MMMM, Yarny.

Punisher Finish

2008-02-04T06:39:00.000-08:00

The Punisher intarsia...done! But, me being me, that really only means that created another project. So, mostly done.

(To see the other posts on this project, please click the label titled 'intarsia' or 'comics')

After making the first Punished piece, I decided to make a Punisher purse. I might be a huge comic book fan, but I'm still a girl. I hooked up a strap and a side/bottom piece and made a purse out of it. This was my first go at lining a project. It went better than expected. My first thought was to line the purse with Cookie Monster fabric. But, everyone I suggested that to flailed about and yelled 'NO WAY!'. In the end, I went with a pink fabric with heats and flowers on it. I needed something to contrast the Punisher bits.

(doing thumbnails of the images today. just click them to see the larger size)

Side 1:

Side 2:

Edge and strap connection:

The edge is one piece, wrapped around and whip stitched onto the front and back sides.

Strap:

The strap is done in SC with SLST around the edge to help cut down on the stretching...and it just looks good.

Lining:

Cheap Yarn Love...

2007-12-11T11:18:00.000-08:00

I'm a yarn addict, this I know. I buy up yarn with no idea of what to use it for. This is especially true when I see cheap yarn. Not cheap as in poor quality, but cheap as in $1 a skein. My local dollar store sells yarn quite a bit. Usually it is the fun-fur novelty stuff. That does not deter me from buying, though. I recently came across some yarn I just had to have. I'm looking for suggestions on what I should make with it.

First up is 2 skeins of Bernat Soft Boucle in teal twist. 5 oz skeins.

Next up is 3 balls of Lion Brand Incredible ribbon yarn in autumn leaves. 110 yards each. The label of these has a scarf pattern on them using a K hook, which I might make if I don't come up with something better.

Give me your ideas in comments here or email them to me at:
yarnmonkie@gmail.com

A Thank You and More Images

2007-11-21T07:11:00.000-08:00

First of all, Thank you to everyone who has been voting for me on Top 100 Crochet and Hook List! As of this morning I'm a solid #33. Want to vote for me? Click the pink box to the right under the yarn skull. If you are viewing me on a feed, drop by and click through.

I have been taking a bit of a hooker break. Once again I have too many project ideas, too much yarn and too many things going at once. Also, I think that cookie jar project just sucked the life out of me. If I ever decided to take on something like that again (meaning no pattern, several parts and use of stiffeners) just shake me and tell me no. Speaking of that project, I have some more, but not exactly better, images.

First, the cookies. I think there are about 20 of them. Done in 3 parts and whip stitched together *pulls out her mad math skills* that's 60 little circles. You can see why it drove me crazy.

...and the pile of cookies.

Cookies were done on an f-hook in Red Heart SS in Coffee and White.

I wanted to get a picture of the back edge of the jar. I decided to do the jar in rounds to stop the line that would have happened from that. What I forgot is that since I changed colors, there was a bit of a jag to the stripes. By the time that fact dawned on me, I was to far in the project to frog it. It works out just fine, though. It is being displayed with the lid leaning on that side.

See the jag...jog...where it's not perfect? That bothers me. I still can't see past it.

Some images of the lid. The fabric stiffener is on the outside of everything but the lid. I had to do that on the inside because of how I shaped it (read I stuffed it inside a bowl).

One more from the top.

For the life of me, I can't get a good image of the matching tea cup.

ETA:
Blogspot is doing some funky things on the preview. Every time I click it it jumbles up my images. I think I got it fixed. But, if things look off it's all on blogspot, not me, for once. ^_^

Cookie-Cookie-Cookie starts with C

2007-10-29T20:19:00.000-07:00

My mother's birthday was this month. I decided to make her tea cup (like the one posted here only better - pictures of it later on). I though that the cup wasn't enough, so I was going to make a cookie jar full of cookies to go with it. Great idea in theory. It took much longer that I though it would. The cookies were the worst part. I think I made the jar bigger than it needed to be. I ended up making 20 cookies to go in it and it didn't even fill it half way. I stuffed the bottom with tissue paper and set the cookies on top of it. I also use chocolate scented oil to make them smell more like cookies and less like yarn.

One inside the jar:

All done with Red Heart on a f hook. The jar was my own pattern. The cookies were from this pattern (pdf file).

Email Oops

2007-10-09T08:52:00.000-07:00

It was brought to my attention that I didn't have a visible email address here. If you need to contact me, feel free to email me here:

yarnmonkie@gmail.com

BOOKS!!

2007-10-08T18:44:00.000-07:00

This weekend I got a lovely surprise in the mail; a box of crochet books. Yes, I had ordered them, but I didn't think they would come so quickly. I joined one of those craft book clubs and got 4 books for 99 cents each and 1 book half off.

Here's what I got:

Crochet Blocks in a Box: 50 Great Designs at Your Fingertips

201 Crochet Motifs, Blocks, Patterns and Ideas

The Complete Book of Crochet Stitch Designs: 500 Classic & Original Patterns

The New Granny Square

The Crochet Answer Book

I have been reading through them on and off all weekend. I actually used a pattern out of one on Sunday for a friends Halloween piece. I'm most excited about the Blocks in a Box book. That one has been on my wish list for a while now. I'm going to makes some out of there for my October square trades.

Some FO posts coming soon. I have several going at once. It's just a matter of getting them all finished and photoed.

Much love for hard yarn

2007-10-02T17:33:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post to say 'Yes, I'm actually doing things with hook and yarn and stiffeners'.

While working on this stiff project, I'm also working on other things I cannot yet blog about. ^_^

Promos and Codes

2007-09-28T15:36:00.000-07:00

First, please vote for me on the Crochet Top Site list!

Top List

Next, want to help promote my blog? I have banners with codes! Just copy and paste the code that is located under the banner you want to use.

This is a full banner. I just can't get my layout wide enough to show it all. :-( Here's a direct link to it: Large banner

Link to large light colored banner: Large light banner

Please let me know where you use them! Or, if you are interested in a link exchange, let me know.

Seeing Stars

2007-09-27T18:15:00.000-07:00

I'm seeing stars! Okay, I'm making stars. Why? Because I can. I do it because I think that I might just have a perfect project to add stars to. I think of it as something that I can mindlessly hook away at while watching CNN. Also, as something I can do instead of committing to a larger project. The truth? I make stars while deciding on my next project. How I'm going to do it, what yarn to use, etc, etc.

Here's what they look like:

A pile of off white stars with the tails still attached. That's so I can easily stitch them on something later.

Here's some larger ones, sans tails.

The white ones are on WW yarn on a F hook. The Colored ones are WW yarn on a H hook.
Here's a picture for the size difference.

Want to make some? Here's the pattern!

itty bitty 5 point star motif

Materials:

worsted weight yarn - I use that little bit left over from other projects.

a hook in any size - I find that a F hook works great for a tighter star. A H hook works well for a bit larger one. I haven't use any other sized hooks. But I don't see why you couldn't.

yarn needle

***This pattern is for a 5 point star. You can adjust the number of points by adding or subtracting chain rows.***

ch 3, slst in the second ch from the hook and the starting ch. (this is your first point)

ch 2, slst in the second ch from the hook and in the starting chain. (this is your second point)

ch 2, slst in the second ch from the hook and in the starting chain. (third point)

ch 2, slst in the second ch from the hook and in the starting chain. (fourth point)

ch 2, slst in the second ch from the hook and in the starting chain. (fifth point)

Draw up your last slst, cut the yarn and pull it through. Now you will have two tails on the star. One on each side. I use a yarn needle to stitch through the tail on the front side to the back, then tie it off. I leave the tails if I plan on adding them to something. If not, I cut off the tails and give them to my cat to play with.

September Trade Squares

2007-09-23T19:33:00.000-07:00

4 Trade squares for September. All 8 inches x 8 inches. Done in Caron's Jewel Box in Garnet.

Those 4 squares took up 2 whole skeins of the yarn.

Doilies are for the birds

2007-09-17T16:42:00.000-07:00

Tonight, I decided to try my first doily. I had the pattern, I had the thread, I had the hook. What I lack is the talent and patience.

I stitched, I frogged, I stitched, I cursed. Then I came to the realization that I hate working with thread and teeny-tiny hooks. This is how far I got on it before I gave it up.

See that thread? It's going into my next crochet round-robin box. *nods*

Headphone Covers

2007-09-12T18:02:00.000-07:00

I am a headphone kind of gal. I own several pairs, mostly the in-ear type. Some for the computer, some for my iPod, some for my CD player, extras for the iPod...you get them point. Recently, I got some new jewelry and with it, I cannot wear my ear clip style headphones that I usually wear when listening to my CD player. After digging out my over the head type headphones and using them for a few days, I realized why I never use them. I don't like the feel of the foam ear covers. I find it so distracting that I spend my whole time listening messing about with the headphones trying to get comfortable.

While listening to my CD player tonight, I remembered that I had seen some headphone cozies in a recent crochet magazine. After some digging through my magazines, I found it.

The pattern is from the September/October issue of 'Crochet Today!' page 47 listed as 'Music Cozies'. I use the pattern for the small headphone cozy (pg 48), using scrap acrylic yarn.

The cord of the headphones was in the way of the cozy. What to do, what to do?! I ended up slipping on the cover and tying a piece of yarn through the cozy so it wrapped its self around the cord. I tried to get a picture but my camera is full of fail on close pictures.

Hopefully you can see what I did. The whole project took about 30 minutes. That includes time hunting down the right size hook, putting the covers on and taking the pictures.

Something Funny

2007-09-03T08:14:00.000-07:00

This came across one of the crocheting/yarn communities I am a memeber of.

A recent study indicated, that yarn and thread gives off certain pheromones that actually hypnotize women and cause them to purchase unreasonable amounts.

When stored in large quantities, in enclosed spaces, the pheromones, (in
the yarn,) cause memory loss and induce the nesting syndrome, (similar to the one squirrels have, before the onset of winter, i.e. the storing of food,) therefore, perpetuating their species and not having a population loss due to their kind being cut into pieces and mixed with others.

Sound tests have also revealed, that these yarns, emit a very high-pitched sound, heard only by a select few, a breed of women known as "loomers." When played backwards on an LP, the sounds are heard as chants, "Buy me, loom me, and wind me into a ball ".

In order to overcome the so called "feeding frenzy effect," that these yarns cause, one must wear a face mask when entering a storage facility and use ear plugs, to avoid being pulled into their grip.

(One must laugh, however, at the sight of customers in a yarn store, with WW2 army gas masks and headphones!).

Studies have also indicated, that aliens have inhabited the earth, helping to spread the effects, that these yarns have on the human population. They are called "YARN STORE CLERKS".

It's also been experienced, that these same pheromones, cause a pathological need, to hide these yarn purchases, when taken home (or at least blend them into the existing stash.) When asked by a significant other if the yarn is new, the reply is, "I've had it for awhile."

Author Unknown

I've done the "I've had it for awhile." part more than once. :-D

Share a Square Squares

2007-09-02T19:47:00.000-07:00

I'm at 15 squares for my share-a-square square count. I'm going to send them out this week. Here's a quick picture of some of them.

Sneak Peak

2007-09-01T11:50:00.001-07:00

After talking to what I will call a reputable source of Punisher knowledge, I have worked out my next grid for my project.

First we have a 9mm Beretta. Here is the original image:

and my grid:

You can't do that with out this:

I plan on doing the Beretta on white in shades of black and gray. The crosshairs will be either red on white or red on black. This project has taken on a life of its own. I get one thing done then add on another and another. I'll be done with it one day.

Punisher intarsia part 2

2007-08-26T19:50:00.000-07:00

After making my first intarsia piece, I knew I wanted to do another one. The last Punisher piece (blog post here) I did was just to see if I could do it. I looked at it for about a month before I decided on what to do with it. I finally made my decision and that involved making another intarsia piece of the same size and shape. I went with a different type of Punisher logo:

I decided to do just the right side one to keep the size the same.

Here's a work in progress picture with the grid:

And the finished piece:

Hopefully, I'll have the entire thing together to show you my final vision sometime soon. I'm thinking by next week. *crosses fingers*

August Trade Squares

2007-08-16T05:05:00.000-07:00

I've finished up my August trade squares for this month. A crocheting friend asked for a bit of help with a pattern she had found online. After trying out the pattern, I liked it so much that I made all 4 of my squares the same. A first for me.

The pattern is called Circle of Friends Square. I used Red Heart Super Saver Fleck in Aran Fleck on a H hook.

My camera doesn't do the square justice. It has all kinds of texture and interesting details you just can't see in the image. I only took one picture this month. No need to take a picture of each square when they all look the same.

Love to Share - Share a Square

2007-08-15T16:38:00.000-07:00

This project has been brought to my attention via Live Journal. It is a great idea. It's so easy to just make a 6" x 6" square. I know I can make several of them in just an hour. I plan on a bunch and send them off next week. I hope all the crocheters out there will at least send in a square or two.

Here are the links:

Original post

Square instructions

Pictures of my squares to come soon!

More Mala Beads and Pouches

2007-08-09T19:02:00.000-07:00

I have some more sets of mala beads and pouches for them. First up is a set I made for my friend. 108 wood beads, turquoise separator beads on cotton cord. The pouch is a mohair/wool/acrylic blend.

Next is a larger pouch made with an unknown fiber yarn.

Mala beads for it are 108 wooden beads, unikite separator beads on a cotton cord.

And 54 wooden beads, unakite separator beads on cotton cord. Pouch is TLC something or other in red.

I'm done making these for a while. I've depleted my bead supply. I do plan on making a few more, possibly as gifts, in the future. I would love to make some out of lapis lazuli or sliver. I have time to work out exactly what I want to do.

The stash and other info

2007-08-06T11:20:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to post for days, but blogger had my blog marked as spam. Which means I could not make posts. Now, that dirty little mess has been taken care of, I'm ready to post.

First up, I went through and organized my stash. I really needed to see what I had and to get all the types together as well as I could.

Big basket of misc acrylics and half skeins:

Cottons:

Whole skeins acrylic:

Novelty, fun fur, small fuzzy skeins:

Current project basket:

Now to finish the shawl that I keep putting off so I can get something new in the current project basket.

I have a few people ask about writing a pattern to the tea bag holders to post. I plan on doing that as soon as I'm finished with this shawl.

My 'August projects' list looks so empty. But, once again, I plan on filling it as soon as the shawl is done.

An Apple A Day...

2007-07-22T21:27:00.000-07:00

...keeps the doctor away, as long as it is not in an appletini.

My mother recently bought a set of stemless martini glasses as a gift for an aunt of mine. Here's what they look like:

By yarnmonkie

They are for drinking Appletinis. Just reading the ingredient list makes me shudder. The drink is made with a slice of a granny smith apple in it. *shudder, again* I offered to make a coaster set to go with the gift.

After some flailing about with the yarn and teaching myself a new-to-me stitch, I got what sort of resembles an apple slice. I ended up making a set of 4 of them. Here are come pictures.

Made with Red Heart (lime green color, not sure of the exact color name), aran and Red Heart Softs brown (for the stems). on an acrylic g hook using trc, dc, hdc and sc.

One coaster:

By yarnmonkie,

One with the glass:

By yarnmonkie

For the record, an appletini is that exact color. Eww, eww, eww!

Mala Beads and How to Store Them

2007-07-21T13:43:00.000-07:00

Over 10 years ago, I bought a set of mala beads from a Monastery in Tibet. Which was no small feat then, because you just couldn't hop online and buy them like you can now. My beads came with a small carrying pouch, which I never liked because I literally had to twist the beads into a small ball to get them in there. Over years and moves, I lost the pouch, but was able to hang onto the beads. They usually sat on my dresser or jewelry box. It dawned on me that I could make a new pouch for them. While digging through my yarn stash in search of a yarn that just called out to me, I found part of a skein that is a mohair/wool/acrylic blend. Very fuzzy and quite beautiful. I don't recall the brand name of the yarn.

SC on a bamboo h hook. 8" long x 3 " wide (closed). Simple chain tie closure. SLST around to make the shape.

Closed:
By yarnmonkie

Open:
By yarnmonkie

I made a bit of the beads stick out so you can see where the flap and pouch opening is.

Open/Inside:
By yarnmonkie

My beads are the longer 108 bead ones. That's why I made such a long pouch. I only have to loop them once to put them in. Here's a image of the beads out of the pouch.

By yarnmonkie

Of Pot Holders and Trivets

2007-07-20T08:44:00.000-07:00

Over the past two months, I've been working on a set of potholders for my parents. Six pot holders to be exact. They were made holding two strands of cotton yarn together and single crocheting on a h hook. After making one or two, I was ready for a break. I think that's why it took me so long to make them all.

By yarnmonkie

Then, with the left over yarn, I made a set of three trivets. The went much faster. I made the set of three with in an hour. They are DC on a I hook.

By yarnmonkie

These were so easy to make. I would have no problem making more of them.

Triangle shawl no. 2, update

2007-07-18T20:33:00.000-07:00

I decided that the shawl wasn't going to work and pulled it all out. I started it over again, adding several more inches to it. I finished it, again and it still seems small. I'm adding the boarder to help it out. I'm at a loss as to what to do about it. The yarn is so springy, it draws up no matter what I do. I'll finished it and get her opinion about it. I'm not going to weave in and tie anything off until she likes it.

*frustrated*

Triangle shawl, number 2

2007-07-17T18:40:00.001-07:00

This is my second triangle shawl this month. My grandmother asked if I could make her one. She offered to buy the yarn. How could I refuse?

She bought Red Heart Light and Lofty in Cap Cod Multi.

By yarnmonkie

I started on it tonight and finished the main part of the shawl. For the life of me, I can't figure out why it seems so small. I think it is because of the yarn type...maybe. It might be because the last triangle shawl I made was 7 feet across. I'm going to add a boarder on the two sides to beef up the edges a bit. If all else fails, I'll pull it out and start again. I'm pretty sure the boarder will help.

Here it is ready for the boarder.

By yarnmonkie

one closer up:

By yarnmonkie

Done on a q hook. I'm doing the boarder on an n hook (which is what is in the picture).

Learning intarsia with the Punisher

2007-07-16T19:39:00.000-07:00

Two of my favorite things are crocheting and comic books. I never really thought to try to crochet anything from the comics I read before. But, while taking to a friend, it hit me. I could crochet that! That being the Punisher's logo:

By yarnmonkie

First, I had to grid it and work out how to do intarsia crochet. Grid was finished this morning, a quick try or two on the intarsia process and I got started.

I ended up with this:

By yarnmonkie

Not the best, but pretty good for a first try. I think it would have been better had my printer not flaked out on me and not wanted to print black ink. Hard to do a black and white grid in shades of gray. I'm going to try again, different Punisher logo just because the he has the best logo out there.

Baby gifts for the military baby

2007-07-14T12:31:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine recently had a baby. I decided to make her a little something. I didn't want to send her the whole light blue and yellow deal like you see in most boy baby gifts, hand made or not.

Her husband is a military man...what could I make....? Then it hit me. Camouflage baby! I doubt she'll get a gift like this.

First up, the blanket:

Red Heart Multi in camouflage, Caron pound skein in black, h hook. 6 granny squares, slst together and edged. (DC, SC, SLST)

By yarnmonkie

I decided to make a small bear for the baby. She also, has another child, a bit older. I couldn't leave him out. The smaller one is for the baby, larger for the older child.

By yarnmonkie

The bears were made form a pattern bought from Roxy Craft. The larger bear was on a f hook, the smaller on a d hook.

By yarnmonkie

When you have the bears on a blanket you can barely see them. Almost like they are camouflaged or something...

Trade Squares for July

2007-07-11T10:50:00.000-07:00

Here are my 4 8" x 8" trade squares for the month of July.

The first picture, the square on the left has rows of fringe on it. it didn't come across in the picture.

By yarnmonkie

I love the fringe look but it was tedious to do on a small hook (h). I would do it again on a larger one. Maybe a n hook.

The one on the right in both pictures were done on a n hook. The ones on the left were both done on a h hook.

By yarnmonkie

Spot of tea...?

2007-07-10T18:01:00.000-07:00

I have a thing for tea. I love tea. I love to crochet. Why not crochet tea?

By yarnmonkie

MMMM, tea! Tea is always good with lemon in it!

By yarnmonkie

Made on a f hook, caron pound of love (dark purple), red heart softs (brown), red heart sport (yellow), red heart super saver (off white and flecked off white).

It took about 2 hours to totally complete. That was with a lot of trial and error.

By yarnmonkie

Everything is removable, including the cup's saucer. I didn't think to get a picture of the saucer separate. The tea is just a circle of fabric, propped up on some stuffing. I will sew it in eventually, when I decide if that's how I want to keep it.

By yarnmonkie

Now, if I could only make a tea kettle...

Tea Bag Holders/Cozies

2007-07-09T07:08:00.000-07:00

I'm never exactly sure what to call these. Tea Bag Holder? Is it really a cozie? A pouch? They hold several wrapped bags of tea and have enough room for a few packs of sweetener if you like. My first one was smaller and I sort of had to stuff everything in there. These are bigger, a bit more stretch to them, room for more tea!

Here's my first one. This one is mine! ALL MINE!!!

By yarnmonkie
By yarnmonkie

Inside are 3 bags of tea and 3 packs of 'Sugar in the Raw'. I carry it in my purse for 'Tea Emergencies'.

Here are the two made last night. The pink-multi one is 5" tall by 4.5" wide and quite roomy. It has a button loop on the end of the flap. The purple/pink one is 4.5" by 4.25".

By yarnmonkie
Open views:

By yarnmonkie
By yarnmonkie

I'm using Bigelow tea bags because they seem to have the largest outer wrappings. If Bigelow tea bags fit in there, pretty much any other kind will fit.

MONSTER SHAWL!!!!

2007-07-08T16:53:00.000-07:00

It all started out innocently enough. I wanted a nice big shawl for myself. Something airy, lacy, pretty. I had the perfect yarn. I started out making one using a pattern using the Solomon Knot. I worked on it steady for days before I realize I had no idea what I was doing. Yes, it looked pretty, but it wasn't what I wanted. I pulled all my work out and started again. HDC on a Q hook, decreasing on each end as I went. I usually never measure what I make, while making it, unless it needs to be a certain size. This is my downfall. While sitting I chained until I though it looked long enough. Draped it across my shoulders, liked how it was and started out to hooking. This was on Friday evening. Today (Sunday) I finish up, slap on a boarder and am pretty please with myself. Then I try it on. It's long, alright. Past my finger tips on both hands. I'm 5'7", the mid point of the shawl comes mid calf on me. I finally get out the measuring tape (the big one) and have my husband help me measure it. Finger end to Finger end, 7 feet. Mid point to mid point, 7 feet. O_O WOW. That's one big shawl. A MONSTER SHAWL!!! I love it, though.

Here's a picture folded, so you can see the stitching, boarder and all of it in on image.

By yarnmonkie

Here is one stretched out. I couldn't get far back enough in my kitchen to get the whole thing in the picture.

By yarnmonkie

The yarn was bought in a bulk unknown bag. I don't know what it is or who makes it but I love it and would like more of it. Now, if it would just get cool enough for me to wear it.

Goals for the year

2007-07-08T09:53:00.000-07:00

Last night, as I was looking at my basket after basket of yarn, I decided that I needed to stash bust. My problem is that I love to buy yarn. Even if it is just one or two skeins. Now, I have so much yarn, I don't know what all I have. I do know that I own more Fun Fur than any one person should have.

My goal is to stash bust, at least some, before I buy any more yarn. I'm hoping to make a few small projects that I can give out a gifts for the holidays. I'm sure I can do that.

My ideas so far:

Cozies/Holders (tea, purse items, etc)
Scarfs/Hats/Small Wearables
Amigurumi!
Bags/Purses
Swiffer Covers

I'm sure this list will change as time goes on. These pretty much can all be done with one skein. Some I will be able to make several per skein.

Also, as a note for myself:

Write up Swiffer Cover Pattern and Barrette Holder Pattern.

You can see a running list of my monthly goals/projects on the right hand side of my blog. If you are reading on a RSS feed, click the link with in the post to get to my blog.

I just had to share...

2007-06-24T11:45:00.000-07:00

This picture came in my email this morning.

By yarnmonkie

I guess all the work I did on the couch cover was worth it. At least it stops the poor dog from being eaten by the couch cushions.

here are links to the other posts on this project:
Project start
Project start 2.0
Project finish

13 Star Flag

2007-06-16T17:16:00.000-07:00

For Father's Day, I decided to make my Father a flag for his kitchen. His kitchen has a definite American flag theme going on. The original pattern called for size 10 crochet thread, double stranded. The thread didn't come in the darker colors I wanted to use. I ended up buying one skein each of Red Heart Super Saver in Windsor Blue, Aran and Burgundy. Using only a bit of each skein. I could have made several flags out of those three skeins.

It ended up being about 17 inches long. I crocheted a tube for the back so there is a place for a dowel for hanging.

And one hanging up:

Record Player Cover

2007-06-12T07:21:00.000-07:00

It seems like this month is for making covers for items that animals sit on. Our cat loves to sit on my husbands record player and watch the birds out on our lawn. He is worried that she'll scratch it up. She gets pretty excited up there, running in circles and trying to claw the window. I decided to make a cover to minimize the damage she's doing to it.

I used a bulk unknown fiber yarn. It feels like Caron Simply Soft. H hook on HDC. I did most of this using my Crochet Lite hook in the dark, just because I could. Made in one large piece, then fitted to the player.

For the record, the cat spends a lot of time loving on those two chickens, too. I plan on making another one in a better yarn. The yarn is so soft that it slides all over the place when the cat jumps up there. One time she even slid right off the player, onto the floor. That might be the way to keep her off of it.

Couch Cover Finished!!!!

2007-06-11T18:55:00.000-07:00

I'm finished *shock* *gasp* *faint* No, really. I finished the monster project. The huge couch cover, in the summer heat, I finished it.

It ended up taking 7 whole skeins and all but 1oz of another skien to finish it. It took about a month to do, working pretty steady on it. Maybe an hour a day on average. I'm not sure. I never was able to keep track of time like that.

Here's some finished pictures.

From the front

From the back

And now for the real reason for doing this whole project, for making 6 feet of DC on a f hook...

a very small, yet sausage like dog.

Here's what I've learned from this whole experience:

1) Never, ever make something this big in the summer. Save projects like these for winter time.
2) Try not to use a hook smaller that the yarn calls for on huge projects.
3) Even a small dog and appreciate good crocheting.

Now that's it's all done, I feel a great sense of relief. I'm working on small projects for the rest of the month. Instant gratification and all that jazz.

Face cloth/Wash cloth

2007-05-29T19:42:00.000-07:00

After doing lots of projects for other people, I decided it was time to make myself something quick and simple. Fast enough to get done in an hour or so. I also wanted to try some face cloth and wash cloth patterns to decide if I want to make them as gifts.

This is done on Sugar 'n Cream Cotton yarn in swimming pool. V stitch on a F hook.

Finished is about 9" x 7". I think I will make them smaller in the future. maybe 7" x 7". I believe a double strand would have made less visible holes in it. The real test is going to be when I use it in the shower tonight. :-D

ETA: I loved using this in the shower. I wouldn't recommend it as a face cloth but as a wash cloth, it's perfect.

I will definitely use the v stitch on some of my trade squares.

Quick Scissors Pouch and the Free Pattern

2007-05-24T19:10:00.000-07:00

My grandmother gave me a bag saying it was perfect for a yarn bag. She was right. The only problem is that it does not have a pocket to hold the importants of crocheting like scissors and a hook. I decided to make a little holder, just large enough for my scissors and hook. Oh! And I’ll attach my scissors to the bag so I don't lose them, because I lose scissors all the time.

The whole thing took about an hour to make and attach.

The pin is what I use to keep my work for unraveling when I stop for the evening. It's the perfect place to store it.

Materials:
a bit of yarn, I used Red Heart Super Saver
H hook or whatever you are comfy with
8” of cardboard

For the holder:

row1
ch 11, sc in the second ch from the hook and each ch across, ch up 1 and turn

row2
skip the first stitch and sc in each stitch to the end ch up 1 and turn

row 3-?
repeat row 2 until you have it twice the length you want it.
Mine ended up being 10 inches.

fold the piece in half and sc the two edges together, down one side, across the bottom and up the other side.

For the handle:

ch 20, then slst the end of the chain onto the opposite side of the pouch, then hdc in each chain to the end, slst to finish.

I did the chain through the strap of my bag so it would not have the possibility of coming off.

To stop the scissors from poking through, I took an 8” long x 2.5” wide piece of cardboard, folded it in half and put it inside of the pouch. If you have got anything priority mail from the USPS, that is about the best thing you can use for it and you’re recycling to boot.

weave in all the ends.

For the scissors holder:

ch as long as you want it to be plus 6 inches. I chained for 28 inches. Loop 3 inches through one hole of your scissors the slst in each ch to the end and past a few. repeat the same thing on the handle of the bag.

weave in ends

If anyone makes one, I would love, love, love to see pictures. Comment or email me with any questions.

It's not so bad after all.

2007-05-20T20:02:00.000-07:00

After working up an entire skein of the Red Heart Multi in Aspen Print, I'm ready to say:

It's not that bad.

On the skein, it's *shudder*. Worked up, it's nice. I spent several hours at my parents house hooking away on it and the colors match the room perfectly.

One skein of the Red Heart Multi (5oz skein), DC on a G (6-4.25MM) hook= 34" X 9.5" piece.

Looks like I'll need 2 more skeins to finish the project.

more yarn. surprised?

2007-05-19T11:33:00.000-07:00

Last night, my Father calls and asks my to crochet a piece for the back of a couch that their dog keeps sitting on. After much talk about kinds of yarn, colors of yarn and care of the yarn I tell him what he should buy. Also, that that yarn is on sale this week.

I told him to buy Red Heart Super Saver because of how well it will hold up, no matter how many dog butts are on it.

What they want:

A piece 24" to 30" wide and 8' long.
A tight stitch.
A shell stitch boarder.

Simple. Which means I can mindless stitch away while watching CNN.

They ended up buying Red Heart Super Saver Multi in Aspen Print. Not a color I would ever buy for myself, but it matches their decor. I think it will look nice when worked up. But in the skein...I'm not liking the color.

I'm debating on whether or not to put a bit of elastic in the ends so it will hold tight to the couch. I'll have to see how it all turns out.

5 point star flowers. small, very small.

2007-05-14T18:37:00.000-07:00

My Grandmother gave me a bunch of knitting and crochet things that belonged to my Great Grandmother. This included lots of steel crochet hooks. The kind for making filet items. Doilies and such. I have never used them because their small size intimidated me. Tonight, I felt brave enough to being them out and give it a go. I wasn't going to go with a doilie as my first project on these tiny things. Recently, I tried a flower (on an 'E' hook with worsted weight yarn). It was quick and simple, I liked it. I decided that the flower would be a perfect starter project.

I did two. The larger one is on a size '0' hook and the smaller one is on a size '8' hook. The quarter is for size reference. All in all, I like them. The yarn I used wasn't the best (an older-much older skein of 3 ply Coats and Clark nylon baby yarn). I will give it another try with crochet thread.

I scanned these. I think the darker background shows the work better but makes the flower a bit 'smashy' looking. Here is another scan sans the background.