Baby Afghan is Done

I kept at it and finished the blanket last night.  This blanket is very easy.  I used size D crochet hook and sport yarn (3).  I will make this blanket again but would use a larger hook and DK yarn.  Now I can start a new project.  I am off from work today.   In between cleaning and cooking, I am looking at patterns and yarn.  Here is the pattern I just finished.

BABY AFGHAN (REVERSIBLE) - Crochet

D or E Hook and Baby (Sport) Yarn

Chain 182 - sc in 2nd chain from hook, skip 2, 5 dc in 3rd, skip 2, sc in next, continue across chain ending with sc in last ch.  Ch3, turn.

Row 2...  2 dc in back loop of last sc, then sc in 3rd dc under both loops.  5 dc in next sc in back loop only.  Continue across row (always put the 5 dc in the next sc, ch 1, turn.

Row 3... Make a sc in top of first dc, then 5 dc in next sc and continue in pattern, (end with sc in top of ch 3) until it looks square or longer.

Make 3 rows of sc around, increasing in corners.

Then make dc, ch 2, skip 1 sc, dc in next to make beading for ribbon insert.

Then, make two rows of sc.

Then, make two rows of pattern.

Weave a length of ribbon through spaces.

Can't Start Another Project

I love doing baby afghans because they are quick and easy but I get half way through the project and I am ready to start another project.  I found a really easy crochet pattern and decided to make one for a friend's daughter who is having a boy in February.  I started off gangbusters.  The last skein has been started and it is beginning to be like torture to finish it.  It is only going to take about three more nights to complete.  I came across a bunch of patterns for easy booties.  All I can think about is pulling out scraps of yarn and starting them.  Focus - I need to focus to finish the afghan.  If I start something else, I won't finish the baby afghan.  LOL LOL LOL  The next 5 Hour Sweater needs to be started too.  LOL LOL LOL  I crack myself up with worry about what I should start next.  If this was the only thing I had to worry about, it would be a true blessing.  LOL LOL LOL

Charities

With the holidays and winter coming upon us very quickly, the needs of others become more public.  But the needs are always there.  Winter does bring more of a need for gloves, hats and coats.   If you have extra yarn, knit/crochet a pair of slippers for someone in a nursing home.  Check your closets for coats that you know won't be worn this year.  If you have a coupon for a turkey but aren't using it, donate it to a local family who can feed their family with it.  My heartstrings are always pulled for the babies but during this time of year, I always want to do more than I can even afford.  Hats and mittens for children take very little yarn and are very easy to create. As I mentioned before, I started a lunch group at work.  I will teach you how to knit or crochet and supply the materials but you have to donate that item back to me.  The group has expanded and everyone is teaching each other their favorite method of creating.  I find it funny but, at least, four woman have bought looming kits with their 60% coupons off for Michaels and AC Moore this week.  Here is last week's creations.  I brought in one skein and one crochet hook and now everyone is using their own supplies and tools.  The creating for charity is addictive and I am proud to be involved in giving others the fever.   I love it.

5 Hour Sweater #2

I can't believe that a week has gone by already.  This week I worked a convention for work so there wasn't much time on the computer.  But there was time to craft and I worked on a baby blanket.  I finished the second five hour baby sweater.

  This sweater has a tighter yoke which is perfect for a boy's style sweater. 

For this sweater, I knitted a standard style hat and booties.  The website for this pattern is http://yarntootin.typepad.com/     I used the same yarn and needles as in pattern one.  The sweater knitted larger and with the hat and booties 2 skeins of Red Heart Soft Baby Steps was needed.  Pattern one only needed one skein of yarn.  This pattern was also for the tie closure.

It's Monday and Back to Work

Today will be a full day at work and then I am on the road to cover a convention.  I will be there for two days.  I am taking a afghan in progress that is being crochet to work on while I am idle.  The second in a series of 5 Hour Sweaters is done.  Upon my return at the end of the week, I will have pics and details.

Another New Toy - Loom

                      

I have known about the looms and some of the members from my group loom hats but I have never even held one.  Carolyn from work has joined our luncheon group and she brought along her loom.  Lo and behold with a 50% off coupon from Michaels, I am an officially owner of a loom set. 

Carolyn showed me how it works and away I went.  The smallest loom is blue and generates the perfect size hats.  You do e-wraps around the pegs twice and pull the bottom loop over the top loop. 

The hat comes out a little thicker than knitting but it is very stretchy.  The recommended yarn is a bulky yarn or double strand thin yarn.  I don't think this is my main choice of making hats but it is convenient and quick.

Connor's Birthday

My Grandson's birthday is 11-11.  My DH and I are going to Mahwah which is about 2 hours away to celebrate.  While DH was driving, I took the opportunity to crochet a baby santa hat.  If it doesn't make you nauseous, riding in the car is the perfect time to needlework.  I completed the entire hat in this timeframe and had enough time to add two more rows to a baby blanket.

Toys

Men think they have a world of toys but there is no one with more toys than a crafter.  I have totes of fabric, yarn, notions and anything you can think of.  If I have an interest in doing something, I have to have everything that goes along with it.  Now that I am making sleepers I decided to invest in a nice snapper pliers.  Sewing on snaps just doesn't give the garment a professional look.  Check my new toy out.  Now I have to figure out how to use it.  LOL  I bought this on-line from Kam Snap.

Crafting At Work

With the weather getting colder, a couple of my co-workers have asked me to help them back into crocheting and knitting.   I love the idea.  So, we are starting today.  My suggestion was and accepted is that I will bring in all the supplies needed but they had to make something for charity and donate it back to one of my groups.  This way they do not have to make any investment to decide whether they want to get back into needlework. 

Loretta wants to crochet so I found a simple pattern for a baby santa hat.  Last night, I crochet one up.  I didn't want to take the chance that she would have a question that I couldn't answer. LOL LOL It was so simple.  Everyone at work loved it and I am hoping that more will join our little group.  Hopefully, I will have pics and a pattern for you tomorrow.

In the meantime, I am working on my 5-Hour Sweater 2.  I have devoted about 3 hours so far and the yoke is done.

5 Hour Sweater

This is my favorite pattern to use when making sweater sets.  I have made many of them and it still takes me about 8 hours to complete.  There is also many variations of this pattern.  This will be the first of a series.  I will try to make as many variations of this basic pattern and post them to you.  This pattern has a lacy yoke with making stitches by pulling a loop in-between stitches and has ties to close the sweater.

I used Bernat Softee Baby with size 10 needles.  The chest size on this sweater is 16".  Besides the set, there was enough yarn left to do a hat and a couple of squares for a blanket.  This pattern is from Bev's County Cottage.  Bev's site is a wonderful site for the person that wants to craft for charity.  And as always, this pattern should be used for charity purposes:  http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/kp3.html

Here is tip that I use when using the same pattern over and over again.  I write each row on an index card and all I have to do is flip the card to the back when completed.  This enables me to always keep track where I am and it is portable.  I keep the cards together with a large clip style paperclip.

Rainy Day But We Have Eye Candy

Today in New Jersey it is dark and rainy.  Perfect day to stay in and knit, crochet or sew.  As I told you before, I am the collector of donations for Cooper Hospital.  I really get excited when I get a package because the contents are always beautiful and soooo soft.  I want to share with you the last package I got.  It is from Gail in New Jersey and she knitted this beautiful cocoon with matching hat and a sweater set.

I love this cocoon because it has a button closure.  I have made a snuggle.  It doesn't have the buttons and I always thought that it would be hard to get the baby in and out.  Isn't the sweater set precious.

Ribbon/Tulle Tutu

I broke down and made a non charity item.  I will do this occasionally especially for my granddaughter.  She had ballet class on Oct 29th and I found this really easy, cute pattern for making a ribbon tutu.  All of the ribbons came from my stash and went together quickly.

You figure out the elastic length and just start tying the ribbons on.  The pattern can be found here:  http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=278841.0  Here is another site that uses tulle.  http://www.make-baby-stuff.com/tutu-sewing-pattern.html  These were so much fun to make.  I do have a tidbit for you.  When I determined the elastic I needed, I tied the ribbons on as stated in the directions.  When my granddaughter wore it, the elastic stretched and there were spaces in between the knots.  Next time, I am going to stretch the elastic out a little and then tie the ribbons on.  I am sure there is a little girl in your world that would love this skirt even as a play dress up skirt.  And, here is the little one modeling.  She loved twirling around in the skirt.

Election Day

Since I work for the State of New Jersey, I have today off from work.  What shall I do?  After voting, I started working on burb cloths.  Cleaning can wait until another day.  The burb cloths I am working on today are the hourglass type.  I, also, make diaper burb cloths but those will be for another day.  Here is one that I just finished.

We include a burb cloth for the Christmas stockings which totals 35 on top of the regular delivery.  So a lot are needed for the next delivery.  These are perfect for larger scraps of fabric.  The pattern can be found at http://www.newconceptions.com/patpdf/BabyBurpCloth.pdf  I put at least one side with flannel for the baby's face and the other side will either be cotton with a novelty print or flannel.