New Baby Stuff!

I was busy this weekend! A friend gave me some yarn and included was some absolutely delicious baby yarn! Oh, the fun I had!
Among the people I know there must be a bug going around...quite a few are either pregnant themselves or one of their kids are! In the last year, two have become grandparents and three have either had babies or are pregnant. And the year before had a good crop, too!
So. I had one blanket made already...I needed pictures for my shop... and this weekend I made another as well as my first lovey! As soon as I find out what my cousin is having...or find out she's not finding out!...I'll get her an afghan made.
Her grandmother, my aunt, was one of two aunts who were always giving afghans. She passed a few years ago and the other isn't well. I believe I'm the only one of the cousins who crochets, so I thought it would be nice for her to get a handmade afghan, even though her gramma is gone.
The blanket is just s simple basket weave, and the lovey is a granny square with a simple stuffed ball that I threaded with hair and sewed a face on.

Basket Weave Baby Afghan
Approximately 30x40"
I used over half a skein of Bernat Baby Sport and almost two skeins of Bernat Baby Coordinates.
The border was done in Bernat Pipsqueak, and used about a quarter of a skein.
I used a G hook for the Afghan and an N hook for the border.
I switched colors every 10 rows.

Chain 102.
Row 1- In the 4th chain from the hook, dc. Dc in each CH across. CH 3, turn.
Row 2- skip the first dc. Hdc in second dc. *Fpdc in next 3 dc, bpdc in next 3 dc.* rep * to * to the last 2 dc. Hdc in last 2 dc. CH 3, turn.
Row 3- skip first hdc, hdc in next hdc. Fpdc in each fpdc, bpdc in each bpdc, across to last 2 hdc. Hdc in last 2 hdc. CH 3, turn.
Row 4- skip first hdc, hdc in next hdc. Fpdc in each bpdc and bpdc in each fpdc, across to last two hdc. Hdc in last 2 hdc. CH 2, turn.
Row 5 on- repeat row 3 twice, then row 4 twice, back and forth, every two rows, across until Afghan reaches desired length.
Border - in any corner, attach yarn. CH 3, 2 dc, in same stitch. *Dc in every other stitch to the next corner. 3 dc in corner.* repeat * to * around. Attach to top of CH 3 with a slip stitch. Finish off and weave in ends.
I'll post the lovey tomorrow!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/193123622/handcrafted-crocheted-baby-afghan-or?ref=shop_home_active_1

Figuring This Out

Please bear with me as I try to figure this all out. 

My name is Rachel and I'm brand new to this.  As if you couldn't tell.  I wanted to try this out because, well, why not.  I actually hate the word 'blog'...sort of the sound one of my dogs makes when she yarks.  Charming way to start out, huh? 

So, I live in Iowa with my husband of almost 23 years, our youngest son, three cats and two dogs.  I love to crochet and cook.  And read.  I hate housework.  Hate.  My life is anything but exciting, but I am a pretty good cook and I make some very nice afghans and I really like to share.  If it hadn't been for the sharing of information by others, I would never have gotten good at either cooking or crocheting, so I guess I would like to return the favor.

I know it's barely March, but here in Iowa, land of the endless snow, it's too nasty to do anything outside, so I thought I may as well be productive while I'm stuck inside.  I have decided to make afghans for Christmas presents this year.  My sister got one last year for her birthday, so that leaves hubby's family.  That's five sibs (his mom got one year before last for Christmas).

This is the one I made my sister,  Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of the one I sent my mother-in-law, but it's the same design, just different colors.  So far, I have one finished and one almost finished.  Yes, I need to get pictures of those, I know. 

I just got an order for another one that I will start on as soon as it's paid for.  *I learned to never start a project until it's fully paid for.  Otherwise I would be drowning in afghans and baby blankets.*  This is why I started working on the presents so early.  New orders always come in when I have something else I want to do LOL, but the things I 'want' to do don't put money in the bank.  *sigh*

The pattern is available for sale in my Etsy shop Ridged Chevron afghan pattern

If you would like to buy a custom made afghan, handcrafted by me, you can do that here: Ridged Zig Zag Afghan at Etsy.

Crocheted Zig Zag Afghan
Approximate Size: 49" x 71"