Knitted Coffee Mug Cozy Easy Pattern

Here's an easy pattern to knit a coffee mug cozy using the cable technique.  They make great last minute gifts!!   

There's a great tutorial on YouTube by +iKNITS 

You can find the tutorial here

Here are photos of what my completed cozy looks like:

    As always I thank you for visiting my blog page.

The HookDude

Crochet Women's Chemo Summer Cap

I started crocheting the women's chemo caps for the summer months.  These caps are made of 100% cotton so that they are cooler for the hot summer days.    These chemo caps will be donated to the cancer unit at a local hospital.

The yarn used is Lily Sugar 'n Cream 100% USA Grown Cotton, Medium weight #4, hook size 5 mm.

You can find the chemo cap pattern here

As always thank you for stopping by and visiting my blog page.  I know that there are many talented fiber artists out there, so please consider donating one of your items to charity.  

The HookDude

Crochet Woman's Hat Using Riddle Cluster Stitch

I had seen a great tutorial on crocheting a scarf using the Riddle Stitch.   It seemed like it was a very easy stitch to work into a project.  

I decided to make a hat and improvise using this particular stitch.   Once I started using this stitch, I found that it's not the same when you work in the round as when you make it flat like a scarf.

I had to improvise as I went along.   I do not have a written pattern for the hat.

However, if you're interested in this stitch, you can find it in the following link, How to Crochet the Riddle Stitch

This is what the hat looks like.

As always I thank you for stopping by and viewing my page.  I know that there are many talented fiber artists out there, so please consider donating one of your items to charity.   

The HookDude

Crochet Spiral Women's Ribbed Hat

This is a personal pattern that I improvised on from a sketch diagram that I made.  It is done in DC, FPDC.   I added a SC brim to complete the hat.  Fits most women's and teenager sizes.   I do not have a written pattern for this yet. 

Skill level: Intermediate 
FPDC = Front Post Double Crochet 
DC = Double crochet 

Sc = Single Crochet

I used 1 skein (256 yds) of Red Heart Soft Yarn Solids and 5.5 mm hook.

As always I thank you for stopping by and visiting my blog page.

The HookDude

Knitted Baby Preemie Hats

I found a very easy knit baby hat pattern from RedHeart.com and decided to try to tackle this project.

You can find the pattern at the RedHeart link here

See the photos of my completed hats below.  These baby hats will be donated to the local hospital's NICU unit. 

In the photo above, you see two knitted baby hats and one crochet hat on bottom center.  I knitted one hat on the left (deviated a bit from pattern) using garter stitch and the second using stockinette according to pattern.

As always thank you for stopping by and visiting my page.  I know that there are many talented fiber artists out there so please consider donating one of your items to charity.

Historical San Antonio Treasure: Mission Concepción

Earlier this week, I took a tour of Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción de Acuña or "Mission Concepción" as it is known by the locals here in San Antonio, TX.

Mission Concepción dates back to the early 1700's.   The mission is one of several historical architectural Spanish missions in the city and one that attracts locals and tourists alike.  

Today, the mission serves as a fully functional parish church.

Early History

The early missions were unwalled communities built of wood or adobe.   Much later, as the problems arose between the northern tribes and the mission residents, the structures were encircled by stone walls.    Very skilled craftsmen and artisans were recruited from New Spain and along with the mission Indians, these immense structures were built.  

Artisans preserved the basic Spanish model, modified as frontier conditions dictated.

Enduring the centuries and the elements for over 250 years, Mission Concepción stands as one of the country's oldest original stone churches.   Not only did the mission serve as a spiritual center, it also provided instruction to the local Indians (Coahuiltecan Region in Texas) by the Spanish Franciscan missionaries.

By combining the teachings of Catholic Spain with the native cultures, mission life gave rise to the unique culture of modern-day South Texas.

More Information
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park park link

Project Peace (LaPaz) Charity Program Completed for 2013

Project Peace (LaPaz) charity program has been completed for 2013.   All of the crocheted hats (20 in all) were delivered today to St. Peter - St. Joseph Children's Home (link) along with some other miscellaneous clothing items.

It was a labor of love and commitment.   The children range from ages 4 to 17.  At this time, I'm not sure how many children are housed at St. P, St.J's, but I was told that the campus can house up to 150 children.   I know that there are many services offered there one of which is counseling.   

Here are some pictures of the donated hats.   As always, I thank you for stopping by and visiting my blog page.    I know that there are many talented fiber artists out there (men and women), so please consider donating one or more of your creations to charity.    God Bless