Faith... or lack thereof

God is like the big blue ocean; all religions and beliefs are like rivers and streams; human-kind is the drop of water. It doesn't matter which path a person takes, as long as they walk in faith and live in truth they will flow back to the big blue ocean.

Religion has always been a struggle for me. Ever since my mother pulled me by the ear to Sunday school, I never understood the mish-mash of information being thrown at me. None of it made any logical sense to me. I think the pivotal moment however, was when my sunday school teacher told me that my dog, Candy, would not be going to "heaven" with me, as dogs have no soul. What gave her the right to make that determination? I mean who made up these rules? What makes them think humans are any better than any of the other living, breathing creatures on this earth. Life is precious no matter the form it takes.

Then there is the issue of other religions. I find it hard to believe that in a world where so many religions exist, (many) Christians still have the audacity to believe thiers is the only true religion. Others are delusional in thier eyes and followers of those "Pagan" religions will go to hell for thinking otherwise. Well how can you go to a place you don't believe exists? I swear it's like belonging to a cult! The arrogance astonishes me.

I once asked my (brainwashed?) ex what he believed as far as religion. His answer started with, "Well, I was always told..."

I responded with, "Yes, I was always told the same things. But I do have a mind of my own and I've come to realize that those things aren't true for me."

His response was the "You will be judged" speech. How can one person be so narrow-minded? So un-accepting of someone else's beliefs?

My cousin was the first to introduce me to an alternative religion. I think one of the things I liked most about it was that you are held accountable for your own actions. It's ridiculous to "hand your problems to God" It's our responsibility to live life the best way we can... not as a puppet.

The Christians do have one thing right. There is only one God. But that's where the truths end. There are many paths to the divine. It's up to each individual to decide for themselves what that path is and how they wish to travel that path.

Just my little rant for the day, thanks for "listening." :)

Winter Dream

Winter Dream

Finished size: 12 inch square

Materials: US size "I" hook, approx. 4 ounces worsted weight yarn (blue was used for example), tapestry needle for weaving in ends

SPECIAL STITCHES
Beg Cluster: ch 2, (yo, insert hook through next st and draw up loop, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice, yo, draw through all loops on hook.

Cluster: (yo, insert hook through next st and draw up loop, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook) 3 times, yo, draw through all loops on hook.

ch 4

Round 1: (dc, ch 1) in 4th ch from hook, (2 dc, ch 1) 7 times in same st, join with sl st in top of beg ch. (16 dc, 8 ch 1 sps)

Round 2: sl st in next dc, sl st in next ch 1 sp, ch 1, (sc, dc, ch 1, dc, sc) in same ch 1 space, (sc, dc, ch 1, dc, sc) in next ch 1 space 7 times, join with sl st in top of beg sc. (8 petals)

Round 3: sl st in next dc, sl st in next ch 1 sp, ch 1, sc in same space, ch 3, (sk next 4 sts, sc in next ch 1 sp, ch 3) 7 times, join with sl st in top of beg sc. (8 ch 3 sps)

Round 4: ch 4 (counts as beg ch 3 + ch 1), dc in same space, 5 dc in next ch 3 space, dc in next sc, 5 dc in next ch 3 space, *(dc, ch 1, dc) in next sc, 5 dc in next ch 3 space, dc in next sc, 5 dc in next ch 3 space, rep from * twice more, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (52 dc, 4 ch 1 sps)

Round 5: ch 3, *(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 1 space, dc in next st, **ch 2, sk next 2 sts, sc in next st, ch 2, skip next 2 sts, dc in next st*, rep from ** once, rep between * and * twice, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 1 space, dc in next st, ch 2, sk next 2 sts, sc in next st, ch 2, skip next 2 sts, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (28 dc, 8 sc)

Round 6: ch 3, dc in each of next 2 sts, *(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 space, dc in each of next 3 sts, 2 dc in next ch 2 sp, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next ch 2 sp, sc in next st, ch 1, skip next ch 2 sp, dc in next st, 2 dc in next ch 2 sp, dc in ea of next 3 sts, rep from * twice, *(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 space, dc in each of next 3 sts, 2 dc in next ch 2 sp, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next ch 2 sp, sc in next st, ch 1, skip next ch 2 sp, dc in next st, 2 dc in next ch 2 sp, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (64 dc, 4 sc)

Round 7: ch 3, dc in each of next 4 sts, *(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 space, dc in each of next 8 sts, 2 dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in next st, 2 dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in ea of next 8 sts, rep from * twice, *(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 space, dc in each of next 8 sts, 2 dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in next st, 2 dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in each of next 3 sts, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (100 dc)

Round 8: ch 1, sc in same st, (ch 3, skip next 2 sts, sc in next st) twice, *(sc, ch 2, sc) in next ch 2 sp, sc in next st, (ch 3, skip next 2 sts, sc in next st) 8 times, rep from * twice, (sc, ch 2, sc) in next ch 2 sp, sc in next st, (ch 3, skip next 2 sts, sc in next st) 5 times, ch 2, join with sl st in top of beg sc. (24 ch 3 sps)

Round 9: sl st into next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same space, sk next sc, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, *sk next sc, dc in next st, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 sp, dc in next st, sk next st, (3 dc in next ch 3 sp) 8 times, rep from * twice more, sk next sc, dc in next st, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 sp, dc in next st, sk next st, (3 dc in next ch 3 sp) 6 times, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (120 dc)

Round 10: make beg cluster, (ch 2, make cluster) twice, ch 1, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 sp, *ch 1, (make cluster, ch 2) 9 times, make cluster, ch 1, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 sp, rep from * twice more, ch 1, (make cluster, ch 2) 8 times, join with sl st in top of beg cluster. (40 clusters)

Round 11: sl st in next ch 2 sp, ch 2, 2 hdc in same sp, (sk next cluster st, 3 hdc in next ch sp) twice, *sk next st, hdc in next st, (hdc, ch 2, hdc) in next ch sp, hdc in next st, sk next st, 3 hdc in next ch sp, (sk next cluster st, 3 hdc in next ch sp) 10 times, rep from * twice, sk next st, hdc in next st, (hdc, ch 2, hdc) in next ch sp, hdc in next st, sk next st, 3 hdc in next ch sp, (sk next cluster st, 3 hdc in next ch sp) 7 times, join with sl st in top of be ch 2, fasten off, weave in ends. (148 hdc)

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Pattern designed and written by April Moreland
© 2009 All rights reserved

Calendar 'Ghan CAL

I will be doing a year long Mystery Calendar Afghan Crochet Along.

Each month a different pattern will be posted for a 12 inch square that represents the current month. After the 12th square is completed I will post the pattern for joining and border instructions so you can complete your Calender 'Ghan. All patterns will be new and original designs created specifically for this CAL by me (April.) The patterns will be posted daily, one row at a time, beginning on the first Wednesday of each month and will last approximately one week.
Each month's example square will be worked in a solid color, but you are free to experiment with different color combinations in any way you wish. So when choosing yarn be sure to choose colors and fiber content that work well together. You'll want your Calendar 'Ghan to be both functional and pleasing to the eye. The general idea is that at the end of the year you will have a completed sampler afghan to use for yourself or to give as a gift.

MATERIALS: The materials are the same each month. You will need a US size "I" hook, and approx 3 - 4 ounces Worsted Weight yarn.

FINISHED SIZE: The finished size of each square is 12 inches. The finished size of the afghan will be approximately 40 X 52 inches.

Below is the list of pattern names for each month. The link will show up for each pattern on the first Wednesday of the coordinating month. The link will remain the same for the duration of that month's CAL. The new rows will be added each day until the entire pattern is posted for that month.

January ~ Winter Dream
February ~ Pammi's Passion
March ~ Lion's Mane
April ~ Spring Fling
May ~ Flower Garden
June ~ Summer Romance
July ~ Patriot's Pride
August ~ Heat Wave
September ~ Pineapple Blossom
October ~ Pretty in Pink
November ~ Mum's The Word
December ~ Mistletoe

Join-as-you-go ~ Joining Instructions

Two Color Granny Square

Two Color Granny Square

(Pictures forthcoming)

This pattern gives the illusion of two triangles. I wrote this as an alternative to the patterns that call for you to turn with each row. I do admit the other version is easier in the fact that there are fewer ends to weave in. But if you want a square that is worked completely on the right side, this one's for you. :)

Materials: Yarn of your choice in two contrasting colors (CA and CB), hook size appropriate to your yarn, yarn or tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

*Please note: I do not turn after each row as many patterns call for. I think doing it this way makes for a much neater appearance, although with the color chages on this particular pattern, doing it this way will result in many more ends to weave in.
**Also please note that while I do not claim to be the original designer of this pattern, I do claim the copyright for my version of the written pattern.

CA=Color A
CB=Color B

Color changing: Maggie's Crochet gives a good tutorial for chaging colors in the middle of a row. For our purposes here, we will be changing in the ch 2 corner spaces. Once you have worked your way to the space where you will chage colors, you drop your current color cutting the yarn and leaving a long tail for weaving in, then you pic up the next color, tie the two ends together to secure, then yarn over with the new color, and continue with the pattern as written.

With CA ch 4

Round 1: 2 dc in 4th ch from hook, ch 2, *3 dc in same st, changing to CB ch 2, (3 dc in same st, ch 2) twice, join with sl st in top of beg ch, fasten off.

Round 2: With CA join with sl st in last ch 2 sp on rnd 1, ch 3, 2 dc in same ch 2 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 2 sp, 3 dc in next ch 2 sp, changing to CB ch 2, 3 dc in same ch 2 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 2 sp, 3 dc in next ch 2 sp, ch 2, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, fasten off.

Round 3: With CA join with sl st in last ch 2 sp on rnd 2, ch 3, 2 dc in same ch 2 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 2 sp, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 2 sp, changing to CB ch 2, 3 dc in same ch 2 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 2 sp, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 2 sp, ch 2, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, fasten off.

For larger granny square, continue in established pattern until square is desired size.

Pattern written by April Moreland
© 2008 All rights reserved

Santa To-go Cup Cozy

Santa To-go Cup Cozy

Finished size: Will fit a "to-go" coffee cup

Materials: (US) size H hook, worsted weight cotton yarn: red, small amount worsted weight cotton yarn: black, small amount of white Silverlash or Fun Fur, scrap of gold or black felt, white tacky glue, tapestry needle.

NOTE: You can use any type white novelty yarn or even chenille for the fur trim at the top. If using a bulkier yarn just reduce the number of rows worked with the white yarn.

With red cotton, ch 30, join with sl st in last ch from hook being careful not to twist.

NOTE: ch 1 does NOT count as a stitch.

Rnd 1: ch 1, sc in same st, sc in each remaining st around, join with sl st in top of first sc, do not turn.

Rnds 2-4: rep rnd 1, fasten off at the end of round 4.

Rnd 5: Join black yarn with sl st in last st worked on round 4, rep rnd 1.

Rnd 6: rep rnd 1, fasten off.

Rnd 7: Join red yarn with sl st in last st worked on round 5, rep rnd 1.

Rnd 8-10: rep rnd 1, fasten off at end of rnd 10.

Rnd 11: Join Silverlash in last st worked on rnd 10, rep rnd 1.

Rnds 12-14: rep rnd 1.

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Belt Buckle: Using photo as a guide, cut a square approximately 2 - 2 1/2 inches from gold or black felt, cut out center of square to form buckle, glue to center front of cozy.

Designed and written by April Moreland
© 2008 All rights reserved.

Solid Color Granny Square

Solid Color Granny Square

NOTE: Please realize that although I am not the designer of the common Granny Square and cannot claim copyright as such, I do however claim copyright on these instructions as written by me.

Gauge size: 4 rows = 5 1/2 inches

Materials: Worsted Weight Yarn (1/2 oz. for a 4 round square); US size "I" hook; Tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

ch 5, sl st in 5th ch from hook to form loop

Round 1: ch 3, [2 dc, ch 2, (3 dc, ch 2) 3 times] in loop, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3.

Round 2: sl st in each of next 2 sts, sl into next ch 2 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, * (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch 2 sp, ch 1, rep from * twice more, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3.

Round 3: sl st in each of next 2 sts, sl into next ch 2 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1, * (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch 2 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1, rep from * twice more, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3.

Round 4: sl st in each of next 2 sts, sl into next ch 2 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1) in each ch 1 sp across, * (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch 2 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1) in each ch 1 sp across, rep from * twice more, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, fasten off, weave in ends.

Pattern written by April Moreland
© 2008 All rights reserved

One Skein Basic Filet Shawl

One Skein Basic Filet Shawl

Finished size: Adult/One Size

Materials: (US) size I hook, 1 skein worsted weight yarn*
*Red Heart Symphony in Persimmon was used for sample. If using RHSS or the equivalent, you will need a second skein if using an ombre. You may also need to increase or decrease the number of rows when using a yarn other than the Symphony that I used.

ch 5, join with sl st in first ch to form beg loop.

Row 1: ch 4 (counts as beg ch 3 plus ch 1 now and throughout) dc in beg loop, (ch 1, dc) twice, turn.

Row 2: ch 4, dc in same st, (ch 1, skip next ch, dc in next dc) across to last dc, ch 1, (dc, ch 1, dc) in top of beg ch 3, turn.

Rows 3-45: Repeat row 2. Fasten off, weave in ends.

**You can add a border of your choice, or leave as is.

Designed by April Moreland
© 2008 All rights reserved