Frogging a Project

Frogging: the process of ripping out and undoing your crochet stitches when you make a mistake.

At some point, all crocheters will frog all or some of one of their crochet projects. I have done this many times myself. In fact, I just recently had to frog part of my American Flag Blanket project. As I got further along, the stars just were not laying in the right positions and I didn't like how they were starting to look. So I made a decision. I frogged the stars and am starting over!

I had a little helper taking the stars off :)

I think it took less time to take all of those stars off then it did to get them on the blanket!

Now, I'm starting over and making the stars smaller so that they fit better on the blanket. You just have to learn from your mistakes and don't get upset if something like this happens!

If this happens to you while you are crocheting, don't get upset. Know that you are not alone. Every crocheter has had to do it at some point. If you are like me, you want to make sure that your project looks perfect!

American Flag Blanket

For the last few months I have been working on an American Flag blanket. It's slowly coming along! I used this pattern for the flag http://www.allfreecrafts.com/crochet/afghans/american-flag/. For the stars I just used the pattern that is on the site with the flag. Right now I'm sewing on all of those stars so I'm hoping to be done soon! Here is what it has looks like:

I love how it is turning out so far! I will post pictures of my completed blanket. It's for a baby that was born in September, but this blanket is big enough that the baby will be able to use it for many years to come!

Once I get this completed, be looking for a new baby hat pattern!

Hats

Here are a few hats that will soon be available on my Etsy shop.

The red, white, and green was originally made for my little boy, but it didn't turn out quite like I wanted for him. It's just a simple hat that will be perfect for a little one during the holidays.

The other little hat was made with some yarn that I found in my stash that I thought would be perfect for a sun hat for a little girl. It is made with a decorative criss cross stitch.

Still crocheting!

Just because I've been absent from here, doesn't mean that I've put my hook down. It just means that I haven't had as much time as I did in the past to keep everyone updated on my most recent crochet endeavors.

On January 4, 2013 my son, Lucas, was born. Ever since then he's been keeping us on our toes. Can't believe that he's already 2 years old!

When he does give me a little bit of free time, I'm usually crocheting. Here are a few items that I've made recently:

I've made 3 of these! About to make 1 more!

My son wearing the football hat that I made for him.

Baby hat that I made for Lucas when he was born

Baby blanket I made for a family member

I have many other projects that I've done from blankets, to scarves, to hats. I will be also opening my Etsy shop so be on the look out for that if you might interested in purchasing any of my handmade items!

Sock Monkeys

When I would play games with my mom on Pogo.com she was always joking about acquiring a sock monkey in her favorite game, Thousand Island Solitaire. She thought it was funny that was one of the prizes that you could receive at one of the ports. Since she passed away in 2009, every time I see a sock monkey, I think of her, and how she enjoyed playing her games on Pogo.com and all the friends that she made through that site.

I have started a small collection of sock monkeys since then. I can look at them and think of her. I know she would especially like the Seminoles sock monkey :)

She would always tell me that she wanted me to figure out how to make them. Well, I've finally done it Mom! Crocheted of course :)

I started with sock monkeys for my nieces. Here is the pattern that I used: Crochet Sock Monkey Pattern from Patons Yarns

Then my cousin Jeremy requested that I make him and his girlfriend Kendall sock monkey hats. Here is the pattern for those: Sock Monkey Hat Crochet Pattern (I altered Jeremy's a little so it was a tad bigger than the pattern.)

Of course, next I had to make a sock monkey hat for Hannah. I didn't use a pattern for this one. This was all freehand. If you'd like to know how I did it just let me know and I can see if I can figure out what I did :)

Then, I got to thinking. I wonder if I can make smaller sock monkeys. So, I got out my crochet hook and some pink yarn (of course I always have some of that around!) Using the above sock monkey pattern for reference I eventually came up with this.

A baby sock monkey! I think she turned out pretty cute, don't you think?? :)

Eventually, I may figure out how to sew them. I even have a pair of the socks that were used to make them. But for now, I think that I'll stick with using my crochet hook. 

If you anyone has any questions about any of the patterns, just let me know. I've made them all so I can try to answer you as best that I can. 

Criss-Cross Keyhole Scarf

Recently my grandmother requested that I make her a keyhole scarf. My mom had made her one and she wanted one in a different color. Here is what I came up with for her:

Criss-Cross Keyhole Scarf

Materials:

1 skein Red Heart Shimmer Yarn (I used black)

Size I (5.5mm) crochet hook

yarn needle

scissors

Criss-cross stitch:

Skip next stitch and DC. Go back and DC in skipped stitch. Criss-cross made.

CH 34

1.  DC in 3rd CH from hook and each CH across. Turn. (32 DC total) 

    (CH 2 at beginning does not count as DC)
2.  CH 2. DC in first stitch. Criss-cross stitch in each stitch to last stitch. DC in last stitch. Turn.
3.  CH 2. DC in each stitch across. Turn.

4 - 6 Repeat rows 2-3

Begin keyhole:

First row:       CH 2. DC in first stitch. Criss-cross stitch 7 times. DC in next stitch. Turn.

Second row:  CH 2. DC in each stitch across. Turn.

Repeat 2 keyhole rows 6 more times. Fasten off.

Other side of keyhole:

First row:        Attach yarn at next stitch of first row. CH 2. DC in same stitch. Criss-cross stitch 7 times. DC in next stitch. Turn.

Second row:   CH 2. DC in each stitch across. Turn.

Repeat 2 keyhole rows 6 more times. Fasten off. (Keyhole complete.)

Attach yarn on the end of first side of Keyhole. 

CH 2. DC in first stitch. Criss-cross stitch in each stitch across. When you get to the keyhole just continue across. DC in last stitch. Turn.

CH 2. DC in each stitch across. Turn.

Repeat these 2 rows until you reach desired length. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

My grandmother requested that I add fringe to hers. It's up to you if you want to or not!

Enjoy!

Ripple Blanket

A lot of crocheters have their go to blanket that they make when they need something done quick and easy. This is mine. I have made this blanket about 4 times in the last 2 years! I can not take credit for the pattern, My friend Jennifer Williams shared this with me when I was looking to branch out from doing granny squares. Thanks Jennifer for providing me with one of my favorite patterns!

Now, how to make it.



Materials:

Worsted weight yarn
I usually use an I hook. If you want the blanket bigger or smaller just use a bigger or smaller hook.

Chain 118


DC in third ch from hook (your two ch count as 1 DC) DC in next 5 chs (total of 7 DC including the first 2 chs) *In next ch, DC CH1 DC (this is the peak) DC in next 7 Chs. Skip the next 2 CHS. DC in next 7 CHS* Repeat from * until you make your last peak. After you make the last peak DC in next 6 Chs, Skip the next CH, DC in last stitch for a total 7.

Next Row:

CH 2, Turn. Skip a stitch, DC in next 6 stitches. Then DC CH1 DC in CH1 stitch. Then repeat the pattern like before. After you make the last peak DC in next 6 stitches, skip one DC in last stitch, CH 2 turn and repeat.

Repeat the second row until you have the length you desire.