another pattern they show called “mooka”. This is one of my favorite ones I’ve learned but I’ve never actually tried it.
Here is another neat one called “coil” I really like this one too.
Here’s another Christmas tree I did with my version of a coil. It’s not finished. I was waiting for it to try to play with it some more.
I also signed up to take a class on Willowing.ning.com. There is a cute little graphic for it on the right side of my blog that links to their website. The class I’m taking is on learning how to make mandalas. It’s a free class and it just started Monday so it’s not too late to join. You can jump right in! I can’t wait to get started. I just needed to pick up a few supplies. 
I have some nice colored pencils but I didn’t have any watercolor pencils. I saw on another blog where this awesome artist (Serena) was working with Derwent Inktense pencils and I loved how intense the colors were. I had a 50% off coupon so I bought a set of 12. For the class I also needed a square (although so far it looks like she’s just using it as a straight edge) and a compass. My compass is in hiding so I bought a cheap one to use for now. I ended up looking all over town for a square (just in case). What I found is a triangle but it will work. Other than that all that is needed is a mechanical pencil, eraser and paper. I think that’s all. I can’t wait to get started! Yesterday, the instructor uploaded some templates to print off and there is a video to explain how to add to them. The first lesson is to just play around at creating designs by adding lines to the templates. There will be another video uploaded on Wednesday where we will paint a mandala. I’ve got my table all cleared off and ready to play!
While I was out running around yesterday I was also looking for the yarn and knitting needles I need to make the hat I posted in yesterday’s blog. I couldn’t find anything I needed! The pattern calls for double pointed needles in size 15 (10 mm)! That’s really big for dpn’s. I will have to order them online but I have a regular set of needles that I can use to check my gauge. I also need a set of size 17 knitting needles…. I might have to order those too unless I can make a size 19 work. I’m looking at some nice needles on Ebay. I was surprised that I couldn’t find any yarn in the weight they used – 6 – Super bulky. They were out of a lot of yarn at Joanns so that is probably why but I lucked out and found something that will work in my stash!
I bought a bunch of this yarn from a place that sells discontinued yarn! It is called Caramba by Schulana (made in Italy *oooh la la!*). It’s black and white, fuzzy and super soft! It will go nicely with my coat and boots which are black faux sheepskin.
I also had the pleasure of going to the dentist. They did x-rays and said it didn’t look like I have an absess at the root but there is obviously an infection going on there that is causing swelling and pain. They put me on antibiotics which are making me really tired and I am being referred to an endo— dentist. I forget the proper term. Endodontist? A high tech dentist with a cool microscope! I’ve seen him before and he’s really nice and doesn’t mind all my questions LOL Or at least he doesn’t let on if he’s irritated by them.
I picked out another box to show you. This one was given to me by my sweet sister. It’s a birthstone box. I thought it was fitting since it is November and my birthday is on the 27th. It has a little golden colored stone on the front and inside it says,
”November ‘Topaz’ Color of truth; smiling with generosity and good will”
Happy “I love yarn” day!
14 Oct 2011 1 Comment
in Craftyness Tags: holidays, KAL, lion brand, yarn
I must really love yarn because my garage is full of it! I always have something going either on the knitting needles, crochet needles or both. I’m currently participating in the lion brand KAL and we are making a sweater…. my first sweater in fact! I am also making a skarf of my own design. I’m needle tatting sections that will be connected with sections of kniting. So, really, I love yarn every day…….
I hope everyone had fun with yarn today.
p.s. The super cute banner doesn’t work on my blog but if you click it you can see it change. It’s from the craft yarn council webpage.
Lion brand Crochet Tote
02 Apr 2011 Leave a Comment
in Crochet Tags: crochet, free crochet patterns, free patterns, gauge, lion brand yarn, pattern, swatch, tote, yarn
One flower? Or three?
I found this free pattern at Lion brand’s website for an easy Crochet Tote Pattern #90561. I linked to their site but you probably have to register for a free account before you can view it. It is easy to do and lets you see all of their great free patterns. I have several bookmarked to work on later. You can bookmark them right in your account.
Anyway, I wanted to make a tote bag for my library books. They made this in a solid blue (worsted weight) but I’m going to make it in a variegated yarn that I have that has no label. It is worsted weight though. Anyway, the colors are a light sage green, a lighter green, white and a pale yellow. When I’m finished I’m going to embellish it with flowers or something. I’m working on the gauge swatch now (like the good girl that I am) so I can be sure it will be big enough. I’ll keep updating this post as I go.
My Swatch (too small)
The colors aren’t quite the same in the picture. The greens seem a little more blue then they actually are. Anyway, since my gauge didn’t come out right I’m moving up to a larger needle to see if that works. The swatch should be 4″ square for 14 stitches/19 rows. I have now gone up from a size I/9 to a size L/11 and that is the closest I’m going to get for this swatch. I’m really surprised that I had to go up so many needle sizes to get that close! I usually crochet tight and automatically go up one size but 3 sizes??? I have a hard time believing that anyone could get that size swatch with the needles suggested in the pattern (sizes H and I). So if I hadn’t checked my gauge I would have probably ended up with a clutch instead of a tote LOL
The strap
April 3rd – I just finished making the strap. The colors on this picture are more accurate. The rest of the bag is crocheted from the lower section of one side of the strap and connected to the other. I’ll start that tomorrow.
Okay, so it’s Tuesday the 5th of April and I have part of the body done. It’s only about 4 inches and I need to keep going until it’s 13 inches. I haven’t been feeling well and I’ve been sleeping a lot so I didn’t get as much done as I would have liked.
I put a book in the bag so you can see the shape better. I didn’t realize until I got further in the pattern that you don’t just work on one side of the bag and then do the other. You actually start on one side of the strap working down the length of it, then you go around the bottom (narrow end) of the strap and along the other side of the strap until you get even with where you started on the other side.
Tote under construction
You keep adding rows this way which creates both sides and the bottom of the bag at once. Then when you get to the other side you just join to the other end of the strap. I love the pattern the variegated yarn is making.
So, I don’t think this bag will be big enough for what I intended it for – a library book bag – but it will be perfect for carrying A book, my wallet and a few other small things. I really like how it’s turning out and can’t wait until it’s finished.
4/13 – I’m finished! It ended up about 9 x 12″ so not many books are going in there. It’s 3:am but once I saw that I was almost done I couldn’t quit! I jazzed up the edges with some small picots and added some (removable) spring flowers. I’m not sure if I like one or three so I have pictures of both. I think I’ll put the flowers on pin-backs so I can put them where ever I want and ditch them when I’m ready. Now I’m officially ready for spring.
The flowers are actually the same color as the yellow in the bag...
Cinderella story
27 May 2009 1 Comment
in Craftyness, Quotes Tags: cleaning, crafts, knitting, organization, Quotes, sewing, table, yarn
“One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries.” —A.A. Milne
I’m cleaning up my garage and having great fun. I’m finding such wonderful stuff that I meant to do something wonderful with someday. See, it’s a two car garage but we only have the one to park in there. My husband’s old truck doesn’t really need shelter. It really looks better when it’s covered in snow. Anyway, a while back we decided to put area rugs down half of the garage and we added tall book shelves along that wall (yes, the way my family reads we had them all full and then some). I had exercise equipment in there too. Well in looking for an area for a craft table I decided to move things around a bit in that part of the garage. We moved the bookshelves to the opposite side wall and bought sturdy plastic storage shelves for holding tubs down the wall on my side. I also have a folding table (4′) with a peg board I painted a lovely shade of purple over it. I use pegs to hold my sewing supplies and thread. Anyway, now I have to sort through all the S . T . U . F. F. in the garage into the tubs. When I’m finished it will be a great area to work in. Until then it’s drudgery…..well, until I find something I had forgotten about (like my other favorite knitting needle that I’d misplaced or that bag of super wonderful yarn I’d bought and had forgotten about) and have a small celebratory moment! That actually has been happening quite often. My kids just groan and say “what did you find now?” They don’t understand, the brats!
