I was out with my husband yesterday, and as we were finishing up dinner, we talked about what it's like to be a special needs parent. We feel separated from most of society. That may not make much sense if you don't fall into the special needs parent category, but if you do - I expect you will more than understand. We have different concerns that we deal with on a daily basis. We often have different responsibilities than the average parent. There are extra expenses - and often less ability to earn since we are home caring for our child. The achievements that make us super excited for our children seem insignificant to the parent of typical child.
My point being - this piano recital, it really was a big deal! It was such a happy thing for this mommy to witness. I had wanted to start her in piano lessons years ago - but the few teachers that I talked to discouraged it - and I knew I couldn't trust just anyone with this little angel. I was lucky enough to find a teacher who is a trained music therapist and has taught children with autism before. A most happy moment for us!
This month's squares come from what is commonly know as an Italian square motif. It's in the family of granny squares - although not a traditional granny. It has a lovely cross formed with a strategic placement of puff stitches. I used it in my sweet nostalgia poncho along the bottom to add some interest to the chevron pattern. If you look closely in the leaves - you even get to see our sweet little pug named Waddles. She blends into the scenery quite well!
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| Sweet Nostalgia poncho taraduff 2016 |
Italian Motif Square #19
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| Italian Motif Square #19 |
Italian Motif Square #20
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| Italian Motif Square #20 |
Pattern
Begin with magic loop. Ch 3 (counts as first dc), make 11 dc in ring. Sl st to top of ch 3 to join. (12 dc)
Row 2: Ch 3. 3 strand puff stitch in same stitch as sl st from previous rnd. Ch 1. (4 strand puff stitch in next dc, ch 1) twice. Ch 4. *(4 strand puff stitch in next dc, ch 1) 3 times. Ch 4. Repeat from * 2 times. Sl st to top of first puff stitch to join.
Row 3: Sl st in first ch-1 sp. Ch 3. 3 strand puff stitch in same ch-1 sp, ch 1. 4 strand puff stitch in next ch-1 sp. Ch 2. Make 5 dc in ch-4 sp. Ch 2. *(4 strand puff stitch in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) twice. Ch 2. Make 5 dc in ch-4 sp. Ch 2. Repeat from * twice. sl st to top of puff stitch.
Row 4: Sl st in first ch-1 sp. Ch 3. 3 strand puff stitch in same ch-1 sp. *Ch 3. Skip puff stitch and ch-2 sp, *(dc in dc, ch 1) 2 times. Dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc ch 1 in next dc. (dc in dc, ch 1) 2 times. Ch 2. Skip ch-2 sp and puff stitch. **4 strand puff stitch in ch-1 sp. Repeat from * 3 times ending last repeat at **. Sl st to top of puff stitch to join.
Row 5: Sl st in first ch-3 sp. Ch 3 (counts as first dc) Make 2 dc in ch-2 sp. *Dc in next 6 dc. Make 3 dc in next dc. Dc in next 6 dc.** (Make 3 dc in next ch-2 sp) twice. Repeat from * 3 times ending last repeat at Make 3 dc in next ch-2 sp. Sl st to top of beginning ch 3 to join.
Row 6: Ch 3. Dc in each dc, making 3 dc in each corner stitch. Sl st to top of beginning ch 3 to join.
Rows 7-9: Repeat row 6.
Variation: Use color A for row 1, color B for 2-4, and color C for 5-9.
I hope you all had a lovely October! I'm afraid I overdid it on the sweets - so I may be paying for it tomorrow LOL!
