Cakes from Yarn Winder

Here is a picture of what a "cake" looks like from my Royal Yarn Winder. It is a cylinder shape so it doesn't roll around and pulls from the center very nicely.

When I wound my own yarn, I pulled the yarn so tightly it usually became odd after a while. The yarn winder does a great job of keeping the yarn loose enough not to ruin it but tight enough the cake stays together. I love mine!

WIP: Queen-sized Bedspread

About 5 years ago, I started a queen-sized bedspread and continue working on it over time. It is nearly done; only about 6-8 more inches left on the bottom. I plan on creating box corners so it becomes a fitted bedspread.

The yarn is Red Heart "Linen" #o330 and I'm using an H hook. The stitches are the Half-Double Crochet and the Slip Stitch. It is an easy pattern and the only problem has been the sheer size of it. Difficult to manage in my chair or on the couch. I've recently draped it over the dining room table and crochet while standing. Since I am very short, I can lean over the table and rest on it while hooking. When I turn the corner (so to speak) I walk around to the other side of the table and continue. Rather than turning the bedspread, I turn myself!

Because I've had problems before with colors being discontinued when I needed another skein or two, I over-purchased the yarn and still have about 12 skeins of RH #0330 in the Super Saver size. There is still the edging to do and I haven't chosen one, yet. Jean Leinhauser's book "50 Crocheted Afghan Borders" by Leisure Arts will be my inspiration.

FO: New Totebag

Finally, a new post. I wanted to wait until I had something finished so here it is. Patti Jo Kemp from the Crochet Partners list had a totebag that I loved. She sent me the pattern (which she improvised from) and that was my guideline, too.

This was so easy to do (single crochet all the way for me) and came out really well. The yarn is Red Heart "Warm Brown" #0336 and Red Heart "Painted Desert" #E300. The hook was size G. I reinforced the bottom with some plastic canvas and the handles with some leather shoestrings.