Crocheting Afghan Again

Well, today I'll show you progress on the crocheting project. This is the my take-a-long project granny afghan. It's based on a photo for a kit sold at Mary Maxim. After getting my leftovers from the rose afghans together, I realized that I had only 3 skeins of white and 5 or more of rose and green, so my color arrangement had to vary.



Here's a closeup. Threading in the ends is always such a pain in the neck. So, I just stick in DVDs and watch movies or series while threading in. Star Trek Next Generation is good for this since I've already seen most episodes before, although some were so long ago, I've forgotten them. I'll have to start crocheting the larger blocks now. I do want to finish this afghan (as well as the Ladybug afghan that continues to linger) before the end of the year.

After I finish these two projects, I have 5 more afghan projects for which I have yarn. Planned projects include a dragonfly afghan, an Irish Rose pillowghan, Winnie the Pooh, and an animal afghan.

Finished an Afghan!

My first finish of 2009 is the crocheted 2 Color Striped Afghan! It is wonderfully light and cozy and I love the basketweave pattern (reminds me of baskets made in South America). Here's a photo plus a closeup. The closeup helps show that starburst pattern in the edging. The afghan is about 48 x 68 inches and made from 12 skeins of Woolease in Denim and Wheat. The pattern is a freebee from www.lionbrand.com. This was an ideal TV project. I made much of it while watching several series from Netflix including 4 seasons of Desperate Housewives. On the downside, I seem to have given myself tendonitis, so am giving myself a break for the next month and just crocheting the Ravelry Blocks-of-the-month.




Not yet washed and dried, so it's a tad wavy.

Crochet-a-long and Old Project

Yes, once again, multiple projects. Today, I'm working on a potholder. As soon as that is done, I have to start working on a gift for another crocheter (a crocheted purse), now that I have all the materials. I still need a small amount of fabric for the liner, but that will wait for a shopping day. I also need to work on my robot. I'm not very good for much else this week - major sinus congestion is making me dizzy. I'm still kindof whiny about cutting back on coffee. I love tea, but it's just not the same (and I'm not counting the caffeine).

I joined the Lion Brand Yarn Crochet-a-long which started at the beginning of September and lasts for 6 weeks. We are all working on a sampler afghan. Here are two of my blocks. I'm using a P crochet hook and, as I'm a loose crocheter, my blocks are a tad above gauge. While these two come out the same size, the third block does not. I'm just going to add more chains to the foundation chain and make it a little bigger. The final size of the afghan according to the pattern is just a little smaller than average and this will bring it up to a more comfortable 45x60 inch. At the suggestion of several other participants, I went with Vanna's Afghan yarn. This stuff is SO soft and I would say virtually the same as the old Caron Sayelle that I used for all my afghans in the 80s and 90s. These colors are beige and dusty blue. They go fast and now that I've decided on sizing, I should be able to get a bunch done in the next week.


I am also back to working on my Leisure Arts 63 Stitches Sampler Afghan started in 2004. Yes, way back then it ended up on the sidelines. Here are blocks #39 and #15. I really like this puff stitch and plan to incorporate it in an afghan soon. I am working on at least one block a week on Thursdays. Yes, at that rate, it will take me until late next year to be completed, but when you consider that I started in 2004, next year is good enough.

Hey! Back with a Done Project!

Thanks for being so patient waiting for me to post more to this blog. I just haven't been working on crafts all that much. Some of it due to the loss of Cuddles the kitten (I just was very depressed over that) and some of it due to recurring illness. Doing better now and accomplishing.

Earlier this month, I completed a second Rose Afghan. This one varies only slightly from the one I made my Mom. Her's used Sage Green (bluish tones) while mine uses Thyme Green (yellowish tones). I chose soft white for the background color. I used Red Heart yarn for both projects. NOTE: PATTERN IS NOW LOCATED HERE:
http://waytoomuchstash.blogspot.com/2006/11/moms-rose-afghan-is-done.html

Here's a closeup of the flower to show the 3 dimensional effect. I used single crochet to connect the squares because I think the dimension adds to this afghan's overall effect.

I did 7 double-crochet scallops on the edges of both afghans. You can tell the color variations here (Sage on top, Thyme on bottom). Scallops help the rest of the afghan remain flat and gives a pretty edge.



Lastly, I thought you might want to enjoy some of the crab apple tree blossoms. They have such short lives, yet are so darn pretty. They are all gone (we had rain, winds, hail, but the tornado was on the North end of town), but live on in my computer.

Afghan and Kittens Are Bigger

I'm on the last section of tying my sister's quilt. I hope to finish tonight so I can start cutting the binding out. I have also finished quilting the second section of the Paddlewheel quilt and am clipping those many strings (side effect of using a walking foot, I guess). I also work on the Giant Granny Afghan while watching TV or Netflix movies. I have progress to show! I'm at 20 rows now, but do need to make it about twice as wide as it is now. Another member of the CrochetALong was using similar colors, but added black. I think the black adds a lot to the quilt so am adding that (it also stretches my dwindling supply of greens).

Yes, it's time for more kitty photos. Here's the tired herd in the kitty cat condo. Right after I took this photo, I had to reach down and catch the black kitty from falling off. I put him back. He never woke up. Exhausting work being a kitten. The little tuxedo gal always wakes up when I start taking photos, but she's pretty cooperative.

Here's a couple of portraits at 5 weeks. They now get to run up and down the hall and practice their Halloween cat manuevers (hissing, arching back, hopping, fizzing up fur) and are having a great time doing so.

Mom's Rose Afghan Is Done

Well the day is just as dull and dreary as yesterday. However, here is a photo of my Mom's new afghan! I used TLC dusty rose, TLC medium thyme and Red Heart white. I also used a K hook which was unusual for me. My Mom was given the pattern by a lady who was teaching her how to crochet. She never really learned, so 30 years later, I insisted on doing it for her. She selected the colors and the final finishing (original was fringed) which included these great scallops.

The Cabbage Rose pattern in Best of Maggie Weldon Crochet Afghans has a very similar rose. NOTE: I HAVE NOW ADDED PATTERN DIRECTIONS BELOW THE PHOTO!

Here's a closeup that shows the scallops and flower shapes better.


Here are the pattern directions as they originally appeared in a 1971 issue of Women's Day. Keep in mind that the flower square starts out rectangular and extra stitches are put on 2 sides to square it up. Also, I used a K hook. A J hook would not give me gauge. I also hated the fringe and instead did a scalloped border starting with 1 row of the flower color and then switching to the green.

Six Petal Rose Afghan

41 x 56 inches

Materials: 5 skeins black worsted
2 skeins green
2 skeins magenta

Crochet hook J or size to give correct gauge

Motif (plain)

With black, ch 5, join with sl st to form a ring.

Rnd 1: ch 3, 2 dc in ring, (ch3, 3dc in ring) 3 times, ch 3, join with slip stitch in top of ch 3.

Rnd 2: Sl st to next ch 3 sp, ch3, 2 dc, ch3, dc in space, *3 dc, ch3, 3dc in next ch 3 sp (corner group made). Repeat from *. Join with sl st in top of ch 3. Fasten off.

Rnd 3: Attach green to corner ch 3, 2 dc, ch3, 3 dc in corner sp, *3dc in next space, work corner group in corner space. Repeat from * once. 3 dc in next space. Join in top of ch 3. Fasten off.

Rnd 4: Attach black, * work corner group in corner space, 3 dc in each sp. Repeat from * around. Join.

Rounds 5&6: Repeat rnd 4. Fasten off. Make 16 more plain motifs.

Flower Motif

With magenta, ch 6, join to form a ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 5, sc in circle 6 times. Join with sl st in first sc.

Rnd 2: In ch 5 loop; * 1 sc (ch1, 1dc) twice, ch 1, 1 sc. Repeat from * around.

Rnd 3: *1 sc around bar of next sc of 1st rnd, ch6. Repeat from * around. Join

Rnd 4: In ch 6 loop, *1 sc (Ch1, 1dc) three times, ch 1, 1 sc. Repeat from * around. Join Fasten off magenta.

Rnd 5: Attach green between scs of petals, sc in same place. *Ch 6, 1 sc in space between next 2 petals. Repeat from * around. Join.

Rnd 6: Ch 3, 2dc in same sc. *In next lp, 3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc: in next lp, 3 dc: in next lp 3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc*. Now 3 dc in next sc. Repeat between * once. Join. Fasten off green.

Rnd 7: Attack black and work to correspond to last 3 rnds of plain motif. Make 17 more flower motifs.

Finish: Sew motifs together alternating motifs. Fringe ends as follows. To make fringe: Cut yarn in 12 inch lengths using 4 strands of 1 color, knot fringe between dc groups. Alternate colors as follows: 1 black, 1 magenta, 1 green, 2 magenta

Another UFO Bites the Dust!

Yes, now that the biggie is done, I'm going right along. I had misplaced a skein of yarn and broke my Q hook. During the last reorganization, I found the missing skein and bought a new Q hook. I finished pretty quickly today. The pattern is Waterfall (crochet) by Lion Brands Yarn. I made it slightly wider and a lot longer using Homespun in Tudor (nice blends of red/blue/brown and yellow). Nice and warm and soft. This pattern is available for free at http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/chs-watr.html?noImages=. I have previously referred to this afghan as the One Stitch Afghan, because the pattern is merely a single crochet in the back of the loop using 2 strands.

Here's the finished afghan. It's approximately 60 inches wide by 75 inches long. I know now why professional photographers show afghans draped over chairs and things. It's impossible otherwise, to keep the edges from curling in. I don't have the gift of draping fabric well, so I guess this will have to suit for now. You are probably thinking...why is it all stretched out like that? The stitch makes a soft ribbing. Hanging from a line, it stretches all out due to the weight of the yarn, but it normally has nice little folds.

I am recording Midsommer Murders for my Mom and Dad today (taking out commercials), so will likely work on the Homespun Shawl. This is another knitted project that is very simple (the traditional triangle shawl). I don't know if I like shawls, so wanted easy and warm. I have a little over a week to work hard on UFOs before the Sock-a-Long starts.

Glorious Finish To The Ladybug Afghan

I did it, I did it! I finished the Ladybug Afghan! It is so cool done. We had a dim, dark day today, so before it started to rain, my cousin's son, 7-year-old Sean was 'helping' me take a photo.

[edited to add] For a crocheted version of the ladybug, a designer copied the ladybug from my afghan and created a potholder which was included in Annie's Attic Ultimate Book of Potholders. I have permission from Family Circle to post this pattern, so as soon as I get it scanned in, it will be linked to this page.

The Sun Was Out!

The sun was out, the sun was out! I mowed...and mowed...and mowed. But it is done! I also did a big section of crochet on my Summer Sling bag from last year. My Dad is going to a lot of medical appointments just now in anticipation of surgery in July. So, I have to have lots of take-a-long stuff to keep me occupied. Works very well!

Last night, during commerical breaks during 24, I managed to finish the seams linking the two halves of the Ladybug afghan together. Ok.. it's not as bad as I thought. I'm just going to add on to the 3 panels to the left and everything should work. So, not too bad. I'll work on it tomorrow.

For the Sock-a-Long, I have chosen Cascade 220 Heather in denim blue and a dark blue for the heel and toe. My gauge isn't quite right--I get 22 stitches over 4 inches instead of 24. I'll have to practice a couple of times to see if I can't tighten that stitch. I must admit that I've become somewhat sloppy in my knitting. I just need to tighten up a tad or learn to use smaller needles.

Fixing Stuff

We are still on board the Ark. I am starting to be concerned about how high that grass will grow before I can mow it. The mower and I are already at odds with each other. Tough to cut grass will not help relations.

Sometimes all you read about is the success folks are having with their projects. Don't worry. That's not what you will see in this post. It is clear that I did miscounts on the white areas. Lots of extra rows. Look at this wonderful edging that I typed about yesterday.

Ok, so my fix was to knit the additional red to even it up. Looked very nice when I finished.

Then, I discovered something when I put the 2 halves of the afghan together. Yes. They are two different lengths. It's one of those days when you just want to lay your head on a ledge and bash it with something heavy. I decided to put it away for the night.

Thankfully, I already have worked out a solution. Since it involves cutting off some length, I want to think about it after a night's sleep. Having cut knitting before, it's not that hard for me to do, but it's not something to do when you are tired. I thought for certain I would be done today (wahh, sniff, sniff). Alas.

Links To Interesting Items

A poster asked if I could do the ladybug afghan in crochet. Yes, but the chart needs to be converted. However, Maggies Crochet does have a crocheted ladybug afghan. I am posting a link to the page here:
http://www.maggiescrochet.com/pages
/Afghans/K273_ladybug_afghan_main.htm

I have ordered directly from Maggies Crochet twice and been very happy with my service.

There are always new knitters, so I'm taking this opportunity to point out the 5 Hour Baby Sweater. There are several versions of this pattern all adapted from the original provided by Anne Stoddard, who was given the pattern by two ladies who ran a yarn shop back in the 50s. When she posted the pattern, she asked that if you made a sweater, make a second and donate it. I donated all of mine to local hospitals.
http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/kp3.html
I've made Lorraine's version a couple of times also.
http://www.minidata.co.nz/major/freepatt/patt01.htm
Includes booties, bonnet and attached hood patterns.
http://www.fibergypsy.com/patterns/5hrpatt.shtml

Since I'm posting links, here's one of my favorite quilting scrap patterns links:
http://scrapquilts.com/basket.html

Oh, and not to leave out the cross stitchers, here's a link to calculators and converters
http://www.findstitch.com/resources/
Oh, and my recommendation for very cute.
http://www.sanmanoriginals.com/free.html

Continuing Operations

I finished the weaving for the Ladybug Afghan the other day and am now sewing the panels together. There is hope I will be done in a day or two! We have a cloudy day today, so working on quilting is out, anyway.

It's Raining, It's Raining

Ok, this is day 3 of the Rain. We are still afloat. This has mostly been a good, steady, soaking rain. I found my Ark Quilt pattern. I think I will sift through my fabric to find some pieces to applique. It could be my rain project for the Summer? Yes, don't make fun of me. I suffer from Startupitus. The problem is that when it is raining, I can't work on the sewing machine. Just not enough light with the current setup.

Today, I spent a lot of time working on weaving in ends on the Ladybug panels. I can almost finish a panel during one DVD disc of X-files. Currently on the 2nd panel. By doing this by intarsia, instead of carrying all the yarn, little fingers and toes (and kitty toes) are less likely to get caught up in yarn.


Here is the back before weaving. Looks like a mess doesn't it?


Here it is after weaving. Much neater.

Closing Ceremonies

The Closing Ceremonies of the Olympics are now complete. Unfortunately, my UFOlympics project is not. I really underestimated how long it takes to do these ladybugs and the 35 rows between them! However, I do have 8 out of the 18 complete now. It is still looking very cute. My attenae look odd on some of them, but that will straighten out after it's been washed. I'm going to keep on knitting and maybe, just maybe, I can get this project done during March.

What I did finish during the Olympics was the Anubis cross-stitch that I was doing for my other sister's birthday. A birthday that was delayed because everybody here was sick (and several still are 14 days later!).

Design by Julie Hasler. Stitched on 18 ct ivory Aida using DMC floss.

Here is Thoth and Anubis with the frames that they will be installed into. I was really happy to find these so quickly and inexpensively. These designs are by Julie Hasler.

I Miss My Mac and other silly stories

While organizing some of my photos on the computer, I came across a picture of my old Mac. I miss him. This is a photo of him moments before he was packed into the car to be taken away to be recycled in June 2004 (teary eyed moment). I bought him in 1987 at a cost of $1,500. I still haven't sold the printer (the 24 pin dot matrix one still has a market). My replacement Mac is older than dirt as well (bought in 1994), however, it still works for everything I need it for except for the Internet.

Anyway, along with that, I also found an opportunity to take a photo of another afghan that was finished in the past. This was my first Mile A Minute Afghan and made for my Mom. The light blue was Orlon, while the dark blue was a newer acrylic from Caron. I did this entire thing during lunch hours at work in 1992. This is a satisfying pattern-it looks pretty and finishes fairly quickly. A variagated gives an entirely different look. Change to woodsy colors and it's a guy afghan. With the no-dye-lot yarns, you have to be much more selective of yarn choices or the result isn't very soft. The specific pattern used for this one is a booklet (still sold at Joann's and Michaels) called Learn To Crochet The Mile-A-Minute Annie Way (there's a photo of the booklet in my July 15, 2005 blog entry). Lots of other Mile-a-Minute patterns are available, but the one I received from a gal in England is my very next one.

Reaching The End of the One Line!

I measured the width of the One-Line Afghan today. It is 49 inches wide! Only another 11 inches to go or about 27 more rows. My two boxes of scrap yarn still won't all fit into one box, alas. Well, we'll see what else I can do with it.