Crocheters? (2)

[Celticflower]

I love to make prayer shawls! They can be such a blessing.

I need to make a small pink teddy bear this week for a little girl who's dad goes to the martial arts school my husband and kids go to. I am also working on a white braided cable baby blanket. It was going to go in the Project Linus box, but last night I found out that one of the girls on the BibleBowl team my husband helps coach is going to be a big sister! So I think I will give it too her mom instead.

 

[BarbaraJean]

I haven't crocheted much this Summer. Things are going to be so busy until the first of the year. Then I hope to pick up some projects and get them finished.

 

[Celticflower]

Wound up giving the white blanket to friends fromt he gym, made a blue Aran style for the mom at church, then another blue blanket in a different pattern for a friendd to give to friends, finished Ellie's sweater and started a turtleneck for JJ. Have yarn for a sweater for me and another baby blamnket in lavender as well as thread for about 3 table runners.

 

[BarbaraJean]

You've been a busy lady!

 

[Celticflower]

Well, the busier I am, the less I snack.
The less I snack, the more weight I lose.
The more weight I lose the sooner I can possibly get off the high blood pressure meds I was put on 3 months ago. (I'm down 15lbs so far!)

(so yes, there is method to my madness!!)

 

[BarbaraJean]

So crocheting helps us lose weight? I need to do more!

Congrats on the weight loss and on the completed projects.

 

[Lotuspetal_uk]

A big "Hello" from freezing England!

I thought I would touch base with you guys whilst work has been snowed out.

I am still working on a very therapeutic baby blanket which I have been picking up and putting down now for close to 3 years . I think I'm averaging out at about one or two rows every few winter months but winter tends to be the time when I put the most in. When I get to the point where I finish it I'll be sure to post it here. It is my first project at crocheting and so I guess I don't want to finish it per se.

But, looking ahead to a future project I would like to create some novelty pet coats or hats for my 3 feline friends here. I've found one pattern but it would involve placing the outfit over their heads. Since I value my delicate skin on my hand I was wondering whether anyone has tackled such a venture or if they have a link to a website where the patterns may have a front and underbelly strap.

God bless and thanks for any ideas.

 

[leytonstones]

I hope you find some patterns. Have you tried Ravelry.com?

 

[Celticflower]

The easiest pet coat I ever made was just granny squares. Make enough to cover the back and sides, add a strip of them to go under the neck (across the chest) and another strip with a button on one end to go across the belly. You could use any color combination and any squares pattern you want. To make it even easier, use larger squares for a larger dog.

 

[Lotuspetal_uk]

I hope you find some patterns. Have you tried Ravelry.com?

I haven't yet. So far the one I printed off was from DIY Maven but it was the pattern which would serve to get my hands shredded from any of the 3 cats.

Thank you for the link

 

[Lotuspetal_uk]

The easiest pet coat I ever made was just granny squares. Make enough to cover the back and sides, add a strip of them to go under the neck (across the chest) and another strip with a button on one end to go across the belly. You could use any color combination and any squares pattern you want. To make it even easier, use larger squares for a larger dog.

That's a brilliant idea! Thank you! I would have never considered granny squares and I think I was over complicating things by looking at the sewing equivalents for pet coats, thinking it would have to be shaped etc.

Thank you for that too

 

[Celticflower]

You're welcome!

 

[angel_wings13]

Hi ladies!!!

I'm new to this site, but think I can get some great help here in this thread.

I've decided I want to learn to crochet, but have no idea where to begine. I have a pattern (easy) for a dish towel. I've ordered the yarn and hook I'll need. Looking at the instructions for it I'm lost. I have no idea what all of the stitches and such are. Do you know of any good websites or youtube videos I can learn from? I also don't know anyone who crochets so that is a dead end.

Also...what is a prayer shawl?

 

[Celticflower]

Welcome Angel!
Annies Attic has how to videos as well as text/illustration helps for crochet at this site http://www.freepatterns.com/content/content.html?cat_id=2&type_id=S
Just find which stitch you need and click on it.

A prayer shawl is a shawl made for someone who is ill or just needs to know someone cares. Prayers for the person are said by the crafter as the shawl is made. Often I will add fringe to mine and have other people say a prayer and tie a knot in the end of the fringe - makes it a visual representation of the prayers being said for an individual. You can use any pattern, but often one that is a multiple of three is chosen or the overall width and length will measure a multiple of three - but this is up to the crafter.

If you need any help just give me a shout.

 

[angel_wings13]

Thanks celtiflower!!!

I can't wait to get my yarn and hook and get started!

I forgot to mention that I am left handed. I am finding it difficult to find instructions for lefties, but I will definitely check out that site and hopefully make a prayer shawl myself!

 

[Celticflower]

Thanks celtiflower!!!

I can't wait to get my yarn and hook and get started!

I forgot to mention that I am left handed. I am finding it difficult to find instructions for lefties, but I will definitely check out that site and hopefully make a prayer shawl myself!

There are a couple of teach yourself books available that show both right and left handed instructions. Check at you local yarn shop, craft or bookstore.

BTW - a few years ago I taught at a winter program in the county. After finding that I couldn't teach lefthanded 2nd graders to crochet by showing them with my right, I taught myself to do it with the left. Made it so much easier for them to pick up. So if a rightie can learn leftie it should be a breeze for you!

 

[angel_wings13]

I checked out the webiste you listed celticflower and it seems great!

I'm so excited to get my supplies in, but at the same time am getting really frustrated. I placed my order and my card was billed 5 days ago and it still hasn't shipped.

The nearest store to me that sells stuff like this is Wal-Mart and it is 1.5 hours away! I pretty much have to do most of my purchasing online.

 

[Celticflower]

Where did you order from? It can take up to 2 weeks to get stuff from some places.

Your location says upstate NY - do you mind if I ask where? I grew up in Jefferson County.

 

[angel_wings13]

I ordered from Lion Brand Yarn. I checked the site afte I posted my last post and it says it has shipped all of my order except for the large eye blunt needles that the pattern says I need. I think I can at least get started on learning the different stitches until I can get the needles (not sure what they are for).

I'm from a small town near Lake Placid. I live in Franklin County.

 

[Darling Deedee]

I'm reasonably new to this site and am an avid crocheter!
So nice to meet you all.
I'm busy making granny square blankets for the folks in Haiti. My aunt's church is sending down several secondary-aid containers as soon as they can be shipped and I hope to send a few blankets. I've got the ladies at a few churches making squares, too. It'll be a big job to stitch them all together!!
I hope your crocheting goes well Angel Wings!
-Deedee