Spider Napkin Rings

It is October now and time to start thinking about decorating for Halloween, so I designed this spider napkin ring to add to my collection of decor. As if I need more!

Spider Napkin Ring

1 1/2" Plastic Ring
Vanna’s Glamour yarn
E - crochet Hook

(NOTE CORRECTION IN NECK SECOND SIDE)

ROUND 1)
SC around plastic ring.
SL ST in first single crochet.

ROUND 2)
FOUR LEGS WITH FEET) *SL ST in next single crochet stitch, CH 12, skip 1 chain, SC in 2nd chain from hook, SL ST in next 10 chains. Repeat from * 3 more times.

NECK) SL ST in next single crochet 3 times.

HEAD) In next single crochet (SC, 5DC, SC).

NECK) SL ST in next single crochet 3 times.

FOUR LEGS WITH FEET) *SL ST in next single crochet stitch, CH12, skip 1 chain, SC in 2nd chain from hook, SL ST in next 10 chains. Repeat from * 3 more times. SL ST in next single crochet.

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

CH = chain
SL ST = slip stitch
SC = single crochet
DC = double crochet

Tea Light Flower and Flower Petal Napkin Ring

I took time out from my other crocheting project to make up these samples to show the girls I craft with. They liked them so much that they want to learn to crochet so they can make their own. Now that is rewarding!

I will have to type up the patterns for them since I 'adjusted' both of them. The Tea Light Flower is from All Free Crochet but my holder is shaped like a flower pot so I adapted that to fit. The Flower Petal Napkin Ring pattern is from craftown.com and was designed for size 10 crochet thread but I had no problem using the same yarn I had used on the candle holder it just meant fewer petals.

While these were not from the same place and actually are done differently they made a pretty good match.

A bargain price

I started a table runner using some Perle Cotton Thread and looked over to see the price tag from the thread stuck to the bottom of my dear friend's foot. He wasn't too impressed with my interest in the bottom of his foot. Does this mean he is only worth $2.49?

Pansie Tea Cozies

I really like how these tea cozies came out. They were worth the extra effort. I started with a pattern from Sugar'n Cream but it did not list a size and started coming out too large so I frogged it a couple of times and ended up with the base for my larger pot. I like it being more fitted to show off the shape but because this is cotton yarn with out much stretch I ended up crocheting a little tie at the bottom under the handle which you can just see. Above that I crocheted loops and then strategically placed a couple of the pansies to use as buttons as it fits too snugly to just slide over the top.

The pansies were supposed to have yellow centers with half of them having lavender petals and the others purple petals but since I had this variegated yarn called Beach Ball Blue that had all the colors I wanted I used it.

For the smaller tea pot I had to once again adjust the pattern not only deleting repeats of the pattern but also eliminating rows to make it shorter. And then when it got to the shaping for the top I left off another pattern repeat because of the thicker neck for the chicken neck/spout. I even remembered to reverse the shaping on the second side. This one slides over so I did not have to mess with ties and loops which was a good trade off.

It is good to challenge yourself once in a while and while I ended up having to buy another skein of white to finish the last couple of rows, I did use up the colored yarn. The white can always be used on another project.

Now to sit down and write out my changes in case I ever want to make another set.

Basketweave pillow to match

The pillow to match my basketweave afghan is finished. This pattern was from a different source and used a larger hook and thus a looser and larger stitch. Otherwise it is a good match and used up the leftover yarn. I always buy an extra skein of yarn to be sure I do not run out since I am often quite slow at getting around to starting projects but now when making afghans I may consider buying two extra skeins and making matching pillows.

Another Baby Blanket

This is really a blanket though not an afghan. Just fleece edged with crochet. But it will be nice and warm come winter. So I think I am caught up for awhile with that. Not making outfits or bonnets since it is pushing 100˚ daily. Time enough for that later. Back to the pillow cover.

The next baby afghan

The next baby blanket. This yarn is so soft! It is called "Teddy Bear" from Herrschner's.

In this close up I think you can see the strands of color. The main yarn is lavender but it has a variegated red and blue strand running through it that adds a nice interest. My only dismay with this yarn is that when it arrived the label says to dry flat! Baby yarn. Really? The catalog description just says Machine Wash. Lesson learned: if it doesn't say Machine Wash and Dry, it probably isn't!

(In case you don't realize it, you can see close ups of most of my photos by just clicking on them)

The baby blanket in use

My number one granddaughter took this photo of me with her new cousin. Isn't she just as sweet as liquid sugar? Yeah, I am a bit prejudiced.

Oh yes, this is the baby blanket I made while I was gone.

What I did while I was gone

This is a basketweave afghan in a wonderfully deep red. It is heavy so will be nice this fall and winter but it was a bit warm in my lap in May!

This is a shopping tote I made. It was a project left from my last visit to mom's! I love having a spare project so I never run out!

I also made a baby blanket but forgot to photograph it before I gifted it. My newest granddaughter arrived a bit earlier than predicted. But she is so sweet! Yes, more baby things to come.

Purse

This is a purse I made just before I left home in April but did not have time to post it before I left.