Presents and WIP'S!

I have started to notice our nights getting chillier and the winds getting stronger. I have sadly put the summer clothes away. 

What I want to show you today is a Christmas gift set. I decided not to make a hat and use an ear warmer instead. I still think the whole set could use a set of boot cuffs when I find a pair that match the stitch I used.

Here is the link I used for the mitts...

Cherry Heart Stripey Mitts

Here is the link I used for the ear warmer...

The Friendly Red Fox

Here is the Christmas gift I made for my sister. I am super proud of them. The gloves got tore out a few time, the buttons ended up on the wrong side of the glove and had to be taken off. Pretty much if I have to make 2 of something one never is the same. This happens to me all the time. I guess its because I am fairly new to crocheting.

Here are the mitts I made out of RH Boutique.

This was my first attempt at the glove and it turned out great. I just happen to have the matching buttons because this is my fave color of yarn.

They are just sc and dc. With a few button loops and picots thrown in. I am a novice and I had no trouble.

This is the ear warmer. Sorry the pic isnt clearer, it was laying on a piece of red tissue paper. It turned out great. FPDC and BPDC gave this real texture and I added my buttons just like hers. Its only an 6-8 round pattern, an evening show is all it takes.

Here are the matching mitts. I loved this pattern. So simple. The buttons just make the look and the picots make the hands look feminine.

All 3 finally done!

I am very proud of this set and that I got another Christmas present out of the way.

I really do think a pair of boot cuffs will even out the set.

I would love to make a set for myself. I have been concentrating on my bald head but I cant make hats so I was hoping a few readers had a few lurking around to donate. The chemo center gets cold 8 hrs at a time and our WV weather is HELL for months. This head is gonna be cold and I have no clue how to make a hat, oh, I have tried but failed miserably.

One more quick project to show you. Its a WIP.

This pattern and picture is from Jocelyn Sass' site. You can find this cute garland snowman at SNOWMAN GARLAND~DOOR HANGER

That is whats its supposed to look like but she has a piece of plastic canvas between her 2 parts of snowman and a am not going that far. I have one pannel and a nose. :-)

Here's mine...

So far, I am loving it. I can see the little arms sticks.

Well thats whats on my hook? 

Ill be back next time with a few more finished projects.

Oh yeah, one more thing...

My first attempt at an angel for my little tree. So simple and sweet.

I found a great site where there are a few really cute things...

The Steady Hand ~10 Angel Crochet patterns

Have a great Halloween and come back and visit again. I love to share.

~CRYSTAL

Did your granny have one when you were little? QUICK & EASY!

Good morning my internet friends. I hate to admit it but I can hardly keep my eyes open. I think after I get this post done its back to bed for me.

Where did fall go?

I was searching the web yesterday and seen this Christmas Pattern. I reminds me of Christmas at my Gran's house. She had one made, it was a little worse for wear. She filled it up with candy canes.

Here is the link to the Chistmas Bootie...

CHRISTMAS BOOTIE FROM 24 FOOT STREET 

CROCHET.

As soon as I seen it I knew it had to be made in the hopes of my children keeping it and passing it on.

Here are a few pictures of mine in progress...

13 one round white granny squares...

13 granny's with the red attached and you can see the green 3rd round to finish them out. They took a morning.

Here is the little bootie I made out of my 13 granny squares. The pattern page has a great diagram if you need that to put it together.

This pattern calls for a can inserted inside so it can stand up to maintain it's shape. Here I used a small hot chocolate can that fit perfect. This will hold the candy canes I am going put in it well.

If you would prefer to make a smaller bootie you can use a smaller cream of mushroom can or make more granny's and use a big coffee can. You pick :-)

Here it is once it is inserted. You just put it in, pull the sides up around and you can see the inside can. 

I just now noticed that I forgot the edging. I will have  to do that before I put it up until Christmas...

I actually made this bootie in a day. May of took me half a day. I used about 1/3 of each color. It took no yarn and it was easy to stitch together.

So there is another Christmas keepsake that I made.

I think the cancer makes me want to make ornaments and things that my family can keep if something would happen to me. You never know, I have several of my moms things that I remember from my childhood and I hope my kids do the same.

Now on to something pretty cool I signed up for and got in the mail...

Yup, your eyes aren't playing tricks. They are crocheted boobs. Made by volunteers, much better, cooler and lighter than the silicone pads you can wear. I got these because I had surgery on both breasts and after they done the biopsy's the breast tissue never filled in and I use these to give me a round figure. They do work and they feel great! They even let you chose a color and they send you extra stuff for filling. 

They are called Awesome Breastforms and you can find them at this link: Awesome Breastforms (free for cancer patients) from Jessie at Home.

I hope you enjoyed hanging out with me today and seeing what was on my hook. I have a few WIP'S in progress but that's for another post. 

~Crystal

Star Garland, its "ALMOST" Christmas ;-)

I am glad you are here. This is my little world of crochet. The reviews are few and far between (except for my regular couple) these days because of my cancer. I just cant try out all those products, and find time to blog about it because I don't feel well a lot of times BUT I feel good today so I decided to share something with you that I whipped up yesterday for a friend.

Yes, I know its Christmas crochet but it will be here before we know it and I made a past post about the gorgeous little pumpkins I made from The Slanted Life. They turned out adorable and I would love to have a horn-of-plenty full of them.

OK, I am a year into crochet. I like to do things that I can finish in a day or 2. My illness or my personality has everything to do with that. I just cant handle too many WIP'S. Sometimes my crochet is a little funky but I have several things I am very proud of so I just roll with it and hope if your not inspired by my work the idea plants in your head to make your own STAR GARLAND. You have to have a Ravelry account but if you crochet I am sure you do, and if you don't? GO SIGN UP RIGHT NOW!

http://www.ravelry.com/

I wanted to make something festive for my girlfriend because she has been so good to me through my bad days. She walks across town to spend her day here if my house needs attention, or just because.

Here is my Star garland. 

I love grannys. I cant help myself. I love the "kitch" of them. So I went on a Pinterest hunt (ya'll know how I love Pinterest) and every garland I seen was a paid pattern. This was one of the free ones off Ravelry and its just my style. 

Here is my little 3 round wonky star. I could have taken a picture of one of the best ones but I snapped this one so this is it. :-)

Just regular old granny stars.

The "rope" that the stars are hanging on was done by finger crochet. I wanted the rope to be big enough to hold up to the heavy look of the stars. I added the tassels on the end. 

I think its ready to be hung anywhere. 

It turned out really cute and I am halfway on my way to making one of my own with a twist or two.

So that's my contribution to the blog today.

I have a couple WIP'S in the works to show all of you, I am in the Christmas spirit so don't be surprised at what you see!

Thanks for being here today. 

I appreciate it.

~Crystal

My Crochet Pumpkins and a sneak peak at a X-Mas gift!

Good Afternoon!

I know I haven't updated a lot here lately but I have so much running to do since I got sick that I never have time to post what I have finished or what's even on my hook!

You notice the writing is orange. Well, the leaves are changing here in West Virginia and fall is my favorite season so orange writing it is!

I need some happy and calm in my life at the moment and sitting on my back porch with a cup of tea, watching the leaves blow and feeling the cool fall breeze on my harsh chemo head makes for a special day. Any day I can enjoy the outside is a blessing for me.

I have had some serious issues with the cancer lately. I got an abscess tooth and although I knew and had planned to have them pulled my Dr jumped right in and said no more chemo until the teeth come out. So I decided to have them pulled. All of them. All 17. Thank goodness they put me to sleep. So as I write I have a mouth full of stitches but I am not hurting and maybe this will move us on down with the chemo appointments. As of now I am a month behind. Good news though. The tumor has moved. I can tell because its in my rib cage. Hopefully this means that its getting smaller. God only knows, and I pray about it and I have so many people praying for me that that should count, shouldn't it? 

Ok back to what we are hear for.

I wanted to crochet something seasonal that I can keep or my kids will be able to keep. My mom still has things she made when we were kids and I am 42 and I love seeing them.

I got on Pinterest (which I love) and found a great little pattern for these pumpkins.

Here is the link for them, and this is a great blog as well.

The Slanted Life Pumpkin Picture Tutorial~Easy

Her pumpkins are gorgeous the way she embellished them, and she used shabby chic colors as well. Pumpkins can be any color and hers are lovely. Plus its an easy pattern. I made one every evening just piddling around and I really enjoyed making them. The pattern is clear and easy to follow.

Here are the ones I made...

The gourds my partner Bub found growing beside the road in front of our sidewalk where we park. Must have been in the air or in some trash or something. A VERY strange place to find gourds and yesterday I noticed squash blossoms. I plan to go out and pick them so I can use them in our dinner soon.

I made them from my Cleckheaton yarn and it worked out great. These were so easy. Single crochet in the round. Once to right height, stuff, close up and make your little stem. I glued mine on. The yarn pulled around the pumpkin was super simple too.

She explains everything so well on her blog.

Go check it out, there are 3 sizes to chose from but you could keep going and make a big one!

This is what the backs of them look like. The little brown and orange one I stuffed with shredded paper that you put in gift bags. It worked out fine. You can stuff with basically anything. Just make sure you leave a hole big enough to stuff, and when you pull your yarn around to make the little indention's don't pull so tight you snap your yarn, and its best not to use a plastic darning needle. You really need something a little more sturdy to get through the pumpkins all the way.

So that's my addition to my Thanksgiving decorations this year. I think they are adorable, and I may make a few more and embellish them and put them in a horn-of-plenty with foliage and little gourds. So many ideas for these little cuties!

Now for the sneak peak at a Christmas gift for a family member. 

Here is the link...as soon as you see the words you KNOW they are going to be cute as heck and an easy pattern to follow. 

Cherry Heart Stripey Mitts

Please excuse the nasty arm, my chemo has made me look like a pin cushion and you can see where the pic line made a scar. What we go though....:-(

This is the start of the mitts. The are super easy, made in rows until the thumb hole.

Here is one mitt finished. The buttons made the cutest touch. I just happened to have buttons in various shades to match the Red Heart Boutique. Its thin and soft and made a perfect fit.

Now, I just have to make another exactly like this one. HA! Mine never turn out exactly the same when I have to make 2's of something. We shall see how this works out.

Rounding out the gift I plan to make a wide ear warmer in the same yarn with the same buttons. Should be cute, make a perfect gift and I know it will be worn and appreciated.

So that's my update this time. I try to get on as much as possible.

I have something else on my hook but its a WIP and I will save it for next time.

I am keeping good spirit's and crochet and the blog helps. I love having people come here and share.

If you pray say a prayer for my health.

I need all I can get, prayer works!!

Have a great rest of the day!

~Crystal

Finished Scoodie and WIP

Good Afternoon!

I know its been awhile but I wanted to have something to show you. 

I am working on a new laptop so I hope this turns out fine.

Since my diagnosis I have been thinking about our West Virginia weather and my bald head from the chemo.

The Scoodie (hat and scarf made together) I just made (took 2 weeks of on and off crocheting) is made from Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable since its so soft.

The pattern calls for regular DK yarn but I used thinner yarn and a larger hook.

Here is the link I used for the Scoodie pattern. Mine is different (just buy a few rows here and there) but the jist of it is taken from this pattern. It was simple, easy and very, very pretty once I got it done. When I put it on I feel like my head and neck is wrapped is the finest yarn.

Harlequin Hoodie from Ravelry.com

Here are a few pictures of my work...

This is of the whole thing finished. It called for a border but since I put an extra row on mine I just let the "flutter" of the yarn be the edging. Plus the edging would have added about an inch and a half and it would have stuck too far out around my face.

This is the hood once I got it finished.

You can see how the start of the scarf part sticks out around my face. That's the bottom burgundy you see.

This is the whole thing laid out. I put an extra few rows on my scarf, that way when I wrapped it, it would be full and not let the cold air in.

This is the hat, it just got seamed up the back. Very easy.

This is the scarf, I made about 12 rows.

Since I dont have a head to put it on, I decided to show you on myself. I didnt want to (look at those circles) but I wanted to show you what it looked like on. I need a head. Any kind of head. Even Barbie Beauty shop head will work. I havent ordered me any wigs, I feel some way about that, so I have nothing to show my work off the right way. I know you dont care to see me without makeup in all my plain glory. Sorry :-)

I am THRILLED with how this turned out. The deep, rich colors made this perfectly neutral. I used the jewel tones red heart Boutique Unforgettable (I cant remember the name, they are sold jewel tones. Dumb me thought I had another skein but I didn't so I put the Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable in burgundy's so it would match the hat. It turned out lovely and you cant even really tell that I swapped out yarns. 

Since I used thinner yarn, this project doesnt hold its shape like regular arcyrclic yarn does.

It makes no difference, it worked out fine for me. 

Just remember to adjust your gauge and hook accordingly.

Now I have one more WIP to show you.

This is another fall project with my cancer in mind. I go to take my chemo and its cold sitting there for hours in that chair, so I decided to make me a poncho.

Once again in Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable only in the blues and teals this time. I guess this is close to my favorite yarn that I can get locally. I am in love with the way it feels, the way it works up, and all the color ways of the skeins are just gorgeous. IMO :-)

I am only started on the basic part of the wrap. It does have a collar but I have several more rows to go to get there.

Here is the link I used....

Ravelry, Cozy Cowl Neck Poncho

Free Crochet Pattern, Cozy Cowl Neck Poncho, Lion Brand

I am really working on this as its going

 to be perfect with jeans for fall. Its soft and muted and I cant wait to get it done.

This is the end project. I can only hope mine looks this good and comfy.

Its adorable and perfect for my favorite outfits. This is going to get worn a lot come fall. Its just too pretty to pass up.

Well, that's it for me today.

I have been really sick. They changed my chemo and its affecting me different so I am not on much but I wanted to share my projects and progress with all of you.

Please stop by again. I love having you to talk too.

~Crystal

Feeling Good...About Hats

Hello everyone! I decided to take a minute and post a few things. My life has been so crazy since the diagnosis, it seems like I am always on the road. I swear I think I see the doctors more than my family. 

That's not what I want to talk about, lets forget about cancer for right now.

I have always looked at the crochet hats. The few times I have attempted to make one it has not turned out well. 

I found this really pretty slouchy hat made in the exact yarn I had in my stash. 

Here is the link, its from Ravelry and Revee. 

AUDREY SOPHIA SLOUCHY HAT

This is a great beginner pattern. The brim is made in rows, and the rest is just plain crochet. No decreases to confuse you. (or me)

Here are a few pics of the one I made. 

My first hat.

That is the brim. About 85 rows, but make yours to fit. The pattern calls for 90+ rows but that was to big.

I made this out of Red Heart Boutique. The yarn is thin so this is a hat that I may actually wear. I have no hair now so I need something to keep me warm this winter. 

I think it turned out pretty good for a first time. I have made this pattern 3 times already. 

This is the same pattern  (rows and v-stitch) only the yarn is RHSS in charcoal. Its heavier so this will make a good winter hat. I started this one for my partner.

I just realized it looks really long here because I had to turn the picture around but its the perfect size to slouch. You can basically chose how much slouch you want. You can make this hat custom to fit.

Once my son seen it he had to have one too so I started another in the same gray.

Here is my last hat I completed. I got this pattern from a cancer site. This pattern was so simple I had no trouble at all. 

Here is the link to the pattern. Its gorgeous the way they have it styled on the website. 

CROCHET SHELL BEANIE PATTERN

I am pretty proud of this one. I feel like I actually made something wearable and cute. I used my Cleckheaton Australian Superfine Merino for this hat. 

Well, that's it for me today. 

Sorry I am not here more often but it seems like my concentration is gone. I just cant get interested.

As far as my health, the chemo has not made me sick yet. That's a huge blessing. I don't know why I got so lucky but I'll take it. My life is in 21 day spurts these days. 

I am positive, I am smiling, I am here. 

That's all I can ask for.

Thanks for being here with me today.

Hope you liked my hats, and try your own. 

These patterns are very easy and quick. In an evening you can have a hat :-)

TALK TO YOU SOON!