Show -N- Tell

  This is Sara's Floppy Sun Hat. She made her's a little larger by starting with 8 puff stitches instead of 6 and adjusting the pattern as necessary. I know some people were saying that the hat was coming out too small so, here's proof that starting with more puff stitches can work well to make it a bigger size. Also, if you still feel like you're making baby hats, make sure that starting in round 5, you are adding an extra chain between the puff stitches. It will feel like you are chaining 2. Thank you for the picture, Sara! It looks great!

Sara's Floppy

 I love seeing finished products from my patterns. If you want to be featured on my blog with your finished items, just shoot me an email. If you don't want to be featured but still want to send me pics, that's great too! Just let me know in the email if you want me to post your pics or not.

daperfectmix@gmail.com

I am a Zumbaholic

  I have to admit, I am addicted to Zumba. I love to dance. I used to go out to clubs, but I'm too old for the drama that goes along with going out. Zumba is perfect for me. I can dance and get a good workout at the same time. I love the music. I wish I would have thought of it a long time ago so I too could be reaping the benefits of this worldwide craze! I'm still happy just dancing in a class though.

  My cousin got his Zumba license recently. He asked me if I wanted to make a video with him to submit to Dizzy Feet Foundation for National Dance Day. All he had to say was ZUMBA! So that's how I spent my weekend. I learned the coreography for the Zumba song and the rest is history. I meant to bring my digital camcorder, but ended up forgetting it so we had to work with what we had, which wasn't much. Tell me what you think!

  For more information on National Dance Day, visit dizzyfeetfoundation.org. It's not too late to participate!!

Fire Cracker Mesh Bag Pattern

  This bag can be made with any worsted weight yarn, nylon, or twine. It would make a great beach bag, or make it longer to carry your yoga mat. It could even be a laundry bag. Whatever you want to use it for. The strap makes it easy and comfortable to wear. Mix and match your favorite colors or just make it in a solid color.

Materials:

• size L crochet hook
• size I crochet hook
• worsted weight yarn, colors A, B, and C
• yarn needle for fastening off

Abbreviations:

• ch = chain
• sl st = slip stitch
• dc = double crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• sp = space
• rep = repeat

Instructions:

Mesh Bag:

 Note: You will join to the top of first chain at the end of every round. 

 With color A and size L hook, ch 4 and join to make a ring.

Rnd 1: ch 2 (counts as first dc), 9 dc in ring, join in top of ch 2 (10 dc)

Rnd 2: sl st in next sp between dc, ch2, dc in same sp, 2dc in between each dc around, join (20dc)

Rnd 3: sl st in next sp between dc, ch2, dc in same sp, *dc in next sp, 2dc in next sp*, rep around (30dc)

Rnd 4: sl st in next sp between dc, ch2, dc in same sp, *dc in next 2 sp, 2 dc in next sp*, rep around (40dc)

Rnd 5: sl st in next sp between dc, ch3, *dc in next sp, ch1*, rep around, join (40dc)

Rnd 6: sl st in next sp between dc, ch4, *dc in next sp, ch2*, rep around, join(40dc)

Rnd 7-12: repeat round 6

Rnd 13-14: change to color B, repeat round 6

Rnd 15-27: change to color C, repeat round 6

Rnd 28: ch2, *2hdc in next sp, 1hdc in next dc* rep around, join, fasten off.

Drawstring:

 With color B and size I hook, ch about 200. (This can be longer or shorter depending on your preference). Trim ends evenly

Weave the chain in and out of the hdc round of bag. 

Shoulder Strap:

 With color B and size I hook, join yarn in a sp on the top of the 5th round of bag (bottom), on the opposite side of your drawstring opening. (You can adjust your drawstring if it isn't exact.)

Row 1: ch2, hdc in same space, *hdc in next sp* 7 times, ch2 turn (9hdc)

Row 2: hdc in each hdc across, ch2 turn

Row 3: hdc in back loop only of each hdc across, ch2 turn

Row 4-40: repeat row 3

Join in top of last dc round of bag (row 27), sc across hdc of strap and in the spaces between dc of bag

Fasten off and weave in ends.


Enjoy your new bag!

bottom of strap

top of strap

I'd love to see your finished projects! I can even feature them on my blog if you'll allow it. Just email the pics to daperfectmix@gmail.com. If you don't want the pics to be on the blog, just let me know, but I would still like to see your projects.

~daperfectmix

Refashioned Army Shirt

  I took one of my old Army tee shirts and made a cute tank for Isabel. She's actually wearing this in my last post. We had ourselves a little photo shoot and just got everything photographed.
  This shirt was simple. First I cut the sleeves off, a few snips across the top to square it off, then fold it over and sew to make a casing for the straps. I cut the hem off of the bottom to use for the straps. Thread through and tie together. I cut a slit on each side at the bottom and tied the ends together to make it a little more fitted.

Back to the Grind

  After two weeks of vacation, it's back to the hustle and bustle of everyday life, back to metro area traffic, and back to work. I still haven't really gotten back into the swing of things. It's my second day back to work and I'm ready for another vacation. I need to go back to looking forward to the weekends.

  On our long drive down to Florida, I did manage to make a few things. I only brought four different color yarns, so they are all the same colors. I chose these colors because the first project that I wanted to make was this tam for the 4th of July. I'm not sure if I like the drawstring, I think a solid color might look better. Or maybe I should just use elastic instead.

  
  I really like how this bag came out. If made with nylon or twine, it would be a perfect beach bag. I actually managed to write down the pattern for this one so look out for that soon.

Show -N- Tell

  I haven't had a show and tell in a while. I got this email while I was on vacation from Lynette in Puerto Rico. She made her floppy sun hat using twine from a hardware store. It came out beautiful and she said people can't believe she made it herself!  Thanks for the picture Lynette!

Lynette's Floppy

  I love seeing finished products from my patterns. If you want to be featured on my blog with your finished items, just shoot me an email. If you don't want to be featured but still want to send me pics, that's great too! Just let me know in the email if you want me to post your pics or not.

daperfectmix@gmail.com

Tyndall Beach, FL

  My kids found some cool shells and sand dollars in the low tide of Tyndall Beach. This beach is beautiful and secluded. The sand is so white, my three year old said it looked like snow. I only had my cell phone so I don't have many good pictures yet. I do plan on going back before we leave to get some better pictures. Hmmm, what kind of crafts can I make with shells and sand dollars? Isn't nature beautiful?