Thursday, March 26, 2020

Isolation Blossom Blanket CAL (Crochet-A-Long) | Week 1 - Blossoms and Leaves | Supporting COVID-19 Relief

The Isolation Blossom Crochet-A-Long (CAL)
supporting COVID-19 relief,
has begun.
Week 1 pattern - (Blossom and Leaves) has been sent out to the participants.


 This week we will be making 24 of these:

It's never too late to join in on the CAL!


Here is all the information you need to help you get started:

By making a monetary donation greater than the equivalent of $10 USD to a COVID-19 charity of your choice
 or identifying an at-risk individual or center to receive the blanket upon completion, 
you will receive six weekly pattern steps for the CAL through *April 30, 2020.

Please note: Donations can be made to any community/country or to a global fund if preferred.
Please also note: If you are an at-risk individual, please find comfort in making this blanket for yourself.

Additionally, a Facebook Group has been created for CAL support and sharing:
"Isolation Blossom Blanket CAL (Crochet-A-Long)"
 and can be found by clicking here.

To receive the free weekly pattern steps, please send me an email (astri.bowlin@gmail.com) 
stating that you donated to a charity or your intentions for gifting the finished blanket (or both 😉). 
Beginning on Thursday, March 26, 2020, and each consecutive Thursday until April 30, 2020,
you will receive the next step to complete the blanket via email.

The finished project is approximately 33" by 39" (84 cm x 99 cm) which
is a good size for a lap blanket and a perfect size to create the warmth and love
 of some healing energy.
You are welcome to join in for some "therapeutic group crochet"
 while so many are socially isolated.

If you are interested in joining in,
here is some information to help you prepare for the first step of the pattern:

A few words about the yarn...
If you are in a position to purchase yarn for this project; here are a few color recommendations:
Green yarn for the leaf round seems to really flatter the blossoms.
White or cream yarn as a background color (granny rounds, squares, and triangles)
has been a popular choice.
Complimentary colors or staying in the same color families also yields an eye-catching result.
Including the recipient's favorite colors is always received with gratitude.

Since this blanket has so many color combination possibilities,
it also makes a great stash-buster. Using random colors makes for a beautiful work of art.

A few words about that stash...

Perhaps you are someone who is wondering what to do with the ever-increasing mounds of leftover yarn. 
So difficult to discard...memories of beloved projects and gifts from the heart; made with love. 
Maybe this yarn; inherited yarn, yarn from that memorable purchase,
or a yarny gift to you that's been waiting for the perfect project or time. 
Could this be the time? 
Certainly, this yarn possesses an energy that new yarn might not otherwise possess. 
Could this blanket carry triple love energy? 
Love from past projects. 
Love with each stitch of this blanket. 
Loving hope for relief for those suffering from the current global challenges.

If this is good timing for you, please join us...

Helping them, helping us...

I look forward to connecting with you here, on Facebook or Instagram.
#isolationblossomblanket

Warmly,

Astri

P.S. If you are interested in this pattern, but this is not the right timing for you to participate
and you would prefer to purchase the pattern instead, or you have come across this CAL after
*April 30, 2020, the pattern is available as the "Blush Blossom Baby Blanket" at the following Apple Blossom Dream's Shops:

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Isolation Blossom Blanket CAL (Crochet-A-Long) | Test Squares Cushion | Supporting COVID-19 Relief

In gearing up for the Isolation Blossom Crochet-A-Long (CAL)
supporting COVID-19 relief,
beginning Thursday, March 26, 2020,
the pattern has been tested and through this process 
extra test squares were piling up so...
they were turned into a cushion for my studio chair:

It's not too late to join in on the CAL - it starts tomorrow!

 
Here is the information for the CAL from a previous post:


By making a monetary donation greater than the equivalent of $10 USD to a COVID-19 charity of your choice
 or identifying an at-risk individual or center to receive the blanket upon completion, 
you will receive six weekly pattern steps for the CAL through *April 30, 2020.

Please note: Donations can be made to any community/country or to a global fund if preferred.
Please also note: If you are an at-risk individual, please find comfort in making this blanket for yourself.

Additionally, a Facebook Group has been created for CAL support and sharing:
"Isolation Blossom Blanket CAL (Crochet-A-Long)"
 and can be found by clicking here.

To receive the free weekly pattern steps, please send me an email (astri.bowlin@gmail.com) 
stating that you donated to a charity or your intentions for gifting the finished blanket (or both 😉). 
Beginning on Thursday, March 26, 2020, and each consecutive Thursday until April 30, 2020,
you will receive the next step to complete the blanket via email.

The finished project is approximately 33" by 39" (84 cm x 99 cm).
It is a good size for a lap blanket; with hopes to wrap someone in warmth and love
 and possibly a little healing energy.
You are welcome to join in for some "therapeutic group crochet"
 while so many are socially isolated.

If you are interested in joining in,
here is some information to help you prepare for the first step of the pattern:

A few words about the yarn...
If you are in a position to purchase yarn for this project; here are a few color recommendations:
Green yarn for the leaf round seems to really flatter the blossoms.
White or cream yarn as a background color (granny rounds, squares, and triangles)
has been a popular choice.
Complimentary colors or staying in the same color families also yields an eye-catching result.
Including the recipients favorite colors is always received with gratitude.

Since this blanket has so many color combination possibilities,
it also makes a great stash-buster. Using random colors makes for a beautiful work of art.

A few words about that stash...

Perhaps you are someone who is wondering what to do with the ever-increasing mounds of leftover yarn. 
So difficult to discard...memories of beloved projects and gifts from the heart; made with love. 
Maybe this yarn; inherited yarn, yarn from that memorable purchase,
or a yarny gift to you that's been waiting for the perfect project or time. 
Could this be the time? 
Certainly, this yarn possesses an energy that new yarn might not otherwise possess. 
Could this blanket carry triple love energy? 
Love from past projects. 
Love with each stitch of this blanket. 
Loving hope for relief for those suffering from the current global challenges.

If this is good timing for you, please join us...

Helping them, helping us...

I look forward to connecting with you here, on Facebook or Instagram.
#isolationblossomblanket

Warmly,

Astri

P.S. If you are interested in this pattern, but this is not the right timing for you to participate
and you would prefer to purchase the pattern instead, or you have come across this CAL after
*April 30, 2020, the pattern is available as the "Blush Blossom Baby Blanket" at the following Apple Blossom Dream's Shops:

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Isolation Blossom Blanket CAL (Crochet-A-Long) | Supporting COVID-19 Relief

You are cordially invited to a Crochet-A-Long (CAL)
supporting COVID-19 relief,
beginning Thursday, March 26, 2020


By making a monetary donation greater than the equivalent of $10 USD to a COVID-19 charity of your choice
 or identifying an at-risk individual or center to receive the blanket upon completion, 
you will receive six weekly pattern steps for the CAL through *April 30, 2020.

Please note: Donations can be made to any community/country or to a global fund if preferred.
Please also note: If you are an at-risk individual, please find comfort in making this blanket for yourself.

Additionally, a Facebook Group has been created for CAL support and sharing:
"Isolation Blossom Blanket CAL (Crochet-A-Long)"
 and can be found by clicking here.

To receive the free weekly pattern steps, please send me an email (astri.bowlin@gmail.com) 
stating that you donated to a charity or your intentions for gifting the finished blanket (or both 😉). 
Beginning on Thursday, March 26, 2020, and each consecutive Thursday until April 30, 2020,
you will receive the next step to complete the blanket via email.

The finished project is approximately 33" by 39" (84 cm x 99 cm).
It is a good size for a lap blanket; with hopes to wrap someone in warmth and love
 and possibly a little healing energy.
You are welcome to join in for some "therapeutic group crochet"
 while so many are socially isolated.

If you are interested in joining in,
here is some information to help you prepare for the first step of the pattern:

A few words about the yarn...
If you are in a position to purchase yarn for this project; here are a few color recommendations:
Green yarn for the leaf round seems to really flatter the blossoms.
White or cream yarn as a background color (granny rounds, squares, and triangles)
has been a popular choice.
Complimentary colors or staying in the same color families also yields an eye-catching result.
Including the recipients favorite colors is always received with gratitude.

Since this blanket has so many color combination possibilities,
it also makes a great stash-buster. Using random colors makes for a beautiful work of art.

A few words about that stash...

Perhaps you are someone who is wondering what to do with the ever-increasing mounds of leftover yarn. 
So difficult to discard...memories of beloved projects and gifts from the heart; made with love. 
Maybe this yarn; inherited yarn, yarn from that memorable purchase,
or a yarny gift to you that's been waiting for the perfect project or time. 
Could this be the time? 
Certainly, this yarn possesses an energy that new yarn might not otherwise possess. 
Could this blanket carry triple love energy? 
Love from past projects. 
Love with each stitch of this blanket. 
Loving hope for relief for those suffering from the current global challenges.

If this is good timing for you, please join us...

Helping them, helping us...

I look forward to connecting with you here, on Facebook or Instagram.
#isolationblossomblanket

Warmly,

Astri

P.S. If you are interested in this pattern, but this is not the right timing for you to participate
and you would prefer to purchase the pattern instead, or you have come across this CAL after
*April 30, 2020, the pattern is available as "The Blush Blossom Baby Blanket" at the following Apple Blossom Dream's Shops:

Sunday, March 15, 2020

Apple Blossom Dreams Afghan Banner | Lazy Sunday Activity

This is the Apple Blossom Dreams "Flagship" Afghan:
On this lazy Sunday afternoon, I've been fiddling around with this afghan
 as I figured it should be included in the banner for the 
Apple Blossom Dreams Etsy Shop, 
being that it's the flagship afghan and all. 
🌸😉🌸

I could not decide which banner to use:
Which one do you like?

One has been uploaded, but I'm not quite sure about it...

And the "flagship" pattern, of course, is available on Etsy



Thank you for joining me and
Warmly,

Astri

Monday, March 9, 2020

Mother-Daughter | Knit-Crochet | Dishcloths

Mor Mor (Mother's Mother...my mom...she's a very young 85.)
mails knit washcloths my way for me to add a bit of a crocheted border.
(She's so good about sending my "colors.")

It's a fun collaboration of our favorite hobbies.
Mostly I add a picot edge,
 and occasionally a shell edge
(as pictured above and below in the middle).
She knits with various 100% cotton yarn and
I crochet with 100% cotton Scheepjes Catona yarn for the border/edge.
To find shops to purchase this super-duper yarn,
please check out my friend's website by

Please note, that at this time, I am not affiliated with this company, but I love their yarn! 

I hope you've noticed that I don't run ads or affiliations on my site,
in hopes this speeds up the processing of the information you seek.

This may change in the future, but so far since 2011, that's how it's been.


All and all it's a lot of
Happy Knitting and

Warmly,

Astri


Friday, March 6, 2020

Granny Rose Pom-Pom Pillows | Crochet Pattern | Listed

Yay!
Finally, after nearly three months of working on the
Granny Rose Pom-Pom Pillows
Crochet Pattern
it has been listed,


and the pattern can be found by clicking on the following
Apple Blossom Dreams Shops


The pattern includes information to make two different pom-pom borders... 

and two different color schemes are outlined:
     
The backs are a large granny square:
 
This has been an awesome opportunity to use up some of that Stylecraft Special DK and 
Scheepjes Colour Crafter yarn I resolved to reduce as a part of a 2020 New Year resolution: 
To find shops to purchase this super-duper yarn,
please check out my friend's website by

Please note, that at this time, I am not affiliated with these companies, but I love their yarn! 

I hope you've noticed that I don't run ads or affiliations on my site,
in hopes this speeds up the processing of the information you seek.

This may change in the future, but for the last ten years, that's how it's been.


This pattern definitely fell in the category of 
and I hope it will for you as well!

Warmly,

Astri