The Weaver

My Life is but a weaving
Between my Lord and me;
I cannot choose the colors
He worketh steadily.
Oft times He weaveth sorrow
And I, in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper,
And I the underside.

Not 'til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver's skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned. 

- Grant Colfax Tullar

Take Heart

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

In this world we have many problems, and people that try to take away things from us every day.  Our joy, our peace, things that we develop, and it goes on and on. 

I've experienced my developments being taken, and used as if they were someone else's idea, this even happened today.  When this happens, we naturally feel bad about these things. 

But we were told this would happen.  This world can be a beautiful place to live, and a terrible place to live.  But the Lord has told us that these things would happen.  We will go through all sorts of terrible things and pain in this world.  It may not be a peaceful situation, but in Him we can have the 'peace that passes all understanding'.

But the Lord Jesus has overcome this world... He has the victory of it all.  In Him and through Him we can experience His peace, in the midst of overwhelming circumstances. 

Take heart dear friends, He overcame it all!

Temperature Scarf ~ New CAL/KAL Mystery

There is a new mystery to make... the Temperature Scarf. 

You can either do the CAL - Crochet-a-long, or the KAL - Knit-a-long, or do both.

They gave instructions to do this for every month of the year, at least 2 rows per day for each temperature color.  You assign yarn colors based in certain temperature ranges.

However, I guess you can modify this any way you want, including the colors you want to use, or how often to knit or crochet a temperature (perhaps weekly), or different stitches to use.  

Instructions are posted at:
Bernat Temperature Scarf

2012 Mystery Afghan

Starting tomorrow, February 15th, Bernat yarns will be posting patterns for the 2012 Mystery Afghan Knit-Along & also for the Mystery Afghan Crochet-Along. 

Weekly clue releases and video tutorials will be posted on their website at:
www.bernat.com/forums

Trying New Things

Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? 

September brought a month of trying something new.   As a basic, simplistic knitter, I've not attacked anything harder than the typical knit hat, potholder, or slippers. 

I found a cute turkey baby bib pattern, and some projects with owls on them.  Sounds like great fall projects to try and make. 

Gobble Turkey Bib

Following the patterns was not as difficult as I thought, and even though it may take some extra time in learning something new, the results are worth the effort.

Granny Square Baby Blankets

Last year, I received some donations of Granny Square blankets and a Striped blanket -  and they were almost completed, but were not as large as they should be.  I added to them and made them a suitable size for a baby or toddler.

The blankets were donated to a local homeless shelter, which also houses women and children, on the other side of the men's quarters.  

Granny Square and Striped Blanket

Pink Granny Square Blanket

Choo Choo Bib

Small and tiny cross stitch designs can make a big impression on useful items, such as a baby bib.  

Cross Stitch a small design

I used a mini-cross stitch kit pattern and revamped it into the design and colors that I wanted.   A Christmas train pattern was changed into a lovely train with an American Flag.

Sew fabric around the cross stitch design

Materials:
Cross Stitch design
Coordinating print to make a strip around the design
Cut 1 print for top of baby bib
Cut 1 terry cloth for the backing of the bib
Bias tape


Take the coordinating fabric and sew around the cross stitch design.  It will need to be as wide as the baby bib.  Place a piece of interfacing behind the cross stitch design, and a piece of thicker padded interfacing.  This makes the design more stable and secure, plus giving a slight added dimension.

Attach the fabric strip with the cross stitch design, to the top of the baby bib, with a zigzag pattern. 

Sew coordinating baby print

Attach the terry cloth backing to the top of the bib.  With the bias tape, zigzag the front and back together.

Choo Choo Bib is finished

This makes a wonderful keepsake for a baby shower, or for a newborn baby gift in the hospital. 

Happy birth day, little one!

Hooded Baby Towel

Make a hooded baby towel stand out by using a cross stitch design.

Cross stitch design on strip of aida cloth

I modified a duck design and lettering that I found in a book of cross stitch designs.  I designed the waves and the little fishes.  The bright colors stand out against the clean white cloth.

Hooded Baby Towel and Wash Cloth

Use a coordinating gingham fabric to sew around the cross stitch design.  Make it as large as the hood width.  Place a piece of interfacing behind the cross stitch design, and a piece of thicker padded interfacing.  Zigzag around the top to the terry cloth. 

Coordinating gingham fabric enhances the design

A narrow strip of gingham fabric on top of the wash cloth adds a splash of color to the white terry cloth.

With a matching wash cloth

 Zigzag around the towel.  Fold edges under and zigzag 1/4" from the edge.  I used light blue thread for the edging. 

Zigzag around edging

Materials:
Aida cloth and embroidery thread
Coordinating gingham fabric
White terry cloth

Sizes:
Wash cloth -  9" wide by 12" long
Hooded towel -  32" wide by 36" long

Hooded Baby Towel and Wash Cloth

What a fun project to make for a new little baby! 

Flannel Burp Cloth, Lap Cloths and Baby Bib

Monkey Blanket

Making this blanket is super easy and looks great.  It is a nice size for the playpen, or a blanket on the floor for baby to play on.  There is no lining between the fabrics, but it is amazingly warm to wrap up a baby in.

Coordinating cotton prints

Materials:
1 yard cotton monkey print
1 yard cotton striped print

Place wrong sides together, and trim around edges where necessary.  Turn over an edge from the fabric on the back, the striped print.  Pin in place around edges.  Secure the edges of the fabric by zigzagging around the edges.

I

Add matching items for a wonderful gift!

Now that is an adorable gift idea! 

Reversible Baby Bibs

This makes a nice shower gift for baby.  It's simple to make.
 
Materials:
Soft flannel - coordinating prints
Fleece interfacing
Bias tape

Cutout a little patch from coordinating print to sew on top of the fleece bib.  I place a small piece of fleece interfacing underneath the patch.  Pin in place.  Zigzag around to applique' on top of the bib.

Flannel baby bibs

Cut out both flannel pieces and fleece interfacing. Place wrong sides of flannel together, and put the fleece interfacing on top.  Sew around the outer edge with 1/4" seam allowance.   Turn inside out. 

Attach bias tape to neck edge and pin in place.  Zigzag from the end of one tie, around the neck edging, and finish off at the end of the other tie.

Reversible bibs

So soft.  So fun to make!

Blue Baby Puffs Blanket is finished

This pattern worked up so easily and looks very intricate.  What a big blanket for a new baby boy to arrive very soon!

Blue Baby Puffs Blanket

A simple finishing edge of single crochet, adds stability to the edges, but doesn't distract from the design of the little puffs.
This blanket is ready for wrapping up a new bundle of joy, and giving lots of hugs!

Blue Baby Puffs Blanket

Blue Baby Puffs Blanket

Making items for a new baby is fun! 

I grabbed a big blue bundle of yarn in my stash and looked at the pattern on the wrapper.  With using the basic design and a few improvisations of my own, it is turning out to look really beautiful.  This is made with only single crochet SC and double crochet DC.

Blue Baby Puffs Blanket

I started this less than 1 week ago, and for a short amount of time in the evenings, it is about 2 feet long already!   It works up rather quickly and love the blue "puffy" pattern it makes on both sides.   It is similar to the popcorn stitch, but is really soft.

Yarn Used:  Lion Brand - Pound of Love - Pastel Blue
Crochet Hook:   J
Size:

Knit Baby Hat

Making little baby hats for charity is fun, and rewarding.  

The little baby hats can be made quickly.  A great project for an evening watching movies at home.

Newborn Knit Hat ~ in progress

Simple pattern:

Ribbing:  K2, P2, across
Rows:  K1, P1, across.   Add colors of yarn to make interesting strip patterns.
Sew seam.

Blue and Purple Knit Scarf

A simple and easy project that works up easily is knitting a scarf.

Various types of yarn add interest, textures and color to the scarf

I had some TLC Amore yarn in a denim blue color (discontinued?) that I wanted to compliment with some shades of lovely lavender.  Stella has a sparkly light purple, and Baby Bee has a thin bumpy yarn similar to TLC Amore. Add in a splash of a purple section of Fun Fur near the ribbing, and it is starting off looking great.  

Knit Scarf ~ in progress

Ribbing:   K2, P2, across.
Rows:  K1, P1, across.    Add stripes evenly throughout the length of the scarf.
When you reach the middle of the scarf, reverse the direction of the stripes, so it will look correctly when hanging from the neck.

Charity Project: Project Linus

Join the Knit & Crochet-along for Project Linus

Starting February 28^th, 2011 Bernat will be hosting the Crochet-along & Knit-along in support of Project Linus!

Blankets for Charity

Using your talents and gifts to serve others is our calling in life.  It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Here's a few crocheted blankets that were given to a local homeless shelter that has a wonderful ministry.  The good works they do in their lives is amazing.  Lives are being transformed and shown the love of God.

Crocheted Granny Square Blanket

It would be such a hopeless feeling to not have a place to go to.  Even more, are entire families that are on the streets and in their cars.  Your sense of security is gone.  I'm glad to partner with this homeless shelter in giving back to those in great need and shunned by our society. 

What could you make or a gift of service to someone?   Try it!  There's nothing better than giving.  It does your heart good!

Granny Square and Striped Design Baby Blankets

May these blankets that are crocheted in love, give warmth and comfort to the little ones. 

Wedding Roses

Weddings deserve a special heirloom and a remembrance of the blessed event. 

A variety of roses will embelish the wedding keepsakes. 

Starting a project on linen

Patterns include:
"I Thee Wed" by Ursula Michaels,  a variety of cross stitch magazines, and my own uniquely created designs for this big day. 

Striped Basket Weave Blanket is finished

Going back to finish up an old project, is a good feeling.  A sense of accomplishment. 

When the ombre yarn was all used up, it was hard to find it in the craft stores.  When I did find it some time later, it was a slightly thicker yarn and it had a different feel to it. It lost that little bit of sheen to it and was duller. The multi-colors were almost similar. 

I didn't think it would work, so the project was stashed.  I felt this year to go back and complete some of these projects and hopefully would look alright. 

Striped Basket Weave Blanket

The new ombre colorations blended together well when crocheted, and to the untrained eye, you wouldn't know the difference on the last few diagonals.  The ombre was used as a simple border in single crochet for 3 rounds, alternating direction to prevent that dreaded "edge rolling".  A simple edging gives stability to the edge, and it doesn't distract from the pattern of the blanket.

It worked out better than good.

This adorable blanket is luxuriously soft, and the large size will bundle a baby with warmth.

Accomplishment, and a successful project, gives a boost of confidence to continue on the journey to resurrect those "old projects" that are stashed away.  They are jewels and treasures.

Pink and Green Afghan is finished

The last dozen blocks were created and sewn together. 

The various patterns, textures and placement of block colors, make this a happy blanket to warm up in the middle of Winter  ~ with the happy colors of Spring.

The 7" x 9" blocks are arranged in a pleasing pattern, and then sewn together.

Pink and Green Afghan

The border was created in the main color of mauve, in a shell stitch.  This added a larger border around the edge, and complimented the whole afghan.  This old project was finally completed and is very warm to cuddle up in during this cold winter.

Pink and Green Afghan

Block Size:  7" x 9"
Rows: 7
Columns:7
Finished Size (excluding border):  49" x 63"
Edging:  Shell Stitch