Favorite Sweater Granny Stripe Blanket

March is National Crochet Month, believe it or not.  It's also National Celery Month.  I'm pretty sure you can just make up whatever celebration or awareness event you want and call it a National event.  I mean, do you think it's a coincidence that someone very dear to me is having his first colonoscopy soon and it just so happens to be National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month???  

I've been so enamored of knitting lately, that it had been a while since I'd taken on a large crochet project.  But I started and finished a large blanket recently (back in February, when it was National Bird Feeding Month and Great American Pies Month... not sure if that last one is about dessert or Don McLean...)  I shared in my Instagram stories that the inspiration for the blanket was from a girl's Old Navy sweater I bought about five years ago.  The sweater colors and color scheme are so cheerful, and I love stripes!!!, I just knew that I had to adapt the sweater into a blanket for our home.  Also, since Clare wears a size 7 and is still squeezing into this size 4/5 sweater, we may have to retire the favorite sweater soon (someone suggested a pillow cover!)  It will be nice to have the blanket in its place :) 

Quite a few people asked about the specifics for the project, and you know I'm always happy to chat about yarn and craftiness!  So here are the details.  Please let me know if you have any questions, and if you make your own, or a spin off, I'd love to see your finished product - tag me @ordinarylovely on Instagram :)  And link back to here if you write about it!

* For the basic pattern and granny stripe technique, I used crochet superstar Lucy's tutorial from her blog, Attic 24.  You can get it here.  Out of respect for her work, I will not discuss specific pattern construction here.  

* I used a 4mm crochet hook.  My absolute favorites are Clover Amour hooks <3   (I used a 5mm for the starting chain)

* I used all worsted weight yarns.  The light brown yarn is Big Twist Sincerely Yarn, from Joann, in Oatmeal Heather.  I believe I used 6 skeins.

* The colored yarns are all I Love This Yarn, from Hobby Lobby.  When I'm making something with basic acrylic yarn, I Love This Yarn is my go-to stuff because the color selection is practically unparalleled. (Ok, maybe it's rivaled by Stylecraft's or Paintbox's color selection, but I can't buy either of those brands locally, but I can GO to Hobby Lobby and choose exactly what I want from their large, LARGE selection.  Oh, and, Dear Paintbox, Stylecraft, and Hobby Lobby, I accept free yarn in exchange for honest reviews ;) ) Hobby Lobby's I Love This Yarn is also very soft and makes a comfortable acrylic blanket, not a scratchy one (you know I'm talking about you, Red Heart SuperSaver yarn...).  It also washes very well.  One thing about Hobby Lobby that I don't love -- and I hate that I even have to admit there is one thing -- they only accept one coupon at a time.  So, that really stinks when you need a lot of yarn at one time.  HOWEVER, this yarn is on sale right now, so run, don't walk, to your neighborhood HL (or hop on over to their website) and pick up your colors now.  You'll get a good discount on every skein.  (Sorry, I don't know how long the sale is on for.  But if you go, let me know and I'll give you my list of what I want ;) ) 

* Here are the specific I Love This Yarn colors I used to match the sweater as closely as possible (which was practically exactly!  Thanks, Hobby Lobby!)  I only needed one of each skein.

350 - Hot Rose

210 - Antique White

113 - Mango

111 - Hot Orchid

40 - Red 

357 - Keylime

364 - Glacier

110 - Turquoise 

80 - Royal 

* I started with the Oatmeal Heather and alternated it every row with a color.  I did three rows of color in each "stripe", except white, which I kept to two rows just because I didn't want it to stand out much.  So, I started with an Oatmeal Heather granny cluster row, then a row of Hot Rose, then Oatmeal, Hot Rose, Oatmeal, Hot Rose.  Then on to the next color section, so, Oatmeal row, then White, Oatmeal, White.  

So, knowing that every other row would be an oatmeal heather row, and all colors (except white) would repeat for three rows per "stripe" (is this confusing?????) here's the color order I used:

rose

white

mango

orchid

red

rose

white

glacier

orchid

rose

red

keylime

turquoise

mango

orchid

white

mango

keylime

glacier

turqouise

keylime

turquoise

royal

turquoise

glacier

royal

keylime

The border is one round of granny clusters, one round of half double crochets, and then a round of reverse single crochet to add a sturdy, textured edge.  

The final dimensions are approximately 60'" x 75".  

This blanket is so colorful and cheerful!  It just makes me smile!  (Plus, granny stripe is so mindless, it's great for working on while watching Netflix, or listening to a book on Audible as I did!  It worked up so quickly, I've already started another one!)  I hope you've found this info helpful and I hope you  get to make one!

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Handicrafts for Kids to Enjoy on Cozy Winter Evenings (Prior Parent Skill Not Necessary!)

The cooler weather we've been having in the evenings makes me want to gather in the living room with my family and just enjoy being together.  It's also that time of the year when I encourage my children to start working on handmade Christmas gifts for family.  The other evening my older kids and I were cheerily gathered in front of a fire sewing and crafting.  I felt like everything was perfect and it reminded me of this post I wrote a couple years ago.  It's ok, you can go check it out... it's short :) 

We all take so much enjoyment in being together on cozy evenings - pajamas on, usually in front of a fire, reading books, playing games, listening to music, and crafting.

That last one is important to me!  Since I enjoy handcrafts so much, it's something I want to encourage my kids in as well.  I've been especially encouraged by reading the educational philosophy of Charlotte Mason, which places importance on handcrafts.  Mason encouraged parents to give children the materials and instruction to learn specific skills and to intentionally create pieces that are beautiful and useful - think the opposite of the tissue paper and marshmallow crafts today's Kindergartner's bring home :)  While my kids do their share of tissue paper and glue stick projects (the kind of stuff I dispose of when they're asleep at night and I can sneak to the garbage bin unimpeded...), I also try to teach them skills so that they have the ability to create beautiful and useful items that I don't want to get rid of!  

One of the benefits of teaching kids a handicraft is that they often end up with a product that they're proud of and that they are delighted to see in use around their home (or are excited to give as a gift!)  

Here is a list of craft supplies that I always keep on hand for my kids.  These are the types of handicrafts that don't require a parent to have previously mastered a skill (...like crocheting. Believe me, I've tried to teach my kids how to crochet, but it hasn't stuck...)  If you're interested in learning a new skill, perhaps it would be enjoyable to do so along side your child!  But these are primarily projects you can set your child to after a cursory look through the  instructions.  Any of these would be great to give as Christmas gifts or to purchase now and use for making Christmas gifts :)  (note: these are also the type of projects to work on in the living room, in front of the fire!  So no glue, perler beeds, paint, etc... )

Harrisville Pot Holder Loom and Cotton Loops

C'mon.  This is a childhood staple!  If your kitchen doesn't have a couple of these in use, you're missing out ;)

My kids have used two kinds of looms/loops, and based on experience, I highly recommend the Harrisville metal looms and cotton loops.  The colors of the cotton loops are beautiful, and although slightly more expensive than the neon nylon ones, they make a much lovelier finished product.  The cotton pot holders are larger and thicker and, quite frankly, prettier.

If your kiddo already has experience with the traditional 7"x7" loom, perhaps she'd want to try out the larger, 10" loom.  I confess, I'd like one of these in my home, because they make amazing potholders.  They're a nice big size, perfect for large soup pots or casserole dishes on the table.
Finally, if you have a child that would love to turn a potholder into a real piece of art, check out this book!


Clover Pompom and Tassel Makers





Ok, I confess, I'm in love with making pompoms and tassels these days, so it's a little tricky to let my kids use my tools... but I do :)
These Clover tools are easy for kids to use, and my older three often do projects on their own with them.  They have made pretty pompom flowers, garlands, and Christmas tree ornaments with them.  
Clover sells several sizes of pompom makers, but I recommend the "Large" and "Small" sets for kids (as opposed to the XL and XS ones).  The tassel makers come in "Large" and "Small" but each one makes a handful of sizes.  
These, plus a few inexpensive skeins of craft yarn, will be enough for lots and lots of pretty projects!


Darice Knitting Looms



I have no idea how to do traditional knitting, but my kids sure can crank out hats on these knitting looms!  I really like this set of four sizes. I don't think we've ever used the smallest one, but the other sizes are perfect for baby, kid, and adult- size hats.  So basically, your kiddos could make Christmas gifts for literally everyone on your list this year :)
If you'll have more than one child loom knitting at once, you'll want to purchase an extra looming hook for each child.
For these looms, chunky yarn works best and makes hats without gaps in the weave.  I recommend Bernat Softee Chunky yarn for an inexpensive option (LOTS of colors available!), Lion Brand Heartlad Thick and Quick Yarn for a premium soft acrylic option, and Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick for a warm, wool blend option.
If hats aren't your thing, how about starting out a little smaller with this little flower loom kit for making accessories, garlands, and even embellishments for handmade Christmas cards.
My oldest son has got this handicraft down very well and has expressed interest in some other types of looms. We've looked at these oblong looms, a sock loom, and various books and websites on improving loom knitting technique.  It's really a skill that can grow and last as kids get older. 


Sew Cute Needlepoint Kits



These kits come with everything needed for a child to complete a cute needlepoint project from start to finish, including a pattern-stamped plastic sheet, yarn, needle, and frame.  With simple instructions and easy patterns, these kits are great for beginning sewers.  There are several options, like the sundae above, a horse, dog, cat, owl, flower, and rainbow.  They're not all "girly" :)


DIY Embroidery Kit

I don't know any fancy embroidery stitches or techniques, but I can do a simple running stitch and back stitch.  My kids enjoy "embroidery" because it can be entirely imaginative, or you can create your own "pattern" to sew pretty much anything you want.

To build an embroidery "kit" for my kids, I inculde:

embroidery hoops (4" hoops are good for little hands and 6" are good for 'medium' hands)

craft felt (I use felt for the little kids because it's "forgiving" if you have to pull out mistakes and because you can get packs of lots of different colors.  Use green for a background for flowers, or blue as a sky background for balloons!)  

craft thread (This is different from embroidery floss, and in my opinion, is better for little kids.  It doesn't not have strands that can separate like floss does, so it makes it easier for kids to thread needles and use the thread on their own.  Older children may be able to separate and use strands of embroidery floss, but so far we've just used this craft thread.)

larger-style embroidery needles  (For kids, you'll want to use a needle that's a bit longer and thicker and has an eye big enough that they can eventually learn to thread on their own.) 

craft buttons (I included these because my kids have combined embroidery and applique designs with buttons - buttons for the centers of flowers, or as holly berries, etc...)



Looking for some specific sewing project ideas?  Here a couple things that my kids have worked on and I recommend :)  

Button-Flower Wall Hanging

Embroidery for Young Football Fans

No-sew fleece blanket kits

One of my daughters is going to be working on some no-sew fleece pillows for Christmas this year.  This is a fun option for young kids who know how to tie a knot - you end up with a soft and fluffy blanket in the end!  There are tons of patterns and styles, but I included links to these two which seemed fun for kids :) 

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What kind of crafts do your kids enjoy?  Or how does your family like to spend cozy winter evenings together?  I'm just loving the fireside nights we've already had and am looking forward to another many more these next several months!

(Lots of Amazon affiliate links.  If you buy something,  many thanks!)

What I've Been Up To - Home Improvements, Craftiness, All the Things

Haven't done one of these in a while, so how 'bout a good ole fashioned random recap of stuff that maybe no one will read but it's fun to write anyway?  And of course, what's a random round-up post without lots of mediocre phone pics :) :)  :)  

How far back should I go...................   I never shared our pics from the County Fair in August.................

Kidding :)

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We've been having lots of stuff done around the house.  Back in October, we finally had our living room ceiling repaired from the water damage that happened last winter.  And as long as they were tearing up the ceiling, we had them install recessed lighting while they were at it.  Our living room is pretty big, and we've only ever had two little lamps lighting it.  In the winter it felt like we were living in a cave, even during the day.  At night -- well, how's a girl supposed to crochet in a dimly lit cave???  So, the new lights have been the best change of all!  And while the worker guys were at it, we had them paint the walls.  And the trim.   And then we decided to get new carpet.  And to replace our furniture of almost 10 years. And now, I LOVE our living room!! 

Before

watching them tear out our ceiling

lights!!!!!!!

during

the work crew we had were awesome!

after

after

after

And then we sort of got carried away and had a neighbor (who's a painter...) paint the dining room.   (The new color is Sherwin Williams Sea Salt)

before

before

after

And then he painted the kitchen.  It's also Sea Salt, but I don't have a pic.  

And then Russ and I did the half bathroom.  It was pink (was that way when we moved in seven years ago) and we finally painted it Sherwin Williams Rainwashed.  And I have some of the kids' lovely handiwork hanging in there, which I love!

before (it was pink when we moved in)

Fresh paint seriously refreshes everything!   

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All Saint's Day was celebrated.  There were costumes.  I made most of them, but the big kids helped a little.  They looked awesome for three seconds and then the kids started undressing themselves and by the end of the All Saint's Day party they looked like ragamuffins instead of saints.  Happens every year, and still, we make costumes.....  All costumes brought to you by Champion T-shirts from Target.  Just like every year ;)

St. Katier, St. Patrick, St. Pascual, Our Lady of Guadalupe
(my oldest was out of town...)

*   *   *   *   *   *

I decided I wanted to see what the chalk paint and chalkboard paint crazes were all about so the kids and I headed to the thrift store to look for some projects.  You just never know what you're going to find in those places...

I decided to paint some frames and make some chalkboards for our home because I want to be more like Heather.  There is some seriously ugly art at thrift stores.  But I got some fabulous frames, and now I've got some awesome chalkboards.  Was it bad that I painted over a scary picture of Jesus??

the boys had already memorized the first half, so we just needed the last bit up for review :)

that's Jesus under that there chalkboard...

These frames cost about $5 each at thrift stores.  That plus the cost of the paint makes them WAY less expensive than comparable chalkboards I've seen on Etsy.  So there.  

Then I saw this at JoAnn's and wanted to make one for myself.......

So I did....... And mind ended up cheaper and cuter ;)

I already had the frame from my thrift store escapades.  I just bought the burlap for the backing - $3.99 a yard, baby!

Finally I still have this frame waiting for a future.  They were asking $20 for this beauty at Salvation Army, and I asked the cashier if that was for real.  She ended up giving it to me for $10, which was still way too much, but it is huge and it will make a fun project when I figure out what that is.

*   *   *   *   *   *

I came up with a storage idea for our puzzles and arranging games that I thought was sort of ingenious.  I put them in a clothes hanger-thing in our coast closet so that they're organized and they're behind closed doors so that the big kids can get them but James CAN NOT.  Genius.  

what did I tell you about mediocre photos, huh?!?

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I KonMari'd our photos!!!  It. felt. awesome.  I didn't want to eliminate all physical photos because the kids really enjoy looking at them, and I think they provide a sense of family history for all of us beyond the stories we tell.  But I was able to weed out over 50% of our photos and consolidate nearly 10 of those small space-eating albums into two large books.  I bought these books, and they're great!  The best part about this project was that I bought these large albums three years ago and have put off making the switch because I thought it was going to be a huge 3 month-long project.  It wasn't.  I finished it in two nights!!  Now I can go back and order prints for the last four years...... we don't have any family pics since just before Clare was born :(  

some of the old stupid albums

new awesome albums that hardly take up any room!!

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Ok, I've got to wrap this up.  If you made it to the end, thanks!  I've really enjoyed the changes we've been making around here and it was fun to share them with you :)   It's so nice to make improvements that make you fall in love with your own home!

Hey, by the way!  Happy Gaudete Sunday!!  REJOICE!