Slow Stitching Crochet Blocks

 

I am slowly working on Basketweave Block #2 for my 

 Squares Sampler Afghan ~ Started Here. 

I have not made much progress with the second block as I am having a day when my health issues are troubling and I have been resting when I have not been sitting with Mr Scrapatch. and watching the football playoffs.  I will get it done when I get it done.  This is a no-stress activity for me.

I do have one of my previous squares on the blocking board. This block was definitely smaller than the first of its kind.  I do have a tendency to crochet more tightly as my stitching goes on. Blocking helps to even out my work.

I have also been perusing this new purchase, 

Crochet Stitch Dictionary by Sarah Hazell

It is a colorful and comprehensive book showing how to do each stitch in a photos and how to read a crochet chart for each stitch. 

For more of a glimpse inside this book click on the link below:

Crochet Stitch Dictionary ~ Preview on Google Books

As much as I am learning from videos online,

I like a good book on hand for reference.

I am thinking that after I complete the  squares for my

Crochet Sampler Crochet Along @ The Inspired Wren

that I may want to make another sampler squares or stripes quilt using this book.

That is thinking far to the future, though.

For now I am taking it one stitch at a time.

Linking up today with 

Slow Sunday Stitching @ Kathy's Quilts

Happy Slow Stitching!

First Basketweave Crochet Square ~ Stitched and Blocked

My first block in the 

Block Design 2 ~ Basketweave Blocks

is done. This block took me longer to stitch. 

I have also been busy with other things.

The block is a bit smaller than my first two blocks,

so I decided to block it to size.

For this process I used my 

I bought this backing board at Fat Quarter Shop:

Blocking Board by Riley Blake @ FQS

It is nice dense foam and it easy to use.

The reverse side allows you to block round blocks. 

This is an easy process.

All that is needed is a foam board, pins and a water spray bottle.

If you are unfamiliar with this process:

Hw To Block a Crochet Block @ Heart Hook Home

I plan to block al my squares for this afghan

 so they will be easier to sew together.

Time to start the second basketweaave block.

Edit:

Here is my pink basketweave square after it has dried and with the pins removed.

It now has a much more even shape to it

and the stitches look more flat and even.

I am happy with how this blocking method is working. 

I hope you are have a happy weekend!

I Like Thursday # 119 ~ I Like Smiles

 

Good  Morning and Welcome to I Like Thursday!

This is my 119th post for 

I Like Thursday @ Not Afraid of Color

where every week we share the things that make us smile. 

The above photo is of my progress on my  Sampler Squares Crochet Afghan .

I am stitching the first block of the 

Block Design 2 ~ Basketweave Blocks

I have done this block before. 

If you are unfamiliar with this, here is a good video tutorial:

Basketweave Crochet How-To Video @ Happy Berry

There is an interesting fact check in this video. The video is from the UK, where what I in the USA call a "Double Crochet" is called a "Treble Crochet."  I knew this once but had quite forgotten the difference in the terminology on opposite sides of the pond.  I hope to finish this block and start the second today.

Here is another project that makes me smile.  

Embroidery Kit from Gingiber

that I received as a gift. 

 Someone must have seen me working on 

This Improv Quilt in her "Words to Live By" fabric 

and knew it would make me smile.

The embroidery image is pre-printed so I am hoping I can see to stitch it.

I am adding two blues to the original colors in the kit as I hope to make a pillow to go with my quilt.  I hope to have both of these projects finished in 2022.

My daughter sent me this photo and it gives me a big smile.

My grand-darling is under the quilt in the above photo playing with her tablet.

Here is the link with the story of: This Old Quilt.

Everly's chosen quilt was ripped and shredded and the batting was coming out ... again. This time I was not there to help fix it.  So my daughter did.  She went to her local Joann's and found a new blue calico for the backing and new batting.  She went online and even found three yards of another ten year old fabric in the top. Then she patched and she quilted and she made the quilt larger by adding border in the new, old fabric.

Here is an enlarged photo of the old and the newly found fabric. You can see how much the blue fabric on the left has faded from the many washings. It was once the same color as the fabric on the upper right.  We know it is the same fabric, because I had found a scrap of the stuff in my stash that had the selvage information on it which helped my daughter to find a match on ebay.

Here is a photo of my beautiful grand-darling, bedhead and all, peeking out from under her quilt shortly before my daughter fixed it.  You can see how frayed the old binding was. 

Here is another photo of the newly fixed and enlarged quilt.

Everly is still under it ... her favorite place to be.

These photos makes my heart happy.  <3 

This book made me smile.  I read it and passed it on as a gift to a friend.

This book is self-published by an elderly man and it is an internet phenom.

Read the story of the man and her poems Here.

I like poems. 

I like Wordle.

Three days ago, I discovered Wordle from a friend on FB.  

I am three for three and I am hooked.

Here is the link to play online 

Wordle

I like words.

Thank you for reading my words today.

May you have a Happy Thursday!

Squares Sampler Afghan ~ First Pattern Blocks done!

 

I have completed the second block of the first block pattern

for my Squares Sampler Afghan ~ Started Here. 

Crochet Squares Sampler ~ Block 1 Pattern 

for the 

 Here is the main page for this crochet sampler: 

Crochet Sampler Crochet Along @ The Inspired Wren

I crochet much faster than I sew. 

This is also a pattern stitch that I have done long ago.

It is called the "Rib Crochet Stitch."

This is a baby afghan that I made over 38 years ago for my second baby in the rib pattern stitch.

It was part of a set that included this zipper sweater bag 

which was made in a different stitch. 

My second baby was born in November in a cold climate so he needed to be bundles up in the baby carriage when hid older brother went out to play on the snow. 

This set also cuddled and warmed my baby girl and her baby girl.

I gave away most of the things that I made so long ago, but this was a keeper.

Mayne someday it will warm a new baby somewhere.

 I am happy to crocheting again.

What are you working on?

My Stitch Sew and Show Linky Party will be back tomorrow.

See you then ... :) 

Monday Morning ~ Brrrr!

 

Monday Morning ~ Cold, Sunny, Windy ~ Yarn!

I am on the second block in the

 Crochet Squares Sampler ~ Block 1 Pattern

and I have chosen this dusty gray yarn. This was not in my yarn bag as that was for pastel granny squares,  I had a few more odd skeins in my small yarn stash. 

I have decided I want to make a pink and gray

 Squares Sampler Afghan ~ Started Here.

As it is bitterly cold outside, it is a good day to stay in and sit and crochet.

I've got my yarn (and my long underwear and thermal knee socks) to keep me warm ... and my lap cat ...or two or three.  As I have only one lap, they must take turns.

This is my lap Katniss.  

Katniss says, "No disturbing the Kat, I am cozy here under the fleece blanket."

Yarn Colors ~ Plan A

I have two pinks and two grays in my

  Red Heart Super Saver Worsted Weight Yarn.

These colors are "Dusty Gray, Perfect Pink, Light Gray and Petal Pink" from left to right.  I do not have enough of these to make the sampler afghan.  I have to make the choice or adding more colors or buying more gray yarn. 

Yarn Colors ~ Plan B

I have a few skeins of white, so if I add this to the pink and gray, I should have enough to complete the afghan.  I may still need more pink as one of the skeins was not complete. 

Yarn Colors ~ Plan C

I have one and a half skeins of this pretty aqua called "Aruba." 

I think that I am liking these colors together. 

Yarn Colors ~ Plan D 

If I go with these colors, I am pretty sure that I have all I need.

I am feeling very unsure about the white, though.

Right now I am leaning towards Plan A or Plan C.

I may see if I can find more light gray yarn.

Decisions ... decisions ??

Which would you choose? 

A New Crochet Sampler Start

A New Crochet Sampler Start

While I am waiting for the next monthy kit and pattern to arrive for my

 Christmas Candy Crochet Sampler Row Quilt I decided to play with some of the yarn from my old yarn bag and I have started a squares sampler afghan based on this free crochet along: 

 Here is the main page for this crochet sampler: 

Crochet Sampler Crochet Along @ The Inspired Wren

As you can see this crochet-along is from 2015. 

The individual block pages are still available for free or you may purchase the whole pattern for only $4.99. 

Here is the pattern page for the first block: 

Crochet Squares Sampler ~ Block 1 Pattern

This is the pattern stitch for block 1

It is called Single Crochet Back Loop Only.

The pattern abbreviation for this is "sc blo" 

Here is a video tutorial showing how to do this stitch:

"SC BLO" Free Instruction Video by JeansMcQueens

If you are never crocheted before or wish to revive old skills as I am doing, there are many video tutorials out there on the internet to show you what you need to know. Here are some videos top help you get started ... 

Here is a good beginner's video for right-handers:

How To Crochet for Absolute Beginner's by SimplyDaisy

Here is a goo beginner's video for left-handers

How to Crochet Left Handed by Bella Coco

I think the squares sampler crochet along is suitable for advanced beginners.

I am enjoying it as a "getting back to crochet" plan.

Nutmeg continues to be very helpful with this effort and is clearly laying claim to the future crocheted blanket.

My blocks will be 12" square.

The pattern calls for 9" finished blocks, but the yarn is lighter weight than what I have on hand.

I am using worsted weight yarn and a size J - 6.0mm hook.

I have added the single crochet border called for in the pattern

 and my first block is done! 

The crochet along pattern calls for making two blocks in each pattern in two colors.

I am still determining colors as I do not have the called for number of skeins in my small yarn stash.

Block 2 coming soon!

Anyone interested in crocheting along with me and making your own version of this pretty sampler afghan? 

I hope you and yours are having a happy healthy and safe weekend.

<3