the mr. and his scarf

Go check out the scarf I finished knitting for the Mr...

alipyper.com

alipyper.com

In a very short while my blog address will switch to alipyper.com. Yay! You can start following my blog at the new address right now if you'd like.

I posted a brand new free crochet pattern for a Danish Heart on the new site that you should check out! There is definitely still time to crochet one of these up before Christmas.

Win a Week's Stay at La Maisonnette in the Dordogne Region of France!

La Maisonnette

Stephanie of Stephmodo is offering one lucky winner a chance to stay for a week at her family's gorgeous little cottage La Maisonnette in France!! Can you believe it? So exciting!

Go here to learn about how Stephanie and her husband renovated their cottage and go here to learn about the giveaway.

Spiderstitch Baby Blanket Up For Auction!

Our friends, the Truax Family, are making the final push to raise enough money to adopt three orphan siblings from the Ukraine. They've set up an online auction and have listed some really fantastic items people can bid on Thursday and Friday, November 15-16th! See all the details here.

Last month I crocheted a baby blanket that will be part of the auction! This blanket was hand crocheted with high quality 100% mercerized cotton yarn from England and can be lovingly passed down from generation to generation. It's a great baby size, 27.5" x 34", and will work for summer or winter.

If you want to bid on the blanket, set your clocks for 1 am Thursday November 15th to get your bid in! Check out the bid page here.

The Incredible Power of Handwork

I was deeply touched by this short clip of Renate Hiller, co-director of the Fiber Craft Studio at the Threefold Educational Center in Chestnut Ridge, New York, who speaks on the transcendent and meditative qualities of creating with our hands and the importance of using natural and beautiful fibers in our work.

To quote from the video clip:

"...in handwork, in transforming nature we also make something truly unique that we have made with our hands, stitch by stitch, that maybe we have chosen the yarn, we have even spun the yarn — even better, and that we have designed. And when I do that, I feel whole. I feel I am experiencing my inner core because it’s a meditative process. You have to find your way; you have to listen with your whole being. And that is the schooling that we all need today. Because we’re so egocentric and this makes us think of what is needed by something else. So we are in a way practicing empathy — empathy with the material, empathy with the design. I think this practicing of empathy that we do in the fiber crafts is paramount for being healing to our world. And it’s a service for the divine that we are surrounded by."

Thank you Amanda!

Granny Love Guest Post at Harmony

In preparation for the Granny Squares class I'm teaching tomorrow at Harmony in Provo tomorrow, I was asked to guest post on their blog.

Go check it out here!

Photo credits: 1/2/3/4

Colonial Day with {K}

I volunteered down at the school for Colonial Day today. I cut off a pair of thrift store pants to make breeches for {K} and made a simple mob cap out of muslin and a long skirt and apron for myself. I was able to help teach the children how to tie quilts. The kids were so smart and quickly learned how. They finished 6 baby quilts that will be donated to the Humanitarian Center.

{K} was such a pill about the tri-corner hat I wanted him to wear! Apparently the rest of the school was having "Crazy Hair Day" and he thought the hat would get in the way. He would only wear it for a picture - and then only begrudgingly. Oh well.

Intro to Crochet class added at Harmony

We've organized another beginning crochet class this fall at Harmony! The class will run Thursday mornings from 10 am to noon on November 1, 8, & 15. I'll walk you through all the basics of chain stitch, slip stitch, single crochet, double crochet, changing colors, reading patterns, increasing, decreasing, and weaving in ends when you're finished.

You'll leave the class with a gorgeous scarf and the confidence to try new crochet patterns - just in time for Christmas! The cost of the class is $60 and you'll receive a 10% discount on supplies purchased at the shop.

*If you're left-handed, don't despair! I have experience teaching lefties how to crochet!*

Have you ever wanted to learn how to crochet something like this?

Rose Hip Blog Crochet Flower Pattern

Or this?

Yvonne Eijkenduijn Copenhagen Pillow Pattern

Or any of these??

Attic 24 Inspiration

Call or stop by Harmony, or sign up for the class online and come learn how to crochet!

Learning to Smock, a Bake Sale, and Granny Squares

I signed up for the Smocking Class at Harmony and I'm over the moon to finally learn how to embroider smocking!! I've wanted to learn since {G} was a baby and for one reason or another I never have. Thank you Harmony!! And I also learned how to embroider bullion roses. Bonus. My lines are a little wonky, but I'm thrilled with how it's turning out. Just need to sew the smocked panel into a skirt and I'll be done!

I promptly put Sabrina's cute new logo that she painted for me to good use! {K}'s soccer team was having a fundraiser so I made a little tag and put them on my famous Peanut Butter Cookies with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies, and my mom's Gingersnaps to help raise a little bit of money. Super happy with the logo!!

I'm teaching another class at Harmony on Saturday November 3rd from noon to 2 pm. Do you want to learn how to crochet Granny Squares?? I'll discuss how to quickly change colors, weaving in ends as you crochet, different methods of circular crochet and joining the blocks together as you go! The 2 hour class will be jam packed with tips and tricks that you can apply to all your crochet projects. Come join us for a great class to elevate your basic crochet skills to the next level. Only $20!

alipyper likes to bake

My sweet friend Sabrina designed and painted a new logo for me!! I'm super duper thrilled about it! Like turn cartwheels over it. I think it's darling and I'm going to plaster it all over everything I bake from now on :)

Eyelet Lace

I recently designed a crochet edging that looks kind of like eyelet lace. When I was trying to find a crochet pattern to edge my robe, I came across these laces available from the famous Britex Fabric shop in San Fransisco. Aren't they gorgeous?

Britex Fabric Eyelet Lace Selection

I'm thinking I need a couple yards of each of these! So beautiful!

Eyelet Lace Crochet Edging Pattern

I finally made myself a housecoat (is that what they're called? is it a robe? a muu muu? I don't know!). We all share one bathroom right now, so it was high time. One of my small indulgences is a subscription to the French craft magazine Marie Claire Idées. In the March/April 2012 edition they had this picture (and pattern) and I had to make it!

Unfortunately for my husband and children, the decision to make myself a housecoat was not prompted by necessity. It only came about because I saw one that I felt like I could tolerate wearing. If I hadn't seen it, I would be still be slinking between the bathroom and the bedroom in a towel.There are other areas in my life where this principle applies, to the detriment of my family members. But why compromise for bad design?? I'd rather slink in a towel than buy an ugly robe.

Granted, it's autumn and the linen/cotton I chose will not be very warm in the coming winter months, but it had to be linen. I decided to trim the housecoat with a simple crocheted lace and I had it in my mind that I wanted the crocheted lace to look like white eyelet lace. So, I searched high and low to try and find a pattern in my books and online, but to no avail. So, I made a pattern up! It's not EXACTLY like eyelet lace, but for a simple crocheted edging I like it quite a bit.

 

Pattern repeat is 7 sts +2. 

On a foundation row (see this tutorial for ideas on how to attach crocheted edging to your linens): ch 1, sc in beg st. Sc in next st *Skip 2 sts. 7 dc in next st. Skip 2 sts. Sc in next two sts.* Repeat from * to * until you reach your last 7 sts. Skip 2 sts. 7 dc in next st. Skip 2 sts. Sc in last 2 sts. Ch 3, turn.

Row 2: Skip first 2 sc. *Sc in 1st dc of shell. Ch 3. Sc in 3rd dc of shell. Ch 3. Sc in 5th dc of shell. Ch 3. Sc in 7th dc of shell. Ch. 3. Skip next 2 sc.* Repeat from * to * until the last shell. Sc in 1st dc of shell. Ch 3. Sc in 3rd dc of shell. Ch 3. Sc in 5th dc of shell. Ch 3. Sc in 7th dc of shell. Ch 3. Skip 1 sc. Sc in last sc.

Knot and weave in ends.

I'm thinking that I need to figure out how to attach this edging to some linen handkerchiefs or napkins. I'm thoroughly in love with it!

ps. The Intro to Crochet class at Harmony was a hit last night! I'm so excited to continue for the next two weeks with the great group that signed up! Hooray for crochet!!

Benefit Bake/Yard Sale

New York Style Cheesecake, Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies, Gingersnaps, Coconut Cake, & Peanut Butter Cookies with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups

Our friends, the Truax Family, are having a huge benefit bake and yard sale tomorrow, Saturday September 29th starting at 8:00 am at 11742 Current Creek Drive, South Jordan, UT 84095 with all proceeds going toward their adoption of three sibling orphans from the Ukraine.

Come Support Our

Benefit Yard/Bake Sale!

We’re raising money to help three

orphans from Ukraine leave their

life in an orphanage behind and

experience life with a family in the US.

They need your help!

All proceeds from the yard/bake sale

go toward adoption funds.

Join us Saturday morning 

(September 29, 2012)

beginning at 8:00 am.

11742 Current Creek Drive,

South Jordan, UT 84095

 

I will be bringing a yummy 10" New York Style Cheesecake, a 9" double layer Coconut Cake, Gingersnaps, Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies, and Peanut Butter Cookies with Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. 

 *PLUS* 

A dear friend gave me a large bag of gorgeous apples and said, "Use these for the fundraiser!" So, I'm also bringing a Mile High Apple Pie! 

 

I've been making this yummy, yummy pie for 20 years! Picture circa 1995 - excuse the burnt edges :(

If you can't make it to the Bake/Yard Sale tomorrow, I will take orders for a short period of time and deliver in Northern Utah! With all proceeds going towards the Truax Adoption Adventure.

Heirloom Spider Stitch Baby Blanket - For Auction

Have you heard of the Jim and Shelly Truax Family? Last week Design Mom featured them on her blog. They have been our dear friends for many years. The Mr. and Jim have been friends since before their missions (Jim - Milan, Italy. The Mr. - Veracruz, Mexico). Jim and Shelly have four children and are currently trying to adopt 3 sibling orphans from the Ukraine! Can you imagine? I think it's terribly brave and very inspiring.

It's also incredibly expensive. They are trying to raise $68,000 (yes, that's how much is will cost!) to finalize the adoption by this November. The oldest sibling, Albina, is 16, which means that she will soon "graduate" from her orphanage to the streets of Ukraine - a very scary situation exposing her to all sorts of terrifying dangers.

To help raise a little bit of money I've crocheted this heirloom baby blanket that they will list on their silent auction. Every $10, $20, $50, or $100 (or more!) donation really helps the Truax family reach their goal of providing a home and family for these children. Hopefully people bidding on the blanket will help them reach their fundraising goals a little bit sooner.

I'm so excited about how it turned out, since I adapted three different patterns to come up with the final blanket! If you'd like to visit my Ravelry.com project page, you'll find more details about the pattern, yarn, and hook size that I used on the blanket. The finished dimensions are 27.5" x 34" - the perfect size for a baby.

And hopefully a perfect way to help three children find a home.

To find out more, you can check out the Truax Adoption Adventure Facebook page and their blog. Please consider donating whatever you can to help the Truax family.

One Line a Day...

I started writing one line a day in this nifty little book January 1st. It has a spot to write a few words every day for 5 years. I'm learning about editing (there's not a lot of space!) and I'm trying to focus on recording special moments each day rather than just writing down what I did and I have to say that I'm enjoying the mental exercise of it.

A few tidbits that I recorded: May 4, {G} came home excited to learn how to say "Holy unicorn!" in Japanese; January 24, {K}, who was violently ill, said to me, "Mom, help me get through this."; June 16, {I} asked if it was okay to meet all his friends at the movie theater without a parent (teen-age moment).

I think I'll keep going :)

Baby Bear Crochet Hat

This cute little thing literally took about an hour to crochet. Perfect for a quick baby gift!

Free pattern here.

Changes!! Intro to Crochet Class at Harmony

I'm excited to announce that we've made a few changes to the Intro to Crochet class that I'm teaching at Harmony! We've changed the time, the dates AND the cost so hopefully more people will be able to come join in the fun!

We will now be holding the class on Thursday October 4, 11, and 18 from 7:30 to 9:00 pm. The cost will be $45, which includes this charming AND functional muslin project bag (the cost of the class also includes wool yarn to crochet a flower and detailed instructions for crocheting the chevron stripe scarf)!

What students need to bring is a motivated attitude, two skeins of worsted weight yarn, a size K/10.5 (6.5 mm) crochet hook, scissors and a blunt tapestry needle. Harmony is offering students a 10% discount on supplies for the class purchased at the shop!

Don't wait! Call Harmony at 801.615.0268 or visit the shop at 315 E. Center Street in Provo, UT.

Intro to Crochet Class: Chevron Stripe Scarf

The beginning crochet class that I will be teaching is scheduled for 

Tuesday September 25, Thursday September 27, and Saturday September 29 from 4-6 pm 

at Harmony in Provo.

The class cost is $60. Right now you'll need to call or visit the store to sign up. Students will receive a muslin project bag, pattern, yarn to crochet a flower (for the scarf or for something else), and a small class size for lots of one-on-one attention while we cover the basics of chaining, single and double crochet, increasing, decreasing, reading patterns, changing colors, and weaving in ends. 

Students will need to bring two skeins of worsted weight yarn (220 yards), a size K/10.5 (6.5mm) crochet hook, scissors, and a blunt tapestry needle.

recent crochet projects...

Space is limited, so don't wait to sign up!

Learn To Crochet This Chevron Stripe Scarf

As part of the Intro to Crochet class at Harmony, I'll be teaching beginning crochet students how to crochet this darling chevron scarf! We'll cover all the basics in a 6 hour (3 session) class. Learn how to chain, single crochet, double crochet, increase, decrease, change colors, read patterns, and weave in ends.

*Bonus*

I'll also be teaching the students how to adjust the pattern to make an optional buttonhole and crocheted flower to accent their scarf! Wool yarn for the flower will be provided. 

The class is appropriate for motivated 8 year olds and older. It will be a small class so that I can give lots of one-on-one attention to each of the students. It will be so much fun!

If you already know how to crochet and just want to make the scarf, I've adjusted this pattern, making the scarf shorter and wider by beginning the scarf with 167 chain stitches and making 7 rows. I've used worsted weight yarn and a size K/10.5 6.50 mm crochet hook. 

Don't forget that Harmony is opening their doors this Friday and Saturday September 14th & 15th, from 10 am to 8 pm MST. Live music, fun giveaways, gorgeous fabrics, knits, gifts, and sundries, and the lovely Laura Harmon and her daughters will all be there. It is such a darling shop! Go sign up for my class!

Christmas Granny Squares and Harmony in Provo

A brand new fabric, knit, and gift shop is opening in a historic house in downtown Provo this weekend! It's very exciting, especially since I will be teaching some crochet classes in the new shop! Laura Harmon and her amazingly talented daughters are opening up Harmony at 315 E. Center Street in Provo this Friday September 14th.
 

www.harmonyprovo.com

Isn't it kind of funny that during Rivalry Week (BYU plays against the U of U this Saturday in football) that we're going to get some Harmony in Provo??


I'll be teaching an Intro to Crochet class, which will be a small class to allow lots of one-on-one help for beginners, and a Granny Squares class where I'll teach lots of great tricks to update this iconic classic crochet motif! It is going to be so much fun! Stop by this weekend to sign up and check out this amazing new shop.

I've decided to crochet a Christmas Granny Squares afghan as part of the Granny Squares class. The other week {G} was horrified that I had already started planning what I wanted to make for Christmas, but with hand-crafted gifts you have to start early! I'm really, really excited about how this afghan is going to turn out and super excited about Harmony!

Crochet Heirloom Baby Blanket

I've started a new heirloom baby blanket that I plan on donating to our dear friends who are trying to raise money to adopt three orphan siblings from the Ukraine. When it's finished it will be available on their silent auction.

I'm always surprised at how much I enjoy crochet when I return to it! It's so fast and satisfying!

I'm using a 100% mercerized sport weight cotton yarn by Jaeger called Siena that was in my stash. I'm adjusting this pattern, using the main motifs as a smaller center section, then I'll add a wide border to finish.

I woke up early this morning with my fingers itching to keep working on it. That's a good sign that this project will get done quickly!