Piece by Piece

As the weather begins to cool (even if it's just down to 85 in the daytime and 65 at night here in Mississippi!), I get the urge to crochet a new blanket. 

 

 

 

I usually do neutral afghans in one or two colors, but I'm breaking my own mold this time.

 

 

 

 

 

And piece by piece....

 

 

 

 

I'm watching it come together!

 

 

Crochet Season is Upon Us

 

With cooler weather always comes the urge to crochet.

 

 

Gardening season, it seems, is always replaced by crochet season.  I found this lovely, non-traditional granny square and have decided making a blanket consisting of these will be my first project of "the season."



 

 

 

This lovely, flower square was designed by Penny at The Creative Penny, and she calls it the Kata square.

 

I'm taking a slightly bolder approach with my colors....

 

 

With a little orange for fall.....

 

And so begins the Crochet Season!

Starburst Crochet Scrubbers

I love to crochet washcloths and dishcloths, but when I saw these starburst crochet scrubbers on Ravelry, I thought they would make a more sturdy alternative to a dishcloth.

It only takes about thirty minutes to whip one up.

The variegated yarns look especially lovely in the spiral pattern of the scrubby.

Sturdy and easy-to-grip, these measure about three inches in diameter.

I can't wait to make more!

There is also a video tutorial available here.



Scrub away!






P.S.  I'm linking to the following linky parties:

Making Monday Marvelous
Motivate Me Monday
Craft O Maniac Monday
Made with Love

Crochet Clay Jewelry Dishes

I like designated places to put things.  "A place for everything, and everything in its place," they say.  My rings are things that need their very own place.

I've seen similar dishes on several sites, and I was anxious to make my own, as I had never worked with clay before.


For this project, you'll need:

1. Wax paper

2. Sculpey Clay (available at Michael's or other craft stores for $3)
3. Acrylic paint

4. An oven-safe bowl

5. A bowl to act as a "cookie cutter" for your dish
6. Crochet pieces

*Make sure you cover your work surface with wax paper or you'll end up with a waxy mess.

Step 1:  Roll your clay out (using a rolling pin or drinking glass) till you have your desired size for your dish.

Step 2:  Use a bowl to cut smooth edges on the rolled-out clay.

Step 3:  Press crochet pieces (mine are doiles I crocheted recently, but you could also used lace pieces, or you could hand-imprint designs as desired) into the clay.  Make sure they are free of lint and dust before doing so.  Press deeply and evenly to get a good, crisp image into your clay.

Step 4:  Place your dish into the bottom of an oven-safe bowl or dish.  The size of the dish will determine how shallow or deep your finished dish is.  The instructions on the package indicate that you should bake your clay fifteen minutes for each 1/4 inch of thickness of clay.  However, mine took about ten minutes more.  When the dish is done baking, pop it out of the dish, and allow it to cool for 20 minutes.

Step 5:  I used watered down bright yellow acrylic paint to fill in the imprint in the clay made by the doily.

As you can see, I used several doilies for several patterns.

My rings have a home....one dish for the kitchen windowsill, one for the dresser.

A place for everything, and everything in it's place!




Linking to:

Wildly Original
Power of Paint Party
We Did It Wednesday
Share the Love Wednesday

Mississippi Snowflakes

It's 75 degrees here today. 

These are the only "snowflakes" you're likely to see this winter in southern Mississipi.

Or in any winter in southern Mississippi, for that matter.

Crocheting these dainty doilies has been my pasttime as of late.

Though it may seem that crocheting would make me anxious or be too tedious...

It's actually very relaxing....

Particularly when I can do it by an open window

 

With warm, "winter" air blowing in

And not a snowflake in sight.

Crochet Doily

My grandmother taught me to crochet when I was 14.  I loved it immediately. 

Unfortunately, crochet is one of those lovely pursuits that is fading away.  And as silly as it sounds, I do it not only because it's enjoyable, but because it's a little piece of the past that I refuse to release.

I'm an old pro at afghans and washcloths, but recently I tried my hand at something that required a little more finesse.

The doily.  The classic crochet piece.

 

It took a bit of time for my fingers to adjust to the tiny hook and tiny thread.

But eventually, some order began to emerge from the tangles.

My grandmother has given me doilies she made as well as some crocheted by her mother.  I always imagined the creation falling perfectly from their needles.

Not the case!

Once the doily is complete, you must wash it.  This is done by giving it a light handwash (no twisting or pulling!) in mild detergent and warm water, and then gently rolling the piece in a clean towel to remove the excess water without distorting its shape.   

Then you must "block" the piece.  This is done by unrolling it onto a flat, dry surface and gently shaping it as needed.  Then you can enjoy it on the coffee table under an antique vase or on your nightstand by the lamp, just the way the good Lord intended for doilies to be used.

So now, each time you visit your grandmother, and you see a hand-made doily, please always remember....

That it wasn't just crocheted....

It was loved into life!

Cozy Crocheted Afghan

I love to crochet.  My grandmother taught me when I was little, and I've been a-crochetin' ever since.

Embarrasingly enough, I started this afghan over a year ago.  Moving (twice), blogging, crafting, pets, jobs, and my husband (not necessarily in that order!) sort of got in the way.

For me, the edging on this one really steals the show.  And my grandmother made herself a blue and white one in the same pattern, so I'll always think of her when I use it.

Cheerful and bright.

Cozy and warm.

Perfect for those cold winter days ahead.

Crochet Washcloths for Baby

Did you know I love to crochet?

My good friend is having a baby.  I immediately went out and crocheted some washcloths for the little guy/girl (they aren't finding out!).

The nursery will be neutrals with some blue.

I wonder if they will end up with a girl in their blue nursery.

It's ok if they do.

I was born into

A blue nursery too. :)