Comfort Dolls

Recently I found a story about MCpl Mark Isfeld from the Canadian Armed Forces. He had asked his mother, Esther Braithwaite, to make some pocket dolls he could take with him when deployed to give to children for comfort. Esther used a pattern from an old magazine and made it into what we now call Izzy Dolls. I've been making them (with some slight changes) and passing them on to deployed military men and women through the American Legion auxiliary. The pattern can be found on Ravelry and Esther's You Tube videos, Esther Joy Knits. 

Free Bunny Crochet Pattern

 These cute bunnies would be great for Random Acts of Kindness (Facebook has Random Acts of Crochet Kindness groups) or to put in an Easter basket.

Bunny Crochet Pattern

4 chain, slip stitch in first chain (or magic circle)

Chain 3, 17 treble in the circle, slip stitch in top of 3 chain.

Head

3 chain, 1 treble in same stitch of previous row

Dc and 1 treble in next stitch of previous row

Turn

Ears

10 chain, slip stitch in same stitch at bottom of chain in previous row

10 chain, slip stitch in next stitch of previous row

Glue or sew pom pom for tail

Random Acts of Kindness

After finding the Random Acts of Crochet Kindness USA Facebook page I decided to hand out Crochet Angels. I didn't keep track, but I'm sure I gave away over 200 in 2021. With all the hate and dissention on the news lately, we could each do a little something to show goodwill to others.

A friend recently noticed a Facebook post from a lady at our local Walmart store who received one of the angels. It makes me happy to know that my angel touched someone.

 

Crochet Borders

 A friend recommended a book (Around the Corner Crochet Borders by Edie Eckman) with a plethora of crochet borders to experiment with and I've had fun trying some out on various lapghans that we make for local community groups in need.

Painted Cans

 

This is an easy project and make and great teacher gifts.

I buy the paint sample jars from our local hardware store which is cheaper than buying individual craft paints. After applying two or three coats, glue ribbon around the can and then add an embellishment. I cut out flower shapes from an old encyclopedia and glued a button in the middle.

You can add candy, pencils, or even insert a glass jar and use as a vase.

Corner to Corner Crochet

 Corner to corner crochet squares are very popular with my crochet group, but until now I hadn't attempted one.

There are lots of how to videos. If you like to crochet, give it a try, it's a fun project. 

Granny Squares

 My first crochet project as a teenager was granny squares and they're great to work on as a beginner. It's also a good way to use up small pieces of yarn by either making small granny squares and joining them or continuously for a blanket or lapghan.

Pattern and instructions for a rectangular granny lapghan here (I would start with 22 or 33 chain though for a lapghan) which should give you an approximate size of 39 x 48