UNC Theme-Colored Blanket

Here is my UNC-themed color blanket with matching booties and hat for a baby shower gift.  This project was quick and easy to make.  I used worsted weight yarn for the hat, booties and blanket.  I used a bulky yarn for the border of the blanket.

This project was completed using basic stitches of SC, HDC and DC.  I made the poms by wrapping the yarn around my hand 35-50 times, tying a double knot at the center to secure and then cutting/trimming to form the pom.

I do not have a pattern for this project since I completely made this freestyle for a quick gift.  I can say for the blanket portion, I used *SC, HDC and DC in the same stitch, skipped two stitches* and repeated.  This creates a beautiful textured blanket.

UNC-Themed Colored Blanket

Happy Crocheting...

Legal:

--don't use/claim my design as your own

--don't use/claim my pics as your own

--okay to make and sale your finished work

--don't share my pattern electronically or in print format (without prior consent) but provide a link to my blog

Social Media:

If you are on the following sites, let's connect and hook up...

• Instagram:  Rilla2u
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• Twitter:  Rilla2u
• Facebook:  /rilla.edwards 

Cow Blanket...

Cow Blanket 

I made this super cute girlie Cow Blanket with the matching booties and hat for a baby shower gift.  I used worsted weight yarn for the blanket itself, booties and hat.  I used a bulky yarn for the cow applique.  

I found the cutest little cow buttons to add to the booties.  I'm not sure if the buttons came from Hobby Lobby or Wal-Mart.  

Everything was made using basic SC, HDC and DC stitches.  The pom for the hat was made by wrapping the pink yarn around four of my fingers 50 times, securing the center with a double knot and then cutting/trimming to form the pom.  

I do not have a pattern for this project.  I competed it freestyle. 

Happy Crocheting...

Legal:

--don't use/claim my design as your own

--don't use/claim my pics as your own

--okay to make and sale your finished work

--don't share my pattern electronically or in print format (without prior consent) but provide a link to my blog

Social Media:

If you are on the following sites, let's connect and hook up...

• Instagram:  Rilla2u
• Pinterest:  Rilla2u
• Twitter:  Rilla2u
• Facebook:  /rilla.edwards 

Loofah...

Here’s a quick and easy project to make. Plus, so functional. You will use it all the time. It’s a 5” Loofah - the perfect item to pamper yourself or to gift to someone.

Loofah

Materials:

--5.0mm hook

--Peaches & Creme (or the like) yarn in your color of choice

--tapestry needle for weaving

U.S. Stitch Abbreviations:

Ch:  chain 

Sl St:  slip stitch

ESC:  extended single crochet

HDC:  half double crochet

FO:  fasten off

Special Stitch:

1.  Extended Single Crochet:  insert hook into chain or stitch, yarn over, come back thru the chain or stitch (now you will have 2 loops on the hook).  Yarn over and pull through one loop on the hook, yarn over and pull both loops through the hook.   

Directions:  

1.  Leave a long tail (1-2 yards) at the beginning for making the hanging loop at the end.  Ch 25.  Sl st into the first chain to form a circle.  Complete 24 ESC into the circle.  Sl st join to the first ESC and Ch 1.

2.  3 HDC into each st around.  Sl st join to first st and Ch1.

3.  3 HDC into each st around.  Sl st join to first st and Ch1.

4.  3 HDC into each st around.  Sl st join to first st and FO.  Weave ends.  

Assembly:

1.  Using your tapestry needle and a length of yarn, you will want to weave in and out of the first round of stitches made.  You will then pull the two ends of the yarn tight.  This will form the Loofah's shape.  Now, secure by tying the ends together several times in knots and then trim ends.  

Loop:

Now, you will join yarn in the yarn you left at the beginning.  Make 25-30 chains.  Then either SC or sl st across.  Attach the end to the base of the tail to form the loop.  Weave ends.  

That's it.  Quick, simple and easy. 

Happy Crocheting...

Legal:

--don't use/claim my design as your own

--don't use/claim my pics as your own

--okay to make and sale your finished work

--don't share my pattern electronically or in print format (without prior consent) but provide a link to my blog

Social Media:

If you are on the following sites, let's connect and hook up...

• Instagram:  Rilla2u
• Pinterest:  Rilla2u
• Twitter:  Rilla2u
• Facebook:  /rilla.edwards 

Twin-Sized Baseball Blanket

My grandson, Gabriel, asked me to make him a “Baseball Blanket.”  He was getting a new bed and said he needed a new handmade blanket from his mamaw.

So, in the Fall of 2019, I started on his blanket with the colors Red, White and Blue for the base of the blanket itself.  I used Green and Tan for the field and on the border.  The yarn is Hobby Lobby’s, “I Love This Yarn.”  You can use your favorite yarn brand; just note the overall size may vary slightly.

Initially, I designed this pattern on a graph to complete as a graphgan but later decided to make the blanket first and then make the baseball and field as appliqués.  I will include my graph for those who want to complete this project as one piece.

I’m including general directions below in how I made this blanket.  I will follow-up with detailed instructions as soon as I have a chance to type it up.

Gabriel’s Baseball Blanket

Below is an upclose picture of the border.  I absolutely loved how it turned out.  I think it really adds to the beauty of this blanket.

Here is an upclose picture of the baseball and field.  I was extremely pleased with the end result of this.

And, a picture of the completed blanket.  It measures Twin-sized.  I debated back and forth on whether or not to add my baseball bat appliqué pattern to this blanket (you can find this freebie by typing “Play Ball” in my search engine).  Gabriel, however, was happy with it, as is.

Here is my original graph design.  Please note, 1 white and 1 blue section is not showing on the graph.  The pattern is as follows:

15 Rows Red

10 Rows White

15 Rows Blue 

You will repeat pattern a total of 4 times.  Or, to your desired size.  As you can see in the above picture, I appliquéd the field in the center of section 2 and section 3 of the red, white and blue.  

Here is how I made the appliqué sections:

1.  First, I crocheted the green portion of my field;

2.  Next,  I crocheted the brown portion; I made the bases and appliqued to create first, second, third and home base;

3.  Then, I crocheted the baseball;

4.  Now, I attached the brown section to the field then the baseball above;

5.  Last I attached to the center of the blanket.  

Border:

I used brown, white and green to create my border.  

Happy Crocheting...

Legal:

--don't use/claim my design as your own

--don't use/claim my pics as your own

--okay to make and sale your finished work

--don't share my pattern electronically or in print format (without prior consent) but provide a link to my blog

Social Media:

If you are on the following sites, let's connect and hook up...

• Instagram:  Rilla2u
• Pinterest:  Rilla2u
• Twitter:  Rilla2u
• Facebook:  /rilla.edwards 

As 2019 Comes to An End...

Hello and Good Evening from my home to yours!!!  In my neck of the woods, this time of the year has been 68 degree weather...not a lot of snuggling up by the fire to stay warm...but, the new year is upon us and the hope of cold weather to bring in the snow so I (and all my family) can enjoy wearing my crocheted creations as they embark outside to play, to work or to just enjoy the outside. 

I hope everyone has been enjoying the Christmas holidays this year with your family and friends.  This time of the year is so magical, special and cheerful.  My television in my Sunroom has been locked on one channel.

Any guesses on what channel?

If you guessed the Hallmark Channel, well, then you are ABSOLUTELY correct.  I don't care if the plot may seem cheesy and the endings are all the same.  I LOVE watching ALL of the Christmas movies.  Simply put, they make me feel good.  Even after Christmas, I'm still watching this channel.  Lol.

I injured my right rotator cuff while visiting my family in Oklahoma for a few weeks back in July.  So, I have undergone medication, rest, exercise and injections while nursing my shoulder back to health.  I'm left-handed, but I'm a righty crocheter.  This injury has hindered my crocheting for the past 6 months.  It has effected my speed immensely.  I have only been able to work on crochet-specific projects.

So, what to do with my extra time?  Well, I've managed to keep myself quite busy.  I still continue to Home School my eldest grandson, Jacob.  He's an avid third-grader who keeps me on my toes.  We have taken a few field trips - two trips to the mountains of West Virginia, two trips to Myrtle Beach and one trip to New York City with four to five trips to North Carolina's Zoological Park.  We had so much fun in NYC.  We rode the ferry over to New Jersey so we could learn about the Statute of Liberty, we stood at Ground Zero and talked about what happened on September 11, we ate the best pizza ever and we enjoyed riding the subway...

For the Christmas holidays, my four grandchildren beautifully decorated my Christmas tree in my Living Room with all of our "Special Ornaments..."  Each one of my grandchildren is gifted a new ornament every year to hang on my tree.  Then after Christmas, they will add their collection of ornaments to their own designated box to store away until next year.  So, one day, when they are all grown, and trimming their own Christmas tree in their own homes, they will already have a childhood collection of special ornaments.  I take great care in picking the perfect ornament that embodies/signifies the year for each of them.  For example, Arielle was all about unicorns this year.  I enrolled her in a Unicorn Art Class, bought her unicorn clothes, shoes, book bag, and so on...I found her the perfect unicorn ornament for her to hang on our tree.

For my Christmas tree in the Sunroom, we decided to do an old-fashioned tree.  My son, Cory, made a trip to the beautiful mountains of Boone, NC, so that my grandson, Luke, could pick out the "perfect Christmas tree" to be cut down.  Well, Luke's idea of perfect was a tree barely five feet tall, but to his 4-year-old mind, his tree was tall and beautiful.  We placed it on a table in the corner of the room, added clear lights and then set out to hand make all of the ornaments for this tree.  Throughout the month of December, Luke, Jacob, Gabriel and Arielle made beaded candy canes, foam red trucks, candy canes with a sloth, fabric shaped hearts, strung popcorn garland and a few of my own crocheted ornaments.  It was simple and beautiful.  For the most part, it was just about spending time together, making ornaments and decorating together.

We participated in Asheboro's Christmas Parade, took in a show (How the Grinch Stole Christmas), made lots of candy and cookies, watched movies, sang Christmas Carols, visited Santa, trips out to see all the lights and decorations in neighborhoods and enjoyed lots of family time.

My year has been a very blessed one.  I thank God for each and every day of life and all the blessings in my life.  As we prepare to end 2019, we will be getting together with family on New Year's Eve to play board games and enjoy snacks and appetizers.  On New Year's Day, we will do our yearly ritual - family get-together at my mom's house to eat lots of cabbage - fried cabbage, cabbage rolls and cabbage soup, as we celebrate the first day of the New Year.

I hope as each of you are preparing to close out the old year and welcome in the new year, you find yourselves grateful, thankful and blessed for what God has given and done for you.

And, last, I have quite a few new pattern designs, how-to videos and an overall blog update coming in 2020....I hope you will continue to check out my blog, comment on my posts and enjoy my FREE patterns....

Happy New Year!!!

Happy Crocheting...

Luxurious Pink Ponytail Headband

One pattern equals two designs!!!  Here’s a look at one of my new designs. It has everything you want in a Headband/Ponytail Warmer. Super soft, luxurious velvety yarn in Dusty Pink. Stylish and versatile pattern to keep your ears toasty warm during the cold weather.

Luxurious Pink Ponytail Headband

So, be sure to FOLLOW me and check back SOON!!!!  I will add individual photos and the pattern details in the coming days.

Happy Crocheting...

Legal:

--don't use/claim my design as your own

--don't use/claim my pics as your own

--okay to make and sale your finished work

--don't share my pattern electronically or in print format (without prior consent) but provide a link to my blog

Social Media:

If you are on the following sites, let's connect and hook up...

• Instagram:  Rilla2u
• Pinterest:  Rilla2u
• Twitter:  Rilla2u
• Facebook:  /rilla.edwards 

Hello, Happy Fall!!

Hello and good evening to y’all. In case anyone has been wondering about my MIA lately, I wanted to provide an update.  I’m working on several new designs and projects that I hope to share soon.  My crocheting has been a little limited for the past two months, as I’m nursing a tear in my rotator cuff of the right shoulder.  As some of you may know, I’m a lefty, but, I Crochet right-handed.  It has been a slow process of healing.  

I have also suffered the tragic loss of 2 of my dear aunts, Aunt Janice and Aunt Hester - just a few months apart.  I’m thankful I was able to travel out of state for the funeral of each one.  Losing a family member isn’t always easy.  I’ve had to step back, reflect and pray more frequent for my family during this sad time.

On the homefront, I have been extremely busy with getting Jacob’s 3rd grade year of homeschooling underway.  I’m planning quite a few field trips, outdoor learning experiences and more nature walks/physical fitness into our curriculum.  He continues to excel in several areas and still needs more focus in one area (reading)...

So, be sure to continue to check out my blog for new designs coming SOON....you will definitely like what is coming....

Happy Crocheting...

Rilla