Gathering Newborn Boy Items

I'm in the process of gathering Newborn items for a little boy I "adopted" from an Angel Tree this year. Apparently he's a newborn and his mom's main wish for him are blankets (That I can definitely do!) and a baby bathtub. Gonna see what else I can gather up. So far I have an afghan, a teether, a bunny, a baby's first Christmas ornament for a boy and a bib. The rest I'll have to make or buy but get this.... they only put the trees out yesterday- they want the items back by Dec. 11th!! Geez.

In my quest for boy items, I went to raid my stash only to find that most of the things I had..... were GIRL items/colors. I definitely need to make and gather some boy things. I've either handed them all out or donated them or found way too much girl stuff/patterns.

Better get crackin' on some boy things or find some cheap one of the two.

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Newborn Cocoon and Hat Pattern in crochet

I finally got a chance to sit down and type out the Newborn Cocoon pattern I came up with. The one I made is at home in a box to be donated so no pic yet.... if you make one of these please do let me know- I'd love to post a pic, with your permission and credit of course! Please note these are American crochet terms so please adjust accordingly if you're from somewhere that uses English terms.

Materials:

SOFT worsted weight yarn or double baby yarn,
6oz for 5-6lb or about 7oz for 7-10lb sizes and size H hook.

Note: Do NOT turn after Joining. Ch 2 at first of round counts as a DC. If you have counted correctly your 2dc space with be made in the first stitch of the 2dc stitch on the row below.

For all sizes:
Chain 3

1: Dc 11 times in the end chain. Join with a slip stitch. (12 Dc made)
2: Ch 2, DC in same space, 2dc in each stitch around. Join. (24 DC made)
3: Ch 2, Dc in same stitch, (Dc in next stitch, 2 dc in next stitch) around. Join. (36 Dc made)

4: Ch 2, Dc in same stitch, (Dc in next 2 stitches, 2dc in next stitch) around. Join. (48 Dc made).

5: Ch 2, Dc in same stitch, (Dc in next 3 stitches, 2dc in next stitch) around. Join. (60 Dc made)

6: Ch 2, Dc in same stitch, (Dc in next 4 stitches, 2dc in next stitch) around. Join. (72 Dc made)

7: Ch 2, Dc in same stitch, Dc in each stitch around. Join.

8: Ch 2, Dc in NEXT stitch and each stitch around. Join.

For 5-6lb size:

Rows 9-24: Repeat Row 8, for 24 rows or until cocoon reaches about 14".

For 7-10lb size:

Rows 9-28: Repeat Row 8 for 28 rows or until cocoon reaches about 18".

For babies a little larger or for a 0-3mos size, you may use a size I hook with worsted weight (SOFT please!) yarn and continue cocoon until it reaches 24" or desired size.

Now, finish off or for girls you may add a shell or picot edging. I don't for boys but that is up to you. For Boys you may add a few rows to be turned down at the top, or simply stop at row 28 or so.

Hope you enjoy! I'd love to see what you make, esp if you get creative and use up partial skeins or multi colors. Please make at least one for charity.






Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Of Cats, Crochet, and patterns

Morning Everyone,

now that I have a couple days off I'm going to see if I can't get a little crocheting done, some patterns posted, and a little relaxing. Trying to get out the door this morning around a grouchy husband and 5 mischevious cats was like pulling teeth. Well, 4 mischevious cats anyway.

Poor Angel is 8 years old, has bladder and kidney probs and is probably on her last legs. Everytime I think she isnt going to live much longer, she perks back up and seems to be fine, then gets in a slump again. As long as she can go eat, drink and get to her litter box I guess she's hanging in there. She still comes to see me when she's out then goes back under her table by the heat vent. The rest of them are a 3-ring circus by them selves. Harley loves socks and drags them out all over- Shadow's a lap boy and getting fat, the other two are running around like banshees..... it's crazy but I love it.

I've not had time to work much on patterns lately but did manage to finish one small newborn or large preemie size cocoon I'll post my pattern for before I go back to work if I can get to the puter later. Please 'scuse my typing- the laptop doesnt want to cooperate.

The crocodile stitch pattern is still being worked out, bout got it but not really totally figured out or perfected yet. Soon as I do I'll share my interpretation.... not like these stingy designers who won't share their patterns. Hmmph! I've worked out somewhat of a triangle with it but I'm not sure I like it- a little too tight. Not sure if it's the yarn or the hook or me or what.... may try a little different and see if it works.

OK since it's getting colder by the minute here (39 and falling) I'm going to go somewhere and curl up warm with my crochet hook. Hope everyone is having a great day! Thanks all for sharing your patterns!





Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Happy Black Friday and Late Happy Thanksgiving

Hi all! Happy Black Friday and hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving. Me, yesterday was a whirlwind, not a moment to pick up a stitch of crochet- got up at 9, dinner by 11, or shall we say at dinner- didnt eat til about 12, to work by 1, stayed over at work until almost 12 midnight, shopped at midnight, got home at about 2am, collapsed..... LOL But the overtime will be worth it.

Have to work again today from 3-midnight so this may be the only chance I get to post. Got the baby cocoon finished- working on a hat to go with it. Maybe today I'll have a little time to try to finish it.

I'm offering the 10% discount on my etsy shop until Monday at midnight (actually Tuesday) since Monday is cyber Monday the biggest online shopping day of the year.

No show and tells lately- sorry bout that but gotta have the TIME to finish something to show. I hate this having to be at work at 1 and 2 so it's a mad dash to get up, eat and run errand or two then dash to work, no breaks or breathers or nonstop.

So to make up for it I've bought a few things to donate to charity mostly for babies lately. If you don't have time to make extas, please do the same. Someone badly needs it.

Well off to try to get something done before I have to be at work- if you're out there shopping have fun and be careful!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Cocoon pattern and pic coming soon

Hi all,

I mentioned I'm having a Thanksgiving sale on my Etsy shop, one thing that will go on there (maybe not before Thanksgiving) is my pattern I came up with for a newborn cocoon and working on the hat pattern now. Soon as I finish the hat pattern it will be put into a MS Word file and up on my Etsy shop.

hehe you'll have to wait til then for pics.

Rain rain today and off to work early (for me that is, I'm used to working late). Nasty weather today- muich better for staying inside and crocheting. But no such luck- full schedule all week at work. Hardly even time to crochet. Have a great Thanksgiving all!!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

10% off in my Etsy shop for Thanksgiving & Black Friday

My blog readers save 10% Thursday and Friday on all purchases in my ETSY shop. Just enter coupon code MEOWCREATIONSSAVE10 at checkout. Hope you all find something you like!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Thanksgiving and patterns coming

Whew- what a week! I've been working so hard I've rarely had time to crochet or anything else. I'm off today and I'm gonna whip the first one that says "Let's go to Wal-mart"! I've got a full week next week just barely time Thanksgiving to eat dinner and get to work.

What little time I've had to crochet, I've been making up a pattern for a baby cocoon in crochet, most of which will be donated to Newborns in Need and Relief Share but I may put the pattern up on Etsy, we'll see. I've also got a couple of other ideas to turn into patterns but we'll see how time allows.

As for crochet I wish I could take it to work to work on during breaks and lunch, but I get nothing done. It has nothing to do with being ashamed of crocheting (far from it) or anything like that but usually when I take my crochet out in public unless it's to Hobby Lobby, Michaels, the yarn shop etc. here people have a million questions. "What are you doing? What are you making? Is that knit or crochet? I knew someone who did that once.... "  That sort of thing which I love talking to them but I can't get any crocheting done.

I'm off to actually crochet for a bit and relax a little, maybe watch some news and catch up on what I've missed. Have a great day all!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Rain Rain Go Away

YUCK! I'm glad some of you are enjoying wonderful weather today- we have a COLD rain here.... it's about 40 degrees and WET all over. Perfect weather for staying inside which I can't do :0(

After I finish my coffee and browsing (I'm at IHOP as usual) it's off to Hobby Lobby then to the post office- I have an ETSY sale or two to mail and to re-mail a check the stupid post office either is very late on or has lost. Staerting to hate them but they are cheaper in most cases than UPS.

Please excuse the bad typing, my laptop isn't cooperating either. I spent part of my birthday $$ last night- got Reba McEntire's new CD and A CHRISTMAS CAROL in Blu-ray and bluray 3-d. We'll see if that 3d works or not- i've been told yea and nay. should be good either way.

THEN to work on my latest creation- one of these baby coccoons everyone is oohing and aahing over. I don't like them and wouldn't use one but apparently someone does. Seems to me like it'd be a pain to get on and off the baby, and would be very messy with a diaper mishap while the baby was inside, or if the baby spits up (sometimjes ALL OVER the place) and you have to get it off quick. BUT some of the charities are calling for them and they are all over ETSY so I'm going to try it.

Taking a bit of a break from that triangle crocodile stitch pattern I'm working on- almost got it but still working on where to put the increases. I don't know if it's similar to the pattern out there as i haven't read it but this one regardless will be my own creation from looking at a picture. Not bad if I do say so myself.

Have fun everyone and stay warm and dry wherever you are! Crochet the day away!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Crocodile stitch

Well, I've just about done it.... You know that crocodile stitch I was drooling over? The shawl and scarf I couldnt find free patterns for anywhere? I've pretty much figured out how to replicate the stitch and still working on perfecting the increases and decreases. It's still pretty darn thick on account of the layered shells though. Will keep you posted, determined to figure out my own pattern and create my own shawl or scarf. When I do I'll post it here.

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Crocodile stitch pattern

I've got a stitch that is driving me nuts... the Alligator or crocodile stitch. There are pretty patterns on ETSY using this stitch, but I'm determined to find out how to do this stitch and make my own pattern(s). So far I've only found a square tutorial but I think it's enough that I can figure out how to make the "scales" then make up what I want.

Anyone heard of this? I'll post what I find out here if it's anything legible.

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

I'm Back! and Pet Peeve

I'm back!! decided to post a few more thoughts. I've a major pet peeve- especially lately.... Patterns and creations that look like a 4 year old did them. Now that's fine if it was made by a preschooler.... but I'm seeing tons of patterns out there and creations on etsy and on blogs that are so crappy I'd be ashamed to put my name on them. They look like thy were done in Preschool. *off my soap box*

They do have some wonderful creations however both in blogs and on Etsy. Nancy's Crochet (I forget her blog name at the moment) is always very nice as is Pammy Sue's of Scottys Place and Alice of Crochet with Raymond. And several others I can't think of so don't feel hurt if your name wasn't mentioned.

Knitting is catching on but there's still tons of crochet out there that's worth taking a peek at.

Gonna have to run- battery is about gone in my laptop, gotta go plug in somewhere. Later guys!!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Another Etsy sale and I'm beat

How is Everyone this Monday morning? I'm totally beat. People have been crazy at work with the first of the month shopping, Thanksgiving shopping already started and Christmas shopping already. Yes, people are shopping for Christmas already. Of course us cashiers pick up EVERYTHING that comes thru that line- one after the other after the other after the other, and when it's non stop for 6-8 hours.... my arms can hardly move to type much less crochet. I need a vacation!! Can hardly get around work to pick up prescriptions, use computer, crochet or anything else. This is the first time really I've had to sit down in the last week or so... I was off Wed. but didn't feel like getting anything done.

On the upside I did have another etsy sale yesterday. Have to get the last two shipped today. Another $4.25 in my pocket for a set of crochet hooks. It's finally paying off a little bit. If I could just sell some of my crochet stuff instead of supplies it'd be great. I started to grab some patterns to list today as I went out the door (I hardly stay at home and do anything during the day) but my hands were full and like I said I'm so wiped out I can hardly remember my own name.

Still working on those queen anne scarves and anything else i CAN oops sorry think of now that I have a few minutes.

Later all!!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

A Little Visitor

The other morning I was getting ready to go for the morning and usually open the front door for the cats to look out when I hear Harley growling at something. He's sitting looking out the glass door hunched down with his ears laid back and I peeked out the door to see what he was watching.....

Apparently we've been having a little visitor on the porch and Harley isn't too pleased about it.

We're used to seeing possum, coons, etc at night but it's been a while since we've had any birds or squirrels since we really haven't had time last couple of years or so to feed them. Just thought this was cute!


Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Photos to add- Queen Anne, Etsy

Now that I have my camera and chip accessible, here's the photos I couldn't post earlier.

Queen Anne's Lace Scarf I finished last night- Now in my Etsy shop for sale

Some items I have for sale on Etsy

Interweave Crochet Accessories Special Edition magazine



Light green dishcloths




Christmas Hotpads




Crochet fingerless gloves w/flower




Holiday socks Ladies' Size 9-11


Now to start another Queen Anne's scarf for a gift if my hands will allow it. I'm sore all over from having to pick up stuff and the first of the month people are shop, shop, shopping. Dreading having to go in tonight and all day tomorrow as people will be wall to wall. And customers have been really hateful last week or so too. Oh well, there's bills to be paid, so off to work I go. Sure wish work was crocheting and internet LOL.

By the way, the kitties say MEOW! to everyone!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Working like a dog and shipping

Hi Everyone,

Right now I feel like I'm working like a dog.... having to go in to work somewhere around 1-10 or 2-11 or some odd shift nearly every day not leaving much time to get anything else done. So pardon if the crochet department and Etsy and blogging are a bit slow. Not that I'm not grateful for the hours, I just need some ME time where I'm not too worn out to do anything I enjoy.

I'm getting a couple of Etsy orders ready to ship, got one scarf finished but lack of time and too tired right now to post pictures and get them edited. Will come soon hopefully. Still got a few charity projects going in the back ground but no tah-da yet.

Here's a few of the things I've posted on Etsy lately:

Christmas/valentine fur edged socks
Christmas potholders
Interweave Crochet accessories magazine
Crochet fingerless gloves w/flower

and I have several more. Take a look if interested.

For now I gotta go by the insurance office and take care of a (late) bill that's late because they didn't send me the  invoice, and I got the late notice the day before it was due (tomorrow) when it said notice sent Oct. 19th. Hmmph Our mail isn't that slow. Gotta run all- chat later.

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

Wow- 3 in one day!

Another two etsy sales... yarn and a pattern book! From no sales to three in one day is pretty exciting. Now I need to package those up to be sent to the buyers. I'm not exactly rich though LOL gonna have to sell several more items to see a difference in the profit. Some of them I'm just glad to get out of the house. Crochet and supplies don't seem to sell well around here... and when it does noone wants to give anything for it.... maybe 50 cents for a potholder or a couple dollars for an afghan. Heck you can't even buy the yarn for that!

Well, off to shrimp for supper so I have to go see if I can help my dad- he's the cook tonight. Later all!! Nice to hear from everyone!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

My first Etsy sale

What a surprise! I opened my email this morning to my first ETSY sale and payment sitting in my mailbox! I sold a set of Crystalites crochet hooks, one less thing laying around my house and a few more dollars in my pocket (after shipment of course).

Nice way to start the morning- It's rainy and nasty here this morning, about 45 degrees. Yuck. On my day off too. At least I don't have to go in to work today and can get some crocheting done. And a little relaxation I hope.

Not too many of you out blogging today- hope everyone is doing well. Have a great day everyone!!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love

I'm ready for Christmas!

Well, Halloween is over and time for me to be working on Christmasy things.... so here's my new template for my blog. Now to work on a few gifts!! Happy November Everyone!! Now if I can just get my house decorated before Christmas.... that's hard to do without a hubby around who's working constantly lately. Wish me luck! Go crochet something!

Marla
Meow Creations Etsy Shop- Supplies and Crochet
Marla's Nursery
Gifts of Love