 Howdy Folks!
Working on multiple projects simultaneously makes me happy. It keeps me from getting bored. Plus it generally ensures that I have something that I want to work on handy. Mostly these days I've been doing a lot of knitting. The one problem that I have with knitting is that I can't do it when I'm tired. Well I can, but I'm prone to making mistakes. And fixing mistakes in knitting is way harder than it is in crochet. I've learned that it's better to set it aside than try to squeeze out one more row. This is the Reflections Doily. I found the pattern in the June 2013 issue of Crochet World magazine. It struck my fancy because I had recently purchased a ball of Aunt Lydia's crochet thread in Monet. It's not often that I actually have the exact yarn (or thread) that a pattern calls for on hand. Being a fan of crochet lace and doilies in general it seemed like destiny. I started with a flourish, but quickly lost motivation. If memory serves, and history repeats - I got bored. The majority of this project is a simple V-stitch (dc, ch 3, dc). And so, like many other projects it was stashed on a shelf and pretty much forgotten. For months it languished, until last week. I needed something that I could pick up and put down without a lot of hassle. Turns out that this is just that kind of project. It also fits well in my travel bag. We'll see how long I stick with it! For right now though it's my "in between" project and any progress I make is a good thing!! Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me! Until next time friends, Be Blessed and Stitch & Read with Love!
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 Working with thread can seem intimidating. I know the first time I picked up a tiny steel hook and #10 cotton thread I thought isn’t thread for sewing?! I felt out of my element. There were a few rough moments, I won’t kid you, but with a little perseverance I discovered the magic feeling you get when bits of thread suddenly come together into a recognizable work of art that you created! As an avid reader, bookmarks always seem in short supply at our house. How better to combine my two passions than by designing a pattern for thread crochet bookmarks! For the thread newbies out there I’ve taken lots of pictures to show you how it’s done. If you’re very new to crochet, and have never made a granny square before I do recommend that you make a few with worsted weight yarn and an H hook before you try the thread. As long as you’re comfortable with basic crochet techniques, and know the standard stitches than you should have no problem entering the wonderful world of thread.  1. Don't be afraid! I know the hook and thread seem impossibly small, but give it a chance. 2. All projects look messy and are hard to hold/work during the first few rows or rounds. Keep going and it will come together. 3. Always work in good light and when you're not tired. 4. Many patterns for yarn can be adapted to thread, and doilies are always in fashion. 5. Take the time to use an invisible join instead of a slip stitch to join rounds. 6. Use standing stitches to start rows/rounds instead of starting chains. 7. Learn the join-as-you-go technique for motifs and grannies. 8. Weave in ends as you go. 9. If your hook is too thin to hold comfortably try wrapping the end with scrap yarn for an easy custom handle. 10. Blocking and stiffening your finished project are worth the time. The Classic Granny Square Bookmark Pattern
 Rnd 3: Join C in any ch2 corner sp. (ch3, 2dc, ch2, 3dc) in same ch2 sp, ch1. * 3dc in next ch1 sp, ch1, (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in next ch2 corner sp, ch1. Repeat from * 3 times. 3dc in last ch1 sp, ch1. Join with sl st to starting ch3. Fasten off.  Joining Rnd 3: Join C in any ch2 corner sp. (ch3, 2dc, ch2, 3dc) in same ch2 sp, ch1. 3dc in ch1 sp, ch1. (now we start the joining edge) 3dc in ch2 corner sp of working square, ch1, sc to join in any ch2 corner of finished square, 3dc back in same ch2 corner sp of working square. Sc to join in first ch1 sp of finished square. 3dc in ch1 sp of working square, Sc to join in next ch1 sp of finished square. 3dc in ch2 corner sp of working square, ch1, sc to join in next ch2 corner sp of finished square, 3dc back in same ch2 corner sp of working square, ch1. (join is finished) 3dc in next ch1 sp, ch1. (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in next ch2 corner sp, ch1, 3dc in last ch1 sp, ch1. Join with sl st in top of starting ch3. Fasten off. Attach remaining squares in the same fashion.  
Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me. Be sure to check back for the final installment in my working with thread mini-series. I'll show you how to stiffen your bookmark and other thread projects using plain old white glue. For your convenience I've included a downloadable copy of the pattern, just click on the link below and enjoy!
Until next time friends, Be Blessed and Stitch & Read with Love!  Greetings! Throughout the summer I've been dabbling with different thread projects. Keeping them short and sweet helps to ensure that I'll stay interested and actually follow through to the end! I was working on the review of the book 100 Colorful Granny Squares to Crochet which meant that I tried out several of the patterns. I made some with worsted cotton and more with cotton thread. It didn't take long for a collection to develop. They were just too pretty to leave in a basket, so I bought a bunch of plain white washcloths and hand towels to embellish. Stitching one square to each washcloth worked beautifully (you can see how I did it in this post). I wanted to try something different with the towels. Flipping through my library of books and magazines I came across a pattern for lace edging that was perfect - the Dolly Dish Towels in the Sept/Oct 2012 issue of Crochet Today.
It was just a coincidence that I had the same color thread they used on hand. The soft cotton towel was supple enough to work the foundation row without pre-poking any holes, and once that was done the design rapidly took shape. Perhaps the toughest part was making sure that I had the right multiple of stitches evenly spaced along the bottom of my towel. After finishing this quick and easy project I understand why lace edging is such a classic embellishment. In times past if you wanted something fancy you had to make it yourself, unless you were wealthy enough to pay someone to make it for you. Adding lace to household linens makes them look good and was probably excellent practice for more intricate pieces like wedding dresses, veils and christening gowns. While I don't see any of those in my future, my towel and washcloths make a lovely addition to our bathroom. My husband says they're too nice to use, but I say they're too nice not to!
That's all for now. Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me. Until next time friends, Be Blessed and Stitch & Read with Love! A Little History  Crochet is one of the youngest of the fiber arts. Textiles are easily traced back to the Stone Age, but the first written reference to crochet (or crotchet as it was sometimes spelled) wasn’t until 1812. The early patterns (of the 1840’s) gave detailed instructions on the use of the hook, possibly implying that crochet was not a needle craft familiar to the ladies of the day. We know that fine lace was tremendously popular during the Elizabethan Period (1558-1603). These early laces were made using needles or bobbins of thread that were woven into intricate patterns. They were very expensive and took a long time to produce making it available only to the wealthy nobility. Even though the art of crochet is a relative newbie its history is quite impressive. In 1846 & ‘47 crocheted lace helped save many Irish from starvation during the Great Potato Famine. How? A group of nuns taught men, women and children the art of making lace. When Queen Victoria accepted the laces as a gift and started wearing them they became instantly fashionable. With their work in such high demand, many families were able to earn enough money to survive the famine and even immigrate to America.  Irish Lace was all the rage and its popularity continued to grow as patterns became available. Mlle. Elanore Rigeo de le Branchardiere, one of the most gifted artists/designers of the time, published numerous books of thread crochet techniques and lace patterns from 1846 - 1887. She was best known for her ability to write clear and precise instructions allowing anyone who could afford her books to produce the intricate designs of the Irish style.
 At a time when resources were limited and ingenuity was necessary, other forms of crochet proved indispensable. Of course I’m referring to the granny square. This simple motif (that may have originated as a thread pattern) when worked with scraps of yarns left over from other projects or recycled from old garments became a favorite for crocheters allowing blankets and throws to be fashioned from otherwise useless materials. Thread crochet in the 20th century adapted to the ever changing conditions of our economy. Like all of the leisure arts, in times of moderation projects would take on a utilitarian style. Crocheters would focus on making items that were relevant because of their function and affordability. During times of prosperity function could become secondary and crocheters would create exquisitely frivolous projects purely for pleasure. However, thread crochet projects nearly always have the ability to look good! Even the simplest washcloth is easily adorned with a little lace border turning it into something special without adding much to the overall cost. Thread Crochet Today In the 200 years since the first mention in print, thread crochet has moved in and out of fashion. Proficiency in needle work was once necessary for ladies as part of their education. As women’s roles have changed so has our relationship with fiber. What we were once expected and even required to do we now must choose to learn. However, fiber arts such as crochet, knitting, spinning and weaving have experienced a resurgence and they are now more popular than ever. Many of the patterns that were originally written by our foremothers have a timeless quality that makes them just as relevant today as when they were published. So what’s changed? Color!
What We're Making With the colors that are available and the adventurous spirit of the latest generation of crocheters there’s nothing old fashioned about thread today. Of course there will always be a place for doilies and lace edging, it just might look different than you expect! Here's a glimpse at what we're making today:
Who's Doing It? Everyone! Young, old and in between! Let’s just say that the image of gray hair and rocking chairs has been replaced by tattoos and pink hair. Okay, maybe not everyone has pink hair, but today's crocheter is young (no matter how old, we’re young at heart!), hip and through various electronic devises virtually connected to other fiber enthusiasts. And it’s definitely not just for the ladies. In fact some of today’s top designers are men! What's Next? I think that we’re at something of a crochet crossroads. Historically we’ve seen that what we make and how much time we spend making it has been influenced by what’s going on in the world. Given our current climate, history would dictate that we’re making utilitarian projects and not spending a lot of time enjoying the leisure arts. But that’s not what we’re doing. Sure, we’re making (pretty, colorful) things you can use, but we’ve discovered that crochet is a great way to relax and unwind. Our lives our hectic and busy, we’ve got lots to do, and our resources are limited. We’ve learned that we have to take care of ourselves and that we need economical outlets that help us to decompress when dealing with tough situations. Thread crochet fits the bill perfectly. For a minimal investment you can purchase several balls of thread and a set of steel hooks that will keep you stitching for months! It’s portable, easy to learn, and convenient. There’s also the added bonus of the on-line fiber community. Not only can you find groups dedicated to crochet on social networks like Facebook, Pinterest and Google+, we have our very own network in Ravelry! It’s like the modern version of the quilting bee where like-minded fiber enthusiast get together to share friendship, tips and encouragement! Are you Inspired? Are you ready to grab your steel hook and get started creating something exciting? If you’re worried that it’s too hard or too small, don’t be. The stitches and techniques are the same whether you make them with yarn or thread. Yes it does take some time to get your tension right and to feel comfortable with the hook. But, with a few helpful hints and a little practice you’ll be amazed at what you can do!
I hope that you’ve enjoyed this look at the evolution of crochet. We are the new generation and it’s up to us to carry on the traditions while continuing to expand our craft. We have the opportunity to make our mark on history by ensuring that the designs we create today are available to the crocheters of tomorrow. Be sure to come back for Part II of my series on Thread Crochet. Next up is a pattern and tutorial for a project that’s perfect for all skill levels. If you’re looking for more information on the history of crochet The Encyclopedia of Crochet by Donna Kooler is an excellent resource. Or you can check out The Granny Square Project. It’s a 5 part series all about crochet's most popular motif, and you'll find the links at the top of blog in the sidebar! Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me. Until next time friends, Be Blessed and Stitch & Read with Love!  Hello Friends! It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood and while we may be smack dab in the middle of summer Mother Nature is finally cutting us a break! When it's hot out I tend to lean towards small thread projects to keep me busy. Lately I've been focused on pincushions. When I came across this little gem in the April 2013 issue of Crochet World I knew I had to make it. The original pattern is for a tape measure holder/pincushion. Of course I didn't have the same kind of tape so I needed to find something to use in it's place. At first I thought about just stuffing the bottom, and then I remembered the little jar in my sewing box that I'd been keeping stray buttons in.   As it turns out it was just about the same size as the tape and minimal modifications were needed to make it work. I figured if I made the pincushion into a jar topper the bottom could be used to hold notions like a needle threader, safety pins, small spools of thread and even the stray buttons, making it into a handy sewing kit perfect for those little mending jobs. I followed the pattern through Rnd 8 of the Hat Bottom which is just a basic circle. I added one more round (following the established pattern) so that the circle was the same size as the top of the jar. Then I worked a round of sc in the front loops only. This give you the edge and you can start working down the sides. I worked 4 rounds of dc in both loops until it covered the top. I finished with a round of sc worked into the front loops to form a small lip. For the hat I followed the pattern again through Rnd 8, adding one more round just like I did for the base. This way I knew that when I sewed them together I'd have the same number of stitches on both pieces (54, I think). I did make one more modification. I used a different flower than the one indicated. I'm a fan of the traditional crochet roses so that's what I made using 3 different shades of pink.
It's a fairly easy project - the magazine says "Confident Beginner" and I'd agree. Even with the modifications it only took a few sittings. I almost forgot. I used a bit of fabric glue to secure the pincushion to the jar top. That way when it stays put when you open and close the jar. I'm quite pleased with the whole thing. It's quite charming and will certainly make a lovely gift. Well folks that's all for now! Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me. Until next time friends, Be blessed and stitch & read with love! This week it's Tie-Dye, Pincushions and Camo (don't forget the books!)  Hi there! I don't know if it's hot where you are, but in north central Massachusetts the mercury has blasted through the top of the thermometer and the humidity is residing consistently in the "tropical" zone. As far as I'm concerned this weather is inappropriate for anything except exotic plants and certain members of the animal kingdom. Humans (especially this one) not included! At our house we have one air conditioner. It's centrally located in the dining/living room and we gather around it in hopes of maintaining some margin of sanity. So far so good, yet I question how long we (my family and the A/C) can hold out! The one thing that the heat has not stopped me from doing is starting new projects. It must be some sort of condition that I suffer from that causes me to thrive on juggling multiple tasks . It's not just in the crochet world, but in the book world too, as I always have at least two novels and one audio book going as well as the reviews that are in the works. It used to worry me, now I just go with it! Eventually things get done, and those that don't must not have been that interesting anyway.
Turns out I never did get to that Yarn Along post. I will tell you that the book, The Sisters Brothers is a quirky delight. It's a western set in the 1800's and the main characters are outlaws. But truly they are the most endearing hired guns you're likely to ever encounter! Good reading if you like off-beat humor and unconventional sentence structure.
There is one more project that I've been toiling with this week - Hats. Specifically for the My Mountain project (more on that soon!) I'm working on some designs that combine my favorite granny square and doily components with traditional cloche styles. I finished one that's good, just not perfect - yet... but don't you worry, I'll be sure to show you what I come up with! So that's what's in my project bag today. How about you? What do you like to work on when the temperature hits broil? I'd love to hear how you stay cool. I was also wondering how many of you work on multiple projects simultaneously. And if you do, what's your secret for getting them finished?! Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me. Even though it's Thursday, I'll be linking up with some of my favorite Wednesday blogs! Scroll down the sidebar to see who I'll be visiting with. Until next time friends, Stay cool, be blessed and stitch & read with love! I'll show you how I did it without spending any money |
 Jumbled together it's a disaster waiting to happen! |  Still jumbled, but with no fear of it turning into a snarled mess! |
Hey Everybody!
Lets face it. Controlling ends is a challenge. No matter if they're split ends, loose ends or yarn ends. The one thing that they all have in common (other than needing to be tamed and their overall messiness) is if you're willing to spend the money, someone has developed a product that is guaranteed to keep your ends in line.
Even your yarn ends.
Now I'm all for free enterprise, but we live on a budget and spending money on frivolous conveniences is frowned upon. Hair gel, by the way, is neither frivilous nor a convenience when you have very long, very curly hair. Especially when it's been in the 80s and 90s for weeks and the relative humidity flirts with 100% daily. Sorry, where was I?? Oh right, saving money. Anyway, I was flipping through a yarn catalog that the nice mailman brought me, not looking for anything in particular when I came across Yarn Wraps. Smart idea. For $4.99 plus shipping I can buy 3. Closer inspection reveals that this particular brand are really no more than pieces of stretchy nylon fabric stitched into tubes. Huh. I can do that.
Lets face it. Controlling ends is a challenge. No matter if they're split ends, loose ends or yarn ends. The one thing that they all have in common (other than needing to be tamed and their overall messiness) is if you're willing to spend the money, someone has developed a product that is guaranteed to keep your ends in line.
Even your yarn ends.
Now I'm all for free enterprise, but we live on a budget and spending money on frivolous conveniences is frowned upon. Hair gel, by the way, is neither frivilous nor a convenience when you have very long, very curly hair. Especially when it's been in the 80s and 90s for weeks and the relative humidity flirts with 100% daily. Sorry, where was I?? Oh right, saving money. Anyway, I was flipping through a yarn catalog that the nice mailman brought me, not looking for anything in particular when I came across Yarn Wraps. Smart idea. For $4.99 plus shipping I can buy 3. Closer inspection reveals that this particular brand are really no more than pieces of stretchy nylon fabric stitched into tubes. Huh. I can do that.
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I'd like to say that I was so motivated to get organized and save us money that I set to making my own yarn wraps that moment. That's not what happened. Instead I stored the idea away. You could say I pinned it to the big board of things I want to do someday that lives in my brain.
A couple of months later I was doing a lot of thread work. And even though I store the balls of thread in a big bin, when I'm using them I usually just toss them in a basket. It was getting pretty messy so I decided it was time to make some wraps. My first idea was to dig out a pair of pantyhose. They would work perfectly. I hesitated though, because as far as I'm concerned they are an evil invention and I avoid wearing them at all costs. No good can come from squeezing my Rubenesque figure into those sausage casings. In the end, I cast that idea aside since I don't even like handling them. Something about the feel of that material just gives me the heeby jeebies. Then I remembered the cotton/spandex leggings that were packed away to go to Goodwill. Why not give them a try? In no time at all I had a pile of free and easy wraps ready to keep my thread from becoming a tangled, unusable mess! I also considered using old gym sock (tube socks), or the arms from a cotton/spandex shirt. If you don't share my pantyhose phobia I'd say they're the best choice, but if it's tubular and stretchy it probably will do the job.
A couple of months later I was doing a lot of thread work. And even though I store the balls of thread in a big bin, when I'm using them I usually just toss them in a basket. It was getting pretty messy so I decided it was time to make some wraps. My first idea was to dig out a pair of pantyhose. They would work perfectly. I hesitated though, because as far as I'm concerned they are an evil invention and I avoid wearing them at all costs. No good can come from squeezing my Rubenesque figure into those sausage casings. In the end, I cast that idea aside since I don't even like handling them. Something about the feel of that material just gives me the heeby jeebies. Then I remembered the cotton/spandex leggings that were packed away to go to Goodwill. Why not give them a try? In no time at all I had a pile of free and easy wraps ready to keep my thread from becoming a tangled, unusable mess! I also considered using old gym sock (tube socks), or the arms from a cotton/spandex shirt. If you don't share my pantyhose phobia I'd say they're the best choice, but if it's tubular and stretchy it probably will do the job.
I was able to keep the organizational momentum moving forward when my hubby came home with this adorable set of shelves later that week. It turns out one of our neighbors was moving and put this treasure out with the trash!! For ages I'd been telling him that I want shelves next to my chair in the living room to hold my ever growing collection of WIPs, yarn and books. I'll admit that "Little Girls Room" doesn't exactly fit with the rest of our decor, but it's sturdy and clean and since we're pretty eclectic in general it's working out just fine.
So there you have it! Any easy way to keep your yarn or thread from coming undone without spending a dime or having to touch the horrid pantyhose!!
Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me!
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!
So there you have it! Any easy way to keep your yarn or thread from coming undone without spending a dime or having to touch the horrid pantyhose!!
Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me!
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!
Greetings Friends!
Look what I have for TWO of you... a free copy of the July issue of Inspired Crochet Magazine!
And what's so cool about that? If you're not familiar with this relatively young digital publication I can tell you that it's collaborative project that gives up and coming designers a place to show their stuff! Each issue is full of fun and fresh patterns that you'll only find here.
What else? Well, the folks at Inspired got in touch with me and asked if I'd be interested in putting something together for an upcoming issue. One thing led to another, and what started out as one article ended up being a 3 part series on thread crochet!! How cool is that? You guys know how much I love working with thread, and I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to share my passion. In this issue I take a look at the past, present and future of this timeless fiber art. In August, I'll share a new pattern and tutorial, and in Part 3 in September I'll show you how easy it is to block and stiffen your lace projects. Of course, in addition to my stuff you'll get detailed patterns for eleven new projects, and more interesting articles.
So who wants to win a copy? Since the magazine will be delivered to your email address this contest is open to everyone. I'm using the rafflecopter widget to give you all kinds of easy ways to enter.
Look what I have for TWO of you... a free copy of the July issue of Inspired Crochet Magazine!
And what's so cool about that? If you're not familiar with this relatively young digital publication I can tell you that it's collaborative project that gives up and coming designers a place to show their stuff! Each issue is full of fun and fresh patterns that you'll only find here.
What else? Well, the folks at Inspired got in touch with me and asked if I'd be interested in putting something together for an upcoming issue. One thing led to another, and what started out as one article ended up being a 3 part series on thread crochet!! How cool is that? You guys know how much I love working with thread, and I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to share my passion. In this issue I take a look at the past, present and future of this timeless fiber art. In August, I'll share a new pattern and tutorial, and in Part 3 in September I'll show you how easy it is to block and stiffen your lace projects. Of course, in addition to my stuff you'll get detailed patterns for eleven new projects, and more interesting articles.
So who wants to win a copy? Since the magazine will be delivered to your email address this contest is open to everyone. I'm using the rafflecopter widget to give you all kinds of easy ways to enter.
Good Luck!
Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me!Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!
It was truly a moment of unexpected inspiration. I was looking for the right materials to make a display rack for my earrings. Since John has gotten bitten by the beading bug I have earrings and bracelets to match every outfit in my wardrobe - and then some. Believe me I am not complaining, but they need a proper home instead of laying all over my dresser waiting for kitty to decide they would make great toys. My plan is to take a picture frame, pull out the glass and cover the back with fabric or a decorative paper. Then I'll run rows of yarn across giving me a nice place to hang all the little gems.
Yesterday I was rooting around and I found a frame. Since most of the fabric that I have is scraps and small squares I rummaged through the closet looking for volunteers. If you're like me you have plenty of clothes in the closet that you haven't worn in 10 or even 20 years and most likely will never wear again (can anyone say miniskirt?? how about leather miniskirt??!). I grabbed a few likely candidates and headed to the dining room table. That's when the doily caught my eye. It's actually the first one I ever made and it's been hanging out on the table (under stacks of books, mostly out of sight). I was considering using it as part of the earring hanger project when it dawned on me that it's round body fit perfectly in that square frame. And holy cow, wouldn't that just look pretty smart hanging above the table where I do most of my writing?!
I quickly abandon the earring project and got busy creating my own framed work of art! All it took was a roll of heavy duty packing tape, my scissors, a ruler, some vinegar and water to clean the glass, a piece of cardboard to cover the messy edges and a label to record the details. In less than an hour my masterpiece was hanging proudly.
Yesterday I was rooting around and I found a frame. Since most of the fabric that I have is scraps and small squares I rummaged through the closet looking for volunteers. If you're like me you have plenty of clothes in the closet that you haven't worn in 10 or even 20 years and most likely will never wear again (can anyone say miniskirt?? how about leather miniskirt??!). I grabbed a few likely candidates and headed to the dining room table. That's when the doily caught my eye. It's actually the first one I ever made and it's been hanging out on the table (under stacks of books, mostly out of sight). I was considering using it as part of the earring hanger project when it dawned on me that it's round body fit perfectly in that square frame. And holy cow, wouldn't that just look pretty smart hanging above the table where I do most of my writing?!
I quickly abandon the earring project and got busy creating my own framed work of art! All it took was a roll of heavy duty packing tape, my scissors, a ruler, some vinegar and water to clean the glass, a piece of cardboard to cover the messy edges and a label to record the details. In less than an hour my masterpiece was hanging proudly.
It's so exciting when a project just springs to life like this one did. Of course I've seen and admired framed crochet pieces. And I've even thought what a great idea it is, but I never actually set about doing it.
Sometimes when I think to hard on something, I think all the fun right out of it. It's easy for me to get consumed with the planning and trying to make sure that I have just the right ingredients to make it come out perfectly.
This however was purely a spur of the moment event, and I know that I couldn't have planned it any better!
That's all for now. Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me.
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!
Sometimes when I think to hard on something, I think all the fun right out of it. It's easy for me to get consumed with the planning and trying to make sure that I have just the right ingredients to make it come out perfectly.
This however was purely a spur of the moment event, and I know that I couldn't have planned it any better!
That's all for now. Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me.
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!
Greetings!The warm weather has arrived in New England, and that means it's time for me to break out the ankle socks. (Do any of you call them Peds? I always have, but I'm not sure if that's a brand name, a regional thing, or just old fashioned). Anyway, I'm a sneaker girl. Don't get me wrong, I love shoes: heels, sandals, boots you name it. I've just learned that no matter how cute they look in the store, I won't wear them. Ever. I didn't figure this out overnight! It's been a long, expensive lesson. I'm finally willing to admit that comfort is way more important to me than fashion.
But that doesn't mean that I have to forgo style! That's where the little lace socks come in. You see, not only do I always wear sneakers, but in order to keep my feet the happiest they can be I usually wear white cotton socks. Kind of plain and boring I know... I've looked for alternatives, but never with great success. And then it struck me! Why not add a little lace to the socks I have?! It can't be that hard, and then I can make them as colorful and frilly as I want. Brilliant!
So I headed for the sock basket, found a matching pair, and got to it.
But that doesn't mean that I have to forgo style! That's where the little lace socks come in. You see, not only do I always wear sneakers, but in order to keep my feet the happiest they can be I usually wear white cotton socks. Kind of plain and boring I know... I've looked for alternatives, but never with great success. And then it struck me! Why not add a little lace to the socks I have?! It can't be that hard, and then I can make them as colorful and frilly as I want. Brilliant!
So I headed for the sock basket, found a matching pair, and got to it.
This is a very flexible and forgiving project. Rather than give you an exact, stitch my stitch pattern, think of this as a guide. Here's what I did:
I knew that the fan pattern I wanted to use works in multiples of 4 plus 1.
Using my favorite steel hook (no pre-poking holes required!), I attached the thread at the back of the sock and did a round of sc. I stretched the ribbing open and put one stitch between each rib. How much you stretch and how close together you put your stitches is up to you. Just remember if you don't stretch before stitching the sock won't fit, and to count the number of stitches you put in the first sock, so you can make the second one the same! Seems like common sense doesn't it? Alas. I speak from experience (head slap)!
Next, I did a round of (ch5, skip 3, sc) to make a base for the fans. Then I did 5dc in each ch5 around.
That's it! Next time I do these little fans I'll make the base smaller (ch4) and the fan bigger (ch7). I think that will give it a fuller look. And I'll make sure to count my stitches!
I was looking through my magazine collection and there are so many edging patterns that you can adapt to your socks. And with all the amazing colors of thread that are available you can create one of a kind designs that will make everyone take notice! My next pair will be pink, purple and green I think, or maybe I'll do little flowers hanging off a vine.... No matter what, I know my feet are going to be happy!!
I knew that the fan pattern I wanted to use works in multiples of 4 plus 1.
Using my favorite steel hook (no pre-poking holes required!), I attached the thread at the back of the sock and did a round of sc. I stretched the ribbing open and put one stitch between each rib. How much you stretch and how close together you put your stitches is up to you. Just remember if you don't stretch before stitching the sock won't fit, and to count the number of stitches you put in the first sock, so you can make the second one the same! Seems like common sense doesn't it? Alas. I speak from experience (head slap)!
Next, I did a round of (ch5, skip 3, sc) to make a base for the fans. Then I did 5dc in each ch5 around.
That's it! Next time I do these little fans I'll make the base smaller (ch4) and the fan bigger (ch7). I think that will give it a fuller look. And I'll make sure to count my stitches!
I was looking through my magazine collection and there are so many edging patterns that you can adapt to your socks. And with all the amazing colors of thread that are available you can create one of a kind designs that will make everyone take notice! My next pair will be pink, purple and green I think, or maybe I'll do little flowers hanging off a vine.... No matter what, I know my feet are going to be happy!!
I wore my lacy little socks yesterday and they're perfect! So I ask you, who needs a closet full of shoes that make your feet hurt, when with a little thread your comfy white socks will turn your sneakers into the cutest shoes ever!
That's all for today!
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!
That's all for today!
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!
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I'm Robin and this is
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Thank you for visiting!
My name is Robin. I am a wife, mother and strong believer in the power of faith. I'm a maker, a crafter and an artist. I love exploring new mediums and sharing my adventures with you.
Did you enjoy your visit? Let me know by leaving a comment. I love knowing you dropped by, and hope to see you again soon!
Be Blessed and
Stitch & Read with Love!
My name is Robin. I am a wife, mother and strong believer in the power of faith. I'm a maker, a crafter and an artist. I love exploring new mediums and sharing my adventures with you.
Did you enjoy your visit? Let me know by leaving a comment. I love knowing you dropped by, and hope to see you again soon!
Be Blessed and
Stitch & Read with Love!
