More hedgehogs!

School has started, and I am in the mood to make gifts for kids. Right now I'm in hedgehog mode. I know I'll be making gnomes at some point, but my gnome supplies are all packed away, so hedgehogs win!

 

Hot and humid

It was too hot and humid to do much of anything yesterday. I did shampoo porch cushions early in the morning, but I was done working outside by 7:30.

Before church, I started a hedgehog. It's been a few months since I've made one, and it was like I was making one for the first time. I can't believe how much I'd forgotten!

I finished him after lunch, and decided that I'd better make another one quickly while my mistakes were still fresh in my mind.

This one was completed with much less stress!

I have several shuttles with bits of thread left on them, so I spent the evening working on another Curds & Whey bookmark from Mary Konior's Tatting with Visual Patterns. The thread is size 20 Lizbeth #710 Bright Blue Lt. 

I think I have enough of this left to tat two more bookmarks. We'll see how that goes!

Curds & Whey

 

Ever since I figured out how to tat Mary Konior's Curds & Whey from Tatting with Visual Patterns, it has been a favorite for using up thread on a shuttle. 

This was all I had left of my hand-dyed Peach Pandorea from LadyShuttleMaker. It's a little shorter than I like my bookmarks, but it will be perfect for someone!

Another hat

 

I didn't intend to crochet another hat, but I wanted to see if using the same pattern and going up one hook size would make a hat that fit me well. 

Success! This hat fits me perfectly. Now I need to find the perfect pom pom to give it a feminine touch. 

Next up... finish the bookmark I started tatting the other day!

Hat time

 

After finishing my Clematis1 doily, I went back to working on an afghan I started last spring. It's a stitch sampler afghan, and the stitch I chose to use was too tight. So, I ripped out the section I had finished and decided to work on something different.

It's been a while since I've crocheted a hat. I thought that I might get on a roll making hats, but I don't feel inspired to keep going. So, I'm moving on to a new project!

Finished!

 

I just finished Renulek's Clematis1, and I'm thrilled with the way it turned out!

As I feared, I did not have enough of Sunshine from Snapdragon Lace to complete the last round. I did find a skein of Pear Glacé from LadyShuttleMaker, which is a very close match. If you look really closely, you will see that four of the pattern repeats do not have the touch of orange. However, I don't think too many people will look that closely.

The colors used for this: a partial ball of size 20 Lizbeth #628 Salmon Med, 1 skein Peach Pandorea hand-dyed thread from LadyShuttleMaker, 1 skein Sunshine from Snapdragon Lace, and a partial skein of Pearl Glacé from LadyShuttleMaker. The finished size is 13" diameter.

I haven't decided what my next tatting project will be. My sister has asked for a Concentric Rectangles doily. She'd like it in either white or ecru. I'm not sure that I'm ready to work on an all white project right now. Maybe it's time to make some more bookmarks!

Round 9

 

Round 9 went very quickly, probably because the rings were much smaller than in the previous round. I sure hope I have enough of Sunshine from Snapdragon Lace for the final round!

Round 8

 

Round 8 of Renulek's Clematis1 was very simple. It was perfect for pick-up tatting over a busy weekend. I really like the color I used for this round, size 20 Sunshine from Snapdragon Lace.

I only have two rounds to go!

Round 7

 

It took me quite a while to finish round 7 of Renulek's Clematis1, mainly because I was concentrating on finishing the Pizza Rat bag. I'm quite happy with the way this is looking. 

The Drama Club summer production is this weekend, so I really don't see myself getting much more done before Monday. Still, I never know what I'll be inspired to do!

Pizza Rat bag

 

My former boss asked if I would crochet this Pizza Rat bag for a friend of hers. Almost always up for a challenge, I said yes. 

It's crocheted with worsted weight yarn and a 2.5 mm hook, would it was very hard on my wrist and hands. It took me three and a half weeks to make, mainly because of the small hook size. The instructions were very clear, so following the patterns was not at all difficult.

If I'm ever asked to crochet this pattern again, the answer will be NO!

Tree time

 

I needed a break from tatting, knitting, and crocheting, so moved myself back into tree mode.

The school drama club is performing this weekend, August 2 & 3, and they're going to have a raffle table to raise funds for future performances. I had such a positive response to my bejeweled trees at the last raffle, that I decided to give it another try. 

Daughter Carol likes it, and that's all that matters to me!

Round 6

It took me all day to tat this round, so I don't think I'll be finishing a round each day any longer. 

I don't have enough of the Peach Pandorea hand-dyed thread for another round, so I'm thinking of switching to Sunshine from Snapdragon Lace, another hand-dyed thread that has been in my stash for quite a while.

I'll tat one more round in size 20 Lizbeth #628 Salmon Med before making my decision. 

The high school drama club has their performance in a week, and I've been asked to help with dress rehearsal this weekend. I'm guessing there won't be much time for tatting!

And then there were five!

 

I didn't feel like doing much with the heat and humidity yesterday. I did do a little bit of house maintenance, but most of my time was spent reading and tatting. I pretty much plan to have the same kind of day today!

4 rounds!

 

I spent a lot of time tatting both yesterday and today, which means four completed rounds! I really am enjoying tatting Renulek's Clematis1. We're expecting extreme heat tomorrow, so maybe I'll get some more tatting time in... or Dave might help me with housework!

Busy weekend

 

I thought about starting another hanky edging, but instead I chose to start a new doily. This is Clematis1 from Renulek. I've chosen two colors to work with, of course hoping that I have enough of each! 

I started with size 20 Lizbeth #628 Salmon Med.

Alternating rounds will be done in size 20 hand-dyed thread from Lady Shuttlemaker, size 20 Hakelgarn Peach Pandorea.

A couple of weeks ago, I started knitting the Bramwell shawl. 

I'm on a quest to use craft materials that I have on hand, because I have way too much. Honestly, I could open a small shop if I lived in a tourist area where visitors look for unique items and are willing to pay premium prices. However, I live in a small farming community. Therefore, I will use up my materials to the best of my ability and enjoy working with my treasures!

Finished!

 

I'm happy that I finished my hanky edging. The corners didn't quite turn out the way I imagined, but I think the bride-to-be will like it as it is.

On to my next project!

At last!

 

I finally finished my hanky edging. All I have to do now is attach it. 

I've been very slack in my crafting these past few weeks. I've been spending a lot of time reading. Over the past few weeks, I read all nine of the Anne of Green Gables books by Lucy Maud Montgomery. 

I'm really considering moving to audio books so that I can craft and "read" at the same time. My problem with audio books is that the narrator never sounds like the voices in my head. I much prefer my own voices!

Dendrophile

 

We had a great Tollway Tatters meeting on Saturday. I managed to get quite a bit done on my hanky edging, but when we finished up our meeting, my hands were done for the day.

I've been doing some knitting so that I'm using my hands differently. It really does help. I finished this bunny that I started at Easter time. I don't add ears, whiskers, or a tail. So far, the recipients have liked them just the way they are.

I have an awful lot of beautiful sock yarn to knit up, so I figured I'd better get started. Dendrophile from Expression Fiber Arts was a very enjoyable project. It took me four days only because I was distracted by reading. The yarn is Mushroom 75/25 Superwash Merino Nylon (fingering weight) from Bad Sheep Yarn. I've had this yarn in my stash for a while. I love the way it turned out!

The pattern does show up better in a solid color, but I am very happy with what I made. I might make another in a solid color, but for now I'm enjoying exploring a variety of patterns.

Next up? I may start a shawl!

Turning another corner

 

We had a family cookout last Saturday. Not everyone was able to attend, but those who did had a wonderful time. The weather was perfect, and the food was delicious. I love when everyone chips in with their favorite dishes. There always seems to be a nice mix of old favorites and new temptations. 

We've been doing a lot of work outside, so I didn't get in as much tatting time as I would have liked. I do admit to sometimes feeling too lazy to tat. Sometimes it's just nice to sit and enjoy the scenery and the weather!

Southern company

Daughter Joanne and family are visiting from Georgia for the week. We've been doing lots of work around the house and yard while enjoying each other's company. As a result, I haven't put much time into my tatting.

I am making slow progress with my hanky edging. Since I don't have a deadline, I'm just enjoying a few minutes of tatting here and there. No pressure!

Change of plan

 

After making several more mistakes, I decided to abandon the simple ring and chain edging I had chosen. Sometimes I do better when I have to pay attention to a pattern, and I found that to be the case this time.

Last night, I thought about this vintage tatting magazine that has some fascinating patterns.

The Spool Cotton Co. published this magazine in 1944.

The pattern is #8902, and is meant to be an edging for a neckline. I've decided to use it for my hanky edging. I have to figure out my own corner, and while I have a set of rings and chains for now, I may decide to add something else to make the corners more interesting.

We'll see how long this idea lasts!

Hanky time

 

It's been a while since I've tatted a hanky edging, and I was in the mood to work on something other than a doily. Last night I crocheted around the edge of the hanky with size 40 Lizbeth #703 Sky Blue Lt. 

After looking through quite a few edging patterns, and not finding any that really inspired me, I decided to tat just a simple ring and chain edging. Simple? Ha! I've already had to un-tat two mistakes!

Ready for blocking!

 

I just finished Renulek's Spring Doily 2025, and I am so pleased with the way it turned out!

The final color is size 20 Lizbeth #704 Sky Blue Med. Checking my notes, I see that I started on January 29, and I finished this afternoon, June 5. It measures 28.5" across. I love the way it looks on my dining room table!

Starting the final round

 

I was eager to start the final round, so I got right to it last night. I've chosen size 20 Lizbeth #704 Sky Blue Med. For me, it's the perfect final touch! 

This round is very easy to follow, and as long as nothing comes up this week, I'm fairly sure I will finish it by the end of the week. I already know what my next project will be!

Finally!

 

In finally finished round 17 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2025! I thought it had taken me anywhere from five to seven weeks to complete, but looking back on my blog posts I saw that I had started this round on May 8. So, I wasn't quite as bad about tatting as I thought.

I'm now ready to start round 18. Can you guess which color I'll be using?

It's here!

 

I can't believe that my new Robin Perfetti book is here already! It is wonderful!

End of the school year

The school year is winding down, and I am always amazed at how much there is to be done as we approach the last day, May 29.

My sister, her daughter-in-law, and granddaughter came down this weekend and we went plant shopping with Mom and daughter Carol. It was a fun filled day, but all the activity wore me out.

My sister requested a doily and chose Anastasia from Bonded with Tatting by Laura Bziukiewicz. Janet requested black, but I wasn't sure about an all black doily. I tatted the first three rounds in both black and white to see which Janet preferred. She liked them both! She liked these two pieces as they are, so she took them home with her. She plans on framing them. After I finish Renulek's Spring Doily 2025, I will tat the full doily in both black and white for Janet. The shuttle is from Grizzly Mountain Arts. 

As for my progress with Renulek's Spring Doily 2025, let's just say it's been very slow tatting. I'm not having any trouble at all with this round. I just haven't spent much time tatting for the past few weeks. Still, my goal is to finish by the end of the month, which I think I can do. Have you been setting tatting goals for yourself?

Purple tree

 

My friend Jill tried very hard to win my purple tree at the high school drama club performance in March. She did not win, and I promised her I would make another purple tree.

I think this one is so much prettier than the first one. This one's for Jill!

Starting round 17

 

I started round 17 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2025 yesterday. This round is in size 20 Lizbeth #710 Bright Blue Lt, a nice soft color. I really have no idea how long it took to finish the first pattern repeat. It may take me longer than a week to tat this round, but sometimes I get motivated to work for a long time. I guess we'll see how it goes!

Round 16

 

It's taken me longer than expected, but today I finished round 16 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2025. I think it's absolutely gorgeous!

Andrew

 

I've done a little tatting here and there since my last post, but not much. My heart hasn't been in it. 

My nephew Andrew passed away last Thursday, April 24. He and his brother Erich were each three months older than my younger daughters, Joanne and Carol. My sister's boys and my girls were very close growing up. Our sorrow is as deep as our love for Andrew. Rest in peace, dear nephew.

Round 15

 

I just finished round 15 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2025. Round 16 will join the feathery looking elements so that they stay in place nicely. I used size 20 Lizbeth #187 Green Ice for this round.

I'm eager to get started on round 16, but we've had a death in the family, so I'm not sure how much time I'll have for tatting over the course of the next week. 

Two left

 

I tatted two pattern repeats today, which means I only have two left to finish round 15 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2025. I have my colors chosen for the last three rounds. Dave asked me how long it will take to finish. I really don't know, but I'm hoping to finish before school gets out. I think I can do it!

Another halfway mark

 

I was able to tat another two pattern repeats on Renulek's Spring Doily 2025, which means I am halfway through the round. I feel like I'm on a roll!

Starting round 15

 

There was no school today, so I was able to get a good start on round 15 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2025. I'm back to using size 20 Lizbeth #187 Green Ice. I'm eager to finish this round, so that I can move on to round 16. The end is in sight!