Progress, progress, progress

Another project finished! This one is a cuddly laprobe using Lion Brand Homespun yarn in Colonial, Windsor and Baroque. 

I started it to use up the Homespun yarn, and to have a cuddle blanket for the couch. I still have quite a bit of Homespun yarn to use up, but this was a good stashbuster!

It worked up beautifully, and was such an easy pattern - one row of single crochets, one row of double crochets in each color.

The border is a 5-double crochet shell pattern with 7 double crochets in the corners. 

It turned out just lovely! I used a size M hook, and the finished product has nice drape and feel.

I've moved on to another WIP, one started at the beginning of 2014. It was the first go at a mood blanket. I knew it was going to be big, so I planned it for a queen-sized bed - 11 blocks across with the blocks measuring nearly 12 inches. The pattern is just beautiful, but each block took about two hours to complete. Needless to say, I didn't get very far - about two and a half rows done before the WIP was silently hidden away...

I took the squares apart, no minor task since I couldn't find where I tucked ends, and found I had exactly 24 squares. I laid them out into a 4x6 square laprobe, alternating plain and variegated evenly.

I'm using a join-as-you-go method, and it's going together quite quickly. I'm using an H hook, and it's everything I can do to not spend every waking moment working on this WIP. I never thought this project would see completion!

The other project in the works is the reorganization of the yarn room. It started with tackling a room I haven't set foot in for two years - long story. Needless to say that room has been cleared out, cleaned, carpeted and repurposed. The items put in that room cleared out another room I now call the yarn room. All the yarn is in one room, organized by color in totes. All the crochet books and magazines are on a bookcase in the room along with all my WIPs. I even have a file cabinet for the loose leaf patterns. So very excited!


Happy on the Hook!
Gwenhywfar

2015 Goal: Tackling the WIPs

After creating my 2014 Year In Review, I realized just how many WIPs I had and it was a bit disturbing. The most disturbing part was the photos I posted detailed only about half of the works in progress I have stashed about my house.

The month of January was a whirlwind of cleaning, both at work and at home. Part of this process was organizing the Yarn Stash. Now all the yarn is first sorted by weight. The #4 yarn is sorted by color. The crochet cotton is sorted by color as well. And it's all in one room, all together, with the crochet books!

During this process, I discovered all the other WIPs hiding amongst the Yarn Stash - yarn purchased for a project and sitting snuggly in its bin, waiting for some loving attention. Or the other projects in totes with yarn purchased and pattern ready to go.

The corner-to-corner afghan is the first completion in my 2015 Goal: Tackling the WIPs. This afghan is destined for the Blankets for Barracks Soldiers project. This was a great project, used up a lot of yarn (stash buster!) and it's something I felt connected to. Every time I sat down to work on a few rows, I thought about the soldier - man or woman - and hoped it would bring some cheer into his/her day, knowing that someone spent quite a few hours thinking about them and thanking them for their service.

This new year has been a bit strange on the outside of the house as well...

We had hardly any winter in December - in fact temperatures reached almost 60 degrees at one point. January and the beginning of February have been a mixture of rain, fog, rain, fog, a peeking of sunshine and yes, even snow.

On one of the mornings, I woke to snow - or a dusting of snow. I haven't missed it much... don't care for shoveling. Wasn't thrilled with the arrival until I stepped out my back door and saw this...

I made the dogs hold still long enough to grab photos of these wonderful tracks. They brought a smile to my face as I imagined all these birds scurrying around my yard, unknowingly leaving their mark for me to find. I didn't want to walk anywhere and disturb these little bits of birdy fun!

So here's to tackling the WIPs this year and taking time to enjoy the beauty of nature!


Happy on the Hook!
Gwenhywfar

Blankets for Barracks Soldiers update

I am progressing nicely on my corner to corner for the Blankets for Barracks Soldiers project. I find the project quite rewarding, and the pattern is very relaxing. I haven't been able to spend much time on it lately but I do pick it up when I can. It's definitely a stash buster!

Here's an afghan from a member of our yarn group:

She started with three granny squares in the middle, then continued with three DC, ch 1 all the way around. The final round(s) will be smaller granny squares around the outside.

The project has grown by leaps and bounds on Facebook. The total number of blankets needed is at 150. The group on Facebook has all the information. It warms my heart every time I sit to work on this blanket, knowing that someone who is serving my country will find comfort with this blanket. This person is serving for me so I don't have to, protecting me, and possibly giving his/her life for me and my country. This is the least I can do for these brave people!

For more information about how to coordinate shipping for the project or to donate supplies, blocks or finished afghans in the Pacific Northwest, contact me at threadnfur [at] gmail [dot] com.

Until next time...

Happy on the Hook!
Gwenhywfar

Blankets for Barracks Brief

Just a quick post to show a scrappy Corner to Corner by a member of the Ritzy Hookers Yarn Group. All that's left is to tuck a few ends and it's ready for the Blankets for Barracks Soldiers project. Great job!

Happy on the Hook!
Gwenhywfar

Fall is in the air...

Fall is my favorite time of year. Everything in nature is preparing for the coming winter, yet everything seems to be taking its time to enjoy the beautiful sunshine. We should all take  a hint from nature I think, and as I write this I reflect on the last couple of weeks and how hectic work has been and I wonder if I need to heed my own advice. Pushing on and getting the work done is important, but taking time for yourself is also necessary.

I happened to step out my front door and spotted the bees busily working this afternoon and it reminded me of my life. They have their tasks and go about it steadily and surely, not wavering or stressing about whether it will get done. They have a plan and work constantly toward that goal, knowing their plan will work. Interesting how much we could learn from the busy bees, isn't it?

I tend to procrastinate, and it is my biggest nemesis. Must work on that.

I have had some time to crochet, not as much as I'd like though. I have completed the four coasters I'm donating to a local auction. When I was testing coaster patterns and finally found the pattern I liked, I decided to make some as a donation to a local auction. It gave me something to do and the pattern was easy to work on.

After a brief 'Woo hoo' for completing a WIP, I started a corner to corner afghan for the Blankets for Barracks Soldiers project. It's a stash-buster, and my general plan is two rows of solid color and four rows of variegated - unless I'm close to using up the yarn and then I go until the yarn is gone! To join the yarn, I'm using the Magic Knot method. This is the first time I've used this joining method, and I'm loving it! No weaving in ends!

I must continue on my Saturday chores. Many to do, and this week I have only today to do the household work. And to squeeze in some time with the crochet hook! Until next time...

Happy on the Hook!
Gwenhywfar

Blankets for Barracks Soldiers

My yarn group, which now has a name - the Ritzy Hookers Yarn Group, has decided to take on a project I found on Facebook in the Mood Blanket group I belong to. It's Blankets for Barracks Troops. Megan Palmer is asking for 6" or 12" squares to make afghans to fit the beds of troops who are returning to their barracks after a deployment. When it gets closer to time for the troops to come home the FRG (family readiness group) set up the rooms to welcome them home.

Megan wants to have a blanket for every barracks soldier coming home - something warm, inviting and homemade to show them appreciation and to show them there are people happy to have them home.

The afghans need to be 48"x72" and Megan is accepting squares, blankets, supplies, etc. Anyone can join the group on Facebook, where her contact information is located. You can also leave a message for me if you want to take part in the project but don't have a Facebook account and I can pass on the information.

Last week after I learned about this project, I walked into an indoor yard sale and found some yarn. Of course, I looked through it to see if there was anything I was interested in. There wasn't, but instead a small baggie of what looked like yo-yos caught my attention. I took them home and after close inspection of others in the yarn group I discovered they weren't yo-yos.

They are the centers to granny squares! What perfect timing for a project that calls for 6" squares. I have a good start for a bunch of very colorful squares to send to Fort Hood, Texas. And they can be used for men's or women's afghans, both of which are stationed at the fort.

Our yarn group is putting something in the local newspaper with a challenge/open invitation to the community to participate in the project. The finished items will be collected at the local chamber office. We will then host a yarn day the end of October where we will assemble and crochet as needed.

I invite everyone to join in this great project! It's a great stash buster, and what a wonderful way to give back to those who are serving our country! I don't know about you, but when I read about this project, it warmed my heart and I knew I wanted to take part. I will post our progress here, and if I hear of any others taking part I'll include them as well.

Until the next yarn adventure...

Happy on the Hook!
Gwenhywfar

Stash Bustin'

The time has come to use up yarn. While it's nice to have yarn on hand for that quick, I-want-to-start-a-project-now moment, I have more than enough for those times. I decided to tackle the Lion Brand Homespun stash first. I have leftovers from various afghans, plus skeins I've bought for projects I'm just not sure I'll tackle. And then there are the skeins I purchased on sale (bonus!!).

I started with a sc, ch1 afghan (taken from a dishcloth pattern), but the unique pattern that was so visible in the dishcloth disappeared in the afghan due to the yarn. My mother had purchased some Homespun Thick and Quick and whipped up a simple afghan of one row of single crochet, one row of double crochet. I liked the looks of it and frogged out what I had started.

It works up fast and is oh so soft like Homespun is meant to be. I'm carrying the yarn on the side for all the colors, eliminating the need to tuck all those slippery ends! The length is set - I believe I crocheted 120 chains and I'm using a size N hook. The yarn is Homespun Baroque, Windsor and Colonial.

It's a great stash-buster, and an easy pattern. Right now my life is hectic at work planning a fundraiser and a parade, so I need a pattern I don't have to think. And I need to crochet just to unwind. I will be looking for other easy patterns that are stash-busters as well, because work will get only busier now as fall arrives.


Happy on the Hook!
Gwenhywfar