Success with the WIPs

Finishing a WIP is just plain satisfying. Nothing like making that last stitch on the round, or the border, of a WIP and knowing you're done. Especially if that WIP has haunted, um, sat around for a bit.

Two WIPs are happily folded and available for use now, and one is receiving some much needed attention.

This small lap robe is one I haven't featured on my blog before because quite honestly I had forgotten about it. Yup, it's been that long. I was rummaging through the current WIP projects looking for a yarn color and discovered it quietly waiting for some attention.

I pulled it out and started working on it as an away-from-home project. The pattern was enjoyable, although I couldn't quite memorize the pattern and had to refer to the first few stitches of every row throughout the entire lap robe. I likely won't stitch this one up again.

Details: Red Heart Pattern LW3973 Rainbow View Throw. Yarn - I Love This Yarn in colors Forest, High Sierra Ombre and Light Taupe.

This next one I started as a mood afghan in 2014, but the block size as prohibitive as a daily block. It was put away until earlier this year when I had a plan to redo the afghan. I was doing well until life began getting hectic.... alas, it's finished!

I used the flat braid joining method. I had originally joined with a slip stitch every so often, but I didn't like the gaps that method left. Since I was ripping the blocks apart, I changed my mind and am much happier with this join. It's a bit fussy, but the finished product is worth it!

I used Red Heart and I Love This Yarn for the blocks.

I could've never finished this as my mood blanket. Each block takes almost two hours to complete. The pattern is beautiful, and can be made to different sizes. It's Arches by Dayna's Crochet.

This has now become a WIP, I'm sad to say. It's the CAL from Zooty Owl. I am time challenged, and was doing okay in keeping up.... until the block strips weren't the same length.

There was some stress in life, and I just didn't want to deal with it. When I went to pick it up, still didn't want to deal with it. Luckily, I didn't have to! A fellow crocheter helped me with joining the naughty uneven strips!

So I'm working on the blocks to finish joining the parts together. the colors are absolutely beautiful in my living room and go perfectly with my curtains. All yarn is I Love This Yarn from Hobby Lobby.... so very soft!


I'm excited to continue this trend... but I've started another CAL. This is from Sandra at Cherry Heart. I'm already behind, but it's okay with me. Details in an upcoming post!

Enjoy the fall weather. Curl up with your crochet project when the weather isn't so nice outside!

Happy on the Hook!
Gwenhywfar

#MandalasForMarinke: With love from across the world

My mandala is done. It didn't take long, just one night, but it took me some time to determine pattern and yarn colors for the mandala I would contribute to the #MandalasForMarinke project. I was trying to determine what color palette and what pattern I wanted to use, and that was a process. I decided on her Summer Hearts Mandala, and the color scheme is meant to reflect peace.

I didn't know Marinke Slump personally, but I had followed her blog for a few years and enjoyed her creative style and love of crochet. For her, crochet was a way to manage depression. Sadly, Marinke took her own life the end of July. Kathryn Vercillo of Crochet Concupiscence started a project to honor Marinke and raise awareness of depression. The crochet community was deeply impacted by this loss, and aim of this project is to gather mandalas and stories from the crochet community. It will be a wonderful explosion of yarny color, celebrating a young woman who touched so many she never knew.

The mandalas will be posted on Kathryn's website with the #MandalasForMarinke tag and promoted through social media. Each post will include at least one fact about depression to help raise awareness. All of the crochet and written work will be curated into an art show in San Francisco in late 2015/early 2016. In addition, all crochet and written contributions will be compiled into a book associated with the art show, available for sale online for those who cant attend the show. A portion of all sales from the art book will go to raising awareness about depression. The mandalas will be donated after the art show, how/who is still to be determined.

Deadline to have mandalas postmarked is Aug. 31, 2015 October 15, 2015.

My mandala is done in soft hues, representing the peace I hope Marinke (Wink) has finally found. I decided to contribute after hearing the news of Marinke's suicide. Crochet has always been my way to relax, de-stress, cope with all the things that pile up in life. I want others to find the peace I have found in crochet, the peace Marinke found in crochet. That's why I chose to contribute to this project - so others will see how much it means to me.

Rest in peace, Marinke.

Hooks and etiquette

I was trolling the social media world today and came across another blog post about knitting in public. The post questioned whether it was considered rude to knit in public or "perfectly reasonable to do so." After reading the entire post, I tend to agree with the final 'rule of thumb.' Generally speaking, if you're in a public space and your knitting (or crocheting or other activity) may imply lack of interest or attention, put the hook down. It's only common courtesy and we would expect it as well.

This post did make me stop and think, though, how my crocheting in public may appear to others. Would anyone think I am being anti-social, or as this post implies - rude? I have never had an experience like that. In fact, most of the time when I'm crocheting in a doctor's office or other similar place waiting for something I have comments from fellow yarn lovers and even from those who ask what I'm doing. I find it's a great conversation starter, plus it passes the time and keeps me less stressed while waiting for whatever the reason may be.

My crochet doesn't always go with me, but if I think there is a possibility of getting some hooky time... a WIP is most definitely with me. Not only does crocheting or knitting pass the time, it's been proven to reduce blood pressure, relieve stress, calm nerves, etc. 

I would have to agree, however, that I would not crochet during a presentation, poetry reading, meeting, etc. where my attention should be fully on the task at hand (no matter how uninteresting the topic may be!).

So, the Golden Rule applies here as well. Do unto others as you would have done to you. If you wouldn't want someone knitting or crocheting or whatever during/where you are at, then it probably isn't appropriate to be doing it yourself!


Happy on the Hook!
Gwenhywfar

Tackling the WIPs.... again

I'm loving how the colors are going together for the CAL hosted by Zooty Owl, but it's taking longer than expected. I have all the blocks sewn into strips, and I just finished the first center panel. Now...... none are the same length! So this project is going on hold for a bit until I'm ready to deal with varying lengths.

As I was straightening up the house, I found the project totes and found a WIP to pick up instead. It's a Corner to Corner using Baby Bee Sweet Delight on a G hook.

And I'll always know it's on a G hook because the project is marked. Look in the top corner...

This is a new idea within my crochet group. Using alphabet beads and a safety pin, every project is now marked with the hook size - eliminating the guess work when a project is set aside for any length of time. The trick now is to figure out the hook size on some of those projects already set aside!!

What trick have you come up with to keep track of hook sizes, and even yarn color/brand for your WIPs? Digital or paper? I'm trying to organize the existing WIPs as well as have a way to identify important details on new projects. We all have this problem, so I'm curious what works for others!

Tonight's crochet group, so it's time to cook and clean a bit. Until later..

Happy on the Hook!
Gwenhywfar

Stress, sadness, moving on

More than a month has passed, and even longer than that I struggled with little or no Internet. It is so nice to sit at my computer and have access to the World Wide Web. No longer struggling to surf on my phone, or do all my personal business at work. One less stress in my life.

Not to say, there has been stress in my life. The 'pile' got higher the end of April. Things are settling out now... four events I was involved with the planning are over, a surgery was successful and other things are starting to look up. But it's hectic still. Sigh.

Among everything, I still was able to do some hooking.... not much, but some. I haven't kept up on Zooty Owl's CAL, but I'm okay with that. I am loving the colors I picked and enjoying her patterns.

The news came yesterday that we lost a truly talented blogger, Wink, to a very real disease - depression. We are all so saddened and our hearts are heavy with the loss. Such a talented and beautiful young woman who struggled with a dreadful, dark disease that so few understand. We will all miss her beautiful work and fun style. Prayers to the family.

This news has affected me deeply. I read Marinke's (Wink) blog for several years, and felt such sadness in her blog this last year. I will be taking part in a project to raise awareness about depression - #MandalasForMarinke. Crochet Concupiscence is launching the project and details are on the site. The project is a collaboration of contributors all over the world to create a mandala in honor of Wink, to celebrate her life and creativity as well as raise awareness about depression.

All my best,
Gwenhywfar

New projects...

I must admit, I've taken a break from the WIPs for a bit. I needed a bit of a break. I needed something new to keep my mind engaged and excited. As spring is shining through the winter doldrums, my time is getting thinner and thinner... so when I crochet I really want to spend it doing something I enjoy.

This is the new CAL from Zooty Owl - Wade's Blanket. Zelna is releasing instructions every two weeks for the CAL (crochet-a-long). Here is the introduction to the CAL. It's an easy CAL so far, not too hard to follow and wonderful to relax with - just my style as the spring hectic schedule kicks in!

The first part is Circle in a Square. I'm matching my living room colors on this project, and so far I'm in love with the colorway. I'm using I Love This Yarn from Hobby Lobby in Sagey Tweed, Pistache, Terra Cotta, Light Taupe, Cream, Autumn Stripes and Dark Olive.

The second set of instructions is a granny square, with a twist. I've worked this style before, and I love how it turns out. The granny square is turned after every row (in this case, turned every row except the first). By doing it this way the square lays flatter. I'm still on the second set of instructions, even though the third set was released on Friday (and it looks like fun!)

I've also finished one of the small blankets for a nearby neo-natal intensive care unit (NICU). Others in the group have crocheted small dresses and burial pouches for the dear angel babies. I'm getting ready to start one of the dresses as well, my first piece of clothing with a crochet hook...

This is one of the most rewarding projects I've been involved with. It's comforting to know that I can do something for the NICU and the families who need its services.

Gwenhywfar 

Technology hasn't been my friend...

I find myself way behind in posting here, but not from a lack of trying. Internet has been lacking at my house, and recently absent entirely. I've resorted to using my phone as a hot spot, and I'm not sure when things will improve.

As the weather has started to improve outside, my mood and energy levels are improving as well. I've begun the spring cleaning - inside and out! It feels good to clean out the flowerbeds and rake up the debris from the winter, and I suppose even sore muscles are a positive sign of spring!

I've accomplished several little projects around the house, and oh does that feel good. To get those little nagging projects that I've put off for so long done is just so rewarding! The squeaky door doesn't squeak anymore, and the desk organizer is put together. Light bulbs are changed, shower curtain changed, carpet cleaning in process.

First of all, I apologize for the photos. Weather has not cooperated and sunshine is lacking. The couple of days we did have sunshine, I was outside in the yard and didn't even get close to the crochet hook or think of taking photos... so the color is a bit off. The redo of the mood blanket is progressing, albeit not as fast as I would want. The joining method I chose is taking a bit longer than I had hoped, and the squares are not all the same size. I'm using the flat braid join, but I do like how they are going together. It will be beautiful when it's done, and will be a relief when it's done as well!

I needed a break from working on WIPs so I picked up a quick little project - the Little Spring Mandala from Made in K-Town by Barbara Smith. I love this pattern - it's ease in working up, the subtle changes in pattern and how quickly I can finish it!

The next project my crochet group decided to work on is for a neo-natal intensive care unit (NICU). Each of us will crochet items the unit has listed on its wish list - blankets, hats, booties, gowns as well as gather other items for families who end up spending time there such as journals, stuffed animals, tissue packs, disposable cameras, puzzles ISudokku, crosswords) baby/children's books), hand/foot molds), candles/lighters), etc.

We've crocheted three or four small blankets to date, plus started on some booties. The list also has dimensions for plain white memory boxes for families to decorate.

I've enjoyed working on the blanket. The size is small and easy to carry. And the reason touches my heart.

For more information, visit the website here. 

Until next time, and hopefully better Internet service!

Happy on the Hook!
Gwenhywfar

Last minute gifts...

Snowflakes are my latest endeavor. They are perfect right now, quick and easy projects for instant gratification and much easier to put down when my hand/wrist gets grumpy. I have always loved crocheted snowflakes. My mother made some when I was younger and they always went on the tree or in the window. Watching her hands as she made the snowflakes magically turn into dainty beauties was mesmerizing. I tackled a few snowflakes last year, but I wasn't using crochet thread... I wasn't comfortable with it yet.

This year I needed four small gifts and I happened to think of snowflakes. Now, mind you, this was about a week ago that I had this brilliant idea. But as snowflakes go, they are quick and easy little projects and I finished tucking ends last night.

Then, with the help of my mother since I haven't stiffened crochet before, I tackled the next step.

The stiffening mixture is 3 parts water, 2 parts white craft glue and 1 part glitter. The mixture is mixed in a glass jar by shaking it until well mixed. You will need a surface to pin the snowflakes on. We used a large cardboard box and cut down the sides to make a tray. Then we put another layer of cardboard in for easy of pinning. Next, the tray was lined with wax paper.

The snowflakes are dunked into the stiffening mixture, then squeezed to get the excess out of the snowflake. Don't wring or twist them, or you may end up ruining it. Then the pinning begins. Use rust-proof pins. The goal of pinning is to straighten out all the picots and loops in the snowflake (or other details of the crocheted item). But remember, however the item is pinned that's what it will look like when it's dried! Let the snowflakes sit overnight and tada...

I have enjoyed working on these snowflakes. Not only has my love of crochet thread grown, but working on something homemade for someone is so very special. As you stitch away, thoughts of that person are interweaved in the work. That's ultimately why I picked up the hook for these to give away... I wanted to give something of myself to these four special people.

The patterns are mostly from 100 Snowflakes to Crochet by Caitlin Sainio (2012). I also used the Baby Snowflakes patterns at Snowcatcher. I used Size 10, Size 5, Size 3 crochet thread and Knit-Cro-Sheen made by Aunt Lydia's, Red Heart and unknown (from the stash I acquired earlier this year) as well as a BonBon by Lion Brand.

I hope all have a truly blessed Christmas and don't lose sight of the true Spirit of the Season.


Happy on the Hook!
Gwenhywfar

Slow but sure...

It's been a while since I've posted, and as I mentioned in my last post I had some pain at the base of my thumb. Well, around Halloween I tried to shut the tailgate of my car on my hand and boy did I have a bruise from it. That bruise hung around for over three weeks. I finally went to see the doctor (after I put two and two together - not being able to pick up bowls, glasses, etc.) and had it X-rayed. It's not broken, but it will take a bit to heal.

So I am just now able to get in a bit of crocheting, but not for very long at a time. And it's not easy with my 'friend' on my wrist. There is improvement though - I find myself going without the brace a bit more now and doing okay, but only when I know I won't be lifting or using my right hand much.

This injury has hampered my Christmas plans a bit as well. My intentions were to make snowflakes and ornaments for friends this year. So much for that!

My afghan for the Blankets for Barracks Soldiers project is on hold until I can lift the afghan without hurting my wrist. I'm on the last row before I start decreasing on both sides, so I'm excited to get back to it. The colors are really coming together nicely. And the yarn scrap pile is being used up as well!

Since I can't handle my main project right now, I started a smaller project. It's a shell blanket using Red Heart Soft yarn. Beautiful yarn to work with - soft, works well on the hook.... but it's a bear finding the end in the skein and getting it out of the skein! I end up pulling nearly half the skein out of the middle just to find the end. There has to be a better way, I just haven't found it yet. The 'Soft' yarn isn't like Red Heart's Super Saver yarn where the end is sticking out, easy to find. Nooooooo. It's hiding inside, buried where you can't find it. Very frustrating. Not sure I'll use the yarn after this project, unless I discover the secret to finding the end without pulling half the skein out of the middle!

Now that crocheting is gradually coming back I should be posting more.

I hope your Christmas projects are on task and you have some time for you!

Happy on the Hook!
Gwenhywfar

A bit of a break

I've been taking a bit of a break from crocheting, for numerous reasons. First and foremost is to give my thumb some much needed respite. I've noticed some tenderness at the base of my thumb of my hook hand, and rather than cause what could be permanent damage I decided to take a break from the massive amounts of crocheting I've been doing. I still get together every week and crochet with the group, but that's about it for the time being.

In addition, work has kept me hopping. This weekend was the annual benefit auction, which I am in charge of organizing the entire event. A bit of stress, and a lot of time I would normally be crocheting. Now I can relax a bit and ease back into the routine of crocheting, once I catch up on some much needed sleep!

These two lovely friends pictured here are now part of my collection. My parents went on a long vacation and brought them back for my frog collection. I thought they fit my pensive mood lately... or related how my eyes looked with toothpicks holding them open!

Until I return to the lovely world of yarn...

Happy on the Hook!
Gwenhywfar

Wonderings from a yarn addict

My yarn group retreated this last weekend and had a fabulous time! We left after work on Friday and spent the entire weekend crocheting, cooking simple meals with a few dips in the hot tub included in the stay. The beds were wonderfully comfortable, the lighting for crocheting superb and the time absolutely relaxing. This business isn't too far away for us to travel to, but yet it doesn't take a whole bunch of time to get there - perfect in my estimation!

I didn't think to take any photos while I was at the retreat, but to see all that's offered visit http://www.uxor.com/entrance.html and then click on the links for the various rooms/amenities. We spent most of our time in the Entertainment Room, which is upstairs on the same level as the bedrooms. It has great lighting and comfortable seating.

The best part was the owner of the business even found a yarn ball winder she brought out for our use during the retreat. Talk about handy! With just a little bit of cranking, it converted an unruly hank into this:

And the funny part is the owner only paid $2 for the yarn ball winder, which will also take three threads and twist them together into one, at a yard sale!!

My plan this weekend was to stitch up some new wrist warmers with the superwashed merino I purchased a few weeks ago. Cute pattern, crocheted cables. But try as I might I couldn't get the stitch count to come out right. Ditched the pattern and went back to the C2C for Blankets for Barracks Troops.

All of us were, at one time, working on our Blankets for Barracks Soldiers projects. And this is the funny part... all of us purchased items from the store connected to the retreat. Two of us couldn't resist the yarn bins! The business owner has yarn for 25 cents per skein/ball. There are even unfinished projects. I bought three unfinished projects, including a tablecloth with balls of Knit Cro-Sheen.

So, my wonderings include: are we just addicted to buying yarn and yarn projects, or is it a case of seeing pretty colors and new yarn and deeming it something that is necessary? And how is it that just days after wondering about a yarn ball winder I found myself using one numerous times, confirming that I definitely need one. Lastly, how do I live without a hot tub?


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

So busy...

The month is almost gone, and sadly my hook has been silent for most of it. I think this happens every fall; try as I might, hectic reigns in my life this time of year. There was a bright spot among the flurry, though...

My small yarn group took a trip to three yarn shops. We touched, oohed and aahed at all the mixes, textures and colors one could imagine. This is Fiesta Baby Baby Boom in African Violet color. I've never found these colors together before and the transition between colors is nice. It's 100% extra fine super wash merino, something I haven't worked with before.

I've decided to make a set of wrist warmers. It will be interesting to see how the yarn variegates, whether it pools or does an actual variegation. I'm anxious to get started on the pattern but I'm debating if I want to start another WIP! So, the debate continues... and until the decision is made I will continue to lovingly admire this gorgeous yarn!


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

Fair time!

I know it's been awhile since my last post, but life around hometown USA is a bit busy right now. Most everyone is in the middle of our annual community fair and local rodeo, plus getting ready for school to start the day after Labor Day. For me, the fair means a lot of work relating to work - where I work has two activities/events happening during the four-day fair that are organized through my office. Not much time to crochet, but I have found a bit of time to relax with my hook!

I've found the pattern for my coasters. It's the ombre coasters from Wink. Really quite easy and quite stunning! I'm enjoying the different color combinations, so much so I will likely hook up a set for an auction donation. In this particular case, I prefer Lilly's Sugar 'n Cream yarn for its stiffness. After all, coasters are supposed to be somewhat stiff!

Earlier I mentioned the local community fair. I actually entered a few of my crocheted items and received blue ribbons. I entered the purple African Flower Hexagon Mandala, Little Spring Mandala and wrist warmers.

Very pleased with the wrist warmers, using a Drops Design pattern in Hobby Lobby brand I Love This Cotton yarn. I received a Best of Class for the finished product. I haven't looked to see if the judge wrote any comments.

Remember, this is how we share our love of crochet and the art of fiber is by showing it off. Be proud of your work and the time you spend following the patterns, the money spent on the yarn and the care spent in each project.

I even do crocheting while sitting in a booth at the fair, and it does draw attention to it. People stop and watch me, ask questions about what I'm doing, the yarn I'm using, etc. It's the best way to show that what we do!

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

Pattern trials: Coasters!

I have an antique table that if moisture even gets anywhere near it, water marks appear. So coasters are a part of my everyday routine. I grew up using coasters; I was taught they saved the furniture from a beverage's condensation, those little drips that slip down the side of the glass and even from minor spills. In fact, I've been using the coasters I used as a child on my antique table - the same ones I tooled on leather. Ahh, the memories!

I sit at the same table and crochet often. During one of those recent sessions, I began to think it would be quite lovely to crochet some coasters. So I started my search for coasters. I headed to Ravelry and used its search function, and found quite a few.

The above coasters are a combination of two patterns. The center is from here and the petals are from here. The difference in size is yarn. The center on the left is I Love This Cotton from Hobby Lobby and the right is Sugar 'n Cream by Lilly. The petals on both are with I Love This Cotton. I will likely make more with Sugar 'n Cream just to get the size I want.

This coaster is really quite pretty and is a larger size, which I really like. It's by Wink and the tutorial is available here. I used Sugar 'n Cream yarn for the entire coaster (sage green) and I Love This Cotton for the accent (pistache).

This is based on a pattern by Charmed by Ewe. I added a few rows, and then the final row wouldn't work so I did my own. I still want to make the original pattern, maybe with Sugar 'n Cream so the final coaster will be large enough. I like my coasters to be a bit bigger so they will work for mugs and glasses of almost any size.

The other colors I used in these coasters are Sugar 'n Cream Aloe Vera, I Love This Cotton Camo Print and I Love This Cotton Too Pink.

I'm not done testing coaster patterns. I'm having fun looking for the 'perfect' pattern - the right size that's tight enough so moisture won't damage my table and one that has just enough pretty to fit my tastes. Don't know if I'll find the one, but the hunt is fun!

Happy on the Hook!
Gwenhywfar

Monday ramblings

I actually had a productive weekend, even though it was a busy one. I'm caught up on my temperature blanket, pictured above, and I'm very happy with the minor adjustments I made to the Riley Flower Square Motif. The colors are working together quite well, although once again I've adjusted the color scheme for that as well.

The idea of a temperature blanket came from a group on Facebook. It's really been a lot of fun tracking the highs and lows each day. The nuances of temperature changes each day is fascinating, how the temperature can jump around within a day and how in the summer it stays hot well into the evening (in our part of the United States anyway) is all intriguing. I am a bit frustrated though, that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Weather Service's website where I obtain my temperatures stopped posting information on Aug. 1 at 7:40 p.m.

Since I am at a stopping point on the temperature blanket and will have to wait for the local newspaper to come out on Thursday for the temperatures, I turned my attention to my mood blanket. I had initially began working on the centers with the intent of 'catching up' from January 1. Well, we're in August, and I'm just starting, so that's not going to work. So I decided to start in July like I did with the Temperature Blanket.

I came across the mention of a mood blanket in someone else's blog at the beginning of the year. I did some research and found a group on Facebook dedicated to those who were committed to the Crochet Mood Blanket 2014 Crochet Along. 

First, select your moods. Then select the colors that best represent the moods. For my blanket, the inside of the block is the mood.

My moods are content, relaxed, happy, blessed, productive, busy, tired, stressed, bleh, overwhelmed, migraine, energetic, excited, confident, frustrated and bad day.

Then, you can either do a block every day or choose a block pattern that has multiple rows and do a row a day for a block a week. I am doing a block a week.

Some crocheters/knitters are doing rows per day/week. The choices are infinite!

This has been a good exercise for me. It's helped me to see how my moods change, and how long my moods stay the same. As with the temperature blanket, I've been tracking my moods since the beginning of 2014. 

I am using the same pattern Zelna Olivier at Zooty Owls' Crafty Blog used for her Mood Blanket. I am using I Love This Yarn by Hobby Lobby for the entire afghan. So far, the colors I've selected are going together nicely, even the not-so-good moods!

Both daily afghans are very similar in design, it turns out. I will have to be very careful and not get the patterns mixed up! I am enjoying how both are working up, and knowing each is specific to me - one the temperatures of my hometown and the other my interpretation of my moods each day - will make these very special indeed. They may look somewhat haphazard, but they will be perfect!

Until next time...

Happy on the Hook!
Gwenhywfar