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Friday, November 09, 2007

Crochet Felted Fall Leaf Pillow

  

**Disclaimer: This pattern has not been tested. All supplies and instructions are complete to the best of my knowledge. If you have a problem with the pattern, please let me know! 

 Crochet Felted Fall Leaf Pillow by: Elizabeth Mareno 2007

 **Advance beginner/intermediate. 

 Materials: Patons Merino Wool (or any 100% feltable wool) 
-1 skn Deep Olive (3.5 oz/ 100g/ 223yds) 
-1 skn Rich Red (3.5 oz/100g/ 223yds) 
-1 skn Old Gold (3.5oz/100g/ 223 yds) 
J hook ( I crochet loosely. If you crochet tight, go up one to two hook sizes) 
Stitch marker Stuffing. 
Needle for final assembly. 

 **Note: Do Not join rounds unless indicated. 

 Starting @ bottom with Deep Olive:
1- ch2 1- 6sc in 2nd ch. (6) 
2- 2sc in each sc (12) 
3- Back Loops Only (BLO)- sc in each around (12) 
4-8- Both Loops, sc in each. 
9- (2hdc in 1sc, hdc in 5sc) twice (14) 
10- (2hdc in 2hdc, hdc in 5) twice (18) 
11- (2hdc in 1, hdc in 2, 2hdc in 1, hdc in 5) twice (22) 
12- hdc in 2, 2hdc in 2, hdc in 9, 2hdc in 2, hdc in 7 (26) 
13- hdc in 3, 2hdc in 2, hdc in 11, 2hdc in 2, hdc in 8 (30) 
14- hdc in 4, 2hdc in 2, hdc in 13, 2hdc in 2, hdc in 9 (34) 
15- hdc in 5, 2hdc in 2, hdc in 15, 2hdc in 2, hdc in 10 (38) 
16- hdc in 4, *(2hdc in next, hdc in 1, 2hdc in 2, hdc in 1, 2hdc in 1)*, hdc in 13, repeat from *to* once, hdc in 9 (46) 
17- hdc in 6, *(2hdc in 1, hdc in 1, 2hdc in 2, hdc in 1, 2hdc in 1)*, hdc in 17, repeat from *to* once, hdc in 11 (54) 
18- hdc in 10, 2hdc in 2, hdc in 25, 2hdc in 2, hdc in 15 (58) 
19- hdc in 11, 2hdc in 2, hdc in 27, 2hdc in 2, hdc in 16 (62) 
20-28- place marker on 1st hdc of row 20, increase in the same pattern till you have (98) hdc. 
29- Continue in same increase pattern making every 7th hdc red, carry red loosely behind work, do not crochet red into olive, this will get felted in, do not cut red @ end of row (102) 
30- Only Olive, follow increase pattern. (106) 
31- Continue increase making every 5th hdc red (110) 
32- Only Olive, hdc in each around, do not increase (110) 
33- Hdc in each around making every 3rd hdc red (110) 
34- Hdc in each making every 2nd hdc red. 
35- RED ONLY, hdc in each. 
36-44- RED ONLY, hdc in each. 
45- Hdc in each making every 7th gold 46- Red Only, hdc in each 
47- Hdc in each making every 5th gold 
48- Red Only, hdc in each 
49- Hdc in each making every 3rd gold 
50- Hdc in each making every 2nd gold 
51- GOLD ONLY, hdc in each 
52- hdc in 41, hdc dec twice, hdc 49, hdc dec twice, hdc 10 (104) 
53- hdc 40, hdc dec twice, hdc 47, hdc dec twice, hdc 9 (100) 
54- hdc 39, hdc dec twice, hdc 45, hdc dec twice, hdc 8 (96) 
55- hdc 38, hdc dec twice, hdc 43, hdc dec twice, hdc 7 (92) 
56-60 Continue in established decrease (less 1 hdc, dec twice, less 2hdc, dec twice, hdc rem st) until you have (72) hdc. 
61- hdc 34, hdc dec twice, hdc 31, hdc dec twice (69) 
62- hdc 32, hdc dec twice, hdc 29, hdc dec twice (65) 
63- hdc 28, hdc dec four times, hdc 23, hdc dec four times (59)

 *First Side opening* 
64- hdc 27, hdc dec, leave remaining undone (28) 
65- ch2(counts as hdc now and throughout), turn, hdc dec, hdc 24, hdc dec. (26) 66- ch2, turn, hdc dec, hdc 21, hdc dec (24) 
67- ch2, turn, hdc dec, hdc 19, hdc dec (22) 
68- ch2, turn, hdc dec, hdc 17, hdc dec (20) 
69-77- Continue in established decrease pattern until you have (1) hdc remaining (hdc dec on last row). Cut and weave in ends. 

 **Second Side**
This side will actually end one row sooner than the first side. Attach Gold to first open stitch on row 63 with ch2(does not ct as hdc) 
64- hdc in same space and next space, hdc in 23, hdc dec. 
65- ch2 (DOES ct as hdc), hdc dec, hdc in 20, hdc dec repeat rows 66 through 76 of first side ending with one hdc. 

 FELTING: sl st veins on one side or both with Olive. 
(I find my felted items pick up less "fuzz" when I put them into a pillowcase)- hang upside down and dry thoroughly. Stuff, sew sides closed securely. 
 Enjoy biz

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

In Remembrance....

I just wanted to share with you some memories of Bailey. We had her put to sleep yesterday and it was traumatic to say the least. There is a hole in our family.

I think little Teo's heart is broken the most. I miss her fuzzy body in the house. I miss her nudging me with her wet nose every morning and the 'snuffing' noise she made when she was sniffing something out. I truly miss her smile and the way she'd squint her eyes when you scratched her butt, like it was the best thing to happen since sliced bread (although she'd take the bread over a butt scratch any day).

She was Bailey Rose Mareno aka 'Bay', 'Baelita Rosita', 'Baybers', 'Bayzers', and 'Bailey Bays'. (as well as a myriad of other nicknames)
2004-2007



Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Kids Afghan

Another one bites the dust.... Yes, my friends, I have finally completed another WIP! This one only sat around for 6 months...pretty good, pretty good!

This afghan was done in TLC Amore in black with various worsted weight yarns for motifs and colors on the blocks. Mostly Red Heart SS. Each square has a different number of motifs (1-12) and I try to make it as colorful as possible. This one is going to a new baby in LaCrosse via my mom.

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Wedding Gifts

FINALLY, I am done with the wedding gifts for Matt and Lisa!! He works for the Forestry Department and their house is all woodsy/animals/earthy...so I made them an afghan done in tree colors. lol. I got about 30 squares into my original 48 squares and thought I was going to lose my mind. So I decided to quit and jerry-rig a border. Well it turned out pretty cool looking. The border is done to look like fall leaves. **I will post the pattern for it tomorrow**.

Then I figured a fall leaf blanket needed a fall leaf pillow. So I made one from Patons Merino Wool and felted it. **Pattern posted tomorrow too!**

Then I rounded it out by making some pot holders and some dishcloths. Mom contributed by embroidering a set of kitchen towels with wildlife pictures...deer, bear, moose...etc. She did a great job. This is all coming from our two families, so it worked out really nice!
I hope they like it all. I know some of the colors are outrageous...but their house needs a burst of color!
Let me know what you think!
TTFN
bizzer




Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

AG Kitty Kat Costume

Here's the latest design in the Halloween Costume Collection. "Kitty Kat in Black".
Here's her sassy self....
Bodysuit with shrug and kitty ears headband.




I noticed that I forgot to design a trick or treat bag, though....



My Llama Wool

So I was at this craft fair this weekend. And there was this little woman sitting and demonstrating spinning (a craft I NEVER intend to learn)...and she had wool.

Baskets and baskets of wool.

Oh yes. I had to touch it. Actually I started love affairs with three particulars skeins that decided to come home with me.

If I had been intelligent I would have taken pictures of them before they were dismantled and rolled....but ya know how the fable goes....after marriage ya lose some of your fluffy lusciousness.(ya know, cuz I was having a love affair with them...and they came home with me....WHAT?!? did ya think I was easy??? )haha..sick humor! Like my husband says when I don't understand him...'you're in the car, now ride along'...kind of like..'keep up with me, here'....
Nevermind.

I had to have them in balls before I could start socks...so here they are. Burgundy one is just Llama, the other two are llama and silk.

Thursday, August 16, 2007

Rocket Ship with Astronauts & Aliens Pattern

Rocket Ship with Astronauts & Aliens Pattern

modeled by Teo Mareno, age 8




This toy was originally designed during a toy swap in 2007. The original pattern was shared on Crochetville and is now available here on my blog:


Materials:

I used:
RHSS- White and Grey Heather. (I did not use a full skein of either),
Blue & Black(for accent pieces)
Caron SS- Off White, Light Brown, Blue and Black
Stuffing,
G hook(rocket),
F hook(people/aliens),
2 /1”-ish buttons for door,
needle for assembly.


Starting w/ bottom piece and grey:
Row 1- ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch. (6) do not join.
Row 2- 2sc in each sc (12)
Row 3- (1sc, 2sc in next) around. (18)
Row 4- (1sc in 2, 2sc in next) around (24)
Row 5- (1sc in 3, 2sc in next) around (30)
Row 6-10- continue increasing 1 sc per stitch series until you have (1sc in 8sc, 2sc in next). (60)
Row 11- BLO (back loops only) sc in each sc (60)
Row 12-20- in Both Loops, sc in each (60)
Row 21- BLO- (sc in 8, sc dec) around (54)
Row 22- (sc in 7, sc dec) around (48)
Row 23-28- continue decreasing 1sc per stitch series until you have (sc in 1, sc dec) (12)
**Begin to stuff firmly at about row 25- Make sure your open loops are to the outside or right side. Row 29- (sc dec) around. (6) Finish off leaving a long end.
Using needle sew top closed and weave ends.

Body w/ white: Join with sc in an open loop on row 20 of grey.
Row 1- sc in each open loop on row 20 (60) join.
Row 2-11- ch1, sc in each sc, join.
Row 12- ch1, turn, sc in 50sc, leave rem 10 undone. (50)
Row 13-21- repeat row 12 Row 22- ch10, join on opposite side of opening with sl st, ch1, sc in join and each sc and chain around. (60) join.
Row 23-31- ch1, sc in each sc around, join. Finish off.

Top w/ grey:
Row 1-13- Repeat as for bottom Row 14- (beginning decrease) (sc in 8, sc dec)around (54)
Row 15- sc in each sc around.      
Row 16- (sc in 7, sc dec) around (48)
Row 17- sc in each
Row 18- (sc in 6, sc dec) around (42)
Row 19- sc in each
Row 20- (sc in 5, sc dec) around (36)
Row 21- sc in each
Row 22- (sc in 4, sc dec) around (30) start to stuff firmly
Row 23- sc in each sc
Row 24- (sc in 3, sc dec) around (24)
Row 25- sc in each
Row 26- (sc in 2, sc dec) around (18)
Row 27- sc in each
Row 28- (sc in 1, sc dec) around (12)
Row 29- sc in each
Row 30- sc dec around (6)
Row 31- sc dec 3 times (3)
**Cut off and weave ends.

**Top/Body Assembly**
Line up extra loops on row 10 of top and sc of row 31 on body and slip st together all the way around. 

Door w/ white:
Row 1- ch14, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch (13)
Row 2-13- ch1, turn, sc in each.
Row 14- working around outer edge, ch1, turn, 3sc in 1st corner, sc in each sc to next corner, 3sc in next corner, sc in 2 row ends, (ch2, sk 2 row ends, sc in next 3 row ends) twice, 3sc in next corner, sc in each sc across bottom to next corner, 3sc in corner, sc in each row end. Cut and Sew to one side and half of opening. When completed, only half of the opening should be useful. Just big enough to put little people and hands into without toys falling out. 

Handle w/white:
Row 1- ch8, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each (7)
Row 2-60- ch1, turn, sc in each.
**Cut off and leave long end for sewing.
**Attach handle to rocket on the grey/white seam on each end of the body. I attached it so the opening would always face up.



Rocket fins and blasters: make 3 of each.
Fins w/blue:
Row 1- ch2, 3sc in 2nd ch (3) do not join
Row 2- 2sc in each sc (6)
Row 3-4- sc in each sc
Row 5- (sc in 1, 2sc in next) around (9)      
Row 6-7- sc in each sc
Row 8- (sc in 2, 2sc in next)around (12)
Row 9-10- sc in each
Row 11- (sc in 3, 2sc in next) around(15)
Row 12-14- sc in each
Row 15- (sc dec)twice, sc in 2, 2sc in 3, sc in 3, sc dec once.
Row 16- sc dec once, sc in 3, 2sc in 6, sc in 4 (20)
Row 17- sc dec, sc in 16, sc dec (18)
Row 18- sc dec, sc in 5, hdc in 6, sc in 5 (17)
Row 19- sc dec, sc in 3, hdc in 3, dc in 3, hdc in 3, sc in 3
Row 20- sl st in 4, sc in 1, hdc in 1, dc in 6, hdc in 1, sc in 1, sl st in 2.
Finish off. Leave a long end for sewing. Stuff firmly and attach to side of bottom.



Blasters w/ black:
Row 1- ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook
Row 2- sc in each
Row 3- (sc in 1, 2sc in next) (9)
Row 4-5- sc in each
Row 6- rep row 3, sc in last sc (13)
Sl st to join, Cut.
**Cut red string for fire and attach to bottom before sewing into place. I just looped one long piece and trimmed to length.

Astronaut starting w/skin tone:
Head & Body:
Row 1- ch1, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook (6) do not join
Row 2- 2sc in each sc (12)
Row 3- (sc in 1, 2sc in next) around (18)
Row 4-8- sc in each sc
Row 9-(sc dec) around (9) Stuff
Row 10- (sc, sc dec) around (6)
Row 11- sc in each sc
Row 12- 2sc in each (12) Change to suit color, cut skin color
Row 13- (sc in 1, 2sc in next) around (18)
Row 14-21- sc in each
Row 22- (sc in 1, sc dec)around (12) Stuff
Row 23- (sc dec) around (6) Sl st to join, Finish off.
Weave end tightening up bottom

Arms starting w/ skin tone: Do Not Stuff! Make 2    
Row 1- ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch
Row 2-3- sc in each (6) Change to suit color, cut skin color
Row 4-9- sc in each around Finish off. Fold flat and attach to body at shoulders.

Legs starting w/ shoe tone: Do Not Stuff! Make 2
Row 1- ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch
Row 2- 2sc in each (12)
Row 3- sc in 4, sc dec twice, sc in 4 (10)
Row 4- sc in 4, sc dec, sc in 4 (9) Change to suit color, cut shoe color
Row 5-11- sc in each.  Finish off. Fold flat and attach to body on bottom.

Helmet w/ worsted weight grey:
Row 1- ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch- do not join
Row 2- 2sc in each (12)
Row 3- (sc in 1, 2sc in next) (18)
Row 4- sc in each
Row 5- sc in 12, leave rem undone
Row 6-10- ch1, turn, sc in 12
Row 11- ch6, join to other side with sl st, ch1, sc in each sc and ch around (18) join.

Aliens w/ lime green: #1-“Roswell”
Row 1- ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch. (6) do not join
Row 2- 2sc in each (12)
Row 3- (sc in 1, 2sc in next) around (18)
Row 4- (sc in 2, 2sc in next) around (24)
Row 5-7- sc in each
Row 8- (sc dec, sc in 2) around (18)
Row 9- sc in each
Row 10- (sc dec, sc in 1) around- (12)Stuff
Row 11- 13- sc in each
Row 14- (sc in 1, 2sc in next) around (18)
Row 15- sc in each
Row 16- (sc in 2, 2sc in next) around (24)
Row 17-19- sc in each
Row 20- (sc in 2, sc dec) around (18)
Row 21- (sc in 1, sc dec) around (12)
Row 22- (sc dec) around (8)
**Cut and Finish stuffing. Close bottom securely. Embroider eyes and mouth.

Arms & Legs- Make 2 of each.    
Arms- ch10- 3sc in 2nd ch from hook and next 3ch, sc in last 5ch. Cut and sew on to side
Legs- ch13- 3sc in 2nd ch from hook and next 3ch, sc in last 8ch. Cut and sew on to bottom.

#2- Jellyfish “The Brain” Repeat for Roswell through row 4 (24)
Row 5- sc in each
Row 6- (sc in 3, 2sc in next) (30)
Row 7-10- sc in each
Row 11- BLO- (sc in 3, sc dec)around (24)
Row 12- Both loops, (sc in 2, sc dec) around (18) Stuff
Row 13- (sc in 1, sc dec)around (12)
Row 14- (sc dec) around (6)
**Cut and close up.
**Make 6 legs by attaching with a sl st to open loops around edge, ch8, cut off, weave ends.
Eye: make 1
**With white, ch2, 6sc in 2nd ch.
Row 2- 2sc in each. (12)
Cut off with a long piece for sewing.
With black- repeat row 1 of white. Cut. Sew to center of white and attach to head in the center of his forehead.





July Camping Trip

Here's our July Camping Trip. I've been such a terrible blogger! We had about 3 weeks of nothing but go, go, go and this is really the first time I've had the chance to sit long enough to even think about cropping pics and blogging!!



These first two pics are a little out of sync...first they tested the water..THEN they went in it!

Here's our camp site complete with mini-private lagoon! It stayed this 'neat' looking for about 2 hours....then we started 'living' in it for 4 days....

Our very first day and next morning there were frigid...but it made for a gorgeous morning. This is the mist coming off the lake at about 6:30 am....yeah...I'm not a late sleeper....

We all made instant friends with the family camping next to us. Stef and Teo hung out with their boys every day, all day.... Teo even had his own 'rubber knife gang' to hang around with....

We ate lots of smore's....I mean was there even a question?? We also had eggs al fresco...they were realllllly good too! We are not hard-core campers so we don't have any of the fancy fan-dangled technical camping equipment....but we had a whole lot of fun!

The duckies that swam in our lagoon....Mama and two babies. I was able to sneak up close enough to get a picture the morning we were packing up to leave.










Monday, July 09, 2007

Trip to Madelaine Island

There's lots of pics today... And I have them in all different order...all the swimming, picnicking, etc. happened on Madelaine Island

This is the ferry that we were on to cross over to Madelaine Island. I couldn't get a pic of the return boat.


MMM....steak....

Stefani and Tony

Oooo..scary...Me and Teo

Tony and Me(less scary)

On the ferry over to the island.

Ditto

Lake Superior was REAAAAALLLY cold!!
The kids are about 100 yards off shore and still walking....
Boats parked off the beach...

Pulling into Madelaine Island
Leaving Madelaine Island...the very tip...
So that was our trip.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

New AG Design- Pink Camo Cargo Skirt Set


Front, obviously, featuring Cargo Skirt w/functioning pockets, fly, belt loops and belt done in Bernat Pink Camo. Shirt is a midriff tank top design with a pink camo flower for accent. The hat is a baseball cap with a very cute 'redneck' curve to the bill....me and the bill...we had issues....

Back, even more obvious. The shirt looks all wonky cuz of the doll stand. I swear it crochets up even. The hat reminds me of a Yamulke, doesn't it?

Here we have the backpack featured. It is square/rectangle in design with LOTS of room inside for all of dolly's treasures and necessities. And YES that IS a pocket in the front. How did you know?! Don't know what on God's green earth you could fit in it, but its there...oh yes...its there!

I have to say, I'm in love with this outfit. I've really liked the other outfits, but this one has a certain 'sass' to it. Could that be my personality coming out? Hmmm....that's a thinker...

Other than that, Tony returns after a 3 day trip to SD today. I am so glad. He will help keep me on track with my points for the rest of the week. I'm tellin ya...I'm just prayin I maintain last weeks weight and don't gain this week. Argh. Other than that, I just flat out missed him terribly. I would read myself to sleep every night. I finished "The Witness" by Dee Henderson. Good book for the most part....and now I'm continuing to muddle through "Deadline" by Randy Alcorn. Excellent writer but the book moves away from the immediate story too much.
This morning I dreamt a really realistic dream about the place I grew up. Someday I want to buy that place and all the land around it and build a 'get-away' cabin there. ....Someday....

This month and last month have tested my faith. The bills come in faster than the money does. This is the 'crunch' time where you either believe God is your source, or you don't.

Ok well what started out as a really light hearted blog entry turned into a 'quiet' one. AND my 8 boxes of yarn came in..so bye for now.



Crafting Memories: Section 5 of the Memories Blanket CAL

     Crafting Memories: Section 5 of the Memories Blanket CAL Oh my gosh!! It's the last week of the Memories CAL already!! I can't ...