Little Turtle

I made this little guy a few weeks ago for my son. I find it difficult to think of things to make for him, being a boy and all, and I finally hit on an idea I thought he'd appreciate. His new favorite color of the moment was green, and I had some camo yarn lying around. Thinking of what to make with camo yarn that wasn't war-related (he's only 4, you know, I'm trying to preserve innocence here!) I thought a turtle would be a good fit.

I did some double crochet shells in the round for the shell of the turtle, and a single crochet oval shape for the belly, all in camo. Then I made a head, four matching legs, and a triangle for a tail in the green leftover from making Marky. I thought he turned out pretty cute! My son liked him a lot.... for about 5 minutes, then went back to playing with his other toys. Now you know the other reason I hardly ever make things for him! My daughter has pretty much adopted him since that time. Go figure!

Blog Review - Coffee n' Crafts

Today's review is of Tammy's blog "Coffee n' Crafts". Tammy's blog is an intimate look into her life, her talent, and her faith. Her openness and vulnerability make her readers feel like they've known her for years! Tammy (or Tam) is an avid crocheter and knitter who also had a budding "printable" business on the side (see her email interview for more info). She has a large repertoire of finished objects for display on her blog; some from patterns, some she created herself, and even free patterns! One of my favorite items is a "recon" taking a thrifted tank top and making it into a bag using a little yarn- ingenious!

Besides her passion for coffee, Tammy has a passion for charitable works - especially supporting those struggling with nephrotic syndrome like her son. If you are looking for encouragement or just a reminder of how your skills can be used to glorify God, be sure to visit her blog! Tammy can also be found on Crochetville, yahoo groups, or many other boards as "teakaycee".

Below is Tammy's email interview:

How long have you been crocheting?
I’ve been crocheting since I was 7. An Aunt of mine taught me to crochet one day.... as I sat watching her make a beautiful blanket for a new baby that was due in our family. I caught on pretty quick… and supplied each house in my ‘family’ with potholders, wash clothes, and trivets that Christmas.

What's the project you're most proud of?
I don’t have one project I’m most proud of… I’m very proud of each and every item I have ever made. The simple completion of the item is a proud moment… then seeing the smiling face of the one receiving it make me even more proud…. And quite thankful that God has blessed me so with the crafting talent and giving heart that I have that I’m able and willing to do the things I do.

What's your favorite thing about crochet?
I have to say that being able to create gifts for others is my favorite thing about crocheting…. Along with all my other crating talents. I love being able to put a smile on someones face from a simple skein of yarn and a hook. A pair of slippers for grandpa … or a blankie for that new baby… or maybe a sweater for your neighbors daughter. Like I said before … I’m so thankful to God for blessing me the way He has. The creations are endless with a hook and yarn… and ‘Nothing is impossible with God’ *Matt 19:26*

What type of projects do you enjoy working on the most?
Well gosh…..lets see…. I don’t know that there is one particular type of project I like most. I just love creating…. Whether it be from someone else's pattern or my own design…. Just taking a hook and a skein of yarn or two and turning it into a toy… blanket.. wearable… etc. is amazing and fulfilling to me!

What's your favorite design you've ever created?
That’s a tough one to answer. There are so many stories behind all I have ever designed on my own…. I’m not sure I could pick one. Hmmm?

My son’s Prayer Blanket

Christmas of 2005 my sweet little man was diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome. During one of his more difficult relapses I created him a very special Prayer Blanket. He picked the colors and told me why. Yellow for the streets of Heaven.. brown for the cross.. and white for wings of angels and Jesus robe. Well………. I had no idea what this blanket was going to look like… I just started crocheting…. Before I knew it… I had his blanket done and he was covered in my prayers and Gods love. From that my son inspired me to make Prayer blankets for other children like him.

Prayer Blankets for Children with Nephrotic Syndrome

My first wearable for “ME”

This one is a bit selfish. I have never created a wearable for myself. And really I bet I can count on one hand how many things I ever created for myself. But I decided one day.. I was going to make myself something for ME. I was proud of myself that I met my deadline I had set .. it fit great … looked nice… and I received several compliments.

How do you go about designing?
Honestly…it all comes from whatever ‘need’ is about at the time. I have a need placed on my heart…. Which then starts changing to a design in my head… and before I know it… I’m putting down whatever I’m working on and trying out a sample item. With all the crocheting I’ve done from other patterns… it helps a great deal with knowing where and how to create a certain stitch to make the item form correctly. Now don’t be fooled… I do a lot of frogging (ripping out) but that’s what makes a good crocheter/designer…. Learning from errors. Not to mention creates determination to get it right.

What else are you interested in?
Oh.. goodness… all crafting. Knitting, Crocheting, Scrapbooking, Rubberstamping, Sewing, Beading, and so on. I have a couple little online stores/bisnesses… that I have fun with. CarltonCandyCovers, Wrapped to Go, igotmugs.

Is there anything else you want people to know about you?
I’m a proud mommy of 6 wonderful kids! I have 5 beautiful grandbabies… and I’m married to my best friend…. The most loving … giving man on the earth. I live on the outskirts of a small town in the country on 11 acres of land in a Beautiful house that my hubby built where I can sit and enjoy a fresh cup of coffee while watching the sun rise or set. I love God and He loves me! I’m a serious coffee-o-holic. I love crafting. I love roasting hot dogs and marshmallows over a campfire in our back yard. *Coffee… love coffee* I love watching my 3 younger boys play baseball!!! I LOVE spending any and all time with my family. I love Coffee!!! A year ago.. I decided to change my eating habits which has given me some of my youth back… I lost 60lbs and feel so much better! Did I mention that I love coffee? Hmm maybe I did. Anyway…. Thank you for taking the time to read through these things … Thank you Andrea for doing a blog review on my blog.. this was exciting an fun… and Thank God for wonderful family and friends!

Thanks to Tammy for participating!

Through the Cracks

Somehow I missed posting this cute little set earlier. I think I made it during the time of the auction, and it was a baby shower gift that I didn't want to spoil!


The hat is the Divine Hat with a 5-petal flower embellishment. I used Sugar 'n' Cream cotton to make it soft for babies head. I used an H hook for flower and the body of the hat, and an F for the edging of the hat. I know I altered the pattern some to make it baby-sized but I don't really remember what I did... pretty much just worked it till it looked right!



The booties are from a free pattern I found somewhere which has since gotten lost :( I'll post the link if I ever come across it again!

Floral Star Doily - Free Pattern

As promised, here's the pattern. Thanks to my testers!

Floral Star Doily
Andrea Moberly (c) 2008
This pattern may be used for personal/gift use only. If interested in selling finished items made from this pattern, please contact the designer for permission (knitsandknots@gmail.com)

Materials:
small amount size 10 crochet cotton
size 7 hook

Abbreviations:
yo - yarn over
ch - chain
sl - slip stitch
sc - single crochet
hdc - half double crochet
dc - double crochet
tr - treble crochet: wrap yarn around hook 2 times, insert into indicated stitch, yo, pull loop through stitch, *yo, draw through 2 loops, repeat from * until one loop remains on hook
dtr - double treble crochet: wrap yarn around hook 3 times, insert into indicated stitch, yo, pull loop through stitch, *yo, draw through 2 loops, repeat from * until one loop remains on hook
ttr - triple treble crochet: wrap yarn around hook 4 times, insert into indicated stitch, yo, pull loop through stitch, *yo, draw through 2 loops, repeat from * until one loop remains on hook
rnd - round
ch sp - chain space: loop or space formed by a chain

Starting Ring: Ch 5, join with sl to starting ch to form a ring.
Rnd 1: ch 3 (counts as first dc), work 15 dc in ring, sl to top of starting ch 3 (16 dc)
Rnd 2: *ch 6, sl in next dc, repeat from * 14 more times, ch 3, work dc in same st as first ch 6 loop. (16 chain spaces)
Rnd 3: ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in same ch sp, 2 dc in next ch sp, ch 2, *2 dc in next ch sp, 2 dc in next ch sp, ch2, repeat from * around, joining with a sl to top of starting ch 3 to join (8 ch 2 sp)
Rnd 4: sl across to the next ch 2 sp, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same ch sp [a 6 dc shell worked], *ch 2, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch sp, repeat from * around. Ch 1, dc in top of starting ch 3 to join (8 - 6 dc shells)
Rnd 5: ch 1, sc in same ch sp, *ch 10, skip next 6 dc shell, sc in next ch 2 sp between shells, repeat from * around to last ch sp, ch 4, ttr in starting sc to join (8 - ch 10 spaces)
Rnd 6: (ch 1, sc, 2 hdc, 2 dc, 2 tr) in same ch sp, *(2 tr, 2 dc, 2 hdc, sc, 2 hdc, 2 dc, 2 tr) in next ch sp, repeat from * around, ending with (2 tr, 2 dc, 2 hdc) in starting ch sp, sl to starting sc to join.

Doily Days

I am most certainly not a huge fan of thread crochet. It has its advantages that you can make very intricate and ornate items, but most days I am not up for that kind of thing. However, a neighbor asked me to make a few doilies for her living room to use as coasters to match her decor. Since it was a paying gig, and she's a friend of mine, I did it anyway!

Most of the free patterns I came across were quite large, so I just used the first few rows to make them coaster sized.

Rounds 1-6 of this pattern using specified materials

Rounds 1-7 of this pattern using No 10 crochet cotton and a size 7 hook

These first two are from patterns I found online, and the last is my own creation. Some lovely ladies from the 'Ville are testing the pattern for this, at which point I'll be posting it on here, C'Ville and Ravelry as a free pattern.

Pattern here

Continental Knitting

I finally learned! I have been a not great knitter for so long that I thought I would never improve. Every time I made something it was tedious and slow compared to crochet. If you are a crocheter who's never gotten the hang of knitting, then you should try Continental! It makes so much more sense to me than Western. Seriously!

Anyway, here is my first continental knitting project. I am SO proud of this! It is called "Vineyard" and the pattern is written in French, but a kind Raveler sent me the English version. Love, love, love this pattern!