Yarnjeannie's Crochet Cache

Hope it's not too late for another ornament pattern. I've been making these and having a lot of fun with them - different color combinations, etc. I'm getting a jump on next year - I love handmade ornaments. This one is easy. You can use worsted weight yarn, and it doesn't take much at all to make one. The finished ornament will be 4-5 inches tall, depending on the number of starting chains and the size hook that you use. I used a G hook and chained 31. You will work into the chain on the opposite side, instead of inserting your hook under the top two strands of the chain. Work into the third strand on the back. Sc into the second chain from the hook and in each chain across, for a total of 30 sc. Finish off, leaving a loose end (you'll work this into the fringe). This is the right side of the work, and you'll keep the right side facing you. Attach your second color with a sc in the first sc, leaving an end that you'll work into the fringe. Sc in ...

I have been busy - I came up with an idea in my dreams last night. I dreamed I was making more Christmas ornaments. I guess that means I've been making too many, huh? Anyway, this morning I sat down with red, yellow and white worsted weight yarn, and based on the sushi roll design, I fashioned a Christmas drum ornament. Here is the pattern: You will need worsted weight yarn, as I mentioned earlier, and a size G crochet hook. You can use any three colors you wish. Gauge isn't really that important, because you can make adjustments to the number of rows as needed. Start with white yarn and make 6 chains, single crochet into the second chain from the hook and in each chain across to make 5 stitches, ch 1 and turn. SC into each ch across, ch 1 and turn - make a total of 22 rows, changing to red yarn in the last st, ch 1 and turn. Repeat with the red yarn to make a total of 14 rows of red. Weave in the loose ends of yarn as you go along. (Please be aware that you may need ...

This was a wonderful Christmas holiday! We got together with brothers and sisters and Dad at the home of one of my sisters on Saturday the 22nd. We had a really lovely time, there was plenty of great food and desserts and lots of presents! We followed through on our plans to give our $50 pollyanna funds to one of my brothers. He's going through a rough time, as his wife is trying to take him to the cleaners! We were able to give him $300 to help him out. My husband played Santa on Christmas Eve for the granddaughters of my best friend. He thought things were going well, but as he was leaving the 4 year old shouted out spontaneously "I believe in you, Santa!" My husband says he'll remember that forever! My husband received gift certificates for the local scuba diving shop. Our older son got the stereo he wanted, our younger son got the 2 video games he wanted, and I got the Italian language program I asked for. This is the first year that I haven't been wr...

It's Sunday evening, and I did finish up a few gifts this weekend. I have two hat and scarf sets finished, one pictured here. There's also a baby sized afghan finished that was going to go to Texas to a NICU unit. I missed the mailing deadline. But I'll finish a few more and mail them for delivery in February for Valentine's Day. I'm not dreading returning to work for a change. It's been three miserable years working with a miserable boss. I am so happy he's gone that if I didn't have a bum knee, I'd do a jig! What a jerk he's been! My whole outlook on life has improved immensely. No more tears on the way to work, knowing what would be ahead of me. No more tears on the way home as a result of the day I had. I'm enjoying my life so much more! Looking forward to our cruise in January! My husband and I will be visiting St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Antigua, Barbados and St. Lucia. I've always wanted to see St. Lucia - I can't wa...

Just coming to the end of a loooooooong weekend! Sorry to see it end, but there is another one ahead - Christmas! I've finished a couple of Christmas gifts, did a little shopping for a holiday gift exchange, got some ideas for more Christmas gifts and really enjoyed this time off. I have another project I need to finish up - I finished a child's poncho, but need to add some embellishment to it. I'd like to get that finished this week, so that I can give it to the little girl for Christmas. Not to mention the (very) large round ripple afghan in browns in the back seat of my car! I carry it around there to keep it handy, in case I get some time to work on it. My car is now officially the "Yarnmobile". I have finished items, half-finished items, supplies for future items and patterns in the car. Makes hubby roll his eyes whenever he needs to take my car somewhere. These are photos of some of the gifts I finished. Sushi scarves - I hope the girls like the...

Well, I understand that the Breast Cancer Research Foundation Pink Ribbon auction at work was a big success! I understand that we raised more money this year than we did in previous years. That's great news! The afghan was a popular item, according to the people who pulled the winning tickets. I'm so glad! There were a lot of wonderful donations by so many people - one wonderful woman and her husband donated $250 in cash as a prize! It warms my heart that there are so many generous people in the world! Bravo to all the people who took part in the fundraiser! My world is a little less stressful this week - my boss gave his notice! I certainly hope that he is happier in his new job than he was in this one. That's all I can say. I am going to finish my cup of creme brulee coffee, and get down to work with more of my Christmas crochet projects. Our family has decided to forego the traditional pollyanna and donate our pollyanna monies to our brother who is having som...