new blog design

Well, this new design thing already confused me. You have to click on the little "blogger" icon to get to the dashboard. Not likey. But I guess I'll get used to it.

I received something which suggested I try the new blogger interface. I had seen it before and they will eventually use it for everyone so I figured I'd try it out and get used to it. I particularly wanted to see how it would work with the monetizing feature since monies received from that help to keep my web site running and pay my charity mailing costs. Today's charity mailing was just under $6. I go to post office at least twice a week. How much it cost depends on what I'm mailing. Lately it's been saltines, yo-yos, squares, and scarves, fairly small packages. Packages run anywhere from $2 to $10. Afghans can run more but I rarely send out completed afghans these days. I try to donate those locally. I saved quite a bit by hand delivering those Special Olympic scarves. Anyway, I digress... heh

My understanding is that you, as the viewer, can choose which design you want to see for the blog. Just click on the different views - classic, flipcard, mosaic, magazine, sidebar, snapshot, timeline. I think I have the default as classic. There are advantages to each one. I like to look at photos so I'd probably use one of the designs that show most of the photos if I were viewing it myself, but everyone is different. Anyway, we'll see how that all pans out.

For today, I've completed more saltines and yoyos, some 6" squares, and a pet pad made of leftover yarns. Here are the photos.

The pet pad will go to one of the dogs, probably Lexi as she is the girl and there is pink. :-) It is about 18" x 34" and I used leftover homespun type yarn with a strand of fine yarn. It is all leftover from long ago projects. The dogs don't care about looks. I noticed it was quite warm as it lay on my lap. I was almost sorry to finish it, but I didn't have enough of the white to do much more with it. I have a fairly large ball of the light blue left but that yarn is too thin for most efforts that collect squares unless I double it - which I could do is I rolled it into two balls. Might could make one square if I did that.

Always interesting to see what one can do with all these odds and ends, eh? I'm still working on the first bin, but most of the small balls were in this one.

That's all for now. Let me know what you think of this new blogger thing. Remember it's not MY design though I think you can customize it. I haven't gotten that far with it.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

more saltines, yo yos ...

If you can believe this I am still making saltines, yoyos and granny's daughters. :-) These are made with an H hook and whatever yarn was in the bag of leftovers. Some of them came out smaller than others because of the type of yarn. From what I understand, these small pieces are forgiving and size is not as critical. However, I've sent a lot of them so I think there will be enough of any size to handle a multi-colored project. I know many others have sent some also.

As you may recall, I work from largest to smallest. I start with traditional granny squares, but most of these balls were too small for a full granny. Although there are a number of the same color, these are from different balls.

Then I go to saltines (2 round grannies), then yoyos (1 round of 16 dc in ring), and finally granny's daughters (first round of a granny). The granny's daughters use just slightly less yarn than a yoyo.

Of course I always leave a nice tail at the beginning and end which takes up yarn. Anything under 7 loops around my ruler is tied onto the magic ball which is getting to be a nice size. :-) My plan for that is to make a pet pad. We have three dogs in the family at this time so I'm sure one of them will love a nice pad.

Unbelievably, I am still not finished with the leftover balls, but I'm coming close to the end. :-) Then I have a lot of one ups. One ball of yarn in this or that color. I do also have a few colors where I have a good number of balls and can make an actual project, like a scarf or something. I look forward to deciding what these will be used for. Part of the fun for me is choosing a project when I have the opportunity.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

scarves

Remember that single crochet, back loops only scarf I started a while back? I finally finished it. I had actually forgotten about it and couldn't remember if I'd used an H or an I so I just finished off the row I was on and called it done.

The finished size is 5 1/4" x 54". It's heading to Knit Your Bit for a veteran. Working in back loop only gives it a nice bit of stretch. I was pleased with the finished product.

I also finished the wool scarf I'd begun. I used Lion Brand Fisherman 100% pure virgin Wool. I had an 8 ounce skein and was able to make the scarf and hat with a small ball leftover. I began and ended the scarf with a row of dc. The rest of the scarf is straight sc through both loops. It should be quite warm.

The hat is adult size. Finished size is 5" x 65". It's part of the Crafting for a Cause effort and will be going to Native Americans in Pine Ridge, South Dakota.

Both of the above scarves were very easy on the mind and fingers. I have a number of patterns that I'm itching to try though so I'll be finding something a little more challenging for my next project I think.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

on my hook

Here are 31 five-round granny squares. I used up the rest of the RH Soft navy for these plus a couple of others in a lighter color. Not sure which yarn that was. Anyway, these are for Crafting for a Cause for the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota.

These are the last saltines and yo-yos I made, but I do still have some small balls left so I will probably make more when I'm finished the scarf I'm presently working on.

I did finish another scarf - a double strand - to use up the leftover Wool Ease yarn I had. I had quite a bit of cream color but I knew that would not be a good color for the homeless so I decided to join it with the other leftover colors of which I didn't have as much. This is what I came up with. It is 7" x 58". I'd really like it to be longer but I ran out of the cream and have only a small ball of the green left. It's not my best looking scarf color-wise, but it is warm.


That's about it for now. Have to make a post office run today. I like to send things out soon as I can.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

Kim Jiries scarves

You may remember that I have a few patterns at Crochet Cabana that were designed by other very talented designers. (You can find them at http://www.crochetcabana.com/patterns-other-designers.htm ) One of these designers is Kim Jiries. Her Mama Bess squares are wonderful.

Anyway, I just discovered her blog and I had to share. She started Global Warming with Crochet back in March so I have some catching up to do. She has posted nearly 100 photos of scarves she has made and the information on pattern used. You know I love scarves. What a find! This will be of great help when the Special Olympics starts for the next season.

These are not all scarves designed by Kim, but links are included where appropriate and details on what she did when there is no link. For those that she designed, she includes her pattern instructions. I look forward to giving these a whirl myself.

I have only gone through about a third of them, but fully intend to visit each one. I've used some of the patterns before and at least one is my own pattern and one my daughter's so I know those. :-)

I don't know how I missed this blog, but I'm sure glad I found it now.

Very cool. If you love scarves like I do, well worth a look see.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie