WIPW: Work-In-Progress Wednesday

What's the newest thing I am working on right now? My knitting! I'm kind of really enjoying it... although crocheting will still be my #1 BFF. Anyways, I am working on a small little baby blanket to put into a memory box. I donate a memory box to a local hospital in my daughters name every August 19th (Day of Hope). In my memory box, I always include a handmade blanket. Usually it is white, for non-gender specific baby. However, I think this year I want to make at least 2 boxes. One for a boy, and one for a girl. Then if I get around to it, i'll make a white one as well.

I figured I'd put my knitting skills to use and try my hand at a basketweave blanket. It's coming along rather slowly. I've only been able to do one or two rows a night... and there has been no time for crocheting. So I might have to put the knitting down for awhile so I can get back to my gift sets.

Anyways, this is what I have completed so far.

Since I am still borrowing knitting needles, I am working with a circular needle that is kind of too small..... but it works! Hopefully soon I can see some actual progress being made on it. Right now it's so hard to see what it will actually look like, and if i'm doing it correctly.

I am linking this bad boy up over at Tami's WIP, Ambassador Crochet, Yarn Along and The Crochet Way.

WIPW: Work-In-Progress Wednesday

What am I working on this week? Well, i'm so glad you asked! ;) I am working on another gift set! This time it's in blues. However, on the diagonal pot holder I ran out of one of the threads and I just haven't gone to pick up some more yet. I was just at A.C.Moore and they didn't have this color, so i'm thinking I have to make a run to Michaels again to pick it up. It would be nice if all of the stores carried all of the colors.

So while i'm in my "waiting to pick up more" stage... and it's only because I know if I run to the store i'll be picking up WAY more than I really needed. I started the knitted dishcloth that'll go with this pot holder.

And I added more squares to my granny square afghan!

I really cannot wait to get this all completed! I only have a couple more squares that I can add on, so I need to start asking a few more people for some squares. I know a few ladies at work, and there's always my aunt and grandmother too.







I am linking this bad boy up over at Tami's WIP, Ambassador Crochet, Yarn Along and The Crochet Way.

So, what are you currently working on?

Bunny Buddy

I have ventured into a new realm of knitting!!!! Well, not too far. Because the body of this Bunny Buddy is practically the same as the knit dish cloth that I make. I did have the help of some you tube videos for this, they're the best way to really learn how to knit! Especially for this visual learner!

The picture is pretty bad, because the flash drowned out some of the color and definition. But it's a cute little bunny buddy!! I got the pattern for it at lion brand. I'm going to post it here as well, because for some reason I cannot view lion brand patterns on my tablet.

I used lion brands Baby's First yarn for this. Which I never realized just how super soft that yarn is!




To make the project, it used just under one whole skein. I did use the rest of the skein to stuff the bunny's head. I figured this was better than the stuff I would have bought at the store, because it's washable. It's just as soft inside, and it uses up the remainder of that yarn that would have just gone to waste!

BLANKET BUDDY
With size 10.5 needles, cast on 1 st.
Rows 1-6 Knit into front and back of first st, knit to end of row – 7 sts at end of row 6.
Rows 7-39 K 3, yo, knit to end of row – 40 sts at end of row 39.
Rows 40-41 Cast on 12 sts for Paws, knit to end of row – 64 sts.
Rows 42-47 Knit.
Rows 48-49 Bind off 12 sts, knit to end of row – 40 sts.
Rows 50-61 K 2, k2tog, yo, k2tog, knit to end of row – 28 sts.


Shape Head
Change to size 8 needles.
Row 62 K2tog across row – 14 sts.
Row 63 Knit into front and back of each st across row – 28 sts.
Row 64 *P 1, sl 1, rep from * across row.
Rep Row 64 until Head measures 3½in [9 cm].


Shape Ears
Row 1 P3tog, return st to left needle, cast on 17 sts, p3tog, p 15 – 16 sts on right needle, 25 sts on left needle.
Row 2 Turn and p 14, p2tog – 40 sts.
Row 3 Turn and p 16.
Row 4 Turn and p 12.
Row 5 Turn and p 14.
Row 6 Turn and p 16, p2tog – 39 sts.
Row 7 Turn and p 18.
Row 8 Turn and p 16, p2tog – 38 sts.
Row 9 Turn and bind off 18 sts, p 1, *sl 1, p 1; rep from * across row – 20 sts.
Turn and rep Rows 1-9 for 2nd Ear. At end of 2nd Ear, 12 sts remain.


FINISHING
Cut a 10in [25.5 cm] length of yarn. With large-eyed blunt needle, thread yarn through every other st on needle, then back through remaining sts. Remove knitting needle and stuff Head. Pull yarn tightly to close top of Head and secure. Following diagram, embroider face using black yarn and straight sts.
Weave in ends. Tie a knot in each Paw.

FOF: Finished Object Friday - Pot Holders and Towel Holder

It's been awhile since I've done a FOF. I have finished a few other things in that time... but here's a set i'm working on!

I have finished the towel holder, diagonal-pot holder and a circular pot holder. I am currently working on a knitted dish cloth to go with it, and should be finished today or tomorrow with it.

I figured the gift sets I need to make up for next week, will consist of these three items, and the dish cloth. I've been going back and forth on what to make, If I should include of coffee mug, coffee sleeve, or anything along those lines. But I really like the simple-ness of this set. This set here completes #3. I need to make 2 more by next month!

These three items i'm not worried about, but it's the knitting. I'm such a slow knitter. Plus I want to start another afghan soon. I'm itching to do that! Ha! Let's hope I get those completed in time!

Granny Squares from Friends

I started this a few months ago with a group of ladies I am with in a support group. We swapped granny squares with each other. Since then I have also grabbed a couple of squares from a lady at work, as well as another crochet blogger.

So far, this is what I have completed.

It's coming along very slowly, and it'll take me a long time to gather squares from other people before the whole blanket is complete. This is going to be an ongoing work in progress :) Probably for a long time! But don't worry, I will not post it every Wednesday, only when I've made some progress on it.

WIPW: Work-In-Progress Wednesday

I know! It's been awhile since I have posted. I was very sick a few weeks ago, with part of it still lingering. But I was down and out for about a week, where all I could do was sleep. Since then, I started a new position at work, which has taken up most of my time. I'm going to hopefully get back into the swing of things, so I can whip out some of my hot pads and dish cloths to give away as gifts when I finish this new position in a month or two.

So I'm currently working on a new set of gifts.

This is a double sided pot holder. I am using a pink, green and cream colored thread and it's turning out very pretty! This picture is not doing the color combination justice.

Grannies and Ripples Afghan!

Or should I really call it a lapghan? It is only made for one person to sit and cuddle up underneath. Some day I will venture into making a bigger one, but seeings that this one took me a month to make.... I can't imagine a bigger one!

But... IT'S FINISHED!!!!!! I am so happy and so excited for how this turned out!

The original pattern came from here. But modifications had to be made on it. Either my stitches were off, or I just made grannies different than they do. I just couldn't figure out for the life of me how the pattern could only go so many sts across.

I started with a row of "green grannies" in the middle. I then worked the rows off each side in a symmetrical pattern. Attached the two rows of "beige grannies", continued working on both ends until I attached a new row of "green grannies" and finished off both ends.

Grannies and Ripples Afghan
You'll need: worsted weight yarn or various colors, size H (5mm) crochet hook, yarn needle to sew together the grannies to the blanket. Gauge is not critical for this project.


Granny Square Strip:
First Granny Square
To Start: ch 4; join with sl st in first ch to form a ring.
Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), 2 dc in ring, [ch 1, 3 dc in ring] 3 times, ch 1; join with sl st in top of beginning ch—12 dc and 4 ch-1 sps. Fasten off.
Round 2: Join with sl st in any ch-1 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in same ch-1 sp, *ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch-1 sp (corner made); repeat from * 2 more times, ch 1; join with sl st in top of beginning ch—4 corners and 1 ch-1 sp one each side between corners. Fasten off.
Round 3: Join with sl st in any corner ch-1 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in same ch-1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, *(3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next corner ch-1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp; repeat from * 2 more times; ch 1, join with sl st in top of beginning ch—4 corners, and one 3-dc group and 2 ch-1 sps on each side between corners. Fasten off.
Round 4: Join with sl st in any corner ch-1 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in same ch-1 sp, 3 dc in next 2 ch-1 sps, *(3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next corner ch-1 sp, 3 dc in next 2 ch-1 sps; repeat from * 2 more times; join with sl st in top of beginning ch—4 corners, and one 3-dc group and 2 ch-1 sps on each side between corners. Fasten off.

Next Granny Square
Work same as first granny square through Round 3.
Round 4 (joining round): Join with sl st in any corner ch-1 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in same ch-1 sp, 3 dc in next 2 ch-1 sps, *(3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next corner ch-1 sp, 3 dc in next 2 ch-1 sps; repeat from * once more, 3 dc in ­next corner ch-1 sp, hold WS of this square and previous square together, sl st in corresponding corner ch-1 sp of previous square, ch 1, 3 dc in same corner ch-1 sp of this square, 3 dc in next 2 ch-1 sps; join with sl st in top of beginning ch—4 corners, and one 3-dc group and 2 ch-1 sps on each side between corners. Fasten off.

Make and join more granny squares in this manner, making a strip of how many granny squares long that you'd want it.

Ripple Pattern #1
Work on one side of the granny, then when it's at a desired length, work the same amount of rows on the other side.
To Start: With RS one granny square strip #1 facing, join with sl st in corner ch-1 sp beginning of first full granny square, to work across top of strip from first full granny square across to half granny square.
Row 1: Ch 3, dc3tog over next 2 dc, *dc in next 13 dc, 5 dc in next ch-1 sp ("peak"), dc in next 13 dc, dc5tog over next 5 sts ("valley" - the next 5 sts will be 2 dc, the join between 2 squares, and the next 2 dc); repeat from * across to last slope down, dc in last 13 dc, dc3tog, dc in next dc, turn.
Row 2: Ch 3, dc3tog, dc in next 13 dc, *5 dc in next dc, dc in next 13 dc, dc5tog over next 5 dc, dc in next 13 dc; repeat from * across to last 4 sts, dc3tog over next 3 sts, dc in top of turning ch, turn.

Continue working the same row pattern until desired length. Work on both sides of this granny strip.

When you're ready to add another granny strip, work in the same fashion as the granny strip above. You'll have to add on half grannies to each end of the strip to fill voids.

Half Granny Square
To Start: ch 4; join with sl st in first ch to form a ring.
Row 1: Ch 4 (counts as dc, ch 1 here and throughout), (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in ring (corner made), ch 1, dc in ring; do not join—1 corner, and 1 ch-1 sp and 1 dc on each side of corner. Fasten off.
Row 2: Join with sl st in 3rd ch of beginning ch-4, ch 4, 3 dc in beginning ch-sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in last ch-1 sp, ch 1, dc in last dc—1 corner, and 2 ch-1 sps, one 3-dc group, and one dc on each side of corner. Fasten off.
Row 3: Join with sl st in 3rd ch of beginning ch-4, ch 4, 3 dc in beginning ch-sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch-1 sp, [ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp] twice, ch 1, dc in last dc—1 corner, and 3 ch-1 sps, two 3-dc groups, and one dc on each side of corner. Fasten off.
Row 4: Join with sl st in 3rd ch of beginning ch-4, ch 3, 3 dc in each ch-1 sp to corner ch-1 sp, 3 dc in corner ch-1 sp, hold WS of this half square and last square of strip together, sl st in corresponding corner ch-1 sp of last square of strip, ch 1, 3 dc in same corner ch-1 sp of this half square, 3 dc in each ch-1 sp across, dc in last dc—1 corner, and three 3-dc groups and one dc on each side of corner. Fasten off.


Once the granny strip is completed, sew the granny strip to the ripples on each end. No need to sew FL to BL, I went through all 4 loops like the first method in the video by Crochet Geek here.

Once your new granny strip is attached, you may begin adding a new ripple row.

Ripple Pattern #2
To Start: With RS one granny square strip #2 facing, join with sl st in first dc at top of half granny square.
Row 1: Ch 3, 3 dc in same sp, dc in next 13 dc, *dc5tog over next 5 sts ("valley" – the next 5 sts will be 2 dc, join between squares, and next 2 dc), dc in next 13 dc, 5 dc in next ch-1 sp ("peak"), dc in next 13 dc; repeat from * across, 3 dc in same sp, dc in last ch-1 sp, turn.
Row 2: Ch 3, 3 dc in next dc, *dc in next 13 dc, 5 dc in next ch-1 sp, dc in next 13 dc, dc5tog over next 5 sts; repeat from * across, 3 dc in next dc, dc in last ch-1 sp, turn.


Continue attaching rows of grannies and rows of ripples until your afghan is at a desired length.

Edging {If desired - I did not, only because I ran out of the color yarn I wanted to use, and didn't want to buy a whole skein just for the edging}
Row 1 : With RS facing, join with sc at beginning of one long edge, sc evenly spaced across long edge (work 2 sc in the end of each row), turn.


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WIPW: Work-In-Progress Wednesday - Grannies and Ripples

I wish I could say that I've made more progress than I really have on my grannies and ripples blanket. It doesn't help that I was sick, and still am sick. I was pretty much down and out for a few days where all I did was sleep.

Well, here we are! Almost done, but not quite there yet.

I am linking up over at Tami's WIP, Ambassador Crochet, and Yarn Along.

FOF: Finished Object Friday - Coffee Sleeve and Towel Holder

I know I had said that I was going to buckle down on my grannies and ripples afghan this week, but when my mother called and said she had a co-worker with a birthday and she wanted me to make them something... I jumped to the cause! I went to my parents house for dinner last night, and finished up the two projects while I was there. I snapped the pictures on their table.

My mothers co-worker gets an iced coffee every day! However, my mother couldn't remember if she got a large or a medium. So I used a large iced coffee cup as my example, and set buttons in more for what I figured a medium would be at. I used Sugar and Cream Cotton yarn... and let me tell you, it soaked up the condensation perfectly!

I hope her co-worker likes it!

So with the coffee sleeve and a towel holder (because the towel holder is so stinking quick to make!) It's a good gift! She also added in a few lottery tickets and a Glade air freshener too. I wouldn't mind getting a gift like that!

WIPW: Work-In-Progress Wednesday - Grannies and Ripples + Knitting

First thing is first... the Grannies and Ripples afghan!

BTW - My kitty says "hello"!!

I'm getting there, I swear!! This week I worked on 3 rows of grannies, 2 that I attached and one that will be attached shortly. I just need to add 6 more rows {3 verigated and 3 green} up at the top, then i'll add the last row of grannies {which are identical to the grannies at the bottom}.

I'm not sure how much longer I'll have to go after those grannies. Right now i'm anticipating 3 rows of green and 3 of the verigated on each end, and i'll stop it there. I'll border it with the verigated after. I'm wondering if I buckle down and stop starting other projects, if I can complete this afghan by next week!

I am also working on my knitting, by making more dish cloths!

I am such a slow knitter I could never imagine working on something larger than this! However, I do need to purchase some longer needles. When I reach the max of 42 sts on the needle, it's really pressing the luck to get them all to stay on.

But at least i'm getting better than I was in late December when I got the needles!



I am linking this bad boy up over at Tami's WIP, Ambassador Crochet, and Yarn Along.

I love the idea of having a link up of my own, because I love looking at others projects. So please feel free to link up with me too! No need to grab a button or say you did.

Dinosaur Newborn Baby Prop

This is what I was attempting to make:

This is what I made:

Do you not love the little cabbage patch kid that I put it on?! I needed to get an idea to see if the spikes really did work, and stand up and were positioned well... and I thought, why not put it on the cabbage patch kid?!

I'm really excited about this, and I can't wait to see how it looks on the baby once he is born. I hope that when they take him to get his professional photographs done, it'll look just as cute as the original one at the top.

The pattern I used is from here. I modified it just a tiny bit.

The Newborn Diaper Cover Pattern uses worsted weight yarn and a size H crochet hook.

To Start: Ch 15
Row 1: dc in 3rd ch from hook, dc across remaining 12 sts, turn. {13}
Rows 2-9: Ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), dc in each ch across, turn. {13}
Rows 10-13: Ch 3, 2 dc in same ch as the ch 3, dc across, 3 dc in last ch, turn. {On Row 13 - 25sts}
Row 14-18: Ch 3, 1 dc in same ch as the ch 3, dc across, 2 dc in last ch, turn. {On Row 18 - 35 sts}
Row 19: Ch 7 {If you will be using a bigger button, ch more here and at the opposite end}, sl st in 5th ch from hook to form loop, dc in same ch, dc across, 2 dc in last, ch 5, sl st with first ch of ch-5 to form loop, turn.
Row 20: Ch 3, 1 dc in same ch, dc across, 7 dc in ch-5 loop.
Border: At this point, you will sc around the entire diaper cover, starting where the last DC touches the side of the diaper cover. After you have made it to the other ch-5 loop on the other side, 7 dc into the loop and fasten off.
Attach a button to the center of the front.

The pattern I used to help create the spikes can be found here.

The Dinosaur Spiked Hat uses worsted weight yarn and a size H crochet hook.

To Start: Ch 3, sl st in first ch to form ring.
Round 1: Ch 3, dc 11 in ring, sl st in third ch.
Round 2: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc twice in each dc around, join. {24}
Round 3: Ch 3, dc twice in next dc. (dc, 2dc) around, dc in last dc, join. {36}
Round 4: Ch 3, (dc twice in next dc, dc in next 2 dc) around, join. {48}
Round 5-9: Ch 3, dc in each dc around, join. DO NOT FASTEN OFF unless changing colors.

At this point you will be working in rows.
To Start: sl st in the next 10 sts on the hat.
Row 1: ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), dc in next 17 sts, turn. {18}
Row 2-15: ch 3, dc across, turn. {18}
Row 16: ch 3, dc2tog, dc in next 12 sts, dc2tog, dc in last st, turn. {16}
Row 17: ch 3, dc2tog, dc in next 10 sts, dc2tog, dc in last st, turn. {14}
Row 18: ch 3, dc2tog, dc in next 8 sts, dc2tog, dc in last st, turn. {12}
Row 19: ch 3, dc2tog, dc in next 6 sts, dc2tog, dc in last st, turn. {10}
Row 20: ch 1, sc border around the whole project, join by sl st in starting ch 1, fasten off.

To Make Spikes: Start with an adjustable ring.
Round 1: ch 1, 6 sc in ring, join with sl st. {6}
Round 2: ch 1, (1 sc in next, 2 sc in next) 3 times, join. {9}
Round 3: ch 1, 1 sc in each sc, join. {9}
Round 4: ch 1, (1 sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next) 3 times, join. {12}
Round 5: ch 1, 1 sc in each sc, join. {12}
Round 6: ch 1, (1 sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next) 3 times, join. {15}
Round 7: ch 1, 1 sc in each sc, join. {15}
Round 8: ch 1, (1 sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next) 3 times, join. {18}
Round 9: ch 1, 1 sc in each sc, join then fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.. {18}

Sew your spikes on the center of the hat. I started with the tip of the tail and worked my way up, making each spike as I went along to make sure I didn't make too many spikes.

Edited to add the picture of the little munchkin when he was born!

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Little Gift Set

I was going to post these on FOF, but I couldn't wait that long. Today I whipped out these three items!! Granted, I had half of the pot holder done yesterday, but who's really counting??

This gift set includes the towel holder that I wrote about here, a pot holder and a mug cozy! I'm going to include a little k-cup in the mug to complete the little gift set! I'm very excited about it!

The double sided diagonal pot holder's pattern can be found here. I love making this kind of pot holder because they are so quick!

The mug cozy was simple as well. Although I do have to say that working with a rounded mug like this one was difficult. I had to keep checking in on the size to make sure that I was increasing my rounds when I should have.

The tutorial that I used to help me make this can be found here.

If I can find some worsted weight cotton yarn with the same shade of coloring, I'll also knit up a dish cloth to add in with this set.

I hope that the person who is going to receive it will be very happy with the set!

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Towel Holder

I made a very simple change to the Towel Holder pattern. One that I am so happy about because it makes the piece look a lot cleaner.

A sc border.

So stinking simple. But doesn't it look ten times better?? I think so!

I also used a bigger hair tie as well as 3 strands of the size 10 cotton yarn. The red/pink one that I posted before was made with a smaller hair tie and only the 2 strands of the yarn. The blue/green/beige one pictured here is so clean and sharp! I'm very happy with how it came out.



Click here to view the pattern for the towel holder.

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FOF: Finished Object Friday - Diaper Cover and Coffee Sleeve

TGIF! I haven't been crocheting a lot this week, and so I only finished two small things.

I already showed you the diaper cover. I used a modified version of this pattern. I haven't finished the little hat yet though. Hopefully by next week I'll have that completed.

I also finished this coffee sleeve. I am starting to make some gifts to give to colleagues at the end of the school year as well as the start of some gifts to some family members for Christmas. {Woo hoo for early starts!} So this little coffee sleeve is the first of it's kind. :) I'm think this disposable cup, sleeve and a k-cup would be perfect for some colleagues. Maybe a dish cloth or hot pad too. :)



I'm linked up over at Tami's.

Did you finish anything this week. Please feel free to link up with me! Any kind of craft, just let me see what you made!

WIPW: Work-In-Progress Wednesday - Grannies and Ripples + Newborn Baby Prop

It's that time again!! And yes, I'm still working on that grannies and ripples afghan! I didn't do much this week, maybe 6 rows total. I know, I've been bad! But I had my book club meeting on Sunday and I needed to finish 200+ pages in my book, so I whipped it out and didn't crochet much.

Since I have you all right here looking at my afghan, I need a bit of creative advice. After the first set of grannies {the ones at the bottom of the picture} I worked 3 rows of green, 3 rows of verigated, and 6 rows of beige. Just now, after the 2nd set of grannies {the ones at the top} I worked 6 rows of beige, and i'm going to work 3 rows of verigated.... when I get to the green, should I work in 6 rows or stay with 3? I'm trying to picture what it would look like in my head with a bigger stripe of green. I think it'll look fine at the ends, but i'm not sure if the smaller stripe of green in the middle will still look okay. So what do you guys think? Remember, that green that i've already made is the middle of the afghan. What I am doing to this side I am going to mirror on the other side.



I also started working on another project for my cousin. She asked me if I could make her something like this for her baby after he's born.

So, I thought i'd give it a try! I did finish the diaper cover... so here's a sneak peak at that. Sorry, I know, something finished is in the work-in-progress post!! What a horrible thing!!! ;)

However, I can say that the hat is still a work-in-progress!! I need to make and sew on about 5 or 6 more of these spikes, and then it should be finished! I hope that it looks as cute as the one in the picture above does.

If you notice, I am using the same colors as the grannies and ripples blanket. When asking my cousin about the colors she wanted, I showed her the grannies and ripples blanket and she loved the beige and green in that! So there we are. I can't wait until it's all finished!

I'm am linked up at Ambassador Crochet and Yarn Along.

I love the idea of having a link up of my own, because I love looking at others projects. So please feel free to link up with me too! No need to grab a button or say you did.