tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46088561733108927552024-03-12T21:29:52.100-08:00Creative AspirationsHandmade gifts by DJC StitchesDonnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03612849480757438108noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608856173310892755.post-52502845041295196472019-08-12T02:01:00.001-08:002019-08-12T02:01:43.223-08:00More CreationsI enjoyed making the whale amigurumi so much I decided to give another one a try. I've been holding on to this one for a long time because it is so cute. I didn't really have anyone specific in mind when I made it but now it has a home and I'll be making more. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is Fruitloop made from a free pattern called Hermione the Unicorn by <b><a href="http://www.dawntoussaint.com/" target="_blank">Dawn Toussaint</a></b>. I called her Fruitloop because the variegated yarn I used has the colors of fruitloops. She was fun to make but it was hard on my hands so I had to take frequent breaks. I made this mostly with yarn from my stash that I wasn't sure what to do with because there wasn't enough of it to make anything else. The white and solid purple had no labels and is most likely discontinued anyway. I'm really glad to be able to use it up. I plan to make more of these to donate to pediatrics or the ER. I think the kids there would love something like this to cheer them up. I'm very grateful to Dawn Toussaint for the free pattern! <div>
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I also made another whale because, well, why not? I used up another small skein of stash yarn for this. I thought I'd have enough to finish it but I was a nose short. I just had to add some red heart in Royal to finish it and I also made one of his fins in that color so he has one in each shade of blue. I think he's really cute. His eyes look yellow but they are green. The pattern for this guy is in my last post. I can't think of anything but Free Willie for some reason. </div>
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Happy Crafting,</div>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03612849480757438108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608856173310892755.post-54344562384103529652019-08-03T16:33:00.002-08:002019-08-03T16:42:02.747-08:00I have been busyI haven't posted here in a long, long time. I tend to post more on my main blog (<a href="https://fiberplusalgia.blogspot.com/"><b>https://fiberplusalgia.blogspot.com/</b></a>). This is more stitchy related so I decided to post here. I have been knitting and crocheting more lately and finished some things.<br />
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First, I finished a baby blanket for a friends little baby boy. This is <u>Baby Blanket Arthur</u>, a pattern I purchased on Ravelry from <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/designers/le-petit-mouton" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Le Petit Mouton</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , "lucida sans unicode" , "lucida grande" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.2px;">. </span></span> I love this pattern and plan to make it many, many times. It is an easy pattern that works up quick and doesn't take much thinking. I used the new Lion Brand Coboo yarn though and while the finished blanket feels really nice the yarn splits so bad it slowed me down. The yarn is actually so loosely spun that it almost has no twist at all. <br />
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The color in my pictures look more gray but it is a gray blue. The color is called Denim. I'll add a better picture of the ball of yarn that shows the color better. </div>
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Since it is thinner and the individual threads are so thin I had to wear my glasses all the time to watch for missed threads. I had to take out <i><u>a lot</u></i> of work to fix places were I missed one thread, usually of the back side from where I was working, and that was frustrating. When I was blocking it out I found a few I missed too but they are hard to find, I hope. Maybe I'm just blind. I almost don't want to work with it again but the blanket feels amazing. The drape is lovely. I also love the colors it comes in. After about half way though I found a groove and didn't have as much trouble. I guess you just have to learn to work with it and then it isn't so bad. I am sure I will buy more of it. This blanket is perfect for summer time when you don't want something too hot. </div>
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You can see in the picture below that my phone camera tends to loose blue tones. Where you can see the foam mat the blanket is pinned on it looks yellow but it is actually bright green. </div>
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I decided to make a toy whale to go with this blanket. This is I think my first amigurumi if you don't count the little bone I crocheted for my dog buddy when he was a puppy. Again, my counter he is on is sage green and it looks more yellow there and he is more blue. This is a free pattern called M. Richard the Whale by <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/designers/stacey-trock" target="_blank"><b>Stacey Trock</b></a>. The yarn I used is Cotton Ease by Lion brand which I heard they discontinued. That makes me sad because I used it so often. They really shouldn't discontinue something that really is a staple item. I hope they are going to come out with something good enough to replace it. </div>
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This pattern is very fast to work up and I quickly got to the point where I needed to add the eyes and was stuck waiting for them to arrive in the mail. I just had to have <i><u>those</u></i> eyes though. I couldn't fit any felt behind them though or they wouldn't snap closed. </div>
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Okay, I do have more to share but I'll end this post for now and later I'll post more of my creations. </div>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03612849480757438108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608856173310892755.post-80805646998396240242016-11-01T02:27:00.000-08:002016-11-01T02:29:56.747-08:00YOP 10.31.16BOO! <br />
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Bet you didn't expect a post from me. <br />
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I had a really bad flare up of pain that wasn't like what I'm used to with the Fibromyalgia. My doctor suspects it may be RA and put me on a round of steroids to calm things down and then started me on a med used for RA. I guess it take at least 13 weeks to start to work. I also had a cold and I've been very tired (which may be from the cold or a side effect of the new meds). We will see. I've been feeling a little bit better and was able to do a few things. <br />
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I started learning how to tat again and I made this tatted awareness ribbon. I thought it would be easy to do since I used to tat before but it I had forgotten how to get started again. I pulled out my 3 ring binder I put together for my tatting notes and patterns but I didn't have anything on there about how to start lol I had to learn the basics again and I used this site <b><a href="http://www.georgiaseitz.com/">http://www.georgiaseitz.com/</a> </b>I actually learned from another site and some youtube videos originally but Georgia's site is very helpful. <br />
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I wanted to make this into a Fibromyalgia Awareness pin for obvious reasons. I wanted to find a purple butterfly to put on it but I couldn't find one at Joann's and our Michaels store is closed due to a fire. Anyway, this is what I ended up with.<br />
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I also was finally able to knit the <a href="http://ravel.me/DJCstitches/b1" target="_blank"><b>Bankhead hat</b></a>. I could have made about 4 of these with all the work I did if I didn't have to take out so much to fix mistakes. The fibro or whatever is causing the pain makes it really hard to focus sometimes.<br />
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It kind of bugs me that the ribbing slants. I thought it wouldn't show when it was on someone's head but it does. My husband said his hat should be longer so he can fold up the edge and pull it down over his ears when it gets really cold. Plus he said it should be black to go with his gloves. It is also a bit thin. This is lion brand wool ease yarn so it has some wool but I think the wind we've been having will go right through it. I'm going to get some bulky wool yarn in black to make him a hat. One of my boys will wear this one. I already got some bulky yarn in royal blue to match the fleece lining to his coat but since he made the comment about matching his gloves I'll do that for him. I'm just so happy to finally finish my first knitted hat! I had a hard time with the dpn's at first. I didn't have a problem when I was making socks but I guess it is a little different. Mine are mostly metal and I got right up to the last row and a couple of my needles just slid out and dropped several stitches. I couldn't figure out how to fix it with all the decreases so I had to start over. I finally found some needle tip stopper things that came with something I bought. I didn't understand why I would need them. They were called "needle point protectors" so I just stuffed them away thinking I didn't need to protect my needle tips since I'm always at home. I used them to stick on the ends of my dpn's to keep the stitches on while I was working on the other areas. That worked and I'm thinking that is probably what they are actually for. They really should call them "Stitch protectors."<br />
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Well, that is all for me for now. I'm happy to finally have an update after being MIA for several weeks. I will be flying to Anchorage (Alaska) to see my Rheumatologist this Thursday and I always enjoy seeing the mountains there. I'll try to get a few pictures to share. It really is amazing to me that you can be in the middle of the city surrounded by cars and shopping and restaurants and you can look up to the horizon and see the mountains. It looks like the city is built right up to them. I don't fly well but it is only a 30 minute flight from here. I hope it isn't too bumpy this time. <br />
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<br />Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03612849480757438108noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608856173310892755.post-50220060500239934962016-09-26T08:54:00.001-08:002016-09-27T06:57:04.742-08:00YOP Update 9.26.16<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I finally finished my <b><a href="http://ravel.me/DJCstitches/mrs1i" target="_blank">Meandering Rib Scarf</a></b> and I am so glad. I was getting tired of the same thing all the time. Of course I couldn't wait to give it to my husband at Christmas and just gave it to him as soon as it was finished. He really liked it which is really nice. He isn't big into "crafty things," especially if they are things to wear. I knew he would like the color and also pretty sure he would appreciate something knitted over crochet. Now I want to make him a knit hat in the same yarn to match it. I've never knit a hat so I am looking for a good pattern that isn't too challenging to start with. I've already got enough challenge going on in the new project I just started.<br />
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I'm taking on an intarsia wrap using 8 balls of yarn (each one is half a skein - 71 g). It is already making my gray noodle hurt but I'm figuring it out. Hopefully by the time I'm finished it will look like the pictures in the pattern, <b><a href="http://ravel.me/DJCstitches/jww" target="_blank">Japanese Weave Wrap</a></b>. The pattern is great with photo tutorials for how to do a multi-color cast on and other necessary things. I watched some youtube videos to learn about intarsia before starting.</div>
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The first time I started this I got my yarn and myself and some furniture tied up together. I knew there had to be a better way. I decided to lay the balls out in order and instead of flipping my work I just moved myself to the opposite side. That way I have a lot less tangling. The little bit of tangling I get because of crossing the yarns when changing color I just fix as I go.</div>
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For some reason I'm always good at getting half-formed ideas and then I have to run the idea by my husband or one of my sons to get a complete, workable idea. My oldest son (22) is super smart (Enrolled in public school Gifted & Talented class/ELP when he was only 3 years old!) but he is book smart and if it isn't math, statistics or he hasn't read about what you're doing he doesn't have a clue lol. He was so confused when I tried to explain to him what I was doing. It was funny because he stood in front of my yarn balls for 30 minutes trying make sure I wasn't totally crazy. He was drawing diagrams and writing out number sequences and I was trying to explain knitting in very basic language and what I was trying to do. He was sure I was wrong about how this thing was going to come out and wanted to save me from wasting so much time on it. My youngest son (19) always compared himself to his brother and never thought he measured up. He didn't see that he had his own talents when he was younger. I did though. He is very clever and he is my main go-to for color questions and things like "Is there something in the garage (or backyard etc) I can use to (do whatever)?" Anyway, my problem was my kitchen table is way too wide for my idea of moving myself to the other side instead of flipping my work; It's a big circle. I didn't have anything else that would work and I couldn't use the floor or Buddy (beagle puppy) would make a mess of things. My younger son came up with the ironing board set up with a bar stool on either side. Later he grabbed my yard stick and put it behind the balls to keep them from rolling off. </div>
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Now I'm learning to change colors properly when on the right side or wrong side of the work and praying I don't make any mistakes. I really wish I had a couple of 12" double pointed needles.</div>
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I'll leave you with a new picture of my dwarf maple looking a little more glorious than last week. You can't tell from this picture but it frosted this morning and the air was frosty and white-ish like there were very fine particles of ice in the air. It looks almost foggy but it wasn't fog, it was ol' man winter's breath hanging in the air.</div>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03612849480757438108noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608856173310892755.post-88999113947098169602016-09-19T21:17:00.000-08:002016-09-19T21:17:29.099-08:00I got my laptop back!I am so happy! Now I realize just how much I love it! I'm just too old to have small screens. Eventually I may need a large screen TV as a computer screen so I can see but for now this full size laptop is really nice. I was surprised when I picked it up to move it to my lap that it seemed so heavy! The chomebook weighs nothing and I'd gotten used to how easy it is to move around. It also has a good, long-lasting battery so I could move to my room or the kitchen for a while and it weighs less than most of my books. One thing I will miss about that little guy is how easy it is to adjust the brightness. There is a row of buttons across the top and one of them turns it up and one turns it down instead of having to remember where to go to find the settings to adjust that. That was really handy when I had a migraine and I've been having a lot of them lately. I can still use that when I want but for now I'm a happy dancing fool with my ol' pal back! Oh and now I should be able to print the pattern for my new project. I'm so glad. <br />
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I also got a new toy for Buddy today. Here is a little video.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzsvZS6hzmykYy16_j5HRVsSTFvmMG_plh06ykE_2xnPYlHkWWX9uoersds62Gfa2-douSZ2eCeKs5-qfF41w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<br />Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03612849480757438108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608856173310892755.post-63242427514545061252016-09-18T21:25:00.001-08:002016-09-18T21:25:25.261-08:00YOP Update 9.18.16Sorry I missed last week. It is hard not having access to the internet like usual. I still don't have my laptop working but I think I might have it back sometime tomorrow night. My oldest son doesn't like not being able to fix things for me and he really tried. He is going to school to learn computer stuff like his dad so he tried everything he could. I ended up reading a book a day while I had no internet. I did have my kindle and could use that to access the internet but it was so weird to me. There were apps for some things like email or some websites like amazon that made it easier for but for other things I had to use the silk browser and everything was so small. I just got frustrated and read a lot of books instead. <br />
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My oldest son came home from work one night and handed me a chromebook. That is what I'm using now. It is perfect for me because I use chrome and gmail, google drive and google docs etc. I just logged in with my gmail account and boom! all my stuff is right there just the way I'm used to. My son just said this laptop can be the kitchen/grocery list/recipe laptop after I get my laptop back. Our family uses an app/website called <a href="http://ourgroceries.com/"><b>Ourgroceries.com</b></a> so everyone has the same list and can add to it or cross things off. This laptop is small and light and super easy to use - well mostly. I actually love it except that I can't get my printer to work with it. You can only use a printer that can connect to the cloud since this computer doesn't actually have a hard drive to save things too. My printer probably would have in the past but it has issues now. We need a new one but I've bonded and hate to part with my old friend. Besides that I just bought new ink cartridges and I plan to use them once I get my laptop back. <br />
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In case you didn't see it last week in the YOP Ravelry group, here is the picture of the dress and headband I made for my friend's baby. She looks so pretty in it! I just knew she would look good in that color. <br />
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I'm still working on the <a href="http://ravel.me/DJCstitches/mrs1i" target="_blank"><b>Meandering Rib Scarf</b></a> for my husband but I am so close to finishing. It is 4' 5" and I'll go to 5 feet and see how that works for him or if he wants it longer. I really thought I'd be finished by now but the whole family got sick. I actually had about 4 extra issues hit me at once on top of my fibromyalgia pain - including daily migraines. It is fall here now and it has been raining a lot. I'm allergic to mold so my allergies have been bad and the doctor is sure the fall migraines are caused by the mold outside. Fall is one of my favorite seasons though and it is so short here in Alaska. I hate to miss it because I don't feel well so I have been going out to enjoy it anyway. My absolute favorite moments happen in the evening when I let Buddy out for the last time before bed. I turn on the porch light and sit on the back porch with my coffee and enjoy the cool air and the sound of the gentle wind. The rain lately has been gentle too so I enjoy listening to it and my roof over hangs so I am protected on the porch. It really is beautiful. I wish I could bundle up that whole experience and some how share it with you all but there really is not way to give it justice. </div>
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I'm learning that this little laptop doesn't let me put my images to one side with the words to the other side. The word wrapping doesn't work so there is just space around the pictures so I am just centering them.</div>
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So I saw a new pattern I wanted to make and I can't wait to start it. I wanted to go look at yarn this weekend but because of feeling so bad I ended up asking my husband to pick some up. He is really nice about doing that even though he feels really out of place in a craft/yarn store. He really would have done about anything though just as long as he got to go golf on the last day before they closed. He also picked up some cold medicine for me and my son and some other treats for us before he went to golf. Here are my colors. The two gray skeins are the same color and they are a little bit darker than they look there. Actually, I think all the colors are darker than pictured. </div>
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I'm going to make myself finish the scarf for my husband before starting this new project so maybe next week you'll get to see what it is. Here are some fall pictures to show what it looks like here now. This is what I see out my front window. </div>
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This is my dwarf Maple tree which is the only type that will grow here. It just has a little red but later it will be completely scarlet. My grass really looks long there but my mower is broken. My husband might actually fix it now that golf is officially over. My son actually mowed two strips in the front yard before it broke so it looks really classy. </div>
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Buddy is getting so much bigger. He loves to go on walks at the park now that he has all his shots. I couldn't get a better picture since he moves so much and always has his nose to the ground. </div>
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Okay, I hope you all are having a good time wherever you are in the world and enjoy your stitching. </div>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03612849480757438108noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608856173310892755.post-51223208254592197512016-09-04T03:59:00.004-08:002016-09-04T05:07:07.493-08:00YOP update 9.4.16<b>I will attempt to add pictures to this post but I'm having trouble with my phone right now. </b><br />
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Well, this is a pretty sad update but I didn't knit much at all this week. I spent the first part of the week resting and recouping from cleaning during last weekend. That is what the Fibromyalgia does to me. If I do anything that requires very much activity (meaning more than sitting on the couch) I will be down for 1 to 3 days depending on what I was doing or what the weather was like. It was so worth it though. My bedroom looks so nice now! Oh! And I also found my <b><a href="http://ravel.me/DJCstitches/ps" target="_blank">very first pair of socks I knit</a> </b>back in 2007 I think? A friend helped me and when I knit the pair this July it felt like I was learning for the first time again since I'd totally forgotten everything! I even forgot how to do the SSK decrease and had to look it up on youtube. Anyway, those first socks have obviously been worn and washed several times but I'll have to take a picture anyway since I never took a picture of them finished to post to my Ravelry project page. They were knit on sport weight yarn using double pointed needles and I was knitting so tight I was breaking needles. <br />
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Thursday, Sept 1st was my 25th anniversary! Wow, I can't believe so much time has gone by. I don't even feel that old. We decided to just spend time here in town since it is so pretty here right now. It is finally not raining and it is so pretty and sunny but not too hot. You can just feel a bit of a nip in the air in the mornings and then it warms up to perfect. We usually like to go on drives to look at the fall leaves on our anniversary but we don't really have that much color yet. It seems like we usually have more by now. The forecast calls for beautiful weather all weekend but possible snow on Tuesday! I hope it doesn't happen like that because I really like fall and don't want it to end too quickly. One season at a time please! </div>
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Anyway, my husband and I decided it would be better to travel during the winter after it starts to get depressing and go to see his mom in Cali and maybe visit the redwoods. I've never been and I would love to. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hedgehog fibers/Eel</td></tr>
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We had a nice breakfast Thursday and then went to a movie (Suicide Squad) which I loved. We went to a bookstore and then a real LYS - well The only one here. I bought some yarn and caked it up there. Hopefully I will be able to get a swift and ball winder of my own soon. They only *just* added Hedgehog fibers to their store and I homed right in on that. I bought some sock yarn in the EEL colorway which reminds me of peacock feathers with some black. I also got a mini in Graphite to add black heels and toes to the Turtlepurl yarn I bought on Etsy in the colorway Dream room. I think my husband likes it better when I shop at Joanns. My new sock yarn isn't cheap. The one full skein of Hedgehog fiber cost me $32 and he said, <i>"$32 for a pair of socks and you have to do the labor?"</i> I said, <i>"No, I GET to do the labor!"</i> hehe I guess only a Knitter can understand. Oh, I also got a sock ruler. The Grocery Girls showed one on one of their podcasts and I've been wanting one ever since. So now I'm all set. All I have to do is figure out which sock pattern to use. I did buy the fish lips kiss heel pattern and kind of want to try that but I also feel super nervous and don't want to mess up my new pretty yarns. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turtlepurl turtle toes in Dream room plus Hedgehog mini in Granite for heels and toes</td></tr>
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After the yarn store I had my hubby drop me off to get my nails done. I haven't treated myself to a mani/pedi in so long and it felt so good. Of course my nails are purple since that is my currently favorite color. Saturday my husband and I decided to continue our celebrations and we went to breakfast again and did a little more shopping. I also got my hair done. I refreshed my purple highlights but went for a deeper purple this time. She added a toner to help it last longer this time and my hair is so soft and shiny. She curled it really pretty but then I crashed as soon as I got home and messed it up. I should have taken pictures before I left the salon! That was just too busy a day for me and I couldn't wait to get to my bed. Hopefully I can get a good picture to show the color but I'm not sure how well it will show in my lighting. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jo-Ann Sensations Cosetta in Cosetta purple</td></tr>
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Here is the one thing I knit: A swatch. I found this discontinued yarn in my stash and I really want to make myself a hat with it. I have attempted to use this yarn before but never got very far since I have a hard time getting gauge with it. It says it is a bulky weight yarn but it seems it isn't as bulky as a lot of the yarns people use for patterns. I knit this swatch last night and blocked it, which I've never done before. I'm hoping that was part of the problem and I'll be able to get it to work for a pattern. It is really pretty and I'm loving the stripes of purples. It also has just a touch of silver here and there - not stellina but actual silver touches in the fibers. I really don't know how they did that but it is beautiful. I'm sad they discontinued it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTc9cSSRDrlD2LaE4ZUsNFHSmQaLdyMcNzlyk4FE_tAEFvIsAjKc0iYBVIo4JGlvvg334bKqJlYM_EAw1gCz_AyvAbIgjJEeS3XLoZ7cD7Rz54CuUv9MPrjyt68XTwDRmC32bBvOqB3k/s1600/IMG_0228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTc9cSSRDrlD2LaE4ZUsNFHSmQaLdyMcNzlyk4FE_tAEFvIsAjKc0iYBVIo4JGlvvg334bKqJlYM_EAw1gCz_AyvAbIgjJEeS3XLoZ7cD7Rz54CuUv9MPrjyt68XTwDRmC32bBvOqB3k/s320/IMG_0228.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It looks hand-painted with metallic silver paint</td></tr>
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Oh, Buddy the Beagle Baby got to go on a walk with me Saturday before I took my long nap. He is learning what it means to "go for a walk" and not a sniff. I've never had to teach a dog to heel before since the other's I've had already knew when I got them. He's my first puppy and he did a pretty good job this time. He does get to go for "sniffs" too though. He did get really scared when a car drove by us. He had never seen a car except to get in ours so the poor guy shrank down to the pavement and didn't want to move. I'm sure he'll get used to that but I hope he keeps enough of that fear to not ever run in front of one. He's a hyper pup so we really have to keep close tabs on him. I hope he never gets loose!</div>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03612849480757438108noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608856173310892755.post-50892178740020774792016-08-30T21:23:00.001-08:002016-08-30T21:23:20.897-08:00YOP update 8.30.16I'm late posting this because this weekend we were doing some serious cleaning. I wasn't feeling well Saturday so just my husband cleaned but I did a lot of work on Sunday. We pulled out boxes and bags of things that had been undisturbed for a very long time. I found clothes I used to love that look like they would fit a child now. I ended up having an asthma attack from all of the dust we stirred up and had to retreat from the room for fresh air and my inhaler. We pot a hepa filter in there and let that run for a while. Our vacuum also has a hepa filter too and that actually worked faster. I'm so glad to have more room now. I really don't miss those boxes stacked up in my way all the time. We are planning to replace our carpet with hardwood floor sometime soon so we have to be ready for that. We will be going through one room at a time purging extra stuff and moving some to other areas. I was really wiped out after cleaning so much though and ended up sleeping for most of the last two days. Hopefully I'll start to feel better soon because Thursday (Sept 1st) is our 25th Anniversary. My husband has the day off and we are hoping to be able to spend the day together. <br />
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I am still working on my <a href="http://ravel.me/DJCstitches/mrs1i" target="_blank"><b>meandering rib scarf</b></a> by Lion Brand Yarns and amazingly I've gotten somewhat comfortable with the pattern. I can even watch tv or podcasts while working on it now and only mess up every now and then and have to tink back a little. I started to use a counter on my phone called "Knit & Crochet counter" and it is so much easier to keep my place in the pattern. I was using a sticky note but if it fell off I would get mixed up. That app is for ios phones but there are some others that work for Android on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/about/apps" target="_blank"><b>this page</b></a> and they work with Ravelry. This one is a free app. <br />
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I didn't take a picture of my scarf since it still looks the same as my last post but it is longer. The last time I measured it was about 30 inches long. You can see in the picture from the app above that I've done 9 repeats (24 rows) plus the 7 knit rows I started with. The big number 1 is showing that I'm now on row 1. The little 222 in the top right is the total number of rows worked although I think it is one row off. I can fix that. Someone asked what yarn I'm using and it is Wool-Ease by lion brand yarn. The color is Gray Heather. I get that yarn at my Joann's store. I really like that yarn and there is a nice range of colors. I don't think I'm going to make this scarf 130 inches long since I don't think my husband would want a scarf that long. I'll probably just make it 5 or 6'. I just finished off the first ball of yarn so I think maybe 1.5 more balls should be all I'll need. <br />
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I did break the needles I was using somehow. I have the boye interchangeable knitting needle set and they seem to break too easy. I'm not even sure how it happened. The cord just dropped off and I wan't torquing on it or anything. I'm just knitting back and forth on this scarf and the cable is 20 something inches so plenty of room. They always break off at the threaded area where it screws into the cable. That is the third time that has happened and it is getting really hard to find the replacements. I think I need to invest in a better set but just don't know which set to get. I have to get something that has no nickel plating since I'm allergic to nickel. Dianamcheck recommended Knitters Pride Dreamz Deluxe IC set. Does anyone else have a set of interchangeables they like? Or a set you've used that you didn't like for some reason? <br />
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Here is a cute picture of Buddy the Beagle Baby to make you smile. He is sleeping with his head propped up on my Kindle and actually stayed like that for over an hour. I often find him laying on a book like a pillow but this is a first. <br />
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<br />Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03612849480757438108noreply@blogger.com3Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA64.8388243 -147.7489362999999758.1541543 -168.49112379999997 71.5234943 -127.00674879999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608856173310892755.post-81475065520023802292016-08-21T15:21:00.002-08:002016-08-21T23:39:20.767-08:00YOP Update Aug 21It is raining again so I've been sleeping a ton and just hanging out in bed. I used to love the rain but that stopped when I started having fibromyalgia pain. I can still see the beauty in it at times though. It intensifies the colors of everything and perks up the plants and trees. I love watching the birds play in the water. I try at least to see past what I feel. <br />
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#1 recovered MIA WIP - <a href="http://ravel.me/DJCstitches/mrs1i" target="_blank">meandering rib scarf</a> /lion brand yarn (originally started 11/2014)<br />
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Anyway, I stalled on my scarf because I found an error - well an entire row that was wrong so it made a line. I tried for two days to ignore it and just keep going but I just ended up not wanting to work on it anymore. My oldest son (19) told me no one would notice and certainly not his dad who it is for. Still, I knew it was there and it haunted me. I finally pulled the whole thing out and started over but I still wasn't happy with it so I tore it out again. Then I decided to go down two sizes to size 4 needles because the yarn seemed kind of thin for worsted weight. I was much happier with the look of the stitches but it made the scarf so narrow. I decided to rip back yet again and add some extra garter stitch on all the edges. I started with 7 rows at the bottom and now there are 5 stitches on each side. I really wish I had added a couple more rows at the bottom but I'm going to leave it this time. If you look at my last post you can see what it looked like before.<br />
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I decided to try knitting in my lifeline with my boye interchangeable needles since they do have the little hole for tightening but it is only big enough for size 10 thread. Can someone who has the knit picks needles tell me if the hole is big enough for a thin yarn (not just thread)? I like to put in a lifeline at the end of a pattern repeat. I'm just a little past 2 repeats in that picture. I really don't like using thread though since the loops can pull the thread down. It doesn't help that the thread I used is so light colored. The ball is actually a variegated purple with some really dark purple but the first part was light and I didn't want to waste too much. Anyway, I was watching TV last night and totally messed everything up so I ripped back to the lifeline and it was almost as difficult to get the loops pulled back up as if I'd not used a lifeline at all. Next time I think I'll find something thicker and use my darning needle. <br />
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Oh, I almost forgot! I'm inserting this part in here hoping to get some feedback. I need to get a swift and ball winder. Does anyone have any recommendations? I want to get something that will last me a long time. I was looking at the knit picks ball winder and swift on amazon. Does anyone have any experience with that brand? I'm hoping to get it for my birthday since I just bought my first thing of yarn that looks like a twisted donut. If you have had a bad experience please tell me about it. I want to avoid any hassles if possible. <br />
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I was planning to do a little cross stitch yesterday that I bought on ebay for a gift a while back. One of my brothers finally got married (They have been together for a long time). My SIL's name is Joy and I saw this simple cross stitch kit that says "Share Joy." I thought that would be a nice Christmas gift for her to keep at her office (if she wanted to). It is a chalk board look design with black fabric and white thread and it had a butterfly in the design top center which I loved. It also comes with a white filigree easel frame. But, when I took it out of the package and sat down to start working on it I realized it wasn't the right design! I didn't even notice when I first got it in the mail and I already left good feedback. It is too late to try to get them to fix it. I really need to pay more attention when I first get things. <br />
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It is the same except it says "Grow Love." I went back on ebay and looked at the listing again and the title and description were actually right but the picture was showing the Joy design. I did look it up and found another one even cheaper and that one is on the way. I will go ahead and make this one for someone else. I do like the design but I will wait until later to work on it. Maybe it will stop raining. <br />
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Buddy the Beagle Baby has been so cute and I love him so much. It is so hard to imagine what life was like without him now. He is very different than my other beagle, mostly because he is a puppy and my other dog was very old but also because he loves to snuggle and play with toys and fetch - things my other dog didn't do. Blue (girl) was always an easy going dog who liked to chill in a sun-ray or snuggle in blankets but she got too hot if you laid next to her. She wanted all the blankets and your pillow but you had to go lol Buddy wants to sleep as close to my head as possible and sometimes on my face. He will snuggle his little muzzle right up in the curve of my neck with his soft ears falling forward. He will sleep with me that way all night long now and doesn't get up and wander around as long as I get right up with him in the morning. <br />
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He did find some gum last night though. Someone didn't throw their gum away properly and he found it. I noticed when he jumped up with me to sleep that he had nice fresh breath lol He was chewing away and it was so funny. I didn't notice him drop it on my chest though and my shirt was very close to the same color. I looked for the gum but didn't find it and figured he just swallowed it. When I woke up and went to the bathroom I saw it plastered to my shirt. I sure am glad I cut my hair short or I'd really have a mess. There are also a few spots of it on the sheet and some on his foot. So now I have to see if I can get that out of everything. <br />
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Anyway, I hope everyone is having fun crocheting or knitting or whatever you do. <br />
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<br />Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03612849480757438108noreply@blogger.com11Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA64.8388243 -147.7489362999999758.1907243 -168.40323329999995 71.4869243 -127.09463929999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608856173310892755.post-38186326620015003032016-08-14T12:05:00.001-08:002016-08-14T15:57:50.633-08:00YOP updateThe first part of this week wasn't very productive since I wasn't feeling well but then the sun came out and I got a lot accomplished in the last part of the week. It was so nice to get outside too and enjoy the sunshine. It was so wet and yucky out for several weeks and there were mushrooms popping up all over my yard. They all died after a while with the sun out. It has been about 75f during the days but I feel the coolness of autumn coming in the evenings. I am actually looking forward to fall and the beautiful colors. I am itching to make something in a goldenrod yellow color to wear this fall. The only drawback to fall here in Fairbanks, Alaska it is it so short lived and suddenly it will be winter so I'm glad we still have a little bit of summer left. <br />
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I have an FO!! I finished my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/easy-peasy-socks-for-first-timers" target="_blank"><b>Easy Peasy Socks for First-Timers</b></a> by Stacey Trock. They were so much fun. I had some issues with the second sock because I had fibro brain so I did a lot of tinking and had to use a lifeline once but I was determined to get it finished. I remember when I was working on it my feet were cold and instead of getting up and putting on a different pair of socks I just knit faster so I could wear these. Of course, when I finally finished it was too hot to wear them. </div>
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BTW, these are knit in a discontinued yarn called Red Heart Stripes - Cancun. I know, I'm so sad that it is discontinued. I would love more of the colorways they had. It is a worsted weight yarn. I bought this yarn a long time ago for a blanket I was knitting but it has been languishing in a tub for a while. I decided to use the yarn for something else. I also have some turquoise yarn to go with it and one other color that I can't remember right now. So now I'm trying to think of things to use that yarn for since that is one of my goals for this year - to find all my MIA wips and either finish them or frog them and use the yarn for something else. So that blanket is one of them but it isn't one I put in ravelry. </div>
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I actually finished both my goals for this week even though I really did it all in just the last couple days. The first was to finish my socks and the second was to write up the pattern for Buddy's <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/squeaky-bug" target="_blank"><b>Squeaky Bug</b></a> and get it posted on my blog and listed as a free pattern on Ravelry. I made another cuter one that looks like a ladybug and also made a simple version which I call Less Buggy Squeaky Bug. Buddy loves them all and for the Less Buggy version I made him I let him pick the colors since he is always rooting around in my yarn and I am constantly having to take it away from him. He picked out the green cotton I used for the bottom and then since he kept trying to steal my socks while I was working on them I used that yarn for the top of it. If you look at the pictures below you can see how ratty looking the green was because he already grabbed the circle from me and played with it. He even took it outside and brought it back in a few times. He was chomping at the bits to get it from me so I had to quickly finish off and weave in the ends with him biting at it. So that doesn't look so hot but he doesn't care. It reminds me of an eyeball.</div>
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I did find another MIA WIP - my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/meandering-rib-scarf-65-inch" target="_blank"><b>Meandering Rib Scarf</b></a> from Lionbrand.com. I had forgotten that a cup of coffee got dumped over on it. It was in a small tub with the yarn for it and the coffee dumped right in the tub. I dumped out all that would come out and was so frustrated I just sat it aside to deal with later and then forgot about it. I hadn't knit very much on it so it wasn't a big deal. Well I frogged it and soaked the yarn and washed it. It wasn't as difficult as I thought. It is wood-ease by Lion Brand in Gray Heather. It dried nicely and regained it's fluff. So I only have one repeat of the pattern done right now. I do have a lifeline in because it is so easy to get lost with this pattern. I need to use a word processor program to edit the pattern to be easier to follow. I did that last time but lost it. Normally I just use a sticky note to keep track of where I am in a pattern but with this one I get to <b>row 9</b> and it says "repeat row 6" so I need another sticky note to put at row 6. Then I get to <b>Rows 15 and 16 </b>and it says "Repeat rows 11 and 12".... I go to Row 11 and it says "Rep row 4" and then row 12 says repeat row 3. So I just take the pattern and make each row say the pattern to follow so I can just move down the list and not have to jump all over the place. </div>
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I do like the pattern. This is a gift for my husband but I want to make myself one too that will be slightly different. Buddy the Beagle Baby finally has all his shots and is almost ready to go out in the world. We just have to wait another week to make sure his last shots kick in. We also have to get him a different food because the Vet thinks he may have a food allergy. He has a few itchy spots where he chomped off his fur. We have some ordered and I really hope it works for him. </div>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03612849480757438108noreply@blogger.com10Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA64.8388243 -147.7489362999999758.1907243 -168.40323329999995 71.4869243 -127.09463929999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608856173310892755.post-47721609350191928302016-08-11T23:13:00.000-08:002019-09-26T04:55:57.690-08:00Squeaky Bug - Free pattern (updated)<br />
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Squeaky Bug *FREE pattern*</h2>
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Buddy loves his squeaky bug and it was so easy to make. Buddy is 4 months old now and loves toys that squeak so I bought a bag of <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B001A7JF44/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank"><b>medium sized replacement squeakers</b></a> on Amazon. They are 1 3/4" in diameter. He is always snagging the squeakers from me when I'm trying to put them in a toy and he will run around the house like a mad dog with it in his mouth squeaking away. So, I decided to make a toy that was just big enough to cover the squeaker and protect it from his teeth and keep him from chocking on it. That way he could still run around with it in his mouth. <br />
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Squeaky Bugs are fun for other pets too. You can even skip the squeaker and stuff them with pillow guts, yarn tails or scraps of fleece etc and slip in a little cat nip for your kitty!<br />
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I would love to see all the crazy Squeaky Bugs (including the Less Buggy Squeaky Bugs!) that people make. If you send me a picture to donnaj71@gmail.com with a name to display I'll put the picture on my blog in my Squeaky Bug Exhibit. I will assume you are giving me permission to post your picture on my blog if you email it to me.<br />
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Here is what you need:<br />
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<li>Worsted weight yarn in whatever color you want your bug to be. I like to use 100% cotton yarn (like Sugar N'Cream, Peaches & Creme, Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton etc) because it holds up better for a pet toy than acrylic yarn but you can use any kind of yarn. I have found that acrylic yarn can split and get fuzzy when working with smaller hooks and tight stitches. Cotton yarn doesn't do that. You can try a size larger hook if you are having a problem with your yarn splitting. </li>
<li>G size hook (4.25 mm)</li>
<li>A darning needle</li>
<li>1 Medium sized round replacement squeaker 1 3/4" in diameter. </li>
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Gauge: The circles for the body of the bug should be about 3" in diameter when flat. You want to work tight so if your circle comes out bigger try changing to a smaller hook. </div>
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<b>Body</b></h2>
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The body is constructed of two circles, one colored and one black. They cup a little to hold the squeaker.<br />
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<li>Start off with a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DayUE-O0qwA" target="_blank"><b>magic circle</b></a>, chain 1 and work 6 hdc (half double crochet) into the circle. Join with slip stitch to the first hdc.</li>
<li>Chain 1, starting in the same stitch as join, work 2 hdc into each stitch. Join with slip stitch to first hdc. (12 sts)</li>
<li>Chain 1, starting in the same stitch as join, *work 2 hdc, 1 hdc in next stitch* repeat around to the end and join with slip stitch to the first hdc (18 sts)</li>
<li>Chain 1, starting in the same stitch as join, *work 2 hdc, 1 hdc in each of next 2 stitches* repeat around to the end and join with slip stitch to the first hdc (24 sts)</li>
<li>Chain 1, starting in the same stitch as join, *work 2 hdc, 1 hdc in each of next 3 stitches* repeat around to the start and join with slip stitch to first hdc (30 sts) fasten off and weave in ends. (when you make your black circle for the bottom do not fasten off)</li>
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Now, take the colored one and add your buggy details. You can use your darning needle to stitch the lines on or you can use <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS5qnshNNAs" target="_blank"><b>surface crochet</b></a>. Using the black yarn stitch a half circle to create the head of the bug and a line down the middle of the back. Then add two eyes and some spots to each side of the bug. Of course you can add the details however you want and get super creative. Make loads of crazy bugs! I can't wait to see what everyone makes! Just make sure you stitch them in good and weave in the ends so your pet can't get them loose. I actually knot mine since it is on the inside anyway and won't be seen. You can also use safety eyes instead of stitching them on. <br />
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For this one (my first one) I used surface crochet for the lines and that was super quick and easy. I was a little impatient when doing the dots and you can tell. I just whip stitched this bug together working around the legs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYM0OXi7sGmRgs-7gF_81HUJLQTERMXPDTpeXQCUZFvH_A4qxsQiWQx8x3A7PVypYIRXqQnWxEc1DZ0jWm2s9bJ2xgQx_TnJdSR_Zo0nV4FadbddNV-xfHSpTOLiVF-Vm-ASSwOa_lmU/s1600/IMG_0192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYM0OXi7sGmRgs-7gF_81HUJLQTERMXPDTpeXQCUZFvH_A4qxsQiWQx8x3A7PVypYIRXqQnWxEc1DZ0jWm2s9bJ2xgQx_TnJdSR_Zo0nV4FadbddNV-xfHSpTOLiVF-Vm-ASSwOa_lmU/s320/IMG_0192.JPG" width="313" /></a></div>
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For this one I used 6 mm safety eyes and used a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CNCItl3Q5g" target="_blank"><b>back stitch</b></a> for the lines and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5BHO_Cnvzs" target="_blank">french knots</a> with 3 wraps for the dots. He doesn't have a mouth but his eyes are smiling.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Bug Legs</h2>
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After you finish your black circle don't fasten off after joining. <br />
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1. Chain 1 and turn it to the back of your circle and slip stitch to the horizontal bar on the back of the stitch (marked in blue in the picture below). </div>
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Note: I found it is easiest to hold the circle so your thumb is on the right side of the work so you can work on the back edge like in the picture below. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54yPXSZLpLULRX1Ijh6WSFqayLyqXjRI9bcXl0ceJQXU8bdPc1pnI1Dkx6YlE-YcnnkealCzvL8fb-Fo6tSiYZtsz7EPTx-y94dysC6gXYAQleQ9omnSoPXzN7WVUmk4uz0VIjtErKpY/s1600/IMG_0195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54yPXSZLpLULRX1Ijh6WSFqayLyqXjRI9bcXl0ceJQXU8bdPc1pnI1Dkx6YlE-YcnnkealCzvL8fb-Fo6tSiYZtsz7EPTx-y94dysC6gXYAQleQ9omnSoPXzN7WVUmk4uz0VIjtErKpY/s320/IMG_0195.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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2. Next, chain 6. Slip stitch into second chain from hook and down to last chain and then slip stitch back into the same horizontal loop where you started. -1 leg!</div>
3. Slip stitch into the next two stitches (horizontal bars)<br />
4. Chain 6 and slip stitche back down and then back into the horizontal bar again - 2nd leg!<br />
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5. Repeat step 3 and 4 one more time and then fasten off. - 3 bug legs!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Myae_5mQVme10nh-JcQeh4KIaaS2rLXu1FOoDfgO2Heauff4ViyqP2sVeQmhxOyoNyrMY45w_-ubbVeuX-Mf_AiOrjXMj3SDt6M2iuFmQ76zNPglT4WSrspTaaKe6t8qgsjZBMX2f4U/s1600/IMG_0194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Myae_5mQVme10nh-JcQeh4KIaaS2rLXu1FOoDfgO2Heauff4ViyqP2sVeQmhxOyoNyrMY45w_-ubbVeuX-Mf_AiOrjXMj3SDt6M2iuFmQ76zNPglT4WSrspTaaKe6t8qgsjZBMX2f4U/s320/IMG_0194.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Turn your circle around and repeat the same for the other side. When you are done it should look something like this from the right side. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBBNCEaHliU7blsgDROO1hnhND-_NthH7hWTjj-vN5mlUBNSk2BGEpqHmJ_9O9c3dbG65LfnpwF9mRf28ps51PpNO7Jo8b3GTGkTctWzX1tm33oM3mmcPp6iUYJvyvXD5z9UlbWNIWiY/s1600/IMG_0196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBBNCEaHliU7blsgDROO1hnhND-_NthH7hWTjj-vN5mlUBNSk2BGEpqHmJ_9O9c3dbG65LfnpwF9mRf28ps51PpNO7Jo8b3GTGkTctWzX1tm33oM3mmcPp6iUYJvyvXD5z9UlbWNIWiY/s320/IMG_0196.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Joining your Squeaky Bug</h2>
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So now you have all your parts you need to make a bug sandwich. Make sure both of your circles are right side out. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPHEVs9nPwjwl8Qi6bKEmSKF7JHSkiPWEYorA92ca_BKiliwmXKVcJF5DlAWVf4IF9_pyukzCDyLQrF805dYanEEs7gk1hTDK9qMQGVPkffti1jEq0s9olHhyh2gUhPqJQaB2pdiAm_U/s1600/IMG_0197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQPHEVs9nPwjwl8Qi6bKEmSKF7JHSkiPWEYorA92ca_BKiliwmXKVcJF5DlAWVf4IF9_pyukzCDyLQrF805dYanEEs7gk1hTDK9qMQGVPkffti1jEq0s9olHhyh2gUhPqJQaB2pdiAm_U/s320/IMG_0197.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Joining the layers together is super quick and easy with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS5qnshNNAs" target="_blank"><b>surface crochet</b></a> (slip stitch). Use yarn to match the top of your bug. I'm using red. Make a slip knot in your yarn but don't put it on your hook yet. Stick your needle through both layers of your bug starting from the top, then stick your slip knot on the hook from the back.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCl1YmG8xBWGn-fdqi-fefWNmceC61yVFNYstLlT-NtYvCH4tzHdfEqSSnq566hkCNvplGPvAE-kIPi4rNVL24N2FFIjAKsly4s1En1gCWAH3RcRzUThzZ4rKesqEnVt0L_wYQJ6k6jY/s1600/IMG_0198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCl1YmG8xBWGn-fdqi-fefWNmceC61yVFNYstLlT-NtYvCH4tzHdfEqSSnq566hkCNvplGPvAE-kIPi4rNVL24N2FFIjAKsly4s1En1gCWAH3RcRzUThzZ4rKesqEnVt0L_wYQJ6k6jY/s320/IMG_0198.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Pull the yarn to the front (but don't pull the slip knot all the way out) and then stick your hook back down into the next space, yarn over and pull it to the front of the work. Work a slip stitch and repeat all the way around. When you get to the end to where there is just one space left you will have to finish with a darning needle. Just pull your last loop out long and snip it leaving you with at least 5 or 6 inches. Thread the yarn onto a darning needle and stick your needle flat to the work at slide it under both loops of the first surface crochet stitch. Then, slick the needle back down where it is coming from to complete the last chain. Take the two pieces of red yarn at the back and tie a knot. Then just use your needle to take your yarn into the body of the bug and out through the top. Snip the yarn and give the bug a tug (hey that rhymes!) so the yarn tail ends up inside and not showing. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdv6zJ1Y4Nzvge_xeX0zea9GYt9uiWJf_GquOPL6NnMSWr7tJI6fuLtNxtcyEVhby3-olTpYqAdgfTjG38yDB17FB6mF7DrTx-mz35NhmN22Ym-KVqVnI8Tt4lv_mDeWH5VXYza5r5V9A/s1600/IMG_0199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdv6zJ1Y4Nzvge_xeX0zea9GYt9uiWJf_GquOPL6NnMSWr7tJI6fuLtNxtcyEVhby3-olTpYqAdgfTjG38yDB17FB6mF7DrTx-mz35NhmN22Ym-KVqVnI8Tt4lv_mDeWH5VXYza5r5V9A/s320/IMG_0199.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is what it looks like on the back</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcT7rugzr2pwUI4ee4iAqooETGxo4uNgzZkoFatemddDTayJVrcgC6nTYddk6-B9tGy34NktCqd01ULYdI8uIUHRDUH5r5M8pFmWOD1ycPAIgycmD4UmsKNWZ2EeN63rnP7yE0H-2lMYE/s1600/IMG_0200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcT7rugzr2pwUI4ee4iAqooETGxo4uNgzZkoFatemddDTayJVrcgC6nTYddk6-B9tGy34NktCqd01ULYdI8uIUHRDUH5r5M8pFmWOD1ycPAIgycmD4UmsKNWZ2EeN63rnP7yE0H-2lMYE/s320/IMG_0200.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Less Buggy Squeaky Bug</h2>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Simple Version</h3>
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This is a simplified version that can be made super quick. Just take your two completed circles and put them together right sides out with your squeaker in the middle. You can add some small safety eyes if you want or just skip adding any details all together and single crochet (US Terms) the two layers together. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0B9EKLoodicgbCjnNQntXFIaeUwwWPnjzs61WKLQEW649nhmAT8xvJIpb0KG0KWyiiLaFoQ_-VTYmXWhrzMDWqyFCTiRHM7r9v1xfrQgpmsp2ADOtd3H6nRwlDc8dV-YIqQgn-N4fjr8/s1600/IMG_0186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0B9EKLoodicgbCjnNQntXFIaeUwwWPnjzs61WKLQEW649nhmAT8xvJIpb0KG0KWyiiLaFoQ_-VTYmXWhrzMDWqyFCTiRHM7r9v1xfrQgpmsp2ADOtd3H6nRwlDc8dV-YIqQgn-N4fjr8/s320/IMG_0186.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Put your squeaker between two 3" circles. Please excuse my green circle looking a little ratty. My puppy kept snagging it so it has already been played with some. Make sure you secure your magic circle really well on the wrong side. </div>
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If you just finished your last circle you can just chain 1 and then insert your hook through the top loops of both circles, yarn over and work a single crochet. Work all the way around and then join to your first single crochet and fasten off. </div>
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The finished squeaky bug is only slightly bigger than 3" and is ready to play with!</div>
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<br />Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03612849480757438108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608856173310892755.post-5691869239747961762016-08-07T11:41:00.001-08:002016-08-07T11:41:41.106-08:00YOP updateI'm feeling really, really, REALLY tired today so I'm going to make a quick post. Since last week everyone was posting about knitting socks (or most everyone) I decided to give it a try. I made a simple pair of socks once before with a friends help (6 years ago) but I didn't remember anything. I really felt like I was learning for the first time as I made the first sock. I decided to use the pattern <b><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/easy-peasy-socks-for-first-timers" target="_blank">Easy Peasy Socks for First-Timers</a> </b>which uses worsted weight yarn. I found some self patterning yarn in my stash that I wanted to use. I'm really glad Diannamcheck from Ravelry was able to help me with a question I had so I could keep going. I finished the first sock and I'm ready to start the gusset on the second. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9arGTX964Auj5LWiwduMLJgxuWkDb0WB7mpXqLN75oGxdYjf8xM-eQD97X73VmSmIoHPJq3RBxYnmGIPyFoe7O3F_9iy9Jik4eX0ok-grQNSt4cjnWGMtEaa7xRvqSsX3oJO-Q4wL8c/s1600/IMG_0167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip9arGTX964Auj5LWiwduMLJgxuWkDb0WB7mpXqLN75oGxdYjf8xM-eQD97X73VmSmIoHPJq3RBxYnmGIPyFoe7O3F_9iy9Jik4eX0ok-grQNSt4cjnWGMtEaa7xRvqSsX3oJO-Q4wL8c/s320/IMG_0167.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, lucida sans unicode, lucida grande, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13.2px;">This was an add-on item to my list but it does fall under my goal of improving my knitting skills. Okay, that's all for this week. I'm going to take a long nap and hopefully I will finish my second sock soon. </span></span><br />
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03612849480757438108noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608856173310892755.post-33648323703233288952016-07-31T04:16:00.000-08:002016-07-31T04:18:42.742-08:00YOP update and some Major (crochet) surgeryThis week I have 5 finished projects and I'm so glad to be able to work on something else for a change.
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<a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/b0/fb/e1/b0fbe1d1d2e789b17ae77915a7dc9270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/b0/fb/e1/b0fbe1d1d2e789b17ae77915a7dc9270.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
I have my crochet baby dress (<a href="https://www.e-patternscentral.com/detail.html?prod_id=7840&cat_id=&criteria=frilly+dress" target="_blank">Frilly Dress</a>) finished finally but there were some problems. It is a beautiful dress and I love it but there are some errors in the pattern; some were fixed and the pattern updated but they didn't fix them all. I made notes of the problems I found as I worked on my Ravelry project page <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/DJCstitches/frilly-dress" target="_blank">here</a>. Besides those more obvious mistakes the straps are too long. I'm new at making baby clothes and my kids are grown so I didn't realize until too late that the straps were way too long and besides that they stretch out under the weight of the dress and it ends up looking like a vintage strongman's outfit. With the help of someone in a facebook crochet group who shared this <a href="https://www.weconnectfashion.com/articles/children-s-apparel-size-charts" target="_blank">chart</a> I learned that the straps should be about 2.25" so now I have to fix them. I've never had to fix something like this before and I did a lot of googling to see if someone else had a better way but of course I found nothing. I also asked in the crochet group but other than lots of suggestions on how much I should shorten the straps or that I should add buttons etc, I got no suggestions on the actual process. So here is what I decided to do with some pictures. <br />
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Here is a picture showing the straps laying flat. I measured 3.5" and I decided to take out about 1.5". I turned the dress inside-out and safety-pinned the two layers together so it wouldn't shift while working on it. I measured back from the top of the shoulder about 2" and placed a safety pin there. Then I used matching sewing thread and sewed a line just above the pin. I took scissors (and prayed) and snipped across at the top of the shoulders and then used the eye of a needle to pick out the stitches (much easier said than done) leaving me with long lengths of yarn to work with. The trim on this is added after the main body was complete so I had to pick that out separately and then had to use a safety pin to hold the the last loop to <br />
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keep it from unraveling past my new seam. In this picture (left) you can see my safety pin holding the two layers together but you probably can't see the hand sewn stitches across I made with sewing thread. This was a very slow process and took a lot of patience since the stitches didn't easily come out and where I wove in the ends in from my edging I really had a tough time. After I got everything unraveled to one row above my sewn line I used a darning needle and used the lavender yarn from one side to seam the two sides together and then carefully wove in the ends, including the lavender yarn from the other side. Then I had to use the darning needle to sew the edging sides together to look like it was uninterrupted. I also folded the seamed section (which is about a half inch) to one side and secured it in place. <br />
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Besides the strap issue, this dress is not really very practical and is more of a photo-op dress. The skirt is so full and heavy with yarn that it would probably be hard for a child this age, who is just learning to walk, to walk in without falling. This dress is pretty much floor length. Another person on ravelry who made this dress told me it is very difficult to fasten the car seat strap over the bulk of the dress so it is better to wait to put the dress on after coming out of the car seat. I think it would be much better to make the newborn to 3 month size since there are less problems with it than with the larger sizes. There are less rounds (so less increases and less bulk). Plus, from what I can see most of the errors are in the larger sizes.<br />
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So now that I'm done it looks like this. These pictures are dark since it is night time now so the color is actually much lighter. <br />
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My second finished project was a headband to match. I used this free <a href="http://lanasdeana.blogspot.com/2012/12/baby-head-bands-tutorial.html" target="_blank">pattern</a> for the band except that I only used 5 stitches so it would be narrower. I also used left over yarn from the dress which is DK so I used an E hook or 3.5mm. I used this free <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/colorado-columbine-flower" target="_blank">pattern</a> for the columbine flower. <br />
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My third project was a quick little crochet washcloth which was a CAL with the ravelry group called Dishcloth Weekly Knitalong. They have KAL/CALS using free patterns every week and is a fun group of people. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ravel.me/DJCstitches/fpd" target="_blank">Flower Power dishcloth</a></td></tr>
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The next two patterns were also quick ones. I finished them both on Saturday even though it is still</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thelavenderchair.com/weeping-willow-sun-hat-infanttoddlers-crochet-pattern/" target="_blank">Weeping Willow Sun hat (free pattern)</a></td></tr>
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raining continuously and I've been in even more pain then before because of a Fibromyalgia flare up. Some areas are on flood watch actually because of all the rain. It had been drizzling pretty consistently for quite a while but the last couple days we have been getting heavier rain. I actually slept most of the day and spent the time I was awake in bed/pajamas.<br />
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I had planned to make this hat for my great niece Maya in her great grandmother's favorite color red. She is only two and never got to meet her great grandma who passed away in 2008. I made this hat to go with a cute little <a href="http://ravel.me/DJCstitches/hsb" target="_blank">heart-shaped purse</a> I made her in May. I sewed a zippered pouch (putting in my first zipper ever) and I used a red vintage zipper from my mom's sewing table. My mom would be so happy to know I used something of hers to make this little gift for her great grand-daughter. <br />
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While I was working on that hat, Buddy the beagle baby kept stealing my ball of yarn or the project. I had already noticed he seems to really like the color red (or dark pink) and anytime I try to work with that color I have to fight him off. Since he just turned 4 months old I thought I should make him a little toy using red yarn. I came up with my own pattern that I will write up later and post here on my blog. For now I want to see how this first one holds up. Here is Buddy's Squeaky Bug which he really loves.<br />
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Well, this week was fun and I really enjoyed being able to work on some new things. I can't wait to see what next week brings - hopefully sun.<br />
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<br />Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03612849480757438108noreply@blogger.com8Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA64.8388243 -147.7489362999999758.1541543 -168.49112379999997 71.5234943 -127.00674879999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608856173310892755.post-71063649782096488652016-07-24T16:28:00.000-08:002016-07-24T16:28:08.700-08:00YOP UpdateToday I am contemplative and moody - don't know why. I also can't seem to spell today... or type. What you see has been severely edited. I guess it's just another manic Sunday. <div>
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Anyway, some stuff's been going on around here. I'm not even sure where to start. Well, how about the fact that the sun came out finally. It's been raining a ton... I'm pretty sure it's been 40 days and 40 nights plus a few afternoons. I'm thinking Noah forgot to invite me into the ark. That must mean I need another beagle puppy - a girl to go with my boy. Too bad my husband wouldn't buy that story. Anyway, my fibro-riddled body feels a little better this morning and some of my lilies have opened up! </div>
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Speaking of Buddy the Beagle Baby, he has been learning some tricks! He learned "sit" really fast but the others not so much. He just finally learned "lay down" and "leave it." He also came to me right away when I said "come." The best thing though is that I just got a potty training bell. I have only had it about a day and a half and this morning he rang the bell. It was kind of funny because it is so new I hesitated a minute thinking "what the heck is that noise?" lol Well, only a few seconds and then I somehow FLEW over there and let him out. Not only did he go pee but he also went poop which he usually prefers to deposit in my entryway whenever it is raining and/or wet out. I was so SO happy! Oh, and Buddy also has a new confinement space. He does not like our wall (Mexico did not pay for it btw)</div>
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Oh, and I made a tumblr account. I used to have one but never really used it much. I tried to sign in but it said I didn't have an account. Boo. Oh well, I started over. My new account name is <a href="http://djcstitches.tumblr.com/" target="_blank"><b>DJCstitches</b></a> (which I'm pretty sure is what my old one was) and I have no friends. That is very sad so please be my friend if you tumble with tumblr. </div>
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I want to say THANK YOU! to all the people that gave me advice for fixing the snag in my Frilly <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dress (baby dress) and helped me decide on which color to use for the trim. I did decide to go with the Caron Simply soft Party in purple sparkle. The baby this dress is for has a darker skin tone and I think the color will look perfect on her. I'm really hoping I will get a picture of her in the dress that I can share. I am currently working on adding the trim edging to the bottom of the dress (pictures of the top are in the previous post) and I've already used up one whole skein of the purple sparkle (while marathon watching the 9th season of Criminal Minds). After I saw how that was going to look I really fell in love with it. It really sets off all of those ruffles. I do think this dress is more of a 12 month size and not 6-9 months but I'll find out once they get it and try it on her. I am sure I have enough time to whip up a matching flower headband. Of course I already added one to my list of projects. Oh, and after adding the edging to the straps thay are less stretchy. It really helped to stabilize them some but I will probably still add some ribbon or fabric</div>
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Update: You won't believe this but I can't find my second ball of that dark purple Caron Simply Soft Party ANYWHERE. I got half way around the hemline and ran out. I have turned the living room upside-down and now I'v sent out a text-plea to my hubby to grab a ball for me on his way home. </div>
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Second Update: I got it! Hubby made a special trip by Joanns to get it for me and bring it home BEFORE he went to play golf. Isn't he the best?</div>
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I finally got a new set of size 9 needle tips for my Boye Needlemaster knitting needle set. I think it was back in January when I broke mine. I was knitting and got up for some reason and laid my project down on the couch (which will never happen again). When I sat down I folded my leg underneath me like I always do and my knee pressed down right on one of the needles and snapped the threaded part in the cable. I've actually done that once before and quickly was able to get a replacement cable and needle tips. This time however I could only get the cable. The other replacement parts were no longer on amazon.com and the whole Needlemaster replacement parts section on their website was gone. I was freaking out thinking they were discontinuing the set all together. I have been watching for them on ebay and etsy ever since. I finally found a <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/chappysartsandcrafts/" target="_blank"><b>store</b></a> on ebay that had them plus they have other brands, sock boards, crochet hooks, pattern books and some cross stitch kits etc. The seller is super nice too because I accidentally ordered some connectors for the knit picks needles instead of the Boye and they were kind enough to fix that for me. I have some OCD issues so it has been driving me insane that I didn't have a complete set. It made me not want to knit at all and when I did finally make a washcloth I used straights instead. It is so nice to see my set complete again! (I do realize there is a size 2 missing but it is actually attached to a project with a stop on the other end of the cable).</div>
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Okay, so I know I had more things that I intended to add here but I forgot what they were. I guess I will save them for later since this is long enough. I hope everyone had a very productive and fun crafting week. </div>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03612849480757438108noreply@blogger.com11Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA64.8388243 -147.7489362999999758.1541543 -168.49112379999997 71.5234943 -127.00674879999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608856173310892755.post-24096367175663449602016-07-22T06:36:00.001-08:002016-07-22T09:00:41.611-08:00SNAG!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So Buddy the Beagle Baby, the angel that he is, got his chops into my cute little baby dress I've been working on. I thought I'd saved it at the time but just now noticed this snag just as I finished weaving in the yarn ends. So the dress is finished now except for the trim which is a decorative edge around the bottom, neckline and sleeve edges. I have pulled the snag through to the inside of the dress and you can't tell anything from the front side now. It is a double crochet stitch (US) that is snagged but the stitch is fine. The yarn strands have separated and one is pulled farther out. This snag is about .5 to .75 of an inch. <br />
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Does anyone know the best way to fix something like this? <br />
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Other than that the dress is finished now except for the trim and I don't have enough yarn to finish that. I will either have to get another skein or use a contrasting color. Or, I have thought about just not adding the trim. The trim is a simple chain 1, slip stitch in next stitch around which just gives it a small rippled edge which reminds me of a row of garter stitch in knitting. I tried to get some pictures but I didn't have anyone to hold it for me and I don't want to put it on a hanger again because I'm worried about the straps getting stretched out from the weight of the skirt. I still have to get some ribbon to strengthen them. <br />
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So here is a picture of the top as it is now. The trim would go around the neckline and edges of the straps and underarm and also bottom of the skirt. I do have 2 skeins of this Caron Simply soft Party with a metallic purple thread in it. You can see a strand of it over the dress. What do you think? <br />
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Should I....<br />
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<li>Use the contrasting color</li>
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Here is a picture with the whole ball of yarn. It looks a little more blue than it is. It is more of a plum color. What you can't see in this picture is where the light hits the metallic thread it has a hot-pinkish purple shine to it.<br />
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Below is a picture of the skirt portion of the dress. It was a hard shot to get since I had to hold it with one hand and take the picture with the other. It doesn't lay flat very well.<br />
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P.s. Buddy says "I'm the baby, gotta love me!"<br />
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Okay, here is another picture where I added the edging to the top but I didn't weave in the ends so I can undo it if I want. I'm a bit of a chicken liver and can't quite commit to the darker edging yet.<br />
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<br />Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03612849480757438108noreply@blogger.com5Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA64.8388243 -147.7489362999999758.1541543 -168.49112379999997 71.5234943 -127.00674879999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608856173310892755.post-56404251665496760002016-07-16T22:05:00.001-08:002016-07-17T01:29:43.146-08:00A new hope (YOP update)No, not the Star Wars movie.... I'm talking about my crochet project (of course) - The Freakin' <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/DJCstitches/frilly-dress">Frilly Dress</a>.<br />
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You can't tell by looking at the dress that I've made much progress so I took a picture of the left over yarn. I started that skein last week! </div>
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This week I got really REALLY frustrated and almost gave up completely. I saw a post on facebook about the baby I'm making this dress for and it mentioned the month she was due to be born. I freaked out because she was older than I thought. I chose to make the 6-9 month size to give myself extra time and she is 8 1/2 months now. I was feeling so frustrated thinking I'd never get the dress finished before she out-grew it. Each day this week I would try to work on it while the puppy was sleeping and I couldn't even tell how much progress I'd made because of all the ruffles. I like to see how far I've gone and how much there is left till the end of the row, round or next change etc. I realized part of the problem was that this feels like a small project but it is more like an afghan - a round one. So I rearranged the dress on my lap just now to look like a round afghan and then I noticed the center. Oh yes, that will definitely fit her unless she is a giant baby and she does not look like a giant baby from the pictures. It is NOT too late (insert mental cartwheel here). I totally forgot that I decided to go up a size hook too. <br />
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So I have a new prospective and a renewed hope in this project! I put on some music and turned it up and just started working away, determined to quit watching for the end. That is like watching the tracks for the next train to come - extremely boring. I'd rather just plow straight ahead and run right into it. That's what I'm going to do. <br />
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Maybe Sunday I'll be able to get some ribbon for the straps. What is it about V stitches that makes me hate them?<br />
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I just realized I didn't quite follow the round correctly for the previous row. I misread the instructions but I did it uniformly around so I'm leaving it. It doesn't look like a mistake. It would have been faster if I'd followed the instructions, but oh well, I guess I redesigned it lol <br />
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To be updated......<br />
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<br />Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03612849480757438108noreply@blogger.com13Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA64.8388243 -147.7489362999999758.1541543 -168.49112379999997 71.5234943 -127.00674879999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608856173310892755.post-8117135706007266122016-07-09T21:58:00.000-08:002016-07-09T22:02:46.714-08:00YOP Update <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghX_8zw4RJSgYFs4va34WPdm4GrGJwtpzZP10vVxXPJqKOHK5DchGz4bl-FcraZGxp25xq__AZTJ67KLCA1fXV00owlwlmV4JC59HEJvq4PF_Zc-o1oXGYJrX2cAilr30lvPoZtQ66xrI/s1600/IMG_0098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghX_8zw4RJSgYFs4va34WPdm4GrGJwtpzZP10vVxXPJqKOHK5DchGz4bl-FcraZGxp25xq__AZTJ67KLCA1fXV00owlwlmV4JC59HEJvq4PF_Zc-o1oXGYJrX2cAilr30lvPoZtQ66xrI/s320/IMG_0098.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
My main focus right now is on finishing the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/DJCstitches/frilly-dress" target="_blank">Frilly Dress</a> and it is taking forever. When I first started it I was trying to plow right through it fast to get it to the baby it is for but as the the bottom of the dress expanded each round I lost steam, (not to mention the frustration of figuring out the mistakes in the pattern). I am keeping my notes for fixes to errors row by row in Ravelry if anyone else wants to make this dress. Anyway, I actually took a long break from the dress to make some cotton washcloths since I was really burned out. Now I really need to finish it because baby girl is getting big! <br />
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I'm following all the directions for the size 6-9 months, including for yarn weight but when I put it on the hanger the weight of the dress really pulls on the straps. I'm a little concerned about the straps being too long and her little baby boobies will be spilling all out and stuff. I'm sure she's not that kinda girl. I may have to adjust them after I'm finished with the rest. I was hoping for this dress to be a surprise but I may have to ask them to measure her. I currently have about 1.5 rounds to go and then some trim of some sort. I think I will have to reprint the last page of the pattern since Buddy the beagle baby grabbed it and it is in really bad shape now. My main concern was keeping him away from the dress! I think I would have cried if he got it and snagged it. The yarn is a thinner size 3 weight and his sharp little teeth would probably cut right through it. That is why I haven't made as much progress on it as I would have otherwise. I am too nervous to take it out unless he is in his crate. My fibromyalgia has been flaring up too and so all told I didn't make much progress this week. <br />
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I did get Buddy the Beagle Baby a new squeaky ball which he loves though. I'm hoping that will keep him busy so I can crochet more!</div>
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I hope everyone is having fun working on their projects. The most important thing to remember is to have fun with your hobbies and not let it become "work." </div>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03612849480757438108noreply@blogger.com24Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA64.8388243 -147.7489362999999758.1541543 -168.49112379999997 71.5234943 -127.00674879999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608856173310892755.post-43899157474956986232016-06-30T02:07:00.000-08:002016-06-30T20:21:55.732-08:00Year of Projects (YOP) Goals<b>Edit: I am in the process of adding my goal list for this to a new page - see link above.</b><br />
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Yikes, where did June go so fast? I really need to write down my goals for this next year (going from July 1st to next June 30th). <br />
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I have quite a few projects already in Ravelry that I really need to finish. I also have some I added but never started. I went through and deleted some so the only ones left are projects I really want to get finished in the next year.....or so. So they should show up on the left side of the blog with percentage bars. I know how the Fibro likes to take over though and I also have craft ADHD so anything I don't get finished will get moved to the next year. I also reserve the right to sneak in a few totally new projects just in case (because of course I will). </div>
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My to do list</h2>
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<li>The never-ending <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/DJCstitches/frilly-dress" target="_blank">Frilly Dress</a> of Doom is my #1 priority because babies grow fast!</li>
<li>The <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/DJCstitches/nordic-afghan-kal-m1" target="_blank">Nordic Afghan</a> (which I started and frogged) is a knitting project that involves 2 colors so this is a learning item for me and I haven't knit very much for quite a while.</li>
<li>I have several other projects, like the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/DJCstitches/meandering-rib-scarf-130-inch" target="_blank">Meandering Rib Scarf</a> that are MIA. I need to figure out where they are and either finish them or frog them or call them a loss. </li>
<li>I've started the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/DJCstitches/marcelle-afghan-kit" target="_blank">Marcelle Afghan Kit</a> and angrily frogged it a few times now. I really want to get through that one because I love it (pattern errors and all).</li>
<li>Then there is the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/DJCstitches/the-small-blue" target="_blank">Doily</a> that I wanted to make for my round glass table in fall colors but then I misplaced the magazine with the pattern in it while waiting for the thread to come in the mail. I really hope I can find that magazine!!!!! Oh and now the thread again too!</li>
<li>A few more toys for my favorite beagle -Buddy Boy. I want to make him a big <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/DJCstitches/m-richard-the-whale" target="_blank">whale</a> and a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/DJCstitches/crochet-snake-pattern" target="_blank">snake</a> and probably a new other things. I even bought some squeakers to put in them.</li>
<li>And then I need some Christmas presents which include a bunch of dishcloths and other household type items which people seem to love and some scarves and maybe a shawl etc. </li>
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Argh! I just noticed a bunch more "projects" down below the pictures of finished projects. I'll have to look through those now and see if some need to be deleted or moved back to my bulging Q. </div>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03612849480757438108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608856173310892755.post-26769647947236027022016-06-23T14:23:00.000-08:002016-06-23T14:23:04.807-08:00Stitcher's BlockHave you ever started a pattern that seemed like the best idea ever and then after what feels like a million years later you find yourself thinking you need to track down Dr. Who and go back in time and stop yourself from starting that thing? Yeah...... that's where I'm at right now. <br />
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I've made big projects before and this isn't even big. It is just fluffy. I'm making a pattern called "<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/DJCstitches/frilly-dress" target="_blank">Frilly Dress</a>" and it really shouldn't be that big of a deal. I think I'm just not into it and want to do anything else... like housework. I'm really close to the end too but I just don't want to work on it anymore. The only problem is the baby it is for is going to grow up. I need to get it finished for her before her wedding day. <br />
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This is kinda like writers block... only I guess it's Stitcher's Block. <br />
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I have had this happen before but usually it is a color problem or I hate the yarn etc. I have learned that I don't like mint green and every time I have ever started a pattern with yarn that color I ended up never finishing it or I start over with another color yarn. This is lavender though and I love lavender!<br />
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So hopefully I can make it to the end of this thing. I only have 2 and a half rounds left on the bottom of the skirt (which is like a lap around Texas) and the trim to do. <br />
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So close but soooooooo freakin' far awayDonnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03612849480757438108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608856173310892755.post-71712637647114450482016-06-21T23:17:00.000-08:002016-06-21T23:26:37.919-08:00This is a post! Don't freak out!Yes, my last post was over a year ago! What was I thinking? Well, for one, I started keeping an actual journal so I guess writing in that made me forget about the blogs I have. I was also busy taking care of my elderly dog Blue who had bladder cancer among other problems. She became incontinent so I was having to change diapers on her and also had to give her medications which she hated. She starting having some dementia too and it was so hard to watch her decline. I was determined to be there for her as long as possible (and not complain about cleaning up after her) but I knew the time was coming when I'd have to let her go. It was early May this year when one night she was crying in pain and I doubled up on her meds and she still wasn't comfortable. I had already got her another round of antibiotics but it wasn't helping this time. I went in to tell my husband and just sobbed. I'm so thankful for him because he took care of everything for me. He called and set up the appointment. He told his brother who came over to spend some time with Blue and then he drove everyone to the Vet. I just couldn't do it so I stayed home. My youngest son skipped school to go with her though and he carried her in. My oldest son stayed home with me and tried anticipate everything I might need. I just cried and cried. That was the Friday before mother's day - May 6th, 2016. Early that morning I made a stepping stone with a kit my husband got me and put Blue's paw print in it and stamped in her name and birth/death etc. I still haven't put it outside yet but my husband and boys are going to help clear the spot I have in mind and bury her ashes and then put that stone there. I miss her so much every day. <br />
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This was taken on Valentine's Day.</div>
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It was hard getting used to being so completely alone with everyone was gone. I'm so used to Blue following me everywhere I went. I kept stepping over shadows thinking it was her laying there. I made it two or three weeks maybe before I started thinking about getting another dog. I started sending my husband emails with pictures of Beagle puppies. I didn't think he would ever agree to get another dog though since he was always complaining about the carpet being ruined. One day I sent him an email with a website showing a litter of puppies listed for sale. I had sent him the link to a certain pup and I was surprised when he replied that a different one was cuter. I went back and looked and then asked both of my boys. Everyone agreed that that one was cutest. So we got him and I just love my new little Buddy! I have been very busy keeping him out of trouble and teaching him that human flesh isn't for chewing on. </div>
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Buddy</div>
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So right now I am trying to finish up one project called "Frilly Dress" for a baby. I decided to make the 6-9 month size to give me enough time to work on it. I ended up getting burnt out on it big time so I took a long break from it but now I need to finish it before the baby gets too big. This is a main goal right now. I have to work on it while Buddy is sleeping because he could quickly ruin it. </div>
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In the next week or so I'll put together a list of the projects to work on during the next year. I've decided to join a Ravelry group called YOP (year of projects) and they go from July to June 30th. I'm so glad I learned about it in time and can start with the group! </div>
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Let me know what you think! I love getting comments but rarely do. </div>
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Donna</div>
Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03612849480757438108noreply@blogger.com2Fairbanks, AK, USA64.8377778 -147.7163888999999764.7297183 -148.03911239999996 64.9458373 -147.39366539999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608856173310892755.post-29433695382618057372014-12-28T21:24:00.004-09:002014-12-28T21:24:42.610-09:00Fat Skeleton ScarfI know I haven't been posting much here lately. If you don't know me very well than you should know I have a lot of pain from Fibromyalgia and sometimes, some days or weeks, I just can't do anything I want to do. When I feel good I love to crochet. Sometimes I knit, make tatted lace or do paper crafts like card making and scrapbooking. I love to paint and do multimedia art too. Hopefully I can be more active in the coming year. Cross your fingers and your toes that 2015 is a good year for me! <br />
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Anyhoo, I've been hooked on the show Bones. A few months back I started to watch the series again from the first season and now I'm almost finished with the 7th season. I'm addicted! I love mysteries and forensics. I kept seeing people making these neat shawls with skulls. I love them but I am just not one to wear skulls. It seems kinda depressing. The way I feel most of the time is depressing enough. I need to wear lollipops and cupcakes... and rainbows and pink elephants. Anyway, I remembered that my sister in law likes skeletons. I decided to make her a scarf since she just doesn't seem like a shawl person to me. I used this pattern called the <i><b><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/narrow-crochet-skull-scarf" target="_blank">Narrow Crochet Skull Scarf</a></b></i>. Of course it is almost impossible for me to follow a pattern without changing something. The pattern calls for sock weight yarn but I used Caron Simply Soft in Gray Heather. Since it was bigger I called it the <i style="font-weight: bold;">Fat Skeleton Scarf</i>. It just seemed more fitting. I still used a 3.5mm E hook called for in the pattern to keep it from being afghan sized and I love how it turned out. They even chose to use one of my pictures on the pattern page which is always cool.<br />
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I did make a few changes but mostly just to accommodate the thicker yarn I used. I added a few <br />
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extra chains here and there and made some other small adjustments to help it lay flat and the rows more straight without pinching at the ends. It will still come out looking kinda lumpy as you work it but blocking will fix that. Since I used acrylic yarn, I just used the steam from an iron held only about an inch above the scarf. After steaming a section thoroughly just use your fingers to straighten it out and move on to the next part. Then leave it to dry.<br />
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<b>Here are the changes I made</b></div>
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Rw 1: I started with a chain of 49 and dc in 5th chain from hook. The four extra chains represents a double crochet.<br />Rw 2: begin with chain 5 instead of 4. Skip over the first group of double crochet and work in the next chain space. This makes an open space (loop). <br />At the end of this row you chain 4 and sl st to the top of the chain 4 from the round below which represents the last dc. Now you have an open space (loop) on this end as well. Chain 1 and turn. Sl stitch to the second chain of the chain loop (this makes it a square) <br />Rw 3: Chain 3, 3 dc in loop. <br />Rw 4 (and all even numbered rows): Chain 5……………….to end chain 4 and sl st to top of chain 3 from the previous row. Chain 1 and turn. Sl st to 2nd chain in loop. <br />Rw 5 (and all odd numbered rows): Chain 3, 3 dc in loop.<br />Rw 10: starting with this row I changed the first and last stitches worked on the skull to slip stitches. This gives it a more rounded look and not so angular.<div>
<br />I made each half of my scarf have 6 skulls and fastened off the first half after row 14. After I completed the second half with 6 skulls and finished with row 14 I did <b><i>not</i></b> fasten off so I could crochet the two parts together.</div>
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<br />I laid the half with the yarn attached on the right side of my lap and the other side on the right. (I’m right handed)<br /><br />The right side ended with a chain loop. Now chain 1 and turn, sl sp to 2nd chain in loop.<h2 id="granny_join" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.1em; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
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Granny Join</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25iLM8Rbw9k6np0QasVS2RvJN8-BhyHmJFHCpnHm1oBBbHb4C8GnChlxaf2LgW_8nyJGsSt2UNVM-D-DlMUvjAIdp-55HobOqQ0Qz7U7GdlzuZ0twxbEx9Mb5BiWjntQiZZOmuc9DOdk/s1600/IMG_2377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25iLM8Rbw9k6np0QasVS2RvJN8-BhyHmJFHCpnHm1oBBbHb4C8GnChlxaf2LgW_8nyJGsSt2UNVM-D-DlMUvjAIdp-55HobOqQ0Qz7U7GdlzuZ0twxbEx9Mb5BiWjntQiZZOmuc9DOdk/s1600/IMG_2377.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, Lucida Sans Unicode, Lucida Grande, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px;">C</span></span>hain 2. Keeping yarn to the right of the work insert hook into the chain loop from the left half of the scarf, yarn over and pull it through the loop on the hook. That represents your first double crochet.<br /><br />(Connecting Double Crochet) Working somewhat loosely and keeping working yarn to the right, yarn over and insert hook into loop on right side of scarf. Yarn over and pull up a loop. Yarn over and pull through two loops on hook. This is half of your double crochet. Insert hook into loop on the left side now, yarn over and pull up a loop and then pull that loop through the remaining two loops on the hook. This completes the double crochet. Work two more connecting double crochet.<br /><br />Now slip stitch in the four double crochet on the left side of the scarf and then slip stitch into the next open space.<br /><br />Work 4 connecting double crochet in next space then slip stitch across the 4 double crochet to the next space. Continue across and fasten off.<br /><br />My scarf came out to 6’ 4.5” long not counting the 6” fringe. It is about 9” wide. It was very fun to make and I'm so glad <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/karin-kaufmann" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><b><i>Karin Kaufmann</i></b></a> was so awesome to make it a free pattern! Thank you Karin, you rock!</div>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03612849480757438108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608856173310892755.post-91343265574400246382014-11-09T11:12:00.001-09:002015-02-03T22:40:12.725-09:00Pint Sized Washcloth<div>
I am sick a lot so my husband does the shopping for the family and he always buys these blue sponges for washing dishes. My boys, aged 17 & 20 years old, help a lot with cooking and cleaning up the kitchen but they are notorious for leaving said sponges in the sink to turn into blue cheese. They get gross and stinky and I always end up throwing them out. Gag me with a spoon man! This is a huge pet peeve of mine. I asked them why they don't use the crochet dishcloths I've made or just any other cloth that can be washed and they said they like the size of the sponges and they said they clean better. I did point out that if they clean up right away things come clean easier without the need to scrub with the scratchy side of the sponges. I also noticed that when I clean up I usually do fold the dishcloth into a smaller rectangle that fits better in my hand. So I decided to make a dishcloth that would make everyone happy. <br />
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I have made a ton of these things while watching TV and I don't even have to think about what I am doing since they are so stinkin' easy. They work up to about 5" x 4.5" inches before washing. I use different colorways as a color coding system for different cloths used for different purposes. I have a set for kitchen use, a set for each of my boys for bathe with (I have an OCD boy that doesn't want anyone else to use his even though they get washed lol) and a set for me and my husband. I have a set for cleaning the bathroom or other dirty areas and I have a set that I use as reusable fabric softener sheets. </div>
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The textured stitches work well for scrubbing in the kitchen and also help clean acne-fied skin. Everyone seems to like them. My younger son also pointed out that they make good coasters and he uses them to clean off his desk surface which is glass. </div>
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Pint-Sized Washcloth</h2>
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I use US terms. </div>
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You will need:</div>
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about 26 yards of 100% worsted weight Cotton Yarn</div>
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An H (5mm) crochet hook</div>
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Gauge: 8 sc = 2"</div>
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Finished size: 5" x 4.5"</div>
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Start by making your slip knot so that you have about a 2.5" - 3" tail and chain 18.</div>
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Row 1. Single crochet in second chain from hook and into each chain to the end. (17 sc)</div>
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Row 2. Chain 1 and turn, single crochet in each stitch across. (17 sc)</div>
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Row 3. Chain 1 and turn, *single crochet in first stitch, triple crochet in next stitch* repeat across ending with a single crochet in last stitch (9 sc, 8 tr)</div>
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(note: make sure the single crochet stitches do not get stretched out. They should pull the taller triple crochet down to create a textured stitch)</div>
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Row 4. Chain 1 and turn, *triple crochet in first stitch, single crochet in next stitch* repeat across ending with a triple crochet in last stitch. (9 tr, 8 sc)</div>
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Row 5 & 6. Chain 1 and turn, single crochet into each stitch across. (17 sc)</div>
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Row 7. Chain 1 and turn, *single crochet in first stitch, triple crochet in next stitch* repeat across ending with a single crochet in last stitch (9 sc, 8 tr)</div>
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Row 8. Chain 1 and turn, *triple crochet in first stitch, single crochet in next stitch* repeat across ending with a triple crochet in last stitch. (9 tr, 8 sc)</div>
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Repeat rows 5 - 8 one more time. <br />
Row 9. Chain 1 and turn, single crochet in each stitch across, chain 1 and turn.</div>
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Now, without cutting the yarn, you are going to work a round of single crochet around the entire square putting two stitches in each corner and crocheting over yarn tail. </div>
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More detail here for beginners.</div>
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Chain 1 and turn, work 2 single crochet in first stitch, work 1 single crochet in next stitch and each stitch to the end of the row putting two single crochet in the last stitch (corner). Continue around to the side evenly spacing single crochet stitches into free loops (Free loops are just any loop or loops at the edge that you can make a stitch into. Sometimes you may need to use a smaller hook or use a darning needle to loosen up a loop so you can get your hook in better) When you get to the bottom, which is the back side of your beginning chains and also where your yarn tail is, work 2 single crochet over the yarn tail into the corner loop and then work 1 single crochet in each loop (working over the yarn tail until it is covered) to the end putting 2 single crochet in the corner stitch. Continue around to the last side evenly spacing single crochet until you get back to the beginning. Join with a slip stitch to the beginning single crochet. Cut yarn and weave in end.</div>
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Please let me know if you have any questions.</div>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03612849480757438108noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608856173310892755.post-63918513742201696432014-10-10T00:46:00.000-08:002014-10-10T00:46:48.359-08:00I'm on Bloglovin!<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/12993311/?claim=h7ptnwe3867">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>
I was slow to hop on the bandwagon but I finally did and I love it. Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03612849480757438108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608856173310892755.post-32497637579768845902014-09-25T04:23:00.000-08:002014-12-28T22:09:22.061-09:00Coffee Filter Basket Crochet PatternI came up with this idea for my son who wanted the coffee filters to stay out on the counter when I wanted to keep them in the cabinet. I don't like a lot of junk sitting on my counters and it really bugged me. I got the idea to make a basket to hold the coffee filters so it would look nice instead of like junk sitting out. I made it to match the colors in my kitchen and I made the lid to be easy to take off and put back on with one hand (otherwise it wouldn't get put on). <br /><br /><br /> The basket is made to fit a 200 count package of 8 to 12 cup coffee filters but it can also be used to hold tea bags or sugar packets etc.<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>This crochet pattern is now available on Ravelry.<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/purchase/djc-stitches/230856"><img border="0" src="http://www.ravelry.com/images/shopping/buy-now.gif" /></a> </span></div>
<br /><br />Here is the one I made for my kitchen which is in Tuscany colors. The knob is made from a plastic water bottle cap. The pattern explains how to crochet the knob to cover a bottle cap or to stuff with cotton or yarn ends. The knob on the yellow basket below is stuffed with yarn ends and it makes the knob more round. Of course the knob is optional so you could opt to not add one.<div style="text-align: center;">
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I also made this other one to list in my etsy store. This one I embellished with flowers and leaves. I didn't use a pattern for the embellishments; I just made it up as I went along.<div>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03612849480757438108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4608856173310892755.post-2209557787382648342014-09-17T01:00:00.000-08:002014-09-17T01:01:06.228-08:00New free crochet patternI know I haven't posted here in a while but I've had an interesting summer. I'm trying to get going again and even playing around with designing some of my own patterns. I really enjoy crocheting and it keeps me going when I am not feeling well. <br />
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Check out my free pattern for my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/donnas-fab-grabbers" target="_blank">Fab Grabbers</a> on Ravelry. They are great for taking hot dishes out of the oven or microwave or lifting those hot pot lids. Your fingers and thumb actually slip inside so your hand is protected but they are easy to slip on and off even one handed. I use mine all the time. <br />
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I am about to release my first paid pattern as soon as I know the pattern can be followed by someone besides me. I can't wait because I know everyone will love it. Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03612849480757438108noreply@blogger.com0