Ann Leach

We live in a world of SO MUCH stuff. It's overwhelming just how much stuff there is in our world, at least in the US part of the world. Yesterday, I had a couple of hours to kill, and because my husband and I have decided we would prefer to furnish our home with antiques, I decided to take a walk through the local antiques mall. The antiques mall is in an old building downtown that used to be a JCPenney, so if you're familiar with the JCPenney stores of the 1970s and before, you'll know what I mean when I say it's big, really big, as in 3 floors of stalls of antiques. And the antiques range as far as they can from crochet-edged hankies to pyrex bowls to cast iron hand pumps to hoosier cupboards. Truly, if you're looking for a specific item, and you're willing to spend the time, you'll find it in this store. So much stuff.  Most of it just sits there, collecting dust. Like wall-hanging thread holder which I first spotted the first time I w...

Crochet Dishcloths, Rice Bags Sewn, Socks Repaired (not darned - I don't do darning) Creating things makes me feel better. I mean really, a lot better. So I've dusted off the crochet hooks and the sewing machine, and I've gotten busy. It's not a lot, not really. But it's a start. Some variegated green crochet dishcloths And some variegated bright pink crochet dishcloths And some rice bags, using up some leftover frog fabric - ribbit ribbit. I'll tell you that I've always used these warmed, but learned recently that they can also be stored in the freezer for when an ice pack is needed. I love multi-use, don't you? On the marker board in the dining/sewing room, I've been making notes of other projects I'd like to make in the near future. Ready? Set. Sew!!

Crochet dishcloths made from Sugar & Cream yarn Using a medium, 4, worsted, 4-ply weight yarn and a G hook, I made these dishcloths -- This photo shows how the chain end will look after crocheting the SC into the back loop of the CH. It creates a finished edge without having to back and finishing the edge. CH 17, turn. Row 1 - Skip the first CH, then SC into the back loop of each CH across. Turn. Row 2 - SC in first SC. DC in next SC. Alternate SC and DC all the way across. Turn. Row 3 - SC in first DC. DC in first SC. Alternate SC and DC all the way across. Turn. Row 4 thru 16 - Repeat row 4 eleven times. Turn. Row 17 - SC in every stitch across and tie off.  This photo shows the texture created by alternating SC and DC in each row. Note: I used no turning stitches at the end of each row. Doing this, squared up my dishcloths to a 4" x 4" size, and kept the edges tight. If you have any questions about my pattern, please ask in the comme...