HAPPY WIP'S & THANKSGIVING

From our house to yours, much blessings!

I am trying to really stay up to date on the blog but I had a Dr. appointment every day last week!

I have much to be thankful for though so I am not going to complain. 

Before I start with the all important crochet I want to count a few of my blessings this year.

1. I am thankful to have God in my life.
2. I am thankful that I have a loving family.
3. I am thankful for my partner.
4. I am thankful for my children.
5. I am thankful for my health (no matter how the cancer affects me).
6. I am thankful for my friends.
7. I am thankful we are comfortable.
8. I am thankful my grandfather's cancer is in remission.
9. I am thankful for this past year, I can only hope next year is a little better.
10. I am thankful for this blog and YOU, my special friends and followers.

Of course that isn't everything but I think its a great top 10. I could go on and on but let's get to the crochet!

I have a few things I want to share with you. First off, if you find mistakes blame it on the fingernails! I have found it is almost impossible to type with nails!

All of these projects I am going to share with you are WIP's. My attention span isn't all that good and I always have a couple things going on at one time. I get bored with working on one thing all the time. Although, I think I probably should because it takes awhile to complete them all.

This morning I woke up to 38 degrees and streaming sunlight, this was at 7 a.m.

Know what popped into my head?

SNOWFLAKE GARLAND'S!

Why? Why bring on the stress and misery of winter in West Virginia? Because I love Christmas decorations and I especially love to decorate my tall, skinny, primitive tree.

So I got up and got out my yarn and hook and immediately started searching Pinterest for a pattern. I always end up at Attic 24 or Cherry Heart.

I found a perfect, easy snowflake at Attic 24 and I just decided to go with it and make a garland.

Yes, they could benefit from some blocking but they are so easy and cute!

Only 3 rounds makes it easy to go on to the next one. I decided to make 2 round, 3 round snowflakes and join them together as I go.

They are not perfect but neither am I. 

I try to remember that as I crochet because I always want everything to look perfect.

I finally got a long crochet hook so I can try Tunisian Crochet. I am very interested in the look of it. I got a little started as you can see here. Its easy so far but it's rolling up. I know I watched a tutorial on why and how not to let it roll but I can't remember the specifics so I need to look it up. 

I just couldn't help but try it immediately although I know I need to really study it.

I love to learn new stitches and new ways to crochet.

I have been thinking about winter. I got a new black coat that begs for some light so I decided to make the DARK COMFORT SHAWL from OOMBAWKA with a black yarn with a silver streak running through it.

It's the perfect yarn for this coat.

Here is a little progress....it's a basic granny pattern with a slightly scalloped edge.

Darn it! It so blurry :-(

Isn't it pretty? I think it's going to look so nice. I bought black gloves with what looks like silver leaf on top of the hands. I cant wait to finish it.

I haven't been working on it continuous because I have been only working on it as I travel back and forth to chemo, and while I sit in the chair. 

It is at it's halfway mark.

Please excuse the bed picture. It was really early this morning when I took the shot. You can tell the sun is streaming in. 

Here is the yarn I used, it came from Hobby Lobby. I can't say I was impressed with their yarn prices. I had never been there and they had lots of nice yarn but I paid more than I wanted for 3 skeins, 252 yards of I Love This Yarn, in Black Metallic.

I can say this yarn is soft and it needs to be since it has the metallic thread running through it and it will be against my neck.

All in all I am happy with the way this WIP is turning out. I can't wait to wear it!

Here is something else I am working at. It's a simple hat pattern, made in rows instead of rounds.

Here is the link to the pattern for you.

EASY RIBBED POM-POM BEANIE AT ALL ABOUT AMI

EVERY time I make a hat in the round it comes out looking a little like the hats that the rice paddy workers wear. I know why, it happens every time, I am not much of a counter. (red face)

I am using a yarn that I am having trouble with. It is Lion Brand Homespun. I love this yarn, the colors are gorgeous, and it is so soft but it's what I call a curly yarn. I can not see my stitches because of the bulky yarn. 

I am trying hard to make it look good, this pattern is made in back loops so they are almost impossible to keep straight.

A more experienced crocheter could probably whiz right through it but it has hindered my progress.

Isn't the color gorgeous? I just love it. My mom bought me this yarn when I first got diagnosed and I was in the hospital. I couldn't use it then, but I plan on finishing this hat for my partner, John. He needs a nice warm toboggan for the WV winter. He spends his days outside so I know he gets cold. He will be surprised with this, it matches the new coat he just bought. He does not know this. :-)

So that's my update this time.   

If I do not get back to the blog before Thanksgiving please forgive me. Either I will be eating with my family or I will be sick and home in bed because I have chemo the day before.

Much blessing to you and your family! 

(If you are reading from somewhere that does not celebrate our American holiday, much blessings to you and your family as well!)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

~Crystal