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Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Yes, I'm Back!

No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, as I see it's been quite some time since I last posted.  I've been busy creating some knitted and crocheted things and here is one that I'm currently working on.  It's a Christmas stocking that I'm knitting for my wonderful DIL and therefore, I'm hoping neither she, nor my son, decides to check out my blog......however, that isn't something they normally do, so perhaps I'm safe in the surprise category.



I'm knitting it with size 8 straight needles until I get to the heel and foot portion at which time I'll switch to DPN's.  Once I get to finished the white rows that I'm currently knitting, I think I'll duplicate her name rather than use yarn bobbins as I did for the trees.

And yes, it's a shame, but I'm still plodding through this continuous granny one row at a time and only now and then, at that.......I think I'll stop when it's a throw size.  It is very soft and cuddly though and I'm using a retired Jaeger yarn so you know it will be toasty and warm.  Right now it looks a bit wavy but that will disappear once it's blocked.



I've completed other projects too and have a few more on deck for the Christmas holidays to give as gifts.  I wish you all a happy and healthy Autumn season and before we know it, it'll be Thanksgiving and you KNOW what that means!  Ahh, yes, Christmas can't be far behind, but I digress.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Summer Time, Summer Time

I completed a little 'snuggle' blanket for my 4 year old grandson (his birthday is 6-14). I usually don't make granny blankets especially for the little ones but this yarn seemed to show off it's colors best with the continuous granny, so here it is.
I think he'll like snuggling up with this when he's watching TV or when his Mom or Dad is reading him a story.  It's very soft and completely washer and dryer friendly since that is a must for his busy parents.  I was thrilled to use up all 5 skeins of this yarn ( Bernat's Softee Chunky in Nature's Way color) which has been in my stash for ages.

I also made my mother 2 mug cozies for her morning coffee and afternoon tea drinking.  She loves the fact that they keep her hot drinks hot for much longer than normal.  The first one is knitted in a fingering weight yarn, 90% wool, 10% polyamide (sorry, I didn't keep the ball band to remember the brand and colorway on this one).  I crocheted the base using a crochet pattern for a cozy and from the base up, I improvised the knitting as I went along, using garter stitching, stockinette stitching, and finally ribbing at the top.  
I crocheted this one using Peaches & Cream cotton and following a pattern for the most part.  I did make a few minor changes to the pattern but nothing major.  I figured she would have 2 cozies so she'll always have one at the ready for the times that one or the other is in the washer.
  

Other than these projects, I am now going to begin a Christmas stocking for my daughter-in-law, Sarah, because it's way overdue.  My son (her husband) has been asking me to make one for her for years but every year I wound up knitting one for a new grandchild so this is the year for Sarah's stocking.  

In addition to that I am re-enforcing the tops and the loops of several of the Christmas stockings I've made over the years beginning in 1975.  I've knitted about 15 stockings in all but only need to re-enforce about 6 so I plan to put I-cord across the tops of each one and then an I-cord loop on each which will make them very strong and long lasting.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Completion, At Last

It's official, the shells baby blanket is complete.  I put 3 rows of single crochet around the edges and then did a row of shells to blend in with the shells in the body of the blanket.


I also crocheted a few mini baskets using patterns from my Ravelry group, which is awesome, by the way.  These baskets are addictive and I'm working on several more to fill with goodies for my Grandchildren's Easter haul.  The girls, especially, love things like this that they can keep their treasures in.
I've started another baby blanket, this one in a blue, light brown, and ecru blend in case my expected new little grandbaby is a boy.  I'm using Bernat Softee Baby Chunky yarn for this one and it's being done in a ripple stitch.  I don't have enough progress to post a picture yet, but I will soon.  

Tuesday, February 04, 2014

A New Year

I don't update as often as I used to but then again, I haven't been doing as much knitting as crocheting these days.  First of all, here's a heart shaped coaster for Valentine's Day which I had a devil of a time with.....the pattern wasn't clear or concise and I ripped this out at least 4 times before finally getting it correct with the help of some of my crochet buddies on Ravelry, which I couldn't do without.



I did however, knit up a couple of these adorable easy knitted bangle bracelets for 2 of my granddaughters who I know will love them.  I'm going to knit 4 more so they each can have 3 and use different colors for each one.  I got the pattern from Ravelry, what else (and did I say how much I love that site)?


I'm making quite a bit of progress with my baby shells blanket.  This picture is not current but you can see what the pattern looks like just the same.  I'm about 1/2 to 3/4 finished now and hopefully when I post again here, the blanket will be completed.  It's actually not for any little wee one in particular but if a certain son and his wife have a baby girl (it's their first, due in late July) then it's theirs.


I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and I wish all of you (if anyone is still checking out my blog) a happy, healthy, and blessed new year in 2014.