Happy anniversary to my wonderful parents! Today marks their 38th wedding anniversary! I had to do the math 3 times because I just couldn’t believe I had parents old enough to be married for that many years! This was the only photo I could find to share…
And here’s one of both of my parents just a few months earlier…
A quick shot of the African Flower squares I’ve been working on for the cal on my group…
More chain stitch squares/kitty blankets…
and a ripple afghan pattern, I shortened the starting chain a bit to make it a lapghan sized afghan. The pattern is from Better Homes & Gardens “Afghans to Knit & Crochet”, called stunningly enough, Crocheted Ripple Afghan.
the 100th anniversary half circle shawl hearts…
I’ve mentioned before how much I love pinterest. (add me). Well, for something different, here are some nifty photos/inspirations I’ve found on the site lately….
Source: craftster.org via Lizzie on Pinterest
Source: pinterest.com via Lizzie on Pinterest
Source: tumblr.com via Lizzie on Pinterest
Source: myidealhome.tumblr.com via Lizzie on Pinterest
Source: agoodappetite.blogspot.com via Melinda on Pinterest
What have you found on pinterest lately?
ps — related pinterest blog topics
organize your crochet on pinterest
Crochet Concupiscence on pinterest
Father’s Day we went to the field auction in CT like we do every year – it’s tradition that we go & meet my parents & spend most of the day. Like anything else – you never have any idea what you are going to find, until you go! I was lucky to find a big bag full of yarn, which I won for $7.50 as part of a larger lot – and I immediately resold some of the stuff in the lot, making back $2. A large part of it was a tangled up mess, thanks to hubby’s help I was able to reclaim this out of the tangles (I meant to take a before & after photo but forgot)…
(and in case you were wondering… cause I know you were… those bitty balls immediately went into 5 more chain stitch square kitty blankets, shown below)
I picked up a couple of pounders in the stack…
some more misc skeins…
this is mystery wool… (the grayish-white yarn looks like a heavy laceweight or light fingering)
some lion brand purple chenille
some odd hooks & a circ I’ll keep, plus a ton of straights I won’t keep & didn’t photograph…
Not shown: 3 skeins of homespun, half a crocheted afghan (frogged), several knitted scarves in progress (frogged), & a 2 stranded garter stitch knitted afghan with woolease yarn, some skeins still with the afghan, that still needs to be frogged.
Good morning!
I am looking for a few good crochet testers for a few projects – does anyone want to help me?
Remember this hat? It went through a round of testing & I fixed a few things, & I would like a couple sets of fresh eyes taking a look. It will be a free pattern, & there is a ribbing & no ribbing version (worsted weight yarn)
Ditto above – there were a lot of changes in this one, so I really want to make sure I made things clearer, and not more complicated. Bulky weight yarn, more info here, paid self published pattern
bracelet made out of cascade fixation cotton/elastic yarn, about 5 grams were used. I have no idea what I’m going to do with this pattern, but it’s been sitting for a few months waiting to be tested while I made a decision about it. Still no decision, but…
More info
My first vest design…
Vest is made in one piece until the underarms. You will then work each of the fronts & the back, and then sew the shoulder seams for an almost seamless garment. Finished pattern sizes: Difference in sizing is written in parenthesis. Last three sizes are bolded for ease in reading.
The solid version used Red Heart, the scrap version used Paton’s Classic wool. For my final sample, I used Spud & Chloe Sweater yarn, a superwash yarn, 55% wool & 45% organic cotton worsted weight yarn, 3 (3, 4, 5, 5, 5) skeins (480, 480, 640, 800, 800, 800 yards). If you are going to lengthen the vest then please purchase an additional skein of yarn.
You also need two 1†buttons, a 5 mm/ H crochet hook (probably you’ll need to go up a size or two), & scrap of yarn or removable stitch marker
Finished chest sizes: 33.25†(38â€, 42.75â€, 49.25â€, 54â€, 58.75â€)
Give me a yell if you are interested or you want / need more info! Thanks!!
It’s Fiber Friday/ Friday FO!
This is a top down, seamless, American Girl doll sweater I started ages ago for a co-worker’s daughter & I have to admit, I promptly forgot about… It didn’t take me much time to knit once I finally sat down & actually worked on the darn thing…
I’m so excited, the buttons match perfectly, just like it was meant to be!
I just hope it fits the little doll!
And another stack of cat blankets using the chain stitch square pattern…
You can see they are a little wonky, but this is such a great pattern for using up odds & ends & the smallest bits of yarn!
And… drumroll please… one of my secret design projects, is secret no longer!
Spring Stripes Scarf
This is a beautiful summer weight scarf, that’s fast & easy to crochet, and looks wonderful in a self striping yarn! The yarn used for this scarf is a beautiful two color, self-striping yarn with merino & a pinch of bamboo for some shine. Be sure to block the scarf after crocheting, to really make the lace pattern pop!
This pattern is currently only available as part of a kit, and includes both the skinny scarf & regular scarf directions. One skein of yarn is enough to crochet both versions, so you can make one for yourself & one as a gift!
Let me just send a shout out to my wonderful friends & testers, thanks to redcurlysue, hobobird, TanyaRC, & sjregier5 for their test crocheting skills! You’re the best!
For more information, or to buy the kit, please visit http://www.yarns2dye4.etsy.com
And I’m actually linking up this week!
Fiber Arts Friday
FO Friday 40
Making the World Cuter on Monday
Get Your Craft on
Friendship: Launch Day by S J MacDonald
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a very interesting book, and not my usual read. I love futuristic type of books, but I do prefer plot-driven books much more then character driven books, which is what this book is.
That being said, the book does grab you from the very first page. I actually wrote something along the lines of “you could actually taste the excitement in the air” after reading the first chapter. But, after a few chapters… I got a little bored. The book is well written, and I did enjoy the main character, Kat, but there are so many new worlds, civilizations, and ideas introduced in the book, in a short time period, that I felt myself more confused by it all then entertained… which led to me being bored. There are some exciting moments, but like I said, I felt more confused then anything.
That being said, there were sections that I did greatly enjoy – not going to share & spoil – and the ending was great, and it was worth reading. I can’t say I was terribly surprised by the ending – but I think I would have been disappointed if the ending was different.
I received a review copy from the author.
View all my reviews
Are you on Ravelry? My group just started up a couple of cals, if you’d like to join us. For some inspiration, here’s the beginning of the post I made about the African Flowers Cal we’re having…
Howdy! I know no one suggested this when I asked for suggestions, but I absolutely love the African Flowers motif & there is just so much you can do with it. I thought this would be perfect for a summertime cal. Here’s some inspiration for ya’ll:
(pillow on the right)
(love the granny square afghan, too)
There’s even a square version, which is what I think I’m going to do… & a tutorial on Ravelry for turning any hex into a square…
So come join us on Ravelry! Â If you aren’t on Ravelry, I’d love to hear & see what you’d make with this motif anyway!
It’s Fiber Friday/ Friday FO!
Ever since I saw this pattern on Ravelry, I’ve been dying to make this square. I knew it would be perfect upsized into a kitty blanket.
Some of these are made as-written, most are about 14″ square, with a few bigger or smaller for a wide range of kitties 
.
You can download the pattern for free here, but please remember designer Mary Lokken did design this for the charity Knit a Square.
Most of these are actually rectangular; I started with a chain of 6 or 8, I believe, & basically followed the pattern as is,
but this makes a rectangular blanket which I think is better for the kitties in shelters.
Details: used up scrap/leftovers of mainly acrylic yarn, all machine washable, mainly worsted, using a variety of hooks/needles, mainly G, started in May finished in May
I love the jewel tones in this one…
The whole pile altogether…
With this last stack, I’ve finished 49 blankets for the cat shelter in memory of Zorro.
And a lapghan for the local nursing home:
The square is “I Love the V Stitch”
Order of 5ive: Season 1 Episode 1 by 711 Press
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Loved it!
It’s a very quick read – if you read other reviews, most people say about a half an hour (took me about 20 minutes or so), just what they promised: a quick read, perfect for your lunch break (or right before going to work in that short gap between hubby leaving & time for me to leave).
It reads & feels like a pilot episode, which again is just what this is. You meet a bunch of characters, the premise of the book/show is explained, & the end leaves you waiting for the next part, which I admit I can’t wait to read!
I received a review copy for free
View all my reviews
