Shell Afghan Finished!

This shell afghan was completed in less than a week, so not too big and not too hard. I used Wool-Ease which is soft, so it will be a nice afghan for the granddaughter. The colors are Violet, Seaspray, and I forget the name of the rose color.

The pattern is just a five double crochet shell repeat pattern (multiple of six stitches plus one): 

Row 1:  sc in 2nd ch from hook; sk 2 ch; five double crochet in next ch; sk 2 ch, *sc in next ch; sk 2 ch, 5 dc in next ch;sk 2 ch sc in next.  Repeat from * to end, ending in the sc.  Chain one and turn; 

Row 2:  chain three [or here I use an my version of an extended sc-I sc and then chain one more], 2 dc in same original sc space; *sk 2 stitches; sc in next; sk 2 stitches; 5 dc in next; sk 2 stitches;  Repeat from * until you have four stitches left then sc in next, 3 dc in last stitch.  Chain one and turn. 

Repeat these two rows until you have it as long as you want.  

I finished it with single crochet edging, putting 3 sc in each corner. Although I haven't compared it, it most likely is pretty much the same as the Ocean Wave afghan advertised in the Lion Brand web site.  If you are using multiple colors, when you want to change colors at the end of a row, remember to draw the new color through the last two loops on the hook.  I used 3 colors so carried the yarn up the side.  Do as you wish!

I think I am going to make a larger full size in the same stitch, but different colors, for myself.  AFTER the holidays and my gift making/giving is done.

Larger photos on my photo site for crochet.

New Book

My "new" book arrived today.  "Glorious Crocheted Sweaters" which is 20 years old, I think.  It has a collection of 60 of the most wonderful patterns for sweaters that I have ever see.  I'm in love!  With the exception that the patterns call for the various cuffs and edgings be knitted, they are all perfect in one way or another.  Unusual, even for todays standards.  I guess that would mean "timeless."  Check out the Enthusiastic crochetoholic blog listed on the left.  She has the book posted in one of her blogs this month, which is what gave me the idea.  $1.96 at Amazon!  What a bargain!

That's the way I feel about the afghans in "Vanna's Afghan's All Through The House."  I have had the book for about 15 years and the patterns are still better than many you see out now.  

I also have another book I received as a gift in 1973...it's called "A Golden Hands Pattern Book: Crochet" and was originally published in 1972.  If the models had different hair cuts, you could swear some were brand new patterns.  

Look.....

Time to quit buying books and to start making goodies!  Working on a baby dress for #2 granddaughter and finishing up an afghan for her.  Both are way too cute!

A Crocheted Purse

So one day while sitting in my easy chair feeling sorry for myself for having such a terrible cold (AGAIN) I thought I'd take the down time and make a purse.  I liked Drew's Fat Bottomed purses, so thought I'd make one along those lines.  In starting out I decided I did not want to line it so used a G hook and Vanna's Choice yarn, with single crochet. Note it is sideways.  Then, due to the density, I ran out of yarn too soon.  I didn't have any VC in the same color of camouflage, or one of the many colors in the camouflage, but I did have a Wool-Ease that I thought would do in black. I used the sc and decreased every row on both sides so that it drew the sides up, giving some depth for room.  Worked like a charm!

I decided to use the camo for the middle and make two black ends, then tabs which thread through the handles and then button down.  That way the handles can be removed so the purse could be washed.  The most unfortunate part is that the black was not quite as thick, so little pens or pencils might actually be able to drop through.  But the purse is sturdy and can carry all the normal female notions in little bags!  Personally, I'm down to a wallet in the back pocket of my jeans.  The "notions" I carry in the car should I need them.

So, here is my little Autumn Purse, and I like it a lot, thank you very much!

Christmas is coming.......

I am happy that I have found some lovely patterns for Christmas presents.  Not the funny stuff that people rarely use - like a doll on a bed, or a doily of some sort.  Potholders.  EVERYONE uses potholders.  Plus some other goodies.  But the Christmas potholder is one that sparkles and twinkles and brings about great thoughts of Christmas Joy.  In my new book by Nicky Epstein, Crocheted Flowers, there is a Poinsettia with beads that I think is lovely.  So I made one, sans beads. Turned out really nice - but didn't know what to do with it.  As it turns out, I had sooooooo much yarn that I started making potholders with it for the bazaar and one day set the Poinsettia on the potholder to get it out of the way.  Wa la!  Prettier potholder, don't ya think?  Now am contemplating making some sort of garland or table decoration using the same yarn and flower.  

First, however, I am going to make a shawl from one of Doris Chan's patterns called the "Garland Stole" printed in the November 2008 Crochet! and it is a lovely, lovely, stole at that.  This will be for the auction at the church bazaar in December.  Should be a smashing success.

Candy Corn Potholder

You can find the pattern here and I think you will like doing it!  This is how mine turned out.

The potholders I made were easy, and the pattern was easy to follow.  I used white and yellow cotton, and a cotton/wool blend in the orange.  Worked up quickly, and everyone seems to like them.