A Peak at My Crochet Books

A peak inside some of my new Crochet books...

Annie's Attic Chemo Caps & Wraps is a beautifully photographed book with cancer survivors and surviving family members as models. 

The patterns are for caps and shawls/wraps, etc. None of them are plain or super easy. Each one is a very classy project that anyone would love to own. These projects would also make great gifts for friends and family.

Edie Eckman's The Crochet Answer Book is a must have book for anyone that crochets. From the novice to the expert, this book does have all the answers.

There aren't any pretty pictures to look at but lots of diagrams to show you exactly what she is talking about. It's small and compact to fit in your project bag to take with you anywhere as a reference. I highly recommend this book!

Another book by Edie Eckman called Around the Corner Crochet Borders.

Now this one has beautiful photograph and colors. Each one has a written pattern and a chart pattern to follow. There are also a few tips on choosing the right size border for your project. I will never have to worry about what border to add on any of my afghans. This book has everything from wide lacy, elaborate patterns to small, simple borders. She also discusses color choices and the difference it can make when you use them in borders. This book is Amazing!

Okay, I have to be honest...I only bought this book for one pattern. The Bobble Zig Zag ripple that Astri from Apple Blossom Dreams

I looked everywhere and couldn't fine a pattern that I liked as well so I had to buy the book.

 200 Ripple Stitch Patterns by Jan Eaton

Now this book has both knit and crochet ripple stitch patterns. When I first heard about this book I though there can't be that many different ways to do a ripple. Boy, was I wrong. This will be a book I will use often. I love doing ripples and there are so many different ones that I will never be board. Some are vintage looking and some are the soft wave ripple or even a super sharp pointy ripple but my favorite is still the Bobble Zig Zag ripple and I can't wait to make it. If you knit and crochet this book is all the better for you.  I don't knit and have no desire to learn but I would recommend it to those of us that love to do afghans and such.

That's it for today. I hope this was helpful to some of you thinking of buying any of these books. Hopefully I will have pictures up of my projects sometime this weekend. 

Happy Crocheting!

Halos of Hope-Caps & Shawls for Cancer Patients

I have found an organization that will accept caps and shawls for Cancer Patients. If you are interested in donating something  you can find out more information at Halos of Hope.

Below are some guidelines for their Caps:

Cap Guidelines

• Handmade
• New, unworn
• Washable (preferred)
• “Soft” means comfort to a bald head
• Cottons are an excellent choice.
• If the cap contains any wool, please label the cap; some people have wool sensitivity.
• Hats made with thinner yarns and fabrics are ideal for summer.
• Fleece, heavier yarns and fabrics are great for late fall and winter.
• Scarves and turbans are also needed. Cotton knits are an excellent choice.
• Sleep caps are also needed. Best when seamless or soft-seamed, and made from thinner, lightweight yarns or lightweight fabrics.

Coincidence?? No Way...

Look what I found over on WolfCrochet's blog...

a book full of Chemo Caps and Shawls. No, I don't believe in coincidences! Things like this happen for a reason.

Normally I don't post in the middle of the day, (this is my lunch hour):) and I never post twice in the same day, (or week usually) but...after I found the book I was going through my emails and had a comment left from Becky who saw one of my pictures on flickr today and she left me this comment:

"I found a picture of your work on Flickr and I decided to head over to your blog. It's amazing how the Lord will put someone in your path who is going through the same thing you are. My mother has been fighting stage 4 brain cancer for about 20 months now and just went through her 3rd brain surgery. I just wanted to tell you ENJOY the time you have with your friend now, because you will cherish those memories.


My heart pours out to you, and thank goodness that we have a craft that we can escape to when we have a rough day!"

Coincidence?? I think not...God is working overtime in my life today. 

Thank you all for your kind words and support. I hesitated mentioning Cindy in my blog because I don't want to be "Debbie Downer". Over the weekend I read the post and ALL (45 at the time-now it is up to 52 today) the comments over at yarnroundhook. Her post titled "The truth about blogging" caused a lot of us bloggers to stop and think. I am one of those that keep my blog all about the good stuff, my crochet, etc., all of the happy go lucky things happening in my life. I hesitate to blog about those days that life is just difficult sometimes. It really helped me to read her post and all of the comments that followed. 

Why shouldn't we post about the not so great things that are just part of everyday living? None of us live in a bubble where everything is wonderful all day everyday. Personally, I am so glad that I did share what was going on with my BFF Cindy because I would have missed out on the comforting words and inspiration from each of you. Anyone that doesn't want to read about the realities of life we all have can choose not to read that post on that particular day. We should all post what is in our hearts. There is no right or wrong way to write in your blog, each of us can do whatever we want with it and I for one will post what is actually happening in my life...good or bad.

A Couple of Caps & a New Square

Today I am showing what I've been up to lately...

Here is my 12" square for the Food & Fiber crochet-a-long on.  This pattern is from designer Melinda Miller called Falling Star.

I have made a couple of Chemo Caps for my dear friend Cindy who has Stage 4 Brain Cancer. She wanted some bright and cheery caps and I think they match her bright and cheery personality. She was diagnosed in September 2011 and is just now taking a turn for the worse with the tumor growing so they are starting Chemo. My heart is breaking...she is my best friend and we have so much in common, crocheting, vintage finds/shopping, books, etc. Once again crocheting is getting me through. Making these caps for her keeps my hands and mind busy and cheers us both up.

The striped cap is by Drops Design

This cap is called My Blueberry Hat by Nadine Borovicka. 

I am off to deliver her new caps to her today. I hope she likes them.

Peaceful and Happy Crocheting!