Confessions of feeling Stupid!

Well, I have to admit... I feel pretty stupid. After all of this, I decided to go back and and count my chains another time. I counted when I made them, counted as I sc and counted at the end of the row. However... I had extras. I ripped everything out and fixed the chain and tada! it works. I really feel dumb. I can't believe that I didn't catch it when i counted one of those times. Oh well, lesson learned. I am so in love with the look of this sweater. I can't wait until it is finished.

I recently purchased the book Positively Crochet, mainly because I fell in love with the sweater on the cover. I started it last night and am having an interesting problem.

I made a swatch and may gauge is spot on.

The instructions start... with g hook loosely chain (my number is 110) Single crochet back, = 109 sc. Then it states... This row should measure approx 231/2 inches. Mine measures 26 hmmm The next row is a shell dc, ch1, dc, ch1, dc etc... There are supposed to be 18 shells... I have 19!

So what am I doing wrong??? This is maddening since for this sweater gauge is supposed to be real important.

The only thing that I can think of is that I am using a different yarn?? It calls for Berroco Softwist, Carron Simply Soft or Red Heart Soft. Pattern states that if you use Red Heart or Simply Soft you need to use a larger hook to get correct gauge (K). The yarn I chose to use is closer to a DK I think... it is called accord by Sierra Pacific Crafts.

O.K. so here is a side by side comparison of the yarns...

Berroco Softwist	Accord
FIBER: 59% Rayon, 41% Wool HANK WEIGHT: 1.75 oz / 50 g HANK LENGTH: 100 yds / 92 m GAUGE: 5 sts = 1" 20 sts & 28 rows = 4" (10cm) NEEDLE SIZE: 8 (US) / 5 mm	FIBER: 100 % Acrylic HANK WEIGHT: 100 g HANK LENGTH: 348 yds / 320 m TENSION 21 sts & 29 rows = 4" (10cm) NEEDLE SIZE: 6 (US) / 4 mm

So what the heck am I doing wrong? (I am off to remeasure my swatch).

Socks aren't too bad...

Well the socks that I made weren't to bad. I two evenings. So if you had a full day I would think you could easily complete them. Once you get the hang of the pattern it goes by real fast. While I really wanted to get the book Crocheted Socks: 16 Fun-To-Stitch Patterns I couldn't find it here locally. So, I settled for Stocking Feet (which I paid full price for... I just realized). I made the first one in the book. They are worsted weight, out of yarn from my stash. When you look at the cover, they are the ones in the bottom left corner. I like them. I am currently wearing them as slippers since they are to thick for shoes. I will be trying to make another pair soon. Different pattern, different yarn, but I think I like these...

Intimidated by a project

Why is it that even after 35 plus years of crochet experience I am intimidated by a project? It seems to me that with that much experience I should be able to look at any project and say "let's do it".

However I find myself intimidated by a simple thing. Socks. I want to make a pair of socks that I can wear in shoes, but I find myself at a stand still.

There is a part of me that knows I can do it, and another part of me that says, "yeah you can do it but they will be so bulky they will be like slippers". And that is exactly what I do not want.

If you google crochet sock pattern, you will end up with some great looking patterns, but they are all done in worsted weight yarn. I did find one that was done using sock weight yarn, so that might be a possibility.

The book "Crocheted Socks: 16 fun to stitch patterns" seems like it might be a possibility. I think I am going to head over to Michaels and get it since I have a %50 coupon.

So what else intimidates me as far as crochet projects? Not a whole lot... I have done sweaters and mittens so this should not intimidate me. I've decided that I will conquer socks. I will not be intimidated any more by a project that some of my friends say is easy.

Veterans Poppy Pin Patteren

I have had many people ask for the pattern to my Poppy pin. This is the first time in about 6 years that I have posted a pattern due to people stealing my creations. Pleas Please Please respect the copyright on this pattern. Give me credit if you sell them. Thanks, Lori


Veterans Poppy Pin Pattern

Supplies:

Small amount of brown thread for center. (you could also use black)
Small amount of red for petals. (Orange could work also)
1 Small safety pin
I used a size 6 steel crochet hook, use what you are comfortable with since there is no gauge. The pin is about 5 inches when it lays flat.

Center:
ch 6 sl st to close ring. ch 2 11 hdc in ring to make total of 12 hdc. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Petal:
1. ch 7 hdc in 3rd ch from hook. continue across (5 hdc) ch 3 turn
2. dc in base of ch 3, 1 dc in next st 2 dc n next repeat across ending with 2 dc in last st. ch 3 turn
3. repeat row 2 ending with ch 3 turn
4. increase 1 st at beginning of this row and end with 2 dc in last stitch. 1 dc in all other st across. ch 3 turn
5. work 1 dc over first 2 st, 2 dc over next 2, 2 decrease clusters over next 4 st, 2 dc in next 2 st. end with 1 decrease over last 2 st, ch 3 turn.
Noter: at this point the petal should start to cup slightly...
6. work 1 decrease over first 2 st, 1 dc in next st. repeat this pattern across. DO NOT CHAIN, turn
7. in first dc draw up a loop keep this on hook. do this in all dc across. at end of row yo and pull through all loops and fasten off. weave in all ends.

You will need 5 of these petals.

Half Petal:
1. ch 5 work hdc in 3rd ch from hook across. (3hdc) ch3 turn
2. dc in base of ch 3, 1 dc in next 2 st, ch 3 turn (4 st)
3. dc in first 2 st (3 dc) increase in last st, ch 3 turn
4. 1 dc in base of ch 3, 1 dc in top of next st, 2 dc in next st, 2 dc over next 2 dc ch 3 turn
5. work 2 dc over first 2 dc (ch 3 counts as first dc, decrease over next 2 st. 1 dc in next st and decrease over last 2 dc ch 3 turn
6. work 1 decrease , 1 dc, 1 decrease at end of row. DO NOT CHAIN, turn.
7. n first dc draw up a loop keep this on hook. do this in all dc across. at end of row yo and pull through all loops and fasten off. weave in all ends.

You will need 1 of these half petals.

Assembly: with either red or brown (it is going to be on the underside so it doesn't matter) sew 3 petals on the back of the brown disc. The brown needs to be raised and in front of all petals. In the spaces left sew on the remaining petals ad half petal. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Shaping: Most of the petals should cup toward the center of the flower, however one or two from the back row should be turned back.

Using safety pin fasten on clothing and get compliments.

Hope you enjoy this pattern. I have many others that I have designed over the 38 years I have been crocheting.

Lori

Thanks Veterans

I don't know what it is about a person in uniform that makes me so proud to be an American. Many times I just want to stop them and tell them thanks for all you are doing. Sometimes I do, and others I don't. So today I just want to tell all of you serving overseas, wherever that may be, as well as all of you who have served our country... Thanks from the bottom of my heart.

I have reason to be proud also of the fact that I have 3 nephews serving in the military. Shane is an Air Force pilot and has served several tours in Iraq. John and Anthony are both in the Marines, both are currently in Iraq.


To honor our Veterans I created a "poppy pin" to wear. It worked up real easy and didn't take much time. Here is a picture of it.

My son works in a nursing home, I may give it to him to wear...

From my collection of recipes

Today in chat we were talking about home made soups and I mentioned I had the best recipe for corn bread...

Several years ago our Kenny Rogers Roasters restaurant went out of business. When they did there was a request for their recipe for corn muffins. they are awesome... rich yet sweet. Our local paper found the recipe and printed it. So here is it is.

Kenny Rogers Corn Muffins - (I make them as corn bread)

1/2 cup butter
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup honey
2 eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup yellow corn meal
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup frozen corn

1. Preheat oven to 400*
2. Cream together butter, sugar, honey, eggs and salt in a large bowl.
3. Add flour, cornmeal and baking powder and blend thoroughly. Add milk while mixing.
4. Add corn to mixture and combine by hand until corn is worked in.
5. Grease a 12 cup muffin pan and fill each cup with batter. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes or until top of muffins start to turn brown on top.
Makes 12 muffins.

Note: We usually will grease a cast iron skillet and put some oil in it and get it hot in the oven while that is preheating. then when we are ready to bake the corn muffin mix, we will put it in the greases skillet instead of making muffins. Getting the skillet hot makes a nice crunchy side, and you still get the soft yummy center.

this recipe used to be on Top Secret Recipes but it looks like it is no longer there. The recipe I have was originally posted in the Post Register several years ago.