So Far, So Good

SOPA/PIPA

2012-01-18T09:24:00.003Z

But keep an eye on ICANN, too.

Live a good life

2012-01-09T07:46:00.000Z

Live a good life.

If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care

how devout you have been,

but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by.

If there are gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them.

If there are no gods, then you will be gone,

but will have lived a noble life that will live on

in the memories of your loved ones.

-- Marcus Aurelius

Roi lives on in our memories.

Roi Ankhara Kwabena

23/7/1956 - 9/1/2008

Garland

2011-09-12T15:23:00.003+01:00

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.

-- from Anthem by Leonard Cohen

Fliplife!

2011-06-08T18:47:00.002+01:00

Ok. It's official. I am a sad geek with no life.

The warning signs were there when I declared my devotion to Real Park. But now there is no denying I have no real life... because I have a Fliplife!

I expect there are a few acronyms I could toss out at this point so that the cognoscenti would know exactly what sort of set up Fliplife is, but I've never played anything like this before so I don't know the lingo.

I've seen it described as a cross between The Sims and Farmville (I have only a vague knowledge of either, so I really couldn't say). Whatever it is, I'm enjoying it thoroughly!

The game play seems perplexingly pointless at first but as you progress it all starts to make sense and becomes deliciously challenging.

You choose a "career" and then work to gain "cash" and "flips", which can be spent in the "shop" (what self-respecting avatar doesn't want to be seen in the latest fashion?) , on "training" to increase your earning power or on recreational activities that allow you to regain energy and build endurance.

Working as part of a "team" builds your "friends" base; working with friends increases your bonuses - win-win!

I'm probably explaining this really badly but let's just say I'm totally addicted and I'm hoping you'll give it a try and get sucked in too. The more the merrier!

Update 6 Nov 11: Here's my personal invitation link. I'd love to see you there!

A walk in the Park

2011-03-31T18:10:00.000+01:00

First of all, I should point out that a lot of the time I'm 50-something going on 12.

With that established, I want to tell you about my latest Favourite Thing.

For the longest time I've been scouring the internet for a 3D virtual reality to play with. Not one of those "games" where I'd have to kill monsters or race cars or scale sheer cliffs or do anything like that. Or do anything at all! Just somewhere that I could wander around and explore. Somewhere calm and restful and pleasant to be.

I've found it!

Real Park - free from Schillergames.

Wander around, ride the train, go for a swim, chat with other visitors to the park (or not - you can visit offline) or just sit on a bench, watch the sunset and listen to the birds twitter.

At the moment, all visitors are blue-jeaned males with their nicknames emblazoned on their white tops, but different characters and wardrobe options are in the pipeline.

Hope to see you there!

Things that go munch in the night

2011-03-06T17:20:00.001Z

We'd known for some time that we had a fox visiting our garden in the night.

He first came to our attention last December when he appeared a couple of time at dusk, helping himself to the crispies put out for the birds - "crispies" being the bits of batter that break off when you deep-fry fish. They are skimmed off and discarded, but our local chippie is good enough to save bags of them for us.

When we told them about our latest diner they started putting in the odd piece of fish and battered sausage - bits that had sat too long under the warmer - and these we left out for Foxy after dark. They were usually all gone by about 2 in the morning.

Naturally, the staff at the chippie hoped we'd have pictures... So we decided to treat ourselves to a trail camera, and were lucky enough to have success straight away.

That's a great lump of battered cod in his mouth. :-)

Yes, we'd known about the fox.

What we hadn't known about was this guy:

A European Badger - generally more placid than his North American cousin (unless threatened, then watch out!) and quite willing to visit peoples' gardens if food is on offer.

Chuffed to bits we were! We now put peanuts out as well as fish. Boy, does he love peanuts!

Here's a few more nice photos:

Peanuts! Nom, nom, nom...

What is that light?

Ah, and this is Blue, our outdoor cat. We get lots of shots of him and his little feline friends.

Garland

2011-03-01T20:15:00.002Z

Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.

-- Marilyn Monroe (Marilyn: Her Life in Her Own Words)

It's a Hard Life

2011-02-02T18:18:00.002Z

Remembering Roi

2011-01-09T09:05:00.000Z

Roi Ankhkara Kwabena
23 July 1956 - 9 January 2008

There's a wonderful video by Maximilian Forte of Zero Anthropology, of Roi's powerful poem Obeah Man* -

"Deep Obeah". Enjoy!

*from Whether or Not (text) and Y42K (spoken word)

We've got snow!

2010-12-19T19:19:00.001Z

Yes, I'm one of those people who actually loves it when it snows.

This lot was dumped on us in 5 hours yesterday evening.

Ok, my former neighbours in Winnipeg will be saying, "You call that snow?"

But this area of the country rarely gets any snow, never mind this much.

And this is our second batch. The first arrived back in November.
Unheard of!

"Wot is it, Mummy?"

Garland

2010-11-14T21:28:00.003Z

I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.

-- Groucho Marx (1890-1977)

Cyprus, here we come!

2010-10-03T20:22:00.001+01:00

The forecast for Harwich:

The forecast for Larnaca:

Hey, you know... we'll send a postcard, 'kay? ;-)

To be honest, we picked October for our second visit on the understanding that things would have cooled down a bit by then. I don't think we've seen 30° here all summer!

Now, frankly, I glow in the dark so... Hat? Check. Sunglasses? Check. Long-sleeved cover up? Check. Factor 50? Check!

I'll let you know how I got on. :-)

Garland

2010-09-29T19:36:00.000+01:00

I saw old Autumn in the misty morn
Stand shadowless like Silence, listening
To silence...

-- from Autumn by Thomas Hood (1798-1845)

International Crochet Day 2010

2010-09-12T08:00:00.001+01:00

Today is International Crochet Day!*

What better way to celebrate the joy of hooking than to hook for those in need?

Pakistanis devastated by recent floods will soon be struggling through a cold winter. As Wendy in NC said:

As the seasons change millions will be living in tent cities. Help them prepare for the cold winter nights in the mountain regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the North Western part of Pakistan.

Wendy's husband will be travelling to Pakistan in early October and she's started a group on Ravelry to collect crocheted (and kn*t ) hats for him to take.

You don't have to be a member of Ravelry to join in. If you like making hats and you're moved to help please send them - to arrive by October 1, 2010 - to:

Wendy Jan
110 Angle Street
Cherryville, NC 28021
USA

If you're in Europe, like me, or you can't make the October 1 deadline, you can send them directly to Pakistan:

Sajjad Ahmad Jan
S/O Sayar Mohammad
Barzai Dawalt Khel
Tangi Charsada District
Khyber Pakhtun Khwa
Pakistan

I sent 3 off yesterday.

Dontcha just love crochet?

*In case you're wondering why Jimbo in particular gets a link, he's the man who started it all in 2007. :-)

Garland

2010-06-19T09:22:00.002+01:00

The whole world lives within a safeguarding... nothing is ever alone for a single moment.

-- Rumi

The Original "Snowflake Doily"

2010-06-16T18:00:00.002+01:00

If you're new here - hello! - the following relates to my Cut-Glass Snowflake Doily post.

The pattern has been identified! Susan P, a member of Celt's Vintage Crochet Yahoo group, was the first to spot it. She was flipping through her collection, look for something else, when it jumped off the page at her.

The original pattern, called simply "Snowflake Doily", was published in - drum roll, please............
"The Super Lacecrafts Collection - Crochet, Tatting and Knitted Lace", an Anchor/Coats publication (#17552 in the US, I believe; #1324 in the UK).

As soon as I heard from Susan I shot over to eBay and, would you believe it, there was one copy for sale here in the UK. I debated over whether I should buy it for, oh, a good 2 seconds. For one thing, I really wanted to compare my version to the original.

The disappointing news for me is that the pattern was published in 1984 (UK edition) so this lovely little doily isn't "vintage" after all. Congratulations to whoever designed it (the booklet doesn't say) for achieving "the look".

So, how does my pattern stack up? Well, apart from almost every one of my chains being shorter, the rest seems to match. I put my short chains down to two things - 1) the doily I worked from was rather tightly crocheted. As you can see from the picture above, the original was intended to be more open in appearance; and 2) I chain quite loosely, so where the chains were completely hidden by stitches and I had to guess at their number, I guessed low.

For those of you interested in trying a "looser" version, here are the chain length amendments:

To begin: ~~Ch 6~~ Ch 9
Rnd 1) no change
Rnd 2) ~~ch 8~~ ch 13
Rnd 3-8) ~~ch 5~~ ch 7
Rnd 9) in order of appearance: ~~ch 5~~ ch 7, ~~ch 9~~ ch 13, ~~ch 2~~ ch 3, ~~ch 4~~ ch 5
Rnd 10) ~~ch 12~~ ch 13
Rnd 11) in order of appearance: ~~ch 10~~ ch 15, ~~ch 8~~ ch 9, and the picot should be ~~ch 4~~ ch 3 - the only time I had more chains!
Rnd 12) in order of appearance: ~~ch 4~~ ch 5, ~~ch 12~~ ch 13, and this time the picot should be ~~ch 4~~ ch 5.

Bear these changes in mind when you are told to work into the ch-whatever space of the previous row.

And look! There's a smaller companion doily:

For this, work the first four rounds as for the large doily, then ch 7, *in ch5 lp (8 dc, ch4-picot, 7 dc) ch 3, (tr, ch 5, tr) in tr, ch 3, rpt from * around, ending omit last tr, slst in 4th ch of beg ch7. FO

Note that I've stuck to my "short chain" style here, in keeping with my pattern. The booklet has ch 7 instead of ch 5, and ch5 picots.

Linked Treble Spiral Square

2010-06-13T10:54:00.002+01:00

By popular demand - well, a few people on Ravelry expressed an interest - here is the pattern for my...

Linked Treble Spiral Square
(US terms)

Your choice of yarn – very effective with a self-striping yarn

A hook one size larger than you would normally use for your chosen yarn

Notes:

Beginning chain (beg-ch) – rather than the usual ch 4 for a treble, you will be working a ch 3 for your beginning chain. I count the beginning chain as a stitch.

Work under only 1 thread of your base chain and beginning chains as you will be working back along the other side.

Linked treble crochet (ltr) – rather than re-invent the wheel, Crochet-Mania, aka The Art of Crochet, has the best tutorial for the linked treble stitch that I’ve found.
Linked Crochet Stitch – Tunisian (video)
Linked Crochet Stitch Written Instructions - Tunisian
As the titles suggest, each stitch is essentially a very short Tunisian row.

Work loosely or you’ll end up with a rather stiff fabric. Go up another hook size if necessary.

1) ch 7, ltr in 5th ch from hook, and next 2 ch (= 4 st)

2) Turn the piece 90° clockwise, ch 3, ltr under 1st bar of last ltr made, ltr under next bar of ltr, ltr in end ch of base-ch (= 4 st)

3) Turn the piece 90° clockwise, ch 3, ltr under 1st bar of last ltr made, ltr under next bar of ltr, ltr in each ch of base-ch (= 7 st)

4) Turn the piece 90° clockwise, ch 3, ltr under 1st bar of last ltr made, ltr under next bar of ltr, ltr in 1st ch of base-ch, ltr in each ch of beg-ch (= 7 st)

5) Turn the piece 90° clockwise, ch 3, ltr under 1st bar of last ltr made, ltr under next bar of ltr, ltr in top ch of beg-ch, ltr in each st (note: 3 in this row, increasing in subsequent rows), ltr in each ch of beg-ch (= 10 st)

At this point you will have completed two “rounds” – your initial 4 stitches count as “round 1” and the four sides as “round 2”.

Repeat row 5 four times for each additional “round” until your square is the size required. Stitch counts for the next 4 rows are 10, 13, 13 and 16.

Copyright © 2010, Judy M Kerr. All Rights Reserved.

If a final round of linked trebles would make your square too large, work linked double crochets instead (same principle as the trebles, just chain 2 to begin and work under the one bar) or just finish off with a round or two of single crochet.

If you have any problems with this pattern please let me know - sofar_sogood at btinternet dot com.

Cut-Glass Snowflake Doily

2010-05-21T15:42:00.007+01:00

13 June 10 - Stop the presses! The doily has been identified!
I'm just waiting for a copy of the book to arrive (yes, I found one!) and then I'll post the details. ~~Watch this space. :-)~~ Details here!

Amendment: 27 May 10 - And the prize goes to Ravelry's doilyswan for spotting the first mistake! Round 9 has been amended. Anyone else?

I like to rescue interesting doilies from charity shops, take them home and save them for posterity by "reverse engineering" the pattern. Ok, I've only done two so far, plus I've got one waiting in the wings, but if there were more hours in the day I'd do more.

I found this unusual doily, or it could be a large motif, in a shop in Manningtree, Essex.

The style suggests it's a vintage pattern, though I could be wrong. I've asked all over the place and no one's recognised it yet.

Here's my first draft -

And here's the copy I made using my notes from the first one -

And here... is the pattern!

Cut-Glass Snowflake Doily
American notation

#10 or Bedspread cotton
1.5mm hook
Finished size = 10”

Notes:
2trtog (2 treble together [decrease]) = *yo twice, insert hk in st, yo, pull thru st, (yo, pull thru 2) twice, rpt from *, yo, pull thru 3
Ch4-picot = ch 4, slst in top of last st made

Ch 6, join

Rnd 1) 24 dc in ring

Rnd 2) *3 sc, ch 8, sk 1 dc, rpt from * around

Rnd 3) slst to 2nd sc, ch 4, *in ch8 sp (7 dc, ch 5, 7 dc), tr in 2nd sc, rpt from * around

Rnd 4) ch 7, *in ch5 sp (7 dc, ch 5, 7 dc), ch 3, tr in tr, ch 3, rpt from * around, slst in 4th ch of beg ch7

Rnd 5) ch 7, *in ch5 sp (7 dc, ch 5, 7 dc), ch 3, in tr (tr, ch 3, tr), ch 3, rpt from * around, ending ch 3, tr in same tr as beg ch7, ch 3, slst in 4th ch of beg ch7

Rnd 6) ch 7, *in ch5 sp (7 dc, ch 5, 7 dc), ch 3, tr in tr, ch 3, 2 trtog in same tr and nxt tr, ch 3, tr in same tr, ch 3, rpt from * around, ending omit last tr, slst in 4th ch of beg ch7

Rnd 7) ch 7, *in ch5 sp (7 dc, ch 5, 7 dc), ch 3, tr in nxt tr, ch 3, 2 trtog in same tr and nxt tr, ch 6, 2 trtog in same tr and nxt tr, ch 3, tr in same tr, ch 3, rpt from * around, ending omit last tr, slst in 4th ch of beg ch7

Rnd 8) ch 1, sc in same st, ch 7, *in ch5 sp (7 dc, ch 5, 7 dc), ch 7, sc in tr, 17 tr in ch6 sp, sk tr, sc in nxt tr, ch 7, rpt from * around

Rnd 9) slst over 3 ch, sc in 4th, *ch 5, in ch5 sp (7 dc, ch 9, ~~7 tr~~ 7 dc), ch 5, sc in 4th ch of ch7, ch 2, sk 3 tr, sc in tr, ch 4, sk 3 tr, in nxt tr (sc, ch 3, sc), sk tr, in nxt tr (sc, ch 3, sc), ch 4, sk 3 tr, sc in nxt tr, ch 2, sc in 4th ch of ch7, rpt from * around, to end: replace last ch 2 w hdc in beg sc

Rnd 10) *13 dc in ch5 sp, sc in 4th dc, 25 dc in ch9 sp, sc in 4th dc, 13 dc in ch5 sp, sc in ch2 sp, 3 sc in ch4 sp, ch 12, 3 sc in ch4 sp, sc in ch2 sp, rpt from * around, ending sc over beg hdc

Rnd 11) slst over 7 st, ch 3, 6 dc, *sc in 3rd dc of 25, (ch 10, sk 3 dc, sc in 3 dc, ch4-picot (see notes), sc in 2 dc) twice, ch 10, sk 3 dc, sc in nxt dc, dc in nxt 7 dc of 13, ch 8, sc in ch12 sp, ch 8, sk 6 dc, dc in nxt 7 dc, rpt from * around

Rnd 12) ch 1, sc in same st, *ch 3, in ch10 lp (8 dc, ch4-picot, 7 dc), ch 3, (sc, ch 4, sc) in picot, rpt from * once more, ch 3, in ch10 lp (8 dc, ch4-picot, 7 dc), ch 3, sc in 7th dc, 5 sc in ch8 sp, ch 12, 5 sc in ch8 sp, sc in 1st dc, rpt from * around. FO

Copyright © 2010, Judy M Kerr. All Rights Reserved.

The pattern has only been tested by me and it's so easy to gloss over mistakes and "see" what you expect to see, so if you try it and you run into any problems please let me know - sofar_sogood at btinternet dot com.

And if anyone does recognise the pattern, again please let me know so that I can make the appropriate acknowledgements. Thank you.

Did your vote count?

2010-05-07T16:13:00.005+01:00

If you don't feel like it did, NOW is the time to do something about it.

Granny On Point Square

2010-03-08T13:24:00.002Z

I "designed" this square especially for Planet Blanket*. I say quote designed endquote because I can't believe no one has come up with this idea before, but I haven't been able to find a pattern like it.

Granny On Point – 12”
(American notation)

Double Knit / Light Worsted Weight yarn

G-4mm hook

Notes: Granny shell = 3 dc in same sp

Step 1 - Start with a 7-round granny square (should be about 7½"). Basic instructions can be found here.

Step 2, Row 1 - With RS facing, join “corner's” colour in any corner, *ch 3, (“granny shell” in next ch1 sp, ch 1) x 6, ch 2 more, slst in corner, rep from * x 3 replacing final (ch 1 + ch 2) w dc, ch 3, turn.

Row 2 - (“Granny shell” in next ch1 sp, ch 1) x 5 omitting final ch 1, dc in ch3 of prev row, ch 3, turn.

Row 3 - (“Granny shell” in next ch1 sp, ch 1) x 4 omitting final ch 1, dc in ch3 of prev row, ch 3, turn.

Row 4 - (“Granny shell” in next ch1 sp, ch 1) x 3 omitting final ch 1, dc in ch3 of prev row, ch 3, turn.

Row 5 - (“Granny shell” in next ch1 sp, ch 1) x 2 omitting final ch 1, dc in ch3 of prev row, ch 3, turn.

Row 6 - “Granny shell” in next ch1 sp, dc in ch3 of prev row, ch 3, turn.

Row 7 - Dc in ch3 of prev row. FO.

For remaining corners, turn (WS), join yarn in top of ch3 of prev row, continue from Row 2.

Step 3, Round 1 – With RS facing, join yarn in any corner dc, *3 sc in dc, 2 sc in corner sp, 3 sc in ea sp across, 2 sc in corner sp, rep from * around, join w slst to beg sc.

Round 2 – Slst to 2nd of beg 3sc (= corner sc), *3 sc in corner sc, sc in ea sc across, rep from * around, join w slst to beg sc.

Variations:
By changing the number of rounds in your starting granny and adjusting the number of rows in step 2 accordingly you can make different sized squares.

For a 10" square try starting with a 6-round granny (approximately 6½") - as below.

Using worsted weight and an H-5mm hook, a 3-round granny (4") with 1 round of sc will yield a 6" square; 7" with 3 rounds of sc.

Want to tackle it more scientifically? Just remember your old a²+b²=c² (there's a handy calculator here).

Example: for finished size 8", the legs of your corner triangle (a and b of the calculation) will be 4" and the base (side c or the hypotenuse) will be roughly 5⅔". That means your starting granny square needs to be 5⅔", or rather 5-5½" so you have "room" for at least one round of sc.

I crochet quite loosely so your mileage may vary even with the basic pattern. Just work an extra round or two of sc or add an extra round to your starting granny to get it up to size. Remember, despite the math, crochet is an art not a science. :-)

Need help? Spotted a goof? Please email me.

*If you are taking part in the Planet Blanket project please note that the required square size is multiples of 5", i.e. 5", 10", 15", etc. Please use the 10" variation or scale it up!

If you've known the love of a dog

2010-02-23T20:08:00.001Z

And you're not afraid of the g-d word, then this is probably one of the most beautiful videos you're ever likely to see.

WTF???

2010-02-01T19:06:00.004Z

Is it just me or does the knowledge that a manufacturer of combat gunsights puts biblical references on its products

"As part of our faith and our belief in service to our country"

give you the heeby-jeebies too?

Excuse me? Call yourself a Christian? Then get outta that kind of business.

Who would Jesus kill?

Corner Stripe Square

2010-01-24T21:01:00.002Z

I've been making a few squares for Hugs for Haiti, a group on Ravelry. I'd made a couple of "bright" ones and a couple of "cute" ones and decided I needed a distinctly "boy" one. So I came up with this:

Corner Stripe Square
(American Notation)

WW and an H/5mm hook = approximately 6”
Colours A, B, and C

Notes: dc in flo = double crochet in the front loop only (used in the first row of each colour change to emphasise the edge)

Row 1 (RS) – With A: ch 4, in 4th ch from hook work (dc, ch 2, 2 dc). Remaining 3-ch at beginning counts as a dc.

Row 2 – ch 3, turn (counts as a dc throughout), dc in nxt dc, (2 dc , ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, dc in nxt2 dc.

Row 3 – ch 3, turn, dc in nxt 3 dc, (2 dc , ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, dc in nxt 4 dc. FO. Turn.

Row 4 – With B: ch 3, dc in flo of nxt 5 dc, (2 dc , ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, dc in flo of nxt 6 dc.

Row 5 – ch 3, turn, dc in nxt 7 dc, (2 dc , ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, dc in nxt 8 dc. FO. Turn.

Row 6 – With C: ch 3, dc in flo of nxt 9 dc, (2 dc , ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, dc in flo of nxt 10 dc.

Row 7 – ch 3, turn, dc in nxt 11 dc, (2 dc , ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, dc in nxt 12 dc. FO. Turn.

Row 8 – With A: ch 3, dc in flo of nxt 13 dc, (2 dc , ch 2, 2 dc) in ch-2 sp, dc in flo of nxt 14 dc. FO. Turn.

Border – With any colour (I chose B): work 3 sc in 1st dc of Row 8, sc in nxt 15 dc, 3 dc in ch-2 sp, sc in nxt 15 dc, 3 dc in last dc, sc in side of last dc, (2 sc in side of dc) x 7, 3 sc in beg ch-1, (2 sc in side of dc) x 7, sc in side of 1st dc of Row 8, slst to 1st sc. FO.

Copyright © 2010, Judy M Kerr. All Rights Reserved.

As ever, if you have any problems with this pattern or spot any goofs, please let me know at sofar_sogood at btinternet dot com.

Happy hooking!

Roi Kwabena, 1956-2008

2010-01-09T07:00:00.002Z

We still miss your Light.

Roi Ankhkara Kwabena
23 July 1956 - 9 January 2008

New Year Ripple Finished!

2010-01-01T13:18:00.005Z

Happy New Year everyone!

Well, I did it. I finally finished my New Year Ripple Afghan. Three years to the day.

Actually, that was deliberate. I could have finished it a few days ago but I decided to leave the final round of the border until today. :-)

It's going to live on the back of my chair, to be snuggled under on cold days. I think Mum would have been pleased.

Little Granny Christmas Stocking

2009-12-07T15:52:00.000Z

I made this one with WW and an H hook and it's 5" from toe to top.

ch 5, join w slst to form ring.

Rnd 1 - ch 3, 2 dc in ring, ch 2, (3 dc in ring, ch 2) x 4, join w slst to top of beg ch-3.

Rnd 2 - slst to ch-2 sp, slst in ch-2 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, [(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in nxt ch-2 sp, ch 1] x 4, join w slst to top of beg ch-3.

Rnd 3 - slst to ch-2 sp, slst in ch-2 sp, ch 3, 4 dc in same sp, ch 1, 3 dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, [(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in ch-2 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1] x 4, join w slst to top of beg ch-3. Do not FO.

Rnd 4 - slst to 3rd st of "ch 3, 4 dc" shell of prev rnd (= toe), fold work in half, ch 1 , turn, sc in same st, sc halves together thru matching dc or ch-1 sp, 2 sc in "heel" corner, cont up side, 1 sc thru both top ch-2 sp, 1 sc in front ch-2 sp only, sc in ea st/sp around top of stocking to ch-2 sp, for hanging loop: ch 10, slst in base of ch-10. FO.

Copyright © 2009, Judy M Kerr. All Rights Reserved.

Problem (yours or mine)? - email me.

Merry Christmoose!

2009-12-05T20:11:00.001Z

I have decreed that, this year and henceforth, the Christmas Season officially "kicks off" on the evening of 5 December (St Nicholas Day Eve). My mother was German and we always celebrated Nikolaustag when my brother and I were little. So - I may write some cards and wrap some pressies prior to the 5th but no decorations come out and no fruitcake gets eaten!

This morning I was in town posting some cards and looking for stick-on bows (why does everyone sell the nasty metallic ones and not the nice satin-type anymore?) when I popped into one of the charity shops. They had all their Christmas-y stuff together in a big display, but I went to the back looking for yarn (as I always do). There, stuffed in with all the other soft toys, was a little moose. He had a plain brown gingham bow around his neck but I knew immediately he was in the wrong place. He was a Christmoose!

I coughed up the £1.30 ($2.14), hurried home with my prize, ditched the gingham and dug out a proper Christmas bow. I can't tell you how silly-excited I get every time I catch a glimpse of him.

It's Chriiiiiiiist-maaaaaaaaas!!*

*Just in case there's anyone left out there who doesn't know: Noddy Holder at the end of Slade's "Merry Christmas Everybody"

Garland

2009-11-25T21:14:00.003Z

All men's miseries derive from not being able to sit quietly in a room alone.

-- Blaise Pascal

"Letter to a dead husband: 11 November 1933"

2009-11-11T07:00:00.003Z

Blessed are the peacemakers
Dear Arthur
Just wanted to let you know
that I’ve joined the Co-op women’s guild,
that we’re making white poppies for peace...
It started when Miss Millar
made her own, from white paper
and ribbons - we copied her.
She says we’re carrying
‘cargoes of grief on our cardigans
in memory of husbands, sons, sweethearts...’
We still respect the red,
honour the dead - but have
made our pledge, no more war!
It's a bit radical though;
last week my friend Ivy Brown
lost her job ’cos she wore one.
You remember years ago
in church when we had our banns called
when the vicar read from Isaiah
nation shall not lift up
sword against nation
neither shall they make war anymore
well that's what this is about see.
Us women believe in peace,
that war shouldn't happen anymore;
This Armistice Day I wear it for you Arthur
even though it's fifteen years
since you've been gone.
I wear it for all the rainbows
you will never see, our beautiful daughter
you will never kiss
- the sons we never had.
Your loving wife
Mary.

-- Denise Bennett

Garland

2009-11-03T19:16:00.002Z

It is wisdom to know others; it is enlightenment to know one's self.

-- Lao Tzu

Another long overdue FGX update

2009-08-26T18:11:00.004+01:00

Here are some more Crochet Partners Friendship Granny Exchange squares I've received:
Top row: Basic Granny, Pumpkin Square, Basic Granny
Middle row: Solid Granny, unknown, unknown
Bottom row: Angel (Beata Ball), Little Boxes, "Debbie" (so named because I received it from Debbie W, liked it but didn't recognise the pattern and so set about working it out. If you recognise it please let me know where it can be found. Otherwise, I'll post my pattern for it sometime in the not too distant future.)

And the squares I've sent:
Top row: Scrappy Woven Marvel (Definitely Different Afghans by Diana Lynn Sippel, LA #1288), Camellia, Tibetan Prayer Flags (my own design)
Middle row: Willow (200 Crochet Blocks for blankets, throws and afghans by Jan Eaton), Postage Stamp (Artsy Afghans by Kathleen D Garen, LA #4592), Postage Stamp variation
Bottom row: Star Stitch, Puffs & Posts (sadly, this lovely pattern is no longer available online as the pattern has been sold), my design (doesn't even have a name )

I received my 42nd square back in April and started a 6x7 square afghan (with a wide border) in July (it had to wait until I'd finished another afghan!).
I'm using Priscilla Hewitt's Flat Braid join to join the squares and I really like how it's looking so far.

I Love the NHS

2009-08-14T20:26:00.005+01:00

Greetings, American readers.

Things are going a little crazy in your neck of the woods. Just wanted to drop my 2¢ in here.

I lived in the United States for 11 years. Some of my family still does. I had really good medical cover through the company I worked for and, thankfully, never needed any major medical treatment. If either of those hadn't been the case, I might well not be "talking" to you now.

Our National Health Service (NHS) isn't perfect - no system ever is - but it's wonderful. If I come down with Swine Flu or get hit by a bus or need an operation I don't even have consider how much the treatment is going to cost me and whether I can afford it. I can concentrate on getting better.

My family has needed the services of the NHS on many occasions over the years, sometimes for very serious complaints, and I am thankful and grateful for the excellent care we have received.

And if you're not sure what I'm talking about, may I recommend Michael Moore's "Sicko"?

Stay healthy! xx

Know Thyself

2009-06-26T19:31:00.001+01:00

Wandering the internet as I do, I regularly stumble across other peoples' avatars. I've always thought how nice it must be for them to have a little graphic Mini-Me that inhabits their cyber-world. I have coveted those avatars and have spent a fair bit of time working away on various avatar-creator websites in search of an image to call my own.

I have not been successful.

No matter how hard I tried, no matter how many noses and hairstyles I sampled, nothing I created bore the slightest resemblance to Me. Perhaps all those other avatars don't live up to their owners' expectations either. Perhaps they deliberately designed an "alter-ego" - a completely different and separate internet persona. Perhaps they just picked the best of a bad lot.

No, I have not been successful. Until now.

Yes, I have at last found perfection. The cartoon creation that captures my essence, my soul. The pixel portrait that would enable any of my readers to instantly recognise me should they ever pass me in the street.

And where did I discover the real me, you ask?

South Park.
I should have known.

Crocheted Baby Hat Pattern Links

2009-06-22T19:26:00.003+01:00

I'm back with those pattern links I promised you in my previous post.

Top row, left to right:
1) Adjustable Ribbed Preemie Cap
2) Teresa's 10 Minute Preemie Hat
3) Bev's Newborn Roundie Hat
4) Stretchy Crocheted Hat
Bottom row:
1) Pattern on Ravelry - Andrew's Charity Hats group
2) Barb's Seamless Crocheted Baby Hat (flower pattern here)
3) Gotcha Covered #2
4) Pattern on Ravelry - xoxoMargot's Baby Hat

As of Saturday, 20 June Andrew had received 719 hats, and there are more on the way!

Update 23/6/09: 849!

Spiral Baby Hat

2009-06-01T18:21:00.002+01:00

I've been inspired by a ten-year-old named Andrew to make baby hats for Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, NC (see his project page at DoSomething.Org and more info here at Ravelry). In the process of trying out the various lovely hat patterns I found online (pics and links to follow) I had an idea for this one:

Spiral Baby Hat
(American notation)

Yarn: Light 3 (Double Knit, Light Worsted)
Hook: G/4mm
Finished size:
H 4½”, W 5½ ”

Base:
Make a Magic Ring (instructions here) or ch 4 and join to form a ring.
1) In ring work sc, hdc, 10 dc – do not join but continue working around
(12 st)
2) Working in the back loop only (blo) 2 dc in ea st (24 st)
3) In blo (2 dc, 1 dc) around (36 st)
4 – 7) In blo 1 dc in ea st (36 st)
8) In blo dc in nxt 32 st, hdc in nxt 2 st, sc in nxt 2 st, slst into both loops of dc at beg of rnd. Finish off.

At this point my hat was 4½” high and 5” wide and looked a little too narrow. But once I worked the contrasting spiral stitches it stretched out to 5½” wide and looked more in proportion.

Contrasting Spiral:
Join the contrasting colour with a slst in the unused front loop of the first sc of rnd 1, ch 1; continue to (slst, ch1) in ea front loop to the edge of hat; continue pattern around edge working into both loops; end with slst into 1st slst at edge. Finish off. Pull the beginning tail thru the centre hole of the hat and weave in.

© Judy M Kerr, 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Please email me if you spot any goofs or have any problems with this pattern - sofar_sogood at btinternet dot com

Andrew has been making hats himself on a knitting loom. His original goal was 200 hats by June 20, but he's had such a wonderful response from all the knitters, crocheters and loomers out there that he's topped that already. His new goal is now 500 hats! Piece o' cake.

World Tarot Day

2009-05-25T08:00:00.002+01:00

Happy World Tarot Day!

Have you hugged your deck today?

I ♥ Cyprus!

2009-04-27T18:18:00.026+01:00

DH and I went to Cyprus for the first time back in March (I know, very late - took me ages to sort out the photographs). We have friends who sold up and moved out there last December and they invited us to come and stay with them.

Well, we certainly went at the right time of year. Everything was lush and green and awash with wildflowers,...
all the lemon and orange trees were in bloom and smelling marvelous (it seems like every street is lined with them and virtually every garden has one or the other or both),...and it was bright and sunny but not too hot.
We were only there for 8 days so we didn't travel too far afield -
Agia Napa,...Cape Gkreko,... around the towns in the Famagusta District... and a trip up to Salamis in Northern Cyprus.
Our friends said to come back in October - when it should, again, be sunny but not hot - and we'll all go off to the Troodos Mountains, the other side of the island, for a few days.

The people were so nice and friendly, there was hardly any traffic and the food was fantastic (if you're ever in Paralimni, go to Ttappis Tavern!). I told DH if we ever come into money I'm buying a holiday home there. I can't wait to go back. Not sure we can afford another trip this year but I'm saving up!

Grandchild #2

2009-04-01T18:19:00.005+01:00

Born 17 March 2008
Adopted 4 December 2008
Adoption finalised 31 March 2009
(PS He's gorgeous!)

It's Friday! Get yur boogie on!

2009-02-27T19:17:00.002Z

I would if I had this bird's moves!

Bird Shakes His Tailfeather @ Yahoo! Video

Squares, glorious squares

2009-02-03T19:46:00.005Z

Long overdue, here is another CrochetPartners Friendship Granny Exchange (FGX) update:

Received (not all that) recently:

Clockwise: Puff Stitch Heart (similar pattern here), Bride's Square, unknown, interesting Granny Square variant (anyone know the pattern?)

Sent (also not all that) recently:

Clockwise: Granny Square variant (based on the one in the Granny-Along header, Circle of Hope, Heather's Flowers, Spring Breeze

I've since sent and received enough additional squares to do another "2x2" update but I'll give you a bit of breathing space. ;-)

I'm now only 5 squares away from being able to start my FGX afghan!

Lord love a duck!

2009-01-26T18:25:00.003Z

I get a daily hit of Cute Overload! Makes.My.Day. Big, big thank you to CO for bringing me this little item:

I so had to share that with y'all. I recommend you sign up for your daily dose of Cute.

We still thinkin' about yuh*

2009-01-09T21:16:00.000Z

ROI ANKHKARA KWABENA
23 July 1956 - 9 January 2008

Info

*from "Whether or Not" by Roi Kwabena (MP3 audio)

Happy New Year - 2009!

2009-01-01T13:38:00.005Z

Every 1 January since 2007 I make a point of working on this afghan:

Details of the whys and wherefores can be found on The No-End-In-Sight Ripple-Along blog, but, as you can see, in three New Years I haven't gotten very far (and yes, I do occasionally - very occasionally - work on it at other times). Well, for 2009 I've resolved that all my WIPs will be subject to the "Finish It or Frog It" rule. I've got stacks of WIPs to get through but this one is a definite finisher!

Wishing you all a very productive 2009!

Snowflake Monday Christmas Special

2008-12-15T17:31:00.003Z

In honour of the new granddaughter:

A "ruby" flake for Ruby's first Christmas! The pattern is called "Lovely Snowflake" and it's from a book, but I don't know which one. Sorry all you pattern hounds.

But we've since had an additional new addition.

DS and his partner are in the process of adopting Matthew. He came home with them 4 December. So, naturally, he has a flake, too:

I think this is a nice, boyish flake for Matthew's first Christmas. It's #8 from Sally V George's Crochet Works.

Both flakes were made with Anchor Arista thread and a 2 hook.

Boy and girl grandbabies, just in time for Christmas - perfect!

Christmas is a-Coming, the Cook is Getting Fat

2008-11-16T20:04:00.005Z

In the "12 (and Only 12) Days of Christmas" group on Ravelry the call went out for favourite Christmas foods. As the name of the group suggests, we try not to overdo it. I've been trying for years to simplify our Christmas (and meeting with a fair amount of opposition) but one thing I do need for Christmas is... Christmas Cake!! And you need to get them made fairly early so that they have a chance to mature (and you have a chance to give them a real good soaking with your alcohol of choice).

As the recipes are fairly long, I've posted my two favourites here and put a link to them in the group. So, even if you're not signed up on Ravelry (why not?!) you can still check them out.

Boiled Fruit Cake
Super easy, moist and delicious. Use any standard mug as your cup measure (my cup = 300ml/10 fl oz).

In a large saucepan place

1 cup water
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
3 cups fruit (I use 1 c raisins, 1 c sultanas, 100g candied peel and rest of cup topped up w/ currants)
6 oz butter (or margarine)

Boil and leave to cool.

Stir in

2 eggs, beaten

Then

2 cups self-raising flour (or plain flour + 1 T baking powder)
spice (optional) (I use 1 t ea cinnamon & nutmeg,
½ t allspice)
2 cups glace cherries

Pour into a 9" loose-bottomed cake tin and bake on the middle shelf at 150°C/300°F for 2 hrs 15 minutes.

FRUIT! Fruit Cake
Oh, I love this cake! Adapted from LaVerle McCandless' family recipe (five generations and going strong).
For my British readers, 1 cup = 8 fluid ounces = an average teacup;
1/4 cup = 4 tablespoons

1 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
4 cups chopped pecans
1 lb candied cherries
1 lb candied pineapple
½ lb chopped dates
6 oz/170g butter
1 cup sugar
5 eggs, beaten
2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp grated lemon rind

This recipe makes 1 tube pan or four 7"x4"x4" pans or 2 loaf pans or 6 baby loaf pans (I halve the recipe and use one 9"x5"x2½" loaf pan).

Grease and flour the pans, then line the bottoms with greaseproof paper.

Mix flour, baking powder and salt together in a large bowl. Coarsely chop the fruit and nuts and then stir them into the flour.

Cream butter and sugar until smooth. Stir in the beaten eggs, vanilla and lemon juice. Stir in the lemon rind. Combine with the fruit and nuts.

Bake the tube pan at 140ºC/275º F for 1½ hours
Bake the other pans at 120ºC/250ºF for 1½ hours

(You may find that some butter leaches out of the cake – just pour it off, the cake will be fine. I’ve already reduced the amount of butter the original recipe called for; you may want to experiment with even less)

When cooled, wrap in cling film, then in foil.

To quote LaVerle:

If you want to spike the fruit cake, cover a plate with cling film, place the fruit cake on it and pour a shot glass (2 Tbsp) of rum, whiskey or what you like over the fruit cake and let sit for a day. Then wrap and store in fridge or freezer. Be sure you mark these spiked cakes as spiked.

Slice fairly thin as this is a very rich fruit cake. I can almost guarantee that this fruit cake will not be used as a hockey puck or door stop.

A new flake for Snowflake Monday

2008-11-10T20:27:00.004Z

A member of Crochet Partners recently posted a link to her new Crochet Lace Snowflake pattern. It was a must-try!

So I did. :-)

Her sample is blocked much more gently than mine and has a nice, rounded look to it. I'll have to make another one and try not to pin it out quite so vigourously, LOL.

It was a fun flake to work and so nice to find a fresh, new pattern. Anyone else designing out there?

Our First Grandchild

2008-10-29T20:18:00.002Z

Born Sunday, 26 October 2008 at 6:23 pm
Weight: 8 lbs 13½ ozs

Snowflake Monday

2008-10-06T18:55:00.013+01:00

Hot on the heels of my previous Snowflake Monday post (well, only 4 weeks; that's good for me!)

This is the Chain Loop Snowflake from the Better Homes and Gardens website.

This is the Open Chain Loop Snowflake from the same page.

And this one is Snowflake No.4 from More Snowflakes in Crochet Thread by Mary Thomas, ASN #1038.

Thou shalt decide for yourself

2008-10-04T12:10:00.006+01:00

---

National Quaker Week - 4 to 12 October 2008

I am a Quaker. Have been for 14 years now. The Quaker way of doing things suits my temperament, my world view and my spirituality.

The National Quaker Week website invites readers to listen to nine people explaining why they decided to be a Quaker. If you've ever wondered what Quakers are all about give 'em a listen.

Dear God...

2008-09-26T19:59:00.002+01:00

Crane Flies*...

WHY?!?

*Tipula paludosa, known in our household as Clunk Bugs because they're useless fliers and when they get in your house they bumble about and "clunk" into everything. For those of you not familiar with these little darlings, the body alone is over an inch long. Then there's those legs! EEEeeeeekkkk!!!

Woodpigeons Again

2008-09-14T17:58:00.003+01:00

Remember the woodpigeons I introduced you to in this post? The babies - teenagers now, I suppose - still pass through our garden occasionally.

Well, about a week ago I spotted Mrs Woodpigeon inspecting the old nest, pulling a twig here, prodding a twig there. Then Mr Woodpigeon arrived with a new twig... Could they be nesting again? In September?

Since then, when I looked, more often than not Mrs W was sitting on the nest. Final confirmation came today. I was in the middle of cleaning the bathroom - the nest can best be seen from the bathroom window - when I spotted Mrs W "fussing" with something in the nest. She had her back to me and I couldn't see much but I waited. Finally she shuffled around the other way and I could clearly she her rolling a bright, white egg into position.

More babies on the way! I just hope the weather holds for them.

Update 30/9/08: Sad news. After checking several times over the last few days I have come to the conclusion that the nest has been abandoned. No sign of Mr or Mrs W. Perhaps the eggs were infertile. Or perhaps the magpies paid a visit. All the to'ing and fro'ing with the previous brood stripped many of the leaves from the surrounding branches making the nest much more visible. Our weather has now turned wet and chilly - not ideal naked chick* raising weather - so maybe it's just as well.

*I wonder how many hits I'm gonna get from that word combination!

International Crochet Day

2008-09-12T19:27:00.001+01:00

Today is International Crochet Day - as first declared last year by our beloved crochet hook artiste Jimbo.

http://jimbosfrontporch.blogspot.com/2007/08/contest-im-giving-this-hook-away.html

...I have thought for a long time now that the art of crochet and those who practice the art deserve some significant recognition. And so in my great power as the Ruthless Tyrant of my vast hook empire have decided to declare that Sept 12, 2007 will be a Holiday that I'm cleverly calling "International Crochet Day". I'm giving everyone who works for me (ME) a day off. You just go ahead and take the day off too.... tell'em Jimbo said it's ok (see where that gets you!)

In honour of this great day I am sharing this:

I was so thrilled when Patti Sandlin sent me this picture of the blanket she made using my Peace Granny Square pattern. What a feeling of pride, LOL! And hasn't she done a wonderful job? I just love all the colours.

I'm so pleased Patti liked the pattern enough to put all that effort in and then take the time to contact me. I love crochet and I love crocheters. And today is our day! Happy Hooking!

Long time no flake

2008-09-08T16:03:00.000+01:00

Ten Mondays have passed since I last made a Snowflake Monday post. That's because almost that much time has passed since I made a snowflake. But the arrival of September made me aware that Christmas is not all that far off.

The first flake is Snowflake No.11 from ASN Crocheted Snowflakes by Mary Thomas #1025(25).

The second is Snowflake No.2 from ASN More Snowflakes by Mary Thomas #1038 (go Mary!).

Three more to go and I'll have one gift dozen out of the way. Then, hopefully, I'll be able to make a few more for myself this year.

Garden Visitors

2008-08-24T21:34:00.004+01:00

One of the joys of moving here was to finally have a garden and to discover all the little critters that call in from time to time.

This fella (Common Frog) has taken up residence in DH's timber pile behind the workshop. I jumped almost as far as he did when I disturbed him. Well, he is a big frog... and I wasn't expecting him... {blush}

This little guy (Grey Dagger Moth caterpillar), on the other hand, is slowly and peacefully munching his way through our damson tree. The moth he will eventually become is quite plain but right now he's very colourful. And check out those spikes!

I wish I could get close enough to get a picture of the two baby Woodpigeons in our neighbours' cherry tree. Their wings are feathering up nicely but their heads and bodies are still just grey "chicken skin" with a wispy covering of fluff. They're so ugly they're cute!

Update 27/8/08: The pigeon babies have graduated to flapping around the tree.
Update 29/8/08: The babies have flown the nest are are currently hanging out in our willow.If you look about a quarter of the way down the left side you can just make out the dark grey back of the second (camera shy) baby.

Time for another update

2008-07-23T22:29:00.002+01:00

My love of the CrochetPartners Friendship Granny Exchange (FGX) continues unabated.

Here are some of the squares I've received recently:

1) Gothic Square; 2) Basic Granny; 3) #29 from LA 99 Granny Squares to Crochet #3078; 4) Heather's Flowers

And here are a few I've sent:

1) Woven Marvel from ASN Definitely Different Afghans #1288; 2) Asymetrical Log Cabin (alternate sc and dc rows around a centre "granny's daughter" with colour changes after varying numbers of rows. The asymetry is more noticeable in a larger square); 3) Gothic Square; 4) Christmas Tree Square (no really, there are four trees in fact. Squint!) The recipient stated a preference for Christmas themed squares. My own design - I'll write it up if anyone's interested. I may do it even if you're not interested. Ha!

I'm about 10 squares away from my single-bed-sized afghan. It's so exciting! Well, it is for me. You wait 'til you see it - it's going to be a stunner!

If you're mad about crochet (like me) I recommend you join CrochetPartners - a great crochet community and resource - then get yourself signed up for the granny exchange. And drop me a line if you do. The more the merrier!

Wake us when it's Summer

2008-07-09T19:43:00.001+01:00

It's July.

It's 15 degrees outside, peeing with rain, has been all day, not expected to get any better for the foreseeable future.

This is what the girls think of it:

ThisClose!

2008-06-30T20:32:00.000+01:00

DH and I went for a walk today,

from Beaumont Quay around to Landermere (only about a mile each way). Very nice it was, too. Sunny with a cooling breeze, lots of shorebirds to see, no one else around.

But the best bit was on the way back, about 100 yards from the car.
A baby bunny on the footpath -

Close -

Very close -

This close!!!

It had no fear of us at all. It was so tiny - we were probably the very first
what-the-heck-is-that?s it had ever seen.

Eventually instinct kicked in and it decided it probably shouldn't be hanging around us and scurried off into the bushes.

Late Snow

2008-06-23T20:07:00.000+01:00

Surprise! Another Snowflake Monday post - just when you'd given up hope.

Nothing new here - these are flakes I've blogged about before. The left-hand one is by Noel Nevins. If you're already a member of CrochetSnowflakes you can access the pattern, otherwise, sorry, but no one's moderating the group at the moment so you wouldn't be able to join. And the right-hand one is from LA Thread Tree Trims leaflet 2836.

Peace Granny

2008-06-13T19:13:00.010+01:00

UPDATE - 29 May 11: a schematic for rounds 1 and 2 has been added - the stitches are shown "flat" for clarity but you'll be working in the round. I hope it helps with that fiddly round 2!

Some time back a member of Crochet Partners posted that she was looking for a peace symbol granny square pattern. Somehow it caught my imagination, and this was the result.

Peace Sign Granny Square
(American Notation)

Worsted weight - Colours A and B
H hook

FL= front loop
BL = back loop
RVS =
Reverse V-stitch: work 2dctog, skipping 1 st btw first and second dc.

Changing colours: with last 2 loops of dc still on hook, drop first colour and complete stitch with second colour. Carry colours across the back of the work, catching under a stitch if they get a bit long, or work completely over them throughout.

With A: Ch 4 and join to form a ring (or use a Magic Ring).

Rnd 1) ch 1, work 12 sc in ring, join with slst in FL of beg sc.

Rnd 2) ch 3, dc in nxt st, dc in FL of next st. With B: dc in back loop (BL) of same st, 2 dc in nxt st, dc in nxt st, dc in BL of same st. With A: dc in FL of same st, dc in nxt st, dc in FL of nxt st. With B: dc in BL of same st. With A: dc in FL of same st, dc in nxt st, dc in FL of nxt st. With B: dc in BL of same st. With A: dc in FL of same st, dc in nxt st, dc in FL of nxt st. With B: dc in BL of same st, dc in same st (both loops), 2 dc in nxt st, dc in BL of same st as beg ch3, join with slst to beg ch3. = 24 dc

Rnd 3) With A: Ch 3, (dc in nxt st) x 2. With B: (2 dc in nxt st) x 5. *With A: (dc in nxt st) x 3. With B: (2 dc in nxt st). Rpt from * once. With A: (dc in nxt st) x 3. With B: (2 dc in nxt st) x 5, join with slst to beg ch3. = 36 dc

Click here for the full-size picture

Rnd 4) With A: Ch 3, (dc in nxt st) x 2. With B: (2 dc in nxt st, dc in nxt 2 st) x 3, 2 dc in nxt st. *With A: (dc in nxt st) x 3. With B: (2 dc in nxt st) x 2. Rpt from * once. With A: (dc in nxt st) x 3. With B: (2 dc in nxt st, dc in nxt 2 st) x 3, 2 dc in nxt st, join with slst to beg ch3. = 48 dc

Rnd 5) With A: Ch 3, (dc in nxt st) x 2. With B: (2 dc in nxt st, dc in nxt 3 st) x 3, 2 dc in nxt st, dc in nxt st. *With A: (dc in nxt st) x 3. With B: 2 dc in nxt st, dc in nxt 2 st, 2 dc in nxt st. Rpt from * once. With A: (dc in nxt st) x 3. With B: (2 dc in nxt st, dc in nxt 3 st) x 3, 2 dc in nxt st, dc in nxt st, join with slst to beg ch3. = 60 dc

Rnd 6) With A: ch 3, dc in nxt 3 st, (2 dc in nxt st, dc in nxt 4 st) x 11, 2 dc in nxt st, join with slst to beg ch3. Finish off A.

Rnd 7) With B: sc in beg ch3 of prev rnd, ch 2, (sk st, sc in nxt st, ch 2) x 3, *sk st, RVS, ch 2, (dc in same st, ch 2) x 2, RVS starting in same st, (ch 2, sk st, sc in nxt st) x 6, ch 2, rpt from * around, join with slst to beg sc. = 40 ch2 sp

Rnd 8) slst into ch2 sp, ch1, 2 sc in sp, *3 sc in nxt sp, 2 hdc in nxt sp, 3 hdc in nxt sp, 2 dc in nxt sp, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in nxt sp, 2 dc in nxt sp, 3 hdc in nxt sp, 2 hdc in nxt sp, 3 sc in nxt sp, 2 sc in nxt sp, rpt from * around, join with slst to beg sc. = 112 st, 4 ch1 sp

Rnd 9) ch1, sc in same st and in ea st around, working 3 sc in ea ch1 sp. Join with slst to beg sc. Finish off. = 124 sc

Copyright © 2008, Judy M Kerr. All Rights Reserved.

Errors? Problems? Please email me.

Seeing the picture of it now, I think the square would benefit from a wider border, but at the time I was just trying to knock something up quickly to fill a need. It came out 10" for me (I crochet loosely) but it would be a simple thing to add rounds to bring it up to any size you like.

If you do try it I'd love to see pictures!

ETA: See an afghan made with this square here.

It's the Real Thing

2008-05-21T22:39:00.004+01:00

Proud as I am of the lovely ornamental apple tree in the front garden, I now have a "real" apple tree in the back garden.

Okay, it's a bit of a glorified stick at the moment but it's a Worcester Pearmain - absolutely delicious apples - and we spotted it, crammed in a tub with a load of other plastic-wrapped fruit trees, at our local supermarket, price £4.99/$10. Not the most auspicious start, but it had a few leaves on it so we thought we'd give it a chance.

These pics were taken 2 weeks ago but it's still putting out new blossoms. Will we actually get fruit this year? I would have said not a chance but it's been doing so well I'm just tempted to hope.
Update 27/6/08: The one little applet I had on the tree, that I intended to take a picture of to share with you, fell off. Next year!

That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it

2008-05-02T21:39:00.002+01:00

I realise that you must all be very concerned about the fact that I haven't been making any Snowflake Monday posts for a while (meh, humour me). Here it is, a third of the way through the year, and I've only made 9 snowflakes. What ever could the matter be??

Well, mainly it's the fault of this little tadpole here:
No, not me you idiot! At my age?? This little girl (yes, apparently it's a girl) is on her way to becoming our first grandchild. Early October.

So, naturally, I've been crocheting baby stuff like a mad thing since we got the news in February. Snowflakes will just have to wait their turn. Here are the results of my efforts so far:

Heirloom Baby Blanket and Crocheted Hat and Jacket for Baby (the mittens and booties are my design)

Baby, It's Cold Outside (BICO) and Shining Star baby blanket from 50 Sensational Crocheted Afghans and Throws (WIP).

In addition, I've made another pair of booties, a BICO for another mum-to-be and seven chicken potholders.
Okay, so the chickens are nothing to do with babies. But they're cute.

I even have one as my avatar on Ravelry and Flickr.

Apple Tree Redux

2008-04-22T20:20:00.008+01:00

I thought you might appreciate a more spring-like view of the ornamental apple tree than my Easter Day offering. The apples are gone now (so is the snow) and the lovely pink blossoms are starting to open.

The apples might make nice jelly, I haven't tried. But they stay on the tree all winter and look so pretty when everything else is grey. By late February/early March they've softened up enough for the blackbirds to eat. Then, mid-April, just before the flowers come out, I remove about half a carrier bag-full of apples.

FGX Update

2008-04-05T19:14:00.007+01:00

The squares have been flying thick and fast in the CrochetPartners Friendship Granny Exchange, so I'm ready to give another update.

Received:

No pattern info for any of these I'm afraid, although Little Miss Colourful there is a basic granny and The Blues is a basic granny with the first two rounds worked in 3dc-popcorns.
Update 14/6/08 - The lovely CPer who made the purple/variegated square for me paid my blog a little visit and left a message to say that it's a Camellia Square designed by Karen Whooley. It was a free pattern on her now defunct website Crochet Legacy. I had to go back to a 2001 page on the Wayback Machine to find it! Where would us pattern addicts be without the Wayback Machine?!

Sent:

Clockwise from top-left: 1) HDC Mitred Square. 2) Nine-Patch Granny (I'm hoping to find the time to write up a pattern soon). 3) #23 from LA 99 Granny Squares to Crochet #3078. 4) Corner Puffs Motif (adapted).

Easter Greetings from sunny Dovercourt Bay

2008-03-23T11:46:00.008Z

We rarely get snow here, so this is a treat! Well, for me anyway.

A low-key Snowflake Monday

2008-03-17T20:48:00.002Z

This is my latest snowflake for Snowflake Monday. This is #14 from ASN Crocheted Snowflakes book 1025(25).

I'm not being very productive in the SF department this year. Perhaps because I made so many last year. And because I don't need quite so many this year so I'm not feeling pressured (yet) to crank them out.

FGX Update

2008-03-08T22:30:00.001Z

Well, I finally got around to editing all my Friendship Granny Exchange photos, so it’s time for another update (with lots of pattern links, woohoo!).

Here's some I’ve received:

1) Basic Granny. 2) Basic Granny. 3) Basic Granny combining an eyelash yarn and plain DK. 4) Basic Granny. 5) I’m sure I’ve seen this pattern somewhere but I can’t find it now (anyone?). 6) A Pumpkin Square! - guess when I got this one. 7) Sunshine Jewel. 8) Friendship Jewel. 9) This is another one where I’m sure I’ve seen something like it but…

And here’s some I’ve sent:

1) This one was for “Dragonpuck”, a dragon and hockey fan. My own design, a fiery puck. Yeah, it is, trust me. 2) Pretty Patchwork (from 101 Granny Squares, Carol Alexander, 2004). 3) Square Flower. 4) Cat Tracks. 5) Christina’s Favorite. 6) Easy Daisy Granny. 7) #42 from Crochet Primer Vol. 64 (Bucilla, 1972). 8) Penguin Square (the pattern used to be available in crochetroo's Etsy shop but I can only find readymade items at the moment. Maybe she'll list the pattern again sometime).
9) Sweet Dreams (adapted).

BTW, I used Picasa to make these mosaics. So easy!

I’ve received 21 squares so far. I need 50 for the blanket I want to make with them - basically a single-bed topper with a wide border to hang down the sides. I may even incorporate a row of my own squares in the border.

If you are one of the people who sent me these squares thank you, thank you, thank you! I am loving this exchange! If you don’t see yours here yet I will post another update when I have a few more squares together.

Snowflake Monday

2008-02-18T19:17:00.000Z

Yoohoo! Sus! Lookie, lookie.

It's Monday.

There are snowflakes.

It must be

Actually, these two were ready for last Monday but we had such lovely weather that DH just went out for the day (I only work Tue-Fri). So no blogging.

The first SF is the one previously seen in it's voodoo stage. Both of these patterns can be found in ASN Crocheted Snowflakes Book 1025(25).

Saturday Sky

2008-02-16T21:37:00.000Z

Saturday Sky, winter tree and Felixstowe

DH spent ALL of last night being very sick. Gastroenteritis - I'll let you fill in the blanks.

So, as we were clearly not going to be going shopping in Colchester today I figured I'd use my unexpected free time (between making cups of tea, re-filling hot water bottles and making appropriate sympathetic noises) to post my first Saturday Sky in quite some time.

You make my day!

2008-02-10T19:13:00.000Z

All you fantastic bloggers out there - you really do make my day. I could spend, well, forever just snooping here and there, happily flitting from one intriguing/delightful/informative blog to the next.

And, apparently, this little old blog of mine makes Sus' day, 'coz she's selected it for one of her ten "You Make My Day" Awards. I'm well chuffed!

So now I get to share ten of my favourite bloggers with you all. Lord knows I visit and enjoy many more than that but if I have to limit myself to ten, well, here goes:

Back at ya, Sus! - and Alice, Annie, Crystal, Drew, Ernest, Laurie and Shula. You guys are the greatest!

And in the Rest In Peace section (sob!), the blogs that belonged to Scott and funny thing really used to make my day - miss you!!

Oh, yeah...

2008-02-05T21:45:00.000Z

Way back in the mists of time (ok, 7 months ago) I didn't so much promise as imply that I would be posting some more games.

Flood It - courtesy of LabPixies.

The object of the game is to "flood" the field with a single colour within 25 tries. Starting from the top left-hand corner, click on a colour that matches the most adjoining squares to maximise the area of that colour. Continue until (hopefully) all the squares are the same colour.

Hope it was worth the wait!

My, my - Mitred Square!

2008-01-30T21:28:00.000Z

So, here's what happened...

                                  (made with Red Heart Strata "Cherry Berry")

...Someone in one of the (many) online crochet groups I belong to posted a link to a mitered/mitred square pattern worked in single crochet. I liked the look of it so I gave it a try. Very nice... but perhaps a bit too solid. I needed something a bit softer. I tried using a larger hook but it lost the nice stitch definition. Hmm, I wonder what half-double crochets would be like?

Those of you who have worked with HDC's know that they have a tendency to "lean" - that is, the top of the stitch appears to be slightly to the right of the stitch rather than sitting directly on top of it. I took advantage of this to allow for a 4 hdc corner. Normally an even number wouldn't work, because you wouldn't have a "corner" stitch to work your next corner into, if you get my drift. But because of the lean, the 2nd hdc of the previous row's corner angles into the middle, so that's the stitch you work your next 4 hdcs into.

One of the things you'll need to be aware of is that, as a result of this corner business, the even-numbered rows will have a different number of stitches either side of the corner, so you'll have to watch your stitch count. What's she on about?? Don't worry, I've given stitch counts for the first 7 rows. Hopefully all will become clear.

Half-Double Crochet (HDC) Mitred Square
(American Notation)

Use whatever yarn and hook combination works for you. I used WW and an H/5mm hook, and 14 rows was just under 7".

Don't forget to work a stitch into the turning chains. They're easy to miss as the hdc next to them leans into them.

Row 1 - ch3, in 3rd ch from hook work 3 hdc (remaining ch2 at beginning counts as a hdc).
    = 4 hdc

Row 2 - ch2, turn (counts as a hdc throughout), 4 hdc in nxt st (corner made), hdc in nxt 2 st.
    = 1 hdc, 4hdc corner, 2 hdc

Row 3 - ch2, turn, hdc in nxt 2 st, 4 hdc in nxt st, hdc in nxt 3 st.
    = 3 hdc, 4hdc corner, 3 hdc

Row 4 - ch2, turn, hdc in nxt 3 st, 4 hdc in nxt st, hdc in nxt 5 st.
    = 4 hdc, 4hdc corner, 5 hdc

Row 5 - ch2, turn, hdc in nxt 5 st, 4 hdc in nxt st, hdc in nxt 6 st.
    = 6 hdc, 4hdc corner, 6 hdc

Row 6 - ch2, turn, hdc in nxt 6 st, 4 hdc in nxt st, hdc in nxt 8 st.
    = 7 hdc, 4hdc corner, 8 hdc

Row 7 - ch2, turn, hdc in nxt 8 st, 4 hdc in nxt st, hdc in nxt 9 st.
    = 9 hdc, 4hdc corner, 9 hdc

Can you see the pattern forming? Even-numbered rows have one less stitch to the right of the corner than to the left of the corner; odd-numbered rows have the same number of stitches on both sides.

To continue:
- ch2, turn, hdc in ea st to corner, hdc in nxt st (i.e. 1st st of corner), 4 hdc in nxt st (i.e. 2nd st of corner), hdc in ea st to end.
Repeat the above until the square is the required size.

If your square is the size you want it at the end of an even-numbered row, skip the turning chain (i.e. don't work the last hdc into that st) and finish off - you'll then have an even number of stitches on both sides.

I worked a border of sc around my squares to finished them off. Not necessary, but I like the look. Work 1 sc in each hdc , 3 sc at the corners and work an equal number of stitches evenly along the other two sides of the square.

Copyright © 2008, Judy M Kerr.
All Rights Reserved.

Struggling? Feel free to email me.

Snowflake Monday+2

2008-01-16T21:52:00.000Z

(i.e. Snowflake Wednesday - better late than never)

This little guy is called Crystal Snowflake and is from a book called I-know-not-what. I just have a copy of it that someone gave me (copyright? ¿que?).

This one, on the other hand, is online - it's #8 and it's here.

And here is one still at the Voodoo stage, as my friend Sus puts it. This is Snowflake No.12 from ASN Crocheted Snowflakes, book 1025(25).

Roi Ankhkara Kwabena, 1956 - 2008

2008-01-10T09:50:00.001Z

Roi Ankhkara Kwabena - poet, story-teller, musician, educator, cultural anthropologist/activist and my dear, dear friend - crossed over 9 January 2008, after several months of illness.

He leaves behind a precious wife and a beautiful little girl about to turn two - as well as a wealth of poetry, music, inspiration, empowerment and loving memories.

Official Site

Commissioned Poetry

Cultural Literacy

Re-Evaluate

Literature of the Caribbean: Kwabena

Available publications and music

May the ancestors be pleased with his efforts.

Happy 2008!

2008-01-01T15:56:00.000Z

Welcome to my first post of 2008. I hope there will be many more (and I'm sure you hope they'll be at least moderately interesting. No promises).

Here's a link to my inaugural 2008 post on the No-End-In-Sight Ripple-Along blog. I started this ripple afghan on New Year's Day, 2007.

True, not much progress, but you all know what a busy year I had (come on, I moaned about it enough!). Anyway, I'm going to switch this computer off now and go do some work on it.

Have a Great
Two-Double"O"-Eight!

Last Post in 2007

2007-12-31T15:55:00.000Z

Hi! I hope you've all had enjoyable holidays.

Things are starting to return to some sort of normal now. I've actually managed to make a couple of snowflakes today (pictured pre-blocking) (both from books, sorry - click here for all my posts with links to online patterns).

Halfway through the first one I realised today was Monday (you lose track of these things when you've been off a while), so these are officially my first Snowflake Monday flakes towards my 2008 total. I'm not aiming for 51 this year but I already know I'm going to need at least 25.

Wishing you all a Very

What Christmas Ornament Are You?

2007-12-17T21:08:00.000Z

You Are a Snowman

Friendly and fun, you enjoy bringing holiday cheer to everyone you know!

What Christmas Ornament Are You?

This is brilliant, 'coz I just LOVE snowmen!

Andad con Dios

2007-11-30T21:21:00.000Z

So long Preacher Boy, I'm gonna miss you!

Been back 7 weeks...

2007-11-28T20:30:00.000Z

...and haven't posted since Week 1. Figured I'd better post something before the month was out!

I've been busy. In case you hadn't noticed, Christmas is only 27 days away.

If you're a "crafty" person you know how manic the last few weeks before the Big Day can be. No matter how many times I've said "I must start earlier next year", I always end up running out of hours in the day in which to crochet/stitch/bake all the little goodies I want make for everybody. I've had to whittle my list down - if you don't get a hand-made giftie from me this year it's because you've been bumped to next year. Sorry. I did think of you.

There's been a distinct lack of Snowflake Monday posts on my part, but rest assured I have been flaking. I've made 53 snowflakes so far this year. Beat my "51 Flakes by Christmas" deadline by 3 weeks! I've still got a few more to make. Most of them will be given away but I have put a few aside for ME. Come the 1st I'll be hanging them in the front room window. Can't wait!

Despite my mounting pre-Crimble panic I did set aside some time today to take part in Just This Day. Did anyone else here join in?

I really hope I can find some time to post again before Christmas but if I don't manage it... I wish the Handiwork Fairies visit you in the night and finish all your gift projects so you can relax and enjoy the rest of the Holiday Season!

Been back a week...

2007-10-13T22:45:00.000+01:00

...and I'm only now getting around to blogging. Blame jet-lag, unpacking, laundry, faltering attempts to get back to the normal routine. We're both still really tired and the weather's been decidely autumnal (read grey and wet) since we've been back, which doesn't help.

But we had a great time. It was so nice to see my step-dad and the new lady in his life. Well, not so new - they've been seeing each other for over a year now and they're getting married on 4 December! In Hawaii. Nice one! And I've seen the dress - it's lovely! Can you tell I'm pleased and excited?

I wish I could show you the beautiful autumn colours we saw as we drove over Stevens Pass to eastern Washington. Yellows, golds, intense oranges, and the reds were simply amazing. Sadly, no pictures of that bit - they wouldn't have done it justice anyway.

And to top it off it snowed! Ok, only for about 5 minutes, but hey, snow in September. I was thrilled! I love snow. I grew up in Canada - sue me.

This is the only "mountain scenery" picture I've got, taken in Winthrop at about 7am. It was cold. But it was great to be there.

For now, back to the ironing.

Ciao for now

2007-09-19T20:57:00.000+01:00

Get a scroller sign at Freeglitters.com!

Can I make it up to you?

2007-09-14T21:05:00.000+01:00

I know I've been neglecting you all recently, so I thought maybe now would be a good time to post the Chain Link Granny pattern I promised you mumble mumble weeks ago.

I saw an unusual afghan on the internet last year, did a bit of searching but couldn't come up with a pattern for it, free or otherwise. Luckily, there was a good, clear picture so I played about a bit and came up with my own pattern. A reasonable facsimile, I think.

Chain Link Granny Square
(American Notation)

Worked in 4 colours – A, B, C and D

WW / H-5mm hook = approx. 7”

With A: ch5, join w slst to form ring.

Rnd 1 – Ch3, 2dc in ring, *[ch10, slst in 1st ch (corner loop made)], 3dc in ring, repeat from * around, slst to 3rd ch of beg ch3. Finish off.

Rnd 2 – With B: join w slst in sp to right of any corner loop, ch3, 2dc in same sp, *holding corner loop of prev rnd to front, work corner loop, 3dc to left of corner loop of prev rnd, 3dc to right of corner loop of prev rnd, repeat from * around, slst to 3rd ch of beg ch3. Finish off.

Rnd 3 – With C: join w slst in space to right of any corner loop, ch3, 2dc in same sp, *holding corner loop of prev rnd to front, work corner loop, 3dc to left of corner loop of prev rnd, 3dc in sp btw 2 groups of 3dc of prev rnd, 3dc to right of corner loop of prev rnd, repeat from * around, slst to 3rd ch of beg ch3. Finish off.

Rnd 4 – With D: join w slst in space to right of any corner loop, ch3, 2dc in same sp, *holding corner loop of prev rnd to front, work corner loop, 3dc to left of corner loop of prev rnd, 3dc in sp btw 1st 2 groups of 3dc of prev rnd, 3dc in nxt sp, 3dc to right of corner loop of prev rnd, repeat from * around, slst to 3rd ch of beg ch3. Finish off.

Rnd 5 – With A: join w slst in 1st dc of any side, ch3, dc in nxt dc x11, *[dc, tr] in sp to right of corner loop of prev rnd, ch2, [tr, dc] to left of corner loop, dc in nxt dc x12, repeat from * around, slst to 3rd ch of beg ch3. Do not finish off.

Chain Links: pull corner loops of Rnd 2 from back to front thru loops of Rnd 1. Pull Rnd 3 loops thru Rnd 2 loops. Pull Rnd 4 loops thru Rnd 3 loops.

Rnd 6 – Ch2, hdc in nxt st x13, *in ch2 sp [hdc, dc thru corner loop of Rnd 4 and ch2 sp, hdc], hdc in nxt st x16, repeat from * around, hdc in nxt st x2, slst to 2nd ch of beg ch2. Finish off.

Copyright © 2007, Judy M Kerr. All Rights Reserved.

I can be harangued here if you have any problems with the pattern.

I need a holiday

2007-09-05T07:58:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone. Sorry I've been "absent". It's been a bit crazy around here - family stuff. Not over yet but I thought I'd better check in before you all gave up on me.

I have made a snowflake.

It's a bit of a weird situation. Someone at simplysnowflakes wrote that they were having trouble with a pattern they'd gotten from a library book. No picture and they couldn't get the book again. They posted the first 2 rounds of the pattern (there are 3 in all) to see if anyone could make sense of it. This is what I came up with. Whether it's right or not I couldn't say but I thought it came out quite cute as is.

The question is, can I post the pattern? I'd say not, 'coz I haven't actually changed it, at least not intentionally, apart from making it 6 points instead of 8 and not working the last round.

I am set to go on holiday at the end of the month, thankfully, although the preparations for that will no doubt stress me out as well. I'm trying to take it easy until then.

Contingency Plan

2007-08-19T21:11:00.000+01:00

We have the delightful L back with us again for a week, so regular blogging has gone out the window.

For this reason I am posting my Snowflake Monday contribution today. Don't know when I'll get another chance!

I managed to make a flake yesterday but I haven't blocked it yet. This is a picture of one I made in the same pattern (not online folks, sorry) last year.

Regular programming will resume next week (I hope).

It's that day again

2007-08-13T08:37:00.000+01:00

And I do have a snowflake!

It's "Emily's Snowflake" and the pattern can be found here. Word of warning, though - the reason I made this one is because someone else posted that they'd tried it but there was no picture to go by and the pattern didn't make sense. I'm sorry to say I agree with them. I think it was meant to be an 8-point flake but after a great deal of trial and error I decided to just make my own 6-point version (repeat after me, snowflakes have six points - anything else is a motif).

Here are my adjustments:
Ch 5 and slst to form a loop
Rnd 1) 6 sc
Rnd 2) stet
Rnd 3) as written but work a dc into each ch1 sp and each sc
Rnd 4) first brackets should read (3 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc), repeat all 5 times.
Rnd 5) stet
Rnd 6) as written but repeat from * to * 4 times more

Late Flakes, Holiday Snaps and a Big Brag

2007-08-09T08:12:00.000+01:00

Sorry I'm late. Our little guest has (finally) gone home and I'm frantically trying to catch up with everything.

This is simplysnowflakes' SF Sign-up #11. I added an extra "arm" 'coz y'all know I don't do 5-point flakes (or 8 or God forbid 12). I should have reduced the number of chains between each point, though - as it is it came out too "round".

I think last week I promised some pics of L's visit so here goes:

L with the bear she won in the arcade at Seawick Holiday Park (St Osyth, Essex) on one of those crane grabber machines. How did she do that? I have never managed to get one of those machines to grab anything! (She doesn't like having her picture taken - can you tell?)

So then she goes and wins another one. Which she gave to me! Dear, dear child :-) I've named him Reggie - thought you might want to know that.

After Seawick we went to Mistley Place Park where L was "adopted" by a goat - it followed her all along the fence wanting more scratches.

Sometimes the pigs are out wandering around the park but this day they were all asleep, like this snoring porker. Really, he was snoring - it was so cute.

Of course, no holiday would be complete without the classic "joke" shot (DH enjoying an ice cream whilst perusing an information board by the River Stour at Mistley - "bunny ears" provided by L).

And now for the Big Brag. While she was here I taught L how to crochet. The brag is not that I taught her but that she picked it up so quickly! She bought her own yarn and hook at our local needlecraft shop and this is what she made the first day:

She decided it was a coaster. After that she made a little blue scarf for her soon-to-be-born nephew, then a round coaster and then she made this heart for her mum (pattern here):

I know grown women who won't attempt picots but she wasn't fazed in the least. Gosh, I'm proud of her.

Day of the Flake II

2007-07-30T08:08:00.000+01:00

In other words, I haven't had a chance to post anything since last Snowflake Monday. Largely to do with the house guest I mentioned last week. Hopefully I'll be able to post some pics of her visit. I say "hopefully" 'coz she's still here but as they're about her I may be allowed some computer time to do it. :-)

So, without further ado, here is simplysnowflakes' Snowflake Sign-up #10.

I like this one, too. Simple - only 2 rounds - but nicely spiky. So I was well annoyed when I discovered that I'd made one of the central spokes too short (see bottom spoke). Must have made two treble crochets instead of double-trebles. Duh! Naturally you don't notice this sort of thing until the flake is glued and pinned.

Update: I just noticed that this is my 100th post! Woohoo!

Day of the Flake

2007-07-23T08:39:00.000+01:00

(aka Snowflake Monday, but that gets boring every Monday)

Here is simplysnowflakes' Snowflake Sign-up #9.

I like this one, it's really sweet. But it's quite small - only 2 1/3" in #20 cotton. I think it would benefit from being made with a thicker thread or even yarn.

I may not get much blogging action this week as we have another teenage visitor and I don't really feel like arm-wrestling for the keyboard.

Saturday Sky with Port

2007-07-21T21:44:00.000+01:00

Harwich International Port - Parkeston, Harwich, Essex.

for the Saturday Sky webring

Two for two!

2007-07-16T09:15:00.000+01:00

I did it again. I won the simplysnowflakes Homepage Contest (aka Natural Snowflake Contest). Go me!! I'll have to sit the next one out to give the others a chance, LOL!

Here's the flake we had to recreate in cotton:

And here's my version:

Simple Snowflake
(American notation)

Ch4, slst in 1st ch to form ring.

Rnd 1) Ch6, (dc in ring, ch3) x 5, join w slst in 3rd ch at beg of rnd.

Rnd 2) Ch1, sc in same st, ch4, (sc in nxt dc, ch4) around, join w slst in beg sc.

Rnd 3) Ch11, (dc in nxt sc, ch8) around, join w slst in 3rd ch at beg of rnd.

Rnd 4) Ch1, sc in same st, **ch9, sc in nxt dc (= base sc), †(*ch5, hdc in 2nd ch from hk, hdc, sc, slst*, ch7, hdc in 2nd ch from hk, hdc x2, sc x2, slst, repeat btw *'s, slst in base sc)†, repeat from ** x4, ch9, slst in 1st sc of rnd, repeat btw †'s. Finish off.

Copyright © 2007, Judy M Kerr. All Rights Reserved.

As ever, please let me know if you find any mistakes or it just plain doesn't make sense, thanx.

Reach out and touch*

2007-07-11T19:55:00.001+01:00

Click: {{{cyber hugz}}}

Addendum:

I composed this post Tuesday morning but I wasn't able to post it at the time because we received a call to say a friend was in hospital...
Curiouser and curiouser.

*"Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)" - Diana Ross

Good news and bad news

2007-07-09T07:27:00.000+01:00

The good news is I've managed to crochet a snowflake this week. Two, in fact.

The bad news is I can't show them to you.

Yep, simplysnowflakes is having another Natural Snowflake contest, and this is our inspiration:

So, next week guys. If it's any compensation, there'll be another new pattern for y'all. :-)

We have games!

2007-07-03T20:16:00.000+01:00

Well, one game so far, courtesy of LabPixies.

Reasonably intuitive - click on the first box and a green ball appears. Clicking again will change it to red, then blue, then pink. Repeat for all four boxes to choose your colour sequence, then click the "?". The black star score shows correct hits, the white star shows right colours in the wrong places.

Enjoy!

No-Flake Monday

2007-07-02T11:49:00.000+01:00

I know - all last week you were wriggling with anticipation at seeing my latest SM flake today and I've let you down. I am so sorry.

I tend to work on my flakes at the weekend but on Thursday I came across the news that the Knitting Heretic's husband is ill...

so I had to make some angels for them pronto. (It's my way.)

They could really use some words of encouragement and maybe a little financial help right now so please pay a visit to .

Thank you.

Boring Post

2007-06-25T11:59:00.000+01:00

This is SSSS #7.

It's nice.

Haven't really got a lot more to say than that.

Gosh, this is a boring post.

Wanna see a picture of our new cat pen? No, not really, thank you?... Tough.

Here it is before DH installed a few perching shelves. Access is through an open window in the utility room.

The girls have always been indoor cats. This was one of the requirements of the rescue centre we got them from and also the only practical option as we used to live upstairs in a block of maisonettes. When we moved here we promised them a pen so they could enjoy some fresh air and a spot of bird watching.

If you look closely you can see Beastie sitting on the (temporary) table and Tinkle mooching around on the ground at the back. The next morning I opened the window for them before I did anything else - now if I don't do it first thing, or dare to close it during the day, they kick up a fuss. On the other hand, it took Sasha 6 days to work up the nerve to go out in it, bless her little timid heart.

FGX Update

2007-06-21T15:09:00.000+01:00

Time again to show off the latest lovely squares I've received as part of the Crochet Partners Friendship Granny Exchange (FGX). Where I've been able to locate the pattern online I've added the link.

Clockwise from top left:

Amber Waves from Texas, USA;

hot pink and peacock variegated from Nebraska, USA;

Friendship Jewel 7" from Pennsylvania, USA;

cream/pink/cream from Arizona, USA;

4-Patch Granny from Texas, USA (similar pattern here);

eight-petal flower square from Wisconsin, USA.

And I've sent out:

Off-Kilter Granny to New York, USA;

Amber Waves to Pennsylvania, USA;

Frilly Flower to Ontario, Canada;

Circle of Friends to Illinois, USA;

Heart Square to Ohio, USA;

Chain Link Granny (my design based on an afghan I saw, pattern to follow) to Arizona, USA.

If you've sent me a square and you don't see it here, don't worry - when I get another half-dozen or so I'll post more pics.

Fresh Snow

2007-06-18T11:19:00.001+01:00

In an earlier Snowflake Monday post I showed off my competition winning snowflake design (yes, in a field of two - ok, ok, moving on). As promised, here is the pattern. Since first working this flake I've redesigned the centre slightly.

Crystal Snowflake
(American notation)

Picot = work stated number of chains, slst in furthest chain from hook.

Rnd 1) Ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hk, join w slst to top of beg sc.

Rnd 2) Working in bl only: ch1, sc in same st, ch2, sc in same st, (sc, ch2, sc) in ea sc around, join w slst to top of beg sc.

Rnd 3) Slst into ch2-sp, ch3, dc in same sp, ch7, (2dc in nxt ch2-sp, ch7) around, join w slst to top of beg ch3.

Rnd 4) *Ch3, 5ch-picot, 6ch-picot, 8ch-picot, 6ch-picot, slst in base of prev 6ch-picot, 5ch-picot, slst in base of prev 5ch-picot, ch3, slst in nxt dc, ch4, tr in same dc, hdc in ch7 loop, tr in nxt dc, ch4, slst in same dc, rep from * around, working last tr and ch4 in same dc as beg ch3.

Copyright © 2007, Judy M Kerr. All Rights Reserved.

Please let me know if I've messed this up anywhere.

ETA: There's another pattern here if you're interested.

Snowflake...

2007-06-11T10:33:00.000+01:00

...Monday

This is pattern #6 from the simplysnowflakes Snowflake Signup.

The first round called for 24sc in a 6ch ring, then in the next round you had to work a stitch in each of these stitches. Tight! Too tight, in fact, so I worked 12sc instead and then 2sc in sc between each cluster instead of 3sc in all.

I don't think it made any appreciable difference. Except to my eyesight.

Saturday Sky with Lighthouse - Part 2

2007-06-09T21:09:00.000+01:00

The Low Lighthouse in Harwich, with the High Lighthouse in the background.

Ships approaching the harbour in the 1800's would align the lights of these two lighthouses to steer a safe course up the channel. Over time the channel shifted and these lights became redundant in 1863, replaced by the Leading Lights further west along the shore in Dovercourt.

The Low Lighthouse is now the home of the Harwich Maritime Museum.

Want some lime with that?

2007-06-06T21:35:00.000+01:00

What Your Favorite Color Green Says About You:

Balanced --- Relaxed --- Flexible
Compassionate --- Philosophical --- Humble
Loyal --- Inventive --- Unique

What Does Your Favorite Color Say About You?

Melting Snow

2007-06-04T12:17:00.000+01:00

SSSS #5

This snowflake picture was not taken on my customary blue background because a) it didn't fit - even made with #20 cotton this sucker is 8½" across and b) I don't like it and I'm not keeping it. It's blocked but not stiffened and I haven't even cut the thread - I just airbrushed it out of the photo.

That is the one slight drawback with these sorts of sign-ups - you sometimes have to make things you don't like in order to get the next pattern. Still, this is the first one I've really disliked so I can't complain.

But I can recycle my thread.