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!

An update and a Little Doily Bag

Hello! 

I wanted to say Good Morning to everyone, if I have any followers left. 

I just cant keep up with the blog and everything else. My attention span doesn't cover the computer. IDK why but I am just not interested in it.

I did get a post ready for you today though.

I figured a little time out of my day to update and show off whats been going on around here.

This was one day last week. I was waiting on my mom to go to the cancer doctor. Its hard to take a flattering photo when you are so skinny.

This past week here in my hometown was the Cherry River Festival. 

This is my favorite part of the whole parade. These are the Shriner's, and the man in the turquoise dances with this big sword. I have loved him since I was a child. I still do. 

He always does such an awesome job. Usually they are not on a flatbed. Guess parade day is a long one for them. 

This is the Cherry River USS Mopswab. Yes, our little town as its own Navy. Of course its all in good fun.

They shoot this big gun. You can see the smoke from it in the picture. The gun is so loud it scares us every time. 

You have to love festival time. Its the ONLY time besides Feast of the Rampson that anything goes on here at all in this one red light, no grocery store town. 

Did I show you the new hook I got? While I was in the hospitial one of my friends from high school sent it to me. She doesn't even crochet and she picked out the perfect size and everything. 

I love it, it took me a while to get used to the thickness of the hook. Plus, its sugar skulls and who doesn't love that.

I appreciate it so much and it put some sunshine in my normally dreary day.

Thanks Angie.

This is the way my morning goes. I am so tired of shots and stuff but I am just now getting started. Since my cancer is stage 3 non hodgkins lymphoma I have all this stuff to do at home. The blood thinner shots are the worst. 2 a day in the belly. OUCH. :-(

If you pray send one up for me. I sure can use them.

Ok, now for the crochet.

I made this little bag for my niece. She loves for me to make her things. Since my fingers and hands are numb I havent been crocheting much but I had to make this yesterday. It was super easy. Just a rectangle and a doily.....

The pattern came from The Green Dragonfly Blog

It's one of my favorite blogs, and her work is so pretty and easy so far. This is the 2nd or 3rd pattern I have made from that site. 

I know she is going to love it and it didn't take me forever. I like quick things these days. I don't have the attention span. 

Well, that's it for me today folks. Sorry I am not here more often but I am so busy with the doctors. 

My mantra :-)

Have a great rest of the day!

A new Hook from an Old Friend, LOVE IT!

Just wanted to say a quick good morning.

It's hard to get my energy up to blog everyday.

Well, I got something in the mail yesterday that could not have went any better, One of my old friends decided to get me a hook.

Have a look see...

Isn't it gorgeous?

Its make from the sugar skulls an I am in love with it all ready. I hope to start collecting the hooks and yarn bowls. 

It was such a nice surprise on a sick day, wonder how she new? 

Anyway, I am so blessed, and I ADORE the hook.

Thank You!

I hope to be back with you ladies soon, I am still crocheting but its its slow going, 

Until Next Time, 

I am home, but I am soooo tired. Just a quick update :-)

Good Morning :-)

Finally I am up long enough to update the blog. 

Those of you that follow or have been keeping up with the little tid-bits of my journey.

Here is my story....

In June I noticed that I could not breathe well at all.

I made me a Dr.Apt with the only clinic in town, and with only a PA. The first apt he gave me all new med's for bronchitis. I took all those med's, nothing worked.

He took a couple X-Rays and actually told me that my lungs were to long for the x-ray so they took a few more. (my lungs are too long? lol) Now its July. A month later.

My left lung is filled with fluid, the right side about half.

He immediately sent me to our nearest hospital, and once my tests came back they just blurted out,"you have Lymphoma". My mom and I were sitting in the ER room an you could have knocked us both off our chair. Not the best bedside manner when you think you have a chest cold or pneumonia.

So, once I got a tentative diagnosis, they put me in the ambulance and whisked me off to Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC). I went through a multitude of tests, and ended up with a Stage 3 Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Tomorrow I go back to Charleston to the new cancer for the first time. I am so tired of traveling because this mass is right in the way of getting any kind of relief.

I was on the cancer floor for 2 weeks. I just got home on Saturday. I am just not doing well.

I am so tired, there are so many things to do here but I cant move.

The Lymphoma has wrapped itself around my heart and lung and is squeezing my air off. If I would have waited I may not of had any air to breathe at all.

The Lymphoma isn't the only part, I have several "spots" on my kidneys, and I have a spot on my brain. Scary.

The good thing is my Oncologist says that this is very treatable, about 80%. I am supposed to be drinking lots of water to make the mass move, it can be peeded out. So, I cant lay down or get comfy because it feels like I have a foot behind my rib cage and I am holding back Niagara Falls. Its going on 3 weeks with no sleep.

I have a mess of medicine, lots of instructions and have no clue. Babe in the woods.

I don't know if I could handle it if it were not for my partner and my mom. She has really went above and beyond to help me.

I have decided to hire me a housekeeper one day a week, just to catch up because I just cant do it.

No crochet lately, but I am working on a gorgeous wrap (it cold at the cancer center) in Boutique Unforgettable in Berry.

My concentration is not the best so its slow going.

Plans for today? Another trip to Summersville for my white blood cell count and shot.

So, that is my update. 6 rounds of Chemo every 21 days. Say a prayer.

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am still here. The blog wont be up and running to much, I still feel to out of sorts to make sense of it all.

Pretty much, my life just went sideways but I am going to continue with the positive outlook no matter how much I hurt.

I would love to hear you, leave me a message, I am slow but I will get to you. If you can cheer me up I am all for it! 

Thanks for supporting me.

I will update when I can or if I news.

Hopefully I will have a gorgeous wrap to share soon.

Have a great day!

~Crystal

Cancer Diagnosos, NOT Broncitis

I have recently gotten a cancer diagnosis, so I 

will not be on much and Ill update often if you follow me on my A Day In My Life Crochet & Reviews on FB or KRYSTLEWVSCROCHET ON INSTAGRAM.

Happy Hookin!

~Crystal

#MandalasForMarinke and a Spoke Mandala In Her Memory

Hi Everyone!

I am really sorry about not updating the blog like I should but I have been very ill. A bout with bronchitis has turned into walking pneumonia and after almost a month I still can not breathe. Its very scary not to be able to have an air flow, something I took for granted that I will never do again.

Another Dr. Appt on the 6th of July. Wish me luck. The steroids mess with my system. The make me an emotional wreck with some head rushes and spots behind my eyes. I have not been out of the house since June 3rd. I am afraid to go anywhere for fear of passing out. I am sure the light-headedness is my brain not getting enough oxygen. I just hope this round of meds will do the trick. If not its going to be a serious trip to the ER.

My reason for posting today is to pass on the Creative Being blog written by Marinke (Wink). Sadly, she is no long with us because of her long standing issues with depression. She took her own life. 

That hit home with me.

As someone who crochets for stress relief, and suffers from mild depression I can say I have never been in a head space that propelled me to think about taking my own life.

I am grateful for that.

Winks blog was the first blog I found when I started crocheting. I was immediately drawn to her fat bottom granny bags. They were the most gorgeous of all the bags I found. 

I decided yesterday, after reading online all the posts and what was going to be done in her honor, that I would go to her site and crochet one of her much loved mandalas. If you have ever been to the blog Creative Being, you know how Wink felt about her mandala crochet.

I plan to send this one in to be a part of the book that is being put together. 

I made her Spoke Mandala.

It turned out lovely. I had never worked with an elongated double crochet so in her passing she was still teaching what she loved. That is comforting to me.

Using the hashtag #MandalasForMarinke I posted the picture online.

Sadly, I loved making that mandala and I am sad and sorry that there will be no more lovely patterns from her heart. 

Sorry, this is such a short post but I just don't have the energy to go on. I am not crocheting at all at the moment because of the sickness but I will be back on track before long, I hope.

Thanks for being here with me today. If you made a mandala for Wink, leave me a message I would love to hear how they touched you.

Until next time....

~Crystal