The Chunky Newsboy (Cap, that is....)

I finally finished the Chunky Newsboy Cap I started a while a go. I had problems with the gauge, and I have a small head, so significant modifications had to be made.  Plus, as usual, I also used different yarn than called for, so I guess I'm a glutton for punishment!

  

 I finally fixed it by using smaller hooks, and then I added some embellishment:  a crochet flower and one of my favorite brooches (click here for closeup) that I don't wear much.  I think it turned out pretty cute after all the trouble it caused me!  

 Next, I practiced my knitting, using a pattern from Jill over at Wool's Happenin'.  Not sure my counting on my rows was exactly accurate, but no major mistakes, and I made my first "pattern."  Tonight I start a baby hat class at Magpie's Cottage.  We will be working on circular needles and also double points, so I think I have my work cut out for me!  

 And lastly, my husband gave me the best gift for Valentine's Day!  Now maybe I'll finally finish The Pillars of the Earth that I started over a year ago, but it was such a heavy book I never wanted to take it with me!  It was so heavy I couldn't even hold it up to read in bed!  Problem is solved with my new Kindle.

Now what can I get myself into next?

Stay tuned.

The Real Housewife of Sheboygan County

Simple Gifts

For many years, my Granny supplied our family with "the best" scrubbers you'll ever have.  She took time to buy the tulle net - the scratchy kind, not the kind for making tu-tus - then spread it out on the floor, carefully folded it, pinned it to the carpet so it wouldn't move, and cut it into 3 inch strips that were about 6-8 yards long.  Not an easy feat even at my age, but you must know that Granny is 91!  

When my mother told her I was learning to crochet, the first thing she said was "she can make the scrubbers!"  So, the last time my parents visited, my mom brought "the pattern" and we bought the netting, did the cutting, and had many laughs imagining Granny doing this herself while the net slipped around.  It's not an easy material to work with!

I worked the pattern, and don't you know that it looked nothing like Granny's!!   We called her to discuss.  She assured me that the pattern was correct, then at the end of the conversation, she said, "It's just 14 double crochets, or until you run out of net, then slip stitch and work in the ends...."

Light bulb moment - even though she had the pattern, she made up her own!  Now, it all made sense to me, although it always made sense to her.  

The above photo is my "pile" of scrubbers that I will be handing out to family this Christmas, and I'm sure every Christmas until I can no longer cut the net.

Here's how to do it - again, use your best judgement and play is by ear, like Granny!:

Buy 8 yards of scratchy tulle net, cut into 3 inch strips lengthwise (folding the material really helps here)

I use a size N plastic hook - plastic just seems to work better with the tulle

Ch 3 or 4, join into ring w/ slip stitch

Work as many Double Crochets as you can into this space (it's usually between 14-18 for me)

Slip stitch to finish and weave in end.

There.  It's that easy, and I'm sure variations have been passed down for generations.  

Happy scrubbing!

The Real Housewife of Sheboygan County