An Easter Basket for Baby

I enjoy crocheting; it's no secret.  My mom enjoys crocheting and knitting, as did my Granny, Aunt and Great Grandma.  I guess you could say that it's in my blood.  My mom is my biggest inspiration and best teacher.  I am left handed (she is not), so there are techniques that we, obviously, do not agree on or do the same way.  We enjoy crafting together.  It gives us something in common and simply something to do TOGETHER.  Although, we don't always agree, my mom is my teacher, my peer and my biggest and best critic.

One thing that we DO agree on is that this crocheted Easter basket pattern was simple and worked up REALLY quickly.

We knocked out eight of these in three days.  It's a very simple pattern and a LOT of fun to make.

I found the pattern on Pinterest looking for a quick easy Easter basket pattern for Bug.  Bug (who is only 5 months old) does NOT need a huge Easter basket full of candy, so I wanted something small.  I found it at It's Just Jennifer.  She calls it The Last Minute Basket.

Here is Jennifer's pattern:

Supplies:

• 1 skein super bulky weight yarn (approx. 81 yards) *
• N hook **
• Yarn needle

*  I only needed one skein per basket, but depending on your personal tension as a crocheter, you might need more.  Plus, the yardage on a skein of yarn tends to be approximate.  I used Lion Brand Hometown USA and used almost every inch of it. 
**  If you generally crochet pretty loose, you may want to go down a size.  You need your stitches to be tight to avoid having a really floppy basket. 

Row 1)  6 sc in a magic ring and join with sl st in first sc OR ch 4 and join in the 4th ch from hook and 6 sc in the loop and join with sl st in first sc  (6sc)

Row 2)  ch 1, 2 sc in each sc around, join in first sc with sl st (12 sc)

Row 3) ch 1, *sc, 2 sc in next sc*  repeat around, join in first sc with sl st (18 sc)

Row 4) ch 1, *sc x 2, 2 sc in next*  repeat around, join in first sc with sl st (24 sc)

Row 5)  ch 1, *sc x 3, 2 sc in next*  repeat around, join in first sc with sl st (30 sc)

Row 6)  ch 1, *sc x 4, 2 sc in next* repeat around, join in first sc with sl st (36 sc)

Row 7)  ch 1, *sc x 5, 2 sc in next* repeat around, join in first sc with sl st (42 sc)

Row 8)  ch 1, *sc x 6, 2 sc in next* repeat around, join in first sc with sl st (48 sc)

Row 9)  ch 1, sl st in BACK LOOPS ONLY around, join in first sl st with sl st (48 sl st) (this puts a more definite break between the base and the sides)

Row 10)  ch 3, 2 dc in same stitch, skip 2, *3 dc in same stitch, skip 2* repeat around, join in the top of the ch 3 with sl st (16 dc clusters)

Row 11) sl st to the space between the first and second dc cluster in previous row, ch 3, 2 dc in the sp, *3 dc in next dc cluster space* repeat around, join in the top of the ch 3 with sl st (16 dc clusters)

Row 12 -13)  Repeat row 11 

Row 14)  ch 1, * sc 2, sc in space between dc clusters*  repeat around, join in first sc with sl st (48 sc)

Handle)  ch 1, sc 2, ch1 and turn - repeat until you reach your desired length or are close to running out of yarn.  Attach handle to the other side by either finishing off and sewing it on or you can slip stitch into the stitches where you want it attached.  I don't know how to really explain this, so if you know what I'm talking about, great, if not... it's just as easy to sew it on.

Jennifer writes an AMAZING, easy to follow pattern. I, myself, LOVE crocheting with mulitple strands of yarn at one time.  SO, when I made mine, instead of using the bulky yarn with an N hook, I used two strands of worsted weight with an L hook.  I love using two different strands because you never know what the outcome will look like until it's done.

Also, instead of slip stitching in backloops only on row 9, I single crocheted in the backloops only.  In all honesty,  the first one I made, I single crocheted because I was watching TV with the hubby and not really paying attention to what I was reading.  I just ended up doing all of the ones that I made like that.

Another thing that I changed (because I used a smaller yarn than she did) was the handle.  Jennifer has written the pattern to single crochet two and turn.  Because I wanted to make sure that my handle was thick and sturdy, I single crocheted 3 and turned.

These were A LOT of fun to make.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.  Check out Jennifer's blog :)

Here are just SOME of the baskets that I made, by using this pattern.

Hard water spots and soap scrum? Easy fix!

I know, I know, I know.... everyone has been wondering where I've been. I've been working and playing with the baby! I've been battling and praying about what to do about my full-time work schedule and God answered me (just like always). I actually had someone CALL ME (without me applying) for a job. SO, i'll be working TWO jobs, very part time. That gives me more time to blog, craft and be a mommy and wife. All of which make me a VERY happy lady.

Soooo, anyway, today's post, (that i've been wanting to post for a WHILE) is another homemade cleaner that I have been using for SO long, I don't even remember where I found it. It is HANDS DOWN the BEST bathtub and shower cleaner, there is. (Sorry, I don't have pictures for this post. It is LITERALLY that easy.)

Now, I know, most of us don't scrub our bathtubs as good and as often as we should. With this homemade cleaner, that's ok!

You need only three items!
**White Vinegar
**Dawn Dish soap
**a dish scrubber that holds dish soap (if this needs clarified, email me or comment)

You literally put equal parts vinegar and Dawn in the holder. DO NOT SHAKE. If you shake it, you will have a MESS. Turn it over and over slowly so that the ingredients mix.
After they're mixed well, wipe it all over the bathtub and shower walls (including faucets and knobs)(YES, it will even take off hard water spots).

Let it sit for as long as you think it needs to. Wipe it off and rinse. It's that easy. I let mine sit for 5 or 10 minutes. You can even use this on the bathroom sink.

Your bathroom will literally sparkle!

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As always, share with your friends, comment or email with questions! :)