graphics by J's Magic Gallery

Last week I was making hats for Christmas presents and while I was working on them I realized these would be perfect for the homeless. So I just kept making hats...60 so far. Thirteen of those are for my family, but the rest are going to the Department of Human Services, where I used to work, so they can distribute them. I've set a goal for myself of 100 hats before December 31, 2004. Pretty good start, don't you think? I love making hats.

I used an M hook and 2 strands of worsted weight yarn, I made a basic hat pattern of double crochet 11 rounds and 1 round of single crochet.

I've gotten a few emails from fellow crocheters who've put their own spin on some of my patterns, so I've decided to share them with you, with their permission, of course. It never ceases to amaze me how creative people are, how one idea spins off another.

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Donna got real creative and used a combination of patterns and came up with 2 new bags. Here's what she has to say...

Subject: Drawstring Bags
Date: Wed, 08 Dec 2004 07:01:34 -0500

Hi Dot,

I got a chance to take some pictures of the bags. The blue one has a
double strand of yarn using a chain stitch. The gold chenille bag is the petal
stitch using double crochet but omitting the extra chain for strength.
I used the pattern for the lizzy hat for the base of the bag. There is 14
rounds of double crochet. I followed your pattern up to 60 stitches and
continued on until I had 14 rounds. I finished it off using the petal
stitch from the water bottle. I would love to share this with all. I love
using the bags. Your are an inspiration, I go to your site all the time. It is my
favorite. I would love to start my own but don't really have that much
time. I have two fur kids now and they keep me real busy.

Thank you Dot! Your are so wonderful! As always thank you for sharing your beautiful patterns.
Donna :)

Aw, shucks, *blushing here*. These bags sound so interesting. I wish I had thought of this, anyway, here's pictures of what she did.

Great looking bags, Donna, thank you for letting me share them here.

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CHILD SIZED LIZZY HAT

If you're interested in a child size Lizzy Hat, here's what Celeste had to say…

Dec 07, 04
Celeste
Dot - I love this pattern! I have made 2 and they were both lovely. FYI, I changed the dtrs to trs and found it was a perfect fit for my 5yo daughter!

and here's a picture of her beautiful daughter, wearing her hat and lovely scarf her mom made for her.

Isn't she cute?!

Thanks for allowing me to share this, Celeste, I really appreciate it.

We picked Mom up at the airport last night and Spike is such a happy boy. He did his little puppy dance all over the place. Wagged is little tail and did his little side step routine (and watered the floor) for about 30 minutes when we got home. I've never known an animal to love someone so much just right off the bat like he did with Mom. I wasn't kidding when I said he cried for 3 days when she left. He nearly drove me crazy looking for her.

She's glad to be back too. I think she likes it here because it's so "layed back". I never do anything but crochet and play on the computer, and the only company we have is the kids, every other weekend, so it's mostly quiet here. She needs that quiet for a change. She has had a pretty hectic life at home most of her life and now she needs some peace and quiet.

Poor, poor, pitiful me! I had a fight with my computer for 2 days. Wednesday, it wouldn't boot up. I kept getting a message to "wait while windows updates your hardware data". Ok, wait...wait...wait...ctrl,alt,del and what do I see? "windows hardware data updates (not responding)". Oh, great. Shut down computer, wait...wait...wait...turn computer on. Message "wait while windows updates your hardware data". Wait...wait...wait...ctrl,alt,del...(not responding). CRAP! Do it all again. And again. And again. I started this at 7:00 a.m. and made a service call at 12:00 noon, to Dell. The first thing they asked me was if I had added any new hardware recently and the answer is NO!

Dell: OK, then, let's do a little diagnostic work, no problem, we want to get you up and running as soon as possible. So, unplug the printer from the back of the computer.

Me: OK, hold on...(struggle, struggle, pull, tug, no matter what I do I can't get to the wires at the back of my computer. (that's my good boy again. He packed my computer into the desk just like it's supposed to be and now there is no humanly way possible to get to the back of the computer)

Me: Can I unplug it from the printer? (as I'm unplugging it)

Dell: No, it won't work if you unplug it from the printer.

Me: Well, I can't get to the back of my computer right now, so I'll have to call you back after my son gets home. Sorry to have bothered you.

Dell: No problem, call us back when you can get to the back of your computer.

Well, that was a waste of my time and theirs. I put the plug back into the printer, and reboot the computer and guess what happened! It booted right up and worked just fine the rest of the day. What the heck was that all about? Well, whatever, I'm just glad it's back.

Thursday morning, turn computer on, it boots right up. Go to my favorite forums, read a message and try to reply...nothing. What??!!! Ok, no worries, reboot the computer. Good so far, log on to the web. No Page Available! I did the reboot and try routine for about 2 hours and sometimes I could get on and sometimes I couldn't, so I called the cable company this time to find out why I couldn't stay connected to the web. Many transfers later, and after being told that my connections are "perfect on this end" I'm asked if I have a firewall. Well, yes, I say. Aha! they say, that's the problem, the doohickie that connects my computers to each other has a built in firewall that absolutely prevents everyone from getting to me and there is no need for me to have any other firewall. In fact, they are battling each other for control. I should disable the firewall.

OK, I did. Computer fixed. I win!  

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.