Winter Warmth

Three years ago, today–the world…well, my world at least, was covered over with bits of yarn and crochet projects in every room of the house. Some were for Christmas, some were for the new baby coming, and some were because there must be something on that silly hook–at. all. times. The project for this day, back then, was a pair of warm and toasty slippers for my Dane in Lithuania. It has always fascinated me how much warmth can be created from a piece of colored string.

Not too much is different these days–only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. There are bits of yarn everywhere–to be sure, and slowly progressing projects in every room–as always. Various hats and scarves for Christmas gifts, soap bags and Toddler Winter sets for the shop, and because I can’t help myself–there will be more slippers…big, huge ones this time, for the Bald Kid in Siberia–out of thick, bunchy wool, I think.

Soon enough, we’ll be nesting again and finding all the ways there are to keep a winter baby warm and snugly.

I think—quite certain, in fact, that it will involve a few balls of colored string.

The African Flower Granny Hex Pattern


Discovered these little lovelies on Pinterest a while back and after checking around a bit, I realized that they are actually all over the internet right now–everywhere you turn…

a sort of African Flower madness.

And no wonder–they are absolutely adorable–don’t you think? Imagine the possibilities!

And seriously, there’s something goose bumpy about watching those pretty hexes stack up. It just makes my heart pound a little faster. Kinda like that feeling you get when you’ve bottled eighty-five-thousand quarts of peaches and they are all lined up on the counter ready to make someone’s life incredibly…better.

Well, kinda like that.

I’m all about living proof that you’ve really done something worthwhile with your day. And since you could make a pillow, a tote bag, and even an afghan…

the African Flower Grammy Hex…

totally qualifies.

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African Flower Crochet Hex

Abbreviations:

sl knot = slip knot
st = stitch
ss = slip stitch
ch = chain
sc = single crochet
dc = double crochet
Rnd = round

Pattern:

Beginning– ch 6, ss into first ch to make a ring.

Rnd 1 – ch 3, 1 dc, ch 1, *2 dc, ch 1, * repeat until you have six spaces and six 2dc. ss to the 3rd chain of the beginning round. Fasten off.

Rnd 2 – Change color: Starting in any space~ ch 5, 2 dc in same space, *ch 1, 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc in next space – repeat * 5 times, 1 dc and ss into the 3rd ch of the beginning round.

Rnd 3 – ch 3, 6 dc in the 2-ch space, ch 1, * 7 dc in next 2-ch space, ch 1, repeat * 5 times. ss the 3rd ch of the beginning round. Fasten off.

Rnd 4 – Change color: ch 1, sc around and make a long stitch down in round 2 between each flower petal. End with ss. Fasten off.

Rnd 5 – Attach next color yarn in any first stitches past the long stitch of previous row.

Ch 3, dc in next 3 stitches, ch 1, *dc 1 in the same st as last dc, dc in next 3, ch1 (skip long stitch of the previous round), dc in next 4, ch1, repeat 5 times, dc 1 in the same st as last dc, dc 3,ch1, ss to the 3rd ch from the beginning round. Fasten off.

[Note: ch1 in bold should be at the center of the flower petal, this is the corner of the hexagon]

Be brave my friends…

try it!

Note: I used Lily Sugar & Cream Cotton Yarn for this project. :}

Halloween Candy Garland

Now, if you’re an old timer to Gracious Rain you may be sayin’ “Whoa, Nellie–you already made this sweet, little garland a couple of years back!”

And I would say back to you–“That’s right…sort of.”

First of all, the last candy garland got eaten by “woodland creatures” so a new one was in order.  This time, it’s much easier to make. Seriously, took about 20 minutes start to finish.

Just a simple crochet chain stitch and every 10 stitches I wrapped the loop around one end of the taffy, pulled it tight and kept right on going. Cinchy.

However, if you have a house with little people in it, like we do, you’ll have to either hang it up high or just be ready to have it nibbled on by the critters.

This time–I’ll take my chances with the outdoor squirrels.

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Snowy Scarf

Finally, we’re getting a bit colder weather around here and it seems to be nudging our sleepy green leaves into turning. Not that I’m begrudging the strange, lovely October sunshine, oh no–but at last it feels more appropriate to begin working on a few little things for…dare I say…Christmas.

A simple double crochet grid pattern can turn into the most luxurious, fluffy, amazing thing–

just by using this crazy yarn.

This stuff feels like you’re crocheting with soft, squishy pipe cleaners.  :}


And I can personally vouch for how warm it will be, as I had to keep moving the project off my lap every 10 minutes or so to keep from over heating! Pretty sure I could warm up some Eskimos with this toasty piece of work.

Which is good, because Autumn seems to be coming…

at last.

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Soap Sacks

For those of you who commented or emailed me for the pattern for the sweet little Soap Sack— here you go.

Crocheted Soap Sack

Using Cotton thread and an H hook–

Chain(ch) 6, to form a ring.

Row 1-  Ch 4, (dc, ch 1) in the ring 11 times. Join in  3rd stitch of beginning ch 4.

Row 2-  Slip stitch(sl) in first ch 1 space, ch 4. (dc, ch 1) in each ch 1 space around. Join in 3rd stitch of beginning ch 4.

Row 3~7  Repeat row 2.

Row 8-  Sl in first ch 1 space. Chain 5, (dc, ch 2) in each ch 1 space around. Join in third space of beginning ch 4. Do not fasten off.

Hang loop: Chain 65. Secure last chain to first chain and fasten off.

Tie a knot at the base of the hang loop…

close to the bag.

After you drop your favorite soap into the bag, weave the hang loop through several of the top chain 2 spaces and cinch the bag closed.

Now my friends–you can begin your Christmas gift stash RIGHT NOW.