National Crochet Month Post #7: Washcloths

I recently became fascinated with making crocheted washcloths.  I make mostly simple ones, all double crocheted rows, measuring approximately 8.5" x 9".  I love all the colors of yarn that exist and making quick items like washcloths makes me feel a sense of completion that I just don't get with things like afghans.

I wrote a post about my washcloths here.  And here are some pics, including some I didn't use on my previous post.  All yarns are either Lily Sugar'n Cream or Peaches and Creme yarn.

I hope you enjoyed your first Saturday of National Crochet Month!

National Crochet Month Post #6: Kitchen Rug

Last summer, I decided to try something new--making a crocheted rug.  I bought a whole bunch of cotton yarn (Lily's Sugar'n Cream yarn) in super bright colors and I got to work.  I decided to make the stripes random sizes and I quite like how it looks.  

What do you think?  

Here's a link to the post I made about this last summer.  

National Crochet Month Post #5: Soap Savers

I learned how to make soap savers last summer.  I must made 30 different ones while watching "McLeod's Daughters" and at the same time, learning some nifty Australian slang.  I wrote a post about these several months ago.

A soap saver helps lengthen the life of your soap because you can slip several slivers of soap into the saver and still be able to use the soap.  The saver helps lather up your soap and gets you squeaky clean.  It is made of 100% cotton yarn and it is soft and colorful.  Find a link to that post here.

These are all made with Lily Sugar'n Cream yarn.  And now for some pictures:

Happy showering!

And tomorrow is Friday!

National Crochet Month Post #4: Shamrock Garland

Two days ago, I posted that I was really excited to have learned how to crochet shamrocks.  Well, I took several of those shamrocks and made a small garland with them.  It is just a miniature version before I really go all out for St. Patrick's Day.  But I needed a little bit of décor for tonight's special event, my dad's 79th birthday.  

My dad has been in the hospital for the past week after falling at home.  It turned out he had an infection and has had to stay in order to beat this thing.  The infection has been playing tricks on his brain and unfortunately, he hasn’t really been himself.  He is in an excellent hospital being well cared for, so my family and I are hopeful. 

I learned how to make the shamrocks from Kim Layton at www.EverythingEtsy.com and used their photo of a shamrock garland as inspiration to make my own.  Find the pattern here.

Here I am with my dad and his shamrock garland.

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Here is a photo of a St. Patrick's Day shamrock garland done right by Kim Layton from www.EverythingEtsy.com!

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  Happy Birthday, Dad!  

Me and my dad in March 2010

  

National Crochet Month Post #3: Cowls

I have posted about cowls a few times, but I have to tell you that I just love cowls.  They warm up my neck against the cold and I don't have to worry about wrapping them around my neck, stepping on them, or getting them caught in the car door.  They are far superior to scarves and here are a couple I have made:

I got my pattern from Lion Brand Yarn's website.  It is their 45-minute cowl, tweaked just a little, and using Red Heart yarn for these two cowls.  Here is that pattern:

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L20326B.html

Tomorrow is Wednesday and I hope to "Hook on Hump Day."  Check back then.  ;)  

National Crochet Month Post #2: Shamrocks

I am hoping to post every day this month some sort of crocheted goodness that I love.  Some days it will be things I have already made.  Other days it will be something I have recently learned to make.  Here is today's newly learned craft:  my own cute little shamrocks.  

Being an Irish-American gal, I love the color green, the land of my ancestors, and its national symbol, the shamrock.  Did you know that the word shamrock comes from the Irish word seamróg?  This means "little clover" and it was what St. Patrick used to teach people about the Trinity.

I learned how to make these little beauties from Kim Layton on the Everything Etsy website.  She includes written instructions as well as a video teaching you how to make the sweet little shamrocks.  Take a look here.  

I used Vanna's Choice by Lion Brand in fern, kelly green, and lime.  

I have plans to make garlands and decorate my home and classroom with these fun decorations.  

It's never too early to start planning for St. Patrick's Day!

Go raibh maith agat!

Happy National Crochet Month!

I just found out that March is National Crochet Month!  My dad has been in the hospital for a few days and I haven't been crocheting much, but he seems to be doing better.  So I hope to crochet at least a little bit every day this month. 

Here are a few snapshots of what I have been working on lately.  There are no finished projects to show off yet, but I'll get there!

Take care, everyone!