Amish Basket Rug

     I started experimenting with rug hooking about half a year ago when one of my sisters gave me an old kit. 

     At first I thought, "This is going to be great! I'll be learning a new skill!"

     For those who don't know, rug hooking is VERY repetitive. And I have a rather short attention span, apparently.

     I had almost reached the halfway point on this rug when I thought, "If I keep going with this rug, the boredom is going to kill me."

     So, I stopped, and knitted and crocheted THIRTY different projects before picking it up again (I told you I was bored with it!).

     After my Lavender Shawlette, I decided that maybe I ought to finish it. I did it in three days!

     Unfortunately, this pattern is discontinued because it is from the 90s. But, you can get a kit similar to it from eBay.

Lavender Shawlette

     I did it! After crocheting 5,702 stitches, I have completed my second crochet design! I have decided to call it "Lavender Shawlette" (c'mon, you know shawlette is a word. ;) ).

     I used a size 3/ 1.85 mm steel crochet hook, and one generic skein of crochet thread I got from Mary a while back.

     The pattern itself is actually pretty simple; I think anyone who has had some experience crocheting before would be able to make it.

     I tied it behind my neck, but if you happen to have a shawl pin (I don't...yet...), you could probably attach it that way.

Here is a closer look at the stitch pattern.



       The finished dimensions are: 24.5 inches at the widest point and 19 inches EXACTLY from the bottom to the top.

     If you would like to make this "shawlette", you can get the pattern for free at: Lavender Shawlette pattern by Katherine Westerman

New Work In Progress

     A few weeks ago, maybe two or something, I really wanted to make a shawl. Like, SUPER badly. I wanted a free crochet pattern (I know, I'm a tightwad) that used lace weight yarn. I searched all over Ravelry, but I didn't find a pattern that I really liked that much.

     So, about a week ago, I started designing my own. It is going to be a small shawl, sort of like a cowl, just one that you tie behind your neck.
     It has now reached 13 inches tall! Once I finish writing the pattern, I am going to make it available for free on Ravelry. Taking into consideration that I haven't crocheted much the past few days, that could be a while. ;)

How to: Long Tail Cast On

     The Long Tail Cast On, I would say, is one of the most common cast ons to be used in knitting. It is stretchy, and resembles the Basic Cast On.

     To begin, make your tail roughly a foot long for every twenty stitches you are going to cast on. Once you have done that, make a slip knot on your needle. This counts as the first stitch.

     Now place your tail over your thumb and hold it securely with your ring and pinky fingers. Place the working yarn over your index finger.

     Insert your needle underneath the part of the tail that rests against your palm.

     Now grab your working yarn with the needle and pull it underneath the tail.

     Slide the tail off of your thumb and tighten both the working yarn and the tail.

     You now have two stitches on your needle. Continue casting on until you have the desired amount of stitches on your needle (I did twenty).