Crocheted Lovey

So, have you seen those baby blankets with the little stuffed animal heads attached?

I used to think they were pretty hokey looking, until Reilly received one as a baby gift from a lifelong friend of mine from Chicago. Her daughter had been given one and she instantly attached herself to it. Similarly, Reilly latched on to her "lovey" (as we call it) pretty quickly as well. Lovey, even today, is outranked only by Sheep on Reilly's best-loved toys list. In fact, sometimes Sheep stays home occasionally so that Lovey can accompany Reilly on the day's errands. Isn't that nice of Sheep?

Anyway, a little while back I decided that I needed to get my crochet hooks into another project. Knowing that my friend Dana was having a baby shower soon, I decided that her little baby girl should be blessed with her own Lovey. And so I looked for a good pattern. And looked. And looked. I even tried one that seemed sort of right, but then it ended up looking like a kite with a rabbit's head attached. Not cute. Creepy.
So I decided to just wing it, and using techniques I had learned from other projects I pieced this one together. Hokey? Maybe. But if history is any indication, hopefully baby Ellie will love it too.

On to the tutorial:

For the head, ears, & flower I used a size I crochet hook.
For the blanket, a size H hook was used.

I chose to use soft cotton yarn for my lovey, but really, any yarn will work.
Gauge isn't really important for this project, just so long as you keep stitches consistent.

Stitch Explanation:sc2tog - Insert hook into st and draw up a loop. Insert hook into next st and draw up a loop. Yarn over, draw through all loops on hook.

Head:
(This is worked in continuous rounds; do not join or turn.)
With 2 strands of yarn held tog, ch 2.
Rnd 1: Work 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around – 12 sc.
Rnd 3: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc; rep from * around – 18 sc.
Rnd 4: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc; rep from * around – 24 sc.
Rnd 5: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc; rep from * around – 30 sc.
Rnds 6–11: Sc in each sc around.
Rnd 12: *Sc2tog, sc in next 3 sts, rep from * around – 24 sts.
Rnd 13: *Sc2tog, sc in next 2 sts, rep from * around – 18 sts.
Rnd 14: *Sc2tog, sc in next st, rep from * around – 12 sts.
Keep repeating Rnd 14 until the head is all but closed off. Stuff head. (Be sure to really pack it in there!) Fasten off. It should resemble a large hacky sack at this point. (Remember those?) A few well-placed stitches will finish closing it up, and you're done!

Ears: (I'm sure this is obvious, but make two!)
With 2 strands of yarn held tog, ch 2.
Rnd 1: Work 4 sc in 2nd ch from hook
Rnd 2: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc; rep from * around – 6 sc.
Rnd 3: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc; rep from * around – 8 sc.
Rnd 4: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc; rep from * around – 10 sc.
Rnds 5–10: Sc in each sc around.
Rnd 11: (Sc2tog) 5 times – 5 sts.
Fasten off.

Blanket:
The blanket portion of the lovey is just one oversized granny square.

Chain 4 (just 1 strand of yarn this time) and join to form loop

Rnd 1: ch 3 (counts as first dc) 3dc, ch 2, * 4 dc, ch 2* 3 times join to first ch 3.

Rnd 2: ch 3 (counts as first dc) *dc in each dc (4 st total), in ch 2 sp for corner, 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc* 3 times.

Rnd 3: (and all other rounds) start with 3 ch counting as first dc, dc in each dc and 2 dc 2 ch 2 dc in each corner.
For this particular project I did 20 rnds, and switched to white yarn for rnds 16-18 for a nice little border. Then back to the lavender/pink/white to finish up. Fasten off.

Flower:
Okay, I have to confess that I made the flower while I was watching 24-- so my mind may not remember all the steps perfectly. (So hard to focus when Jack is trying to save the world!) But this will get you in the general direction...
With 2 strands of yarn held tog, ch 2.
Rnd 1: Work 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Join with sl st to first sc.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc, fasten off.
For petals, switch to working with just one strand of yarn in a contrasting color.
To create petals, you will do the following in each sc of your newly created circle:
[(ch 2, 3dc, ch 2, sl st) in the same sc, sl st to the next sc]
Fasten off.To assemble, stuff ears, stitch closed. Carefully sew ears to head. Sew head to center of blanket. Try to really get it good and sturdy-- I used quite a bit of yarn and attached 2-3 rnds of the blanket to the head. Sew flower on blanket-- mine was on the white border just off center.

And there you have it!

Thanks to my former BYU roommate Elizabeth, who taught me the crocheting basics just over ten years ago. (Wow, I'm getting old...) If you don't crochet but would like to learn, there is a nice tutorial section on Lion Brand Yarn's website here. Lots of free patterns too. Fun times!

Just a Reminder...

Your future is as bright as your faith.

- Thomas S. Monson

We Thank Thee

Conference weekend is always so restorative. After having slugged it out in the trenches of life for six months, I am always grateful for the spiritual elixir that flows in abundance twice a year from the Conference Center pulpit. Afterward I am good to go for another six months... give or take. It helps sustain me through the difficult times and keeps me focused during the good times.

This year, I was pleasantly surprised to see Taylor catch on a little to some of the things that were said.

On Saturday morning, Elder Allan F. Packer gave a fantastic discourse. He recounted an experience he had during his high school football years, and how-- in the midst of the noise and chaos that takes place on the football field-- he heard his coach's voice through the tumult. By listening and following his coach's urgings, he was able to accomplish the play he was supposed to complete. He knew his coach's voice because he had been to practice and learned to trust him. Elder Packer then compared this to learning to recognize and trust in the promptings of the Holy Ghost. I personally loved this story, coming from a coaching background myself. I loved it even more when I heard Taylor speak up.

"Mom, he's talking about the Holy Ghost!"
"Yes, Taylor, he is."

"The Holy Ghost tells us things in our hearts!"

"That's right, Taylor, you are so smart! Thanks for listening to Conference with us. I am so proud of you!"

"Thanks, Mom," he grinned.

...Ah, be still my heart.

Then, after President Monson's address Sunday morning, the Tabernacle Choir performed an amazing rendition of "We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet." Wow. It stopped Taylor dead in his tracks. After the last note dissipated to silence, Taylor looked at us wide-eyed.

"That was a cool song," he exclaimed.

"It was a cool song," Grandma Brandy agreed.

I am so grateful for moments like these when the Spirit permeates our home in a truly tangible way. When powerful feelings overcome and touch the hearts of my children. Watching their testimonies take root buoys me up and strengthens me as well.

I am so grateful for living prophets, seers, and revelators on the Earth today.
I am so grateful for our Savior and His ever-present love for each of us.
I am so grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who knows & is mindful of all His children.


I am so grateful.

Conference Past

In the spirit of Conference Weekend, I thought I'd share some of my favorite thoughts from last Conference. Don't you just love President Uchtdorf? To read his address in its entirety, please click here.


...I’m sure it comes as no surprise, but the differences between men and women can often be quite striking—physically and mentally, as well as emotionally. One of the best ways I can think of to illustrate this is in the way my wife and I cook a meal.

When Harriet prepares a meal, it’s a masterpiece. Her cuisine is as wide-ranging as the world, and she frequently prepares dishes from countries we have visited. The presentation of the food is awe inspiring. In fact, it often looks so beautiful that it seems a crime to eat it. It’s as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the sense of taste.

But sure enough, no matter how perfect everything is, looks, and tastes, Harriet will apologize for something she thinks is imperfect. “I’m afraid I used a touch too much ginger,” she will say, or, “Next time, I think it would be better if I used a little more curry and one additional bay leaf.”

Let me contrast that with the way I cook. For the purpose of this talk, I asked Harriet to tell me what I cook best.

Her answer: fried eggs.

Sunny-side up.

But that isn’t all. I have a specialty dish called Knusperchen. The name may sound like a delicacy you might find at an exclusive restaurant. Let me share with you how to make it. You cut French bread into small slices and toast them twice.

That is the recipe!

So, between fried eggs, even when they are greasy, and Knusperchen, even when they are burned, when I cook, I feel pretty heroic.

Perhaps this contrast between my wife and me is a slight exaggeration, but it illustrates something that may extend beyond preparing meals.

To me it appears that our splendid sisters sometimes undervalue their abilities—they focus on what is lacking or imperfect rather than what has been accomplished and who they really are.

Perhaps you recognize this trait in someone you know really well.

The good news is that this also points to an admirable quality: the innate desire to please the Lord to the best of your ability. Unfortunately, it can also lead to frustration, exhaustion, and unhappiness...

We know that sometimes it can be difficult to keep our heads above water. In fact, in our world of change, challenges, and checklists, sometimes it can seem nearly impossible to avoid feeling overwhelmed by emotions of suffering and sorrow.

I am not suggesting that we can simply flip a switch and stop the negative feelings that distress us. This isn’t a pep talk or an attempt to encourage those sinking in quicksand to imagine instead they are relaxing on a beach. I recognize that in all of our lives there are real concerns. I know there are hearts here today that harbor deep sorrows. Others wrestle with fears that trouble the soul. For some, loneliness is their secret trial.

These things are not insignificant.

However... you [can] find a path to peace, hope, and joy—even during times of trial and distress...

My dear sisters, I have a simple faith. I believe that as you are faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, as you draw closer to Him in faith, hope, and charity, things will work together for your good. I believe that as you immerse yourselves in the work of our Father—as you create beauty and as you are compassionate to others—God will encircle you in the arms of His love. Discouragement, inadequacy, and weariness will give way to a life of meaning, grace, and fulfillment.

As spirit daughters of our Heavenly Father, happiness is your heritage.

You are choice daughters of our Heavenly Father, and through the things you create and by your compassionate service, you are a great power for good. You will make the world a better place. Lift up your chin; walk tall. God loves you. We love and admire you.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Happiness, Your Heritage." Oct. 08 General Relief Society Meeting

Twirly Patchwork Skirt

Well, I decided this month I was finally going to dust off the old sewing machine and learn how to use it. Sewing has been something I have always wanted to do well, but just have never taken the time to learn. Over the past couple of weeks I've taken some baby steps in the right direction... I think.

I should probably clarify things by saying that I do have a little bit of experience where sewing is concerned-- but 8th grade Home Ec was a l-o-n-g time ago, and aside from the crib bumpers I made (with a lot of help from my mom) when I was expecting Taylor, I haven't touched a sewing machine since.

For my first project, I really wanted to make something for Reilly. I also wanted a project that would allow me to get a lot of practice of basic sewing techniques, so they could gradually become second nature to me.
I found a fantastic tutorial here and decided to go for it.

Voilà!
Behold the twirly patchwork skirt!

I just did a simple fold-down casing for an elastic waist, and it turned out pretty good for my first attempt. As I gained more confidence, I decided to get a little crazy & added a little white petticoat underneath. I thought it just finished things off nicely.

Isn't it fun to learn new things?

Turns out, you can teach an old dog new tricks!

Tolstoy

"We think that when we are driven out
of the usual path,
everything is over for us;
but it is just here that the new and the good begins.
As long as there is life there is happiness.
There is much, much before us!"

- Pierre Bezukhof
Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace

Doughnut Beard

Milk mustaches are all fun and good.

But honestly,

they are nothing

compared to...


doughnut beard!!!