~ a crooked ripple ~

~ this picture shows how the pattern is written ~

Materials:
- 4-ply worsted weight acrylic (I'm using Red Heart Super Saver)
- J hook

Size:  the pattern for this blanket is written for it to be 40" wide - The length of the blanket depends on how long you would want 
your blanket to be - just keep crocheting until you have it as long as
 you want it. The way I have the blanket pictured above, it 
measures 23" wide x 40" tall. :)

Directions:
Row 1:  Ch 158, dc in the 4th ch from hook.  Dc in next 5 chs.  (dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch.  Dc in next 7 chs.  Skip next 2 chs.  Dc in next 11 chs.  (dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch.  Dc in next 11 chs.  Skip next 2 chs.  Dc in next 20 chs.  (dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch.  Dc in next 20 chs.  Skip next 2 chs.  Dc in next 7 chs.  (dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch.  Dc in next 7 chs.  Skip next 2 chs.  Dc in next 7 chs.  (dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch.  Dc in next 7 chs.  Skip next 2 chs.  Dc in next 18 chs.  (dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch.  Dc in next 18 chs.  Turn.

Row 2:  Sl st into next dc, ch 3.  Dc in next 17 dc.  (dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch-2 space.  Dc in next 18 dc.  Skip next 2 dc.  Dc in next 7 dc.  (dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch-2 space.  Dc in next 7 dc.  Skip next 2 dc.  Dc in next 7 dc.  (dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch-2 space.  Dc in next 7 dc.  Skip next 2 dc.  Dc in next 20 dc.  (dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch-2 space.  Dc in next 20 dc.  Skip next 2 dc.  Dc in next 11 dc.  (dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch-2 space.  Dc in next 11 dc.  Skip next 2 dc.  Dc in next 7 dc.  (dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch-2 space.  Dc in next 7 dc.  Turn.

Row 3:  Sl st into next dc, ch 3.  Dc in next 6 dc.  (dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch-2 space.  Dc in next 7 dc.  Skip next 2 dc.  Dc in next 11 dc.  (dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch-2 space.  Dc in next 11 dc.  Skip next 2 dc.  Dc in next 20 dc.  (dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch-2 space.  Dc in next 20 dc.  Skip next 2 dc.  Dc in next 7 dc.  (dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch-2 space.  Dc in next 7 dc.  Skip next 2 dc.  Dc in next 7 dc.  (dc, sh 2, dc) in next ch-2 space.  Dc in next 7 dc.  Skip next 2 dc.  Dc in next 18 dc.  (dc, ch 2, dc) in next ch-2 space.  Dc in next 18 dc.  Turn.

Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until desired length.

***Debi Y's pattern***

~ wiggles preemie baby blankie ~

Materials:
- 4-ply worsted weight acrylic (I used Herrschners Worsted 8)
   - 8 oz. off-white for blanket
   - various colors for wiggles
- I hook

Size:  21" x 24"

Notes: 
- I crochet tight so you may need to adjust the size of your hook
- you can make this blanket any size you would like - just make sure to chain an odd number of chains

Directions:
Row 1:  With off-white ch 95, dc in 4th chain from hook.  Dc in each ch across.  Turn.  (93 dc)

Rows 2 - 3:  Ch 3, dc in each dc across, dc in top of beginning ch 3.  Turn.

Row 4:  Ch 4, skip next dc, dc in next dc.  *ch 1, skip next dc, dc in next dc.  Repeat from * across.  Turn.

Row 5:  Ch 3, dc in each dc and ch 1 space across.  Dc in 3rd ch of beginning ch 4.  Turn.

Rows 6 - 7:  Ch 3, dc in each dc across, dc in top of beginning ch 3.  Turn.

Rows 8 - 39:  Repeat Rows 4 - 7.  At end of Row 39, end off.

- for wiggles (on dc, ch 1 rows):

Join color with a sl st around 1st st, 3 dc around same st.  *Turn, 4 dc around next st.  Repeat from * across.  End off.

- for edging:

Join off-white with a sc in any corner, (ch 2, sc) in same corner. Sc evenly around with (sc, ch 2, sc) in each corner stitch, and a ch 3 to skip a wiggles row.


***Debi Y's pattern***

~ a round wiggles pillow ~

After 3 tries I finally got it.  Now all I have to do is get a pillow form and stuff it.  :) 

Materials:
- 4-ply worsted weight acrylic 
   - 4 oz. for the base (I used Red Heart Super Saver)
   - wiggly colors (I used Herrschners Worsted 8 - I didn't weigh the amounts because you can choose to use all one color or different colors for each wiggle.  I would guess though, that the last wiggle round was no more than 2 oz.)
- J hook

Size:  13" across

Notes:
- I crochet tight so you may need to adjust the size of your crochet hook
- the base piece will ruffle but will straighten out when the wiggles are crocheted

Directions:
For base (make 2):

Rnd 1:  Ch 4, 11 dc in 3rd ch from hook.  Join with a sl st to top of beginning ch 3.  (12 dc)

Rnd 2:  Ch 4, dc in next dc, ch 1.  *dc in next dc, ch 1.  Repeat from * around.  Join to 3rd ch of beginning ch 4.

Rnd 3:  Ch 3, dc in same st.  2 dc in each st around.  Join with a sl st to top of beginning ch 3.

Rnd 4:  Ch 4, skip next dc, dc in next dc, ch 1.  *skip next dc, dc in next dc, ch 1.  Repeat from * around.  Join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch 4. 

Rnd 5:  Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next st.  *2 dc in next st, dc in next st.  Repeat from * around.  Join with a sl st to top of beginning ch 3.

Rnd 6:  Repeat Rnd 4.

Rnd 7:  Repeat Rnd 5.

Rnd 8:  Repeat Rnd 4.

Rnd 9:  Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 2 sts.  *2 dc in next dc, dc in next 2 sts.  Repeat from * around.  Join with a sl st to top of beginning ch 3.

Rnd 10:  Repeat Rnd 4.

Rnd 11:  Ch 1, 2 sc in same st, sc in next 3 sts.  *2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts.  Repeat from * around.  Join with a sl st to 1st sc.  End off.  

For wiggles:
Join any color with a sl st around any dc, ch 3, 3 dc around same dc.  *turn work, 4 dc around the next dc.  Repeat from * all around.  Join with a sl st to top of beginning ch 3.  End off.

**these pictures do not show the correct base pattern - they are only to show how to do the wiggles**

***Debi Y's pattern***

~ seeing spots ~

When Tracie at 'CroCreations' saw my crochet hooks, she was inspired to create some of her own.  I have only created swirly handles, but when I saw Tracie's polka dot hooks, I was inspired to try to create one. 

I have to tell you that doing polka dots is kind of tricky.  Mine did not stay perfectly round.  But that's ok - I like it anyway.  In fact, I think this is my new 'favorite' hook.  It's a Susan Bates size 'J'. 

And speaking of Susan Bates - I bought 2 new hooks (plus some Red Heart Soft yarn) from Herrschners and they are different.  The head of the hook is not pointy like it used to be - they are rounded - and the actual hook part is smaller.  I hope I won't have trouble trying to hook the yarn when I'm crocheting.

 **eta - I have been using this hook for a while now and I have had absolutely no problems crocheting with it.  (I haven't tried a tight sc pattern (like amigurumi) - there might be a problem there since there is no point to help push thru the stitch.)   

~ Hook reminders ~

Eileen from 'Crochet Attic' posted her progress on the pretty granny stripe she's working on and she asked a question.  The question is:  "do any of you ever set a project aside and when you go back to it you can't remember which hook you were using?" 

Nowadays, I'm lucky if I remember what I had for breakfast.  I forget alot of stuff and have to make notes all the time.  My solution to the hook problem is I'm sure, not a new one.  I take safety pins and letter beads and pin it to a project if I put that project down for a time.  I also use this for my scrap yarn cakes when I wind them - 'A' for the 1st one, 'B' for the second one, and so on.  This has saved me from alot of aggravation.  :)   

~ cupcake (?) bottle cozy ~

I asked my husband and my son what they thought this bottle cozy looked like.  My husband said "I -- don't -- know"  --  my son said "umm -- a cupcake?".  I'm not too sure myself.  It's supposed to look like a cupcake.  What do you think?

Materials:
- 4-ply worsted weight yarn - I used acrylic but you can use cotton if you'd like
   - brown (or light gold)
   - pink (or Red Heart Fiesta white)
   - red
- J hook

Size:  fits an 8 oz. bottle

Notes:
- I crochet tight so you may need to adjust the size of your crochet hook
- Ch 2 at beginning of Rnds does not count as a stitch
- beginning PC stitch:  ch 3, 2 dc in same stitch, drop loop from hook, insert hook in top of ch 3 and in 3rd dc, yarn over, pull through
- PC stitch:  3 dc in same stitch, drop loop from hook, insert hook in 1st dc and in 3rd dc, yarn over, pull through

Directions:
Rnd 1:  With brown (or light gold) ch 3, 12 dc in 3rd ch from hook.  Join with a sl st to 1st dc.  (12 dc)

Rnd 2:  Ch 2, 2 dc in each dc around.  Join as before.  (24 dc)

Rnd 3:  Ch 1, 2 sc in same dc.  Sc in next 5 dc.  *2 sc in next dc, sc in next 5 dc.  Repeat from * around.  Join with a sl st to back loop of 1st sc.  

Rnd 4:  Working this Rnd in back loops only, ch 1, sc in each sc around.  Join with a sl st to 1st sc.

Rnd 5:  Ch 2, dc in each sc around.  Join with a sl st to 1st dc.  (28 dc)

Rnds 6 - 8:  Ch 3, front post dc (fp dc) around next dc.  *dc in next dc, fp dc around next dc.  Repeat from * around.  Join as before.  At end of Rnd 8, end off.

Rnd 9:  Join pink (or Red Heart Fiesta white) with a sc in 1st dc.  Sc in each dc and fp dc around.  Join with a sl st to 1st sc.

Rnd 10:  Beginning PC in 1st sc, ch 1, skip next sc.  *PC in next sc, ch 1, skip next sc.  Repeat from * around.  Join with a sl st to 1st PC.

Rnds 11 - 12:  Beginning PC in 1st PC, ch 1.  *PC in next PC, ch 1.  Repeat from * around.  Join as before.  At end of Rnd 12, end off  - or if not using the red then DO NOT END OFF.  Continue on to Rnd 13.

Rnd 13:  Join red (or continue with Red Heart Fiesta white) with a sc in 1st PC.  Sc in each ch 1 space and PC around.  Join with a sl st to 1st sc.  DO NOT END OFF.

For handle:  Ch 1, sc in same sc.  *ch 3, dc in 3rd ch from hook.  Repeat from * until desired length.  Skip next 13 sc on Rnd 13, sc in next sc, sl st in same sc, end off.

For trim:  holding piece upside down, join pink (or Red Heart Fiesta white) with a sc in front loop of any skipped sc on Rnd 10, (dc, sc) in same sc.  (sc, dc, sc) in the front loop of each skipped sc around.  Join with a sl st to 1st sc, end off.  

***Debi Y's version***