Thanksgiving 2011

This year was a quite time for my husband and I, we were on our own for the holiday so we decided to go out for dinner instead of making all the fixings for just ourselves.  Though I will be making a pumpkin pie later, fall just isn't right without some pie... :-)

Since I wasn't cooking and was thankful that some resturants were open (but then sad that the employees had to work), I decided to make a gift for our server.  There was a post in my "Blazing Hooks" group on Facebook for a turkey coaster that was cute so I followed the bunny trail here.  I made these up in no time.

What looks like yellowy-green on this one is the same yellow on the second one. 

I set the turkeys up on the table while we were eating, joking with our server that we wanted to have some turkey on the table.  It was kind of cute how many of the other employees found reasons to wander past our table during the meal (we were not in the main part of the resturant).  I gave the brown outlined one to our server at the end of the meal.  She seemed to like it. :-)



I used a "G" hook and worsted weight yarn, they came out 9" w x 7 1/2" h. I also just used Tacky glue to put on the face, which wont hold up to washing... oops.


I only found one error in the instructions, Row 4 of the Tail should read: 

Row 4 – New color: start at the ch1 space of previous row, ch3, 6dc in same space, *7dc in next ch1 space, repeat * until you reach to the end. fo.

Mine only have 6dc in each shell, I think the 7dc looks nicer.  I didn't find this error until I was joining the face to the back... lol. 

I also changed the joining to be slip stitch with the yarn to the back, instead of single crochet as instructed.  The spaces are the gaps between the shells of each row.

Directions:
sc between shells, ch 1, sl st in space 1,
ch 1, sl st in space 2,
ch 1, sl st in space 3,
ch 1, sl st in space 4,
ch 1, sl st 2 in skipped stitches,
sl st in space 4, ch 1,
sl st in space 3, ch 1,
sl st in space 2, ch 1,
sl st in space 1, ch 1,
sl st over edge, ch 1, sc 7 ; repeat for each feather, sl st join to beg sc, FO. Weave in tail.

Craft Fair 2011

A Gathering of Angels

The fair went off without a hitch well, at least not any major ones... :-)  As always it seems like the boxes explode when they are unpacked.  I am amazed every year to see how much is displayed.  I know where the boxes are stored and this much stuff shouldn't come out of so few boxes... lol.

This was the Raffle Afghan - "Scandinavian Snowflake Throw" from Red Heart.  I used Super Saver for the White and some Donated yarn for the red.  Unfortunately for me the red was not really a worsted weight yarn and I should have gone up a hook for the red part.  Blocking helped, but it doesn't look as lacy as it could have.



Oh, and I had one upset husband when I told him all but one of the Pear Bread was going to the Fair.  Then our daughter and grandson finished that loaf off with him only having one slice... lol.  I will take pitty on him and make some more after Thanksgiving.

To see more pictures from the Craft Fair click here.

Rooster Potholder

I ran across this pattern on this site
http://spunwindfibers.blogspot.com/2008/03/free-rooster-potholder-pattern-from.html 
 
The pattern was very hard to read so I rewrote it.  Ping me or leave a comment if you note any errors.

Corrected Pattern

Materials:
Main Color 2.1 oz or 60 gr of Sugar ’n Cream.
Small amount of red for the Comb on the Head.
Small amount of yellow or orange for the Beak.
Crochet hook “G”.
Felt, pony beads, or googly eyes


Body: (make 2)
Using Main Color make a Magic Loop. (or ch 5, sl st to form a ring)
Row 1: Ch 3, make 17 dc in ring, sl st join. (18 sts)

Use Back Loops only for Row 2 – 6.
Row 2: Ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in each st in row, sl st join. (36 sts)
Row 3: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc 1, [2 dc, dc 1]; repeat [ ] around row, sl st join. (54 sts)
Row 4: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc 1, [2 dc, dc 2]; repeat [ ] around row, sl st join. (72 sts)
Row 5: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc 1, [2 dc, dc 3]; repeat [ ] around row, sl st join. (90 sts)
Row 6: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc 1, [2 dc, dc 4]; repeat [ ] around row, fasten off. (108 sts)

Make another one just like this one, don’t fasten off.
Place both pieces together with wrong sides together. Sl st or sc (using the Back loops of Face piece and of Back piece). Continue on with Tail.


Tail:
Row 1: * Ch 6, sk 1, sl st in next st, repeat from * 4 times more, ch 3, sk 1, dc. (6 ch spaces)
Row 2: Turn work around and sl st into ch space, * ch 6, sl st in next ch-6 space, repeat from * 3 times more, ch 3, dc in ch-6 space. (5 ch spaces)
Row 3: Turn, sl st into ch space, * ch 6, sl st in next ch-6 space, repeat from * 3 times more. (4 ch spaces)

Fasten off, weave in tails.



Head:
With Main Color make a Magic Loop. (or ch 5, sl st to form ring)
Row 1: Ch 4, make 17 tr in ring, sl st join. (18 sts) Fasten off.

Repeat head pattern for the other side of head but don’t fasten off.

• This is Point A: *ch 6, sl st in next st, repeat from * 7 times more. (8 – ch 6 loops)
• Pick up first piece, place wrong sides together. Turn work so first piece is facing, sl st to the first piece, (working on the first piece only) * ch 6, sl st in next st* repeat between * 7 times more. (8 – ch 6 loops)
• Sl st join to Point A, (there should be 18 unused stitches, 9 stitches on each piece of the Head) fasten off leaving a 12” tail to sew head to body.

Comb: (top feather thingy)
Sl st join red yarn in 3rd st from last fasten off, work on both pieces, *ch5, sc in Camel hump of 2nd and 3rd ch from hook, make 1 hdc in next ch, sk 1, sl st in next st, repeat from * 2 times more.

Fasten off.

Beak:
Sl st join yellow yarn in 1st st from Head fasten off, work on both pieces, ch 3, sc in Camel hump of 2nd ch from hook, sl st in next st, fasten off. Weave in Comb and Beak tails.


Fold body in half and sew head to opposite side of tail. Insert head down like a glove and sew at base of loops.

Glue circles of red felt in center of each head side for eyes. Or, embroider or sew on beads or googly eyes.



Original pattern can be found here:
http://spunwindfibers.blogspot.com/2008/03/free-rooster-potholder-pattern-from.html

36th Annual Craft Fair is coming!

Here is some of the bread I made for the Craft Fair.

Anyone that is in or around Austin is welcome to come.  Oh!  That reminds me that I need to get all the fixings for my Pear Bread.  Jean is making her Peanut Brittle so you better get there early to get some... it is REALLY good   :-)

Elanor's Table cover / Spread

Elanor was/is one of the founding members of my church's craft group (in our 34th year). Because of health reasons she has stopped crocheting, so this piece was not completed. Elanor had mentioned that she was making it for her son as a table cover, but I think she may have gotten carried away a bit.
The pattern was not in the box with the piece so we took off the last incomplete row, then just edged it out and it still measures 75" x 110".

Here are a couple of close ups of the edge detail.

It took my girlfriend and I two nights to weave in all the ends.  We hope to sell it at the Craft Fair as a twin or full size spread.

Entrelac Dishcloth or Washcloth

Here is a dishcloth or washcloth whichever you like to call them... lol.  I like to use them for face cloths too.  They are  great for scrubbing faces or dishes.  :-) 

I had left my travel cloth in Minnesota last year, so when I was going to Florida I needed a new cloth.  I like to have a small project to work on on the plane and this one fit the bill....lol.  Plus I love the looks you get when you are using a hook and making something that looks like knit!  The man on the first plane was very intrigued with the effect.

I had a little fun with the stitches.  One row of blocks is done with a row of Tunisian Knit then a row of Purl up the block.  The next row of blocks is done all in Tunisian Knit.  I liked how it came out with all the nubbies.

Irish Potato People

Here is my offering for St. Patrick's Day!

Stormyz's made some of these last year and I wanted to make some of these little guys for myself and the church craft group.  I had fun with the hat placements it gave each one a little characture of it's own. 

I used Crochetsal's pattern for Pet Rock People to start with.  The pattern can be found on her website http://www.crochetsal.com/ give it a look, she has some real cuties. 
 

I thought ILTY - Ivory Tweed for the body would give it a neat mottled effect.  I didn't have a good orange for the hair but this fuzzy dark amber yarn created the look of hair that I wanted. 



Of course you have to have a basketful of potatoes... right?  Lol

May the Luck of the Irish be with you this day and thruout the year. 

Valentine's Day

I just picked up my Valentine's Day goodies from the Bowie High School Culinary class.  My daughter went through this program and we enjoyed the fruits of her labors ...lol.  I have had the privilege of helping out with the data entry of  the orders for 7 years now.  Chef Winemiller does such a great job with the kids.  The quality of the food is awesome.

They do Chocolate covered strawberries and Jumbo Chocolate Chip cookies too.

I made this for Chef so he would have some truffles that wont ever go bad... lol.

He noticed right away that the container was from a Valentine Sampler from years ago.

Wishes for a Happy Valentine's Day to all!

Evergreen Tree Pattern

A PDF of this pattern can be found in my Ravelry Store:  Evergreen Tree

Skill Level:  Advanced
Size:  8” tall x 4” diameter

Materials:

•  Red Heart – Paddy Green 50 grams
•  Crochet Hook “H”
•  Stuffing
•  Row Marker
•  Tapestry Needle (steal)
•  Optional:  4" circle of plastic canvas to make the base of the tree stiff. (thanks for the idea Amber)

Special Instructions:

Clover – Ch 3, sl st into the camel hump of the beginning ch 1, [ch 3, sl st into the camel hump of the 1st ch of this set] 2 times, sl st to the beginning sc using the front loop and the leg loop.

YouTube video tutorials for the Clover and Working Behind the Clover

Directions:  This piece is worked in a spiral.

Rnd 1:  With a Magic Loop, sc 6.
Rnd 2:  2 sc (inc) 6 times. (12 sts)
Rnd 3:  [2 sc (inc), sc 1] 6 times. (18 sts)
Rnd 4:  [2 sc (inc), sc 2] 6 times. (24 sts)
Rnd 5:  [2 sc (inc), sc 3] 6 times. (30 sts)
Rnd 6:  [2 sc (inc), sc 4] 6 times. (36 sts)
Rnd 7:  Sc 1, [2 sc (inc), sc 2] 11 times, 2 sc (inc), sc 1. (48 sts)
Rnd 8:  Work even. (48 sts)
Rnd 9:  In BLO (this row only), work even. (48 sts) This helps turn the edge of the base.
Rnd 10:  Sc 1, [Clover, sc 4] 11 times, Clover, sc 3. (48 sts & 12 Clovers)
Rnd 11:  [sc 2 tog behind the Clover, sc 6] 6 times. (42 sts)
Rnd 12:  Work even. (42 sts)
Rnd 13:  [sc 3, Clover, sc 4, Clover] 6 times. (42 sts & 12 Clovers)
Rnd 14:  Sc 6, [sc 2 tog behind the Clover, sc 5] 5 times, sc 2 tog behind the Clover. (36 sts)

If you choose to use the plastic canvas put the circle into the tree here.

Rnd 15:  Work even. (36 sts)
Rnd 16:  Sc 1, Clover, sc 4, [Clover, sc 3] 10 times, sc 1. (36 sts & 11 Clovers)
Rnd 17:  Sc 4, [sc 2 tog behind the Clover, sc 4] 5 times, sc 2 tog behind the Clover. (30 sts)
Rnd 18:  Work even. (30 sts)
Rnd 19:  Sc 1, [Clover, sc 3] 9 times, Clover, sc 2. (30 sts & 10 Clovers)
Rnd 20:  [sc 2 tog behind the Clover, sc 4] 5 times. (25 sts)
Rnd 21:  Work even. (25 sts)
Rnd 22:  [sc 3, Clover] 8 times, sc 1. (25 sts & 8 Clovers)
Rnd 23:  Sc 2, [sc 2 tog behind the Clover, sc 4] 3 times, sc 2 tog behind the Clover, sc 3. (21 sts)

Lightly stuff the tree at this point, making sure to hold the bottom onto a flat surface while stuffing. This will help to keep the bottom flat.

Rnd 24:  Work even. (21 sts)
Rnd 25:  Sc 2, [Clover, sc 3] 6 times, Clover, sc 1. (21 sts & 7 Clovers)
Rnd 26:  Sc 1, [sc 2 tog behind the Clover, sc 4] 3 times, sc 2 tog behind the Clover. (17 sts)
Rnd 27:  Work even. (17 sts)
Rnd 28:  Sc 1, [Clover, sc 3] 5 times, sc 1, Clover. (17 sts & 6 Clovers)
Rnd 29:  [sc 2 tog behind the Clover, sc 4] 2 times, sc 2 tog behind the Clover, sc 3. (14 sts)
Rnd 30:  Work even. (14 sts)
Rnd 31:  Sc 2, [Clover, sc 3] 4 times, Clover. (14 sts & 5 Clovers)
Rnd 32:  [sc 1, sc 2 tog behind the Clover] 4 times, sc 2. (10 sts)
Rnd 33:  Work even. (10 sts)

Add more stuffing

Rnd 34:  Sc 1, [Clover, sc 2] 4 times, Clover, sc 1. (10 sts & 5 Clovers)
Rnd 35:  Sc 2 tog behind the Clover 5 times. (5 sts)

Finish stuffing the tree.

Rnd 36:  Work even. (5 sts)
Rnd 37:  Sc 1, [Clover, sc 2] 2 times, Clover. (5 sts & 3 Clovers)
Rnd 38:  Sc 1, sk 1, sc 1, sk 1, sc 1, Clover, sl st.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Decorate if you desire.

If you are interested in incorporating beads on the points of the Clovers there are 80 Clovers including the top Clover.


Terminology

sc = Single Crochet
sl st = Slip Stitch
dc = Double Crochet
sts = Stitches
sk = Skip the next stitch
[ ] = Work instruction within brackets as many times as directed
(inc) = Increase: Stitch in same stitch
tog = Decrease: Stitch Together the number of stitches indicated
Camel’s hump = The back or 3rd loop on the chain stitch
Work Even = Work one sc in each stitch of round or row below

Copyright ©2010, all rights reserved.
Licensed for personal use only.
Please do not sell items made from pattern without permission

I decided to have some fun and make a tree with snow on the branches... the snow fell off some of the branches... lol.  The other tree has beads on each point of the clover and all points on the top.