Memorial Day

Today will be a day of rest. I am currently working on a sweater I started a couple of days ago. I was following a pattern.. The yoke turned out well..It has a nice feel and look to it. But the body was just terrible..the look just didn't go with the yoke. So I ripped it out and I'm adding my own body and sleeves to the sweater. When I finish it will be my own creation. Its been awhile since I created my own pattern. It gives a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction.

I'm looking forward to learning how to make the crocheted guidepost sweater. It will be good to work on something for Knit for Kids. I have never had the pleasure of creating sweaters for them to give to those who need. Perhaps these sweaters can be used for other places too.

In Crocheter's Attic I released another square pattern. Its called the Snapdragon Stitch. No one has mentioned it..I'm guessing they are busy with other projects and the Memorial Day weekend.

I want to wish you all a peaceful day. Prayers go out especially for those who left our country to fight in Iraq. Also for those who have passed that we miss in our daily lives.

Until we meet Again!
Hook's Up!
Leslee
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crochetersattic/

Crocheter's Attic Progresses

Welcome Back!

Crocheter's Attic is moving forward. We now have on board with us, International Children's Network. Our ladies will be making blankets, sweaters, hats for 100 orphan's in Peru in November. At some point of time..which is not yet appointed..more likely we haven't been told yet. That Cindy and I will be traveling to Peru to teach the children how to crochet and knit. Yes!..I'm very excited. I'm hoping my medical condition will allow that travel.

The picture is of a little orphan in Peru. His name is Juan.

Currently we are working on an event for newborns. We are making hats, sweaters, booties, blankets, little outfits etc. for poor mom's in the San Diego area. We are also learning to make Guidepost sweaters. We posted a crocheted pattern for us to be able to play around with the pattern. I'm hoping we can downsize it to fit babies as well as an older child.

I introduced the Snapdragon stitch today. Its a square using this stitch. I don't know how many are still working on making squares..that project took a bit of time. Still the end result will not only give enough squares to join to make a ghan but will actually show how much the crocheter has learned..

Until we Meet Again!
Hook's up!
Leslee
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crochetersattic/

Looking Forward to a Creative Weekend!

Hello!
Sorry this is so late in getting written. I went out to run errands and got back much later then I expected to. So, now I'm sitting here listening to "Allegro"...really nice for writing.

Crocheter's Attic ladies seem really busy lately. I just love looking at their work. Some are working on ripple blankets, some booties, socks, and hats.. One lady even found an adult bib. Great for eating lobsters or for that senior in your home that needs tender loving care. I have a lady who just finished making a little five point star ghan. here is the url for it..

http://www.angelfire.com/va3/heartfeltangels/littlestarafghan.html

today Annie's Attic has a beautiful afghan called Nosegays..Its so nice. I would love to do something like that but alas, I usually have very little time and I don't crochet quickly. It looks like fun to do.. I saved it to work on later..who knows? I might be able to find time for it.

We have new members coming into the group which makes it nice as usually we have crafters who have ideas and talents to share with all.
This blog is short. I apologize. I'm in a lot of pain lately. the steriod shots the doctor gave me didn't work. so I'm trying to keep up with things and rest too..

Until we meet again!
Hook's Up!
Leslee

Reflection as Mother's Day Approaches

Its a bright sunshiney day here in California!.. Makes a person feel like getting out doors and do a little gardening. For me, I can't physically do that. I can make a garden with my crochet. One day, I was thinking about colors, palettes of colors and designs to be used to create something truly beautiful. We are fortunate that yarn companies right now are creating some beautiful mediums to create that something beautiful in the hand of the crafter.

Now, personally I love to make things for my family and friends. I really like surprising them. I was thinking of the look in the face of those who receive the things we make in Crocheter's Attic.
Its such a warm loving group of women. This past wednesday I had the pleasure of delivering donations for an event I held for the Healthy Mother's Program at Feather River Hospital in Paradise, California. The items we donate are given to young mothers who have very little if anything to take care of their new babies with. I had the co ordinator, the receptionist, the NA, the nutrionists, the wic workers tell me how much they liked and appreciated what we donated.
It always feels really good to take in the deliveries like this.

I have been suffering with what seems tendonitis. It leaves me hurting, frustrated as it also hurts to type. I find I can do some crocheting though..not sure why..although sometimes I can't seem to crochet. I have no idea how this happened.. in saying all this.. my blogging has slowed down to a crawl.. I love to write..even hand writing is a bit painful. It sure was miserable trying to address 119 invitations to mail out for my daughters wedding..

We have had in Crocheter's Attic some interesting patterns go through the group. Lets see, popcorn booties/hat, another round ripple, a cute little sweater pattern, and what is called the World's Easiest Sweater pattern. We did find an author for the last one.. She also had some other patterns listed.. I did not post a new square pattern. I decided to let the ladies catch up a bit.
And we all seemed to be interested in the new things that came our way.

I want to wish everyone a very Happy Mother's Day! Whether two legged, fourlegged or feathery or scaly..you still have taken on a responsibility for another's welfare. May you be blessed for your time, love, tenderness, compassion, kindness and understanding of what another life is experiencing. May you be blessed for not turning your head when another life needed you..

Until we meet again!
Hook's Up!
Leslee
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crochetersattic/

Crocheting blankets

Hello Everyone!

Just getting back to blogging again. We have some new members in Crocheter's Attic. I'm excited as that means more hands to help those in need.

For those who want to continue with the baby sweater pattern I was posting, here is the next part.

Baby Sweater cont.
Back

Row 1: With right side facing and smaller size hook, skip first 4 sc from Right Front and join yarn with slip st in next sc; ch2, hdc in next 55 sc, leave remaining 32 sc unworked: 56 hdc.

Row 2: (Decrease row): Ch 1, turn; hdc in next hdc and in each hdc across to last 2 hdc, hdc decrease: 54 hdc.

Row 3: Ch 2, turn; hdc in next hdc and in each hdc across.

Row 4-15: Repeat Rows 2 and 3 twice; then repeat Row 2, 8 times more: 34 hdc.

Row 16: Ch 1, turn; hdc in next 15 hdc, hdc decrease, hdc in each hdc across to last 2 hdc, hdc decrease: 31 hdc.

Row 17: Ch 1, turn; hdc in next 13 hdc, hdc decrease, hdc in each hdc across to last 2 hdc, hdc decrease; finish off: 25 hdc.

Row 18: Ch 1, turn; hdc in next 12 hdc, hdc decrease, hdc in each hdc across to last 2 hdc, hdc decrease; finish off: 25 hdc.

Tomorrow I will post the left front.. I hope some of you are enjoying this pattern..It is really nice just very different.. I have been working on a round ripple blanket..the pic above is borrowed but is similar to what I'm making..its really pretty. Its in Red Hearts Kitten print. I chose a lavendar to border it..
Well, I am going to scoot for now..

Until we meet again!
Hook's Up!
Leslee
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crochetersattic/

Crocheter's Attic reaches out!

Good Afternoon!

I hope this blog finds all readers well. I was surprised last night with American Idol. Happy to see they didn't vote anyone off.. yet, I have this feeling adding votes from this week till next might not be all that fair to those who are in the contest. Yet this program was near and dear to my heart.
I sat in tears as I saw the children in Africa and their moms. Compassion in me wishes to reach out to them..to help them in their need. I do not possess money to send..not even the dollar they suggested..sigh! And then I saw the children here in the United States. Those in the mining areas of this country. Even more distressed as I saw those who were devastated by hurricane Katrina are still living in poverty..drugs an deplorable conditions continue. Shame on our president for allowing this to continue. I don't know if any of you realize this..Its been two years since Katrina..TWO YEARS..why?..why, are these people still in this condition? its wrong!.. all I can do is crochet things..I have no other resources..my heart cries out in pain. I have always been empathic. This is a part of me that will not change. I can not turn my head and do nothing.
So again we will try to find a way in which we can help these people.

Crocheter's Attic was set up to reach out to people in need. Its not only babies. That seems to be a popular idea in online groups. But we are reaching out to those in need as Katrina victims and those living in poverty..or what they call "below poverty"..geez! now they have to put levels on people lives. If you are in poverty..well, heck! that's poverty period. The people/children in Africa are in dire straits..not just in poverty. Especially when you look at this country. Our poor are just that poor compared to even a middle income. In so saying this..I challenge anyone reading this to stand up!..do something..anything to help someone in this condition.

My tears fell as I listened to Irish singer Josh Groban sing with the African Children's Choir. It was incredible. Yes, I cried. So now begins my quest to help them if I can. I welcome all ideas.

I posted part of a pattern the last time. Now I will post another part.

Baby Sweater, Right Front

Row 1: Ch 2(counts as first hdc, now and throughout)
turn; hdc in next 27 sc, leave remaining 92 sc unworked: 28 hdc.

Row 2: (Decrease row): Ch 1, turn; hdc in next hdc and in each hdc across: 27 hdc.

Row 3: ch 2, turn; hdc in next hdc and in each stitch across.

Rows 4-8: Repeat rows 2 and 3 twice, then repeat Row 2 once more: 24 hdc.

To hdc decrease (uses next 2 hdc), *YO, insert hook in next hdc, YO and pull up a loop;
repeat from * once more, YO and draw through all 5 loops on hook(counts as one hdc).

Row 9: (Decrease row): Ch 2, turn; hdc in next hdc and in each hadc across to last 2 hdc, hdc decrease: 23 hdc.

Row 12: (Decrease row): Ch 1,turn; hdc in next hdc and in each hdc across: 22 hdc.

Row 11-16: Repeat Rows 9 and 10, 3 times: 16 hdc.

Rows 17 and 18: Ch 1, turn; hdc in next hdc and in each hdc across to last 2 hdc, hdc decrease: 12 hdc. Finish off.

I will give the next part the next time I post a new blog. I hope things are going well in this pattern. I'm off to continue to crochet a round ripple blanket that I got on the Angel Crafts site.
Its really fun and works up quickly.

Until we meet again!
Hook's Up!
Leslee
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crochetersattic/

Sweaters in Crocheter's Attic

Good Afternoon!

With Mother's Day coming there are a lot of things if your mom is crafty what can be given as a nice gift. Mom's mostly love flowers/candy..usually a given..but they love even more when they are given a thoughtful gift that surrounds what they love to do.. Some mom's ski..well, not me!..some mom's are into gardening.. a great gift might be a pretty pair of garden gloves along with some beautiful plants already to be put in the ground or in pots. Little children could paint cute designs on terra cotta planters and then put a plant in it.

I'm not a gardener. Mostly because plants don't have a really good life expectancy with me..
But, I'm a crafter. I love yarn..it loves me.. I swear every time I go to walmart at least one skein pops into my cart. Perhaps that thoughtful gift would be a crocheted shawl. Nice on cool spring evenings or on a chilly evening. My youngest daughter gave me Doodle loom to make pom poms..We were trying to remember just what celebration it was that she gave it to me..doesn't matter really. It sure came in handy to embellish hats and sweaters. Regardless of what you choose just remember to think what does mom do that she enjoys? and you most likely will do well in your choice.

Here is the beginning of a sweater pattern that I can share with you. I will give you a the instructions for the body of the sweater. When I next blog I will post the right front of the sweater. This is done in body, right front, Back, and left front. The sweater is darling. I hope you enjoy this..
Materials
Baby Fingering Weight
4 1/2 oz for the sweater
Hook size is D, F

Instructions:
Begin using F hook
Ch 139 loosely
Row1 : Sc in second chain from hook and in each ch across: 138 sc

Row 2: (right side): Ch 3 (counts as first dc, now and throughout), turn: work Cross Stitches across to last sc, dc in last sc. 34 cross sts.

Note: Mark last row as right side.

Row 3: ch 3, turn; work Cross sts across to last dc, dc in last dc.

Rows 4 and 5: Ch 1, turn; sc in each st across: 138 sc.

Rows 6-24: Repeat Rows 2-5, 4 times; then repeat Rows 2-4 once more.

Change to a D hook.

To sc decrease, pull up a loop in the next 2sts, YO and draw through all 3 loops on hook (counts as one sc)

Row 25: Ch 1, turn; sc in first 8sc, sc decrease, (sc in next 5 sc, sc decrease) across to last 9 sc, sc in last 9sc; do not finish off: 120 sc.

To work Cross St: skip next st, dc in next 3 sts, YO, working around 3-dc group just made, insert hook from front to back in skipped st, YO and pull up a loop even with last dc made, (YO and draw through 2 loops on hook) twice (long dc made).

This sweater will come out to be a darling soft little sweater. This sweater was passed down. So hopefully there are no mistakes..lol..
In Crocheters Attic this week..a new square to be added.. and another sweater pattern different from this..

Until we meet again!
Hook's Up!
Leslee
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crochetersattic/

Crocheters Looking ahead to a new week..

Now that the weekend is behind me, I have much to do. It was a pleasant weekend with a visit from one of my sons that I don't see very often. My favorite Nascar driver won the race on saturday at a raceway that he has never won in before. It was an exciting finish as well.

I am now looking forward to a new week with a lot to do in our group. Crocheter's Attic has a current event that will close on the last day of this month. I have nearly finished my donations for this newborn event. I have three sweaters, two are done in the "Going Home" pattern, and the last in a darling little pattern with ruffles. I have hats for each sweater. I have a pretty blanket done in my cross stitch pattern. Its forest green and really warm. I also have a mint green sweater set finished. I will add all this to our donations as I am hostess for this newborn event. There are so many newborns and preemies in our country who are born to mother's who don't have anything to put on their new babies.

Crocheter's Attic is set up to reach out to help them. I sincerely wish we could reach out to more. However, we are small and most of the ladies barely make it on their budgets. I'm praying for a way to reach out to help more. I wish we had more hands who are willing to learn if they don't know and willing to help if they do. We also reach out to shelters, seniors, cancer patients, hospice, etc. Any group that we find that we can extend ourselves. I once was one of those poor women. I was really thankful when someone reached to me to help me as a new baby was added to a very large family. Thank God for those we have that put a lot of love into the crafting they do!

Our new event, is for both preemies and newborns. I will pretty much being doing the same thing only on a smaller scale. I'm looking forward to doing the "Strawberry Parfait Ensemble" that I found as a free pattern on Annie's Attic. We also will have a new square pattern going out this week. And I'm hoping to release a new sweater pattern as well. Our ladies take part in an exchange of items on a monthly basis and only to those who sign up. The current exchange was for Spring/Easter. Our next one will be for Mother's Day regardless of whether they are mothers to two legged children or four..our little pets become as children.

The new sweater set may be old to some or new to others. Its one I haven't tried. It actually will be a layette set. Kinda fun to try out something new. For those who read my blog and are looking forward to crocheting something new I will send out the pattern on wednesday in Crocheter's Attic. Something fun to do and with new and exciting yarns and threads its like the sky's the limit on this. Also when you have a chance check out Lionbrand's new organic cotton. Its a bit too expensive for my pocket book but looks great!

Until we meet again!
Hook's Up!
Leslee
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crochetersattic/
and
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/crochetersatticteens/?yguid=265818116