Look Out Justamoms Learning To Crochet!

My latest afghan

2009-02-17T04:41:00.000-08:00

I started yet another afghan, and I still haven't finished the others. I just couldn't help it the yarn just jumped into my cart and demanded to be made into a afghan. Yup thats exactly how it happened. Its just a basic granny squares nothing fancy. They are a little over 12" so that will make a nice sized afghan, which we wanted for our queen sized bed.

kitchen towels

2009-02-12T14:52:00.001-08:00

I have been wanting to make something for my other mom for the longest time so I finally did. It was funny I had been working on these, then randomly in an email she had said that she could use these. Quite funny what are the odds of that happening. At first I was nervous making my other mom something because to me she is a crochet goddess and I am a beginner. All I have left to do is sew on the buttons. For some weird reason though the color of the tops came out darker in the picture, I did the toppers in red hearts light sage green. I also made her something else but I can't post that as its a secret until she gets it lol.

I call her my other mom because in our family we drop the in law titles. Family is family for us just the way it is.

Heres the link I used for these towels.......

http://www.crochetnmore.com/dishtoweltopper.htm

They also have a couple of different patterns for towel toppers as well as dishcloths etc.....

http://www.crochetnmore.com/

a couple more dishcloths

2009-02-12T09:47:00.001-08:00

So lately I have been a dishcloth kick. There are so many great patterns I just want to try them all.

As I make them I will post pictures and the links to the ones I have tried.

The is first is a fish dishcloth fairly easy. The pattern can be found here.

http://dishclothcorner.blogspot.com/2008/06/fish-washclothdishcloth.html

The second dishcloth is just called dishcloth lol, it works up fast and is very flexible which I love. I am sure it will hold a great lather anyway heres the pattern for it. Comes from Crochet N More.

http://www.crochetnmore.com/dishcloth.htm

I was tagged!

2009-02-09T18:24:00.001-08:00

I was tagged by The Kansas Hooker and I am bending the rules a bit on this 6th picture thing so I will challenge all who reads my blog instead.....I just wouldnt know who to tag lol.

This is my sixth picture that I had posted on this blog, its a vest that was made for me by my Aunt Claire when I was a little one. She was always crocheting something.

Ok back to the 6th picture challenge here are the rules hopefully ya'll can do a better job at then I did lol.

Here are the rules of the challenge:
1. Go to your pictures

2. Take the 6th folder

3. Choose the 6th picture

4. Show the picture on you blog and write something about it.
5. Invite 6 new people to this challenge.

6. Link to them and let them know they are challenged.

Just a couple dishcloths

2009-02-08T20:49:00.001-08:00

Diamond Dish Cloth very easy to work up. I love the fact I can hang these without having to put them in a drawer. I made these for my mom although she doesn't know that. Here is the link to the pattern. http://www.kaleidesigns.com/crochet/patterns/archive/dish005.html

I'm down for a bit

2009-01-30T19:36:00.001-08:00

Uck......I am having dental issues right now so will be down for a bit. I have been blessed with one wall banger of an infection that is taken a bit to get rid of. I am also on all sorts of meds but figured I better post while I am somewhat lucid. So far the meds are helping it took awhile before they kicked in but finally they did. The worst part is I had to put the crochet down because I kept messing up, I just cant think straight.

I know I will have to have a couple of teeth pulled, really not looking forward to that as I am terrified of dentist so that should be real fun. I actually pity the dentist lol.

My very first beanie hat!

2009-01-24T07:52:00.000-08:00

I was up late watching some movie really wasn't into it, so I decided I wanted to see how hard this would be for me to learn to make. Although its not perfect I am thrilled it resembles a hat!

Heres the link to the pattern for those who want it. I do suggest going with a bigger hook, this size hat is nice but probably wouldn't fit an adult head.

http://www.allfreecrafts.com/crochet/beanie.shtml

Real Snow

2009-01-23T10:12:00.000-08:00

I love this picture. My brother sent it to me. He lives in Michigan. Soooooooo glad we don't get that mess here. Just thought I would share to everyone what real snow looks like lol. He took this picture shortly after their vacation to Walt Disney World, can you imagine their surprise coming from 80 degree weather to come home to 5 ft of snow.......Oh heck no......

Its amazing to me though how much things have changed. I remember walking to school in snow drifts that went past my knees, now of days they cancel school for a couple of inches lol........but then again we don't get snow like that anymore. What really nails me, is where we live they don't cancel it for ice but will for a couple of inches of snow makes no sense to me, but thats ok I will just cancel school for my boys. If I can't get off the front porch without busting my backend how can I expect them to???

The latest on my afghans

2009-01-17T16:38:00.000-08:00

Ok normally I wouldn't put my kids pic up like this but the afghan is getting bigger and I needed help. This is my youngest son Jacob holding the brain dead afghan and the nine patch that I am working on. Funny thing is I am further along than this but wont post another pic till I am done.

Just some recent squares

2009-01-17T16:32:00.001-08:00

Figured I would post some of my recent squares......

The first set is square patterns I found online excuse the tails I know not attractive, they also could of been arranged better but it was freakin cold outside lol.......bad thing is the only one I can remember the name of is the last one and its called arches or something like that.......good grief my memory is really shot these days.

The second picture is just basic grannies and they arrived today in Virginia.......

I am really liking the square thing!

Just one of those moments

2009-01-07T21:32:00.000-08:00

I had one of those moments where I seriously don't know how it happened. Last Sunday I had fixed a family dinner Cody's girlfriend had came over for dinner. I had fixed fried chicken, mashed taters and gravy and corn. So I have dinner almost done and I had been washing dishes in between cooking I had managed to cut my finger of all things on a slotted spoon. I still for the life me can't figure out how I was able to cut chicken, slice taters with a knife without incident, but yet cut my finger washing a spoon. That has got to be the stupidest thing I have ever done.

What really cracked me up though was Cody was right there for me, he helped me get my finger bandaged up. I think he was afraid I was going to faint again, the last time I cut my finger although a long time ago, i was washing a glass the glass broke on my finger and had nailed me good, I saw the blood and fainted my poor mom had to walk me to the couch. So I think that is why he jumped on it, at the same time what a kid!

I'm just greatful his girlfriend has a sense of humor, you definitely need one here. Never a dull moment!

Just Thrilled

2009-01-07T21:09:00.000-08:00

Today (Wed) our youngest son Jacob had his final Dr.s appointment for his arm. He broke it literally in two and one bone was laying on top of the other and had to have two surgeries back in October. One heck of a football game with friends but he got the touchdown at least. I seriously doubt he will ever play football again the way they played. Who knows why kids do the things they do, they had made the goal lines the sidewalks at the school and he was tackled on the sidewalk. I do not ever want to go through that again. I am however amazed at his strength through it all he was stronger then his old mom here.

Just the same its over its finally over, no more weekly doctor visits, no more x-rays, no more cast I think he had at least five different cast through all of this. No more long waits and missed school well until he catches a cold or something.

Was so funny we got out to the waiting room and there was no one in there he threw up his arms and said "I'm Free!" and then proceeded to do a little happy dance, he's my comedian or so he thinks. Granted that was the highlight of his last Dr. appointment but I also got a kick out of the Dr.s reaction, he had just released him to being able to do gym activities only to find out that they are doing a rollerblading unit in gym, he was really thrilled to say the least.

I'm just so glad its over.

Crocheting so far I have four afghans I am working on, hoping to finish one soon and another getting closer to the end. I think I get tired of looking at the same stuff for awhile and just start new projects, although I am not going to start anymore afghans till I can get these completed I still work with thread and have made a few more dishcloths. I also have made squares so I can learn new patterns. I do find it harder and harder though to not buy yarn, I am trying to stick with buying what I need for now. I also have kinda learned how to do graphs I am just having a hard time with making the graph itself as for some reason the graph maker ads little gray squares and I don't know if I need those or not, I tried to regraph it by hand but got really frustrated with that, it didn't go well at all. The stitching part I am fine with it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.

I'm also trying to decide if I want to be adventurous and learn how to knit, a part of me wants to learn the other part wonders if I would ever be coordinated enough to figure it out. I'm not exactly graceful when it comes to things like this.

The best gift ever!

2009-01-01T18:31:00.000-08:00

I just had to show this off. This is a quilt block my nephew Jordan made for me for Christmas. Please excuse the turkey box under it, it was 20 degrees outside so it was a quick picture to take. Didn't feel to pleasant barefoot lol.

It's amazing to me how fast 2008 has come and gone. Time just doesn't stand still.

For the most part we had a wonderful Christmas I really enjoyed spending time with our family and our friends who stopped in later that day. I had gotten the biggest crack up out of our youngest son Jacob who is 13. I had asked him what he wanted for Christmas he just tells me underwear and socks. OK this is doable but what else give me something to work with. It just made me laugh so hard because this is a kid that would hand me Christmas list at the beginning of December which would be filled with electronics and games and such, and so he tells me few days before Christmas he wanted undies and socks.....

Our oldest son Cody is pretty easy going he didn't ask for much as well but we pretty much knew what he needed and wanted so his was easy. He is 17 now. He pretty much buys what he wants hes been working for over a year now.

I am however relieved that the turkey is almost all gone one round of homemade turkey noodles and I wont have to see another turkey for awhile. While I love turkey I just get so sick of it.

To me it seems like it gets harder and harder every year though the older they get to shop for them. You can walk into any store now and it seems more geared towards little kids, and most of the stuff is for girls. So ya that really don't help me much.

Our New Year was actually a pretty mild one for us. I really enjoyed it. Normally we have chaos at New Years we would have friends in and out and go house to house. This year we had a quiet one watched movies and snacked on crackers and cheese. When midnight struck we stood on the porch and watched the fireworks people were shooting off. I love small towns. It was quite beautiful though to see the fireworks, and in a weird way it gave a sense of hope that maybe just maybe this will be a better year.

Here's to a New Year may it bring Love, Peace and Happiness to everyone.

Another Doily

2008-12-04T11:28:00.000-08:00

This is the Cutie Pie Doily from Panda Crochet. This is the third doily I have ever made and so far the best one I have made yet. I made this for a dear friend of mine I really hope she likes it. She is always doing something for other people and I just wanted to make something for her.

I also made a bookmark using the shell stitch, it started out to be a sachet but really became mind numbing for me for some reason so I ripped out several rows turned it into a bookmark.

I really want to try a bigger doily now just to see if I can do it.

Just a small doily and dishcloth

2008-11-30T14:52:00.001-08:00

I made the small doily last night. I really want to keep working with thread as well as yarn but I want to keep practicing. I want to make a bigger doily eventually.

The dishcloth is a 9" square I also made one in 8" just to see what size I liked better. I love these dishcloths the thickness of them and the size are just wonderful. Never again will I buy dishcloths!

Nothing really to update on my afghan, I am still making granny squares for it. I know I could of had the afghan done by now but I picked up thread and a hook and started to play.

I also have to finish a blanket which is not crochet, I am making for one of my nephews I started it awhile back I just need to sew on the finishing edge. Its really neat though, the blocks are all Americana type blocks and the back is navy blue. When I get that done I will post a pic of that.

I am also going to make something for my niece and my other nephew but not sure what yet, I have been thinking about crocheting them each a round ripple afghan.

I just want them to have something that I made. Probably sounds corny but I don't get to spend time with them, like I would like to. This way they will always have a part of me with them.

Shades of the past!

2008-11-28T20:37:00.001-08:00

I got the biggest crack up today. I have been looking for this pullover forever, I go to start laundry and there it was laying on top of the dryer. My oldest had found it and washed it for me. How cool was that.

Anyway I thought I would share this. My dads Aunt Claire had made this for me when I was just a little chit. Somewhere floating around my parents house is a picture of me wearing this when I was little.

She had passed away years ago but I still have very fond memories of her. She was the greatest, wonderful sense of humor and loved to pick on us kids. I also remember she did crochet a lot but sadly I can't remember what.

I was so happy Cody found this, I had started to think it grew legs and walked off somewhere......Now to find the ripple afghan my Grandma had made me when I was a kid! I know its put up but I can't remember where I put it lol......I'm really good at that.

I have always kept everything that was made for me, to me that is the best gift anyone could receive. Till next time! =)

What I Am Thankful For

2008-11-14T14:22:00.000-08:00

Recently I received one of those emails that are similar to the Myspace surveys and questions games asking me what I was thankful for, that friends and family send. Although I didn't respond to it or forward it on to my friends and family I am just going to put it here.

I am most thankful for my wonderful husband and our two boys I can't imagine anything without them, they are my everything. I am thankful for our families through all the years their love and support has gotten us through some very difficult times. I am also very thankful for our dearest friends they have also been through some real fun times with us, its never been a dull moment here.

I am also thankful for humor, if I wasn't able to laugh I would definitely cry.

Although I posted this a little early I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.
God Bless!

My newest wip and update on afghan

2008-11-12T10:04:00.000-08:00

Ok so I learned a new nickname wip= work in progress......I love that I learn something new everyday lol........

Anyway I started my very first shawl here is what it looks like so far, I ran out of yarn oh the horror...... I found my first pet peeve about crocheting I absolutely despise running out of yarn! Don't mind the crinkle lol I forgot to smooth it out before I took the picture my bad.......I really wish I could remember where I found the pattern for this I would post a link to it as it was sooooo easy and a very fast working pattern. Great for a noob like me!

Yay I have an update go me! This shawl is called bottom up granny shawl and I found the pattern here I am so glad I found it again. It truly is an easy pattern to follow.

My update to my nine patch I have a whopping 8 more rows to go I am so thrilled how its coming along. I cant wait till its done but will a post a finished afghan pic. I can now officially make the basic grannies without looking, which really comes in handy when CSI Miami is on tv yup I am a sucker for the red head lol......

I'm going to close this out with a link that literally has over 1,000 crochet projects be sure to check them out I can guarantee your eyes will never be the same.......

My HQ

Side Tracked!

2008-11-06T09:24:00.000-08:00

I keep getting side tracked while working on my nine patch. Wonder if this is normal.......I have recently made clothesline clothes from Vanna's book once I get the final touches done I will post a pic. Then last night I made a rug for my bathroom to set in front of my washer and dryer as well as trying to learn new blocks. I also made my very first kitchen towel topper, it turned out ok I seriously need to practice this one.

I have decided to try thread crochet again, but no guarantees because it just hurts my hands, living with oa really does n't help much. I would so love to do this and make doilies.

I really appreciate all the hard work that goes into these projects. I also do counted cross stitch so I know about time and pain! The results are always worth it in my opinion.

I don't know why it took me so long to look at yarn companies websites there is are a lot of great free patterns on their sites. Here is a few links that I have bookmarked.

Bernat

Red Heart Yarn

Yarn Market

Caron

Lion Brand Yarn (membership required to view free patterns)

Cascade Yarns

Coats and Clark

Lily Sugar & Cream

Berroco

NY Yarns

Crocheting with plastic bags

2008-11-02T11:39:00.001-08:00

Ok so I have been crocheting my plastic grocery bags as I get them. I don't know why, I just wanted to try it. I think I will turn what I have into a plastic bag holder. Its actually quite addictive.
There are so many things you can crochet with plastic bags.

Here are a couple of links to check out. Also do a search through google on crocheting with plastic bags it will turn up quite a bit. There are also a couple of videos on youtube as well.

HGTV

Canadian Living (I love this one I wish we had that blue of plastic bags)

Thrifty Fun (one of the many ways to make a rug out of plastic bags)

nine patch granny afghan update

2008-11-02T09:14:00.000-08:00

So far I have four rows assembled, I did have a little mishap with the first nine patch square which I was able to go back and fix. The first picture shows the fixed square and my lovely mailbox shadow, and the second shows the mishap I had. I take my pictures outside as the flash has stopped working with our camera, but the porch is new we are also in the middle of remodel chaos.

Once again if you would like the pattern I got it at All Free Crafts. Click Here For Link.

My very first 8" blocks

2008-10-28T08:58:00.000-07:00

Not bad first time out, I seam to struggle a bit with tension though. I had a heck of a time reading and understanding some of the patterns, almost to the point I had to start over a few dozens of time. I am going to keep working with this though, I just love squares!

Here are a couple of links to some great crochet patterns!

Crochet Pattern Central

Bevs Country Cottage

Crochet what NOT to do

2008-10-26T19:36:00.000-07:00

Well so far in the last couple of days it seems I am very prone to brain farts to say the least! The worst being totally forgetting how to single crochet specially after working with doubles and triples.......I can just hear the Homer Simpson doh on that one...

I really wanted to make this really pretty square, well my square had turned into a hexagon not quite sure how that had happened so after a dozens times of taking it apart I gave up for now.

There were a few squares I had attempted to make, I'm not sure I am reading the instructions right (really good possibility) or if they were just too confusing to start with.

Then I wanted to learn how to make a flower ya, after I got the yarn off my finger that I had managed to crochet on that was put down as well.........But.......

I have made a couple of 8" in squares and they looked pretty good specially for one of them being first time out I was thrilled.......I also made a dishcloth ok so there was no set pattern for the dishcloth because I wanted to learn the box stitch so I just kept going with it, I just didn't know how to end it so it has a box edge but its functional, and I learned a new to me stitch!

I have also finally picked out my fourth color for the nine patch granny I am making, I went with light sage green and have already made a few squares, I have also started to assemble the first row, I think I am just going to sew as I go so it won't seem so daunting to me.

I am still having fun with it, and I think its helping me with my hands, the cold air struck today and they really haven't bothered me too much.......

Till next time

Ok , cats and crochet a really entertaining mix

2008-10-24T12:53:00.000-07:00

So I am sitting on the couch watching csi and crocheting (still working on my granny squares) Midnight the darker cat decides she is going to help.

Just would not leave my yarn alone, it was so funny watching her pounce all over it then she took off with the yarn across the couch, and then we wound up in a tug of war battle, all the while hubby is laughing so hard he can't see straight.

I have made her so many crocheted doo dads, and she does play with them but she just has to be in the middle of it all. I always thought she was my more mature cat mostly because she just has her little attitude going where when she wants to be petted she will let you know and pretty much just lays around who knew she would be my biggest kid!

The other furbaby is Jasmine we lost him a couple of weeks ago.

I joined a couple of online communities

2008-10-23T15:42:00.000-07:00

I joined Ravelry pretty neat site still trying to navigate my way around this one. Here's my page
my Ravelry page

I also just joined crochetville forums lots of talented people there so check them out Crochetville

I am having way too much fun here I think, I have spent quite a bit of time looking at patterns and things I would like to try to make. Till next time!

I have a goal

2008-10-23T12:28:00.000-07:00

I have thought about this for some time and there is just something I have to do. I want to make a afghan using various of shades pink in honor of my Aunt Rosalee and donate it to a golf course my mom used to work for, the proceeds to go to the Susan G. Koman foundation. The afghan itself will be auctioned off in a silent auction.

Every year this golf course has a benefit for women with breast cancer and the proceeds go to that cause. They always have a wonderful turnout.

I had unintentionally had made my mom cry, but I have recruited her to help me with this so it will go faster. We are thinking about making squares and sewing them together basically we will be doing a color block afghan.

My Aunt Rosie was a breast cancer survivor but later on cancer had come back and just spread and we lost her. I want to do this in memory of her and for several of friends of our family. I admire their strength.

If all goes well who knows maybe we can whip out more then one! I want to continue on with this year after year. I just want to do this it means a lot to me personally.

It will take awhile but I will post pictures of our progress as we go along.

Nine patch granny afghan

2008-10-23T09:39:00.001-07:00

Here are the squares I have so far. I still have along way to go not mention I need a fourth color. I have decided to go with some form of green. Mom and I had found some pretty greens that we thought would look good with the colors I am using.

Here is where I found the pattern for the afghan.
All free crafts nine patch afghan

This has been a great project for me though our youngest son Jacob has broken his right arm and has already been through two surgeries. I took my yarn and needle with me to the hospital, I needed something to do during the wait with my hands. Its rough on a mom when there are just some things you cant make better.

My rag rug

2008-10-23T09:31:00.000-07:00

This will probably be the first thing I have ever made that I have actually kept. I am going to put this in our bathroom once its done with the remodeling. I am waiting to finish this till I find just the right color of fabric so I am at a standstill for now.

I got the idea from this pattern on about.com
rag rug from about.com

I will make another later on down the road for my kitchen that will be a time consuming project.

Its not perfect by any means but its mine lol!

My Little Introduction!

2008-10-23T09:05:00.000-07:00

I am teaching myself how to crochet and boy has it been an experience so far. I have managed to make a few mistakes along the way, so much so they are just too embarrassing to lay claim to. Its alright though I am getting at better this, I am currently into two projects I am crocheting a fabric rug which is still on hold because I can't find just the right color I want for it yes I am that picky, and I am making a nine patch granny afghan. I have quite a few squares done but I have quite a bit more to go. I am also going to make a couple of towel toppers as soon as I can find something to poke my holes with I am going for it! I found the nicest fall hand towel at wal~mart so I am anxious to get that started well that and to see if I can do it lol.

I have a gut feeling that I will also soon be starting dishcloths and pot holders just cant have enough of those!

I will be posting pics and more soon to show my progress along the way. I will also post links to some of my favorite pattern places.