Criss-Cross Baby Blanket

As promised, here is the pattern for my first baby blanket that I've designed. It's really simple and works up fairly quickly! If you see any problems in the pattern, please let me know.

Chain 140 (If you want a smaller or larger blanket, just make sure you chain in even numbers)
Row 1: DC in 4th ch from hook. DC in each stitch to the last stitch. Ch 3. Turn.

Row 2: Skip first stitch and DC in next stitch. DC in stitch just skipped. Repeat until 2 stitches remain. DC in last stitch. Ch 3. Turn.

Row 3: Repeat row 2.

Row 4: DC in next stitch and each stitch across.

Repeat rows 2-4 until desired length. Mine measured about 36”.

That's it! Next time, the pattern for the fingerless gloves that I showed in my last posting.

Go Noles!

Recent Crafty Endeavors

Well, I've accomplished a lot of many different projects since my last posting. I've found that sometimes it's easier just to create a pattern from scratch rather than follow one.
In January, I joined this group on Ravelry.com where you were assigned a person to make a pair of gloves for. (For those of you that haven't heard of it, I describe it as a site similar to Facebook, but geared towards crocheters and knitters) I searched through all of the patterns and didn't really like what I found so I decided one day to just sit and try to come up with my own. I really liked the cross stitch that I discovered when I made my dishcloths so I decided to try and incorporate that in my gloves. Here is what I came up with:

I really like how they turned out and my swap partner in Connecticut really liked them too!

I haven't actually sat down and took the time to write down what I did, so I don't have the pattern for you. Yet. I will soon, I promise!

(I've also incorporated this stitch into a baby blanket, but I'll save that for another post :) )

iPad App

Testing out an app for my iPad.

Check back soon for more posts on my recent craft endeavors! I will also be posting a few crochet patterns...

My First Crochet Pattern I Designed!

This is the first crochet pattern that I totally designed myself. I made these for Christmas gifts for my family. I did a smaller version in a square for dishcloths. Enjoy!

Criss-Cross Kitchen Towel

This is my first pattern that I designed myself so if you have any problems, please let me know.

I used the Bernat Handicrafter Cotton. Looks like 1 skein might make 2 towels. I used a size H hook.

Chain 60 (Chain 40 for dishcloth)

Row 1: DC in 4th ch from hook. DC in each stitch to the last stitch. Ch 3. Turn.

Row 2: DC in next stitch and all the way to the last stitch. Ch 3. Turn.

Row 3: Skip first stitch and DC in next stitch. DC in stitch just skipped. Repeat until 2 stitches remain. DC in last stitch. Ch 3. Turn. Should have a total of 28 “criss-crosses.”

Row 4-5: DC in every stitch across. Ch 3. Turn.

Repeat rows 3-5 until towel reaches desired length. Mine measured about 27”.
(For dishcloth continue until cloth is a square.)

Took a Hiatus

A lot has happened in my life since my last posting. Yes, I've been crocheting and making jewelry. It has helped me get through this tough time in my life. On December 8, 2009, I lost my mother, Debra Aich. She was only 57 years old...


Losing my mom has been really hard, but I know that she would want me to carry on and make the most of every day that I have with my family and friends. That was how she lived her life. No matter what the situation. she always tried to make it fun.

I also turned 30 on March 31. I know that turning 30 can be hard for some people, but I didn't have that hard of a time with it. The only hard part about it was knowing that I was now entering my 30's without my mom. She wouldn't have wanted me to not celebrate it though so Gordon and I went to Tunica! I played her favorite slot machine in her honor, the "Triple Diamond Haywire" :) My great grandmother always said that your age was just a number, you are only as old as you feel. She lived to be 92 years old.

From now on, I'm going to try and make this blog as fun as I can. That's what my mom would want me to do. Actually, I don't even know if I told my mom that I started this blog! Guess she knows about it now :) She would want me to make it political since she was always sending me emails about things Obama has done or didn't do but claimed he did. One thing she was always convinced of was that he wasn't born in the United States and was always trying to track down his birth certificate! I'll let everyone know about what's going on with Kitty & I and also post my latest craft projects. Maybe even post a few jokes that I get forwarded to me from my mom's friends (I get some pretty funny ones sometimes!)

Check back soon for more postings!

Go Noles!

My Hobbies

Lately, I haven't had much work doing graphic design so I have had more time to devote to my hobbies. I love to crochet, make jewelry, & read.


I picked up crocheting from a friend, after finding out that my sister in-law was pregnant with twins. I wanted to be able to make them something special from their Aunt Lindsay. She taught me how to make a granny square. After finding out that she was going to have twin girls, I then decided to make them each a big granny square blanket, 1 pink and 1 purple. From there, I've just built on my hobby. I made a couple other granny square baby blankets for family & friends, then decided to try something new.

My grandmother crocheted for years, even won awards for some of her afghans that she made. When I went to visit her for her 80th birthday in August of 2008, she let me have some her crochet supplies. One of the things she gave me was an unfinished white baby blanket that she started making a long time ago. I decided that I was going to finish it, and keep it for when I might have my own child one day. I was hesitant at first because I had only made granny squares and every time I attempted to crochet straight across, it always came out crooked. Somehow though, this blanket came out looking great! I think I must have just needed a little inspiration from my grandmother to be able to expand my crochet skills. Below is a picture of that blanket.

I've made a couple of the blankets now, starting from "scratch" as I like to call it (meaning starting it on my own, since I originally made this with grandma starting it LOL)

Now, I am almost willing to try to crochet anything. I've made hats & scarves for my mother in-law and sister in-law for Christmas last year. This year I plan on making something for my family again, I just haven't decided what yet. I am already in the process of making Christmas ornaments for family & friends! Don't know what I'll do if I get a lot of graphic design work!! I'll miss doing my crafts :)