Cup Covers and Coasters - Free Pattern (Stash Buster Project)

Yesterday, I had a few spare moments at the pool, so I whipped up a little pattern for Cup Covers and Coasters out of some scrap yarn I had in my yarn bag (which I carry everywhere...just in case).  I have company fairly often and we sit on the porch most of the time.  With it being Summer, I needed a few more cup covers to put over the tops of our coffee cups to keep the bugs away...and...you can never have enough coasters on the end tables, etc., so I made a few more of those too.

 At the end of the day yesterday, I had made 3 cup covers and 6 coasters (2 of each color).

 This photo shows the difference in size between the coasters and the covers.  The cover is at the top of the photo.

And here's an up close photo so you can see the detail.

Cup Covers and Coasters - Free Pattern

Scrap yarn of your choice - I had small balls of these colors in Caron's Simply Soft yarn

Size H crochet hook

Yarn needle for weaving in ends

1- starting with a magic circle, ch 2, work 9 hdc in circle, pull yarn to tighten circle, join with a sl st to 1st hdc made. (9 hdc)

2- ch 2, work 2 hdc in same st and in each st around, join with a sl st to 1st hdc made. (18 hdc)

3- ch 2, work 2 hdc in same st, hdc in next st, *work 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next st; repeat from * around, join with a sl st to 1st hdc. (27 hdc)

4- ch 2, work 2 hdc in same st, work 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts, *2 hdc in next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 sts; repeat from * around, join with a sl st to 1st hdc. (36 hdc)

**NOTE:  if you are making coasters, skip round 5 and go on to round 6***

5- ch 2, work 2 hdc in same st, work 1 hdc in each of the next 3 sts, *2 hdc in next st, 1 hdc in each of the next 3 sts; repeat from * around, join with a sl st to 1st hdc.  (45 hdc)

6- (edging round) ch 3, *sl st in next st, ch 3; repeat from * around, join with a sl st in base of first ch 3, fasten off, weave in ends.  

Another Catherine's Wheel Baby Blanket

On Monday, I finished the latest Catherine's Wheel Baby Blanket.

I took several photos of it, but I am astounded by the difference in the colors from photo to photo.

The blanket is made using Caron's Simply Soft yarn in the colors Bone and Lt. Country Peach.

I used a size I crochet hook and this pattern.  My beginning chain is 102.  The blanket takes 1 full skein of each color and 1/2 a skein of one of the colors (whichever one you are using for the border).

 Here's the whole blanket laid out.

 A close-up of the stitch pattern.

And all folded up lying on my lap.

Scrap Afghan

Yesterday, I took my bag (with all the little yarn balls in it) to the pool with me.  I didn't know if it would be cool enough to work with the yarn or if we'd even be slow enough to have a bit of time to myself in the concession stand.

It ended up that later in the day, after it cooled down a bit and the crowd thinned out, that I was able to spend a little bit of time and get a few granny squares crocheted.  It helps that I keep a fan up there too...that way it wasn't uncomfortable to handle the yarn.

After I got home, I took out the squares I had made.  I didn't have 6 of each color so I made a few of the red and dark brown along with finishing up the gray that I started at the pool.

 One of the TV channels was showing all the Transformer movies, so I decided to settle in and watch them and keep on making granny squares.

 I took a little break and talked to my mom on the phone and made a few more squares as well.

 By then, I had my 2nd wind and made some more squares while waiting up for the kids to get home from their dates.  After that, I went to bed.  Finally.  However, I didn't want to really go to bed because I had one ball of yarn left to make squares out of.  It was killing me to leave it sitting there in my bag, all alone.

This morning, after making some coffee, I sat down and made some squares out of that last little lonely ball of yarn.  lol  I just can't stand letting it sit there and wait.

After that...I took out my yarn needle and spent a couple of hours weaving in all the ends.  That's finally finished and now it's time to put the bag down for awhile and work on something else.  Today's my day off at the pool so Big Daddy and I are spending some time in front of the TV watching all my favorite Alaska shows.  What a way to spend the day!  Especially since I'm still in my jammies!!!

A gift..

This week has been miserable for me since my mouth has hurt so badly from all the dental work I had done on Monday.  I've tried not to moan and groan and whine all the time, but apparently it's not only been a tough week for me but also the swimmers at the pool.  Nothing like having a grouchy lifeguard all day.  Friday night, my boss brought me a gift.  A container of fresh cauliflower mashed with a bit of cheese and margarine...and a Straw-ber-rita.  Ahhhhh....pure delight!  As soon as I got home, I nuked the cauliflower and popped open the drink.  She absolutely made my day!!!  Thanks so much Cindy!

Instant Summer Fun

What do you do with a 12, almost 13 year old boy in the Summer for a bit of instant fun?

You go to the grocery store and buy a couple of tattoo's out of the quarter machines.  That's what.

 Here's my lovely little rose.  It's on my calf.

Ty has a "School of Hard Knocks" one on his bicep.  What a manly guy.  lol

WIP Update

I haven't had a whole lot of time this week for my projects, between the dentist, traveling too and from Nursing Camp with Small T, working at the pool, etc..  However, I have managed to get a little bit of yarn time in.  If I've not said it before, I feel incomplete without at least some yarn time every day.

 This is the current state of the Catherine's Wheel baby blanket.  I've managed to add a few rows to it.  I plan to spend some time with it today since I don't have to be at the pool.

This is the knitted baby blanket I'm working on.  I keep it for something to work on while riding in the truck.  It's so easy to take with me because it's only one skein of yarn and doesn't take up a whole lot of space.  Besides that, the pattern is knit, knit, knit.  So easy to do without needing to read a pattern, which isn't easy while riding in a vehicle.  At least not for me.  

Fashion Scarf - Free Pattern (Stash Buster Project)

One of the projects I have been working on (while Small T was away at Nursing Camp) was a black scarf/shawl that she could wear with the point resting on her chest and then wrapped around her neck.  I chose to do this in black because she doesn't have a black one in her closet.  It was also nice that I was using a skein of yarn out of my stash, making this a Stash Buster Project.  I've included a few photos below of the scarf.

Here is Small T modeling the scarf.  See seems to like it if you go by her smile.  :)

 Last Fall/Winter, she started wearing scarves all the time, and I think she looks good in them.

Here's the scarf...folded up.  Can you see the beads along the edge?

Here's the scarf spread out.  It's pretty good sized.  I was afraid that I would either get it too big or too small.  This scarf can be easily adjusted to fit your needs by just adding or deleting rows.

Small T helped me choose the beads.  I was looking for a metallic bead but hoping to use a slate gray or black.  She suggested these instead.

And here's the detail of where I sewed the bead at each row juncture.

It's hard to describe it on paper, and by showing you a photo, you know exactly where I put the beads.

Fashion Scarf - Free Pattern

1 skein of Caron's Simply Soft yarn (I used black)

size H hook

yarn needle for weaving in ends

1 bag of metallic beads or any beads you choose

sewing needle with a small enough eye to fit through the bead hole

thread that matches your yarn color

ch 11.  join to form a ring.

1- ch 8, sk 2 sts, sl st in next st, ch 5, sk 2 sts, dc in next st.  turn.

2-  ch 8, sk 2 sts, sl st in next st, ch 5, sk 4 sts, sl st in next st, ch 5, sk 2 sts, dc in next st.  turn.

3- ch 8, sk 2 sts, sl st in next st, *ch 5, sk 4 sts, sl st in next st; repeat from * across to end of row, ending with a ch 5, sk 2 sts, dc in next st. turn.

4 through 55- repeat row 3.

at the end of row 55, fasten off.  weave in ends. 

NOTE:  I stopped at 55 rows.  You can work more or less rows, depending on the size of scarf that you want.

To add the beads, thread a sewing needle with matching yarn and sew a bead at the juncture of each row along the edge of the scarf.  I did not sew each bead individually.  I carried my thread through the yarn to the next place to add a bead, making sure not to pull the thread too tight.  I put the beads along the two side edges but not across the top of the scarf so they wouldn't be scratchy along the neck.

If you have any questions with this pattern, please feel free to ask. 

Happy crocheting!!!

Preview

Here's a little preview of a project I finished yesterday.  I sat down with pen and paper and wrote out a pattern while I was making it.  Now, I just have to post the pattern for everyone.  I'll do that as soon as I can, but I'm expected at the pool in less than 15 minutes.  The photo above shows a corner portion of the project and the beginning of the bead sewing on process.  I really like the finished project and so does Small T so that's a plus.  I had made it for her and she said "no, mom" save it to sell to the girls in town.  So that's what I'll do.  Catch you all later...and have a good Friday!!!

Assembly

Yesterday, Big Daddy, Little Ty and I went to get Small T from Nursing Camp.

 We attended the Assembly meeting where they gave a presentation about the camp and everything they did while there.  Here's Small T (with the microphone and in the plaid shirt) giving her part of the presentation.

This is the group of kids that attended the camp.

I was disappointed to see that very few parents attended the Assembly.  What's up with that???

One of her favorite things about camp was learning to insert and IV.  And don't worry, she's working on a dummy...isn't not real blood.  And 19 people ahead of her already worked on this same dummy so she didn't do all that blood by herself.  Scary, right???

By the time Nursing Camp was over, she learned a great deal, had a lot of questions answered, and is closer to deciding what she wants to do...which was the whole point of going to the camp.  She now knows that a nursing career is definitely for her.

Visitors...

My family has had a few visitors this week.

 Baby Kurryn came over with his Grandma (my sister Dea).

He's here from Tulsa, OK.

 Isn't he sweet?

I can't wait to make up some sweaters and hats for him to wear this winter.

 My youngest sister, Annie, was here for two nights seeing her son, Little Ty, who has been staying with us this summer.  Kurryn took the opportunity to puke on Aunt Annie.  lol

Kurryn isn't too sure about Big Daddy.  Apparently, Kurryn doesn't like mustache's.  So, guess who shaved his mustache the day after Kurryn was here???  Yep, Big Daddy.  I guess he wants to be ready for Kurryn's next visit.

Project List

This is my current project list.

The 4 WIP's are on this list.  Do you see them?

I like to have smaller projects on my list along with projects that take longer.  That way I don't get burned out with what I am making.  I also like to include projects that use yarn from my stash.

Do you have a project list?  If so, what does it have on it?

WIP's

I have a couple of WIP's at the moment.

 This first photo shows a group of leftover yarn balls from my stash.  I'm using them to make a scrap granny square afghan.  Since these squares are smaller (along with the yarn balls), I can use this project for when I'm "on the go" and need something portable to work on.  This is a Stash Buster Project.

 This is a smaller shawl for Small T.  She will wear it as a neck scarf.  This is a pattern that I'm working on out of my head.  It's super easy so far, so it will be quick to make.  The yarn I'm using for this is also out of my stash and that makes this a Stash Buster Project as well.

I'm also working on another Catherine's Wheel baby blanket.  I'm using 2 colors only and they are also out of my yarn stash.  Woo Hoo!  Three Stash Buster Projects going at the same time.

Then there's a knitted baby blanket that I've started.  I like to have one of these going as I need something to work on while riding in the truck and knitting a simple pattern like this is just the thing.  I have 2 skeins of this yarn in my stash, so this is the FOURTH Stash Buster Project going!!!  I think this is a record for me!!!  lol

So...these are what projects I have going at the moment.  What are you working on?

Arch Stitch Baby Blanket - Free Pattern

I'm so happy to be adding another free pattern to my blog today.  This one is called the Arch Stitch Baby Blanket.  As with the Slant Stitch Baby Blanket, I cannot take credit for inventing the Arch Stitch.  I did, however, take the stitch and use it to make something.  I take credit for making the blanket pattern, but nothing else.

 Here's a little preview of a corner stitch.

 The folded up blanket.

 The whole blanket laid out on my sofa.

And a general photo of the arch stitch pattern.

I hope you all enjoy the blanket pattern and I would love to see a photo of what you make with it.  :)  Remember, please give credit by linking back to my blog if you share this pattern with anyone.  Please don't claim it as your own.  Thanks.

Happy Crocheting!

Arch Stitch Baby Blanket - Free Pattern

Bernat Baby Sport yarn - about 8 oz.  (I used pale yellow for this blanket)

Size G crochet hook

yarn needle for weaving in ends

(multiple of 5 + 3 chs)

ch 123 loosely (use a size bigger hook if necessary)

Row 1 (right side) :  dc in 4th ch from hook, ch 2, sk 2 chs, *dc in next 3 chs, ch 2, sk 2 chs; repeat from * across to last 2 chs, dc in last 2 chs.

Row 2 :  ch 1, turn; sc in 1st dc, 5 dc in 1st ch 2 sp, *sk next dc, sc in next dc, 5 dc in next ch 2 sp; repeat from * across, sc in top of beg ch.

Row 3 : ch 4, turn; sk 1st dc, dc in next 3 dc, *ch 2, sk next 3 sts, dc in next 3 dc; repeat from * across to last 2 sts, ch 1, dc in last sc.

Row 4 : ch 3, turn; 2 dc in same st, sk next dc, sc in next dc, *5 dc in next ch 2 sp, sk next dc, sc in next dc; repeat from * across, 3 dc in 3rd ch of beg ch 4.

Row 5 : ch 3, turn; dc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 3 sts, *dc in next 3 dc, ch 2, sk next 3 sts; repeat from * across to last dc, dc in last dc, dc in top of beg ch.

Repeat Rows 2 - 5 for pattern until 61 rows have been made; do NOT finish off.

Edging:

Round 1 : ch 1, do NOT turn work, working down side of blanket, sc evenly down the side of the blanket, work 3 sc in corner st, sc evenly along bottom of blanket, work 3 sc in corner st, sc evenly up the side of the blanket, work 3 sc in corner st, sc evenly along the top edge of blanket, work 3 sc in corner, join with a sl st to 1st sc.

Round 2 :  ch 1, sc in each sc around, working 3 sc in the center stitch of each corner st, join with a sl st to 1st sc.

Round 3 : ch 3, dc in next 2 sts, ch 2, sk 2 sts, *dc in next 3 sts, ch 2, sk 2 sts; repeat from * to corner, work (3dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in the middle st of the corner st, ch 2, sk 2 sts; repeat from * to next corner, work (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in middle st of the corner st, ch 2, sk 2 sts; repeat from * to next corner, work (3 dc, ch 2, 3dc) in middle st of the corner st, ch 2, sk 2 sts; repeat from * to next corner, work (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) in middle st of last corner st, ch 2, sk 2 sts, sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 3.

**NOTE:  you may have to either sk an extra st or one less st in order to make the pattern work when it comes time to work the corner sts.  This is OKAY.  It does not affect the appearance of the blanket.  Trust me.  The pattern did not always match up with the stitch count when I worked this row.  Just make it work.

Round 4 :  sl st into the next dc, ch 1, sc in same st, work 5 dc in next ch 2 sp, *sk 1 dc, sc in next dc, 5dc in next ch 2 sp; repeat from * to corner ch 2 sp, work 10 dc in corner ch 2 sp, repeat from * to next corner, work 10 dc in corner ch 2 sp; repeat from * to next corner ch 2 sp, work 10 dc in corner ch 2 sp; repeat from * to last corner ch 2 sp, work 10 dc in corner ch 2 sp, sk 1 dc, sc in next dc, 5 dc in next ch 2 sp, join with a sl st to beg sc of round.  fasten off yarn, weave in all ends.

Slant Stitch Baby Blanket - Free Pattern

I'm pleased to present my latest free pattern.  I've been working on it for a few weeks now.  It's called the Slant Stitch Baby Blanket.  Now, I did NOT invent the slant stitch.  I cannot take credit for that.  I did, however, take the stitch and use it to make something.  I take credit for making the blanket pattern, nothing more.  With that said, here are some photos and a free pattern after.

 (folded up)

 (laid out)

 (close up)

(a corner)

Slant Stitch Baby Blanket - Free Pattern

Bernat Baby Sport yarn -  approx. 13 to 14 oz.

size G crochet hook

yarn needle for weaving in ends

(Multiple of 4 + 1 ch)

Ch 121 loosely.

1- sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across.  (120)

2- (Right side)  ch 3 (counts as first dc), turn; dc in next sc, *[sk next sc, dc in next 3 sc, yo, insert hook in skipped sc and pull up a loop even with hook, )yo, and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice (SLANT STITCH MADE)]; repeat from * across to last 2 sc, dc in last 2 sc. 

3- ch 1, turn; sc in each st across.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 for pattern (you should have 41 slant stitch rows when you are finished); do not fasten off yarn at the end of the last row 3 as we will go to the edging.

Edging:

1- ch 1, turn; sc evenly around the edge of the blanket, working 3 sc in each corner stitch, join with a sl st to beg ch 1.

2 & 3- ch 1, sc in each st around, working 3 sc in each corner st, join with a sl st to beg ch 1.

At the end of round 3, fasten off yarn, weave in end.

And now, a bonus pattern:

TO MAKE A 7" SQUARE USING THE SLANT STITCH

ch 25 loosely.

follow baby blanket pattern until the piece measures almost 7" (ending with a row 3).

work 2 rounds of sc for edging.

Tigers...

When we were are the mall on Tuesday, we saw a circle of Tigers that had been decorated in different ways.

 I thought this was cool...decorated in buttons.  Even the portraits were buttons.

 And then this was gorgeous!  I love all the flowers!

And for Small T, this one.  It was a Music inspired Tiger.  See the musical instruments at its feet?

I didn't expect to see these, but I thought it was a great conversation piece for the mall.

In case you are wondering, the Tigers are because the mall is in Columbia, MO and that's the home of the Mizzou Tigers (college) sports teams.

Wednesday...

Wednesday, Big Daddy got to have a day of fishing all by himself.

 He came by the pool to show me his "catch".

 Not bad.  Some bass and some catfish.

 Then, Little Ty's mom (my youngest sister) came for a surprise visit.

They celebrated with a wrestling match.

 They are equal at this point.  Scrambling to see who will come out the victor.

 She briefly had the upper hand.

Then Little Ty had her pinned.  (again)