What Advertising Can Do...

 

Holidays

Good morning!  I am up bright and early...looked out the window to see the lights across the valley...lo and behold I thought someone covered my window with a sheet!  I walked closer and found that the fog, which generally stays below (I am 200+ feet above the town) was not only up here, but is so thick I could not see 20 feet in front of me!  I hope people stay home today to relax!

I found it appropriate that I received a message from the International President of a group I belong to ... Optimist International.  Basically, it is a service group to help children, but it also is a group to encourage optimism within it's ranks.  My brother is a president of a California group...I was once president for a year of one of the groups within high school.  Opti-Miss. :o) Play on words!

This is an excerpt from his message:

'Black Friday, a term originally coined in 1975 to describe the increase pedestrian traffic and automotive congestion in Philadelphia the day after Thanksgiving, later took on a greater meaning for the busiest shopping day of the year and described the day that retailers moved “into the black” showing profit. It was not until 2003 that Black Friday truly became the busiest shopping day of the year, and has been since. At times I find it hard to believe it was not always the busiest day for shopping, but must say I long for the introspective time that the long Thanksgiving weekend provided sans retail thoughts of a future holiday.'

 That made me think of the many Thanksgiving Day weekends I spent with the family at home when I was a child.  We would watch some football, but mainly we played outside if the weather was good, stayed busy with family and friends.  We ate and talked and visited with those we had not seen lately. What a lovely time of togetherness and joy.  We certainly didn't go shopping.

Although, being in a small business, I do believe in giving back to the community and like the idea of the Small business Saturday....I just don't like it being on Thanksgiving weekend.  I don't think those "in charge" just how much preparation has to go into such an event, and how it takes us away from our loved ones at home just so Joe Blow can go shopping.  That particular day should be moved into another week so those who need the money for their small business to run can still spend quality time with their family during an important holiday, and make the money a week later.

Money just isn't the most important master, yet we are asked to serve that master every day and to give up the things that really matter.  Home, family, down-time, and the joy of a day well spent.

Remember....

You just never know when it will be your last Thanksgiving together.

2011

HOPE YOUR THANKSGIVING WAS SPENT ENTIRELY WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!

Happy Thanksgiving...belatedly....

Just a reminder as the months turn cold and the flowers leave us what it is that we can look forward to next year!

......then Summer will be right around the corner!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Trivia.....

Socks first -

These were a gift from Mugsy on Ravelry.  So warm and beautiful and snug.  Also the cookie...tastes like a small Moon Pie!

This is Mary's afghan I finished.  I only made two of the squares...the ones which are one over from the top left square.  Just made them up.  Kind of like the one that is one down....Might have to steal the afghan back and try to figure out how I made it!  My favorite square is the one situated in the second row from the bottom, second square from the right - called Kiss Fist and was designed by Shelbyshea on Ravelry...has to do with sign language.

This is Barbara...did not ask her permission to post! Yikes! She was a nurse with the cancer place that hubby had to visit for several years.  What a dear sweet woman.  She has Tinkerbell on her lap - Mary's  doggie who is as sweet as she is cute! Loves for her Auntie Cat to throw the ball for her.

Now the Trivia!

HISTORICAL TRIVIA  

Did you know the saying "God willing and the Creek don't rise" was in reference to the Creek Indians and not a body of water?  It was written by Benjamin Hawkins in the late 18th century.  He was a politician and Indian diplomat.  While in the south, Hawkins was requested by the President of the U.S. to return to Washington .  In his response, he was said to write, "God willing and the Creek don't rise."  Because he capitalized the word "Creek" it is deduced that he was referring to the Creek Indian tribe and not a body of water.

Feeling blessed....

Today I had the pleasure of meeting a lovely lady who contacted me about two weeks ago.  Her daughter works next door and mentioned to her that there was a new yarn shop in town.  She knew her mom wanted to learn to crochet again.  It turns out that she moved her from the same town that I did a year later.  :o)  Her daughter graduated from the same high school two years later, too.  Small world.

What a lovely lady....we, of course, started with the basics. Had I thought about it, I would have taken some photos but it did not dawn on me until just this minute that I wanted to share her with you.

You see, she is legally blind.  She has macular degeneration.  Considering this you would think she would slow down just a little, but no way.  She is in her 80's and is on the go, go, go, go!  Yesterday she was at the Senior Center for some sort of activity, and today out to lunch there.  The senior bus pulled up in front and dropped her off right at my door.

What a trooper!  She brought her yarn with her that was a gift from a friend.  And a hook....but it was a size G of all things.  The handle was lovely and big, but it is the hook is what she needed to be big...and the yarn was worsted weight.  We worked with the yarn, but I gave her a J hook to try out.

When she comes back to visit again, I think I'll give her a bright and cheery Wool Ease Chunky to try, and an L hook!  I honestly think she would enjoy the larger skein and hook, and would be able to feel her way around it better.  The other was splitty, so it was causing her some consternation.

She was able to make a chain that was about 12 inches long!  It might not be perfect in the eyes of some person just looking at it, but to me....it was better than perfect!  I have never seen such gutsy determination and such a cheerful and happy attitude.  She would giggle and when it got a little frustrating she would say something like how fun it was!

And you know what she did...when she came, she brought me a present.  A book about there being life after death because she heard my husband died last year, and a bag of white chocolate!  What a gal!

What a blessing for me to have worked with someone who knows that the attitude which makes life worthwhile is gratitude for all it offers...she is a blessed angel, and I'm so happy I can help her along in this learning process.

For all you Knitters.....

I could not resist adding a blog to my list...called Two Strands: Nordic and Fair Isle Knitting.  Awesome patterns, and beautiful hand work!

I especially love her monkey hats....

If you are like me and can't knit well, or you can't knit at all, you will find that she has an awesome set of goodies for sale!  

Check out her blog and look to the right.  You will find two links...one to her store, and one to her Facebook page...all with delightful designs!!

Try it, you'll like it!!

Contests are a comin'!

We will be running contests quite often over at Ravelry on my Cat's Crochet Corner group.  Anyone who enter's has a chance to win some awesome yarn and other goodies, so keep a check on it and join if you aren't a member already.  You can order yarn via a PM, and I try to keep my prices competitive so check it out under Pages which is part of the group.

I also thought I would share one of the items that Bev made for the store (which I may steal some day!) that shows what you can do with the Sock-Ease sock yarn.  Isn't this beautiful!  The pattern for this bed jacket comes from the first crochet pattern book I ever owned...and most of the fashion in that book are still appropriate for today...babies and women alike.  I'm not so sure about most of the MEN fashions, however! Some are a little odd....zip front vest that looks like a Dane or a character out of "Heidi" would be wearing in the early 20's!

It is called "Crochet: A Golden Hands Pattern Book from Random House.  Well worth the money if you can find it!  I think Amazon still has a few available.

Back to Bev...you may have seen the lovely red dress she made with the new Uptown DK.  It is soft as butter! If you haven't tried this yarn, you are really missing out!

Now to me....slowly but surely I am trying to make a floppy hat for the football season.  This is in the Boise State colors in Vanna's Choice.   We see a lot of these colors during this time of year!  

I  think the hat looks a little off (I have a lot more finished) but we shall see.  I have the Orange as the ribbing...even if it isn't "perfect" it will go on the "little person" so doesn't mean an actual human will wear it!  Just for show!

Just for your information, I carry ALL the Vanna's Choice colors, so if you need any I'm your gal! Check out the group for ordering!

Happy Crocheting!

Punography

I changed my iPod name to Titanic. It's syncing now.

Jokes about German sausage are the wurst.

How does Moses make his tea? Hebrews it.

I stayed up all night to see where the sun went. Then it dawned on me.

This girl said she recognized me from the vegetarian club, but I'd never met herbivore.

I'm reading a book about anti-gravity . I can't put it down.

I did a theatrical performance about puns. It was a play on words.

They told me I had type A blood, but it was a Type- O.

Class trip to the Coca-Cola factory. I hope there's no pop quiz.

Energizer battery arrested. Charged with battery.

I didn't like my beard at first. Then it grew on me.

How do you make holy water? Boil the hell out of it!

Did you hear about the cross eyed teacher who lost her job because she couldn't control her pupils?

When you get a bladder infection, urine trouble.

Broken pencils are pointless.

I tried to catch some fog. I mist.  

What do you call a dinosaur with a extensive vocabulary? A thesaurus.

England has no kidney bank, but it does have a Liverpool .

I used to be a banker, but then I lost interest.

I dropped out of communism class because of lousy Marx.

All the toilets in New York's police stations have been stolen. Police have nothing to go on.

I got a job at a bakery because I kneaded dough.

Haunted French pancakes give me the crepes.

Velcro - what a rip off!

Cartoonist found dead in home. Details are sketchy.

Venison for dinner? Oh deer!

Earthquake in Washington obviously government's fault.

I used to think I was indecisive, but now I'm not so sure.

Be kind to your dentist. He has fillings, too.

HAVE A GREAT DAY AND KEEP SMILING!!!

Lavender Festival

Over a week ago I visited Sequim, WA to see the Lavender Festival and play a bit, as well as rest and relax with friends.  It's a beautiful place....chilly compared to the 100 degree weather I left behind! It was in the 60's the whole time.

I stole this from their web site...but it is just what I saw!  The most magnificent place was the one which was a house built to replicate that of George Washington's house.  WOW!  You just have to see it if you are in the area....I'd suggest if you ever want to visit the festival is that you go a day early and get a room as coming in from Seattle would be an extra two or three hours as the cars as really backed up for MILES, and MILES, and MILES!

Isn't this just beautiful...the inside is so much better!

Did you get teased because your name was in a song?  Or because it rhymed with some other obnoxious word?

There was on song with my name in it, and one doll that had my name.  But, except upon occasion, I really wasn't teased.  I often thought it was because the other school kids didn't really like me well enough to tease me.  Isn't that weird?  I think it is true, though.  They had to adore you or hate you for you to be the brunt of their jokes. 

My mom called me Cassie Cookie after a cartoon drawing in the Highlights magazine.  She was the baby girl in the Cookie family. She also called me Dotter and herself Mud.  I think it is Dutch/German...just like men were name after their dads....Johnsson...women were named after dad's, too, so their last name would have been Johnsdotter...Mud was short for Mudder (mother).

My dad called me Cathy Wathy.  He called my younger brother Jonny Ponny and my older brother Randy Pandy.  He did it with love, but it was always goofy sounding to me.

My little brother would call me Catrina a lot, and my older brother called me Catarina. I often wondered if it is because he could not spell Catrina, or if indeed it was the spanish influence of our area!

I started leaving off Cathy when in my early 20's...did not feel like me...and started using Catherine which felt more like who I wanted to be.  Later, while working for another attorney, the secretaries could not read what I wrote in faxes as only the Cat part would show up instead of my full name...so they started calling me Cat.  That stuck.

So, no matter the name, it's a label of the times, and a reflection of how we wish to be remembered by our peers and family and friends.

I wonder who I will be next year?????

Hot Pad

Hot Pad and Flower By Coco Rose Diaries

I was checking out the blog Coco Rose Diaries and she posted one of her Ravelry hot pads.  I just had to follow the link to her site, and then on to her hot pads.  

THEN...

I had to follow the link on her Ravelry site to the place to find the hot pad.  FreeCraftUnlimited.

There are other pinwheel patterns out there, but these look just a tad different and love the striping.  Of course, I love most everything that Coco Rose does on her blog.  I always feel so serene when I visit....also inadequate! ;o)

Check her out. I know you will love what you see!

Take Care of Your Doggies This Fourth!!!

Ten Tips for providing a safe July 4th for your Canine Household: 
(Please note that some tips require purchasing items ahead of time.)

1. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise earlier in the day.

2. Keep your dogs inside during fireworks, preferably with human companionship. If it's hot, air conditioning will help. Bringing your dogs to a fireworks display is never a good idea.

3. Provide a safe place inside for your dogs to retreat. When scared of sounds they can't orient, dogs often prefer small enclosed areas. (I once had a dog who climbed in the bathtub during windstorms.) If your dog is comfortable in a crate, that is a good option.

4. If possible, keep the windows and curtains closed.

5. Make sure all your dogs are wearing ID tags with a properly fitting collar. (Dogs have been known to become Houdini around the 4th of July.)

6. Leave your dog something fun to do - like a frozen Kong filled with his favorite treats.

Using sensory enrichment to calm dogs:
7. Sound Therapy: Play Music to Calm your Canine Companion Vol. 1, 2, and 3 by Through a Dog’s Ear. It is most effective when you first play the music well before the fireworks start, at a time the dog is already feeling peaceful and relaxed. He will begin to associate the music with being calm and content. Then play the music a couple of hours before the fireworks start and continue to play through bedtime. The music doesn’t need to be loud to be effective as it has been clinically demonstrated to calm the canine nervous system. Listen to free sound samples. 
8. Sound Therapy combined with Desensitization: The Canine Noise Phobia series (CNP) consists of four CD’s that can be used individually or as a set: Fireworks, Thunderstorms, City Sounds, and Calming. CNP is an innovative desensitization training tool that combines three distinctive elements for the treatment and prevention of sound-sensitivities and noise-phobias:

• progressive sound effects (distant/close)
• specially-designed psychoacoustic music (Through a Dog’s Ear)
• reward-based reinforcement protocols (Victoria Stilwell)

9. Tactile: There are two canine wraps on the market that reportedly help sound phobic dogs. The original Anxiety Wrap was invented by professional dog trainer Susan Sharpe, CPDT-KA. The patented design uses acupressure and maintained pressure to reduce stress. The thundershirt is also a wrap for your dog that provides gentle, constant pressure. Their website reports that over 85% of Thundershirt users see significant improvement in noise anxiety symptoms. Most dogs respond with the very first usage; some need 2-3 usages before showing significant improvement.
10. Scent: Canine Calm, an all-natural mist from Earth Heart™ Inc., can help dogs relax and cope more effectively with loud noises and other stressful situations. Directions on their website say to spray Canine Calm onto your hands and massage the dog’s outer ears or abdomen. Or lightly mist the air behind your dog’s head, inside the travel crate or car, or directly onto bedding or clothing.


Do you have any additional tips for helping keep dogs calm and safe on this noisy holiday? 

Train with counter classical conditioning. Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., CAAB, has a very clear definition and tips here.

Crochet and All That Stuff...

It is taking me a bit to get back into crocheting again.  I am making a second monster for an exchange to send off on Monday.  I had ordered a book for the monster and it never came, so made one up. Didn't like it.

The book arrived, and did not find the monster in there that I had thought was so cute! So went on line and found one like the one I really wanted...have one more leg and two arms to go and will then be ready to send it off, too.  The other "stuff" already left.

So, now I might join a swap.  Easy access to yarn and the post office, so might as well! Plus I have lots of time on my hands. Have already finished three projects since opening the store!

Saturdays seem to be especially quiet here in town.  I will keep open during June, but if it doesn't pick up any I think I will be taking 3 day weekends. :o)

I found this photo - may have already posted it.  I took it a week before my husband passed away...I like to think it was more like a pathway to heaven for him.  We do have spectacular sunsets here!

Cat's Crochet Corner

So the new store now has a sign on the window, in the doorway, and a lovely sandwich sign to put out from on the sidewalk.  Boy, is that heavy!

Sorry the glass reflects so much, but you get the idea.

Stop by and have a cookie!

Cat's Crochet Corner - check it out! Order some yarn!

Dear Tom, Hope you love your new home! Say Hi to Everyone for me.....give Sid a kiss on the forehead...

Thomas Hardy Pedler

January 30, 1946 – May 9, 2012

In January 1946 Tom became the third of what would be five children born into the wonderful family of Richard and Marjorie Pedler of Muskegon Heights, Michigan. Last Wednesday he became the fifth of that family to pass away, following his sister Amy and his mom and dad, as well as his brother-in-law Sid.

Life took Tom to Grand Rapids, San Diego, Las Vegas, Ann Arbor and Denver before his final earthly residence near Wiggins.

He had a naturally likable personality that seemed to fit in wherever he lived. That did not change when he found Jesus, but it did change the effect he had on others. Suffice that countless people are immeasurably better today because Tom entered their lives.

When he heard his “death sentence” last June – that he probably would not live to see June of 2012 – it was, in his words, “the happiest moment of my life.” He knew he was going to see Jesus, plus other family members and friends who had passed before him. His only concerns were for the loved ones he was leaving behind, and the possibility of unbearable pain before he died.

He needn't have worried about the latter. The wonderful care he received from the blessed hospice people in Morgan County and the many kind members of his “Wiggins Family” prevented his pains from being unbearable.

His first fear has come to pass. Those of us who loved him – in Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, California, Ohio, Michigan and elsewhere – do miss him dearly. But we know that it was his time, and that he's in a better place.

Tom, your life and your death were an inspiration. We will always love you!

A Bit of Silliness For Today

I have been busy betting the new store in order, but have had some lull times throughout the day. Sometimes due to doing too much and sometimes because there is nothing to do while I think something through.

My brother-in-law in Michigan keeps me somewhat busy with the new game Draw Something.  An artist, I am not, but I can copy artwork drawings...so when my drawing was to be the word goofy....you KNOW what I had to look up!

He guessed it right away!  Well, right away is a relative term. It was a painful drawing to watch me make as I had a lot of erasures.

Now this one shows you what my skills are when I don't have anything to copy...

Then back to finding another Disney character!  His chin isn't quite right, but I was getting tired of erasing and redoing!  Eventually the app tells you that you are running out of ink!

I hope everyone can find a fun diversion to add to their crochet or knitting addiction.  It helps clear the cobwebs from the ol' noggin'!

Blessings!

TWO DOWN.....

The top one is a size 6 and the bottom one is a size 4.  I think the bottom one is too young looking for a six year old, but I think she liked the photo.  We will see if my darling little nearly four year old strawberry-red haired charmer of a grandchild will like the purple one.  Sometimes if you WANT her to like something she WON'T.

Like when I was on the phone and her mom said come talk to G'ma. She said "I don't want to."  When mom then said, come on, don't you want to talk to G'ma?.....the response?

"I DON'T WANT TO!!!"

Ya gotta love the little ones!

Just a quick hello.....

Ms. Paula, as most of you may already know, wants you to vote for Ashton to help get him a van.  He is the son of a former student and has MD.

The link to her blog and the request is HERE.  Please click on the link, go to her page, read her information about Ashton and remember the promo code she has listed.  THEN VOTE.

We can all be earth angels to do a little helping hand 'stuff' every so often.  Seems this little kid needs it.

On the home front, the weather is better. My new shades come in next week, so I will be bale to finally move into the new bedroom....hope I like it after all the work I have done on it!

My new store is coming along quite nicely! I have lots of yarn on hand, and just put in a re-order to fill in where I think I'm lacking in volume.  It's rather fun to be able to buy yarn willy nilly!

I'm emphasizing crochet...but plan to have some knitting needles on hand just in case a lonely knitter drops by!

STARTING ANOTHER SWEATER! - and HAPPY EASTER!

The sweater on top is one I finished a couple of years ago for my Grandnephew.  I am using the same colored yarn for another of Heather's patterns for my Granddaughter (or Grandniece is it isn't big enough: 4 yr old, vs 1 yr old!).

Here is the link to this finished pattern, JC33B - it is called a Pram Suit.

Love the new pattern, but I think because I have already used these colors in the boy sweater I am not all that fond of them now for a girl.  No one else would feel the same, but as I do it is making it hard to feel good that I have the right colors.

I have a bit more finished than this, but not much. Plan to get it mostly done tomorrow while waiting for my shipment of yarn at my new store! Yay!

For this sweater, this is the link. However, once you go searching on other pages you may not be able to get back to it with any of her links.  When you hit the back button you will see a page of some really beautiful patterns, and can then browse her sizes.  However, if you click on one of the sizes to the left, like Newborn, etc., there does not seem to be a way to get back to this particular page on her site...you just have to use the back button in your menu bar.

I tried it with my Firefox browser and it is the same as with my Safari.  This particular page does not seem to be linked to any of the headings on the left of her site.  So mark it!

This is pattern JC23A.

HAPPY EASTER AND BLESSING FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!

They fit - well, close enough!

 The teal belongs to the one wearing the purple (you can see the purple is short on her) and the purple belongs to the little one. I think it is too wide, although the length might be okay on the wee one.  Unless I use a smaller hook next time, I don't think the VC drapes well enough in a small sweater.  I WILL try in one more time in VC with a F or G hook and see how that does....and make them longer.  These girls are growing tall!

Aren't my granddaughters soooooooooooo beautiful!??? Stickers and all!

Purple finished now...bigger that I think it should be

I did a Crazy Stitch for the skirt part of this one.  I also just put a single crochet border on the front starting at the bottom, continuing the border up into making the tie. Sure was a lot easier than fixing a tie to it!  I did not border the neckline as it looked fine.

I will finish the second one in teal which I'm making a tad larger and with a different pattern for the skirt just in case the other one is way too small for the six year old.

THEN I am going to work diligently on the Patriot's Afghan for my nephew.  I may have to stop again for another birthday for the granddaughters, BUT I plan on getting this thing done before it turns hot in the summer.  Can't abide working on hot afghans in 90 degrees.

Luckily I am one corner away from finishing my girlfriends afghan!

I'm Done....

So, I finished my little gem of a sweater....much to my surprise (NOT!) it looks like it is a tad small for the six year old.  Hmmmm....back to the drawing board. I think I should have used more stitches at the neck line and added another row or two for the bodice.  BUT...it is really cute, and I have TWO granddaughters so what one can't wear the other one can (most of the time!).  I am busy on a purple one that I had already started for the soon to be four year old, and it looks too big for her....see. All things work out!  I have also started another one of these sparkly ones just in case a larger size will work better for the elder.  

I worked the last row about 9" from the armhole, but it still looks small.  I'll let you all know once she tries it on.

So this is something I sent in a swap for Liz's daughter...thought it was too cute! Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream.  Nice little happy face.

This went to the brother.  Such an inquisitive little fellow. I just love the sweet faces on these amigurumi characters.

 Today has been a bonanza day! I pulled some weeds in the garden, drove to the big city (50 miles away) and visited with my dear brother-in-law, then drove to his granddaughter's new home to have a look see while my niece (the mom) was there helping out.  Such a cute home!  I'm going to pay for the sod in the back yard to help her out. Just love it when hard work pays off!

More on the bonanza....I received two books from Amazon....one is a book on beginning tatting and a shuttle, and the other is the new book by Linda Permann called "Little Crochet-modern designs for babies and toddlers."

It's super wonderful! The reason I purchased it was because there was a top down cardigan design in there!  The neckline is rounded rather than raglan, more open, and it has buttons. Otherwise looks pretty close in construction to several of the others I have seen on the web. The balance of the designs are awesome, so if you like to make toys, goodies, or clothes for the little ones I think you will love this book. It even has some help pages to show you how to measure the babies and adjust the patterns. I imagine if you think about it, you could try making your own designs for your little one just using the same basics!

I'll let you know this summer how the tatting comes along!

ETA: I went to the Lion Brand blog and they were talking about top down, raglan sweaters and adding length! ;o) How appropriate! It's the March 8th page.

Now one more row.....

Okay - now that the bodice is finished (sort of) we need to make it a real bodice. We will do this by crocheting one more row.  This way we can bring the whole piece together.  You will see that it makes the bodice with cute little cap sleeves.

When you come to the first shell that divides for the first sleeve skip the shell stitch. Just chain one, skip all the next set of DC's that make up the sleeve, DC into the first DC on the back and continue across where you will finish across the back, again skipping the arm, and finished the front - in Paula's case that would be:

18 DC's across front side

CH 1

skip 25 DC's for sleeve

32 DC's across back

CH 1

Skip 25 DC's for other sleeve

18 DC's across next front side

That will take away 50 stitches for Paula and then add back two, giving her a grand total 70, I think. :o)

Now on to the skirt/bottom/sweater part.

For 70 stitches, that is 3+1

70/3=29 + 1

or it could be

70/2 = 35

So we are looking for a pattern that is 3 + 1 or just a 2 stitch.  

Solomon's knot is a 3 + 1 stich, is open work and rather lacy. Might be too open. So, how about a Parquet stitch. :o)

Row 1: (will be the wrong side) CH 1, SC in first stitch, CH 2, skip two stitches, SC in next stitch, repeat to end, ending in SC; turn.

Row 2: Ch 3, 1 DC in bottom of same stitch, *skip 2 ch, 3 DC in next sc, repeat from * until end, ending with 2 DC in last sc.

Row 3: CH 3, skip 2 dc, SC in next DC (middle of the 3 dc), *CH 2, skip 2 dc, SC in next dc; repeat from * to end, ending with SC in top of ch 3.

Repeat pattern for desired length.  About 7 to 7 1/4 inches for size 2, about 7 1/2 to 7 3/4 for size 4, 8 to 8 1/4 for size 6)

Let me know how this turns out! 

Paula's perfect bodice on her site....

Toddler Sweater Project

I think I will be using size 3 yarn for the sweater I am making as well as an H hook, but size 4 would work, too, but will be bulkier.  You just have to make sure that you are going for the right measurements.  As this is an experiment of sorts, so a lot of your own thoughts, experience and feelings will go into this little sweater....making it all the more special!

In the Worsted Weight (4) you need four skeins and in the DK Weight (3) you need five (just in case!).  It could be one skein too many according to the size you are making, but better safe than sorry.  Also, if you have some left over you CAN do an amigurumi animal to match the sweater! ;o)

This is going to be a top down sweater in a raglan style.  I have made four or five of different patterns in this style, and they all have the same basic start and pattern for the bodice.  Some are one or two stitches different at each "part", which goes to show you that everything isn't just the same. I did not have a chance to test out the sc, so I am suggesting for this sweater we do dc only.  If you want to use the sc, then do the increases every other row and let me know what it looks like! 

Pick out your yarn, and lets get started!

2(4,6)

OUR CARDI

Chain 45

(toddler necks, it seems, stay pretty much the same size for several years...???)

DC in 4th ch from hook 

DC in next 6 stitches

DC/Ch1/DC in next stitch

DC in next 5 stitches

DC/Ch1/DC in next stitch

DC in next 12 stitches

DC/Ch1/DC in next stitch 

DC in next 5 stitches

DC/Ch1/DC in next stitch

DC in next 8 stitches

So what you have is the two front sections, two sleeve sections, and the back.

You will continue in the pattern:

10 rows for size 2

12 rows for size 4

14 rows for size 6

Giving you:

18(20, 23) Front

25(29,33) Each Sleeve

32(36,40) Back

I'll be back with photos......

Trying something new....

A gracious good evening to you....hope your weekend has been good so far.

I am thinking of trying out something new...haven't gotten it all the way planned yet, but wonder if there are those of you who would be interested in making a toddler sweater, but using a little of your own thought process as to stitch design?  I have been working on a design that I think could work for everyone.  I hope.

I am thinking along the lines of a cardigan where the top of the sweater will be basically double crochet, or single crochet (or even half-double!) as long as the measurements are close enough, and then working on designing the bottom part with a favorite stitch.  I love the Crazy Stitch, adore the Seed Stitch, and even have a preference for a special stitch that is called the Bric-Brac Stitch.  I have a scarf somewhere unfinished with that one!

I think the top of the cardigan, or bodice of sorts, could even be in one color, or variegated, and the 'skirt' could be in a different color.  Something up Paula's alley as she loves rainbows!  :o)

At any rate, that is what I hope to start on Monday or Tuesday, and every couple of days post a little more.  This way the process won't be hurried, people can post questions, and if at all possible we can post photos...send them to me I guess so I can post them, or post a link so we can go see them...???

All new to me...so, without further adieu I shall check into this as have a really bright idea already! ;o)

Wanna play????

Jin Dui, etc.

Well, I made it to Portland, and made it to my Jin Dui...see! These had a coconut lotus paste filling...YUM!

There was even a carmel dipping sauce!

The night before The Daughter took us out to Claim Jumper.  RIBS. YUM.

The small fry, along with her sister had ice cream.

The next morning Mom made them heart shaped pancakes. 

On returning home I realized I was topping out at 161 again, so back to the diet.

I started reading about Vegetarian diets, as mainly I eat meat maybe once or twice a week at most...generally only a few times a month. Not VEGAN...as I am eating dairy, though not lots. Am lactose intolerant, so that limits what I eat. 

I found these delicious pizza's that are VEGAN....Amy's.  So delicious...I add things to it to make them different.

So have been reading up on become a Vegetarian and found our more than I bargained for, I'm afraid.

Did you know that in the US 200 million male chicks a day are killed by suffocation, gas, or grinding.

In Canada they used 40,000 a day ground up for fertilizer, used as chicken food, and pet food.

AND....20% of the chickens still alive at the scald tank.....going in.

PUKE!

Needless to say, I have crossed Chicken and Eggs off my list of foods for now.  Never have liked chicken that much anyway.....

Jin Dui

This has lots of names - a flower by any other name is just as sweet!  :o)  THIS is my most favorite sweet thing to eat! In this case it is a Chinese pastry made from rice flour, coated with sesame seeds, deep fried where the outside is crisp and the inside is chewy!  Generally I get the kind that has the sweet lotus paste, but there are other pastes that are sweet, too. YUM!

WHEN was the last time I ate this, you ask????  About nine years ago!  Every time I go to Portland or back to San Diego, it is on my list of things to eat but some how I get side tracked and never make it to the appropriate places to eat.

NOW I am going to see if there is some place that you can purchase these on-line and have them sent door to door - FAST.

They are also called Onde-Onde in Indonesia, Goma Dango in Japan, and Butsi in the Philippines.  If you see one, buy it. You, too, will be transported to heaven.