Got crochet?

I just love the way colors harmonize to make me feel happy, excited, energized, or even relaxed. Colors truly are nature's anti-depressant. And so is crocheting! Sitting with hook in hand, some soft background music, letting all my cares melt away. I immerse myself into the rhythm of the hook and yarn as they work together allowing my creativity to flow through the stitches as they form.

Are you a free spirit? Do you love to crochet? Do you love fun & funky colors? Do colors effect your mood and emotions? If you answered yes to any of these questions then you will love my new group!

So if you love to crochet with bright colors and chat it up with friends, come join me and we'll crochet the world with color!

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Settling in

Things are finally starting to settle here in MO. I'm getting used to the "remote-ness of it all" and am actually enjoying life in the midwest... for the most part anyway. I still miss Maryland sometimes. Especially when I want to "run to the store" or "grab a bite to eat". Mountain Grove's idea of fine dining is Pizza Hut, McDonalds, or Sonic. *sigh* Oh well, good excuse to stay on my diet I suppose... But I could sure go for a REAL Maryland Crab Cake right about now!!

Spring Fling

Spring Fling

Finished size: 12 inches square

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

SPECIAL STITCHES
V-st: (dc, ch 1, dc)

ch 4

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

Round 2: ch 4 (counts as beg dc + ch 1), dc in same st, skip next st, (V-st in next st, skip next st) 7 times, join with sl st in top of beg dc. (8 V-st)

Round 3: sl st into next ch 1 sp, ch 3, 4 dc in same st, skip next 2 sts, (5 dc in next ch 1 sp, skip next 2 sts) 7 times, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (40 dc)

Round 4: ch 3, skip next st, 3 dc in next st, skip next st, dc in next st, ch 2, *dc in next st, skip next st, 3 dc in next st, skip next st, dc in next st, ch 2, rep from * 6 times more, join with sl st in top of beg dc. (40 dc, 8 ch 2 sp)

Round 5: sl st in each of next 2 sts, ch 3, 8 dc in same st, skip next 2 sts, (sc, ch 3, sc) in next ch 2 sp (picot made), skip next 2 sts, *9 dc in next st (petal made), skip next 2 sts, (sc, ch 3, sc) in next ch 2 sp, skip next 2 sts, rep from * 6 times more, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (8 petals, 8 picots)

Round 6: sl st in next st, ch 4 (counts as beg dc + ch 1), (dc in next st, ch 1) 5 times, dc in next st, skip next dc, skip next picot, skip next dc, *(dc in next st, ch 1) 6 times, dc in next st, skip next dc, skip next picot, skip next dc, rep from * 6 times more, join with sl st in top of beg dc. (8 petals)

Round 7: sl st into next ch 1 sp, ch 3, (dc in next st, dc in next ch 1 sp) twice, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next st [corner made], *dc in next ch 1 sp, (dc in next st, dc in next ch 1 sp) twice, skip next 2 sts, dc in next ch 1 sp, hdc in next st, sc in next ch 1 sp, (sc in next st, sc in next ch 1 sp) 3 times, hdc in next st, dc in next ch 1 sp, skip next 2 sts, dc in next ch 1 sp, (dc in next st, dc in next ch 1 sp) twice, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next st, rep from * twice more, dc in next ch 1 sp, (dc in next st, dc in next ch 1 sp) twice, skip next 2 sts, dc in next ch 1 sp, hdc in next st, sc in next ch 1 sp, (sc in next st, sc in next ch 1 sp) 3 times, hdc in next st, dc in next ch 1 sp, skip next 2 sts, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (64 dc, 8 hdc, 28 sc)

Round 8: ch 3, dc in each of next 6 sts, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 sp, *dc in each of next 8 sts, hdc in each of next 2 sts, sc in each of next 5 sts, hdc in each of next 2 sts, dc in each of next 8 sts, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 sp, rep from * twice more, dc in each of next 8 sts, hdc in each of next 2 sts, sc in each of next 5 sts, hdc in each of next 2 sts, dc in next st, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3. (80 dc, 20 sc)

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

Round 10: sl st into next ch 2 sp, ch 1, sc in same st, (ch 2, skip next sc, sc in next ch 2 sp) twice, ch 2, skip next sc, (sc, ch 2, sc) in next ch 2 sp, *(ch 2, skip next sc, sc in next ch 2 sp) ten times, ch 2, skip next sc, (sc, ch 2, sc) in next ch 2 sp, rep from * twice more, (ch 2, skip next sc, sc in next ch 2 sp) seven times, ch 2, skip next sc, join with sl st in top of beg sc. (48 ch 2 sp)

Round 11: sl st into next ch 2 sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same space, 3 dc in each of next 2 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 8 ch 2 sps, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, fasten off, weave in ends. (148 dc)

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

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. :(