My New Camera and Case

Oh my gosh! My dear husband gave me a new camera for Christmas along with a black case.

I realize that I need to have a good strong camera case to protect my camera, but it’s…how can I say, not my taste? I think I’m going to have to cover it, and I think I found just the thing yesterday when I was out thrifting.

I found five wool sweaters that I felted. I’m going to cover the black case with wool felted pieces crocheted together and then maybe embellish it with crocheted flowers. I can’t wait to get started on that project, too. What do you think?

Joshua Learns to Crochet

I have been waiting for this opportunity for a very long time. For many years now, I have noticed every once in a while that my son will watch me crochet. As soon as I look up, he will look away. I have asked him many times whether he would like for me to teach him, and he always says no. Well, over the Christmas break, he said, “I think I’m ready to learn to crochet now, and I know I can learn because I’m a natural since I have watched you and Jenny for a lot of years.” At the time he told me this, we were at my sister-in-law’s house, and I didn’t have an extra hook or the right kind of yarn with me to start him out. As soon as he woke up the next day, I asked him if he was still ready to learn to crochet and much to my surprise, he said, “Yes.”

The only size J hook I had was a fuchsia pink one (this didn’t deter him either, another surprise), and I wanted to use a lighter color yarn so that he could see his stitches, so I used a skein of “Vanna’s Choice” acrylic yarn in gold. I made a chain of 21 and then made 20 sc back and forth until I had 10 rows, then I called for him to come and try his hand at it. I told him that it’s harder than it looks, but he still picked up the hook, and I told him where to place the hook and how to pull the yarn through, and I have to admit, HE IS a natural crocheter. Within two minutes, he knew where to make the sc. He continued on to complete 2 more rows, and I asked him if he was ready to try a new stitch, and he said he was. So I started him on a double crochet. He admitted this stitch was a little more complicated, but he never gave up and completed three rows of doubles. I told him he was on his way to making a scarf, and he said he would like to make it for one of his friends. I told him that most crocheters give their things away to friends, and he smiled. I went out and bought him a more manly steely gray crochet hook and dark purple, light purple, and white yarn because purple is his friend's favorite color. I am going to show him how to start out with the chain this time, and I’ll make sure I keep you posted on his progress.

Can I say I’m very proud?

Secret Pal Gifts Revealed

Now that we had our last meeting of the year for KS My Stitch crochet guild, I can share these two items that I made for my secret pal.

Traveler’s Make-Up Container

Genie’s Jewelry Box

Both of these projects were made with patterns from Crochet Totes & Accessories by Lena Maikon. This book was published by Leisure Arts, and you can buy it here on Crochet Soiree. I like how Doug (our main man here on Crochet Soiree) added some pictures under the book cover image of some of the projects that are in the book. That way you know what’s in the book. I like to know what else is in a book before I purchase it, too.

I love these funky cute bags. Has anyone else made any of these bags?

Free Pattern Friday: Party Coasters Crochet Patterns

I really like these Party Coaster crochet patterns. They were such fun, easy, and fast coasters to make. I think if you had a party, you could work these up in no time, and each person could have their own coaster and maybe take them home with them, too.

But only if they are crochet gift worthy! You know the people I’m talking about. The ones that really understand how much time actually goes into something like these. I hope you enjoy making them as much as I did.

Here's my version!

Gifts For & From My Friend Tami

Tami and I have exchanged birthday and Christmas gifts for quite some time, and this year was no exception. I feel sorry for anyone that exchanges gifts with me because my birthday is so close to Christmas. This year for my birthday, Tami gave me a gift certificate to Twist (my LYS) and a crochet with wire book. (I’m going to have to try this out sometime!) Then for Christmas, she gave me a little space heater for under my desk at work because my desk is in the direct line of the north entrance and the door to the warehouse (which isn’t heated). Plus she gave me this really neat blue soft throw that has blanket stitching all the way around it.

It’s just screaming for me to edge it with a little crochet trim, yet another project to get to in my spare time. Ha! Ha!

Another friend of mine, Sheri, gave me this yummy piece of birthday cake, and the next morning, I didn’t know which to choose for breakfast: cake or…

…oatmeal. I was good and ate all of my oatmeal and two bites of my cake.

My gifts to Tami were these fingerless gloves and ear warmers. The pattern I used for the ear warmer was in the most recent Crochet Today magazine, and it was the first time that I made anything with crocheted cables. Wow, they are so much fun. Doesn’t she look nice and warm?

Tell me about some of the things that you have received for gifts or what you’ve made for other people.

Homemade Gifts

For Christmas this year, my husband decided to make a few homemade gifts to give out. He found a recipe for Chai Tea and filled several jars with the mix. While he was making the Chai Tea, I went in search of a few of the coasters that I had crocheted in June. I found them and threaded some yarn through the edge of them and wrapped them around the lids of the jars. He was amazed and loved them right away. I think they turned out really nice and everyone that received one loved them, too. The fun thing about the gift is that the jar is reusable and so is the coaster. Ha! Ha!

Eyan’s Finished Afghan

Here’s the finished Kid’s Cover-up Afghan. I really enjoyed making it and had fun watching it grow and grow. I finished it off with one row of single crochets all around. I think it helped even out some of the wavy stitches of my first row (where I made the chain too loose, oops). Now, I just have to figure out when I can get it to Oklahoma City.

I would love to hear about some of the projects you’ve been working on and some that you’ve finished.