Jean Roberts and I work together for Nevada County. Her first grandchild, a girl, will be born in January 2010. Jean has three sons and this little girl is a welcome delight! A girl! A girl!! Jean hasn't even seen an ultrasound image of this little girl, and she's already in love with her.

This little baby blanket is called Rock-a-bye Rainsong with a comment that says, "The shaded strpes bring to mind cascading raindrops in a gentle April shower." It was fun to make! Click the image to enlarge.

Leisure Arts book: Our Best Baby Afghans - No. 2853 for $14.95.

This was a new design for me. The simplicity of granny-square-chevrons, seperated by white cable stitch just caught my fancy. I gave this blanket to a co-worker, Heidi. She will have her baby in February 2010. Maybe on my birthday? *hahaha* Who knows?

The pattern came from Leisure Arts, A Year of Baby Afghans, Book 3 specifically the September pattern.

One more Itsy Bitsy Spiderweb - Baby Blanket. This was made as an extra baby blanket. It didn't take long to find an owner: Alison Lehman, a co-worker, is expecting a little boy. He'll be born in April of 2007, and this one is his. ;-))
He arrived: Carson Lehman, born April 10, 2007, 9 lbs., 4 oz.

The Itsy Bitsy Spiderweb pattern is found in the Leisure Arts book - Our Best Baby Afghans - No. 2853 for $14.95. I added the old-fashioned 'shell' edging, and the double sided satin ribbon, to soften its appearance.

From Coats & Clark's 1947 pattern book, with a pattern name of "6132" this bedspread caught my attention. My work began on Oct. 28, 2006. The written instructions were flawed, thus taking a few weeks to correct the pattern. The project began Nov. 11, 2006. I estimate that 70 motifs will be needed to create a Queen Size bedspread. It's sad to say that I have seen this very same crocheted bedspread offered for sale on E-Bay, and it sold for $128.00. I have paid $123.00 just for the thread alone. Hand made treasures, like this one, are priceless!

Two more vintage patterns have been found, both have errors and omissions. The 1914 pattern uses UK crochet abbreiations (sc is our dc, tuft is our popcorn). They do NOT tell you to 'turn' as that is assumed. It is long out of copyright and therefore available for everyone to see and to use. Click here to download The Priscilla Bedspread Book. Pages of interest:

• Photographs: page, 29 and 30,
  
• “Figure 41: Hexagon” page 35,
  
• “Half Hexagon” page 35 – 36,
  
• “Quarter Hexagon” page 36.

I want to also recognize this Brucilla 1960 pattern, even though it has its share of errors and omissions, for its historical reference. The Brucilla Wondersheen Cotton Crochet – Favorite Bedspreads – Pattern Name: Water Lily can sometimes be found for sale through a Google search on the "ASIN: B000Y1FF1C number. It is still under copyright protections.

Progress is being made. Each bedspread motif, including the additional 45th braiding row, has 13,643 stitches. Incredible! I need 70 (estimated) of these motifs (mow-TEEFS) to have my queen-size bedspread. Click the image, or here, to see a larger image.

I strayed from the original instructions that called for "Whip Stitching" the motifs together. Instead, I have used the Flat Braid Joining.

I nearly gave up, but I found instructions for the Half Hexagon Motif in the Priscilla Bedspread Book dated 1914 (page 29, figure 39). It seemed to start off strangely with a chain of 55, then single crochet into the chain. However, that was the key to the half motif. That chain 55 (which I increased to be chain 65) is the foundation that holds the bottom edge of the area (flower section) straight from side to side. After the flower section then the chain-65 foundation is not needed for the rest of the motif.

I used International Crochet Symbols to document my work. I'm keeping my five failures. They were created as I altered full motif patterns, worked from photographs, and by trial and error. Number SIX was the lucky one. Now I can move forward at full speed. I do hope I finish this bedspread in time for this year's 2012 Nevada County Fair.

Once again, I started over with attempt number seven. As with previous attempts, I wrote the stitches for each row and I am very grateful for the speed and ability to alter text using a word processor.

As of early this morning (about 2 am) on 20 January 2012, I DO HAVE SUCCESS! Paul just photographed the half-hexagon motif along side a full motif.

What brought about the final success? That independent foundation row of 115 chains, turn, 1, sc in spine across, break off.

Those two rows provide an anchor for the bottom edge of the half-motif. One pattern had a foundation row, BUT, only for the flower pedal area in the center. Once I expanded on the row, making it traverse the entire width, then success was attained. ALSO, almost every row has to 'break off' (stop) on the left side, and then the next row begins (attaches) on the right side. That leaves a lot of tails. I always crochet OVER my tails and in doing so I found that I could gently tug on the tails to remove any fullness in the row, thus keeping the bottom edge straight. In the pattern I advise "Do Not Cut Off Tails" and then I explain how they are to be used BEFORE cutting them off.

I didn't crochet the doily under this stained glass lamp, but I did make the stained glass lamp. I wanted to do something in 3D, and this was my first attempt. My second lamp was given as a gift to John Darlington, now our retired Superior Court Judge.

Pillows are quick and easy to make. They are an easy way to use leftover yarns, too.

I've made this baby blanket many times. The babies of co-workers have enjoyed it, and I made one for my granddaughter, RiLeigh when she was a newborn.

The most recently made Rainbow Baby Blanket won 1st Place award at the Nevada County District Fair in Grass Valley, CA - 15 Aug. 2010

To make one for yourself, visit Leisure Arts website where they have opened the door to their vintage patterns. You may purchase this Rainbow Blanket pattern for $4.99. That's a fantastic price since the booklet 191 is no longer in print and as hard to find as hen's teeth.

A lacy blanket for my granddaughter Aaliyah's Christmas gift - 2006.

The Itsy Bitsy Spiderweb pattern is found in the Leisure Arts book - Our Best Baby Afghans - No. 2853 for $14.95. I added the old-fashioned 'shell' edging, and the double sided satin ribbon, to soften its appearance.