Such a slacker!

Yes, when it comes to blogging, I have become a slacker. I guess that's because I'm enjoying reading and crafting. Anything to do with computers has taken a back seat.

I finished Bellman & Black by Diane Setterfield this week. It was pretty good, not as good as her first, The Thirteenth Tale, but better than her second, Once Upon a River... in my opinion!

My circle in a square adventure continues.

I saw a book on Amazon that called this pattern the umbrella granny square.

I guess it looks like the top of an open umbrella, but circle in a square works fine for me.

I finished Jennifer's scarf while subbing on Friday. I found the crochet linen stitch very relaxing, but I did have to watch my stitch count.

During yesterday's Tollway Tatters meeting, I finished the brown button ornament and started the cream button ornament. Both were finished and hanging on the tree by mid-afternoon.

A couple of weeks ago, I started the brown Glenway Hills Cowl by Jaala Spiro. I put too much twist in the brown one, so it doesn't look at all like the original. The yarn is Milkshake Sport, Peanut Butter Shake, from Bare Naked Wools by KnitSpot. Unfortunately, the yarn has sold out. It was wonderful to knit with.

I wanted to see the pattern more easily, so I decided to knit the cowl in I Love This Yarn from Hobby Lobby. Since it's a worsted weight, it came out slightly larger, which is fine for me. I didn't add any twist this time. I added one row to each border, and I reduced the number of seed stitch rows. I can see that I still need to work on my tension, which was quite a bit looser by the time I reached the bind off edge. I did not use the suggested bind off, which I now think was a mistake.

Luckily for me, the people I give my knit and crochet pieces to don't see the mistakes that I see!

 

Backwards?

Sometimes technology baffles me. For example, It used to be that I could select several photos and they would show up on my blog in the order I selected them. That hasn't been true for a while. Tonight, my pictures posted in reverse order. I can (and have) selected photos one at a time so that they appear in the correct order, but I don't always feel like taking that bit of extra time. Oh, well. I guess I'll just describe them in reverse order!

I approached my granny squares a little differently today. I crocheted as many centers as I could from one ball. I'm not sure this is a good approach for me. I finished the centers for four grannies, but only completed one. I think I prefer finishing an entire granny square before moving on to another!

Mom will love this button ornament! Red is her favorite color. I may have to have a tree filled with red button ornaments for next Christmas.

Yesterday I was able to complete four granny squares. These were completed one at a time, which seems to be a much more productive method for me.

Sunshine yellow was yesterday's button choice. Isn't it a cheerful color?

Keepin' busy

There was no school Monday, so Mom and I were able to unwind while Dave went to work. By Tuesday morning we were back to our normal routines.

Except for blogging... I have no idea why I find it hard to remember to blog these days!

My Monday button ornament looked so cheerful, perfect for the beautiful spring weather we're experiencing.

I also finished three more circle in square granny squares.

Tuesday's button ornament was a very cheerful pink.

Crochet Club met on Tuesday, so with extra crochet time I finished three more granny squares.

After dinner Tuesday night, I automatically picked up my crochet hook and before I knew it I had two more squares completed. I already have 18 finished squares. I haven't decided which color to use to join them all together. Maybe I'll get inspiration as I finish more squares!

Beautiful weekend

We had a beautiful weekend, and Easter Sunday was glorious... the perfect day for spending time with family!

It was also a weekend filled with cleaning and crafting. There's something about beautiful spring days the give me the energy to spruce up the house.

Of course I allowed myself lots of reward time for crafting!

Rigo asked if I could make something for his six month old sister. He liked the idea of a snuggle blanket, so I crocheted one in waffle stitch, using up pinks and yellow from hats I made for the high school girls.

Tonya really liked this Sweet Dijon color from I Love This Yarn. I've moved on from hats, so it took me several days to complete this one. Tonya has admired the hats from the beginning, but has been hesitant to ask for one. I think she just hadn't seen a color that appealed to her until now.

I still have a lot of leftover yarn from the hats, so I've started working up circle in a square grannies. They're really quite easy to make, and I can crochet one in about a half hour. They're about 5 1/2", so this will be a blanket that works up quickly.

I'm back on track with button ornaments. I have all I need for next Christmas, but I want to have plenty of extras on hand to give away!

There's a surprise in the works for our high school secretary, Jennifer. I won't post progress pictures, just in case she happens to read my blog. She knows what I'm making, but the color and pattern will be a surprise. So, you'll just have to wait until it's finished and given to her. 

This week is supposed to be beautiful, which means lots of time in the sunshine!

Spring break

Right before spring break, I had one more hat request from Danny. He asked on Thursday, and I managed to finish it in time to give it to him at lunchtime on Friday. He was very pleased!

Yesterday was our Tollway Tatters meeting, and during that time I managed to tat one and a half button ornaments. I finished the second ornament after lunch. 

So, what did I do with my spring break?

I worked on a waffle stitch afghan using the leftovers from all the hats I've made over the past few months. One of the girls in crochet club asked if I could make an afghan in a week. I didn't really think I could, but I gave it a try. I have 9" to go to make it the size I want. 

So, the answer is no. I cannot finish an afghan in a week. Maybe two?

Busy weekend

 

This past weekend was very busy, but also very enjoyable. I managed to crochet four hats. I think that's a record for me. This one is for Exia, who wanted to be surprised.

Natalia asked for lavender.

Kennedy asked for light green.

Karolina requested blue. I'm glad that I was able to fulfill their requests!

We had our monthly Tollway Tatters meeting on Zoom Saturday morning. I was able to complete two button ornaments. I meant to get another ornament tatted today, but it didn't happen.

We had quite a rain storm early this morning. Luckily, the storm cleared out and by mid-afternoon we had sunshine and mild temperatures. Mom was able to sit on the porch swing and enjoy watching the traffic go by. The cats also kept her entertained. We're really enjoying the mild weather, but Dave said the climatologist he follows is predicting a colder than normal March. It will be interesting to see if the climatologist is right!

White on white

 

If only this ornament had 12 spokes, then I could call it a snowflake. Still, the white on white is pretty.

I finished Erika's hat in the cafeteria during lunch today. She loved it!

The blue hat I finished yesterday thrilled Bella. 

I made the mistake of delivering Lauren's hat to her classroom. I had sixth graders begging me for hats. I told them they had to wait until they're in high school. I have something to look forward to!

Sub day

Today was a sub day. I did quite a bit of walking and helping out, but I also had time to tat and crochet.

I started the day with a button ornament. I've already given several to my niece Phoebe. I don't know exactly how many I've made so far, but I know it's at least 50.

One of the language arts teachers admired this hat, so I brought it home and added a pom pom. I'll give it to her tomorrow.

I'm not sure who will claim this hat. I guess I'll find out tomorrow!

Two hat Tuesday

 

Oh, how I love blue! I think it looks especially nice when paired with white. 

I managed to crochet two hats today. This one is for Lydia.

Although this looks like black, white, and grey, it's actually shades of blue and white. This hat is for Bella. I did get a few more requests for hats today, so it looks like I will be making them for the next couple of weeks. What fun!

Two red hats

Paulina requested a red hat, and I think this one may be a little too big for her.

So, I crocheted a second red hat. I ran out of red yarn, so I couldn't make a fold up brim. If neither of these suit her, I do have another red that might work.

I finished one each of the smaller buttons, so I switched to a larger button. Even though I've been tatting the same pattern since January 1, I still have a collection of unique ornaments because of the different button centers.

While doing some organizing upstairs, I found another box of buttons. I guess my adventure will continue for a while!

Seth's hat

 

Seth asked for grey, red, or dark blue. I had this denim blue, which I think will look great on him!

Since blue is my favorite color, I was very happy that it was the next color I pulled out of my bag of buttons.

It's time to work on Paulina's hat!

Black and white

 

As I was tatting around this black button, I couldn't help but think of how it could look with all the different colors of Lizbeth thread. Hmmm... more possibilities!

Today's hat is for Madison. I folded the cuff edge all the way up to show how deep it is. It's getting warmer here, so I don't think Madison will have much need for her hat this year. No one knows what next winter will be like. She may need that extra thickness around her ears!

A hat for Haley

 

Haley asked for a pink hat. I didn't have any solid pink left, but I think this one is super cute!

One of the high school boys saw daughter Carol and me in the hallway and said we looked like twins. I guess he thought a shawl and a kimono were similar!

Today was pretty busy, but I still managed to finish my ornament for the day! 

Chestnut

The color of this yarn is Chestnut. I'm not sure chestnuts are this color, but it is a nice shade of brown!

Today's button ornament is a lovely light blue. I love blue!

Three

 

Today was a three ornament day.

I was subbing in the high school, and somehow it was easier to tat than crochet.

Three of the classes I worked with were very small, so it was easy to talk with the kids about what they were working on and tat my simple design. 

I wonder what tomorrow will bring?