Yarn Stories

Hello Again

2005-06-29T08:04:00.000-04:00

create your own visited states map
or check out these Google Hacks.

Saw this on another blog. Thought it was pretty cool. One day I hope to have the map completely red. Problem is I keep going back to the same places. Oh well, maybe someday.

Things here have been pretty crazy. I finished work on Friday. Now I'm in the process of looking for a job for September. I haven't been crocheting lately- too busy with the end of year stuff and trying to find a job. I've started organizing some projects that I want to finish up. Some of them have been sitting for way too long. One of my goals this summer is to get my stuff organized. I want to organize the stash and my patterns. I also need to organize my scrapbooking supplies. It's all in one room and right now that room is a disaster. I also hope to learn more about this blog. I'd like to get some sidebars and pictures up.

Hopefully I'll be back soon with a list of projects I hope to tackle this summer
Happy hooking!

I'm back...

2005-05-03T18:25:00.000-04:00

Wow! It's been a long time! I knew it had been a while but this is crazy. I haven't been crocheting much lately. I've finished up a few small projects for my spring secret pal and some family gifts. Other than that I've spent most of my time online job hunting.
I started a shawl the other day. Right now I'm not sure what I'm going to do with it. I was thinking of giving it to my nana. I think she would like it. Well, I'll see when it's finished.
I joined the Summer Secret Pals Swap. I heard from my partner today. It was a nice surprise on a rainy morning. I'm finishing up some scarves for the Summer Scarf Swap. I hope to have them in the mail next week.
I've been looking at the UFO Crochet Along over at Crochetville. Still trying to decide if I can make that work. It's a great idea but I know myself... and my limitations. I'm going to take stock of my UFO's over the next few days and see if I can come up with a plan of action. We'll see.
Take care. Happy Hooking!

Catching UP......

2005-03-21T11:57:00.000-05:00

Finally...Spring Break. I just started teaching at a new school in December. The new school calender is very different from any I've ever seen. Usually I have a February vacation and an April vacation. This school combines the Feb. and April breaks into one...during March. The rest of the days are used as snow days. Needless to say it's been a long stretch. But here we are. I have a lot of catching up to do this week. I'm looking for a job for next year...I haven't been crocheting as much as I'd like ...and the house is a mess. So the week I'll be trying to get some work done around here. The stash needs a serious reorganizing, especially since this weekend's "field trip" to Webs Yarn Store and A.C. Moore. If you live anywhere near Webs (Northhampton, Ma.) you should make the trip. It's definately worth it.
I did start a new project last night. I've joined the Pillowghan Crochet Along at Crochetville (www.crochetville.org). I'm going to make a blue and white pillowghan for my aunt for her birthday. I'm trying to start early with the gifts this year. So many projects, so little time...
I'm also working on a preemie blanket for the local hospital. My club donates preemie blankets and hats to the local hospital during the summer. I've already finished two hats.
Well I'm off to work on the pillowghan. Happy stitching.

Preemie Hats

2005-03-14T20:34:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I made my first preemie hat. It was alot easier than I thought it would be. It came out so cute. Now I'm on to making a matching blanket. My club donates the blanket and hat sets to the Danbury Hospital. I'm hoping to make afew sets this year. Who knows maybe I'll even try to make booties. We'll see,
I have also started working with thread... well a little. I found a pattern for book thongs. They're great. So I've started experimenting. It's pretty neat, I'm actually liking the thread. Maybe one og these days I'll try a bookmark.
I'm going to go work on another preemie hat... Happy hooking!

It's Been A While...

2005-02-26T09:38:00.000-05:00

So it's been a while... the good news is that I finished the blanket for DH for Valentine's. It was close, I was weaving in the ends an hour before he got home. He loves it. He was amazed that I was able to do it without him seeing it.
So now it's on to dad's. He wants the same blanket in a different color. I've done about three rows. Things here have been pretty crazy with work. But the end is near. Monday is the big deadline. After that things should be opening up a bit. I can wait. I need to work on dad's blanket, make a scarf for my aunt and I started designing a poncho. I'm excited to get back to that. I have to run to the store and pick up some more yarn for that later. After I finish cleaning, we're having friends up to celebrate my husband's birthday.

Crochet and Chat

2005-02-02T17:52:00.000-05:00

I'm very excited that tonight is my club's Coffee, Crochet and Chat. I haven't picked up a hook in a few days. My hands are finally feeling better after a few day of rest and heat. I'm hoping for the best tonight. I really need to get my fingers moving on DH's afghan if there's any hope of him getting it for V-Day or his B-day.
The other thing I'm into right now is flowers. I found a great pattern, you guessed it at www.lionbrand.com . Today I stopped at Michael's and bought some Lion Suede and Lion Chenille to make more flowers. I think they'll be great for V-Day. I'm going home for the weekend and I'd like to leave some with my mom and nana for Valentines.
Well, I'm off to go hookin...

Finished Projects for January

2005-01-30T15:17:00.000-05:00

With the month almost over I want to take a look at what I've completed. I finished two knit scarves in Fancy Fur for mom and my aunt. I finished my uncle's blanket. It's maroon, navy blue and off white. It's a V stitch patter with a Q hook. I absolutely love my Q hook! I also finished two hat, scarf, mitten sets for my club's winter charity drive. The drive is for the holidays. Since things are so hectic during the holidays I decided to set a goal for myself this year and work on them all year long. Last year I made 7 hats. This year I decided to make 12 sets. So 2 down, 10 to go.I finished a pair of fun fur flip flops for my cousin, she'll be getting those next weekend. I also made a gift for my secret pal. I'm in the Spring Secret Pal Swap over at Crochetville. I will be able to tell you about that in May, after the swap ends. I'm very excited because I made it without a pattern. Just kind of made it up as I went along. That's a big step for me as I'm still a beginner. Anyway...last night I sat down with some yarn and the Lion Brand Flower Pattern. I LOVE it! I have about 5 flowers finished. I plan on turning them into pins for Valentines Day. In case you haven't notice I'm a big fan of the Lion Brand Website http://www.lionbrand.com .
Now for the projects on the hooks...

a blanket for my husband
a blanket for my dad
tank top from Interweave Crochet
63 square Crochet Along
Secret Pal items

One day soon I hope to figure out how to make those sidebars I see on people's blogs. Also hope to get pictures up soon.

Happy Hooking!

Cleaning the Stash

2005-01-29T23:20:00.000-05:00

I'm in the process of straightening out the stash. You see there's this sale at my favorite yarn store on President's Day. I need to make some room and convince hubby that I don't have "too much yarn". He's really good about my "yarn addiction" until he sees it all over the place and realizes how much there actually is :-)
I've been working on the 63 square crochet along over at Crochetville. I was in the process of making the afghan for my parents. But they just redid the living room and the colors no longer go...not even close. Since I've only done 9 squaes I decided to turn this project into a very colorful scrap afghan for my friend's daughter. This way I can still complete the project and learn new stitches and (more importantly) I can use some of the stash. This will help me make room for new yarns. Yeah!!!

Back to Work...

2005-01-28T00:36:00.000-05:00

What a long day...I love the days off but going back is difficult. Especially Thursdays, I have a class after work. Anyway, I'm still working on DH's blanket. Hoping to get as much done as I can without him seeing it. So far so good. It's not working up as quickly as I'd like. Oh well. Yesterday my friend came over and we started to crochet a tank top. I can't remember the name right now, but it's in the Interweave Crochet special. It was designed by Margaret Hubert. Anyway we're using patons Grace yarn and I love it. I've never worked with it before.
Off to crochet...

Snow Day!

2005-01-26T10:15:00.000-05:00

I stayed in bed today, knowing the call was coming. and it did. At 5:00am the phone rang. I was told we would have a delayed opening. I reset the alarm for six and went back to sleep. When I woke up I couldn't figure out what to do...it was snowing...hard and fast. Are they really going to let these buses go out at 3:00? Would they have a delayed opening and then an early dismissal? I didn't think there was enough time for that. So I slowly went about my morning routine and kept looking out the window. As I was getting dressed the phone rang again. "we're now closed for the day" came the voice over the phone. Excellent... DH has to work today so this gives me the perfect opportunity to work on his Valentine's gift. I've got a friend coming over and we're going to sit and crochet while watching "chick flicks" and drinking hot chocolate. Does it get any better than that?

Happy Hooking!

Up and Running

2005-01-23T22:57:00.000-05:00

Hopefully this works... I live in the Northeast U.S. I have spent the day sitting in front of the fire knitting and crocheting. I have finished two fur scarves, gifts for my mother and aunt. Right now I'm working on a crocheted scarf for the Salvation Army. I've already finished one hat and scarf set this month. I'm hoping to make it two.