Move Over A.C. Moore

Since moving to MO I have so missed shopping the mill end bin at A.C. Moore. So when I was perusing the Shopcaron.com website recently and discovered that they sell mill ends, well I was thrilled! At $3.49 per pound, that's a bargain in itself. But wait... If you purchase in bulk (24 pounds) they'll knock 50 cents off each pound! Awesome! Oh but there's even more. With my CGOA Member discount, that brought it down to a mere $2.47 per pound, what a steal!

You all know me, I LOVE to buy yarn! So of course I couldn't pass up the bulk deal. I really encourage everyone to take advantage of this bargain basement price. A little warning though, you don't get to choose colors. These are mill ends, end of the run, leftovers so to speak. But all thier yarn is so great I know you won't be disappointed!

This is from the description on their website:

Do you need lots of yarn at a great price for a knit or crochet group, scout troop or charity guild? Are you flexible about the color? One Pound Mill End Bags are the answer! Each bag contains one full pound (16 oz.) of premium 100% acrylic yarn. Plus, all yarn is machine washable and dryable.

There wasn't one bag of yarn in the box I didn't like. It was mostly solids with a good mix between Simply Soft and thier Pounder yarns. There were 4 pounds of the Blue Teal ombre (the only variegated in the bunch) which Cyndi snatched up for a couple of charity 'ghans she has planned. My favorites were the bright orange and purple! Woo, gotta love that day-glo orange! (See pic below) I swear they were saving those colors just for me! :D

One other thing, don't let the shipping charges take you off guard if you decide to purchase in bulk as Cyndi and I did. The box of course was heavy, so it cost us a little more than $17 to have it shipped UPS. But averaging it out, that still put us at $3.21 a pound. A fantastic deal any way you look at it!

HUGE box of yarn! :)

Lots of Simply Soft & Pounder yarn

Cyndi's Blue Teal Ombre
Yes, I LOVE bright colors! :D
More yarn!

Winter Rose Cloth

Winter Rose Cloth

Made with the Diagonal Box Stitch

Finished Size: 7 3/4 inch square

Materials: US size H hook, 1 1/2 ounces worsted weight cotton (I Love This Cotton, Christmas Print was used for example), Tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

ch 6

Row 1: dc in 4th chain from hook, dc in each of next 2 ch (box made).

Row 2: ch 6, dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each of next 2 ch, turn box made in row 1 over so that the wrong side is facing up (see Fig. 1), sl st in top of beg ch 3 on row 1, ch 3, working along end of row 1, 3 dc in ch 3 sp (see Fig. 2), turn.

Row 3: ch 6, dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each of next 2 ch, sl st in top of ch 3 of last box made on previous row, ch 3, 3 dc in ch 3 sp, sl st in top of next ch 3, ch 3, 3 dc in ch 3 sp, turn.

Row 4: ch 6, dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each of next 2 ch, sl st in top of ch 3 of last box made on previous row, (ch 3, 3 dc in ch 3 sp, sl st in top of next ch 3) twice, ch 3, 3 dc in ch 3 sp, turn.

Row 5: ch 6, dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each of next 2 ch, sl st in top of ch 3 of last box made on previous row, (ch 3, 3 dc in ch 3 sp, sl st in top of next ch 3) 3 times, ch 3, 3 dc in ch 3 sp, turn.

Row 6: ch 6, dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each of next 2 ch, sl st in top of ch 3 of last box made on previous row, (ch 3, 3 dc in ch 3 sp, sl st in top of next ch 3) 4 times, ch 3, 3 dc in ch 3 sp, turn.

Row 7: ch 6, dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each of next 2 ch, sl st in top of ch 3 of last box made on previous row, (ch 3, 3 dc in ch 3 sp, sl st in top of next ch 3) 5 times, ch 3, 3 dc in ch 3 sp, turn.

Row 8: ch 6, dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each of next 2 ch, sl st in top of ch 3 of last box made on previous row, (ch 3, 3 dc in ch 3 sp, sl st in top of next ch 3) 6 times, ch 3, 3 dc in ch 3 sp, turn.

Row 9: ch 6, dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each of next 2 ch, sl st in top of ch 3 of last box made on previous row, (ch 3, 3 dc in ch 3 sp, sl st in top of next ch 3) 7 times, ch 3, 3 dc in ch 3 sp, turn.

Row 10: ch 6, dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each of next 2 ch, sl st in top of ch 3 of last box made on previous row, (ch 3, 3 dc in ch 3 sp, sl st in top of next ch 3) 8 times, ch 3, 3 dc in ch 3 sp, turn.

Row 11: sl st in each of next 2 sts, sl st in top of ch 3 of last box made on previous row (see Fig. 3), (ch 3, 3 dc in ch 3 sp, sl st in top of next ch 3) 9 times, turn.

Row 12: sl st in each of next 2 sts, sl st in top of ch 3 of last box made on previous row, (ch 3, 3 dc in ch 3 sp, sl st in top of next ch 3) 8 times, turn.

Row 13: sl st in each of next 2 sts, sl st in top of ch 3 of last box made on previous row, (ch 3, 3 dc in ch 3 sp, sl st in top of next ch 3) 7 times, turn.

Row 14: sl st in each of next 2 sts, sl st in top of ch 3 of last box made on previous row, (ch 3, 3 dc in ch 3 sp, sl st in top of next ch 3) 6 times, turn.

Row 15: sl st in each of next 2 sts, sl st in top of ch 3 of last box made on previous row, (ch 3, 3 dc in ch 3 sp, sl st in top of next ch 3) 5 times, turn.

Row 16: sl st in each of next 2 sts, sl st in top of ch 3 of last box made on previous row, (ch 3, 3 dc in ch 3 sp, sl st in top of next ch 3) 4 times, turn.

Row 17: sl st in each of next 2 sts, sl st in top of ch 3 of last box made on previous row, (ch 3, 3 dc in ch 3 sp, sl st in top of next ch 3) 3 times, turn.

Row 18: sl st in each of next 2 sts, sl st in top of ch 3 of last box made on previous row, (ch 3, 3 dc in ch 3 sp, sl st in top of next ch 3) twice, turn.

Row 19: sl st in each of next 2 sts, sl st in top of ch 3 of last box made on previous row, ch 3, 3 dc in ch 3 sp, sl st in top of next ch 3, turn.

Border: ch 1, sc in first st of last box made, ch 2, dc in same sp, skip next 2 sts, [(sc, ch 2, dc) in top of next ch 3, skip ch 3 sp, (sc, ch 2, dc) in first sl st of next box, skip next 2 sts] 5 times, [(sc, ch 2, dc) in top side of 3rd dc of next box (see Fig. 3), (sc, ch 2, dc) in free loop of 1st ch of next box] 5 times, [(sc, ch 2, dc) in bottom side of 3rd dc of next box (see Fig. 4), (sc, ch 2, dc) in free loop of 1st ch of next box] 5 times, [(sc, ch 2, dc) in top of next ch 3, skip ch 3 sp, (sc, ch 2, dc) in first sl st of next box, skip next 2 sts] 4 times, (sc, ch 2, dc) in top of next ch 3, skip ch 3 sp, join with sl st in beg sc, fasten off, weave in ends.

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

Closeup of Diagonal Box Stitch

Here's one where you can see the diagonal effect a little better.

Stage One Complete

A New Look for Dishcloth Diaries! I was getting quite bored with the "blah" look (sorry blogger) of the blog so I went looking and found this stylish daisy theme. It's probably a little darker than I would have liked, but most of the more colorful themes were just too bright and hard on the eyes. And besides... Daisies are my favorite flower!

One unfortunate side effect of replacing the Blogger template with one from an outside source however, is that all my widgets were removed! YIKES! So that means the table of contents with all the pattern names and direct links is no longer there. I will be working on getting that back in place, but it is a time consuming process as each link must be added one at a time. (If anyone knows of a quicker way PLEASE let me know. I will be forever grateful!) So for now I've added the "Archive" widget so you can look through that for the post titles/pattern names you are looking for. I have managed to get everything else back in place with relative ease so hopefuly you will be able to find what you are looking for. :)

There will be some other changes coming in the next few days. I've decided to merge Dishcloth Diaries with my other blog The Madness Behind the Method. You will start to see posts about my ongoing projects, as well as pics of finished items, things I want to make, swaps I've sent and received, yarn purchases, and lots of other fun crochet, and otherwise crafty, stuff.

I hope you all won't mind hearing more about what's going on behind the scenes! But if you do, I've added labels to all my patterns. If you scroll down on the right hand column until you come to "Labels" you can click on the "free pattern" link and it will display the patterns without all the chatter.

Well, that's it for now... talk to you soon!

ETA: I had changed the date on this post so it would stay at the top for a while to give everyone a chance to read it and know what's going on, but decided instead to let it reside in its rightful place and just tack a link at the top for easy locating.

ETA: Also wanted to say the Table of Contents is now in place. It went surprisingly quick! So everything is where it belongs. :)

3-D Butterfly

Materials: (US) size 7 steel hook, size 10 cotton thread for main color, 6 inch piece of contrasting color size 10 cotton thread for body (or use main color), 2 stitch markers, fabric stiffener (optional)

Finished Size: 2.5 inches x 1.5 inches at widest points

Special Stitches:
Picot: ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from hook
Double Treble (dtr): yo 3 times, insert hook in designated st, yo, draw up loop, (yo, draw through 2 loops on hook) 4 times

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

Round 1: ch 3, 2 dc in loop, ch 2, [3 dc in loop (shell made), ch 2] 7 times, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (8 shells)

Round 2: sl st in each of next 2 sts, sl st into ch sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in same sp, [(3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in next ch sp], 7 times, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (16 shells)

Round 3: sl st in each of next 2 sts, sl st into ch sp, ch 4, (6 tr, picot, 7 tr) in same sp, sc in sp between next 2 shells from prev row, (7 tr, picot, 7 tr) in next ch sp, sc in sp between next 2 shells from prev row, * [(2 dc, 2 tr, 3 dtr, picot, 3 dtr, 2 tr, 2 dc) in next ch sp, sc in sp between next 2 shells from prev row], place marker in sc just made (see Fig. 1), repeat between [ and ] once, ** [(7 tr, picot, 7 tr) in next ch sp, sc in sp between next 2 shells from prev row] twice, repeat between * and ** once, join with sl st in top of beg ch 4. Fasten off, weave in ends.

Finishing:

1. Fold the piece in half making sure the fold is between the 2 sets of upper wings. (see Fig. 1)

2. Fold 6 inch piece of thread in half and tie a knot approximately 5/8 inch from the fold. (see Fig. 2)

3. Making sure not to twist the loop, place the folded piece around the center of the body and pull knot through the loop. (see Fig. 3)

4. Stiffen as desired. *Butterfly will stand as shown in Fig. 4 without stiffening.

Fig. 1


Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

Finished 3-D Butterfly

Pattern designed and written by April Moreland
© 2010 All rights reserved

My little get-a-way

Our shopping options are somewhat limited here in town. We have to travel to Springfield to do any "real" shopping. Even the Walmart there has a WAY better selection of pretty much everything than the one we have here. Plus there's also a much better selection of restaurants.

We ended up eating at the local chinese buffet (can't remember the name). The food was mediocre. We have finally accepted the fact that people in the midwest simply can't make good chinese food. I wonder what someone from Missouri would think about the awesome food at China Buffet or Hunan LaRose in Maryland?

Not so awesome food aside, I love our shopping trips. Even though I can't spend much money, it's still nice to get away from the house for a day. I usually spend the ride to and from crocheting. I made 3 preemie hats today for a charity challenge in one of my groups. Crocheting in the car just makes the time go so much faster. It's an hour ride each way, but it felt more like 20 minutes with my fingers kept busy!

Most of what you see in the pic below is DD's things, but I did still manage to spend almost a hundred dollars! I can't talk much about what I bought as most of it is for various swaps and holiday gifts. But needless to say... I did buy a LOT of yarn! :D

Hobby Lobby took the most of my money. They had some awesome new colors of ILTY so I had to buy some of that, and I of course bought some ILTC (my favorite). I also got some Sinfonia to try out, and some bright colored size 10 Aunt Lydia's. The thread is going to be a project for me. I saw this Basket of Butterflies a while back over on Crochetville and knew I just had to have one for myself!! So I'm going to attempt it. :)

We also went to Game Stop (for my son) and Michaels. I found this cool book in there. We had wanted to go to Dollar Tree but we were just too worn out! So we grabbed a drink from Sonic and headed home...

Yes Marie, that's the bag you made for me!
I love it and use it a lot! :) And looking at the
pile of bags here, I really regret not bringing
my Shopoholic Shopper bag that Jo made for
me! Rest assured though, on the next trip we
plan to go to the mall, and that bag WILL be
on the check list of what to bring that day!!! :)

The hats I made in the car. The blue one still

needs the last row. I like to border the boys

with a different color to add a little flair since the

scalloped edge is probably not very "boyish".

Skein of Lo Mein

What do chopsticks and crochet have in common? Everything if you are Jimbo from Jimbo's Front Porch! He is a wiz at creating some of the most unique, and highly coveted, hand-carved crochet hooks.

Jimbo carved the chophook that was the incentive prize for the August charity challenge on Crochet Swaps Galore. I made and donated 21 scarves for the challenge. I was very proud of myself! I crocheted like a madwoman to get them finished in time! But I wasn't the only one crocheting. Several other members of the group made very generous contributions as well and should be equally proud!

The scarves were sent to Compassionate Creations, a very worthy cause. One that kind of hits home for me. I would have made just as many scarves even if there were no prize involved, but I'll admit, it is a pretty cool addition to my collection of wooden hooks.

I can't go without saying thank you to Sissie and Cyndi for hosting the challenge on CSG, and a very special thank you to Ann who heads up the charity. Ann, I too hope for the day that these scarves are not needed, but until then I thank you for your caring and generosity in providing comfort to those who find themselves in this unfortunate situation.

My Awesome New Chophook

My hook collection is growing!

Pictured below are Some of the scarves I made for

Compassionate Creations

The first 3 I made with Simply Soft. They are all 3 new patterns that you will see from me sometime in the near future. :) A special thanks to Carole for the yarn!

These were made with Italia yarn in just a simple double crochet pattern.

I actually made 14 of these! I came across some Bright & Lofty in the dollar store one day and bought all they had knowing I would use it all for the scarf challenge. It's just a simple single crochet pattern.

And this one is made from Bernat's Softee Chunky, also a simple single crochet pattern.

Not pictured: I forgot to take a picture of the last one I made. It was a plain double crochet scarf made from Red Heart Symphony in Persimmon. Very soft & pretty. :)

Birthdays & Butterflies

My 44th birthday was last month. I honestly don't know how I feel about getting older. On the plus side, I'm finally comfortable with where I am and who I am... But at the same time, I'm really starting to feel my mortality. I realize 44 is still relatively young in the grand scheme of things. But so many family members have died early. I guess I worry a little too much that I'll follow suit...

Mickey needles, my b-day present to myself.
(I didn't make the pretty cloth. I received it in a Round Robin swap :)

Gorgeous B-day Cake from Cyndi

I love the bright colors, and especially love the butterfly!

And just for fun... Here's a recent picture of our little "ham"

He loves posing for the camera!