Key Holder

 Have you noticed how your keys always seem to be at the bottom of your purse? My mom complains of that a lot. I'm going to make a drawstring bag to hopefully fix that for her. Cord and size H hook.

 Chain 4, 11 dc in first ch. Ch 3 counts as a dc, so it's 12 dc.

 Join in top of beginning ch 3.

 Ch 3, dc in same stitch. 2 dc in each stitch around, join.

 2nd round: ch 3, 2 dc in next stitch. 2 dc in next stitch, 1 dc in next stitch around. This increases enough evenly to make it lay flat.

 I worked one more increase round before working even for the sides.

 The first round worked even doesn't go straight up for a soft curve between the bottom and sides.

 Big enough around for keys.

 I worked 7 rounds even.

 Then a round of: ch 4, skip next stitch, *dc in next stitch, ch 1, Sk next stitch,  dc in next stitch. Repeat from * around. Join. Then a decorative round of sc in next stitch, ch 3. Finish off.

 Then I made a chain for the drawstring. Its long enough to go around and to loop around a handle so the bag won't get lost in the bottom of your purse.

 Looping around the handle...

Pulling the strings tight will keep keys in and let the bag safely down into the purse. By making more increase rounds at the bottom, you can make a bigger bag. You can use plarn, thread, or yarn for different textures. I'm going to have to make one of these for myself, and maybe a few to try to sell at craft fairs! It used about half of the spool of cord.

Craft Fairs

 I hear "You should sell your items at craft fairs!"

I have tried.

 I'm always disappointed.

 Then I wonder...

 Is $5 too much for an item which took several hours to make?

 Sometimes that $5 wouldn't even cover the cost of materials.

Then, I also have booth costs.

These are all items which I've tried to sell at craft fairs.

I think they are all cute and something I think should sell.

Obviously, they didn't sell.

I guess I'll have to give them to someone.

Or use them myself.

I wonder if they'd sell better somewhere else.

 Mom's bags have sold well at craft fairs and on consignment in a local store, although she had to give the store a cut and didn't make nearly as much.

I sold a shoulder bag to a friend, but I'm not sure I want to sell many at a friend's discount price. So, I'm not happy with craft fair results, but I'll probably keep trying.

Beads

 These snowflakes need to be stiffer than the doilies, so I use white craft glue. After washing, I pour glue on them and gently work the glue through before blocking.

 Even the more intricate patterns are easier to get laid out evenly than a big doily.

 You have to know how many beads each one needs before starting, because all the beads have to be strung on the thread before starting to crochet.

 They look lovely on a Christmas tree...

 Or tied on the ribbon of a present...

Or hanging on a window.

Granny Square Afghan Edging

Finally, I finished the wedding doily for my son and his fianceé, which gives me more time for other projects! Last square of 198 being crocheted in.

 I'm not going to finish this round by ch 3, join in first sc, slip st into ch 5 to start edging round. I'm going to ch 1...

Half double crochet in first sc...

 Ch 1...

 Sc in same loop...

 Ch 3, sc in corner ch 5 loop...

 Ch 5, sc in same loop, work ch 3, sc on next loop across side.

 Same pattern across joining of squares.

I have a long way to go all the way around! Only question then is, what to work on next!

Novelty Yarns

 My daughters like to point to novelty yarns and say, "look, wouldn't that make a pretty......". I think they are teasing because they know I don't like to work with them. Those Nubby yarns don't slip across the hook easily.

 Yes, they do make an interesting project.

 Yes, I have worked with different novelty yarns. I used this in a double strand with some worsted weight yarn.

 It made a lovely, warm hooded scarf.

 I feel like such a babuska.

 The scarf is thick and fuzzy.

 I made the scarf long enough. Then folded it in half. Starting at the fold, I joined the sides long enough to cover the back of my head. Easy!

This 3 ply yarn is 'sport' weight. I like it for baby blankets.

Some people think the strand separates from the yarn and is hard to work, but I don't have that problem.