I am not so interested in blogging anymore, but I'm leaving up my patterns. I have disabled all comments because of spamming. Thank you for visiting.

Simple Crochet Ball

I have tried several patterns for crochet balls but was not satisfied with any of them. Decreasing to close the ball leaves unattractive gaps that show the stuffing. I remembered a pattern from a vintage crochet book my mother-in-law gave me, which had you make two halves and seam them, but the gauge and shaping of that pattern was all wrong, and I wound up with more of a lacy egg than a ball. There is another free online that is constructed much like this one, but I haven't tried it. It uses fewer rows in the middle. I have reworked features from several patterns into one that works for me. Mind you, I am not copying any aspects of any pattern. I developed this pattern using basic crochet techniques that all crocheters know. Although the stuffing bit is completely of my own invention... I think.


Finished Size: Variable
Gauge: Unimportant. Though it is important to keep your work tight to prevent stuffing from showing.
Materials: I used sport weight cotton yarn. The orange ball is made from Omega Sinfonia and the blue/green ball is Patons Grace. You can make it out of anything, though. It is a fantastic pattern for using up scraps. I particularly like making them out of sock yarn.
Hook: I used a 2.75m (US C) hook with the ones shown in the picture. Use whatever size produces a firm fabric but does not give you any difficulty in grasping the yarn.
Notions: Yarn needle, scissors, a bit of stuffing or, for a firm ball, cotton quilt batting. See note in that segment of the pattern.

Ball
note: make two of the following halves, which will be seamed together.
Mark the beginning of each round using a piece of contrasting scrap yarn. Remember to move your scrap yarn at the change of each round so you can find your starting place.
Rnd 1: Ch 2. 6 sc in second ch. from hook.
2 sc in each st. around (12 sts)
Rnd 2: [sc, 2sc in next st.] repeat around (18 sts)
Rnd 3: [2sc, 2sc in next st.] repeat around (24 sts)
Rnd 4: [3sc, 2sc in next st.] repeat around (30 sts)
Continue in this manner, adding six evenly placed stitches in each round, until you have 60 stitches around (For the size of the orange ball) or do a little more or fewer rounds for whatever size you like. (the other pictured ball has 48 sts)
Rnd ?: sc even around 5 rows. break yarn leaving an 18" tail.

Finishing:
For filling you can use wool or poly fiberfill, but I chose cotton quilt batting because it allows for a firm ball with a little more weight to it. I made it so:
take a sheet of cotton batting (I used Warm & Natural), fold it in half lengthwise, then repeat two or three times more. This makes cutting the strips much quicker. Even out the edge and cut off a few 1" strips. Wind them tightly into a ball as you might wind yarn, making it as symmetrical and round as possible. Continue in this manner until it fits snugly into the crocheted ball. Pull both halves of the ball around it and match them up as you like and seam them. I like to put the tails on opposite sides and sew half of the ball with each, but it doesn't signify how you do it. If you choose instead to use wool or poly fill, stitch up empty halves leaving a 1" gap for filling.
Whip-stitch gives the flattest, most invisible seam in my experience. I have also used mattress stitch, which creates a visually interesting, though clearly definable, seam. Don't forget to sew in your ends.

Now, throw your ball at someone unsuspecting or give it to a child who will roll it under the sofa and make you retrieve it. Wacky fun!

Three Peas in a Pod

I recently whipped up a sweet little improvised set of peas in a pod for my best friend's son on the occasion of his first birthday. It was such a fun and easy project that I thought I'd share it with you. Keep in mind that, as with all of my instructions, they are a little sketchy.

I used a green ww yarn. In this case, Crystal Palace Cotton Chenille in "fern", and a hook only just large enough to grab the yarn. The fabric needs to be really tight to prevent the stuffing from showing through.

Pea Baby (make 3) foundation round: ch 2. 6 sc in second ch from hook.
rnd 1: 2 sc in every st. around (12 sts)
rnd 2: *sc, 2sc in next st* repeat around (18 sts)
rnds 3-5: sc in every st around
rnd 6: *sc, sc 2 tog* repeat around (12 sts)
firmly stuff the pea before the final round
rnd 7: sc 2 tog in every st. around (6 sts)
break end leaving a tail 8" or longer. Weave through each stitch around and pull firmly to close. Knot well and draw end through the pea a few times before cutting off.
Embroider face as desired.

Pea Pod (make 2)
Foundation row: ch 17. turn.
row 1: skipping first ch. from hook, sc across to last st. 2 sc in last st. (17 sts) ch 1 and turn.
rows 2-10: sc to last st. 2 sc in last st. ch 1 and turn.
Check whether your pod is wide enough to hold all 3 peas. If not, add a few more increase rows before moving on.
rows 11-15: sc across.
Break yarn leaving a tail about the length of your arm. Sew the two halves together.
Test the fit with your peas in the pod. If it is not deep enough to hold them in, single crochet around the top edge until you are happy with the fit.

More Family snaps

So we went to the park this afternoon after Zach got home from work. It's the last week of tax season so we haven't seen much of him the last few days. We thought it would be nice to spend some time outdoors.

It wasn't as much fun as it looks. It was really windy and the little ones were pretty crabby. The kids all decided at the same time that they were really hungry and couldn't wait another moment for dinner, so we didn't stay too long. But for the time we did stay, Zach tried to go fishing and the kids tried to play in the sand. Then the boy got inconsolably grouchy about the wind so we had to go. It doesn't signify, because we had a few fun moments and I got some pretty cute photos. The one Zach took of me... well, I can't excuse his crooked photography. I was actually sitting on a hill.

I haven't shared pics of the boy in a while. These were taken only a moment ago.

Gnome Home

Several people on Ravelry have asked me to concoct a pattern for the Gnome Home I made for our niece Jess for Christmas. I totally improvised it at the time, so I don't remember exactly how I did it, but I have devised a set of sketchy instructions so you can make one of your own. Be advised that by sketchy I mean sketchy. Best of luck.
For the base, use a bulky green yarn held together with a strand of matching green eyelash yarn (grass) or several strands of eyelash yarn held together. For walls use a bulky brown yarn, and for the roof use a bulky yarn in a different shade of brown. You will need to use a hook that is just barely large enough to grab the yarn. A very tight fabric is required to make the house stand up. Gauge is not important in this pattern.


Base:
ch 2. In 2nd ch from hook sc 6. Place marker or scrap of yarn between 1st and last sts of foundation round.
round 1: 2 sc in every st around (12 sts)
round 2: [1 sc. 2 sc in next st. (increase made)] repeat around (18 sts)
round 3: [2 sc. 2 sc in next st. (increase made)] repeat around (24 sts)
continue in this fashion, adding one single crochet between each increase, until you have a disc approx. 6" in diameter.

Walls:
round 1: sc around. Switch to brown yarn.
row 2: sc around to last 5 sts. ch 1. turn
repeat row 1 working back and forth, leaving a doorway 5 sts wide, until doorway is about 3" tall.
row 3: sc around to last st of row. 2 sc in last st. ch 1 and turn.
row 4: repeat row 2.
round 5: sc to doorway. ch 1. going across doorway, sc the rest of the round.
round 6: sc around
repeat round 6 for 1" above top of doorway.

Roof:
Switch to roof color.
round 1: sc around
round 2: [5 sc, sc 2 tog] repeat around
round 3: sc around
repeat rows 2 and 3 until you have about 5 or 6 sts left. Cut yarn and weave end through sts and pull closed.

Soffit:
Your number of stitches should be divisible by 6, so you will be working each scallop over 6 sts. Be sure your slip stitches are in stitches 1 and 6 of each scallop.
ss yarn to first row of roof color. [sk 2 sts. 6 dc in 2nd st. sk 2. ss in next st.] repeat around. break yarn and weave in ends.

I crocheted the flowers in a sport weight microfiber acrylic, but you can use any sport or fingering weight yarn. I don't have a pattern for the flowers. I found various free flower patterns online such as this one, and then sewed them on. I embroidered the stems in green yarn.

Fulled Tomato Purse (crochet)

As with all of my patterns, I have tested this to the best of my ability, but you may find an error or two. Please let me know if you do.

Tomato Bag
Materials:
• 1 skein worsted weight red 100% wool or wool/mohair blend (main color)
• 1 skein worsted weight green 100% wool or wool/mohair blend (accent color)
• size J crochet hook
• stitch marker
• yarn needle
• embroidery needle
• 2 black button eyes or black beads
• black cotton thread and/or embroidery thread
• For drawstring, your choice of 2 size 7 double-pointed knitting needles, a knitting spool, a size J crochet hook, or 2/3 yard of matching green ribbon
• washing machine & detergent for felting (if desired)

mc= main color
ac= accent color
ch= chain
ss= slip stitch
sc= single crochet
st= stitch
rnd= round
inc= increase
sk=skip

You will start from the base of the tomato and work your way up.
Using J hook and mc, ch 2
6 sc in 2nd ch from hook (first ch made)
rnd 1: 2 sc in each st around (12 sc)
Place marker. Move to next round at each pass.
rnd 2: *sc in 1st st. 2 sc in next st (inc made)* repeat ** around (18 sc)
rnd 3: *sc in 2 sts. 2 sc in next st* repeat ** around (24 sc)
rnd 4: *sc in 3 sts. 2 sc in next st* repeat ** around (30 sc)
rnd 5: *sc in 4 sts. 2 sc in next st* repeat ** around (36 sc)
rnd 6: *sc in 5 sts. 2 sc in next st* repeat ** around (42 sc)
rnd 7: *sc in 6 sts. 2 sc in next st* repeat ** around (48 sc)
rnd 8: *sc in 7 sts. 2 sc in next st* repeat ** around (54 sc)
rnd 9: *sc in 8 sts. 2 sc in next st* repeat ** around (60 sc)
rnd 10: *sc in 9 sts. 2 sc in next st* repeat ** around (66 sc)
rnd 11: *sc in 10 sts. 2 sc in next st* repeat ** around (72 sc)
rnd 12: *sc in 11 sts. 2 sc in next st* repeat ** around (78 sc)
rnd 13: *sc in 12 sts. 2 sc in next st* repeat ** around (84 sc)
rnd 14: *sc in 13 sts. 2 sc in next st* repeat ** around (90 sc)
rnd 15: *sc in 14 sts. 2 sc in next st* repeat ** around (96 sc)
rnd 16: *sc in 15 sts. 2 sc in next st* repeat ** around (102 sc)
rnd 17: sc around
rnds 18-47: repeat rnd 17
rnd 48: *sc in 10 sts. sc 2 tog.* repeat 7 times more. sc in last 6 sts. (94 sc)
rnd 49: sc around
rnd 50: *sc in 8 sts. sc 2 tog.* repeat 8 times more. sc in last 4 sts. (85 sc)
rnd 51: sc around.

break off mc and switch to ac.
You are now going to form the leaves.
for each leaf you will repeat the following pattern around the rim of the tomato.
row 1: sc in next 5 sts. ch 1 and turn
row 2: sc in each st across (5 sts). ch 1 and turn
row 3: sk 1st st. sc across (5 sts). ch 1 and turn
row 4: sk 1st st. sc across (4 sts). ch 1 and turn
row 5: sk 1st st. sc across (3 sts). ch 1 and turn
row 6: sk 1st st. sc across (2 sts). ch 1 and turn
row 7: sk 1st st. sc across (1 st) ch 1. do not turn.
ss in the end of each row along the leaf edge. ss in mc in last st of 1st row.

repeat leaf pattern around top edge of tomato.
Join first row of last leaf to first row of first leaf with ss.
rnd 1: (eyelet row) 2 sc, ch 2 sk 2 around to last 2 sts. sc in last 2 sts.
rnd 2: sc in each sc, and 1 sc in each ch 2 space around.
ss in last st and finish off and sew in ends.

make 2.5' drawstring using knitted i-cord or crochet lobster stitch or use
2' of matching green ribbon.
To felt bag and drawstring, place in the washing machine on a hot cycle with a small amount of detergent and a few low lint or lint-free clothing items (t-shirts and jeans are good). Check periodically and remove when it looks the way you like. If you are using a front-loading machine, wash on the shortest cycle, then check progress and repeat if desired. Rinse in cool water and blot with a towel. Stuff the bag with dry washcloths or socks and pin leaves down and lay drawstring flat to block. When dry, trim off lint or pilling and run drawstring starting in first eyelet made.
Sew on eyes and embroider mouth using running stitch according to the picture or your own taste.

This pattern is protected by copyright. You may use it for personal and charitable use, but you may not sell more than one item made from this pattern without my permission. You may not re-post the pattern without my permission. Feel free to comment if you have any questions.

Oh, Mistletoe

That parasitic little sprig. That ubiquitous seasonal staple which was dubbed the state flower of Oklahoma by someone who'd never seen a flower. That most subversive of holiday decorations. That little cute little bundle which seeks to clandestinely spread colds in the name of fun, thereby squelching Christmas cheer. Throw away your plastic reproductions and whip out your knitting needles and yarn. Make woolly mistletoe to hang in all your doorways. Pin it to your shirt. Don with pride this traditional foliage and let the world know that you can knit anything! Mwa ha ha!

Mistletoe Knitting Pattern

you will need:
2 US size 6 dpns
scrap amounts of light leaf green wool worsted or DK yarn (I used Paton's Classic Merino in leaf green)
white felted balls, beads or small white buttons
yarn darning needle
sewing needle and white thread
washing machine for felting

Base stem and first leaf:
CO 3 sts. Knit 3" of 3-stitch i-cord.
Increase 2nd stitch of each row until you have 8 sts on the needle
Work 8 rows even
Decrease 2nd stitch of each row until you have 4 sts on needle. BO.

Second leaf
PU 3 sts from i-cord 1" above first leaf. Attach yarn and work 1" i-cord and repeat leaf as above.

Berry stem
PU 3 sts from i-cord just above where you joined for second leaf. Join yarn and work 2" i-cord. BO.

Weave in ends and felt in washing machine or by hand.
Reshape and dry on a towel. When dry, sew desired number of berries to berry stem.

For a fuller bunch of mistletoe, make several as above, varying the length of the base stem, and tie together with a red ribbon. Alternately, you could continue adding on branches of leaves the way you did earlier, picking up i-cord stitches. You can also stitch a line down the center of each leaf on a sewing machine or by hand, and fold the leaf a bit to give it more dimension.

Happy Christmas!

This pattern is protected by copyright. You may use it for personal and charitable use, but you may not sell more than one item made from this pattern without my permission. You may not re-post the pattern without my permission. Feel free to comment if you have any questions.

LITTLE PRINCESS Felted Crown Pattern

Technially this is "fulled," but "felted" seems to be the most widely recognized term. I'm knowingly erring for the sake of the masses. So sue me.
This was the first knitting pattern I wrote. I have seen people complain that there are errors in my pattern. I can't find them. If you find any flaws in my pattern, please let me know and I will correct them. Knit at your own risk. The main complaint seems to be that the increases and decreases are not coming out on the same edge.
Be sure that all of your increases and decreases are on the same edge! One edge should never increase or decrease.
If it will help, place a stitch marker on the straight edge to remind you. Also, it seems like there should be 12 sts in the last row, but it looks better if there are 11.
HAPPY KNITTING!
Blessings, Lindsay

Skill: Beginner
Needle: size 10, 16" or 12" circular needle
Yarn: 100% wool or wool/mohair worsted weight such as Paton's Classic Merino or Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride (pictured above is made from my own handspun) in 2 colors
yarn needle
one stitch marker or yarn scrap
6 buttons matching accent color
washing machine & detergent for felting

Cast on 12 sts using main color (color you prefer for top portion of crown)
1. knit across
2. ssk, and then knit across. (11)
3. knit across
4. ssk, and knit across. (10)
5. knit across
6. ssk, and knit across. (9)
7. knit across
8. ssk, and knit across (8)
9. knit across
10. ssk, and knit across (7)
11. knit across
12. ssk, and knit across (6)
13. knit across
14. knit to end of row, and cast on 1 (7)
15. knit across
16. knit to end of row and cast on 1 (8)
17. knit across
18. knit to end of row and cast on 1 (9)
19. knit across
20. knit to end of row and cast on 1 (10)
21. knit across
22. knit to end of row and cast on 1 (11)
23. knit across
24. knit to end of row and cast on 1 (11)
25. knit across
FOR CHILD: repeat rows 1-2 six times.
FOR TODDLER: repeat rows 1-2 five times.
ALL: Repeat rows 1-23 one more time
Pick up 11 sts on cast-on edge using empty needle.
Using kitchener stitch, graft first and last rows together. Secure ends and weave them in.
Along straight edge, pick up sts at the end of approx. every other row. Be sure you have an even number. Place stitch marker or scrap of yarn at beginning. Using accent color, work 1x1 ribbing for 3 rounds. Drop accent color and pick up main color. Work 1 round of ribbing. Drop main color and pick up accent color again, and work 4 more rounds in ribbing.
Bind off and weave in ends. (I like the sewn bind off for this) Felt in your washing machine with a few low-lint items. Lay flat to dry.
Trim any fuzz and sew on buttons at points (which had not been finished when I snapped the photo above)

This pattern is protected by copyright. You may use it for personal and charitable use, but you may not sell more than one item made from this pattern without my permission. You may not re-post the pattern without my permission. Feel free to comment if you have any questions.

First Haircut & Birthday Loot

After a conversation with my mother-in-law in which we noticed that G- had lost a lot of his hair, I decided yesterday that I should give him a trim before all the blond tips he was born with broke off. I wanted to be able to save some for his baby book. His hair was getting a bit unruly anyway. He looks much better now.




I also got some lovely gifts. My parents gave me the first season DVD of Clatterford, a pair of Crocs sandals that didn't fit my great big ugly-stepsister feet, so mom is going to exchange them for me, and this:

A delicious POUND of bamboo fiber for spinning. Zach also revealed to me that he had ordered some silk for me to spin, as well as some other spinning wheel accessories. I am going to have enough to keep me busy all summer! I just have to get my hands on some hand carders so I can start making my own blends!
My sweet brother and sister-in-law gave me a Hastings gift card, so I can go and get some of the lovely knitting books I have been wanting. YAY! Mom made dinner- Chicken in the foil, which I requested. It is a very nostalgic dish- quite appropriate for my 30th birthday. She also made a chocolate chocolate chip cake with peanut butter frosting. I had a piece for second breakfast this morning.
As far as birthdays go, this was a pretty good one. Except for the debit card number getting stolen again-thing. That sucked. But what can you do?