Totally Frivolous

Usually I am careful to use my time productively.  Today I spent an hour crocheting a scarf for my dog.  In a hounds-tooth pattern, of course.  Though it won't keep him especially warm, he does look dapper in it.

 

 Someone else likes this scarf.

ahh... can we share?

Pattern by Claire@Crochet Spot.

(This is a great blog with so many patterns and techniques.  Stop by for a visit!)

~*~

Houndstooth Pet Scarf

Main Body
With red, ch 82 (or any multiple of 3, plus 1 turning chain)
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, (dc in next ch, sc in next ch) across: 41 sc and 40 dc
Row 2: With black, sl st in first sc of row 1, ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), (sc in next dc, dc in next sc) across, change to red: 40 sc and 41 dc
Row 3: With red, ch 1, sc in first dc, (dc in next sc, sc in next dc) across: 41 sc and 40 dc
Row 4: Pick up black by pulling loop up through first sc of row 3, ch 3, (sc in next dc, dc in next sc) across, change to red,  fasten off black: 40 sc and 41 dc
Row 5: Ch 1, sc in first dc, (dc in next sc, sc in next dc) across: 41 sc and 40 dc, finish off.
Fringe (Optional)
For each row end, cut three pieces of the same color yarn measuring about 4″ each. Fold all three in half together. Insert hook around post of row end, pull folded end of yarn through, and pull out all the ends through the loop.

 ~*~

Stop by my friend, Ann's place to see the beautiful scarf she just made for her friend.  Her handsome Westie named Duke is modeling for her.  He does a splendid job!

My Grandmother's Crochet Hooks

Though I never met my mom's mother (she passed away in 1950), I cherish these crochet hooks that were once hers.  Not sure how this mom of eleven children found time but I know she enjoyed working with her hands.  I still have a few tiny pieces she created using these hooks. 

The crocheted collar in the photos is a piece done by my mom when she was first married in the 1945.

She was taught by my grandmother using these hooks and went on to perfect her skill by making innumerable hats, sweaters, booties, doilies and other decorative items for her family and home.

The tiniest hooks used for the most delicate work.

I used one of these hooks to crochet tiny hearts for Valentine's Day.

Linking to Knick of Time Tuesday

Knitted Cowl

I finished knitting this very warm cowl from an easy to follow pattern from the Lion Brand Yarn site.
(Thank you Marta, for the inspiration to pick up my needles again)

Since I don't like to use circular needles, I worked the piece in rows and seamed the back.  I used yarn I had in my craft cabinet that was a little thinner than the pattern suggested and size 7 needles (89 cast on stitches), so I needed more rows to get the desired length.

Free Knitting Pattern: Luxury Cowl / Hood

Pattern #: 60121A from the Lion Brand Yarn site

SKILL LEVEL:  Easy SIZE: One Size S/M (L/XL) Finished Circumference 24 (26) in. [61 (66) cm] Finished Length 21 in. [53 cm] Lion Brand® Lion® Cashmere Blend Circular knitting needle size 9 (5.5 mm) 16 in. (40.5 cm) long GAUGE: 14 sts + 18 rnds = 4 in. [10 cm] over pattern st. BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE. When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make a 4 in. [10 cm] square, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.

COWL Note: Cowl is worked in one piece, in the round. Cast on 82 (89) sts. Place marker for beginning of rnd. Join by working the first st on left hand needle with the working yarn from the right hand needle, being careful not to twist sts. Rnds 1-4: Purl. Rnds 5-8: Knit. Rep Rnds 1-8 until piece measures about 21 in. (54 cm), end with a Rnd 4. Bind off. FINISHING Weave in ends. Lion Brand Yarn photo I posted a couple of great You-tube video's on Continental Knitting (also called German or European Knitting).  They will be very helpful if you would like to learn to knit.  Follow this link to my previous post.

Sneak Peek of WIP

I've been working on a couple of projects and getting closer to finishing.

one for me

one for my granddaughters

Birthday Weekend

Monday is John's birthday and so we kind of made this a birthday weekend.

Friday evening we went into Philly to the Walnut Theater to see Amadeus.

From the Playbill:

Amadeus weaves a confrontation between mediocrity and genius into a tale of breathtaking dramatic power. In the court of the Austrian Emperor Josef, Antonio Salieri is the influential court composer. Enter the greatest musical genius of all time: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The final contest is not between Salieri and Mozart, but between Salieri and God.

Though there are mountains of snow outside, for a change of pace, John requested a summer barbecue menu for his winter birthday dinner.  We had burgers and hotdogs from the grill, homemade baked beans, macaroni salad, deviled eggs, chips, iced-tea and cherry Kool-Aid (his favorite summertime drink ~ it's the boy in him)

We finished with candles in an apple/pear/mixed berry cobbler.

We spent some time with these cuties on Saturday morning as Keri played soccer.

Saturday evening we  used a gift card from Jill & Brad and went to Outback with Jared for dinner.

Caleb is a boy of few words. At one point it was just Caleb and Pop-Pop in the dining room eating cobbler and ice-cream.  He looked up at John and simply  exclaimed, 'Yum' in his sweet, musical voice.

This is the reaction when I asked Caleb to give Pop-Pop a birthday kiss... 

Our ever alert sentry

...and an embroidered note to my Beloved, machine stitched on fabric with the words done by hand.  This sweet idea came from Flamingo Toes.  She has complete instructions on her blog.

Linking to Mary @ Little Red House for  Mosaic Monday.