Happy Friday!

So, I am going to try to remember to enter a blog each week.

This past week has been good. I am back working as a school bus driver. With a little help, got the floors, and trims installed upstairs, an old customer is getting a scarf he ordered, and like I said, back working my route from last year.

Steve's going in to the city on Monday for pre-op. Then at the end of this month, he goes in for a few days for stem cell extraction. A couple weeks later, he goes in for transplant of stem cells. He has to stay in hospital for a few weeks till stems take.

Which does give me an opportunity to work some more with the house. I got lot's to do, and to get it up to hospital standards as far as clean goes.

I am taking the year off from craft fairs, but still taking custom orders. I am creating a whole new look, with a new logo. A total revamping. It's going to look awesome when I am finished!

Sometimes I do need a lift. 

Going through a difficult time is very hard

When someone you love is hurting.

Sometimes I do need a lift.

"friends" may come and go,

a REAL friend stays by your side.

Sometimes I do need a lift.

That real friend will come up to you,

draw you in,

hold you,

as the tears cascade

not only yours

but theirs as well.

I feel lifted.

When that real friend cries with you,

Laughs with you,

Shares with you,

Hears you out,

Listens to you with their heart,

Acknowledges that nobody is perfect,

and loves you as you do with them.

I feel gifted to have a friend like you...

                             ~by Regina Napolitano

Granny Square Lapghan

 

This lapghan is mostly made from scraps of yarn from previous projects. The one thing I’d like for you to remember, stick to one brand type. This pattern is for Red Heart Super Saver. This sample is for a lapghan, approximately 55” square, but you can add on and increase amount of skeins to make colourful bedspreads, and Afghans

 

Materials:

Scrap yarn enough yardage to go two rounds.

Or

 

3 skeins of different shades red, yellow, green, blue, purple, orange, brown

1 skein white

1 skein black

K (7mm) hook

Scissors

Yarn needle

 

Ch 4, slip stitch into first chain to form a ring, chain 3 (this counts as a dc throughout project)

ROUND 1: DC into ring twice, chain 3, *3 DC into ring, ch 3, repeat from * two more times. Join with slip stitch into third chain on turning chain. Slip stitch to first ch 3 space.

ROUND 2: Chain 3, 2 DC into ch 3 space, chain 3, 3 DC into same space to form corner. *Chain 1, 3 DC, CH 3, 3DC in the next corner, rep 2 more times from *. Fasten off.

ROUND 3:  **Join new color in any corner. Chain 3, 2DC, chain 3, 3DC in same corner. *CH 1, 3DC in CH 1 space, CH 1, 3 DC, chain 3, 3 DC in next corner. Repeat from *.

Slip Stitch to next corner, CH 3, 2 DC, CH 3, 3DC in next corner, *CH 1, 3 DC in CH 1 spaces, 3DC, CH 3, 3DC for all corners, rep from *. Join with a slst in top 3^rd ch of turning ch.

ROUNDS 4-18

Repeat all steps in round 3 using all different colors, 2 rounds of each color.

Rounds 19-20: Use a full skein color, repeat round 3, do not fasten off.

ROUND 21: SC in each DC, and CH 1 spaces, 2 SC, CH3, 2SC in all corners, join

ROUND 22: DC in each SC; 2 DC, CH1, 2DC for each corner.

 

ATTACH TILES:

*Take 2 tiles, attach white yarn into both thicknesses of the tiles.

Using BACK LOOPS (BKLP) only, SC to the end, SC through both thicknesses again.

Take two more tiles, go through both thicknesses on first DC after corner break.

SC BKLPS to end. In last DC before corner break, SC through both thicknesses. Fasten off.

Unfold, and re fold open sides, repeat steps from *.

 

BORDER:  Using Black, attach to any of the DC, work 2 rounds of DC, 2 DC, 2 DC 2DC in each corner, Slip stitch in top of turning CH. Fasten off.\

 

Lapghans: 4 tiles.  Twin: 6 tiles.  Full/Double: 9 tiles.  Queen: 12 tiles.  King: 16 tiles

Baby: 1 tile, only repeat Round 3 and go 40 more rounds, and finish off with Round 22. Apply your own border to suit

 

 

 

Sometimes, change is good. Some, not so good.

It's been a while since I visited here, things have been happening with my personal life. Steve, my darling husband of 20 years, has been diagnosed with Stage 1 Multiple Myeloma. At first I didn't understand it, but as it turns out, is bone marrow cancer, and has been undergoing treatment from the top doctor in the country.
We just completed a 4 month stint of chemo injections, and now bone growth therapy. I seen a man, who went from a 185, waste away to a 146. Bones fragile, and he's got this widespread. We believe this may have started back to 9/11, when he worked with other volunteer firefighters clearing of debris.
Yes, we are going to look into this much further.

That being said, I have been keeping busy. Working, driving a school bus. And at home, currently in a state of chaos. I am redoing our upper floor. So far the little room is complete, now tackling our bedroom. New flooring, a fresh coat of paint, a new bed....the list goes on and on. Selling things we don't need or want, or trashing things. Been stagnant for too long.

Which brings me to a new phase in my hobbies. Threads N Strands is no more. I am calling it Pebble Lane Stitchery for now on. It's where I live, work, and play. I am working on new concepts, new ideas, and entering another great phase in my life.
Working on bringing Etsy back to life, new items to sell, fresh concepts, and possibly asking my friends to model for me. I got my stitchery groove back, I made a wedding sampler for a couple of friends a few months ago, they were floored. So, while I am thinking about it, I am going to take an asprin, and stitch my afternoon away...

Blessings
G

My goodness! I am just terrible about blogging! Or lack-there-of!

OK, in short, I completed and graduated to Crochet Instructor.

I am still on the lap-ghan mission for the NYS Firemans' Home.

Just been really tired lately, but I cannot get a break.

:(

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Crochet Roll-Up Case 11/10/14

My Crochet Roll-Up Case:

 

Materials:

Scrap yarn, 4-med weight

I used White (A) and Burgundy (B)

Size I/5.50mm hook

Yarn Needle

 

Notes on pattern:

-          Gauge not necessary. You see what your collection of hooks are and just make to what suits you. Since I have different kinds of hooks, I prefer to separate them accordingly.

 

Body:

Using ‘A’

Ch 48

Row 1: SC second “butt” from hook, continue SC to end back loop only. Ch 1 and turn

Row 2-24: SC across, Ch 1, turn

Continue this to row 24, and it measures out approximately 6 1/2” wide, and approximately 15”wide. Join with color ‘B’, turn

 

Flap:

Ch 2, DC in next stitch, continue to end, turn. *Ch 2, DC in next stitch, continue to end* Repeat pattern from * 5 more rows, total, 7 rows DC. Do not fasten off.

 

Edging:

Ch 1, SC to corner, (SC, CH1, SC) in corner. SC evenly down the side, (SC, CH1, SC for each corner) continue SC evenly on all sides.

Ch 1, SC to corner, (SC, CH1, SC for each corner), and SC on all sides. Fasten off.

 

Ties:

Wrong side facing, and using “A” section, count 7 stitches in from corner. Fasten “B” to stitch, ch 35, string a decorative bead or a button, and slip stitch and fasten to end.

Attach “B” yarn to next stitch, ch 5, slip stitch in base forming a loop.

Slip stitch 8 stitches, ch 5, slip stitch to base, forming a loop, slip stitch to next ch, ch 35, and attach bead at end, fasten off, weave in ends.

         

Now you can put your hooks in as shown, cover with flap, and roll it up and tie. J

*For knitters, since it’s 15 inches in length, all you have to do is turn and make your ties on the long side of project, and insert length-wise and flap covers needles and roll it up! WOW!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crochet for the Absolute Beginner Course 1-3

Course 1:

INTRODUCTION TO CROCHET, YARN, TOOLS, GETTING STARTED

YARN

In this course, you get the grand tour of the yarn department. I get into detail such as how to read labels. This I feel is important to anyone who wants to make yarn into fabric. They will understand the meaning of measuring in grams in relation to how much is needed for a particular project. A complete, comprehensive course will occur during the first 5 to 10 minutes of each course, they will learn yarn fibers, yarn textures, thickness, all in a chart form.

HOOKS and TOOL KIT

The hook is very important to a serious crafter. Comfort is key. Showing the different styles of hooks may help the student to choose “the right fit”, then comes the assembly of their tool kit. I’ll have them pick out sissors, measuring tape, yarn needles, row counters, and stitch markers (to start)

In this class, you will learn:

·         How to hold your hook and yarn

·         Chain and foundation stitches

·         Single crochet 

·         Half Double Crochet

·         Double Crochet

·         Treble Crochet

·         Learn how to gauge

 

PROJECTS:

·         Men: Make a simple scarf using single and double crochet. Finished size will be 5” x 60”

·         Women: Beginner’s crochet cowl

 HOMEWORK: You will continue your projects.

Plus, they get to work on 6”squares, 2 sets of 8 new squares given each session. Using my resources, this will be fun, and an all-in-one pattern sheet for each square, it will include the picture, the written pattern, and also using blueprint style so the student can familiarize themselves with how to read patterns, and whatever is comfortable for them.

This class is mandatory to take before moving on

 

 

 

 

 

Course 2:

BASIC TECHNIQUES, STITCH VARIATIONS, MORE STITCHES, COMBINING STITCHES

Increasing: Student will be shown how to add stitches in each row to add length to the row. Using a sequence of chains and double crochet, I will show them how to start a Corner-to-Corner swatch that when finished will measure 6” square.

Decreasing: Student will be shown how to smoothly transition from increasing stitches, to now making only one stitch instead of two in a row. This will complete making the C2C square.

Create a ring using the Chain Stitch, Create a ring using a loop

Working in a round: Now that they mastered increasing, the student will now learn how to make a simple round circle.  When finished a perfectly flat circle 8” diameter, they now have a soft Frisbee to toss around.

Work in the round, spiral method: Working in the round without joining rows or making a turning chain by simply building on top of the last round without a turning chain.

Join a new ball of yarn, changing colors: Student will learn a basic method of changing to a new color.

STITCH VARIATIONS: Double Treble Crochet, Extended Single, Extended Double, Extended Half-Double, Crab stitch

MORE STITCHES: Working Front loops, working back loops, Spike stitch, Crossed stitches, double crochet post stitches, treble crochet post stitches.

COMBINING STITCHES: Clusters, Bobbles, Puffs, Popcorn, Bullions

 

PROJECTS:

Women: Boot cuffs (two sets, one from Michael’s, another basic I found on-line)

Men: Head Banned (Crochet Dude’s Designs for Guys)

HOMEWORK:

2 sets of 8 more 6” squares

 

 

 

 

 

 

Course 3

FOLLOW A PATTERN

Students will now really learn how to read patterns. Understand crochet abbreviations. Understanding gauge, and how to measure gauge. Understanding symbols.

 STITCH PATTERNS: Some of these can be used towards your 6” squares!

Mesh fabrics using crochet arches, crumple stitch pattern, crunchy dots, granite, trinity, chevron, shells, odd shells, popcorn dance

 

PROJECTS:

Women: fingerless gloves (Chicks with Sticks)

Men: Fingerless gloves (Crochet Dude, Designs for Guys)

For both: Graduation day! Congrats! You now get to make your own Felted Crochet Hook Case!

2 sets of 8 more 6” squares

 

 

Final Course for the Absolute Beginner:

Bring in squares and learn how to connect the squares to make two throws, one to keep, one to donate to charity

August 1, 2014

School

So far I am making decent headway.
I am in Lesson 1: Lesson Plans. " Our goal is to prepare you to teach professionally with solid crocheting techniques and teaching skills"

1. Read all of the handbook
2. writing a brief background paragraph about your crochet history, including when and who taught you, how long have you been crocheting, and experiences in teaching crocheting
3. after completing lesson 2-5, write lesson plans for a series of 3 beginner classes, 2 hours each.
4. I will get to create a basic, but challenging project, I want them to make a hook 'n tool holder for their future sets. I have to set up my classroom/space, teaching techniques.

Here are future lessons I will be tackling:

Lesson 2: The Basics. "When beginners come to class, they want to learn NOW! Beginning immediately with chaining and how to crochet. After they are proficient enough to make a swatch, you can discuss gauge, hooks, and other basics.

1. Crochet 5" squares: Single, Half Double, Double, Treble
2. Correctly labeling each square

Lesson 3: Increases and Decreases: learning how to read instructions (patterns)

1. Single crochet square
2. Half Double Crochet Square
3. Double Crochet square

Lesson 4: Pattern Stitches: Review pattern reading skills

1. 5" square in each of the following stitches: Single crochet rib, shell, cluster, popcorn, ripple

Lesson 5: Crocheting in the round: Identifying right side and wrong side, changing colors, etc.

1. Make a 5" Square motif
2. Make a 5" Hexagon motif
3. Make a beginner level project that uses a spiral method. I plan to make a hat.

And that's Crochet 1, folks. It's very involving, but effective. My plan is to break it down into 5 lessons, each will have a project.

TNS The Stitch Quarterly

 

A Quick Note:

Ah, Summer has arrived. You’d think I will be relaxing on the beach somewhere, oh but no, I have so much going on!  I have spent the past few months filling orders as well as working my day job as a school bus driver. May and June have been especially hectic, but now schools are closed, and now I can really focus on what I want to do this summer.

I gave a lot of thought to the following question:  “Your work is so nice, do you teach?” For the past 15 years of crocheting, and 30 years of stitchery practice, I have decided to take the plunge and signed up for a correspondence courses through the Craft Yarn Council Association and FIT for Crochet I, and Crochet II. I have 6 months each to complete a binder of work filled with samples and swatches. Again, I will be using my blog to share my experiences. Along with this, I have been matched so far to Michael’s Arts and Crafts of Huntington. This is located on RTE 110, just south of Walt Whitman Mall. For class schedules, free demos, and open houses, check my Facebook page often.

Over the summer, as well as studies, I will be making new things for the next craft fair. I made new blankets for the home, and reviewing patterns, and collecting yarn. There are new things out there that will be ideal for everyone, and practical solutions as well.

~Regina

Classes

            I hooked up with Michael’s in Huntington! Yes, it is pretty far from where I live. But it is a start, right? I have a set schedule, and I can make 2 custom classes. All lessons are $25 each. If you wish to have private lessons, or a fun group session, you can reserve for one, we can hold it in your home, or a place of your choice. Lessons will still be only $25 each!

            Help me earn my required 15 hours for Crochet 1, and another 15 for Crochet 2. To make it easy for us to keep track, my project lessons listed below will make it easy to pick out what you want to learn. If you never crocheted before, you have to take the Absolute Beginner class before taking on a class that might overwhelm you. Each month, I will introduce 2-3 Level 1 classes, and 1-2 Level 2 classes. Sometimes I will make a Level 2 project a 2-parter, maybe a series!

Class Calendar:

Location:

Michael’s Arts & Crafts

Huntington Shopping Center

350 Walt Whitman Rd (Rte 110)

Huntington Station, NY 11746

631-423-0381 (call to reserve your spot!)

All classes are $25 each!

 

7/31 Discover Crochet: Time for Crochet

1-3:30

Confident Beginner and up.

Corner-to-Corner Crochet

• 2 balls Lily Sugar n Cream, you pick color
• Size H Hook, Size I hook
• Tool kit

 

8/3 Discover Crochet: Time for Crochet (Level Crochet 1)

1-3:30pm

Absolute Beginner Crochet: The basics

 

• Pick out your tool kit
• Pick out hook set
• Learn about yarn, patterns, etc.

 

8/7 Crochet Beginner 1: Skinny Scarf or phone cover (Level Crochet 1)

1-3:30pm

 

• 1 skein Caron Simply Soft your color pick
• H-Hook
• Tool kit

 

8/14 Crochet Beginner 2: Pillow or Scarf  (Level Crochet 1)

1-3:30pm

 

• 1 skein Red Heart Super Saver, your color pick
• J-hook
• Tool kit

 

8/21 Discover Crochet: Basket (Level Crochet 1)

1-3:30pm

• 2 balls Lily Sugar n Cream (color A) your color pick
• 2 balls Lily Sugar n Cream (color B) White
• H-hook
• Tool Kit
   
  8/28 Discover Crochet: Tunisian Tablet Cover (Level Crochet 2)
  1-3:30pm

• 2 balls Lily Sugar N Cream, you pick color
• L-Afghan Hook (call to reserve your spot, so we can order the hooks)
• Tool Kit
  We will go over this style crochet together before making the tablet cover.
   
  8/31 Discover Crochet: Time for Crochet
  1-3:30pm
  Autumn Throw
• Please pick out three colors that represent "Autumn" to you Here's my sample
• 5 balls Vanna’s Choice Yarn (A) Toffee
• 5 balls Vanna’s Choice Yarn (B) Olive
• 5 balls Vanna’s Choice Yarn (C) Cranberry
• Lion Brand’s size Q-19 hook
• Tool kit

What is CGOA?

The Crochet Guild of America (CGOA)

Is a big club, with 3,300+ members, and more are joining every day. I became a member in 2009, and I love it! I found new friends who share my passion for the art of fiber. CGOA also encourages you to challenge yourself with fascinating new patterns, and for those more advanced, has a Master’s Class program, the ultimate challenge that rewards you with a certificate and an invitation to the pinning ceremony at the next Conference. Speaking of, yes, there is a conference for the membership to come together from all over the country! You get to rub elbows with famous designers, take a variety of classes geared for all levels, a marketplace for you to shop, a lounge to chill and chat with peers as you stitch, and a fashion show with a dinner banquet!  Giving back to the community is huge with this organization, you’ll find out just how many charities need us to make things for people in need. The benefits of the membership has been very good for me, I get Crochet! Magazine with a newsletter included, something you don’t get from the newsstand! I get discounts from retailers, and free access to the website. Go check it out! www.crochet.org

Charity Corner

Welcome to the FASNY Firemen’s Home!

At the FASNY Firemen’s Home we believe the sense of community born upon entering the fire service is a part of someone for life.  That’s why we built this "Home Away from Home," a sanctuary of sorts for former volunteer firefighters. Our Home, set against the naturally beautiful backdrop of the Catskill Mountains in Hudson, NY, provides quality healthcare, rehabilitative therapy, daily social activities and special events.  Our members relish each day spent among those who share their passion for firefighting. The Home fosters the volunteer firefighter lifestyle, encouraging members’ memories of the service to live on in their stories told to one another.

Why is this so important to me?

Several years ago, my best friend’s cousin, Doug, had major surgery on his hip and knees, he was also very heavy.  He couldn’t afford to recover on Long Island, and was transferred to the Home. His stay there was so great, did a complete 180, met Melissa, and married her! He now lives nearby, just in case if he needed to go there again. He told me when I gifted him and Melissa with a custom bedspread that the Home needs warm touches like what I make, So I decided to follow through and made a few throws. When I arrived there, and dropped these throws, the receptionist’s eyes widened, and told me that what I made is so needed! So I promised more the following year, 20 to be exact, and the following year got to meet the activities director, and she said “Oh my! You did these by yourself? Amazing! You don’t realize how much a resident appreciates a handmade gift, can you make more?”

So that’s what I intend to do, I launched Lapghan-a-thon & Shawl-a-thon for The Home. Friends have donated TONS of yarn, that I am making into cozy colorful throws and Bingo Shawls to keep frail shoulders warm as they play a wicked game of BINGO and other outdoor activities. I plan to incorporate making squares to sew together through my classes. Eventually, when I form my own chapter, we will be looking after these residents.