Bug Story and One More Hat

Hello!  I have a story for you.  I took this photo a bit ago of my wonderful African Violet that consistently produces these eye-popping blooms for me.  I didn't see the "visitor" until I downloaded the photo to my computer and looked at it.. do you see it?  With our unseasonable warm weather, we're having a "bug problem".  They call them "Stink Bugs".  Night before last Kristi gave me a mint Oreo and after I ate it I took a drink of ice water that I keep in an insulated stainless steel mug on the table next to my easy chair.  There was something in my mouth, which I thought was a bit of Oreo and so I chewed on it.. but hmmm.. it had an odd texture... so I evacuated the item (I thought that sounded more ladylike than "spit") into my hand.. whence I was HORRIFIED to see, that I'd been chewing on a.. STINK BUG!  EWWW.. run to kitchen.. evacuated my mouth into the sink.. washing out my mouth.. making all kinds of horrified noises.. blech.. argh!!  Husband comes from the back of the house and I tell him what happened and what is his response?  Concern?  Worry?  Oh no.. he launched into the most raucous laughing fit that I've seen in all our years together.  Sheesh.

On to more pleasant topics of conversation.. I finished my 4th baby hat for Taci's "Hats for Brazil" project.  It's my favorite so far.. I used the KnitPicks "Marshmallow" organic, unbleached cotton.  AND, I used the little cotton skeins of Drops "Safran to make the flower.

I designed my own pattern that I'm happy with.  Using a G hook and worsted weight yarn -  You begin with a double crochet circle and then I start making continuous loop 3 dc shells until it's the right size.  About 10 circles of the shells.  

Baby Hat With Shells for Newborn - by Teresa Kasner

Row 1: Make a magic circle, ch 1 in circle, 7 sc, sl st to first sc, (7 stitches

Row 2: Ch 2, dc into same stitch, 2 dc in each stitch around, sl st to top of first ch 2   (14 dc)

Row 3:  dc into same stitch, 2 dc around, sl st into first ch 2 (28 stitches).  

Row 4:  Ch 2, 2 dc into NEXT stitch, *dc in next, 2dc in next* around, sl st into first ch 2.  (42 st) 

NOW.. ch 1, skip 1 st, 3 dc into next st, sk st, sc into next st, sk st and 3 dc shell, just keep going around in continuous shell rounds until you have 10 rows or the hat seems the right size.. do last shell at the point where you see the "row joins" of the crown.  I ended with a half double crochet and a single crochet and finish off.  (10 or 12 rows of shells)

Does anyone want to test this pattern for me?  Please let me know if it works or if I've written it totally wrong.

Now.. these are rather addicting as you can get one done in a few hours.  :-)  If you want to make some and send them to me, let me know and I'll give you my address.  I will then get them to Taci - we're meeting for lunch in February before she leaves for Brazil.  And also to celebrate Taci and Gracie's birthdays!

I made up the flower too.  Magic circle, ch 1, 8 sc around, join, finish off, add another color, slip st into first stitch, ch 2, do 1 dc, 1 triple crochet, 1 dc, ch 2, sl st into same stitch - sl st into next, repeat in all 8 stitches and you should have 8 petals. - finish off.  Any takers to test this flower?

These are coming up in one of my huge pots.  I wonder what they are?  :-)

My peace lily bloomed.  This is extra special as I got this plant from my Dad's funeral, so it's like my Dad is saying hello to me when it blooms.  I can't believe he passed away a little over 11 years ago.  He was a very loved, gentle, kind man.  

We're having another sunny day.. it's 44 deg F out.. so not super warm, but definitely pretty outside.  We plan to go out to lunch again.. it's what you do when you're retired.  :-)  ((hugs)), Teresa :-)