Mom called and said she'd like to come back here instead of going on to Arizona with her brother-in-law. I'm so happy! She'll be here this Saturday. I don't know how long she's going to stay, but I told her she could stay as long as she wants. She said there was nothing at her home that needed her attention.

graphic compliments of cybergifs

I'm home alone today. Oh, don't be sad for me, I'm actually very happy about it. I have the house all to myself and I don't have to worry about anyone but me. I get so nervous and jittery when people are around.

I decided yesterday that I'd cook a semi-traditional meal for myself today. Turkey breast, dressing, gravy, potatoes, pie. Just the things I like the most. I might throw in a green bean or two, but don't count on it. So, I'm up at the crack of dawn, popped the pie in the oven (thank you Mrs. Smith) and burned the crust. Oh, well, that's 1 down, I still have 3 more chances to burn the rest of the meal.

Alrighty then, pie's out of the oven, time to start the giblets for the dressing. OK, where did my son put those giblets? Hmmm, oh, great, he put them in the freezer. That's my good boy. Wouldn't want those giblets to spoil in the refrigerator over night. lol OK, now the giblets are in the sink so I can melt them just enough to take the wrapping off and then I'll pop them into a pot and boil them to pieces.

While I wait for the giblets (actually it's turkey wings) to thaw, I'll work on my newest Lizzy Poncho. I'm re-writing the pattern to make a few corrections and hopefully make it easier to understand. This one is black with red and white accent stripes. It's shaping up to be very pretty. Pictures later, of course.

Good afternoon. I trust your Thanksgiving day has been a good one. Let me update you on my cooking adventures...

Cooked the turkey wings with no incident, unless you call a massive amount of turkey grease an incident. I had no idea 2 little wings could make so much grease. Popped that pot into the refrigerator to cool down so I could get rid of the grease later. Cut the onions and celery and put them in the rerigerator to be cooked later to add to the dressing.

At 1:00 I realized I absolutely needed to rest, so I turned the turkey down to 200 (it's in my norelco cooker so it's ok) and I went to my room to "rest". Promptly at 5:00 I woke up.

Oh, great! Now you know why I don't ask anyone over for dinner. Here it is, 5:00 and I still have to make the dressing and cook it for an hour. Checked the turkey and it looks pretty good, all brown and nice. I just hope it's not all dried out from cooking all day. Put the dressing together and popped it into the oven and it should be done in about an hour. So, I guess that my Thanksgiving lunch will be my Thanksgiving dinner and if I time it just right, my son and his daughter will be here in time to join me for dinner. I planned it that way all along. No, really, I did.   

Note to self: Dressing does not need to cook for an hour. It looks a little like the crust on the pie. All dark and crunchy. The center if OK though, and it tastes pretty good.

WATER BOTTLE BAG
copyright © 11/23/04 Dot Matthews
 
WW Red Heart Super Saver Artist Paint
I Hook
Rating: Intermediate – pattern uses the "flower stitch" which can be quite complicated for some.

Note 1: do not join rounds
Note 2: place marker in first stitch to mark beginning of rows.
Note 3: numbers in ( ) at end of row tells number of stitches for the row.
Note 4: "eye" refers to the ch 1 used to close the clusters
Note 5: cluster refers to a group of stitches all worked in the same stitch

abbreviations used:
ch – chain
dc – double crochet
sc – single crochet
ea – each
sl st – slip stitch

Row 1: ch 2, 6 sc in 1st ch. do not join. (6 sc)

Row 2: 2 sc in ea st around. (12 sc)

Row 3: (2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc) around. (18 sc)

Row 4: (2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next 2 sc) around. (24 sc)

Row 5: (2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next 3 sc) around. (30 sc)

Row 6 thru 18: 1 sc in ea sc around. (30 sc)

Row 19: sl st in next sc.
step 1: ch 3,
    holding last loop of ea st on hook,
   2 dc in 3rd ch from hook (3 loops on hook - leave them there)

step 2: holding last loop of ea st on hook,
   sk 3 sts
   3 dc in next st (6 loops on hook)
   yo, draw thru 6 loops on hook
   ch 1 to close cluster

step 3: ch 3,
   holding last loop of ea st on hook
   2 dc in 3rd ch from hook (3 loops on hook - leave them there)

step 4: holding last loop of ea st on hook
   3 dc in same st as last cluster (6 loops on hook - leave them there)

step 5: holding last loop of ea st on hook
   sk 3 sts
   3 dc in next st (9 loops on hook)
   yo, draw thru all 9 loops
   ch 1 to close cluster
     
Repeat steps 3 - 4 - 5 around,

ending with 
repeat step 3 (3 loops on hook)
   yo, draw thru 3 loops
   join with sl st in eye of first cluster.

Row 20: This row is worked in the eyes made in row 19 instead of skipping stitches.
   step 1: ch 3,
   holding last loop of ea dc on hook
   2 dc in 3rd st from hook 
   yo, draw thru 3 loops
   ch 1 to close cluster

step 2: ch 3,
   holding last loop of ea dc on hook
   2 dc in 3rd st from hook (3 loops on hook - leave them there)

step 3: holding last loop of ea dc on hook
   3 dc in same eye as first cluster (6 loops on hook - leave them there)

step 4: holding last loop of ea dc on hook
   3 dc in next eye (9 loops on hook)
   yo, draw thru 9 loops
   ch 1 to close cluster

Repeat steps 2 - 3 - 4 around,

ending with
   repeat step 2 and 3 (6 loops on hook)
   yo draw thru 6 loops
   ch 1 to close cluster
Join in first eye.

Row 21: ch 1, sc in same eye as join, ch 4, (sc in next eye, ch 4) around, join in first sc.

Row 22: ch 1, sc in same st as join, 4 sc in next ch-4 space, (sc in next sc, 4 sc in next ch-
4 sp), around. Join in first sc.

Row 23: ch 1, sc in same st as join, ch 3, (sk 1 sc, sc in next sc, ch 3 around), join in first
sc.

Row 24: ch 1, 3 sc in next ch-3 sp around. join in first sc.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

DRAWSTRINGS (make 2)

Ch 80, sl st in 2nd ch from hook and in ea ch back to beginning. Fasten off.

weave drawstring through spaces made by row 23, tie ends of drawstring together, weave
second drawstring trough same spaces in opposite directions, tie ends of drawstring
together. Trim off tails.

MR. STYLIN' SANTA HAT
copyright © 11/21/04 Dot Matthews

Adult size 22" to 24"
Rating: Intermediate

Materials: K hook; Caron Christmas Glitter, 2 oz white and 3 oz red (amounts are approximate)
Gauge: 6 hdc = 2 inches and 4 rows = 2 inches

NOTE 1: Abbreviations used can be found at the end of the pattern.
NOTE 2: ch 2 at beginning of rows does not count as a stitch.
NOTE 3: numbers in ( ) at end of rows indicates stitch count and is not instructing you to do anything.
NOTE 4: when you see "ch-" followed by a number, example ch-3, it is referring to a space made by the
chains of the previous row. It is not instruction you do do anything.

SPECIALTY STITCH:
Crossed Bar Stitch - yo, insert hook in st or sp indicated, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), yo, insert hook
in next st or sp indicated, pull up a loop (5 loops on hook), yo, draw thru all 5 loops on hook - crossed bar stitch made.

ROW 1: WITH WHITE, ch 64, join to first ch, be careful not to twist chain.
ch 1, sc in same st as join, ch 1, (sk 1 ch, sc in next ch, ch 1) around. (64 sts - count sc's and ch-1 spaces)

ROW 2: ch 2, yo, pull up a loop in same st as join. (3 loops on hook)
sk next ch-1 space
yo, pull up a loop in next sc (5 loops on hook)
yo, pull thru all 5 loops. CROSSED BAR ST MADE.
*ch 1, yo, pull up a loop in same st as last st (3 loops on hook)
sk next ch-1 sp
yo, pull up a loop in next st (5 loops on hook)
yo, pull thru all 5 loops* repeat from * to * around. Join in first ch-1 space. (32 crossed bar sts)

ROW 3 thru 7: working in ch-1 spaces, cross bar st around. Join in first ch-1 sp. (32 crossed bar sts)

Fasten off white and turn cuff inside out.

With wrong side facing you, attach red in any ch-1 space of row 7.

ROW 8: ch 1, sc in same sp as join, (sc in top of crossed bar st, sc in next ch-1 sp) around. Join in first sc. (64 sc)

ROW 9 thru 18: ch 2, 1 hdc in same st as join. 1 hdc in ea st around. Join in first hdc. (64 hdc)

ROW 19 (decrease row): ch 2, 1 hdc in same st as join, 1 hdc in next 4 hdc, *1 hdc in next 5, 2 hdc tog (yo, pull up a loop in next st, pull up a loop in next st, yo, draw thru 4 loops)* repeat from * to * around. 1 hdc in last hdc. Join in first hdc. (55 hdc)

ROW 20 thru 22: ch 2, 1 hdc in same st as join, 1 hdc in ea st around. Join in first hdc. (55 hdc)

ROW 23 (decrease row): ch 2, 1 hdc in same st as join, 1 hdc in next 3 hdc, 2 hdc tog, (1 hdc in next 4 hdc, 2 hdc tog) around. 1 hdc in last hdc. Join in first hdc. (46 hdc)

ROW 24 thru 26: ch 2, 1 hdc in same st as join, 1 hdc in ea st around. Join in first hdc. (46 hdc)

ROW 27 (decrease row): ch 2, 1 hdc in same st as join, 1 hdc in next 2 hdc, 2 hdc tog, (1 hdc in next 3 hdc, 2 hdc tog) around. 1 hdc in last hdc. Join in first hdc. (37 hdc)

ROW 28 thru 31: ch 2, 1 hdc in same st as join, 1 hdc in ea st around. Join in first hdc. (37 hdc)

ROW 32 (decrease row): ch 2, hdc in same st as join, 1 hdc in next hdc, 2 hdc tog, (1 hdc in next 2 hdc, 2
hdc tog) around. 1 hdc in last hdc. Join in first hdc. (28 hdc)

ROW 33 thru 35: ch 2, 1 hdc in same st as join, 1 hdc in ea st around. Join in first hdc. (28 hdc)

ROW 36 (decrease row): ch 2, 1 hdc in same st as join, 2 hdc tog, (1 hdc in next hdc,
2 hdc tog) around. 1 hdc in last hdc. Join in first hdc. (19 hdc)

ROW 37 thru 39: ch 2, 1 hdc in same st as join, 1 hdc in ea st around. Join in first hdc. (19 hdc)

ROW 40 (decrease row): ch 2, 1 hdc in same st as join, 2 hdc tog (1 hdc in ext hdc, 2 hdc tog) around. 1
hdc in last hdc. Join in first hdc. (13 hdc)

ROW 41 thre 42: ch 2, 1 hdc in same st as join, 1 hdc in ea st around. Join in first hdc. (13 hdc)

ROW 43 (decrease row): ch 2, 1 hdc in same st as join, (2 hdc tog) 6 times. Join in first hdc. (7 hdc)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for stiching top of hat together.

Turn hat inside out. Use tail and weave thru stitches of row 43. Pull tight to close hole. Weave in ALL
ends. Turn hat right side out.

With white, make a pom pom and attach it to the top of hat. Turn up the white cuff and you're good to go!
 
Abbreviations used:
ch = chain
ea = each
hdc = half double crochet (wrap yarn around hook 1 time and work off loops 3 at a time)
sc = single crochet
sk = skip
sl st = slip stitch
st = stitch
sts = stitches
tog = together

Did ya'll see how fast the last 2 weeks went? I can't get over it. Seems like my boys just picked Mom up from the airport and it was time to take her back again.

We took her to the airport yesterday so she can go to Las Vegas to my sisters house, where she will spend the Thanksgiving holidays. Then she's off to Arizona. She said she'll be back to see me next year. I miss her already. **sniff sniff** Uh, oh, tearing up now. on to something else.

Do you want to see a picture? Well, I don't care, you're going to anyway!

circa 1944     Beautiful at 16

2004 Still beautiful at 73

We had a wonderful visit. Did a little shopping and a whole lot of just doing nothing. She reads and I crochet. Oh, you already knew what I do.

Spike ADORED her. He brought all his toys to her and got her to play with him. You can see him there in the picture with her. He was trying to get her to stay. That was the first time he got up in the chair with her. He knew she was leaving and he tried his best to get her to stay.

I sent her home with a few of my originals, Lizzy and the Short Round Poncho, and the Seriphina shawl. The shawl isn't my pattern. I made her a water bottle bag and a matching wrist bag. Both bags are my originals but they didn't make it to paper. I would have given her more but she doesn't wear hats and she didn't have anymore room in her suitcases.

I wish she would have stayed longer. I miss her already. Hmm, said that already. Well, I do miss her. *sniff sniff* there goes the watery eyes again. Ending this now before I need a tissue. I already have a headache trying not to cry.

STYLIN' SANTA HAT
copyright © Dot Matthews 11/17/04

Adult size 22"
Rating: Intermediate

Materials: J hook; Caron Christmas Glitter, 2 oz white and 3 oz red (amounts are approximate)
Gauge: 6 hdc = 2 inches and 4 rows = 2 inches

NOTE 1: Abbreviations used can be found at the end of the pattern.
NOTE 2: ch 2 at beginning of rows does not count as a stitch.
NOTE 3: numbers in ( ) at end of rows indicates stitch count and is not instructing you to do anything.

ROW 1: WITH WHITE, (ch 4, dtr in 4th ch from hook) repeat 13 times. Join with sl st to first ch. Be careful not to twist the clusters (14 clusters)

ROW 2:
Step 1: ch 4, hold last loop of ea dtr on hook, 2 dtr in 4th ch from hook (3 loops on hook)

the chains referred to in step 2 are the chains in row 1.

Step 2: skip next 3 ch, hold last loop of ea dtr on hook, 3 dtr in next ch (6 loops on hook)
yo, draw thru all 6 loops on hook.
ch 1 to close cluster.

Step 3: ch 4, hold last loop of ea dtr on hook, 2 dtr in 4th ch from hook. (3 loops on hook)

Step 4: Hold last loop of ea dtr on hook, 3 dtr in same stitch as step 2. (6 loops on hook)

Step 5: skip next 3 ch, hold last loop of ea st on hook, 3 dtr in next ch (9 loops on hook)
yo, draw thru all 9 loops
ch 1 to close cluster.

Step 6: Ch 4, hold last loop of ea st on hook, 2 dtr in 4th ch from hook. (3 loops on hook)

Step 7: hold last loop of ea dtr on hook, 3 dtr in same st as step 5 (6 loops on hook)

Step 8: skip 3 ch, hold last loop of ea st on hook, 3 dtr in next ch. (9 loops on hook)
yo, draw thru all 9 loops
ch 1 to close cluster.

Repeat steps 3 thru step 8 around.

Step 9: ch 4, hold last st of ea dtr on hook, 2 dtr in 4th ch from hook. (3 loops on hook)
yo, draw thru all 3 loops. Join with a sl st in the first eye of the row. (You should have 14 eyes at the end of row 2)

ROW 3:
Step 1: ch 4, hold last loop of ea dtr on hook, 2 dtr in 4th ch from hook. (3 loops on hook)
yo, draw thru all 3 loops.
ch 1 to close cluster.

Step 2: ch 4, hold last loop of ea dtr on hook, 2 dtr in 4th ch from hook. (3 loops on hook)

Step 3: hold last loop of ea dtr on hook, 3 dtr in same eye as step 1. (6 loops on hook)

Step 4: hold last loop of ea dtr on hook, 3 dtr in next eye. (9 loops on hook)
yo, draw thru all 9 loops.

Repeat step 2 thru step 4 around.

End row with Repeat step 2 and step 3 (6 loops on hook)
yo, draw thru all 6 loops.
Join with sl st to first eye. (14 eyes in row)

ROW 4: ch 1, sc in same st as join, 3 sc around the next ch 4, (1 sc in next eye, 3 sc around next ch 4) around. Join with sl st in first sc. (56 sc)

Fasten off white.

ROW 5: ATTACH RED in any sc of row 4, ch 1, sc in same st you attached the red in. 1 sc in ea st around. (56 sc)

ROW 6: ch 2 1 hdc in same st as join, 1 hdc in ea st around. Join in first hdc. (56 hdc)

ROW 7 thru ROW 14: repeat row 6. (56 sc at end of ea row)

ROW 15: ch 2, hdc in same st as join, hdc in next 4 hdc, 2 hdc tog (yo pull up a loop in next st, pull up a loop in next st, yo, draw thru all 4 loops) around. Join in first hdc. (48 hdc)

ROW 16: ch 2, hdc in same st as join, 1 hdc in ea st around. Join in first hdc. (48 hdc)

ROW 17: repeat row 16.

ROW 18: Ch 2, 1 hdc in same st as join, 1 hdc in next 3 hdc, 2 hdc tog, (1 hdc in next 4 hdc, 2 hdc tog) around. Join in first hdc. (40 hdc)

ROW 19: ch 2, 1 hdc in same st as join, 1 hdc in ea st around. Join in first hdc. (40 hdc)

ROW 20: repeat row 19.

ROW 21: repeat row 19.

ROW 22: ch 2, 1 hdc in same st as join, 1 hdc in next 2 hdc, 2 hdc tog, (1 hdc in next 3 hdc, 2 hdc tog) around. Join in first hdc. (32 hdc)

ROW 23: ch 2, 1 hdc in same st as join, 1 hdc in ea st around. Join in first hdc. (32 hdc)

ROW 24: repeat row 23

ROW 25: repeat row 23

ROW 26: ch 2, 1 hdc in same st as join, 1 hdc in next hdc, 2 hdc tog, (1 hdc in next 2 hdc, 2 hdc tog) around. Join in first hdc. (24 hdc)

ROW 27: ch 2, 1 hdc in same st as join, 1 hdc in ea st around. Join in first hdc. (24 hdc)

ROW 28: repeat row 27

ROW 29: repeat row 27

ROW 30: repeat row 27

ROW 31: ch 2, 1 hdc in same st as join, 2 hdc tog, (1 hdc in next  hdc, 2 hdc tog) around. Join in first hdc. (16 hdc)

ROW 32: ch 2, 1 hdc in same st as join, 1 hdc in ea st around. Join in first hdc. (16 hdc)

ROW 33: repeat row 32

ROW 34: repeat row 32

ROW 35: repeat row 32

ROW 36: ch 2, 2 hdc tog, around. Join in first hdc. (8 hdc)

ROW 37: ch 2, 1 hdc in same st as join, 1 hdc in ea st around. Join in first hdc. (8 hdc)

ROW 38: ch 2, 2 hdc tog, around. Join in first hdc. (4 hdc)

Leave a long tail, fasten off red.

Make a pom pom with white and attach to top of hat. Weave in loose ends.

Turn up cuff.

Abbreviations used:
ch = chain
cluster = group of stitches all worked in the same stitch
dtr = double treble (wrap yarn around hook 3 times and work off loops 2 at a time)
ea = each
eye = chain 1 used to close cluster
hdc = half double crochet (wrap yarn around hook 1 time and work off loops 3 at a time)
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
tog = together
yo = yarn over

I've added a list of abbreviations used in the Flower Hat aka Lizzy hat and I also added a rating. I hope this will be helpful. I'm still learning about writing patterns and I forget to list abbreviations. Sorry, I'll try to do better in the future. I promise. 

I've had several emails from people having difficulty understanding row 6, so I put together a picture tutorial to see if that will help.

 

FLOWER PIN
copyright © 11/10/04 Dot Matthews

I just had to try my hand at making a flower and here's a picture of how it turned out. I didn't take pictures of this while it was developing, but you can make it in a wide range of sizes. Stop with just 2 layers or continue until you have it as large as you like. Change hook size and yarn and the size range is limitless. These are 5 layers and the pink one is 5 1/2 inches across and the white one is 5 inches across. Sew a pin on the back and you're good to go.

I don't have time right now to post the pattern, but I'll try to get it posted later today. I'm busy visiting with Mom and we've got some running around to do today. Isn't it amazing how life sometimes interferes with crocheting? I'm loving it!