Graph Crochet

I'm taking an on-line class on graph crochet that Crochetville is offering.  I like taking their classes, they are reasonably priced, I think the one I'm taking was $15, and since it's on-line, you can check in when it's convenient for you.  

This is a tulip from this FREE PATTERN.  Then the pattern calls for surface crochet around the edges of the flower.  I was having so much fun with the surface crochet, that I got a little carried away and did three rounds.

:-)

I've played around with graph crochet before, but my yarn kept getting tangled as I would switch colors, so I got frustrated with it and put it aside.  I'm sure I could find it somewhere in my yarn closet if I looked hard enough.

:-)

What are you crocheting?  

I haven't selected a large crochet project to really dig into yet.  I will though, I'm sure!  

Joy in expanded horizons.

HDP

Downton Abbey - Are you Watching?

Have you been watching Downton Abbey?  

Every Sunday evening at 9 p.m., I get swept away in the drama that unfolds on the TV screen.  The characters are interesting and the scenery is breath taking.  

What do you think will happen with Lady Mary?  Will she marry the newspaper mogul?  Or, will her secret love, whom has become cripple in the war, propose to her again?  Will Lady Sybil run away with the chauffeur?  

Oh my!  

Nothing like a cozy winter evening, wrapped up in a toasty blanket, savoring some dark chocolate and watching a good historical drama.  

Joy in the everyday that makes the everyday joyful.  

Can't wait to see what happens next week.

HDP

"Imagination will take you everywhere."

- Albert Einstein -

Happy Monday!  

HDP

Debi's 4-Hearts Square

4-Hearts Square

We are doing a small square swap on one of the forums I follow.  I made this for one of the ladies who requested red as one of her colors.  She also wanted an 8" square, so I added a couple of rounds to bring it up to the desired size.  

I used Debi of DLY's Hooks and Yarns', 4-Heart Square.  Isn't it a cute square?  She's received a huge amount of hits on this square pattern; something like 18 - 19,000.  Probably more by now.  She has a lot of great patterns for free on her blog.  Check it out if you aren't already a follower.

Hope you are having a great day.  

Things are busy-busy here.  

We have our nose to the grindstone with schoolwork.  

I have to brag on the little one for a minute...

He's getting straight "A's" in all subjects!

Homeschooling is a challenge, but it certainly has it's rewards.

:-)

Take care and have a wonderful day.

P.S.  Sorry for the poor picture quality, but we've had nothing but gray skies here lately and the lighting is really poor.

HDP

Opportunity

You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.

- Wayne Gretzky -

Wishing you a week full of opportunities

and

stones to overturn.

HDP

Gray Skies and Ice

This is the type of winter weather we get in Southern Ohio....

gray skies and ice.  

It looks pretty on the trees, but so dangerous to drive on.  Dear son had a soccer game this morning, so we were out and about early.  Hubby drove, I'm not a very good navigator on the ice.  I don't mind driving in snow, but ice is a whole other adventure.  

The little one scored two goals.

You should have seen the smile on his face (and mine).  

:-)

We are now home.  

I think a nesting day is in order.  

I'll make a homemade pizza later and we'll cozy up to the fire; me with my crochet and the "boys" with some movie or another.  

"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire:  

it is the time for home."

- Edith Sitwell - 

Keep warm and stay safe!

HDP

Vanna's Choice Contest Entry

My Shetland Tweed afghan is now complete!

And has been officially entered into the Vanna's Choice Contest.  

I started this in December and I listed the pattern and other details in earlier posts which can be found HERE and HERE.

I had a couple of stalls...

once when I ran out of yarn...

and the other,...

at the end of the project,...

weaving in row after row of ends.

But, all those ends are worth it...

in the...end.

I chose to do a braided border.  

I thought the curve of the braid softened the lines of the blanket

and pulled out the darker colors.

I'm going to tuck it away...

 and hope.

I want to keep it looking

"fresh off the hook."

Next project?

I don't know yet. 

But, I'm sure it won't be long

before I have hook and yarn in hand.  

:-)

Happy crocheting!

HDP

Happiness...

Happiness is not a station you arrive at,

but a manner of traveling.

-- Margaret B. Runbeck --

Wishing you happiness as you travel through your week.

HDP

A Touch of Winter and An Update

We had a little bit of snow yesterday,

which I was so glad to see...

I know I'm in the minority when I say, "I love the snow."  

But, I so enjoy the look of a few good inches blanketing the ground making everything look fresh and clean.  Just give me one good snow storm and I'll be content.  

I have big plans this afternoon (and weekend)....

...it involves all those ends; weaving them in.  

I have one side complete.  I'm hoping (fingers crossed) that I'll be able to start on the border this weekend sometime.  We'll have to see how time plays out.  

I hope your Friday is going well and that your weekend is off to a great start.  I'm looking forward to another relaxing one....

After the holidays, it's nice to slow down...

and...

breath.

Take care!

HDP

I Spy the Finish Line...

I was getting ready to sit down, for an afternoon tea break (with hook and yarn),....

when I noticed the warm sun shining brightly on my Shetland Tweed...  

and I thought to myself...

I spy...

 the finish line.

I'm almost done, I may even finish crocheting the body of the afghan today.  Of course I have tons, and tons of ends to weave in and a border to create before I call it complete.  

- - -

Pebbles was enjoying the sunshine too...

and yes, 

she is alive...

I checked.  

:-)

Happy Monday!

HDP

Comfort Food on a Saturday in January

Last night was family night in our house and I cooked up some good old fashioned comfort food.

Main course was one of my favorite recipes Baked Ziti.  I've blogged about this before, but it's worth another mention, it's an easy recipe that is super yummy.  It also happens to be meatless if that is something you watch.  I double the recipe so there are always leftovers for the next day.

And, for dessert, I tried a new recipe...

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pudding Cake.  

The recipe is from Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker Cookbook.  It's really good and tastes like hot fudge cake.  The above was my dish, hubby said he needed a bigger bowl.  


:-)

While we enjoyed our indulgence, we watched Balto...

well, the little one watched Balto...  


I crocheted and hubby fell asleep...  


It was a peaceful and relaxing Saturday evening.

HDP

Interlocking Crochet and Other Stuff

Good morning!

I want to thank you for your nice comments on my Little Boy Blue Baby Blanket.  I appreciate it very much.  

On a different note...

One of the gifts my husband got me for Christmas was the pictured book, Interlocking Crochet by Tanis Galik.  It looks like a really neat technique.  I don't think it's new, just one of those things that is new to me.  There are all sorts of really cool stitch patterns in the book.  

I'm wondering if anyone out there has tried it and if so, what you thought of it?  At quick glance, it looks like you create a filet crochet type base and then you crochet other colors and stitches into your base.  I'm wondering if the fabric that is crocheted would be stiff?  

Anyway, it looks challenging and I always love something new to challenge myself with.  

Have you tried it?  

I'd love to hear your thoughts.  

On the Shetland Tweed front, I ran out of yarn about two weeks ago.  I had to order the Vanna's Choice in Wheat on-line as I couldn't find it at any of my local "haunts".  It set me back time wise, but I received my order yesterday and can (hopefully) finish it up soon.

Hope your weekend is off to a great start.  

:-)

HDP

Little Boy Blue Baby Blanket

My husband's niece and her husband welcomed a baby boy into their family the week of Christmas.  I wanted to send a little something to them, so I came up with this blanket.  

It's a very simple design, but I think the stitch pattern makes a pretty fabric and texture.  I wanted to have it for future reference, so wrote it up and thought I'd share it with you.  

If you go to joliprint and plug in the web address for this post, it will create a PDF of this pattern for you.  

Hope your new year is off to a great start!

Little Boy Blue Baby Blanket

by Heather Prusia

©2010-2012

Size:  24" x 24"

"J" and "H" Hook

Worsted Weight Yarn (I used Caron Simply Soft)

 MC:  Off White 8 oz

 CC:  Blueberry 3 oz

Gauge:  4" square = 15 sts x 13 rows

With "J" Hook and MC ch 80

1.   sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn (79 sc).  

2.   ch 2 (counts as sc and ch-1), sk 1st 2 sc, sc in next sc, *ch 1, sk 1 sc, sc in next sc, repeat from * across, turn (79 sts).   

3.   ch 2 (counts as sc and ch-1 now and throughout), sk sc and ch-1, sc in next sc, *ch 1, sk ch-1, sc in next sc, repeat from * across, turn (79 sts).

4.   repeat row 3 to desired length, turn; do not fasten off (the body of mine measured 20" x 20").

Border (I used an "H" hook):

Round 1:  Ch 1, sc evenly around work with (3 sc) in each corner, sl st in beg sc, fasten off, do not turn work. 

Round 2:  Attach CC in any corner, ch 1, sc in each sc around with (3 sc) in each corner, sl st in beg sc, do not fasten off, do not turn work. 

Round 3:  Ch 1, sc in each sc around with (3 sc) in each corner, sl st in beg sc, do not fasten off, do not turn work. 

Round 4:  Ch 1, sc in each sc around (omit 3 sc in corners on this round), sl st in beg sc, fasten off, do not turn work. 

Round 5:  Attach MC in any corner, ch 2, hdc in each sc around with (3 hdc) in each corner, sl st to beg hdc, fasten off, do not turn work. 

Round 6:  Attach CC in any corner, ch 1, sc in each hdc around with (3 sc) in each corner, sl st in beg sc, fasten off.

Weave in ends.

Note:  Going down a hook size (or two) on your border, will keep it from ruffling and will create a more firm edging for your blanket. 

Abbreviations:

beg - beginning

cc - contrasting color

ch - chain

hdc - half double crochet

mc - master color

sc - single crochet

sk - skip

sl st - slip stitch

sp - space

st - stitch

sts - stitches

HDP