Emma's Name Bunting and a WIP

Hello! I am glad you stopped by to visit!

I have a few things to share with you today. 

First off I am going to start with the project I just finished.

This is a bunting with my niece's name.

It's just a simple triangle in dc, with a sc border to attach them together.

Surface crochet is how I made the letters.

I plan to add little pom-poms at the beginning and end.

Almost finished! It turned out really cute once I got the spacing of the letters to match. It's harder than it looks. This is the first time I have ever done surface crochet. It was fairly easy once I got the hang of it.

The pattern came from Pink Milk.

It's an easy tutorial. I took part of hers and added my flair.

Next on the list is the WIP I am working on.

This crochet blanket was a gift to me in pieces. It came in a huge see through plastic garbage bag. It was basically all made, just not put together. I cant imagine making all these flowers and hexys and not putting them together. 

I couldn't find the pattern anywhere. I did find a quilt in the same pattern and was going to go by that but I decided to ask on the blog and ravelry to see if anyone knew what the crochet pattern was called. To my surprise I got several responses. I finally found the pattern. This is the picture of the blanket made (not mine).

It's really pretty although my colors are different.

Here is another look....

I think it's beautiful.

Here are my bits and pieces.

This is what I have put together so far. 

Now I have to attach the white hexy's to the flowers.

Whoever started this blanket made all the flowers in random colors. I have 12 more flowers with 12 white hexy's around. All the flowers have yellow centers.

I have a lot of whip stitching to do. 

I have a queen sized bed and its going to cover it nicely.

Its thick and is going to be very warm.

I wish I knew who started it so I could say thank you!

I have one more thing to share with you today.

Its not crochet but its so darn cute I had to show you.

Her name is Jezzy...

and I don't know how she went to sleep like this but she did.

Isn't she cute. She is my partner in yarny things. She thinks she is helping.

I am still working on the sampler blanket. I have 8 squares now. Only 12 more to go!

This is just a quick post to share with you today.

I hope you liked all I have going on.

It's hard to concentrate when I have chemo, and all the things that go along with cancer but I am doing it slowly and I am proud that I got all my other WIP'S done.

What's on your hook?

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

I read and answer all comments! I enjoy hearing from you.

~Crystal

Finally finished up my WIP'S!

I am glad you are here!

I have been trying really hard this week to keep up with the blog. I have been crocheting every free second of the day to get these WIP'S done. 

I am happy to say all the bags have straps now, and I am currently working on a past CAL blanket in squares. 

In my previous blog writing you can go back and see the previous square and see what is coming next.

Here are both of my SC squares, one in a bright green and the other in cream and brown. 

One in a solid color and one in 2 colors. I am using the pattern to use my stash yarn. I don't have much stash yarn since I have only been crocheting about a year and a half now and I don't have all kinds of yarn but I am working on it. I need to use up the bits I have so this blanket was the perfect idea.

Here are my 2 squares.

Now I get to move on to the next 2 squares. 

They are basket weave and they are so pretty. I am glad to have these 2 SC squares finished. They take forever and use a bunch of yarn. 

I am happy to move on....

Every month I get a couple 3 bags samples of yarn from the Yarn of the Month Club. 

They send samples and its enough yarn to knit a 5X5 square. I don't knit often, no one would want what I knit, lol. I crochet so the yarn runs out and I have to chose another color. This is ok but I want the stripes on the colored square to match so now I have to be careful and COUNT. I am not the best in counting. I usually don't do it and you can tell. This time I am trying to do my best and count the rows to the colors will be even.

Here is a picture of how the Yarn of the Month Club sends their yarn.

They come in these little bags with the information, stitch count and name on them. Its nice to get them every month and they surprise me with all kinds of all different yarns. This month I even got Raffia. I don't know what I am going to do with it because its just a small amount but I am sure I will use it somewhere.

I had another project that was unfinished and I started to FROG it but I decided to make a loop handle on the side and make it a make-up bag or a bigger clutch. I am not sure how to close it. I have a sewing machine that I can't figure out how to thread. I could put a zipper in but they are such a PITA for me. So the bag sits on my dresser staring at me saying "I need to be finished!" Sadly I can't figure out what to do with it.

It will come to me. I am sure of this. So as of now I only have one unfinished WIP, and the blanket CAL squares. 

I have made progress.

Here is a picture of the grey bag. It has a curvy figure :-) That's my fault for not counting. :-)

Once again I used the Yarn samples from the club. You can tell by the stripes in the bag.

It kinda looks like an hourglass. LOL

That's my post for today.

School is back on track with a 2 hour delay, the sun is shining and my friend is coming to visit on her lunch break today. Maybe she can help me put the colors together for the multi square. I also have a Dr. appointment today so wish me good luck and good news!

Our snow is still deep and the roads are still kinda nasty but at least it's not a white out.

I am thankful I am here to enjoy this winter.

At the beginning of June we didn't know if I would make it this long. We had just received the cancer diagnosis and were scared to death.

I am doing fine so far. GOD IS GOOD AND PRAYER WORKS!

Thanks to all my readers, friends and family's prayers.

Come back and hang out with me on the next post.

Coming Soon!

~Crystal

Finishing up all my Wip's~Boho Tassel Crochet Bag

Good Afternoon!

I found these cute wallpapers. I got them from Lalylala Wallpapers.

There is one for every month. I want to order the basic Lalylala so I can make my niece one. Once you get the Lalylala doll you can get the mods and minis for free. There are over 100 of them so there are a lot to chose from.

I want to share with you a WIP that I forgot about and found yesterday. I finished all but the strap. It just needs to be attached.

Here is the Boho Tassel Crochet Bag pattern from Persia Lou .

This is the bag without the strap. It was a super easy pattern. You just make a doily, and seam it together. I used a cotton yarn, sugar and cream from Walmart. 

This is the bag with the strap. The regular pattern calls for a leather strap that is on a purse but I just HDC a regular strap. It turned out so cute. I need to get a white pillow case and make a liner because I went a hook size up and the holes in the bag are a little big. I don't think that things will fall out, but I believe it needs lined. The pattern gives you the liner pattern too. 

I am super happy with the way it turned out and these would sell great I think. In different colors this will make a cute spring bag. 

One more thing to show you. You know I have been working on my Masa Bag.

Here is the finished product all but the buttons on the sides and the closure. I need to find the perfect buttons and I haven't dug in my button stash to see if I have them. 

These are so easy. Once you get the folding down they just take a couple hours in a chunky yarn. They also work in a regular worsted weight yarn as well.

I just made the strap in the stripe to match.

It turned out well.

Its still a snowy mess here, and the schools are closed but the sun is shining and its not as cold out so today's a beautiful day.

What's on your hook?

Keep crocheting!

~Crystal

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