Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Keep calm and crochet on

About a month ago, I showed you a video in which I was crocheting a baby afghan...
while drinking a glass of red wine. My innocuous pastime caused a bit of a stir 
as a few of you speculated that: 1) I would spill wine all over the afghan before it was done 
and 2) I must be having a baby. May I just say you were wrong on both counts, 
though 1) was a definite possibility and 2) was unfathomable. Hello, I'm almost 61 and don't like most children.

Anyway, during all the high drama of the past few weeks, crocheting has been my go-to stress relief.
I finished the baby afghan and then some. (Please note the absence of any red wine stains.)


Ethel is not having a baby either, though the wife of her son (Ethelette #2) is.


The afghan was finished before the drama was, so then I made a pillow cover.
And then I started looking up crochet patterns and tutorials on Pinterest and YouTube
and now I've turned into a crocheting monster.


This will be another pillow cover. I love this stitch because it has so much texture.
Would you like one for your home? Let's have a contest.
Leave a comment on this post to enter a random drawing for a crocheted-by-Carson
pillow cover, in the colors of the winner's choosing (wine stains not included).
Contest closes Thursday at 7 p.m. Mountain time.
Winner will be announced in Friday's post.


In between pillow covers, I will be making JohnnyCashCat an afghan 
because Smooch refuses to share hers.



71 comments:

  1. The pillow cover is beautiful! We are the same age.....my 60th birthday was a tough one for me.

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  2. Why yes, I would like a pillow like that. I think Johnny needs his own afghan.

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  3. I love that you can crochet, I never learned and at my age (53) am to old and broken by arthritis to try. I'd love a black, red, and gold pillow cover (my farm colors) even if I don't win.

    Emily in NC

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  4. Crochet is, indeed, a great stress reliever! It's mostly brainless (unless one is following a complicated pattern), can be accomplished as a side activity along with watching football or the like, and can be cast aside at any time if one hears something that needs immediate investigation, like a loud crash or bang. For me, the act of crocheting is the objective ... completion of the item in question is secondary.

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  5. Love the color of the new pillow...And the first pillow looks Maavelous!
    Ethel
    ( I'll excuse myself from the contest)

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  6. I love the stitch too and I can't crochet worth a damn, so I'd love one in the same color as the pillow cover you already finished! You do beautiful work. Maybe you can make blankets for the herd when you finish Johnny's!

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  7. I never knew crocheting was so beautiful! Wow!

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  8. Glad you're back. Missed you lots. Great work, Carson.

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  9. Me, me! I'm in, I'm in! (Does that count for a comment?)

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  10. Arts & Crafts are a great stress reliever.
    Congrats on all your finishes :) .... Smooch's blanket looks nice and snuggly.

    Congrats also to Ethel & Family on the soon-to-be grandbaby. She will have quite a story to go along with the baby blanket. A good one for naps and bedtime.

    Please excuse me from the contest, I have plenty of yarn that I should be playing with myself.

    M in NC



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  11. I love that stitch. I must look it up. Great work

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  12. That's a beautiful baby blanket. My grandmother crocheted mine many many years ago and I have only had it out for use in the last few years (I'm 61 also). Always thought it was so delicate and was scared to use it. I look at it every day now and know she was thinking of me when she made it. As for the critters, maybe the boys would enjoy some pretty crochet ear muffs?

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  13. You are a woman of many talents. Thanks for the chance to win one of your pillow covers.

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  14. Is there anyting you can't do? Please pick me! (Shipping overseas will be covered by yours truly, of course ...) So I'm in!

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  15. I don't know how to move things around on the internet. I know, I'm a useless relic. However, there is a picture circulating on Facebook, which I will try and corral one of my young friends to help with this, but you just have to see it. It's a picture of chickens with little sweaters. Just sayin', I think the girls would appreciate little sweaters for the winter!

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  16. I want in! I just learned to knit, looks like I need to learn to crochet too (beautiful work).

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  17. the blanket is beautiful and so is the one that belongs to Smooch. great stress reliever..

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  18. The afghan and pillow cover look beautiful. I would love the chance to win one of your pillow covers. Lynda in Michigan.

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  19. I would love a pillow cover. Maybe I should learn to crochet so I can start to make my own. Until then, I hope I win one from you. Dona Abel

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  20. I'm still hoping Ethel will find a place closer to you.

    I never could keep my knitting stitches even. My only talent is no talent ! :) best wishes from Washington state

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  21. Hey, I'll pass on the contests, but love those covers! I have been thinking of you and the disappointment. I know I would have found it hard. You are a trooper. (BTW I am 61 and can't believe it, but take refuge in fact that 1) my friends are all going thru this and 2) I still think boomers are cool and 3) seem to have kind of accepted aging--at peace w/ it. That's my 2 cents...have a good day. Ann from Maine

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  22. Beautiful work. Looking forward to seeing Johnny's blankie. Now, maybe Lucy needs a blankie, too? When I was young and a "crisis" hit me, I would start to sew and six months later, I would emerge with a new wardrobe.

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  23. I am now convinced that there is nothing you can't do! I prefer mine with the wine stains, thank you :-)

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  24. Northern AB gal12/9/15, 7:11 AM

    Would love to own a Carson original! Count me in.

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  25. I don't blame Smooch for not sharing, that looks comfy. Next up, ear warmers for the gang?

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  26. I love the texture of that stitch, too! Thank you for including it. I have seen posts from people who show their beautiful handwork and then don't share with those of us who can sling a needle! Yea Carson!

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  27. Glad you are channeling your frustration in to something productive and pretty. Lisa G in TN

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  28. Yes, I would like one for my daughter's new home, no, you are not a crochet monster but this lady might well be one http://attic24.typepad.com
    Be sure to finish Johnny's afghan before you make anything else!!!! I love him!
    (Good point about not liking most children)

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  29. That is a pretty cool stitch. Maybe you should do crocheting tutorials for us who want to learn.

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  30. Beautiful work, would love a pillow. Dee

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  31. Wlw! You ARE a crocheting machine! Very pretty. I know Johnny Cash is going to enjoy his just as much as Smooch does hers.

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  32. Thanks for the great laughs this morning. What beautiful work you do! Love the texture of the pillow, and Smooch's afghan is lovely. Can't wait to see the one you make for Johnny. Best to you, Becky

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  33. That purple and teal pillow is so beautiful. I don't have any throw pillows so maybe it's time in my life to start thinking about it.

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  34. I would be so very happy to win a pillow by Carson! Donkey snot and wine stains are fine by me! :-)

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  35. Smooch looks comfortable on that blanket! Very nice work. Sally

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  36. I tried to teach myself crochet once, coudnt get the hang of it... I loooved that pillow when I saw it so would love a crochet item of my very own if I am selected I promise to cherish it :) Laura Balzekas

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  37. A couple years ago a knitted scarves for my sisters and others at Christmas. It was a lot of work but they looked so good when they were done. Yours look really good! Betsy

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  38. Nice work! I see donkey ear muffs in your future! ;) Please count me in!

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  39. oh, that squishy soft pillow looks so divine, I'd love a custom pillow, how special! I'm glad you've found a good stress release, though I wish you weren't so stressed to start with!

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  40. I would so love to learn how to crochet ... I can knit but only the basics, and I want to know how to make those cute little crochet flowers to use as embellishments for other craft projects. But for now, I would also be honored to win a pillow cover ...

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  41. I am just now learning to crochet! My mom can no longer do it and I am trying to take up her legacy (I regret being a stubborn little shit whenever she tried to teach me when I was young, but you can still learn new things at 37 right?) I can make a pretty decent granny square and made a hat for my niece's doll. I'm going to go big and try to tackle a blanket next! I love the stitch you are using and would love to have a pillow cover!

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  42. Love your crocheting skills! My colors are ocean blues - love the combination!

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  43. Me, I'm a knitter. So I would love to win something crocheted.

    I can't believe that no one has mentioned Ravelry (http://www.ravelry.com/) It's an online community with thousands of members, patterns, discussion groups, you name it. A great resource. You do have to register to participate, but I've never received any spam from it.

    Julia

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  44. OH sooooo easy...lady you are deeply in need of WWW.Ravelry.com! I haven't read any other comments, but I'm sure you have been told about it. I knit and crochet for Vanderbilt Hospital's Chemo Caps and also for,Project Linus. I taught a friend how to crochetand I have created a "monnnsssttteeerrr" Beautiful work, btw!

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    1. Uh-oh. You and Julia have just fed the monster with that ravelry.com link.

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  45. Can I request a horse on the pattern? :-)
    Anna Galentine

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  46. I can knit but can't crochet, Carson. I'd love to win one of your pillow covers if I'm lucky enough...in ecru, please. Thanks a bunch.

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  47. Gosh, is there anything you cannot do? You really amaze me. I am with you on the children front. I prefer fur and feather critters. Happy Hump Day!

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  48. If I didn't have arthritis in my hands, I'd love to crochet - one of my few regrets is that I sent to the thrift store a beautiful colourful crocheted bedspread my mother had made for me countless years ago - it had become very 'pilled' - and how I wish I had it back. So a crocheted cushion cover in bright red and/or yellow would make me smile and think of her every day. (PS. my 7MSN calendar arrived yesterday and I LOVE it!). Jean B in Canada

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  49. I tried to learn crochet once, I made a chain and then, well, it all fell apart :) I second the ravelry suggestion, my co-worker loves to crochet is a huge fan of that website!

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  50. Expecting a granddaughter in 3 months, so this would be a great gift! Love your blog and read it daily. Merry Christmas!

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  51. I used to do both, crochet and knit. Knitting is first love. Have been playing with idea of knitting one of those Irish clan scarves or throws. With the last name Bryan, why not? We have a little shop downtown called The Woolery. I do not need a pillow cover but love seeing what you have already made. Not an entry.

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  52. For enough crochet patterns to last you a lifetime, plus all sorts of other fun yarny stuff, go to Ravelry.com. OMG. Heaven for anyone who knits or crochets.
    I do both but would still love a 7MSN pillow. Prolly in a celery green.

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  53. You know what is really funny? I work in child welfare and i don't care much for kids either! HA! I am not crafty at all but I can bake up a storm.

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  54. I would love a pillow!!! I think crochet is so pretty! marsha@tubbslanefarm.com

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  55. Ha! Too funny. When I saw the picture of your pillow I actually said out loud, eww...I'd love one of those, and lo and behold as I kept reading you are giving one away. Let's hope my good juju holds up and I win! =o)

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  56. Hoping another opportunity happens for you and Ethel to be neighbors. Like your dad said, (and I truly believe) everything happens for a reason. Perhaps the prospective property is a future tornado magnet. Or it's sitting over a massive pre-sinkhole.

    A 7MSN pillow would look great on my sofa ;D

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  57. WOW!! I love the colors in the finished one, gorgeous! I would love to have one, but the colors would need to be burgundy and green. But no worries - I never win anything...LOL! Yvonne in WV

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  58. An American in Tokyo12/9/15, 5:49 PM

    Oooo!! Very nice work!!
    I would LOVE to have a pillow cover, personally made by you! What a great Christmas that would be!
    I think you already have my email address, too! hee hee =D

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  59. I would love to win a pillow cover! I love the stitch in that last one - with the texture! My colors would be white and green! Love it! Thank you for the chance!

    Amber

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  60. very nice textured stitch indeed. dont count me in because I live too far and my cat will take it for himself. Yes to a JohnnyCasgCat afghan (green, it will suit him so nicely)

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  61. Man 'o man! I would love that blue and white baby you whipped up. I think needlework is a great stress reliever! Aunt Jean

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  62. I love those pillow covers, they're great! I know what you mean about stress relief - I'm a knitter and I become soooo productive in times of stress! It's better than booze. :)

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  63. Excellent hobby! Love the pillow covers

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  64. I wait anxiously to see the herd in scarves and the chickens in hats! I would love a pillow cover in shades of cranberry; my favorite color.

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    1. or chickens in jumpers, it will be nice too!

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  65. Me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me!

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  66. Mornin' Carson,
    Love that pattern. Does it have a name? I would love something you made, but just glad that you love crocheting though, as opposed to a lot of other troubles you could get into out of boredom or frustration, lol. I think of your Dad's saying a lot lately as we too are going through a serious medical crisis with some friends of ours. Take care Carson, sending hugs to you and yours from way North of civilization on Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada. Been a follower of your site for a very long time now.
    My name happens to be Linda too.

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  67. I would love a crocheted-by-Carson pillow cover! Wine stains would make it even more special. :)

    Kendra

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  68. Karen K in Portland12/10/15, 6:06 PM

    Trying to get my comment in just in time! I'm 60 years old today and I don't like most children either, but I do love pillows covers! I never mastered the art of crochet or knitting. My "projects" always turn out like mangled webs of yarn. Yours are lovely!

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  69. I would love this pillar cover in soft blues. Please pick me.

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