Swing Sweater addition ++

I had earlier made my doctor two sweaters and this is the third one.  She wears them so well! 

This is sans buttons as the doc didn't pick them yet.

Here is a picture of a car coat I made for my granddaughter (no head to keep the innocent protected!) from a designer pattern.

This next sweater is the famous "Sue's Hexagon Sweater" pattern which I got from http://www.ravelry.com/.

I have been working on a teddybear of odd colors and eccentricities plus a toddler's sweater with great bead buttons:

And I have finally finished designing and testing some crocheted socks.  I have had this silly pattern forever and worked on it from time to time and am happy to say it is now ready to be put up and I will do that in my next posting.  
Blessings on your day!!

I have been MIA for awhile...where has the time gone!!

I had designed an easy and soft pair of boot socks that could be crocheted or knit with a crochet heel and toe.  I came across it about 6 weeks ago and have been immersed in wonderful boot socks.   But they aren't done yet.  I have been testing it myself and due to brain fog (fibrofog?) [I very seldom use that excuse but it is the only one I could come up with at this time...:-) ].  Frustration.   So anyway, if anyone in the universe sees this and wouldn't mind testing this sock made with worsted weight yarn and size I hook, please let me know.  Thanks.
So I shall be back soon with or without the finished design but with pictures! 
Yesterday my son Brendan, his wife and their three children came to visit me.  I roasted chicken and potatoes with a greenbean vegetable.  And greatly enough, my dil, Julie, and other granddaughter showed up and we had a nice time!  We ate, hugged a lot, looked at little gifts.  Youngest granddaughter was all excited because she finally got her pez toy.  grin.
I am playing Farmville and Treasure Isle on Facebook.  Harmless and kind of fun.  Keeps my mind occupied when I am worried about things (like money).  SS cut my check by $110 and it was not even anything before that but now it is even less.  I am looking on this as a challenge to my organizational skills.  The GREAT NEWS is that I have lots of yarn from past endeavors to keep me busy as I am getting ready for a craft show in November.  Last year's fair was a dud because 7 other groups held their craft stuff on the very same day as ours.  Better research this year, what do you think???
Blessings to you all.  May Father and Mother God show themselves to you in small miracles.

No-Cut Towel Topper Crochet Pattern

I designed this pattern back in May of 2001 but didn't find it again until this past week!  My Aunt Jean makes these really neat towel topppers but she has to cut the towel and works directly onto the material.  I like changing things off so thought this might work better.  Be sure to use a light-weight towel on the strap. 

NO-CUT TOWEL TOPPER Designed by Linda Graimm

This would work in a kitchen or a bathroom.  If you try this pattern, could you please share a picture. Thank you.   Emmalemmon47@msn.com Don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions, comments, whatever. Enjoy!

MATERIALS:

Bernat Cottontots, 1 skein (I used off-white #90007)
(Country Mauve was done in Lily Sugar’n Cream, 1 skein with Contrasting Color of Ecru scraps)

Size H hook

GAUGE: Not super important

INSTRUCTIONS: Hanging loop -- Ch 9.

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook; sc in ea ch across. (8 sc)

Row 2: (buttonhole row) Sc in first 3 sts, ch 2, skip 2 sts, sc in final 3 sc. (6 sc and 2 ch)

Row 3: Sc in each of first 3 sts, 2 sc in ch, sc in ea sc to end.  (8 sc)

Row 4-30: Ch 1, sc in ea st across, turn. (8 sc)

FYI:: The off-white towel topper looks a bit different because I did the Reverse sc or Crab Stitch in two of the unworked loops at intervals.

NOTE: The following rows are worked in back loops of each st except where noted.

Row 31: 2 sc (in back loops of all sts) of firsts sc, 1 sc in ea st across to last st. In last st, work 2 sc in back loop (10 sc thus far);

--now ch 20, turn and slst in each ch to beg of ch (19 slst)

(You will be making a round) Work in REMAINING LOOPS of last row, 2 sc in 1st st, sc in each of next 6 sts, 2 sc in last st;

--insert hook in top of ch loop and first sc of Row 31, ull yarn through all loops. (This makes the loop for the towel to hang on). Ch 3, TURN.

NOTE: WORK IN ROUNDS FROM NOW ON.

Round 1: In back loops only, 1 dc in same st as joining, 2 dc in each st across, keeping towel loop to INSIDE of work. (42 dc, you might have to fudge this a bit)

Round 2: (back loops only) Ch 3, 1 dc in same st as starting ch, 1 dc in next st, *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st.* Rep * to * around. (63 dc)

Round 3: (back loops only) Ch 3, place one dc in ea st around. (63 dc, counting turning chain)

Round 4: (back loops only) Ch 3, TURN, dc in ea dc around. (63 dc)

Round 5 & 6: Repeat Round 4, turning each round.

Round 7: Working on Wrong Side of work, (sc, ch 1) in back loops of ea st around.

(I changed to a CC on the Country Mauve towel topper.). Join. (63 sts with 63 chains)

Round 8: Working on Right Side of work, Ch 3, (in back loops of Row 6), dc in same st as joining, dc in ea of next 2 sts, *2 dc in next st, dc in ea of next 2 sts*. Rep * to * around. (84 dc)

Round 9: Do not turn. Repeat Row 3. (84 dc)

Round 10: Working in back loop on Right Side, slst in 1st st, ch 3, skip one st, *slst in next st, ch 3, sk next st* around. Fasten Off.

OPTIONAL ROUND 10: Repeat Row 7.

BUTTONHOLE TRIM: Attach yarn at 1st row of hanging loop. Ch 1, sc in 1st st, hdc in next st, dc in third st, 7 dc into buttonhole opening, dc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in last st. Fasten off.

Optional trim on buttonhole—Attach yarn and repeat first row above, on 2nd row, ch 1, TURN, sc, ch 3 in ea st across to last st. Sc in last st. Fasten off.

Put on a fancy button, fold towel in half, insert onto loop inside “skirt.” Pretty.

Cousins, Facebook

This little guy is a football bear that I made for my grandson.  The bear is bought but the hat and sweater are made with football buttons.  My grandson really liked this guy.  He named him "fooper."
Well, I got on Facebook awhile back.  Started using Farmville.  And that was it, I thought.  And then I started meeting cousins from my mother's side of the family....and cousins, and cousins.  And I have had the thrilling experience of seeing pictures from the past that embodied what I remember from when I was little.  It is truly amazing.  I am the oldest living cousin that I know of.  Allan Stimpson was the first cousin to be born.  He died c.1972 or 73.  Then there was me.  So I am the oldest surviving cousin and the oldest girl cousin. 
Part of all this is scary, though, because it brings back some memories I don't want.  The memories are of physical and sexual abuse.  I have been fighting with anxiety attacks and that, too, shall pass, as soon as I get a handle on them.  I just have to keep looking at the positive side.  I am grown up now and at no one's beck and call. 
I am not working on any pattern designs, unusually enough.  I saw my 3 youngest grandkids this past weekend and gave them all the objects that I had finished from my own designs.  Guess I'll have to start again.  But first must get the wherewithal.  Anyone know where I can find some wherewithal?
I love my sons.  I miss them.  I pray that they are doing extremely well.  This economy scares me.  There's too many things that wrap around and focus on money.  Bleah.
Blessings on my day and yours.

Playing with new medications. Not my idea of a good time!

Hello All.   I want to welcome any followers that I have.  I tried to send messages to each of you but could not figure out how to do that so gave up and am sorry for the Mass Welcome!  Am happy to share with you.

This picture was taken on March 13, 2010 when I was going to a wedding.  It hides my fat fairly well.  But I am working on hiding the fat even better~~
Scrubbed the bathtub today.  Yikers!   Because of my two cats, I rinse it often but surely must scrub it more than I do.  Bleah.  Do I seem lazy?  I'm not, just whine-ing.  It's good to be a whiner from time to time.

New meds:  Got a new doctor and she has changed my sleeping pill from Trazadone to Ambien.  The Ambien works well and I sleep longer than 2-1/2 hours as before.  But I haven't gotten used to the Ambien yet and have sort of a little drag time in the a.m....which is usually my finest hours!!!  This, too, shall pass.

I finished make a bunch of angel dishcloths and have them all sold already!  I am hiding the money I make from the government because it is SO much....tehee.....no, I am hiding the money for our upcoming crafts sale so that I have change.  It's so little. 

The days have been so beautiful and today it is overcast.  I don't mind.  The weather is one of the things that I sort of ignore, other than to bring an umbrella or wear a warm coat.  It is good to be better able to change the things I can and know which things I cannot change, such as the weather.  Smile.

I have one more pattern that I am working on designing...Super Simple Felted Slippers.  Will let you know how that comes along.  Again,  Thank you for being one of my Followers!  Blessings to all.

Faux Baseball Cap Pattern March 2010

FAUX BASEBALL CAP designed by Linda Graimm

This pattern has only been tested by me (over and over and over…) but if you find anything that you have questions about or seems to be wrong, please don’t hesitate to contact me at emmalemmon47@msn.com.

Boy or Girl size: 20” around

MATERIALS: Worsted Wt yarn; Size “H” hook, tapestry needle
Note: I used Caron Simply Soft, one skein of Berry Blue. Doesn’t take too much yarn to make this hat unless you have help from your beloved kitty, Bearli, who loves to play with yarn and rip things out.

GAUGE: 4 stitches = 1”, approx. 3 rows = 1”

NOTES:
1. Ch 2 does NOT count as stitch throughout.
2. Hdc Decrease (Hdc Dec): Wrap yarn around hook, put through stitch indicated stitch, pull up a loop, pull up a loop in next stitch, YO and pull through all loops on hook.
3. Front Post Double Crochet (FPdc): Place hook through post of stitch on row below from front to back to front, wrap yarn around hook, pull yarn through post, complete as a regular double crochet.
4. Back Post Double Crochet (BPdc): Place hook through post of stitch on row below from back to front to back, wrap yarn around hook, pull through post, complete as a regular double crochet.
5. When making FPdc or BPdc, the next stitch sort of gets “sucked up” into the post stitch. Don’t miss that next stitch!

INSTRUCTIONS:
Round 1: Ch 4, 8 hdc in 3rd ch from hook, join in top of beg ch 2 throughout unless otherwise indicated. (8hdc)

Round 2: Ch 2, 2 hdc in each stitch around, join (16 hdc)

Round 3: Ch 2, *hdc in next stitch, 2 hdc in next stitch* Repeat around, join. (24 hdc)

Round 4: Ch 2, *hdc in each of 2 stitches, 2 hdc in next stitch* Repeat around, join. (32 stitches)

Round 5: Ch 2, *hdc in each of 3 stitches, 2 hdc in next stitch* Repeat around, join. (40 stitches)

Round 6: Ch 2, *hdc in each of next 4 stitches, 2 hdc in next stitch* Repeat around, join. (48 stitches)

Round 7: Ch 2, L*hdc in each of next 5 stitches, 2 hdc in next stitch* Repeat around, join. (56 stitches)

Round 8: Ch 2, *hdc in each of next 6 stitches, 2 hdc in next stitch* Repeat around, join. (64 stitches)

Round 9: Ch 2, *hdc in each of next 7 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch* once, hdc in each of next 7 stitches, 7 DC in FRONT LOOP only of next stitch (Visor Shell started). Hdc in each of next 7 stitches, 2 hdc in next stitch* twice. 1 hdc in each of next 2 hdc, work FPdc over next stitch, *BPdc over next stitch, FPdc over next stitch* five times (11 stitches in ribbing). Hdc in next 2 stitches, hdc in next 7 stitches, 2 hdc in next stitch. Join.

Round 10: Ch 2, hdc in first 14 stitches. Sk 2 hdc, 2 dc in each of 7 Visor Shell stitches (14 stitches for shell); sk 2 hdc, hdc to 1 stitch before Ribbing. BPdc over next stitch, *FPdc over FPdc, BPdc over BPdc* to end of ribbing, BPdc over next stitch (13 Ribbing Stitches). Hdc to end, join.

Round 11: [Note: from here on in, *FPdc around all FPdc and BPdc around all BPdc*] Hdc in 10 stitches. Hdc decrease over next 2 stitches, sk next 2 stitches, *1 dc in next stitch, 2 dc in next stitch*. Repeat 6 more times (21 stitches on Visor Shell). Sk next 2 stitches, hdc decrease over next 2 stitches; hdc in next 21 stitches, hdc decrease over next 2 stitches, Repeat from * to * across ribbing stitches starting and ending with BPdc] {13 stitches in ribbing}, hdc decrease over next 2 stitches, hdc in last 10 stitches, join.

Round 12: Ch 2, hdc in first 7 stitches, hdc decrease over next 2 stitches, skip 2 stitches, place 3 double crochet in first Visor Shell stitch, dc in each of next 3 stitches, *3 dc in next stitch, dc in next 3 stitches* across Visor Shell, ending with 3 dc in last stitch of Shell. Skip two stitches, hdc decrease over next 2 stitches. Hdc in next 18 stitches. FPdc around next stitch (which was a hdc decrease in row below), *BPdc in each BPdc, FPdc in each FPdc across ribbing. At end of ribbing, FPdc around next stitch (15 stitches). Hdc in last 10 stitches of round, join.

Round 13: Ch 2, hdc in first 7 stitches; skip next stitch. Single Crochet in each stitch of Visor Shell (I did these stitches tightly because it helps the visor stand up/out) (33 stitches); skip next stitch, hdc in each of next 18 stitches, *FPdc around each FPdc, and BPdc around each BPdc* across ribbing (15 stitches in ribbing). Hdc in last 10 stitches, join.

Round 14: Ch 2, hdc in each of next 6 stitches, hdc decrease over next 2 stitches, slip stitch in next 31 sts, hdc decrease over 2 stitches, hdc in 14 sts. Hdc decrease over 2 stitches, *FPdc over FPdc, BPdc over BPdc* over ribbing (15 stitches), hdc decrease over next 2 stitches, hdc in last 8 stitches, join. FO, weave in ends.

I crocheted a little flat button for the top of the hat but you could use a button or leave plain if you would like.

When (and if--I did not block because Caron SS is so very soft) you block the cap (this is unblocked), you may have to pull ribbing straight. It really isn’t as crooked as it appears in the pictures. Really.

This hat was made the same as above, except the ribbing came first on the front and then I added the Visor Shell.  I made 5 of these for my grandkids all in Hunter Green for a picture session, and I got a little bored making the same thing so I experimented here and there.

Don't hesitate to contact me if there are problems or you have any questions.  emmalemmon47@msn.com
This, too, shall pass.

Mom Whining, Depression Struck Fast, Sons

You know, sometimes I would like to have had a daughter.   I maybe would have understood her better than I "get" sons.  I accept the fact that the sons go to the daughter-in-law's family for most things, I accept the fact that sons have a life of their own to live.  What I don't accept is that some of my sons involve me in their lives and then get upset if I react.  Sigh.  #4 son asked me if he could stay here when he left his wife of almost 10 years and I told him yes if that is what he feels he has to do.  My first mistake.  His wife and he get along so well and seem to suit each other extremely well.  So.  I go on Facebook and see his wife online so I chat her up and tell her that I spoke to Kevin and that I was very sorry that things were not working out and that I felt they belonged together.  I also said that whatever they needed to do to have a good life is what they do.  I told her I loved them both.   She ended the chat abruptly.  I feel that maybe they need to go to counseling and my second mistake was talking to her at all.  Now Mistake #3 is that I am depressed about the whole thing. 
Grrrrrrr.   How come being a parent didn't come with directions...and if it did, I probably would have only skimmed it.  I need to separate myself from helping my sons in any way which is a sad comment on my relationship with them. 
I will get myself busy cutting out envelopes and making stationery, fixing a pattern for a faux kid's baseball cap, and reading. 
...and possibly I will meditate and put myself in a safe place where I can talk to my Higher Power.  That is probably best.
Sometimes I think to myself that I wish I could not talk for the rest of my life but go through life with facial expressions and that's that.   I could say is all that way and then ignore what was being said because obviously I would have no recourse.  Good thought.
Blessings on Your Day.