I finished my second beanie

Front View

Off Side View

Two day ago, I finished my second beanie. I was not thrilled with the pattern. Now, I now that I should not complain, but I am just speaking the truth.

First, I do not think I liked the pattern. Reading it, it was easy, but I do not know why we chained two at the beginning of each row. Why not chain three and call it a double crochet? I do not know, maybe that is what she liked.

Rear view

Side View

Second, it was very small. The woman who created the beanie pattern must have a small head. I assumed that it would be an adult side beanie. Everyone in the family has a big head, so I thought the boys would be able to fit the beanie. I tried to put it on and it looked like a yamaka. I know that I have a big head, but it should not look like a yamaka. I mean, It Really did. I am jut happy that it fit the doll's head for the pictures.

Lastly, it looked a little generic. I do know that is the point of the this pattern. It is a generic beanie so that you can customize it with different colors, add an embellishment, but, this is even plain for a monk or a nun.

I can say some nice things about it. It is very soft. It uses double crochet so that it is more flexable compared to the first one. Who know, maybe with a little tweaking, I will end up loving this pattern. 

Oh, I also finished two of the scraves that I am making for my nieces. I posted them on Tumblr,, so head over there to see them. 

My First Beanie

Every year, Granny takes her time and makes a matching hat and a scarf for everyone. I wanted to give it a try. I personally hat working in the rounds. I hate making circle. It always comes out lopsided so I give it up. This time I kept at it. I finished.

I made an adult size beanie. I completed most of it at work. I just had two rounds to do when I got home last night.  The stitches are very close together, and makes the hat very stiff. Well, I know it is mainly from using single crochet, and a size G hook. I like it though. I think my nephew will like it too.

Starting it was a pain in my you know what. It is black yarn and it was very hard to see the stitches until I was bout five rounds out. OH, and the phone rang at work in the middle of every out. lol. I learned a trick: Write down the number of stitched before answering the phone. That really helps.

I took the pictures using my wig head. It only cost $5.99. Now, I need to find a just my size Barbie, and a doll about the size of an infant. If anyone finds one at a garage sale, please pick it up, I'll pay you back.

Well, I am off to experiment with another hat pattern. TTYL

Front View of the Beanie

Side view of the beanie

Making My First Beanie

I have been putting a lot of effort into finding things for my nieces. Cute skirts, shawls, toys, scarves. I mean there are tons of thing out there for girls. I am really starting to feel bad for my nephews. I am not finding anything that I would like to make for them. So, I thought I would practice making beanies.

I figured, if I could master the beanie, which I am horrible with. I just cannot work in the rounds. I could crochet boy things to it. I am not sure what, but I will figure it out. Plus, they do not have hair, and their head will be cold in the winter.

Today, I am going to attempt making a beanie at work. It is only 31 rounds and should not take me very long. I hope not at least. I am using this pattern from Crochet Spot.

I hope to have pictures up this evening using my wig head. Wish me luck.

I am a total Slacker.

Jonathan's Completed Blanket.

Way back in May 2011, I finished Jonathan's afghan, and I promise to post the finished size. Well, did I? NNNNOOOOOO. But I am now, doesn't that count?

This blanket was so freaking big and heavy. It is, however, light enough to sleep in. It covers my queen size bed and some. I recall taking an hour to go complete one row. That is, of course, at the widest part of the blanket. It does not help that the blanket is entirely single crochet. What was I thinking? But it did come out beautiful. He seems to love it. I gave it to him early. MERRY CHRISTMAS--in Spring.

Doesn't it look pretty

I loved how I completed the border. It is very simple. Two rows of the variegated color, three rows of the solid colors, two rows of the variegated color, and two rows of the solid blue color. All single crochet. It really makes it pop.

Another angle of the border.

Now for the drum roll please. What is the completed size of Jonathan's blanket? 88" by 71". Now that is a big blanket. He can curl up in it, or decorate his bed with it. I cannot wait to get more blankets completed. I just cannot wait.

I got ditched last night, but have the best Garden Burger Ever!!!!

Last night I was suppose to take my nephew and niece out to dinner, but life happens, and I got ditched. :(

I was really sad, I just wanted to be a world's best Auntie and take them out to dinner. Is that so wrong? Well, my partner in crime said, "Let's go out to Palm Springs and watch the second half of the All-Star Game." I did not really want to go. He convinced me by saying the dry air would help my allergies, and after the game we could sit in the mineral water. Soaking in warm mineral water, relaxing. I am in. It would be better than sitting at home all depressed because I got "stood up." (For those who care, National League won).

He gave me the directions to a restaurant called, Burgers & Beer. It is located in Rancho Mirage, right off the 10 freeway. I got there about ten minutes early so I asked my partner in crime, "Where is a Joann's?" His response was comical!! He said, "Oh no, we did not come out here for you to go to Joann's. You could go to Joann's back home. We are coming out here to watch a game an relax. I am not going to find a Joann's and walk through it."

Well, the Lord works in mysterious ways. I parked my car off to the side of Burgers & Beer. I walked to the front door, and what do I see, JO-ANN'S. It is located at the other end of the strip mall. I tell him I am going into the store. I have to explain to him that each store will carry different products. Different items are on clearance at each store, I just want to look. I promised to leave the moment he pulled into the parking lot.

I head directly to the yarn section. I find what is on sale Vickie Howell Stitch. Rock. Love. SHEEP(ISH), $2.99 a skein. I have to get it. But guess what happens? My partner in crime is there. I had to walk back to the restaurant.

I walk back to Burgers & Beer, it was nice. It was dimly lit, the staff was friendly, the the menu was reasonable priced. There were T.V. screens every where. The restaurant was full, you would never guess that we were in a recession. I thought, "This is a place that I could come back too."

We sat in the bar, and order a Patron margarita each. I was very surprise, I really got two for the price of one. They came out with the glass full with ice, and on the side there was a "shaker" with the margarita. The bar tender pour the margarita in our glasses, and there was enough for another margarita. All for the very low price of $8.25 each. WOW!!!

I think I could make a few beanies for boys with these colors

These are awesome colors.

After we order the food, I walked back to Joann's and got ten skeins of yarn. I just could not help myself. I really could not. I want to make a hat from it. I also got colors that boys could wear, with a few girlie colors.

I finished paying, and by the time I got back, our food was there. OMGosh, it was the best garden burger I have every had. As a vegetarian, I have had my fair share of "garden" burgers. Most restaurants, stick in in the microwave for a few minutes to warm it up. It gets all dry, some are even down right nasty. Most do not even have a flavor. You have to add something to it. Not this one. It was moist, like they marinated it. It had flavor. I just added a little mustard. I ordered mine with grilled onions and pepper jack cheese, on a honey wheat bun. It was great. It was so good, I am thinking about making a trip out there just for a burger.

All the burgers come dry. No mayo, ketchup, mustard, "special sauce," or pickles. Just the bun, patty, lettuce, tomato. Unless you order one of the twenty-eight specialty burgers, then it will come with what is stated on the menu. They will bring you out a tray with dressings. You get: mayo, mustard, ketchup, pickles, jalapenos with carrots, yellow pepper (those are hot, and I LOVE hot food). I was in heaven.

I thought about taking a picture, but once I took a bite, I could not put it down. I did not even eat the fries. That is a miracle. I normally eat my fries before I eat my burgers. It was the best. I would highly recommend, that if you are in the deserts, to go to Burgers & Beer. There are four different location. You can also take a look at their website, BurgersAndBeer.com. I promise you, you will not be disappointed.

The Finished Product

I finished the wall unit. I actually finished the wall unit around the July 1, 2011. They are very sturdy. In fact, they have fallen off of my wall at least 3 times each. The only damage is the scratches from falling off the wall.

The completed wall unit

To complete the wall unit I just wrapped the outside with shelving paper. The same "contact" paper that you would line kitchen cabinets or drawers with. I only did the outside, because the inside is full with yarn. I mean it is really full of yarn.

The bottom unit, was in my closet to hold my shoes. I was not using it the way I was suppose to be using it. My shoes are sitting in a pile right outside my door, so I said to myself, "Jam go put some yarn in there." So I did. I also put some projects in there and they are ready for me to use. What a great ideal.

I will tell you right now, getting these to say on the wall was a pain in my ass. Please excuse my French, but it was. First, I wasted $50.00 trying to get it to stick to the wall. I though, I would you a lot of the 3M picture hangers, and mounting tape. I was wrong, it fell off the wall. Then I use nails, that worked until July 2, 2011. I had a BBQ, and with everyone coming in and out of the door, it fell right in the middle of the party. My sister said that would happen. It spilled BBQ sauce on my floor. It broke my box fan. I snapped at my big brother, and we almost had WWIII. I was just about to give up, until I was told a little secret.

I was told to go to Home Depot and get dry wall screws and washers. I had to get really long dry wall screws, and a large washer with a small hole. I was told to place the washer on the inside of the box, and drill through into the wall. Guess what? IT WORK. I waited a whole week to see if it will stay, and sure enough, it has. My yarn as a had a home since then.

3" Dry Wall Screws, and a 1" washer. This was my life saver.

I should probably say, that is is in my living room. Everyone was shocked when they walked into my house and way it. But, I love it there and I am very glad that it is not in my craft room. I sit in "my" recliner and crochet. I take a break, look at the yarn and come up with ideals. It works for me and I am so happy to see it there. I would not change it for the world.

Well, now you all know how to make it, I all expect to see you with a wall unit made from boxes. If you are going to hang it from your wall, please learn from my mistakes. Use dry wall screws or dry wall anchors if you are attaching it to dry wall.

Finally, I have the yarn for the girl's scarves

Over the weekend, I took three of my nieces to Michael's to purchase yarn to make their ruffled scarves. It was really cute, and they were all behaved. When we walked in, I told them that were were ducks and we have to all walk in line, like ducks. So, we walked, all the way to the back corner of the store, and they did not touch one thing. I was so proud of them.

We made it to the yarn section, and had them choose between Red Heart Super Saver or Caron Simply Soft. I let them choose what color spoke to them. It was funny. First they wanted blue, then pinks, then purples. There even were choosing colors that they did not like. For example, my niece that like pink, pick up a blue. My niece that like purple pick a pink. The baby of the bunch would pick one that her sister choose. lol. It was really cute. I think, in the end, they all choose colors that they would all enjoy, what do you think?

For my baby niece. The color is BonBon Print

My second baby niece. The color is Iris. It is really a bright deep purple.

My second oldest niece chose Baby Brights Ombre. Doesn't this look familiar?

All their yarn together. I need to get stitching. School starts in about 3 weeks.

I am on Tumblr

I think that I have said this before, but if I have not, I am on Tumblr. I started a Tumblr blog a few weeks ago, because it was suggested to me. I was told that it would be a great way to show how far I have gone each day, and use the blogger account more as a "diary." It is working. Especially, since I have not wrote a blog in more than a week. I have a huge list of things that I need to write about. They are all coming I promise. :)

My objective on Tumblr is to post one picture a day. I will try to do it in the morning, but sometimes, it may be later in the afternoon. It will be what I am working on. Where I am starting my day. Maybe it will be a funny picture. You will be surprise by what I see on my way to work or while I am at work.

I should probably let you know what I did this morning. In fact, it is the only thing I did this morning. I uploaded all my pictures to Flickr. I learned one very valuable lesson, I have to update my Flickr account every week. Or at least every other week. It was insane!!!!! I had to add tags. I had to create sets. I have to add to sets. I still have several to add to groups.

Then I had to add the work to Ravelry. I updated my projects. Added pictures, responded to emails. I am ready for a nap now. Only three more hours to go.

Well, to see what I have on these sites, head on over to my contact page.

Day Two and It worked!!!!!!

I just checked the shelves during my lunch break. IT worked, gluing them standing up worked. Thank Goodness. I thought I was going to have to take a spray bottle to the boxes and try to separate them. Just kidding, I was going to buy more boxes. I really glad that I did not have to do that.

I am so excited that it work. You just do not understand the stress I was under. I had a few minutes, so I glued more. I feel like I am really behind on the project, but I am not. I am right on track.

I stacked two of the complete rows together to make the two row of three. I am debating on gluing to make it six rows of two.  It is really big, and I think that I would be able to re-use it if I keep it cubbies of two row of three.

It worked!!! Gluing the rows together.

I am so excited.

Day Two and we have two problems :/

Last night, it all looked like it was going to be great, but it was not. The two units that I "smashed" together, laying down on the floor decided that they wanted to push apart. Not by much, by no more than a quarter of an inch. I had to fixed this. Think Jam!!! Think!!!

Well, it is a good think my brain works in the morning with out coffee. I poured glue in the crack, and stood them up. I weighed them down and will let them dry. I think this will work. We I will check on them on lunch. I noticed it takes about five hours to dry. Everyone, cross your fingers.

The other problem that we have is it too big. Yes it will cover too much of my wall. So I am going to redesign it it. It will be two rows of six boxes so it will run the length of the walls. I did learn a lesson, measure, measure, measure. lol. I am gluing another box to the other the two that were already glued together. Again, Cross your fingers please. A post will be ready after lunch. I hope it is a good one.

Day One & a half

I woke up this morning and just could not wait to see what my wall unit looked like. Was it dry? Did it all fall apart on me? Was I going to cry? Well so far, it is working. YIPPIE!!!!! Over night it dried. It is very strong and sturdy. This is going to work. I decided to add one box to three that I created the night before.

I had a little to worry about, this morning. The bottoms will not stay close together. I have a solution. Use dumbbells and really heavy piggy banks. I laid two on the carpet, and forced them to join using the weights and dumbbells. The other, I had to leave standing up and stack it with books and cans. I won't know if it worked until later. My fingers are crossed.

So far, this is what it is looking like:

Stacked with books and can goods

The debit free and vacation fund is keeping these together.

Day One of Making my Wall Unit

Boy am I tired!!!! Work has been really show, but for some reason it was really busy today. I will take it. Any hoot, I got home and I am ready to start working on the wall unit. First thing I did was tape up all the boxes. I wanted to make sure they do not come apart so I used a lot of tape. In fact, I have to go and buy more tape. There are two boxes that are not taped, but they will go on last, I think.

After, I put them together how I think I want them on my wall. After several different designs, I choose the one that I like the best. I had to figure out what I wanted before I started gluing. What Mod Podge brings together, let no make take it apart. Trust me I have tried before.

This is my design

I think this will work for me.

Now it is time to start gluing!

Pouring the glue onto the box

Spread the glue around

Make sure is it an even coat

I only glued two boxes together at this time. I want to make sure it dries.I used clothes pins, can goods, and books to weigh the top box onto the bottom box. Now my living room looks more like my kitchen pantry, or a disarrayed book store. I am going to bed. I wonder what it will look like in the morning.

This one even has a full piggy bank on it

I hope it all dries

I am going to be adventurous.

Sometime last week, Kozy Sensations, posted this question on her Facebook Wall, "I desperately need ideas. What is the best way to store yarn so I can see all that I have and works well in a small space? Thanks!" There were many suggestion, one of which was a wall unit. I like the ideal of a wall unit and I had to have one.

Valorie, of Creations by Valorie wall unit was the best. She said she made a wall unit by super gluing boxes together. To make them looking prettier, she covered the finished project with contact paper. She recommended that you get free boxes from local stores. Her main rule, make sure the boxes are all the same size. That to me, is just too much work.

I took the time to look at boxes at different location. The different sizes, quality of boxes, the feel. Yes, I will purchase a box based on how it feels. I likes the small boxes from Home Depot. I think thirteen will do it. I already picked up packing tape, Mod Podge, foam brushes, white contact paper and clamps. So tonight, after work, I will get started. I am so excited.

All of my yarn will be in open faced boxes on my wall and not in plastic tubs stacked to the ceiling. What will I do with the tubs now?

I LOVE this yarn!!!

I have been making baby bibs, and I originally started using Sugar 'n Cream 100% cotton yarn. I used all the colors I could find at my local Joann and Michael, so I went to Wal-Mart. I found a different yarn, and it was roughly fifty cents cheaper then Michael. The yarn is Peaches & Cream. Of course I bought it. How could I not? Well, any-hoot, I fell in love. The yarn is just as soft, just as durable, more color selections, and cheaper.

So I secretly purchased $20.00 worth of yarn from Peaches & Cream's website. I was even more impressed. I received the yarn in about five days. It was wrapped in plastic bags, and filled with packing peanuts. You will be surprised how often I receive yarn with no packing peanuts. It also came with a few free pattern. I am so in Love. As you can see from the pictures, I mainly order solid colors. I plan to use them for the borders of the bibs.

So last weekend, I looked on their website, and the yarn was on sale. NINETY-NINE CENTS A SKEIN!!!! I would be a fool not to purchase yarn at that price. Well, my momma didn't raise no fool, so I purchased several more skeins. Mainly, solid colors to use on the bibs. I am so excited. I cannot wait for them to get here. They should be here on Monday. Hurry up Monday. lol.

I am surrounding by baby bibs

Today is Father's Day. Happy Father's day to everyone out there. I woke up and did not really want to do much. Unfortunately, I had to. So, I started my day texting my daddy. Then, I went grocery shopping for the week. I am making pinto beans for nachos or burritos. I washed dishes. For people who know me, that is a miracle. So, my Sunday was pretty much routine.

I am also working my butt off with the baby bib. I woke up this morning, and decided to count how many baby bibs that I have. I have to admit, I am way behind. I have five completed and thirty-five that have the bib completed, but need the border and button. I was hoping to get ten more completed today, but it will probably be next weekend. Well, back to making my baby bibs.

My little brother wearing a baby bib. How cute!!

Charity: To Be Bless, is to Give

I take crochet classes at Joann's all the time. I sign up for every class they offer, as long as I have not taken it before. So while taking the classes, I meet awesome women and men, who enjoy crocheting or are starting to enjoy crocheting. One of the crocheters is Marcie. Marcie and her husband are truly awesome. They are both retired and have set out to give back to their community through their church. They both make scarves for the homeless, he looms, she crochets. They both work at a food bank. They both participate in community outreach programs. One of the outreach programs is, Bridges Program for Girls. It in focus on at-risk teen mothers and is ran through Alternate Avenues.

The state of California has made it illegal for minors to get an abortion, without parental consent. Minors who attempt to get abortions are turned away, some clinics will recommend family services, therapy, our groups to help the minor decide on what she will do. Marcie's works with Bridges Program for Girls to help the young women. They help the girls decide if they want to keep the child or give it up for adoption. They offer therapy, parenting classes, and activities for the soon to be mothers and fathers. As a member of the group, the soon to be parents earn "vouchers" to purchase items for the new born. They earn the vouchers by attending the organized events, going to the prenatal check ups, and staying healthy. I wanted to help.

Two months ago, I took a class on how to crochet a baby bib. There are not enough babies wearing crochet baby bibs and there definitely should be more. The bibs are very easy and take about 2-3 hours from start to finish. They are made from 100% cotton yarn, so they can be thrown into the washing machine. To get my family to participate I created a Facebook photo album where they can suggest the border for the bib. The album cover is the picture below.

Click here to go to the Facebook Album

I have been making bibs, for about a month now, all for charity. I am trying to make fifty, as of this morning I have 32. I am close, so I hope to get there soon.

My Needle Crafting Group.

Way back in April, I was looking for a group to crochet with. I searched, and I searched, and I searched but I could not find a group in my city. Yes, I found some in Corona, Upland, Claremont, Redlands, and Riverside, but not in Ontario. So I went to MeetUp.com and continued to look. Again, I did not find a group in Ontario. I was disappointed. My Boyfriend, was so understanding. He supported me by donating the fees to create a group--there is a fee on MeetUp.com to create a group-- and start finding others who enjoy needle crafting. I named my group Dinner & Skeins. The whole point of group is to get get together and stitch. It does not matter if you knit, crochet, loom, hand quilt, embroider, sew, sometime it is fun to do it with other people.

So far, we have had two meeting. I am trying to keep the meetings on the third Wednesday of every month and it has been a blast. I hold it at a Pizza/Sports Bar called Michael Angelos's Pizza. The cost of a meal is about $10.00 so it is not expensive. The way I look at it, yarn is expensive, to crochet should not be. I have yet to have over ten people show up, but with time, I know I will. Each group has been different people, but the energy is so high. I think we have so much fun.

We eat, we joke, we laugh, we ask questions about what we are working on, we stitch. Oh course we show off. Like a goober, I forgot to take pictures. That can happen when you are having too much fun. lol. But here is the run down:

• Michael brought in his Sackboy amigurumi. They were so cute. He taught himself how to crochet because his son wanted a Sackboy action figure. He has only been crocheting for a year, but it looks like he has been doing it for his entire life. He sells them on Etsy, so here is his store front, MiCrochet, go check him out.
• Martha brought in a knit cable blanket that she completed. It was four different colors and used ten skeins of yarn at a time. She also is making a "cable" crochet blanket for her grandson. It is awesome. The colors of the afghan are heather grey, lime green, and a hint of black.
• Liz, who has an alter ego by the name of, CroDiva, brought in the squares for a square. I forgot what group they were from, but the name of the swap for this month is "Wine Tasting." Liz will crochet forty squares and then mail them to a member of the swap. That person will then assembly them. How cool is that?
• Jacob came and he brought Scott. Jacob wants to learn how to crochet so we were all giving him pointers. He is doing a great job, and in time he will be a pro.
• Sally, who works were we meet got off work early and joined our group. She is making an American flag Afghan that she wants to have completed for July Fourth. She started five years ago and hopes to have it finished this year. I think she can do it.
• Last, there was me. I worked on my baby bibs, and helped when there are question.

Any hoot. Our next one will be on Wednesday, July 20, 2011. Come on out and join us.

Our Fan Page

My niece is a talker

I mentioned over the weekend that I am going to make my four younger nieces, so I took my niece to Wal-Mart to purchase yarn she wanted. All I have to say is, my niece can talk. I had her for just about twenty minutes, and she talked the whole twenty minutes. I do not think that she took two breaths at all.


She talked about her friends, and going to kindergarten, and her clothes, and her toys, she know her daddy's cell phone number at heart, her new room, and having a slumber party (I am invited). And so much more. All I remember saying most of the time was, "Uh-Huh," "Really," "Turn here," "Watch where you are going."

They maybe baby colors, but she is no baby.

She chose colors like her personality, Multi-Color.

I do not know like the yarn selection at the Wal-Mart we went to. It was away from from the "needlecrafting" section with beads and fine art. It was least than half an aisle, with the basic colors. There was very little yarn for babies. Some Simply Soft, some Lion's Brand. Mostly Red Heart, but not nearly as much as the Wal-Mart in Chino. I will say that I was disappoint. Wal-Mart do you not know that there are people who enjoy crocheting and knitting and we need yarn?

I have my First Follower.

I have been trying to post regularly, but as you can see, that is not for me. But I am trying, crocheter honor. So last week, I was followed for the first time. It was not a family or a friend trying to make me feel better, it is someone who have not meet me before. How exciting is that? So for them, I am going to make an effort to post more often. I do not want her to be bored.

To be honest, I did not think I was going to have a follower until next year. I know that it takes time to get followers, and I understand that the follower has to be interested in what you are doing. Having a follower two months in is exciting. So, this Post is dedicated to my first follower, LaCresha. I would like to say thank you for following me. I hope that you enjoy my post.

P.S. I followed back to Crechet.

♥ Jam

I am making scarves

I went to my sister's house this morning, did a little shopping, but mostly stayed at her house. I took with me some really old yarn, I think it is about four years old, because I am making a ruffled scarf for my niece. The yarn is multi-color and my niece loves color. For those who know me, they will tell you, I will wear about 3-6 colors at one time. I believe bright colors make you feel happy. Any hoot, I took my completed ruffled scarves with me. I took a class at Joann and I completed a crochet along with Let's Crochet. The girls loved them. Now they each want a scarf, so I asked my sister to bring them over so that I can take them to my Wal-Mart to pick out they color that they want.

SO, I guess the girls will have ruffled scarves for the new year of school.

Scarf I made in the Joann's Class

Scarf I made with the Mystery Crochet Along with Let's Crochet

The scarf I made in my JoAnn's class again.

Rainbow Bright

I made this bib last night, and when I finished, all I could think about was the 1980's cartoon Rainbow Bright, so I thought I would share it with you. The color is a little off because the picture is taken in my office, but you will get the idea.

Jonathan' blanket is finished

I finally finished Jonathan's blanket. Well, I still have to do the border, but the blanket is done. I stopped at row 416. That is just crazy. Next pictures will be of a complete blanket.

I am going Shopping... SSSSHhhhhh do not tell anyone

Like most afternoons, I was just playing around on Facebook, and I found this great deal one pound of yarn for $3.99. Yes, one pound of yarn for $3.99. I found the link on Caron's Facebook Page.

The one pound bag is called, Caron's Mill End One Pound Bag. You purchase the yarn, but you have no ideal what you will be getting. I could get something bulky, thin, furry, or silky.  How exciting it that? I could get one skein of one pound yarn, or I could get several balls totally one pound. I just do not know what to do with myself.

The bag of yarn will becomes someone's blanket, but whose? Will I get baby yarn? Will it be pink? Blue? Yellow? Will it be bulky? A nice throw for mom's living room. I cannot take it any more. I have to purchase this yarn now.

Where am I on Jonathan's Blanket?

I woke up this morning, after trying to stay up all night crocheting--I fell asleep at 10PM-- on row 316. I feel like this blanket will never end. I am close, but not close enough. The Joann's by my house do not have the yarn that I need. I purchased the last four skeins last night, so if I run out, I do not know what to do. I am on my fifteenth skein I think. It may be my sixteenth. I am making progress. I hope to finish it this weekend. I really hope to finish it this week. I have other blankets to do.

This is Jonathan's Blanket as of 05-10-2011

On 5-10-11 so close, so close

Only Six Skeins left, I hope I make it to the end.

I am Slacking

I know, I know, I have not posted a blog in like a week. You can kick me later. Even though I have not posted a blog, does not mean that I was not busy. I have been crocheting like crazy. As of this morning, I am on row 300 on Jonathan's blanket, and I think I will have it done this weekend. Well, I hope I will have it done this weekend. I have to go and buy two more skeins, so I really hope that is all the yarn that I need.

I also have been promoting my meetup.com group, Dinner & Skeins. Putting up Fliers, mailing fliers, posting ads. I would like for it to be beneficial for all.

The past weekend was Mother's day weekend, and I spent the entire weekend with my mommy. I lied to her and told her that we were going to the Del Mar Sew, Craft, & Quilting Festival. It is next weekend. Oh, boy did she call everyone and told them how I messed up the date. lol. It was okay, because I have to steal her for the big surprise. So I took her to get a mani-pedi, we went out to dinner and lunch, and we went to Joann's. I got the yarn for the Special Olympics scarves and she got items for plastic canvasing. Other than that, we just sat around my house.

I do have to tell you a very funny story. On Mother's day, my niece almost told the surprise. The children--there is 9 of us, took my mom to Marie Calendar's brunch. Mommy had no ideal. She knew we were going to do something, but she did not know what. So, my niece called my mom to say happy mother's day and told her that she and her mom have a surprise for her. My sister had to snatch the phone. SMH, little kids. I cannot be mad at her she is only three years old. We did have a blast. We had to wait two hours for a table, and we all ate until we could barely move. Good thing I live close by. Well, that is pretty much it.

Yarn Crawl Part I: My take on Needles & Niceties

I actually started my yarn crawl in Upland, on Saturday, April 23, 2011. I went online and found Needles & Niceties. It was really easy to find. Just drive up Mountain Ave.

Needles & Niceties is run by a lovely husband and wife team, Bob and Ana. You may see their poodle hanging around the table.

The shop is a nice size, well lit, and an awry of products for all needle crafts. Most of the yarn comes from animals. I am sorry Vegan friends. For those who do not really care, they have beautiful, specialty balls; all balls no skeins. The price of yarn is fair for the market. It starts at $5.00 and goes up from there. Perfect if you want to purchase for a special hat or scarf. Or if you are looking for something that no one else has.

There are a lot of supplies for those who embroider. I know that the major chains are reducing these sections, so if you live in the area, you should stop by.

The reason I really went there was to learn about the classes that are offered. I take a lot of classes at JoAnn. In fact, JoAnn is the only place near me who offers classes and I wanted to branch out a little. What surprised me is the price of the class. It is only $5.00. That is correct, it is only $5.00. All that they ask is for you to purchase the supplies at the stores. Each student receives attention for the product they are working on. Just bring you’re your directions/instructions. Each class is small, just about 4-5 students, so please call to RSVP yourself a spot. If you have already purchased the yarn, and you still need help, call to have a one-on-one lesson. It is $10.00 per hour. That is a bargain.

Here are the class times:

Wednesday……………………..1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Thursday………………………..11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Friday…………………………...11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Saturday…………………………3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Are you ready to visit Needles & Niceties?

1655 N. Mountain Ave., Suite 116

Upland, CA 91784

(909) 985-6264

I took a break =D

I took a break from crocheting, I know I am a very bad girl. I just did not feel like working on my blankets. I also did not feel like writing about my experience at the different yarn shops, or editing videos. I will feel like it one day, I promise.

I did, however, sign up for twitter. That is correct, I am officially on Twitter. You can follow me @CrochetingJam.

I also wanted to make myself a bookmark. I just bought a planner to write a daily "TO DO LIST." I thought it would be cool to keep track of the page that I am on. So during lunch I went to Micheal's and bought the supplies. I made myself a pretty heart bookmark. I want to try the fan one tomorrow. I mean, the office should be quiet.

I will tell you something that is very interesting. I am taking an online class about the internet. This week, one of my assignments is to create a blogger account, and post two blogs. I think I am going to get full points on that assignment, what do you think?

The Claremont Yarn Crawl

I woke up this morning at 4:30. I worked my butt off to finish Every's blanket. Yup, it is done. Two down thirty to go. So, I decided to go to a new yarn shop in Claremont, California and they were having an event called, the Yarn Crawl. You visit the three shops in the area for an opportunity to win a basket of supplies.  How could I pass it up?

The shops are all within walking distance of one another, they each have different type yarns and supplies. I'll post a blog about each of the stores tomorrow.

Working on Avery's Blanket.

I have been so busy trying to ahow you on how to complete the pattern that I used for Brooklyn's and Jonathan's blanket, that I forgot to tell you about the blanket I am working on for Avery. I started it about a week ago, and I am almost finish. YAY!!!

I purchased 19 skeins of yarns, and as of this morning, I have 6 1/2 left. I think it will be done this weekend. OMG, I am so stoked. Then on to the next one. I promise not to get ahead of myself.

This is Avery's Blanket in the morning of 04/19/2011.

There were 9 skeins left.

I am on YouTube.

Information on Brooklyn's and Jonathan Blanket

As I promised, here is the information on the Diagonal Striped Blanket pattern that I used for Brooklyn's and Jonathan's blankets.

I originally found the pattern on Joann's website, however, the instructions were very confusing. So, I went to Lion Brand Yarn and found better instructions. If you would like to see the instructions on Lion Brand, you will have to sign up. Do not worry, it is free to sign up, and all the patterns that are listed are free so it is worth it.

The beginning of the pattern, you will crochet a triangle. That is correct a triangle. The side that you are stitching will get longer, and longer, and longer, and you will add more and more stitches. The 'ends' or the actually sides of the blanket will be relatively shorter than the side you are working. What you will have to keep in mind will be how long do you want the bottom. Why? The bottom will actually be one of the sides. So measure the sides.

The second step, you will make an oblong polygon. That is the only way I can describe it. You will continue to increase one of the 'side' This is actually the side of the blanket and it will become very long. The sides of your blanket will be determined by this long side. When you stop increasing, that will be how long the other side will be.

The bottom of the blanket will be complete, but you will start working on the second side. I know it sounds very confusing, just hang in there. While working on the side, it will be very short in comparison to the other side. You are actually decreasing stitches to create the angle.

The final step is to decrease on both sides. This will create the top of the blanket, and continue to increase the shorter side. Do not worry, when you finish, you will have a rectangle.

Brooklyn's Blanket

Pictures of Brooklyn's Blanket

Brooklyn's blanket was like a test blanket for me. I took it about about five different times, I and almost gave up.  I had to count the stitches in each row, and still made mistakes. My last weekend working on the blanket, I realized that I had the wrong amount of stitches, and had to take is apart. The pattern requires that you keep odd stitches in each row. No matter what!! If at any time you have even stitches, you made a mistake.

Also, I assumed that the pattern was a four row pattern, but in reality it is in eight rows. The pattern can be shorten or lengthen as long as you stop the increase on the eighth row. I stopped on the fourth row, so Brooklyn's is a little oblong. lol.

For the border, I played around. I think that it came out really cute, and I enjoyed working on it.

Johnathan's Blanket

Pictures of Jonathan's Blankets.

Jonathan's blanket to me has been a piece of cake. I mean, I had a lot of practice with Brooklyn's. lol

Continue to watch my progress on crocheting 32 blankets

I did it

I woke up this morning and I put myself to work. I made an introduction to YouTube and two tutorials. I am currently uploading them to my computer. I also took the time to take pictures of Brooklyn's completed blanket. I also took pictures of my progress of Jonathan's and Avery's blanket. Yippie! I am feeling very motivated this morning.

I am going to a dance recital today, I have to visit my Grandpa, and I have a homework assignment due tonigh. So tonight, or early tomorrow morning, I will start uploading everything. I guess that means that I will not be crocheting much today.

I am getting excited

Okay, yesterday, I did not blog. I laid down to take a nap, and I did not wake up. LOL. I did, however, get some crocheting in. I completed a skein for Jonathan's, started Avery’s blanket, and created a Flickr account. My goal in a few hours is to take pictures of my progress and get them all posted. Well, I will probably post them tonight.

I also spent some time looking at YouTube channels. I will tell you that there are a lot of channels out there that are devoted to needle art. So, I think I know how I want to run my channel. I am going to teach you exactly how I would teach a friend. 

I do have a dilemma, I am working on two separate blankets, so I have to get two tutorials up in a matter of a few days. I have decided that Jonathan’s and Brooklyn’s blanket will be posted at three different videos, because it is completed in three different steps. Avery’s blanket is easier and can be completed in on tutorial.

Now, that I have cleared my mind, I can now get some sleep. Yay! I am so excited, are you?

Crocheting with the Lovely Ladies at work.

Today at lunch, I crocheted with the ladies at work. That is right, we get to crochet at work. I have the best job =D

Any Hoot, I told a co-worker that I am going to make a different blanket for each member of my family. No one will have the same blanket as another except for Jonathan and Brooklyn. I also told her that I was thinking about posting how to crochet these blankets on YouTube. I think that it will be a really cool idea.

I know that it will be a lot of work, but I think that I can do it. I have a camcorder, a digital camcorder, and a web cam. What I have to decide now is how am I going to make myself stand out from others on YouTube? HHHmmmmmm.....Any Suggestions?

A little encouragement

So, I was looking online yesterday, and ran across a contest being held by Red Heart Yarn. It is call, Wednesday Night Stitching Challenge. I thought this would be perfect for me.

So here is how it works:

• First, you have to like Red Heart Yarn on Facebook. That was easy
• Next, you have to post a picture on Red Heart's wall of what you are working on. That is easy, I am working on Jonathan's blanket
• Then, you have to write a description of what you will be doing while stitching. Watching T.V. for me

Red Heart will then copy the picture into their contest Album. The five projects that get the most votes will receive: 6 skeins of Red Heart yarn, 2 booklets, Susan Bates needles & hooks, and a subscription to Crochet Today! Or Knitting Today!

So yesterday afternoon, I posted this picture of Jonathan's blanket.

The blanket for Jonathan

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150158824219654&set=a.10150151592664654.300002.139806024653&type=1&theater

Be a Doll and Vote for it.