Curls of Sunshine Crochet

Loveland, Colo., January 9, 2008: Aspire Media today announced the launch of “Knitting Daily TV” on many public television stations around the country beginning in July 2008. Bringing a fun, contemporary new approach to needle arts how-to programming, this PBS magazine-format TV series is a makeover of Needle Arts Studio with Shay Pendray, the first and longest-running program on public television to focus on the needle arts, which Aspire Media acquired from host and executive producer Shay Pendray last year.

In Germany we had so much fun picking strawberries. I will never forget my youngest boy tossing strawberries in our basket that were not exactly ripe.

The cupcakes I planned to make and put in the store are on hold. They are not quite coming out as I liked. I did write out a pattern for strawberries.

I am planning on making twelve strawberries and then designing a basket to put them in. I cannot decide whether I want to make the basket white or crème. My strawberries are pink rather than red and I think they would look cute in a white basket. Maybe I will make both colors and the just add some red strawberries along with the pink ones.

I found some new patterns for cupcakes and doughnuts. I told my husband I did not see the sense in knitting or crocheting food. However, it is rather fun. So I am off to help my daughter finish some cupcakes. I think she has three finished. I just need to sew them. Making a neat seem for knitted items can be a challenge.

I also need to get off of the computer. I typed way to much today and I have spelled a few words in German. I keep wanting to put an "e" at the end of everything.

I did manage to stay away from the pool. Tomorrow the kids will probably drag me. If only I could sit there with the laptop.

We are all starting to relax and adjust to being back home. Yesterday I took the kids to the pool. I do not think we are going today because I neglected to put an adamant amount of sunscreen on my face. My daughter claims I look like a raccoon.

Last night I started to work on a pattern for some strawberries. I want to crochet about twelve and make a basket to put them in.

I also sketched out a pig but I still have not decided whether I want to knit it or crochet. While I was in Pittsburgh I bought a knitting book that gives instructions to knit toys. I think I might try to write a knitting pattern.

When making toys one of the final and important steps is to embroider facial features. If your toy is going to a small child it is important that the facial features especially the eyes are not going to become a choking hazard. My favorite method for making child safe eyes is the French knot.

When making French Knots I use a long tapestry needle with a sharp end. I also usually use the same weight of yarn that I used to make the toy.

This little bag is crocheted with cotton yarn. There is a small wooden button on the side.

From the tip of the handle to the bottom of the bag is 9 inches. The dimensions of the bag itself 4.5 x 2.25 inches.

The colors are a pink variation. I like the natural pattern of the variegated yarn.

If you have further questions about this item please feel free to contact me.

I am making more in different colors. If this is not the color for you keep checking the shop. If you have a special request, let me know.

Right now I am overwhelmed. Not only do I have a mountain of laundry to do but I have lots of resources to read through. My mom gave me at least fifty magazines that were my grandmothers.

They are dated of course but they are good sources for new ideas. I like to take an idea and give it a fresh look. So far I know I want to make:

basket with strawberries
small mini quilts (5x7)
bumble bee
little pig (request from my mom)
dolls

I am sitting on my mom's front porch. Then I started thinking that me sitting here working on the computer is violating the nature of things.

dogs
kids
swing
flowers
fishing poles
hanging flower baskets
wind chime
bird house
computer
rocking chair

Hmmmm...which one does not belong? Maybe I could stick the laptop in a cute basket or camouflage it with a few flowers.

When we left Germany to come back to the states I had a suitcase full of German yarn.

I knew how to knit before we moved to Germany but the weather kept us indoors a lot so I began knitting a lot of scarves. Those scarves came in handy when we went to the Christmas market.

Knitting in German is stricken (to strike). I am guessing that it refers to the striking of the two needles.

Why am I talking about Germany? Visiting with family reminds me of Germany. It is so amazing to compare the culture here in Western Pennsylvania to that of Germany. There are so many similarities. Of course there are many German descendants living in Western Pennsylvania.

We finally made it to Pittsburgh. My son went to New York to meet up with his grandfather. We took him to the airport and his flight was cancelled. So I got to spend some time in the airport drinking Frappuccino and knitting my scarf.

Yesterday we just rested....well I rested and the kids ran wild. My brothers have dirt bikes and my boys love riding them. I just hope we do not have to make a trip to the ER. I do not particularly want to work on my scarf in the waiting room.