Pics from Readers!!! Yippee!!!

Merry Christmas!!

I know my entries have been few and far between lately...but there's a lot of "living" going on around here, and not a lot of time to write about it! (...and that's a good thing!)

It's always GREAT to hear from those of you who read my little blog!! And even BETTER when you send me pics of the projects you are working on!!


These pics are from my friend, Jaye! She has been busy...besides these two, she has one other blanket finished and is in the process of finishing another one! You go Jaye!!

I hope the rest of you out there in cyber space are crocheting -up- a- storm also!! It makes me happy to see that others are enjoying something that is so dear to my heart!!

Keep those sticks warmed up....thanks for sharing Jaye!!!

Hot Pads - Hot Pads - Everywhere!!

I am getting ready for the big craft show...trying to bring something new to my booth. This year...it's Hot Pads! What's nice about this pattern is that you can use it for all different sizes of hot pads, or place mats, or even pot holders!

Start with cutting your fabric to the size you like. Cut two (a front and a back). Iron your fabric so that it is nice and flat. Also cut your filler. I use left over quilt batting. Cut it the same size as your fabric. For a fluffier hot pad, use two layers.


With the right sides facing each other, put your layers of batting behind. Sew three sides using a matching thread. (I used a contrasting thread so that it would show up better for the pics).

Next, trim the edges as close to the stitching as you can. I like to use the pinking shears for this! (all three sides that you have sewn).

Now, turn your piece. Put your hand in between the rights sides of fabric and turn. Make sure to poke out the corners real good. This is a good time to iron everything (again).

Before closing the fourth side, trim any batting that is sticking out. (the batting seems to shift a little while sewing!)

Now, fold both the top and the bottom -into the hot pad and pin closed. Try to fold in at least a 1/2 inch of fabric. Ironing will keep it in place a little easier.

I prefer dress makers pins...they are easier to sew over! Do not remove these pins until you have sewn this closed. Sew this side closed. Use a 1/4 inch seem allowance here.

Check to make sure that all edges are closed.

Then I like to give it a quilted appearance...by sewing either some straight lines across, or a decorative stitch across.

And that is about it!! It's a pretty easy project. And it's been fun to use all of my new stitches on my new machine...and also, I am getting some use out of that walking foot, also! Here are a few of the finished ones!

Happy Hot Pads! If you try this tutorial...please send me pics of your finished product!! I would love to see them!!

Pattern for Baby Blanket "Cathy"

Baby Blanket “Cathy”
by: Robbie Kitchokoff-Jones

Start with J hook.

Ch 100
Row 1 : hdc in 3rd ch from hook. 2 hdc in every other chain after that. Finish row with one hdc in last ch. Ch2, turn.
Row 2 : hdc in same stitch. Skip next loop, then 2 hdc in next loop of hdc of prior row. Continue 2 hdc in every other loop to end of row. Finish row with hdc in last loop. Ch2, turn.

Row 3 - end: Repeat row 2.

Finished blanket measures approx
40” x 40” .

Optional boarder: (shown in pic, above)
Do not tie off blanket…chain 2 turn.
Top: *5 dc, skip a st, sc in next st, skip a st. repeat from * to the end of the top. Continue around to the side.
Side: 5dc in end of row (see pic). Skip row end, sc in next row end. Skip row end. 5 dc...repeat to end of side.
Bottom: Repeat “Top”
Side: Repeat “side”.
Tie off and weave in ends.

NOTE: this pattern can be used to make a variety of sizes of blankets by adjusting the number of chains at the beginning. Also, you can add different edging to this blanket for variety!

Happy crocheting!

"Jessie" baby blanket pattern

Baby Blanket “Jessie”
by: Robbie Kitchokoff-Jones

Use “J” size hook.

Ch 100

Row 1 : hdc in 3rd ch from hook. 2 hdc in every other chain after that. Finish row with one hdc in last ch. Ch2, turn.

Row 2 : hdc in same stitch, then 2 hdc in space between the sets of hdc of prior row. Finish row with hdc in last loop. Ch2, turn.



Row 3 - end: Repeat row 2. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Finished blanket measures approx 40” x 40” .

NOTE: this pattern can be used to make a variety of sizes of blankets by adjusting the number of chains at the beginning. Also, you can add different edging to this blanket for variety!

Happy crocheting!

Blankets, Beans, and Cook Offs...

It's been a busy house lately!
Everyone has been keeping pretty busy, which makes for a pleasant summer! Usually by this point of summer break I am ready for them to go back to school! I haven't worked on too many projects this summer, and I am O.K. with that. (I think..haha)

This is a baby blanket for new-mom-to-be Cathy R. ! Congratulations!

We have been picking the garden more and more often! I have been blanching and freezing beans to save for winter! I think I have it down to a science now... bring water to a boil....throw in beans for three minutes, then steam them for three minutes. Then I pour them out onto a cookie sheet to cool for....yup, you guessed it....three minutes. Put them into freezer bags and throw into freezer!

The kids have been pretty creative in planning their days. For the boys, Mondays have become "Marathon Mondays". They go to McDonald's Mocha Mondays to get free coffee....then they either swim at our house or slip n' slide at Cara's, then they go to the movies in the evening to the dollar theater, where if you have three people or more, everyone gets in for $ .50 each!!

The next picture is a grilled cheese cook-off between Richard and friend Keri. All of the other friends and siblings were the taste testers and judges. ...Keri won! :)

Hope you are having a fun summer! Stop over for beans and grilled cheese!

Come YO with me!!

My favorite birthday present this year was watching my girls begin to crochet!

We are only doing chains and single crochets, so far....but that's o.k.! Soon, chains and single crochets will turn into blankets and pillows and hats!


For now, we have lots of belts and headbands!

We chain...in the house, on the porch, in bed, at the pool, at Nana's ...in the car, while eating lunch... and while swinging....and we even had a friend join in on the action, one day! (didn't get any pics of that...bad blogger...bad blogger!)

So, no matter what age you are (this is my niece and nephew last year "playing crochet" while I crocheted) ...it's never too early...or too late. So, grab your needles and YO with me!

P.S. "YO" means Yarn Over ...it's a crochet thing!

Mothers Day Gifts

Mother's day gifts this year were washcloths all around! Who doesn't need more kitchen washcloths, right?

A cute bundle of three with a bow tied around...

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY !!