I Can't go to a Yarn Store Anymore

My girls like to tell me not to go to certain stores alone because I tend to buy too much yarn, or books, or plants. So, when I saw that Michael's was having a yarn sale, I asked them who is going with me? My older girl wanted to. Great. I wanted several colors for some projects (afghans, mostly).   I got several and then......my daughter, who was supposed to stop me from buying too much, found picture frames on sale. She had gotten a cart (big mistake). After she picked out a selection of different sizes, SHE saw some yarn she wanted for an afghan. Well,  she wanted me to make it. So not only did she not stop me from getting lots of yarn, she bought more yarn for me!

She asked for this ripple pattern, so that's my newest work in progress.

My lead time is disappearing fast.

How did that happen? I hoped to have my December afghan nearly finished by now, instead, I'm only a little over a third of the way finished! Well, I unraveled the first square three times before I got it right. Then, my younger daughter told me that she needed a baby blanket for a dear friend's baby shower. That slowed me down, but I did get that blanket finished before the shower.

Then, I remembered that I had promised my daughter-in-law a crocheted nativity set. I had started it last year and my older daughter said it was so cute that she wanted one, too. Ok. It IS cute. I want one too! I told them that this is a several year project. This year, they get Mary, Joseph, a manger, a star, and a baby Jesus. I have to make 2 more Josephs and that project will be finished for this year. 

I may be cutting it close to finish my afghan!

I'm getting an early start on my December afghan

Last week, a friend posted on Facebook that she was looking for a "peppermint candy"afghan. I thought that looks a lot like the pattern I wanted to make for December. It's close, but not exact. The pattern I'm making is on redheart.com. It's called peppermint throw and pillow.  I'm not going to make the pillow. I think the afghan by itself is strikingly pretty. It's marked as expert skill required. At first, I thought that's just because it's big and will take a lot of time. Then I started it! I had to rip out several rows 3 times before I understood the instructions. That was so frustrating. I did finally get it. The pattern said to make all 42 of the big circles and all 30 of the little squares before sewing them together. I want to see progress, so I'm sewing them as I make them. So far, I have 4 big circles and 2 little squares made and sewn. Yes, this will take a while to make.

Halloween Afghan

I've ignored my advice about lead time and this afghan won't be ready for this year. I'm still not sure what colors I'll be using! Yellow and orange, for sure. I want a third color, but which? Brown? Burgundy? Black? I'll have to ask my daughter who has an October birthday. She likes Halloween.

 The basic pattern will be very like this, except the granny squares will be 3 rounds, instead of 4.

Also, I intend to join the squares by joining in the back loops. I just like the looks of this join.
So, I'll start with a few rows of yellow squares. Then, I'll start adding a few orange squares randomly, more squares of orange each row until each row is only orange. Then, I'll add squares of the third color, randomly, until each row is only the third color, then I'll put a border row of each color for 3 rows of border.
Simple, easy, and easily customizable by changing colors to whatever you choose.

Halloween Afghan

I've ignored my advice about lead time and this afghan won't be ready for this year. I'm still not sure what colors I'll be using! Yellow and orange, for sure. I want a third color, but which? Brown? Burgundy? Black? I'll have to ask my daughter who has an October birthday. She likes Halloween.

 The basic pattern will be very like this, except the granny squares will be 3 rounds, instead of 4.

Also, I intend to join the squares by joining in the back loops. I just like the looks of this join.
So, I'll start with a few rows of yellow squares. Then, I'll start adding a few orange squares randomly, more squares of orange each row until each row is only orange. Then, I'll add squares of the third color, randomly, until each row is only the third color, then I'll put a border row of each color for 3 rows of border.
Simple, easy, and easily customizable by changing colors to whatever you choose.

Striped Scarf

My sister's birthday sneaks up on me every year! This year I decided to make an infinity scarf for her.  I still had some yarn in mint green, her favorite color. After I started it, I realized it wouldn't be enough and I knew I'd never match the dye lot, so I bought some white.
Chain 35, using the main color - makes 32 stitches plus 3 chains for the first dc, for a total of 33 stitches. I didn't count how many rows long it was, just measured 66 inches long.
Work dc in 4th ch from hook and in each chain across, 33 dc (first ch 3 counts as a dc in each row).
Ch 3, turn work dc across. Repeat for 20 or so inches. I only put one block of white in the middle.
Tie the white on. Ch 3, using both colors, this carries the color you're not using up a row without any loose strands. Using only white, work 2 rows of white. For the last stitch of the second row, use both colors to carry both colors up to the next row. Every other row you will need to work both colors up to the next row.
Work 6 rows of main color.
Work 4 rows of white.
Work 4 rows of main color.
Work 6 rows of white.
Work 2 rows of main color. Fasten off and work end in.
Work a nice block of white, as little or as much as you like, I worked the block until the scarf was about 42 inches long.
Then tie on main color and work alternating graduated stripes. After the 2 rows of white, fasten off and work the end in.
I then worked a block of the main color until it was 66 inches long.
Fold it in half and join the ends using slip stitch into a circular scarf.

Continue down one side with sc to make an even edging. I find that by working 1 or 2 stitches on the sides of dc stitches makes an even edge, you may need more or less depending on your gauge. After you've worked around, join and fasten off.
Fasten on white on other edge of the scarf and work an edging row.
My sister loved her hand-made, Valerie original. She put it on immediately and didn't take it off. It makes me feel so good when someone like something I've made!

Mending Items

Well, I've made more work for myself. A friend of my sister's had holes in a loose knit sweater that she asked me to mend. Not my favorite task. When I finished, she couldn't find where I had mended it. She was ecstatic. At least she paid me for my time.
Now she has a knit scarf with a hole. She offered to pay me if I could fix it. I'm afraid the yarn has been cut. I don't think I'll be able to match the yarn weight or color.
First step is to put knitting needles in each stitch on both sides of the hole so it won't unravel.
Then, tie on some yarn as closely as I can match.
Then, using a crochet hook, work the yarn through the stitches so they are all fastened and won't unravel. Trying to make purl/knit stitch look a likes. I'm afraid this mend will show.