Trying New Things

I made a lot of projects during the time I was in recovery, some are worth keeping, some are not. 

Some are destined for gift.  Many have not been photographed, or recorded.  Some may never be.  These are the some from my 2014 stash.

I like the braided crocheted blue one.  Very easy and made with scraps.  The black and white one is two scarves sewn together with special pointy ends.  It was a total guess and not a real success.  I've learned about double knitting since, and that was what I wanted to do and didn't know how.  

I finished a cable knit baby afghan in a color block style.  Love those cables.

Four afghans, same pattern for graduation gifts.  This is a quick one, with a double strand, double crochet ripple with a "P" hook.

I call this a step-up afghan.  It can be used with scraps since it has some short rows.  I found it on you-tube.

These latest are two grad gifts, for boys.  I found a photo, with no pattern on pinterest.  I like the look, but the rows of "spotted" stripes aren't the same.  It has something to do with the direction of the crochet row.  I'm still trying to decide if this is something I want to work up a better pattern. 

I've never done a rag quilt of any kind.  I had the squares (5") cut for several years intending to make a more traditional tie quilt, but I had all these scraps of fabric, and I thought the rag effect would be more forgiving.  It is, but my advice is to use larger, MUCH larger squares. (the clipping of all those seams is a CHORE) 

It looks nice, sewed up quickly and easily, but it is heavy!

Crochet to Recovery

During my recovery from cancer and treatments, I spent a lot of time just sitting.  I love to crochet so I spent the time crocheting up all the yarn I had on hand and bought some new for a few projects.

Baby Blankets Galore!

A scrap rug with a long single crochet stitch.

Another scrap afghan, using a "sampler" row style, divided by white rows.

This was sort of a free hand long single crochet stitch style, a "just for fun".  

Scrapping Away

Using up scraps is a satisfying occupation.  These placemats are done with a red heart variegated that I can't find anymore with black.

May 2013

This one I love.  I used the same variegated yarn in-between matching solid colors.  It is beautiful.  

August 2013

Chelsea's Afghan

I asked Chelsea what her favorite colors were and used them in this afghan.  Others are not sure about the color combination, but I liked it. It seems rather a "retro" look.  It also looks a little better in real life. The colors are teal, red and orange.

The stripes are two "v" stitch rows (dc, ch1, dc), with a 3 dc shell between them, sk 2 st, when needed and "v" in the middle dc on the shell.  The red rows are sc and 2 dc rows of the teal.

For The Table

I've been using all my scrap yarn making potholders.

It's an easy pattern, make a chain about 27 stitches long depending on the size of potholder you want.

I used Red Heart 4-ply with an "I" hook. 

Ch 27, turn sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc across, 3sc in end ch, sc in other side of beginning chains, 3 sc in end chain and sc around and around, and it will draw together into a square. Leave a long enough tail on the end to  sew the opening shut. 

I like cloth napkins because I have a really hard time throwing away something we use everyday.  The ones we are using are white and getting SO disgusting, I found some material to make new ones.  These are 12", cut on the square, so they can be fringed 1/8" or 1/4". The fringe tightens up in the washer and dryer and won't ravel anymore.  These look like they won't snow stains very soon.

Crocheted Baby Afghan

I found an afghan with this pattern being used for the babies that visit this house.  Done in soft yellow, it is gorgeous and I wanted to work up a doll afghan to give to some little girl who is now a big sister. I also made a "pattern" afghan because I couldn't find the pattern in my stuff and wrote up the pattern in my pattern blog here, to keep it. It is so pretty worked up, and nicer probably in one color of yarn, but this is what I had. I can't remember who gave it to me, but I seem compelled to work up yarn that I am given as soon as possible. 

Both afghans--doll size and the pattern

Close up of the edge

Complete pattern afghan 

For pattern go here.

Purply/Pink Afghan

This afghan is destined for a gift.  I picked a pattern from this book, and made stripes.  I was nearly done when I wondered what I would do for the edge, but I just used the pattern around and I'm very pleased with the result. 

Corner

Close up of the pattern