The "Square Peg" 8" Square - Free Pattern

Since I've been messing around with creating squares, I didn't stop with the "No Holes" Dc Square, I kept on going and made a bigger one.  I call this one the "Square Peg" Square.  Hope you like the pattern.

The "Square Peg" 8" Square - Free Pattern

Red Heart Super Saver WW yarn
I crochet hook

ch 4.
1- work 11 dc in the 4th ch from hook.  join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 3.

2- ch 3.  dc in same st.  2 dc in each st around.  join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 3.

3- ch 3.  dc in next 4 sts.  work 5 dc in next st.  *dc in next 5 sts.  work 5 dc in next st.  repeat from * around.  join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 3.

4- ch 3.  dc in next 6 sts.  work 5 dc in next st.  *dc in next 9 sts.  work 5 dc in next st.  repeat from * around.  dc in last 2 sts.  join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 3.

5- ch 3.  dc in next 8 sts. work 5 dc in next st.  *dc in next 13 sts.  work 5 dc in next st.  repeat from * around.  dc in last 4 sts.  join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 3.

6- ch 3.  dc in next 10 sts.  work 5 dc in next st.  *dc in next 17 sts.  work 5 dc in next st.  repeat from * around.  dc in last 6 sts.  join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 3.

7- ch 1.  sc in next 12 sts.  work 3 sc in next st.  *sc in next 21 sts.  work 3 sc in next st.  repeat from * around.  sc in last 8 sts.  join with a sl st to beg ch 1.  fasten off.

The Basic Granny Square

There are bunches of patterns for granny squares.  In fact, I use several different ones just for the basic granny square.  It depends on what I'm making.  I'm currently making a toddler blanket for a little girl.  I'm needing granny squares but I'm wanting them just a bit different...I'm wanting them to be more feminine....airier, if that makes sense.  In fact, is "airier" a word?  LOL  So I'm adding an extra ch between the clusters of dc's.

Here's the granny square pattern I'm using.

ch 4.  join to form a loop.

1- working in the loop, ch 3.  2 dc.  (ch 2, 3 dc) 3 times.  ch 2.  join with a sl st to the 3rd ch of beg ch 3.

2- sl st in next 2 sts and into the ch 2 sp.  (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in ch 2 sp.  ch 2.  [work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch 2 sp.  ch 2] 3 times.  join with a sl st to the 3rd ch of beg ch 3.

3- sl st in next 2 sts and into the ch 2 sp.  (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in ch 2 sp.  ch 2.  work 3 dc in next ch 2 sp.  ch 2.  [work (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner ch 2 sp.  ch 2.  work 3 dc in next ch 2 sp.  ch 2.] 3 times.  join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 3.  fasten off.

Some lovely purple goodness to drool over.  :)

The "No Holes" Dc Square - Free Pattern

I'm one of those people that loves many types of crafting.  In fact, I love quilts but I don't make them.  

 This quilt looks like a Jigsaw Puzzle, doesn't it?  And puzzle pieces are one of the symbols of autism.  I have a family member with Asperger's, and this quilt really calls to me.  Enough that I'm going to try and create it in a crochet version.  That being said, I've been experimenting with squares.  In the end, I made up my own as I'm wanting a certain type of look...with no holes in the square, but not made with a sc stitch.

 This is the square that I came up with.  It's got a good "solid" look to it and it's about 4 1/2 inches square.

 I made several of these squares, just to be sure that the pattern was tested before posting it.  As you all know, I like to share my patterns.  So, without further ado....here's the pattern.

The "No Holes" Dc Square - Free Pattern 

Worsted Weight yarn (I used Red Heart Super Saver)

I crochet hook

ch 4.  

1- work 11 dc in 4th ch from hook.  join with a sl st to the 3rd ch of the beg ch 3.

2- ch 3.  dc in next st.  work 5 dc in next st.  *dc in next 2 sts, work 5 dc in next st.  repeat from * around.  join with a sl st to the 3rd ch of the beg ch 3.

3- ch 3.  dc in next 3 sts.  work 5 dc in next st.  *dc in next 6 sts.  work 5 dc in next st.  repeat from * around.  dc in last 2 sts.  join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 3.  fasten off.

Now, if you'd like a 5 inch square (like the one pictured above), just add another row as follows:

4- instead of fastening off yarn at the end of round 3, ch 1.  sc in next 5 sts.  3 sc in next st.  *sc in next 10 sts.  3 sc in next st.  repeat from * around.  sc in last 4 sts.  join with a sl st to beg ch 1.  fasten off.

I hope you all enjoy this pattern.  It's fairly simply and works up fast.  :)  

Fast Easy Crochet Baby Blanket

I tell you...I sit here looking at these photos and I'm thinking...I have got to get some inspiration when I'm having a project photo shoot.  Could these be any more boring?  The blanket is extremely cute and you can't see that in these photos.  I think I need to do some research and ask Small T for some tips on photography.

 In any event, this is my latest completed project (finished on Sunday).  The Fast Easy Crochet Baby Blanket.  The free pattern can be found here http://crochet.about.com/od/babypatterns/a/fast-easy-crochet-baby-blanket-for-beginners.htm .  The blanket is worked in ch and sc stitches.  That's it.  I think the stitch combination used in the pattern is also referred to as the moss stitch.

My blanket measures 33 inches wide by 41 inches tall.  I used Caron's Simply Soft yarn in Soft Blue and Chocolate.  It took 2 1/2 skeins of the soft blue and just over 1 skein of the chocolate.  I used a size I crochet hook.

I have a couple of observations to share with you in regards to the making of this blanket:

1.  If you don't like using the sc stitch, then this blanket will be boring for you.  It takes awhile to see progress.  I like projects that show results fairly quickly.

2.  If you have trouble keeping a steady tension on your projects, then this blanket might present problems.  I  noticed that I was off on my tension about 1/3 of the way through.  The blanket was getting tighter as I went.

3.  Now, a positive note....I love the whole zig zag effect created when changing yarn color.

4.  This is the perfect blanket for young children and babies as it's not full of holes for their little fingers to get caught in.

If I was asked to make this blanket again, I would do it.  I really do like it!  And it's exceptionally easy to make.

The "No Holes" Sc Square - Free Pattern

I have received an order for a baby blanket using squares with no holes.  Well, I couldn't find a pattern for such a square.  So, I made up my own.  You could use this square in several sizes and I have posted photos of what it looks like at each size.

 This is the square at 3 1/2 inches.  (Round 6)

 This is the square at 4 1/2 inches. (Round 8)

This is the square at 6 inches.  (Round 11)

The "No Holes" Sc Square - Free Pattern

Red Heart Super Saver yarn

I crochet hook

ch 2.

1- work 4 sc in the 2nd ch from hook.  join.  (4 sc)

2- ch 1.  work 3 sc in each sc around. join. (12 sc)

3- ch 1.  sc in same st.  work 3 sc in next st.  *sc in next 2 sts, 3 sc in next st.  repeat from * around.  sc in last st.  join.  (20 sc)

4- ch 1.  sc in same st and in next st. work 3 sc in next st.  *sc in next 4 sts, 3 sc in next st. repeat from * around. sc in last 2 sts.  join.  (28 sc)

5- ch 1.  sc in same st and in next 2 sts.  work 3 sc in next st.  *sc in next 6 sts, work 3 sc in next st.  repeat from * around.  sc in last 3 sts.  join.  (36 sc) 

6- ch 1.  sc in same st and in next 3 sts.  work 3 sc in next st.  *sc in next 8 sts,  work 3 sc in next st.  repeat from * around.  sc in last 4 sts.  join.  (44 sc)  [this is where it would measure 3 1/2 inches]

7- ch 1.  sc in same st and in next 4 sts.  work 3 sc in next st.  *sc in next 10 sts, work 3 sc in next st.  repeat from * around.  sc in last 5 sts.  join.  (52 sc)

8- ch 1.  sc in same st and in next 5 sts.  work 3 sc in next st.  *sc in next 12 sts, work 3 sc in next st.  repeat from * around.  sc in last 6 sts.  join.  (60 sc)  [this is where it would measure 4 1/2 inches]

9- ch 1.  sc in same st and in next 6 sts.  work 3 sc in next st.  *sc in next 14 sts, work 3 sc in next st.  repeat from * around.  sc in last 7 sts.  join.  (68 sc)  [this is where it would measure 5 inches]

10- ch 1.  sc in same st and in next 7 sts.  work 3 sc in next st.  *sc in next 16 sts, work 3 sc in next st.  repeat from * around.  sc in last 8 sts.  join.  (76 sc)

11- ch 1.  sc in same st and in next 8 sts.  work 3 sc in next st.  *sc in next 18 sts, work 3 sc in next st.  repeat from * around.  sc in last 9 sts.  join.  finish off.  weave in ends.  (84 sc)  [this is where it would measure 6 inches]

I really like this little square and I can see myself using it for many things.

DISCLAIMER:  As always, I'm sure someone else has posted a square very similar to this one.  If you have, I swear, I have not stolen your pattern.  However, if you contact me, I will post your link here on my blog directing my readers to your pattern.  

This pattern may be used to make and sell any items that you want.  However, please don't claim this pattern  as your own.  Please give credit where credit is due.  Thanks!  And I would love to see what all you make with these squares.

FCCLA Hot Dog Stand

On Saturday, August 18th, the FCCLA Alumni & Associates held another fundraiser.  This time it was a Hot Dog Stand.  Big Daddy was quite gracious about being volunteered by his wife and daughter to grill hot dogs for 3 hours.  Here he is...hard at work.  :)  Thanks a bunch Big Daddy!

Pink Camo Toddler Blanket

I just finished the Pink Camo Toddler Blanket.

I used Red Heart WW yarn in Pink Camo, Cafe Latte, and Light Raspberry.  2 skeins of each.

I also used a size I crochet hook.  And my basic variegated square pattern.

There are 20 squares total.

Each square is 4 rounds of Pink Camo, 2 rounds of Cafe Latte, and 1 round of Light Raspberry.

The border is 1 round of dc in Light Raspberry and 1 round of sc in Cafe Latte.

FCCLA Car Wash

Last Saturday was the FCCLA Associates and Alumni Car Wash.  The money made will be used for the National Leadership Convention in Oklahoma City, OK, this coming October.

 Here are the lucky participants and their adviser.  Small T is in the front row, 3rd from the left.

And here's my beloved car getting a good scrub down.  :)  She loved it!

Complete Project Photos

I feel like I need to post photos of my last two completed projects.  I had posted photos of them in use, but not as a "whole" project.  So here they are:

 The True Blood Water Lily Blanket

The Blazing Ripple Throw

(I must admit that I use this all the time when I'm on the couch.  It's extremely warm and believe it or not, the right size to cover my legs and lap.  Small T will have to work hard to get it away from me now.)

Hope you enjoyed the photos!

Blazing Ripple Throw

I started this quick and easy ripple throw yesterday and finished it up today.  I'll post a better photo soon.  Small T wrapped herself up in it as soon as I said it was "done".  The throw is made with Lion Brand's Hometown USA yarn in the colors Houston Cream, Billings Chocolate, and Virginia Beach.  I used 10 skeins total of this yarn....2 of the off white color, 3 of the variegated light brown, and 5 of the chocolate.  And a size P hook.  The free pattern can be found on the Lion Brand website or by using this link http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/90411AD.html?noImages=.  This ripple blanket is super warm but a bit smaller than I would like.  It fits Small T just fine though.

Rippling Along

I got bored with making squares yesterday....so I started a Ripple!  :)  Love it!

Pink Camo Squares

I'm currently working on my next toddler blanket.  

I'm using the same pattern as I did for the other 2 blankets.  Just switching up the yarn colors.

For this one, the yarn for the center squares is Pink Camo.

I finished up the 20th, and final square, last night and now I'm ready to start adding the 2nd color.  But I've totally screwed up.  The pink yarn I bought does NOT match.  OMG!!!!!  REALLY!!!!!  So I've did a bit of mucking around and thinking about it and have decided to use the brown color instead.  *sigh*  This means I need to make another trip soon to find a pink yarn that will work.  Oh well, I love buying new yarn! So there's a plus side to the down side.  LOL

True Blood Water Lily Blanket

I have finished the True Blood Water Lily Blanket for my sister Dea.

She said she "loves" it.

She chose the colors....White, Black and Cherry Red.  Red Heart WW yarn.

I used an I sized crochet hook.

The edging is one row of cherry red dc in each stitch around and then one row of sc picot in black.

There are 48 squares in this blanket.

The pattern is a free one and can be found here http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/true-blood-water-lily-blanket .

Rockin' The Grass Skirt

Small T.

Luau Lifeguard.

Preview - True Blood Water Lily Blanket

I finished square #48 last night.

I was hoping that 48 squares would make it big enough for my sister's water bed.

I think it will.

I just couldn't see making another 15 squares.

I'm tired of it.

But I think this is stunning all laid out like this.

I have my first strip sewn together.

Now I just have to sew the rest of the strips, then sew them together and put on an edging.

I'm on the home stretch!!!!!!!!!

I'm sooooo happy!

A Yarn Teaser

You will notice all these bags of yarn.

There are 38 skeins of colorful goodness contained in the plastic.

Simply Soft and Hometown USA.

All bought on clearance at Wal-Mart.

10 skeins at $2.50 each and the rest at $1.50 each.

I didn't take them out of the bag for the photo as I didn't want anyone having a heart attack seeing all this wonderful goodness!  LOL  I'm just giving you a teaser of what's to come.  :)

A Lovely Surprise

A few weeks ago, one of my many sisters, Marie, said she was putting something in the back of my car.  I was busy and at the pool...so I do have a good excuse for not remembering this until I went to put something in the back of the car and found this.  A lovely wooden picnic basket.

 Peeking out from inside is some yarn.  Makes your mouth water, doesn't it?

 I searched and searched through the whole basket and found lots of goodies...crochet hooks, belt buckles, lots of pieces of knitted and crocheted work that someone never finished....

and a few of these lovely little squares that I really like and I was AMAZED to find a piece of paper folded up and stuck inside this white and green square....and when I unfolded it....I found the PATTERN!!!!  Woo Hoo!!!!!  I was jumping for joy!!!!!  I can see some of these little squares being made in the near future!  

Even though my sisters don't read my blog....I know....imagine....I am giving a big shout out to Marie for the wonderful gift she left me....."Marie....you're the best"!  And this will probably get me in trouble with the rest of the sisters if they ever read this.  They are a jealous bunch!  LOL

Weekly Highlights

Gosh, what a week it's been!

 I've managed to sneak in some crochet time though.  But not much.  I've started working on the squares for the True Blood Water Lily blanket again.  I did have 20 of them complete, and as of last night, my current count is 33 finished squares.  I'm thrilled.  Truly.  I'm hoping that I will only need 48 squares, but the pattern calls for 63, so we'll see.  Once I get 48 of them, I will place them all out on the floor and see how big it is.  Then I'll go from there.

 We got a new umbrella at the pool.  To cover the lifeguard stand from the direct sunlight.  It's fabulous!  Much bigger than the previous one.  Big C is posing with it, so you can get the full effect.

 Small T and Hannah, the Asst. Mgr. at the pool, made Eggless Cookie Dough one night after work.  They really needed to eat some cookie dough.  Both were either stressed or suffering from PMS.  The recipe can be found here http://baskersfunfoods.blogspot.com/2009/05/cookie-dough-for-preggies.html.  I tried it and honestly, it's great!  In fact, I had several spoons of it.

 As I've mentioned previously, Small T has obtained her driver's permit.  With that, comes several other lessons, such as learning to pump gas.  She seems eager to learn, so that's a good thing.  In fact, she was like "do you think I could pump the gas" with a big grin on her face.  :)  LOL  One day, she will hate it....like when it's pouring down rain or extremely cold and snowy.  But while she's thrilled with doing it, I'm letting her have some fun while learning at the same time.

 My first set of company this week was Baby E and her mom.  I didn't realize that we just don't have any toys around the house for a 1 year old.  We will definitely have to rectify that situation soon.  Big C did go downstairs and search through his stuff and found Trusty, his faithful beanie toy and companion from when he was little.  Trusty is about 15 years old, if I figured right.  He's currently sitting on the side table in the living room, waiting for Baby E to come back for another visit.

 We received notification that one of Small T's photos was chosen to go to the State Fair.  Big C and I lobbied hard for Small T to choose this photo as one of her three that she was entering.  And look what happened, it was chosen to be her best AND to be shown in Sedalia over the next few coming weeks.  I hope it does well there too!

 My third set of company this week arrived simply because their camper broke down between their home and my home.  They are on their way to Sturgis, SD for the big bike rally.  Big Daddy fixed the camper the next morning and off they went.  But things didn't go well, as they only made it 165 miles and then their Harley pick-up truck broke down (it was pulling the camper).  But, I'm told, that they finally made it to SD even though they were a day late.  This is one of my sister's, her husband, and two of their kids, plus Small T with her face covered up by a hand.  This was their "silly" photo.

 This photo says so many things....

First... Big C is a real man....he offered to carry our shopping bags.  What a guy!  Second...I think he was getting tired of shopping and if he carried the bags, we might hurry up some.  Third...we spent too much time in Journey's as we have more than one bag from there.  LOL

And my last photo says it all...it's been quite a week.  Big C did survive the back-to-school shopping even though he's letting Small T take this crazy photo!

Movie Night Popcorn

I really need to try this recipe sometime soon.  It looks scrumptious!

*photo from pincookie.com*

Marshmallow Caramel Popcorn
http://www.pincookie.com/movie-night-treat-marshmallow-caramel-popcorn/

1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. butter
9-10 marshmallows
12 c. popcorn.
Microwave brown sugar and butter for 2 minutes.
 Add marshmallows.
Microwave until melted, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.
 Pour over popcorn.