Friday, January 29, 2016

A Little of This... A Little of That...

My friend Krista just became Grandma to her first granddaughter
Lydia Kathleen.
Every new baby needs to be swaddled in a snuggly soft blanket 
so when I found out Lydia was expected I grabbed my crochet hook and ordered this heavenly  yarn from Knit Picks.
It's 100% Organic Cotton.

The pattern is called
Keepsake Cover Up. 
It's from this Leisure Arts book I've had for ages...
published in 1994 it says.
It has a couple of pretty afghans I've made several times over the years for gifts.
Sometimes it's fun to pull these old books off the shelf.

I had to make a little something from a new book as well though.
A pair of pink crocheted baby mittens.

This darling pattern is in one of my favorite books.

I love them so much that I just had to make some more for my 
They're the kind for newborns with no thumbs.

And here's a totally unrelated thing I just have to show you because 
I absolutely love it.
It's a Tea Wallet
I found on the wonderful Etsy Shop

I always carry tea bags in my purse
 {I like to be ready for a good cup of tea at all times}
 but .... well you know....
after we dig through our purses a million times...
those little tea bags in their packages get in pretty sad shape sometimes.
So Voila' problem solved!
And quite prettily, I might add.

My new friend Meryl also makes many other lovely items on her shop
 such as:

Wristlets
Cosmetic Bags
Coin Purses
Wallets
Key Fobs
Crossbody Bags 
&
Lavender Sachets

Plus, wait until you see her 
GORGEOUS
hand painted flowers
on some of her bags!
I am in awe of her talents.


On a more personal note ...
I have a very ill father-in-law at present who I am helping to care for.
My in-laws are near 90 and, thankfully, live next door to me.
This makes it so much easier to go back and forth as needed.
He had surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm in mid December.
During the surgery things didn't go well and he incurred spinal damage.
After a month in the hospital, he is now home and needing constant care.
I don't often mention things like this here thinking maybe I should keep this blog my
"Happy Place"
and a 
Place of Refuge
for those who read it.
We all carry our own burdens each and every day.
I like to make people smile and laugh and feel good and give them something pretty to look at when they visit my blog.
But then there is 
Real Life 
as well.
I appreciate your prayers for my sweet father-in-law at this time.
Thank you,
Danette

And wherever you are ...
May you be 
cozy
&
warm
tucked in with your loved ones
with some crochet or knitting on your lap
{if that's your "thing"}
and a 
Good Cup of Tea 
within your reach.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Daisy Poncho made with Laurel Hill Crochet Hooks

Once the hustle -  bustle of the holidays
came to an end
I entered the New Year
with a fun new project 
and 
a Beautiful set of
Laurel Hill Crochet Hooks.
The set pictured is the
and can be purchased on my shop.
This lovely multicolored satin case is included.

The Daisy Poncho was a custom order 
and it was one of those 
"create as you go along"
pieces.
It was made for a regular customer as a surprise birthday gift for her sister.
It always makes me happy to be involved in surprises!
 I love the POP the Big Daisy makes...
And the flounce of the floral edging,
which was crocheted separately then stitched on.
{It took me 3 solid hours to hand stitch it on but it was worth it.}
The pattern for the edging can be found in 
Crocheting on the Edge
by 
Nicky Epstein
This is a fabulous book that I have used many times for finishing work.
The edging on this poncho is found in the "Flora" section.
It's called Honeysuckle.
I think it might be my favorite for poncho's,
as I've used it more than once over the years.
It gives that extra feel of femininity to have flowers
dancing around one's body.


And if you like to crochet flowers
 this book is a MUST HAVE.
You'll find the pattern for the daisy and leaves inside it's beautiful pages.

There is no actual "pattern" for the poncho itself.
It is constructed of a stitch I like.
I determine the amount of stitches I need for the desired width
then I make two rectangular panels of the same length.
Then they are hand stitched together and ready for any edging and embellishment
I want or a customer has requested.
I have also made this poncho many times using knitted roses with I-cord stems and leaves
vining around the neckline.
That's a favorite of mine.

The yarn I used throughout was Knit Picks Comfy Worsted
75% Pima Cotton
25% Acrylic
It is super soft against the skin and lightweight on the body.
Plus machine wash and dry.
The body of the poncho is done in the color Peony.
The daisy is White with a center of Creme Brulee.
The leaves are Jalapeno.
Since I am not fond of the little hole left in the center of a crocheted flower,
I usually prefer to sew a bead in.
This one has a creamy pearl bead sewn to the center.


But getting back to those exquisite hooks...

I am so excited that I am now being given the privilege of selling
these beautiful tools on my 

If you are interested in these gorgeous hooks
click on the live link above each picture.

The hooks are reasonably priced and made using the following 
Sustainable Exotic Woods:

$10.00 each

$9.00 each


$9.00 each



I have been crocheting for 33 years and during that time
I have searched high and low for 
the 
PERFECT
Crochet Hooks.
And now I've found them.

You can read my story of how I found them and why I love them
on 
the Laurel Hill Blog


For those of you who Crochet,
you just have to try them.
I promise you will
Fall in Love.

XO
    XO,

 Danette