Infinity Scarf - Brown Bulky

This infinity scarf is a quick make! Scarves are all the rave and can be worn outside and kept on while indoors. Below is the pattern for my new favorite project!

Lions Brand :: Thick and Quick, choose own color scheme
Size LARGE needle, I used the largest needle I have, but it's unmarked with size. (See picture below.)

I crochet into front and back loop of each stitch. To make a different looking pattern, stitch into back loop only.

Ch 86
Row1 : HDC into 3rd ch from hook, HDC in every ch to end of row.
Row2 : Ch 3, DC in every stitch to the end of row.
Tie on new color if desired.
Row3 : Ch 1, SC in every stitch to end of row.
Row4 : Ch 1, SC in every stitch to end of row.
Row5 : Ch 1 , SC in every stitch to end of row.
Tie on new color if desired.
Row6 : Ch 3, DC in every stitch to end of row.
Row7 : Ch 2, HDC to end of row. Tie off, but leave tail long enough to sew ends of now made scarf together.

I twisted my scarf ONE time before connecting end. This creates the fun "fold" seen in the first picture. Allows for scarf to lay nicely along chest.

Hold ends of scarf together and using tail and needle sew ends together. 

Can also double scarf around neck for really bulky collar!

The bigger the better.....Bulky infinity scarf

This big bulky infinity scarf was made with my favorite yarn for quick projects :: Lion Brand Thick and Quick. I'm an instant gratification kind-of girl. Project crocheted up super fast and is just as warm as it is bulky.
   Simple DC stitch to create. I chained a length long enough to wrap twice around my neck with some extra to compensate for bulkiness, then DC rows back and forth until desired width was achieved. Then stitching ends together gives you a large circular piece. Scarf can be worn simply looped over your neck, or looped, twisted and looped again (as shown).
   Of course every scarf needs a hat to match!!! Slouchy style hat in an orange to match, however I I used a worsted weight yarn rather than the Thick and Quick.

Baby Turtle

This is our adorable baby nephew....everyone say it together with me "awwwwwwwww"....
Having seen a crocheted baby turtle shell on Pinterest, I set off to make one. I created my own pattern of a five sided granny square. I made 7 of them, then stitched together. Across the body of the baby is a two inch strap that is a simple DC piece sew to either underside of shell. The hat is a simple DC pattern to complete the outfit.
Add basket, blanket and sleeping precious baby to complete a photographic memory!!!

Retro Circles :: Throw

I love this circle/square pattern and am working on creating a small throw from them.
I have chosen green, mocha brown, navy blue, and grey as "circle" colors, and am lining the "square" in a light cream color. After creating the desired amount of squares I will connect to make one complete piece.

Pattern :: Retro Circles
Tools :: size H (8.50 mm) crochet hook :: Loops & Threads Impeccable yarn (from Michael's Craft Stores)

Note: Row1 calls for magic circle, if you do not know how to crochet magic circle, you can substitute following for Row1 :: Ch 4, sl stitch to make in ch farthest from hook to connect circle. Ch 3 (counts as first DC), 11 DC into middle of circle, slip stitch to connect.

Row1: Make a magic circle, chain 3 (counts as first DC), DC 11 more into circle. Slip stitch to connect.

Rows 2-4 crochet into BACK OF LOOP only.
Row2: Ch 3, DC into same stitch, DC in every stitch. Slip stitch to connect.
Row3: Ch 3, DC into same stitch, *DC in next stitch, 2 DC into next stitch* Repeat until end. Slip stitch to connect.
Row4: Ch 3, DC into same stitch, *DC in next stitch, DC in next stitch, 2 DC in next stitch* Repeat until end. Last two stitches should be DC in each stitch. Slip stitch to connect.
*Tie off this color IF changing colors for border.
Row5: Ch 1. SC SC, SC, *HDC, HDC, DC, DC,   (All into same stitch = TC, TC, ch3, TC, TC), DC, DC, HDC, HDC, SC, SC, SC* Slip stitch to connect.  
Tie off to finish this square.

Click the following link to view the website where I originally found this pattern, which has step by step tutorial :: Retro Circles

Long time, no see

This weekend I made the trip back to my "hometown". *sigh* Strange driving down the hill in to town, recognizing my surroundings, yet not having been there in awhile.

I was very excited to see some old friends. The highlight of my day was spending several hours with my dear friend Kim who sadly I haven't seen in FIVE YEARS. Her son has grown by leaps and bounds and she has added two more little tykes to the count since I've last spent time with her. We flew kites, changed diapers, dodged falling walnuts, fed bottles, removed D. from the stairs again and again, and of course laughed whiling reminiscing.

Kim was pregnant with her oldest son while standing in my wedding as a bridesmaid. A couple months after that he arrived, bringing us much entertainment for a couple years until they relocated several hours from 'home'. Upon this reunion, I somewhat expected him to be shy, why I have no idea he is again Kim's son. No shyness there, not from the ol' SDC street actor!! *wink wink* However, B. quickly engaged me in conversation and performed 'tricks' for me with his super cool toys. Later while flying kites, or attempting to cause his blimp style kite to take flight, he'd yell from the peanut gallery "run, run Melissa, run". Between the walnuts underneath, the large Ozark hill that lay in front of me, and the kite rope burning the index finger, I wasn't sure we'd claim success but it was loads of fun nonetheless!

It was one of those days that reminds you it's hard to let friendships change, but those pick-up-where-you-left-off relationships are so satisfying to have!

Kidding Around • Family Resource Guide

Something new....something REALLY cool!
I am proud to be a part of this new product in the Branson area! Kidding Around Family Resource Guide is worth checking out.

Worth checking out if you are a parent, part of a family, or even a business owner! This new digest size publication is geared up to keep you informed of family friendly activities as well as products for children of all ages in the Branson area. One-of-its-kind in our community, this new monthly magazine is the go-to place including a community calendar of events, advertiser coupons, and so much more....even a front cover photo contest anyone can enter!!

I'm excited to be a part of this publication and to see it grow! Magazines are FREE to the public and distributed throughout the Branson Tri-Lakes area. To view the current issue visit their website and tell your friends and family!

For more information on featuring your business or services in the Kidding Around Family Resource Guide visit their user friendly website at www.kiddingaroundbranson.com.

The Beginning....for me.

So, I'm new to the world of blogging *sigh* but love the idea. I've rarely read a blog, let alone know how to search for one of interest. This shall be fun (telling myself that to keep the overwhelming feeling from taking over). Drama, I know.

It started today by digging through my very cluttered desk drawer searching for the post-it note I KNEW I still had with my friend's blog address scribbled on it. Yes, it's been years since she worked here but I still like to sneak a peak into her life every now and then.
*pleasant sigh* FOUND IT! And LOOK, she's changed her picture to her adorable son! *love it*

Now. What to name my own blog. What color scheme to choose. To change or not to change the font. 
Oh for pete's sake Melissa just jump in and learn to make it look super cool like everyone else's later. *whew*

Along with the adventure of leaping one step farther into the technology driven world I am proud to be part of (in hopes of catching up slightly with it), I want to somehow record some of the things I've learned over the past couple of years....maybe so I don't forget....maybe so I have somewhere to go and remind myself of the places I've been.

So....here goes!!