2 months - AHHHH!!

2/11/16!!  February 11th!!  That's the last date I posted.  I'm such a slacker and I feel horrible!

Bear goes next week for laser eye surgery thanks to the lovely military.  He is excited and I can't wait because that's all I've been hearing about for the last 3 weeks since they approved his request.  I have a few patterns that I have finished and thought I would share, but not all at once.  Patience.

First, I love water and It Works products.  Both go hand in hand and I feel better, I have more energy, I feel better, not sluggish or empty.  I have my Contigo water bottle and I am in love with it.  It is the Cortland style, I find the one with the straw to be to forced and it requires a lot of draw to get the water.  I like to add ice before I leave for work and by the time I get to work, its cold, but not so cold I can't drink it.......I have overly sensitive teeth.  The sweating was driving me bonkers soooo I sat down one day and made a cozy for it.

Contigo Cortland Water Bottle Cozy.

SC: Single Crochet
DC: Double crochet
HDC: Half Double Crochet

I prefer a magic loop, but you can also start with a chain 5 and join tog.
DC 20 in the loop.
2 DC in each dc,
Now you have the base.

SC in the top loop of each all the way around and join tog to create the start of the sleeve
 Chain 1 and HDC in each stitch and join tog at end.

Continue until tall enough to cover the water bottle.  I found usually 33 rows does it.

To Create the security loop to hold up:
SC for 3 stitches.
HDC for 15 rows.  Secure where you feel works best for you when you insert the water bottle.

ENJOY!!!

Any questions feel free to ask.  I used 100% cotton yarn so it absorbs better but you can use any yarn you feel comfortable with.  It will stretch but after washing, especially if you use cotton it will shrink back down.

Thank fully for those waiting for the other patterns that I perfected in the 2 month hiatus, I will have my computer with me with we go for Bear's laser eye surgery next week since I have an Itworks online party to do while we are down there.  I will post one next week - oh no! - you might have to stay tuned! and another the week after.

If anyone is interested in joining the Itworks party, comment below (I have to approve it being posted, so if your concerned others will see, don't be) and I can find you on facebook and invite you so that you can learn more.  No harm in learning more and you don't have to commit to purchase.  Simply learn.  Or you can simply visit my ItWorks! Page to see and learn more.

It's been a long while.....

Its been over a year and a lot has gone on.  My friend found out she was pregnant and I took it upon myself to make the baby a blanket she could grow into.  I have been working on a large (I think I bit off more than I could handle) project for her, and its taking a lot (I started it last march - so almost a year ago) of time!!!  More on that later :)

What else is new???   I learned how to make I-cord and have been making it like there is no tomorrow.  Now I can't stop making it!!!  It knits up quick, and it uses up those yarn left overs ( you know you have those) from previous projects that you have just laying around, that if your like you, you just can't throw out.  You can do SOOOO much with I-cord.  If you do a search for it you find scarves,  necklaces, and it being used as an appliqué.  I've found some new ways that you can't really find when you search what to do with this long "useless" cord.  I got a new Chihuahua puppy, and he LOVES to play tug, unfortunately his mouth doesn't fit those gigantic tug toys.  I make a cord about a yard long and make a sailor's knot in the center and he is able to pull one end while I hold on to the other.  He is in love with it.  We got him some squeaky toys, a few rope toys, but as soon as his homemade toy comes out, the other toys no longer exist.

I have also found I cord makes a perfect replacement for those hoodie strings that get pulled out.  Choose color, make cord, attach safety pin, feed through hole and hood until at other side, pull until even on either side, and remove safety pin!  I made a knot in both ends so that I wouldn't loose the new 'string'.

My last discovery???  YARN!!!!  Chunky yarn knits are becoming more and more popular these days and the yarn to make them isn't cheap to purchase either.  Make your own icord, and use it as a super chunky yarn!  It works AMAZING!  I would recommend using a larger knitting needle or crochet hook.  If you can't find ones at your local craft store check out Go-Girl Knitting's Giant's collection.  This is where my friends blanket comes in.  I am knitting I-cord and crocheting it into a blanket.  Its larger than I planned - its fits in width on a queen size bed - and I have about 2 feet crocheted in length.  While the I-cord knits up quick it takes a little bit longer to crochet it into the project.  I've worked on it as much as possible - ran out of yarn a few times and couldn't get to the craft store for day or two - took a few mini vacations - went out with friends - also working full time doesn't aid in the process - so about 2-3 hours a night - 5 nights a week makes 10-15 hours a week.  I wouldn't recommend making such a large project.  I'm thinking about a scarf or cowl for the next project once this is done.

Don't want to make your own i-cord or your own project?  Visit here.  They make i-cord and can work with you for a specific color and length if you can't find anything you like.

Have an idea how to use i-cord??  POST IT!!  I would love to hear your creative ideas :)