Reviewing A Crochet Poncho Pattern

Easy Pattern To Crochet Your Own Poncho

Crochet Poncho a work in progress

As promised a few weeks back, I will review a crochet poncho pattern that I am currently working on for myself. You can see on the left the finished front panel of my colorful little addition to my wardrobe. 

Ponchos are trendy right now in the crochet world and this one is pretty easy to make. If you have ever done a granny square, you will master this pattern pretty quickly. There are only two rows to learn and then it is just a repetition of them until you have the desired length. 

I found this crochet poncho pattern while reading a post from Mikey at The Crochet Crowd and decided that I would give it a try. I love ponchos and since I seem to always be cold I thought it would be nice to have one that I can just wear around the house to keep my shoulders warm. I used some spare yarn that I had in my stash to create something that would go with many of my tops. I can wear it at home or I can wear it when I go out to do errands. 

The fun thing about this easy to crochet pattern is that it is so versatile. The original pattern shows it using just one color of yarn. I decided to get creative and use 7 colors. Mikey in his video tutorial used a variegated yarn. The same pattern looks totally different when you work with your own creativity.  

If you have been thinking that you would like to add a poncho to your wardrobe and want something unique that can't be found in stores, I recommend trying this easy to crochet poncho pattern as an option. It really does not take very long to stitch up! One would even be a nice gift for someone you love or they are nice to hook-up and donate to a local shelter. 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Natural Sinus Relief with Neti Pot

Neti Pot is a method of natural sinus relief and health that has been relied upon for centuries in other parts of the world. It's use in the US is increasing as more people find increased sinus health and infection prevention with regular nasal irrigation. I am convinced that my own Neti Pot use has prevented many sinus infections and headaches. In this quick review, I will outline how I use Neti Pot as an almost daily part of my health and hygiene routine. 

As the seasons change, my co-workers have taken turns fighting sinus infections and illnesses that involve pain, phlegm, and missing days of work.  I have not yet caught this round of sinus germs and I attribute that to the Neti Pot. I recommended nasal irrigation to a friend at work, and had a hard time explaining it to her. As I was searching for a "how to Neti Pot" video for her, I decided to share the information here.  I would like for everyone possible to find sinus and allergy relief. I also should add that at times using the Neti Pot has alleviated some of my migraine pain.

Sinus Irrigation as Illness Prevention

In the spring, our own Bev Owens reviewed NeilMed Sinus Rinse. She shared how adding this sinus irrigation to her daily hygiene routine has alleviated her sinus headaches. Please take a peek at her review to learn how helpful nasal irrigation has been for her.

Personally, I use a ceramic Neti Pot, warm water, and a bit of salt. Initially, I tried to learn how to Neti Pot when I was already ill.  For a week or so, no water passed through my nasal passages - that is how swollen and congested my sinuses were at the time. Thankfully, I did not give up.  

Every morning I lean over the bathroom sink and use Neti Pot.  Since I've begun this routine on a regular basis, I've only had a sinus infection/bronchitis type illness that required a doctors visit and prescription medication 2-3 times over the last decade. Historically, I'd visit the doctor for such illnesses 4 - 6 times each year!

It is very important that the water is a good temperature.  I check my water temperature on my wrist, as I did with baby's bottles. Too cold is painful.  Hot water could be damaging.  Baby bottle temperature is soothing to me. Learning to relax enough to allow the water to pass through is not an easy thing for some people. But I encourage you to try and to practice before giving up. I believe it is well worth the practice.

I prefer the ceramic Neti Pot because: 

• it holds the warmth longer than plastic
• it seems to be easier to clean than plastic
• the Neti Pot (versus a nasal spray bottle) holds more water and more fully flushes my sinuses
• the model of Neti Pot I use, has a partial top covering, which prevents me from spilling water on my face

ceramic Neti Pot

Others Who Recommend Neti Pot and Nasal Irrigation

I am not a doctor. Nor can I give trained medical advice. I highly recommend that you choose Neti Pot and nasal irrigation after consulting with your doctor. I am only sharing what has worked very well for me and has nearly eliminated my use of allergy medications and visits to the doctor for sinus/congestion types of illnesses.  

The writers on WebMD shares a brief history of nasal irrigation, comments that research proves that it works, why it works, and how to use a Neti Pot.  This is a fairly complete and concise overview for beginners.

Many hundreds of Neti Pot purchasers give 4.5 - 5 star ratings on Amazon Neti Pots. See their recommendations on the various styles

I know someone who frequently tells me that because I Neti Pot, I'm going to die from the water-born, brain-eating amoeba.  My first thought is that swimming in fresh water during the summer months is far more dangerous than using my Neti Pot. But, out of an over abundance of caution, I am including this informative video from The Doctors.  I have also begun to refrain from using tap water in my daily routine. The Doctors speak of the amoeba concern as well as demonstrate how a Neti Pot is used.

For more helpful product reviews browse articles on ReviewThisReviews.com

opening photo design courtesy of FotoJet and Pixabay

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

The Ideal Upbeat Wedding Song - You'll Love This One!

Find Autograph by Dallas Smith Here
 Plus More Dallas Smith Songs!

Review of a Wedding or Engagement Song

If you're looking for an Upbeat Wedding Song that conveys just the right message in words from him to her, then you'll want to check this one out...

This very catchy tune is by popular Canadian Country Music Artist Dallas Smith.

I'm a Dallas Smith fan, so introducing you to his latest hit song is my pleasure!

This wedding song is about his wanting to 'change your autograph.' Women's Lib aside for a minute, how sweet is that! 

Of course, some of us don't change our autograph when we marry, and that's perfectly fine.

This song simply celebrates his attraction and love for her to the point that he wants to 'change her autograph, so everybody knows that he's the lucky one.' 

Autograph is the prelude of emotion before he puts a ring on it: He sees her, and like the true passion that love can be, the song expresses how he wants to share his name with her.

Autograph by Dallas Smith

"I'd change your autograph
I'd put my name on you
And I'd put a big old ring on your left hand
so everybody knew
that I'm the lucky one
With heaven on my arm,
sun's going down
Edge of town
one knee on the ground
I'd change your autograph" 

Listen to More Wedding Song Choices Here

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Fabulous Faux Fur Coats, Jackets, Throws and More Reviewed

Faux Furs Really are Fabulous Alternatives

Because I think animals have the loveliest fur,  I was thrilled when I discovered Fabulous Furs, a company that manufactures exquisite faux fur coats.  The soft feel coupled with the warmth of fur makes a beautiful, warm and luxurious coat, jacket or throw. 

Even though I think animal fur is gorgeous, I have always refused to wear real mink coats or any other real fur coat.  In spite of being surrounded by women in society who consider animal fur the ultimate fashion statement, I remained "unfashionable". 

When my husband gave me my first Fabulous Fur coat, I was absolutely amazed at how beautiful and warm it was to wear.  I now have several faux fur coats and I thoroughly enjoy wearing them.   I adore my collection of Fabulous Fur coats that imitate the natural beauty of animals and I am extremely proud that they are not real animal fur.  Anyone who knows me well, knows how much I love animals!  I would never consider harming or killing an animal for the sake of my own vanity. 


The Coats and Jackets are Available directly from Donna Salyers Fabulous Furs website. 

Dress up your Home too!

 60X86 SIGNATURE THROW WHITE MINKIn addition to stunningly gorgeous coats, jackets, vests, ponchos and wraps, Fabulous Furs also offers a variety of beautiful faux fur throws.

Our daughter owns the faux fur white mink throw and matching pillow.  It was a rather extravagant purchase at the time we purchased them, but she really wanted that throw and pillow set.  As it turns out, it was a great investment.   That throw and pillow set have been the one constant through several paint colors and decor changes in her bedroom.

White is not everyone's first choice, but there are several fur color options available.  The puma, lynx, red fox and sable are a few of my own favorites.

 60X72 COUTURE COLLECTION THROW PUMA 60X86 LIMITED EDITION THROW LYNX 60X60 SIGNATURE THROW RED FOX

& 

Fabulous Furs Offer Superior Service

I have had the opportunity to deal with Donna Salyers' customer service department via the phone too.  A few years ago, we purchased a little pink rabbit faux fur for our niece for Christmas. 

When I ordered it, the coat was out of stock and due before Dec. 28th.  However, I'll have you know, I received it Dec. 24th.  I know they went the extra mile to get that coat to us by Christmas when many companies would have simply figured the sale was made, what difference did it make.  Well, it made a difference!  They now have several loyal customers in our family.

Most Excellent Customer Service!   

That evening, our niece had no more ripped into the package, before she was wearing her new coat and muff.  The house was full of people and was quite warm, but we couldn't talk her out of that coat.  She loved the gift and she looked like an adorable pink bunny in it. 

As a side note, in that shipment they accidentally included a luxurious Sable vest.  I suspect that was due to rushing the order out for me and probably several other customers too.  It was such a soft and beautiful vest!  However, since I had not ordered or paid for the vest, I had to force myself to call customer service and tell them about the error.  That sable was so soft!  I confess, I petted it for a while before I taped up the box for return. 

 60X72 SIGNATURE THROW SABLE

& 

My Personal Recommendation

Since I own several of these coats, I can personally attest to the high quality and beauty of these faux furs.  My leopard coat is actually prettier than the real leopard fur coats that I have seen in department stores. 

The very best thing is that those gorgeous big cats were not killed so I could have a coat that duplicates their natural beauty.  

As a seamstress, I can also tell you that these coats and jackets are well made.  The lining is exceptional and the buttons or snaps are secure.  The pockets are also well hidden in the seams and lay flat.   

I always appreciate extraordinary workmanship! 

Inspiration for Fabulous Furs

Donna Salyers, President and founder of Fabulous-Furs, explains how the company began . . .

"Inspiration for Fabulous-Furs came nearly two decades ago when I was on my way to purchase a mink coat.  On my car radio, Paul Harvey described kittens being skinned to become "mink" teddy bears.  Instead of buying a coat that day, I was inspired to create a luxurious alternative."

You can read Donna's full statement and timeline by clicking here.

After discovering Fabulous Furs, 
I decided you can never have too many fur coats!  

(Faux, of course!)

Read More Product Reviews On ReviewThisProducts.com

"Fabulous Faux Fur Coats, Jackets, Throws and More Reviewed" Written by:

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

The Wives of Los Alamos by Tarashea Nesbit

The women wives in this book arrived from around the world. They came from different lifestyles, backgrounds and situations. Their average age was 25. Their educational backgrounds varied from those with doctorate degrees to stay at home moms to dancers. Most did not know exactly where they were going or what awaited them when they arrived in Los Alamos, New Mexico. These women were forced to come together to create a life for their families in New Mexico.

TaraShea Nesbit's The Wives of Los Alamos is the story of the women who supported the men who worked on one of the biggest research projects in World War II. Unknowingly, these families would be tied to a huge development that changed the course of history.

Their lives during the time they spent in Los Alamos were tough but they had even bigger challenges ahead when their experience was over and they had to weigh their contribution to the creation of a hugely destructive development of the 1940s known as the Manhattan Project.

Is The Wives of Los Alamos a True Story?

Here a 9 minute video in which Nesbit shares a bit of the real story which she writes about in the book:

Would I Recommend This Book?

The story is told by all of the women together in one voice. That is, the book is written in the first person plural a method that I personally did not care for. Here's an example from the beginning:

"We were European women born in Southampton and Hamburg, Western women born in California and Montana, East Coast women born in Connecticut and New York, Midwestern women born in Nebraska and Ohio, or Southern women from Mississippi or Texas, and no matter who we were we wanted nothing to do with starting all over again, and so we paused, we exhaled, and we asked, What part of the Southwest?"

That voice was okay for the first while but eventually I would rather have had the story told by a single individual. I can, however, see how this voice allowed many viewpoints to be expressed in each situation but there are many who could not get past the author's style. Others, however, really enjoyed this book and the style it was written in.

At the end of the book, I was left with a lot of thinking to do. How did those individuals cope with knowing they had made such a horrific contribution to the war effort? How would you cope? How would I?

Yes, I would recommend this book because it is a novel about a very significant scientific development in world history that takes place in the United States. You might want to read it for that fact alone and you never know, you might enjoy the style, too.

You can buy your copy from Amazon by clicking right here. If you do read it, be sure to come back and let us know what you think about the style and the story.

Happy Reading!
Brenda
Treasures By Brenda

Quick Link:

Buy your copy of The Wives of Los Alamos on Amazon.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON: