Jackie O Blanket

 

I lost track of exactly what color green and brand of silky, worsted weight yarn that I used for Jackie O's Lace Chevron Blanket.  It didn't look so much like a chevron pattern to me, as it did a vine pattern, so I decorated it in cherry blossoms, using fine weight scraps of lavendar, purple and violet, edged in Patons Lace in cream, using and E hook. I made her initials using this Block Letters pattern. 

Dragon Scale Scarf

Rainbow Mosaic Dragon Scale Scarf on Ravelry

I used Bernat Mosaic in the color Psychedelic.  It's 100% acrylic and it feels really nice to work with.  The texture reminds more of cotton yarns and my only complaint is that it gets a bit twisted and if you untwist it to quickly, you can actually pull it apart.

Pumpkin Patches

I adopted Patches from the wonderful Petaluma Animal Services (PASF) shelter on a foster-to-adopt program. Renamed her Pumpkin Patches She had been turned in repeatedly for litter box issues. She spends the majority of her time hiding in the bathroom, but she's working on her bravery and she's a HUGE fan of belly rubs.

Lamb Hat & Shrug for Jenny's Baby Girl

This little Rejoice Shrug was quick and easy to make. I actually wish the pattern was in adult sizes, too. Note to self - *Finishing Sleeves section - when the instructions say 'Continue as established for 3 rows,' it does NOT refer to increases.  Do not increase in this section.

I used Bernat Cottontots in blue berry; machine washable and dryable, 100% cotton for my first attempt, but I goofed up and added unnecessary increases in the section mentioned above.

The final shrug was made on size 10 needles using Lyon Brand acrylic yarn in cream in size 6-12 mo to help compensate for the smaller sized needles.

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I made the lamb hat in size 0-3 mo from the pattern Crochet Lamb Hat in Red Heart heather grey acrylic yarn using a K hook. I used Lyon Brand acrylic yarn in cream for the insides of the ears.

I made the bow using thick red yarn thread (I have no idea what it is, as I bought it at the thrift store) and size 1 needles.

Bow pattern

co 12
row 1 - knit all stitches
row 2 - k2, p8, k2
row 3 to 8 - repeat rows 1 & 2
bind off knitwise

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Jenny had a lovely baby shower.  I can't wait to see the outfit on her baby girl.  :)

 

Divine Hat for Sara

Merry Christmas

Happy Housewarming 

Happy Birthday, Sara, Hat

I found this Divine Hat to be the perfect use for my silky yarns.  After working the pattern one time, I felt like it needed this note *on the sc round, be sure to start at the fpc st.
 

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I made a pink hat for Sara in Red Heart Soft in Rose Blush, worsted weight, 100% acrylic.

I crocheted 3 extra rows of the flower pattern to make a slightly bigger version. I worked the brim rows with the front and back posts inline making it sort of rib stitched.

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I also made the hat in Caron Simply Soft in Black, worsted weight, 100% acrylic.

It came out a little small for my head, leading me to add a few rows to my second try with the pink version.  I worked the brim rows with alternating front and back posts just to see how it would turn out. Also, I finished with an extra row of sc using a G hook to try and make the brim a bit smaller.

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Happy hats with the birthday girl.

Thank you to my hat model, Kayla.

Merry Christmas Hats

Hats for gifts:

This rainbow hat is Stitch and Bitch's Devil Hat, but without the horns. I used my new favorite Bernat Mosaic yarn in Waterfall. It's 100% acrylic, but it feels like you're working with cotton.

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This is the same Bohoknits' Sockhead Hat that I made for Tyler. The sock yarn I used was two other projects before this hat.  When I bought it years ago, it was going to be a sweater for Britton.  That didn't go well.  Then it nearly became a completed hat, but I dropped a stitch and the pattern was so complicated, I had to start over.  The third time's the charm. 

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Another gnome hat from the pattern Earflap Hat I made it with a leftover purple, lavender, sage yarn.  I don't remember what brand it was, but it was softer than the Red Heart acrylic yarn I usually use for my gnome hats.  It's edged in Lyon brand sage acrylic yarn.

Thank you to my hat model, Kayla.

Not So Silent Sockhead hat for Tyler

After five, or so, attempts, I've finally made an acceptable slouch hat for my brother! I love how it ended up looking like an eye in the center.

I found this Bohoknits' Sockhead Hat via Ravelry.  This hat was simple and fun to make.  I love working with sock yarn on non-sock projects.  The skein was small and the work mindless, so I kept it in my purse and worked it wherever.

The first one I made was a little generous, so I reduced the pattern by 8 stitches.  I used Loops & Threads Luxury Sock Super Fine in the color Ocean.

  Me knitting away at an open mic.

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Thank you, Tyler, for letting me photograph you.  Happy Christmas, Dr. Jones.

AUSTENtatious Crochet

I'm absolutely taken by this book AUSTENtatious Crochet, by Melissa Horozewski.  It is packed with crochet patterns I can't wait to make.  The library is going to have to loan this one to me more than once.

Jane Bennet Skirt

Ball at Netherfield

Emma's Hood

I found a thorough, but slow, Austentatious Crochet Book Video Preview on Youtube. Melissa Horozewski's page on Ravelry features many of the patterns in her book.

Gnome Hats

 

I've fallen in love with this pattern.  I rarely make the same thing twice, but I've made about eight of these hats, to date.  They've become my favorite way to use up all of my old Red Heart yarn; it gives a nice, stiff structure for the peak of the hat.  I never do the loop at the top that the pattern shows. I think it looks goofy.

I found this Earflap Hat pattern on Lion Brand's website, so you won't be able to view it unless you are signed up to the Lion Brand site.

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I call the blue one Princess Habba (after a Swedish toy that my friend's son gummed to death as a baby) and I think I just might keep it for myself.  I got the flower from 10 Petal Popcorn Flower on The Laughing Willow blog, but I stopped after row 4; the popcorn row.

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I finished the ear flaps with either a braid of 20 to 30 yarn strands or a simple icord.

 The dogs are always ready to help.

I decorated the maroon hat with sage green yarn remnant and a pink and white flower I made up by either dc or sc into a loop.

Thank you to my hat model, Heidi.

Project Wildlife

Project Wildlife is a non-profit wildlife rehabilitation and conservation organization in San Diego, CA, that my sister volunteers for.  They assist over 10,000 birds and mammals representing over 320 species each year.

 Striped Skunk Kit

 California Ground Squirrel Kit

 Long-tailed Weasel

'Project Wildlife is a critical community resource for residents and businesses in San Diego County, one of the most biologically diverse areas in the United States with the greatest number of endangered species. People from all over the county bring wildlife patients to Project Wildlife for care and many local businesses such as landscaping companies, government agencies (e.g. Animal Services, CalTrans, SDPD), and animal organizations (e.g. SD Zoo, SD Humane Society, SeaWorld), depend on the life- saving services provided by Project Wildlife.' 

  Hummingbird Hatchlings

Gull Chick 

 Raccoons

Project Wildlife is also a candidate in the ideal4acause contest to win $1000 for their organization.  Please follow the link to vote for Project Wildlife.