Petal Perfection

Sage & Cream Petal Stitch Afghan Pattern

Since I don't have the pattern to say what the name of the stitch is, I will just call it the petal stitch.  I'm not sure how else to describe it, but it reminds me of how rose petals poke out.  Here are the directions I was able to come up with tonight based on the purple afghan I just made.  The original has fringe on both ends and I have used it on some of the blankets, but not everyone likes fringe.  If you want it, just cut 6 (12") strands per chain space on top and bottom of afghan and knot around chain.

Petal Stitch Afghan

Finished size: 44" wide x 56" tall
Hook size: F
Gauge: 4 DC & 2 Rows = 1"
Materials: 6 Skeins Red Heat Super Saver Yarn


Chain 153
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook
            Ch 3, DC within sc just made 

            Skip 2 ch sp, SC in next ch sp

            This completes the first Petal Stitch

          

This completes your first petal

***Ch 3, DC within sc just made, sk 2 ch sp, sc in next ch sp *** 
Repeat from  *** across ending in sc in last ch sp.
Ch 1; turn

Row 2: ***Sc in sc space, Ch 3, DC within sc just made, SC in next sc space.***
Repeat accross ending in sc, ch 1; turn

Repeat row 2 until desired height.  I worked 195 rows for 56" in height.

How to's

I am going to start posting directions on how to do different stitches.  As soon as I get a my camera charged, one will be posted.  I have had several people tell me they want to learn to crochet, so I thought I would help them out.

Free Pattern

This is a pattern I have used for quite a few years.  All of these afghans were made with this pattern.  Though they have changed the name from what I have, the pattern is still the same.  It is easy to use and fun to do.  Click on this link for the free pattern:  Country Cozy Afghan Pattern

#98 Afghan

This is my #98 - Wooo Hooo!!! The color pattern didn't turn out like I had imagined it, but it will be great for the person it was made for. 

2 toned Pink & Blue Shell Brook Afghan

I have finally completed this afghan and am going to try and sell it in my etsy shop.  Not bad for left over yarn :) http://www.etsy.com/shop/KatesCraftsnMore

Light & Lacy Afghan

Light & Lacy Afghan

     Size: 50" x 66"
     Materials: 31 oz any 4ww yarn
     Hook Size: J
     Gauge: In pat: 1 rep of 10 sts = 3"
                           6 rows = 3"

Instructions:
     Ch 167
     Row 1 (Right Side): Dc in 4th ch from hook and next 3 ch,
     *ch 2, skip next 2 ch, sc in next ch, ch 2, skip next 2 ch, dc in next 5 ch;*
     rep from * across; turn
     Row 2: Ch 3, skip first dc, dc in next 4 dc,
     *ch 3 sl st in sc, ch 3, dc in next 5 dc;
     rep from * across, working last dc in top of ch-3; turn
     Row 3: Ch 1, sc in first 5 dc,
     *ch 5, sc in next 5 dc;
     rep from * across, working last sc in top of ch-3; turn
     Row 4: Ch 3, skip first sc, dc in next 4 sc,
     *ch 2, sc in ch-5 sp, ch 2, dc in next 5 sc;
     rep from * across; turn

     Rep  Rows 2-4 for pat until approx. 66" from beg, ending with Row 2 instructions
     Fasten off.

     Fringe: Knot two 12" strands in each dc across top and bottom edges; trim

     Care Instructions:
          Machine wash 2 min.  Spin dry thoroughly.  Tumble dry at low heat about 5 min.
          Do Not bleach.  Do not stretch or hang to dry.  Do not dry in direct sunlight.

April 2011 Drawing Afghan

Vaylene Perry was the winner of the April drawing.  She wanted a red and white baby afghan.  I think it turned out great and hope she will enjoy it. I completed this blanket in just over a week...not to bad :)

April Drawing Afgan

So, the winner of my April drawing was Vaylene Perry.  She was able to choose the colors and pattern of her afghan.  This is what she decided on.  I did not like this pattern the first time I used it, but after 2 or 3, it's alot easier to do now.  I will post pictures when it is complete.

Small Butterfly

As I was making the Flowered headbands for my teenage daughter, I wanted to do something different and cute for my little toddlers.  I love butterflies, so this is what I came up with.  I just left a chain on the back, so it can slide on a headband, or I can use a clip.  My other idea for them is to hang some sheer material from the ceiling above their beds to make a canopy and then pin a few butterflies to the material.  I haven't gotten all the materials to complete this project, but that is something I want to accomplish this summer. 

Materials: yarn and pipe cleaner

Directions:

Chain 6 and slip stich in the first chain to form a ring. 

Chain 3, 4 DC, Chain 3, slipstitch in ring (1st inner wing)

Chain 3, 4 DC, Chain 3, slipstitch in ring (2nd inner wing)

Chain 3, 2 Tr, Chain 3, slipstitch in top of last Tr (to form point)

2 Tr, Chain 3, slipstitch in ring

Chain 3, 2 Tr, Chain 3, sl st in top of last Tr, 2 Tr, Chain 3

Slip stitch in ring

2 sl st in original ch 3

12 DC in between 2nd & 3rd DC of wing

Sl st in space between wings

2 Sl st in Ch 3 sp, 12 DC in between 2nd & 3rd DC of next wing

Sl st in space between wings

Chain 3, turn butterfly over and sl st directly accross between wings. 

Fasten off

Insert Pipe cleaner and shape





Large Butterflies

A friend and I made these butterflies 22 years ago.  We put a treat with them and gave them to kids in the hospital.  I don't know where the original pattern came from, but here is the pattern I have used this last month.  These are cute to hang on the wall as decor, or glue a magnet to the back to put on your fridge for a springtime touch.  My toddlers also like to play with them.

Materials: yarn and 1 pipe cleaner
Size: 3" tall x 4" wide
Note: (*ch 2 counts as 1 DC)

Directions:

Round 1:
     Chain 8 and join together with a slip stich,

     Chain 2,

     2 DC in ring, chain 1,
     * 3 DC, ch 1 (in ring)* Repeat *to* until you have 8 clusters total
     slip stitch in first ch 2 to connect.
Round 2:
     Chain 2 and turn
     2 DC, CH 1, 3 DC in first ch1 space
     3DC, CH 1, 3Dc in each of the next CH1 spaces
     slip stitch to the beginning ch 2 to connect
Round 3:
     CH 1, turn
     SC in CH1 space
     **10 DC in next CH1 space then
     SC in next CH1 space ** repeat **to** around
     End with sl st in beginning CH1 space. Fasten off and weave in ends.

     Fold in half and insert pipe cleaner in hole of butterfly as shown in photos below.

 

    

    

WINNER!!!!!

The winner of the April drawing for an Afghan is Vaylene Perry.  Vaylene gets to choose the color or colors for her blanket and I will post pictures when I start and finish it.  Thank you Everyone for your enteries.  Keep checking the site ...  I may do another drawing soon.

Cover Girl Sample/Coupons

http://www.covergirl.com/

My newest product trial is the Cover Girl Nature Luxe makeup.  I'm liking these BssAgent trials.  I have worn the foundation for several days now and I really like it.  I will be switching to the Nature Luxe as soon as my other bottle of foundation runs out.  I really think I use less of the product because it goes on so smoothely.  I also received a sample of the Lip Balm.  I was a little worried when I first saw it because it is BRIGHT RED... but when you put it on, it is very light and silky in weight and color.  It doesn't feel waxy like most lip products.  I would recomend it to anyone.  I have some coupons for $2 off.  If you are interested in trying it out, let me know and I will send you a coupon.

Headbands

I have a ton of headbands left over from the craft fair.  If you would like to purchase any, please leave a comment and a way to contact you.  I will sell them for $3 each and if they need to be mailed, it wil cost $2 for up to 6 headbands.

April/May 2011 Project

This is my latest afghan I am making.  I wanted to finish it for the craft fair, but I'm not going to make it.  The verigated yarn I have had for quite a few years and is discontinued.  I decided I needed to use it instead of store it.  I liked the color pattern at first, but now I'm not sure.  I gues I will wait until it is finished before I make up my mind.  This may be a future giveaway prize???

Childrens Claritin

http://www.claritin.com/
I have just joined a group and am a BzzAgent.  I recieve samples of products to try and then share my opinion.  The first sample I received last week was Childrens Claritin.  Last year we discovered that Brook is alergic to horses and she loves animals, so I thought this would be great to have on hand.  Good thinking on my part since Brodie's dad just brought the horse back to our house and Brook goes out to check on her everyday.  I love the Claritin brand and have 8 coupons for $3 off to share.  If you are interested in trying this, leave a comment with your name and I will send a coupon to the first 8 people.

Shell Brook Afghan Pattern

Red, Blue & Green Shell Brook Afghan Pattern

Shell Brook Afghan

Afghans I've Made

I have added a page of most of the blankets I have made since I was around 10 yrs old.  As of today, I have made 94 blankets and hope to reach 100 by the end of this year.  There are around 13 that I do not have pictures of, and a few that my little girls have lost while playing with my picture book.  I thought this would be a good way to get the pictures on my computer and let everyone see my work.  I love to crochet and I love to snuggle up in afghans.  I also love to see others use what I have given them.

Butterflies and Ladybugs are in the air

So, this is the new crocheting project I have been working on.  I wanted something springy - other than flowers for the girls to wear on their headbands.  I made my own pattern for these butterflies and they actually worked.  I used regular yard to make the 2 in the pictures, so they are a little larger than I wanted, but from here on out, I will be using a thinner yarn to make them smaller. 

This is the Ladybug that I made this afternoon.  I like it, but the red is dark.  I think ladybugs may become pastel for this spring fashion.

New Projects

Since I have so much yarn to use up, I have been looking for something else to crochet.  I have found a pattern for coasters and an idea for a holder to put them on. Pictures will be posted when I complete a set.  I also found a pattern for some butterflies that are really cute.  A  friend and I made a bunch when we were teens.  We worked together on a project and each month delivered the project to the hospital with a treat for the kids who were in there.  I made some with a magnet on back to hang on the fridge, and also have just hung them on a wall to decorate.  My thought right now is to make some small butterflies and creat a mobile.  If it works, I will post pictures later.

The Beginning

I love being a stay at home mom.  I also love to make crafts and crochet.  I don't usually think of myself as original, or extra creative, but I do try to come up with my own thing every so often.  I have been crocheting afghans since I was around 10 yrs old and keep a photo album of what I have done.  I have made 95 blankets and hope to hit 100 this winter.  Last fall, I needed a new craft, so I decided to create card holers.  They were really fun to do, especially since I haven't seen anything like them before.  With spring in the air, I have been staying busy making headbands for my daughter and her friends.  It has been fun coming up with different color combinations and then seeing people wear them.  Hopefully, I can come up with something else to do before to long, but until then, check out the other pages to see what I've been up to.