A Granny Square Problem

I am really stuggling to make the final SS to complete my granny squares in the right spot. All my squares look deformed. : (

I've been searching for someone to ask--helppppp! but, it seems I am on my own.

A Random Present

This morning I woke up to this gift from my mother in law! Doily Thread!!
The Colors:
White
Burgundy
Frosty Green
Orchid Pink

When will this project be over??

The thing about just learning to crochet is, YOU WANT TO DO EVERYTHING. Its impossible for me to work one project at a time. I am doing my best to focus on my baby afghan but, yet again, last night I was distracted. As you might have read I was attempting pineapples last night. I had to yell at myself today...how can I possibly be doing round three of a 'delicate pineapple' when I only have 10' left on my baby blankie. Ohh, how I make myself mad.  I see some people constantly work multiple projects at once...I don't think I want to be one of those people. About a week ago I watched some news reporter report that people who multi task or take on two or more projects at a time will actually SPEND MORE TIME doing each task than if they would have single tasked. Food for thought.

So heres my plan...note that this might change 6 times before next week... :)
1) Complete Baby Afghan
2) Make the damn Delicate Pineapple Doily
3) Begin Making my Granny Square Afghan (Ive chosen Pink and White...I will need 110 squares)
4) Learn the Ripple
5) Make my First Ripple (Chocolate, Buff and Brown Varigaided)
6) Learn the BroomStick Lace
7) Create two/four pillow cases in broomstick lace for a gift to my gram
8) Learn the checkerboard granny squares
9) Crochet a checkerboard afghan (For my beloved cousin Liam)
10) Make a christmas doily for my beloved aunt Maura...shes a doily kind of lady.
11) Slap myself for planning all these projects that are due by x mas

Don't worry crocheters...I know this is a year long list.  : )

Pineapple Doilies

After a bad day, I decided to give a pineapple a try. The thread is beautiful and the needle is sooo SMALL!! This is my first round--for those who have not tried to make doilies yet-start with a Granny square. The center is very similar. Be sure you know the following stitches: treble, double treble and a shell.

Thread color is Almond Pink.

St.Patricks Day Ideas

I was thinking about a seasonal project--something for St. Patty's day...but I've hit a wall. The only thing I can think of that is not too extravagent is a scarf. I don't want to make a scarf because spring is knocking on Pennsylvania's door. I could make a baby afghan out of green granny squares. I think I could get away with 6 5" accross with 8 5" down. I guess i'll really have to think about it. I can probably make about 5-10 grannies a day. Maybe I should just scrap this idea and make something more spring like. There are just way too many project ideas out there...not to mention I really want to learn the broomstick lace to make pillow cases for my grandmother for Christmas. I have this feeling that it's going to take me months to perfect the stitch before I am satisfied enough to gift it to my grandmother.

This square is made with Red Heart Yarn; the center is paddy green, the inner border is lime and the outer border is hunter green. Measures 4" x 4.5".

Project Update!!

So today my baby afghan is at 16"...WOOT WOOT!! It's so long that when I measure it, its too large for my lap. I know for seasoned crocheters, 16" isn't much...but I'M PROUD!! So far the tension and stitching is pretty much perfect. I am feuding a little bit with the Bernat Baby yarn, when it comes in the pound its extra knotty. Everytime i've worked out a knot, I pull the center string and BAMMMM theres another knot. I should confess though, usually my husband is sorting out the knots. He is helpful like that. The total picture is just irritating because after the body I have another pound to sift through to make the white border. Next time I will just spend the extra cash on the 6-7 oz.

Crochet and Knit your way to Less Stress!!

After reading an article in a magazine my aunt had shown me, I did a little research:

There is proof substantiating the claim that knitting and crochet help lower stress levels, thereby leading needle workers to a greater state of calm. ”Human beings are bodies, minds and spirits. Health necessarily involves all of those components,” says Dr. Andrew Weil

Read more at Suite101: Health Benefits of Knit & Crochet: Return to Hand Needlework Reflects Longing for Stress Reduction http://www.suite101.com/content/health-benefits-of-knit-crochet-a35275#ixzz1FZ7DPgeH