An Unusual Request

Awhile ago, a gentleman contacted me with a problem. He had broken his leg and he had to wear this boot all the time. He didn't care for the dirt being tracked into the house by the boot after being outside. Could I make a bootie to cover the bottom of the boot while he was inside.
This is just one of the photos he sent of the boot on a tile floor of 2" squares in order to give me an idea of the shape and size.
The bottom of the bootie was doubled and I made a lace up the front to make it easier to get on. I thought the area around the ankle still looked large, so I ran a cord through the top edging. That way he could adjust that part of the boot and just place a knot to hold it.
The gentleman donated $25 to Rwanda Knits in payment.
It seems to me that no one ever gets a plaster cast anymore. 

Busy Crocheters

Mary finished up this afghan using variegated yarn and a simple stitch pattern. A great example of how an uncomplicated idea produces great results.

Doug never makes the expected. He wondered of crochet could produce strong rope; he decided that it did. Of course, he used two colors which resulted in an attractive pattern. While very strong, think of the times when you might want to use decorative ties or wraps. Very classy rope.

Theresa made this baby afghan. Yes, it's a baby afghan for a baby boy whose father went to the University of Kentucky. Theresa couldn't find a chart for the logo, so she made one herself. Another unique design from Theresa.

Shelli made this afghan for her daughter. Shelli had made one like it for herself quite awhile ago. Her daughter had always admired it. With her daughter soon to be married, Shelli made one for her in neutrals similar to her own. The design is by Lion Brand and uses Homespun. Shelli hopes the neutrals will go with any decor her daughter chooses.

Diane's Latest

I started working on this topper in early May, so I could wear it for the summer. I finished it on Labor Day! I am so easily distracted: with every summer issue of any crochet magazine I found inspiration for items for the Holiday Sale (Dec 1- Dec 9).  But when summer was soon passing, I went back to my project.
I purchased the yarn and pattern through Annette Petavey's website. She is based in France. The yarn is laceweight linen and the design is by Helene Marcy. I am always impressed by the prices and how quickly I receive my order. I did alter the pattern though, since I prefer longer sleeves.

Theresa at Stitches

Theresa has been working for over a year on a shawl of her own design. It is an homage to  those teachers who taught her in lace classes. I know that Orenburg and beading on lace are, at least, two of the classes represented.
The picture showing the entire shawl has two people holding it up; so you can see how large it is. It's not quite finished since it needs an edging pattern.
Theresa also knitted the dress and wore it at stitches. Theresa followed the basic design but as usual reinterpreted the neckline and sleeves. Several times! She's behind the dress.
At stitches she won the Designer's Choice Award and the CEO said that he would like to arrange an interview for Knitter's magazine.
So Theresa had a very eventful Stitches trip.
The hat worn by Chris was designed and knitted by Theresa, too. She knit it for Chris to wear at a Star Wars con. I believe the hat is about Boba Fett and there are two other graphed designs on the hat. Chris made a contribution to the VA here in Pittsburgh in payment for the hat.

Little Daughter Won't Stay in Bed?

I think all children go through that stage when once you put them to bed they don't stay there.

That's exactly the problem Yona faced with her little daughter. Yona uses a system of gold stars with her kids, but Yona's daughter had had it with stars. "What would get you to stay in your bed at night, if we aren't doing stars?" Yona asked. "I want one of those cute animals you make. I want a funny dog." So here is the blue dog that keeps the little girl in her bed and even stars in his own blog entry.

Peggy as Usual

has been keeping very busy. She found a few more afghans for Linus Project at $.99 each. Here she's showing off a tam she made.

Commissions for Charity

I've written before how Theresa will make things by request if the person will make a contribution to the VA. This was a specially requested baby blanket that Theresa made for a $50 donation. Rebecca and Theresa stretched out the blanket for a picture just as Theresa finished it. She blocked and turned over the blanket during the week. So it was get the picture now or never.
Then when a friend was visiting and asked about what I'd been doing, I explained about our Holiday Sales to support our charities. I was working on a necklace similar to this one at the time and showed her this one as a completed project. She bought it then and there for $65 and made a check out to the VA. So this particular necklace will not be showing up at the sales. What doesn't show up are all the beads that are worked into the motifs. Cameras frequently don't catch that aspect of a project. I was inspired by Vogue Crochet 2012. I had to change many of the stitch counts and the beads to what I already had to keep the expense down.
Several people have caught onto the commission system. We now have several hundreds of dollars that have been donated through our efforts this year. Those totals will be added into our end of the year tallies.