To frog or not to frog/Correction to Heart Strings Afghan pattern in Crochet World, June 2005

I am working up an afghan found on page 42 of the June 2005 issue of Crochet World called Heart Strings Afghan.

After Row 18, the pattern says, [Rep rows 13 - 18 30 times. Rep row 13]. I FINALLY crocheted rows 13 – 18 30 times. I repeated row 13 and continued on to Row 19. As I was crocheting this row, something didn’t seem right. I read and re-read. I checked my work. No, I’m following the pattern right. But I still knew something was wrong. 98% of the time I “know” something is wrong with a pattern, it’s my fault, not the pattern’s. But this time it was the pattern’s.

The pattern SHOULD read [Rep rows 13 - 18 30 times. Rep rows 13, 14].

I’ve gotten to row 23 and that one row of hearts is too squishy. I need another row in there.

The question is, do I frog it?

It’s similar to a filet. You dc in the row below to raise the stitch and it creates a picture of a heart. Honestly, you can’t really tell, unless you look close. But, it’s bugging me. So, I guess I’m going to have to frog it.

Dang. I was celebrating when I got to the 30th repeated heart. But, I want this to be perfect and don’t want to be lazy on this last section.

Oh, well.

Here it goes…

An hour later: I frogged 3 rows and it’s better and I’m happy. No. It didn’t take me an hour, since I fooled around on the ‘net for a bit.

Old Glory

I was asked to make up a red, white and blue blanket. This is what I came up with:

I’ve worked up rounds 1-4 in white Caron Simply Soft. Rounds 5-17 are Dark Country Blue Simply Soft. (Takes just less than one skein.)

Rounds 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 are Red Heart Light and Lofty. (Takes just a bit more than one skein.)
Rounds 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 are white Caron Simply Soft.

It measures 40″ across made with a G hook and I used Beth’s Little Star from Heartfelt Angels pattern.

Trust in the Lord

Psalm 3:5,6

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

What Only You Can Do

So, we’ve been having work done on the house all week. We’ve had damage to ceilings and wall due to hurricane Wilma last year. My four oldest children are at my mom’s for the week. Good timing as I don’t know what I would have had the kids do while the work was/is being done. For the moment, the babies and I are either confined to the living room or, later, to my bedroom.

It’s been a hard week emotionally. Scott has had something to do outside work/home Monday and Tuesday. He’s been working late the other days. I’m stuck at home with no vehicle and no privacy.

Although I’m so happy this work is getting done, I’ll be so happy when it’s over and I can have my home back.

So, tonight I was feeling a bit emotional. I was listening to these awesome cds by Misty Edwards called Always on His Mind and Eternity. There is this one song that just really spoke to me. I’m going to type out the words, but I found that the music speaks more to me than the actual words do. The music and the way the artist sings it, which cannot be captured in written word. But here it is anyway:
What Only You Can Do
I’ll take my cold, cold heart
I’ll take my unrenewed mind
I’ll take Your word in my hand
and I’ll give You time to come and melt me

I can’t even love You ‘less you call my name
I can’t even worship ‘less You anoint my heart, God
I can’t even want You ‘less You want me first
Come, fan the flame
Come, fan the flame

I’ll take my cold, cold heart
I’ll take my unrenewed mind
I’ll take your word in my hand
and I’ll give you time to come and melt me
Do what only You can do

Come, fan the flame
Do what only You can do
Just let my heart be alive
Let me be living deep deep on the inside
Come, fan the flame

Little Star Baby Blanket

I just finished a baby blanket for a friend. She’s due the end of June, however, it’s very possible she will be giving birth any day now. This is her 6th child. A boy they will name Will.

I used Caron Simply Soft – Country Blue, Dark Country Blue and Light Country Blue and a G hook. I used (1) 6oz skein each. It measures 38″ across. I got the pattern from HeartFelt Angels and it’s called Beth’s Little Star.

ID Wallet and Some bracelets

I made up an ID wallet and some bracelets.

They are all made from Aunt Lydia’s Double Strand (about size 3) and I used a #3 hook.

I got the pattern for the bracelets from Crochet! magazine – issue May 2006 page 18.

The pattern for the ID wallet I got from a web archive of Crochet Partners’ Business Card Holder. I modified it to fit my needs. I sewed on a button for decoration and used velcro to keep it shut.

Star blanket

I had a request from a friend on a discussion board to make a baby blanket for his wife who is pregnant with their first son.

I purchased some Caron Simply Soft – Dark Country Blue, Country Blue and Light Country Blue and I’m using a G hook. I’m using Beth’s Little Star Afghan Pattern. Rounds 1-6 done in Country Blue. Then 3 rounds of Light Blue, 3 rounds of Dark Blue, 3 rounds of Country Blue, etc., until it’s big enough or I run out of yarn. I have (2) 6oz skeins of each. We’ll see.

Back to working on 3 projects at a time.

Yippeee!!!!!!

W.I.P.s – Wednesday 6/7/06

Well, the bag didn’t work out. I am just not a sewer. So I ended up purchasing a basket/bag from Walmart with the gromet hole aready there. I will add some of the eyelets around so I can have more than one project in the basket.

I am working again on Heart Strings Afghan by Winnona Nagy. I found the pattern in the June 2005 issue of Crochet World, page 42. I’m working it up with Caron Simply Soft in white with an I hook. I was going to give it to my friends who got married, but I didn’t finish it in time. In fact, right now, I’m a little over 1/3 through. I need to make 33 rows of heart and I’m on row 17. Hmm. My math really isn’t good, is it? I’m a little more than 1/2 through! Yippee!. We already gave our friends a gift certificate to Macy’s so someone else will be getting this blanket – I just don’t know who yet. I have been praying Psalm 84 over it.

I’m also making some bracelets. I found the pattern in a Crochet! magazine, but since I cannot find it right now, I don’t know which issue it is. I’m a little upset with myself as there were 2 different patterns and I only made one pattern up so far. I can copy the pattern – not difficult, but I didn’t make up the other one and I don’t know how it works up. I guess I can make a choice to spread my wings into designing my own… Not looking forward to that.

I also want to make up a small pouch using Aunt Lydia’s Double Strand (3) – same I’m using for the bracelets. I want it to put my id in when I don’t want to carry my purse.

Edited: Yeah! I found the Crochet! Magazine!!! I can now make the other bracelet. It’s the May 2006 issue, page 18.

W.I.P.s – Friday 6/2/06

I am working on a bag for myself using Lily’s String Basket pattern. I am using Caron Simplly Soft with a strand of Aunt Lydia’s Denim and a J hook. I crocheted over the strand of denim for the bottom and then did a round of hdc around – using 2 strands – CSS and ALD. I then do 3 rounds of ch 5 mesh using only CSS and bringing the ALD up each time I start a new round. I then do a round of hdc and will work this up until it’s tall enough. I will then be lining it and I want to make a draw-string pocket. I will then be adding eyelets around the top of the fabric so I can put strands of yarn through them. I may even get creative and make some pockets for hooks, scissors and such.

That’s all that’s on the WIP list – for now. LOL