Since I knew I would be off work on disability for several weeks this summer, I dug around in my to-do pile looking for something to keep me busy. My search was successful and I found an afghan I started about eight years ago. I’m happy to report that I finished it yesterday.
I made the squares on a lap loom and then crocheted them together. it was quite easy to do and went together pretty quickly. This is only the third afghan I have ever made, so when I say it was easy, I really do mean it.
I'm a packrat. My husband and sons will readily attest to that. It annoys them, but sometimes it pays off. I have been saving a Victorian calendar forever (I think it was from 1984) because the pictures are so pretty I just couldn't bear to throw it away. As I was trying to decide what to use for my next basket, it occurred to me that the pictures on that calendar would be perfect.
Here's how it turned out.
Since calendar pages aren't nearly as stiff as cards, I cut a center layer from heavy card stock to make the pieces sturdy enough.
Craft Recipe:
For the basket top, the bottom and each basket side, cut two pieces from the calendar/patterned paper and one piece from heavy card stock. You will end up with six hexagons (4 patterned and two from card stock) and 18 side pieces (12 patterned and six from card stock).
Mark and punch holes using the template for 1/8" holes.
Single crochet or blanket stitch around each piece (for crochet instructions see pattern). Stitch or crochet the bottom of each side to a side of the hexagon shaped basket bottom.
Stitch or crochet the basket sides together. Single crochet around the top of the basket.
Basket lid: Using a size 5 crochet hook, Single crochet four rows around the basket lid. In each row, make two single crochets, one chain and two more single crochets in each corner.
The trim is just a simple shell border. I stitched it with a size 9 crochet hook. I'd write the instructions if I knew how. It's easier for me to draw, so here's a diagram:
One of the things I remember from my childhood Christmases was a basket my mother had that my grandmother had made out of Christmas cards. I don't know what became of the basket, but when my sister was visiting last month and we were trying to figure out what to do with a box of old Christmas cards, both of us thought of the basket. Unfortunately, neither of us had any idea how to make one so that's where the conversation ended.
A few days later, I found this link to a basket that was similar, but it wasn't quite the same as the one I remembered: http://www.allfreecrafts.com/christmas/card-basket.shtml
As I recall, the basket my grandmother made was crocheted together, not stitched and the sides were curved, not straight. So, I decided to try to make a pattern of my own. Here is my first attempt.
I think it's pretty close to the one I remember. I think Grandma's had a little more curve to the sides, though. I'll have to show it to my mom and my sister and see what they think.
Here's a view from the top:
And another view from the front:
If you'd like to make one, you can find the pattern and instructions here:
http://www.handcraftedgreetings.com/miscprojects.php
Be warned, though, I have never written crochet instructions before so they might be a little hard to follow.
We are snowed in for real now. We got six inches yesterday, then it rained last night, so we have a nice layer of ice on top and now it's snowing again. Nobody's going anywhere unless they have chains and 4 wheel drive (we have a LOT of hills here). This wouldn't be too much of a problem, except that I didn't finish my Christmas shopping and the forecast for the rest of the week is more of the same. One of the two people I haven't shopped for is my granddaughter (BAD grandma!!!).
So, I decided to make something for her this year. But what? My sewing machine is broken and somehow, I don't think a packet of greeting cards is going to fly with a three year old! Then I remembered a box of yarn in the front closet. I did a Google search and found an adorable "Hello Kitty" pattern at Armina's Ami-nals. It's been ages since I crocheted, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but all things considered, I think it turned out pretty well.
It went together surprisingly fast except for the dress, I had a horrible time figuring that part out and ended up stitching it different from the instructions. I know the dress and bow are supposed to be pink, but I didn't have any pink yarn. I hope my granddaughter likes it.
If the link above doesn't work, here's the URL for the pattern:
http://arminas-aminals.blogspot.com/2008/03/ami-hello-kitty.html
If you like crochet, Armina has lots of really cute patterns.
