Pictures! Pictures! PICTURES!!!

Calm down little yarnies. I will post the most bestest post tomorrow! It will have pictures. It will have mystery projects. It will have GRANNY SQUARES!!! EEEEEEEEP!!! Don't worry.
Oh! By the way I'm gonna visit my grandparents on the second so I won't be blogging much until I get back on the 6th. But I'll blog a lot until then...so.....see ya later!

Out with the old, in with the new!

I've finally finished some of my projects! EEEEEP!!! Kay so I gave that woman her blanket for her grandson (she LOVED it by the way), I finished selling the coasters, I finished that blue hat you saw and another knitted green hat for my brother, a black knitted scarf, and I undid a blanket that I've had going for about a year so I could crochet it another way. First it was gonna be a huge granny square, next i was just double crochet worked back and forth, now its going to be made out of lots of granny squares. They're four rounds. I've always wanted to make a blanket like that and now I have enough small balls of yarn to do it. I hope my friend likes it!

Now heres pictures of the other blankets I'm working on.

This is the blanket my momma started but never finished. I found it one day and started working on it.

This is a blanket I'm making for my brother. He can't wait for it to be done!

And heres the blanket I made for the lady's grandson! This was a few days before it was finished.

Well, guess I'll talk to you soon!

Sorry

I gave the woman the blanket a while ago without taking a picture of it finished so I'l show you a picture of it like a day or two before it was finished tomorrow. I was gonna take a picture but I showed it to her when I was running out of yarn to see if she wanted me to add some to it. She said it was fine so I hurried up and made it and gave it to her.
I've got other blankets that I'm working on to show you. I just have to get them out of the closet of doom....

Twitter

Hey my bloggie friends!!! Whats up? Just stoppin by to tell ya that I have a Twitter account so we can follow each other! You can seach for knitter_girl or Olivia. My bio is: Name: Olivia Magnolia Age: 12 Hobbies: Blog, crochet, knit, read, and recycle
Underneath that is a link to this blog. Oh and my profile picture is a cat curled up in a booster seat laying his head on a toilet paper roll. Cute huh???
Thats about it. Next time I'll show you that blanket I'm making. Its HUGE!!!

Here are the coasters!

Kay, here are those coasters you've heard so much about:

Sorry some of the pictures are so blurry. I don't know why they are. Maybe cause I was zoomed in all the way and I was right up close to them when I took the pictures.

Well anyways, hopefuly today I'll sell 'em all. I'm so sick of them layin' around!

Its me!!! And crochet!!!

Hello! Its me, Olivia! The creater of this blog! Well, here are the projects I've been working on.

Can you guess what this is?

Its a blanket! I'm making it for a lady's grandson. I went to see if she wanted to buy some coasters and she said she was more interested in blankets. I went out and bought some blue yarn and now I'm almost halfway done!

This is a hat I'm making for myself. Its very cozy and warm!

Here is a blanket my friend started and never finished. She gave it to me and I've been working on it.


That's about all the projects I'm working on now. In the next post I'll show you those coasters I've been telling you about.

FINALLY A HAT PATTERN!!! AND SOME PICTURES!!!!!

Ok, since I don't really feel like messing around with the pattern page (I know, I'm getting to be really lazy. Blame our big puffy couch that I LOVE!!!) cause its kinda messed up I'm going to write the pattern right here.

Hat Pattern:

Note: I used a 6 mm hook (a big one. not huge but big) and some homespun yarn

Chain five. Join with a slip stitch, chain two, and turn.

Do eight single crochet stitches around the loop

Join with a slip stitch when you get to the first stitch

Chain two and do two single crochet stitches in the first stitch and one in the second

Keep on going like that until you get to the first stitch

Join, chain two, and increase in every other stitch for bout four more rows

Crochet normally on one row and increase in every other stitch in the next row

Keep on doing that until the hat is as wide as you want it then just keep on crocheting until its as long as you want it.

I hope this pattern wasn't too complicated. If you have any questions just comment.

Now for some pictures!!! You can finally see what me and my brother and sister look like!!!

This is my brother Kellen on the left and my cousin Jacob.

And here is my sister B'Elanna!! I can't post a picture of myself right now because I just realized that when I put the pictures I took on my camera into the computer I hadn't taken a picture of me yet and it takes a minute so you'll see me tomorrow. Then you'll see the projects I'm working on!!! I'm so glad I got my camera!!!

See ya'll later!

Helping to end world hunger

Here are some websites to help end world hunger. I hope you check them out!
http://freerice.com/
http://www.hungersite.com/
http://www.ripple.org/
and
http://clicktogive.com/
Please visit these everyday and spread the word on Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace.

P.S. sorry its taking so long with the hat pattern. I'm working on it but writing a pattern is hard.

Dreams

I've been reading a lot about dreams lately, mostly lucid dreaming. Lucid dreaming is when you realize you are dreaming and you can then control what happens in the dream. There is a very cool website that teaches you how to do it. There is also a forum where you can talk about dreams with other people. Here is the link:http://world-of-lucid-dreaming.com/

I'm sorry I haven't written anything in practically FOREVER. I'll admit it, I've been lazy. Before today I hadn't crocheted for almost a month. It felt good to have a hook in my hand and yarn running through my fingers. I'm still going to be doing a lot of crocheting this weekend and probably at least half of next week though. I have about a million projects going on. Two blankets, a scarf, a dress for my Barbie, a sweater for my baby doll, coasters for my grandmomma, more coasters to sell, and arm warmers. I'm also trying to decorate my room. I know I posted a LONG time ago that I was going to decorate my room but I haven't done much other than hanging up some cardboard lollypops and moving two things around.
And me and my friends like to hang out outside. We ride our scooters and bikes all over the neighborhood.
And there are the chores to do. I have to either load and unload the dishwasher or wash clothes everyday.
But you don't want to hear my exuses do you? You want to hear what I've been doing. Crocheting a little today, hanging out with friends, surfing the internet, and thats about it. Well and the chores I do but those don't really count cause they take about five minutes.
I guess thats all I have to say. Oh! Another thing, I'll post a hat pattern soon. If you can hold out until Monday so I can get a few of my projects done then I'll see about it.

Couple new things...

Ok I've got to get off of the computer in a minute cause I've been on it long enough. I just want to say I've put more blogs I've found recently on my favorite blogs and websights list. And a new poll is coming soon. Oh and have you noticed my new Total Pageviews counter thingy? Cool ain't it? Can you believe I've gotten up to over a thousand???

Busy, busy.

I know, I know, I haven't posted anything in awhile. I've been busy. Now don't you be making that face, I really have been busy. My friends come over just about every day, I've got chores to do, and on top of all that there's my crocheting and knitting. A woman who lives next to my grandmomma wants me to make two sets of coasters, one for each of her friends. Not that I mind more crocheting, but with everything else going on here it's kind of hard to sit and concentrate on my work.
I think when my friends come over today I'll tell them to come back tomorrow.

WOW!

I. Am. In. Shock. Today I googled International Crochet Day and ended up on etsy. I didn't find much but then I typed crochet into the search box, and almost fainted! There were the most awsome crocheted hats, jewelry, bowls, you name it! Here is the link:
http://www.etsy.com/?ref=so_home

Change, change, change!

I'm doing it again. Changing everything. My room is going to become the ultimate craft room and bedroom combined! I'm going to have to use every storage tip and trick that I can find. My crafting and decorating skills are going to be put to the test. My crochet hook and knitting needles will be flying. I'll fall asleep looking up pictures of craft rooms. It'll be lots of hard work. But when I'm done, it. Will. Be. AWSOME!!! Check back in a few days for updates.

New Everything!!!

My blog has been changed completly around. The new background, new page for my patterns, its completly different from what I started with. My other blog is about a completly different subject now (link is at the bottom). And I have decided to knit scarves, crochet blankets, crochet mats (for animals of course), and, if someone will drive me, I'm going to help out at the animal shelter.
You know, instead of crocheting coasters and donating the money. Since I'm going to be making big things like blankets and mats most of the money will be for yarn. I was planning on keeping only a little anyway.
Oh! Did I ever say that the other day I went out and sold my coasters? Well, I did. I made twenty something dollars too!
Wow my hands are tired! Well, I'll post more tomorow. Oh and be sure to comment saying how you like my blogs.
Keep on crocheting! Have fun! See ya later! Well, no I won't! Bye now!

Other blog:http://the-fantage-guide.blogspot.com/

New Page!

I have a new page on my blog. It's an "About This Blog" page. Click on the button below the title and description and read the new page. I'm going to add an "About Me" page too. Sometime.
Also, I noticed that you thought the patterns are a little hard. I'll try to make then simpler. It might be awhile before that happens though.

Changing it Around A Bit

Just wanted to say that I'm going to be changing my blog. I don't know why but I just don't like it the way it is now. Color and pattern suggestions would be helpful.

New Survey

Just wanted to let you know there's a new survey at the bottom of my blog. You can tell me how easy or hard my patterns are so I can adjust them if needed.

New Purse

I'm working on a purse. It's going to have lots of little pockets for my things. I got the idea from a book called Sassy Little Sister Is Not My Name. Sassy has a bag which she calls her Sassy Sack. She has about a million things in there. One time in the book she saves her family with something from her bag.
Anyway, I've only almost finished the first pocket. I might post the pattern for the purse later but it's kind of complicated so I don't know if I'd be able to write it. I could post the pattern for the pocket though, it would make a good clutch bag if it was a little bigger.
Crochet on!

I have a new blog!

My new blog is called What's Happenin With Crochet Girl (That's Me!). I've only posted two posts, but I'll catch up. Its not really about anything specific, just about what I do, what I'm doing, and what I've done. Here's the link.

Ravelry

I just joined Ravelry, a knitting,crocheting, spinning, and weaving community. You can talk to and friend others, join and start groups, help people in the forums, get yarn, look at others' patterns, and keep track of your projects in your notebook. Sound like fun? Go to Ravelry now.
Have fun!

Guess What!

Guess what you can do to your old clothes? Crochet on them! Crochet around the bottom if your clothes are getting too short. Crochet on the sleeves and collars for a new look. Crochet motifs to sew onto your old clothes and spice them up a bit. All you have to do is cut small holes around the sleeve, collar, or bottom of the cloth. Then just crochet in the holes. I've done it more than once. Try it out.

New Look

Hey guys and girls! Do you like my blog? It has a brand new look. I have a list of blogs that I like visiting and a new background. I'll be posting more websights I like to visit and patterns. Happy crocheting!

I Forgot How to Knit!

I used to just crochet. Next I learned knitting. Then I was obsessed with crochet again and I only knitted the few projects I had going on. When I finished those I just stopped knitting and I only crocheted. Now I don't know how to knit anymore! I tried earlier today and it was to much trouble to even cast on! Do any of you know how to knit and crochet? Which do you like better? Has this happened to you? If you want to learn how to knit go here.

Crochet Abbreviations

You're going to need to know these abbreviations if you're going to crochet. When you read a pattern you will see them all over the place. Here they are:

Yo = yarn over (wrap the yarn around the hook)
Ch = chain
St or sts = stitch or stitches
Sc = single crochet
Hdc = half double crochet
Dc = double crochet
Tc = triple crochet
Dec = decrease
Inc = increase

I think that's about it. If you want to know any more abbreviations I haven't listed please comment.

How to Change Colors in Crochet

Ok, here's how to change colors. Do the stitch you're working on half way. That means leave the last two loops on the hook. Get the color you want to go next. Wrap the new color around the hook and pull it through. Oh! You have to cut the old yarn first, leaving about an inch to crochet over. Now just crochet over the ends with the new color. Practice changing colors.
I'll post the first pattern next. I bet you're exited! I know I am!

Hook Sizes and Yarn Weights

Some Crochet hooks are bigger than others, therefore they make bigger stitches. Smaller Crochet hooks make smaller stitches. Big hooks are recommended for beginners. Small hooks can be used with thin yarn but they're not really for thick yarn. Big hooks on the other hand can be used for thick or thin yarn. You should start off with a big hook and some not-to-thick yarn. Once you are comfortable with Crocheting you can start using smaller hooks and thinner yarn. I'm not saying you absolutly have to go by the instructions when you use a pattern, I'm just saying you should experiment with different kinds of yarn and different hook sizes. If you use a bigger hook than the pattern said you should the thing you make will probably be bigger. If you want to know more about yarn weights go here.
If you want to know more about hook sizes go here.

How to Crochet in the Round

Crocheting in the Round is just like crocheting back and forth, exept you're going in circles. Chain five Chain Stitches. Put the hook in the first Chain Stitch, wrap the yarn around the hook and pull it through both loops on the hook. Chain one and turn. Now decide how you're going to start it. Are you going to crochet around the Chain Stitches or in them like usual? Crocheting around the chain stitches is when you put the hook completly under the Chain instead of in the loops.
Once you figure that out you start crocheting. Make however many stitches will fit on the circle or just crochet in the Chain Stitches. When you get to the first stitch you made put the hook through both loops of the first one, wrap the yarn around the hook and pull it through all of the loops on your hook. Chain one and turn. Now if you want the circle to be flat make two stitches in every stitch all the way around. If you want it to be bowl shaped like for a hat or bowl only increase in every other stitch of every other row.
Practice Crocheting in the Round. Look for How to Change Colors in Crochet.

How to Weave in Ends

Have you been wondering how to get rid of the ends poking out of the beginning and end of your crochet piece? You Weave them in!
Put your hook through one of the loops right next to the end you want to Weave in. Wrap the end around the hook and pull it through. Keep on doing this. Then when you have a tiny little bit of yarn you put the hook through the stitch and pull the last bit of the end through. You might need to use a size smaller hook than you used to crochet the piece to make it go through the stitch.
Practice Weaving in ends. I'll post How to Crochet in the Round next.

How to Increase and Decrease

Increasing is when you make the crochet piece wider, Decreasing is the opposite. You can use Increase and Decrease in amigurami-little toys and or dolls- to shape it.
Ok, here's how to Decrease. I'll teach you how to do it in Single Crochet and you can figure out how with any other stitch.
Crochet back and forth for a few rows. Now put the hook in both loops and pull up a loop. Then instead of wrapping the yarn around the hook and pulling it through you go in the next two loops and pull up another loop. Wrap the yarn around the hook and pull it through all three loops on the hook. You have Decreased one stitch. Practice Decreasing.
Here's how to Increase. Crochet back and forth a couple of rows. Now to Increase. All you have to do to add a stitch is to do two Single Crochet Stitches in both loops. You have added -Increased- one stitch. Practice Increasing and Decreasing. Look for my next post on How to Weave in Ends.

How to do Triple Crochet

Heres how to do Triple Crochet. Make ten Chain Stitches. Wrap the yarn around the hook twice. Put the hook through the fourth Chain Stitch from the hook. Wrap the yarn around your hook and pull it through the Chain Stitch. You have four loops. Wrap the yarn around the hook and pull it through the first two loops on the hook. Then wrap it around and pull it through the next two loops. Then wrap the yarn around your hook and pull it through the last two loops.
Practice Triple Crochet. I'll post How to Increase and Decrease next.

How to do Double Crochet

Make ten Chain Stitches. Ok, now you wrap the yarn around the hook. Put the hook through the third Chain Stitch from the hook. Wrap the yarn around the hook and pull it through. You have three loops on the hook. Wrap the yarn around the hook and pull it through the first two loops. Wrap it around again and pull it through the last two loops. That is Double Crochet.
Practice it and look for my next post on How to do Triple Crochet.

How to do Single Crochet

Make your slip knot and put it on the hook. Wrap the yarn around the hook and pull it through. You have made one Chain Stitch. Make ten Chain Stitches. Now, put the hook through the second Chain Stitch from the hook. Wrap the yarn around the hook and pull it through the Chain Stitch. Wrap the yarn around the hook and pull it through both loops on your hook. You have made one Single Crochet Stitch. Make one Single Crochet in each Chain Stich until you get to the end of the Chain. When you have made the last Single Crochet in the last Chain Stitch wrap the yarn around your hook and pull it through the loop on the hook. Now turn your work around.
There are two loops on top of your first row of Single Crochet. When you make your next row of Single Crochet you put the hook through BOTH loops. If you only put it through one loop all across the row you will have a line running through it.
Practice the Single Crochet Stitch. I will post How to do Double Crochet soon.

How to do The Chain Stitch

Ok. You have your hook, your yarn, sissors, everything you need. Let's get started.
First, make a slip knot. Cross the end of the yarn over itself to make a loop. Put the end behind the loop and pull it through, but not all the way. Now tighten it and you have a loop. Put the loop on your hook and tighten it, not too tight though. It should be able to slide on the hook easily.
Decide how you're going to hold your hook. You can hold it like a pencil or whatever's comfortable for you.
Time to learn the first stitch, The Chain Stitch. If you hold the hook in your left hand hold the yarn in your right hand, or the other way around. Weave the yarn inbetween your fingers however its comfortable. Once you figure all that out its time to start crocheting.
Wrap the yarn around the back of the hook and pull it through the loop on your hook. You may need to loosen that slip knot. You have made one Chain Stitch.
Never count the loop on your hook, only the loops behind that one.
Practice the chain stitch and making the slip knot. I'll post How to do Single Crochet next.

Hi!

My name is Olivia Tanner. I am eleven years old and I love to crochet.
My Nan taught me to crochet when I was nine years old. I just love sitting with her talking and crocheting.
I like to crochet because its fun, easy, and you can make gifts instead of buying them. Its a fun thing to do while traveling, or sitting in front of the tv.
You can make pretty much anything. All you need is a crochet hook, yarn, sissors, and a bag for it all.
So, do you want to learn how to crochet? I will post How to do The Chain Stitch soon.