Abram and Butters checking out cars part online.

My first original crochet design!!

So I was browsing online at a yarn/crochet pattern website, and I happened upon a cute pattern for some crocheted cotton curtains. The whole thing came in a kit with the pattern and yarn. But it was a little pricey, as those things often are. So I decided to design my own. I mean, how hard could it be? So with a few 50% off coupons in hand, I went to Roberts and got some yarn. Unfortunately, the Lily Sugar 'n Cream yarn only came in white, cream and Christmas varigade in the big spools. I was kind of hoping for something a little more exciting, especially for my very white kitchen, but oh well. We won't live here forever. Using a bit of other yarn from a previous project (if any of you have seen my huge yarn box [and the yarn overlow basket, hehe], you're not surpised I had some scrap to work with), I spent some time experimenting. Thanks to that doilie book I got at Powell's 2 years ago, I used my diagraming skills to draw out the different ideas. I then translated it into the standard pattern form, which who knows if it makes sense, but it does to me. I completed them Sunday night and they're now hanging in my now even whiter kitchen. Hooray! If anyone's interested, I'll share the pattern here. I'd like to take this opportunity to say that I am a little proud of myself, having finally designed something myself. I'm trying hard to live up to the nickname Donette gave me: "The Yarn Whisperer." :)

Crochet Curtain Pattern

Materials:
G Hook
Cotton yarn (i.e. Sugar & Cream)
Silk Ribbon (Optional)

*Rows 1 – 5 = Stripe A, Rows 6 – 10 = Stripe B

Row 1: ch 131, dc in 11th ch from hook. Dc in each st across. Ch 5, sl st in 4th ch from hook. (picot) Turn.

Row 2: dc in 1st dc of row 1, ch 1, sk 1, (dc 1, ch1, sk 1) across. Dc in last remaining dc of row one. Dc in the next 4 chs. Ch 5, turn.

Row 3: Dc in 5th dc from row 2, dc in each stitch across. Ch 5, sl st in 4th ch from hook (picot). Turn.

Row 4: Repeat row 2

Row 5: Repeat row 3

Row 6: Dc in 1st dc of row 5. (Ch 1, sk 2 st, 3dc in next st, ch1, sk 2 st, 1dc in next st) across, ending with one dc in last dc of row 5. Dc in 4 remaining dc’s of row 5. Ch 5, turn.

Row 7: Repeat row 6, ending with “picot” stitch at the end of the row (picot = ch 5, sl st in 4th ch from hook.)

Row 8: Repeat row 6

Row 9: Repeat row 7

Row 10: Repeat row 6

After row 10, return and repeat rows 3 & 4 (5 rows total) for stripe A, then repeat rows 6 & 7 (5 rows total) for stripe B, until desired width is achieved.

Optional: Weave in silk ribbon for color contrast stripes.

Bugs in a Rug

Or rats in a pocket hammock!

Butters and Mooch enjoying the ghetto fleece hammock I made them.

Moochie & Butters

Meet our new babies!

So we have two new additions to our home! Meet Moochie and Butters, our new baby rats. We adopted them on Tuesday. They are very energetic little brothers and we're having fun getting to know each other. They love to climb and jump and eat. We're finding Cheerios to be their favorite food.

The first three shots are of Moochie. He's a black and white standard coat with dumbo ears. Standard coat means he'll stay smooth like he is now. Aren't his big ears cute?? He's a little squirmy right now, but he'll get more used to us.

The next three are of Butters. He is a chocolate (grayish brown) and white double rex. A rex coat means his fur is all different lengths. It will be more pronounced when he's older. He'll get kinda nappy. :) Butters is more curious and adventuresome, as you can see in the shot where he's going for the camera.

And the last two are a quick peek at their mom and dad. We got to meet both of them too! Guapo is their dad. He's a hairless. And Eve is their mom, a double rex like Butters.

We're so happy to have new little furry friends!