. . . from the handiwork journal

Thanks to the rain, dreary skies, and much cooler weather here, I have managed to get some handiwork done.  In fact, last night we got down to 47°F, after a full day of thunderstorms and downpours.  Crazy cold nights for May, but not unheard of.

The sun is shining today, but it will take a few days for the gardens to dry out.  In fact, a portion of one of our vegetable gardens actually flooded.  We have taken note, and plan to fill it in more with soil (but that will have to wait, as the price to have a truck load delivered has more than doubled).

. . . crocheted 3 baby washcloths.  I need to sew in the ends and block them.

. . .crocheted a bookmark.  I have blocked it, but I am wondering if I should starch it or dip it in 50/50 Elmer's glue and water?  I have made many bookmarks in the past, but I have never once stiffened them.  I feel this one needs it.  I just think if it was completely stiff it would be an odd bookmark.  

I only made it for gifting, and the pattern was in the 3rd crochet mystery book by Betty Hechtman - "By Hook or by Crook"

. . .started a new lap afghan for an extended family member.  

  By the way, all of the yarn was in my stash, so I did not have to go purchase them, but I sure hope I have enough to finish this one.  I don't have a label for one of the skeins, but I am pretty sure I know what brand it is. Anyway, this one is looking good with just what colors I had on hand from other projects.

I have already been using an ergonomic "I" hook, but I now realize that it says 5.25mm, and my old Boye crochet hook, says 5.5mm (hard to see in the photo).  I looked up the "I" hooks online, and some are now made 5.25mm.  

I wish I had used the slightly larger "I" hook, but will make notes on my pattern.  Are they changing all measurments on crochet hooks now?  I think I ran into this issue before.  The blanket will end up 2 inches shorter in width with this ergonmonic hook vs. the orginal "I" hook.  I hope that is large enough for a lap afghan or wheel chair blanket.  Not sure on the length until I finish it.

I have another perdiciment.  

I have put together another color combination, using yarn I already have, for the next lap afghan.  However, I don't have enough of this yarn.  Apparantly, sometime in the last 16 years I bought this Bernat Super value yarn in Pale Antique Rose, for only $1.59 on clearance.  They do not make this color anymore, and nor do I want to buy more right now.  

I will have to spin my color wheel and see if I can whip up another color to go with it (along with 3 other colors I have picked out).

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

This and That

 

The rain continues to flow here, so planting anything has been a thwarted by Mother Nature.  It's a waiting game right now.  As soon as the ground dries up, the rain returns.  The only seeds planted so far, are collards, swiss chard and Red Russian Kale.  I'm trying my best to be patient.  I'm not feeling too bad about our delay, as we've also had cool 50 degree nights and mornings here lately.

We still have not figured out the mystery of the missing garlic we planted last fall.  

The flower beds remain unfinished as well.  They still look better than last year.  I'm actually glad I have not weeded the "rose" bed yet.  I have some wild growing catnip that I want to utilize, and am not ready to pick it just yet.  I actually have catnip growing all over.

The oregano has spread like crazy this year, and is also growing in the "rose" bed as well.  I will be thinning it out soon.

We can now say we tasted butter cheese for the first time.  It's creamy, but the mild flavor is too mild for us.  

We discovered homemade yeast donuts about 150 miles away from home.  Let's just say, we are glad we only brought two donuts home, or we would have eaten more than one, they were that good.  They are simply glazed, but if you have not indulged in a homemade yeast donut, you are missing out.  I have since found a recipe to try, but will save it for cooler weather, so I'm not heating up the house (and for a not so busy summer planting season).  Have you made homemade yeast donuts?

I absolutely love the homemade butterfly pea flower face toner, and the homemade facial serum.  Love, love, love both and will continue to make both.  I also love the homemade hair detangler.  I've been using the detangler a lot longer than the other two, and I have a lot of new hair growth.  All of the recipes are online from Mommypotamus.

Note:  I don't think I posted anything about the facial serum, but I made it with my home infused rosehip oil.

I now have a yarnaholic daughter.   Oddly, someone other than myself has encouraged her to crochet, and she is seeking more yarn to learn with.  Oh boy, can I help her out!  I'm filling a container for her.  I may even have some hooks for her too.  

This and That © May 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart