Got a Great Deal on Yarn and Picked Up Free Patterns

We just had to go shopping this evening so I picked a location that had a Michael's craft store since their yarn selection is much better than what you would find at stores like Walmart now a days, and nearly equal, if not better,  to what stores like JoAnn Fabrics carries. It does depend on your location thought. Stores far from larger cities can really have some great selections. However, you will find many specialty yarn stores in the bigger cities that have a selection that is very impressive. The problem with many specialty stores is that the people that work there seem as if they are a above everyone that walks into the store.  They really don't seem geared toward customer service. And finally, their prices are MUCH higher to the point of questionable affordability.

As I entered Michael's the first thing I found was a clearance section. I spotted some brown yarn that was marked down from $5.99 per skein to $1.99 per skein. It had some sequins in it. I saw that there was 5 skeins but because I didn't really see a use for it I passed.

They also had some larger knitting needles (sizes 13 and 17) made of plastic that were marked down from $6.99 and $5.99 to $2.49 and $1.49 so I put those in my basket.

Then I went straight back to the yarn section looking for my wool yarn.

As I was back there I was grabbing all of the free patterns that they hang on the yarn racks. I found 14 free patterns that interested me. One of them was by some of the same yarn (different color though) that was in the clearance bin. Looking at the supplies needed made me think again about passing up that discount bin. The needles needed are US 17 and the amount of yarn needed is 5 skeins.

I grabbed the pattern and went back up front to get the yarn, hoping it would still be there, and yes ma'am it was! 

When I got to the register the yarn rang up at $.99 per skein, half of what I had expected and the needles were less as well. I saved $25 on the yarn alone!

Another wonderful thing about the free patterns at Michael's is that they are on a heavier paper than most free patterns, they give you a difficulty level and a completion time so you know about how long your project will take. There is no purchase required for the patterns, which is very generous of them, but after how much I spent there this evening I think they are doing just fine!

When I finish this project I will share the results with you.

I am planning on trying to find local people near me that have animals and spin their own fibers to see what their yarns are like to use, but that will have to be after I use up more of what I have.

Thank you for stopping by!

Dee Dee

Bath Puff Pattern with Improvements

I showed a crocheted bath puff in one of my blogs and told you that you could get the instructions from the wiki-how site.

Well, I would like to give you an update on that pattern.

It called for a G size crochet hook and that is a big problem.

I tend to crochet and knit to proper tension and I can tell you that a G hook is too big.

Look at what happens after this gets wet and hangs to dry after one use.

It is no longer a tight puff.

It is barely a loose puff.

So with left over yarn I decided to try again with a smaller hook. I used a size F. This multicolored puff is the tighter one yet I have not finished it. I ran out of the cotton yarn.

Chain 4 then slip stitch in first chain.

Chain 2 then do 6 single crochet stitches in the circle. Instead of doing a slip stitch to join the round do 2 single crochet stitches in the first chain up and then proceed with 2 single crochet stitches in each single crochet stitch putting your hook though both front to back of the top of each single crochet stitch. You will not be turning your work, you just keep going in the same direction. Keep going until you reach the size you want and tie off. Weave in the tail.

I used a size F hook for a tighter puff. I will let you know when I finish it and use it if it is still too loose.

You can see I've been busy and made five more of the wash cloths for my basket. The wash cloths go through the washer and dryer just fine and stay in pretty good condition. Maybe the first puff will shrink in the washer and get better. I will let you know.

Thanks for stopping by!

Dee Dee

UPDATE To make a loop to hang your bath puff, simply chain some yarn long enough for the loop plus extra to weave through first round of the puff. Tie the loop first after weaving to tighten the puff and then bring in the loose end of the chain to tie off at were the last knot was tied.

Plastic Bags to Beach Bag

This is a project in progress.

I need more grocery bags to finish this.

I used 2 plastic grocery bags of the same color for th bottom chain of the bag, you can use more for a wider bag. For the next row I used a single crochet stitch and put 2 extra stitches at each end for form an oval. Slip stitch to join and then worked in straight rounds of single crochet stitches as I went around.

I really don't know what I will do with this bag when I am done since I really never go to a beach. Maybe I will give it to someone that really likes it.

One plastic grocery bag make 4 loops to crochet with. Please refer to my past post of Getting Loopy for Recycling to see more details. If you have questions let me know and I will gladly help you.

I am also working on a camping/beach mat. I will let you know how that goes.

Take care and be cozy (I am really starting to dislike the word cozy right now).

Thanks for stopping by.

Dee Dee

Baby Hat from Scrap Yarn

For this I used Lion Brand Yarn, Watercolors.
The color is #344 Water Lily.
It is 65% acrylic and 35% Merino Wool.
It is thick and soft and very nice to work with.

This is a crocheted hat for an infant that I made from left over yarn that I had left over from a neck muffler that I knitted, which some call a cowel. The cowel is a straight knit pattern to the needed length to measure loosely around the neck and then ends joined. Very easy to make and nice beginner project.

I did not follow a pattern for the hat or the flower on it. I just worked it until it was what I wanted. I am sorry I did not write down what I did as I worked so I could give you the pattern. If you are really interested in a pattern for this, leave me a comment and I will figure and count it out and post it.
The little flower, that is much like a flat daffodil, was also something I made up as I went along.
From the neck muffler to the baby hat this yarn was great to work with.
With a wool content I would think that it would be a very warm piece and yet it is soft and not at all scratchy like one finds in most commercial wool yarns.

This hat is a new born to 6 month size. It took a very small amount of yarn and is perfect for that small little scrap ball of left over yarn.

Thank you for stopping by.
Dee Dee

I have been have some technical difficulties with my computer so I haven't been able to post everything that I have been working on. Once I get this corrected I will have much more to post, and I apologize if I do not get back to you soon with a response.

The Little Yarn To Work With

I found cute patterns for making little snowflakes. I know that I am not being very "seasonal" here as the snow has finally just melted for me.

I picked up some Bedspread Weight Cotton Thread (size 10)
and a Steel crochet hook No. 8 (1.25 mm)

The patterns were fairly simple to follow and some were very fast to make. I discovered that my eyes are getting old and I need my reading glasses to work with such a small hook and thin thread. It was however another one of those projects that I would only do for my own home decorating or to give to family or friends as this is no get rich quick thing. The snowflakes are a good practice for beginners using this thread. Once you get used to working with it you can incorporate this work into other pieces like shirt lacing.

After I crocheted them, I put plastic wrap on a piece of cardboard. I mixed water and white glue (50-50) and poured into a zip top baggy. Then I put the flakes in the glue baggy and let them get soaked. I took the wet flakes out and secured them to the cardboard with pins in the shape I wanted. Then I sprinkled some clear glitter on top and lightly tapped it in. When they were dry I unpinned them. You can hang these with an 8 pound fishing line. It's one way to reuse your fishing line when you have to re-line your reel. Last year I caught a five pound bass! Monster of a fish for me since I was only fishing for perch! Okay, that got to be a bit off topic.

Coming soon, Working with Knots.

Thank you for stopping by!
Dee Dee

Big Disappointment .

I often times receive skeins of yarn from people that they just don't want anymore. This was one. I thought it was a full skein, but I was wrong. It came with a pattern to make a diagonal scarf so that was my goal. The pattern was easy and the yarn I would rank and "good" in ease to work with. Even though it is fairly thin, on a larger needle (size 11 US) it was nice to work with.

This yarn comes from France. The label says, artful yarns, Broadway. 59% acrylic, 28% mohair, 6% polyester, 4% metallic, 3% nylon. Color 05, lot 009.

I was a little skeptical starting this as the yarn did not look that great, but as I progressed I really started liking it more and more. I liked the way the diagonal lines began to form. Then I found I did not have enough yarn to complete the scarf.
I went online and located the store it was purchased at and today we drove 1 hour 10 minutes to get there. What I found was that not only did they no longer have this yarn in stock, but the company in France no longer makes it.

It was an expensive yarn at $11.50 per skein, which I was willing to buy one just to finish this scarf. Instead I found disappointment and a new thing to blog about soon.

I suppose what I can do is reduce the pattern and make a thinner scarf which would be more of a show piece than a functional scarf, however, now I have another easy pattern that I can use should I find a suitable yarn.

I really did not expect it to turn out this nice and when it did it made me wish I could have finished it. It was one of those patterns that I have questioned how it would look because there was no reference picture on the instructions. So the moral is, don't assume that you can't make it or it won't look very good just because you can't see it. Some of these patterns are great!

Thank you for stopping by. Leave a comment or question if you like.
Dee Dee

What if The World Comes to a Halt?

There are a few things that could bring the way we live to a halt and flip our lives upside down for a while. Most people don't want to think about the possibility of that happening and I really feel that is a mistake. For those who are religious, you may argue the point that God takes care of the birds and so on, but then didn't He have Joseph advise the Pharaoh to store enough food for 7 years?
For the more science minded people, think about it on a more basic level of how much you use and what you have.
The main things to consider in an emergency situation is 1. shelter 2. water and 3. food. In that order. Part of sheltering is what you are wearing. Animal hair like wool may be the best thing you can wear. Cotton will kill you. It does not keep you warm if you get wet. If you look at knitting and crocheting as a hobby maybe you should look at it again. You should re-evaluate it's value. Your clothing can mean the difference between life and death when you are subjected to the elements. Frostbite or hypothermia could leave you either needing an amputation or severely incapacitated and unable to perform basic everyday tasks necessary to survive. Tell me when you are stranded in your car in a snow storm how much you value that $2,ooo stereo in you car over a warm wool pair of socks that you wouldn't even pay $40 for.
When there is no machine to make your socks, sweaters, hats or scarves how much will it be worth to you to have someone close to you that knows how to make them? Is your day's wage worth more than theirs when your life could be what is at stake? Will you keep buying cheap stuff that can kill you because want to save a dollar? Why not save yourself instead?
Thank you for reading my post.
Dee Dee

Things From the Past Bring Comfort

1. 

• I adore old things. Especially those that still function. I have several old oil lamps that I keep clean and use when we have power outages. Keeping them clean helps them burn fuel more efficiently and give more light. When it is cold they add warmth as well. I found the cast iron wall mount for this lamp at a garage sale for $5. The lamp was $10 at an antique store. I love how it looks with the old trivets and utensils hanging on my kitchen wall.

Moving into the bathroom I have a chamber oil lamp next to a basket which is holding some more of my work. The two wash clothes were knitted using Peaches & Creme 100% cotton yarn. It is a very easy to use yarn and has a nice feel to it. The pattern for this is one that I made up.
The bath puff is also made with this yarn, but this is a crocheted item. I found the pattern online, I believe, on WikiHow. These are time consuming and I would never make these to sell as it would not pay enough. They do make great gifts though. I have used the wash clothes to wash dishes and I really like them, the problem comes when someone else washes my dishes and uses them on the knives. My knives are very sharp and now my dish-wash clothes have holes.
I have found that the Peaches & Creme yarn that is dyed bleeds in hot water. I would avoid using the colored yarns for bath use.

Light the lamp, fill the tub and enjoy the comfort.
What more could you want?
Slippers and a soft bathrobe.