Friday, June 30, 2006

This came through Yarnaholics Anonymous:

Hooks & Humor: Funny Crochet Definitions, by Cindy Long

Do those crochet terms and abbreviations have you stumped? Read on...

Pattern: A set of written instructions that may or may not result in creating the object in the picture. Most patterns include a list of supplies, but this is for your amusement only. After all, Amazonian Rhesus yarn in smoky turquoise does not exist, and cannot be obtained. Patterns also have fun-to-do math problems, such as 1 dc in next 7 dc (34 dc made)…?!

Yo: Yarn Over, meaning you need to wrap your yarn over your hook. Of course, this assumes the yarn doesn’t split, fray or tangle. If this happens, yo then stands for, “Yell Outrageously.”

Dtrtrc: Double-treble-treble-crochet. This is a stitch where you yo four zillion times, insert hook in stitch and pull through the next two loops, repeating until all loops are off the hook, or until the end of time, whichever comes first.

Reverse sc: This stitch is the lefty’s revenge on all of us righties—for once we have to work backwards, too!

Catalog: A dangerous device that hypnotizes crocheters. It lulls them into a catatonic state, causing them to spend the family’s grocery money on patterns and yarn. It may also be an evil plot to cause the downfall of the American economy.

Hook: A device permanently attached to a crocheter’s hand. It is also connected to her blood supply, and if for some reason it becomes dislodged from her hand, she breaks into a sweat and starts to feel faint. If the hook cannot be immediately replaced, the only valid substitute is a catalog (see above).

Yarn: The only reason sheep farms still exist! It’s also what crocheters buy when they have money; if there’s any cash left over, they buy food and clothes.

Doily: This seemingly innocent item looks like a table protector, but if someone actually tries to put a wet glass or an ashtray on it, the creator will instantly turn into a snarling Doberman. Use doilies at your own peril.

Cat: A non-mechanical device used for unraveling afghans, unwinding skeins and keeping one’s lap warm. A cat requires daily maintenance in the form of light stroking.

Dog: Another non-mechanical device that is used for chasing down balls of yarn and putting tooth-mark engravings in wooden hooks. It’s a high-maintenance item that does not store easily.

Baby: A valid excuse to crochet something.

Housework: An ancient rite that was performed by some B.C. women (Before Crochet). Historians believe it may have had something to do with a device called a “vacuum cleaner,” which was kept in closets now occupied by yarn.

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

I finally managed to get what I think is all of Ashley's artwork from Kindergarden and first grade onto Artsonia.com. I then put the artwork on a CD also. That way it's not sitting on the computer and it's in two places should something happen.





These are the celestial skys in four quarters. At the top left: the first quarter. At the top right: the second quarter. At the bottom left: the third quarter. And at the bottom right: the fourth quarter. This is one of two versions I have.

These Celestial Themed pictures are really cool. I had to add them.

I love this picture! But I had to get it off of my computer to save it. I will have others that I like coming soon.Whenever I look at this picture, it seems very calming.





I also got to see Katrina and Marty while we were there. I stayed with them on Sunday night. We were up till like 4 in the morning. Just sitting around and talking. It was nice. I took pictures of the dogs and horses.

This is the trip to Atlanta for work. We were at the Learning Annex event at the beginning of May. It was me, Julieann, Angie, Lainie, Marie and Maggie. We ended up bringing back 108 applications from the event. Here are some pictures we took while we were down there:
Here's a picture of the house with the bushes we chose. On the corner is the rhododendron and to the right (in the middle) is the Japanese maple. Over to the left of the picture (by the green spout) is the lilac tree Hope bought us and we replanted the daylilies in front of it.

Saturday, June 24, 2006



We went to the park today with Mom and met Dad there. He had a radio contest going on. All five kids had the chance to talk on the radio with Dad. Ashley and Stephen made a contact for the contest.



Also, here is the huge weather ballon they used at the contest to get a better signal and more contacts.












Here are some more pictures from the park.

Friday, June 23, 2006



The next blanket is the last one for awhile, I swear. It is going to be just like the tweed stripes that I made for Jaime, but this one will be in green and yellow. She is expecting another boy. She asked that I make her one just like the first and I said okay, but how about different colors so that each one is unique. She said cool. I am going to try and get a picture of the progress.

Granny Square Blanket

Here at last is the quick "granny square" I made for Brandi. I debated so long over using the other pattern, that by the time I started, I was way behind. I was not going to finish in 3 weeks. I don't have the time. So I chose to do something simple that would go quickly. She was having a boy (obviously by the colors in the blanket) and it didn't need to be frilly. So here it is:

They are separate pictures. I tried to get a slightly different angle. The other thing I noticed is that it wasn't "square". The edges had a slight curve. I'm sure it has something to do with my tension, but it was the same throughout so it came out okay.
Also, a couple of weeks ago, I asked Robyn to come over and help me with my hair. I chose red and black. I did the back underneath in the black and the rest red. I ended up having some black left over and Ashley has been begging me to color her hair black. I have been against it. NOT HER WHOLE HEAD!!!So we did her tips black. It turned out pretty good. It looks kind of neat. Mine too when I have my hair in a ponytail. Now I just wish it would grow. Grow Dammit!

Thursday, June 22, 2006

Had a birthday party for Robyn. She got cute little invitations that were shaped like chef aprons. It rained almost all day until about a half hour before I got home. Robyn and Alison & James followed me to the house in their cars after we waited for Alison and James to come back to the building. Robyn made a really nice map. Amanda and David brough Desiree about an hour later and they got to the house just as we were starting to serve ourselves. Alison & James brought some margarita mix and their smoothie maker (that they used for the first time) and I got out the margarita glasses John Z (Pete's boss) got us for Christmas (that I used for the first time). Amanda and David brought a German chocolate cake. It was really good. Evelyn didn't make it although she was supposed to be down the road at Tomas' dad's shop by Luchita's. We all had fun. If I get pictures, I'll post them.

Saturday, June 10, 2006

I have also finished the baby blanket I was making for Brandi. I made her a blue and whte granny square type. I used the same type of yarn that I did for Stacianne. Pictures are coming!

Monday, June 05, 2006

Baby Blanket for Stacianne

This baby blanket took me awhile. I made for Stacianne. This was the best picture out of all that I took. The original pattern is from Woodhill Designs.
http://woodhilldesignpatternpage. I varied it a little. At the time, I couldn't figure out the cluster stitch.
Together with baby items our team at work purchased for her, we placed the blanket in the bottom of the basket and added the other items into the basket. It turned out really cute.

Sunday, June 04, 2006

Here is some other information that was passed between one of our crochet groups. If you should come accross any vintage patterns, it will be very helpful.
From Talking Crochet! with Carol Alexander:

I looked through some early twentieth century needlework and crochet publications and found designations for some of the most commonly used stitches. Here they are, followed by today's designations:

Double crochet = today's single crochet
Half treble = today's half-double crochet
Treble = today's double crochet
Double treble = today's treble crochet
Long treble = today's double-treble crochet

It might take a bit of time and effort to "translate" vintage patterns into today's crochet language, but so many of these beautiful designs are priceless and well worth the effort.

General Conversions for Yarns Given Generically:

Super fine (sock, fingering, baby) weight: 1 ounce = 170-175 yards
Fine (sport) weight: 1 ounce = 90-100 yards
Medium (worsted) weight: 1 ounce = 50 yards
Bulky (chunky) weight: 1 ounce = 30-35 yards
Super bulky (super chunky) weight: 1 ounce = 16-23 yards

Thursday, June 01, 2006


I've finally finished the blanket for Stacianne. She ended up having the baby (boy) before I finished, by a week. It is a star pattern that I modified slightly. I didn't like the puffs (popcorn stitch?) in the original. As soon as I download a picture, you'll see it!
This information was in an email received through one of the Yahoo groups I am in. I though it very helpful:
If you aren't sure what material you're working with, light a match to the end and this is what happens:

Acrylic: Melts and shrinks from flame, then burns rapidly with smoky flame, melts and drips. Has a harsh odor while burning and leaves a hard, irregular bead.

Cotton and Linen: Ignites quickly, burns rapidly with yellow flame, red afterglow upon extinguishing. Smells like burning paper, leaves a light, feathery ash, gray to charcoal in color.

Nylon: Melts and shrinks from flame, burns slowly and smoky, self-extinguishes. Has odor of celery when burning and leaves a hard, shiny black or brown bead.

Polyester: Melts and shrinks from flame, melts and burns slowly, drips. Has a sweet odor when burning and leaves a hard, shiny black or brown bead.

Rayon: Ignites quickly, burns with a blue flame, rapid burn, red afterglow upon extinguishing. Smells like burning paper and leaves a light feathery ash, gray to charcoal in color.Silk: Curls away from flame, burns slowly, self-extinguishes. Smells like singed hair and leaves a round, shiny black bead which crushes easily.

Wools: Will dissolve in pure bleach. Burn test - smells like burning hair, leaves a brittle, irregular black ash. Burns slowly and unevenly, self-extinguishes.
Very Useful!!!

Granny Square Purse


This project was in between a couple of the hats I made. I got burned out at doing the hats and needed a change. So, I made myself a purse. I kind of made the squares as I needed them and when it came time to put them together, I chose the single crochet. The slip stitch or whipstitch did not really look good when completed so I yanked it out and started putting them together again.

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