My Favorite Dishcloths from Camping

Here are some crocheted dishcloths I made from vacation:

Dishcloth #1

Dishcloth #2

Dishcloth #3

This pattern is easy to memorize, works up quickly and has a nice tight weave.  I can see how it got its name!

Supplies:
Pattern: My Favorite Dishcloth by Lauri Bolland
Yarn: Bernat Handicrafter Cotton #WW275736 Hosta, Lily's Sugar N' Creme #19046 - Earth Ombre and Peaches N' Cream #201 - Sea Mist
Hook: US H (5.0 mm)

Redemption - Karen Kingsbury

Summary from GoodReads: When Kari Baxter Jacobs finds out that her husband is involved in an adulterous relationship and wants a divorce, she decides she will love him and remain faithful to her marriage at all costs. This book shows how God can redeem seemingly hopeless relationships, and it illustrates one of Gary Smalley's key messages: Love is a decision.

Kari Baxter Jacobs discovers that her husband has been unfaithful and it turns her world upside down.  With her strong Christian fatih to lean on, she decides that she will not give her husband a divorce but would rather try to work it out at all costs no matter how her family feels.  Will Kari and Tim be able to work it out?  Will God give Kari the strength to go on?

I loved this book!  It is a quick read that grabs you with strong character development and relationships that does not let go.  The Baxter family is strong in their faith and work together to make it through anything.  I am looking forward to continuing the journey through this series.

Lemon Lime Waltrip Dishcloth

Here is a dishcloth that I made while I was on vacation last week:

I was knitting this around the fire just to keep my hands busy and myself awake.  Anthony, a friend of my nephew, wanted to know what I was making so I told him.  He jokingly asked if it was for him so I gave it to him when it was done.  He told me that he would think of me every time he used it (add sarcasm here!).

Supplies:
Pattern: DW Darrell Waltrip Dishcloth by Rhonda White
Yarn: Peaches N' Cream #186 - Lemon Lime
Needles: US 7 on 24" Cables

Jessica's Baby Washcloths

Here are tons of crocheted baby washcloths that I made for my cousin Jessica's baby shower in September.

Batch #1

Batch #2

Batch #3

 

This crocheted pattern worked up super quick, they took about 40 minutes each, that's why I made a ton.  I did them in earthy animal colors to match her jungle theme.

Watch for other blog postings to see some of her other homemade gifts!

Supplies:
Pattern: Oh So Soft Baby Washcloths by Theresa Grant
Yarn: Lily's Sugar N' Creme #18011 - Softly Taupe and #01004 - Soft Ecru, Peaches N' Creme #01013 - Dark Taupe and Bernat Handicrafter Cotton #W275736 Hosta
Hook: US I (5.5 mm)

Ella's Wish - Jerry S. Eicher

Summary from GoodReads: Ella Yoder has moved into her dream house. In the stillness of the great house, Ella ponders her options. How is she to survive on her own? How will she ever forget Aden? What is to become of her?

Two would-be suitors soon make their intentions known, but Ella is unsure of her own feelings. As she agrees to take care of Preacher Stutzman's three motherless girls, Ella's heart is touched by their love for her. Could their affection be the answer to Ella's quest? Can God speak through the love of a child?

Readers of Amish fiction will fall in love themselves with Ella Yoder and hope with her that she finds the love and happiness she seeks.

Ella Yoder is now living in her new big empty house that was built for her from theh money left to her by her love Aden who suddenly passed away.  To help fill the house, and get some extra income, Ella allows a recently married couple to share the house with her.  Also, Preacher Stutzman needs help caring for his three young girls since he is a new widower.  Ella agrees to have them stay with her during the week.  Since she is home caring for the Stutzman girls, she decides to open a quilt shop in the basement where she takes orders from Englishers for new quilts.  What more could Ella ask for in her life?  Will Ella find love with the young bishop?  With Preacher Stutzman?  What will become of the girls who Ella loves dearly?

I thought this was a nice continuance of the story.  I liked how you could not help but fall in love with Ella and especially with those three young Stutzman girls.  I am looking forward to reading the last book in this series, Ella Finds Love Again, to see how things work out for Ella.

The Haven - Suzanne Woods Fisher

Summary from Revell Publishing: Once again, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher intrigues and delights with a story that explores the bonds of friendship, family and true love in the second installment of the Stoney Ridge Seasons. Readers will enjoy every surprise in Sadie's story as they search for the truth hidden within these pages.

When Sadie Lapp steps off the bus in Stoney Ridge after being in Ohio for the winter, she is faced with a decision--one that goes against her very essence. Yet it's the only way she can think of to protect a loved one.

Schoolteacher Gideon Smucker has been crazy about Sadie since boyhood. But his response to her surprising decision undermines his own reputation--and his relationship with Sadie.

College student Will Stoltz is spending the spring at the Lapp farm as a guard for a pair of nesting Peregrine Falcons--courtesy of the Lancaster County Game Warden. Will needs to get his life back on track, but his growing friendship with Sadie threatens his plans.

The lives of these three individuals intertwine, and then unravel as unexpected twists create ripples through the town of Stoney Ridge . . . and through Sadie's heart.

Sadie Lapp is returning home from spending time at her sister's house when someone leaves a baby at her feet while she was sleeping at the bus station waiting for a ride home.  When she returns home, she is faced with lots of questions, opinions and wrong assumptions.  The community has turned against her since they believe that she is an unwed moother who was sent away to give birth.  But no one will listen to shy little Sadies's true strory.

Will Stolz is living with the Lapp's while he is "bird-sitting" the two falcons who have made this Amish farm their home.  To earn his keep, Will helps out with the farming chores and gets to know the Lapp family, especially Sadie since he has the gift of quieting the young baby.  What will become of Will's relationship with Sadie?  Will the Lapp's ever find out who the mother of this baby is?  Will everyone learn to forgive for their wrongs?

I really enjoyed this second book in the Stoney Ridge series by Suzanne Woods Fisher!  I am looking forward to seeing the next step in the Lapp family's story.  A special thanks to Revell Publishing for allowing me to review this book in advance for them!

 

Available August 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

A Wedding Quilt for Ella - Jerry S. Eicher

Summary from GoodReads: Ella Yoder's wedding with Aden Wengerd and the building of their dream house is set for June. But when Aden is suddenly taken from her, Ella begins to doubt God's love.

When her family pressures her to marry the new young bishop, Ella asks for six months to heal from Aden's death. Meanwhile, Aden's brother, Daniel, helps Ella build her dream house based on a drawing by Ella's sister, Clara and now incorporated into Ella's wedding quilt.

Can healing come through a house?  A quilt?  A community?

Ella Yoder is getting married soon until tragedy takes her true love, Aden, away from her.  Her life has been changed forever.  She is having difficulty moving on with her life and vows never to love again.  When she receives a marriage proposal from the young bishop, for her parent's sake, she does not turn him away immediately as she wished but told him to come back in six months.  During that time, Aden's brother, Daniel, tells her about the money that Aden saved to build her a house.  After talking to both families, they begin the construction of the house as Aden would have liked it.  Will Ella ever love again?  Will this house help her to move on and possibly love again?

I actually enjoyed this book!  The Fans of Amish Fiction group on GoodReads read this back in February and it sparked lots of discussion, good and bad.  Although it was not your typical Amish romance, death is a part of life.  It was interesting to read who the Amish prepare for the burial, deal with mourning and move on with life.  It was a rather sad start to a series but I loved how the community came together to help build Ella's house.  I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series to see how thing work out for Ella and her community.

Hot Pink and Purple Coaster

Here is a crocheted coaster that I made for myself last night:

I needed to make this to save my coffee table.  I was using a rubber stamped ceramic tile as a coaster but I needed to make something that was absorbant.  Our air conditioner blows directly in the line of the coffee table so my ice in my water melts faster and causes lots of condensation, so much that it was running off the tile coaster and making a puddle of the table.  Before it caused any damage, I thought I would make one using cotton yarn and place it on top of the tile one.  It helped!

Supplies:
Pattern: Scrap-Buster Coasters by Doni Speigle
Yarn: Lily's Sugar N' Creme #01317 - Hot Purple and #01740 - Hot Pink
Hook: US G (4.0 mm)

DW Darrell Waltrip Dishcloth - Crown Jewles

Here are some more dishcloths I made using varigated yarn:

Here's a close up:

This pattern is so much fun and easy to memorize!  I love making them!

Supplies:
Pattern: DW Darrell Waltrip Dishcloth by Rhonda White
Yarn: Lily's Sugar N' Creme #19313 - Crown Jewles
Needles: US 7 on 24" Cables

Three Dishcloths - Hot Green

Here are a set of three different knit dishcloths made from one super size skein of solid cotton yarn.

The Complete Set

Here they are individually:

#1 - Ridge & Rib

 

#2 - Waffle

#3 - Garter Basketweave

All of these were easy to memorize and knitted up super quickly.

Supplies:
Pattern: Three Dishcloths by Joan Janes
Yarn: Lily's Sugar N' Cream # - Hot Green
Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) on 24" Cables