Friday, February 27, 2015

:: Routine Evenings and Crocheting


hanging hand towel
In between doctor appointments and holding babies…and driving my grandson back and forth to school (helping his momma out) – I’ve been busy at home, working on projects.  I’ve been cleaning out rooms, boxing up things for donations and painting and cleaning.   That’s reason there hasn’t been many blog posts…
but in the evening it’s pretty much routine. 
I cook something light and the Honey and I sit down to eat and watch old re-runs of M.A.S.H.  I just love that show.  The humor is clean and it makes me laugh and on occasion we both get a little teary eyed. 
Honey loves to watch old shows on TV.  My TV is so routine… I watch M.A.S.H. but if he doesn’t turn it on, I don’t make the effort.  No… my program?  COLUMBO.   I love watching those old shows and;  I do like some of the British programs on P.B.S.  so I watch those… but anytime I’m sitting it’s mainly to be in the room with my Honey.  I most always have my crochet in my lap…well, lately anyway. 
Recently, I decided to use up all my cotton yarn spools.   I could use some hand towels in the kitchen, so that’s what I’m making. 
Since Sunday—I’ve made 3 towels and 1 dish cloths while sitting in front of the TV
crochet hand towels
Not bad considering I need new towels…and I had all this yarn on hand. 
I’ve been crocheting just about all my married life—Honey’s Grandma showed me the basics the very first time I met her; after that I got a book from the Library and taught myself the basics, including reading patterns.  Only recently, have I decided that I’d like to learn some new stitches and improve my crochet skill sets!

You know, sort of taking my crochet from “that’ll do” to “Wow! that looks great!”
One is the FOUNDATION series of stitches… single crochets/ double crochets (there are more, I’ve not mastered those yet) rather than chaining a foundation chain and then going back and inserting a single or double crochet in each one, which can be tedious and also cause your work to be tight on that end; instead create the foundation chains and the single or double crochets on the first pass together.   I followed this tutorial at Crochet Ever After …on you tube

I just watched one of her videos showing how to crochet a scarf on the bias…with broad stripes.  She goes over BLOCKING your completed piece…which I NEVER do.  But after seeing her tutorial and finished scarf…I must say—it looks so nice.  Though, I probably won’t be blocking my dish towels. 
I just won’t.

If you’re thinking of starting a craft…crochet is a fun and fairly easy yarn craft to learn.  I don’t consider myself to be a beginner or a professional at this; however I think I’ve gotten to be pretty good with the hook! I know for sure I won’t be putting any videos out there teaching, though years ago, I did teach a crochet class. Anyway, Crochet Ever After has lots of videos with easy to follow demonstrations for the beginner—and I’ve enjoyed watching and learning new techniques from her.  Hey, if you don’t know it… then you don’t know.  You have to learn somehow.  

stripey effect crochet towel
These towels are my latest creation…in fact the pattern is my own, and they all turned out pretty consistent in size.  Not too heavy and hopefully they’ll stand up to all the use they’ll be getting in my kitchen!
Question:  I made these with cotton...but they aren't as absorbent as I'd like them to be... any suggestions? 
‘Til next time, Be Blessed~ and stay warm!
Patricia
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
“ He has shown you O man, what is good, And what does the Lord require of you; but to Do justice, Love Mercy,and to walk Humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8

9 comments:

NanaDiana said...

You had me at COLUMBO! I go to bed with the man every night. I have every Columbo DVD ever made including a couple of those that never aired. I was so sorry to hear of his passing as he never failed to entertain me.

I have never learned to crochet but I have been thinking about it this winter with all the "down" time I have had.

Have a wonderful night- xo Diana

Brenda Pruitt said...

Good for you for using up what you had!
Brenda

Michelle H said...

I haven't watched Columbo in YEARS!!! I'll have to give it a go sometime. I have gotten better about crocheting or knitting something while watching t.v. Believe it or not, I had a pastor for too long who said it wasn't good that so many of us women "couldn't" watch tv or anything without doing something with our hands. I'm finally making progress on getting clothing and blankets made while some of my kids are still little!

Connie said...

I wonderful if we get any Columbo reruns, I loved watching that show. I love going to my stash and making pretty and useful things without spending any money.
Good for you :)
Connie :)

Leslie said...

Your crochet towels are great!!! I go in stages.. every now and then I get the urge to work with yard. I've tried to learn fancy patterns.. but I can't do it. I need to sit with someone and watch them.
I love watching old reruns. The Big valley is one of my favorites. I think that I love it because it reminds me of my mom. : )
Sounds like you've been keeping busy.. glad that you find time in the evenings to chill.
Have a great weekend.

Pioneer Woman at Heart said...

Very nice! I crochet my own hand towels too. In fact, I'm trying to get another one made for the bathroom (in between the run, reading and the baby blanket, ha ha!)

Shug said...

Ah...I sure wish I had the talent of crocheting. I guess I'm too busy to sit down and try. It's great to be able to use us what you have and as a result...getting something very useful for your kitchen...
It's COLD about 40 miles East of you...I'm guessing it's even colder your way...

Audrey said...

I love to wash dishes with those but never tried one for drying dishes. I can't crochet so I buy them when I can find them. Sounds like you are taking advantage of the long winter evenings and being productive.

A Daughter of the King said...

This is something I will never try because knitting and sewing frustrate me! I have a stack of these cloths that my mom made, though, and they are fabulous cleaning tools - soft but strong.

We just finished watching all 61 episodes of Agatha Christie's "Poirot," the charming little Belgium detective endowed with "little grey cells" that can solve any mystery.