GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN

I like to hear original singers of songs - 

1979, Robert Hazard wrote "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" in 15 minutes.

Robert Hazard - 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aLNwOxPsjg)

The lyrics that stand out to me are …

"Some guys take a beautiful girl

They try to hide her away from the rest of the world

All my girls have got to walk in the sun

'Cause girls just wanna have fun

Yeah, girls just wanna have fun"

& ...

"Come here, boy

You are the fortunate one

Girls just wanna have fun"

Cyndi Lauper changed the words to fit a feminist bent - and that's okay. But I like the original singer with the original lyrics written with original intent 😉

Holland always teases me about my "old school tunes" … BUT … he downloads them for me while I'm sleeping, and uploads them to Betsy's stereo system as a surprise for me ❤️ while we're doing Daytrip drives, "because my girl just wants to have fun" 😘

BIG MAN SEED ST HOUSE SLIPPER~MOD Revised "Bootie" Pattern: Fortuna-AZ

I patterned this knitted man's slipper after the vintage, "The Bootie" pattern - with a few modifications of my own, to fit my man 😉

My man likes to wear camo … so, that is the color I used to make this gift for my Gift 😘

This slipper pattern uses a double yarn throughout.

Materials: 1 skein each MC & CC in worsted-weight yarn (I chose Camo & Beige); 1 pair #8 knitting needles; aluminum crochet hook #J; scissors; tapestry needle

Terms Used:

CO = cast on

sts = stitches

MC = main color

CC = contrast color

dec = decrease

RS = right side of work

WS = wrong side of work

EO = end off

Seed Stitch Pattern: Row 1: *K 1, p 1* - repeat across row; Row 2: *P 1, k 1* - repeat across row. Repeat these two rows for the entirety of the pattern.

Slipper Body: With 1 strand of MC & CC yarns held together, measure a 12" length of yarn and tie loosely - leaving a loop to slip onto knitting needle (this will be used to sew up slipper back when work is done) = CO 46 sts.

Work in seed st pattern for 6".

Cuff Shaping: Keeping to pattern, bind of 5 sts at the beginning of next 2 rows; work even on remaining sts, until piece measures 9-1/2" from beginning. CO sts.

Toe Decrease: Keeping to pattern, dec evenly across row until 28 sts remain. Work these sts for 2".

With WS facing, cut a length of yarn that will be used to gather toe sts and whip stitch up slipper upper - leaving 1 " free, for easy pull on. EO yarn, and weave in loose ends.

Untie the loosely tied yarn, and whip stitch the back of slipper; EO yarn and weave in loose ends: turn slipper RS out and fold cuff neatly down. Repeat with second slipper.

This knit slipper set will be good for him to slip on his feet in the warmer months … but, he prefers the heavier crochet Slipper Socks set I made for him last winter, in the cooler season; so, as I had some leftover yarn, I whipped up a new pair of those for him, too ❤️

BIG MAN HOUSE SLIPPER SOCKS~MOD Revised Unisex Slipper Socks:  (https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2024/01/big-man-house-slipper-socksmod-revised.html)

KINDNESS = LOVE; Ocean Park-WA

September 29th: Holland wanted to go watch waves this morning … but I had a load of laundry washing, and I didn't want to leave it unattended; so, I encouraged him to go alone: "Go - go listen to your music while you wave watch waves, and relax your mind. I'll finish this laundry up while you're gone; and we'll have chicken for supper when you get back."

While the laundry was spinning, and drying the time away … I finished up the little preemie set I've been working on:

MOD Preemie Hat~3-4 lbs.

MOD Striped Preemie Sleep Sack & Hat~3 to 4 lbs.

He was gone about an hour and a half, and when he returned, he came bearing gifts with a twinkle in his eyes, and a smile aimed my way; "Look in the bag - I got a surprise for you" :-)

What a guy! He must have searched hard, for these  - they can be hard to find ;-)

The Paris Sisters~1961 'I LOVE HOW YOU LOVE ME': (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQwVtLXAWTo)

Holland would know this song - sung by The Babys: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiqAjKAwW2Y

We did have chicken for supper - but he changed the variety, saying, "I know you need iron, but I couldn't find any beef liver, so I got the chicken"; and I'm okay with that. Chicken liver is good, too (I like the way Holland cooks it, and it packs nutritional power, too) ;-)

Chicken Liver vs Beef Liver: 

https://ancestralsupplements.com/blogs/news/chicken-liver-vs-beef-liver#:~:text=Some%20Quick%20Key%20Takeaways,packs%20more%20protein%20and%20iron.

The day flowed smoothly - in every way, it was a blessing :-)

MOD 'HOLLAND'S VEST' 2024 - 4X Tall Man Vest; Ocean Park-WA

My new husband is cold a.l.l.t.h.e.t.i.m.e.; the heater never goes off from Fall to Summer - and it's almost always on during the night no matter what season we are in, because debilitating back & knee pain from a construction site accident keeps him up through the night, most nights, 24/7/365.

Most nights into the wee morning hours, are chilly all year long.

And his fabric vests are getting worn with age - plus, they really are not long enough in the torso.

So, I decided to make him something warmer, and longer in length: I would design, and craft him a double-thickness vest ;-)

I like designing and crafting things for my loved ones - kids and grandkids are no longer in my life; but Elohim has blessed me with a good husband and it pleases me to bless my new husband in any way that I can.

My husband is a big man - he's 6'4" and husky: I am 5'2", and I like the feeling of being completely surrounded by love when he embraces me; and we both liked the idea of him being wrapped warmly in love, when my design was completed.

That is how 'MOD Holland's Vest' came into being :-)

This pattern looks lengthy, but the design really doesn't take very long to complete; it took me more time than necessary because we are road gypsies, and I could only get back 'at it' when we lit someplace long enough to haul it out, spread it out, and have him try it on for accurate fitting as I worked it.

I started designing and crafting my husband's vest April 4th, 2024 in Kingsburg-CA; and completed it May 5th, 2024 in Ocean Park-WA where we are currently set down for a while.

This design of mine was crafted specifically with him in mind (size 4X, Tall Man), so there are no smaller sizes to this pattern.

Materials: Red Heart Super skein, Worsted yarn = 1 ct. MC (main color) & 1 ct. CC (contrast color); a length of throw away yarn bits for marking armhole openings; #H crochet hook; Tape Measure; Scissors; Tapestry needle

Terms Used:

co = cast on

ch = chain

sl st = slip stitch

sc = single crochet

hdc = half double crochet

dc = double crochet

dec = decrease

T = turn

rpt = repeat

tog - together

x = repeat pattern this many times

inc = increase

EA = each

ct = count

EO = end of work; cut yarn, leaving long enough to weave in

SIZE: 4X Tall Man

Skeins bought, unwound & rewound for easy usage …

This pattern is pretty simple: 5 rows of dc & 1 row of sc. The only seaming that needs to be done is at the shoulders.

Easy peasy ;-)

MOD 'HOLLAND'S VEST'

Foundation Row: With MC, co 227 ch; ch 1 & T

Laying a foundation that will establish the simple pattern I see in my mind's eye - and hope to work out with my hands.

Row 1: Sc in ea ch across row: 226 sc; ch 3 & T

Rows 2 thru 4: Dc in EA dc across row: 226 dc; ch 3 & T

Row 5: Dc in EA dc across row: 226 dc; ch 1 & T

Row 6: Sc in EA dc across row; ch 3 & T - DO NOT CUT YARN, loosely tie off MC yarn at end of row 6.

Row 7 thru 11: Attach CC yarn at backside of the beginning foundation row, and work pattern sts row 1 thru 5 on the backside of work already established.

Working a matching DBL-thickness backside …

Row 12: Working the back sts of MC sc's (this will keep work from sagging, for a more comfortable fit) … sc in EA dc across row; ch 3 & T - DO NOT CUT YARN, loosely tie off CC yarn at end of row 6.

Row 6 of CC, worked in back loop st of Row 6 MC: backside secured to the frontside.

Alternating MC & CC every 6th row for an established vest body pattern; repeat 1 thru 12 pattern rows x7: at this point, piece should measure 20" from hemline.

Alternating MC & CC every 6th Row to keep tension accurate.

Mark armhole openings as follows: count 113 pattern sts to center of piece - then evenly measure 34-1/2" across back & mark EA end of that total measurement with a piece of throw-away yarn; then, from EA front end, measure 18" inward and mark that measurement with a piece of throw-away yarn. These placed markers will indicate the armhole openings.

*Always make the decreases exactly as written.

With MC, attach yarn 4" from color marker, and begin armhole shaping as follows:

==ARMHOLE SHAPING 

Row 1: Dc 46 sts across row, dec over next 2 sts - do not complete & make 1 sc in last st, dec'g ALL dec sts tog; ch 3 & T

A & B

C & D

Row 2: Dec 2 sts together, dc x45 across row; ch 3 & T

Row 3: Dc x42 across row, dec over next 2 sts - do not complete & make 1 sc in last st, dec'g ALL dec sts tog; ch 3 & T

Row 4: Dec 2 sts together, dc x41 across row; ch 3 & T

Row 5: Dc x38, dec over next 2 sts - do not complete & make 1 sc in last st, dec'g ALL dec sts tog; ch 3 & T

Row 6: Sc in EA st across row; ch 3 & T - DO NOT CUT YARN, loosely tie off MC yarn at end of row 6. Armhole decreases will end 6" inward from colored yarn marking. 40 ct dc

Rows 7 thru 11: Attach CC yarn at backside of work, and matching dec's in reverse, continue pattern sts row 1 thru 5 on the backside of work already established.

Row 12: Working the back sts of MC sc's (this will keep work from sagging, for a more comfortable fit) … sc in EA dc across row; ch 3 & T - DO NOT CUT YARN, loosely tie off CC yarn at end of row 6. 40 ct dc

Working pieces simultaneously is best.

With MC, work 2 more sets of established pattern rows 1 thru 6, making additional decreases across the Front piece of vest, as follows: 

First dec set (Row 1) dec 20th st (R 2) work even (R 3) dec 19th st (Rows 4 thru 6) work even. 38 ct sts

Second dec set (Row 1) dec 18th st (R 2) work even (R 3) dec 17th st (Rows 4 thru 6) work even - DO NOT CUT YARN, loosely tie off MC yarn at end of row 6. 36 ct sts

Attach CC yarn at backside of work, and matching dec's in reverse, continue pattern sts row 1 thru 5 on the backside of work already established.

First dec set (Row 7) dec 20th st (R 8) work even (R 9) dec 19th st (Rows 10 & 11) work even … (R 12) working the back sts of MC sc's (this will keep work from sagging, for a more comfortable fit) … sc in EA dc across row; ch 3 & T. 38 ct sts

Second dec set (Row 7) dec 20th st (R 8) work even (R 9) dec 19th st (Rows 10 & 11) work even … (R 12) working the back sts of MC sc's (this will keep work from sagging, for a more comfortable fit) - DO NOT CUT YARN, loosely tie off CC yarn at end of row 6. 36 ct dc

==NECKLINE SHAPING

With MC, work 2 more sets of established pattern rows 1 thru 6, making additional decreases as follows:

First dec set Row 1: Work pattern even across row; ch 3 & T

Row 2: Dc x30, dec over next 2 sts - do not complete & make 1 sc in last st, dec'g ALL dec sts tog; ch 3 & T

Row 3: Dec 2 sts tog, dc x29; ch 3 & T

Row 4: Dc x27, dec over next 2 sts - do not complete & make 1 sc in last st, dec'g ALL dec sts tog; ch 3 & T

Row 5: Dec 2 sts tog, dc x26; ch 1 & T

Row 6: Sc even across row = 27 ct sts; ch 3 & T

Front neckline & shoulder shaping.

Second dec set Row 1: Dec 2 sts tog, dc x23; ch 1 & T

Row 2: 1 sl st first st, 1 sc next st, 3 hdc, dc x21; ch 3 & T

Row 3: dec 2 sts tog, dc x8, 3 hdc, 3 sc, sl st in last st. EO yarn.

Row 4: Attach MC yarn at 5th st inward from armhole edge - and work 1 sl st, 2 sc, 3 hdc, dc x5. EO yarn.

Attach CC yarn at armhole edge, and keeping to set pattern as established, reverse shaping instructions - being mindful of working row 6 in the back loops of MC sts.

Backside of Front piece.

**Work the opposite Front piece the same as the front piece you just finished, reversing armhole and neckline shaping's.

Front piece shoulder shaping's, coming together nicely :-)

These pieces will be heavy due to their double-thickness, and will require quite a bit of turning in the completion process. If your shoulders and arm muscles get sore, take a week or so off to ease the muscle burn.

==BACK PIECE

Attach MC yarn at the LEFT backside of main body completed, and work in established pattern as for front pieces … the armhole shaping's will fall as follows:

Row 1: Dec 2 sts tog, dc x77 across row, dec last 2 sts tog; ch 3 & T

Row 2: Dec 2 sts tog, dc x74 across row, dec last 2 sts tog; ch 3 & T

Row 3: Dec 2 sts tog, dc x71 across row, dec last 2 sts tog; ch 3 & T

Row 4: Dec 2 sts tog, dc x68 across row, dec last 2 sts tog; ch 3 & T

Row 5: Dec 2 sts tog, dc x65 across row, dec last 2 sts tog; ch 1 & T

Row 6: Sc evenly across row: 67 sts; ch 3 & T

Work 3 straight sets of established pattern rows 1 thru 6; then work 2 sets of increase rows as you begin shoulder & neckline shaping's, as follows:

First inc set Rows 1 & 2: Work pattern even across row; ch 3 & T

Row 3: Keeping to pattern across row, inc 1 st EA side of work (69 sts); ch 3 & T

Row 4: Work even on 69 dc; ch 3 & T

Row 5: Dec as follows - 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc, then dec 2 sts together, dc x62, then hdc over next 2 sts - do not complete & make 1 sc in last st, dec'g ALL dec sts tog; ch 3 & T

Row 6: Sc x26 evenly across row; ch 3 & T

Before starting the next pattern st set, take 2 pieces of throw-away yarn, and mark off the center 10 sts for back neckline shaping.

Back piece markings.

Second inc set Row 1: Dec first 2 sts, dc x21, hdc over next 2 sts - do not complete & make 1 sc in last st, dec'g ALL dec sts tog; ch 1 & T

Row 2: Skip first st, 1 sc, 1 hdc, dc x14, hdc over next 2 sts - do not complete & make 1 sc in last st, dec'g ALL dec sts tog; T

Row 3: Skip first st, 1 sc, 2 hdc, dc x4, work 1 hdc & 1 sc over next 2 sts - do not complete either, but keep on hook & make 1 sl st in last st, dec'g ALL dec sts tog; T

Row 4: Skip first st, sl st in next st, 1 sc, 1hdc, dc X2, work 2 dc tog. EO

**OPPOSITE SIDE of neckline shaping: Sc x35, 1 sl st next st; ch 1 & T, working across next row in dc pattern - and work in reverse shaping, starting with row 6 of second inc set of back neckline shaping pattern. EO

Back finished; time to work the CC backside, & weave shoulders up ;-)

Attach CC yarn at armhole edge, and keeping to set pattern as established, reverse shaping instructions - being mindful of working row 6 in the back loops of MC sts.

Weave the shoulder seams together & run an edging of your choice around the vest body, and armholes … and it's read to wear :-)

Weaving shoulder seams together.

Looking good …

Prepping for the edging.

Sc edging ...

A reasonable price … sans labor time ;-)

DONE! And he likes it ;-)