The Stockings Were Hung...

Sorry it's been so long since my last update. I had a computer on the blink for about two weeks and then I was busy at work and at home with Christmas preparations.

With only 18 days til Christmas, I'm accepting that I can't make everything I want to--there's just not enough time because I do have to pace myself when I crochet. I've been working on a few snowman ornaments. I've also organized my brother-in-law's afghan squares into zippered storage bags by row. I still have about 20 squares to make for it. Starting next Monday, I'm going to sew a row together each day. I don't think I'll have it done for Christmas, but I know it will be done soon.

So all my ambitious plans for this year? I'm going to move them to next year and resolve to crochet a little each day.

Here are pictures of the coasters I made and a Baby's 1st Christmas stocking for a friend's baby.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

52 Days 'Til Christmas!

As of today, I've made 32 Real Teal squares. I need 52 total so I have 20 more to make. I also need 4 more black and 10 of a yet undetermined color. I need to make 34 more squares total to have all the 187 I need for Stephen's afghan. If I make 5 squares a day for the next week, I'll be done. After the squares are done, the sewing should go quickly.

I haven't had a chance to take a picture of the coasters yet, but here's a picture of the football hat.

I'm headed home to TN for the weekend and don't know how much crocheting I'll get done, but 5 squares a day would be nice. I'm ready to be done with the afghan and move on to other Christmas projects.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Coasters and a Hat

Over the weekend and this week, I battled a sinus infection, so I didn't crochet as much as I'd hoped. I did finish all the coasters. A friend contacted me about making a football hat for her baby son's Halloween costume. So I found a pattern and made it. I'm looking forward to getting back to squares. I don't think I'll be making my October 31st deadline, but that's okay. I'll be posting pictures of the coasters and hat soon.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Coasters Not Squares

I took a break from squares this week to make gifts for some special ladies that have just completed a faith-based residential life skills training program through a ministry at my church. I'm using this pattern to make them coasters. I'm making 2 each for five ladies.

I'll probably be making coasters and squares this weekend. I'm getting excited to get started with my other Christmas gifts.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

What I've Been Up To...

I finished off the first skein of the Real Teal yarn. It made 20 squares. I only have 32 more to go. I'm still hoping to finish the afghan by the end of the month.

In the meantime, I find my mind turning to the other Christmas projects I need to be working on. I'm hoping this will be the impetus to spur me on to complete the afghan by my chosen due date. I'm going home for a fall festival this weekend. Not sure how much crocheting I'll get done.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Christmastime's a'coming!

As of today, there are only about 80 days until Christmas. I'm starting to miss my high school, college, and grad school days when I had the time to work on Christmas gifts all year. I suppose I still could if I'd cut back on the baby afghans and just make time for a little crochet every day.

This week's been a bit odd. I've been really tired at the end of my work day so I haven't managed to do much in the evenings. I'm giving myself a three day weekend and hope to rejuvenate and crochet. I did make a few Real Teal squares this week.

I've been gathering information for my Christmas list like favorite colors. I actually think I need to write up another list so I can see all the changes I've made.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Not much to report...

I think I've hit a crocheting slump. I only made 1 square over the weekend and nothing this week. I'm hoping to get back in my groove this weekend. I'm now working on the Real Teal squares. My plan is still to have the afghan done by the end of October.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like...Fall!

The weather's finally cooling down. Fall and winter are the best seasons for crocheting. I crochet year round, but I always seem to get more accomplished when the weather's cooler.

I'm almost done with the Coffee squares. This weekend, I'm staying with my sister and will likely get a lot of squares made. I'm taking a skein of Real Teal with me. I'm still hoping to finish the afghan by the end of October. I haven't looked at my Christmas list lately. I don't want to make myself antsy.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Just another week...

I tried to crochet a little every day this week. I finally finished the black squares. The two partial skeins I had only made 16. I'll need to get another skein to make the last 4. I'll be moving on to Coffee squares this next week.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Tales of a Granny Square Afghan...

I'm still working away on squares for the brother-in-law's Christmas afghan. This week, I've been making black squares. If I can get 20 out of the 2 partial skeins I had, then all I'll have left to make are 8 Coffee squares and all the Real Teal squares for the border.

It would be nice to have the afghan completed by the end of October so I would have November and the 1st part of December to work on other Christmas gifts. We'll see.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

I Had a Lovely Vacation!

I was on vacation last week and had a wonderful time. I was very lazy and didn't crochet as much as I had planned. I spent most of my time fall cleaning my apartment.

I did finish the Cafe squares. The skein did have 16 in it. I've also made 8 Grey Heather squares. Next, I'm going to make about 8 Black squares.

I haven't started any other projects. Sometimes I'm very focused on one project and I think this is one of those times.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

A Slight Hiatus

I haven't been in much of a crocheting mood for most of this week. I've made a few Cafe squares...still hoping to get 16 out of the skein.

On Saturday (or was it Sunday?), I started the baby afghan I told you about last week. I've decided to try something different than my usual 81 three-round granny squares sewn together in 9 x 9 rows and columns. I found a few patterns last week that I thought I'd try. The first one was Baby Granny Three Ways from Red Heart Yarn. I think I worked it up to 10 or 12 rounds. I'm just not liking it. I pulled a few more patterns off the web today. This time they're from Lionbrand. I'll let you know how I progress.

There won't be a weekly update next week. I'm on vacation. It's more of a stay-cation so I can fall clean my apartment, but I am going craft shopping with my best friend. I'm going to put my Sunday afternoon to good use looking over the sale papers and printing off the stores' coupons. I want to make the most of this trip. It will probably be November before I get to go again.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Squares and More Squares

I'm still on that roll I talked about last week making squares for the brother-in-law's Christmas afghan. The Gold did make ten squares. I've also made 4 Warm Brown Squares and I'm working on some Cafe ones. I'm hoping to squeeze 16 out of the skein.

In the meantime, I've planned another baby afghan. For a baby boy who's not due until December. I'll be using what I have: Williamsburg Print and Coral. If you're familiar with these colors, you'll know this is going to be a nontraditional baby afghan.

In other news, I bought the September/October issue of Crochet Today for the scarf pattern using the new Team Spirit yarn. I'm making new Gryffindor scarves for my best friend and me. Hers is for Christmas. Mine needs to be done by early December. I'm hosting a Harry Potter Party and need it for my costume.

Red Heart has some new colors in its Super Saver line. My local Wal-mart has a few. As you can see by this picture, I was very tempted. However, I stayed firm. I'm only buying yarn I absolutely need (like Real Teal for the brother-in-law's afghan) until I've used up some of my stash. I love purple (Grape Fizz), but I really like the red multi (Chili). My sister likes the one at the bottom of the picture (Heartfelt) and is already trying to think of something I can make for her out of it.

Summer Reading ended this week. I'm "in" my office all next week getting ready for the fall story times and events. The next week, I'm on vacation. It's mostly going to be a stay-cation, but I am going craft shopping. I'm going to hit A.C. Moore, JoAnn's, Michael's, and Hobby Lobby. I already have quite a list going of the stuff I want/need or just want to look for. I'm really excited. Felt, yarn, scrapbook stuff. It will be wonderful.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

On a Roll...with Squares

Here's a picture of the Safari Stripes baby afghan. The mom loved it. She said it matched the nursery perfectly. I'm glad that I'm done with baby afghans for a while.

I've been on a roll with squares for the brother-in-law's Christmas afghan. So far this week, I've made 14 Carrot and 4 Linen. Gold is the next color. I'm hoping I can get 10 squares out of the skein I have. The layout is slowly but surely getting colored in.

I may intersperse the square making with other small projects (i.e., Christmas gifts) to keep myself from getting burnt out.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

More Progress!

I apologize for not posting an update last week. My dog Chester had some health problems and I wasn't near a computer. He's fine now and I'm back to blogging.

In the past 2 weeks, I've worked on the Safari Stripes baby afghan and made 2 baby bootie ornaments for a shower gift.

The baby afghan will be completed tonight and then I'll turn my focus and energy to my Christmas list. My brother-in-law's afghan is top of the list. I'll post a picture of the baby afghan as soon as it's received by mom and baby.

Summer Reading is also winding down. This means I'll have more energy for crocheting in the near future.

Christmas in July

This is the time of year that I like to drag out my Christmas movies and music and really get going on Christmas presents. Since I started working full time, it isn't as feasible as it once was.

I did make a little progress this week. I've ran the ends in on the Buff squares and plan to get to the Pumpkin ones this weekend. After I get the Safari Stripes baby afghan done, it will be Christmas presents all the time. And luckily, there's nothing wrong with that. The first order of business will be the afghan I owe my brother-in-law from last year, of course.

I also made 3 bookworms this week to give to a delightful nine year old girl who has been assisting me with preschool story time. As I rushed to make them, I remembered my Gold Festival days when because I was prepared for the festival, I always had a stash of things to give as gifts if needed. After Christmas, I plan to start working on building up a gift stash. Bookworms, dishcloths, apple coasters, and baby bootie ornaments all seem like grand items to include.

Speaking of babies, I need to make 2 baby ornaments soon (i.e., before July 21) to give as a gift at a baby shower.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

A Wee Bit of Progress

This week I managed to finish up the last few Buff squares for the Safari Stripes baby afghan. I haven't yet found the time to run in ends and start sewing them together. I hope to work on that some this weekend. I also need to make two baby bootie Christmas tree ornaments for a baby shower gift in the near future (i.e., before July 22).

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Not much to report...

The Summer Reading Program and crocheting really don't mix. I've got more done this week than last, but that's not a lot. I only need to make 8 more Buff squares for the Safari Stripes baby afghan. Hoping sewing it together will go more quickly than the making of the squares.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Summer Reading Program = Not Much Time for Crocheting

The Summer Reading Program at my library started this week. As I'm the youth services librarian for 4 branch libraries, my life gets very busy during those 8 weeks. This first week is no exception. I presented 17 programs with a total attendance of 358. Do you even have to ask if I've picked up my crochet hook this week? The answer is a resounding no. (Well, now that I think on it, I may have crocheted a little on Saturday, but that's all!)

I'm going to do some R & R this weekend. Crocheting, reading, and baking are all on my agenda. I'm thinking Saturdays will be my crocheting days at least while summer reading is going on.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Ides of June Update

Happy Ides of June, readers! I've never forgotten the "Ides of March" from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. A Portent of bad luck, but I don't believe that. Sorry for the break in my weekly updates. I was on vacation last week and far away from a computer.

I did get some crocheting done while I was off, but not as much as I'd hoped. I also made 5 felt sets for my flannel board while I was off. And I went craft store shopping with my best friend. I can home with lots of felt, some tie-dye spray, a skein of Teal yarn (for the brother-in-law's afghan), 2 small cross-stitch kits, and a new rubber stamp.

This week, I haven't been able to crochet much. At work, I'm getting ready for the summer reading program that starts next week. And at home, I'm still trying to get used to working again.

In addition to a few Buff squares, I've also made 4 apple coasters this week for a co-worker who was going to another position.

I don't think I'm going to meet my June 23 deadline for the Safari stripes afghan, but with any luck I'll have it done by June 30.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

The Pigeon

The picture above is of the baby afghan I made for my friend Liz. She's a children's librarian like me and a HUGE fan of Mo Willems' Pigeon books. This afghan (which I call "The Pigeon") was inspired by the colors Mo used in his illustrations. This is the second book inspired baby afghan I've done. The first was for a Peter Rabbit nursery. The colors I used in The Pigeon are Red Heart Super Savers Seagrass, Spa Blue, Cornmeal, and Warm Brown.

I'm a little behind on my daily quota for the Safari Stripes afghan, but I plan to catch up next week while I'm off work. I'll also be working on felt pieces for my flannel board. And maybe making some apple coasters for a teacher friend.

I'm thinking about taking up cross-stitch again. I've found a cute owl pattern. Don't know when I might start it, but I'll keep you informed.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Moving Right Along

The above is a picture of the Dr. Who Scarf Inspired baby afghan. My friend Heather loved it.

Since my last post, I've also finished The Pigeon baby afghan and got it in the mail. It should arrive today, so I'll post a picture next week.

On Wednesday, I started the next baby afghan on my list. I'm calling this one Safari Stripes. The colors are Red Heart Super Saver's Pumpkin and Buff. The nursery will be done is those colors with a possible jungle theme. I started the squares on the 23rd. I'm making 6 squares per day. My goal is to have it finished in a month (June 23rd).

After that, I'll have the time to devote to squares for my brother-in-law's Christmas afghan and other Christmas presents.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Afghan Done!

I finished the Dr. Who Scarf Inspired baby afghan on Wednesday. It's in the mail and on its way to the mom and baby. I'll post a picture as soon as they've received it. It turned out beautifully. All the colors looked great. In case you've forgotten, I used Red Heart Super Saver's Orchid, Light Raspberry, Cornmeal, Frosty Green, Buff, Cafe, and Light Grey.

I'm already sewing The Pigeon baby afghan together. I should have it done and in the mail next week. I'll probably start right away on the next baby afghan on my list because they think little Noah might come early. Hopefully, I can squeeze in a little time to make squares for my brother-in-law Stephen's afghan. I've also decided I'd like to make my brother an afghan. I may not get it done this year, but I have the yarn and I'd like to make him one.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Progress!

As you can see from the picture above, I did finish the octopus pincushion. Judy loved him.

I only have 2 more rows to sew together for the Dr. Who Scarf Inspired baby afghan. And then I'll need to edge it. It will be DONE and I'll get it in the mail.

After that, I'll sew The Pigeon baby afghan together and get it mailed. This time, it might actually get there before the baby.

I still have plans to start making squares for my brother-in-law's Christmas afghan. As of right now, I have just one more baby afghan to make this year. I haven't heard that anyone else I'm friends/family with is expecting.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

The End In Sight

This past week has been quite productive. I put my "stay-cation" weekend to good use and my momentum lasted through the week.

The pieces for the octopus pincushion are done. I just need to assemble them, glue on the face and sew on the tentacle buttons.

As of last night, I only have 4 more squares to make for the Dr. Who Scarf Inspired baby afghan. Then I'll just need to sew it together and edge it. After that, I'll sew together The Pigeon baby afghan and edge it.

My next baby isn't due until early August so I'm taking a slight hiatus until about June. In the meantime, I'll begin making the squares for my brother-in-law's Christmas afghan.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Where Has April Gone?

This month will be over soon. I'm proud of what I've accomplished in it. I've worked a little this week on the Light Raspberry squares for the Dr. Who Scarf Inspired baby afghan.

This weekend, I'm taking a little break to make a birthday present for a friend--an octopus pincushion. I'm going to use Aruba Sea for the octopus and Orchid for his hat. Since these are pastels, I'll use pink felt for the mouth and gray for the eyebrows. I've made several of these in the past and they work up quickly because the bulk of the pattern in single crochet.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Belated Easter Greetings!

I hope everyone had a nice Easter. Mine was wonderful...church and a cookout with family. The above picture shows the bookworms I made for my co-workers for the holiday.

Yesterday, I finished the 41 Orchid squares for the Dr. Who Scarf Inspired baby afghan. The 10 Cornmeal squares I finished weeks ago. I have 51 of 81 squares done. It's a good thing, too. Amelia Marie was born on March 29. I have 30 more squares to make in these colors: Buff, Cafe, Light Raspberry, Frosty Green, and Light Grey.

After I finish this baby afghan, I'm going to take a little break from baby afghans. I have all the squares made for The Pigeon baby afghan and the baby isn't due until June. The other baby on my agenda isn't due until August.

I'm going to start making squares for my brother-in-law's afghan and work on a pincushion for a friend's birthday while I'm on hiatus from the baby afghans.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Completion!

As you can see by the pictures above, I made some progress last weekend and finally finished the French Country baby afghan and the purse for big sister MaKenna. I made a resolution not to buy any yarn this year unless it was absolutely necessary. That's why you see extra Pale Yellow squares on the bottom row. The purse turned out well and used up almost all of the Bon Bon Print Yarn I had.

I also ran in ends on all the squares I have made (all of the ones for The Pigeon baby afghan and the Cornmeal squares for the Dr. Who Scarf Inspired baby afghan).

I'm still making squares and I even started in on the Easter bookworms. Tomorrow is the last day of National Craft Month 2012 and I think I've done rather well. I'd like to make a coaster or two for my brother's Easter package and start on an octopus pincushion for a friend's birthday in the near future.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Spring Projects

Just today I realized that the Orchid yarn I'm making squares with is almost the exact shade of the blooms on the red bud trees. Red bud trees are my favorite!

I'm plugging along with the squares. I actually need to count them to see how close I'm getting to the 41 I need. Yesterday, I edged 2 sides of the French Country baby afghan. I'm hoping to finish it up along with the purse this weekend.

I'd like to start on the Easter bookworms as well. I'll be using Red Heart Super Saver's Light Coral, Mint, Turqua, Orchid, Pale Yellow (or Cornmeal), and Light Raspberry. I do enjoy working with pastels...but usually not in baby afghans. There they seem to be so overdone.

I have a long weekend starting this evening. With any luck, I'll get a lot of crocheting done. Until next time, happy crocheting!

Progress!

I've been much more productive this week. Most days, I successfully made my 3 Orchid squares. And I only have 1 more row to sew on the French Country baby afghan and it will be all together and just need edging. In the next week or so, I plan to take a break to make some bookworms to put in plastic eggs for Easter gifts. I got pastel eggs so I'll be using pastel colored yarn. The bookworms will match the eggs in color (i.e., a purple bookworm in a purple egg).

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Just anouther week

Crocheting has been a little slower this week. I've made a few Orchid squares. On Sunday, I sewed 2 rows of the French Country baby afghan together.

On Wednesday, I found out the nursery colors for the 4th (and hopefully final) baby afghan of the year. They're having a little boy. They're naming him Noah. The nursery colors are UT orange and khaki and they may do a jungle theme. That translates to Red Heart Super Saver's Pumpkin and Buff. I'm not sure yet what layout I'll use.

I'm hoping to be quite productive tomorrow both with making squares and sewing together squares.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Happy National Craft Month!

It's March and you know what that means! National Craft Month. I don't think I'm doing anything special to celebrate this year. I'm just going to keep on with my current projects (French Country baby afghan, Dr. Who Scarf Inspired baby afghan, The Pigeon baby afghan) and possibly continue with the dishcloths and maybe start in on the octopus pincushions.

My February dishcloth project sort of fizzled out toward the end. I made 7 dishcloths and have 2 more started.

I've been much more productive this week. I've finished the Cornmeal squares. I actually overshot the 29 by one. I guess I need to keep a closer count. Today, I started the Orchid squares. I need 41 of that color for the Dr. Who Scarf Inspired baby afghan. I also sewed four rows of the French Country baby afghan together this week.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Where there's a will...

I've been a bot more industrious this week. I've crocheted almost everyday, but I haven't been hitting my three 20 minute sections. Most days I manage two 20 minute crochet breaks. Last Saturday (or was it Monday?), I ran in the ends on all the Pale Yellow squares. I'm planning to run the ends in on all the French Country Squares tomorrow and start sewing the afghan together next week.

I've made 17 of the 29 Cornmeal squares I need for the Pigeon afghan and the Dr. Who Scarf Inspired afghan. The dishcloth project continues. Thus far I've made 6 dishcloths and have 2 more started. Of the six, I've already given 4 away for gifts.

My crocheting in the next week will be more of the same. Next Friday marks the beginning of National Craft Month. I may stick with the dishcloths for awhile or move on to the octopus pincushions.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

I'm a Lazy Daisy!

I've been a bit lackadaisical in my crocheting plan since my last post. Birthdays have a way of throwing a spanner into the works.

I've crocheted a little on dishcloths and yesterday started making squares for other baby afghans. I haven't ran in any ends in yet.

I'm turning over a new leaf as of today. I have gifts to make and no one can do it but me. Found out 2 of the babies I'm making afghans for are boys. One's for The Pigeon baby afghan. The other, I won't know the colors until I know what the nursery's being done in.

From today on, I'm hoping to meet my goals of spending 20 minutes on dishcloths, 20 minutes on squares (this works out to 3 baby afghan squares), and 20 minutes on running in ends and/or sewing squares together. All these will be broken up so I'm not tiring my hand out.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Breakdown of My Daily Crochet Minutiae

The dishcloth project continues on apace. I like making them and hope I can make the 20-30 I need for my Christmas list.

I finished the pieces for MaKenna's purse. All I need to do is attach the handles and run in the ends.

Tomorrow, I'm planning to start running in ends on the squares for the French Country baby afghan. I'm going to give myself 20 minutes per day for running in ends and/or sewing squares together.

I think I may also give myself 20 minutes for making more squares. That will be 40 minutes a day crocheting and 20 minutes running in ends or sewing.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

15 Minutes of Dishcloths

Wednesday marked the 1st of February and the beginning of my 29 day dishcloth project. Over the past weekend and the early part of the week I decided crocheting 30 minutes at one time was a little much. I've been getting up a little earlier in the mornings so I can crochet for 15 minutes on a dishcloth. My evening 15 minutes have been getting lost in the shuffle of dog walking, exercising, and housework.

Some of the cotton yarn I have, I've had since I lived in Knoxville 3 years ago. Oh how I miss having several craft stores nearby. In the past three days, I've finished 2 dishcloths that were already started and started a new one.

I've been working on the purse for MaKenna. I'm using Red Heart Super Saver's Bonbon Print. I've had this yarn for 2 years. I noticed this week that Red Heart went up 25 cents in price.

In the coming week, I'll continue with the dishcloths and hopefully finish the purse. Kadance is home from the hospital so I may start running in ends and sewing together the French Country baby afghan.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Crochet Breaks

This week, I've been taking what I call crochet breaks due to the problems I've been having with my arm and hand. Every day, I set a 20 minute alarm. I crochet (with a support glove on) for 20 minutes. That may not seem like a lot, but it's a lot more than last week's none.

My arm and hand are feeling much better this week. My hand hasn't went numb since Sunday. I have 3 more Pale Yellow squares to make for the French Country baby afghan. The plan was to make 41 French Country and 40 Pale Yellow. Two 5 ounce skeins of French Country only make 38 squares and as you know I have an embargo on buying more yarn unless absolutely necessary. One corner of the baby afghan will be all Pale Yellow squares. I don't think anyone will notice.

The recipient of the French Country baby afghan (Kadance Faith) is still in the hospital after some birth complications so I'm not in any rush to sew it together. I also need to make a purse for Kadance's big sister MaKenna (age 2). After that, I plan to start on Cornmeal squares for both The Pigeon (I need 19) and the Dr. Who Scarf Inspired (I need 10).

On February 1, I'll be dividing my crocheting time between squares and dishcloths. I'm hoping to increase my crocheting time to 30 minutes Sunday-Friday and 1 hour (2 30 minute sessions) on Saturday starting tomorrow.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Stalemate...Crochet Style

Nothing much to report on the crochet front this week. I went to the chiropractor on Wednesday and Doc said I had a problem in my neck that was causing the weakness and numbness in my left arm and hand. He worked me over pretty good and recommended having a massage or two. I had a massage today. Wonderful things, massages. I think I could become addicted.

The therapist recommended stretching more in between activities (like crocheting or reading), wearing braces while I crochet, and crocheting in smaller increments (15 or 20 minutes).

I haven't crocheted at all this week. I really miss it. Luckily, the therapist said to crochet a little because my muscles are used to it and it would be worse to not crochet for a while.

I'll have another massage next week and see Doc again on February 6. Hopefully, I can help myself get better with better stretching (I'm going to add a stretching routine to my workout, too) and time management.

Tonight, I may crochet for 15 minutes. I'll let you know how it goes. With any luck, the French Country baby afghan may be finished by early February. Until next time, happy crocheting.

Progress...of sorts

My crocheting this week has been hampered by the carpal tunnel in my left hand/wrist. I think it's the crazy weather--warm & humid one day, freezing the next. I've still managed to make a few squares every day. I'm done with the French Country squares for the afghan of the same name and started the Pale Yellow ones today. My plans for the week include working on those (and reading to give my hand a break).

Until next time, happy crocheting!

A Finished Baby Afghan & The Results of My Weekend

As you can see, I followed through with my weekend crochet plans. I made 2 baby bootie ornaments and 6 star coasters. I decided not to make the dishcloths. I love making baby bootie ornaments for shower gifts. They're quick, easy, and have a good meaning.

Also, here's a picture of the finished Nine Patch Country Girl baby afghan. My dad delivered it yesterday and I've heard they were pleased.

The Beginning of a New Year & New Projects

I finished sewing the Nine Patch Country Girl baby afghan together on December 31. I edged it on January 1. I'll have a picture of it up next week.

I've started the squares for the French Country baby afghan. The baby is due January 19 and will be named Kadance. I probably won't have the afghan finished before the baby comes unless she's late. After that I have the 2 afghans I've mentioned already (The Pigeon & Dr. Who Scarf inspired) and I've added one more. I don't know anything about the baby yet other than the due date (August), so it's just in the back of my mind.

I wore my hand out finishing the Nine Patch Country Girl, so I had to take a break from crocheting for a few days. I updated my yarn inventory (it now includes yarn balls of good size) and sorted out yarn for my brother-in-law's afghan and the Dr. Who Scarf inspired baby afghan. I received 10 skeins of Red Heart yarn for Christmas as well as a whole tote of other yarn (Fun Fur, Chunky, etc.). My goal for 2012 is to use what yarn I have and not buy any unless absolutely necessary.

I've also been working on my Christmas list for 2012. Dishcloths are predominate. I'll need to make 25-30 and I'll probably make them in February. I prefer to work with cotton in cold weather. I also have several octopus pincushions and hats on the list. I'm nowhere near done with the list and it will change as the year progresses.

This weekend, I need to make a baby bootie ornament for little Stacy Jean (recipient of the Nine Patch Country Girl afghan) as she's already celebrated her first Christmas. I also need to make some coasters and dishcloths for a housewarming gift and another baby bootie ornament for a baby shower gift.

Until next time, happy crocheting!