Finished!

I am so extremely proud to announce that Espresso is finally complete 🎉💖👍

This single piece has taken about 15 years!  Not because it was too hard, or boring, because I have too freaking many projects going at one time!

This piece was a joy to work on through the years.  It was easy to understand, and worked up beautifully.

Last Row!

It's hard to believe that I am finally going to finish this beautiful piece.  I am starting on the last row! 

I ran out of thread, just like I thought I would, so instead of trying to find an exact match I went for a complimentary color.  Since it's the last row, I'm hoping it doesn't look stupid, time will tell.

Espresso

Amazingly enough, I am still working on Patricia Kristoffersen's pattern, Espresso.  I only have about 3 and a half rows to go. 

I laid this project down about 12, maybe 15 years ago.  I was afraid that I was going to run out of thread.  15 years ago, crochet thread was hard to come by.  So I packed it away and forgot all about it.

Life is certainly different now!  Crochet thread is everywhere.  I have moved 3 times.  Divorced.  Rediscovered my love of doilies!

Old doily coming back

I wanted to update on the Espresso doily, I am still working on it, but it's slow going.  My last few doily's were from Grace Fearon, so this one is really tame in comparison.  It really is a beautiful piece, I just have to be patient and stick with it.

It's only been 3 years since my last post.  I'm glad no one really reads these!

I have picked up a project that has been stalled out for over 12 years!   It is a doily by Patricia Kristoffersen called Espresso.  It is a beautiful piece.  I was just about done when I laid it down.  I only have another 5 rounds to complete it.  I'm really excited to finish this one.

I'm trying to not start any new projects untill I finish at least one old one.  It is so hard because I have so many new projects that I'm dying to start!!

Here is where I am now

I guess the death of both parents in 15 months reminds me again just how precious life really is.  My father was an amazing man and I loved him.  I miss him every day.

So I’m trying to not take life, or the people in my life, for granted.  Every day and every person is precious.  Live.  Love.  Laugh.

I am the worst ...

... about starting a new project before finishing the one I have already on the hook!

I am still working on the Epic Afghan, but then went back and did some work on an afghan for my son that I started YEARS ago.  Then became bored with that and started a Prayer Shawl.  After all of that, I caught myself looking at bookmark patterns today, I have some serious CADD (Crochet Attention Deficit Disorder)

I have already shown pictures of the Epic Afghan, so here is a pic of my son's afghan

This is the Refreshing Throw, by Red Heart, http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/refreshing-throw
You can find the pattern either on the Red Heart Website or on Ravelry.   I am doing his in shades of pink, black and gray.  I let him pick out the colors. 

Anyway, I hope to be able to finish one of the MANY projects by early fall.  Maybe I won't start anymore before then!

Blessings!
Jewell

Prayer Shawl

Just an update on my many, many projects.  The Epic Afghan is still moving along, S L O W L Y!!!  I've also been working on my son's smaller afghan.  But sometimes you just need a "Feel Good" Project.  One that you know is going to turn out great, does not take a long time to complete and you already have all needed yarn :)  My version of the prayer shawl is Lion Brand's Triangular Shawl.  It is very easy to make and always looks great when finished.  Here is the link:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/triangular-shawl-16

I have always loved this pattern, it makes me feel good to make it and feel good to give it to someone that needs it.  They always go to my church family, so that someone in need can feel good too.

Hope you have a "Feel Good" Day!
Jewell

Well it has been quite some time since I have even considered starting another afghan, but now just seemed like the perfect time.  It's called the Bordeaux Matelasse' Afghan by Priscilla Hewitt, and I LOVE it!

Yes, this is definitely an EPIC afghan, but you know, I need Epic Crochet in my life right now !  I am using Red Heart Super Saver in Burgundy and Caron Simply Soft in Bone. 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bordeaux-matelasse-afghan

 Here are the humble beginnings of my Epic Afghan ...
















... Coming soon, Round 4!  :)  Stay tuned ..............

Diversity is the way

I just love teaching, I always learn something new.  This time I learned that just because you CAN do a thing, does not mean that you SHOULD do a thing.

One of my students has some pretty bad arthritis in her hands, and she wanted to learn how to crochet.  So, like a good teacher, she and I sat down and I began teaching her how to crochet.  After the first hour, she had really caught on and was doing great, but her hands were starting to hurt so we stopped.  She informed me that her hands were only a little sore the next day.  That tells me, her arthritis is too advanced to crochet, but never give up! 

My friend has agreed to try loom knitting, so that will be our next adventure this coming Thursday.  I am going to teach her to loom knit.  I believe this will be easier on her hands AND she can easily stop and start her projects without loosing count of stitches or try to remember what row she was on.

We really want to make some chemo caps for our local cancer center, and we are a determined bunch.  If at first you don't crochet, LOOM KNIT!

Blessings,
Jewell

Teaching Once Again!

I am like a 6 year old on Christmas Eve, just crazy with excitement!  Tomorrow will be the first time in several years that I get to teach again.

This first class will be a "Chemo Cap".  I work for a chemo infusion center and all of the completed projects can be donated to the cancer center for the patients.  Also the majority of the cost of the class will be donated to the wonderful and gracious church (Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Greeneville, TN) that is allowing us to use their facilities.

I've had several people tell me, or "advise" me, that I should charge more, or donate less.  I do this because I love crochet, because I want to give, because I love to teach, because I appreciate those willing to learn, because I want to ensure that crochet is carried on as a wonderful family tradition, and because of many, many more reasons. 

I am just so overjoyed that I already have several willing and eager students :)  I am truly blessed to be starting off the New Year, doing things I love with people I hold dear!

Happy New Year!
Jewell

It's a Thing!

I have fallen in Love ... with a Thing!!  :)  This is the most adorable critter that you have ever laid eyes on and the designer did a fantastic job writing the pattern. 

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/i-hooked-a-thing by Karla Fitch.  The pattern is easy to follow and well written.

I really like that she left the decorating up to the individual, as you can see I went with some funky colors and added a top-knot of "hair". 

I encourage you to try it, have some fun!

Teaching Again!

I am very happy to announce that I will be teaching crochet again!  My church has been gracious enough to let me use their fellowship hall to teach crochet classes starting January 2nd.  I am so excited and happy to be teaching again. 

I already know that our first project is going to be a soft chemo cap, that we can donate once we are done!  I am think we will start with Kate Weikert's Chemo Sleep Cap.  It is a very well written pattern and we can use a wide variety of yarns.

If anyone is local and would be interested in classes, please let me know.  We would love to have you join us for some fun and fellowship!!

Wedding (crochet) Pictures

The lace turned out to be just as beautiful as we had all hoped.  Here are a few pictures of the finished product ...

IT IS DONE!

I am SO happy to announce that the lace is FINISHED.  All crochet is complete, it has been sugared, pinned and is now, as I type, drying.  It turned out just as beautiful as I thought it would.  I cannot wait to see it on the wedding cake, it will be stunning.

The Wedding Lace

I am happy to post that the lace being used in my sisters wedding is almost completed.  There will be two lengths of lace that will wrap around the wedding cakes.  The first one is 26 inches in length and the second is 31 inches in length.

The pattern comes from Star Book No. 41, Edgings.  Pattern No. 4111 (Copyright, 1946).  The thread I am using is Aunt Lydia's Super Fine Size 30, and the hook is 1.00mm, size 12 steel.

 

I have to admit, this is some of the most delicate work I have ever attempted, but it is turning out quite stunning.  I can't wait to get it blocked and finished.  

Happy Crocheting!

Jewell

... how time flies!

Yes, it really has been 8 months since my last post.  I have got to be the world's LAZIEST blogger :)   I would like to apologize because in the last 8 months I have been working on some just beautiful projects.

One of the many projects is future Christmas presents.  It consists of Michele Maks Dishcloths Bouquet (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dishcloths-bouquet) and a very simple champagne flute, wineglass and/or coffee cup.  I have found out that one washcloth will fit in the champagne flute and wineglass and two or three will fit in the coffee cup.

The other projects that I'm working on is for my sisters wedding.  She decided that she needed hand crocheted lace to go around her wedding cake.  Yep, you guessed it, I'm crocheting lace using a 70 year old pattern, a size 30 yarn and a size 12 steel hook.  It is SLOOOOWWWW going!  But it will be beyond beautiful when complete.

Another wedding project is Moogly's Fortunes Shawlette.  I am using Loops & Threads Woolike in Charcoal and a 6.0 (J) hook.

This is such a busy crochet time of year because everyone is gearing up for Christmas and on top of that crochet classes as well as most schools are starting up.  So during all of this craziness please keep in mind that "Faith does not make it easy, Only Possible."

Jewell

New Years Resolution

Time to finally rest.  I love Christmas and all that goes with it, love, family, and food, but I am EVER so grateful when it is over and I can rest.

As I said in my last post, my job is taking up a lot of my time so I don't get to crochet very much these days but I did manage to finish off a towel/wash cloth set, a bunch of snowflakes and several bookmarks.  

I haven't decided what my next project will be, but I can just about guarantee that it will be something that has already been started.

That is my New Years Resolution ... to finish what I start.  I have probably no less than 10 projects laying around that need to be finished, so that is what I am going to do!  I am going to try to finish off all of the projects that I have already started without starting anything new.  It will be rough, but I'm going to try.

I hope that everyone has had a very Merry Christmas and that you all have a Wonderful and Blessed New Year!

Blessings,
Jewell

I'm Back!

Let me start off by apologizing for my absence.  I started a new job and that has taken a lot of time out of my daily crochet schedule.  It's rough but landlords and grocers get a little uptight when you can't pay!

Sadly in the past few months I have barely had time to pick up a crochet hook, let alone finish anything.  But a new friend at work has asked me to crochet her some snowflakes for her Christmas Tree, and I was thrilled to say "Yes"!

The pattern that I finally settled on was one from Maggie Weldon.  Snowflake Christmas Ornament, FP289, 2010.  Here is the link to the pattern: 

http://www.bestfreecrochet.com/2010/11/18/snowflake-christmas-ornament-free-crochet-pattern/

It can also be found on Ravelry at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/snowflake-ornament-8

I really like  Maggie Weldon's patterns, they are very well written and easy to follow.  I will post pictures just as soon as I get this one completed later this evening.

I want to thank everyone that follows me and reads my posts, it encourages me to keep going.

Blessings
Jewell

Still in the kitchen

Ok, I finally gave up on the silverware organizers.  I tried it with Red Heart Super Saver but it kept twisting.  Next I tried it with Jute, not only was it painful, but I didn't like the way it was turning out.  Tried cotton, same outcome.  I gave up.  If anyone comes across a good pattern that could be used as a silverware organizer, please let me know!

As with any good Crochet addict, I am off and running on my next project!  I have started the "Old Fashioned String Bag" by Leslie Lewis.  It can be found on Ravelry, that's where I found it and it's listed in my projects. Here is the link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/old-fashioned-string-bag .  If it doesn't work, just let me know.

I plan on using the bag for my potatoes, zucchini, peppers, and cucumbers.  I think this will work great for that.  If it does work, I'll probably end up making 3 or 4.

I hope everyone has a great day!

Frogged!

Well darn.  The organizer/silverware containers did not turn out well.  Ok, in all honesty, it looked like crap.

I still need containers to organize my silverware so, I'm going to try to either find a pattern or try a different version of the pattern I tried last night.  Let's hope this next one works out a little bit better.