I’m pretty sure I’m going to use Thursday’s as my giveaway day….but it may be subject to change, so bear with me.  So, this week I would love to know what your favorite summer projects are….

(click above picture to go to my pattern shop)

To enter you need to:

1)  Be a follower of this blog.

2)  Leave me a comment & let what you like to crochet during the warmer months.

Winner will be announced Saturday morning. (5/19)

I love “Wordless Wednesday” but have found that I’m always in the middle of something. Hence, Work In Progress Wednesday.

Here’s how it works:

Show off what you’re making. Post a photo of a project you’re in the middle of….as much or as little of it as you want. Crochet, knit, sewing, quilting, you name it. Add the link to your project (using the Mr.Linky tool). Feel free to copy & paste my “WIP” button to add to your entry or blog. It’s a fun way to let us know what you’re up to. I hope you’ll join in.

The tunisian net stitch is worked between stitches, as opposed to most of the stitches which are worked with the vertical bar.

Section 10 –  Net Stitch

TSS = insert hook between next 2 vertical bars, yo, pull up a loop

Row 100:  skip 1^st two vertical bars (see fig.1), * TSS in space between 2^nd & 3^rd vertical bars inserting hook from front to back (see fig.2), yo, pull up a loop (see fig.3), * insert hook between next 2 vertical bars, yo, pull up a loop, repeat from * across, insert hook through both loops of last stitch. (see fig.4) (20 loops on hook)

To complete row: yo, pull through 1^st loop on hook, * yo, pull through 2 loops, repeat from * across until 1 loop remains.

Fig.1 – skip these 2 vertical bars

Fig.2 – insert hook from front to back, between 2nd & 3rd sts

Fig. 3 – yo, pull up a loop

Fig.4 – all loops on hook

Row 101:  skip 1^st vertical bar, * TSS in space between 1^st & 2^nd vertical bars inserting hook from front to back (see fig.5), * TSS between next 2 sts, repeat from * across to last sp, skip last sp, insert hook through both loops of last stitch. (see fig.6) (20 loops on hook)

To complete row: yo, pull through 1^st loop on hook, * yo, pull through 2 loops, repeat from * across until 1 loop remains.

Fig.5 – insert hook between 1st & 2nd vertical bars

Fig. 6 – all loops on hook

Row 102 – 114:  Repeat Row 100 & 101.

Happy Crocheting!

I actually love when other bloggers take the time to ask if they can use my pics, or feature one of my patterns. Most internet bloggers use pics/posts without permission. (Not lecturing, but you should really let them know.) I try to contact a photo’s owner to get permission before using something, letting them know I will link back to them. Most of them respond, and are super nice about it. Anyway, it’s nice to know there’s more out there doing it that way.  Sue, from  contacted me to let me know she was going to feature my Old Spanish Rose Hat Pattern in one of her posts. (CLICK HERE to see her post)  Stop by to visit her blog. I know she’d love to have you.

You can click the image to purchase the pattern.

She also, graciously awarded me with the Versatile Blogger Award (Thank you, Sue!)….which I have yet to forward to anyone. Hopefully soon….

I love being a mother. I think it is the greatest feeling in the world. So, on this Mother’s Day, I’m offering a 25% discount on any pattern purchase in my shop. (no minimum/maximum required) You can click on my shop button in the right sidebar, or CLICK HERE. At checkout enter code: MOM and it will automatically deduct your discount. Offer is good on Mother’s Day (5/13) only, and will expire at midnight.

My mother and I on my wedding day….many years ago.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Winner of Thursday’s giveaway is…….Tami Dragon.

As I think back to all my mother has taught me, I am reminded of just how dedicated she was to her children. Her second greatest accomplishment (in my opinion) was teaching me to crochet.  As I began thinking about what to put in this post, I was reminded of this Mother’s Day Tribute that I wrote about my mother two years ago. The second post that came to mind was the one below…..I thought it was worth reposting. And all you yarn junkies will probably agree with me.

My Mother The Enabler 

First, let me say, I love my mother.  I’m not calling her an enabler.  That’s what she called herself. 

Let me give you a few quick & condensed descriptions of my mother. (you will need it for this story to be funny).

• She grew up in a family of 11 children and I’m sure they didn’t have much. So, now when she has something, she’s reluctant to let it go because she may later need it and not have it.
• She was a widow for 21 years, until May 2010 when she got married.
• She has lived alone for many years, as her children are now grown & gone.
• Because of all these things combined, she has accumulated “stuff”. (don’t go overboard with the picture I’m describing, by no means is her house overrun)
• Now that she’s married, she’s trying very hard to destash to make room for hubby’s things too.

Ok, now that you know that about my mother, here’s what happened this past weekend.  The phone rang, and I just know when it’s my mother….

Me: “Hello.”

Mom: “Heelllooo, this is your mama, then enabler.” (this was my first clue that she was up to no good.)

Me: “I DON”T want it. Throw it away.”

Mom: “Oh, you want this.”

Me: “Mom, no I don’t. I’m trying to get rid of my own garbage, I really don’t.”

Mom: “Ok, if you don’t want it I’ll give it to someone else, but trust me. You want it.”

Me: “No, I don’t.”

Mom: “Oh, you do.”

This went back and forth for at least a minute or two.

Me: “Mom (probably sounding a little more aggravated than I should), I REALLY don’t want it.”

Mom: “Oookayyy, if you’re sure.” (sounding a little sinister – just to get my attention – well she had it now)

Me: “What is it?” (again probably sounding a little aggravated.)

Mom: “You know those big storage totes you bought me. Well, I have 2 big boxes, the size of those, full of yarn.”

Me: “YES!!! I’LL TAKE IT!!!”

From mom I got no comment…..just hysterical laughter.
Did I ever tell you I love my mom

I have been so overwhelmed with half finished projects lately, that I decided my next afghan square needed to come from a pattern. I just don’t have the time to come up with my own right now. So, when I saw the “Stained Glass Afghan Square” pattern on Ravelry, I knew I just couldn’t resist. I LOVE it!!!

The hard part was picking out colors for the recipient. She requested green and/or gray but because I’m on a yarn diet, and trying sooo hard to use up my stash, my choices in these 2 colors were limited. I ended up using Red Heart Eco-Ways in “Fern” and “Lichen” for the greens. Then I picked a dark gray for the trim/outline color because I didn’t like the light gray with the greens I had on hand. The gray is Vanna’s Choice in “Charcoal Gray.”

It wasn’t finished yet, but it looks great just like this. (it was raining, so the pic is a little dark)

Almost done!

FINISHED!!!

First let me say, Julie makes this pattern so easy to follow! She did a great job at making something so beautiful, easy to DIY. And, I personally think, you could really end this in a number of places for a beautiful piece. I love how mine came out, and I’ll definitely be trying it again with some other color combos. Please take some time to visit JulieAnny on Ravelry and check out her other patterns. (you can either click her name above, or click on her photo below)

Stained Glass Afghan Square

Happy Crocheting!