Lion's Mane

Finished size: 12 inch square

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

Note: Ch 1 spaces count as a st. ie., when it says to skip the next [insert number] sts, this includes ch 1 sps.

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 3, 2 dc in same ch 1 sp, sk next st, (3 dc in next ch 1 sp, skip next st) 7 times, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (24 dc)

Round 3: ch 1, 2 sc in same st, tr in next st, (2 sc in next st, tr in next st) 11 times, join with sl st in beg sc. (24 sc, 12 tr)

Round 4: ch 1, sc in same st and in each st around, join with sl st in beg sc. (36 SC)

Round 5: ch 1, sc in same st, tr in next st, (sc in next st, ch 3, sc in next st, tr in next st) 11 times, sc in next st, ch 3, join with sl st in beg sc. (24 sc, 12 tr)

Round 6: sl st into next st, ch 1, sc in same st, *skip next st, 5 dc in next ch 3 sp, skip next st, sc in next st, rep from * 10 times more, skip next st, 5 dc in next ch 3 sp, skip next st, join with sl st in beg sc. (60 dc, 12 sc)

Round 7: ch 5 (counts as beg ch 3 + ch 2), sk next 2 sts, sc in next st, ch 2, sk next 2 sts, *dc in next st, ch 2, sk next 2 sts, sc in next st, ch 2, sk next 2 sts, rep from * 10 times more, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (24 ch 2 sp)

Round 8: sl st into next ch 2 sp, ch 1, 3 sc in same ch 2 sp and in each remaining ch 2 sp around, join with sl st in beg sc. (72 sc)

Round 9: ch 1, sc in same st, (tr in next st, sc in each of next 2 sts) 23 times, tr in next st, sc in last st, join with sl st in beg sc. (48 sc, 24 tr)

Round 10: ch 1, sc in same st, (3 sc in next st, sc in each of next 2 sts) 23 times, 3 sc in next st, sc in next st, join with sl st in beg sc. (120 sc)

Round 11: sl st in next st, ch 2, hdc in each of next 2 sts, ch 1, *(skip next 2 sts, sc in each of next 3 sts, ch 1) 3 times, skip next 2 sts, hdc in each of next 3 sts, ch 1, skip next 2 sts, dc in next st, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next st, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next 2 sts, hdc in each of next 3 sts, ch 1, rep from * twice more, (skip next 2 sts, sc in each of next 3 sts, ch 1) 3 times, skip next 2 sts, hdc in each of next 3 sts, ch 1, skip next 2 sts, dc in next st, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next st, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next 2 sts, join with sl st in top of beg ch 2. (36 sc, 24 hdc, 24 dc)

Round 12: sl st in each of next 2 sts, sl st into next ch 1 sp, ch 1, sc in same ch 1 sp, (ch 3, skip next 3 sts, sc in next ch 1 sp) 3 times, *ch 3, hdc in next ch 1 sp, dc in each of next 3 sts, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 sp, dc in each of next 3 sts, hdc in next ch 1 sp, (ch 3, skip next 3 sts, sc in next ch 1 sp) 4 times, rep from * twice more, ch 3, hdc in next ch 1 sp, dc in each of next 3 sts, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 sp, dc in each of next 3 sts, hdc in next ch 1 sp, ch 3, skip next 3 sts, join with sl st in beg sc. (40 dc, 20 ch 3 sp)

Round 13: sl st into next ch 3 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same sp, ch 1, (3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 1) 3 times, *skip next st, dc in each of next 3 sts, ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 sp, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, dc in each of next 3 sts, ch 1, skip next st, (3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 1) 5 times, rep from * twice more, skip next st, dc in each of next 3 sts, ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 sp, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, dc in each of next 3 sts, ch 1, skip next st, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, ch 1, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (108 dc, 32 ch 1 sp)

Round 14: ch 2, hdc in each of next 2 sts, (hdc in next ch 1 sp, hdc in each of next 3 sts) 5 times, *(hdc, ch 2, hdc) in next ch 2 sp, hdc in each of next 3 sts, (hdc in next ch 1 sp, hdc in each of next 3 sts) 8 times, rep from * twice more, (hdc, ch 2, hdc) in next ch 2 sp, (hdc in each of next 3 sts, hdc in next ch 1 sp) 3 times, join with sl st in top of beg ch 2, fasten off, weave in ends. (148 hdc)

This is a dishcloth I made with this pattern.
I simply ended off at the end of Row 10.

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

Pammi's Passion

Pammi's Passion

Finished size: 12 inch square

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

SPECIAL STITCHES

V-st: (dc, ch 1, dc) in next st

Center Dec: yo, insert hook through next st and draw up loop, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook, skip next 3 sts (including sl st), insert hook through next st and draw up loop, yo and draw through 2 loops, yo and draw through all loops on hook.

ch 5

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

Round 2: ch 3, 2 dc in same st, ch 1, sk next ch 1 sp, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp, *3 dc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch 1 sp, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp, rep from * twice more, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (16 dc, 8 ch 1 sps)

Round 3: ch 3, dc in same sp, dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp, V-st in next st, ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp, *2 dc in next st, dc next st, 2 dc next st, ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp, V-st in next st, ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp, rep from * twice more, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (20 dc, 4 V-st)

Round 4: ch 3, dc in same sp, 2 dc in next st, dc in next st, 2 dc in each of next 2 sts, ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp, V-st in next V-st, ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp, *2 dc in each of next 2 sts, dc in next st, 2 dc in each of next 2 sts, ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp, V-st in next V-st, ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp, rep from * twice more, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (36 dc, 4 V-st)

Round 5: ch 3, dc in same sp, 2 dc in next st, dc in each of next 5 sts, 2 dc in each of next 2 sts, ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp, V-st in next V-st, ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp, *2 dc in each of next 2 sts, dc in each of next 5 sts, 2 dc in each of next 2 sts, ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp, V-st in next V-st, ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp, rep from * twice more, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (52 dc, 4 V-st)

Round 6: ch 3, dc in each of next 12 sts, ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp, (dc, ch 1) 3 times in next ch 1 sp, skip next ch 1 sp, *dc in each of next 13 sts, ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp, (dc, ch 1) 3 times in next ch 1 sp, skip next ch 1 sp, rep from * twice more, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (64 dc, 16 ch 1 sps)

Round 7: (do not chain) *(skip next 2 sts, 9 tr in next st, sk next 2 sts, sl st in next st) twice, ch 2, skip next ch 1 sp, V-st in next ch 1 sp, ch 1, V-st in next ch 1 sp, ch 2, skip next ch 1 sp, sl st in next dc, rep from * three times more making last sl st in beg sl st. (72 tr, 8 V-st)

Round 8: ch 5 (counts as beg tr + ch 1), *skip next st, dc in next st, ch 2, skip next 2 sts, sc in next st, ch 2, skip next 2 sts, make center dec, ch 2, skip next 2 sts, sc in next st, ch 2, skip next 2 sts, dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st, tr in next sl st, skip next ch 2 sp, V-st in next V-st, V-st in next ch 1 sp, V-st in next V-st, skip next ch 2 sp**, tr in next sl st, ch 1***, rep between * and ***twice more, rep between * and ** once more, join with sl st in top of beg tr. (12 V-st, 8 tr)

Round 9: ch 3, dc in next ch 1 sp, *hdc in next st, (3 sc in next ch 2 sp, sc in next st) 3 times, 3 sc in next ch 2 sp, hdc in next st, (dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in each of next 2 sts) twice, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 1 sp**, (dc in each of next 2 sts, dc in next ch 1 sp) twice***, rep bet * and *** twice more, rep bet * and ** once more, dc in each of next 2 sts, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in next st, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (64 dc, 60 sc)

Round 10: ch 3, dc in each of next 2 sts, hdc in each of next 15 sts, dc in each of next 9 sts, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 sp, *dc in each of next 9 sts, hdc in each of next 15 sts, dc in each of next 9 sts, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 sp, rep from * twice more, dc in each of next 6 sts, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, fasten off, weave in ends. (60 hdc, 88 dc)

Melani's version of Pammi's Passion Another version of this month's square by Melani. She completed rows 1-7 then added a border of single crochets for a fun dishcloth. Very creative Mel!! :)

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

Hot Chocolate Amigurumi

Hot Chocolate Amigurumi

Finished size: Approx 4 inches wide (including handle) x 3 inches tall

Materials: (US) size F hook, approx 1 oz worsted weight yarn for main color (MC), small amount brown yarn, scrap of white yarn, (2) 9 mm black animal/amigurumi eyes, small amount embroidery floss (or use small amount of the brown yarn), large handful of fiberfil stuffing, tapestry needle.

NOTE: Entire piece is worked in the round without joining unless otherwise noted.

CUP

With MC ch 2

Round 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook

Round 2: 2 sc in each st around

Round 3: 2 sc in next st, sc in next st

Round 4: 2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 2 sts

Round 5: 2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 3 sts

Round 6: 2 sc in next st, sc in each of next 4 sts

Round 7: working in BLO, sc in each st around

Rounds 8-18: working through BOTH loops, sc in each st around, join with sl st at end of round 18, fasten off, weave in ends.

CHOCOLATE

With brown repeat rounds 1-6 of cup, join with sl st at end of round 6, fastenoff, weave in ends.

HANDLE

With MC and leaving a long tail for sewing, ch 11

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, do not turn.

Row 2: Working along opposite site of beginning ch, sc in each ch across, fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.

WHIPPED CREAM

ch 2

Row 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook.

Row 2a: Working in front loops only, (ch 3, sl st, ch 3) in next st, (sl, ch 3, sl st, ch 3) in each remaining st around.

Row 2b: Working behind row 2a and in back loops only, (sl, ch 3, sl st, ch 3) in each st around, join with sl st in same loop as first st of row 2b, fasten off leaving long tail for sewing. (You will have 2 layers with row 2a being the side you will sew to the top of the hot chocolate.)

ASSEMBLY

Refer to photo for placement on all assembly instructions.

1. Sew handle to side of cup placing top of handle along row 16, and the bottom of handle along row 9.

2. For face and referring to photo for placement, attach safety eyes between rows 14 and 15 (or embroider eyes,) and embroider mouth as desired.

3. Add stuffing to cup.

4. Sew row 1 of whipped cream to center of chocolate leaving loops free so they can be "fluffed up" to look like a swirl of whipped cream.

5. Using MC, sew chocolate in to place along the backs of the stitches, on the inside of the cup, on row 18.


VARIATION ONE

For a cup of COFFEE, leave off the whipped cream and finish as directed as for hot chocolate.



VARIATION 2

For a cup of TEA use light brown yarn for "tea," and with white make tag as follows:
ch 6

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, ch 1, turn.

Rows 2-3: sc in each st across, ch 1, turn.

Row 4: sc in each st across, turn (do not ch.)

Row 5: sl st in each of next 2 sts, fasten off leaving long tail for attaching tag.

To attach tag, refering to picture for placement, sew tag to "tea" leaving a 2 inch string for the hang tag.

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

True Love

I just love this commercial. It represents to me what every man should be; A caring father who is unafraid to show his love for his children. There are far too few men like this in the world if you ask me. :(

Hooking Heaven

Hello, my name is April and I'm addicted to yarn! It's been 24 hours since my last yarn purchase and I'm feeling weak! I'm grateful for the 500+ (no joke!) skeins of yarn that are sitting here watching me as I peruse craftsetc.com, acmoore.com, and joann.com in search of my next yarn fix...

• YES, I'm a yarn whore! I don't care where I get my yarn as long as it's pretty and a good bargain! --Can you say Dollar Tree?!--

I love each and every skein I have bought. From the 50 cent clearance ball of thread in putrid pink, to the fancy schmancy 10 dollar skein from the specialty store, each one holds a special place in my designer's eye. But I can't stop! My 12 rubbermaid bins are full to the brim, as are the underbed storage bags, and the myriad totes and reuseable grocery bags sitting around the house... but what the hell! So what if my living room is overflowing with my yarnie purchases? A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do, right?

So... Someone told me recently, "She who dies with the most yarn wins!" (Maybe she was trying to tell me something?) I insisted that I didn't want to be a part of that game, but from the looks of things here I think I'm currently in first place.

And that's not the half of it!

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