I just love Saturday's. I love waking up on my own, going for a walk and drinking a cup of tea while reading a few blogs. Today I did just that and then Little Buddy and I went outside to do some yard work. He walked around while I weeded and cut back some very overgrown bushes. It was so hot and humid out that I saw little drops of sweat rolling down his sweet face, yes that is Florida for you in September at ten in the morning. So we came inside and did some house work. He was chatting away, walking around and frankly messing up my clean floors. I love to hear his chattering about trains, elevators (which he calls an alligator), school and well just anything that comes to his mind. He is so darling and talking more and more everyday.
Even though I have some paperwork to do for work I am getting things done around the house instead. And I have been grabbing a little bit of time with yarn. Thursday I suddenly had to make another crochet basket, why I am not really sure but the impulse was just too strong to ignore. I grabbed yarn I already had, a size L hook and got busy. It took me two days because frankly I had to give my wrists and forearms a rest. I feel like I had a huge workout and my arms are sore today. Here is a peek.
This baby is large, like really large. I once again used the crochet basket pattern by Liz. I was inspired by Tanna, Tammy and now Sabrina.
When I see the baskets they have made I just want to make another one.
This basket is so big I can fit my other basket in it with room to spare. I think I should have made it smaller but who cares it is done now and I can fill it with lots and lots of yarn.
This basket is so big I can fit my other basket in it with room to spare. I think I should have made it smaller but who cares it is done now and I can fill it with lots and lots of yarn.
I had bought yarn to make some of these as gifts but I have to be honest here, joining rounds in crochet is not a strength of mine. Yes I have seen all the tutorials, and YouTube videos. I am impatient, I want to go and go and not be bothered finishing every round by cutting off the yarn and securing it. The middle portion doesn't look to bad but the side, well that is another story.
I don't want you all to think I am some master crocheter, I lack a lot of skills. So I will be keeping this basket for myself and won't be giving these as gifts due to my impatience and pathetic joins. I guess that will leave me with more cotton yarn to make dishcloths for presents.
The best way to camouflage your mistakes on a basket is to fill it up so no one really notices. I think this might be a great place to put finished washcloths. These washcloths are approximately 9 1/2 inches across, so you can see this basket is indeed pretty big.
More things to savor on this Saturday. A dishcloth nearing completion, this will be number nine for me.
And on my walk this morning I found these sycamore leaves on the sidewalk. Make no mistake, Autumn is not arriving here anytime soon. These leaves have simply been on the tree too long, they fall off and then turn yellow. I can imagine they are on the ground because of Autumn and I can also imagine it is not 93 degrees out right now.
These beauties were sent to me from a wonderful blogging friend. I am not mentioning names in case there are some weird rules out there about feathers being sent in the mail. I am a feather lover as you know. I feel like each one you find is a special gift from God, nature, the universe whatever source you believe in. I have found just a few feathers this year, and really very few last year. When I saw these on my friends blog I gasped, they are so gorgeous and the darker one I have never seen before. So getting these in the mail was an exceptionally sweet surprise. A gift from a friend and the universe, what could be better?
Hope you are having a great weekend and did not get a phone call from your son saying his car got towed because he forgot to move it off that particular street at the University last night because it is a football game day today. I will have to work a bit of overtime next week to pay for it. Ah.........to be young and have a open wallet payed for by your parents.
Hope you are savoring your Saturday.
Oh dear, I hope he was suitably contrite. I love the basket, large is certainly better for baskets, I've no use for teeny tiny baskets. I hope and your sweet little buddy have a good Sunday. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your big yellow crocheted basket.. and I personally wouldn't give a hoot about the joins.. the darn things always show. It reminds me of my mom, if she got a hole in one of her favorite clothing items, she would just sew a flower patch on it. Good memories of a mom who never wasted anything because she was a child during the depression.
ReplyDelete((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Very nice basket!!
ReplyDeleteHave a great Sunday.
I must admit one of my most favourite things in the world was listening to my boys chatting when they were young, it's so sweet.....they are in their late teens and 20's now, and I still love listening to them. Love the colours of your yarns and the basket is super.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Anita.
Your basket is beautiful Meredith. The joins are just fine! I smiled at your comment about LB talking so much. Miss Pioer is doing the same these day. Just yesterday she started saying "ummm" Constanta toy. I feel like she's a teenager trying to stall for time when asked to do something! :-) I'm still working on Mandy's sweater. An adult hoodie sweater takes a LOT longer than a toddler one! Admittedly, I've been spending most of my time with Piper and not knitting. There will be plenty of time for that when she's in D.C. I'm going to play right now.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
Sounds like the most perfect Saturday friend! I love days like that and how awesome that Little Buddy is chatting away! I often stop myself when the beans are chatting away to take it all in! Love little voices!!! And your baskets are awesome!!! Man do I wish I could make something like that!!! Wishing you a wonderful Sunday and oh to be young again!!! Nicole xoxo
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, those feathers are gorgeous! Whenever I see one I think of you - how sweet that your bloggy friend sent you some.
ReplyDeleteI think your basket looks fine - what a pretty colour and a great size too. Round joins are always a bit of a hassle. I saw a project in a Vogue Knitting Crochet magazine, made from motifs, and all the joins were really obvious. So if it's good enough for Vogue, I wouldn't worry too much about it!
Hoping your weather cools down soon. :)
Love your basket and dishcloths. Nice way to store yarns and your current projects. Have a happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteYour basket are beautiful! Mine have similar problem.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day!
Lucir
IMHO I think your basket looks great! Little kids are so much fun to watch and listen to. They have the best time in their own little worlds. Just makes you smile! Lovely background music to your day! I feel bad for you, heat and humidity....ick!
ReplyDeleteNice to read the way you enjoy your saturday .... with nice stuffs ! your baskets and washclothes are beautiful...! So have a nice sunday too !
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good day. I'd take the basket with love off any relative of mine. I'm no good at joining rounds either, so I accept imperfections as part of the love that goes into the making. Mind you, none of my relatives make anything so I'm very unlikely ever to get the offer!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a lovely Saturday the basket looks pretty good to me.
ReplyDeleteClare xx
Our two year old Joy is such fun to listen to...somehow she has yes and no reversed in meaning so deciphering her intent gives us pause.
ReplyDeleteI love your Liz baskets...attach some flowers over the join if it bothers you.
And I love your feathers, and bet your son is sorry about the towing, too :-) xx
I love Saturdays too, except when I accidentally delete precious comments from my fav blogging buddies! I've managed to recover some of them but unfortunately not yours or Kris's so please forgive me, Meredith, if you don't see your lovely comment on my recent post. That's never happened before. I think they should move the 'publish' button as far away from the 'delete' as possible for idiots like me! Loving those dishcloths in their lovely basket and if it's any consolation, my joining is ridiculous too - I just cannot make it any tidier, no matter how I try! Have a good week, Meredith. Tons of hugs to Little Buddy. xxx
ReplyDeleteOh Meredith, your saturday sounds like bliss to me! Spending it in the company of Little Buddy, how precious! As for your older boy, hopefully it won't happen again... Those feathers look really pretty! And what a lovely basket!! I hadn't realized how large it is! I know what you mean about resting your wrists, but look at the result, it's great! Never mind about 'perfect' joins or whatever! It is perfect the way it is! You could make one for Little Buddy to put some small toys in?! And thanks for your sweet comments on my page! :)
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely sunday,
Ingrid xx
http://myfunkycrochet.blogspot.be
I savored my Saturday and then poof, it was over and I was back at school today. Ugh! But guess what, I have released all that negative energy and see light at the end of the tunnel because I know without a doubt that this is my last year in my windowless office surrounded by toxic people. Such a sense of relief. I'm like you, impatient. I've tried different joins and watched videos but they often don't make a whole lot of sense to me. My projects aren't always perfect, but I don't care. That's what makes them handmade, the imperfections. I haven't made anymore baskets lately but have been doing all sorts of other things. Mostly I just like the process of creating. Don't even have to have any special purpose for the making. Your basket turned out great and the pretty dishcloths fit in there perfectly. Glad to hear that Little B is talking up a storm and enjoying school. Hugs to all, Tammy
ReplyDeleteThese baskets are great, I want to make one for storing my grandsons toys in so mine will also be extra large. I wouldn't worry about the joins myself, simply face the join towards the wall (that's my plan haha!)
ReplyDeleteI have not had much time for crafting as I am still revamping the spare room. I had all mismatched furniture in there so everything has been painted to provide more uniformity. I am impatient now to get it finished but alas I must wait several hours in-between applying coats of paint.
I think maybe 1 more week during my spare time should see it done.
Oh dear on the car towing!
Your basket is lovely!!! It looks great with your dishcloths stacked inside. I wondered if Buddy would like it for carrying toys around in as it would be nice and soft for him. I hope that the weather cools a bit for you soon and that you have a great week. xx
ReplyDeleteI love your baskets. Love those dishcloths too.
ReplyDeleteLil Buddy is your little shadow..I love it.
Feathers..Hmmm Why didn't i know that about you?
I wish you could be here today; 70s sunny gorgeous Chicago Sept weather.
I love Saturdays too...
ReplyDeleteYour basket will be so handy for all your yarn!
Littl buddy's company must be such a joy :-)
Love from Mirjamxxx
Saturday is my favourite day of the week. I love that is half weekend, half workday. So I can do whatever I please: Stay in bed all day (which I have never done, but I will on day), work like a meniac or sit around and chat. We've had lovely weather all weekend. :-) Last but not least: You could not join the rounds when you corchet single crochets, just go round and round and round. You would have to be careful making the bottom and count the stitches carefully. But when you will have reached the amount of stitches you need, it's very simple and quick.
ReplyDeleteI just made four crochet baskets over the last week. They are addictive! I'm so glad I learned about them from you! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLove your basket Meredith it's a lovely sunshine basket and who cares about the joins. You take care and make them more slowly or your poor hands will really suffer. the feathers are beautiful, when I find one I always think they have been left by angels or a departed loved one has left one just to let you know they are thinking of you. Oh dear shame about your son's car will they ever learn! xxx
ReplyDeleteUsing a crocheted yarn basket to hold more yarn! There's something delightfully fitting about that. Since I don't crochet, I could hardly tell where the joins were even when they were being pointed out - but maybe a bit of a ruffle down the join line would disguise it if it bothers you?
ReplyDeleteMeredith your basket is lovely, A bigger basket is so much better... I too face problems when it comes to joining rounds, they always look clumsy but I like to ignore them... The chatters of a child is the most soothing sound in the world ... I almost smiled when you mentioned the "elevator" thing...Lots & lots of love to LB..
ReplyDeleteOh Mere, I had to laugh at the last part about your son! My daughter has done that! Only she parked in a no parking area, while visiting someone and he told her that it was ok. She came out and her car had been towed. And impounded, and it was EXPENSIVE!!!!
ReplyDeleteI can just hear little Buddy chattering away. I wish I could hear him in real life!! I love your baskets! And your wash cloths! I have been on a wash cloth making kick too. I want to try some of the knitted ones you are doing too.
Have a good week my friend.
xo Kris
It's a lovely basket! I do like the colour and it looks like it will hold lots :) I can't believe autumn is almost upon us, but it is one of my favourite seasons so I'm happy really :) Have a lovely week, glad little Buddy is doing well :) xx
ReplyDeleteYour basket looks very well and I'm sure it is only you who notices the joins. When working in rounds like this you don't have to finish a round before starting the next. This is when crocheting in UK dc or US sc stitch. If you mark the first stitch of your round, then work the whole way round until you are back to the marker, instead of finishing the round simply continue by crocheting into the first stitch of the previous round. Remember to move your marker to the new round, then continue like this until you have enough rounds done. Even to join a new colour you don't haven't to finish off the old colour. So you are basically crocheting in a spiral but because the dc stitches are short you don't notice this.
ReplyDeleteOh dear to be that young...I am sure it was a genuine mistake...
ReplyDeleteYour basket are beautiful, don't put yourself down.
I didn't know you were a fellow feather collector. =) I finally had to divest myself of my hoard in the MOVE. ;) Though I have recently added a few to my shelves of treasures gathered on my morning walks. Can't resist.
ReplyDeleteAnd, those baskets are addictive... My joins got a LITTLE better as I kept making them... but, you could always see that line. I agree! Fill them up. Your beautiful dish cloths fit perfectly. blessings ~ tanna
Uh oh, he's lucky to have such a generous and caring mom. :) I love feathers too and often save interesting feathers from my chickens. I really like your basket, it looks great. Those baskets look very handy too. I hope you have a good week. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is fun that you collect feathers. :-)
ReplyDeleteWe had a big time humid week~so this weekend was so refreshing to be in the 70's and the humidity was only 20%
I love your baskets. You do great work.
That is a very nice basket, I will find time to make one this weekend.
ReplyDeleteIn some cultures, finding a feather is considered a message from someone departed, so you are not alone being drawn to feathers.
I really love your baskets. I wonder if there is a way of just crocheting them round and round so that there is no join? But yes, with that thick wool I can imagine your wrists ached after that! I hope the weather cools down a little for you soon. x
ReplyDeleteLove the big basket! Bigger = more yarn. Win-win!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWell, I missed this post somehow. Seems like that happens a lot. I adore the baskets you and Tanna have made. I especially like that big yellow one. I like feathers too and think they are a message of some kind when I come across one. Maybe the message is just a bird was here. Ha-ha. You know what I mean. :)
ReplyDeleteI love those baskets - almost enough to finally tackle the task of learning to crochet. However, even I am not fool enough to take up a new craft at the beginning of the school year.
ReplyDeleteAs my kids move into their-20s, I am slowly closing the wallet. They are both on school loans, now, so the pressure is off somewhat.