Box Stitch hat

This pattern needs testers!

Special Stitches:

Box Stitch: Yo, insert hook into ch/sp, yo, pull up a loop, yo, insert hook into next ch/sp, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through all five loops on hook.

Increase Box Stitch: Yo, insert hook into ch/sp, yo, pull up a loop, yo, insert hook into same ch/sp, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through all five loops on hook.

I used a J hook and worsted weight yarn to obtain a small child (age 2-5) hat.

Ch. 4, sl st into first ch to form a ring.
Rnd 1: *Sc in ring, Ch1. Repeat from * 3 times
Rnd 2: Ch 2, *[(yo, insert hook into ch-sp, yo, pull up a loop, yo, insert hook into next ch-sp, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through all five loops on hook) chain 1, (yo, insert hook into same ch-sp as last stitch, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through all five loops on hook.)] Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to first box stitch.
Rnd 3: Ch 2 *[(yo, insert hook into first ch-sp, yo, pull up a loop, yo, insert hook into next ch-sp, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through all five loops on hook) ch 1, (yo, insert hook into same ch- sp as last stitch, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through all five loops on hook.)] Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to first box stitch.
Rnd 4: Ch 2, *box stitch in first two ch-spaces, increase box stitch in next ch-sp. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to first box stitch.
Rnd 5: Ch 2, *box stitch in first three ch-spaces, increase box stitch in next ch-sp. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to first box stitch.
Rnd 6: Ch 2, Box stitch 9 times, increase box stitch 1 time, box stitch 10 times, increase box stitch one time, box stitch 9 times, increase box stitch 1 time, box stitch 2 times. Join with sl st to first box stitch.
Rnd 7: Ch. 2 Box stitch around. Join with sl st to first box stitch.
Rnd 8-? Repeat Rnd 7 unstil hat is desired length. Leave about 1/2" for edging. Do not fasten off.

Edging

Sl st into same st as joining. *Sc, dc, sc in ch 1 sp, sl st in box stitch. Repeat from * around. Join with sl st to first sl st. Fasten Off.

Weave in loose ends.

©Lisa Crigger (aka iceemudd) 2008. If you post pictures of this hat online, please be kind enough to link back to my site. This pattern is for your personal use ONLY.

Seventeen years...

November 12, 1991

It was late in the evening when he finally came home. He was anxious about something, even at my young age I could tell. He and I sat at the kitchen table while he ate his favorite, cornbread and milk. My sister called. They spoke briefly and then that's where it gets fuzzy.
I don't remember what started the fight, I just remember there being a fight. Carol, my mother, decided we would leave and go to her boyfriend's house. I didn't want to go. I cried and cried, but we still went. I don't recall the drive over, which would have been about twenty minutes long, I only know what happened once we arrived. She was on the phone, to someone, I'm unsure who, and they must've told her they heard gunshots at our house.
The next memory I have is being back at the house, surrounded by officers and other important people. There was this man, he was holding me. I was terrified. I knew something had happened, I was, afterall, only six years old. The moment I saw through the window, I knew that was an image I could never forget. First I saw the blood trail. I do not know why there was a bloodtrail but the footprints in the kitchen are forever etched into my brain. With the desire to not look but knowing if I didn't it would never be real to me, I tore my eyes away from the kitchen to search out my brother. People were huddled in the living room, around something on the couch. No, not something, someone. The site that I next saw was not only horrific but something no child should ever have to see. I will spare the details, but my brother's death was ruled suicide by a shotgun wound to the head.
The next few days were a whirlwind. His funeral was a closed casket.
Ricky's death may have been ruled a suicide, but there is one universal truth as to what could have prevented his demise. Had he not been involved with or addicted to drugs, I have complete faith he would not have met his end so many nights ago.
Fast forward a decade. On November 4th, we also lost another, Markus, to a drug overdose.
Needless to say, November is a pretty rough month. I thank God daily that I was never inticed by drugs. I only wish I could say the same for not only my brothers, but all the other brothers and sisters who's lives have ended prematurely due to the high they kept seeking until their last moment. Nothing, no high, could ultimately be worth breathing your last breath.

I need a new crochet project

Seems everything I start lately, I end up never finishing it. I don't have a heck of a lot of time to devote to anything but when I do, I wish there was one project that didn't end up boring me so bad that I leave it unfinished.

We celebrated Evan's first birthday this weekend eventhough the actual anniversary of his birth isn't until October 30. It was a fun day, and our house is now overtaken by boy toys. It's bittersweet to me though, since he is our last.

Zack and Miri

First let me start off, I am all for freedom of artistic expression. I watched and laughed hysterically at both Harold and Kumar movies. South Park is a staple in my home; my children are named after characters in movies. However, I feel the ads for Zack and Miri, even the tagline, is taking things a bit far. I do not want my children to hear "Zack and Miri make a Porno" on primetime television. This is just distasteful advertising. I might've saw the movie, now, eh, probably not.

Dexter Season Three Premiere

If you are a Dex fan and haven't saw the premiere yet, please skip this blog!

After watching the Season Three Premiere episode of Dexter, my only question, as I'm sure plenty of others agree, is, how will procreating affect Dexter's "calling"? Will he become even more reckless or will this inspire him to live by a different code? He has already decided he is the Master, the code of Harry is no more; thus I ponder, how will a child affect his nocturnal freelancing?
I also wonder what is up with Laguerta? Is she jonesing for some Angel or does the river run deeper there? Does she see something the rest of us do not?

The Tale of the Two Worms

Once there were two worms, Jilly and Skel. These two worms loved to play in the dirt just as worms should. On a hot summer day while sloshing through the mud, Jilly came across something she had never seen before.

"Skel, come take a look at this."

"What is it Jilly?" He inquired as he stared at the large object blocking their path.

The two worms looked the object over (it was the same color as their mud), they touched it (it felt much too dry), they even tasted it (which proved to be a bad idea). Finally they both seemed to give up as they could not seem to figure out what this object was.

"I know!" exclaimed Jilly.

Skel took one look at her and knew exactly what she was thinking.

"Let's go ask the BullFrog!" they both shouted at once.

You see, Mr. Boule seemed to know everything there was to know. Surely if anyone could help them discover what this foreign object was, he would be the one.

The two little worms inched and inched until finally they had reached the puddle where Mr. Boule lived.

"Heeeeellllllllooooooo! Mr. Boule! Are you there?" the two worms called out.

Croak, Croooooak.

"Who's that making all that racket? I'm trying to take my nap!"

"Oh it's just us, Mr. Boule, the two worms just across the pit" said Skel.

"Wonderful! It's my two favorite worms. What adventure have you two been on today?"

"Weeeeeellll, we have this thing," started Jilly.

"And we don't know what it is," finished Skel.

"I suppose you think I can tell you what it is then," Mr. Boule stated.

"We were hoping you might know," Jilly said.

"Okay then, take me to this mysterious