Thinking of Christmas

 Here is a sampling of what I have made for Christmas gifts.  The scarves turned out great this year thanks to some new yarn colors!  Still have way to much to make before Christmas gets here though.

 Old but new to me book from my mother and some super cute fabric.  I think I'll make a few things for the boys on my Christmas list.

Linen skirt from a local thrift store soon to be converted into more napkins.  I have found you can never have enough cloth napkins!  I think I can get 8 good sized napkins out of this $2 skirt.  You can't beat that!

handmade birthday

Ever since I started crocheting again 2 years ago I wanted to make play food for the kids. I printed patterns off all the time(who knows where they went) with good intentions but never made it on to actually crocheting anything. Sooo, for my daughters birthday coming up the first weekend in April I decided some play food was in order. All she has is the plastic kind that is falling apart from being crushed and chewed upon for a year or so. And I finally succeeded in making some fruit and a market tote for her. She will love them I'm sure. I hope to make a lunch kit as well. I have completed some clothes for her but my computer is not cooperating with uploading pictures right now so this one is all I could get. I used all free patterns that I found with google. I am happy with how they turned out. My plan is to complete one or two gifts every week until I have enough but if all else fails I will be making a mad dash for walmart or target the day before her birthday(this is what my husband would predict in my future). But I have faith that I will complete at least a couple more things! More pics to come.

More sea life and dishcloths

The first dishcloth is a waffle stitch. I found the pattern at http://www.ravelry.com/. The second one is your basic seed stitch model. I love the seed stitch because it makes a nice texture which helps when scrubbing those stuck on pots and pans. I used some bright colors to add to my kitchen since I am starting to feel the winter blues! Needed a little pop of color in the kitchen!
The seed stitch cloth has given me the opportunity to work on my continental knitting skills. I have always been a righ hand knitter but knitting left handed when doing seed stitch definately increases my speed. I was suprise how fast I feel into a rythm with my left hand. I would only have a quarter of this cloth knit if I were using my right hand. hmmm might stick with my left for a while and see how it goes!

Seed Stitch Cloth Pattern
Worsted Weight Yarn
Size 7 or 8 needles

CO 30 to 50 stitchs(depending on how big you want it, I did 40 sts on mine)
Always cast on an even number of stitches
Row 1: K1,P1
Row 2: P1,K1
work to desired length and bind off

It's that simple and it looks and works great!

Here's what I have finish so far. Some starfish face cloths to go with the fish washcloths for the kids. I think I'll attach a piece of ribbon to each one for hanging. I got this pattern from the Mad Quilter blog. I have here link listed in my side bar if you are interested. I didn't not use the washcloth pattern. I wanted something smaller and used the coaster pattern instead. I used a size H hook instead of the G and they turned out the perfect size. I love these and I might even make some for myself!

A School of Fish

Here are the first set of washcloths. I just love these fish and I think my kids will have lots of fun with them in the tub. I started with a free fish pattern at http://dishclothcorner.blogspot.com/2008/06/fish-washclothdishcloth.html. I can't ever seem to stick to a pattern exactly so here are my modifications. I used size H/8(5.00MM) hook because I crochet a little tight and I find the cotton I am using feels much softer on a large hook. I increased to 18 stitches then work 7 rows of 18 stitches. I decreased to 8 stitches and then increased for the tail to 18 stitches. I also added a chain at the nose while I was edging the fish so that it can be hung on a hook. I love how these turned out. I'm considering making some small sardine shaped fish for the kids to use for washing there faces in the morning. And possibly a fishy shaped wash mitt. hmmm so many possibilities! I can't wait to start a new pattern. Hopefully some new pics tonight or tomorrow.

Making these fish got me thinking about the bible story where Jesus multiplies the loaves and the fishes to feed thousands. I'm always amazed by that story! I think I'll sit down and read it with the kids this afternoon and then give them there fish washcloths. What a great reminder of the wondrous things God can do!

Create-a-long

I'm joining in a create-a-long this week with Melissa from Day to Day. (there is a link to her blog in my side bar) She's making washcloths and I have tons of cotton yarn that I can use. I think I'll start tonight while watching the super bowl. I'm going to start with some fish shaped washcloths for the kids and maybe some to set aside as gifts for family birthdays. It will be a break from all the crochet hearts I have made the last couple weeks for Valentines Day!