Chocolate & Raspberries

My latest finished ghan. It's for a charity challenge in Crochet Swaps Galore. It will be going to Patriot's Ridge Nursing Home in Ohio. The colors are from Red Heart. They are called Cherry Chip and Coffee, but they remind me more of Chocolate and Raspberries. (Yummm!)

I'm amazed at how quickly I finished this one. I started it this past Sunday on a whim. I would have finished it sooner than last night but I kind of wore myself out initially. I made 9 squares that first day! My hands were SOOOO tired that I didn't crochet for 2 days. LOL But I finally finished up joining the squares and putting on the border last night. I'm really happy with it. I think the colors are great. I hope it keeps someone very warm & cozy and feeling loved this winter. :)

And on a sad note... Fred is not doing so good. Well, his partner anyway. As it turns out, I think Fred was actually 2 plants. I had noticed the one side was looking a little droopy and dark, but yesterday when I went to pull one of the shriveled leaves off, they all went tumbling... *sigh* BUT the good news is Fred looks quite healthy and vibrant. Maybe I'll develop that green thumb after all!

Farewell Freda :(

Pink Christmas

I've been playing with colors again, but this time there is no future afghan in mind.


I love love LOVE buttons. Probably more than Yarn! Yes, I said it. Buttons are AWESOME! :)

And I have LOTS of them. I won't show you my collection just yet. I have future plans for revealing that secret, but for now just know that I have a LOT of them and I love looking at them and playing with them and dreaming up future projects for them.


These are some that I pulled the other day on a whim. I've been wanting to make some flowers like these for a while now.


Off to find some wire...

Floating Blocks Scarf

Floating Blocks Scarf

MATERIALS
(US) size H hook
1 skein Caron Simply Soft yarn
tapestry needle

Ch 21

Row 1: dc in 4th ch from hook and in each ch across, turn.

Row 2: ch 3, dc in next st and in each st across, turn.

Row 3: ch 3, dc in each of next 3 sts, (ch 2, skip next 2 sts, dc in next st) 4 times, dc in each of next 3 sts, turn.

Row 4: ch 3, dc in each of next 3 sts, ch 2, skip next ch 2 sp, dc in next st, (2 dc in next ch 2 sp, dc in next st) twice, ch 2, skip next ch 2 sp, dc in each of next 4 sts, turn.

Row 5: ch 3, dc in each of next 3 sts, ch 2, skip next ch 2 sp, dc in each of next 7 sts, ch 2, skip next ch 2 sp, dc in each of next 4 sts, turn.

Row 6: Repeat row 5.

Row 7: ch 3, dc in each of next 3 sts, ch 2, skip next ch 2 sp, dc in next st, (ch 2, skip next 2 sts, dc in next st) twice, ch 2, skip next ch 2 sp, dc in each of next 4 sts, turn.

Row 8: ch 3, dc in each of next 3 sts, (2 dc in next ch 2 sp, dc in next st) 4 times, dc in each of next 3 sts, turn.

Row 9: ch 3, dc in next st and in each st across, turn.

Rows 10 - 105: Repeat rows 3 through 9 fourteen times more, turn.

BORDER

Ch 1, sc in same st, (ch 2, skip next 2 sts, sc in next st) 6 times, ch 2, sc in same st, do not turn.

Working along side of scarf: ch 2, sc at base of row 105, * ch 2, sc at base of next row (see Figs. 1 and 2), rep from * across to next corner, ch 2, sc in same space.

Working along opposite side of starting ch, (ch 2, skip next 2 sts, sc in next st) 6 times, ch 2, sc in same st.

Working along other side of scarf: ch 2, sc at top of row 1, * ch 2, sc at top of next row (see Figs. 1 and 2), rep from * across to next corner, ch 2, sl st in beg sc, fasten off, weave in ends.

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Playing With My Food

I love M&Ms. Not just for the chocolate, but also for the fun colors. I've been known to sort through an entire large bag eating all the brown ones first just so I can have a whole bag of nothing but the pretty colors. Don't get me wrong, brown is a nice color and certainly has its place, but just looking at all the bright colors makes me happy.

The colors have also been known to inspire creativity. Take last night for instance, I was quite inspired by the citrusy mix of colors that fell into my hand.


I started thinking about another granny square afghan. Or maybe hexagons this time. Oooh, how about Grandmother's Flower Garden. I've always loved that quilt design. Or maybe I'll come up with something on my own. Who knows? But first I need to choose the yarn...

I thought about toning down the colors a bit, but nah... the cornmeal is just not working for me.

Neither is the gold. Too fallish looking. Maybe with a burnt orange. But that's just not "me".

Okay, we're getting closer but that green is still a little too autumnal.

Eureka! I guess I'm just a bright and colorful citrus gal through and through! :D


Well, I have more than enough of the orange, but the green and yellow you see there is all I have on hand... so guess what? Yup, time to go shopping! But not just yet. There's still too many swaps, charity items, and gifts that need to be finished up for the holidays, so this one is on temporary hold for now. But I do see a citrusy throw in my post holiday future.

The moral here, if there is one, is don't be afraid to play with your food! You never know what unique design might be inspired. ;)

Do you think Picasso played with his food? Hmmm...

Mum's The Word

MATERIALS
Approx. 4 ounces worsted weight yarn (orchid used for example)
US size "I" hook
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

SPECIAL STITCHES

beg dc cluster (beg dc cl): ch 2, (yo, insert hook in same st/sp, yo, draw up loop, yo, draw through 2 loops on hook) twice, yo, draw through all 4 loops on hook

beg tr cluster (beg tr cl): ch 3, [yo twice, insert hook in same st/sp, yo, draw up loop, (yo, draw through 2 loops on hook) twice] twice, yo, draw through all 4 loops on hook

dc cluster (dc cl): yo, insert hook in designated st/sp, yo, draw up loop, yo, draw through 2 loops on hook, (yo, insert hook in same st/sp, yo, draw up loop, yo, draw through 2 loops on hook) twice, yo, draw through all 4 loops on hook

tr cluster (tr cl): yo twice, insert hook in designated st/sp, yo, draw up loop, (yo, draw through 2 loops on hook) twice, [yo twice, insert hook in same st/sp, yo, draw up loop, (yo, draw through 2 loops on hook) twice] twice, yo, draw through all 4 loops on hook


ch 5

Round 1: dc in 5th ch from hook (counts as beg ch 3 + ch 1 + dc), ch 1, (dc, ch 1) 6 times, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3 being sure to leave the ch 1 sp. (8 dc, 8 ch 1 sp)

Round 2: sl st into next ch 1 sp, ch 1, sc in same sp, ch 2, skip next st, (sc in next ch 1 sp, ch 2, skip next st) 7 times, join with sl st in beg sc. (8 sc, 8 ch 2 sp)

Round 3 (corrected): beg dc cl, ch 2, sc in next ch 2 sp, ch 2, (dc cl in next st, ch 2, sc in next ch 2 sp, ch 2) 7 times, join with sl st in top of beg dc cl. (8 dc cl, 8 sc, 16 ch-2 sp)

Round 4: ch 1, sc in same st, ch 2, skip next ch 2 sp, dc cl in next st, ch 2, skip next ch 2 sp, (sc in next st, ch 2, skip next ch 2 sp, dc cl in next st, ch 2, skip next ch 2 sp) 7 times, join with sl st in beg sc. (8 dc cl, 8 sc, 16 ch-2 sp)

Round 5 (corrected): sl st into next ch 2 sp, (beg dc cl, ch 2, dc cl) in same sp, ch 2, skip next st, sc in next ch 2 sp, ch 2, skip next st, [(dc cl, ch 2, dc cl) in next ch 2 sp, ch 2, skip next st, sc in next ch 2 sp, ch 2, skip next st] 7 times, join with sl st in top of beg dc cl. (16 dc cl, 8 sc, 24 ch-2 sp)

Round 6: sl st into next ch 2 sp, (beg tr cl, ch 3, tr cl) in same sp, ch 3, skip next st, skip next ch 2 sp, sc in next st, ch 3, skip next ch 2 sp, skip next st, [(tr cl, ch 3, tr cl) in next ch 2 sp, ch 3, skip next st, skip next ch 2 sp, sc in next st, ch 3, skip next ch 2 sp, skip next st] 7 times, join with sl st in top of beg tr cl. (16 tr cl, 8 sc, 24 ch-3 sp)

Round 7: sl st into next ch 3 sp, ch 1, 3 sc in same sp, ch 3, skip next st, skip next ch 3 sp, tr cl in next st, ch 3, skip next ch 3 sp, skip next st, (3 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 3, skip next st, skip next ch 3 sp, tr cl in next st, ch 3, skip next ch 3 sp, skip next st] 7 times, join with sl st in beg sc. (8 tr cl, 24 sc, 16 ch-3 sp)

Round 8 (corrected): ch 1, sc in same st, sc in each of next 2 sts, * 3 sc in next ch 3 sp, sc in next st, 3 sc in next ch 3 sp, sc in each of next 3 sts, ch 3, skip next ch 3 sp, (tr cl, ch 3, tr cl) in next ch 3 sp st, ch 3, skip next ch 3 sp **, sc in each of next 3 sts, repeat from * 3 times more ending at ** on last repeat, join with sl st in beg sc. (8 tr cl, 52 sc, 12 ch-3 sp)

Round 9: ch 3, dc in each of next 12 sts, * 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, 2 dc in next st, (dc, 2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr, dc) in next ch 3 sp, 2 dc in next st, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp **, dc in each of next 13 sts, repeat from * 3 times more ending at ** on last repeat, join with sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch-3. (100 dc, 16 tr)

Round 10: ch 1, sc in same st, (ch 2, skip next 2 sts, sc in next st) 6 times, * ch 2, skip next 2 sts, (sc, ch 2, sc) in next ch 2 sp, (ch 2, skip next 2 sts, sc in next st) 9 times, rep from * twice more, ch 2, skip next 2 sts, (sc, ch 2, sc) in next ch 2 sp, (ch 2, skip next 2 sts, sc in next st) twice, ch 2, skip next 2 sts, join with sl st in beg sc. (44 sc, 44 ch 2-sp)

Round 11: sl st into next ch 2 sp, ch 1, sc in same sp, (ch 2, sc in next ch 2 sp) 6 times, * ch 2, (sc, ch 2, sc) in next ch 2 sp, (ch 2, sc in next ch 2 sp) 10 times, rep from * twice more, ch 2, (sc, ch 2, sc) in next ch 2 sp, (ch 2, sc in next ch 2 sp) 3 times, ch 2, join with sl st in beg sc. (48 sc, 48 ch-2 sp)

Round 12: sl st into next ch 2 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same space, 3 dc in each of next 6 ch 2 spaces, * (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 sp, 3 dc in each of next 11 ch 2 sps, rep from * twice more, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 sp, 3 dc in each of next 4 ch 2 sps, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, fasten off, weave in ends. (148 dc, 4 ch-2 sp)


Back to CAL Main Page

Designed and written by April Moreland
Copyright 2009

Tuesday Trivia

Did you know that Grateful Dead are technically a one hit wonder? I find it amazing that such a popular and hugely successful band had only one hit. Anyway, that's my favorite little bit of trivia. Just thought I'd share. :)

Drum Roll Please!

I have 2 big announcements...

FIRST:

As you all know I'm really good at starting afghans. But look, I can finish them too! Yes, I amaze even myself. :)


It was a very breezy day and not the greatest day for picture taking, but I still managed to get a couple of okay shots.


This afghan started when I decided to write a basic Multi Color Granny Square pattern to share. When I chose the colors and started the square I had no idea it would turn into a full fledged afghan. But when I saw how great the colors of the finished square looked I knew it would be perfect for Cyndi's MIL. Her favorite colors are green and purple. I can't wait for her to open it on Christmas! I really think she'll love it. :)


The inspiration for the "square in a square" design came from Lucy's Big Blanket over at Attic24. Her blog is great, you should check it out if you haven't already. :)

I still plan to do a join-as-you-go tutorial. I took plenty of pictures as I was making this ghan but because I used soft white to join the squares the pictures look a little washed out and nondistinct. So I'm going to have to re-do the photos with different colors. Hmmm... I wonder if that one will grow into a whole afghan too? You never know with me... >:)

SECOND:

I hope this doesn't come as a shock... But I have decided not to continue the monthly square crochet alongs in 2010. We will finish up the Calendar Ghan for this year, and I will still design and post squares to this blog, just not in the CAL structure and not on any kind of a time schedule.

HOWEVER, I will be conducting a CAL beginning January 1st. Click here for more details. I hope you'll join us! :)