What's On My Hook

I am rotating between three projects right now. This one is a MAM scarf that is called April CAL Scarf. My yarn is Caron One Pounder in White and another skein of lavender that I don't know what brand it is as it is a scrap. I am using the hook sizes stated in this pattern and if you want to join us you can click on the link above. This scarf will go to Compassionate Creations for the month of April.

This too is a scarf called Arachnophobic and was done as the scarf for March. I am using Red Heart in Brown for the scarf and will border it in Caron Hunter Green. Once again I am using the hook size stated. I still want to make January's and February's Scarves from the same site. I ran out of brown and have to wait till I can replace it with more before finishing this one. I need one and a half rows to complete before border.

Finally, for the third thing I am working on right now is the Amazing Star Throw. The pattern can be purchased and is in a pamphlet called Amazing Star Afghans by JAO Enterprises, Inc. I am using mostly worsted weight yarn scarps but trying to use a lot of the primary colors of red, green, yellow and blue as this one will be going to The Victory Junction Camp kids cause.

I am also currently working on the Kaleidoscope Ghan.

That's it today. Ghost, OUT!

I Might Be Back!

I am slowly but surely coming out of my funk! Don't really have a lot to talk about and not feeling real spunky yet but wanted to say thanks for all the nice comments you all left me and for your concern and emails. It is nice to know when your world is falling apart that there are people out there that care.

These are a few items I have been working on. It goes slowly as my mood improves. Then I go into a slump again and stop, so this is just a rendering of what has been on my hook. This cute little candy kiss. I used an "F" hook and Herrschners Halloween yarn, donated to me by my sister.


This item was requested by my daughter. I used the lip balm pattern from JPC and a steel #7 hook. I used #3 thread and added the sequin flower. Sorry it is not a very clear photo. My daughter calls it the Awesome Blossom.


These next two items were started before I went into my funk and just finished yesterday. They are made with cotton, the first is an acrylic and cotton blend called Cotton Plus, donated by my sister. It was just a partial skein and I was not sure it would be enough for an entire washcloth. The blue is some yarn that was sent to me by June, see side bar for link, and I don't know what is was since there was no label. But it was some type of cotton.


This second cloth is known as an illusion cloth. I have never made one of these before. It is suppose to be five eggs but there were errors in the pattern and the corrections that were sent were also incorrect and we were not aware of it till the cloth was almost done. So I can't say at this point if I like illusion cloths or not.

Most of these items will be going to my CFAC group and I am off now to work on a throw that I am completing. More on that the next time.

That's it today. Ghost, OUT!

Quiet But Busy

Hi, I am getting complaints that I have not posted a new blog in so long. Well, I have not fallen off the edge of the earth, I did not take a trip to outer space. I am still here and keeping my hooks and needles busy. I did have a couple of days when my spirits dropped below normal level but I have come out of that depression and moved on. So this is what I have been up too, I wanted to wait to make a new post until I finished the squares I am working on but thought it was getting to be too long since I posted. You know what they say it is easy to fall out of a habit and then hard to get back into it. I don't want that to happen here.

Well, this is the Mile A Minute Scarf that I have been working on for Compassionate Creations this month. I used Bernat Denimstyle yarn in Faded Khaki and a "K" hook. It was a pretty fast project once I got into finishing it and could be done in one evening of TV watching. Sis gave me this yarn as gift while I was there and I could not wait to give it a try. It is a nice yarn and I would say it is a lightweight bulky yarn. It is a 4, medium weight.

Next off my hooks is the Baby Blanket that started out with a different pattern. Boy I can't believe the history of this blanket but here is a close up of the edging and one of the squares completed.

I used a pattern from Leisure Arts Leaflet 64 called Baby Afghans to Knit and Crochet. It is the Buttercup Square Blanket and I used an "I" hook and Caron Simply Soft Brights in Rose Violet and White. I had to frog on this one too on the border since I ran out of the color I was using and could not purchase any more. None of the stores around me carried this color. So I changed the final round from Rose Violet to White. But it is finished and will be going to the OB Unit for Crafting for a Cause group. I did not think I would finish this one in time. But as you can see it is just in time for delivery by the Easter Bunny and he even left some of his eggs laying around.

Now, today I will finish up the Squares I promised to Stitches of Love and then perhaps I will work on my Brocade doily and finish it off.

That's it today. Ghost, OUT!

Cabled Baby Blanket

I finally figured out how to read this pattern I was using for the "Stone Cavern Hideout" Cabled Baby Blanket I was attempting to do. It feels good. But it also makes me feel stupid since I was doing it correctly the very time, after frogging about seven times, that I tried it. My mind just would not accept the fact that they wanted me to do five FPDC on one HDC post. It just seemed so cramped. But that is exactly what they wanted and I was just too dumb to believe them. Anyway, I will spend the rest of today working on this blanket and getting it started on the runway. I will give you a progress report and pictures tomorrow.

Yesterday was a kind of off day for me. Seems I stayed busy all day, except for my four hour nap, but did not accomplish much. I did finish my hat and 6" squares. The squares are packed and ready to go in tomorrows mail.

This is the hat I made for the Bridge Project. As I stated I used an H hook and some scrap yarn I thought was Red Heart Super Saver in black. It is a bit coarse and feels like the Red Heart but I could be wrong. I then trimmed it in Red Heart Super Saver in Sunshine Print color. This yarn was donated to me by June over at She Spins Wool. A while back she donated about 8 skeins of this yarn to me and I am saving it for a cape or shawl for my Adoptee person. But I used just a tad for the trim on this hat to brighten it up just a bit. The hat can be worn with the brim up or down and is large enough for a mans head, even though Teddy is the model in this case and the brim is folded up in this picture. It was too big for Maxie.

I also finished up this secret square project. It was fast as I only had to do four squares. I used the cluster corner granny stitch, there is no pattern available for this as I just worked it from memory. I used an H hook on this one also and Starlet yarn in a blue that was given to me by sis over at Scarlet's Yarn Barn. She knows I love this yarn, for me it is so soft. She does not like it because it is too light weight for her taste. I used very little, less than half a skein, of it to get these squares done but they are 6" and it is a shared project.

That's it for today. Ghost, OUT!

Lots of Photos, Starts, Progress and Mailings

This is a photo of the Moccasin Slippers that I started. The pattern is Crocheted Moccasin Slippers and my sister wanted to make these while we were together but we made the slippers that turned out to be such a disaster for me instead. So, I started these slippers when I got home and hope she will make them with me. I am using Coats and Clark acrylic yarn in worsted weight for the soles and have not decided on the color for the tops yet.

I have made no progress yet on the Kaleidoscope Afghan for her yet and still have to make the back for the Polish Star pillow front.

The Dr. Who Scarf is on hold right now also but as you can see I did progress past the green stripe finally. The scarf is Knit and is about 15" wide so far and that is with 65 stitches across. I am using scrap yarns so I have a mix of weights and I think that adds to the ambiance of the nature of the scarf. I have a long way to go with this one since it is suppose to be twice as long as a person is tall. Not sure who will get this one yet but it is a great fill in project for when you have extra time. Hump! What is that?

A new start yesterday is this Cabled Baby Blanket that I am really struggling with. But I refuse to let these cable directions beat me. I know how to FP and BP crochet but I am reading the instructions wrong for this combined stitch and have spent a lot of frogging time on this one but will not give up the idea. The book this comes from is Annies Attic Crochet, Lisa's New and Easy Cable Afghans and Throws. I have selected to work the Stone Cavern Hideout Throw Pattern. I am using Simply Soft in the Bright Colors and a "G" hook. So I expect it will be smaller than stated in the pattern even though I am using the same number of stitches.

Next up is a secret project and I only have to make a few 6" squares. I have decided on this color blue in a yarn that is not labeled but feels like light weight. I will be making the cluster corner granny squares using an "H" hook.

I am also continuing to make my variegated yarn 12" granny squares and started another one yesterday. I need to make 20 of these and this is only the 4th. So, I have a ways to go on these also.

I have also bagged up several packages to be mailed out after the middle of the month. I have some Yo-Yo's that I made for one of the girls in my CFAC group, and a Becky's Teddy for the OB unit in the same group, also a pair of slippers and some washcloths for the CFAC group. I have also bagged my Rose and Pineapple Doily for the store at CFAC, they sell items to buy propane gas for the reservation. I also have my Shell Shawl that needs to be boxed and sent out, this will go to Stitches for Love group. All of these need to be addressed and then will be ready to send out.

I have three other projects I started yesterday but since this is getting so long a post I will save them to talk about tomorrow. Maybe by then I will have good news to report on the Cable Baby Blanket.

Ghost, OUT!

School Is Out

We have finally completed all the things on our list of new things to learn. Today we did two new items. This first one is the Crochet on the Double Washcloth. I used an "I" double ended crochet hook and Peaches and Cream cotton in an orange and pink color for this project. These were scraps left over from another project. I used the tutorial found at Crochet Cabana. It was a fast and easy project. I was unaware that this was so much like the Afghan or Tunisian Crochet stitch that I had done before until after I had completed the project. It seems they are the same except you work with one color in tunisian crochet and also do not turn your work after two rounds. Therefore the hook you use is only one ended with a stopper on the other end. So by learning this new Crochenit I also refreshed my memory on Tunisian crochet. And I do have a booklet at home that I might finally tackle using the Tunisian stitch. It is just a thought at this point.

The other project we did today was the Amazing Star Square. Very easy to do and so attractive and such variety of design depending on the number of colors used to create it with. I stayed with my left over red and white colors in Coats and Clark and I used a "K" hook throughout instead of changing sizes as suggested in the book Amazing Star Afghan. Sis has made three of them so far and I will make more but for now I am going to finish my Friend Shawl and my doily. Those are my next priorities.

And sissy wants some more eyeglass cases. She gave me the most lovely one that is all beaded with a cat. Sis has, at a minimum, at least half a dozen pairs and has them laying in every spot around the house. And in all her purses. So she definitely needs more cases. Why she gave me this lovely, I will never know but I have admired it for years and now it is mine and she will have to fight me to get it back.

Polish Star Pillow Front

We finally got around to working the Polish Star. This is the Starry Pillow front from the book by Needlecraft called "Crochet Spectacular Polish Stars. The pattern is the second one in the book. This is what the project looks like before you do the weaving of the chains. Pretty wild looking. This part of the project is very easy though there is no difficulty in understanding the crochet directions.

In the weaving process you work row by row completing the weave on your first row of color before moving on the next row of alternating color. This pillow front was 19 rows so we had to repeat the process three times to complete each pattern. You have to be careful as you work that you are grabbing the next correct loop, but having alternating colors really helps with that part. But all those unwoven loops can be confusing and kind of looks like a deranged octipus. Interesting process to say the least.

This is what the Project looks like after weaving. Well, I must admit mine is not perfect as my stars are a bit crooked but they are there and they are right. This was the difficult part for me and sis so we created a video that might help others and you can find it at Polish Star Weaving Video. We spent a lot of time searching the Internet for some help with the weaving of these stars and there is very little out there. But we did find a lot of sites with questions on how it is done. So we made the video in the hopes that it would help the next person who wants to try this. I must admit that this will most likely be my last project using this technique as I did not find it that enjoyable. Actually, other than the weaving I found it rather boring. But the end results are really pretty. Mine is not as pretty as the one in the book but it will pass.

Hope this is helpful to others.

More Things in the Making

This does not seem like much that I have done in the last couple of days but I made three 12" granny squares, this is two of them. I also made some more saltines and yo-yo's. I used up all the scrap yarn I had with me. I worked on the Dr. Who Scarf and I am now working the green band on it.

Sis and I are also working on a doily called the Star in a Snowflake doily. We are on round 15 of that. Then I also started the Friends shawl which I am really confused about. The pattern is great and very easy to work. But even though I am using the same weight yarn and a hook one size larger than the one specified in the pattern, the item seems to be coming out so much smaller than I expected. It looks like it would fit a child instead of an adult. The pattern is a free one from Red Heart and called The Friend Shawl. I don't have time right now to find the link but will post it later when I post a photo.

I also made these slippers from homespun yarn they are called Ballet Slippers and I really don't care for them much. They don't seem like they would stay on a persons foot. shrug!

Herringbone Crochet Washcloth

Here is a picture of the washcloth I made from the movie project sis and I did yesterday for Donna. This was to help her learn how to do a stitch she was unfamiliar with. It is actually an afghan and you can find the pattern Here.

I was not interested in making the entire afghan so did a swatch and rather than call the work a waste I made it a washcloth. I used Peaches and Cream Cotton in two colors and a "J" hook for the project.

As I worked sis filmed it and you can find the two parts at these links. Part 1 And Part 2. The films are not perfect but I do believe they get the point across and I am still waiting to hear from Donna, as to whether it helped or not.

Knitted Washcloth

Here is the picture of the knitted washcloth I made. It took me a full day and morning of another day. It went very slow but I feel comfortable with it now. I used the pattern from Wendy's site that she printed out with the hands and heart.

Today we are going shopping, going to have hamburger for lunch and play with the bow maker. Anything else today will be gravy since there is so much going on here this morning and it is hard to concentrate. Will report back tomorrow with todays final events

Stitches of Love Squares

Here are the 20 squares I made for Stitches of Love Group. I used Caron and Red Heart yarns and some scrap variegated for the centers. My hook was an "I" and the pattern I used was from 200 Crochet Blocks, called Wisteria. They will not be mailed until I get back from California, but at least they are ready.

I am on the verge of finishing the scarf to go with the pink hat from a few days ago. I have started to work on my poncho and I have a V Stitch scarf in the works also. The pink set is for my infusion nurse and the other scarf is for Compassionate Creations. The V Stitch scarf will also be mailed when I return. That's it for today, got to get back to my hooks.

Busy Hooks

Here is a picture of some of the 8" squares I am making. I am using and "I" hook and acrylic yarns again in primary colors with variegated centers. I need to make 20 but I keep getting side tracked. I usually get my squares done a lot faster than I have with these. Still trying to finish up some other projects and have started a couple of new, unexpected projects for my hook. Want to finish all before I got to California. Hope I make it. I am using the pattern found in 200 Crochet Blocks for Blankets, Throws and Afghans by Jean Eaton. This pattern is block name Wisteria on page 87.

This is one of the slipper patterns I have tried. Because I used a small hook and lighter weight yarn these came out more the size of booties. I used the pattern called Tweed Family Slippers. The pattern is written for many sizes and goes really fast. I used Wiggles yarn and an 'I' hook. These will go to Pine Ridge Reservation.

This hat is for Karen, my nurse who handles my infusion treatments. I will be making a matching scarf to go with it. It is made with Red Heart Baby Clouds yarn in Pink Lemonade. I used a "K" hook and the Durango Hat pattern found at Yarn Cats blog. Now I used her pattern for stitch counts but did not follow her pattern to the letter. I did a number more rows then called for and many more decreases than she requested. I also used a larger hook and bulky weight yarn so it came out totally different. I do like it however as you can wear it several different ways. See photos below. This is a view from the back. I did add buttons to the left hand side but they are off set from each other in a V pattern rather than straight across.

Another view of it worn to the side but pulled more to the front. Of course there are other varieties of ways to wear this hat. It is all a matter of what pleases your eye.

In this view you can see the hat is worn pulled straight back from the forehead.

And finally, this is a front view with the hat pulled to the right side.

I am over half done with the Wheelchair Shawl and working on some ornamentation for it. And I only have the bottom trim and collar to add to the Poncho. So I am working, once again, on several projects at a time.

What Is Up Now

Here are the 8" squares I have been making for VJGC. I used an "I" hook and the pattern found in my 101 Crochet Squares book by Jean Leinhauser. Pattern number 81. Acrylic yarns were used in primary colors and various variegated colors.

Other small objects I have made recently include the Fish Mofit scrubby for a man and a heart shaped one made for a woman. Then I also made the bib for Baby Scarlet using the pattern found on Deb's Blog at Circle Bib. I used Cotton.

Ahhhh, we have found this cushy little spot to lay on. Jade, my furbaby neice, has found that she loves the little pad and thinks that she will mark it as her own. I am so thrilled by this and can't wait to make one for Houdini.

This is the pad I made waiting for some furbaby to care enough to use it. Isn't Scarlets fireplace just scrumptious.