from the handiwork journal . . .

What's on the hook? 

Well alot!!   To be honest, I am looking forward to trading in my hook for a rake, shovel, and garden trowel.  Crocheting non-stop over the last few weeks has made me realize how much I miss the garden work ha ha!  

I finished this baby blanket. I used up3 skeins of baby white, and partial skeins of baby blue and a lighter brown, that were leftover from another baby blanket order (from years ago).

I started this baby blanket.  I'm using up some leftover peach and blue baby yarn (F hook, so it's taking some time).

Progress on the current scrap yarn lap afghan.  I'm getting down to the last of the last scrap balls of yarn, so it's the last one for now.  By scraps, I mean hand size balls and smaller.

I have also been crocheting for a cause - our town's plant bingo and raffle.  It is the town's first one, to help raise money to plant flowers, landscape etc in the town.  They have already gotten over 50 tickets sold for this event.

First up, I finished this coaster set.  It was on my list of unfinished projects.  It's being donated to the cause.  Not only did I finish an unfinished project, but found a good home for it.  Funny how that worked out.  It's a Monstera leaf coaster set in a crochet plant pot.

I also used up some cotton yarn to crochet dishcloths, and created a "bouquet" in a new plant pot for the same cause.  It turned out so cute!

I also donated a set of crocheted baskets I had left in my craft show stash (been in there for over 10 years and never sold), and tucked in a smaller plant spray bottle, a few mini solar garden lights (with floral patterns on them), and a few pot holders.

And lastly, I had a set of crocheted cup coasters with roses in the center, that was also leftover from my craft shows.  

All donated for the town's goal to beautify it.  

The scraps of cotton yarn, leftover from the dishcloth bouquet project, are being crocheted into cleaning cloths.

from the handiwork journal . . . © April 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

. . .from the handiwork journal ~ Chit Chat

 Winter time is the best time to catch up on handiwork, but I am also very busy trying to catch up on abandoned home projects that need finished.

Finished!  One more scrap yarn lap afghan done.  Although it looks too short in the photo.  I need to re-measure and make sure it's large enough.  It's checked on my unfinished project list now.

I'm still tackling the rest of my list, but it's getting done.  I have, however, started a new blanket, but this was a plan from spring of last year, to use up other yarn I have.  Winter is the best time to crochet blankets (small or large).

I have had to frog two blankets, and I think it's due to me trying to finish them faster than usual.  Ugh.  I have more on the handiwork list to finish.

Bad weather is moving in fast.  It has been pouring down rain and the forecast is saying snow next.  It's not good. I am hoping it misses us, or for the most part misses us.  The beginning of next week is looking like there is the possibility of below zero temps.  I'm tellin' ya' the weather is all over the board right now.

We were not able to pick up straw due to repairs on the truck.  First, we replaced the front rotors.  Next, we thought we only needed two new tires, but we ended up with 4 new ones (which took 2 hours to get done).  Now, it's the back brakes.  If it's not one thing, it's another.

. . .from the handiwork journal ~ Chit Chat © Jan 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

. . . from the handiwork journal

 

. . .remember the scarf I finally finished?  Well....

. . .I had more yarn in the same color, so I started a hat to match.

I did ten more rows and realized I was reading the pattern wrong.  I was reading the part about the "3rd loop" incorrectly, and had to frog the 10 rows.

It now looks like this.   It's my "kitchen" crochet project, when I'm roasting something that needs turned every 15 minutes, and I shouldn't leave the kitchen.

Update after drafting this post:  It's done, but it feels a bit larger than it should be.  Not snug enough.  I used this pattern from 5 Little Monsters, and it says "I" hook.  I will make it again, but with an H hook to see if it fits a bit more snug.  I used a worsted weight yarn too.

By the way, if you make this hat, she has a full video tutorial on how to do this hat.  There is a stitch I was so confused about, so I had to hence frog it.  Video is HERE.

More updates!  Ha!  Guess what got crocheted?

My husband put in dibs for this one.

I used up more yarn in my stash!  These whip up pretty quickly!  I had the yarn, and the pom's, so I'm feeling pretty resourceful with my ridiculous amount of crochet time here lately.  These match scarves I crocheted over winter too.  I think I have a few skeins left, and then the remaining leftover yarn will be put into lap afghans to donate.

Mom was always my inspiration to make new items to sell.  She encouraged me to make some mask strap thingy's (can't explain other than it made it more comfortable for her, which required buttons).

I thought of her when I found my buttons in my stash.  I will put them to use with these hats, or any hat with a faux pom on it.  The pom has an elastic band that goes around the button, so it can be taken off to wash the hat.  I

   These Bernat Stripes I have in my stash made great hats with this pattern, and I used an "H" hook this time, and got a more snug fit, so H it is for this yarn.

. . .I found this free pattern on a yarn label, that came from yarn I am using on the blanket project.  It's a shawl pattern.  I am making it for a gift.  I'm not sure I like it just yet.  We'll see.  It may be a "porch" project, since the light outside is better for crocheting black yarn.

. . .the blanket is still progressing.  Old photo.  It's been tabled again due to hot weather however.

. . .these are new to me as well!  Lucky Penny! I made one and it turned out so cute.  I'm making one for a wedding.  They suggest the bride to be can pin it inside her dress, or to her flower bouquet.  I just made a yellow one, because that is the color of thread I had downstairs (ha ha!).  They would make cute keychains, and even cute random acts of kindness. 

 Anyway, another new crochet project in the books!  Now to find the poem to gift with it for a wedding.  Does anyone know the poem by chance?  I'll have to google that, and see if I can find it.  

If you are interested in this pattern, I actually found it via a video  -  HERE.  I'm not affiliated with any of these patterns.  I am just sharing them in case anyone is interested in them.

. . .from the handiwork journal

Warmer days are arriving, so this may be put on the back burner until fall.  We'll see, I guess.  It's still in progress.

Another wire crocheted/beaded pair of earrings, but this may be the last.  I am donating all the beads I have soon.

On good weather days, I'm spray painting these last small clipboards.  I will add magnets to the back for fridge note paper.  I just wanted them done and ready for gifting if needed.  I should have just donated them, but it's getting done.

. . .still working on the other square doily for the living room.

. . .and lastly (that I know of ha ha!), this scarf is finished!!!  However, I have a bit more yarn, so a matching hat may be my go-to, on-the-go project soon.

 

....from the handiwork journal

Crocheted plant leaf coasters that fill a "pot" when not in use.  It turned out super adorable.  I used what colors I had on hand and think they were perfect.  I may or may not make more of these.  Daughter E's suggestion.

Finished this blanket finally.  Only 40 hours of labor (love).

I'm back to working on our own blanket now.  My husband is happy about this one.  I have not made us a blanket in years.  The dogs destroyed the last one I made when we first moved here.  I'm so happy to work on it again.  I decided to rotate soft white in between the black and heather grey yarn.  I'm  hoping to get it done before winter is over.  Summer is not an ideal time to crochet a large blanket.

Future possible project - a crocheted Valentine Tic-Tac-Toe game.  Is it not adorable or what?  On the possibility list for next year.  I have a house to get in order this year.  Pattern is free online HERE.