Crocheting through the 1st snowstorm of 2016!

Hello to all of you!

We are snowed in here in West Virginia. The snowstorm dumped about a foot so far. It has continuously snowed for 2 days now. Thats a good thing because my partner will be able to get out and work. This is the time of year he makes the best payday. No one wants to go outside and I cant blame them.

Here are 2 pictures of the past 2 days. Its the 1st snowstorm of 2016!

This is the picture from the first day, it was a white out.

Here is a picture from this morning. You can tell by the rooftops how much snow we really got.

Our roads are bad, and there isn't a movement in town. Our stores are even closed. We are thankful that it's not a heavy snow because that's when the power lines get icy and heavy and we don't want the power to go out. 

I have been working on my Masa Bag and it's almost finished but the handles. I tried to take a step by step picture so you could figure out the folding. All the folding instructions I have found have been a little complicated and not real clear. The bag is finished all but the handles, buttons, and weaving in ends. It turned out lovely. This will be the second one I have made.

This is the rectangle. I used chunky yarn so it only took a day to make it. You have to make sure no matter how big or small your bag is, it needs to be the length has to be 3 times the width and you should have no problem at all. 

This is the first corner you fold.

This is the second fold. 

Now once you have both ends folded (you may want to put a stitch marker or a couple darning needles in place to hold those two folds. Now you take the bag and fold it in the middle. Once you get to looking good you notice it folds right into the bag. Easy peasy, right?

I love the look of the Masa Bag and there are so many options to make it your own.

I will get to working on the handles today, and I will get it seamed up. 

A quick, cute bag, what could be better?

Here is something else I am working on. I don't usually do CAL'S because I cant keep up most of the time but I found a CAL from last year and its an Afghan Sampler. 

There will be 20 9 inch squares, 5 rows 4 squares each, 10 sample stitches X's 2. 2 squares a month using one sample stitch. One square in solid colors, and the second square can be in 2 colors. That's 20 9 inch squares. Not hard at all!

Here is my first square.

Here is my first square. Its done in SC in the back loops only. I love how rigid the stitch is. Now the only thing I have to do is make the other matching square. I am not sure if I am going to do a solid square or a couple colors. The instructions say to make the second square in 2 colors but I am seriously thinking about just making mine in just solids. This is a great stash buster!

Here are the colors I am thinking about using. One spring green, and another green that's more of a mossy color, with the cream thrown in I think it will be gorgeous.

The CAL came from the Inspired Wren. 

Here is the link if you would like to look at it yourself.

Afghan Blanket, 20 squares from the Inspired Wren

This is all I have to share with you today. It is so bad out I am going to take a day and just crochet. Maybe I can make some progress.

I hope you have a warm day wherever you are. Make sure you have staples because you never know what can happen.

Have a great day and keep crocheting!

Thanks for stopping by! I will update more once I finish the WIP'S.

~Crystal

New Year Masa Bag

Hello! I know I have been MIA but I have been in the hospital. I had an infection and it stopped my chemo for about 2 weeks. At least I have a break. Although I had an infection that I can't ward off, I was scared that I couldn't get rid of it but with some IV antibiotics and some to take home I am on the mend.  I was in hospital for a week. I got home yesterday and could not wait to get something on my hook.

Here is an image of a Masa Bag....

So I chose another Masa Bag. My first one turned out great. This one I am making in chunky yarn in 2 colors.

I want to show you my progress so far and give you the links in case you want to make your own. These are my favorite bags.

Here are the links to the patterns and folding instructions I used. The folding can get confusing so I gave you the one that was easiest for me.

Easy folding for the Masa Bag

Folding for the Masa Bag, this is a little more complicated

Here is my progress....

I used Navy and a Teal chunky yarn.

This is a close up of my colors. 

You can basically use any stitch as long as the length is 3X's the width.

I chained to 48 cm, your rectangle should be 20 wide by 53 long. If the rectangle is right then the folding should not be a problem. If it is not right you will know because it will not line up.

A quick tip....

Once you fold use a darning needle or stitch markers to hold your folds together.

I think this is going to be the best one yet. The colors are gorgeous and will go great with jeans.

I chained foundation row to 48 cm, then I DC 2 rows, then I HDC in the Navy with a SC for the second row in navy. Then I started the DC again in the teal. It gave it a nice striped effect. I will know more once I have more rows to fold with.

Here is the black one I made months ago. I added buttons where the handles attach, and a button to make a closure.

I used a black tweed chunky yarn and it turned out great. I carry it all the time, and it's just big enough for all my stuff. It looks fuzzy in the picture but it's not. It's the sun making a shadow on the bag. The two buttons in the last pic are where the handles attach.

That's what's on my hook today, what's on yours?

~Crystal

Mitts for Christmas!

I hope your Thanksgiving was a good one.

Ours was so good, filled with food, fun and family.

Now is the time to get on my crochet for Christmas.

I have made 2 pair of fingerless mitts.

One pair in white for my girlfriend...

They turned out so cute!

Very simple, and quick!

Same pattern only it does not show the stitches in black.

Another pair down!

These are for my niece. Not finished yet but soon!

Sissys infinity scarf with an ear warmer to match.

2 colors put together!

Thats it for me so far. I am sorry this post isnt longer but the chemo has made me very ill this time. Its all I had to put this up.

Thanks for looking!

Cya later!

~Crystal

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

Em's Crochet Christmas

I wanted to show you the gift I am making for my 8 year old niece.

She asked for an infinity scarf. She loves pink and purple, with some Red Heart Boutique as the 2nd strand of yarn.

Here is the finished product.

Eventually (soon) it will have fingerless mitts and an ear warmer to go with the set.

It wraps around one time and its so cute. I think she is going to love it.

This is the colors and its so pretty. Its made with regular 8-ply yarn and a fingerling yarn as the 2nd strand. The rest of the set is going to match this pattern. 

Its a simple pattern, just single crochet.

I hope she loves it, and I will update as soon as I get the rest finished.

Thanks for sharing this with me.

I will talk to you again soon.

~Crystal

I need help finding this afghan pattern!

My girlfriend gave me a bag full of crochet pieces that had one row put together. I can not for the life of me find the pattern to put it together. 

This is how it looks...

It hexys with a pretty flower in the middle surrounded by white hexys but for the life of me I cant figure out how they go together.

Here are a few more pics to maybe help someone help me!

You can see how some of them are put together but when I do it, it just doesn't seem to fit.

I have a whole bag of pre-made flowers and they white hexys.

So If anyone knows this pattern and can send me some kind of info or a link it would be greatly appreciated. I am so tired of looking at a huge bag full of crochet that I cant fix!

Thanks ahead of time if anyone can help!

~Crystal

Review:Harvest Snap Pea Crisps from Moms Meet

Brrr.....It's cold in West Virginia this morning. 

I think Maxine has the right idea, I wish it counted!

I have a great snack to share with you this morning. They are called HARVEST SNAPS and they came from the MOMS MEET website.

What’s snappenin’? We’ll tell you: There’s about to be a shift in your snack routine! Thanks for Harvest Snaps, you can serve your kids a snack that’s delicious and nutritious. A handful of any Harvest Snaps snacks supplies your family with high protein and dietary fiber. Plus, with six scrumptious flavors to choose from, we guarantee your whole house will be craving veggies. So grab a bag of Harvest Snaps Snap pea Crisps or Lentil Bean, and start snackin’! - See more at: 

HARVEST SNAPS

Here are some pictures of the samples that came in this HUGE box.

Black Pepper Green Pea Crisps

Caesar Green Pea Crisps

Lightly Salted Green Pea Crisps

Wasabi Ranch Green Pea Crisps

Lentil Bean Crisps in Tomato Basil

Individual Lightly Salted Green Pea Crisps

One day last week as I  was standing outside by the mail box the mail lady dropped of this HUGE box of Snap Peas. There was 2 big bags of each kind, and about 40 sample bags for my guests so everyone can get bags of individual lightly salted snap peas.

Let me tell you, these are good!

My mom and I were at Walmart a week before the box came and we were looking at them and my mom bought a bag. If I would have known I was getting this huge box I would have had her wait, so instead I gave her all the kinds that she didnt buy. My dad and the grand kids loved them.

Here is what Moms Meet says about my sampling pack...

Sample package contents

• Your sample package will contain the following:
  • 40 sample size bags (Lightly Salted) for your group members. Each group member should receive 2 bags.
  • 40 coupons for your group members. Each group member should receive 2 coupons.
  • 2 sets of 5 regular size bags (Lightly Salted, Caesar, Black Pepper, Wasabi Ranch, and Tomato
  Basil). One set is for you to share with your group members and the other set is a gift for yoU.

HARVEST SNAP PEA CRISPS

So I get to throw a Moms Meet party for all my friends and family.

If you havent signed up for moms meet I recommend that you do. They have all kinds of sampling programs. Some are for moms and some are for mom ambassadors who have blogs.

Go ahead and check it out, I LOVE moms meet! I get samples from them all the time. They have rewards and quests that get you points that you can spend for rewards.

I think your family is going to love these crispy peas. They are almost like they are freeze dried. The Caesar is my favorite and the kids love the lightly salted.

They sell them at Walmart so go pick up a bag and see what you think. I bet you will love them as much as my family does.

Moms Meet has all kinds of sampling programs, almost too many to chose from!

Go check Moms Meet out if you like sampling programs with no surverys, just quests that give you points for rewards.

Thanks for reading my review.

This is going to be a great party!

~Crystal