Latest crochet projects

White acrylic double crochet scarf

Shawl -acrylic 2% polyester single crochet with open double crochet rows

.   Lion brand easy pattern

                 

Finishing October and starting November

 October 30th.  Out to taste wines from Northern Italy and nibble some complimenting foods.   It was a nice chance to drink wines we would normally never buy because of price and to sample food made by the chef at a restaurant we have been meaning to try.

Prosciutto wrapped figs with gorgonzola  to go with our Tedeschi Amarone 2007 that sells here for $39.93 a bottle.

Getting the history of the region and the families that made the wines we were tasting, and explaining what we should be tasting in the wine.   I can never make out the individual flavours, either I like a wine or I don't.

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November 5.     Done! Finally!  My first project with the knitting needles is complete.  I thought it would never finish.  I have always had trouble knitting so I am rather pleased with myself- but- I have learned that I will not be making large projects or items where proper gauge matters.  Like with my crocheting I will be leaning towards the short and easy.

Antique white, Bernat Softee Baby 100% acrylic yarn using 5.5 mm needles.  Measure 66 X 3.5 " in a K 2P2 (twice) K2 (twice) pattern.

Finished crochet projects....

Bookmarks using the crescent braid motif. Sage green one 6'' plus tail, using size 3 cotton thread and an old crochet hook of my mother's that said old size 3.     The other is in a linen colour # 10 cotton, 4" long plus tail and I used another old hook size 2.      I need to work more with the cotton to really get the finished look I want.

Double crochet scarf in a heather green/brown mix  measuring 80 X 4 ".  I used a ball of acrylic yarn I found on sale for  .99 and it worked up quickly on a #10 hook.

Water bottle holders both using a 5.5 hook but different patterns and different materials.  The stripped one is cotton ( same as you would use for making dish cloths ) and the other a. unknown craft material I had left over from a project I made almost 35 years ago.  I used up the last of the beige I had, mixing it in with the yellow.

Fast to make

Crochet Pattern: Water Bottle Holder
Round 1: ch 4, 12 dc in forth ch from hook, sl st in top of beginning ch-4: 12 dc
Round 2: ch 3, 2 dc in each dc around, sl st in top of beginning ch-3: 24 dc
Round 3: (ch 4, skip 2 dc, sc in next dc) around, place marker: 8 sc
Round 4: (ch 4, sc in next ch-4 space) around: 8 sc

Repeat round 4, nine times or until water bottle holder is as tall as you desire, then finish off.

Strap
Start by chaining 120 or as long as you want your strap.
Row 1: ch 3, dc in forth ch from hook and in each ch across: 120 dc

Materials:
Medium Weight Yarn (small amount)
Crochet Hook J (6.00 mm)               found the pattern here


My modifications:
I made mine with Bernat  cotton and a 5.50 hook
I made mine with short straps and a button closing for hanging on a purse or backpack strap.
I kept a water bottle handy and judged the size by fitting it on and off.  The amount of stretch in the yarn used with determine the number of rows you need.

Continuing on a theme

Not much luck getting a good shot to really show the colours but this is the baby blanket. It measures 30 X 20 inches. 

I made little pouches for our ear buds so I will be able to find them in my purse.

Latest project is a water bottle carrier.   After several failed attempts, rereading the instructions and increasing the size of hook it finally worked.     I had thought it would be an easy fast make after the days spent on the blanket.   The second one will work up more quickly.

Crochet

For the past 3 Monday evenings I've joined a group of ladies at the library with hook and yarn in hand.  So far I've talked more than anything but I have learned a trick or two.   

I'm currently working on a baby blanket for the family next door.  The wee one is due in mid-April.   All the squares are made and I am now in the process of piecing it all together.   I got some tips on making nice corners last evening.    I'll try and remember to take a photo once it's done.

Out at some of the senior sales this morning picking up small items for our trip.   I'm packing travel sizes toothpaste, shampoo etc. not so I can take it as carry on but so I have room for an extra item of clothing.  Sundries I can buy if necessary while away, clothes are a whole lot trickier and more expensive.

We continue to work away at the wood chips left behind by the tree stump grinding.  Bucket loads have gone on the garden as cover and mulch, much is left.   *sigh*

Look what I made

I bought a new winter coat this year, it didn't match my winter hat.   I looked in  stores and I wasn't happy with what was available and certainly not with the prices.  Being frugal does have disadvantages.

Seeing as I have a bag of yarn and all kinds of crochet hooks I decided to make my own.  I checked some online sites for patterns and found a simple fool proof one I figured I could manage.

You might not notice but I did bungle it a little.  The ridges aren't suppose to be there.  I did - hook through the front of the stitch rather than the back when I picked the worked up after a break.   When I realized what I'd done I went back to my original stitch and did a few rows to see how it would look. Looked good to me so I left it rather than pull out all the work already done.   Other than not following instructions well I also lean towards fast and lazy.   Fumbling alone and a willingness to try does have advantages.

Been awhile

Paul and my cousin Ross

View from the outside deck

The other two boats

View of the shoreline

We played tourist in our neighbourhood yesterday with my cousin Ross and his wife Pat.    They suggested we take the Grand River lunch cruise .  We've know about it for years but never gone.  

There was heavy  rain when we got up and during the 30 minute drive to the dock area but by the time we'd been entertained and we went out to board our boat ( one of three ) the sun was out and shining.   I'd taken my umbrella, a waterproof jacket and sunglasses.  Used all three!

The entertainment was excellent.  The food typical for the type of venue but it sure was nice catching up on family news while being served a meal and cruising down the river.

We covered only short area of the long river in the Caledonia/Brantford area.

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Still playing with my crochet crafts.  I have a full bag of yarn and really should decide on my next project.  I've finished a shawl but it needs a little fiddling with so both ends are the same width .. I have tension issues.. and I've made 4 simple mug cozies and have plans to make more, this time with bottoms that act as coasters.     

Keeping busy

  Margaret's birthday gift.  

I pulled out the crochet hook and made her a shawl. She gave me a lovely knitted scarf for Christmas.

I'm pleased at how well it turned out.      I have a few more projects in mind.

Margaret wearing her gift on Holiday in Cuba

 I've been doing some investigating and managed to identify 3 of the Limoges marks on the back of the family porcelain I inherited.  In the process I've learned a lot but not, alas, the name of the pattern or the company that decorated it.  When it gets passed down the notes and photos I have put together will go with it.    I believe the settings came from my great Aunt's estate so they could have belonged to her or to my father's maternal grandmother.   Another case when I didn't ask enough questions when I had the chance.

detail of the pattern

 Now I just need to find some new dinner and side plates for every day use.   The current pieces I have are starting to show wear.  I've been buying mid range priced pieces so I can change when the mood strikes.   I am planing on prowling through china departments tomorrow.

Green onion and ham

Paul thought the trimmings from dinner prep was rather picturesque so being a good wife *choke choke* I rushed and got my camera. I did a little playing around with the photo now that Stephen has installed Picasa on the new computer and I'm in a learn a new programme phase.



Top bright multicolour is a shawl I made using up partial left over balls of yarn and a pattern that started with 93 stitches and worked down to one. I made some rather interesting mistakes in the first few rows and discovered that if continued they looked like they belonged.

Right muted coloured shawl was my first attempt at anything other than a scarf and started with 3 stitches and worked up to what pleased me as a stopping spot. I tend to improvise.

Left is my first attempt at crocheting after many years. A simple scarf with a scalloped edge that appeared because I hadn't figured out turning properly. Added a nice touch though.

Sunday I shopped for more yarn and another hook, I love sales, so with my supplies increasing I dug out a nice soft green bag I'd stashed away and it works perfectly as a hold all/carry all.