Saturday, March 21, 2015

Afghans galore!!

We have been lucky enough here in Lebanon to have enough blocks to put together 7 adult afghans, 5 baby afghans, and have 3 completed afghans donated.  We also had a bunch of hats donated.  I know they will get put to good use either locally or at Parkland with the baby afghans.  As I was uploading these pictures, I noticed I have a few loose ends to weave in and clip.

Check out what the volunteers have been up to.....  I'm impressed with the generosity of all who donated their time and talents to helping others.  Thank you!!

baby



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Monday, March 9, 2015

tiny travel purse

Last year due to the weather, my husband and I have had to rearrange our rooms a bit.  As much as I like winter, this one has been a challenge at times.  But due to that new set-up, I came across the small purse I crocheted for the trips we have taken.  I really like it as I can tuck it in a pocket if necessary or carry it on my wrist. In spite of its size it holds a lot.  I carried my husband's smart phone when we were together.  It also carried my cell phone, the cash/traveler's checks, license, credit and debit cards, insurance cards (you never know what could happen when traveling), my emergency knit/crochet guide, change, confirmation pages for all the reservations, crochet hook, pen, pencil, note paper, and some jewelry.  Best part of this was the airlines didn't count it as a purse, so I could take a backpack with as another carryon with clothes and other essentials.

How did I make this?  What would I change?  What did I like about it?  I like it for its compact size and stretchy nature.  If I did another one, I would add a gusset.  And now for the pattern.

Tiny Travel Purse

1 oz worsted weight acrylic yarn, color of choice.  I used Red Heart Super Saver in aspen print.
5 yards of a contrast color.  I used Red Heart Super Saver in aran.
H hook
4 inch closed on both ends zipper

Pocket 1. (Make 2)

Ch 16.
R1: hdc in 3rd ch from hook and rest of ch across.
R2-6: ch 2, turn and  hdc in each st across.
Fasten off after row 6.

Pocket 2  (Make 2)

Ch 16.
R1: hdc in 3rd ch from hook and rest of ch across.
R 2-9: ch 2, turn, and hdc on each st across.
Fasten off after row 9.

Main body (Make 2)

Ch 16.
R1: hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in rest of ch across.
R2-15: ch 2, turn, and hdc in each st across.
Fasten off.

Now decide your configuration.  I put the pockets all on the outside.  You can put some inside and some outside.  My configuration is pocket 1 on the very outside, pocket 2 is between 1 and the main body.  I did this on both sides with all the bottoms at the bottom of the bag.  Now starting at the thinnest part at the top of one side, single crochet all together with the contrasting color.  Work down the side through all layers as you come to them.  Work 2 sc in the corners, across the bottom and back up the other side to the corner.  For the strap, I worked 30 foundation sc and joined to the beginning sc.  Sew the zipper by hand.  That's all there is to it.

For the gusset,  ch 6, hdc in 3rd ch and across.  Ch 2 turn and hdc across.  Rep R 2 until you have 40 rows.  Insert it Between the pockets/main body sections and sc these sections to each side.  Lastly sew in the zipper.  Do this by hand for 2 reasons.  1 It's too small to do on your sewing machine easily and 2 you can be sure to position it just right and not shred the yarn.

In the new issue of Crochet World!, I saw a similar item.  The magazine called it a car organizer as it clipped on the air vent.  It was also one sided to hold the daily commute necessities.  Guess good ideas really are timeless...

My Christmas Gift Giving List

I have many plans for Christmas Gifts this year.  I do every year but I have hopes for this year given my "resolution" for 2015.

For my daughter in law, I have Corrine.  This is a ballet style sweater being knit in magenta worsted.  I will have to check the brand of yarn and needle size.  For her also, at her request, several pairs of slippers and fingerless gloves.  She wore out the previous ones.

For my older son, I plan a sweater.  No plans for pattern, color or yarn.

For my younger son, I plan several pairs of wool socks in varying weights.  He has size 12 feet.

For my sister, I plan a scarf in sock weight yarn in an orange, white, black variegated.  The pattern will be a tiger cable.  I will probably use size US 4 needles.  She has a special place in her heart for tigers.

For my husband, I have no ideas.  Since he is more of a jeans and tshirt man, I know I won't be doing a sweater for him.

For my mother and father in law, I have no ideas.


Saturday, March 7, 2015

2015

I've been looking forward to 2015.  I have made a decision.  Well, more than two decisions were made.  The only things I will be starting will be for me. I will be finishing my UFOs.  I will no longer be teaching at Michaels.  As of April 1, my classes there are done.

I came to this first decision after 2 things happened, I listened to the Knitmore girls podcast, episode 311 in which they talk about being Grinch-y during the holiday season and only knitting for yourself and after I went to get ready for a round of family holiday parties and learned I had "nothing" to wear.  OK, not entirely true but my general wardrobe for work for my day job is jeans and t-shirts with sweatshirts.  My teaching wardrobe is black slacks and beige shirts or the opposite, not necessarily the most festive in appearance or feeling even with jewelry or accessories that I don't have in abundance.

So in Jasmin Knitmore style, I have made a decision that this year I will do only new projects for myself and I will be working on finishing projects that have been sitting languishing in my UFO bin.  This will also gain me quite a few Christmas presents for this coming holiday. As I finish things I will be sharing pictures and who will get what.

As to the third decision, this was not made lightly and doesn't need to be gone into.  I like them all very much and will miss seeing them on a regular basis. They made my time there extremely good for me.  I wish them all the best with future endeavors.  I know I will be stopping in from time to time to visit too.