Slipper Sole Update

Added sides to the single strand sole, and fitted to my daughter's foot.  About 1/2 inch too big all the way around.  Took both soles completely out to start again.  Going to do the sole using chain and round method instead of rows.  Like it better and will be significantly easier to change sizing than the rows.  

Checking now to see if my idea of chain length will be in the ballpark  -- 4 inches shorter than the traced foot (2 each toe and heel) might make it a little shorter too.  J hook, double strand 4 yarn, am thinking 21 ch, with 20 working.  

Will do this tomorrow with 3 rounds on the chain using half double crochet, double crochet and single crochet stitches -- will figure out counts and sequence probably using a pattern(s) for a smaller size and adjusting to my daughter's size.

Will keep you posted.

Lost my "working" copy of my filet shawl, have no idea what I did, anyway have to start again for the pattern.  Certainly glad I keep a "master" when I do these so don't have to start entirely from scratch.  UGH!

Have a great day. 

Crocheted Slipper for Daughter - new project.

My Crocheted Slipper Sole Prototype

I have recently watched a few YouTube crochet videos on different things most recently on slipper soles.  I use closed captioning because my headphones and/or earplugs aren't handy and now to get a few giggles along the way as I have, yet, to watch one without an error.  Haven't figured out how to crochet TROUBLE or SALMON yet, should have been Treble and Seven.  Have any of you experienced the same thing?

In my search for a sole that would fit, finally traced my daughter's feet on a piece of paper and used that to crochet the pink single strand sole above.  Then used both to crochet the multi-color double strand above.  The picture on the right would be how the soles go together.  But have decided to do 2 double strands for each sole, so will use the single strand for the prototype for the entire slipper concept.

The sides will be next, that should not be an issue I think.  Will periodically post progress here and/or on my Facebook Page:  JRuBee Design.  

Towel Toppers and Environment Friendly Water Balloons, Hot off my Hooks.

My hooks have been real busy the last few days.  My daughter brought me 3 towels to make for her.  2 with roosters and one of the family/friends that I had just finished 6 of.  Got those done early yesterday morning.

Hot summer day fun with an environment friendly water balloon.  Hang to dry to use another day, wash and dry as needed. 

Then the other day, the kids were getting bored and restless because it was very hot and playing outdoors was minimal, my daughter ran across crocheted water balloons (I have seen them before) for sale in a group she belongs to.  Showed them to me and asked if I would make some.  Did one right away and tested the "hurt" factor on an 8 year old and my grandson, no worse then a water balloon was the response.  Proceeded to make 9 of them, as we counted and thought that would be enough. OOPS! forgot 1 kid so 3 more this morning for a total of 9.  Used Red Heart Super Saver #4 yarn and a K hook and 3 Red Heart Ombre #4 and K hook.  See the pattern below.  This can easily be adjusted for any size and yarn you want.  The "balloons" are about 2 1/2 inches in diameter, okay'd by grandsons as right size.  So 12 water balloons enough for 4 kids to play with.


Each balloon uses about 6 yards so a good way to get rid of small scraps! 

Hot summer day fun with an environment friendlwater balloon.  Hang to dry to use another day, wash and dry as needed. 

Although the blues look smaller in the photo, they are the same size, these are from the Ombre yarn.

The water balloons are 2 1/2 inches in diameter, made with Red Heart Super Saver and Ombre #4 yarn, about 6 yards each, and K hook. Sc rounds do not start with a ch 1.  How you make your circle is up to you, I turn this time, my preference. When you finish round 5 your circle should measure about 2 1/2 inches, use less rounds for a smaller balloon or more rounds for a larger balloon, of course different size yarn and hook will result in a different size balloon just adjust your increase rounds for the size you want the balloon to be.

1. Ch2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook, join with slst in first sc.  Turn, (6 sc)

2. 2 sc in each stitch around, join with slst in first sc,  Turn.         (12 sc)

3. Sc in first sc, 2 sc in next, repeat around join with slst in first sc.  Turn.  (18 sc)

4. Sc in first 2 sc, 2 sc in next, repeat around, join with slst in first sc.  Turn.  (24 sc)

5. Sc in first 2 sc, sc2toget over next 2 sc, repeat around, join with slst in first sc  Turn.  (18 sc)

6. Sc in first sc, 2 sc toget over next 2 sc, repeat around, join with slst in first sc.  Turn (12 sc)

7. 2 sc toget over next 2 sc repeat around, join with slst in first sc. (6 sc)

8. Ch2 (does not count), dc in each sc around join with slst in first dc (6 dc)

9. Sc2toget over 2 dc, repeat around (3 sc). 

Fasten Off, weave in ends.

Crocheted Swiffer Pad

I have finished my second crocheted Swiffer Pad.  Used the same stitch sequence as first and made some changes for the sides and top.  Continue to have an issue with ONE corner, the same corner as the first pad.  It is the beginning of a row/round but has same count etc. as other corners.  Operator error, probably tension related.

Again the stitch sequence was developed from several post stitch sequences I have used in the past, but am giving credit to Linda Permann's Reversible Swiffer Sock pattern for counts and measurements for the bottom.

I have better pattern notes this time and will work them into a pattern in a few weeks.

Used Peaches & Cream cotton for this one.  Be interesting to see how my daughter likes this as compared to the Red Heart Super Saver acrylic I used on the first one, which she liked real well.

Towel toppers my daughter wants now on hook.  Using my Fudge Towel Topper Pattern V2 found on my Craftsy store with 22 other patterns:   

https://www.craftsy.com/profile/jrubee-design 

or here: (Pattern Tab)

Fudge Towel Topper Version @

Filet Shawl

Finished my Filet Shawl, blocking now.  Don't have a surface large enough to block all at once so have to do sections.  Expect blocking to take 2 or 3 days.  The image is of the unblocked item.  Pretty pleased with it overall, but a bit unhappy that the filet design (flower) isn't very observable, may improve with blocking but doubt it.

Measures about 21 inches long down center back, about 56 inches around neckline and about 96 inches across bottom.  These were not taken laid out so there is a error factor,  Final measurements  after blocking.

Filet Shawl Progress

My filet shawl body is done.  Working on edging, have not quite decided between a double crochet rice stitch or a half double crochet rice stitch will be doing single crochet instead of a slip stitch.
Basic stitch will be (sc in space, ch 2, hdc or dc in sc).  My daughter and grandsons like either.  In reality there is not a lot of difference - the dc gives a bit move distance to work with so will probably use it.  Will test on the real shawl in the morning. 

Committed to a white border when started the shawl and decided to put 2 rows in body.  Not sure I like the stark white in this colorway.  Seems kind of harsh to me, but that is my opinion as daughter and grandsons like it.  Might change my opinion after I get some done.  Will post a picture in the next day or 2.

Fudge Towel Topper Version2

Fudge Towel Topper version 2

Continues to be No Sew/Adjust as you go, changes include an alternative crochet hem, updated pattern instructions and size information.

Also posted in my Craftsy store at:  https://www.craftsy.com/profile/jrubee-design  with 22 additional projects to try. 

Fudge Towel Topper Version 2