Winter Hats

It's still quite warm in NorCal. However, before we know it, cooler weather will blow it's winds our way. I've been crocheting cozy winter hats for the family. We will for sure be needing them for Thanksgiving as we will be spending it at the ranch in Montana. Two done, three to go.

Overcast Pacifica

 This wave baby blanket was so fun to make. Pacifica was my inspiration for the colors. I was drawn to the moody shades of blue because they reminded me of the ocean on an overcast day. 

Pope Dixie the First

Before finishing my latest crochet project, I held it up for David to guess what it was. His first response was a hat. I said no and to prove my point I put it on my head. He busted up laughing saying it looked like the Pope's hat. 

While it does look like the Pope's hat, it's actually a purse. You can find the free Urban Gypsy Boho Bag pattern at Make and Do Crew Blog. 

It was so much fin to make and easy to do. Kirsten has requested one in purple. 

Ripples in the Water

On our last visit to the Zinn Ranch, I learned from my niece, Melissa, that the afghan I had crocheted for her as years ago was now a big ball of yarn. Ever since she was a baby, she has loved putting her fingers through afghans. So, I thought it time I make her a new one. I found this pattern from Bernat Yarn and new at once it was holy enough for Melissa. It was so fun and easy to make that I plan on making another (for me). 

Women's Peaked Hat

I've been wanting to crochet this hat for a while now. I'm in love with the texture. The style reminds me of a cloche hat. Kirsten may look cute wearing it, but I'm keeping it for myself. Free pattern found at yarnspirations website.

Chunky and Lacy

 One of my Christmas presents was a box full of red chunky yarn with a pattern for a lacy afghan. This was fun to make because it worked up quickly. I didn't like the instructions for the border, so I made up my own. I love the finished blanket. And don't you love my model? 

Penguin Purse

 This wrist purse is the perfect accessory. I crocheted a couple of them for Christmas presents. Pattern is free at Repeat After Me blog.

Meow, Ruff

 

I crocheted these scarves using a kit from Yarnspirations. They worked up quickly and I think are super cute. 

A What?

When my niece, Leeah, asked me to make her a red panda, I had to ask her what one looked like. I'd never heard of them. Then I googled pictures of them. I found a pattern from an etsy store (bluerabbitlv) and got to work. Now, I see why Leeah loves them so much. 

Key West Circle Top

I finally finished crocheting this top. This has been an on-again off-again project for a month now. I keep getting distracted with other projects. I love how it turned out! Kirsten look darling in it. I bought the kit from Lion Brand. 

Upscale Slouchy Hat

I love fall colors. Even though it still feels like summer here, the clothing stores are full of their fall line. Yellows, browns, dark blues, and reds. I'm even seeing these colors in yarn. I couldn't resist a sale at Michael's Craft Store and bought a bunch of beautiful yarn in all types of hues. Here is a slouchy hat I made for my sister. The pattern is from free from Red Heart. 

What is Yellow with Spots all Over

 While visiting the Douangaphaivongs in Washington, I had Kamea and Leeah pick out an animal for me to crochet. I just finished Kamea's giraffe. (Free pattern available at Flourish and Tots.) Now I need to find a red panda pattern. I'd better get them sent fast before Loni squeezes the stuffing out of it.
I remember learning how to crochet my first animal in the 8th grade. A class (I want to say it was an after school class) was taught by my classmate's mom (Eve Twyman). There were only about four of us in the class. Eve's mom taught us how to crochet a dragon. That was the first and last animal that I made, until now. Shortly after the 8th grade, Eve's mom passed away. I am thankful for her knowledge that she was willing to share with me.

(The ballerina outfit looks adorable on her, Deborah. Thank you. Thank Leeah.)

Be Still My Heart

I've been working on this afghan for Lonetta a while now. I actually finished it a few weeks ago. However, I didn't like the white edging because it showed all the loose yarn on the edges. So, I let the project sit, and sit, and sit, until I was ready to unravel all the edging and redo it in gray. Happily, Lonetta loves it. So do I.

(Pattern found on Char and Ami's blog.)

Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend

I just finished crocheting another baby blanket. Lacy Crochet Blog offers this adorable diamond pattern for free. It worked up quick; only three evenings. This will be a gift to my friend, Jenny, who just adopted a baby boy. So excited for her and her amazing family. 

Slouch Hat for Me

I found this adorable slouch hat pattern at Little Monkeys Crochet. 

This should do a good job at keeping my head warm for the couple of days we'll be in Utah.

Black Cat Hat

I made this hat for Kirsten's friend who is a huge cat lover. I can't decide what I love most about the hat; the black yarn with gold flecks or the ears. The free pattern can be found at Persia Lou's blog.

This is a hat I will make again. 

Yarn Obsession

I am grateful for yarn. I have somewhat of an obsession with it. A shoe store offers little temptation, however, put me in front of aisles of yarn and I am mesmerized. The colors and patterns draw me in. Last Christmas season, Macy's decorated their store with yarn Christmas trees. Genius! Perhaps I'll try something like that this year.

Anyways, I've been busy crocheting character hats for the youth to sell at their auction coming up in a week. I've completed a fox, a raccoon, and a dog. Then Kirsten asked me to make her a slouch hat (something I haven't tried yet). It was a breeze to whip up. So easy that I made another one.

Crochet Character Hats

Many tourist traps were visited when I took Deborah's kids to SF.  Street vendors lined the sidewalks hoping to lure our children over. The crochet character hats where the most popular. So, I promised them I would make them one. I made Leeah a Pikachu and Kamea (who I forgot to take a picture of) an owl. This evening, I finally finished Daveo's Spiderman hat. He is so excited to wear it.

Call the Midwife blanket

I can't watch television shows like, "ER" and "House". Even after learning that Patrick Dempsey starred in "Grey's Anatomy", I couldn't get through a single episode without feeling the same symptom the patients in the show were experiencing. (Is there a name for this insanity?) Early on in our marriage, David and I would watch "ER" in the evenings. I loved the show, but had to stop watching it because I obsessed over the people's sickness and would feel sick myself. This is just one of the many examples of my craziness. 

Anyways, while pregnant with Lonetta, I watched a British television series "Call the Midwife". Given my past experiences you would think me insane to watch a show the focuses mainly on childbirth. However, I loved this series and couldn't stop watching it. 

I was excited when I found a crochet pattern here for a baby blanket similar to an episode on "Call the Midwife". I immediately set to work on it using an antique white baby yarn and completed it in three days. It may look complicated, but it's super easy and crochets quickly. 

(I did a different border than the original pattern.)

Nameless Baby Afghan

It's only taken me two years, but at last I have finished my granny square afghan. (Look back at my post when I started this project.) I didn't intend on it taking so long to crochet. After I made all 100 squares, I gave myself a break. A very LONG two year break. 

I'm so happy that I resurrected it because it is now my favorite afghan that I've made. Much gratitude goes to Mom and Grandma Owens for teaching me the basics of crochet. 

Now I just need a name for this 730 day baby afghan. 

Any ideas?