Hooked Up

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.

Bad to the Bone?!

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.

Right Fiber, Wrong Yarn (and vice-versa)

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:

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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

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

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!

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.

This Yarn's for Me

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.

"Warm Ewe Up" Winter Yarn Swap

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.

Twilight's a-Comin'

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.