Posted in Crochet Blanket 2019

Temperature Blanket Update 2019: January

Hey Dearies! We have finally come to the end of our first month for our temperature blanket! I know you all have been waiting to see what it has started to look like, but if you are on my Facebook page, I post daily updates of what square was for each day!

Anyway, since I live in Maine, the temperature hasn’t been very high, the only high temp we were lucky to get was in the 50’s, and that was only for one day! I will also add the yarn and color of what I am using for each temperature, just in case you didn’t remember what colors I am currently going to be using!

Also, the way I am sewing them together is with a single crochet stitch. I wanted to give it a try, but this month wasn’t completely perfect, although, February should be a little better!

Now, for each month, I will be taking a picture by itself,  and then connecting it to the previous month, but since this is the first month of our temperature blanket, we don’t have to worry about that until next month.

Temperature Key:

20181222_124142
100 degrees – Fire Red (I Love This Yarn)
90 degrees – Pumpkin (Red Heart Super Saver)
80 degrees – Bright Yellow (Red Heart Super Saver)
70 degrees – Jelly Bean (I Love This Yarn)
60 degrees – Green (Main Stays Basic Yarn)
50 degrees – Turqia (Red Hear Super Saver)
40 degrees – Soft Blue (I Love This Yarn)
30 degrees – Dark Orchid (Red Heart Super Saver)
20 degrees – Orchid (I Love This Yarn)
10 and below – Light Gray (I Love This Yarn)

Here is the month for January:

 

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First month of the 2019 temperature blanket. The entire month of January. 

 

How do you tell which color to use?

I, personally, go with the overall temperature. So, let’s go by today, for example.

Today in Maine, the overall temperature is 17 degrees. I would chose the light gray.

Let’s say that it was an overall temperature of 22 degrees, I would chose the Orchid color. All my temperatures, for my colored yarn, has to have the same number first number. If that makes any sense, I’m sorry if it doesn’t!

What was the highest temperature for this month?

We actually reached 50 degrees! For Mainers, such as myself, days like that is considered Spring, but sadly, it didn’t last long. That is why you will see another color that stands out from the rest, that was when we had that one say of nice weather.

What was the lowest temperature for this month?

Well, we reach single digits, but the way my temperature blanket is set up, we can’t really tell, other than it would be a light gray square!

Do you post daily updates?

Yes, I do. On my Facebook page, I post a picture of the square for each day. I also tried to post every week’s worth, but it was hard to keep track of, so I’ll be posting monthly and daily instead.

If you haven’t liked my Facebook Page, here is the link below! It keeps you posted and updated on my temperature blanket and any updates for my blog and YouTube channel, as well!

https://www.facebook.com/katiesblog96971617/?ref=bookmarks

 

Posted in Arts and Crafts

Crafty Sassy: What Are C2C?

When you first get into crocheting, the first thing you do, before you even get into it, is figuring out what you want to learn how to make. For me, other than my great-grandmother’s crocheted towel toppers, was the C2C. C2C is a ‘corner to corner’ type of stitch that you would find in blankets.

A corner to corner is something that you would usually see for a blanket, but I have seen many for scarfs and rugs as well. They are perfect for testing the limits to see what you can do with your crocheting skills. Here are a few examples that other’s have made:

Image result for c2c crochet

Image result for c2c crochet

You can get really creative with these types of projects! I will say, these are a lot easier to understand than graphgans. If this is something that you have saved in your Pinterest folder, or you are waiting for all your projects are done before starting something new, sit back and relax! I’m going to answer a few questions and give some tips, I have picked up, on C2C!

What will you need?

Depending on the pattern or idea you have in mind, you will need to start out on graph paper. If you are going for the basic C2C, having a graph will help you keep track of where you are, but graphs are used for more characters or lettering. For example, I am going to use this pixel picture:

Related image

Since we are going to be using this heart, as an example, we need to figure out how many bobbins and colors we will need. I also want to note that you can always change the colors for any of these types of projects. It won’t change how you make the C2C, only the colors.

For this project we need 4 different colors:

  • White
  • Black
  • Dark Red
  • Red

Now, let’s talk about bobbins, if you don’t know what they are, here is a picture of what they look like, you will need these, unless, you are using multiple skiens, which I don’t recommend because you have to turn the project back and forth, when you are done with a row.

Image result for crochet bobbins
These ones aren’t exactly for ‘crocheting’, but the reason why I like these, is because you can clip them onto your work as you are working.

From looking back at the graph, I see that we will need about 9 bobbins, but like i said, every project will be different and you will have to determined what you will need for each project.

How do you start one?

After you have figured out what you need, you can then start. A lot of people start by chaining 6, but I prefer chaining 5. The reason for this is because I am one of those picky people that doesn’t like giant gaps or holes in my projects and I like to keep it that way.

Chaining 6, is what people normally do, but it doesn’t change the C2C. The only other difference is that, when you connect the squares together, they won’t be the same. For now, here is the video I followed:

*Note: This is not my video, this is to show what type of C2C I am currently using. All credit goes to Heart Hook Home.*

Is it easy?

Once you get the hang of it, it isn’t that hard to do! The only parts that I struggle with is changing color, but there are so many videos on YouTube that have helped me out with that!

What videos do you recommend?

I can recommend a few, but you’ll have to find someone that you can follow. Everyone is different, especially, when it comes to crocheting. I am also one of those people that likes to get right down to the point, especially, when it comes to tutorials.

Keep in mind, that some people can give you way too much information, to the point where you aren’t sure what you are doing. Heart Hook Home, did an awesome job explaining a C2C, I highly recommend you watching her tutorial.

If you want to learn, almost everything that is to know about a C2C, then the Crochet Crowd is your best option, although, I personally, don’t recommend him to anyone who is a beginner. I honestly found his video, on C2C, very confusing and especially as a beginner.

 

This was just a little more information, not a lot, but enough, to possibly get you going in the right direction of C2C. Once you learn how to do it, you won’t want to stop!

If you haven’t liked my Facebook page, I will be going live, tonight, with a surprise, that I am making for this month of January! Make sure to like my page and check it out!

 

Posted in Writing Works

The Black Widow’s Partner In Crime (Friday’s Short Stories)

*Just letting all of you know that I really don’t know where this idea came from. I started the beginning of this story when I was tipsy (thanks to the bud lite strawberrita’s I had the night before), and I ended up finishing this story the next morning. I’m sorry if this is a weird story, but hey, a weird story is an interesting story.*

By: Katie Night

Andrea sat at the bar, with a drink in hand. She had been siting at the bar for about 20 minutes, nothing had sparked her attention. Her last husband had been gone for about a month, before she started to crave for another man’s affection.

He had a heart attack and thought that he was the one for her. She thought that she was going to spend the rest of her life with him. Making memories, having children, and growing old together.

She just wanted someone to love her for her. She looked up at the bartender, as he poured her another shot. It burned in the back of her throat, but made it so she could hold back the tears she wan’t to let loose. She checked her phone, once more, looking at her flip phone that had a picture of her and her late husband.

Another 5 minutes had passed and she was getting tired of sitting, waiting for someone to approach her. It was like they knew she had lost her husband and that they were avoiding her like the plague. She struggled her shoulders and downed the rest of her drink, when she felt someone sit down next to her.

“Can I by you a drink?” The man wearing a business suit asked, as she looked at him in shock. She turned and looked around to see if he had might off meant to talk to someone else, but it was only them sitting at the bar.

She moved her hair behind her ear and smiled. “Sure.” He then turned to the bartender and he quickly made a drink.

“So, what is a beautiful lady like you doing in a bar alone?” He asked. She took a slip, waiting him to say more, but she was speak less. She didn’t think anyone would come and approached her tonight.

“It’s better than being home alone.” She responded. He moved his grey-black hair back and placed his hand on hers. She froze, not knowing what he would do.

“You are still alone, aren’t you?” He asked once more. She wondered if he was trying to hit on her, but she couldn’t tell. Although, he noticed that him asking questions about her, bothered her, he pulled his hand away. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be so demanding on questioning you.”

She shrugged her shoulders. She started to feel the alcohol hitting her, making her more relaxed and able to more flirty. “I was really waiting for you to ask me what my name was.” She smirked as his lips formed a small smile. “Andrea.”

She held her hand out as did he, shaking hands. “Kevin.” She felt something different about Kevin. She couldn’t tell what it was, but his aurora said something else. He had a dark soul, but with little room for love. She still wanted to know what was different about him that made him approach her?

The rest of the night, they talked. Nothing, but talked. She told him about her college days, as he told her about the late nights he was doing surgery. By the time they noticed what time it was, the bar was about to close up for the night. Kevin walked Andrea to her car and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Andrea heart had warmed up with excitement and passion. She didn’t want to stop seeing him again. Kevin was all she could think about. The only question she had for him was why her? There were a few other ladies at the bar, but he chose her. She tossed and turned all night long, over thinking about Kevin.

 

The next night, Kevin, met up with her at her house. They could resist themselves and had to have themselves, right on her kitchen table, the one that her and Jeff had picked out after they got married.

She was lost in the moment, forgot about that table, her late husband, and everything else. The only thing she could think of was how much thrill she was having. making love to a stranger on her husband’s table. The look in Kevin’s eyes during the act of affection. It burned in her mind.

Once they were done, a small idea popped in her head. She gave Kevin a smirk, but he had no idea what she was thinking, or so she thought. Kevin picked up her clothes and threw them at her.

“Don’t even think about playing me, sweetheart.” He spoke and Andrea’s eye’s widened. How could he know what she was thinking? She threw her dress over her head, forgetting about her undergarments.

“How did you-” She tired to speak, but he interrupted her.

“I can read your thoughts and I know what you were thinking.” Kevin spoke as he slowly walked towards her. The only thing she noticed, was his eyes, even though, he was half-naked in front of her, his eyes scared her the most. “I love how your mind thinks, Andrea. I bet if we stick together, we can do exactly what you are thinking, to a couple of rich suckers.”

 

After that night, Andrea and Kevin worked hand in hand, roping in rich idiots that married Andrea, but they wouldn’t last a week in that house. Kevin grew angry whenever anyone else touched Andrea and would kill the new husband, before the end of the week.

The would make love to each other, with the money that the late husband had left for her the night before. No one noticed what was going on. Kevin would admit the late husbands in for surgery, but they would never make it.

Andrea loved to do it for the thrills. She loved the fact that another man touched her, Kevin would rip him apart. She wanted some to want her so bad, that he would kill any man that touched. her.

Once another one of her husbands had passed, she tried to wait as long as she could, but her cravings for affection always came back. She would go out to wealthy bars, sit and wait, until another sucker wanted to give her the world. She would play off sweet and simple, before getting them so drunk, she would mention to get married.

Those late husbands of Andrea, would fall so hard for her, they always said yes and then married her that same night. Once they would come home for their ‘honeymoon’, Kevin would be waiting.

Andrea and Kevin thought that this was something they would keep on doing forever until, people started to notice the pattern, they were leaving behind. The head of the police department, Steve Jones, had started to look into the case. He watched, from his car for weeks, as multiple men would enter that house alive, but would leave in a body bag.

There was only one man that came and go as he pleased. The head of the surgery department Kevin Rosevelt. He was one of the very known surgeons in the department, that even received an award for donating money to big charity events. It puzzled Jones’ to why he was doing this or what he was getting out of this?

“Dr. Rosevelt, good to see you again.” Jones said as he approached Kevin in the hospital, after the last husband of Andrea Whites’ had died. They shook hands and Kevin gave him a smile.

“You too, Steve. What brings you here?” Kevin asked as he was questionable about the reasoning to why he was here. He figured it was for another award or another patient was a officer.

They both sat down as Jones’ laid them down a few files on his desk. “I wanted to ask you a few questions on these missing men. Some of them you operated on and I just wanted to know how those surgeries went.”

Kevin looked through the files, there were about 6 different men in each of the files, 4 of them, he operated on. He stayed calm, as he had a feeling Jones’ was onto him.

“I only operated on 4 of these men, Jones’, why are these two in the same pile? I’ve never had them for patients either.” Kevin said, giving the files back to Jones’, hoping Jones’ would by them and move on.

“Do you have any relations with Mrs. Andrea White?” Jones asked. Kevin stood puzzled to him, wondering how he knew.

“She is one of my friends. Why are you questioning me about her?” Jones knew right away that if he told Kevin about the investigation, they would either flee the town or kill him.

“We are just asking because she has gotten married to these men and they happened to all of died within the week of them getting married. You operated on 4 of them and called time of death on the other 2. We just making sure that they have been dying of natural causes and not being murdered.” Jones explained. He didn’t wished he didn’t give so much information to him, but he hoped that maybe, he would confess or prove that he didn’t kill these women.

Kevin threw a hand in his face and then took the filed back. Looking through each of them again. He pulled the first man, Lance Drotter, he was a wealthy business man, but he only lasted three days when he was with Andrea.

“Mr. Lance Drotter, he came in, not breathing, we tried to bring him back, but nothing worked, so we called time of death at 15:23. Further look into his death, he had a stroke. Mrs. White had no idea of his medical history until she brought him to the hospital.”

Kevin threw that file down in front of Jones’, as his pager was going off. ” I wish I could go into detail even more, but I have to head down to the ER, so I’ll make it quick with the other cases.” He spoke. “Carl Jenson, alcohol poisoning. Gregory John, blood clot stopped his heart. Mattew Carter, came in unresponsive due to suicide attempt. Donald Heath, liver failure. Last but not least, Parker Adams, brain dead on the table. Happy now?”

Kevin rushed out of his office and Jones’ sensed that talking about these men upset him. Not only did he have the ER to worry about, but something about these deaths, Jones’ could tell it bothered him very much.

Jones’ wondered if he would get Andrea to talk some more, since Kevin didn’t give out too much information. He left the hospital, with the files of the dead 6 men. He figured he would look back into the files to see if he missed any more information.

 

Kevin knew Jones’ was onto him, he quickly got out of his office and went to one of the empty on call rooms. He dialed Andrea’s number, as quick as he could. “When do you want me at the hospital?” Andrea answered with, he would usually call her for her to spend some time with him in the on call room.

“Get out of the house with your stuff, the cops are on to us.” Kevin snapped as Andrea stayed silent. “We need to get out of here as soon as we can because Jones’ is going to be headed to your house now.”

“I already have the bag packed. You want me to take the SUV?” She replied as that car wouldn’t be detected by the cops right away.

“Yes, then go to the bank, take everything out of the accounts. I’ll meet you at the bank and we will leave.” Kevin said as he feared that she wouldn’t be able to take everything out of the bank right off.

“I’ll come and get you first. If I go to the bank first, they will figured it out. We need to go to the bank in the next town over.” Andrea paused for a second. “I’ll be there in 5 minutes. I’m going to throw my phone in the lake on the way to get you. I love you.”

They bother hung up and Kevin rushed to grab other stuff from his desk.

 

Andrea quickly got into the SUV and then opened the garage, there was Jones, waiting for her. He wouldn’t move, so she ran him over. After, that she just kept driving, hoping that no one noticed she did a hit an run. Once she reached to the hospital, Kevin quickly jumped into the car and planted a kiss on her lips.

“Go, I just got a call from the hospital that they are doing a locked down.” Kevin said as Andrea stepped on the gas. The drove and drove for hours, Andrea felt that nothing could stop them, once they left town and reached the other bank.

They quickly went in and out of the bank, cashing out their accounts and cards, making it so the cops couldn’t trace their whereabouts. Kevin took over driving. They kept driving and driving, as they heard the sirens on their tail. Andrea never felt so much thrill in her entire life.

She was wanted. So, wasn’t Kevin. She was called the ‘Black Widow’. Kevin and her stayed low, but when they arrived in a new town, the craving for a wealthy man passed her mind and she couldn’t help herself.

She would sit at the bar, and waited patiently for their next victim.

 

Posted in Arts and Crafts, Crochet, Easy Patterns

Crafty Sassy: Crochet Mug/Coffee Cup Cozy w/ a Pocket (Easy)

Good morning dearies! Today is it snowing, in Maine, and I wanted to tell you about a pattern that I have found, on Pinterest, the other day, that is actually perfect for today, because of the cold weather we got going on.

As you all know, if you don’t already like my Facebook page, I show two different patterns and which ever one wins, I go live, showing you how to make them! This week, it was the coin purse vs. the mug cozy. So, I guess you can already think what won, by the title of this blog post!

Here is the link for the pattern itself:

https://www.thestitchinmommy.com/2014/09/give-sugar-coffee-cozy.html

I want to shout out to the Stitchin Mommy for making this pattern available for us today! I’ll be making her pattern later tonight on my Facebook Page, when I go live!

You all know that I just love making mug cozies, they are perfect for the cold or chilly weather and they prevent you from burning your hand, when you are craving that hot cup of coffee, tea, or hot coco.

This pattern just showed up, out of no where, but I’m glad it did! I have always wonder if someone had came up with pockets for their mug cozy. This pattern is simple and very easy to make, perfect for holiday gifts, but since the holidays are over, I will be making one of these for myself, or for someone in the family.

Best part of this pattern, is that you get to try out different colors, or mix and match the colors for the pocket and the mug base.

The only downfall of this pattern, is that it isn’t for all mug types. This ‘mug cozy’ is technology a ‘coffee cup cozy’. So, chances are, this won’t find on your favorite coffee mug at home.

HOWEVER! I have came up with another pattern idea, that is based off a simple mug cozy, and all I did was add the pocket on the side! Which is what this pattern is really for.

If you just started to follow me, I made a mug cozy pattern way back when I first started to blog (which wasn’t that long ago). I will be basing it off of that pattern, but making it bigger and adding a pocket.

Things you will need:

  • Medium Size Yarn
    • If you want to feel creative, like myself, grab another color and mix it up!
    • I’m using the I Love This Yarn brand for this project.
  • 4.5 mm hook
  • A button
  • Yarn needle
    • As always! Got to make sure to sew in your loose ends!

 

Mug Cozy Base

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Chain 10.

Row 1: Find the second chain from your hook (Not counting the chain that is already on your hook). Make a single crochet and a double crochet, in that same chain.

Skip the next chain and in the next chain, make a single crochet and a double crochet. Repeat til you reach the end of the row. Chain 1 and turn.

Row 2: Skip the next stitch. Make a single crochet and a double crochet in the next stitch. Repeat until you reach the end of the row. Chain 1 and turn.

Repeat Row 2, until you reach about 8 inches. If you wish to make it longer, you make do so. Also, keep in mind that the next step, we are making the buttonhole.

I would measure your mug first, and debating on adding more or less rows. Not all mugs are the same! You also don’t want your mug cozy to be too loose, otherwise it will fall off, and you don’t want it too tight either!

Don’t be afraid to ‘frog it’. Rippit, rippit!

Buttonhole

Next Row: In the first two stitches, single crochet together (sc2tog). Single crochet across, until you reach the last two stitches, single crochet together (sc2tog) in those last two stitches. Chain 1 and turn.

Next Row: Half double crochet into each stitch, making sure that you still have 8 stitches. Keep going for another 2 inches, starting where you started your half double crochets. (This is for bases that have the 8 inches crocheted. If you made it bigger, see the * for more info.)

*Depending on how long you made your mug cozy base, measure it, if your mug cozy base is over lapping itself, then you don’t need to keep crochet for another two inches. These will vary for different mugs. Make sure to measure it around your cup, before crocheting!*

Next Row: Now, we are going to make the actual buttonhole. If you haven’t chained one from the last step, do so now and turn your work.

In the first 2 stitches, make a single crochet together (sc2tog). In the next stitch, make a half double crochet. In the next stitch, make a double crochet and a treble crochet, in that same stitch. Chain 3. In the next stitch, make a treble crochet and a double crochet, in that same stitch. In the next stitch, make a half double crochet. In the last 2 stitches, single crochet together (sc2tog).

You can fasten off, or single crochet all around the mug cozy. This is something you don’t have to do, but if you are like me and like stuff to look neat and even, this is something you would want to do!

Making the pocket:

Using the same size hook, that you used for the base of the mug cozy, we are now going to make the pocket.

Chain 11

Row 1:  Find the second chain from the hook and single crochet across. You should have 10 stitches. Chain 1 and turn.

Row 2 – 12: Repeat row 1. Or until it has reached the length you would like. Make sure to leave a long tail, as you will use this to sew it onto the mug cozy itself.

Weave in any ends.

Sew on your button and you are done!

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I will be posting a video on how to make this mug cozy with pocket on my YouTube channel. I’ll add the video on here, once it is posted.

If you want to see me go live, on making the coffee mug with pocket, make sure you like my Facebook page and keep an eye out on my weekly polls, where you guys get to choose between two items and pick which one you want to see me make live!