Crocheting My Heart Out

Finished a CBN (crochet by numbers) project.  Been working on it a lot since June.  It's a biggie. 15,688 stitches.  Mystery CAL#2 (crochet along) by Lee Mac a phenomenal CBN artist.

Totally, stole the idea of a picture of the real thing posted under the crochet item from Totallee.net.  I love the comparison.

I started this, because I thought it would be fun to reveal the mystery and as practice before I start some photo CBN projects.  I've learned a lot.

Yarn shading choices:  2 of the browns I chose are a little two close in color.  When I introduced the white (in the eyes) I changed from a bright white to a cream.  BUT when I got to the top of wolf's background (between the ears) I think it would have looked better had I used the border color.

Tying off tension:  I was tying so tightly that my knots were pulling themselves back through to the right side of project.  What I did wrong for me was I laid the project down tail side up and knot it close to stitches.  Now I lay it down tail side down.  Then I knot with a little room close to the top of the worked stitches.  This gives me some slack in my knotted tails to pull through for a nice finished look.

Pulling knots through at an appropriate time:  First I found using a crochet hook 2 sizes smaller than the one I'm using for the project made it easier for me to pull the knots through.  I used a G hook for the project and an E hook was perfect for pulling through the knots. The minute there is a row of knots on the right side pull them through.  It's easier to crochet the piece.  It's easier to pull one row of knots through when not tangled with other knots from previous rows.  It doesn't leave a lot of work for latter when pulling through many rows of knots is VERY tedious.

Don't get lazy about counting stitches:  When I got to the dark brown patch there were long stretches of one color.  So, I would just count the yarn change stitches at the beginning and at the end.  Well, some where and some how in the brown section I skipped a single crochet.  I can see it now (I don't think anyone else would notice).  I got about 14 rows away when I started counting the smaller section of brown and realized I was one stitch off.  So, being a practice piece I increased one stitch in the brown section (again I don't think anyone else will see it) and continued on.  Had this been a intricate photo piece I might have had to rip back 14 rows to keep the piece looking nice.

Don't get lazy about correcting mistakes:  Do I have adult dyslexia?  I would sometimes read the pattern Color 4 stitches 2, but when I got to my piece I'd crochet Color 2 stitches 4.  Though each row changes as you go I found I can kind of see when things aren't looking right.  Like why is this dark brown row starting right above this cream row.  Then I'll double check the pattern.  "Oh it's supposed to change here" OR "Oh no I've reversed my instructions."  So, going back one row and correcting a mistake is way better than going back 14!

With my new gained knowledge I feel fully ready to move on to anything I want to do.

I have a silly cartoon dog pattern I'm going to do next.  It was my free pattern when I signed up to learn CBN from Todd Paschall.  I have over half the colors to do the dog that's another reason I'm doing him next.  I think I really only need a dark blue, but I'll double check the list before I start.

Random addition:  Friends have seen this piece and one wants me to make her one.  I know her well enough to say, "Yah, right!"  I sat with her and discussed the amount of time I put in not counting the cost of yarn.  I figured I'd paid myself $10 an hour just to make the math easy.  I would have to sell this piece for at least $600.

Crochet By Numbers-My First Rogue Project

Fascinated with this crocheting technique.  It's really quite simple.  What makes it difficult is creating your own graph.  This is where the creativity comes in from the start.  At your computer.  Not only do you need to scan in what you want to do, but I feel there is some finesse to the photo.  Correcting margins, defining the background don't even get me started on combining of 2 photos.  I've seen it.

I signed up to learn the technique from Todd at Crochet by Numbers.  Busy dude I think as I found it difficult to get emails back in a timely fashion.  Ok should say in a Lynne "I'm learning a new craft" fashion.  Last summer I decided to spend 3 months doing it.  In that thought bubble above my head here's how I envisioned Todd's life (Family guy, full time job, kids, wife and takes commissions for CBN art pieces really a 2nd job.)  Here's me (why can't you put your life on hold for some old lady across the country who wants to learn CBN pronto.)  He does get back to you don't get me wrong, but I had a crochet hook and it needed work after I did the beginning work projects.

So, I cruised through the CBN posts and groups on Ravelry.  This lead me to another person doing phenomenal CBN work too.   She makes her own patterns.  I love that she's very protective of Todd and his Crochet by Numbers technique.  This I think encourages his business and encourages one to get creative and do their own work.

I saw few practice projects on Lee Mac's website and one was a British Flag.  She being Australian I can totally understand this fine project.  Me, being lazy and from the United States decided that if I was going to put all this crochet work into a project I wanted it to be something that would be personal for me.  Ever since 9/11 I've had a fascination with having United States flag represented some where in my life.  I decided to give making my own chart of my flag a try.  I could go all traditional the straight lines of the flag would lend themselves well to crocheting.  I thought if I'm truly going to get some practice with this technique I needed to mix it up.  I found a graphic of a waving flag that I liked.

Thinking it wouldn't be much more than 3 colors red, white and blue it should be pretty easy.  After fiddling with the program I got it down to 11 colors!  Oh yeah forgot about shading.  Forgot if I want this piece to look good it will need shading.

As I sat working on this project I realized I'm having a major yarn problem.  My yarn choices are not the same color name as the project sheet.  I made up a chart of the names.  Still having trouble.  Yarn skeins rolling all over I decide to put them in a box.  Now it's hard to read their names.  I put down the crochet hook and got out a sheet of blank paper, scissors, a sharpie, tape and a hole punch.  Voila!  I now have the yarn organized in a manner that me and my short term memory problems can handle.

Another vblog of Lee's that put the idea of bordering the piece as you go.  I've seen where a crocheted border is put on the piece after and I didn't like it.  Not to say it's not perfectly fine, but for my projects I liked the pieces that were bordered as you go.  I chose this gold color, because ultimately I want to turn this into a pillow for my living room.  I think the color went well with the flag and well with my living room color scheme.

When the piece is flip flopping around in my lap it doesn't look like much.  I took a photo to share with Lee and when I saw the piece I got giddy.  It really does look like a waving flag.  A simplistic waving flag, but that's what I'm going for.  I wanted a fairly easy nice looking piece to practice on.  Practice pattern making, crocheting and I think really most importantly picking out colors that go well together.

I've seen a few CBN pieces where there is one color that doesn't belong.  It pops out at you and distracts one from the beauty of the art.  Lee has even spoken about this very yarn color problem in a piece of hers.

When I chose my colors the red and white were easy.  Then I needed a blue that would fit into the family of the red and the white.  My next problem with color choices was the grays.  I needed 4 colors of gray for the shading.  I had to tear myself away from the idea that the label needs to say gray in order to get the colors I wanted.  2 of my grays are called silver heather and linen.  I squinted my eyes to just get the hue of the color in my brain and see them blending together.  I needed a shading pink.  Again don't read the label it says orange, but the color is perfect for light coral.

I just love how the piece turned out.  I got a lot of practice in pulling the knots through as I went.  Lee again had a video on where to pull the knots through.  Most helpful.  I'll be turning this into a pillow for my couch.

If you'd like to look into doing this craft check out Todd Paschall's Crochet By Numbers website.  You can also get a lot of great tips from Lee Mac's Totalee.net blog.

Twinkie Chan I think I love you

OK I sound a bit stalkerish, but she comes up with the cutest crochet patterns.  2 Christmas' ago DH bought me Twinkie Chan's book "20 Yummy Treats to Wear."  I started following Twinkie's blargh. This year she has 2 free patterns on the Michael's website for February.  I tend to like to make things that are cute and fun rather than just beautiful.  So, her aesthetic is right up my alley.  There I go using that word that is overused on Project Runway and makes me want to smack someone.  Not you Twinkie never want to smack you.

Here is my Chocolate Truffle Scarf.

 

I also made Twinkie's Sweetheart Sugar Cookie Brooches.  I made 3 for my daughter and her college roommates and 1 for me of course.  Sorry about the blurry photos, but sometimes I get so excited to give something away I forget to take pictures all together.  This time I hurriedly took some before I gave them away. 

 

 

Zingy Zig Zags is finally finished!

Nearly 3 years later I finally got this finished.  I had connected this project with watching football.  So, it took several football seasons to get it done.  I only worked on it while watching football.  Since the 49ers were doing so well this season I got very close to finishing.  When the 49ers didn't make it to the Super Bowl I decided to go ahead and watch it and work on my afghan.  Still not finished I then decided to keep working on it until it was done.

Fringe and all it's done!

The only bad thing about his afghan is it's from a book about using up your scrap yarn.  I had to buy more yarn to finish it.  I was 10 inches away from finishing it and I just couldn't stop it would have been too narrow.  I can't believe my "use up the scraps" afghan has caused more scraps.  I have lots of yarn left over.  Considering making another afghan from the "Scrap Afghan" pattern book or will it be creating a vicious circle?  I was lucky this time that the colors of yarn were still being sold.  I may not be so lucky next time.

The one family member who I think loves afghans the most couldn't wait to relax on my nearly made blanket.  Turned my back for a second and who was already laying on it?  Yes, Poodle-Doo couldn't resist a finely crafted homemade afghan.

Crocheting!

That's what I've been doing lately.  I've been working on an afghan that has been hanging around for years now.  I don't know when I'll ever finish it.  I seem to bring it out in football season to work on it.  Maybe that's why it's taken so long.  The 49ers haven't been doing well until this year.  So, I've actually gotten more done on it this year.  I even watched the Steelers/Broncos game to see who would move on in the playoffs.  That's how much I'm enjoying football this year.

I just spread this afghan out on my bed to measure it and it's looking SO NICE.  The afghan now measures 29"X67".  According to the pattern in it's finished state it's supposed to be 45"X65".  So, I'm getting close.  I've wondered though if I should stop at 45" or just crochet until I run out of yarn.  Since it is a scrap yarn pattern I'm not relegated to stop at a certain point because of a pattern.  Intellectually, I'm thinking use up the yarn so as not to waste any.  Emotionally, I'm getting pretty darn tired of this project and just want it done.

This project can be viewed here.

I also made an adorable beret while I was recuperating from a cold last week.  I had a day where I just didn't want to leave my bed.  It required too much effort to breath.  On the other hand I was losing my mind laying in bed, so out came a hat pattern to crochet.  After several hours of "Anne of Green Gables" on DVD I came up with an adorable pink beret.  Unfortunately it was tiny.  The pattern was created by tiny Asian woman.  I don't know if it was sized to fit a tiny woman or it was my crocheting.  I'd bet on the latter.  Anyhow it will fit a toddler probably.  I don't have any around to try it on.  So, tried it on my daughter's bear.

For Christmas I got a crochet book by Twinkie Chan called "Crochet Goodies for Fashion Foodies."  This book has so many adorable food related patterns.   I bought yarn to make the gingerbread man scarf for myself and the pepperoni pizza slice scarf just because it's so darn cute!  I'm in the middle of the pizza scarf.  I have the cheese, sauce, crust and a couple pepperonis made.  Then sew it all together and I'll have a year to try and part with it at Christmas time.  If you have a minute check out Twinkie's blargh.  She makes some of the most adorable crocheted items.  Right now she has a give away of some of her hand made items.  Check it out here.

Guess what I'll be doing tomorrow?  Yep working on my afghan again while I see if the 49ers can move on in the playoffs.  They are playing the Saints tomorrow and my dad says they don't have a prayer against Brees.  I'm going to remain optimistic.  Whether they win or lose my afghan will be a couple more inches wider.

Where Has November Gone?

It occurred to me on Friday that Thanksgiving is a week away.  I've bought nothing!  Not even a turkey.  I like to get a turkey some where between 23-25 pounds and if I don't get it pronto it won't be defrosted in time.  So, out I went on Friday to get at least a turkey.

When I found out that DH's family weren't coming to Thanksgiving this year (due to health issues of their matriarch) this cut my cooking and planning in half.  I was disappointed they weren't coming, but tickled that Thanksgiving isn't going to be a 3 ring cooking circus.  It's going to be my extend family and I cook a meal for them about every month.  No biggie there.

I got so relaxed about it all I completely forgot that a little planning and prep was needed.

Hot Cranberry Cider
Turkey
Mashed Potatoes
Gravy
Dressing
Brussel Sprouts
Homemade Dinner rolls
Cranberry Sauce, Jellied
Pumpkin Pie
Pecan Pie
Whipped Cream

Every thing will be made by me except for the canned jellied cranberry sauce.  I just love it for some strange reason.

I don't like sweet potatoes and nobody has ever complained that there aren't any.  I also don't like the green bean casserole frequently pushed this time of year.  Sometimes I'll make a wild rice mushroom dish if I'm feeling ambitious.  Frequently, we'll have a green salad too.  It's a big meal and I plan for leftovers.  That's why I get a big turkey.  Everyone can take some home for sandwiches the next day.

On another topic I crocheted a hat to test a pattern for a designer this week.  Here is a picture of the hat.  This Jester doesn't like to be called a fool. :)

FYI:  This pattern is sold on Ravelry (free site to join).  It is located here Silly Court Jester/ Elf hat.  I found the pattern easy to follow and crocheted up fairly quickly.

If You Knit Or Crochet Join Ravelry

It's free and I really have a good time over there talking to other fiber lovers.  Someone I discoved over there is PlanetJune.  She makes the most adorable amigurumi.  What is that exactly?  The word is derived from a combination of the Japanese words ami, meaning crocheted or knitted, and nuigurumi, meaning stuffed doll.

My first experience with June was her Groundhog pattern.  I don't know why, but he was so adorable I had to make him.  I've made several of her patterns since.  She did a free pattern a while back that looked fun.  It was the apple.  This pattern like the groundhog was so adorable that when I'd show my finished product to friends and family they'd want it!  I had to keep a close eye on them or my daughter would snitch them.  In fact where are they?  Have I let my guard down?

Well, now June has a new pear pattern and has created a "Fruit-A-Long" on Raveley.  The "Fruit-A-Long" refers to making her fruits along with other people.  Sharing your experience of making them and then photos of your finished crocheted fruit.

I'm hoping you'll join Ravelry, look up PlanetJune and join in the fun.

Crocheting For A Cause

I found out that the Special Olympics needed crocheted scarves for this year's event.  The California chapter had only 45 and needed at 1000.  So, I thought why not help out.  I went on my quest of the 2 specific colors of yarn needed for the project.  Red Heart yarn is not hard to find.  What I found out though is Red Heart Supersaver Blue 886 is hard to find.  I looked at 3 Michaels, 2 Walmarts, 2 Joanns and 1 Beverlys when I decided that I wasn't going to do the project afterall.  I couldn't fine the blue yarn.  I really struggled with myself.  I could order 2 skeins of yarn from Red Heart and pay shipping.  Hopefully, they'd get here in a timely manner.  I decided I wasn't going to order yarn.  I have other charity projects to work on and I shouldn't beat myself up about not wanting to order a special color of blue yarn.  It still weighed heavy on my mind.

Today after my machine knitting class I decided that there was one more Beverlys kind of out of the way, but not that far.  I drove over and low and behold they had Blue 886.  I was so excited!  I will be working on making some scarves for the California Chapter of the Special Olympics.

Crocheting My Little Heart Out

It's like I'm possessed.  My daughter asked if I could make her a beanie with a brim.  I said sure.  I asked her to go on Ravelry and "favorite" hats she liked.  I then looked over the ones she picked and started with the one that had a free pattern.  Why not.  Well, I need a lot of hand holding while following a pattern and this patterns lacked some important details like stitch counts.  How many stitches are supposed to be in that row.  So, I returned to Ravelry to look for a pattern to buy that would have more details.  I found one.  Problem is my daughter and I really liked the colors from the first pattern.  It had a yarn that was doubled.  Black yarn with red to get a kind of tweedy look.

Using my purchased pattern I finally reduced my hook from a J to a G to get a hat that would fit on my head.  After all was said and done it still was a bit big.

After she wore it a few times it got bigger and bigger.  Finally, I asked her if I could have it and use it for my felting experiments?  She said yes.  I said I'd make her another hat.  I threw the hat into the washer on hot and out came a felted hat.  I shaped it back into a hat shape and put it on my head.  To my amazment it had shrunk down to the perfect size to fit a head, but now it didn't cover the ears.  So, the experiments continue.  I want to make one big enough to cover the ears after it's felted.

Sniff Sniff Tear!

I received this email tonight thinking the train was back on.  I was sadly disappointed.

Dear Stitch ‘n Rider:


We regretfully announce that we will not hold Capitol Corridor’s annual “Stitch ‘n Ride” on-board event to Stitches West in 2011. In the five years that the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) staff ran this event, we have truly enjoyed accommodating the knitting/crocheting community and appreciate the support and loyalty you’ve shown us.


As you are well aware, state-funded services have taken quite a hit in the past two years and Capitol Corridor is not immune to the state’s economic crisis. As a result, our marketing dollars have to work harder for all of our promotions and we do not feel that we can create a quality experience with the limited budget we have for this event. Costs to charter a special, dedicated train, have also increased significantly, and we are unable to offer a reasonably-priced ticket as in the past. Another determining factor to consider was that many of the knitting businesses, which helped fill our Stitch ‘n Ride bags with the goodies you have come to expect, had to cut back on their donations due to the poor economy. In fact, many of those small businesses are now closed.


The CCJPA marketing team carefully considered many options to hold a Stitch ‘n Ride event, but none of these options would allow us the chance to bring you the caliber of event you’ve come to know and expect. Therefore, with heavy hearts we made the decision not to run a special train to the 2011 Stitches West conference. We are working on a possible discounted fare offer for our stitch ‘n riders and will post that information once the details are confirmed.


For those of you who rode our trains to Stitches West in years past, we hope you continue to use the Capitol Corridor as your travel option when traveling to the Santa Clara Convention Center or any other destination along our corridor. Knitters and crocheters are always welcome onboard our trains. We still offer regularly scheduled service to Great America Station in Santa Clara for Stitches West, although we will not have a special shuttle between the station and the convention center. We appreciate your support, your love of the Stitch ‘n Ride train and thank you for your loyalty and your understanding.


Sincerely,


The CCJPA Marketing Team

Zingy Zig-Zags Earns Respect

Zingy Zig-Zags, yep that's what the pattern is called for this delightful afghan.  I have to admit I don't like it.  I call my afghan Autumn Zigs.  I saw this pattern on the front cover of Leisure Arts book #3818 called "Scrap Afghans for all."  I thought it was just gorgeous.  I never have a bunch of scraps laying around that are of the same weight and size enough to make an afghan.  I just bought some yarn.

I wanted to make mine in colors that would look good in my living room.  My living room is very fallish in theme and color.  Lots of fall colors and leaves every where.  I found some Soft Red Heart yarn in the perfect colors to with the pattern.  I wrote out a list of the colors the afghan called for and the colors I was replacing them with.  Orange with Tangerine, black with chocolate, white with off white, green with leaf, red with paprika, blue with mid blue, pink with grape and yellow with toast.  Yes, that's lots of colors to keep track of and more colors with which I've ever worked.

I needed to devise an organizing system to keep my yarn from turning into a tangled mess and from me losing my mind.  When all of a sudden a box that had come into the house went DING in my head.  I ran out to the garage to grab it before it got recycled.  Once I used my ball winder to turn my skeins into what they call cakes it was perfect.  I keep my size I crochet needle, scissor and reading glasses in the box.  I've also added a copy of the pattern for my own use.  The book was getting beaten up in the box.  I wanted to keep it in good condition in case I wanted to do another pattern later on. 

The project is ready to work at a moments notice.  While it seems very organized and convenient.  It doesn't travel well.  So, I do most of the work at home.  I have taken it into my car while watching and waiting at Cross Country practices.  It is too cumbersome to really say drag into a coffee shop or my guild meetings.

I began the project last fall.  My then 15 year old daughter asked in the beginning stages what I was making.  I told her an afghan.  Her eyebrows shot up and she said, "Wow you've got a long ways to go."  Once I had gotten to the  2 inches wide stage.  Dear Daughter said, "Wow mom your belt is looking great."  I began to explain to her it was an afghan not a belt when I noticed the smirk on her face and knew she was teasing me.  HEY! I said.

When I got to the 8 inched wide stage Dear Daughter said, "That's a great looking scarf mom."  It had been about month since it was 2 inches wide.  I began to explain to her it was an afghan not a scarf when I noticed the smirk on her face.  HEY! She got me again.

Now it's about 1 1/2 feet wide and covers my legs.  I haven't heard any more comments from the peanut gallery.  I think it's gained some respect in the afghan world.

Unchained Circles Vest

I crocheted this vest in about 10 hours.  I thought it turned out so pretty.  I've shone it around to my friends and they all think it's fabulous.  One is even going to make one.

I wanted to make it for my daughter originally.  She is modeling it here.  She told me before I started she wouldn't wear such a thing.  Well pooh!

So, decided my SILs birthday was coming up I'd make one for her. Since she is a tad smaller than my daughter I used my daughter as a model. When I got it done I asked her to wear it so I could get photos of it. As she was wearing it she said, "Why would anyone wear such a thing?!" I told her one would wear it like jewelry. It doesn't have a function other than just looking pretty.

I wanted to show a picture of the front and what it looks like off a person.  The original pattern only had a picture from the back.  When I hit a snag and didn't know how to shape the arm opening I really needed a picture.  I finally figured it out, but here's a picture if anyone else wants to make one.

Unchained Circles Vest by Thanh Nguyen.  Pattern can be found at the Universal Yarn website for free.  I couldn't find their yarn, so I went with Knit One Crochet Too Ty-Dy Cotton yarn.  I found it at this cute little shop in mid town called Fig Tree Alley.  Gorgeous yarn and so easy to work with.

Back To The 70's

When I was around 13 or 14 years old a jewelry craze swept through my group of friends.  We sat around and crocheted what we thought were the prettiest rings.  Just recently a fellow crocheter reminded me of this craze as I still have some of the jewelry in my jewelry box.  I kept them at first, because I thought I might wear them again some day.  30 plus years later I keep them now as a fond rememberance.  The person who reminded me of the crocheted jewelry asked if I didn't wear them because they needed to be sized.  I had to chuckle to myself.  I don't wear them because they are dorky not in fashion.  Unfortunately, They could be worn at any size, because they were made with elastic thread.

So, just in case you want a flash back to the 70's I found a pattern on the web that looked just like the rings I use to make.  Who knows I may even give it another try.

Crocheted Cocktail Rings

1. String 25 bead, sized 4mm-6mm, on metallic elastic thread. You can dab clear nail polish on the end of the thread to make it stiff. Keep a little bit of tension on the thread--not completely loose, but not stretched to capacity. There is no gauge for this ring because it's mostly trial and error. My ring was worked with a size 5 hook.

2. Chain 4, and join with slip stitch to form ring.

3. *Slip a bead down, single crochet into ring, repeat from * 4 times, for total of 5 sc. Make sure the beads are not too loose or tight. They should be flexible, but they also need to stay in place on their own.

4. Make 2 sc without beads, in each sc of the previous round (10 sc).

5. *Slip bead down, sc in each sc, repeat from * around (10 sc).

6. Sc in each sc (10 times) without beads.

7. Repeat round 5.

8. Repeat round 6.

9. Chain 20 stitches (more or less, depending on the size of your finger) and join with slip stitch to the previous round to form a ring. Turn, slip stitch into each chain stitch, fasten off, leaving a 6" tail.

10. Pull tail through the center of the 5 beads crocheted in round 3. String an extra bead onto tail, pull back through center hole, tie off securely inside bead cluster.

Oh and PS...  I made crocheted necklaces too.  These could probably be worn today without any snickering from your friends.

Chuck the Chick

I saw this project on Ravelry and just had to make one.  You may have to join Ravelry to view, but it's free and I'm having a really good time with this group of very talented fiber artists all across America.

I love things that have an interesting twist.  The twist here is he is reversable.  It can sit like an egg or reverse to the chick.  He's quite a tubby chick, but that makes him just that much more adorable.  The pattern can be purchased on Ravelry for $4.00 and I feel like I got my money's worth with this adorable project.

What video to see how Chuck is born.

Groundhog Day

Who knew that we have our very own groundhog right here in Orangevale.

At first I think she saw her shadow, but scampered under a tree and decided she didn't see her shadow.  She's a true California girl and is ready for spring.  She does not want another 6 weeks of winter.

All kidding aside I had a lot of fun crocheting this little cutie.  Don't ask what came over me.  I just saw a photo of this pattern and wanted to have one of my very own. I bought the yarn at Fig Tree Alley Fiber Arts.  Yeah I could have used cheaper yarn, but this yarn had been calling to me ever since my friend opened her yarn shop. The varigated brown skein just screamed “GROUNDHOG.” It really wasn't expensive.  It just wasn't cheap Red Heart.  I really loved the feel and look of this yarn and will definitely be using it again in the future.  The yarn was Brown Sheep Lanaloft Worsted weight.  The color was maple praline.  Doesn't it sound yummy?!  It comes in many gorgeous colors.


I bought the pattern off of PlanetJune's blog.  She has a lot of other very cute patterns.  If you like to crochet check out her site.  She also has free lessons on how to make your crocheted items look their best.  I used the Magic Ring Technique.  I also used the Invisible Decrease Technique.  All the rest was single crochet.

Silly Summer Fun

I found a pattern for a fun crocheted ice cream cone online It just looked so silly and fun. So, I had to make a couple. This is my orange sherbet version. I gave this to my 4 year old friend Rebecca. I hope she thought it was as silly and fun as I did. She lives in Portland and haven't gotten word what she thinks yet. These pictures were taken at the gas station. I was on my way to see Rebecca's mom, who was in town for one night. I thought if I give the cone to her mommy I won't have to mail it. Then I thought oh geeze I haven't taken any pictures of my handy work. So, at the gas station my daughter posed for some quick pictures.

She kept looking around making sure no one she knew saw her. BUT she was a good sport and posed with my crocheted ice cream cone!

Knowing my daughter was showing the telltale signs of teenage embarrassment I had to tease her just a little. We had to go through a fast food drive thru to get my friend an extra large Mr. Pibb. While waiting at the window for our order I slowly started to pickup the ice cream cone. I slowly raised it to my face (all the while my daughter is saying "mom don't you dare") and just as I started to pretend to lick it my daughter yanked it out of my hand and threw it to the back of the car. Far out of my reach! She did it so fast I hardly knew what happened. We both laughed so hard. Me, because my joke was foiled and she because she wasn't going to let me embarrass her or myself for that matter.
The pattern can be found at "The Adventures of Wondermommy."