Spring

Spring is a special time for me. It always has been. Even when I lived in Arizona and spring wasn't a huge transition from winter, I still craved it. Craved the grass turning to shades of green and the exploding pink blossoms on the trees where my family attended church every Sunday. In fact I have very vivid dear memories, of climbing those trees and surrounding myself in warm spring sunshine and pink blossoms all around.

As a mother I find I crave spring even more. Winter means spending most of my time cooped up indoors with my son. Cooped up Calvin is a recipe for disaster. Sleep schedules are never as easy in the dark winter months as they are during the warm months in Indiana when I can insure that he is outside almost every day, running and jumping and being a happy little boy.

We went to a park today and walked around. My son helped me smell flowers and demanded that I help him climb a tree.

 (Sorry kid, your mom has short arms and couldn't lift you high enough, but thanks for the heart palpitations.) We looked at the water together and ducks and I got to look at the green world through his young eyes. This summer my son will be three years old. Watching the grass thrive in the first true wet and windy Indiana spring since the year he was born has made this year more dear to me somehow. Since before my son was born my small family is actually thriving along with the daffodils and tulips I so love to see bloom each year. And I realize I have a lot to be thankful for.

Every time my son runs ahead of me, which happens a lot since he is faster than I my heart skips into my throat. I worry every time he stands on a staircase or climbs up high on the perilous park play equipment. Usually I am rewarded with a very proud shout of 'I did it!' but sometimes still he falls. He still needs magical healing mommy kisses and huggles when the world turns out to be a little harsher than he thought it would be. I hope that I will always be there for him. I hope he will always want me there for him.

I did not ask for a child, we weren't planning on having one for several years if ever. But still every night when I pray before bed, I find myself thankful for a son like Calvin. No matter what he did that day. And usually there was at least one altercation, I find that I love him more than I thought it would be possible to love such a dirty little snot-faced kid.

Spring, like almost nothing else makes me incredibly sappy. So sorry if this was a little too rubbishly sentimental, but I felt like writing it and it feels good. It felt good to spend another day with my boys. And it felt good to feel the sun on my face again.

Fort Day

So yesterday I had a scare. My son almost fell out of our second story window because he didn't listen when I told him the first time he shouldn't hit the screen. Disaster was averted (obviously) but I still felt like today Calvin and I should have some bonding/creating time.

My son and I love creating stuff; especially when we are recycling. Or as Calvin says; 'fixing', Today we 'fixed' his old playpen.

From this

 to this

Super easy and fun project to do with a little toddler. Our playpen was a really cheap one from a store ending in 'mart' from when he was little. It had been used for sleepovers at grandma's before he slept in a real  bed. He's been sleeping in a real bed for a while now and this playpen has just been taking up room in our van. Calvin LOVES to hide and play in dark spaces. First we 'cleaned' up his room first. (Calvin cleaning still involves mostly mommy cleaning at this point, but he's getting better)

Then we pulled the playpen in from the car and set it up.
Here's Calvin ready to start helping.

The old mesh even had a big hole in one side to help us get started, but mesh is super easy to cut. Just stick your scissors in anywhere and get started cutting!

Either start a hole in the middle and cut up to the top or sides and cut along the inside of the mesh. Proper supervision is important!

Cut out all of the mesh and then vacuum (you will have fluff!!)

Set up as normal with the bottom in and as pillows/toys as desired and drape your new tent frame with blankets.

Now have fun playing peek a boo!!

Tie-On Beard

The tie on beard is great for the lumberjack in all of us! It provides instant warmth for cold cheeks and chins in the chilly weather; and shaving it off is easy! Simply untie the chords and remove the beard for later use! 

Pattern Notes: 

            Of course you can use whatever yarn you want for this beard, however I have found that boucle yarns work the best. The yarn almost felts with itself as you crochet to hide the stitch definition and gives the beard a much better look. Most of the sizing provided with this pattern involves moving your crochet hook size up or down but there is a smaller pattern at the end for the size of newborn to about 12 months. This beard works as a tie on beard; that is you will crochet ties onto the ends of your beard to pull the beard up past your ears and tie it on top of your head. This beard works well worn when under a hat or snowmobiling helmet, etc.

Notions;

            100 yds (usually less) of boucle yarn, Bernat Soft boucle works well

            Crochet Hook; I, J, K

            Scissors

Some Notes on Sizing;

            For an adult beard; use your K hook. For a young adult or a ladies beard use your J hook. For a child’s beard, 2 years old to about 10; use your I hook. For a baby beard see pattern addendum at end of this pattern.

Pattern;

            Ch 35, sc in second chain from hook and in each chain down. ( Take your time with boucle yarn, this is fuzzy and it is hard sometimes to see exactly where you should be placing your hook, also working with a lot of light will save you headaches and heartache.) Ch1 and turn, NOTE- at the end of every row you will Ch1 and turn.

Row 1- sc in each stitch across

Row 2- sc dec over first 2 stitches, sc in each stitch to last 2 stitches, sc dec

Row 3- repeat previous row

Row 4- sc in next 5 stitches, hdc in next stitch, dc in next 18 stitches, hdc in next stitch, sc in next 5 stitches

Row 5- Repeat previous row

Row 6- sc in next 8 stitches, sc dec over next 2 stitches, dc in next 10 stitch, sc dec over next 2 stitches, sc in next 8 stitches

Row 7- sc in next 7 stitches, sc dec over next 2 stitches, dc in next 10 stitches, sc dec over next 2 stitches, sc in next 7 stitches

Row 8- sc in next 8 stitches, hdc in next stitch, ch 8 and skip next 8 stitches, hdc in next stitch, sc in next 8 stitches

Row 9- sc dec over first 2 stitches, sc in next 5 stitches, 3 dc in next stitch, 8 hdc over chain, 3 dc in next stitch, sc in next 5 stitches, sc dec over last 2 stitches.

Slip stitch loosely around your beard and break your yarn. Weave in your co tail and your end tail loosely. On one side of your beard, join the yarn to one side of the beard and chain 35. In second chain from hook, sc. In the next 27 chains slip stitch. Chain six and join it to the side of your beard but lower down from your first chain. This forms a strong triangle beneath your beard tie. Repeat on other side of your beard and weave in any ends. Wear and enjoy! Your beard should be long enough on the sides that when tied on your head the sides of the beard cover all or most of your ears! Pull your favorite beanie down and enjoy the luxurious warmth of your tie on lumberjack beard!

Baby Addendum

            For a baby sized beard (about newborn to 12 months or so follow this miniature beard pattern with an I hook for a larger sized baby beard or a g or h hook for a smaller beard)

Ch 17, sc in second chain from hook and in each across. NOTE at the end of every row you will ch1 and turn.

Row 1- sc across

Row 2- sc dec over first two stitches, sc across to last two stitches, sc dec

Row 3- sc in next 3 stitches, hdc in next 8 stitches, sc in next 3 stitches

Row 4-sc in next 3 stitches, sc dec over next 2 stitches, hdc in next 4 stitches, sc dec over next 2 stitches

Row 5-sc in next 3 stitches, hdc in next stitch, ch 4, skip next 4 stitches, hdc in next stitch, sc in next 3 stitches.

Row 6- sc dec over first 2 stitches, sc in next stitch, 2 hdc in next stitch. 4 hdc over chain, 2 hdc in next stitch, sc in next stitch, sc dec over last 2 stitches.

            Slip stitch around your beard and add ties as in the larger beard but chain only 21, sc in second chain from hook and slip stitch in next 14 chains, chain 5 and secure to beard.

Ideas- while grays, browns and other ‘natural’ hair colored beards look great don’t be afraid to make a little pink or purple one for a little girl and accessorize it as much as you want with applique! It would be easy to transform this crochet pattern to knitting using short row shaping however I do not at this time have the intimate knowledge of short row shaping in order to design with it. If you would like to attempt a rewrite of the pattern for knitters please feel free to use this pattern as a general guideline. Selling finished products of this pattern is permitted. 

copyright @ Lora Browning 11/2012