Quarter Flimsy

The first quarter of Lizard Toes is on Ringo, ready to be quilted. Why didn't I get it done???

I dug deeply into my green batik stash to create a 12-inch by 49-inch braid for the backing. This means I didn't finish a WIP in April. I haven't given up hope yet I might be able to finish two this month to make up for it, but, even without the finish, at least I'm making progress. Lots of things are vying for my attention, and Lizard Toes just doesn't scream at me loud enough, I guess!

One very exciting thing, in addition to using up scraps for inserts in the back quarter panels, is using up four baby quilt-sized and lap quilt-sized batting leftovers that have been hanging around for up to three years for the four quarters of Lizard Toes. I will have a couple of days of no computer access next week, and I'm thinking I might be able to do the hand-sewing then to finish up the quilt, if I can finish quilting the individual quarters in time. That's the goal. But I'd like to do green batik inserts for each back panel, so it really depends how fast I can finish them. And how good I am at breaking free from other commitments...

I recently picked up a couple of Chili Smiles charm packs because I thought they might make a fun project for Lizard to try to take up quilting again. (He LOVES them!) I'm going to have to start over from scratch in teaching him, but I don't mind. I actually look forward to it. He wants to try another rag quilt, so I cut 84 coordinating Kona solid charms and about 30ish batting squares. I used up a BUNCH of batting pieces for what I've done so far, but I will need to do more for Lizard to have enough to finish his quilt. But, perhaps that will take a while, and I can go back to my own quilting for a while. Fingers crossed...

The garden is calling, and thankfully, I didn't have to build the second tier raised beds that now grace our backyard. But I did have to measure the beds Lizard built before Parkinson's took away his math prowess, then do the math so I could buy the wood, then draw pictures for the Young Men who volunteered to build what I could see in my head but have no idea how to construct myself! I still have to put chicken wire in the bottoms without cutting myself, then fill the upper tiers with shredded cardboard I've been saving specifically for this project, branches and twigs the wind has piled up for me to use specifically in this project, all of last fall's leaves I saved specifically for this project, and dirt I haven't bought yet. Then the bunnies will still be able to nest and dine in the bottom tiers, but the top tiers are MINE! I don't think the bunnies will be able to jump that high. I hope!

And then there's that unfinished landscaping project. I think we've finally taken care of the leaky window well for once and for all with some tube extentions that direct roof runoff to the French drains and some silicon patching of a leaky gutter and downspout. And not a moment too soon! We've had rain (and snow/rain mixes) every couple of days for a week straight now. Much needed moisture. But I haven't had to bail the water out of the basement for two weeks now! Can you hear me squealing with joy? Can you feel the earth shake when I dance my little raindance jig?!?

Now I'm trying to edge the border between the landscaping and the rocks that surround our house with more hollow bricks that make perfect planters. When I first began hauling these bricks from our little truck to the backyard last summer, all uphill, I often had to have help because the weight of each brick hurt my back so much. But I must be getting stronger; I can make eight brick trips now all by myself before my back begins telling me to stop.

After placing bricks one at a time and making sure they are level, I dig up volunteer grape hyacinths, as well as any other flowers that will be homeless when I complete terracing the sloped section of the landscaping, and I plant the flowers inside the bricks.

My brick border may not look like a masterpiece right now, but next year, when hopefully everything is done and the flowers are comfortable and productive in their new homes, it's going to be fabulous. I will hide the black tube against the border with river rocks. Hopefully when I get done, it won't look like it was done by an amateur.

I have to redo the flagstone "stairs" I built last year because the red sand eroded over the winter and spring, and the stabilizers I used beneath the flagstone are not big enough to withstand the erosion. I also have to lay a bunch more red sand and build more terraces that won't wash away. But I should have four months of good weather, so it doesn't seem overwhelming yet.

It just makes my longarm, my sewing machine and my crochet hook very, very lonely!

Linking up with Alycia Quilts and Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

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Christmas Miracle Child's Hat

I finished all my Christmas craft fair special orders and thought I would get to start working on family gifts, but my dear, sweet aunt asked me to write the pattern for one of the special orders I'd made so she could make one for her youngest grandchild.

It was VERY tempting to do a Ravelry search for free monkey hat patterns. I'm sure there are plenty out there!

Writing the pattern for what I'd worked up would feel like contributing toward my little cousin's gift, though, plus, it would be something special for my aunt, too, if I share my own pattern. (No, I did not write a pattern for the monkey, and I won't have time to do that until well after Christmas, and I probably won't remember it then.)

I then learned I would be meeting the adopted kids of my adopted daughter for the first time just after Christmas. Suddenly, I needed four more hats!

This is going to be one of my best Christmases ever!


You may do whatever you'd like with hats you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!

Linking up with Busy Hands Quilts, Crazy Mom Quilts and Confessions of a Fabric Addict.


Finished Size: 8 inches tall, 18 inches around
Materials: One skein 3 oz skein of worsted weight yarn; approximately 50 yards of worsted weight yarn in a contrasting color, if desired; size G crochet hook; stitch marker, if desired
Gauge: 7 dc=2 inches; 4 rows (dc)=4.25 inches

Christmas Miracle Hat Instructions

With main color, make magic ring.

Round 1: 3 sc in ring, 3 hdc in ring, 6 dc in ring. Do not join on this or any Round. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: 2 dc in each st around for a total of 24 dc. Use stitch marker if desired to designate start of each new Round (and to prevent having to count stitches).

Round 3: [2 dc in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 2 dc] 12 times for a total of 36 dc.

Round 4: [1 dc in each of next 3 dc, 2 dc in next dc] 12 times for a total of 48 dc.

Rounds 5-12: 1 dc in each dc around. At end of 12 Round, work 1 hdc in each of next 3 dc, then 1 sc in each of next 3 dc, then sl st in next dc. Ch 2, turn.

Ear Flaps

Row 13: 1 dc in each of next 10 dc; ch 2, turn.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Row 14: 1 dc dec across next 2 dc, 1 dc in each of next 6 dc, 1 dc dec across next 2 dc; ch 2, turn.

Round 15: 1 dc dec across next 2 dc, 1 dc in each of next 4 dc, 1 dc dec across next 2 dc; ch 2, turn.

Round 16: 1 dc dec across next 2 dc, 1 dc in each of next 2 dc, 1 dc dec across next 2 dc; ch 2, turn.

Round 17: [1 dc dec across each of next 2 dc] 2 times; bind off, leaving 14-inch tail to be included in braid at finishing.

Count 15 stitches over on main body of hat from end of ear flap, and work second ear flap according to instructions above. See Moogly's standing double crochet join tutorial here.

Edging: With both main color and contrast (or two strands of main color, if desired), starting at back of hat from right side between ear flaps, 1 sc in in each st across to 1st ear flap, sc down ear flap along edge to point, 3 sc in each of 2 dc dec at point of ear flap, sc up ear flap to front edge of hat, 1 sc in each st along hat to 2nd ear flap, sc down ear flap along edge to point, 3 sc in each of 2 dc dec at point of ear flap, sc up ear flap to back edge of hat, 1 sc in each st to starting sc; sl st in starting sc. Bind off. Weave in ends.

Ears (optional)

Ear front: make 2.

With contrast color, make magic ring.

Round 1: 6 sc in ring; do not join on this or any Round. Pull magic circle tight. Work tail into st each Round to carry it to outer edge without having to weave through work from the back when done.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Round 2: 2 sc in each sc around for a total of 12 sc.

Round 3: [1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times for a total of 18 sc; bind off. Ends will go inside ear when layers are complete.

Ear back: make 2.

With main color, make magic ring, leaving long tail for sewing to hat.

Round 1: 6 sc in ring; do not join on this or any Round. Pull magic circle tight. Work tail into st each Round to carry it to outer edge without having to weave through work from the back when done.

Round 2: 2 sc in each sc around for a total of 12 sc.

Round 3: [1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc] 6 times for a total of 18 sc; sl st in next sc. Turn. Sandwich ear front with ear back, right sides facing out.

Round 4: Working in opposite direction and from front of ear front, work one Round of sc all the way around, catching stitches in both the ear front and back and increasing 3 sc evenly spaced around. Stuff contrast ends inside ear before closing gap. Sl st in starting sc.

Round 5: Sl st in each sc around, forming a rim around ear; bind off. Use main color ends to sew ear to hat in approximately 9th and 10th Rounds (according to personal taste; notice how ear placement changes the personality of the hat) centered above ear flap, contrast color facing front of hat.

Finish: To make tufts instead of ears, cut 24 pieces of yarn 12 inches in length each and divide into 2 equal groups. Insert crochet hook under two dc in 6th or 7th Round directly centered above ear flap. Fold 12 yarn strands in half and with crochet hook pull through dc stitches, leaving ends sticking out opposite of hook on other side of dc stitches. Pull ends through folded loop as shown below and pull tight. Repeat 2nd tuft above 2nd ear flap. Trim ends even, leaving enough length for yarn to stand up. (Or make longer tufts for floppy ears.)






To make braids, cut 36 pieces of yarn 26 inches long. Divide into 2 equal groups. Fold each group in half and pull through bottom of ear flap same as tuft shown above, catching finishing tail in, too. Divide into 3 equal groups and braid to end. Tie braid end in knot and pull tight. Measure 2nd braid to match 1st braid when tying second knot. Trim braid ends to match. Weave in hat starting end and ear ends. Present to child. Take lots of pictures!

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Snowflake Monday

The name of this snowflake says it all.

You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!


Finished Size: 5.5 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 8 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, water soluble school glue or desired stiffener, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line

Elsa's Braids Snowflake Instructions

Make magic ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in ring, * ch 5, sl st in 5th ch from hook, 2 dc in ring; repeat from * around 4 times; 1 hdc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2 to form 6th ch sp of Round, ch 2, 1 dc in top of hdc to form 6th ch 4 loop of Round. Pull magic circle tight.

Round 2: 2 sc over post of dc directly below, * ch 30, sl st in 28th ch from hook, [ch 28, sl st in 28th ch from hook] 2 times, ch 3, 3 sc in next ch 4 sp; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last 2 sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.

Braid each of the 3/ch groups, using a safety pin or other stitch holder to temporarily secure until you crochet into the end of each braid to permanently secure them on the next Round.
NOTE: This is an excellent step with which "Frozen"-enchanted daughters, granddaughters, nieces or neighbor girls may help. Let a young girl braid "Elsa's white hair!"








Round 3: Ch 9 (counts as 1 trtr and ch 3), 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), * ch 6, 1 sc in 6th ch from hook, ch 6, sl st in sc, ch 5, sl st in sc (tri-picot made), ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), 1 sc in top of first ch loop in next braid, [ch 3, 1 sc in next ch loop of same braid] 2 times, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 6, 1 sc in 6th ch from hook, ch 6, sl st in sc, ch 5, sl st in sc, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, 1 trtr in middle sc of next 3/sc group, ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook; repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last trtr and last dc picot of final repeat; sl st in 6th ch of starting ch 9; bind off. Weave in ends.

Finish: Tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap.

If using glue, mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture or desired stiffener. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or plastic wrap. Attach 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Wrap fishing line around tree branch (or tape to ceiling or any overhead surface) and watch the snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.

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Aerial Unwind — Times Two

I was within two rows of the knitted rib of my second Ravellenic sock Friday night when I realized I'd made a booboo. I had to unravel all but eight rows. (Can you hear me wail?) This yarn is SO difficult to work with and almost impossible to unravel. I tried to humor myself by imagining buying another skein of yarn just so I wouldn't have to fight the stupid knots anymore!

It took two hours to unravel this thing!

I was so discouraged. I thought this would mean the end of two of the Ravellenic projects I'd hoped to complete this week. I thought I was doomed to finishing just the sock, nothing else, and with yarn I'm beginning to fondly hate.

So I got online to look at some of the projects my fellow Ravelers are doing. What could be better for a sour mood than cheering on fellow Ravelathletes? I discovered an awesome event called Aerial Unwind. You unravel something that's been around way too long, and use the yarn for something useful.

Yes, I'd just spent a good portion of time unraveling, and I wasn't looking forward to another session anytime soon. But the first thing that came to my mind was a project I began for the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics. Way before Ravelry existed.

I was so infatuated with the Salt Lake logos (snowflakes, of course), I wanted to design a sweater based on the jackets issued to the volunteers. (I have the coat, but I did not volunteer, unfortunately.) I picked out the perfect yarn. I cast on. I knit during my public transportation commutes every day I could. But I did not finish.

A series of tragic events led me to stash the project in the deepest, darkest recesses of my storage bins. The painful memories I associated with this sweater were more than I could bear. I didn't ever want to see the sweater again.

After learning about the Aerial Unwind, I decided it's high time I make use of that yarn. I went to the basement and dug it out.

Then another dilemma erupted. I remembered working on the front and back of the sweater. I did not remember actually finishing both sleeve. This sweater was about two hours from being complete. If I could just stomach working on it that long.

Could I really unravel it?

It took me a few minutes of staring at it, alone, in the dimly lit basement, to realize the memories were all still there, and they were not something I wanted to revisit. I'm happy now. I'm alive. And I want it to stay that way.

So the unraveling began. Funny, it took as long to unravel and wind the mess into balls as it would have taken to finish the shoulders and neckline. But I would not have been able to wear the sweater, as cute as the design would have been.

After photographing the evidence of my unwinding, I searched the internet for a flaphat pattern. I couldn't find anything even close to what I could see in my head. So while it snowed Sunday morning, I picked up a crochet hook and just started stitching, trying out the cap on my own head as I went to make sure it would fit.

I went to choir practice. I went to church. And then I came home and finished the hat. My dear, sweet Lizard held the yarn for me as I braided. Initially I thought I'd embellish the earflaps with snowflakes (made of the white yarn, of course), but after I finished attaching the braids, I decided this hat doesn't need anything more. It's perfect just the way it is.

I have enough yarn left to make at least four more hats. I hope to make another one in the reverse color pattern. I also hope to knit one. But not until after the Ravellenics. I've got more stuff on the back burner. Including that stubborn sock...

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