Mark's Rag Rug

My last catch up post for now is the rag rug that I did for Mark made out of some of our old bedsheets.  I spent a good portion of this last typhoon making strips out of our old sheets.  Then I crocheted them in a round to make a rug.  This is what I have for now, but I will probably add to it with the other sheets that match when we are done with them.  This is most of two queen sized fitted sheets.  I think the worst part of this project was definitely cutting the red sheets, they wouldn't tear like the black ones did.  Also, actually crocheting the strips was a bit hard on my hand and my bad shoulder.  I will be cutting all future fabric strips a bit more narrow. 

For those interested, the strips were about 2 in thick and I used a 12.0mm crochet hook.  I started with a chain of 6 (for the thickness of the strips I would recommend doing more st in the starting ch as I have a little bit of a problem getting it to stay flat in the middle), joined in the round and DC 8 times into the ring.  Rd 2: 2 DC in ea st around.  Should have 16st.  Rd 3:  2DC then 1 DC around. Should have 24 st.  Rd 4:  2DC then 1 DC in the next two st.  Should have 32 st.  Anyway, you get the point.  Every round you increase the number of single stitches inbetween the doubles.  If you find it isn't laying flat at any point then you can simply add stitches.  If it is starting to "pucker" then add less stitches. 

I don't know that I said any of that right.  If you have questions, just comment and I will attempt to explain it.  

My first completed sock!!

Okay, so socks are not easy at all!!!  I had to learn to knit with DPN's (double pointed needles) and how to use 4 of them at the same time to knit in the round.  I had many duds.  This sock isn't an exact replica of the one on the website because I got so sick of knitting the cuff only to screw up on the heel flap and picking up stitches along it and lose all my work.  So the cuff is much shorter than it was supposed to be as I only did enough of it to make the needles a little more steady.  This is the hardest knitting project to date.  I don't plan on it being the last time I do socks.  I still want to learn how to do toe up socks, but I think that will come a bit later.  I need to practice this way a bit more still.  If you want to learn to knit a sock with larger yarn and DPN's, I recommend doing this one and then moving on to the smaller needles and yarn.  Not only that, but it might give some insight on how to read and trust what a pattern says to do.  Sock patterns are extremely confusing, but well worth the effort.  The instructions on how to knit a sock is here.

The washcloth

Learning to knit has been pretty fun for the most part.  Sometimes frustrating, but I like a challenge, so I have mostly enjoyed it.  This washcloth was my way of teaching myself to increase, decrease, and to change color.  It was a bit confusing at first, but I got it.  I plan on eventually making many more washcloths, they feel so nice on the skin.  The pattern came from here.

 

Hey! It's a new post!

So, it's has been MONTHS since I posted, which is pretty sad.  My brother has mentioned my lack of discipline in the posting on my blog as I should...sorry, bro.  I have however been semi busy in the time that I haven't been on here.  I have only finished one crochet project (just the other day).  However, over the last couple of months, I have taught myself to knit.  I have done several washcloths which I won't be able to post at the moment because they are up in the dirty laundry.  I do have the one that I did to teach myself to increase, decrease, and change color (all in one go, phew) that I will be posting.  I, also, have been struggling to learn to knit socks.  I have successfully completed a beginner sock, YIPPEE!!  So, I am going to post those now...with pictures!

Pants/Shorts made out of T-Shirts

Mark and I have quite a few old T-shirts that we no longer use (some that we have never used) and I have them in a bag in our downstairs closet.  They were originally brought down so I could make rag rugs, however they have been sitting in there for quite a few months alongside an unfinished rug.  I ran across this post from Rookie Moms that shows you how to make baby/toddler pants out of old T-shirts.  I bookmarked it forever ago and for some reason, I felt like pulling out my sewing machine today, so I pulled this back up and gave it a go. 

I made the "pants" for Nick using his superman pants as my guide.  I tried them on him when he got up from his nap, little did I know that the kid has grown out of them in the last week or so, which means I am going to have to make them into shorts.  That boy is growing way to fast.  I, also, did a pair of shorts for Ellie, but I don't have the right width of elastic, so I am going to have to complete them tomorrow.  I think I might try one more pair tonight, before I go to bed.  I am not one who sews, so if I can do it, anyone can do it.  I suggest giving it a try if you have little ones.  It's a great way to recycle and it will save a few bucks on new pajama pants/shorts.

White Totoro Done!!

 After doing the blue totoro, I wanted to do the white one and the gray one.  I had the white yarn, so I started him.  He worked up VERY quickly.  I didn't do the feet, however.  I don't feel that he really needed them.  So, now, all I have to do is order some yarn for the the gray totoro and Ellie will have a complete set!! 
 

Totoro is FINISHED!!

The Totoro that I promised to Ellie is finished!!  He was a lot bigger that I thought that he would be, but he is Oh so cute!!  I will be making the others to go with him, as well.  I made only one change, really, and that was his eyes.  I crocheted the eyes because I didn't have safety eyes and I had to modify the white part of the eyes to accommodate the black crocheted part.  Overall, he was pretty fun to crochet and not to difficult to put together.  If you want to give it a go, the pattern is here.

Elizabeth's Blanket

I feel kinda bad about not posting for a while, so I am going to add a quick post on Elizabeth's blanket that I made for her for Christmas.  I am working on Totoro, which I should finish soon.  I have a couple of other things I need to finish as well...but, we have been busy around here, so I haven't been able to much in the crochet department in the last couple of weeks.  Okay...Ellie's blanket....

Ellie's Hairpin Lace Skirt

I got my loom and I know how to use it now.  I decided that I wanted to make a skirt...well, actually, that is the reason I wanted the loom in the first place.  I fell in love with Jen Hansen's skirt which I found on Ravelry.  I couldn't find a pattern that would fit a 5 year old, so I decided to attempt it on my own with no pattern.  It turned out pretty.  I don't know how to write a hairpin lace pattern, but I will share how I did it here.  If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask me.  Next time I will share more photos of the process.

The "Pattern"-

Hairpin Lace

Okay, so the story behind this one is that I was cruising around the net looking at crochet projects as I do constantly and I ran across hairpin lace crochet.  OOOHHH, what is that?!?  I asked myself, I had never seen it before, so I Googled it. 

Amigurumi Bear

Here is a picture of the finished product.  The link if you want to make this little guy is Crochet Ogeechee Bear - Amigurumi.  I made a couple of little changes, but over all kept him the same.  Pretty quick work up if you aren't chasing little ones around. 

Though, I must say after taking his picture...I really do suck at attaching the limbs.  I will get better with time though.  This little guys is only my second time attaching the arms and legs.  Practice make good enough, so I guess I will keep it up.   Besides I have a Totoro to make. 

Half finished projects and the ever growing list

I have quite a few unfinished projects, as I think is probably pretty normal.  Some are hibernating in the closet (rag rug for Ellie's bathroom), some on my desk (one is about 1/3 finished and the other only requires blocking and hanging).  I pretty much finished a stuffed bear today...I got all of his limbs on, but still need to attach his snout.  However, Mark has asked me to make him a blanket, so....we went and got his yarn (all black), I picked a pattern (ripple) and I started yet another project tonight.  I will post pictures of my progress and maybe I will finish the bear tomorrow and post pics of him.  Ellie thought he was for her and got upset when I said he wasn't, but I have promised to make her a Totoro, so she is happy now!  So many projects, so little time......

Here is a pic of the unfinished bear.  All but his snout is attached.

First ever sleep over

We had our first ever "sleepover" last night.  We had a couple of friends that wanted to go out last night and we offered to watch their daughter overnight.  She and Ellie get along really well, even though Ellie is older.  I think that I did a brain dump or have some sort of amnesia about that period of Ellie's life. 

Damien's Blanket

If you ever want to get pregnant and are having issues, it seems that getting stationed in Okinawa is a great cure!!  I have a couple of friends who are getting ready to have little ones so I crocheted up a couple of baby blankets for them.  This is for the friend that is having a little boy.  I was actually upset when this one was done because the yarn (Lion Brand Baby's First) is so soft and squishy.  I am definitely going to be getting some more of it.  Maybe I will make Nick a blanket with it.  The pattern is a free one from Lion Brand.  It is simple and quick to work up!  If you would like to give it a go here is the link. Sea Blue Baby Afghan

Nick's blanket

When I found out I was preggo, I just had to make a cute baby blanket.  I scoured the net for a pretty pattern.  I still wasn't very experienced with reading patterns, but I wanted to give it a shot.  This is the one I picked and it turned out pretty well.  I didn't know how to join a new skein correctly yet, so I am not so sure that it will last for all that long, but overall not too bad.  Actually, finishing this blanket is what has prompted me to experiment more with crocheting.  Just so everyone knows, I picked this blanket before I knew that I was having a boy... I seriously need to make him a new more "boyish" blankie.  If you are interested in trying this pattern, you can find it here Lacy Afghan pattern

I AM BLOGGING!

I am hoping you guys will bear with me as I learn to do this!  I will start by saying the main reason I am blogging is to share my crafting with others.  I will probably throw in some of the other experiences of my life as well.

I am a 29 year old, stay at home, mother of two mostly sweet little monsters and the wife of a pretty great guy.
We are currently stationed in Okinawa, Japan.  I am just getting used to being here after about a year and a half.  I can't wait to be on America soil again, though.  While taking care of the kiddos can be kind of hectic sometimes, I love to craft, mostly crochet at the moment.  I am hoping that I can get this blogging thing down and start posting some of my completed projects!