Saturday, July 31, 2010

More stained glass


I am making this one with J. P. Coats thread #3. I like the colors, but compared with the other two I have made, it appears not to be as bright. Maybe if I frogged it and added yellow instead of purple? The thread is a little bit too thin for my liking also. I can add another row since it is smaller thread, thus getting more color on it and it still works up to my favorite size, 7".

Yesterday was DH's birthday, and we celebrated quietly with our son and his family. For his gift, I bought him a set of boat seats to replace the old torn up ones in his boat. My grandson X, came back from Lubbock where he had been visiting his mother for the summer. My boss at work quit!!, and so I have had a busy week at home and at work. ;)

I am between audio books right now. I would like to continue the series I have been listening to, but our Library doesn't have the last two books on CD yet. My son has an Ipod that he might let me borrow, and I can possibly find them and download them from the Library on Overdrive or NetLibrary. I have been proud of myself, as I am trying to get a little more technically savvy this year. :)

Saturday, July 24, 2010


Dh’s mother got to see her newest great-grandson the other night. She is recovering from a recent fall, but still hosted the family at her house, so that everyone could come at once to meet the newest family member.
DD's birthday was yesterday! (Happy birthday, Grim!!)

Gothic Stained-glass Potholder




Here is my most recent potholder, a variation inspired by the Gehaekelte Topflappen pattern. I have been admiring some similar "kaleidoscope" potholders made by a Ravelry friend, Claudia, and decided to make this one. I wrote out my varied version here:


Gothic Stained-Glass Potholder
(inspired by the Gaehaekelte Topflappen by Creadoo)

Yarns: Elann Sonata, Omega Sinfonia, Red Heart Crème de la Crème, Tahki Stacy Charles Classic Cotton or a similar weight yarn (various colors and Black)

Hook size: B

Finished Potholder size: 7 – 7.5”

Stitches used: magic ring, fpdc, fptrc (only used when there are two rows of same color), ch, sc, dc, picot - if you need instructions, there are many tutorials on the web

Row 1: With first color, make a magic ring, ch 3 for beginning dc, dc 11 into ring, join. (12) (Ch 3 will count as beginning dc in every round).

Row 2: Ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in each st around. join. (24).

Row 3: Change to black, Ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in each st around. join. (48)

Row 4: Change to next color, ch 5, dc in same st, sk 2, *dc, 2 sc, dc in same st, sk 2*follow * to *around. join. (should have 16 ch 2 spaces).

Row 5: with same color, ch 3, 1 dc in same sp, ch 1, 2 dc in same sp, 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc in each ch 2 sp around. join.

Row 6. Using black, sc in each dc and ch 1 sp, making a fptrc in valley, around. join.

Row 7: With next color, ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc in same sp, 3 dc ch1 3 dc in each “point” around. join.

Row 8: Using black, make same as row 6, only using fpdc instead of fptrc, around. join.

Row 9: With next color, ch 3, 3 dc, ch 1, 4 dc in same sp, 4 dc ch 1, 4 dc in each “point” around. join.

Row 10: Using black, make same as row 8. join.

Make 2 sides for potholder.

Joining: Using black, sc in each st around, making picots at each "point", join. Add a bone ring, sc around it. Finish off.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

July happenings

The photo above is of some of the books I have either been reading or listening to on Audio in the car lately. They are Shoot to Thrill by P. J. Tracey and The Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin. I also just got done listening to the third book of the Eragon "Inheritance" Young Adult series.

The photo above is of all the potholders I got yesterday in the latest swap for July.

And saving the very best photo for last, here is my newest Grandson, E. He was born last week, and was healthy. Now my oldest Grandson, X, finally has a baby brother! DD and DH both have birthdays coming soon. I am still crocheting some on potholders, but have slowed way down. I have already sent the one for August and just need to send out two more for September and October, respectively. I think when this swap is finished in October, I will take a break from swapping for a while.