Grannies on Parade

I didn't mean to do it. I didn't set out to start a new project, it just sort of happened. My WIPs pile is already taking over the craft room, but these colors were just begging to be turned into a Grannyghan. I was forced into it, they were threatening bodily harm I tell you. ;)

So what do 90 Granny's Daughters look like? Surprisingly the pile was actually quite small so they worked up amazingly fast.

Even adding the second row seemed to go at warp speed. There are still 90 squares. (3 of each color combo.) For the record, they are called "saltines" at this stage, I'm told, because they are about the size of a saltine cracker.

Each square will get one more blast of color, then they will all get a final round of an anchor color to bring it all together. I haven't decided yet who will get this little lovely. I love the colors together and it would certainly go perfect in my living room, but I think my conscience might get the better of me and it will be on its way to charity. After all, keeping someone warm is much more important than decorating a room!

Cool angle :)

Granny's Daughter

Granny's Daughter

Materials: Approx. 2 1/2 yarns worsted weight yarn, US size "I" hook

Finished size: 1.75 inches

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, fasten off, weave in ends.*

*You may wish to leave a long tail for sewing if you plan to sew your granny's daughters together rather than crocheting them together.

In Remembrance Awareness Square

In honor of Kathy and all those who were taken too early.

Early detection is the key to survival!

Hearts & Ribbons/In Remembrance Awareness Square

Finished size: 12 inches square

MATERIALS: Approx. 4 ounces worsted weight yarn, US size "I" hook, Tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

GAUGE: Rounds 1 & 2 = 3 inches

ch 4

Round 1: 15 dc in 4th ch from hook, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (16 dc)

Round 2: ch 3, 4 dc in same st, * dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st, 5 dc in next st, dc in each of next 3 sts **, 5 dc in next st, rep from * once more ending at **, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (30 dc)

Round 3: sl st in next st, ch 3, * 5 dc in next st, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, dc in each of next 3 sts, ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st, 5 dc in next st, (dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st) 3 times **, dc in next st, rep from * once more ending at **, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (38 dc)

Round 4: ch 4 (counts as beg ch 3 + ch 1 now and throughout), * skip next st, dc in next st, 5 dc in next st, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in each of next 3 sts, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st, 5 dc in next st, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, (dc in next st, dc in next ch 1 sp) 3 times **, dc in next st, ch 1, rep from * once more ending at **, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (56 dc)

Round 5: ch 4, skip next ch 1 sp, dc in each of next 3 sts, * 5 dc in next st, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in each of next 7 sts, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st, 5 dc in next st, dc in each of next 3 sts, ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp **, dc in each of next 7 sts, ch 1, skip next st, dc in each of next 3 sts, rep from * once more ending at **, dc in each of next 6 sts, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (72 dc)

Round 6: ch 3, dc in next ch 1 sp, * dc in each of next 5 sts, 5 dc in next st, dc in each of next 3 sts, ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp, dc in each of next 11 sts, ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp, dc in each of next 3 sts, 5 dc in next st, dc in each of next 5 sts, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, dc in each of next 3 sts, ch 1, skip next st **, dc in next st, dc in next ch 1 st, rep from * once more ending at **, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (88 dc)

Round 7: ch 3, dc in each of next 8 sts, * 5 dc in next st, dc in each of next 5 sts, ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp, dc in each of next 5 sts, ch 1, skip next st, dc in each of next 5 sts, ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp, dc in each of next 5 sts, 5 dc in next st, dc in each of next 9 sts, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st, dc in next ch 1 sp **, dc in each of next 9 sts, rep from * once more ending at **, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (104 dc)

Round 8: ch 3, dc in each of next 10 sts, * 5 dc in next st, dc in each of next 7 sts, dc in next ch 1 sp, [dc in next st, (ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st) twice, dc in next ch 1 sp] twice, dc in each of next 7 sts, 5 dc in next st, dc in each of next 11 sts, ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st **, dc in each of next 11 sts, rep from * once more ending at **, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (116 dc)

Round 9: ch 4, skip next st, dc in each of next 11 sts, * 5 dc in next st, dc in each of next 11 sts, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in next st, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in each of next 3 sts, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in next st, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in each of next 11 sts, 5 dc in next st, dc in each of next 11 sts, ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in each of next 3 sts, dc in next ch 1 sp **, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, dc in each of next 11 sts, rep from * once more ending at **, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (136 dc)

Round 10: ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next ch 1 sp, sc in each of next 13 sts, *3 sc in next st, sc in each of next 35 sts, 3 sc in next st, sc in each of next 13, sc in next ch 1 sp **, sc in each of next 7 sts, sc in next ch 1 sp, sc in each of next 13 sts, rep from * once more ending at **, sc in each of next 6 sts, join with sl st in beg sc. (152 sc)

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

Chain Reaction

Hypochondriac: a person who worries or talks excessively about his or her health."

I'm beginning to feel more and more like this word describes me to a T. I've been feeling out of sorts again. When I first started feeling bad a few months ago I was having migraine-like headaches. Knowing I had a history with HBP I assumed that was the culprit. So I took measures to remedy that, including limiting my caffeine intake. Things seemed fine... Then the headaches started again along with severe backaches. I attributed the relapse to the lack of caffeine and my body needing to adjust through the withdrawal stages, as well as dehydration. So I started consuming more liquids, and over a relatively short period of time the symptoms once again dissipated.

Another side effect of caffeine withdrawal, of course, is fatigue. But this symptom should be improving as time goes on, not getting worse. I've been feeling overly tired recently. No matter how long I sleep, whether it's 7, 8, or even 12 hours I feel like it's all I can do to drag myself out of bed in the morning and by early evening I am in desperate need of a nap. And now, for the past several days the headaches feel like they are trying to come back, along with the blurry vision, white spots, and on occasion, nausea. I'm not usually the type to constantly complain about my health but this general "malaise," I guess is the best way to describe it, has got me feeling like I'm going crazy.

After some more research about caffeine and caffeine withdrawal I was led to some research results regarding aspartame. According to Cancer.org the ADI (acceptable daily intake) of aspartame for the average sized adult is approximately 3500mg. Sounds like alot... until I looked on my box of equal. ONE packet of equal contains 1000mg. That amounts to 3.5 packets per day ADI... I've been using AT LEAST 16, oftentimes more. That's more than 4 1/2 times what is considered safe!

Reliable information on the adverse side effects of aspartame is extremely hard, if not impossible, to find on the internet. I did find a reliable article about the MIT Study on which the FDA (at least partially) based its findings. They gave participants in the study 3 mg per 1 kg body weight. That's 3500mg (on average). A "safe" level according to the FDA, but MIT claims that's almost 20 times the average daily intake. I know I'm not an MIT "genius", but those numbers just don't add up for me. That's less than 1/4 of a packet. I think most people use at least one packet in thier morning coffee.

So it's still up in the air as to the effects of taking it in extreme excess, as I evidently have been. While looking for more information I found lots of outrageous claims about the substance. Everything from it causes M.S. and Lupus (a false claim according to Snopes) to the ludicrous claim that it was originally developed as an ant poison, again false according to Snopes. But the general consensus among various laypersons contributing to message boards, etc., is that it caused symptoms for them such as: migraines, hip and joint pain, heart palpitations, restless leg syndrome, frequent urgency to urinate, extreme fatigue, cognitive disfunction or "brain fog", panic attacks, and more.

So after putting all this information together things are beginning to make a little more sense... I think. It seems everytime I take measures to cure one set of symptoms, the cure then creates a whole new set of symptoms to deal with. So now I'm giving up the aspartame. I'm drinking water and orange juice for now. Yes, much healthier than diet tea, but kind of boring especially since I have to limit the fruit juice because of the sugar... *sigh*

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. :)