Completely finished! I blocked the rug with a wet pressing cloth and a dry iron. Then, I laid it outside in the shade to air dry. It fits perfectly and the pile is low enough for the door to pass over it without conflict.

I could not find throw rugs without the skid-resistant backing that chemically damages linoleium. My only choice was to make my own. There will be three rugs when I'm finished ~and~ they are machine washable and dryable. Oh yes!!!
Click image to see larger version

Here's the finished rug. It measures 20" x 30" and it was quick and easy to make. I began working on 12 April and finished on 16 April 2011. The pattern is sold by Julie Oparka, Red Berry Crochet and it is named "Crochet Rug Pattern".

Pardon me, that's Jasper our wonderful stray cat. He took a nap on this unfished rug late last night. He's my partner, that's for sure.
Click image to see larger version

Nearly finished on the first of three crocheted rugs, Jasper decided to take a midnight nap. I had planned to work on this some more. *shrug* Nature has it's lovely ways.!

This is my first attempt at Tunisian Crochet (formerly called Afghan Crochet). A hook is used, but it's a very long hook, about 1-foot. The beginning row is 'casted' onto the hook, and then the second row is worked, one stitch at a time as each 'worked stitch' is released from the hook. It's a lot of fun and it feels very soft.

Cotton yarn, worsted weight. Nothing is better for face wipes, wash cloths, kitchen dishcloths, scrubbers, etc. Why? Oh! They are so absorbent. For those older (more seasoned) visitors to this page, these cotton cloths wipe up as good as a chamois (SHA-mee) does.

The two pink items are test swatches I made as I learned and practiced the 'basket weave' stitch. Beneath the pink items is an 8" x 8" basket weave dishcloth.

The round green item, is a scrubber and wiper. The brown center is made from nylon netting. It feels as if you're crocheting sandpaper! Ouch! Both of the green items are for Tina Vernon's mother.

What's the blue one? It's an Irish rose. All items are made from cotton yarn. Click image to see larger version

2 – 50 yard skeins of 7/32” nylon braided rope made this basket. I filled it with my clothes pins and thought about the irony of that. Well, it's a nice little basket. I is pliable and easy to keep clean. It has a very nice feel to it.

I used a “P” hook and it is a series of single crochet stitches, after, of course, you make the ring chain of 5 chains, then slip stitch into first chain, chain-1, 6 single crochet into the circle… then add increased stitches as needed to make the shape you want… tall and skinny… round and flat… let it happen.

April Challenge Project of the "Crochet: Legal Hookers" group on the AARP bulletin boards.

The challenge was to make a crocheted basket, free form (no pattern), out of what ever material we wanted to use. I started this one with a fleeting thought of "twigs". Why? I don't know.

Between the Bank of Ben Franklin (Ben Franklin Craft Store) and the $1.29 Store I found these these raw materials.

These two cushions were made with Red Heart Light & Lofty yarn. The color is 9334 Cafe Au Lait. A few of us at the AARP bulletin board group known as Crochet: Legal Hookers, have made these pillows as a March Challenge Project. I like the finished product without the ribbons called for in the Red Heart Pattern "Crocheted Pillow with Ribbon Weaving".

This colored yarn with the white pillow form's covering gives a Champagne type of effect. I will leave these just as they are, simply elegant. NOTE: Click image to see larger version.

The bottom is three strands of worsted weight acrylic yarn, single crochet using an "I" (eye) hook. It is very tight and stiff. The inside basket, white with tan, is two strands of worsted weight acrylic yarn, a double crochet, with the same I-hook.

Those big seemingly chocolate candies are the Hawaiian Kukui Nuts, which was a necklace of mine from the 70's when I lived there for a year. Top of the interior basket is one strand of Light & Lofty yarn, with one strand of Feather Yarn, again, using the I-hook.

There is a dark brown row near the bottom of the basket that is leftover Feather Boa yarn. The Bank of Ben Franklin and $1.29 Store supplied these precious finds! NOTE: Click image to see larger version.

The outer layer of the basket is made from those "twig" stars. I crocheted a 5-pointed star, and kept holding it onto the twig-stars for fit. Eventally, the yarn stars were cleverly stitched to the twig-stars. Beads were used to hide the 19-guage wires which connects the bottom of each star to the next one.

Anway, that's my basket. I want to enter this into our local fair this year, but not as crochet, as art of some kind. NOTE: Click image to see larger version.

These placemats were honored with the 1st Place Award from the Nevada County District Fair, in Grass Valley, CA on 15 Aug. 2010.

Gretchen Christophel, a friend of mine, gave me a very old pattern and said that she would like to learn how to crochet. I didn't use the pattern as written, but changed it a bit to produce this look. I liked it so much that I have made 2-sets of 6-placemats. It works up quickly and is just lovley. Of course, blocking the items locks the yarn into place and gives that professional look to them.

Yet to be done is the ad lib edging on this kitchen towel and the two dishclothes. I'm not sure what I will do, but I'm toying with the idea of putting a simple scallop (shell) crochet around all four sides of the dish clothes.

Paul, my sweet English husband, loves his tea. He likes STRONG tea and it tends to cool down too much for his liking, so he asked if I could crochet something to keep the heat in the teapot. I came up with this, and then I found a thermos teapot which works even better. This crocheted pattern is a modified version of a stocking cap for premature babies. Click here for the instructions in PDF format. The top piece is ad lib, make a flower or a coaster.

This is all al lib, no pattern. From the Dollar Store came these colorful terry cloth kitchen towels. CVS had bundles of brightly colored cotton dish clothes. For once, the colors were close and I had an abundance of colorful #10 crochet thread.

Again, just crochet without a pattern, let your fingers and mind wander with the thread.

The left and center items did have a pattern.

These Russian designed Napkin Rings are simply... simple, and beautiful just as they are! They are quck to make using the Crochet Chart patterns. Consider using the Christmas crochet thread which has a silver metallic sparkle twisted through it. Make a cloth ring and attach these crocheted beauties to the cloth. Add a ribbon to the bottom and top of the filet style ring. Let your imagination guide you!

These are nice little non-abrasive-scrubbers with a very absorbent cotton back side. They remove scuff marks off from the floors, clean grime off from cars as well as cleaning your fine china. How? They're made of nylon netting (not tule) which is very tough. It removes the surface debris, but never damages the 'surface' itself. Make plenty of them as they will probably wind up in your hubby's garage, as well as your kitchen. Great stocking stuffers!

Click here to download my pattern.
These are made of cotton yarn: Sugar & Spice to be exact.

Inspired by this photograph, I began crocheting 'edgings' or 'borders'. I would like to have this pillow for special occasions, such as Christmas.

I began thinking that a pillow like this would be nice as a gift, a wedding gift, a special birthday gift, etc.

I bought a 14" square pillow form. Ardy Tobin said she'd help me.... *heart racing*

Using #10 thread in a deep burgundy color, these are the four edgings that I have finished. I'm not thrilled with the pineapple edging (top), nor do I really like the 'spider web' shown 3rd down. I should make two less elaborate edgings to compliment, instead of competing with, the two ornate ones.

My real problem is COLOR! I'm scared to death of COLOR! Wildly I see a dark chocolate background and cream color satin ribbons embelishing these little treats. But, what if I'm wrong? Besides that, the only fabric available locally is cotton, used for quilting. I suspect I could find textured fabric if I bought 2nd-hand clothes and cut them apart to use the clothe.

Is this going to be the PFH? (project from hell)

The Coats & Clark maker of Red Heart Yarns, provides free patterns This is their Spa Necessities group of patterns and they are spectacular!

Again, the Coats & Clark maker of Red Heart Yarns, provides free patterns. This is their Dandy Dishcloths group of patterns. Great little gifts!