Blessed week

After this week of getting three rug custom made rug orders, I realized I do not have the time to offer up custom made rug orders on a regular basis. Not to say that if someone wants a different color that I won't do it, but I am not going to have a website offering it. If I can catch up with my life, I plan to offer plenty of color choices on rugs and crocheted bone pet feeding mats.

Right now, I'm just trying to fill some orders. I realized when I sold a dish cloth on Etsy how nice it was to just pull it out of my container where I keep them and mail it off. Instead of having to sit down right then and there and knit one. So, for the time being, I took my website down with only links to show things of interest.

Last week, I finally dropped off some sudsy sacks and bars of soap at the local quilt store's craft room. I told the owner I'd be back with bone rugs to sell as well. I didn't realize how busy I would be when I promised to be back the next week with them made. Hopefully by the first of December I can have a few made up. I don't know how well they'll sell but time will tell.

Well, I have yet to finish a shawl, a hat, a bone rug and a crocheted bath mat. Which MUST be done tonight. Five hours left to go. I better get busy!

Crocheted Rag Rug Tutorial- Revised

A friend of mine showed me some rugs she had woven with a loom and recycled t-shirts. I loved the idea, but don't have room to use a loom in the camper so I thought I'd crochet one instead. I had originally hoped to knit one but found my hands aching too much after a few rows.

Here's what you need:
Size Q crochet hook
7-10 shirts depending on size. (might need more depending on size)
Pattern of choice or this leaflet. (which is what I used)
A good pair of fabric cutting scissors

Before I begin, let me just say I have an extra copy of this leaflet for sale if anyone is interested. If you are, contact me and I will create a reserved listing for you in my etsy shop.

First, you need to prepare your material into "yarn". You do this by cutting your shirts into strips. I found several methods for cutting t-shirts and joining the ends. Which I will talk about here. But, do also check out  this method, which makes one continuous strip of material.

You do this by first laying the t-shirt out folded in half like this. If you notice, I've already cut the hem off. I save them in case I might need just a little bit more material. And if I do, I simply cut it in half. If you have a good pair of scissors, it's not hard to cut out at all and makes the procedure go by a little faster. I've even tried folding the shirt in half again but it's too hard to cut comfortably.

Oh, and I didn't think it mattered if the t-shirt had writing on it, but what happens is that the design especially if you used a lighter color will eventually show through. It really all depends on the shirt. Some printed shirts would stretch with the design on them, while others cracked and did not turn out well. You just have to figure it out for yourself.

I simply cut about 1-2 inch wide strips. I'm not too picky about measuring the strips. I just cut what looks like the right size and set them aside.

Then, I grab a hold of each end and stretch it until it won't stretch anymore. I repeat that process until I've got all the pieces stretched out. The thing I love about t-shirts is that when you stretch it, the ends curl inside and create a nice "tube". This means that your material won't fray. Not that it frays much anyways, but it gives it a neater look.

Shirts awaiting to be stretched:

I like to bunch up the shirts like shown above if I am making a colorful rug so I can see which colors look good together. But most times, I just start crocheting it grabbing whatever color I want and if I don't like the way it looks, I pull it out and start over. 

After that, I use a square knot to hold the strips together. I was using another technique at first but found that the material slipped out and since this is a "rag" rug, I figured that knots were acceptable. When I crochet the rug, I try to get all the knots to the back anyhow. To tie a square knot, learn here. The reason I use a square knot is because it won't slip out. Here is a picture of my square knot:

The actual picture you see above is just an example. Had I used it, I would have snipped the frayed end off that you see. In fact, after I knot the ends together, I snip the material as close to the knot as possible. Once all my ends are knotted together, the "yarn" is now ready. Now, you just need to follow the instructions on your pattern.

Or if you don't want to have to worry about connecting so many strips together, follow this method to create one long continuous strip of material. You'll still have to connect the colors together, but will have way less knots to deal with. Click here. I tried to make it as clear and easy to understand. If you need help, leave a comment and I'll do my best to help you.


If you don't have a pattern to use, try this simple one:
22X34 inches, approximately. Depends on your gauge. Maintain tension to keep rug flat.

Chain 27 loosely.
Row 1- Dc in fourth ch from hook and in ea ch across: 25 sts.
Row 2-22: Ch 3 (counts as first st), turn; dc in next dc and in ea st across.
Finish off.
Optional: add 1 length of fringe in ea free lp of beg ch an in ea st on row 21.

Fringe:
Cut fabric strip into 18 inch lengths. Fold each length in half. With ws facing, working in st or row indicated and using crochet hook, draw folded end up through st or row and pull loose ends through folded end; draw knot up tightly.

You can also chain it across as many times as you want. There is no right or wrong way to do it depending on how big or small you want your rug to be.

Have fun crafting!

P.S. I will add that some t-shirts won't make good rugs. Sometimes the material will just fray. I've found that if you look closely at the t-shirt, if it looks like garter stitch it will work. However, if it looks like stockinette stitch, on the inside, don't bother. I made the mistake before I knew any better and bought a bunch of shirts with the stockinette look at a garage sale and was disappointed to find that I could not use them in my rug making. Remember also when choosing shirts, try not to get ones that have too much of a design on them. Even though your material will only show the inside, the printed part often makes the material "crunchy" and won't roll right.

I also made some heart shaped ones and some oval ones.

Yarn and Hats

I was blessed this week with a large bag of yarn. Most of it was my absolute favorite yarn in the world: Plymouth Encore!

My friend also gave me a super easy knitted hat pattern to try. She wasn't kidding when she said how easy it was.

I took the yarn home Tuesday night and started knitting a hat. Wednesday morning, I called to ask her for some help on the pattern and by mid morning completed my first hat. I have only previously made hats on a round loom.

I didn't have the right sized circular needle so I ended up using a longer one which just means I have a side seam to sew up.

Nick's been waiting for a knitted hat from me for a year now since I knitted him a scarf last year with Plymouth Encore worsted weight, dark grey. So, after looking at the pattern, I decided to use a larger needle hoping that it would fit his head of 24 inches. The pattern said it was for a 20 inch diameter.

I forgot to take into account though that I was using Plymouth's bulky yarn instead of the usual worsted weight, so it turned out quite a bit larger. It still fit him but there was no need to make it that big. It should have stretched. I can only assume with the bulky yarn it was made larger because of the bigger fibers.

He liked it but not the color and also said that he wished it was all ribbed. I knew that these were just practice hats so I didn't mind. Wednesday afternoon I started knitting a pink ribbed hat. I used the right sized needles and it turned out a lot smaller than the first one. But it stretched and even fit Nick's head!

Now, I'm working on another hat with some yarn I had leftover from knitting my sister her hat. It's Plymouth encore worsted weight brown. I'm actually following the pattern this time. I can't wait to see how large it becomes when I'm done.

For local Missouri folks, Plymouth yarn can be purchased here.  Otherwise, you can find it online.

I hope to post some pictures soon!

Easy Pickled Jalapeno Peppers

After being in my neighbor's house after they fried some jalapeno peppers. (or whatever they did to them) and feeling the burning sensation in my throat, nose and eyes, I decided to forgo making my favorite jalapeno jelly. I don't want the smell to permeate through our camper and I'm sure Nick will thank me!

Instead, I will buy some jelly already made either from Interior Motives or Life+Style. Two of my favorite stores nearby! I tried some jalapeno jelly sample from Interior Motives during one of their special days on a cracker and it was delicious!

Life+Style also sells jellies and more from Heritage Acres Farm.  At least that's what I think so. I haven't been in there for awhile so I may be wrong. But I do know that the jellies and pickles I saw were local which was a plus for me. I always try to be local whenever I can.

So, I will simply slice thin and cover with vinegar and salt and stick in the fridge. Another favorite treat of mine. A spoonful of this in a bowl of beans with cornbread. A tasty treat! Especially when I also have zucchini relish nearby. Sweet and hot in one bite.

Found the recipe here.

Rabid coon

The other day Nick and I were watching our favorite TV show, Law and Order, CI when Nick looked out the window and said, "There's a raccoon in the yard!"

We both jumped up and went flying out the door. We had heard the beagle pups barking for what seemed like an hour when we realized why they were barking. When we got outside, Fern, one of the pups was circling the raccoon with her fur standing on end.

It took some time but I managed to get Fern to her pen. I don't know how I got the hook to latch but it stayed in place. In the meantime, Nick took a garden rake and attempted to shoo the raccoon away. The raccoon had no fear of us and just seemed sort of dazed and confused.

About this time Rouser came running home so we called him and he came running right up to us. Nick grabbed his collar and I hoisted him over the dog pen. Boy! That pup is H-E-A-V-Y! The pups started barking like crazy and the two of us went to the neighbor's. They weren't home so we just went back inside. I wanted to stay out and watch where the raccoon went to, but Nick said it must have rabies or something for it to not be afraid of us at all. So, I paced inside.

The dogs barked and growled at the intruder in our yard and the last I'd seen the coon it was heading to the neighbor's on the other side of us. About an hour later, our neighbors got home and we told them of the coon. By this time though the coon was nowhere in sight.

Then this morning, I was out in the backyard picking dandelion greens and other weeds for the bunnies who live next door when I heard one of the dogs down the street barking. I wasn't going to go see but I wondered what in the world he was going on about. The dog sounded like he was close in our yard. Not missing a chance to chase the booger out of our yard, I went to investigate.

There in the neighbor's ditch was that raccoon and the dog. The dog was pouncing on him trying to make him go away and the raccoon just plodded along ignoring him. If I hadn't been wearing my glasses, I would have just thought that it was two dogs playing together. The raccoon didn't seem bothered at all by the dog. I ran next door to the neighbor's and knocked, but there wasn't any answer.

I knew he was home because the car was there, but it was quite early and figured he must be sleeping. Not wanting the raccoon to get away again, I ran home and called him. I told him about the raccoon and went back outside to see where it had gone to. It wasn't anywhere in sight!

I kept thinking, great, I've gone and woken up the neighbor and now the raccoon is gone! But then I heard the dog barking and looked to see where the dog was. He was on top of the driveway and two beady eyes peered out from under the drainage pipe. I tried to keep the raccoon in the hole while waiting for the neighbor. Hoping that he'd come out soon!

But the raccoon would not have any of that. He started to come out of the hole towards me. So I backed away slowly and watched him. He walked under the camper and poked around under there. By this time the neighbor came out with his gun. I pointed to where the raccoon was and covered my ears. I thought the gun shot would be louder but it was quiet. Much quieter than I thought it would be. One shot to the head and it was down.

At first. Acted in pain. But then it got back up again. So he shot it again. This time the raccoon looked pretty mad and angry. But it didn't die right away. In fact, the neighbor had to go back inside to get more ammo. By the time he came back, the raccoon had moved into the neighbor's yard. He shot it a couple more times after that and the raccoon kept right on going. I was worried it would get away. It made its way to the street where it finally laid down on the ground and one more shot was given to the head and it didn't get back up again.

I had never seen anything like that before. I thought one shot and it would be dead. While I feel bad that the raccoon had to die, there was something wrong with it. Rabies, distemper. Who knows?

But whenever I don't know something. I go straight for Google. I looked up rabies and distemper in raccoons and this is what I found.

Raccoons are affected primarily three viral diseases: rabies, canine distemper and feline distemper. I never thought keeping your dogs up to date on their shots was that important until today. If you have dogs that are let out to roam even for a little bit, they are exposed to the dangers. If one of the dogs had gotten bit by this raccoon, they would be infected too. This link tells more.

A google search told me that if an infected raccoon gets into contact with your pet's water or food bowl it can contaminate it thus spreading the disease to your pet.

So, if you're going to let your dogs roam the neighborhood, it's a good idea to keep them up to date on all their shots.

Until next time!

Need a card?

Brighten Your Day is the place to get them! Here you can find handmade greeting cards and more. I purchase gift tags from them that I send along with a purchase of my knitted items. A place for me to write care instructions and other notes on.

I love the selection of greeting cards available and how I can choose whatever greeting I want. They also make invitations too.

The cards are beautiful and handmade with care.

Custom made to order.

Looking for that unique card? Tired of the same old factory produced ones at the store.

Buy one today!

Cables and looms

I was browsing the Internet this morning and came across a dish cloth pattern rated "Easy" that used cables. So I decided one of my things to learn this week is going to be how to use a cable needle in my knitting. I've come across plenty of beautiful patterns that call for them but have always just skipped right past them because of my lack of knowledge with them.

After deciding that I wanted to learn to use a cable needle, my friend loaned me this book. The book explains how to use a cable needle among other things. There are plenty of basic patterns that I hope to try out including a pair of diagonal knit spiral tube socks.

My friend bought the book for her kids to learn to knit but they decided it was too hard to learn.

It's my fault, really. Since I showed them how easy it was to use my hat knitting looms,  they decided they would much rather use the looms than knit!

And they both have made several hats already. Along with a blanket and baby bunting.

I have since loaned my looms out to other friends who also love to use it. One friend made a lovely blanket using the largest loom. She was able to figure out how to wrap the yarn around the loops halfway. Something I have yet to figure out.

Together we learned how to do the knit and purl stitch by watching youtube videos. How I love youtube! The stitch I learned with is the twisted knitting stitch. Once I get my looms back, I hope to make several swatches with the different stitches for comparison.

The friend that loaned me the knitting book loaned me a flower loom she got many years ago. I think it's similar to this one. But it was actually by the brand, Boye. I had a lot of fun making flowers with it and am kicking myself for not snatching the loom up several years ago. There was a time when I saw these looms at every garage sale I went to. But I thought they were dumb (why!?) and paid no attention to them. I suppose for less than $3 I can't be too angry with myself.

I won't be able to post up pictures of my cable swatches until I get my camera fixed but I'll be sure to post right here to tell of my accomplishments!

Jalapeno Jelly

My neighbor's garden is coming to an end and today he told me I could pick some of their jalapeno peppers. I took a handful and as I walked back to the camper, I thought to myself, "Now what will I do with them?"

No sooner did my hand touch the door a thought came to me. Jalapeno Jelly!!!! So I went back and gathered a few more and now the peppers patiently sit waiting for me to transform them into a yummy treat.

All year long I have missed eating Habenero Jelly from Burt Craig Farms. Brandi hasn't made any this year so I could not buy any from her.  But the craving was still there. So, I guess my jalapeno jelly will have to do.I just hope my batch of jelly can be half as good as hers!

My favorite way to eat it is to dump a jar on a block of cream cheese and enjoy with Ritz crackers. Yum!

Plantain

Plantain is my friend. When I'm itchy from a mosquito bite, I rub some of her leaves on my skin and she takes the itch away.

I like to make salve with her leaves. I soak them in olive oil and mix with beeswax. Great for dry skin and chapped lips.

Wasp bites are no bother with plantain around either. The juice from her leaves brings relief.

And she grows all around me. Plentiful.

Thank you plantain.