Friday, September 30, 2011

Donut & Squares

My crocheting plans are taking a little side trip this weekend. Next week I'm hosting the first of four Laura Numeroff Parties at my libraries to celebrate the release of her newest book, If You Give a Dog a Donut. The game I'm planning (Dog, Dog, Where's Your Donut?) needs a prop. I found a free pattern on Lion Brand. I'll post a picture when it's done.

I've made 9 of 27 Cafe squares. My hope is to knock the rest of them out this weekend (after the donut) . I'll then devote next week to running in ends and sewing the squares together. I'm hoping to have the Sweet Chocolate afghan in the mail by next Friday.

We have colors for the commissioned baby afghan. My friend and I decided to go with Lavender, Cornmeal, Frosty Green, and Aran. The Lavender and Cornmeal will form the 5 nine patch blocks that form an X and the Frosty Green and Aran will form the other 4 blocks that form a cross. I think it's going to be lovely. I'm calling this one "Zoe's Flower Garden." (Zoe is what they're naming the baby.)

I still haven't inventories by yarn balls. And I still have a hankering to make bookworms. Maybe after I finish these 5 baby afghans. I can only hope that non one else I know gets pregnant!

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Friday, September 23, 2011

Progress Report

The Perfect Pink squares for the Sweet Chocolate baby afghan are done. I'll be moving on to the Cafe squares today. I predict that the afghan will be done in a week or so. This is great news. The baby (Lilah Marie) will be here in about a month. I'll have the afghan done and mailed before she arrives.

My other pregnant friend didn't find out the sex of her baby. The baby wouldn't cooperate. He or she had his or her legs crossed! The next ultrasound isn't until December and the baby is due January 19. I've asked if she wants any particular color and she said no. I plan to use Red Heart Super Saver's French Country (a rather lovely variegated yarn with blue, yellow, and white in it) and a yellow. I think it will work perfectly for a boy or a girl .

I've decided my yarn inventory isn't complete. I also need to include my balls and scraps. I may get to that this evening. I also haven't worked on my Christmas lists. I need to soon! Christmas is coming whether I'm ready for it or not. I predict the things I'll be making this year will be small like bookworms, dishcloths, coasters, and ornaments. I've been hankering to make some bookworms. Usually I have a stash, but I depleted it long ago.

A friend has commissioned me to make a baby afghan for her friend. I found out last week what the nursery colors are: light purple and light green. I sent my friend a color chart on Monday. I'm waiting to hear back about her final selections. I usually do baby afghans with three different colors, but I also offered her the nine patch block layout which would mean four colors. She suggested a dark purple and I suggested a white or brown. I'll let you know what's decided.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Friday, September 16, 2011

Up to My Eyes In...Squares!

I'm still working away on the baby afghan that was Sherbet Baby. The new color scheme (Pale Plum, Perfect Pink, & Cafe) deserves a new name. Here's what I came up with: Sweet Chocolate. The Pale Plum squares are done. I'm working on the Perfect Pink ones.

In other news, the price of Red Heart Super Saver has dropped at Wal-mart. It was up to $2.58 this summer, but now it's quite reasonable at $2.33. I had to stop myself from buying several skeins. I have enough yarn right now.

A few weeks ago, I took inventory of my yarn. I put my yarn (not including yarn balls) into one of four categories: Full Skeins-Solid Colors, Full Skeins-Variegated, Partial Skeins-Solid Colors, and Partial Skeins-Variegated. I typed the list up this week and I think it's really going to help me use the yarn I have.

The plan for my sister's Christmas afghan has changed again. This year (#5) is for my brother-in-law. I want to do something different. I'm going to border the whole afghan using his favorite color (teal) and then the middle squares will be a nine patch block layout. I was going to use solids and variegated, but have since decided that this is best suited to solids. And it's not going to be done for Christmas because I haven't started it yet!

One of my friends has learned to crochet, but she's having trouble with granny squares. I sent her a care package with written instructions and an example. Talking with her about granny squares reminded me of when I first learned how to make them. One of the cook's at my elementary school tried to show me, but she crocheted so fast that I couldn't learn. Later I found a tutorial (with instructions and pictures) in an old magazine. I've been making granny squares ever since.

I'll be making out two Christmas lists this year: Christmas to Make and Christmas to Buy. I think the to buy list will be longer than the to make list.

Until next time, happy crocheting!