August Flowers Blanket

This is the little blanket I've been working on...

I'm calling it August Flowers.

The square is Grandma All Square from the Royal Sister's blog.  

I did six squares across by eight squares down.  

It's a nice size to go over your legs while you watch TV.  

I think I'll put it in our guest room though...

it will add a little vintage charm to the room.

I really enjoyed working on this.  

Flowers won't be in bloom much longer, but I'll have a colorful array in the spare room all winter long...

Hope you are having a great week...

Happy crocheting!

HDP

Work in Progress Wednesday

I'm linking up with Simply Crochet and Other Crafts for her Work in Progress Wednesday.  

As you can see, I haven't made too much progress since I last posted pictures.  "Real life" is getting in the way of my hobby time, but it's all good and I'm certainly not complaining.

:-)

I really like how the long double crochets create a soft texture in the solid section of the blanket.  If you look closely, it looks like a chevron pattern.  Isn't that cool?  

Details for my project can be found HERE.  

What are you working on?

HDP

Greek Keys Update

Life has been busy here in our "neck of the woods".  But, I have been working on my Greek Keys afghan and enjoying the simplicity of the design.

Please believe me, this is not a difficult pattern.  The genius of this type of mosaic crochet is that you carry your yarn up the side of your afghan.  The only time you have an end to weave in, is when you run out of yarn and add a new skein.  

The body of the afghan will be solid.  You continue with the same stitch pattern, just using one color, and it creates a subtle (and pretty) texture.  

A stitch at a time... 

a row at a time.

Before you know it...

the blanket will be complete.

:-)

Happy Hump Day!

HDP

A New Project - Finally! :-)

I finally settled on a new project.  I know, I know, it's really taken me a long time to figure it out.

I decided to make Greek Keys from Lily Chin's Mosaic Magic.  I'm using yarn I have on hand.  I purchased this yarn to go in another afghan that I don't think I will ever complete; might as well make good use of my yarn supply.  

I'm making the afghan to go with a recliner we have in our lower level.  It is the same color as the pillow shown in the picture.  I think the VC in Honey looks nice with it and the Beige will tone down all the busyness of the pattern in the chair fabric.

- - -

It's a beautiful day here...

the sun is shining brightly...

melting what little snow we have...  

and the wind was gently blowing...

making my chimes ring so prettily in the breeze.

Hope you are enjoying a beautiful Sunday.

HDP

Daydreaming Dishcloth Pattern

Last Friday evening, I headed out to Joann's to get a change of scenery.  I was armed with coupons I'd received in the mail recently, but I didn't have any intentions of buying anything.

Famous last words.  

I found this really pretty cotton yarn on sale and the colors reminded me of spring.  Since it doesn't look like we are going to get any snow this winter, I guess I'll start "daydreaming" about spring.  Hence my new dishcloths.  See below for my Daydreaming Dishcloth pattern.

Click on PRINT FRIENDLY to print your copy of the pattern.

Daydreaming Dishcloth

by Heather Prusia

© 2010 - 2012

Materials: 

·         MC - 2.5 oz 100% cotton (I used Lily Sugar'n Cream - Rose Pink)

·         CC - 1 oz 100% cotton (I used Lily Sugar'n Cream - Lava Lamp)

·         I (5.50 mm) crochet hook

·         Blunt-end needle for weaving in ends

Finished Size:  9.5 inches square

Gauge:  4 inches = 7 shells across x 13 rows

Skill Level:  Easy

Special Stitches Used: 

·         Shell:  (sc, ch 2, sc) in indicated stitch

Note:  Turning chain (tch) has not been included in the stitch count.

Directions: 

Ch 27

Row 1 -   (RS) sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (26 sc).

Row 2 -   ch 2, turn, sk 1st sc, shell (see special stitches) in next sc, *sk 1 sc, shell in next sc, repeat from * across to last 2 sc, sk 1 sc, sc in last sc (12 shells).

Row 3 -   ch 2, turn, working in ch-2 sps only, shell in each ch-2 sp across, sc in top of tch (12 shells).

Row 4 -   Repeat row 3 to desired length.  

End Row-ch 2, turn, working in ch-2 sps only, (2 sc) in each ch-2 sp across, sc in top of tch (25 sc).  Do not fasten off. 

Border:

Round 1- With RS facing, ch 1, sc evenly around work with (3 sc) in each corner, sl st to beg sc, fasten off.

Round 2- With RS facing, attach CC in any corner, ch 1, sc evenly around cloth with (3 sc) in each corner, sl st to beg sc.  Do not fasten off, do not turn work.

Round 3- ch 1, rev sc evenly around cloth, sl st to beg st, fast off. 

Finishing: 

·         Weave in ends

Abbreviations: 

beg.... begin/beginning

CC..... contrasting color

ch....... chain stitch

ch-..... refers to chain or space previously made (i.e. ch-1 space)

ch sp. chain space

MC..... main color

mm..... millimeter(s)

oz....... ounce(s)

rem.... remain/remaining

rev sc...reversesingle crochet

RS..... right side

sc....... single crochet

sk....... skip(ped)

sl st.... slip stitch

sp(s).. space(s)

st(s).... stitch(es)

tch........turning chain

WS..... wrong side

HDP

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

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

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

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

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

Sneak Peek...

I thought I'd pop into blogland and say "Hi".  I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas.  We had a nice holiday weekend and wrapped it up with a get together with my sister and her family yesterday afternoon.  Too much food was eaten and too much sugar consumed by the little ones, but we all had fun making memories together.

I've been working on my Shetland Tweed afghan when I can.  I'm just short of the halfway point...

I know I've said this before, but this is one of my favorite patterns.  It's just a lot of fun to make and believe it or not it moves very quickly.  

I would classify it as mosaic crochet giving the look of fair isle...

I have modified the pattern in that I use long double crochets instead of the double crochets in front or behind the stitches.  If you do it this way, you'll have the pattern on both sides of the blanket and you'd be hard pressed to tell which is the wrong side.

Hubby is off work this week, so things should be relaxing; and I'm hoping to get in plenty of crochet!

Enjoy the last week of 2011...

It won't be long and we'll be saying, "Happy New Year!"

HDP

Introducing Shetland Tweed...

I started working on a new project this week.  It is one of two that I hope to submit to the Vanna's Choice Contest.  We'll have to see how time plays out over the Christmas holiday.  

These colors are newer to the VC line and I really like them.  

I haven't worked with black a lot, but I thought it would give the "pop" I needed with the softer brown and cream tones.  They have the natural look of undyed wool without the high cost; and so much softer!  

:-)

I'm making one of my very favorite patterns, Fireside Cheer from Afghans for all Season.  

I wanted something different and eye catching.  It's very masculine looking and I think it would look nice on a black leather sofa or recliner.  

I'm hoping to have enough time to complete this and one that is more colorful.  I have a pattern in mind, but haven't committed with the yarn purchase yet.

Hope your Friday is shaping up nicely and that you have a warm weekend.  It's in the 30's here, but no snow predicted.  I have a feeling the snow is going to be scant this winter...

Take care!

HDP