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

Baby Blanket for the Little Girl

I have decided to work on a baby project next.  This will be a crocheted baby blanket with stripes and popcorn stitches.  A sample of the popcorn stitch is shown on top of the yarn.  This will be my first attempt at something larger, so I will be counting lots of stitches! I have decided the baby's room will be brown and kind of a seafoam blue/green, so I thought this yarn would be nice.  Once again, it's from Magpie's Cottage in Sheboygan Falls.   The seafoam colored yarn has some variation in it, so should provide some nice interest in the piece.

This little tray is the inspiration for the color palette for her room, as well as the theme.  It says, "Follow your dreams, for as you dream, you shall become."  I hope she will always keep dreaming.

'Til next time,

The Real Housewife of Sheboygan County

Dog in the Snow

I guess it's a good thing that Paddy loves the snow since we live in Wisconsin.  I stand on the porch in my slippers and throw the ball.  He retrieves and runs around with so much joy, squeaking the ball like he's ringing in the New Year!  Finally, I retreat from the cold.

He stares at me through the storm door with a snowy nose, as if to say, "Please, just throw it a few more times!"  Mama is cold and she needs a snack.

Candy cane Joe-Joe's hit the spot with a cup of Chai Latte.  Mmmmm.  Maybe winter isn't so bad after all?

Have a happy Tuesday!

The Real Housewife of Sheboygan County