Finished: Crochet - Bucket Hat Prototype

This is my latest crochet experiment, a bucket-style hat done in mostly post stitches.

It was crocheted with Hobby Lobby's brand "I Love This Yarn!" in Pomegranate Stripe -- with an H hook.

I used acrylic yarn for ease of care... And I have to say that the Hobby Lobby Brand is my favorite acrylic out there: soft & and comes in wonderful self-striping colorways.

This hat was inspired by my admiration for the awesome Xenobia Bailey's ( www.xenba.blogspot.com ) work... I love her Funky Crowns!  I didnt want to try to duplicate her designs... But I love the idea of crowns... And wanted to put my own "stamp" on the idea.

  I started with a top detail of combining post stitches and regular stitches and then used post stitching for the sides for sturdiness.

This hat was a gift for my friend, Lee Ann... Hope she likes it; and that she has some creative criticisms for me.

Finished: Simple Mandala with Post Stitches /Crochet

Last month, we bought a small older-model mobile home in Carlisle, PA --about 2 hours from Philadelphia -- where my husband works.  We made the quality decision that 4 hours commuting every day is just too much.  So the plan is that on Tuesday mornings, the doggies & I will go to Carlisle with him and stay at the new place (which is 10 mins from his office) until Friday. When he leaves work on Friday, he will pick us up and we will head to Philadelphia for the weekend.

There are many positives to this new situation... Now, he gets "home" no later than 6pm... Compared to 8pm.  We can actually go out and do things on weeknights! And we get a chance to play at empty nesters during the week...oooo la la. Plus I am sure that our younger son (21) and visiting nephew (26) are enjoying the "no old folks around" time in Philly. Win\Win situation!

So now we get to set up another home place... Wheee! Fun stuff!   I am planning on creating some of the decor; while also scouring etsy and thrift shops for unique & vintage finds.

Here is the first of my completed projects: a crocheted mandala for above the bed.  This is really just a simple circle, done in sc, hdc, dc & tc stitches --with a post stitch accent.  It is made with acrylic yarns (mostly Red Heart SS) from my stash.  When the circle was completed, i sc 'd (is that a word?) it to a metal craft ring.

I think it gives a nice pop of color to the room!