A Spool Knitter Give Away

When I was a little girl (many, many years ago ...)  and we were visiting at my cousin's, she had waiting for me a spool knitter, much smaller then the one you see here.  We spent most of the weekend happily working away with this.  I don't remember now what happened to the little knitter but seeing the post at Crochet Happiness  of a spool knitter giveaway brought to mind this sweet memory.  And Christy of Crochet Happiness and her hubby make these. 

Hop over to her blog to check it out, join in and good luck.  

And Christy, thanks for the memory. 

Finding Fabulous on Friday in a thought ...

I try to leave Fridays open for me and although it doesn't work out too often, every one in a while I succeed and here I am on the home front this morning.  Puttering about,  laundry done, sauce (or gravy as some call it) simmering on the stove, bathrooms cleaned and a short break with a cuppa to visit here for a moment. 

I have been thinking for a while that I would like to compile information on crocheting, maybe a book, on what crochet means to me/you.  I always find fabulous in crocheting and I'm sure you do too.  Why you enjoy it, what does it bring to others or not, what are the memories it holds.  For example, it brings joy in creating a blanket for an expected new arrival, brings comfort in the form of a prayer shawl, provides coziness and warmth on the cold winter's night, etc., etc.,  Do you think I could get enough responses, stories?  How do I get the word out?  Not too long ago on a blog I read of a young woman's being taught by her grandmother and what a beautiful read.  The passing of such a wonderful craft with such love.

Should I devote a post every so often to ask for these?
One of my friends speaks of crochet as an old friend.  Always there, ready to roll.  And the finished product ... well, that speaks volumes.

Just sharing my thought of today with you and wondering what you think?
Hoping to hear ...

Have a fabulous weekend...

Thursday Thoughts

Worry gives small things a big shadow.

-Swedish Proverb

What's Doing Wednesday

A third of the way completed of bobbles and zigzags.  A fun crochet, and for this one, no thought to coloring.  Just reaching into the basket and see what I come out with.  It will be not only a bright, colorful lapghan but a nice cozy, warm one as well.

What's doing in your Wednesday ... 

The start of another week ...

and looks like it could be another umbrella day.  Started yesterday, cold and damp now.  Temperatures so cooled, very different from the summer days of last week.  But it has been so dry the rain is badly needed. 
 
Needing brightness on a dreary day?  A red umbrella ... that's what I'll be adding to my accessories.  Cheer on a handle.  You just gotta smile.

Off to work, have a cheerful, sunny day.

Zigzagging and Merrily Bobbling

Yup, Friday was also fabulous on the crochet front.  There at the door was the box when I arrived home.  The book, the pattern!  Tore that box open and found the Bobble Zigzag pattern.  You know I just had to start this right away.   

Dug out my basket.  Found this at Michael's for $5 about a year and a half ago .  Love this basket.  Its quite large and nicely holds all the yarn that will be bobbled and zigzagged.

So, I'm off and running on yet another project.  But how could I resist, its a fun and easy crochet with a so happy look. 

 Have I mentioned lately how I love crochet?
 Its wonderful!

Finding Fabulous on Friday

A fabulous Friday ... a little later start then usual this morning so here at the kitchen table, having just finished breakfast and taking a few more minutes to sip the coffee.  Gazing out to acres and acres of blossoming apple trees just beyond my back yard, sun streaming through and giving the room a soft glow.  The stillness broken only by the happily chirping of a bird and the hum of tractors in the distance where the orchard is being tended to.  A soft, gentle breeze through the open window.  His touch is everywhere.  Its all good, and even in those things where it is not, I am thankful.

My book with the waiting for pattern is supposed to arrive tomorrow ... maybe, maybe it just might be here today when I return???  Time will tell.  Silly the things that bring me such joy, so simple, but to me so much.  May today and the weekend bring joyful moments to savor. 

Abundant blessings,

Thursday Thoughts

Those who wish to sing
 always find a song.
-Swedish Proverb

What's Doing Wednesday

Wednesday again ... already!  Goodness, time is just flying ... as is the hook.  The little one's round ripple is finally taking off.  I initially had started this with ecru, brown and blue but his room is now blue and green with brown accents and so too will the ripple be.  As I am starting this over I also switched to another ripple pattern which I like even more.  Really love this pattern, a fun crochet.

  In getting ready for the bobble zigzag ... went through my stash and I have just about every color in Red Heart except for white.  So off to Michael's ... Red Heart super saver was on sale for $1.89, home came three whites.  For once I went for what yarn I needed and no more.  That's quite an accomplishment for me being the sale!    Ready ... just have to wait for the book with the pattern.  Now I think I have every color. 

Of course, while I was at Michael's I had to check out the sales ... my little bird, flower pot and greens was 60% off.  I couldn't resist.  I love my little bird ... will be spending his time keeping me company on the window sill over the kitchen sink.

Happy Mid Week,

Joy and Blessings,

Monday Afternoon

In between jobs and came in on the fly for a quick lunch and a  bit of email.  Its April ... got that?  We're having 91 degree weather.  I hope that's not a sign of what the summer will be. 

Ordered my book for the Bobble Zigzag Ripple, very excited about that.  My little grandbaby's blanket took off last night, only about 10 rows into it but its on its way.   It will be a good size so he will be using this for a long time (years).

Thinking of those in the tornado areas with special prayers and blessings.

Work is calling, got to run.  Have a wonderful afternoon. 

A Finish and Three Starts

I've seen an afghan pattern that I am over the moon about.  Its the Bobble Zigzag ripple.   Sandy of Teacup Lane made a bench cover using this pattern .

And Asti of Apple Blossom Dreams made this afghan using up her leftover pieces of yarn.

Aren't these just magnificent?  I just have to make this!
The pattern is from Jan Eaton's book Ripple Stitch Patterns which will become part of my library very soon.  Lots of stash and leftovers to use up and this is the pattern that will do it.  Can't wait.  

A round ripple for the grandbaby also to begin.

And finally a doily finish ...         
            with a new one to start next week as well.

New threads picked up today from Hobby Lobby ... now to pick which one.  Decisions, decisions of the best kind.

Happy Weekend

A glorious day of sunshine, flowers and perfect weather.  A great way to start the weekend.   Thinking of a trip to Hobby Lobby tomorrow to further my thread crochet addiction, which is alive and well.  Looking for some different, vibrant colors of thread to add some splender to the coming summer months. 

 The hook and stash thread have produced several small doilies and coasters over the past few weeks.  I never tired of these little treasures.  My blue larger doily is at the final row, hopefully to be completed sometime this weekend.

And my latest little treasure.  I love white on white and placing a doily coaster on the dishes.  Turns a tea and muffin into simple elegance.

The creating hook will shortly come out again.  Looking to design a treasure bag.  To get the idea from thought, to hook, to paper.  If it goes well, there will be a new pattern to share.

Have a great weekend,
blooms and blessings.

What's Doing Wednesday

Mid week, lots going on, busy, busy, busy ... and who isn't?   The what I want to do is move the hook but that will have to wait till later this evening when hopefully the last row of  the doily I have been working on will be completed then onto a weekly pattern from a crochet group and a  blanket to be started for the grandbaby.   His mama just finished painting his room blue and green with brown accents ... so shall be the round ripple crib blanket. 

But first off to a day's work.  Be back later tonight.  I wish you a spring in your step, a smile on your face and a song in your heart ...                                              

                             

Monday Morning

Slowly moving this morning, light cleaning done, some laundry finished, sipping my coffee ... yup, moving very slowly.  Nice to have the day off following a holiday.  My thread, pattern and hook await me to finish a doily I have been working on. I find such pleasure in crocheting.   

  Earlier I stood at the dining room window watching the trees branches, heavy with buds, bobbing in the wind.  It struct me as how for 33 years I have watched the awakening of spring at this window and how each year it is as if I see if for the first time.  Nature never ceases to amaze me, never do I tire of its beauty, its presence.  Maybe its this season, the Octave of Easter, that brings it closer.  Its a nice thing, a blessing.

A blessing to your day.

Happy Easter

Wishing you the joys and blessings of Easter.

Good Friday

There is great silence today.

April Showers Doily - Free Pattern

April Showers Doily

Size 10 crochet thread
Size 5 steel hook

Chain 6, join.
1. Chain 3 (counts as 1st double crochet), 11 double crochet in ring, join to top of beginning chain 3. (12 double crochets).
2. Chain 5 (counts as double crochet and chain 2), *double crochet in next stitch, chain 2* around, join to 3rd chain of beg. chain.
3. Chain 1, single crochet in same stitch as join, *4 double crochet in same space, single crochet in double crochet* around, join in first single crochet.
4. Chain 1, single crochet in join, *chain 7, single crochet in next single crochet* around, join to 1st single crochet.
5. Slip stitch into space, chain 3, 8 double crochet in same space, *7 single crochet in next space, 9 double crochet in next space* around, ending with the 7 single crochets. Join to top of beg. chain 3.
6. Chain 4 (counts as double crochet, chain 1), double crochet in next stitch, chain 1 double crochet in next stitch (7 times). *Single crochet in next 7 single crochets, double crochet chain 1 8 times, double crochet in next stitch* around, join to 3rd chain of beg. chain.
NOTE: Piece will start to ruffle at this point but will straighten out by the end.
7. Slip stitch in chain space, chain 1, single crochet, * chain 2, single crochet in next chain 1 space (7 times) chain 4, single crochet in the 4th single crochet, chain 4, single crochet in chain 1 space, * around, join to 1st single crochet.
8. Slip stitch in chain space, chain 1, single crochet, *chain 2 single crochet in next chain 2 space (6 times) *chain 4, single crochet in space twice, chain 4 single crochet in chain 2 space* around, join to 1st single crochet.
9. Slip stitch in chain space, chain 1, single crochet *chain 2, single crochet in next chain 2 space (5 times) chain 4, single crochet in chain space 3 times, chain 4 single crochet in chain 2 space* around, join to 1st single crochet.
10. Slip stitch in chain space, chain 1, single crochet,* chain 2 single crochet in next chain 2 space (4 times) *chain 4, single crochet in chain space (4 times), chain 4 single crochet in chain 2 space*, join
to 1st single crochet.
11. Slip stitch in chain space, chain 1, single crochet, * chain 2, single crochet in next chain 2 space (3 times) *chain 4, single crochet in next chain space (5 times), chain 4 single crochet in chain 2 space, * around, join.
12. Slip stitch in chain space, chain 1, single crochet, *chain 2, single crochet in next chain 2 space (2 times) *chain 4, single crochet in chain space (6 times), chain 4 single crochet in chain 2 space*, around, join.
13. Slip stitch in chain space, chain 1, single crochet,* chain 2, single crochet in next chain 2 space *chain 4, single crochet in chain space (7 times), chain 4 single crochet in chain 2 space* around, join.
14. Slip stitch in chain space, chain 1, single crochet, chain 4, single crochet in each 4 chain and 2 chain space around, join to first single crochet.
15. Slip stitch in chain, chain 1, single crochet, * chain 4, single crochet in next space* around, join to first single crochet.
16. Slip stitch into chain space, chain 1, single crochet chain 4, single crochet in same space, in next space single crochet, chain 4, single crochet, repeat in each space around. Fasten off and block.

April showers bring May flowers.

Monday Menu



Here we are starting a most special week and although what I have found is not a menu it will be an important part of the menu for the Easter meal.  The Easter Bread or Pascha.  I'm not much of a baker but I may try my hand.  The recipe can be found at Crochet by the Sea where my "Sweet Sister Faith" often prepares such wonderful treats.

Why don't you grab your favorite mug and meet me at Faith's kitchen.  It will be a grand gathering.  We may even get some crochet time.  Wait till you see Faith's thread creations.

The blessings of 
breaking bread,