Yatyara's Yarns

No Regrets

2009-11-01T17:08:00.002-05:00

For those of you who don't know, my mom died a year and a half ago. She came to Ohio to visit my husband an me 10 months before she died. My husband and I live in a one bedroom apartment so, my husband slept on the couch and my mother slept in the bedroom with me during her stay. I was so tired the night of her arrival. It had been a long day and I was so happy to finally go to bed. Well, my mother was in a talkative mood that night. Every time I would start to drift off to sleep, she would start talking or ask me a question. Every time she would do this, I would answer her question or chat about whatever she wanted. I figured she was excited and I never asked her to stop talking so I could sleep. I could have done that and she wouldn't have been offended. I chose to let her talk instead.

I don't know why, but I was thinking about this the other day. I'm so happy that I let my mother talk a blue streak that night. I'm so glad that I didn't tell her to pipe down. I don't regret it.

It's funny. I had 29 wonderful years with my mother and it's this small moment that I remember. It's this small moment that means so much to me. It's funny how that works.

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Thanks for those of you posted words of encouragement during my pity party a few months ago. LOL Thanks to those who read and don't post too.

Why?

2009-03-11T16:12:00.003-05:00

I don't even know why I have a blog. No one comes to read it and I'm a slacker about updating it. I've always had trouble giving stuff up b/c I don't want to be a quitter. I think another reason I keep the blog is that I'm always looking for a hobby that sticks. I've dabbled in a lot of things but nothing has stuck. This is the easiest and least expensive hobby so I'm going to try and make this one stick.

So, I'm going to keep the blog and see if I can actually start updating it. Whether anyone reads it or not.

This should be...interesting...considering the fact that I don't have a whole lot going on with me right now. I pretty much go to work and come home. It just my husband and me. So, I won't have any kid-centered anecdotes to share. I'm pretty boring.

Stephanie B.

It's My Birthday

2008-08-28T17:48:00.002-05:00

Today is my birthday. I am 30 years old today. I found this sitting on my desk when I got to work today. A co-worker brought me some fresh veggies from her garden and another co-worker made me a card. It was a nice surprise.

My husband's birthday is Saturday, so we will do something together this weekend. I'm looking forward to it.

Stephanie

A Day Off

2008-08-08T12:27:00.004-05:00

I took the day off today and my husband and I went to the park and a yard sale. We also made a stop to browse Michael's craft store.

While at the park, we saw proof that fall is definitely on it's way. The trees are starting to show some color.

There's some color showing on this tree as well. Today has been a beautiful day.

I also took some pictures of some the flowers planted at the park.

Also, I bought some Christmas stuff at the yard sale. I bought this for $3.

We also went to Michael's and they have two rows of Christmas items out. This is a photo of the Christmas villages they had for sale.

Stephanie

New Profile Pic and Christmas Garland

2008-07-27T13:23:00.004-05:00

First of all, I changed my profile picture. The picture I chose is a picture of a stuff dog name Henrietta and a stuffed bear. They are both toys from my childhood. Henrietta, the dog, was given to me by my father for Christmas when was about 4 years old. She actually as a name tag on that has her name on it, but it is being covered up by the bear's paw. She also used to have little red ribbons glued on her ears, but they've been long gone. The bear is actually a hand-me-down from my older sister and he is unnamed. If you press his tummy and squeeze his hands and feet, he makes sounds. It's like a squeeze toy.

Henrietta and Friend

I was perusing the blog Christmas Notebook and I saw the cutest idea for a Christmas garland using felt and foam craft beads. I have a large felt stash and I thought this would be the perfect way to use it. The only thing I needed to buy was the box of foam beads.

These pictures do not include all of the felt that I have on hand. I still have more to cut. I decided to use the patterned pieces of felt on the tops and bottoms of the stacks so that the design is visible.

Here is the beginning of the garland.

I have a friend at work that crochets as well. During the winter, she has a new scarf that she has made herself almost every other day. I've decided that there is no reason that I can't do the same thing. So, I'm going to see if I can whittle down my considerable yarn stash and make myself several scarves to use for the winter. It will be fun to match scarves to my outfits and such. I think I'll also make some for charity. There is always a winter clothes drive happening at work in the winter.

I'm starting simple with the scarves. It's just a simple ridged scarf made with no pattern. I promise to make something more interesting next time. It's still a work in progress. The yarn is Homespun, but I'm not sure what the color is called. It's been in my stash so long that the label was no longer on the skein.

Stephanie

Change

2008-07-27T12:06:00.002-05:00

I've decided to change the format of my blog. I've decided to make this blog about my craft projects of just making it a crochet site. Hopefully, I'll be able to make more updates with this change.

My husband won tickets to an Indians game a couple of months ago. The game was for two clubs seats at yesterday's game for the Indians vs Mn Twins. We had a lot of fun despite the fact that we lost 11-4. :o( I'll post pictures from the game later on today.

I've also been making Christmas ornaments and I've been crocheting a scarf for myself as well. I'll post pics of those too.

Stephanie

Octupus and another Penguin

2008-02-16T10:44:00.003-05:00

I made a little round penguin for my friend's son. I think the eyes are too far apart, but she likes him the way he is, so I didn't change him. I got the pattern from Lion Brand.

I also made an octupus. He only has seven legs though b/c I couldn't fit the eighth leg in. :o( When I showed it to my friends, they didn't even notice, but still I wish I could've gotten it in there. This pattern also came from Lion Brand.

Fuzzy Penguin

2008-01-23T12:35:00.000-05:00

I made a penguin using the Annie's Attic pattern of the day from 01/09/08. The fur was a pain to work with, but I still had fun making him. I think he's cute, but I can't help but see every single flaw when I look at him. I won't point them out now though.

Anyway, he's going to sit on my desk at work next to the bunny I made a while back. My co-workers and I have a lot of fun with the bunny. One co-worker in particular dresses the bunny up in various outfits. So, I thought the bunny could use a friend.

Yay! Yarn!

2007-11-21T08:45:00.000-05:00

My mom and sister found some yarn on sale for 25 cents a skein. They bought 22 skeins of yarn for me and mailed it to me! I love all of the yarn they bought me and I can't wait to make something with it.

Knitting

2007-11-10T13:04:00.000-05:00

I'm back into my yarn again. I've added knitting into the mix now.

Here is a cabled scarf that I'm knitting. The stitches aren't as perfect as I would like them to be, but it's coming along. I have some other knit projects in the works, but I'll post pictures of those later.

I crocheted a scarf as well. I really really like this scarf. It's the favorite thing I've made for myself. The design isn't interesting, but I like it b/c it serves it's purpose very well. It is thick enough to keep the wind out and it is long enough to wrap around a few times. I got to use it earlier this week and I'm glad I had it. It was crocheted using two strands of yarn at once.

Pink Bath Puff

2007-04-22T08:27:00.000-05:00

I crocheted a pink bath puff yesterday just see if I could. My plan is to make a bath set for my mother for Mother's Day. I'll include some bubble bath and some body spray to go with it. It's a really simple pattern and it's quick too. I'm going to make my mother's set in blue. I just have to buy the cotton yarn t do it.

Yarn: Sugar 'n Cream 100% Cotton Yarn
Color: Hot Pink
Pattern: Cotton Bath Puff

Bobby Square Afghan

2007-03-22T19:30:00.000-05:00

I finished the afghan I was making for my grandfather! Yay! I finished it! I have a couple ends to weave in and then I'm going to wash it and get it in the mail. This afghan is a surprise. I made it for him to use in the recliner he got for Christmas.

The original pattern was for a 12" square, but I continued the pattern to make a larger afghan b/c I didn't want to sew squares together.

Yarn: Red Heart
Color: Aran Fleck
Pattern: 12" Bobby Square

I almost forgot, I also crocheted a bunny. I got the pattern from the Lion Brand site. He sits on my desk at work.

One more thing, here is a non crochet picture that I took. It is a picture of the sunrise a couple of days ago. I really like the colors of the sky in this picture. Byron suggested that I take a picture of it and I did.

My Papa's Afghan

2007-02-21T17:39:00.000-05:00

I'm making an afghan for my grandfather and here is what I have so far.

The Four Month Scarf

2007-02-02T09:51:00.000-05:00

I FINNALLY finished the scarf I started for Byron 4 months ago! Yay! That's one WIP down and....eh...who's counting? LOL This one is crocheted with two strands held together.

Yarn: Bernat Soft Boucle
Color: Blue Shades, Beautiful Blue
Pattern: No Pattern

I also made this little snowman ornament. I plan to make more of these for my Christmas tree next Christmas. Sorry about the lighting in the photo.

I also started another WIP. Oops! lol Anyway, it will be an afghan comprised of snowflake motifs. I got the pattern from a book called 101 Crochet Squares. I really like this one.

Flower Scrubbie

2007-01-21T12:36:00.000-05:00

I made a flower scrubbie to add to the ones I'm sending my mother. It's crocheted around one of those plastic dish scrubbie things.

Yarn: Sugar 'N Cream
Color: Hot Pink
Extra Materials: 3" Plastic Scrubber
Pattern: Flower Scrubbie

Stephanie

Daisy Dishcloth

2007-01-18T10:07:00.000-05:00

I made another dishcloth to mail to my mother. This one is shaped like a daisy and I think it is too cute. I really like this pattern.

Yarn: Sugar 'n Cream Worsted Weight Cotton
Color: Yelow, White
Pattern: Daisy Dishcloth

Dishcloths, Dishcloths, and more Dishcloths!

2007-01-17T14:47:00.000-05:00

I have made SO many dishcloths in the past couple of days. I've been making them for my mother. I made one for myself and I emailed her a picture and she said she liked it, so I offered to send her a bunch. When I first made a dishcloth for myself, I didn't want to use it b/c I thought it was so pretty. I finally used it and I don't think I'll every buy a dishcloth again as long as I can make them. They work so much better.

Anyway, here are the cloths I've made thus far.

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I think this cloth is so pretty and it's the first dishcloth pattern I ever used. As you can see, I've made many cloths with this pattern.

Yarn: Lily Sugar 'n Cream Cotton Worsted Weight Yarn
Color: Cornflower Blue, Yellow, Warm Brown, Faded Denim, Sage Green, Summer Splash, Natural (Peaches 'n Cream Cotton)
Pattern: Fire Blossom Dishcloth

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This next cloth is one I made using the pattern for the starghan. This is my favorite so far.

Yarn: Sugar 'n Cream Worsted Weight Cotton
Color: Cornflower Blue, Faded Demin, White
Pattern: Starghan

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This next one is a heart shaped cloth. I'm not that pleased with how it looks, but will give it another try later.

Yarn: Sugar 'n Cream Worsted Weight Cotton
Color: Hot Pink, White
Pattern: Heart Dishcloth

Stephanie

WIPs

2007-01-17T14:15:00.000-05:00

Okay, here are the projects that I have, but am actually working on.

This first one is a starghan. I absolutely love this pattern and I really like the way the colors look together. The brown actually takes on a golden hue next to the red. I thought this one would look pretty draped over the back of a couch.

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft
Colors: Bone, Autumn Red
Pattern: Yarn Diva's Starghan
Crochetville CAL: Starghan CAL

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This afghan is actually a giant retangular granny square. This one is for me. It's going to be really colorful. I'm not buying any yarn for this one. I had a bunch of single skeins, so I'll be using them for this project. The colors that I have listed are not all incorporated into the afghan yet. They will be once the afghan is finished though.

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Colors: White, Light Raspberry, Light Fuschia, Medium Purple, Windsor Blue, Delft Blue, Turqua, Spring Green, Pale Yellow
Pattern: Giant Granny Square"
Crochetville CAL: Giant Granny Square CAL

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This next one is a afghan that I'm making for Byron. It's using the same pattern that I used to make my mother's afghan.

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Colors: Black, Royal, Sh. Dusk
Pattern: Easy Ripple Afghan
Crochetville CAL: Ripple CAL

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This next item is a doily. A doily is one thing that I said I would NEVER crochet. I had the idea that they were just too old fashioned. Well, I've changed my mind. There are a lot of beautiful threads and patterns that I just love. I thought this would look nice on my coffee table.

Yarn: Royale Size 10 Classic Crochet Thread
Color: Pastels
Pattern: Crochet-a-Long Hearts Doily
Crochetville CAL: ~*~ Be My Valentine ~*~ CAL

Stephanie

UFOs

2007-01-17T13:57:00.000-05:00

Okay, Here are the UFOs that I started, but just haven't felt like completing. I'll finish them sooner or later....maybe...LOL

This first one is a ruffle scarf. I really like the pattern and I only have two more rows of the ruffles to do. I just haven't felt like bothering with it.

Yarn: Red Heart Soft Yarn
Color: Blue Sky
Pattern: Ruffled Scarf

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This one is just a red scarf made up of dcs. It's one of my first projects. THe scarf is practically done except for the fact that there is no fringe on one side. All I have to do is put the fringe on it. The saddest part about this is that the yarn is already cut. So sad.

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver
Color: Burgundy
Pattern: No Pattern

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Third item is also a scarf. Hmmmm...I'm noticing a trend here. Apparently, I don't like to finish scarves. lol Anyway, this was meant to be a scarf for Byron. It is being crocheted with two strands of yarn held together. It is so soft. It'll be nice if I ever finish.

Yarn: Bernat Soft Boucle
Color: Blue Shades, Beautiful Blue
Pattern: No Pattern

Stephanie

So far...

2007-01-17T13:17:00.000-05:00

I've been crocheting since September 2006. I taught myself to crochet through books and the internet. I tried to teach myself years ago, but lost patience with it. I decided to give it another try in September and I caught on! I've crocheted just about every day since.

I finished my first afghan in December and I gave it to my mother for Christmas. I don't have a picture of the full afghan though b/c I didn't have a camera at the time. I did, however, get a chance to take a picture of the stitch pattern before I took it to Mississippi to give to my mother. Once she sends me pictures of the full afghan, I'll post them here. Until then, here is a picture of the stitch pattern:

The pattern came from here. It's actually a coincidence that the colors used in the pattern makers example are the same ones I used for my mother's afghan. She actually requested those colors. Anyway, here is the picture:

I also made myself this nifty scarf. I just made it up of colors that I had and this is what I got. I thought it was ugly, but my co-workers loved it. I was going to wear it anyway. LOL I thought it was ugly in a cute kind of way...if that makes sense.

No pattern was used for this scarf.
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft
Colors: Rubine Red, White, Bone, Violet?, and Dark Country Blue?

After I made that scarf, I became interested in hats. Hats were my first experiences working in the round and I loved it. The main thing that I liked about making the hats was the almost instant gratification. You crochet for an hour or two and you have a finished product! It doesn't get any better than that! As you can see, one of the hats uses the same colors as the scarf. The hat is small though...there's no way that hat is getting over my 'fro! LOL I really like the hat with the flower too. That hat is also too big for the 'fro. I'll have to use a bigger hook next time.

The pattern for this hat came from here.
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft
Colors: Rubine Red, White, Bone, Violet?, and Dark Country Blue?

The pattern for this hat came from here.
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft
Colors: Rubine Red, White

Now, for the many WIPs (Works In Progress for those who don't know) and UFOs (UnFinished Objects) that I have...that deserves it's own post. lol

Stephanie

The Beginning

2007-01-17T13:06:00.000-05:00

Okay, I made this blog so I can post the crochet items that I've made. I've yet to come put with a title that I like, so Yatyara's Yarns will have to do for now. Once I come up with something better I'll change it. I'm hoping to also customize the layout with some of my own graphics in the meantime. The layout will also have to wait until I come up with something better.

In the meantime, I'm really excited about posting some of the items I've made. I also plan on posting updates concerning the items I am in the process of making.

Anyway, I hope you like what you see and come back often.

Stephanie