Pumpkin Hats

I got a request from my daughter-in-law

for pumpkin hats for the four girls.

Ones like the one I made the youngest when she was a newborn.

I said sure, but had to go out and buy yarn, 

after I spent two days finding the pattern I had used,

only to discover it only came in the newborn size!

Fortunately it was a simple pattern and easy to adjust.

It might even get cool enough for them to wear the hats!  LOL

But at least I finished them in time and sent them home with my son tonight.

Something new for the 4th

I decided I wanted something new to wear for the 4th of July,

so a few weeks ago I picked up some beads

and I finally had a free evening to do some stringing.

The photos did not come out very clear

but you can get the idea.

The actual stringing did not take all that long.

However, afterwards when I spilled the tray I had been using...

it took a bit to chase down all those beads!

And of course when you are down on your hands and knees you get a close up view

of all those dog hair covered dust bunnies!

Oh well, it was still fun.

Ready for Easter

My daughter-in-law tells me that they never did Easter egg hunts or baskets

so she put me in charge of the baskets this year.

Since none of her girls had done Easter baskets

I decided I wanted to do a little extra this time.

Luckily there are an abundance of patterns available

and I began with carrot pouches,

each containing a kit to make

a candy necklace.

For the oldest I made a lamb that goes over a plastic egg and has beads for eyes.

The youngest cannot have beads yet

so her tiny bunny fits inside an egg,

and has no face.

I hope the tail holds up!

The second oldest has decided she likes owls,

Therefore the little owl is hers.

The pattern was not exactly like this

but I thought pig tails instead of tufts

were fitting here.

This one holds a small egg inside 

so I used the flap closure option

but decided instead of a button or snap

that she needed a tail...

Last but not least is the one for the 3 year old who obviously is a fan of Monsters Inc.

Only Mike Wazowski 

covering an egg filled with candy

would do for her.

You may have noticed flowers in the first photo.

Those are another story

which can be seen here.

My gratitude to all the lovely and talented crocheters/designers out 

there who so generously share their talent.

Happy Easter to all!

Worth all the work

I managed to capture the look on the oldest girl's face.

You can almost see the next girl's surprise.

I always consider any picture of the three year old that is not a blur as a good one!

The two older girls are obviously more into dressing their dolls.

The three year old spent the day sitting on her new bike,

and it has a baby seat for her doll!

I have two years now to make the fourth doll dress as the baby is still too young for hers.

I am debating if I should make it now while the basic pattern is still fresh in my mind

and risk setting it aside and forgetting where I put it two years from now!

Doll Dresses for Christmas

I finished the dresses for the three little granddaughter's dolls

for Christmas.

Just barely in time.

I am looking forward to seeing their faces.

Anticipation must be Santa's middle name.

Just for fun for Easter

When I saw this pattern in the Crochet World Magazine

I just could not resist.

It was the April 2010 issue.

Fun is timeless.

Slippers after all should be fun!

I was sure my granddaughter would agree.

And I think she did:

Shamrock Gold

I saw this metallic yarn and just could not resist.

I thought I would make a shawl but did not like it after I got started.

So I set it aside and made this hat.

I had to adjust the pattern some but like how it came out.

Then I decided a small light scarf would look good with it,

and found this green one in the closet 

so I crocheted this to go with it.

What goes better with shamrocks than gold?

And the stockings were hung

I made most gifts this year and kept it simple for a change. 

Something I have had as a goal that each year I get closer to.

But they all love gift cards 

so I look for new ways to gift those.

This year I crocheted these little stockings which each hold a gift card.

The littlest granddaughters got toys instead,

but I decided the 2 year old may feel left out.

So tonight I will be making one more for her with an old gift card that she can play with.

Dinner is almost ready for me to finish it up so I must go

 as the rest of the family will be arriving soon.

Let the others pass the potatoes and gravy,

I plan on holding the new baby!

My wish is for peace to all

and Merry Christmas!!!

December's Walker Decoration

This month's decoration was quick and easy to crochet.

Holly leaves and berries.

I have been down with a bad cold this week and do not want to expose mom

 or the other residents so it will be next week before I can take it to her.

She doesn't really remember very often that these decorations

 indicate which of many walkers belong to her,

but the caregivers there can immediately spot which one is hers so it helps them

and of course she likes that I bring her something no one else has.

Afghan for my son

I finished this afghan for my son for Christmas last night.

It was a fast and easy crochet but quite a few ends to weave in.

Another gift finished, so today while the turkey roasted

 I was able to finish a cocoon for the grandbaby that is due in 2 1/2 weeks!

I am doing much better this year than last!  

November Walker Decoration

This month's decoration for mom's walker is of course a turkey!

Such a bright, cute, fast and easy fellow could of course

be worn in the hair with this elastic.

With a pin back attached instead it would make a fun brooch.

Or on a large ring it would be the perfect napkin ring.

It could even be glued to a clothespin and used as a place card.

Halloween top Hat

 It began with a simple orange crocheted top hat.

Next a plain black crocheted band.

Then I added a pair of crocheted flowers with a few beads.

Last came the netting which took me a bit to decide exactly what the hat was calling for.

Yes, I was following a pattern, as I usually do.  

But still each item a person makes,

like paintings,

reflect the maker/artist.

And a lovely model!

October's Walker Decor

I found this pattern online at goodknits.com

Not a very good photo I'm afraid

but a good size and easy to add an elastic hairband for fastening.

Halloween Bat

would also look good in the hair or on a napkin ring.

Styling for Mother's Day

For Mother's Day this year I got my mom a couple of outfits.

Then crocheted a pair of matching flowers which went onto bobby pins for her hair.

And lastly crocheted her a shrug as she is always cold.

I got them all wrapped and boxed and ready to mail today but last night got an email from my brother who informs me that in the last three weeks mom has lost a full size!

I am so jealous!

That meant a trip to the mall to exchange the clothes.

Lucky me, I found the same and nearly the same so the things I crocheted still matched!

At least I found out before I mailed them!

And this gave me a chance to take photos that I forgot to take before.

Now to get them boxed up - again.

Remember May Day?

When I was a little girl,

I remember taking little paper nut cups

and adding a little handle made from paper strips

or ribbon or pipe cleaner

then filling it with fresh violets I picked.

I loved to pick flowers.

It was even better when I had permission and did not get into trouble for it!

The best part though was taking our little baskets of flowers on May 1st;

setting one on a porch,

and ringing the door bell

before running to hide.

Great childhood memories.

Made possible by my mother.

I would love to bring my mother a May basket of violets this year

but living so far apart makes that impossible.

So when I saw this pattern for a crocheted violet nosegay I simply could not resist.

And quickly made one up with a pin back added,

so mom can wear it for May Day.

May day baskets.

Nosegays.

Maybe I am giving away my age here

but they are still great memories.

For St. Patrick's Day

Here is a little something I whipped up for St. Patrick's Day this year.

Not sure who the lucky recipient will be yet.

Personally I think a lighter shade of green for the inside would have been nicer but this is what it called for and also what I happened to have in my stash.

I also made a mat for the occasion using the Love and Money Loom.