Crochet Edge Hello Kitty Fleece Blanket

I'll share a story of fabric shopping at Joann's with my Granddaughter, Grace.  You may be out shopping for a specific fabric or just perusing, looking for something that touches your fancy.  Well shopping with her is an experience, she will find something she likes and before you get out of the store.... You have your next project!  We saw this fleece fabric in Joann's and said "Nana, we need to make something out of this fabric, it is so beautiful, it's so soft and cozy!  I just want to snuggle with Hello Kitty."

I crocheted a neon green and purple edge around the blanket, and 

both these yarns have a nice shimmer or sparkle to them. This was just a really nice touch to the blanket.  She wanted a fleece pillowcase, so we made a pillowcase cover for her 12" X 16" travel pillow.

I made this blanket, which measures about 60" X 72".

She has been wanting to go camping, so we found this sleeping bag that has glow in the dark lightening bugs on the bag.  Of course one can not go camping without a flashlight.  Well nana and papa have and adventure coming soon! ( Maybe we can camp out in the living room! )

Every child needs a flashlight, if there going camping!

Now she has got pillowcases... One for her big pillow, one for her travel pillow, and her 

fleece pillow cover.

She is ready to go adventuring with nana and papa!

Dark Sage and Watercolors Crochet Throw

Several years back I made this pretty throw crocheted throw made from Caron Simply Soft yarn.  The colors I used was Dark Sage, White and Watercolors.   I choose the variegated color called Watercolors because it reminded me of Monet Paintings... you know the ones?

I made it for my friend Carrie for her birthday, she lives in the Bay Area.  I was hard to part with it because it was so soft, but it was made especially for her with some of her favorite colors.

 

I have made several Afghans over the years.   These are usually my winter projects because you can have them in your lap, working on them and at the same time they are keeping you warm!   Most of the time I choose a special person that I want to give a gift, or I choose a color I want to make into a blanket, or if I have some one in mind and I know that persons favorite color(s), and then sometimes its both that help me make the decision.



I learned how to knit and crochet when I was fairly young, I guess I started when I was around 10 years old.  I learned from both my grandmothers, one knit and the other did crochet.  Hands down... I like crocheting better than knitting any day, but most of the pretty designs are mostly knitting. 


The difference between the two styles to me is mostly that in knitting you have to pay real close attention to your stitches, so not to loose them, and it can be slightly tedious detailed work.  Where with crocheting is not that bad... depending on which stitch that you choose to do, with some crochet stitches they are so easy that you can actually do them by touch and feel.  Now... all of you know that the only difference between knitting needles and crochet needles is one has a hook on the end and the other doesn't, and for those of you who are reading this and don't know what these needles look like here is a few pictures with needles and design that show the difference.   

Knitting                                             Crocheting

This picture here shows using a white crochet hook to save stitches in a knitting project that they were using black knitting needles.

There is so many different things that you can knit and crochet.  I think I'm going to research and maybe try my and at some children's pretend play food.

 These are real awesome pieces of art, just look at this play food! 
 I'm going to try my hand at some pretend play food.  I think both knitted and crocheted real soon!  

Crocheted Lap Throw in the Paris Stitch

Long years ago... way back when I was about 10-12 years old, my grandmother taught me how to crochet. I have really enjoyed crocheting over the years. I tend to do most of my crocheting in the winter months. I have made several throws and some larger blankets. When I starting crocheting, I only knew how to do the single stitch and a double stitch. Of course over the years, now I know several stitches, but my most favorite stitch is the Paris stitch. This is the one I'm sharing with you here today.

Here is a lap throw I made several years ago in some of my favorite colors. 
I used Lion brand Wool Ease Yarn in Pines Print
~ Black, Pine Green, and Deep Navy ~

This lap throw measure about 45 inches x 45 inches




Here is the instructions for the Paris Stitch 

This is a fairly easy stitch to crochet. You have the instructions now....so give it a try!
The only stitches that you need to know for this pattern is a chain stitch, single stitch, and the double stitch.

Here is a throw that I'm working on right now in another favorite color, deep purple. 
It measures about 65 inches x 65 inches.  A real nice size to cuddle up on the sofa with a real good book.... if you know what I mean!