One flop, one good one!!

 The Good One

I made a pot holder for my niece in her colors. Nice that she chose my colors as that meant I had the yarn handy!

Frim Classic Crochet the Modern Way by Tove Fevang. 

Added the loop figure it is pretty enough to display. I keep most of mine in a drawer so don’t make them with loops generally. 

The Flop

The fingerless mitt did NOT turn out to my liking. I used Lion Brand Baby Soft and it just stretches out and doesn’t come back to shape.   I may make the second one to just use at home at night. 

Machine knit hats and the start of a new mitt!

 Hats 

I wanted to make hats for the church sale (which was today) but never finished them. Didn't finish weaving in the ends on the hats or the sweaters, or even sew on the buttons. I'm so bad, so tired, and just don't feel great. Lack ambition I guess.

Maybe I will donate to somewhere local.

Mitt for me?

I have joined a GAL (gift along) and am making mitts. I wanted to try making them with a less expensive yarn before attempting making them with some Malabrigo Arroyo.

I am working on the body of the first mitt, but I did finish the thumb! Since I don't like mitts long and down my arm or up onto my fingers, I subtracted to make it more my style. Makes it a little iffy on my part because it has be be just right due to the lace "insert"…had to ask for guidance.

I tried to link the photo but it didn't work, so put the link at the bottom of the photo.

Old Forest Mitts by Michele DuNaier

This is the thumb…the first time I have made a mitt with such a fitted thumb! Worked well, though. I will finish up more later. Mine won't be that long.

Sweaters

 October is passing me by!

Did I post my finished sweater? If so, sorry for the duplication.  I wear it around the house as it doesn’t quite meet in the middle. I have yet to block it, so when I do I will stretch it enough that it feels better across my front. Being chubby has its drawbacks!

My brother sent me the poppy seeds I wanted for my birthday. Only a few are blooming at a time as I didn’t choose the best place for them. Next year any self sewn seeds will do better as I had the trees trimmed up a lot and they will get more sun in the beginning of Spring. With the Fall upon us, the sun is again lower on the horizon so the patch of poppies are getting a little more sun, but it isn’t as warm. There are three different colors and types, but only the orange come up.

A neighborhood cat came over to visit. She was pretty friendly, and liked being scratched behind her ears, but only for a little bit!

I have made some coasters but haven’t been taking photos. I will get to it soon. I am making colorful ones that can be hung on a tree as decor, and also used for the morning coffee.

Kaylee's sweater

I am also nearly finished with another sweater for my friends daughter. I need her to try it on before I do the second sleeve to make sure the width and length are okay. I seem to be slowing down considerably.

 Seems my back bothers me more each day…the chair I use and the mattress.  I finally broke down and purchased a more expensive mattress and will use the one I have downstairs basement for a dog bed! LOL! 

It’s a full, so not terribly large, and with three giant breed dogs I am not sure all three would even fit on there, but know they would be happy to claim it IF I don't use it for guests and get a frame instead. I think I might turn the basement into a crafting room, and have all the bins and boxes of yarn stacked in there to get it all out of the garage and out of the dining area. Still use the dining area as a craft room to MAKE things, but not STORE things.

I will be giving the items I made for children to the church for their Winter Festival in December. They raffle off baskets so will make a few up.

I hope your October is fun and special, and that you are having as wonderful weather as I am having!

A Pinafore for grandniece Zoe

 Pinafore

She will be five in January, but is tiny for her age. I made a size 4 and hope she will be able to wear it. I haven’t finished it yet…about two more stripes, I think, and it will be completed.

Deck

I had the back deck sanded and it will be finished being stained tomorrow, I think. I’m just having a semi-transparent grey used.

The dogs seem to like it fine!

My Sweater

This is the Pistachio pattern I started for my sweater (did I post this last time??). I finished it so need to take photos…still have to block it, though. I think it will work just fine for me!

Sweater for a friends daughter

KAYLEE’S SWEATER

The top photo is the correct color, but the bottom one is the finished product drying on a towel.

This is basically the Jewel sweater by Doris Chan with a few modifications. Unfortunately it is smaller in the body than I wanted. I had enlarged it a tad, but it wasn’t enough. Will try another one for her in a different blue, larger size.

I used Stylecraft Special DK, although the design called for Worsted Weight, but even making it a little larger than her normal size, i needed to go up two sizes to get what she wanted in the lighter weight yarn.

MY SWEATER

I finished the sweater, but don’t have a photo yet. I have to block it first. Again, even thought I added rows and width, I didn’t add enough for it to fit me properly. If it doesn’t block out to my size I will give it away.

The color is correct. Again using Stylecraft Special DK which worked up great!  This is a Michele DuNaire design called Pistachio something….a kids sweater I enlarged. I used a method that Doris Chan used in Jewel, BUT I started it later than I should so it gave me lapels. It looks fine, though.

Jacket

 Last Jacket Made

NOAH by Sue Whiting, Easy to Crochet Cute Clothes for Kids

Working on the neckline…..collar.

Finished. Cream color is really the same. Photographed different. sleeves look dirty! LOL!

Not thrilled with the collar. Should have made it a boat neck line and not worried about it.

The navy yarn was Style by Lion Brand and boy I know why they discontinued it. Could not keep it from “picking” all the time. Not a good choice for a child’s sweater. 

I didn’t make the hood as was out of navy yarn. It is an easy enough sweater to make, but I did have my normal difficulty with the pattern. I like the simple stitch which looks like a weave and is nice and flat.

Hopefully I can find a taker, or add to the church bazaars, or some other charity.

Timeless Textured Baby Crochet

 My new book

I purchased the book as I wanted something to make other than what I had been making, and that looked a little different.  I had not realize at the time of purchase that I had already purchased two of her patterns, although I had not made either one yet. I don’t know how her patterns will fit children as yet.

There are twenty patterns and they are all on the intermediate side of things. The pattern I chose to make was called Bobble Romper.  It is cute, but have no idea what to do with it! LOL! I didn’t make it for a specific child.  The pattern wasn’t nearly as hard as I thought it might be. Bobbles, front post dc and back post dc are the main stitches other than sc. Counting is a must. The straps are whole, so not buttons or snaps, which I am not sure is a good idea.

As far as the instructions go, I find her verbiage a bit odd. An example would be when she says “sc in first st, sc in each of the next 6 stitches”. Why not says sc in the next 7 stitches? It is like she needs to fill the page full of words. 

Her decreasing is nice, and the bobbles are easy and look neat. It was, all in all, an enjoyable pattern to make, and didn’t take a long time. Three days for me, but then I crochet a lot in one day.

Front

Back

Olivia's Little Mauve Dress - 3 month

 For Olivia

Front

Back

This is a combo dress, just like one of the other ones. I didn't have buttons again, so put on two ties. I think it looks okay, but buttons would have been better. Not as "busy" looking. I made it a little longer, too, since a little one most likely won't have leg coverings.

I'm going to send it to a friends daughter, (Olivia) was born late May I think. And the pup.

The yarn is Baby Soft by Lion Brand for the mauve, as well as the pink.  To me, it just isn't really soft enough after working with the StyleCraft Special DK (did I spell that right?). Also, the StyleCraft comes in so many colors it is amazing! I only have a few as bought it for an afghan and over purchased, unfortunately (or fortunately). Am now trying to use it up along with the other "million" skeins of yarn I have!

HOT

We were originally told it would be in the 90's this coming week, but it started today that we are to be over 100 every day for at least a week. Our humidity was 15% today, so I am able to keep the a/c on 75 or 76 with some oscillating fans. The dogs left the living room to "reside" in a bedroom without fans! I think they were tooooooo cold!

As long as the fans aren't blowing directly on me I am fine…just feeling it moving around the room is good enough.

DECK 

I have been having the deck worked on. The previous owner spent no time whatsoever keeping it in good shape. Had it been stained and/or painted as often as it should have been it would still be in excellent shape. The cracks between the boards were stuffed with dirt that it had to be chiseled out. That means the water has been pooling on the deck and just rotting the boards.

Always something with a house!!

Knitting Machine for tube hats

 “Hunting” Beanies

My niece thought the hats for her grandsons would be the trick since I sent dresses to the granddaughters. The request was for either a camouflage hat or one in orange. I assume those are the hunting colors for the woods.

Unfortunately the camo color from Lion Brand worked up into a stripe instead of the big blotchy type of camo you see on clothing and hats.

I think that, while it was still a tube, it looked rather like a snake!  Sort of like a coral snake. At any rate, I am told they will love the hats…boys about 8 and 10 years of age I think.

The knitting machine is one I bought on Amazon and was about $80 I think. There were some better ones that were more expensive, but I didn’t want to spend the money if I wasn’t going to be actually using it. Although the crank is a bit hard to use as time goes one (plastics rubbing against plastic) I am glad I bought it.  I’ll make more tube hats for winter for the kids in the family…and any oldie but goodie that wants one.

Pistachio Gelato Sweater for my Great Grandnephew Archer

 

This sweater is made with about one skein of yarn, divided between two colors. I think it was a G hook. This is called Pistachio Gelato Sweater, and is a design my Michele DuNaier.

I hope that I will get it mailed off tomorrow. Not as enthused about it as a gift as the mom didn't acknowledge the dress I sent her new daughter. I'm beginning to think the younger generation doesn't like hand made gifts…would rather be sent something from Nordies. Maybe I am too sensitive.

The mom of the two girls was ecstatic about the other two striped dresses I sent, so that does make me feel better. I'm making her two son's hats in a camouflage color. Maybe another one in bright orange. Do you think they hunt with their dad some, as this was their request. Or perhaps it is just the rage these days to wear camouflage. I think they are around 10 years old give or take a year or two.

My sweater

I'm working on my own sweater…put it up for now. Lost interest, but it is still in my line of sight so I won't forget it and do plan on finishing. No pattern. Just fitting it to me as I go. Nothing special.

Sister’s dress

 

Another pinafore, this one for the sister.

This is made with the Mandala Sparkle which is supposed to be a DK, but is honestly more like a worsted weight. Not light at all.

I am finding that the arm opening is generally huge on these angel wing dresses. This is no exception. I should have closed it up some as it looked huge to me. I see no reason now, after making several, to chaine 5 or more where they do the separation for the “sleeves” and think that. You can just do one more room of the yoke with increases in sc or dc, then add a ruffle around the arm hole later. That would give you the extra stitches for a more flowing dress, and keep the arm holes at a more agreeable size.

The girls don’t seem to notice the arm holes were too big. I did warn the mom ahead of time on how to fix it as I am sure she would have thought it too revealing, too.

These are pretty fast to make and with the self striping yarn I find them pretty relaxing. Have run out of candidates after the next one is sent. I’m making a sweater for myself…which I can only pray and hope will turn out okay. Yikes!

New Dress - Old Pattern

 A Pinafore

This is a size 4T for my nieces granddaughter.  I didn’t really follow a true pattern this time. Started out with 50 chains, then sc down the line giving it 49 sc…joined of course, for the neck line. Then doing doubles for six more rows, then starting the shells…2 dc, ch1, 2 dc, skipping 2 chains…I think that is right! LOL!

Every pattern I have made calls for the 5 chains (skipping whichever amount they say) for the underarms. I am working on one now that is a size 7, and the larges pattern I found was for 6, so am using that guesstament for the underarms…9 chains in this instance.  I think if you are making a odd size, you can pin the shells at a particular place where you think the arms/shoulders look good, and chain anywhere from 5 to whatever (or even 3 I guess if you are making a very small one). This particular dress isn’t rocket science.

One pattern I looked at had some increases, but I didn’t need to on this one. The one following I am having to increase as the yarn isn’t as flowing or as stretchy, so looks too straight up and down.

The Bernal instructions are a bit off…not carefully written. I assume you can still get it from their site, where they use their Mosaic yarn.

Dress for baby Reese

Front

Back

This is one for the littlest great grandniece, Reese. I haven't mailed it yet…hope to get off my hind end an do it today, but so far I haven't made it.

This is a pattern by Heather Davidson. She is on Etsy, and I think has her own site. I forgot which pattern it is, but it was a coat, hat, etc., set. I used Stylecraft Special DK. The posts look crooked because of my trying to make them straight for the photo!

I'm going to be making two more dresses for my niece's new step-granddaughters, and then have the boys to consider. At least there are only three! One older, about 7 I guess, and the other two about 2 and 4.

After that it is on to making Christmas and birthday gifts. Don't have money to spare this year unfortunately!

Dresses, etc., for little great grandnieces!

The mom said she has it and likes it, but haven’t seen it on the little one yet. This is a Michele DuNaier design, except in my laziness I did not do buttons. Just a tie. If she needs, later on I can add longer sleeves and make the body longer. It should be a tad big on her now, so hopefully she can use it for a couple of seasons.

This dress was made for a not yet one year old wearing size 2T. She is a big girl! And cute as a button. It is only a little big on her, and a little long, so she can actually wear it for a couple of years. She is already taller than her 2 year old brother!

This was to go to the niece who will get the sweater above. She hasn’t received it yet, so don’t know if it fits.

I am now making a little dress for the newest great grandniece born in February, I think. She’s a tiny little bundle of joy! I’ll post something next week.

Mosaic afghan

For Aryanna

These are the last two panels I have finished. I am about 1/2 the way through with the next heart panel, and will finish with one of the other designs…maybe another snowflake. Not sure.

THEN I must finish by doing the envelope border. I would add to it, but want her to take it back with her after the next Celebration of Life for her mother, my niece, in June. I am hoping to send both hers and her dads and let her brother know I am starting his.

Lion Brand's Mandala Sparkle

This is Nova, one of the colorways for children wear…I plan to make one of the little girls a sweater like the one, below left. There were three born in the last year so I have two more to go. I think it will turn out cute! I bought three, but as it turns out two are close, but the third is really like it is another color instead of Nova. Has a white in it the other two do not.

By the time I am finished with the girls I will have two boys to make a sweater for, and by then it will be close to Fall. I have the yarn picked out and the pattern! They are both about two or a bit more.

Cousins

This is the pinafore on the right and the sweater on the left made for cousins. The pinafore, if I didn't say before, is also Mandala, but a different series - and weight (?). 

These two are the granddaughters of my niece…therefore my great grandnieces. My two grandnephew's children. Whew! 

It took me awhile to figure out how to call the various nieces until I realized after reviewing different sites that it is the same as you do with your mom, etc.  Mother, grandmother, great grandmother, etc. So niece, grandniece, great grandniece! Now it is easy peasy!

Bekins/Wheaton/Etc. Van Lines

I have just signed the release for to get the whopping $750 from them in settlement of my claim. I have used them many many times over the years and this is the first time that I have filed a claim, even though they have destroyed countless items along the way. I just chalked it up to lesson learned. 

This time they ruined my 82" TV that cost a fortune. They denied the claim because the group that unpacked it has me sign that it was okay. They didn't turn it on, or plug it in. I had no internet or TV service so never turned it on myself until a few weeks later.

It was either the unpackers or packers. What a creepy company. 

Then the claim for a broken decorative item was denied because I didn't sent in a separate photo…it was in the photo of another item. BUT I did send it in later that day or the next day. That apparently doesn't count. The same with another item.

Last, but definitely not least, is that the driver of the Bekins van put my large roll top desk together and ruined it. The drawer was put in wrong in the middle and is now scrapped up both sides. I can't open and close it properly. He didn't put in the drawer slides, or whatever you call them, for writing that you pull out. Now you can't put them in..the whole desk has to be taken apart to get them in, then put back together. I will cost me over $2,000 when it is all said and done. I'm flabbergasted at their lack of caring. Only out to save money…and it cost me over $30,000 for them to ruin these and other things and I get $750 in return.

SO their rules:

1. if a box is damaged, do not toss it away, and leave broken items inside.

2. if items are broken in a box leave them in the box.

3. if you have a TV, plug it is BEFORE you move and take a photo of them moving it, then take a photo of them putting it up (video is better) and have them make sure it works. Even without service, the front will show damage on the 'innards'. 

4. As you go through life, save all the receipts for larger items and expensive smaller ones. They expect you to have it all even if it is 10 years old.

5. Be sure to be ready asap with replacement costs, and claim it ALL. They will knock you down to about 1/8th and then subtract your deductible.

6. Know the tag number they attached to the box or to the item, don't take them off. Take photos. Also know what the line number is and the page number in your "order" for everything they loaded and unloaded.

7. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT:  Be sure to have several people available to you, even if you have to hire them, to designate where to put boxes, to make sure they aren't damaged, while you check things in…and have someone help you check them in. This is where they slip things past you, steal things off the truck, etc. I am missing so many expensive items now.

Be sure to get all the rules for any claims BEFORE you move and start unpacking. They use any means they can to make it hard on you and to deter you from filing a claim.

From now on I will move myself…but I only have on last one. To an old folks home or the cemetery. That's the easiest.

Pinafore

 Pinafore

Unfortunately, as she generally dresses herself, she grabbed it and put it on….inside out and backwards! LOL! Her mom never saw the buttons, so now that they know buttons will go in front from now on!

This is a Bernat design. Don't know if you can get it any longer, but this is the link on Ravelry:

Girl's Lace Pinafore