Where did the time go? Again!

Don't know how the time got completely away from me -- again.  The only thing to do is to jump right back in and try, try again.

To catch up, just a bit, here are some Christmas 2015 pics:

Christmas Tree 2015

 

Detail Christmas Tree 2015

This is my granddaughter and the Gingerbread House she made from a Hello Kitty kit:

December 2015

And this is the Reindeer and Sleigh Gingerbread that both grandkids worked on together:

  2015

And this is a picture of the throw that I crocheted for my sister as part of her Christmas:

Slip Stitch, Half Double Crochet, repeat

That's about all the "crafty" stuff, I have pictures of from Christmas, because unfortunately, I didn't get any Christmas cards mailed for the first (and hopefully the last) time ever.  Merry Christmas --

 What should I do Next?   What are you all up to?

Men's Black

This scarf was made using a 9mm hook and Lion Brand Hometown USA bulky yarn, Oakland Black.  The pattern is worked length wise:  hdc on front loop for one row, then hdc on back hook for the next row, and continuing in that manner until the last row which was worked through both loops.  It measures 4 1/2" X 63 1/2".

Red Fisherman

Here's a classic style scarf (Fisherman) breaking tradition in bright red.  The yarn is Premier Yarns Everyday (Medium weight, 4 ply) in "Really Red."  Using hook I for the body and cables and hook K for the bobbles made the measurements come out to 4 1/2" x 40 1/2". 

Premier Yarns Everyday  "Really Red"

The picture isn't very good, because of the dreary day today (snow and ice), but the cables and bobbles still show -- so good enough, huh? 

Blue Boys'

   Form MUST follow function.  Ok, that's just my opinion: but, I honestly don't understand flat roofs in Indiana, dressers with tiny drawers, and winter scarves that don't keep out the cold and won't stay wrapped around a neck.  Super long and solid scarves for me.  I just hope the people I am making these for agree!

Lion Brand Hometown USA Chicago Charcoal  $2.99 per skein

Yarn Bee MadCap Navy  $7.99 per skein

The pattern I used was a simple single crochet, chain one pattern.  The Mad Cap yarn is flat and almost velvety to the touch.  I can't decide it I like it mixed with the bulky Lion Brand yarn.  Maybe, I should have held the Lion Brand in with the MadCap.  Hmmmm....

5 1/2 X 58 1/2

There is about 5 or 6 inches of snow on the ground -- perfect scarf weather.

Hope you are staying warm!

Amelia's Scarf

   After deciding that the pink and orange pom-pom scarf is going to go in the Good-Will bin, I went shopping for yarns that I like better.  And I think I found the type yarn that the girls' scarves will mainly be made with.  Yarn Bee Soft Illusions. (Of-course, I am likely to change my mind again later).  It is made for Hobby Lobby and sells for $6.49 per skein.
   I tested different stitches with the yarn and decided that I like the way the scarf hangs when using a simple half-double crochet stitch.  I used a size M crochet hook.  It measures  5 1/2" x 47" and took almost 2 skeins to make.

This one is for Amelia:

Yarn Bee Soft Illusions Islander

Can you tell it is fuzzy? 

One Hour

    Pinks, purples and oranges are really big with the 3 to 6 year old crowd in my family.  This scarf I made with Allie (age almost 4) in mind.  Thus...

The color of the yarn is called "Peachy."   I got it at JoAnn Fabrics today.  It was on sale for $7.49 per huge 258 yard skein (normal price $9.99):

Bernat Baby Blanket   100% Polyester

It is a super bulky yarn, chenille like, with absolutely no fuzz.  I used the entire skein (including making the pom-poms) and it took me an hour to crochet.  

Here it is modeled by one of my old dolls:

That doll is almost 50

 The scarf measures 5 1/2 X 52 inches (plus pom poms).   It is done in a series of double and single crochets (to keep it rather tight, so it won't snag on things as easily as it would if it had a more open weave).

Pom Pom Scarf with Allie in Mind

February 9, 2015 Note:  I decided this scarf is going to go in the Good-Will box.  The only part of it I really like is the huge pom-poms! 

A Gift of Inspiration

  My cousin bought me a hand crocheted scarf at a craft fair for Christmas -- so soft, so bright, so "Hey, I can make this!"
   So, I am hoping to make several scarves in the coming year to give as gifts for Christmas 2015.  It seems fitting that this first scarf should be made with a pattern named 'The Gift.'

I opted for a cream color ('Pearl') yarn by Yarn Bee.  It cost $5.49 per skein at Hobby Lobby (gulp! I didn't have a coupon!)  The yarn:

Yarn Bee  Andes Alpaca  (70% Acrylic 30% Alpaca)

It took 480 yards (4 skeins) and a full day to make this:

The Gift      by:  Inner Yarn Zen Designs

Detail of the Front

 The reverse side:

Pattern:  The Gift     By:  Inner Yarn Zen Designs 

  

Detail of the back

The scarf measures approximately 8 1/2 inches wide by 66 inches long.  Plenty of scarf there to block the Indiana winter winds. 

Hope you received a little inspiration this Christmas, too!