I ran out of brown...

 

 

Wanting to make another hat in my newest design, I found two partial balls of brown cotton yarn.  Well, I ran out of brown yarn.  Not wanting to add to my growing stash of partial balls/skeins of yarn (and save a trip to the yarn store), I found some black cotton yarn and continued with the hat.  The effect was pleasing, at least to me.  

I also changed the brim to match the stitch pattern of the crown.

Still working on the pattern - this time with the new brim.  If you missed my original post - see it here.  I'm still accepting name suggestions for the hat with the originator of the name to receive the pattern as a prize.  Post your ideas for the name of this hat to either this post or the original post.

Finally - a new design - need help with a name

I've finally added a new design to my list of patterns - but I need a name for it.  

The brim is very firm and the crown has a nice texture.  A few suggestions?  All I've come up with is "Textured cap with brim".  The entire hat is done non-stop with one strand of Caron Simply Soft yarn. The brim is done in a new technique I just learned that produces a very firm fabric.

I made a preliminary version for each of my three granddaughters (in pink, of course), but this one is the final design - I just need a better name.

I haven't finished the pattern yet, but if your name is selected, I'll send you a copy of the completed pattern for your assistance.  

Thanks in advance.

All better now...

Remember back in January when I broke my ankle?  Well, I'm all healed now.  I thought you might like to see these x-rays of the healed ankle with screws still installed.  The doctor says they can stay unless they bother me.  I feel no further affects from the injury or surgery, so I guess I'll keep them.

My Mocha from a coffee house in downtown Portland, OR called "Stumptown Coffee Roasters"

Crocheted Shrug for Granddaughter

When I received the Winter 2011 Issue of Interweave Crochet, I knew I had to make the Aslan Shrug.  Here's the first one (for my granddaughter):

I'll be making more of these...

Ouch!

Well, this is embarrassing - Broken ankle.  

The good news is that the motorcycle looks worse.  Long story short: someone stopped quickly in front of me and when I hit the brakes, the rear end slid out, and I tumbled off.  I was only going around 10-15 miles per hour, but when I stepped off the sliding motorcycle, I broke my left ankle.

We're moving!

When I started this blog, I thought it would be about my crochet, and it has been, mostly, but through the years, I've added some non-crochet topics as well.

This entry is one of those entries.

We're moving!  But not far.  We found a lot in a 55+ manufactured home community about 10 miles from our current house. 

Here are some pictures showing the progression of the building process...

First, the lot - an unused lot - we couldn't believe our luck.  This community has been around since the early 1970's and this lot was not developed.  Until now... 

Here is the lot as it was when we purchased it in March, 2011

The lot has a couple of advantages we love - the first is that it backs up to a canyon, so we have a terrific view to the rear (with no neighbors behind us)...there's even a stream at the bottom of the canyon.

Our view out the back of the lot

The view out the front of our house is unusual in this neighborhood, as well - the owner of the lot across the street actually purchased two lots and planted trees in the one directly across from our lot.

This view is looking from the rear of our bare lot back toward the street and the tree-filled lot across the street

The foundation has been poured and ready for the installation of the house.  This picture was taken 1 week after lot improvement started.

November 22, 2011 - the day of installation - foundation footing is ready.

The house arrived in two sections.  The first section with the main area of the front porch arrived first...

First section arrived at 10:00 AM (right on schedule)

Installing the first section

The second section arrived about 1:00 PM.

They make this look so easy

Over the next few days, the two halves were joined together, the foundation blocks were installed, steps were poured in front and on the side, the house was lowered onto the foundation and work began on the utility hook-ups and the driveway.

The two halves were joined

The block foundation was added and the house was lowered onto it

Steps were added to front, rear and side of house (these are in the rear)

The driveway was poured and railings were added to the steps

This is our back porch - overlooking the canyon

At this point, we're waiting for the completion of the hook-up of utilities and waiting for our wood floor to be installed, some minimal landscaping and the car port installation.  Even though the house isn't ready to move into yet, I couldn't wait to share these pictures with you.