Candy Print Toddler Blanket

 I finished the second toddler blanket today.

It sure seems bright on the back of my couch!

I'm wondering if my camera flash is acting up because it still looks super bright when placed on the carpet.

Anyway, here are the particulars to the blanket.

I used Red Heart WW yarn in Candy Print, Pretty 'n Pink and Ranch Red.

I bought 2 skeins of each but only used most of the Candy Print.  I have almost  full skein of Ranch Red left and about half a skein of Pretty 'n Pink.  

There are 20 squares with one row of dc in Ranch Red and a row of scalloped edging in Pretty 'n Pink.

I used an I crochet hook and my basic square pattern found on this blog.

Blue Boy

We had some visitors stop by this week.

My sister-in-law, her daughter and her two boys...Muffin Man and Blue Boy.

Here I am holding Blue Boy.

He's sure getting big!  He's 4 months old now.

I didn't realize how tan I'm getting until I saw this photo.  What an eye opener!

Big Daddy and I

Big Daddy and I.

Sitting on the front porch.

Pretending to be a teenager like Small T.

You see, she is ALWAYS taking photos of herself.

So...we figured...why not!

LOL

Drought

How do you know when there's a drought?

Just look at your front yard.

That's how.

This is the view from my front porch when I'm sitting on one of the benches.

My poor tree that Big Daddy planted is toast.  So is the yard.

Question...

See the black residue on my feet?

They look like this everyday when I come home from the pool.

This prompts me to ask..."Do flip flops melt out in all this extreme heat?"

"K" Alphabet Pillow

The "K" alphabet pillow is finished.

(The link to the pattern is in a previous post.)

I used Red Heart WW yarn in Black and a G hook.

It took one whole skein of yarn and a bit of another.

Current Crochet Projects

I've been pretty busy this past week so I've not accomplished a whole lot in regards to my crochet.

 I had an order for another alphabet pillow.  This time the letter "K".  Obviously.  I finished the 2nd piece last night and the next thing will be sewing them together and stuffing it.  Then it will be done.  I use these patterns  to make the pillows.  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/alphabet-pillows Normally I use a size I crochet hook, but I've made this one and the previous one, the "H", with a size G to accomodate a dorm sized bed as they are for girls that are going off to college.  With luck, I hope to finish this today.

I've also started another Toddler Blanket.  The pattern I'm using is the one for my basic square.  You can find it by clicking this http://bookfairy43.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-basic-squarevariegated-free-pattern.html.  I'm using Red Heart WW yarn.  I've got four rows of Candy Print, 2 rows of Pretty 'n Pink, and 1 row of Ranch Red.  I use a size I crochet hook.  At this time, I have 12 of the 20 squares I need finished.  Hopefully, I will have this finished within the next week.

I don't have a photo to share, but I've also started a knitted scarf for one of my nieces.

I've also received an order for a white baby blanket along with a sweater and cap set.  This lady has bought  several sets of these from be before and said she has another grandchild coming in February so I have a few months to get it made in.

Pool Day

Small T had fun at the pool yesterday with her friends.

 Posing at the beginning of the photo shoot.

 Lots of these photos were taken.  This is just one of them.

Small T...maybe practicing her cheerleading moves????

It's That Time Again...

Another child has gotten their driving permit...

But this time it's Small T.  

Scary...

We've already received advice on her royal smallness driving our vehicles.

So...air bags will be turned off and whatever car we buy her will have to have the seat unbolted and rebolted  closer to the steering wheel as well as having the pedals extended.  

With Big C, we had to choose a car big enough to accomodate him...width and heigth wise.

Small T's my last one to learn to drive.  I just hope I can survive it.  (She likes to go FAST!)  Yikes!

Presenting....A First

I'm proud to introduce...

 My very first knitted baby/toddler crib blanket.

20 knitted and knooked squares.

The pink squares are knooked.  The rest knitted.

I love how this turned out.  My only problem was with joining the squares.  I ended up crocheting them together.  And crocheting a 2 round sc border.  Next time, I will take the time to figure out how to do the joining correctly.  Scouts honor.

The colors are Soft White, Pale Pink and Grey Heather.  All Red Heart Super Saver yarn.  Size 11 knitting needles, size J knook hook.

Plum Pudding Toddler Blanket

I have finally finished a project.  Woo Hoo!  It's been awhile, that's for sure.  There's just too many things going on lately, I guess.

 Here's a photo of the finished blanket.  I decided to make it toddler sized.  Just perfect for toddler, Baby E.

There are 20 squares total.

The center square is 4 rounds of Plum Pudding, then 2 rounds of Orchid, then 1 round of Light Raspberry.  After all the squares are joined together, I added 1 round (around the whole thing) of Light Raspberry.  Then the scalloped edging in Orchid.  I really like how this blanket turned out!  It's not your traditional colors for a little girl, but still very striking in a laid-back sort of way.

I will be using this same pattern to make 2 more toddler sized blankets in the upcoming weeks.

My Basic Square...Variegated (Free Pattern)

To begin, let me say that I'm sure this square pattern is out there on the internet.  I've previously had it on my blog listed as the Amanda Square for the Amanda Blanket.  I don't think I've stolen anyone's pattern as I sat down one day and just started crocheting in order to get this square.  If I've stepped on anyone's toes, it's simply because I didn't know it.  That said, if you feel you have a problem with my sharing this pattern as my own, please feel free to contact me.  Now, on to the square.

My Basic Square (Variegated)

ch 4.  Join with a sl st to form a ring.

Round 1- ch 3.  Work 2 dc.  ch 2.

                [3 dc.  ch 2. (3 times)]

                Join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 3.

Round 2-  ch 3.  dc in next 2 dc.

                work corner (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch 2 space.

                [dc in next 3 dc.  work corner in ch 2 space.  (3 times)]

                Join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 3.

Round 3- ch 3.  dc in next 4 dc.

               work corner in ch 2 space.

               [dc in next 7 dc.  work corner in ch 2 space.  (3 times)]

               dc in next 2 dc.

               Join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 3.

Round 4- ch 3.  dc in next 6 dc.

               work corner in ch 2 space.

               [dc in next 11 dc.  work corner in ch 2 space.  (3 times)]

               dc in next 4 dc. 

               Join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 3.

               Fasten off yarn.

To add the extra rounds of an additional color, join yarn in the stitch where you fastened off the yarn.  ch 3.  dc in each dc across, work corner in ch 2 space, dc in each dc across, work corner in ch 2 space, and so on until you've followed the pattern for as many rows as you need.

WIP's Update....Squares

I have several WIP's going at the moment.  I know, I need my head examined!

 These are the squares for a toddler blanket I'm making.  I used 2 skeins of Red Heart WW yarn in Plum Pudding and ended up with 20 squares.  I'm using a size I hook.  I will share the pattern in another post.

 I have the first 10 squares edged so far.  I am using Red Heart WW yarn in Orchid.  I think I'm also going to add another row of a pink color that matches.  I haven't decided yet.  However, I have already bought the yarn.  It's still a toss up though.  I don't want to have to make another trip to Wal-Mart to buy yarn and if I use the pink to put another edge on the square, then I might not have enough for the blanket edging.  Hmmm...what to do, what to do, what to do.

 I currently have 20 True Blood Water Lily squares finished.  I have been working on these every chance I get as I need a whole lot more of these squares before I will be able to start hooking them together.

 These two squares (2 of each) will eventually be made into toddler blankets as well.  I worked up the squares just to see what they looked like, color-wise.  I have bought matching yarn for them so I will be making these blankets at some point.  The yarn is Red Heart WW in Pink Camo (left) and Candy Print (right).  I'm using an I hook.

 This is the state of my knitting.  I'm still knitting, just not everyday.  Maybe every couple of days.  I have six squares finished and have started on number seven.  These are done in Red Heart WW yarn in the color Soft White.

These are my knooked squares.  I only have two of them finished and the third one started.  Knooking takes me awhile so until I get the rhythm of it down, it's the slowest going project I am working on.  I'm using Red Heart WW yarn in Soft Pink.  The knitted squares and the knooked squares will eventually go together into a toddler blanket.

So....that's my update on my WIP's.  I will be starting a crocheted alphabet letter K before the day is out.  I had an order come in for it and need to be getting it done.

Baby E

My family had a couple of visitors this past Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  Rose and Baby E, my great niece.  Baby E will turn one later this month and is growing up quickly.  I'm thinking that I may need to start calling her Little Miss E soon.  She's not quite walking on her own, but will take a few steps without holding on to something if she doesn't think about it first.

 She was fascinated by my skein of yarn.  Maybe she will be a future crocheter!  I would love that!

 In the end, I gave her three pieces of yarn.  Just to keep her from pulling my skeins apart.

 The yarn provided about 15 minutes of entertainment.  :)  Which is not uncommon for one her age.

We don't have any toys around for little ones, and her mom forgot to bring some, so I broke out my pink elephant from the Christmas present storage.  She played with the elephant on and off for most of the day.  So, she's probably going to be the recipient of it at Christmas.  I love having Rose and Baby E come visit!

Keeping Flying Insects Away...

I wanted to talk with you this morning about flying insects.  Yes, a weird topic, but still...an important one.  You see, I'm allergic to most flying insects...bees, wasps, horseflies, mosquitos, etc..  And we have plenty of these at the pool in the summer time.  I'm always on the lookout for ways to keep them away from me while I'm there.  This summer, I'm trying an idea I found on pinterest.  It's where you put a shiny penny in a ziplock bag with water in it.  Apparently, the shiny penny when submerged in water, will affect the multi-faceted eyes of the insects in such way that the insect thinks it is seeing multiple scary things which ends up deterring the insect away from the area.  I have to admit I was skeptical at first, but guess what...it works.  But only when the bags are left alone.  This past week, I keep coming in to the pool and I find my bags missing.  And in the past week, I've had 2 emergency trips for shots as I've been stung.  Once last Tuesday and four times yesterday.  My plan for tomorrow is to hang up even more bags around the pool area.  I already have some on the lifeguard stand, which I occasionally sit in.  With all that being said, I'm sharing a couple of photos of the bags.  These are around the concession stand.

This photo shows the penny in the bottom of the bag.

Here's a front view of the concession stand.  I have a bag in the doorway as well.

I will also say that having these bags hanging around is quite the conversation starter as well.  Eventually, you will tire of answering the gazillion questions about the bags and seriously think of either taking them down or putting a sign up that says what they are for!  :)  If you are thinking of trying this out, please do so!  It really does work!

The Big H

My asst. manager at the pool, Miss Kitty, asked me to make her a big H pillow for her dorm room.  How could I refuse?  So...keeping in mind that dorm rooms aren't that big, I made the H with a smaller sized hook than I normally use.  I used a G instead of an I.  It turned out to be the perfect size....about 16 1/2 inches tall by 17 1/2 inches wide.  I used the same patterns I always use...which can be found here http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/alphabet-pillows.  The yarn is Red Heart worsted weight in black.

Happy 4th of July

Independence Day was a rather low key affair here at our home this year.

Due to the drought and severe dryness of the area, fireworks have been banned county-wide.

So, we had a little get-together with a couple of my sisters...a basic pot-luck type of meal with hamburgers and hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans, fresh green beans with potatoes, corn on the cob, etc..

After the meal, everyone sat around from some conversation.  Except for little Pattycake.  She was the only little one at the house...and she begged Big C to let her fix his hair.  Being the big cousin that he is, he readily agreed.  I'm sharing a few photos of the whole hair styling process.  Hope you enjoy them!

 Pattycake diligently working away on Big C's short hair.

Doesn't he look cute?  LOL

Patchwork Dottie Angel Blanket

I finished the Patchwork Dottie Angel Blanket on Saturday.

Most of the yarn came out of my stash.  All of it is Red Heart WW.

I used the following colors:

Paddy Green, Light Blue, Pale Yellow, Cherry Red, Amethyst, Light Coral, Pretty 'n Pink, Pale Plum, Pumpkin, Shocking Pink, Turqua, Bright Yellow, Spring Green, Royal, Pale Pink, Aruba Sea, Warm Brown, and Soft White.  The border is done in Teal.

I ended up having to buy 2 skeins of yarn in order to complete this....another skein of Light Blue (because I ran out) and a skein of Warm Brown (since I thought the blanket needed this color).

I used an I crochet hook.

The pattern for the blanket is a free one and can be found here http://dottieangel.blogspot.com/2010/06/ordinarily-extraordinary-blanket-how-to.html.