Z is for Zentangle

 

 

Z is for Zentangle

 

 

 

Zentangle is an art form that uses structured patterns to create beautiful images.  It's a form of doodling which is made up of  simple patterns.  I just discovered it recently and I really enjoy the simplicity of it.  I especially like the booklet "Zentangle 8" because it was about using it for monograms and alphabets. 

 

 

 

I thought it would be fun to make a monogram to hang on the wall.  You need a wooden letter, available at craft stores and a black sharpie.  I chose several zentangle patterns out of the two zentangle books  I decorated the letter E for my daughter's room.  It was my first attempt , but I think it came out ok.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you do this craft, provide a link in the comments so I can come see.   This would make a great Mother's Day gift. 

 The photos are for the same item which is a white letter with black designs.  But in the one photo the light reflected so I added another photo with different exposure so you could see the design.



Y is for Yarn

Y is for Yarn

 

 

Originally this post was supposed to be about Yarn protesting.  But because of recent national events  I've decided to postpone that post and just talk about yarn.

I love yarn, all kinds.  I'm eagerly awaiting a box of yarn I ordered off the internet.  Where I live, we don't seem to get much cotton yarn except for dish rag cotton and we don't get much fingering weight yarn.  It's mostly worsted weight.  So I ordered some fingering weight cotton yarn off the internet.  I was hoping to share a picture of it with you but alas, it hasn't arrived.  I think I ordered 8 balls in different colors, so I can't wait for it to arrive.

X is for eXcited

X is for eXcited

 

Yes, I’m cheating with X.  But,  I am very excited.  I found another crochet stitch pattern book, called 99 Post Stitches and in it they had the Brick stitch I was looking for.  As you can see it looks a lot more like bricks than the other crochet stitch I was using, plus it’s super easy to do.  So now I’m full steam ahead on the item I was making which I’ll share when I’m done.

W is for Wrap Bracelet

W is for Wrap Bracelet

 

I’ve been very into wrap bracelets lately; you get the look of multiple bracelets with only one.

I’ve made a few this week.  The first one I used 20 lb hemp and tho I like the look of it, it’s a pain to string the beads and crochet with.

 

 

So I made another using my new favorite size 3 cotton thread.  Ahh!  Much easier. 

 

I found these little cross beads so I used it as my focus but of course you can use any bead for a focus, or you don’t even need a focus, all the beads can be the same.

 

First string 40 e-beads onto thread, then the cross bead, then 40 more e-beads.  Thread a two  hole button (or a shank button works too) onto the thread and tie a double knot.  Now using a size D crochet hook make a loop next to the button and chain 3, * slip a bead next to the hook and chain 2.  Repeat from *  having one plain chain and one chain with a bead in it until you’ve chained up all your beads.  Then chain 8 and slipstitch in 8th chain from hook .  This is your loop for the button.  Weave in your ends.

 Now wrap it around your wrist about 5 times and voila!

U is for Ugly

U is for Ugly

 

I’m  making this Owl cushion from the pattern I bought. 

 

My first attempt was this. 

 

 

 

Ugly! Because as I said before I can’t always choose colors  So I went to her Etsy shop and studied the pix of the cushions and then I made this.

 

 

 

Ahh!  Much better and so pretty.   Even though this picture doesn't do the colors justice.  It's purples and pinks.

 Now I can’t wait to finish it and see it on my love seat on the porch. 

T is for Time

 

 

T is for Time

 

 

 

Which I never seem to have enough of.  Where does it go?  And why does the weekend seem to whiz by but the work week tends to drag.?  Why is an hour sitting and  knitting over in a flash, but an hour sitting at my desk at work making phone calls seem to last forever?  Why does ten minutes of pain from a migraine seem intolerable but ten minutes laughing with my daughter seem  over too quick?

 

 



Such and Stuff

P Q R S is for Such and Stuff

 

I’ve been buying a lot of patterns lately so P is for patterns.  You might wonder why I would need to buy patterns when I could probably figure it out myself.  But sometimes I don’t feel like figuring it out.  Sometimes I just want to sit and crochet and not have to pick colors or figure out sizing.  Plus buying others designer’s patterns, I’ve actually learned a few new things, like a neater ending for crochet or how to add crochet  flowers to a bunting.

Q is for Quicker.  I’m always looking for a way to streamline my knitting or crocheting so it takes less time.  But sometimes I just want to take my time and mosey along working on a more complicated design.

R is for Rainbow.  And though I love colors I’m not always good at combining them prettily.  So I’ve bought several patterns by ATERcrochet  because I love her use of color.  Plus her patterns are wonderful.

S is for Slip Stitch, my new favorite stitch in knitting.  With it you can make items look like plaid, or tweed or bricks.  It’s so fascinating and I have several things in the works using slip stitch. 

 

 

 

That’s what I’ve been doing lately, studying new patterns and new ways to knit and crochet, when I thought I “knew it all”.  I love learning new stuff so it’s been fun and relaxing.