Latest Forum Posts by: dievomdeich

I’m not really an owl fan, but that needle owl turned out so cute, Mel. How big is it?

Dear Monika,
my warmest congratulations are on their way to you. I hope you had a wonderful day surrounded by your loved ones.
For this new year of your life, I wish you all the best—may your wishes come true and may happiness be a frequent guest.
Warm regards
Marlies

Yes, Petra, that’s supposed to be framed. But first, it needs to be smoothed out. I’ll have to see if I still have a suitable frame.

I still have a large sailing ship picture and an “old-timer couple” waiting for me. But there’s a lot of work involved in those. I just don’t have the patience for that right now.

I guess my cactus is actually more of a boxwood… lol.

Today I finished my diamond painting (15 x 15 cm), but it still needs to be smoothed out and framed.

Wow, Steffi, that looks so beautiful! I’m always in awe of the masterpieces you create.

A rectangle… I can’t really picture that yet either.

The bag turned out so beautifully, Ina. I would have bought it right away in a store.

I’m always amazed when I see your new creations. It’s great that you’re always taking on new challenges.

Best regards, Marlies

Generally speaking, I think ponchos are fine. Once kids reach the age where they’re running around and playing rough, I’d switch to jackets. I’d also be worried that something might happen to them. (As Mel already mentioned)

My daughter was four when she stopped wanting to wear her poncho, and my son completely rejected it. When he started going to the disco, he wore a long skirt...
As you can see, tastes change. So it’s entirely possible that a boy might proudly wear a poncho to school.

I think you should really go along with the child and take their tastes into account.

Mel, your teddy turned out so cuddly.

Your Karls are all great, and you’re working on them so quickly. I haven’t dared to start mine yet.

Monika, your friend is definitely going to do a little happy dance when she unwraps her Karl. I really like the colors, too.

Marlene, your pattern looks great. What are you making?

Petra, I still have a picture of a bunny like that in my closet. My little sister made it for me once.
I think your shawl is fantastic.

Glad to hear your finger is feeling better, Anja. I have a “dangerous” kitchen knife that’s already made contact with quite a few fingers.
Maybe tomorrow . I know that feeling all too well. I’ve got quite a few things lying around that I “just” need to sew or glue together…

Recently, when I went to buy eggs, I picked up some green sponge yarn. Yesterday I finally got around to working on it. Will this pass as a cactus?




Have a great day, everyone.
Best regards, Marlies

Hi Angela,

that’s a nice idea, but I don’t think it’s worth the effort. Not everyone appreciates that kind of handiwork—I agree with the previous commenters.
You’ve already gotten some great suggestions.
How about a homemade game? There are some nice patterns here, like the turtle memory game or the fish game.
I’ve often covered cans of cocoa, iced tea, or similar items with colorful paper. They’re great for storing things or simply for playing can toss (with crocheted balls).
Of course, all of this assumes that the preschool approves.

Best regards, Marlies

I’ve been on a light diet since today because my stomach is acting up due to the strong painkillers.

Last week, I happened to find turkey sausage at the poultry stand at the weekly market. One ring was enough for two lunches. I served it with boiled potatoes and homemade applesauce.
I was skeptical at first, but it tasted really good.

That’s a steering wheel, Anja. Despite several attempts, I unfortunately couldn’t make it any clearer.
Once I’ve finished crocheting my Easter egg (at a snail’s pace), I plan to make a 40 x 60 cm pillow. That’ll be six motifs. I haven’t decided what to use yet—maybe flowers.

When I have a specific project in mind, I shop specifically for it.

Most of the time, though, yarn ends up in my cart that I hadn’t planned on buying. Sometimes I then run into the problem of finding the right project for it, or I’m missing the right colors.
Then I have to go shopping again and...

But we all love giving yarn a new home, don’t we?

My nautical pillow is finished. I put it together using four dishcloth patterns and crocheted everything together yesterday.



Among others, the patterns were by a-mano and Froschoma_Mona, who both always write great patterns.

@ Sallyware  Yes, that’s unicorn yarn. Maybe for an airy summer scarf.

There are already a few things in there that had been planned (even if not for today), for example the feathers, Monika.

The really bright green one is a kind of sponge yarn, Petra. The yellow-green one is for a door wreath, and the other two balls were just so beautifully green and soft...

If only I could do as much as I’d like... I knitted for two hours earlier, and that was definitely too much for my injured shoulder. Oh well, tonight there’s Let's Dance first. So it’s a knitting break anyway.

Have a lovely evening, everyone.

@ Steffi Your jacket is awesome! I’d wear it just like that right away.

@ Ruth Your Karl is a dream. Such great colors, and that sweater looks so good on you.

Actually, I just wanted to buy a pack of Styrofoam eggs today...



The yarn in the top left has 390 m/100 g for 2 €. No idea what I’ll make with it, but I liked it.

For stuffing, you can use shredded T-shirts, bedding, or similar materials. Depending on the type of animal, I incorporate cardboard tubes or Styrofoam.

Most of the time I work with mercerized cotton, but I’ve also crocheted with acrylic yarn. It depends on the project.

Belated warm birthday wishes are on their way. I wish you all the best, especially good health for your new year of life.

Warm regards
Marlies

And then there’s ironing all that frilly stuff…
I don’t care about fashion or trends. I buy what I like. If someone doesn’t like it, they don’t have to look at me. I let others walk around with their own tastes, too.

You can still take old cell phones to the recycling center to be dismantled.

A new dishwasher ran exactly three times, then it started rattling as if a Lanz Bulldog were driving through the kitchen. The appliance was replaced with a new one because repairing the pump is more expensive than buying a new one. The defective appliance is thrown away (according to the technicians). That can’t possibly be true.

What really upsets me is stuff like this:


So much waste for seven pills. That really isn’t necessary! With some packaging, you almost break your fingers trying to squeeze the pills out, or the pills end up crumbled because it’s so hard to get them out.

Why aren’t pills sold in those little glass or plastic vials anymore? I used to use them to store small items like buttons or even needles, and I still have them today.

The sorting feature is really handy. It would be even better if you could permanently move the patterns into folders so they’d disappear from the list altogether. That way, you’d only see the items that don’t have their own folder. I think that would make things clearer.

It would be great if there were a sorting feature like that for downloads, too. Maybe that’s possible.

Mine isn’t any bigger than 500 g either. They have such great colors right now again...

Some true works of art by real masters have been created here! Hats off to them.

And everyone’s caught up in “Karl fever.” The ones shown all look great! But I don’t dare try them myself.
Well, there’s not much I can do right now anyway. My left shoulder and arm are giving me major trouble. Two falls on black ice, and then these old bones...
I’m supposed to see the shoulder specialist who’s new in town; my “urgent appointment” is on June 2…
Until then, I’m on painkillers and an anti-inflammatory… my stomach is thrilled.

But I can’t go without crafting at all, so I always try to make something. That’s how my “Schaly” came about.

    180 x 41 cm


And a pillow made from a smaller yarn cake (the back is gray/white)





I gave the lucky pigs away as gifts for New Year’s.




Since I had a doctor’s appointment in Stade today, I “happened” to pass by the Euro-Laden. That’s when the green yarn caught my eye. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look quite as vibrant in the photo.




We’ll see what that turns into…

The gray cotton yarn is for my nautical dishwashing pad, which is a work in progress.

Best regards
Marlies

Dear Elke,

Warm congratulations on your special day. Let your loved ones celebrate and spoil you.

Warm regards
Marlies

Happy birthday and all the very best. Enjoy being celebrated and pampered.

Warm regards
Marlies

All the best and belated happy birthday. I hope you had a wonderful day.

Warm regards
Marlies

Wow, Petra, I’m blown away by all your ideas. It’s great how you give everything a new lease on life.

If I could sew, I wouldn’t have to throw away so much—which is always really hard for me.

Here’s a tip, maybe: You’re already reusing lace tights. I cut up plain sheer tights and use them as washable stuffing for stuffed animals and the like.
Recently, I cut up worn-out bedding and T-shirts and used them to stuff crocheted dog toys.

Best regards
Marlies

Your picture turned out great, Andrea! Your mom will definitely be very happy.

I’ve also made a sailing ship like that, and I still have a few lying around waiting to be finished.

Petra, check out tedi. They have small pictures for €3. Just the right thing to try out.

Best regards
Marlies

Those are fungus gnats, Andrea. Try using matches—stick the heads into the soil. The sulfur is supposed to repel the gnats.
Sprinkling a layer of quartz sand (1–2 cm thick) on top of the potting soil might also help. Coffee grounds work as an alternative.
You can also buy yellow sticky traps at garden supply stores.

After it finishes blooming, I’d remove all the soil and replant the cactus.

Best regards
Marlies

Belated happy birthday and all the best!

Dear Anja,
warmest congratulations and all the best on your special day. Above all, I wish you good health so that you can continue to delight us with your wonderful posts for a long time to come.
Let yourself be celebrated and pampered, and enjoy the day.
Warm regards
Marlies

We had green pea stew (nice and thick) with cabbage sausage. For dessert, we had lemon buttermilk pudding.

Dear Julia,

Congratulations and all the best on your birthday.
Enjoy being celebrated and have a wonderful day.

Best wishes
Marlies

Ina, that sounds really good. I tried our pickled mustard cucumbers. They turned out delicious and nice and spicy.
The beets are also very tasty, but unfortunately there aren’t nearly enough of them.

Thanks, Monika!
There isn’t much pampering going on here, because he still doesn’t have his new teeth. It’s been like this for half a year now. It’s really annoying with all the endless waiting, because the health insurance has to approve everything over and over again. I’m slowly running out of soup ideas...

Best regards,
Marlies

Congratulations and all the best—but above all, get well soon so you’ll be back on your feet in no time.

Warm regards
Marlies

Thank you so much for your birthday and get-well wishes!

The projects I’ve started are already giving me those reproachful looks...

Warm regards
Marlies

A heartfelt thank you to all of you, too.

Unfortunately, I can’t do any crafting right now because I’ve had two falls on black ice. The first time, I swerved to avoid a skidding cyclist and slipped. I hit my left shoulder and upper arm, and now it’s dragging on. The second time, it hadn’t been salted in front of one (!) house on the street. I was just thinking, “Oh, that’s sli...,” when I was already on the ground.
Oh well, you can’t keep me down. Now I’m enjoying the peace and quiet in the Altes Land.

Warm regards
Marlies

You picked a really nice pattern there, Inge. I like it a lot.

Thank you all so much for your kind words and wishes!

A new year, a new chapter in life, and retirement... there was plenty to celebrate. They say, “Life begins at 66”—we’ll see... (laughs).

Warm regards
Marlies

Great idea, Inge! I’ve already painted a few and put them to good use.
My husband also keeps them on his workshop shelf for odds and ends that would otherwise just be lying around.

Best regards, Marlies

I wish you all a happy and successful New Year, and above all, the best of health.

May all your wishes and resolutions come true.

Best regards
Marlies

Thank you, dear Inge—I wish the same for you and your loved ones.
I also wish all users and readers a merry and cozy Christmas.
I hope you all have a wonderful time.

Season’s greetings
Marlies

Dear Ines,
Belatedly, I wish you all the best from the bottom of my heart, especially good health.
May you continue to come up with so many wonderful ideas in your new year of life that always bring us joy.
I send you my heartfelt congratulations and warm regards
Marlies

Dear Ruth,

I’d also like to send my belated, heartfelt congratulations for your new year ahead.
May all your wishes come true.

Warm regards
Marlies

Dear Sandra,
warmest congratulations and all the best on your birthday. I wish you a wonderful new year of life and, above all, good health.
Best regards
Marlies

Crochet a dog toy

I realize that everyone has to calculate their prices and cover their costs.

I just don’t understand why you often get free patterns that are absolutely top-notch in terms of layout, illustrations, and page count, and then you come across a pattern that costs €5–6 and is just terribly done.
You don’t have to take a new photo for every stitch. Spelling mistakes don’t make a good impression either.
If you write to an author because it just says “M” there, and she replies and then later corrects her answer again, I find that concerning as well.
I also think it’s terrible when a pattern has obviously been run through a translation program. Often, you’re left guessing what you’re supposed to do.

For the most part, I’ve bought very good patterns here at CP, but you can also end up with a total dud.

Dear Gabi,

Happy birthday and all the best for your new year. Enjoy being celebrated and have a wonderful day.

Warm regards
Marlies

In the fall, I love apple and plum cakes. My husband can’t eat them because of his dental surgery.
That’s why we often have lemon cake (a simple, light loaf-cake batter), and every now and then a marble cake.
Right now, Black Forest cake is his favorite. Cherry jam without fruit pieces (the kind with an “S”...) serves as a substitute for cherries. I’ve already tried it with three different kinds of jam.
I also really like sheet-baked gingerbread.

I know these things from my father. He wore them with his socks, even as an adult.

Like Ruth, I remember the garters on the camisole very well. Oh, that was awful.