Under Victoria's Hat

Hooked Up

2012-01-28T18:36:00.000-05:00

After a bit of a hiatus, I finally have gotten back into crocheting. What finally got me going after nursing a sore wrist and a college freshman through her first semester? My Outlander Fans swap that started January 1st. Based on A Breath of Snow and Ashes (ABOSAA), the sixth book in Diana Gabaldon's excellent Outlander series, the swap features the Highland Games in which four clans (Beauchamp, Fraser, MacKenzie, and Murray) compete for points. For this gathering of the clans (i.e., swap), we are crafting things in response to a series of challenges tied to ABOSAA. Bowing to my competitive streak, I have submitted an item for each of the six January challenges.

JANUARY PROJECTS

Beauchamp Felted Cap:

This lightly felted helmet (above) was made for a friend of my eldest, one of a set of twins who helped her survive her first college semester. DN #1 (dear niece) is always a willing, if not a jokester, of a model. I used 3 skeins of Lion Brands Landscapes. I gifted DN with the remaining 21 skeins -- 24 skeins or 1,320 yards gone from my stash.

Book Tie-in: We had to craft something for a friend. I chose to do so in in colors reminiscent of the Beauchamp clan colors.

Asclepian Comfort Pack:

This little 8 x 10 cotton pouch features a lined hot pack filled with lavender-scented flax seeds. It's Egyptian cotton construction allows it to be heated in the microwave or cooled in the freezer. Let me just say that Knitting Fever's King Tut 100% Egyptian Cotton yarn is one of the most scrumptious cotton yarns around. The sc-ch stitch pattern produced a wonderfully textured yet soft fabric. Previously selling at $15, this yarn been discontinued but I have a few skeins left. Easy to make, Donna Hulka's pattern can be found on the Crochet Me website. 182 yards gone from my stash.

Book Tie-in: The rod of Asclepius, also known as the asklepian, consists of a serpent entwined around a staff and is an ancient symbol associated with medicine and healing. The name of the symbol derives from its early and widespread association with Asclepius, the son of Apollo, who was a practitioner of medicine in ancient Greek mythology. This comfort pack makes a fantastically relaxing and comforting combination that soothes the body and mind. Use this pack on your back, neck, feet, or anywhere that could benefit from a little TLC.

Stone Circle Hat:

Hat number 2 was a gift to the friend of DN #2. Said friend loves purple so hence Lion Brand Yarn's Sock-Ease in Grape Soda. Unfortunately, the wool-nylon blend of is a bit scratchy. I only hope it gets softer with washing. 285 yards gone from my stash.

Book Tie-in: Many members of the Beauchamp Clan are not linked by blood but rather by their ability to be transported by the circles of stones that only they can hear. In ABOSAA, Donner is looking for a safe way back home, through the stones. In addition to the stones encircling the hat’s edge (see unblocked version at right) , lines of stones are aligned along 8 spokes or axes, drawing the travelers to its center, to their destinies. In Wiccan spirtuality, the number 8 vibrates: power, practical endeavors, status oriented, power-seeking, high-material goals, sacrifice, money-oriented, decisive, and stern -- traits that travelers like Otter Tooth and Donner were seeking to fulfill in their journeys to the past.

Roger's Neck Garter:

This slim cowl is made from Kraemer Yarns Tatamy Tweed DK acrylic cotton blend. Although the manufacturer calls for 3.75 mm needle, I used a 4.5 mm hook combined with what I call a “back bar hdc” stitch to create a slightly loose gauge without losing the drape or being holey. Crocheting into the back bar created by the original yarn over results in a reversible plush fabric. Despite the “thickness” the fabric does not feel knotty or cumbersome. Nice yarn. 250 yards gone.

Book Tie-in: This little neck garter is a gift for Roger from Bree, to warm and sooth his throat from the winter chill. Bree wants Roger to know that she understands his pain and will do what she can to help alleviate whatever discomfort she can. Although Roger loves Bree in the muted colors of homespun, Bree hungers for the brighter colors of her own time. The muted tones of this blue-green homespun styled yarn represent a bit of a compromise, but, as we know, Roger lets Bree have these little victories.

Jenny's Wedding Pouch:

This little cotton bag used a full skein of Gjestal Baby-Bomull, a Swedish yarn that translates simply to Baby Cotton. 197 yards from my stash.

Book Tie-in: Jenny Fraser, like all the Frasers, is verra proud. Wanting to put her best foot forward, she made this little bag as her only outward luxury during her 18th century Highland wedding to Ian Murray. Forever practical and lacking the resources to spare pearls for something that would be used infrequently during her lifetime, Jenny imitated the look with a bobble stitch. Always practical, Jenny intends to pass the bag to her eldest daughter upon her marriage.

Firecracker Beret:

The third of three hats made this month, this one for sister Connie Jean down in Houston. Constructed of Lion Brand Yarns Amazing (yeah, that its name), the yarn at times felt a bit scratchy while working the hat but luckily produced a hat soft to the touch. 'Twas a quick project started in the wee hours of the new year as I awaited phone calls from family living out west. 176 yards gone.

Book Tie-in: Playing on the firecracker red and orange Aurora colorway, the beret represents the wee matches Briana spent much of the winter of 1773 creating. Despite the threat of a house fire hanging over her parents heads, despite her husband's uneasiness about possible fire in their own home, Brianna insisted upon experimented with bringing instantaneous fire to her hearth. This hat would serve to keep her fiery red hair under control as well.

All in all, six projects totally 1,222 yards -- all out of my stash.. I'm gearing up for the February challenges where I plan to finally make the Stone Path Hat, item number 2 on my Bucket List.

As an aside, I am the chieftess for Clan Beauchamp, as well as the chief chieftess for our biannual gathering. The Games have been played five times before, and I am proud to say that we Beauchamps have triumphed each time. My clan sisters are a wonderful set of women.

A Crocheter's Bucket List

2011-11-27T11:47:00.002-05:00

The Bucket List is a movie about taking the time to find the joy in your life. In that film, Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson hit the road to complete a wish list of to-dos before they "kicked the bucket." Naturally, I have a few far reaching things I want to accomplish before I shuffle off this mortal coil, including walking atop the Great Wall of China, identifying my grandfather's father (try finding a oriental rug salesman from India who made his way to Kansas City only to have an affair with a mulatto woman from Sherman, Texas!), and getting a tattoo (okay, done that twice).

A bucket list is, in essence, a list of things you want to do or experience in your lifetime. Ideally it will contain things that you wouldn't do in your average day. But by keeping an up-to-date list of your hoped-for conquests, and referring to it every now and then, it stays at the forefront of your mind and therefore more likely to influence your daily activities.

Health issues have hindered my daily crochet activities this year. So, to get my butt in gear, here are my top five crochet To-Dos:

[ ] Finish my CGOA Master of Advanced Stitches and Techniques, a course for intermediate plus crocheters to stretch their knowledge and show mastery of advanced techniques and stitches. Thought this would be a good way to practice those stitches I just can't seem to get a handle on . . . like post stitches.

[ ] Make Lisa Naskrent's Stone Path Hat: I hate post stitches. Don't ask me why because I really can't explain it. However, I love this little hat, particularly when Claire of Aylin's Woolgathers showed me hers done up in Berrocco Comfort Sock. So I think I will give it a chance. Perhaps with a little practice, I might change my mind about crochet post stitches. Perhaps.

[ ] Improve my knitting skills. I know what you must be thinking: Heresy! What's this talk about knitting on a crochet blog? I'm a firm believer that there are things I can take from knitting and use it to improve my crochet. Knitters are encouraged to learn a bit of crochet. I want to learn enough knitting so that I can use it to embellish my crochet. Besides, what's a knitted scarf between friends?

[ ] Finish writing up the pattern to my Split Personality Shawl, done completely in split single crochet. Why Split Personality, which is a neurosis in which the personality becomes dissociated into two or more distinct parts? This shawl is crafted using Split Single Crochet (split sc) in three distinct parts. The pattern shifts from a semi-solid mesh of split sc-ch to an open mesh of split sc-2ch mesh to a band of arches. In addition, split sc creates a faux knitted stockinette texture. So, thus the split personality -- crochet or knitted. Actually, this really should be on my list of New Year's Resolutions but I will take what I can get.

[ ] Figure out the best way to organize my stash. Stashes of yarn can be a beautiful thing. At least that's how it looks on TV. You know, baskets of colorful yarn positioned in corners, on naked book shelves, that sort of thing. Why hide them? Currently my yarn is sitting in plastic bins in my closet or somewhat out of view in that no man's land between the bed and the window. I think it might be cool to incorporate the good stuff from my stash into the decor.

So, what's on your list of top five crochet things to do before you bite the dust, fall off your perch, give up the ghost, or "kick the bucket"?

Crochet Lace: Your Great Great Grandma's Crochet

2011-02-08T17:49:00.000-05:00

Crochet lace is one of the most beautiful forms of crochet, particularly when applied to the shawl or wrap. There are so many new patterns, like Evan Plevinski's Elise shawl that I completed last month and Vicki Mikulak's Flying Diamonds lace shawl that I crocheted as my Falling Leaves shawl last summer. My most recent Finished Object: Tealiscious Half-Granny Square lace shawl trimmed with a lace edging modified from a chart by MyPicot.com. The yarn is KnitPicks Bare --Merino Wool Fingering Yarn dyed in a bath of Shapna Organic Black Tea that has a wonderful red undertone. A traditional, lacey crochet pattern enhanced by a great lace edging.

A search of Ravelry's patterns reveals more than 925 crochet lace shawl patterns, just one-sixth of the slightly more than 5,420 knit lace shawl patterns. Thankfully, the number of crochet lace patterns is growing as many contemporary crocheters look past their grandma's crochet to explore the historical application of our art.

Piecework Magazine celebrates and expresses, through its articles and projects, historic and ethnic fabric-related handwork. Lace figures prominently in this effort. For the past three years, Piecework has featured lace in its May/June issue. For many lace lovers, these issues are a goldmine, filled with the history of lace and modern updates for replicating some of the lace. Unfortunately, it's a knitter's goldmine. Crochet is conspicuous by its relative absence.

A quick perusal of the index of the three Piecework issues reveals five crochet-related articles -- one about replicating Laura Ingalls Wilders filet crochet doily, one using painter's tape to help keep loops small and consistent, one about Maltese lace versus Maltese crochet (i.e., hairpin lace), and two about a Crochet Lace challenge to replicate an edging. There also was an article about "crochet tatting" but for the life of me, I don't know how one would confuse a tatting shuttle with a crochet hook. Three issues but only two patterns.

The three annual lace issues featured articles that illustrate the history of a certain technique or style of lace -- intricate Orenburg lace, lace bonnets from the Netherlands, and the story of Herbert Niebling (the grand master of lace knitting!). No stories about the Mlle. Riego de la Branchardiere, who published patterns to replicate raised Spanish needle lace. No articles abaout Cassandra Hand, wife of the local Church of Ireland minister who introduced Clones lace in 1847 as a famine relief scheme. No stories about the role pineapple lace has played in home arts. In the spirit of openess and transparency, in 1993, 1997, and 2005, Piecework had included a few articles about Irish lace. But nothing more recent than that.

Admittedly, modern crochet, which dates to the early 1800s, is a relative newcomer to the realm of needle arts when compared to other handwork, such as knitting and embroidery. Yet, many contemporary fiber artists and designers endeavor to keep these arts alive, such as Doris Chan and her larger than life adaptation of pineapple lace to wearables, and Lisa Naskrent whose Dragonfly and Maia lace shawls seem to have a life of their own. Although my own lace shawls are not as intricate, I would hope that soomeday, my efforts (Bird of Paradise Shawl of my design) will, in some small way, help people recognize and celebrate the beauty that crochet lace is.

Perhaps it's best to let pictures do the talking. Olga Litvina, a Russian crocheter took a Japanese doily pattern and created this masterpiece!

I'll say it again. Crochet lace is one of the most beautiful forms of crochet.

Off the Hook

2011-01-30T15:27:00.000-05:00

January has been productive. I filed my taxes. We removed the carpet from the living room (love the hardwood floors). I even managed to complete a few projects:

Terra Cotta Elise Shawl by Evan Plevinski. Worked in Louet's Gems Fingering, this little gem (no pun intended) was fun to work. Featuring a 2-row pattern repeat, I was able to take this along on my daily commute to work. After the first six rows, the easily memorized pattern is relatively mindless. This shawl is reserved. Don't ask me to change my mind or name names.

Two Plum Delight Sun Ray Slouch Berets designed by moi. Both lacy tams were hooked in Garnstudios Drops Delight, a sock wool yarn with a handspun texture. Although billed as "luxurious and super soft," I don't think it stands up to this billing. Despite this letdown, I love the yarn and its extraordinarily long, well matched color transitions results in striping that Garnstudios has dubbed "magic-print." The pattern results in a beret with a touch of hexagon in the shaping. Solution? Block the hat on a 12-inch round melamine plate purchased at the local dollar store.

While visiting relatives for the Christmas holidays, I made a hat for my twin sister. She loves it but wanted another one to match her new coat. Of course I promised. She picked out the yarn and I made her this tam worked in double strands of Loops & Threads Impeccable.

I frogged the Ostrich Fan Fandango shawl (lovely but complex pattern) because the gauge was too tight and I realized I would run out of yarn way too early. I plan to redo with a larger hook in a different yarn. I will keep you posted.

Almost off my hook

Likely to be completed first is a Denim and Navy Blue Winter Watch Cap. With only about 5 rows to go, this one is reserved for my father. My father's the type who will wear the same hat or pair of shoes until they wear completely out. So, count me as surprised when he asked me to crochet him a hat when he has a perfectly serviceable winter hat to keep his gray head warm. I'm not speaking out of school when I say he has more salt than pepper but he is quite happy he has a full head of hair at his age. Paton's Classic Wool Merino yarn will ensure relatively easy felting to shrink this slightly oversized cap to fit my father's head.

Second up is a Half-Granny Square Shawl designed by Anastacia Zittel. A one-row repeat has this cute little shawl flying off the hook and is just made for commuting. Worked in Knit Picks Bare 100% Merino Fingering Wool that I tea-dyed some time ago, I may re-dye it in a bold evergreen. This one likely will go out as one of my Pay It Forward commitments. I'm not saying to who, though.

Okay, February. Bring it on.

Paying it Forward 2011

2011-01-17T19:45:00.000-05:00

Scattered around Facebook are posts about passing along our crafty goodness. Called Pay It Forward 2011, folks like me have committed to making handcrafted items for the first five people who respond to my post. Each person in turn is supposed to post her/his commitment to make handcrafted items for the first five people who respond to their post, and so forth and so forth. What a great way to work off our bloated stashes. I committed to six (don't ask) projects, five of which will hopefully will eat away at my yarn stash. What I love about this commitment is that I get to choose the yarn and the project.

Just today, I completed the second of six handcrafted items which have eaten up two skeins in my stash. Both completed projects are hats crocheted from the Garnstudio's Drops Delight, a 75% soft superwash wool/polyamid blend that features long yet smooth color transitions. Nice yarn with great stitch definition and a slight tendency to split when knit, but I was crocheting. Both hats use my Sun Ray Slouch pattern, slightly modified for a fingering weight yarn. The first hat followed the pattern with few modifications. For kicks, I decided to knit a ribbed brim to the second beret. Easier said than done.

Without thinking, I dove into my US 5 [3.75 mm] 30 inch circular needles and quickly picked up the horizontal bar created by the half double crochet stitches I used to make the body of the hat. As I struggled with the first row of knit stitches, it dawned on me that I needed shorter circular needles. I moved on to my US 3 [3.25 mm] 24 inch circular needles and managed to work a few rows of k2p2 ribbing before I had to move down to my Addi Turbo US 2 [2.75 mm] 12 inch circulars. Picking up stitches was smooth and fast. However, I realized that the ribbing I was knitting would fit a preemie rather than the intended adult recipient. Stupidly, I had not taken into account that knitting stitches are skinnier than crochet stitches and so had forgotten to add stitches when I first cast on! I frogged back to the last crocheted row and added a stitch for every four I was picking up. Working from a base of five stitches, I chose a k3p2 ribbing. One inch later, the ribbing still looked a bit smallish. Time to take gauge. Several measurements later, I found I should have added a stitch for every two I picked up. I frogged again and bought a set of Hiya Hiya US 3 [3.25 mm] 16 inch circular needles before beginning anew with a k2p2 rib.

As they say, the third time's the charm. The yarn ran out, the stitches bound off, but the hat fit. It was tough going [7 hours to work a two-inch ribbed brim!] but I am happy with the results. My neck is killing me.

All of this effort reminded me of the recent furor over crochet/knit combo patterns. When the Fall 2010 Interweave Crochet (IC) issue hit newsstands, the inclusion of seven knit-crochet combination patterns (out of 24 total patterns) created quite a stir. Some dedicated crocheters announced they would cancel their subscription. Others were pissed that they their subscription included the primarily knit with crochet embellishment patterns while the crochet-laden special IC Accessories Issue was not included in the basic subscription. Most felt betrayed by the publishers of Interweave Crochet.

My complaint was less about the inclusion of knit/crochet combo patterns but more with the fact that the beautiful patterns were better suited to a knitting magazine showing how crochet can embellish knitting. A crochet magazine should illustrate how knitting can embellish crochet, which is exactly what a cross-over pattern generally means for a crocheter. For a knitter, crossover is about how crochet can embellish knitting. Instead, what we got were patterns that showcased knit patterns (many of them at the intermediate or advance level) with a bit of crochet thrown in.

I knit a little but crochet a lot. Although I prefer crochet, I would still like to practice my knitting skills. For me, given the demands on my time, adding knit to my crochet would help enhance my skills. Unfortunately, there are few patterns that are primarily crochet with some knitting. However, encouraging the development of such patterns is what the intention of such a special section should have been. If crochet traditionally has been an embellishment for knit, let’s turn the tables. For example:

knit ribbing on a crochet sweater/tank/hat/socks
knit i-cord and other embellishments for a crochet tote/drawstring bag/etc.
knit lace sleeves on a crochet sweater

After this weekend, I could have used a few educational articles about (1) how best to pick up crochet stitches to begin knitting (perhaps it is better to knit first and then pick up stitches to crochet), (2) tips to better seam crochet and knit pieces, and (3) how to choose the right hooks and needles to work in combination with a yarn (we know that crochet stitches are wider than knit ones using the same mm hook/needle).

Next time I attempt to embellish my crochet with a bit of knit I hope to be better prepared. BTW, pay it forward has hit the blogosphere as well. So, I repeat my my 2011 pledge here:

"I promise to make something handmade for the first five people who comment to this post. Each must in turn post this pledge on their blog and make something for the first five who comment on their status. The rules are simple: all items must be handmade by the poster, and they must be received before 2011 ends."

So, if this sounds like something that you'd like to be a part of:
Be one of the first five to comment to this post.
Please leave your e-mail address so I can contact you directly.
Be sure to repost this pledge to your own blog if you do comment, since that is the whole point of Paying It Forward! :)

Help me to bust some stash.

[Insert Post Name Here]

2011-01-15T12:13:00.003-05:00

Defying all fabric capabilities, this laced Crochet table is from Marcel Wanders,

a Dutch designer who was one of the first droog designers. I would have loved to be

one of the crocheters commissioned to make this table or the limited edition Crochet Chair.

Sometimes we don't realize how much family and friends appreciate our fiber craft. Just the other day, my Mother called me to tell me that she had a co-worker who needed some crochet done (her words). No "hi" or "how-dee-do" just So-and-So needs some crochet done and to give her a call. When my Mother says to call someone, you do. Right then. Not later. So I did.

I didn't think my Mother ever gave any thought to my crochet. Although I have gifted family and friends with all manner of handcrafted accessories, I've only made my Mother a few items - a cap, a shawl. I wasn't sure how she felt about handcrafted gifts; all communication about the things I have made her came through my sister. Needless to say, I was surprised that she called me herself to say that she had offered my services to her co-worker. My mother -- pimping my crochet.

I was going to call this post, "Getting Pimped," but apparently it doesn't mean what I thought it did. According to the Urban Dictionnary, getting pimped now means writing or drawing on someone [who] is passed out due to intoxication. Shudder. When you get pimped in medicine (the Socratic method or as some interns call it, shame-based learning), it means that your upper level, attending, or your professor basically tears you a new arsehole in front of your peers by firing off a million questions designed to put you on the spot and make you look like a dumb ass in front of everyone. Makes no sense. I thought getting pimped was when someone puts you "into the game" for some form of consideration. Progress. Sigh.

So, I did as my Mother said and called her co-worker. We talked briefly about her 6-year old daughter's desire to have a green and red and pink sweater "just like the one she saw on TV." She's not quite sure exactly what her daughter saw or wants but is working on it. Hopefully, in a month or so, she will let me know what she wants made. Although we have exchanged contact information, I'm not worried about us keeping in touch. We both know where my mother works.

Now, I am stuck without a name for this post. Any suggestions?

These are a few of my favorite [crochet] things . . .

2010-12-07T17:32:00.000-05:00

When my knee cracks
When the phone rings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel, so bad.

Christmas is a short three weeks away and once again, I am struggling with how to answer the question, "What do you want for Christmas, Aunt Vickie?"

Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of things that I would like, no love, to have -- a million dollars, a brand new house, permanent hair dye that magically colors the gray as new hair grows in, the names of those elusive ancestors who insist upon hiding from me, world peace. Seriously, I would love to be introduced to a new author, to find a pair of boots that fit all over, to take a real vacation where I'm not expending energy for someone else's pleasure, or to be on the receiving end of a pair of black or navy blue silk long johns to wear under skirts and pants to keep my legs warm as I commute. And of course, world peace.

The list could go on but I am prevented from responding with the obvious -- crochet goodies or anything related to genealogy. My girls won't have any of it. They do not want to contribute to what they call my obsessions and what I call my hobbies. That means no crochet or genealogy magazines and books, no hooks or notions, and, gasp, no yarn.

But if I could have some of my favorite crochet things, they would include:

Yarn, like Berrocco Latitude, a cotton and rayon which combine to produce a subtly variegated worsted weight yarn wrapped with a coordinating thread. I think the colors (although limited) are great. Like most good cottons, this yarn produces great stitch definition that would show off almost any fancy stitch. Of course, I already have quite a stash of yarn but who says when enough is too much. Particularly when I get verrrrry specific requests for a pair of socks or a pair of mittens or a shawl.

A crochet hook gauge designed specifically for, you guessed it, crochet hooks! All the other gauges on the market are of the 'hole' variety, in which you insert your hook or needle. Those of you who know crochet hooks, know that hooks by different manufacturers can vary widely so that type of gauge is relatively useless. But this gauge is tapered, allowing you to see the true physical size of each hook where it matters, regardless of manufacturer and regardless of the size markings given. Relatively inexpensive (less than $8), this notion should be in every crocheter's bag. Caution: although made of thick plastic, it can crack at the bottom where the gauge narrows. Just remember to keep it in your bag with your hook collection and not traveling with your works in progress.

Crochet hooks to go with the gauge. I have been using Kinki Amibari's Yuraku aluminum hooks with bamboo handles this last year. Despite the 5-inch handle length, these tapered headed hooks handle like a dream (no pun intended). I only wish I can find a distributor who sells the in-between sizes.

Fancy Buttons! God, I love me some buttons. I think they just add so much to a garment and can really spruce up a hat or scarflet. A button added to a flat 2-dimensional flower suddenly springs to life with the unexpected button that expresses that the wearer is "cute as a button."

Pom-Pom Makers. Just the right gadget with which to make those furry little balls that embellish hats (at the top of the head and at the bottom of the ties) and other garments. Granted, I can use a piece of cardboard but my pom-poms always turn out like crap. That's probably why I typically steer clear of them. Perhaps with one of these little doo-dads, I might have better luck.

A good Granny Square Afghan pattern. The oldest will be going off to college next fall and has asked, no told me, that she expects to take along a handmade-by-me granny square afghan with her. You may say, no problem, but for me, this will be quite a challenge to make one large enough for a twin bed. Not being a huge fan of granny squares, I just haven't attempted to make one, and most certainly have not had an opportunity to settle on a favorite. After a bit of preliminary research, I thought she might like Lisa Naskrent's Moorish Mosaic Afghan, but noooo, she wants something a lot more traditional. Perhaps she might like the Mosaic Throw by Ellen Gormley (pictured right).

More crochet and genealogy podcasts that are funny, slightly irreverent, and full of useless facts. Podcasts enhance my weekday commute, as does a good portable crochet project. What's on my MP3 player is TheKnitWits, a wife and husband team who just chat away about her knitting and spinning, all within the context of sharing stories about their life. Since they live in Tennessee, I will just say, they are a hoot. Go give them a spin. As for a genealogy podcast, I listen to several but none are of the "laugh out loud, pee your pants" variety. I also must admit to following the shenanigans of Click and Clack the Tappet Brothers of NPR's CarTalk, which I listened to religously for years until the local station kept changing the broadcast schedule. Now, with the advent of Star Trek inspired technology, I no longer worry about missing the show -- I download the podcast and listen at my leisure. Unfortunately, these weekly 1-hour shows I'm currently following are not enough. I need more. Anybody got any suggestions for good crochet or genealogy podcasts to add?

So, these are a few of my favorite things. A girl can dream, can't she?

Happy Holidays!

Sneak Peak

2010-11-05T07:06:00.000-04:00

No, it's not the remnants of a Halloween haunted house. Rather it is a sneak peek at a project I am working on for a CFC raffle her at work. For the neophytes, CFC stands for Combined Federal Campaign, the annual federal workplace charity campaign. The mission of the CFC is to "promote and support philanthropy through a program that is employee-focused, cost-efficient, and effective in providing all federal employees the opportunity to improve the quality of life for all."

My agency has set as its goal $1.2 million, which is raised through a combination of employee pledges and creative fundraisers (many of which feature food like hotdogs, burgers, and cupcakes). Our little office runs an auction -- last year we raised $700. This year we also are supporting a raffle sponsored by our program office.
I have agreed to contribute a crocheted [SHHHH -- TOP SECRET], made with Louet Gems 100% Merino Wool fingering weight yarn in Terra Cotta. Louet is machine washable and can even be dried in the dryer, although I don't recommend it for this project. Simple blocking will help it retain its beauty. The ---------- is coming along nicely; it's about 25% complete. Although I am continuing to work on my goal of 16 hats by mid-December, there is still time to get this charitable deed done by the December 2 due date. That is when I will post pics of the finished item. In the meantime, here is another sneak peek.

Crochet: No Longer the Ugly Step-Sister

2010-10-26T18:00:00.000-04:00

I've always thought Crochet was a beautiful craft worthy of a hell of a lot more respect than what it typically receives. Unfortunately, it has taken a back seat to it's traditionally more glamorous sister, Knitting.

If fiber arts were a fairy tale, then crochet would be Cinderella. For decades, crochet was kept close to the cinders, forced to do all the housework, what with doilies, washcloths, lace edgings, and bedspreads. Occasionally, our sensible craft was allowed out, moving beyond the house to garments. But rarely was she invited to the ball. But, times have changed. Cindy Crochet isn't waiting to be invited to the ball, although she is getting more invitations.

What is old is new again
Take a look at what new old techniques have done for traditional home crafts. Tunisian crochet has transformed washcloths and afghans and now lace shawls. Kim Guzman is quite the whiz with the 16 inch hook. GeGe Crochet's Super Mario Brothers Super Blanket (above) is an amazing piece of work, at approximately 5 ' by 9'. Can you believe the detail?

"Young Man, are you sure you are trying it on the right foot?"
Crochet has left the comfort of utilitarian household goods and taken her act on the road. First, the socks. Socks are coming out of the woodwork much in the same way that the forest animals reached out to Cinderella. Check out these Troubadur Socks by Danielle Kassner (pattern published in Interweave Crochet Spring 2008). Crochet also is great for elaborate cuffs. Just be warned -- go for the fingering weight yarn -- DK and sport weight is more appropriate for crocheted socks for boots.

Great sweaters accentuate the wearer's body. Gone are the days of stiff knotted fabric better suited for washcloths and afghans. Julia Vaconsin has applied her knowledge of yarn and drape gained from her knitting to her crochet, creating beautiful garments like this Butterscotch cardigan. Julia's published designs can be found on her blog which is written in both English and French.

A dream is a wish your heart makes
Those of us who have toiled for so long at our craft, who have faithfully dreamt of being welcome at the fiber artists ball, are happy to see others appreciate crochet for what it is and what it can be. There are no limits (well just a few waiting for someone to work out the kinks). The best news is that the various crochet magazines are starting to recognize that for the craft to attract new devotees, they must
provide updated, contemporary patterns that use all weights and types of yarns.

Let's not wait for our Fairy Godmother to wave her magic wand. Climb aboard and get designing.

Mulled Over Yarn

2010-10-19T08:44:00.000-04:00

Just a quick post about a hat I completed yesterday. Actually, this post is about the yarn -- Mister Joe Sangria, a mohair-nylon-wool blend yarn that I had received in a swap about two years ago.

First, the hat, named Mulled Winne Toque after the yarn colorway. I chose to make a simple skull cap that fits loosely about the head. This toque, which is a hat with a narrow brim or no brim at all, is shaped wide at the top, sits loosely about the head, and then evokes the curve of the crown by narrowing slightly at the brim for a secure fit. I only had the one ball and it took exactly one ball to make. When I finished the last row, I had three inches left to weave in. Talk about cutting it close. The pattern will be posted soon.

Now the yarn. Mister Joe Sangria is a self-striping yarn, featuring two colors with similar hues. A third stripe of shiny white (likely the viscose rayon) wrapped around the mohair/wool/acrylic strand provides random pops of color. Personally, I don't like it. It looks like the remains of bird droppings at worst and dried paint at best. My sister says the white looks like the remains of melting snow. But hey, I'm not the paragon of fashion. My two teen self-proclaimed fashionistas love the dashes of white. Go figure.

The specs for Mister Joe Sangria are below. One would think that a yarn with 60% mohair-wool would be soft to the touch. Sadly, Mister Joe is quite crunchy to the touch and a bit stiff from the tight ply with the acrylic rayon. However, despite its crunchiness, the yarn is just a tad scratchy when you run your hand over the fiber halo that is typical to mohair yarns. Perhaps the crunchiness will go away with washing.

Would I use this yarn again? Not very likely, unless I receive it as a gift, again.

Fibre Content:	53% Mohair/ 22% Acrylic/ 18% Viscose Rayon/ 7% Wool
Made in:	Italy
Care:	Hand Wash/ Dry Flat
Gauge:	14 st/4 inches 6.0 mm (US 10)
Yardage:	100 m (109 yards)
Size	50g (1.75 oz) ball

PATTERN: Sun-Ray Slouch

2010-10-11T22:41:00.032-04:00

Materials:
Hat A: Patons Silk Bamboo, approx 125 yards
Hat B: Caron Country, approx 125 yards
Hook: 5 mm

TIP: Some yarns, like bamboo blends, tend to produce a heavy fabric. When using a heavy yarn like Patons Silk Bamboo, you may want to substitute a slightly smaller hook so that the weight of the yarn does not stretch the hat. This is particularly true if you tend to crochet loosely.

Markers: one to mark each row and one to hold your stitch when you put your work down

Guage:
Hat A: 14 st x 12 rows = 4"
Hat B: 16 st x 12 rows = 4"

Stitches used (US terminology):
ch = chain
ea = each
hdc = half double crochet
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
st = stitch

Technique used:
Although crocheted using a hdc, the texture is created by inserting the hook under the back loop and the rear horizontal bar, resulting in the front loop as a bar running the width of the fabric that faces me when working [see the underside of this hat pictured below]. This side is the wrong side and will remain hidden. The reverse side, or the side facing away from you, creates a cool texture like a sideways garter stitch. It should be noted that the wrong side can actually be the right side when worked in sc for a hat, which creates an interesting texture as well. Many thanks to coworker Rosanna for introducing me and my fellow Crochet Collaborators to this technique last year.

The pattern itself is quite simple to memorize. The spiral ray is created by a "ch1-2hdc-ch1" separated by an increasing (or decreasing) number of hdc stitches. The hat is crocheted continuously in the round rather than joining each row with a slip st and chaining 2 for the next row. Joining each round would create a unsightly seam that would interfere with the textured pattern.

INSTRUCTIONS

Ch 4, sl st to join, forming ring
Row 1: ch 2, 7 hdc in ring [8 st]

TIP: Remember to keep the tail of the yarn to the right of all the hdc stitches as you add them. This will make it easier to pull the ring closed.

Row 2: 2 hdc in ea st [16 st]
Row 3: *hdc in first st, 2 hdc in next st, * rep to marker [24 st]
Row 4: *hdc in first two st, 2 hdc in next st, * rep to marker [32 st]

Row 5: ch 1, sk hdc, *hdc, ch 1, sk next hdc, 2 hdc in next st, ch 1, sk next hdc, * rep to marker [40 st]

TIP: the 2 hdc in next st must be worked in the 2 hdc of previous row

Row 6: ch 1, sk ch, *hdc in next 2 st, ch 1, sk next ch, 2 hdc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch, * rep to marker [48 st]

TIP: when first working row 6, there may be some confusion as to where to insert the hook after the ch1-2hdc-ch1 stitch combo. I had the same problem. Here is a picture of where to insert your hook. Note that when you finish the ch1-2hdc-ch1 combo, it looks like you have two chains, when in reality, there is only one. The best way I can describe what to do after the 2hdc is to insert your hook into the “chain” to the right of the first hdc of the row below.

This is what it should look like:

Row 7: ch 1, sk ch, *hdc in next 3 st, ch 1, sk next ch, 2 hdc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch, * rep to marker [56 st]

Row 8: ch 1, sk ch, *hdc in next 4 st, ch 1, sk next ch, 2 hdc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch, * rep to marker [64 st]

Row 9: ch 1, sk ch, *hdc in next 5 st, ch 1, sk next ch, 2 hdc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch, * rep to marker [72 st]

Row 10: ch 1, sk ch, *hdc in next 6 st, ch 1ch 1, sk next ch, 2 hdc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch, * rep to marker [80 st]

Row 11: ch 1, sk ch, *hdc in next 7 st,ch 1, sk next ch, 2 hdc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch, * rep to marker [88 st]

Row 12: ch 1, sk ch, *hdc in next 8 st, ch 1, sk next ch, 2 hdc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch, * rep to marker [96 st]

Row 13: ch 1, sk ch, *hdc in next 9 st,ch 1, sk next ch, 2 hdc in next st, ch 1, sk next ch, * rep to marker [104 st]

Rows 14-17: Repeat row 13 [104 st]

TIP: Hat should begin to curl up. If it appears too flat, substitute sc for each hdc in row 17

Row 18: ch 1, sk ch, *hdc in next 3 st, hdc2tog in next st, hdc in next 4 st, ch1, sk ch, 2hdc in next st, ch 1, sk ch, * rep to marker [96 st]

Row 19: ch 1, sk ch, *hdc in next 3 st, hdc2tog in next st, hdc in next 3 st, ch1, sk ch, 2hdc in next st, ch 1, sk ch, * rep to marker [88 st]

Row 20: ch 1, sk ch, *hdc in next 2 st, hdc2tog in next st, hdc in next 3 st, ch1, sk ch, 2hdc in next st, ch 1, sk ch, * rep to marker [80 st]

Row 21: ch 1, sk ch, *hdc in next 2 st, hdc2tog in next st, hdc in next 2 st, ch1, sk ch, 2hdc in next st, ch 1, sk ch, * rep to marker [72 st]

Row 22: *hdc in ch, hdc in ea hdc, * rep to marker [72 st]

Row 23: hdc in ea st [72 st]

BRIM

[TIP: If brim is too loose, change to a slightly smaller hook, such as a 4.00 mm or 4.5 mm hook]

Rows 24-27: repeat row 23 [72 st]

Row 28: sc in ea st to the last 3 st, sl st in last 3 st [72 st]

Bind off, weave in ends.

When All Else Fails . . .

2010-09-21T22:53:00.001-04:00

. . . Follow Directions!

Lace shawls are all the rage now, with both knitters and crocheters. I think their ethereal beauty is what has been drawing fiber artists to them in droves in recent years. I've started making lace shawls, largely because of a real need to bust my stash, particularly of the lovely fingering and sock-weight yarns I have been lucky to receive in my various Ravelry swaps.

My current project is the Ostrich Feather Fandango Shawl, created by Tracey McCorkle. It is a very different shawl; its feathered shells add a three-dimensional quality to what traditionally are flat, two-dimensional pieces of fabric. See what I mean? It looks like it is ready to take flight.

This beautiful Ostrich Feather Fandango Shawl was crafted by
Siljuska
from Finland. I only hope mine turns out as well.

Linda, my friend and crochet mentor, often jokes that I am an "uptight crocheter" because I tend to crochet on the tight side. One would think I would have a strong preference for following written crochet instructions. Hah! I embarked on this project much in the same way I approach most of my crochet jobs crafted from someone else's pattern. First, I glance at the pattern, then memorize any repeat, and wing it from there. Unfortunately, my modus operandi didn't work here. Unlike all other shawls I have made, this pattern is not symmetrical, although the result is supposed to be. Clear as mud?

Rows 1 through 14. All was well -- symmetry reigned.

Row 15. A shell seemed to be missing. Okay. Easy fix. I added one.
Row 16. Don't know why but it started with a sc but ended with three dc. Again, the shells were off. Thank goodness shawls are symmetrical and it is easy to match up the right and left sides. Fixed this one.
Row 17. Ughh! My wide shells and open shells and closed shells seemed to fall in all the wrong spots. And that nonsense about starting the row with a sc and ending with a dc just didn't seem right, right?
Row 18. Damn! Nothing is right. In fact, it's looking more than a bit lopsided.

Made the decision to frog, to rip back to the last symmetrical row. Printed out an updated version of the pattern, studied the offending rows, and marked up the margins like I used to do when cramming for college finals.

Row 15, again. Ignored the obviously missing shell.
Row 16, again. Worked it as written. Still not comfortable starting with a sc and ending with a dc.
Row 17, again. Made sure to count every stitch.
Row 18, again. Things are looking up. I'm beginning to see the symmetry. In fact, it's no longer lopsided.
Rows 19-21. Making progress. Finished the first repeat, although row 21 was a bit convoluted!
Rows 22-26. Finished the second repeat. Only another four or five repeats to go.

I guess I should have taken Tracey's cautionary notes to heart:

"PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS, INCLUDING THE NOTES AT THE END OF THE PATTERN, BEFORE ENDEAVORING TO BEGIN YOUR SHAWL. THE NOTES FOLLOWING THE PATTERN WILL BE TO YOUR BENEFIT, AS THE SHAWL IS NOT SYMMETRICAL WHEN THE PATTERN IS BEING WORKED."

Tracey notes that several people have complained about the pattern because it is not truly symmetrical, although the finished product looks symmetrical! Last week, i would have been among that crowd. Now, after frogging, I see the error was with with me rather than with Tracey's pattern. Admittedly, I would only recommend this pattern for advance crocheters who feel they can grasp the pattern and then recreate it themselves through the repeats.

Now that I am following directions, this shawl is going to be beautiful when completed. I already have a recipient in mind.

Playing Hooky

2010-09-11T18:46:00.009-04:00

"My name is Victoria and I am a truant blogger." Lowers head in shame.  "It has been more than six months since my last post (not counting last week)."

You are now supposed to say, in unison, "Hi, Victoria."

With blog truancy comes guilt. True, I have not blogged much this year (as my sister Constance is wont to remind me of on a rather regular basis), but I have not strayed far afield the world of crochet. Although I have had a lot of work and family demands during that time, I did manage to play a little "hooky."

In February, I felted my first Fedora hat -- four skeins down but first, I had to add them to my stash. In May, I made a pair of mittens -- two skeins used but purchased four more to finish the mittens as well as another pair. In July, I attended the Knit and Crochet Show in Manchester, New Hampshire, where I picked up nine skeins of yarn. Later that month, I made a silk purse, using up one skein purchased in NH and another purchased to finish the project. I also added a double sized skein to justify the cost of shipping. In August, I made Vicki Mikulak's Flying Diamonds Shawl; although beautiful and fun to make, it was not quite a stashbuster at less than 2 skeins.  In the early days of September, I finished a cover for a hot water bottle, using yarn gifted from one Raverly swap partner.

My yarn adventures introduced me to several new yarns, including a couple that already were in my stash:

Frog Tree's Picoboo -- a pima cotton/bamboo blend in a sport-weight yarn that is actually closer to a light DK. Wonderfully soft, it drapes well and shows stitch definition without being stiff. Here it is worked up into a hot water bottle cover.

Habu Textiles' A-111 1/2.5 Tsumugi Silk Combination -- an unusual 100% silk yarn that has several colors within each strand. This is not a yarn to highlight highly textured crocheted stitches, although it does an admirable job of subtle stitch definition, such as Dee Stanziano's Pushmi-Pullyu stitch technique. Why this yarn is called a fingering weight yarn, I don't know. rather, it works up like a DK and most folks are using a 6 mm needle or 4 mm hook. Here it is as a silk purse.

StyleCraft's Signature Chunky -- this "Plain Jane"-named yarn is far from nondescript. A 50/50 wool/acrylic blend from Britain, it is luscious and very soft, and, dare I say, inexpensive. I started off with two skeins but had to order more to finish these mittens in the Peacock colorway. I even ordered extra skeins so I can make a set for myself. This picture does not do them justice.

Looking back, several projects were completed, but overall, not much stashbusting done. Counting yarn gifted from swaps, yarn purchased by me for me, yarn gifted to others during swaps, yarn used to make various projects, and yarn purchased to complete projects, I would say that my stash remains about the same. Playing hooky has been productive.

Angling this Fishing Yarn

2010-09-06T11:40:00.000-04:00

       Labor Day typically signals the unofficial end of summer. But out here in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, Labor Day weekend typically is hot and humid, steamy at best. But thanks to Hurricane Earl (who knew one could ever be grateful for a hurricane), the weather here this past weekend has been nothing short of beautiful. So I fought the urge to spend the holiday weekend as I typically have done in the past -- at home, sometimes with a grill, sometimes with a crochet hook, but always getting the kids into a back-to-school frame of mind. This year, we made the two- hour drive to Maryland's Eastern Shore to visit old friends.
   N and S live on the Choptank River, where I thought it would be fun to fish off their brand new pier, which had not been inaugurated, not counting their curious orange tabby or their always curious Kerry Blue Terrier. I also thought fishing might keep the girls from getting bored. So as we headed east, I picked up a couple of simple (read cheap) rod and reels and a couple of hooks and lures. We were all set. I also brought my current crochet project with me, just in case.
   First, I taught the girls how to cast off (no, not knitting, this is a crochet blog). For you non-anglers, casting simply is the act of throwing the fishing line out over the water using a flexible fishing rod and reel. Vashti soon became quite adept at casting with her closed spin cast reel. It took Lariat a bit longer because I had saddled her with an open-face spinning reel, but she also was casting with confidence. Before you ask, no, no fish were harmed during this escapade. In fact, no fish were even caught, although Lariat got two nibbles that ripped the hook off the line, and I got a heck of a pull that ripped the hook and bobber clean off the line.
   This is where this fish tale connects to crochet. It soon became evident that I had made the mistake of buying reels with 8 pound test line - so thin you can bite it clean through with your teeth. To add insult to injury, the reels were cheap. I moved from Lariat then to Vashti to untangle their lines. And just as with a tangled ball of yarn, my first urge was to tug and attempt to unweave the knots. But, thankfully, I remembered my previous forays into detangling yarn and stopped trying to outhink the tangles and twists.
   That afternoon, as summer was singing her swan song, I sat patiently on the dock untangling fishing line. As the sun began to set, turning the water from a cold dirty blue to a shimmering orange, I donned my sweater and sat patiently on the dock untangling fishing line. Eventually, it was to time to "cut bait." The tangles won out. Weak filament plus cheap reel equals tangled line. You could say I got what I paid for.
   Although the fish proved as elusive as an untangled line, we did enjoy good weather, good food, and good friends. I even came prepared for a bit of crochet and came away with this fishing yarn.
   Wishing you all a wonderful Labor Day weekend.

Commuting with Fiber

2010-02-22T14:43:00.002-05:00

Source unknown. Received this photo via e-mail several years ago. The man knows how to make a statement!

I'm a commuter. I take the bus and then the Metrorail (i.e., a subway that runs a significant portion above ground). My door-to-door commute runs about 45 minutes on average but somedays, due to weather or a sick passenger, it can drag on another 15 minutes. I used to think I was one of the lucky ones until I read that local commuters in the metropolitan D.C. area spend an average of 33 minutes getting to work, nearly 8 minutes a day more than the national average, according to data released last September by the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey. But, despite a commute that is 12 minutes longer than the regional average, I am still better off than the more than 100,000 local workers who spend 90 minutes or more commuting to work. Most of them do it behind the wheel of a car. I do mine behind the head of a bus driver or train operator.

Despite the seemingly cranky mantle I wear when I finally arrive at the office, I secretly like my commute. Commuting via public transit provides the most wonderful opportunities to read a book in peace (no constant interruptions for "Can we go . . . " or "What's for dinner?"). Commuting via public transit also allows long stretches of down (as in sitting) time during which I can take out my project bag and start hooking away. Despite the relatively short commute time, I can rock out a hat in two days of commuting, a small neck scarf in a day. Although I miss listening to the radio (Amy Goodman of Democracy Now! rocks) during my daily commute, I no longer enter the building already the stereotype of the harried government worker. What shape I am when I leave the building is another story altogether.

Unfortunaltely, the needle arts are not as popular among the commuting set as reading the Washington Post (or its unfortunate little offspring, the Express that often is left on seats for others to enjoy), listening to the latest tunes with expensive I-Pods with cheap earphones that allow folks two rows away to "enjoy" the music as well, or simply staring off into space. But every now and then, I run across a kindred soul who industriously spends this precious time indulging in these ancient arts, unknowingly keeping them alive for future generations. Sometimes our eyes will meet and we smile a knowing smile, sort of like an invisible nod of acknowledgement. If we are within talking distance, we politely, so as not to bore the other passengers, inquire about the project but it's a bit like talking in a secret code:

"That's a lovely blanket you are crocheting/knitting" translates to "You go, Girl! I love public displays of fiber."
"What yarn/pattern are you using" translates to "You are not alone. There are a lot of us hiding in plain site."
"Have you been to XXX local yarn store" translates to "There's a place where folks like us meet up. Perhaps you would like to join our secret society."

Then the train or bus stops and one of us departs for work or home. Thus endeth the secret dialogue and we sadly pack up our yarn and hooks and prepare for what lies ahead on our desk or in our kitchen.

Perhaps my crankiness upon arriving at work is not a facade.

Size Matters ! ? ! ?

2010-02-10T13:59:00.000-05:00

Source: Flying Finger operates its YarnBus, a free shuttle from Manhattan to its store in Westchester, NY.

Yarn, like so many other things (balls, underwear, people, crochet hooks, etc.) comes in a variety of sizes. And with different proportions comes different labels - pool, tennis, baseball, basketball, small, medium, large, extra-large, thong, bikini, brief, boy short, short, tall, fat, thin, A, B, C, etc. Endless labels for an endless assortment of the things that populate our universe.

As for yarn, its size, or weight, is determined by its thickness. Yarns typically fall into six broadly-defined categories of weights: (1) super fine or fingering or sock, (2) fine or sport, (3) light or DK, (4) medium or worsted, (5) bulky, and (6) super bulky. There's also the lace/cobweb/gossamer weight yarns that often are labeled 0. Need visuals? Cobweb (0) -- think of the über-skinny women whose gassamer-thin limbs would be swimming in a size 0 top. Super-fine (1) -- think of the haughty, ahem, God's Gift, ladies for whose anorexic bodies haute-couture is designed. Sport (2) -- think of all the athletic non-running, non-gymnasts, non ice-skating women out there who look as if they can lift a 5-lb weight. DK (3) -- well, you get the point.

According to the Craft Yarn Council of America, specific weights of yarn should produce a somewhat predictable number of stitches when using a particular sized crochet hook or knitting needle. The higher the yarn number, the heavier the yarn and the fewer stitches per inch you will get. But these are just general guidelines. As most crocheters and knitters have found, not all yarns of a certain weight are exactly the same. Thus the importance of swatching. There! I've done my part to encourage folks to take the time to make the dreaded but necessary swatch before embarking on projects where size (stitches that is) does matter.

My personal preference for yarn is driven by the project on which I'm working. Lately, I have have been working in lighter or finer yarns so that I can make garments with better drape. Crochet stitches produce a series of knots that produce bulkier stitches than knitting. So, to make a garment (whether a sweater or a hat) with a soft drape, we need to use a bigger hook, but by doing so, we risk creating a something full of holes. Works great on lace but wouldn't keep a slumbering bear warm on a bitter cold winter night. In general, it would be better to keep using your handy dandy G, H, or I hook and drop down to a skinnier yarn like light/DK and fine/sport weight, although sock weight works wonders. Last year, I made a scarf using a fingering weight washable wool and loved how it turned out. Hats made of any weight yarn will keep your head warm, while I doubt women of a certain age (we know who we are) would be comfortable in a sweater hooked up in a super bulky yarn.

Yet, I also like to quickly work up a hat or scarf, or even, sweater. Pair a big hook with some big yarn, throw in a couple of hours and you've got a hat. A few more hours, a scarf is born. From skinnier yarns can come supple, lightweight fabric does not grow the fabric as fast as bulkier yarns. Slow and steady may win the race but sometimes you need the heady rush of producing something of substance quickly.

Does size matter? Well, yes and no. As with life in general, yarn size just depends on what you make of it.

Inspiration: What Crocheters Want in a Yarn Shop

2010-01-21T07:41:00.002-05:00

Source: Crochet Inspiration by Sasha Kagan, a stitch compendium. Check out this review!

Last year, a new LYS opened less than a mile away from my house. Count me among the lucky. FiberSpace is an attractive little yarn shop tucked away in a little corner of Alexandria, focusing on moderate priced yarns (almost the entire line of Berroco), as well as some higher end fiber. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, the store just this side of funky. I mean, what else can you say about a store that successfully pulls off a retro outerspace theme. But, what I think makes this shop so special is that it carries several yarns that help to sustain womens' cooperatives in developing countries. Their social consciousness extends even further -- last weekend, they donated 20% of its yarn sales to OxFam to help with disaster support in Haiti. From two days of sales, this little store is sending almost $1800!

What I also love about this shop is that it does not eschew, or shun, crochet. Nothing irks me more than walking into a yarn store to spend my hard-earned money and being made to feel like I am some hick from the mountains. Okay, so I grew up in the Intermountain West but I am far from a hick. Although far from being crochet-centric, FibreSpace wants to encourage more crocheters to see them as a resource. Recently, the owner asked, what do crocheters want in a yarn shop? I mentioned a few things:

Crocheted project samples -- inspire us by showing how your beautiful yarn looks crocheted into a little garmet
Crocheted yarn swatches -- it helps to see how a yarn will work up
Good, attractive crochet books -- there are so many new ones out there
Adequate crochet notions -- such as crochet hooks you can't find in Michael's or AC Moore

Bottom line, think about what attracts knitters and other fiber artists to your shop, your yarn, your classes, and then do the same for crocheters. Inspiration is our muse too.

So this is the question I pose to you crocheters out there: What do you want in a Yarn Shop? Inquiring minds want to know.

2009-10-11T15:42:00.006-04:00

Spiderman had his Aunt May. Harry Potter relunctantly was raised by Aunt Petunia. Dorothy yearned for her Auntie Em (can you just hear the Wicked Witch screaching Auntieeee Emmmmm in a mocking whine - sends shivers down my spine).

I'm watching a Lifetime movie, Saving Sarah Cain, about a newspaper columnist who becomes the legal guardian for her deceased sister's five Amish children. It reminds me of another Aunt-who-suddenly-becomes-Aunt Mommy movie, Raising Helen, about a woman who becomes the legal guardian for her deceased sister's three children. Sound familiar? This plot has been repeated countless number of times. In all, these aunts (hardly ever a single uncle) seem to be clueless characters in a Mission Impossible movie, trying to decide how to answer the question, your mission should you choose to accept it, although they act more like fish out of water, unsure. perhaps unaware of their unrealized dream of being a mother. Of course, once they realize this, then, magic of all magics, they get a man. God, I am tired of these movies.

So what has this post got to do with crochet? Nothing. It's just that I am a bit weary of stories about kids being given to an unqualified relative who has to be dragged kicking and screaming into a life-altering experience. There are so many flesh-and-blood women, and a few men no doubt, who have willingly opened their homes and hearts to their nieces and nephews for the simple reason that they are family and family takes care of family. No tricks, no guilt trips. And even though it may take a village to raise a child, it often is up to an aunt or grandmother or even an uncle to keep a family together. I just wish they would do movies about families who just happen to have an aunt with nieces and nephews and not make that relationship the premise for the plot.

Wyld Ryd

2009-09-14T17:25:00.000-04:00

Almost every Saturday, I volunteer at a genealogy library. Volunteering means hanging with my other crochet buddy, Meredith, who always inspires me to think outside the box when it comes to crochet and knitting. We discuss our current projects, new yarn finds, our families, our ancestors. It is, after all, a genealogy library and we are there to help patrons with their often elusive family searches.

Last Saturday, on my way to my "volunteer" (a genealogy library but my girls have always called it going to the volunteer), I pulled up behind a black Lexus sporting license plates that read "WYLD RYD." I thought, what a great title for a blog, but gave it up because cars and crochet don't mix, right!?.

I had brought my ball winder with me to wind a few skeins of yarn in preparation for some lace projects I am getting underway. Holiday gift giving and all that. Note to Vern and Con: yes, you each will be getting a lace shawl. I don't own a yarn swift so I thought I would take advantage of the highback chairs at the center to serve as an extra pair of hands. First up was a skein of KnitPicks Bare Peruvian Highland Wool fingering weight. Gonna use this for StitchStud's Peacock Track Mystery Crochet-A-Long. I plan to dye it in peacock blues and greens. Next up, Martha's Vineyard Fiber Farm's Sock Weight, perfect for an oversized scarf. Although the chairs were a tad bit narrow to hold the yarns with any real tension, the skeins rolled off nicely as I wound them into balls. Then came Araucania's Lonco Multy. Some of you already are aware of my love-hate relationship with this yarn. I've been avoiding working on a second Bird of Paradise Shawl because of the hours spent unraveling this tough little cotton yarn.

Hoping to avoid any opportunity for a mishap, I grabbed the leather office chair. Its back is wider so it should hold the yarn better. As I cautiously started to unwind the skein, the chair shifted, revolving slowly like a yarn swift. I pushed it along and the yarn came off with little hesitation. I held my breath. The chair jerked to a stop as the yarn snagged. I cursed the yarn and wondered why I even bothered. In frustration, I gave the yarn a little downward tug, surprisingly freeing the yarn. I nudged the chair, smooth sailing for a few yards. Another snag, another damn, another tug. I spun the chair, faster. Another snag, another tug, finally, freedom. Soon, the chair was turning like a kid spinning on a merry-go-round. Patrons walking into to the library stopped short, fascinated by the spinning chair as yarn was pulled off and formed into a little ball. Finally, the last length of yarn left my hand, completing the new yarn ball. I reached out, stopped the chair, and took a deep breath -- I had been holding my breath somewhat. What took 13 hours to wind the first skein, only took 45 minutes for this ball. Cue the chorus of angels. I was in yarn heaven.

Lesson learned? Yarn can be quite temperamental. Some can be quite easy going, allowing you to wind it up with a child's helpful arms. Others need a swift kick in the @#$ and can only be controlled by the unyeilding arms of a yarn swift. Although I know that the unusual way the Araucania Lonco Multy was put up into a skein had a lot to do with my earlier problems, I realize that I had unwittingly created more twists and turns as I tried to "figure out" each and every snag by untwisting every perceived twist, only to twist it upon itself even more. Human nature being what it is, we try to outwit such yarn and think ahead of a snag, a twist, a perceived tangle. But under the constraint of a yarn swift, you are forced to let the swift and the yarn work together. Your hand just goes along for the ride.

So, if you need an extra pair hands and no yarn swift is handy, go to work and give that office chair a wyld ryd.

P.S. Get yourself some Araucania Lonco Multy but don't forget the swift.

You Say Crotch-et-y, I Say Cro-chet-ee . . .

2009-08-31T23:10:00.002-04:00

Crotch-et-y --adj. Capriciously stubborn or eccentric. Given to crotchets, subject to odd notions, whims. Having a difficult and contrary disposition.
--Synonyms: fussy, eccentric, grouchy.

At lunch last week my good friend Linda said I was a bit "crotchety." It all started when another friend noted that I was the only person at the table wearing a watch, adding that, "in this day and age, why wear something that only does one thing?!" Lazybones that I am, I told her I refuse to pull out my cell phone or blackberry just to see the time. Looking back, I guess I was a bit stubborn in my defense of wristwatches, admittedly a bit capricious since my watch is stuck on 9:00 as I wait to find a replacement battery.

Naturally, lunch and meandering conversations being what they are, we were stymied by the question, what the hell is a crotchet?

Some have suggested that perhaps being crotchety might be an affliction of people who crochet. Hrmp! While it is true that "crotchety" does sound and look very much like "crochety," and that only a T separates the two, it doesn't help that Internet search engines assume you can't spell and must mean "crochet" so offer links to all things crochet. The etymology of "crotchety" is related to the crotchet, which in 1573 was a "whim or fancy," which seems to have taken its meaning from a 1394 usage as an architectural ornament of curled leaves, which in turn may have been taken from the Old French word for hook. The Online Etymology Dictionary says the sense evolution is obscure. Really?! Seems to make perfect sense to me -- curled leaves resembling a hook that during the Renaissance might well have been considered quite whimsical or fanciful. A hook is also a barb and can be quite sharp. Thus someone who displays an odd fanciful or whimsical notion or uses a sharp tone (i.e., grouchy) is crotchety. See?! Not exactly rocket science.

And certainly not limited to the practitioners of my favorite craft, as we all know and bitch about crotchety knitters, crotchety weavers, crotchety bosses, crotchety neighbors, crotchety friends, crotchety . . . The list is endless.

Being called crotchety gets one to thinking, thinking about getting old. Admit it, only people of a certain age remember when that word was in common usage. When have you ever heard people complain about some "crotchety little kid?" I turned "mmph" this year and it finally hits you that you are now the third oldest person in the office and that you are old enough to be mama to almost half your co-workers. It's a bit mind-boggling, considering that you feel as young as they are. Sometimes act like it too.

Am I a crotch-et-y old lady? No?

Am I a cro-chet-ee old lady? Yes. And proud of it.

Off the Hook no more

2009-08-20T20:17:00.005-04:00

I'm back. I know. It's been a while since I last posted. Actually, way too long.

The last six, no, seven, weeks, have been very busy, what with moving, working full time, packing boxes, running an evening Girl Scout camp for a week, unpacking boxes, locating stuff I had accidentally packed for three swaps all due in July, getting kids into and motivated for summer school, trying to process a grant award, painting a bedroom-living room-dining room-hallway-kitchen, moving, preparing and running for a national 3-day public meeting, coordinating not one but two reports of recommendations to the head of my Agency, dealing with a mailperson who insisted that my new place was vacant and thus sent all my mail back as undelivered including my new driver's license, fighting with the phone company to get my dial tone, taking a 12-hour train ride to and from the 2009 Summer Knit and Crochet Show in Buffalo, and . . . did I say moving? Seems like I have been doing everything under the Sun. Everything, except crochet. Came pretty close to making this Cancer very crabby.

But now the move is over (except the 40 boxes in my living and dining rooms waiting patiently for a spot of their own), the meetings and reports have been conducted and submitted, the grant almost finalized, the swaps sent off and received, the Postal Carrier straightened out, the camp successfully run its course, the rooms painted, and the dial tone returned for good. To top it all off, the trip to the Crochet Show proved to be the most relaxing thing I've done in a long time and was sorely needed. This Crab is ready for crochet.

I'll keep you posted.

More frequently.

I promise.

BTW, the crab above is the work of Portugal artist, Joana Vasconcelos, who transforms manufactured objects into works of art, often using crochet. Click on her WORK and select a year, such as 2007. Pretty cool stuff.

Moving On Up

2009-07-06T08:42:00.005-04:00

I'm in the midst of moving up from an apartment to a small townhouse on the east side of town (sort of like the Jeffersons* only this place is not a deluxe apartment in the sky but a quaint little townhome). Despite the somewhat dodgy comparison to an old 70s sitcom, what is it about moving that tends to shed light on one's little secrets?

Before the move, I could've sworn -- no, actually amitted out loud -- that I had 5 bins of yarn. Big bins, but still only five. I thought I knew since I called myself sorting it all out just before packing it all off to the new house. But wouldn't ya know, as I removed the top layers of boxes and bins cluttering my living room and bedroom, I found small bags and another bin of yarn! Sadly, my first response was not "where did this box come from?" or even "where am I going to put it?" but rather, "where had this yarn been hiding?" and "oooh, now I can make that thing I wanted to make." Yes, I have no shame.

I still will not admit to being a yarnaholic. I have a few fellow fiber artists who shall remain nameless, who share their homes with their yarn. Actually, for one of them, it seems the yarn shares its home with her.

So, I have to rethink, just a bit, how I will store my yarn in the new place. Give me time. I'm sure I will find more. I haven't really uncovered everything in the closets or under my bed.

* For those of you who remember the Jeffersons:

We're a movin' on up,
(We're a movin on up.)
To the east side.
(Mo-vin on up.)
To a de-luxe apartment,
In the sky-.
Mo-vin' on up
(Mo-vin on up.)
To the east side,
(Mo-vin on up.)
We finally got a piece of the pie.

Fish don't fry in the kitchen,
A beans don't burn on the grill.
Took a whole lot of trying
Just to get up that hill.
Now we're up in the big leagues,
Gettin our turn at bat.
As long as we live
It's you and me baby.
There ain't nothing wrong with that.

We're a moving on up
(Mo-vin on up.)
To the east side,
(Mo-vin on up.)
To a de-luxe apartment
In the sky-.
Mo-vin on up
(Mo-vin on up.)
To the east side.
(Mo-vin on up.)
We finally got a piece of the pie-.

Should you choose to accept this mission . . .

2009-06-27T19:51:00.008-04:00

A fellow yarnie tagged me with a new mission: find the sixth photo in my sixth photo folder and write about it. Sounds simple enough but then I got to thinking (always a dangerous thing my friend Lisa always says because I say that about her): do I have six folders in My Pictures folder? Do I have even six photos in that folder? Worse yet, what if the photo is stupid, embarrassing, or just plain crass? So, with some trepidation, I embarked upon my mission impossible.

How fortuitous that my sixth-sixth is one of my favorite pics. Here is 4-1-1:

My father, the curmudgeon (I'm being nice), was visiting from Utah and had taken the girls and I out to dinner. My father -- Uncle Earl to a slew of nieces and nephews, and Paw Paw to his grandchildren -- likes to push the parental envelope by teaching his grandchildren and nieces and nephews silly things -- like how to cuss or by telling them slightly inappropriate stories. On this day, Lariat had just gotten braces and was actually quite excited and proud. She looked good in them too, despite the fake tattoo on her cheek. As usual, as we were sitting waiting to order, Paw Paw was regaling his granddaughters with some nonsense or another. I was happily snapping photos with my new phone. I don't remember what story my father was telling but was fortunate to snap this pic just as Lariat registered her reaction with a very vocal "Ewwww."

Now, my father is not the only one who borders on the silly in an effort to entertain. Lariat thought to liven things up by sticking crayons up her nose and exclaiming, "Look at me! I am a walrus!" Go figure the mind of a 13-year old.

The evening ended on a good note. The food was good, and there weren't any arguments. Of all the ones taken that evening, I like this photo best.

Now that I have told you about that photo, I must explain the rules for the five people for whom I have selected to take up this mission.

Linda's Yarn Closet
Wannabe Domestic Goddess
DeltaPurl
Knit One, Purr Two
Unraveling Sophia

Rules:
1) Go to your photo folders
2) Select the sixth file folder
3) Open it and select the sixth photo in that file folder
4) Write a story for that picture, post it and
5) Select five bloggy friends to tag
6) Be sure to let them know they've been tagged

Good luck if you choose to accept this mission. This blog post will not self-destruct after 10 seconds. It's on the Internet, so it is forever.

Pattern: Collared Tippet

2009-06-25T16:33:00.017-04:00

Type: One Skein Wonder
Skill Level: Easy Skill Builder
Wearability: Fun

This scarf is militaristic in style with a pointed collar and round epaulets that form the front of the scarf. The look is finished with metallic buttons. Although the body is worked in a flat round without turning, the collar is worked by turning between rows.

Supplies

Yarn: Approximately 120 (100,80) yards of a DK (worsted, Bulky) weight of your choice. Just remember to pick something that feels good against the skin and isn't too rigid. For those comfortable with boucle style yarns, feel free. Just remember to use your stitch markers.

Hook: H or other to get gauge

Stitch markers

2 Buttons

TIP: Hate counting stitches over and over again? Keep your sanity by using stitch markers to mark the beginning and ending stitches for both sides of the base.

Gauge

Go ahead! Feel free to use a DK weight or a worsted/aran weight or even a bulky weight yarn. This pattern offers instructions for all three -- which is indicated by DK (Worsted, Bulky).

DK [3]: 16 dc + 10 rows = 4 in -- I used James Brett's Marble in Navy
Worsted/Aran [4]: 12 dc + 8 rows = 4 in -- I used Naturally Caron's Country in Teal
Bulky [5]: XX dc + X rows = 4 in -- I used Lion Brand Suede

TIP: Love how your swatch looks but can't make gauge? If changing your hook doesn't work (i.e., you don't like how the effect), try adapting the number of starting chains. Here's how: Given that the base of the scarf at the first row is 16 inches, multiply the number of dc stitches from your 4 inch gauge by 4 and then add 5. For example, if your swatch is 15 stitches = 4 inches, then chain 60 + 5 = 65 chains.

BODY

Ch 69 (53, XX).

Rnd 1: 2 dc in 4th ch from hook (counts as first dc); dc in each of next 64 (48, XX) ch, 6 dc in last ch; pivot (no turn) to work in free loops along opposite side of foundation ch, dc in each of next 64 (48, XX) ch, 4 dc in last ch; join with sl st in top of beg ch [124 (108, XXX) sts]

TIP: To help the scarf to lay flat, work stitches into the bump of the chain.

Rnd 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc on each succeeding round), dc in same space as join, 2 dc in next dc, 4 dc in next dc, dc in next 64 (48, XX) dc, 4 dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, 3 dc in each of the next 2 dc, 2 dc in next dc, 4 dc in next dc, dc in next 64 (48, XX) dc, 4 dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc; 3 dc in next 2 dc, 1 dc in next dc, join with sl st in top of beg ch [148 (132, 1xx) sts]

NOTE: The base of the scarf will always be the same width and is represented by those stitches which form the top and bottom straight edges of the scarf. In this pattern, these stitches are illustrated as "64 (48, XX)."

Rnd 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in next dc, (dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc) 3 times, dc in next 64 (48, XX) dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc) 4 times, 2 dc in next two dc, (dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc) 4 times, dc in next 64 (48, XX) dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc) 4 times, 2 dc in next two dc; join with sl st in top of beg ch [168 (152, 1xx) sts]

Rnd 4: Ch 3, dc in next dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next two dc) 3 times, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next 64 (48, XX) dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next two dc) 9 times, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next 64 (48, XX) dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next two dc) 5 times, 2 dc in next dc; join with sl st in top of beg ch [188 (172, 1xx) sts]

DK and Worsted weight only:

Rnd 5: Ch 3, dc in next dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next three dc) 3 times, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next 64 (48, XX) dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next three dc) 5 times, dc in next dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next three dc) 4 times, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next 64 (48, XX) dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next three dc) 5 times, dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc; join with sl st in top of beg ch [208 (192, 1xx) sts]

DK weight only:

Rnd 6: Ch 3, dc in next dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next four dc) 3 times, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next 64 (48, XX) dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next four dc) 5 times, dc in next dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next four dc) 4 times, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next 64 (48, XX) dc, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next four dc) 5 times, dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc; join with sl st in top of beg ch [228 (212, 1xx) sts]

Fasten off and weave in ends.

COLLAR

Row 1: Going to base stitches, work 1 sc in each stitch of base, ch 1, turn [64 (48, XX) sts]

Row 2: sc in first sc, 2 sc in next st, sc in remaining stitches until 3 st remain, 2 sc in next st, sc in last sc, ch 1, turn [66 (50, XX) sts]

Row 3: Repeat Row 2 [68 (52, XX) sts]

Row 4: Repeat Row 3 [70 (52, XX) sts]

Row 5: dc in first sc, sk next st, ch 1, 2 dc in next st, sk next st, ch 1, dc in next st, sk next st, ch 1, repeat to last three stitches, 2 dc in next st, sk next st, ch 1, dc in last st [72 (54, XX) sts]

Row 6: Repeat Row 4 [74 (56, XX) sts]

Row 7: Repeat Row 6 [76 (58, XX) sts]

Row 8: Repeat Row 7 [78 (60, XX) sts]

Fasten off and weave in ends.

FINISHING

Attach buttons to rounded epaulets, trying on to ensure proper placement.

Dream a Little Dream of Me

2009-06-13T21:27:00.006-04:00

I had the weirdest dream last night.

I've been off my crochet game the past few weeks, preoccupied with work (new President, new Administration, new priorities, same old deadlines, longer hours), playing chauffeur to teens who had to get to and from after-school chorus rehearsals and evening chorus concerts, and squeezing in birthday pool parties for not one but two teens. All that to say that I haven't picked up a crochet hook save to put it with its mates. Nothing on my hook, nothing in my blog. But then I had this dream.

In my dream, I was sitting with friends (aka crochet buddies) and I pulled out my current project and started to work. The dream ME blithly drew up various parts to a child's sweater -- two front panels, the back, one complete sleeve, and the beginnings of a second sleeve. The dreaming voyeur ME was a bit taken aback. For one, I don't have a current project even started, let alone lacking all but a right sleeve. And second, I don't even recognize the yarns. The lightweight sweater draped leisurely across my hands and seemed to be made of sport or DK pima cotton of deeply saturated colors. Most of the sweater was crocheted from a lovely shade of emerald green with a touch of buttered sweet corn yellow striping tossed casually near the top of the setpin sleeve but just below the drop shoulder, which had a couple of rows of mutely varigated ballet pink and cherries jubiliee and forest pine and sunbeam yellow. Nothing remotely like those yarns in my stash.

The sweet little sweater was crafted in simple hdc (I think). Perhaps it was a shell pattern, perhaps not; I didn't get a close look. But what I do remember admiring about "my work" was the multi-colored row of delicate little rosebuds clusters ringing the edge of the drop shoulder. Actually I (the dreamer) was quite proud of the job I had done so far.

Like most dreams, my midnight reverie turned to other matters. I don't remember much else because soon thereafter, I awoke. When my head cleared, I began to wonder -- had I seen this little diddy somewhere or did I dream this up (so to speak)?

It's Easy to be Green (or Blue or Red or Yellow or . . . )

2009-05-21T00:17:00.011-04:00

Who says market bags have to be boring? Who says they have to be bland to be eco-friendly? With just the right yarn, one can turn vanilla beige into a Sinfully Beautiful Vintage Shopping Bag in a deep royal blue.

The original vintage pattern (Bestway Leaflet 1240) calls for this round market bag to be made of double stranded 4-ply string. Not finding any string, I chose to soften things up a bit with Omega's Sinfonia 100% mercerized cotton sport weight yarn, which I also worked in a double strand. Surprisingly, I was able to make the same guage as called for in the pattern.

The resulting pattern is quite stretchy: I easily stuffed eight 7-oz skeins of Red Heart yarn in it with no problems whatsoever. Imagine the groceries you can stuff in this little bag.

Not Your Granny's Crochet

2009-05-16T18:54:00.007-04:00

As I embark on my journey from an intermediate crocheter to one with more advanced skills, I have been searching for whatever information I can absorb that will help me create the kind of crochet fabric that is supple, drapes well, and refutes the commonly held perception that crochet is all about the granny square (no insult intended to granny squares).

My journey is to produce the handmade, not the homemade, which is why I love the designs of Julia Vaconsin, a German crochet designer living in France. Her work epitomizes the beauty that is crochet. Take for example, her Malabrigo top published in the Spring 2009 issue of Interweave Crochet. Can you believe that ribbing is crocheted?! Check out this crocheted Fair Isle sweater. Sweet! And these delicate hand warmers -- not clunky at all.

Although my love lies first with crochet (I do knit a bit), lessons can be found even among the knitters. Take for example, TechKnitter from Wisconsin, whose blog is dedicated to retrieving "25 years of knitting tricks want out of my mind, and into yours." Her quicktips are full of gems for any fiber artist (want to get rid of the fishy smell of silk? Read this post). Her well-written discourses on negative/positive ease, among a host of topics, stand as testaments to the knowlege of this woman. Here is a link to an alphabetical list of her posts.

So I plan to keep on learning. Wish me luck in the journey. For links to other inspirational and educational sites, check out the lists to the right.

Thy name is . . .

2009-05-14T12:09:00.010-04:00

Call me a glutton for punishment. After all I have said about Araucania's Lonco Multy, about how difficult, how tiresome, how tedious it was to wind each skein into a ball, I went out and bought four more skeins! True, the yarn produces a lovely drape and the colors are brilliant, but, I hadn't planned on buying more Lonco until after the manufacturer fixed the skein problem. But the best laid plans of mice and [wo]men . . .

You see, I have two sisters who, as enablers of my crochet passion, convinced me to make them each a Bird of Paradise shawl. Both called asking for the shawl within hours after my posting the pictures to the blog. Of course, any old yarn would not do; it had to be Lonco in the unnamed colorway 4002. So, I will be at it again during the next two months. Actually, it won't be so bad as I will be take this opportunity to actually WRITE down my pattern. I've even recruited another tester.

Did I tell you? I wrote Araucania Yarns about the problems with Lonco. I sent my message late one afternoon and got this response back early the next morning:

"We have had problems with Lonco because the supplier have not used our indications. The idea is that every yarn we worked with should tied up as Patagonia [Nature Cotton] but he sent a totally different kind of ties, which has bring us a lot of troubles. We are working now in an idea to make the untyed proccess easier. I really appreciate your comments."

So, you see, I think this yarn deserves a second chance. At least, that is what I will keep saying to myself as I unwind my new skeins.

Bird of Paradise Shawl

2009-04-23T17:59:00.004-04:00

I am in love with lace. No, not the wearing of it. Rather the making the seemingly intricate stitches common to vintage lace shawls and scarves. It was with a bit of trepidation that I started what turned into my first full-sized lace anything! Dubbed my Bird of Paradise shawl, it is a celebration of the colorway and feather display that seems to be taken directly from these tropical birds. The 64" wing span balances the 32" neck to tail feather body of the shawl. The narrower drape around the shoulders enable easier mobility when trying to chase a child or working at a computer all day. The cotton shawl can comfortably be worn throughout the year.

I started this project simply to make use of 440 yards of cotton yarn that just called out to me from the shelf of my local yarn store. I chose the Paradise Stitch pattern (page 61 of the old Harmony Guide to Crochet Stitches and Techniques) is very simple -- the rows of *3dc,ch3,3dc cluster stitch alternating with rows of *ch2, 3dc* repeats), which is reminiscent of the antenna-like head feathers of some male Birds of Paradise. Go here for pictures and more pictures of Birds of Paradise. This video shows these interesting birds in action.

Despite my earlier posts about Araucania Lonco Multy, I love this cotton yarn. It is smooth without being tightly wound, producing a drape that is wonderful, particularly with a 4mm (G) Hook. It was easy to work, with only an occasional splitting of the strand. For a cotton yarn, it took blocking well. But because of the lace, the fabric is so light that I don't anticipate it falling out of shape like most cotton garments.

The shawl is done and has flown the coop. It has been sent on to my swap buddy in Iowa. I hope she enjoys it. I will be posting the pattern soon. Now on to another lace shawl.

Argh! Perhaps Ye Be a Pirate Parrot!

2009-03-29T20:22:00.004-04:00

Charles Dickens to the contrary, why is it that the beautiful ones often are the most ornery?

My lovely skein of Araucania Lonco Multy fingering weight cotton yarn came in 440-yard hank that needed to be wound into a ball before it could be used. Eager to get started with turning my Parrot colored hank into a multi-hued lacy shawl, I began what I thought would be an hour-long process. Lacking a yarn swift and choosing not to use my ball winder (okay, I admit, my winder is somewhere to be found), I put the hank over the back of a tall chair and started the wind up Friday evening. The process was slow and then grew laborious as realization dawned that the skein was twisted upon itself. It appears the hank had been tied in a way different from other skeins I had wound in the past. Five hours later, I, and approximately 50 yards, was undone and I needed my bed. Saturday afternoon, I drafted the able hands and neck of my eldest and took up the chore anew. Two hours later, I excused my human yarn swift to work the the last 25 yards alone. I wanted so much to find a short cut but refused to cut the yarn. Another two hours passed before I wrapped the final length of strand around the ball.

Damn! Nine hours in total to produce the lovely ball above. I probably will spend less time crocheting the shawl than I did in making the ball! But isn't it georgous! The sheen, the strength of color. Can't wait to get started.

Great Minds and All That

2009-03-24T19:12:00.009-04:00

OH. MY. GOD! I just discovered that the Triple Curve Stitch pattern I used for my Royal Lattice scarf is similar to the pattern crafted by Leigh Radford for her Blizzard Scarf (published in Scarf Style). A slightly modified version is the basis for Marianne Forrestal Airy Spring Throw profiled in the Mar/Apr 2009 issue of Crochet Today. Radford turned her scarf on its side, crocheting up the 84-inch long span to a 27-inch rise, while my scarf rises 44 inches up from an 11-inch base. Forrestal modified the vase-lie diamonds from which the curved stitches seem to spurt like a fountain by adding a v-stitch and integrating intermitten rows of double crochet in with the single crochet.

Although it appears all three scarves/shawls are based on the Triple Curve Stitch profiled in the Harmony Guide to Crocheting: Techniques and Stitches, each is finished very differently. Radford's features two rows of sc, while Forrestall goes quite fancy with a lacy scalloped edging. I opted for something in between with a mosaic border from a simple dc, ch1, 4dc cluster, ch1 repeat.

I'm generally satisfied happy with how my scarf turned out, despite the fact that blocking opens up the stitch pattern but looses the texture and springyness inherent in Paton's 70% bamboo/30% sik blend. It's just that 11 inches by 43 inches is just an awkward size for an open pattern stitch. I'm going to have to put it back among my works in progress until I can double it's size. More later about how I do that.

Vintage

2009-03-15T14:33:00.007-04:00

I'm into vintage patterns these days. They seem to have so much more to offer in crochet, particularly when it comes to wearable fashion. Although not a fan of doilies -- using or making -- I see their construction as ways to improve my skills. They also can be modified to make some beautiful lace shawls. I also think I was hooked by the film noir look of the photos. The draw you right into the photo and straight to the item being featured. Today's photographers of contemporary crochet magazines should take a cue from vintage patterns such as these.

Here are a couple of my recent acquisitions:

Some pretty cool patterns include this Star-Stitch Crocheted Vest made from 990 yards of cotton thread size 5 and a #7 steel crochet hook.

Although I doubt I would make the acorn gadget as pictured, the acorns themselves are quite cute and would make interesting embellishments to a hat, or as buttons on a child's sweater.

These crochet gloves look quite snazzy and use about 320 yards of No 5 cotton crochet thread. I think I will add two columns of cables up the back for a little variety.

This Kids Sweaters booklet feature both knit and crochet patterns.

And of course I could not resist this little gem, as I look for ways to improve my basic knitting skills.
These patterns serve to reinforce what a crochet instructor taught me -- that crochet fabric can be quite supple when the right yarn and right hook are used. In this case, a fine gauge yarn (or thread) and a larger hook.

Bad to the Bone?!

2009-03-13T19:27:00.019-04:00

Today, I was bad. Very bad.

I went to my favorite LYS to buy yarn for several swaps. I got what I came for, but also walked away with some yarn and vintage buttons I'm keeping for myself. Couldn't help myself. The little shop is chock full of the very thing a yarnaholic, no, a yarn afficianado like myself should indulge in only in measured doses.

You may remember how I gushed over Araucanía's Pategonia Nature's Cotton, a softly-textured smooth bulky yarn, spun into thin and thick plies. According to its website, Araucanía Yarns is a group of artisans and designers dedicated to the artisan dyeing of fibers for weaving and knitting located in Santiago, Chile, on the southwest corner of South America. Well, Araucania has done it again with its brand new Lonco Multi yarn, a simple 100% mercerized cotton fingering weight yarn with the most vivid and vibrant colors I've seen in a long time. The yarn called to me as soon as I walked into the store, with colors straight out of the rain forest: rusty red, ochre yellow, koolaid blue purple, and true green. Unfortunately, although quite inventive when naming yarns, Araucania seems to have assigned the naming of most of its yarn colorways to an accountant. This one is called "4002." Ridiculous -- a better name would be "Parrot." Whatever, I think this skein will be a shawl.

Oh, the reason I was at Aylin's in the first place? I have three active swaps on Ravelry, all of which require yarn. So, in addition to my little indulgence, I picked up:

What has got to be the most unusual source for fiber: sugar cane. Araucania's Ruca Multy, made from 100% Italian sugar cane, looks and feels like a bamboo/silk blend, so silky, so shiny, and oh so soft. Okay, okay, I'll say it -- it sure feels sweet! When I raised the skein to my nose for a sniff, the sales lady laughed, saying that everyone does that when first hearing what it is made of . . . No worries, no sugary smell.
What has got to be the most bizarre name for a yarn: Bris by Swedish Yarn Imports, half wool and half soy. It feels like a silk/wool blend. I was told that, in Swedish, Bris means "cold breeze between mountains" . . . Go figure.
What is a fine example of yarn from one of my favorite yarn companies: Berocco Ultra Alpaca Fine, an ultra soft fingering weight yarn that can be used for shawls, delicate sweaters, and scarves, as well as socks. No slouch in the color naming department, Berocco named this one Redwood Mix.

Yes, I was bad. All this yarn -- obviously I'm not making a dent in my stash. But looking at my list afresh, I wasna so bad. Almost all of this yarn is going to a home I don't call my own. Even the yarn I bought for myself will be used to make something for one of my spoilees. But hey, I get to use it first.

Update: Janetta lady's collar

2009-03-03T13:22:00.013-05:00

Recently I was asked what knitting/ crochet pattern that I've worked that I could see myself making over and over and never get tired of. Well, I can see myself making Janetta's Lady's Collar again, because it is easily memorized, produces something that looks more complicated than it is, and dresses up an outfit with little effort. Here is a close-up of my third version of the collar, done up in a cashmere/silk blend that is luxuriously soft. I love how it feels against the skin and the solid cocoa brown is just the perfect accent with a light colored shirt (perhaps yellow ochre) and a brown suit. This one is a keeper for me. More photos of the collar can be found on Ravelry.

But could I make it over and over and over again, to the exclusino of anyting else? In a word, no. But I don't think that is the question. I would answer that there are several patterns I can see myself making repeatedly and actually do -- simple cloches adorned with buttons [my trademark], baby bibs, neck warmers, and perhaps one day, socks.

Right Fiber, Wrong Yarn (and vice-versa)

2009-02-25T00:50:00.009-05:00

Earlier this month, I had written that I thought I had found the right pattern in which to work up the scrumptious cashmere/silk lace yarn that I had received from Ruby, my swap partner. My suspicions were confirmed as I was working the pattern up. The light powdery appearance of the cashmere showcased the surprisingly simple stitch pattern. The fabric produced seemed to float, it was so lightweight. But, as I worked my way through to the 7th row, I realized that a lace-weight yarn is not the right weight for the pattern. What a quandary – the right fiber but the wrong yarn. Unfortunately, frogging my work is not an option as one of the few downsides to this yarn is that it is extremely difficult to pull apart, even one crocheted with a light tough. Instead, I chose to modify the pattern to gain the extra width and length to make it fit for an adult.

Pattern modification requires several skills: an understanding of how a specific yarn can be manipulated, an understanding of how various sections of the pattern work together, and an understanding of one’s own ability to cheat a pattern. But modification requires practice, something that I did not intend to inflict on such delicate yarn.

I chose Silver Tree Farm’s Vista Sock yarn, a kettle dyed sock weight washable wool that I must admit when I first saw the skein, although cushy soft and quite pretty, didn’t immediately call out to be made into something, it being a bit too pink for me. Knitter’s Review wrote in her blog that some yarns have skein appeal (my lovely brass-colored Berroco Seduce Chana Dal is one such yarn). Others don't reveal their true potential until you start knitting (or in my case, crochet) with them. Once before, I made the mistake of “damning” a yarn by its cover – now my mother has a hat and lapghan in her pink and green and cream AKA colorway. Lightening has now struck twice. The Vista Sock, when worked in this pattern, WOWZA!

Since my lone “B-2.25 mm” hook was busy keeping company with the Filatura di Crosa Superior cashmere yarn, I stepped up to my “C-2.75 mm” hook. The pattern worked up fast and simply, and was easily memorized. Luckily the 462-yard skein had enough yarn from which to make a second collar, which I took as an opportunity to experiment with hook size to soften the collar and improve the drape. My “D-3.25” mm hook was someplace, as was my “E-3.5 mm” hook No choice but to use my “F-3.75 mm” hook. As I write this, I wonder why I just didn’t go out and buy more hooks but senior moments can strike even the undaunted.

The vintage 1920s pattern calls for a fine-spun angora sock weight yarn who’s natural halo was responsible for the collar’s powdery appearance. Overall, the Vista Sock proved quite serviceable, producing a soft touchable collar. The short bursts of color complemented the “2 dc, 1 ch, 2 dc” stitch clusters. Yet what makes this a great sock yarn is exactly the reason why it is not best for this vintage look -- the smooth skin of the yarn makes well defined stitches but lacks the ethereal quality inherent in angora and cashmere. Thus the right yarn but the wrong fiber. Despite these limitations, I loved how the collars turned out.

Above, the “C” version was a bit stiff until blocked, while the “F” was a bit loosey goosey. This is particularly evident in the center back of the collar, folded in half below. The version crocheted with the "C" hook literally overshadows the version loosely crocheted with the "F" hook.

What did I learn from this exercise?

Sock weight yarn is best, because no obvious modifications to the pattern are needed. But for best effect, the pattern screams out for a yarn with a soft halo, such as a soft angora or cashmere. Best hook for drape and stitch definition would be a "D" if you crochet loosely, or an "E" if you tend to be a tad "uptight"

Lace weight yarn: Modifications are simple: increase the width by 2 clusters (one each left and right of center). This translates into an additional 8 chains. For vertical height, add up to 2 rows to the pattern, working in the same pattern reduction of the previous rows. Remember to add the same for the tie-ends.

Blocking is important, particularly with natural fiber yarns. What may seem too narrow or too short can relax into the perfect fit.

Now to finish the cashmere collar. Any suggestions about blocking this yarn?.

Here is the pattern, updated to reflect contemporary U.S. stitch and hook terminology. Please let me know if there are errors:

******************************************
Updated Janetta Lady's Collar

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Stitch repeat = multiple of 4 + 3

Yarn: Fingering weight yarn with a light halo, like a soft cashmere or angora

Hook: D-3,25 mm

Guage: 8 clusters (see below) x 11 rows = 4 inches
Special stitch: Cluster = (2 dc, 1 ch, 2 dc in next stitch), skip next stitch, dc in next stitch.

Chain 93
Row 1: sc in 2nd st from hook, sc in each stitch across [92 st]
Row 2: Chain 4 and turn. Skip first stitch, *(2 dc, 1 ch, 2 dc in next stitch), skip next stitch, dc in next stitch.* Repeat from *, making 23 clusters.
Row 3: Chain 4 and turn. *(2dc, 1 ch, 2 dc cluster in first ch space), skip stitch, 1 dc in dc in previous row, skip next stitch. Repeat pattern from * 10 times. In center cluster (the 12th one), work (2 dc, 1 ch, 1 dc, 1 ch, 2dc), dc in next dc. *Work (2 dc, 1 ch, 2 dc cluster) in ch space of next cluster, skip next stitch, 1 dc in dc in previous row, skip next stitch.* Repeat pattern from * 11 times, finishing with 1 dc into the ch-4 space in previous row.
Row 4: Same as Row 3 to the center cluster in which is worked (2 dc, 2 ch, 1 dc, 2 ch, 2dc), dc in next dc. Repeat cluster pattern to end of row, finishing with 1 dc into the ch-4 space in previous row.
Row 5: Same as Row 4 to the center cluster in which is worked (2 dc, 3 ch, 1 dc, 3 ch, 2dc), dc in next dc. Repeat cluster pattern to end of row, finishing with 1 dc into the ch-4 space in previous row. Turn -- do not chain 4.
Row 6: Slip stitch over first cluster group (including the lone dc) and work in cluster pattern to the center cluster in which is worked (2 dc, 4 ch, 1 dc, 4 ch, 2dc), dc in next dc. Repeat cluster pattern to second to last cluster of row, finishing with a slip stitch in the dc in previous row. Turn. [21 clusters]
Row 7: Slip stitch over first cluster group and work in pattern to the center cluster in which is worked (2 dc, 4 ch, 1 dc, 4 ch,1 dc, 4 ch, 2dc), dc in next dc. Repeat cluster pattern to second to last cluster of row, finishing with a slip stitch in the dc in previous row. Turn. [19 clusters]
Row 8: Slip stitch over first cluster group and work in cluster pattern to the center. In first ch4 space of center, work 2 dc, 4 ch. In center ch4 space work 2 dc, 4 ch, 2 dc. In third ch4 space, work 4 ch, 2 dc, dc in next dc. Repeat cluster pattern to second to last cluster of row, finishing with a slip stitch in the dc in previous row. Turn. [17 clusters]
Row 9: Slip stitch over first cluster group and work in cluster pattern to the center. In first ch4 space of center, work 2 dc, 4 ch. 1 dc in each of the next 2 dc. In center ch4 space, work 2 dc, 4 ch, 2 dc. 1 dc in each of the next 2 dc, 4 ch, 2dc), dc in next dc. Repeat cluster pattern to second to last cluster of row, finishing with a slip stitch in the dc in previous row. Turn. [15 clusters]
Row 10: Slip stitch over first cluster group and work same as Row 9 [13 clusters]
Row 11: Slip stitch over first cluster group and work same as Row 10 [11 clusters]
Row 12: Slip stitch over first cluster group and work same as Row 11 [9 clusters]
Row 13: Slip stitch over first cluster group and work same as Row 12 [7 clusters]
Fasten off

Work Tie Ends:
At the narrow end of one side of the collar, work 3 ch, 2 dc in first space. * 1 ch, 3 dc in next space. Repeat from * to end, making 4 groups.
Chain 4 and turn. *(2 dc, 1 ch, 2 dc in first chain space, 1 dc in center of next group)* Repeat from *, making 3 cluster pattern groups. Repeat for next 2 rows.
For the next 11 rows, work the point exactly as for the center back of collar above, starting with Row 3 at cluster before center. Fasten off.
Work other end of collar in same way.

Finishing:
Work picot edging all around collar and tie-ends: *sc in next space, 3 ch, 1 sc in sc just made, skip next stitch. Repeat from * all around. NOTE: placing 2 picots in ch4 spaces will help lace lie open and flat.

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Swappity Fun

2009-02-20T19:10:00.011-05:00

I firmly believe the best part of any swap is getting to know your secret (or not so secret) box buddy. However, I think the most fun is when you unwrap the box your spoiler sends to you.

I just got the first box in the three-month swap Winter Warm Ewe Up Yarn Swap and I am delighted. It was like Valentines Day in a Box, no, actually a spa in a box. My secret spoiler sent :

A Red H'attitude Angel Tac Pin. The purple European crystal dress is very akin to my June birthstone
A Healing Hematite Magnetic bracelet (how did she know that hematite is one of my favorite stones?)
Incense from India that has this soft, woodsy scent. Verry mellow!
Three Valentine Grow Kits: Strawberry, Lavender, and Love in the Mist
Lavender-scented bath salts and Orange-scented bath confetti (now that is interesting!)
Two 8-oz glasses adorned with hearts (just perfect for a cocktail when soaking in the tub)
Two pink napkins embroidered with "Love"
Two magnetic notepads
A blue project bag with skulls in a variety of colors (niece number 2 already has laid claim to this little gem. Unfortunately, I don't think she plans to use it for her knitting projects though)

And since this swap is about yarn, two skeins of Malabrigo 100% pure merino wool from Uruguay in a color that is just one of my favorite shades of blue. In fact, the colorway is a deep blue called Azul Bolita. What to make, hmmmm.

Thank you Ms. J. Knitsalot.

Arf, Arf, This Yarn Will Make a Scarf

2009-02-13T22:04:00.008-05:00

Since my first foray into the Ravelry swaps, I've particpated in several others, including the All Things Vintage swap, where I was lucky enough to be paired with someone I consider a maven of vintage knit and crochet– JustCallMeRuby, co-author of the new book A Stitch in Time. The book, a re-publication of the 1972 classic "A Stitch In Time" by Jane Waller (who also co-authored this reprint with Ruby), is a collection of original knitting and crochet patterns from the 1920s through the 1940s, with an overview of the style of each decade and its social context. And, it is beautifully photographed in full color. If there ever was a knitting or crochet book that could be called a "coffee table book," this is it.

To say Ruby spoiled me is an understatement. Among the many items included in her box from across the sea, were several different skeins of yarn. She gifted me with three skeins of a yummy marsh grass colored silk fingering weight yarn called Habu Textiles Kusaki-Zome (I am already working this into a small shawl, attempting for the first time a complicated lace pattern that I hope will showcase the yarn but more later), and a skein of Noro Silk Garden in one of my favorite colorways - black, grey, and brown (yarn calling out to be made into a hat if there ever was one).

But my favorite is a skein of Filatura Di Crosa Superior lace weight cashmere and silk. Cashmere! Silk! The Dark Chocolate Brown color rivals the wonderful dark chocolate bar from Green and Blacks with drops of crunchy gingerbread that also was included in the box. I had never worked with fingering weight yarn, let alone something as fine and soft as this laceweight yarn. The soft (and I mean sooooft) halo of this yarn precludes anything with real texture. And an open mesh would be just so - so - so plain Jane. After scouring my various crochet stitch books (the Harmony Guide to Crocheting, 101 Crochet Stitches, ad nauseum), I think I found the right pattern that will do this yarn justice -- the Janetta Lady's Collar published in Patons & Baldwins' No 20 Specialty Knitting Book* (no worries, this one's crochet). This collar, hand-crocheted in fine Angora, is called a "finishing touch which Paris sponsors for little woollen dresses." Only a pattern published before washing machines became de rigeur in most American and British homes could so blithly dismiss this extremely charming item as "practical from the washability point of view (just squeeze gently in a very light lather, rinse well, pull out to shape and press beneath a cloth, and it will come up like new)." Hmmrmph!

My inspiration to go vintage (other than obvious)? Ruby's handmade Celia scarf in a lovely pinkish red also included in her box. So soft and wearable – it keeps the chill off one’s neck. I hope I am worthy. More later.

* Just a reminder that this pattern was published in Australia, and thus reflects British stitch and hook terminology.

Baby It's Cold Outside!

2009-01-28T18:30:00.000-05:00

Really, it's more like, "Baby, it's icy outside! Winter has come a bit late this year to our area. Admittedly, we have had several close calls with frigid temps since the official start of the winter season, but yesterday, today, and most likely tomorrow, is our first exposure to the wet, nasty stuff. The kids were home from school today and most likely tomorrow. I worked from home as well because many of the buses were having a bit of a trouble making it up the hill in front of our complex.

A quick perusal of the internet reveals just how obsessed folks are with the cold, the snow, and the ice. Many have blogged about their favorite way to keep warm when it’s snowing outside. Hot soup, warm blankets, loving spouses, etc., etc. For me, it's simple -- STAY INSIDE. Nothing more complicated than that. My heat works fine, the electricity remains on, and the gas stove still burns bright as my oldest puts together our dinner. You see, it's her day in the kitchen (today she's the house mama who is responsible for answering the phone, cooking the meals, and cleaning up afterward; tomorrow her sister will take up the mantle). She made a wonderful wintry warm lunch of hot chicken noodle soup, grilled black bean and cheese sandwiches (yes, you read it right), and hot green tea with a dash of honey. I must say that despite the quixotic sound to it, the lunch was quite filling. I expect tonight's dinner to be just as out there. I'll let you know.

Stay warm.

Necessity and Innovation

2009-01-27T22:15:00.008-05:00

Centuries ago, the Greek philosopher Plato wrote "Necessity, who is the mother of invention. . ." With the passage of time, we have become less succinct in describing that moment when a need or problem encourages creative efforts to meet that need or solve the problem. Simply put, if worse comes to worst, people will apply all their imagination and skill to deal with the problem. Truer words and all that.

Today, one of my crochet "mentees" came to work and proudly showed off a hat she had made. For a relative beginner, just learning to read patterns, she did quite well. Her stitches were even and sure. She learned two new techniques -- the back-loop-only rib and hdc2tog. She even ripped back a part of the ribbed brim to correct several rows where she had inadvertently added an extra stitch. I had told her that the mistake could easily be hidden when the brim was attached to the main body of the hat. But she took the high road and frogged away -- she's getting good. Linda would have been proud.

So, where does necessity come into the picture? My friend's first attempt at seaming (the pattern required the hat to be crocheted flat and then seamed up the side) was not exactly invisible. To help her make the seen unseen, she asked how to make the seam more invisible. I picked the seam apart and reached for the stainless steel yarn needle that I keep tacked to the wall of my cubicle (I subscribe to the Girl Scout motto -- be prepared) but it was missing. We next tried to make do with the too-large hook (an "I" hook in permanent residence in the pencil/pen cup next to my computer), but to no avail. Then it hit me! A needle is just a straight piece of metal with a loop at one end. So why not unbend a paper clip into the desired shape. Smarticles, huh!?

You would think it would have worked but the eye of my makeshift needle kept catching the yarn -- the problem was we couldn't bend the eye into a perfectly closed loop. We were at a loss until another co-worker and fellow crocheter suggested we tape the the needle, covering the exposed loop. Simple but quite effective. We were back in business and the hat was reseamed in less than 10 minutes and looking quite smart. Even better smarticles (thanks, Mayra).

Yes, the need for some things can bring about new inventions, or in our case, makeshift whatnots.

Mater Artium Necessitas. Three words. How's that for brevity?

This Yarn's for Me

2009-01-09T21:47:00.005-05:00

Last year, I blogged about my stash. You know, those lovely bits of yarn sitting around waiting to be crafted into a hat, a shawl, a little girl's dress. So, when I was recently asked what yarn I preferred if I could crochet only with one brand of yarn for the rest of the year, I thought, damn, that's a tough one. I don't know if I can limit myself to only one yarn.

Take for instance, cotton. Beautiful mercerized cotton possessing a depth of color and silky softness. My personal favorite? Gong by Ornaghi Filati.

I'm just now starting to work with wool. Several years ago, I had made a few hats and scarves with that old standby Patons Classic Wool. Nice yarn but it was just so boring. I also tended to stay away from wool because several pieces were inadvertently felted. Color me stupid in that it wasn't until 2008 that I realized that superwash wool even existed. I've added sock weight wool and wool blend yarns to my stash. My favorite: Claudia's Handpainted Yarn, a merino wool yarn with beautiful colors.

Eco-friendly yarns like bamboo and linen, and blends such as bamboo-wool, wool-cotton, cotton-acrylic tend to be my "go to" yarns and can quite readily be adapted for most projects. I do not have an aversion to acrylic if it is a good acrylic, like Bernat's Barella 4 yarn, whose versatility makes this a good choice for a one-yarn stash from which to make hats, scarves, sweaters, bags, etc.

But life is not about standbys and making do. At least not everyday. I want to grow with my craft, so, if I have to choose a single yarn to fuel my crochet habit, then it would have to be Berroco Comfort. It's soft, economical, versatile, and available in a number of colors. Now, if I could choose (and afford) a single brand of yarn, it would be the entire line of Claudia's Handpainted Yarns.

Why I Learned to Knit, ahem, Crochet

2008-12-29T17:24:00.010-05:00

As part of the Ravelry Warm Ewe Up Winter Yarn Swap, we must blog at least once every other week. To help the blog-shy along, our swap coordinators have thoughtfully provided thought-provoking questions that we can answer on our blog.

Question # 1 asks, "why did I learn to knit?" Hmmmm, knit? But I crochet! Almost exclusively! But admittedly, I do knit, a bit, and just well enough to guide my 15-year old and 13-year old nieces along their knitting journey.

Ok, so why did I learn to knit? I learned as a 10-year old Junior Girl Scout where I earned my knitting badge. We're talking about the 60s now. Too many years ago and so many memories. Today's Girl Scouts don't even have a knitting badge; rather girls earn the Yarn and Fabric Arts badge, which is a sampler of knitting, crochet, macrame, cross-stitch, quilting, textiles, and other yarn and fabric crafts. Don't get me wrong; I think girls should be exposed to many different types of crafts, but not in a single six-activity badge. This cursory sampling just seems to reinforce what I see as a lack of attention span in many children today. Okay, rant over. I picked up knitting needles again almost two years ago while watching Vicki Howell on the Knitty Gritty. Loved the show. Simple hats and scarves are the extent of my knitting repertoire.

As I said, I can knit, a bit, although I much, much, much prefer to crochet. Nothing personal, just my cup of tea. Why I learned to crochet is covered in my first blog.

No Longer on the Outside Looking In

2008-12-20T22:23:00.008-05:00

As I write this, my girls are decorating the Christmas tree. Not me. Them. It's the first time they have done it on their own, from unpacking the tree from the tree bag, to assembling it and the tree stand, to stringing the lights, putting the star on top, and hanging the ornaments. I am not allowed to offer instructions, although I can point out gaps. They're doing an excellent job. We've been laughing about the traditions and funny things that have happened to us in the 10 years they have been living with me. And I realize the girls are growing up.

We (ok, me) always wait to put up the tree until the Saturday before Christmas (unless of course when the holiday falls on a weekend we do it the previous Saturday). When the girls first came to live with me, they were quite young and I was not ready to have them help with the tree, so I told them that we assembled the tree so that the elves could come decorate the tree while we slept. Made sense to them, so we would put out the ornaments and a little snack for the elves. Little did they know I stayed up to put on the ornaments. It worked great the first year but the second year I fell asleep. I did not realize what had happened until the youngest came into my room crying that the elves had forgotten us. I thought quickly and said that it was my fault -- I had heard a noise in the middle of the night, had gotten up to investigate, and accidentally scared away the elves. I assured them both that the elves would return again. That night, the youngest chastised me, instructing me to "stay in my room, even if I heard a noise." She continued to remind me every Christmas for four years.

When I thought they were old enough to help out, I let them go to bed thinking the elves would decorate the tree while they slept. Instead, I woke them up at midnight, handed them elf hats with elf ears, and told them the elves had a lot to do that night so they asked that the girls help out that year. When they fully woke up, we finished with the tree, we drank hot chocolate and watched a Christmas video. Even after the girls stopped believing in Santa and his elves, I would wake the girls up at midnight to decorate the tree, share a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows, and watch some TV.

Now, they are teens. Tonight, we have been talking about when they first realized Santa wasn't real. For one girl, it was the year I had ordered a computer and pretended that Santa had dropped it off a day early. I made the requisite hoof beats noises on the ceiling, had a neighbor knock on the door, and then encouraged the girls to help me check it out. They did not fall for it. The other one, well, she said she figured it out when all the presents were wrapped with the wrapping paper she had helped me pick out at the store the week before. Ah well, I gave it a try.

We've also been talking about the ornaments I have given them each year to celebrate a special accomplishment - learning to read, riding a two-wheeler for the first time, earning yellow belts in karate, tent camping, etc. This year's ornaments will be given out Christmas morning.

Yes, they are growing up. I hope they will remember some of the old traditions as we continue to make new ones.

Happy Holidays, everyone, and have a wonderful New Year.

Meme

2008-12-07T12:34:00.006-05:00

A meme (rhymes with dream) is any idea that, like a gene, can replicate and evolve and can be passed from one person to another by learning or imitation. Examples include thoughts, ideas, theories, gestures, practices, fashions, habits, songs, and dances. Memes are not uncommon in crochet patterns, which often use asterisks to indicate when a series of stitches are to be repeated. Without them, patterns would be unending.
So *meme* this:

* Grab the book nearest you. Right now! Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST!
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence as a comment on this post, or in your own blog along with these instructions.

"It's not her fault she's old and ugly."

Whoa, what a bitchy comment. Straight from The Secret Circle: The Initiation and The Captive, Part I, by L.J. Smith, author of the Vampire Diaries, a seemingly unending series of books about teen angst depicted as choices about love between vampires, werewolves, and witches. No, I am not reading this book. My oldest Twilighter left it on the floor at my foot, along with yesterday's shoes, her current knitting project, and a permission slip for Junior ROTC potluck.

"Warm Ewe Up" Winter Yarn Swap

2008-12-06T02:46:00.000-05:00

I've joined a new Ravelry swap. This is a secret pal swap, in which I must send one package a month for three months to a box buddy who will not know its me until the very end. Each package must include at least one skein of yarn. Creativity in choosing package contents our secret box buddy will love is highly encouraged!

For this swap, we have been asked to answer a few questions about ourselves. To start off, I am primarily a crocheter but can knit a bit. I learned to crochet more than 16 years ago but really only came back to it 8 years ago. I learned to knit for my Junior Girl Scout badge during the 60s but have only recently picked it up again. I am not as comfortable with knitting as with crochet. I can make hats and have learned a lot about techniques while watching Knitty Gritty. Other questions:

Do I spin? No, don't really have the desire to do so, although I do admire those who can draw pleasure from this task.
My favorite yarns/fibers: I like many fibers, including sport or DK weight cottons, superwash wool, synthetics like Berroco Comfort and Yarn Bee's Artistry.
Yarns/fibers I do not like: I am not much of a fan of novelty yarns, with the exception of narrow ribbon yarn like Katia's Grenada. Nor do I like rough, scratchy acrylics.
Yarns/fibers I would like to try but haven’t: Silk and silk blends. Never tried malabrigo, Lamb's Pride, Cascade 220 wool, or Noro.
My favorite colors: In no particular order, royal blue, lapis blue, emerald green, mustard yellow, rust orange, cream, gunmetal gray, soft buttercreme yellow (as in Reynolds Soft Sea Wool #754)
Colors that I don’t like: Easy -- pastels, unless it is the mellow buttery yellow found in Reynolds Soft Sea Wool. Not a fan of most PINKS and Lime Greens, well, you get the picture. I also have done enough things in sage greens.
My favorite types of projects to knit/crochet: Hats are a personal favorite, as are neck warmers, washcloths, and baby bibs. I am starting on larger projects, like tops, vests, and sweaters.
My current projects: These would be Christmas presents for the family, including a few hats and neck warmers, washcloths, baby bibs, and a man's vest.
My favorite Finished Object: I am proud of several FOs, including the Heirloom Christening Gown, the Vintage Neck Warmer, the Tunisian Hat and Scarf, and the AKA Medallion hat and Shawl. But my favorite would have to be the Lancer Blue Romper.
Techniques that I want to learn: slip stitch crochet, basic knit sock construction, Tunisian crochet in the round
Do I have a yarn winder and/or swift? I recently purchased a ball winder but do not have a swift, using instead the two strong arms of my kids or the back of a high backed chair.
How do I store my needles/hooks? I use several things, including a long narrow butter yellow leather bag I found at a thrift store in which I have my knitting needles and my tunisian crochet hooks. It can hold up to 14-inch needles/hooks. For portability, I have a leather zipped pouch to which I attached the plastic sleeve holding my stainless crochet hooks. I also store my extra hooks in a beautiful fabric case made by my first Ravelry Swap partner Bissa during the Twilight Knitting Swap.
Do I collect anything? Other than yarn? I collect Sasha Brastoff copper-enameld ash trays. I have several things that have images of trees and a few odds and ends of other stuff (some Sailor Moon 4" dolls and some of the McDonald's Happy Meal Madame Alexander dolls) but nothing I would call a collection. Besides, my place already is bursting at the seams.
Do I like sweets? Yes and no. Yes, because who doesn't? No, because I don't really need them. The latter aside, I do love Bahlsen Contessa, an Iced gingerbread cookie with dark chocolate from Germany.
What are my favorite scents? I love Burren Perfumery's Frond (original scent). However, due to allergies, I am not a fan of most scented candles, air fresheners, potpourri. I do enjoy incense, such as cedar, amber, rosewood, and jasmine. I am open to most scents but do not like what are for me cloying ones like vanilla, cinnamon, and other "fruity flavors"
Am I having a birthday during this swap? No
Do I have any online wish lists? No.
My living situation is simple -- I am a single "Aunt Mommy" to 2 teenage girls. No pets in the household.
My allergies: as noted above, I am sensitive to many perfumery scents and molds, which can bring on a bit of asthma. I also am allergic to certain tree barks, such as red mulberry, sweet gum, and white birch.
Is there anything else my swap pal should know? Can't think of anything.

Chain Reaction

2008-12-01T15:16:00.013-05:00

Is it my imagination or are big box chain/discount stores reducing the amount of yarn they carry?

For the past six years, my "local yarn store" of choice was the A.C. Moore located just a mile or two from the house. My devotion was less about convenience and more about lust -- I blame (or is it credit) it's sizable and diverse yarn selection for helping me build my stash to the size that it is now. In fact, it was this large yarn selection that drew me back into crocheting. I had gone into the store to buy supplies for a Girl Scout project and like with any store, I wandered up and down the aisle just window shopping. I stopped short when I saw walls of beautiful yarn in a wide spectrum of colors and textures -- Katia's Grenada, Knitting Fever's King Tut Egyptian Cotton, Lion Brand's Suede, I could go on. Unfortunately, with the addition of each new store manager, the department shrunk, the aisles got narrower, and the staff grew blissfully ignorant. I hesitate to even buy yarn there because of the overwhelming, often conflicting scents of candles, potpourri, and other junk placed close by. I get a headache just walking into the store. I asked the most recent store manager and he admits that he plans to downsize even more and just carry the "thick yarn" that women seem to use for crafting, like bulky red, white, and green to make Christmas wreaths and stockings. Yukkk.

The local Joann's and Michaels stores also appear to be suffering from the same affliction. And just this past weekend, after a brief visit with my Michigan cousin, I see that Hobby Lobby's yarn department has shrunk as well. They have limited the yarn manufacturers they carry to just a few -- Red Heart, Bernat, Patons, Lion Brand -- and even then to a select few of their yarns.

What gives? Perhaps these big box stores think we are fueling our fiber addiction by buying online. Admittedly, my knitty and crochety friends and I have purchased online, but only after sampling the real stuff in person. Now that I think about it, I bought my skeins online from a LYS in Kansas City after I had visited its store. Perhaps the big box stores think real LYSs like Aylin's Woolgathers here in Northern Virginia or the handspun yarn stores that abound on Etsy will carry the load. I rather doubt it because most don't have the capacity or desire to carry a broad selection of yarns like the big box stores used to.

So, I guess I am reduced to shopping my own stash and hope that by the time I really "need" some yarn we have other options.

Think Globally, Shop Locally

2008-11-16T18:23:00.013-05:00

It's that time of year again. No, not Thanksgiving. For federal employees like me, its Open Season during which we make decisions about our health benefits and other allotments we choose to deduct from our paychecks. In addition to health care, disability, retirement, and insurance decisions, we are asked to consider charitable giving. I just turned in my pledge card for the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). Lisa, our friendly CFC worker (should I say our sweet Charity Nazi) worked us good. Actually, we really didn't need much prodding. We reached 100% participation -- the first office in our part of the agency.

Every year as I sit down to prepare my pledge card, I think of how to make my limited dollars have the most impact. Typically, I scour the CFC Catalog of Caring, going page by page and running my finger down each column. That's how I found Ten Thousand Villages, a non-profit, alternative trading organization providing vital fair income to people in developing countries by selling their handmade crafts here in the United States. Alternate trading organizations market products from arts and craft and agricultural organizations based in low-income countries. Finally! A "charity" that encourages sustainable economies through marketing of handicraft -- fiber, clay, art, basketweaving, et al. Right up my alley!

The old Chinese proverb says, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." The main objective of fair trade is provide vital, fair income to improve the artisan's quality of life. Ten Thousand Villages is a NGO whose mission is to build long term relationships with artisans in developing countries. The store in Alexandria is one of several nationwide that helps increase awareness by telling the stories of artisans from Asia, Africa, Middle East, and Latin America. Although organizations like Ten Thousand Villages actually do not teach artisans to "fish," they do help build sustainable futures by supporting local artisan's efforts to make their way with fair, vital income earned from their own abilities.

Yes, it is that time of year again. A time to give thanks for all that we have and are about to receive. So, do your part. Find something you are passionate about. Give to help secure our world's future.

Tippets Galore -- Busting some stash!

2008-11-02T14:19:00.028-05:00

To paraphrase all the Leisure Arts how-to-craft books, I can't believe I'm crocheting! Actually, I took back the hook with a vengence about a couple of weeks ago. Since then, I have completed six small projects, just to test out my arm, albeit with baby steps.

I have three active swaps on Ravelry, two of which require a handcrafted item. The holidays are fast approaching, as are birthdays for a few friends. Of course, I could sew up a few gifts but just couldn't think of anything I wanted to make. I started looking at yarn in my stash for inspiration -- determined was I to not buy any new yarn -- I seem to be going up rather than down. I also looked at one-skein patterns that called out for similar yarn. I stalked projects completed by other ravelers within the discussion groups I subscribe to. I searched for simple yet elegant patterns. And I found this wonderful neck scarf by Lion Brand Yarn. Forget the official pattern picture because I saw what other Ravelrs did with the pattern and they are wow!

Some folks call these neck warmers or mufflers -- I like what the Brits call them -- tippets -- a stole or scarf-like narrow piece of clothing, worn around the arms and above the elbow but I like the short version that closes at the neck. Each scarf took about three to four hours to complete, including weaving in the inevitable loose ends and sewing on the buttons. My models were getting tired of repeatedly trying on the scarves as I sought to position buttons and pins.

My first attempt was this blue mohair muffler made from Kartopu's Eva, a lapis blue mohair acrylic boucle blend (what a mouthful, try saying that fast 10 times). Yet, I couldn't deal with the flower although the brown and purple version crafted by Sia on Ravelry is what inspired me to even attempt the pattern. Instead of the flower, I paired this with three tiny pearl buttons that just peep through to make their presence known. I gifted my mohair blue neck warmer to a friend for her birthday (a very active and youthful 50th). Perfect timing because the weather had taken a steep dip as we all struggle to stay warm during our morning commutes.

My second version of this pattern was this vintage-inspired "tippet" made of Dalegarn's Heilo in pine. I trimmed the scarf with the bit of James Brett's Marble in Moss leftover in my stash, recently frogged from my first serious attempt at making a scarf in stockinette stitch (which I never finished because I couldn't find another skein in this colorway). So, there really wasn't much left to do anything with so trim it had to be. Rather than a flower, I added a pewter button and a second row of shells. I love how it turned out. It can be worn several ways:

I hope my Vintage swap spoilee likes it as much as I like her work. In fact, it was her tiny tippet that inspired me to look for something in crochet.

My third is this soft Chilean cotton neck warmer (see the top of this post), again without a flower. The beauty of this hand-dyed cotton is accented by Naturally Caron's Country trim. The vintage brown button is the final touch. I couldn't believe how incredibly soft this yarn is. I love to work in cotton because it really shows off crochet stitch definition. Yet sometimes, I miss the easy drape that comes with working in soft wool or high quality viscose. Araucania Pategonia Nature Cotton is a dream -- you get softness, texture, stitch definition, and wonderful color. Can you tell I like this yarn and want to get some more?

My fourth version of this pattern is the furthest from the original. Done in an unknown blue acrylic with intermitten twists of yellow, green, or turquoise strands, it forgoes the shells to focus on the form. It's kind of militaristic is style with a pointed collar and round epaulets that form the front of the scarf. Made with a blue yarn reminiscent of I don't know what but it is soft. This was a find in the skeins without a label bin at my LYS. I had hopes it was a James Brett Marble but don't really think so anymore.

My last two quick projects weren't scarves or tippets. Rather, the theme was things inspired by tea. I made this "tea towel" and tea cup cozy for one of my secret box buddies. Luckily, she doesn't know it is me so I can blog all I want about it because only I and the swap moderator know who she is. Both items were made using the split single crochet stitch (SSC) which produces a stitch that is reminiscent of the knitted stockinette stitch. The yarn was TLC Cotton Plus in white and dusty pink, leftover from my Delta-in-Training dress.

So, I'm on the mend, ready to tackle bigger projects. But, I like the tippets and want to explore the split crochet stitch even more. Next time in sock weight yarn or possibly DK. I wonder if it will look good done up in half double crochet or even, dare I say, double crochet? Hmmmm. Off to explore.

Jurassic Right Hook

2008-09-21T20:55:00.003-04:00

38 seconds

Even if I can't crochet, I know I can survive 38 seconds with a Velociraptor! Probably my great right "hook." I only wish I could use it on my left arm -- that is the one I am having problems with.

The Point of it All: Down But Not Out

2008-09-14T14:47:00.011-04:00

It's been more than a month since I last posted. At first, I was reluctantly silent because I was working on a bag for my Twilight Swap partner in Ravelry. Only thing was I could not describe or show pictures of my doings because it was a secret until she received it. Boy, was it hard to keep loquacious me from chatting it up. But by the time I had finished the project at the end of August, I was in no mood to chat about crochet.

I haven't picked up a crochet hook for more than 3 weeks now and it's killing me. You would think it would have to be something really serious to keep me off the hook. But I'm almost embarrassed to tell what I've been suffering from. It just seems so insignifcant. What I have is -- tennis elbow. Admittedly, I didn't take it seriously, for a while -- who am I kidding, I didn't take it seriously for a long time. I took Aleve when my left arm bothered me but it didn't keep me from crocheting and living my life. My doctor (I saw him twice) told me to wear a tennis elbow brace but it hurt like hell. I even thought about asking for a steroid shot but figured it would go away by itself. But this case of tennis elbow was proving to be intractable and just didn't want to heal. By Labor Day, I had been suffering for more than three months, the Aleve didn't help anymore and the pain was unbearable, keeping me up at night, unable to pickup even the weight of a pencil, or to zip my pants (did you realize women's zippers are designed to be pulled with the left hand). Don't even ask me how hard it was to put on and take off a bra. It began to affect me at work just when I needed my full focus and full use of my hands to complete projects.

After Labor Day, I was ready for alternative therapy. Ibuprofin alleviates some of the pain but only at high dosages. You can't take Motrin for too long without stomach problems cropping up. The tennis elbow strap just was useless. So, after much thought, I started looking for an acupuncturist. I found one just a country mile away. Today, SUCCESS! I had two treatments last week, and boy, what a difference. I've cut back on the Ibuprofin by 2/3 and can fully extend my arm. Running my hand across the hair on my arm no longer makes me squirm in my seat. God, it feels good. I'm almost tempted to start back crocheting but know I need to wait until I finish my sessions.

Now, back to my Twilight Bag. My first attempt at tapestry crochet done in black and red. I started two other bags before settling on a modified market bag in black with red apples worked in TLC Cotton Plus and lined in crimson red sateen. It evokes the temptations facing the book's lead character, Bella, a 17-year old girl faced with loving a vampire, hanging with a werewolf, or living a clueless but normal life.

As I worked the bag from the bottom up, I wanted to break up the sea of black with a touch of red. But the bag also needed texture so I created what I think may be a new stitch. It's like a bobble stitch, flat on one side and raised on the other. But what is unique is that it produces a continuous raised stitch that is flexible but firm. I'm calling it Victoria's Ridge stitch.

How to make Victoria's "Bobble Ridge Stitch"
ERRATA posted 25 Nov 2008 to correct obviously poorly written directions.
Simply, you put what may appear to be 2 double crochets into each stitch (traditional bobble stitches use 3 DCs separated by a ch st and repeated after skipping the next st). However, for my bobble ridge stitch, start as if to do a double crochet (YO, insert hook into stitch, draw through and YO again) but instead of drawing through two loops on the hook, YO and insert your hook back into the same stitch. You repeat this once again, leaving 7 loops on your hook, through which you YO once again and draw through all 7 loops. Do not seal the bobble with a chain. To get the continuous raised pattern, do not skip the next stitch. Just YO and start the stitch again. In addition, the stitch must be worked with the wrong side facing you. If you CH1 to seal the bobble, you will end up with 2 stitches for each bobble and the ridge will not be as prominent.

Directions: *YO, insert hook into next st, YO and insert hook into same st [you have 3 loops on hook], YO and insert hook into same st [you have 5 loops on hook], YO and insert hook into same st [you have 7 loops on hook], YO and draw through all 7 loops on hook.* Repeat for each stitch -- remember, do not skip a stitch.

Although you can do row upon row of this stitch on pieces worked in the round, the final fabric will be bulky, which is okay for a trim on a sleeve or hem or as a collar. However, for all over fabric, I would recommend alternating the ridge stitch row with a row of slip st or a row of sc st worked with the right side of the fabric facing you.

When I can pick up my hook again (please, please, soon), I plan to play around with this stitch on a few items. Perhaps along the hem of a sweater. Hmmmm.

Wish me luck.

This Weekend -- Gains and Losses

2008-08-03T23:50:00.012-04:00

This weekend, I went through my purse and found all kinds of change just lying at the bottom of the bag (it's a big bag). I found enough to pay for movies (Indiana Jones) with my friend Linda. All was good -- I didn't have to dip into savings. I reserved those funds for a purchase at my favorite LYS where I bought the last two issues of Interweave crochet, a few patterns and a skein of yarn for the Stone Hat (see Interweave Crochet Winter 2007). I have to admit, this trip to the LYS was the least expensive in three years.

This weekend, I also went through my projects bags and found all kinds of projects in various stages of completion. I didn't feel as good. First, there are two versions of a bag I am making for my Ravelry Twilight Swap partner. I almost started a third version but the lack of yarn kept me at bay. And when I say a lack of yarn, I don't mean the 220 skeins sitting in my closet; it's just that the right shade of red has not found a home in my closet -- not yet. I've also got a half finished aran cable scarf I started for my father last month. It was my first attempt at cables. I'm liking it. I finally got the yarn to finish it but it still hibernates at the bottom of the project bag. There is a pair of pink socks started 4 years ago -- one needs a toe while the other needs the whole foot to go along with the ribbed cuff. The neverending Microspun log cabin afghan has only used up half the dreaded stock of Microspun. The Retro Scarf still needs to be blocked. I tried a light mist but nothing happened. I'm going to try steam blocking next.

This weekend, I frogged a skein of unknown yarn. Several years ago, my sister sent me a skein of 4-ply untwisted cream white that I just didn't like. It split with every stitch. It seemed inappropriately bulky. No great loss. Then I saw the Diamond Sage Wrap in Interweave Crochet. Made me want to split the yarn apart. My girls, my sister, and my friend Stacey each lent a hand as I unraveled the ball and then wound eight 1-ply balls with my new ball winder. Can't wait to dip in.

This weekend, the girls picked up their knitting needles again. They couldn't find their yarn from their last attempt, so I gave them each a skein of yarn to get them going again. One made it clear that they knew it was not my best yarn. Oh, well. When they have paid their dues and made a simple scarf, I might give them a better quality yarn.

This weekend, I aquired another 20 skeins of yarn from another friend who had raided the clearance bin of the local Michaels. Wow, 20 bucks for 12 skeings of Lion Chenille Thick and Quick, 6 balls of Lion Suede, an amethyst skein of Patons Allure, and a pink skein of Bernat Cottontots.

So, this weekend, I gained 21 skeins of yarn, gave away 5 skeins, replaced one awkward skein with the equivalent of 4, saw two fun movies, and hung out with friends. Now it's back to work.

Twilight's a-Comin'

2008-07-26T00:15:00.004-04:00

Twilight -- the books and movie -- seems to be on everyone's mind, at least with most of the teenage girls I know. They]ve started to call themselves Twilighters. Hah! What was old is new again.

Twilight, for those of you blissfully unaware or unfamiliar with the saga of teenagers Bella Swan, Edward Cullen, and Jacob Black, you obviously don't have a life-- I'm quoting one of the Twilighters skulking in my house. In the past year, I have learned a lot about the first three books and I haven't even read them. One can learn a lot by just hangin' on the periphery, chauffering Scouts to events, challenging them to a game of Guesstures, and hosting sleepovers. The Twilight series is the story of Bella, who moves to the small town outside of Seattle. At school, she wonders about a group of five beautiful teens, who sit together in the cafeteria but never eat. As she grows to know, and then love, Edward, she learns they are all rescued vampires, part of a family headed by saintly Carlisle, who has inspired them to renounce human prey. Jacob, who also has fallen for Bella, is one of a group of werewolves who protect the forest and who are mortal enemies of the vampires. Of course, Jacob and Edward clash. So what else is new in a teen novel. With all this erotic blood lust, I'm just a bit surprised that this book falls in the 12 and older group. I think 14 and older is more appropriate.

I joined the Twilight Knitting Swap on Ravelry.com so that I could learn more about the book, as well as to get to know more folks on Ravelry. The Swap, my first ever, has paired me with a young woman who, surprisingly, several years ago, used to live on my very same street, albeit about 3 miles down the road. Now in Indiana, she is a member of the Vampire coven. I chose to hang with the Wolf pack because all the Twilighters are quite ga-ga over Edward and Jasper, another vamp. Me, I think someone should play the devil’s advocate (no pun intended). Besides, I realize that I have kept a handcarved ironwood wolf on my desk for more than 13 years. How prophetic.

The SWAP requires that I send a knitted or sewn bag in my partner’s team colors, a pattern with yarn in my partner’s team colors required to complete a small project, and stitch markers in my partner’s team colors. A bag! A knittted bag! Well, first things first. The bag won't be knitted. I want it to be good so obviously knitting is out. My knitting skills are abysmal -- I can work it straight enough for a sweater but a bag, something with curves, and any other special stitches are way over my head. I've been able to settle on a pattern and yarn for the small project. I've even managed to find a few other goodies. But selecting the bag has been a bitch. I spent the past two weeks trying to figure out just what kind of crocheted bag would be perfect for a knitter. A simple tote, a clutch, a purse. Nothing seemed right.

Checking my stash, I found my Gjestal Baby Bomull, a fingering weight cotton yarn in crimson red, royal blue, and yellow gold. Perfect match for the Coven's colors. I thought, a colorful market bag that has a variety of uses. I began to work it up -- what you see is the bottom of the bag. But something just wasn't cutting it. So, this now moves to my WIP pile -- work in progress. This bag will still be done but not for the swap.

I toyed with Tunisian, one of my favorite forms of crochet. But I can't find my tunisian hooks. Just too many totes to look through. You ought to see my room. Actually, I wouldn't want you to see it. I don't buy shoes but I do seem to collect tote bags to put projects in -- Girl Scouts, crochet, magazines, genealogy, unwanted bills, etc. So Tunisian is out. Late last night it hit me -- the perfect pattern so I bought the yarn today on my lunch break. Of course, I can't tell you anything about it, other than it's colors are black and red. I hope it works out. You'll just have to wait.

In the meantime, Breaking Dawn, Book 4 in this saga, is due August 2 and I have been volunteered to take four Twilighters to a Border's release party. I will be bringing my Twilight SWAP project with me to keep me occupied.

The AKA and a Delta-in-Training

2008-07-20T17:29:00.000-04:00

It's been a busy two weeks for me. My paying day job had me whipped, I traveled out of town for three days on another matter, and my mother came to town for the 2008 Centennial Boule of the AKA sisterhood. More than 10,000 Alpha Kappa Alphas -- decked out in pink and green -- descended upon Washington, DC last week to celebrate the founding 100 years ago of their beloved sorority. Everywhere you turned, you saw these sisters united. So, the dutiful daughter I am (second only to Connie Jean), I served as chauffeur and tour guide for a day and an evening.

My mother was in her element. She made friends where ever she went, talking with her sorors from around the world. With our family spread around the country, she was bound to run into women who knew these distant relatives of ours. Since I am the family genealogist (my other great passion), she would call me to get names of relatives (well, the ones on my father's side, she knows most of hers), or to clarify relationships. Turns out several AKAs had attended the wedding of a third cousin for whom I served as maid of honor. Small world.

Just before my mother had arrived in town, I had put the finishing touches on a birthday gift for the daughter of a co-worker. The soon-to-be 4-year old recently had told her mother that she was a 'girly-girl' and as such, pink was her favorite color. Tough words for her proud Delta Sigma Theta mother whose sorority flies the red and white. But we all know that most little girls love to twirl around in a pink dress.

So a pink dress was what I made for the birthday girl. I chose a simple bell shape dress in pink single crochet made special by a white shell bodice topped with pink single crochet straps. A single front pocket is adorned with a pink baby elephant (hey, pink is just a diluted red, right? At least that's what I told her mom) should encourage her to move forward with strength and determination. The elephant is a Delta tradition. Bottom line -- the dress' wide hem will allow this future Delta Sigma Theta to twirl to her heart's content, even if that dress is pink.

I thoroughly spending time with my mother. I don't often get to do that, what with me on the East Coast and her near the Gulf Coast of Texas. With all but one of my siblings scattered elsewhere, I know Mother counts among her friends many who call her sister. Although none of her five daughters are members of a sorority, we and her three granddaughters KNOW there is only one sorority for us, just as my friend's future Delta will grow up knowing it's Delta and nothing else. I have friends and relatives among both the Alphas and the Deltas. The Deltas empower communities through committed service. The Alphas provide service to all mankind. Both great organizations, both committed to service.

Mother wears her pink and green proudly. So I was not surprised when she asked -- no, announced -- that I was to crochet a coverlet for her bed -- in the pink and green colors of the AKA, of course. Now, I've got to find a design, and the time. Funny thing -- last month, I found a bunch of green ivy buttons. I wonder if I can use them.

To Frog or . . . What is the Question?

2008-07-06T10:15:00.003-04:00

The past week, I have spent a not so unconsiderable amount of time getting caught up with the online crochet community. Everyday, I find something new in the Ravelry community, whether it is a new group, undiscovered features, or new terminology.

Take for example, frogging. I wondered what a little green bug eater had to do with the fiber arts. Imagine my surprise when I realized that it means to pull out your yarn to undo stitches and, if you are unlucky, to undo rows. I had always called it *!%*&@!. Still, why Frog and not just Rip? Well, the Ravelry lexicon says frogging happens when you rip out your stitches, i.e., rip-it, rip- it, rip-it. And any items waiting to be frogged hang out in the frog pond. HaHa.

In the forums, there also is a lot of lingo bandied about:

FO (Finished Object), the holy grail

Muggle (non-knitter), which I daresay applies equally to all those non-crocheters out there.

NoTN (Not On The Needles) which perhaps reflects those moments when we are without our hooks or needles (like when we're working, cooking, cleaning, etc!). Maybe there should be a NoTH (Not on The Hook) for crocheters like me but Law and Order fans might confuse this with talk of Chris Noth (detective Mike Logan).

OTH (On The Hooks) or OTN (On The Needles), where, I suspect, "life" happens for most of us

UFO (unfinished object), a stop over in that journey in search of the holy grail

But my favorite is SEX: when buying yarn = a Stash Enhancement eXperience. As my previous post shows, I have no problem in this department. But at this rate, I might soon reach SABLE -- that point where my Stash Acquisition [is] Beyond [my] Life Expectancy.

Stash This!

2008-07-01T16:02:00.000-04:00

[originally posted July 1, 2008 on my old blog vicjorob.spaces.live.com]

Ok, I readily admit that I am a clutter-holic. I keep most everything, even empty boxes stuff came in from Amazon (I know I will use them, I just don't know when). It's a trait I inherited honestly from my parents. When it comes to yarn I'm no slouch there either.

A couple of months ago, I joined the Ravelry community. Great site! I entered projects, visited forums, joined a couple of groups, and then I saw it -- the STASH. I thought, what a perfect opportunity to catalog my 120 or so skeins of yarn currently housed in four bins. I needed to get reacquainted with my yarn, some of which had been separated into bags just waiting for the perfect patern to come along. So, with a little bit of glee -- I can get a bit giddy when I finally get around to organinizing things -- I was ready to see what I had stashed away. I knew this needed to be done before I purchased any new yarn. I had even avoided going to my favorite yarn store's annual summer sale because I never can leave without purchasing at least one skein.

So, I organized the heck out of my yarn -- all the cottons together in those zip up plastic bags that sheets and curtains come in. My Mohair went into a comforter bag (I had more than I thought). The fun fur lying untouched for five years found its way into a smaller bag (it's still untouched) Ravelry's Stash asks for the number of skeins for each type, color, and size of yarn. This stash can be linked to projects where you can indicate whether you purchased more yarn or used your stash. Howver, I'm not sure if I want to know that I added to my stash. As with most yarn lovers, we have become very adept at hiding yarn purchases from ourselves.

What was my bottom line? 235 skeins of yarn -- make that 238 skeins. I just bought 3 skeins to finish up the romper I am making for my cousin's future grandson.

Things for Small, Delicate Beings

2008-06-29T15:41:00.000-04:00

[originally posted June 29, 2008 on my old blog at vicjorob.spaces.live.com]

Nine months have passed since my initial entry to this blog. Busy with work, travel, kids, life -- but no excuses. I can say that with all this work, I've continued to work on small, delicate things but have moved beyond my favorite -- hats -- to children's clothing. Looking back, it surprises me that I have completed three projects (soon to be four) for infants when I had studiously avoided making anything for babies, other than hats. I just had never been interested in making anything for a kid -- I never saw the challenge. I also didn't (still don"t) like most of the patterns available to crocheters. Everything (other than blankets) seems so bulky and cumbersome. But things can change.

It started first with a challenge to replicate a 30-year old christening set for which no pattern could be found. The needle artist (and she was an artist with a hook) had passed away. Not one to shy away from a challenge, I worked with a friend to break this project down. I was assigned the gown, she had the bonnet, booties, and blanket. My word, what a learning experience. The bodice of the gown had faint smocking which serves to allow the main body to flow freely around the infant's torso and legs. The smocking is accomplished by reducing stitches which simulate gathering. It was a technique I had never seen before. Pretty cool the way it turned out. I learned a lot making this. And I found that I had really enjoyed this project! My friend did a beautiful job on her three items and I am ever so grateful that she did the finishing work on the gown -- seaming, trim, washing.

My next project was for the new baby of a coworker. I thought I would make a sweater -- hey, sweaters are just shorter versions of christening gowns, right? I went from DK weight baby pompadour to a Bulky bamboo the sheds like angora. It was different but thank goodness for bulky, slightly boucle yarn -- it hides a multitude of sins. The matching hat was a joy to make -- I guess I have had plenty of practice.

Project no. 3 was a onesie for a my cousin's first grandson to be born this August. After searching for something that inspired me (yes, I still wait for the yarn to inspire me before I search for the "perfect" pattern), I found a retro pattern on . Although the original pattern calls for No 10 Mercerized cotton thread and Steel Crochet Hook No 5, I used Paton's Grace DK with Boye Crochet Hook No F. This DK cotton proved to be so easy to work with. I called this my Lancer Blue Romper. Why Lancer Blue? Any alumn of Layton [Utah] High School will recognize our school colors of Blue and Light Blue. So, what inspires me to work on things for small, delicate beings now? Old, antique, retro patterns that can be modified to showcase the wonderful yarn available today.

Small, Delicate Things

2007-09-25T15:36:00.000-04:00

[originally posted September 25 on my original blog vicjorob.spaces.live.com]

I've been working at crochet for more than 16 years, having started sitting up in the attic bedroom of my aunt's house while my grandmother worked on her latch hook masterpieces in the room across the hall. My aunt busied herself with origami, while my uncle worked his paintings. My aunt started me with my first hook and a ball of yarn and introduced me to her Swedish neighbor who showed me the error of my some of my ways. My aunt's neighbor proudly showed off her intricate lacework and I was hooked -- on crochet. All this while on one of my periodic visits up to their rural Minnesota town.

My first project? A ribbed washcloth that I still have and use. I keep it because when I look at it, I am reminded of what a novice I really had been. I thought I had used the traditional SC stitch but found out that I had inserted my hook into the back loop of each stitch--thus the ribbing! I made a few more small things but as my life got busier, what with a new job, new living quarters (twice), taking in my nieces, I kind of forgot about the art, until a few years ago when I bought some yarn that just felt yummy.

I started by making a hat. Actually, I did not start off making a hat but rather, I was trying to teach myself to work in the round. Soon, the "thing" started to curl and before I knew it, I had made something cuplike which fit onto my head. Yeah, yeah, while wondering what to do with this thing, I put it on to see whether it would fit. I decided to make a hat. Of course, without a pattern but that never stopped me before (remember that washcloth?). I crocheted, working it into a shape that somewhat resembled a hat. I made plenty of mistakes but found the chenille yarn was quite forgiving. Even the holes created by missed stitches became buttonholes for decorative buttons that I would add. I stayed up all night and then presented the finished product to my sister. She was sooooo impressed. If only I knew how easy it was to impress the family with something so small, I would never have put down my hooks in the first place.

I discovered that night that I don't like to follow patterns -- I preferred to learn by doing, just like I had tackled everything else -- computers, raising nieces, leading Girl Scouts. At first, I made only small things using nothing more complicated than the SC stitch. But in the intervening years, I realized this could not go on. I needed to learn to read a pattern and to figure out why my SCs looked more like HDCs, and why every straight-sided item (like a scarf or washcloth) was the most lopsided thing of non-beauty. So I took to the books and began asking the experts (I only knew one who's motto is to not be afraid to take it apart and redo). I can read a pattern now, adapting it to my mistakes and bursts of creative what-ifs. I can even make straight edged scarves and afghans.

I tip my hat to those women who patiently answered my what seemed to be inane questions and pointed me in the right direction.

P.S. I still prefer making small, delicate goods, but I have grown to appreciate the warmth of a good afghan.