Frog Kissers Unite

Anyone have an E-Z   quick to do  frog pattern????

Covenant Villagers Crochet

It has been my privilege and my delight to teach crocheting at the Covenant Village of Northbrook, IL.   Four residents completed the class on beginning crochet.  Our project was my Runny Nose Scarf, a scarf which I designed many years ago and has been a big hit.   Susan Stevens coordinates the Creative Arts Center there, and provided us with crochet hooks, cheers, encouragement, smiles and a place to crochet in the Center. 

From left to right: Marion, Jean, Ann, Luella

   My 4 Stars all were able to crochet before they graduated.  Each started at a slightly different skill level.  I feel really good about being part of their creative lives from now on.  They might donate some of the scarves to CVC's Holly Fair in November.

Luella Checks Out the Goods!

   Luella R., Jean L., Ann P. and Marion G. have entered into the crochet world full force.  When I told them I was coming to the Holly Fair and I wanted to see their scarves then, I was told "You better come early or they all will be sold by the time you get here."    Such wonderful fun and confidence!!

Marion models her finished scarf while she
starts a second one.

Suzie cheers us on behind Ann.

   As you can see from the fotos, all are dazzlingly engrossed in crocheting Runny Nose Scarves.   When I asked to take Marion's foto she was quite adamant (funny) about wearing earrings when I took her photo.  She came to class without them, and just didn't want to be photographed without them.  Jeez, it was almost like she was being photographed for the cover of Cosmopolitan - so important this was to her.  We all had suggestions for her earrings -- lots of stuff in Suzie's craft room.  I offered to take my crochet earrings off and have her wear them for the foto but she declined.  Others in the room offered too.  Someone even offered  gorgeous rings on her fingers as substitute earrings -- it was a lot of fun, and finally Suzie dug up a pair of purple earrings from somewhere and these matched Marion's outfit....Sigh! At last this dilemma is resolved and I could take photos. Please look for the earrings in the fotos!!   A lot of laughs and love and a little sweat are in the scarves!!! 

You all better come to the Holly Fest and buy them (but you'll have to beat me there).  The Covenant Village is at 2625 Techny Road, 60062. 

  Comments and Congratulations to the graduates would be appreciated by all.  There's a place to comment just below this entry into my blog.

Do You Know Crochet?

Funny Crochet Quiz with Answers

Crochet on the Fox River

There is a cruisette on the Fox River in September.  I went last year and enjoyed it.  It was mostly knitters, but this lonely crocheter was welcome.  Check out the Wool and Company web site.  Maybe crocheters could give the knitters a run for their money -- or should I say a Poke with a hook.  One stick versus two sticks.

Back again

Hi. Crochetkookie has had a lot of kookies in her kooky jar lately. Have been recovering from lower back problems. Crochet has had to take second seat to this - but not for much longer. The lunch bunch at NEIU is growing and flourishing. I finally convinced them to meet without me when I can't make it. The regulars, Donna, Diane and Mary are almost always there. Mary finally got a computer and e-mail so now it is easier to keep her up to date. Diane is off and running like a forest fire in a drought sticken area -- she is into crocheting clothes now. She is working on a colorful sweater that promises to be both gorgeous and warm. Nan has decided to switch to an afghan instead of a cat. Afghan much easier for a beginner but I go with the flow. Her intermittant attendance, like static, makes it hard to tune into her needs. Mary is still plugging away on her pink cowboy hat, making progress, especially not that she is passing the clusters rows. Lookin' good, Mary. Donna is working on the cutest little whatchamacallit for a little girl - think its like a jumper. Me--I am still making paisleys. I finished my pretty blue sweater, but now want to decorate it - maybe with a paisley pocket or two -- meanwhile I have been crocheting earrings in doctors' waiting rooms.
I gave a friend,Anna, a pair of my prettiest earrings for her birthday. She wore them when we went to Boston Blackies for a treat. One of the was turned backwards, so she took it off and asked if I could fix it. As I turned the hanger around, it snapped off. Anna looked a little dismayed but I told her I could fix it. I reached into my little black and white purse, pulled out my mini-crochet project kit --never leave home without a hook and project -- took out a mini pliers, removed the rest of the fish hook--then, much to Anna's continued astonisment, I reached back into my bag and pulled out a new gold ear hook, and attached it. Ahh--Anna had her earring back, and turned the right way. She laughed and wondered what else I had in my purse. I just laughed back, and didn't tell her about the scissors, tapestry and big eye needles, the crochet thread in different colors, different colored/sized beads, and of course a couple of crochet hooks. Fun! Fun to watch her astonishment as I kept pulling "rabbits" out of my bag.
I didn't make it to Chain Link Conference nor to the yarn tour today. I am disappointed. My health, or lack of it, kept me at home. I'm hoping that someone will tell me about Chain Link and all that I missed. I am hoping Addie made it to the yarn tour, and will give me the low down on it.

Firey Crochet Girl

Hey Hey! Diane's on fire....or maybe I should say she's hooked. Here is a foto of the vest she created from granny squares. At first she just crocheted pretty blue granny squares to be doing some crocheting with the lunch bunch crocheters--then she got inspired as to what to do with all those little squares. Diane is "headless" in this foto by her choice. She does look better with a head... not many people can crochet headless...... :>}

I also suspect she's an emotional crocheter like I am, but enuf said about that.

I am hoping to get a new addition to the Lunch Bunch. Addie is thinking about joining us every other Wednesday.

Mary is progressing nicely with her red cowboy hat. She might even finish it before Country Thunder. She can do up to Row 16 before needing my help again. We might make her a Cowgirl yet!!!

P.S. Regarding STASH -- am still working on it. more to come.

Stash

Recently, I hired a personal organizer, partly because I just came from an 8 day stay in the hospital, and didn't feel physically up to doing it myself. Ann-Marie did a fabulous job on my dining room/office area, and she was great company right after I came home from the hospital. she worked, while I rested, and occasionally helped her and told her what to toss. But I didn't have enuf $$ to hire her to do my yarn room, which is entered from the dining room. Today I decided to give my disaster, earthquaked, volcanic eruption, tornado struck yarn room a try at cleaning up. I am doing so very gently (protecting my back and leg), and slowly -- one skein, one UFO, one crochet hook at a time. Since I have to sit done and rest inbetween clean-up tasks, I decided to use the sit-down time to describe my "adventure" at doing this staggering job.

Those of you who are neat-freaks will probably be blown away by my adventure, but those of you, like me, who are cluttered crocheters, or perhapts crochety crocheters in yarn room, will enjoy and identify with my experiences. And I prefer to think there are more cluttered crocheters than neat-freaks. so enjoy the following entries, made during my sit-down time showing the "progress" (I hope) I make.

I don't know whether to call this Christmas or Discovering but I am finding some unusual "gifts" in my stash. I was cleaning out a basket full of HomeSpun yarn, when I saw this shiny glittering object on the basket bottom. It was a fork! Don't ask! I know I wasn't using it to eat yarn! Yuck. Hmm-mm I doubt if I was using it to untangle yarn either. I just plain can't imagine how it got there. I don't eat and crochet at the same time because I don't want to stain my work. And I am a messy eater. Well back to the disaster area for more discoveries....

Next discovery from my dig -- my inhaler, buried under the stuff on my craft table. Ahh-hh now I will breathe easier -- tho it is outdated. Guess I will toss it. I got breathing treatments in the hospital, and now have a brand new inhaler.

Oh-Oh. Guess what I found this time.....are you guessing???? Keep going.....I found a child's cook book of PEANUT BUTTER recipes in the bottom of a bin of pink yarn and unfinished pink elephants. Was I going to crochet a pink Peanut Butter Jar? Or do my pink elephants like peanut butter? So go ahead and laugh --- At least it wasn't a peanut butter sandwich in there. WHAT DO YOU HAVE HIDDEN IN YOUR STASH?

Dig deeper...I've never been on an archological dig in a desert...but I am probably getting practice for so doing. One bag of Red Heart yarn had a bit of a smell to it - and it wasn't perfume which I sometimes use to have my crocheted flowers smell. It was more like.....well...

ah-hem....like stinky feet. Yeah you guessed it one dirty sock! OK where is the other one... I have two feet after all. This might explain the sock gremblin who swallows one sock from a pair during the laundry process... don't know if I have a lonely sock in my sock drawer, but first this one goes into the laundry. At least I can figure this "find" out -- I sit in my recliner and crochet, and sometimes slip off my shoes and then my socks -- I use my feet to achieve this task because my lap is full and crochet, and my back hurts when I bend. One of the socks probably slipped into the bag of yarn...... You know, I still miss my deceased mother, but I am sorta glad she isn't around to discover the sock -- Oh Vay! She would have a lot to say about my disaster area, not to to mention the dirty sock. If you're listening Mom, I would prefer that you not watch me do this. My priorities have changed as I grew up -- crocheting over cleaning -- hey, don't talk back to me -- you taught me how to crochet and now I am a crochet kookie. Got eat lunch or whatever else you do in heaven. Also - if you have any influence up there could you get HIM or HER to heal my back and leg? It would make me get the room done faster.......

To Be continued...have to rest now.

Crocheting Wall Hangings

These photos were taken some time ago at the Fine Line in St. Charles, IL. The picture to the left is a close up of the tree in the larger picture. This a crocheted wall hanging, and the size, if memory serves me right is about 5 feet tall! It is a masterpiece of crochet art. It was crocheted by a group of women. It is worth the trip to St. Charles to see it. Fine Line is hard to find once you get to St. Charles so be sure to call for directions, or Google a map before you start out.

The leaves on the branches are done with the loop stitch.

Crocheted Cowboy Hat

Yahoo! Here it is! I finished crocheting the cowboy hat. The pattern

was not easy. Since it is hard crochet it is done with two strands of yarn. I wore it once and already was asked to make one for someone else who is willing to pay for it. It was really a challenge but once I got past the crown I enjoyed it. it is definitely fun wearing it. However, where does one wear a Pink Cowboy Hat? I don't go to to rodeos; I don't live in the West; I don't ride horses. It is definitely an eye catcher though. I guess whenever I want a little extra attention, I'll wear it. I splurged and bought a pink bolo to match. I already had the shiny pink shirt. the actual stitching is not as perfect as I would like it to be -- but when I started it, it was only to learn the pattern well enuf to be able to help Mary who really wants to make one for Country Thunder. There is an imperfection near the brim of the hat, so I found a cowgirl angel pin and put it right over that spot. Anyway I'll wear it whenever I feel pink-ish. Fun!

Crochet Surfing

In surfing the net for crochet-related information I made some fascinating discoveries. Here are a few of them: SHIRRETT, CROCHET BLOGOSPHERE, FRACTAL CROCHET, HANDITOOL. These are words with which I am not familiar. How about you?

In brief here are the meanings I gleaned from the websites referring to them. Shirrett is a technique which combines crochet and fabric. If you have crocheted onto a sweatshirt, does that mean that you SHIRRETTED? Sounds like a bad word to me....

CROCHET BLOGOSPHERE seems to refer to all the blogs about crochet. I like this terminology a lot. We all know what a blog is by now -- and a sphere is usually a circular object, also can be used in reference to a discipline, area of specialization or expertise. We crocheters often go in circles -- those who go in the biggest crochet circles are called BIG WHEELS.

FRACTAL CROCHET is using mathematical concepts to design crocheted fabric. There are actually books written about crochet and math! I think Fractal means a piece or a part of -- like a fraction. So we take a lot of triangles and crochet them together. The examples on the net of fractal crochet were awesome and breathtaking, and definitely a challenge. And yes, some crocheters FRACTAL a lot. Some crocheters just go to pieces (fractaled?) when they have to frog. I wonder if my yarn stash might be considered FRACTAL, too.

HANDITOOL looks like a psychotic crochet hook too me. However, Susan Bates makes it. In the website it is described as a crochet hook and knitting needle on the other end. If any of you want a psychotic, crazy, mixed-up crochet hook, go to www.yarn-store.com and look for HANDITOOL.

Here are some crochet related sites you might want to research when you run out of crochet ideas or need to be motivated. They all begin with: http://www. so in the interest of space and time you will just have to remember to type that in before you type in the site:
crochet-mania.blogspot.com -- youcanmakethis.com -- crochetuncut.com -- crochetgypsy.blogspot.com -- crochetmemories.com/blog/ -- crochetsal.com -- crochetnmore.com -- christinascrochethaven.com -- and of course, my very own blog, crochetkookie.blogspot.com.

If you learn of any rather unusual terms which might be applied to crochet, will you please let me know?

Sweater

In the April, 2009 issue of Crochet World on page 24 there is a pattern for a top labeled Forsythia by Bendy Carter. It is beautifully simple. I am going to crochet it for myself. I seldom make clothes for myself, mainly because I need the super-size, and crochet patterns don't come in super-size. This one at least goes up to a 46. I will figure out the dimensions to fit me, and then write out a super-size pattern for me.

Crochet Contest August 2008

The NIC Crochet Challenge for this year resulted in my entry which is pictured here to the right comeing in second place for the most creative use of the theme.

My entry consists of three bathtubs, a crocheting mermaid, a starfish, and a sign on a vine covered post. All this laid out on a checked rug similar to tile found in a bathroom. It was a tremendous challenge for me. The nylon granny scquares for the

rug were difficult because they were small, crocheted with smaller size Omega nylon cord, and had to be put together in certain directions. Trying to find some material to crochet so that it looked like water was really fun - I tried different materials

and finally decided on fishing line - and it was perfect. It is clear like water, and when crocheted it kept curling up so that it looked like suds, and wavy water. It was a bugger to crochet and

I learned to follow the lead of the material since it was so stubborn and would follow my lead -- sometimes you just gotta go with the flow, and let the material talk to you. I listened and went with the bent of the fishing line and it is just perfect.

I was terribly disappointed to come in second when I saw the entry that came in first. It was gorgeous, creative and beautifully done, but how does it illustrate the need for water more than mine with the littlest duck asking WHERE'S MY WATER? and looking at his empty bathtub.

After talking to a few people and showing them the photos, I came to the conclusion that voters probably have a bias toward clothing, and against non-functional art work. Mermaid is truly a work of art, a crocheted sculpture, and without a doubt showing the need to take care of our water supply. I think a lot of people missed the boat - and saw what they would like to wear and to crochet, rather than the meaning of the theme. Most of the people voting corchet clothing and accessories, only a few crochet art work and sculpture. But then maybe I am biased here.....

I will attach some more of the entries here because they are all unique, and I wish the whole world to see them. Also, I would like to donate my crocheted Sculpture to an organization that will use it to promote water conservation. If anyone knows of such an organization who might use this and treasure it, please let me know.

And please conserve water. here in Chiago, on the shores of Lake Michigan, we have an abundant supply, but even here in the USA there are towns rationing it, and penalizing people who go over their alotted quota. In the global community, 50% of the patients in the world's hospitals are there because of contaminated water or the lack of any water. To survive we humans need 1) air to breathe(survive about 5 mintues without it) 2) water to drink(survive maybe 3 days without it 3) food to eat (survive maybe a month without it).

Water

Water, water, everywhere and not a drop to drink. I am doing my part to not make that come true. The Chapter Challenge is only a couple of weeks away. I am ready with my entry.

I needed a belt to hold up my shorts, so I crocheted one using omega nylon because it doesn't stretch like yarn -- well guess what -- it stretches and my shorts were sagging and dragging, and woulda fell off if I didn't have hips like battle ships.

NIC

Today is the Jan. meeting of the Northern IL Chapter of the Crochet Guild of America. I cannot attend, much to my regret, because I am home recovering from a mild heart attack, and a case of BPPV which affects my ear. I regret not being able to attend for two big reasons-I want to show the reversible shell afghan, and I want to push for Water being the theme of the Chapter Challenge. Of course, I like seeing what everybody else brings for Show and Tell.

Crochet UFOs

Today, I decided to unclutter the area around the recliner where I crochet the most. I got a pretty basket to hold my UFOs (unfinished objects/projects). Wellll--the basket wasn't big enuf! And this was just the living room....I have another room where I store my yarn and other UFO's in boxes. I counted 8 bigger UFO's and 2 small portable UFO's!!!
The problem is my enthusiastic imagination :>), and the new patterns, and the great urgency to start each new project and learn each new technique -- all MUST BE DONE YESTERDAY.
I guess my New Year's resolution should be to finish those 10 UFO's in my living room before starting something new -- but, but, butt -- I just saw a cute pattern for a Fortune Cookie - I don't know when Chinese New year is, but I'd better start crocheting Fortune Cookies now........

Think About It

On this morning's Oprah show, a dancer named Dwana Smallwood said "Dancing is my oxygen." I like that expression, and change it to "Crocheting is my Oxygen." Think about it. WOW!

Cuddling Your Crochet Hook

Do you use your hooks for activities other than crocheting? I've found a couple of alternative uses for them, plus imagined a few more possibilities. The most frequent use is to scratch my back! Tunisian hooks are the best for this because they are longer. Hey, don't knock it. It works!
I've also fished an earring out of my bathroom sink drain with a hook. Hmm-mm...speaking of fishing...wonder if it could be used to catch fish! What do you think? Then, of course, reaching under the couch to snag that tiney spool of thread, requires a hook - or a cat, but hooks' upkeep is easier than the Meower's, tho you can't cuddle a hook- no matter what I can't imagine cuddling a crochet hook!! We could also use a thinner hook to clean out the dust between the keys on our keyboard.
If you ride the CTA buses or trains, and crochet as you go, the hook might just serve as a protective device. Once a guy sitting next to me on a crowded train got a bit cozy with his leg pressing against mine -- a carefully placed hook would have quickly alleviated that uncomfortable position -- I could have crocheted him....u get the picture. If you don't, then get a life!!! Pul-ease!
If you have any more ideas for using crochet hooks, please email your ideas to me. To Be continued....

Crocheting lessons

To crochet is to create! I take a skein or two of yarn and manipulate it to create a new item. I have complete control (w-e-l-l, most of the time anyway) over the yarn and what it will look like when I create a new something. I can do with it what I want. Is this maybe something like the relationship of the Creator to the creature?

I am grateful for my hands and their ability to shape yarn into a new creation. I am grateful for my imagination which enables me to add a bit of "whimsy" and a crazy combination of colors to my creations. I can think out of the box -even tho my box is circular like a hat box, not square to begin with. I am grateful than I enjoy the journey of creation more than the creation. (The journey is always fun and fascinating and full of satisfcation - the creation may end up being imperfect or exquisite but it matters not because of the enjoyable trek getting there).

crochet

Shh-hh! It's a secret. I'm halfway finished with my hearts project for the Northern Illinois Chapter of the Crochet Guild of America. It is exciting, and I am excited.
This hearts project is truly a creative journey. It is from my heart and hands and head, in that order. Crocheting and Creating are journeys. Tho I will be delighted with the finished piece, I will be a bit disappointed that this journey is over because it sparked so much inspiration and creativity. It makes me think about Creation and God. Creating just never stops - and watching the growth and progress of our creations is satisfying and fulfilling and totally intriging. I wonder if that is why God created us, and the universe which is still growing. The journey is the goal, not the goal. We must be free to create and to do so to the fullest extent of who we are. But freedom has its costs too. Some made bad choices, or are inattentive to their creation and the creation of themselves. At least we can frog our mistakes and begin again, learning from them. In our life journey, we can't frog, but we can learn from them, and above all we have this wonderful ability to use our mistakes to create anew.

Comfort Caps

These are the Comfort Caps which I am bringing to Dawn at the American Cancer Society in Evanston. If you count down from the left hand column, #1 hat was crocheted by Addie
#2 by Dorothy #3 Addie, #4&5 Dorothy.
Column 2: #1 by Donna, #2,3, and 4 by Dorothy
Column 3: #1 by Addie, #2,3,4,5 by Dorothy.
Each of the caps I crocheted were crocheted with a little prayer in each stitch that the recipient put on Peace of Heart when she puts on the Comfort Cap.
This is an on-going project, so if you crochet and have a bit of time, please crochet a comfort cap. The pattern is listed in the blog below this one. Drop me a line - or a Comfort Cap. www.crochetaway133@sbcglobal.net.