CrisCraft

2012-01-30T00:30:00.000-06:00

Sky Scarf as of January 29, 2012

I think my mood sometimes determines whether I see partly cloudy, partly sunny, or sorta gray skies.

2012-01-21T16:54:00.000-06:00

Sky Scarf as of January 20, 2012

I've been checking the sky between 4:00 and 4:30 when the sun sets. The sun is now setting a little later so the past week's colors weren't as varied as before. I think I'll start checking the sky after 4:30 now.

2012-01-16T20:54:00.002-06:00

1-2-3-4

Maybe I'll make 3-4 scarves. At this gauge, I could make four 45" scarves. Quarterly sky scarves? Perhaps. Perhaps.

2012-01-15T16:56:00.001-06:00

Sky Scarf

Somebody on Facebook and then Ravelry pointed me over to Leafcutter Designs Conceptual Knitting page. This led to Leafcutter's Sky Scarf project. I decided to take part in this since two rows of knitting per day is not asking too much of my time. The project commenced January 1, 2012.

There were a few decisions to make prior to beginning the scarf. I went to a couple of yarn stores and looked through my stash of yarn for any colors related to the sky. I put them all together in a bag: all the white, blue, gray, yellow, pink, etc. I could find. I chose to use worsted weight yarn since I have lots of that. Next, I chose The Yarn Harlot's One Row Handspun Scarf pattern as the one I would use for this project. I chose it because it is easy, but appealing, and reversible. Finally, I chose sunset as the time to look to the sky for color inspiration. That final decision was the best decision. The sky's colors at that time are so pretty and varied. The first two days of 2012 turned out to be gray, but I knew everyday in 2012 wouldn't be. I checked my gauge and found that two rows equal half an inch of knitting. That means my scarf, if I chose to knit this for a whole year, would end up being 15 feet long. I decided to make this a 4-6 month project instead. But now I'm thinking that I could make two or three scarves for this project. The beauty of that idea is that I have plenty of time to decide.

I'll be updating my progress here and in a Facebook photo album on my page. Here are the first two updates.

Week 1:

Week 2:

2011-10-02T23:27:00.000-05:00

It's Been Awhile

School and and expanded work hours keep me busy and away from my hooks and needles. This weekend I decided to treat myself to a hat, a pumpkin hat. I have to write up the pattern for it. I kinda just winged it as I went along. I love the way it came out.

2011-03-21T01:33:00.000-05:00

Lake County Fair 2008

This summer I entered seven items in the fair. They are listed below with their respective outcomes in the competition.

1. Crochet Decorative Potholder (Stained glass flower pattern) - no ribbon

2. Crochet Shawl (Seraphina's Shawl pattern) - 1st place

3. Crochet Scarf - I don't have a picture of my scarf, but here is the link to the original pattern picture from Interweave Crochet magazine. [http://www.interweavecrochet.com/issue/2008/toc-spring-2008.asp scroll down just a bit to see a picture)] - 2nd place

4. Crochet Purse (link to project page on Ravelry) - 2nd place

5. Knit Cardigan Sweater (Buttony Sweater pattern) - no ribbon

6. Knit Scarf (Branching Out pattern) - 3rd place

7. Knit Not Specified Above [Charlie's Hat pattern (pattern was once on Magknits, but the site is no more)] - 3rd place

2008-07-20T22:09:00.003-05:00

Victorian Shoulderette is Done!

I'll have to post pictures later after I give Connie the office lady her shoulderette. After figuring out the pattern with the help of my friend Sandra, it was easy to knit. Apparently I couldn't read the pattern and knit at the same time. Sandra read the directionsto me s-l-o-w-l-y while I knit what she directed me to knit.

I had to do 14 repeats of the 24 rows. I was click-clacking along so well. Grrr!! Until I was just about done with repeat 9, that is. I ran out of yarn!! I called Alpaca Outfitters in Elkhart where I purchased the yarn to see if they had anymore. I was so lucky. They have discontinued carrying the yarn but the woman who answered the phone had two hanks already wound up into cakes. She sold them to me for $10 including shipping. I finished the shoulderette on Saturday the 19th. I'll have to thank her when I return to Elkhart in August.

I think I'll try and find a pretty pin for the shawl before I give it to Connie. Now I have to find soemthing to make for Pat the other office lady. She's a little harder to read, but I'm thinking a nice purse or maybe another shawl would be nice for her. Ooh! Maybe some gloves or a scarf. I'll figure it all out.

2008-07-07T23:43:00.003-05:00

Crap!

I purchased this pattern this afternoon. I thought I'd do something nice for Connie the office secretary at school and make her a shawl. When she gets cold, which is frequently, she wears her jacket wrapped around her shoulders. As I was browsing the many, many patterns on Ravelry, I ran across the Victorian Shoulderette pattern and thought it would be perfect for Connie. That baby was knitting up fast! I got through over half of it this evening. I just finished the first three rows of the lace panel and counted my stitches since when I ended the repeats, I didn't have the number of stitches the pattern said I should have. It appears that I may have neglected three YOs somewhere and now I'm three stitches short. Crap! Now I have to go back three rows and figure out what the hell I did and where I did it.

I hate to undo knitting work. There are so many stitches that can get lost or dropped. It's not like crochet. In crochet there's only one loop on the hook at a time, not like the 173 (or 170, in my case) I have to undo three times on this shoulderette. Ugh! I'll fix it, but for tonight I tossed it aside on the couch and refuse to touch it again until tomorrow.

I thought about walking over to the park and knitting tomorrow, but we're expecting scattered thundestorms and a high temp of 86 degrees. I'm rethinking that idea. Perhaps, I'll go to Borders, purchase an iced tea and maybe a pretzel, and stitch in the cafe. Or I could walk over to the park in the morning before the rain or the rising temperatures.

2008-06-30T16:13:00.005-05:00

Arachne's Tears Scarf

I decided to make the Arachne's Tears Scarf from Interweave Crochet's Spring 2008 issue. I'm using some yarn I bought last year at Loopy Yarns.

Here's the scarf from the magazine.
Is it me or does the model resemble Melissa Etheridge?

The yarn is Farmhouse Yarns Silk Blend in purple. It's 350 yards of a dk blend of 34% silk, 33% cotton, and 33% American Crown lamb's wool. Soo soft.

This scarf is going to be wonderful. I need to take it with me to the store and find beads to match. I don't think I'll put beads in the scarf just on the fringe. I've been reading other people's notes on Ravelry about the scarf and the prevailing opinion is that the beaded fringe helps with the drape. I just started it and this is how it's looking so far.

I don't think this is going to take very long. It should go from WIP to FO in no time.

2008-06-21T23:38:00.001-05:00

A Little Poetry

I purchased a magnetic poetry kit from Interweave Press several months ago. Here's what I composed with it. Hope you like it.

2008-06-19T22:04:00.004-05:00

Purse Exchange

I took part in a Purse Exchange at Knit Knack over on Ravelry. My partner was cabbie911. I made her the Fashion First Aid purse from the Stitch 'N Bitch Happy Hooker book. Here it is. She says she's already got a project in the bag to take with her to work on the ambulance.

I received this purse and goodies from jewls in San Diego.

I used the yarn to make a hat for one of my co-workers on the way to Bloomington. Alas, I didn't take pictures of the three hats I made for Lisa, Josie, and Heather.

2008-06-19T21:42:00.006-05:00

Naughty Girl Stuff

Over at Ravelry I belong to (among 23) a group called Knit Knack. Knit Knack was born on MySpace as an alternative to the Stitch 'N Bitch group that kept getting spammed. Eventually some trolls began spamming Knit Knack something fierce. Skyolim, the founder, disbanded the group. The Knit Knackers from MySpace found their way, one by one, over to Ravelry and the group was reformed. Yippee!! Okay, then, there's the history.

Here's the naughty girl stuff! We recently had our Pasties Exchange. I'd never made pasties before, but figured what the heck? I had so much fun! I made two pairs for my exchange partner cerditovolador. I called them the (De)Flower Me Pasties and the Pirate Booty Call Dress Up Kit. Here are the pics and the patterns. Have at it. Make some pasties!

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Pirate Booty Call Dress Up Kit

Materials and Equipment

About 2 - 2 ½ oz worsted weight cotton yarn in colors A and B
Crochet hook size H
2 skull buttons
Elastic thread

Gauge: each pasty is approx. 4” diameter

NOTE: The bag is not included in the pattern. It is the skullholders pattern from the Stitch 'N Bitch Happy Hooker book with the skull chart from Hello Yarn's Felted Knitting Tote. I simply striped the back side of the bag and worked one row of single crochet around three sides of the front and back to close and worked one round of single crochet around the top of the bag.

PASTIES

Directions:
Form loop with end of thread with color A.
Round 1: Ch 1, 8 sc in loop. Sl st to top of 1st sc to close. Pull end of thread to close hole in center. 8 sc.
Round 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc. With color B, sl st to top of 1st sc to close. 16 sc.
Round 3: Continue with color B. Ch 1, [sc (2 sc in next sc)] around. Sl st to top of 1st sc to close. 24 sc.
Round 4: Ch 1, [2 sc (2 sc in next sc)] around. Sl st to top of 1st sc to close. 32 sc.
Round 5: Ch 1, [3 sc (2 sc in next sc)] around. With color A, sl st to top of 1st sc to close. 40 sc.
Round 6: Continue with color A. Ch 1, [4 sc (2 sc in next sc)] around. Sl st to top of 1st sc to close. 48 sc.

Cut yarn and weave in all loose ends. Sew skull buttons to center of pasties.

EYEPATCH

Directions:
Patch
Row 1: With black yarn, ch 5, sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 2 ch, 5 sc in last ch. Continue on other side of beginning ch, work sc in other side of next 3 ch.
Row 2: Ch 1, 4 sc, (2 sc in next sc) 3 times, 4 sc.
Row 3: Ch 1, 5 sc, (2 sc in next sc) 4 times, 5 sc.
Row 4: Ch 1, 6 sc, (2 sc in next sc) 6 times, 6 sc.
Row 5: Ch 1, 9 sc, (2 sc in next sc) 2 times, 2 sc, (2 sc in next sc) 2 times, 9 sc. Do not cut yarn. Continue with strap.

Strap:
Ch 60 and sl st to other side of patch.
Round 1: Ch 1, sc in each ch and across top of patch working 1 sc in end of each row. Sl st to 1st sc to close.
Round 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc around. Sl st to 1st sc to close.

Weave in all loose ends. Measure the elastic thread so that it fits around your head comfortably when stretched slightly. Run the elastic through the back of round 2 of strap and tie or sew closed.

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(De)Flower Me Pasties

Materials and Equipment

About 1 oz of worsted weight cotton yarn each in pink and green
Crochet hook size H
Letter beads D, O, M, E
Sewing thread

Gauge: each flower approx. 4” diameter

Directions:
Form loop with end of thread using pink yarn.
Round 1: Ch 1, 8 sc in loop. Sl st to top of 1st sc to close. Pull end of thread to close hole in center. 8 sc.
Round 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc. Sl st to top of 1st sc to close. 16 sc.
Round 3: Ch 1, [sc (2 sc in next sc)] around. Sl st to top of 1st sc to close. 24 sc.
Round 4: Ch 1, sc in first sc, ch 2, [sk 2 sc, sc around next sc by wrapping hook from back to front and back again (wrapped sc), ch 2] around. 8 sc and 8 ch 2 loops.
Round 5: Sl st to ch 2 loop. Work (sc, 3 dc, sc) in each ch 2 loop. With green yarn sl st to top of 1st sc in round to close. 8 petals worked.
Round 6: Continue with green yarn. Sl st through any 2 threads on back side of first wrapped sc from round 4, ch 4. (sl st through any 2 threads on back side of next wrapped sc from round 4, ch 4) around. 8 ch 4 loops.
Round 7: Sl st to ch 4 loop. Work (sc, 5 dc, sc) in each ch 4 loop. Sl st to top of 1st sc in round to close. 8 petals worked.

Cut yarn and weave in loose ends. Sew on beads to read “DO” on one flower and “ME” on the other.

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These are the ones I received from wildcherry in Alaska. I have always wanted to visit Alaska since I watched Northern Exposure. Marilyn, Dr. Joel's secretary on the show, was an avid knitter. I miss that show. Ahhh, nostalgia... Back to the blog. Here are the pasties received.

The pasties in the top row, black and red ones, are sparkly and give the illusion of pierced nipples without the pain. The pasties in the bottom row are crocheted. The flower to the right is a hair clip. One of my fellow Knit Knackers thought for a moment that I had three nipples. Not so. I turned one of the flower pasties upside down so the crocheted part could be seen.

2008-06-18T19:29:00.006-05:00

Gotta Update This Thing

I haven't posted anything her in ages, but I have been busy with the stitching. So without further ado, I give you a slideshow of my projects since last November (eek!).

2007-11-17T13:29:00.000-06:00

A Couple o' FOs and a WIP

I bought a new purple coat at Lane Bryant recently. Being a knitter/crocheter, I had to accessorize this new purchase with yarn goodies. I made myself some fingerless gloves (my variation on another's pattern, see this blog entry for details) with some Vanna's Choice yarn in a purple print. Yep, people, Vanna White from Wheel of Fortune has her own yarn. She's quite the crocheter. The yarn is very reasonably priced. The gloves cost me $2.99 to make. Here they are. Kinda spiffy, no? Note to self: Get a manicure!

I've never been one to wear hats. Having short, short hair and a big, big face, I tend to look odd when wearing hats. Headtoppers of any sort have never been a good look for me. However, now that I'm getting old (42 years, 8 months, and 25 days old to be exact), cold weather is affecting me more negatively than before. So what's a middle-aged knitter supposed to do? Stalk the profiles of the hat knitters on Ravelry. I found one I liked. It's Kody May's Lace Elegance Hat. It's purple, of course. I used Jo-Ann's Sensations Bellezza Collection Cosetta yarn. Can you believe I actually wear it out in public? I haven't worn a hat in public since...um... junior high/high school, way back in the late seventies/early eighties. Here she be.

Finally, I needed a scarf. So after stalking the Ravelry scarf knitters, I found the Yarn Harlot's One Row Handspun Scarf pattern. Talk about mindless and pretty (the scarf, not me). One row repeated over and over until the scarf is as long as I want or until the yarn runs out. So two skeins (maybe three?) of Vanna's Choice are now in the process of becoming my scarf. I'm using the same colorway as my gloves. Here's the progress shot so far.

2007-11-17T13:15:00.000-06:00

Seraphina's Shawl

I just started this shawl a few days ago. I'd been all over Ravelry searching for shawl patterns when I ran across a few examples of Seraphina's shawl. The ones made with Jo-Ann Sensations Rainbow Boucle are just gorgeous. Naturally, I couldn't resist the urge to crochet one. I ordered some yarn online since my local Jo-Ann didn't carry the colors I wanted. I really, really wanted the shades of reds/oranges but couldn't find it online. I ordered some orangy yarn instead. I'm sure the shawl will be pretty anyhow. I also got some berry shades yarn and green shades yarn. My plan is to make this shawl again in the spring in green for my secret pal at work. I sure hope she's a shawl wearer.

The first one I decided to make is the berry colored one. Just look at it so far.

It looks nice in my opinion. I'm going to love this shawl when it's done.

I've never been a huge fan of boucle yarns. I like my yarn on the smooth side without little things hanging from it, but I bowed to the Ravelry peer pressure and bought the boucle (6 big-ass skeins of boucle, as a matter of fact). It's not so bad once you get working with it. Plus, this boucle isn't that loopy. It's more like boucle-lite. My only complaint is that it's a bitch to untangle as I crochet. I found the end in the center of the skein. I like to use center pull skeins. But every few yards the yarn gets all tangled. Just take a peek here. You can see the tangled guts of the skein getting puked out as I crochet. This is definitely not pretty yarn porn.

I would be making so much faster progress if I didn't have to untangle so often. I swear I probably would've finished this within 3-4 days if my yarn was smooth and tangle-free. As it is, I'm gonna have to work for the FO this will be.

2007-11-10T10:03:00.000-06:00

Have You Seen This Show??

Have you? I'm so hooked on Pushing Daisies. The best part is that Emerson Cod knits. He knits!! He knits gun cosies and money holders. It's awesome. I hope this show goes on forever and ever.

Thanks to Knitting Lemonade for the Pushing Daisies button.

2007-10-28T02:41:00.000-05:00

Recorder Flute Case

My class has music the last period on Wednesdays. They are dismissed by the music teacher at the end of the day. Since they do not return to my class or their lockers, they must take their recorder flutes with them. Sometimes the recorders get jostled around or pulled apart when the kids jam them into their backpacks. Here is my solution below. I decided to make a class set of these (20, in this case) for my students. They only take 45 minutes to complete so I'll be done in no time at all. Well, fifteen hours of crocheting overall, but really, who's counting? They are being modeled in the pictures by the lovely Sarah.

Materials and Equipment

About 2 ½ oz of worsted weight yarn
Crochet hook size J

Directions:
Form loop with end or thread.
Round 1: Ch 1, 6 sc in loop. Close this round and all rounds with sl st in top of first st.
Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st. 12 sc
Round 3: Ch 1 , sc in 1st st, 2 sc in next st, (sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) around. 18 st
Round 4: Working back loops, Ch 2, 5 dc in 1st st (one shell made), sk 2 sc, sc in next st, sk 2 st, 5 dc in next st, sk 2 sc, sc in next st, sk 2 st, 5 dc in next st, sk 2 st, sc in next st. Close this round with sl st in top of first stitch.
Round 5: Ch 1, sl st to 3rd dc of shell, ch 1, sc in same st, (shell in next sc, sc in 3rd dc of next shell) 3 times. Close with sl st in top of 1st sc.
Round 6: Ch 2, shell st in same stitch as ch 2, sc in 3rd dc of next shell, shell in next sc, sc in 3rd dc of next shell, shell in next sc, sc in 3rd dc of next shell. Close with sl st in 1st dc of beginning shell.

Rounds 7-28 Repeat Rounds 5 and 6.

Round 29: Ch 1, hdc in same st as joining, ch 1, skip one st, (hdc in next st, ch 1) around. Sl st to top of beg hdc to close.

Drawstring: Working with yarn doubled, ch 30. Run chain through ch 1 spaces of last round. Tie ends together.

Strap: With yarn doubled, connect yarn to center dc of one shell in last shell round made. Ch 80, sl st to 3rd dc of corresponding shell in round 4, turn, sc in each chain.

Weave in loose ends.

2007-10-27T14:47:00.000-05:00

TA-DA!

I finished the Lacy V Scarf I was working on for mi primita Nora. I referred to the scarf in the "Sometimes I Feel Like a Genius" post below. It came out cute. Check out the picture below. I just have to admit this: Ahem, <clears throat> I hate blocking my work. I wish it would come off the needles ready-to-wear. That said, the picture shows the scarf blocking on some light blue foam board I picked up at Lowe's. I paid about $7 for this big-ass sheet of foam that the kindly store employee scored down the middle so it could fold easy for storage. I had such a Lucy-and-Ethel moment trying to put this in my car. Even if there was no Ethel to my Lucy, the sight of me wrestling with a big piece of sky blue foam was filled with enough comedy for two bumbling, block-hating knitters. Well, enough reminiscing. Here's the scarf.

2007-10-22T00:01:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I feel like a genius

I decided to make this scarf for my cousin for her birthday. Now, when I knit lace, I can't see the pattern forming before my eyes and I must always read the directions or the chart. I love knitting lace, but it takes a lot of effort on my part. This scarf is a 14-row repeat. So far it's knitting up quickly. Here's why.

I copied and pasted the directions for the 14 rows into a table, one row's worth of directions per cell, on Microsoft Word and made the font bigger to accomodate my middle-aged eyes. Then I printed the directions off on cardstock and cut apart the cells into cards. I stapled them together at the bottom in order from first row to 14th row.

Now as I knit, I just see one row at a time and fold down the card to reveal the next row. I use a binder clip to keep the cards from folding back up. Seems to be working for me.

2007-10-15T20:57:00.000-05:00

Halloween Things

Thanks to Nan Dodge and her help with this pattern. I found a pattern on the Internet that was 110 stitches on size 6 DPNs, but that hat turned out way too big. Nan suggested less stitches and a pattern for me. Click here to find a video for the The Two-handed Fair Isle Technique used to knit the green and orange rounds. Here's the pattern I used:

Nan’s Pumpkin Hat

MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES:
Orange worsted-weight yarn
Green worsted-weight yarn
Size 6 DPN
Locking stitch marker

GAUGE: 5 stitches = 1 inch

DIRECTIONS:
With orange CO 80 stitches
Join and knit for 7-8 inches. Mark first stitch with stitch marker.
Join green and knit (7 orange stitches, 1 green stitch) around.
Next round knit (5 orange, 3 green) around
Next round knit (3 orange, 5 green) around
Next round knit (1 orange, 7 green) around
Next round drop orange and continue with green. Knit this round.

Crown:
(K6, k2tog) around 70 stitches
Knit one round
(K5, k2tog) around 60 stitches
Knit one round
(K4, k2tog) around 50 stitches
Knit one round
(K3, k2tog) around 40 stitches
Knit one round
(K2, k2tog) around 30 stitches
Knit one round
(K1, k2tog) around 20 stitches
Knit one round
(k2tog) around 10 stitches
Knit one round
(k2tog) around 5 stitches
Knit one round
Continue on these 5 stitches making an i-cord stem to the desired length.

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Next up is Sarah Lou's candy corn hat.

2007-09-01T21:36:00.001-05:00

You can find me on your Borders bookshelves

My pages in the calendar:

The 2008 Crochet Pattern-a-Day calendar is out and my patterns are featured on September 13/14 and on November 5. It's such a thrill to see my name and patterns in print. I've now been published in two different places, for my crocheting and my teaching. The Mailbox Magazine for teachers has published one of my ideas. It was published last year in the August/September intermediate issue. The magazine has already paid me for a second idea to publish at a later date. I'll post more about that on my education blog later.

2007-08-19T17:32:00.000-05:00

I Feel Like I've Been Called Up to the Majors

I got the email from Ravelry. I'm in just before summer vacation ends. I was trolling around there trying to figure out where to start. I friended a few people from get Stitchy! and joined 13 groups so far. I've yet to load my stash or projects. Little by little I'll get all this done. But for now, I must focus on getting back to work. First day back to to school is Monday and the students come back Tuesday. Looks like I gotta budget my time now.

2007-08-14T23:53:00.001-05:00

Any Day Now...

You signed up on June 14, 2007
You are #9115 on the list.
370 people are ahead of you in line.
16247 people are behind you in line.
34% of the list has been invited so far

2007-08-07T18:58:00.000-05:00

It's All in How You Look at It

I sent my friend Ms. N an email linking to this post. I love her reply which I've copied and pasted here for all to read.

WHOA!
I think we could look at this two different ways.
1. There are people worse off...
2. While colorful and aesthetically pleasing, do we want to aspire to be this?

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I can only connect this to my addiction to school supplies. During a recent visit to Target, clutching 18 packs of crayons, 40 folders, 40 spiral-bound notebooks, and 10 double glue stick packs, I broke down to my mother that I believe I have a serious problem. Her enabled response was, "I know."

I pride myself on the acknowledgement of my addiction, and while I followed through with my purchase, I felt justified as it was less than $20. I said to myself (as many addicted individuals do), "I am not hurting anyone...AND I got a good deal."

How long until I too am just like the yarn lady?
Will I one day walk into my house and find book cases of crayola 24 pack double pocket, pronged folders, and spiral bound notebooks hanging from the ceiling?

---
Maybe there will need to be interventions all around!

2007-08-03T22:48:00.000-05:00

Ravelry Update

You signed up on June 14, 2007
You are #9115 on the list.
1457 people are ahead of you in line.
13542 people are behind you in line.
33% of the list has been invited so far

Well, I guess I'm in a better place than 13,542 other people. Wouldn't you agree?

2007-08-03T21:58:00.000-05:00

The Lake County Fair

I took my ten items in to the fair on Saturday the 28th. These are the items, their categories, and ribbons won (if applicable):

1. Handicrafts I - Crochet - Holiday --->> angel ornament

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2. Handicrafts I - Door Piece not over 24" - Decoration --->> crocheted chenille stocking (1st place)

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3. Needlecrafts I - Crochet - Potholder (decorative) --->> skull and bones potholder (3rd place)

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4. Needlecrafts I - Crochet - Purse --->> felted button purse (3rd place)

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5. Needlecrafts I - Crochet - Shawl --->> multicolored stole

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6. Needlecrafts I - Crochet - Scarves --->> Hop on the Bus, Gus scarf (2nd place)

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7. Needlecrafts I - Crochet - not specified above --->> bouquet of flowers (I realized as I am blogging this that I goofed and submitted knit flowers here instead of crocheted)

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8. Needlecrafts I - Knit - Purse --->> Noro purse (1st place)

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9. Needlecrafts I - Knit - Scarves --->> lace leaves scarf

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10. Needlecrafts I - Knit - not specified above --->> trellis shawl

*****didn't take a picture of this yet, but it's this pattern*****

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I was looking at the ribbons I already won from past Lake County Fairs and realized that I started entering stuff eighteen (yipes!!) years ago. Including this year's ribbons, I have won seventeen ribbons since 1989. This year's win of five ribbons is my best showing in any year. I want to display the ribbons somehow in my craftroom/office. Don't know how yet, but I'll figure something out.

2007-08-01T00:27:00.000-05:00

The Summer of Cris

Over at get Stitchy!, MsFish asked if I'd been counting my FOs thi summer. Until she asked, I hadn't. So I sat down and counted. Here's the tally so far. I believe most of these have been documented here.
1. Noro handbag
2. crocheted angel ornament
3. knit bouquet of flowers
4. hard drive sweater (sweater knit when hard drive crashed)
5. cross stitch stole
6. Christmas stocking
7. Lily Ruby’s sweater and booties
8. Ma’s purse
9. Missy’s purse
10. cherry bag
11. school bus scarf
12. lace leaves scarf
13. SNB Short ‘n Sweet
14. Missy’s dishcloth
15. Lyd’s dishcloth
16. Mary’s dishcloth
17. Lisa’s dishcloth
18. Rosie’s dishcloth
19. Jason’s rabbit
20. Ethan’s gloves
21. Irma’s dishcloth
22. The Co-worker scarf made from yarn from Sheilah

Whew! I'm enjoying my summer.

Here are a couple of items I hope to finish before I go back to school.
1. beading and blocking the self-fringing shawl which is completely off the needles
2. adding some length and a little width to Ma's Shrug This from the One Skein Wonders book
3. Casey's Brea Bag
4. Rusted Root in red for ME!
5. Rosie's birthday purse
6. Glor's birthday purse

I'm an ambitious chickie, aren't I?

2007-07-29T21:48:00.000-05:00

And Ms. N (the teacher next door) thought I needed an intervention...

Check out the stash this woman has accumulated. I feel like such an underachiever!

2007-07-24T21:51:00.000-05:00

Exchange Experiences

I was part of get Stitchy!'s stitch marker swap a few months ago (blogged here and here). It was a great way to get my feet wet. I had lots of fun with it and a new hobby (designing stitch markers) was born. I'd never done any exchanging of anything on the Internet. After that positive experience, I felt I was ready for a bigger exchange. Baby steps, you know. I didn't want to do the whole Secret Pal thing. It intimidated me quite honestly.

A couple of months ago, I read somewhere about a stat counter for your blogs. I thought it would be cool to see from where my blog traffic comes. I had just submitted a couple of patterns to Knitting Pattern Central and Crochet Pattern Central. Those, plus a couple of others, were accepted. Most of my traffic was from KPC and CPC. From there, my patterns started showing up on all kinds of pattern resources on the Internet (including some Swedish one, I think.). One of the links to a pattern of mine was on a blog called The Spring Felted Bag Exchange. I emailed the blog author and thanked her for listing my pattern on her blog. She invited me to join. So I did.

I'm glad I did. This exchange only required two packages to be exchanged. I could handle that. I already blogged about the packages Sheilah sent (here and here). Here's a picture of the bag I sent my spoilee, Shawnee. She's a Mary Engelbreit collector. I had lots of fun making this bag. I might make more with other designs and appliques. I'm thinking a bag with an apple for the teacher would be cute. Opinions?

Well, now that I've gotten two exchanges under my belt, I've moved on to a third. It's a one-skein exchange over at Knit Knack on MySpace. I don't know what I'm going to make my spoilee there. When I do, of course, I'll post something here. So far, I have it possibly narrowed down to one of these yarns (purchased at Loopy Yarns at 70% off!!). Tell me what you think.

For the record, most of these yarns have been earmarked for winter gifts for my sisters and cousin.

2007-07-24T21:48:00.000-05:00

Argh!!!

You signed up on June 14, 2007
You are #9115 on the list.
2570 people are ahead of you in line.
11035 people are behind you in line.
31% of the list has been invited so far

This is worse than waiting in line for concert tickets.

2007-07-23T18:32:00.000-05:00

I Joined the Bandwagon

...and dyed some yarn with Kool-aid. Well, that and a couple of colors from some generic powdered drink mix I found at Dollar General. I tried to get fancy and dye two colors. I have some white spots in there. I suppose it adds character, a "design feature" as Sinnomen1977 over at get Stitchy! wrote. It wasn't difficult at all. I had fun. Sandra will have to come over so we can dye some more. Woo! Hoo! I think the next time I'll do some solid colors and maybe some handpainted with squeeze bottles and plastic wrap. We'll see. This is not the last time I'm gonna dye yarn.

Here are my dye jobs. The one on the left is the generic drink mix in cherry and lemonade. The one on the right is grape and pink lemonade Kool-aid.

Of course, now I have to find something small to make with this. Both cakes of yarn are leftovers from one skein of Paton's Classic Merino. Suggestions, anyone? Anyone?

2007-07-19T01:05:00.000-05:00

My Spoilee's Bag

My spoilee's name is Shawnee. She's a Mary Englelbreit collector so I decided to make her a tote bag inspired by Mary Engelbreit. I took the basic bag pattern for the skull tote minus the skull. I added a black and white alternating border over a thin yellow line at the top of the bag and crocheted the cherry elements. The cherries, stems, and leaf were all crocheted. All in all, I have to say that I really enjoyed making this bag. I'm thinking about making myself one with a big apple on it.

2007-07-19T00:57:00.000-05:00

My Cardigan

Actually, I modified the Anthropologie-inspired capelet from Craftster.org. I added some more stitches to my cast on, knit until the arms fit, added length to the sweater, length to the sleeves, and chose to wear it knit-side out instead of purl-side out. i used just over 4 balls of Noro Kureyon in colorway 159. It's difficult to take pics of yourself so I did the best I could. Here's my sweater!

I just love self-striping yarn.

2007-07-15T02:21:00.000-05:00

Spring Felted Bag Exchange - part deux

Sheilah, you wonderful woman, you! Thanks for the loot. Sheilah is my spoiler. She sent me the most wonderful package this week. What a way to cap off my first big exchange project. To begin with, I had to wait an extra day for the package. It arrived on Thursday, but I missed the postal carrier. I think she just doesn't bother to knock on my door for me assuming I'm at work since I'm not here to receive packages during the school year. Grrr!

On Friday, I went to the post office to pick up Sheilah's package plus a couple of books I'd ordered (and the postal carrier didn't bother knocking on my door for this one either), and to send off Shawnee's package. I was Shawnee's spoiler. Once she receives her felted bag, I'll post pics of what I made her.

Let me tell you. Sheilah is one fine fiber friend. Check it out! Here's the bag she made for me.

And here are some bonus goodies from Sheilah.

The yarn at the bottom of the picture is store-bought: Paton's Devine and Yarn Bee's Soft Delight. The bright pink/purple blend is some laceweight merino. The brown yarn just below the bright, bright pink is a brown mohair that Sheilah dyed with the remaining dye from my bag. The other three are random wool yarns.

I have to admit. This exchange was fun. I may have to do others.

2007-07-01T11:59:00.000-05:00

Just Under the Wire

I finished the Cigar gloves for E for my second XY-along project. Here they are. I finished them on Monday, June 25.

They were easier to make than I thought they would be. I used the magic loop method instead of wrestling with two circs or stabbing myself with DPNs.

2007-06-20T00:40:00.000-05:00

Hop on the Bus, Gus

Click on the title of this post to see this pattern. It is my latest FO and my crocheted scarf entry in the Lake County Fair. Wouldn't you agree that it's an apropo design for a school teacher? I'm thinking about embroidering the name of our school corporation on the side of the bus just like our real ones. I will probably raffle it off as a class fundraiser once school starts. We'll see.

2007-06-19T12:44:00.000-05:00

Lace Leaves Scarf

I decided to make this as my entry in the knitted scarf division at the Lake County Fair. I finished blocking it this morning. I used the Yarn Harlot's suggestion. It saved me from spending an insane amount of money on steel blocking rods. The yarn is Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport in Watercolor. I loved how the yarn looked on the Yarn Grove's website so I bought it. They offer free shipping so what the heck! I really like how it turned out.

2007-06-17T14:38:00.000-05:00

Well, It's about time the hostess got in on this!

I am hosting this month's -along at get Stitchy! I know I should have posted this a few weeks ago. Bad girl! Bad girl! It's been fun so far. We are creating items for those with the XY chromosomes. I've been slow to make something. I think I'll call E and ask if he'd like anything special this month. He is my godson, after all. In the meantime, I took this -along as a chance to make a rabbit for J, my four-year-old nephew. He has imaginary rabbits so Cleo asked if I'd make him a "real" one. Here's his "real" rabbit. I added eyes to it since I took the picture. Cleo gets weirded out by faceless creatures.

2007-06-17T14:15:00.000-05:00

Spring Felted Bag Exchange

I got my first package from my pal in the Spring Felted Bag Exchange. It's almost like the girl knew me! Here's a picture. The yarn is her own handspun wool/silk blend. It's 110 yards. I don't know what I'm going to make with it, but whatever it is, it will be for ME!

Just look at this gorgeous yarn!!

In addition, she sent some goodies for D, too. Here they are, yarn and stitch markers. He'll be so happy when I send them along.

What I think is so funny about this package is the fact that I told Lisa that I wanted to Mex out my place. You know, give the decor a touch of my heritage. If you look closely at the lower left-hand corner, you'll see the ceramic jar that my pal used to hold the stitch markers she made me. It is so perfect for my decor plans. Check out the close-up.

Secondly, the notecards and notepad she sent (bottom row of items in the next pic) match perfectly with the notebook and pen that the PTA gave me for Teacher Appreciation Week.

Spring Felted Bag Exchange Pal,
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! The gifts were wonderful. I can't wait to start using them. You know, a knitter can't have too many stitch markers (especially if she's working on the clapotis). I love all the goodies. I used one of the notecards to explain to D why I'm sending this extra yarn to him along with the yarn he forgot at school on the last day. He'll be as thrilled as I am. Thanks again.

2007-06-10T22:33:00.000-05:00

I almost forgot

I did make myself a fat-bottomed bag with the leftover cotton from the stained glass flower potholder. Here it is.

Here's the lining I chose.

I even made a cell phone holder from the leftovers.

2007-06-10T22:18:00.000-05:00

First Official Weekend of Summer Vacation and...

I've started stitching like the yarn ho that I am.

I crocheted a skull potholder. I took the idea of the skullholder from the Stitch 'N Bitch Happy Hooker book and used this graph from the bag I made Sandra for her birthday. Methinks this will be the potholder I enter in the Lake County Fair.

I started working on Short 'n Sweet from the Stitch 'N Bitch Happy Hooker book about a week and a half ago. I chose dusty pink yarn because that's what I had at home and, truth be told, I needed to get rid of some stash yarn. I hope the pictures are clear enough. Taking pictures of yourself is a pain. My arm only stretches so far from my torso. The sweater isn't blocked yet because I was so excited to try it on and because I'm not really sure how to block it. I don't make garments very often.

Left side...

Right side...

I also started working on a scarf for the knitted scarf section of the Lake County Fair. It's the Lace Leaves scarf from HeartStrings FiberArts. The yarn is Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport in Watercolor. I've completed 3 of 12 repeats.

2007-06-02T20:42:00.000-05:00

My crocheting made the newspaper...sorta

Actually, a picture of one of my students playing Juliet in our annual Shakespeare production appeared in the local newspaper. In the picture she's wearing the Juliet cap I crocheted for her. I let her keep it. I'll make another one next year for the next Juliet. That's it for the fiber connection.

Our sixth grade classes performed abridged versions of Julius Caesar, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and A Midsummer Night's Dream for the second year in a row. It started a couple of years ago when Scrappy and I decided to have our classes perform at Washington Park on the stage behind the greenhouse two years ago. Last year, the sixth grade team (Go, team!) decided to each take a play and perform. Shakespeare in the Park was born. Unfortunately, it rained on us (Did somebody utter the name Macbeth?) and we had to hoof it back to school. We performed in the auditorium. This year we didn't want to take any chances with the weather so Shakespeare in the Park became Shakespeare in the House.

We gave two perfomances. The first was at 9:00 AM for classes at school and parents who couldn't make the noon performance. We had a packed house. The sixth-grade actors were magnificent. The grandfather of a boy in the 6-2 class came to the 9:00 show and asked what time the second performance was. He returned with two more relatives for that show. That little boy must have been so proud of himself. They made the sixth-grade team of teachers look like the most awesome teachers ever! The noon show was covered by the newspaper and by our local cable channel 21 for broadcast beginning next week. I swear I got all choked up and almost cried as I introduced Romeo and Juliet to the audience. I can't tell you how proud of them I am.

Here is the entire cast of the 6-1 production of Romeo and Juliet. The other picture is one of the lead actors.

2007-05-22T19:53:00.001-05:00

You all remember D, the crochet fanatic in my class from a previous post...

I took D to a yarn tasting at Loopy Yarns and blogged about it. I bought him some Plymouth Yarns Baby Alpaca DK in baby blue. He started crocheting a pillow with it as soon as we boarded the South Shore to come home. Well, everyone, here is the FO. The yarn is perfect for the pillow since it's soooo soft. He's so proud of his pillow. ...and he should be.

2007-05-21T01:01:00.001-05:00

Two Bags and a Potholder

I finished one skull tote bag and one fat-bottomed bag (from the Stitch 'N Bitch Happy Hooker book) for the girlfriends of two nephews. They both have birthdays in May. Then I finished a stained glass flower potholder for the May Flowers-along at get Stitchy! and the Lake County Fair. I'm really liking the stained glass colors. I'm thinking that a fat-bottomed bag in stained glass colors would be just dandy for summer. Hmmmm...something to think about. Well, without further fanfare, here are the latest FO's.

2007-05-21T00:37:00.000-05:00

Week 3 - Question (from the Spring Felted Bag Exchange)

Where's your favorite place to knit or crochet? Describe (or show!) us where you sit and how you most enjoy your craft!

My first response is EVERYWHERE! But, in all honesty, I prefer to knit/crochet in my living room on my couch. I sit in the same spot (as evidenced by the imprint on the cushion) right by the lamp to illuminate my work. I keep my stitching notions in a small pouch inside a plastic box that doubles as a sewing box or footstool since it's always by my side. My crochet hooks are handy and easily within reach in a pretty mug on my coffee table. I keep my straight knitting needles in two vases. They're really for decoration now that I've been using my Denise needles, Addi Turbos, and some bamboo circulars. I realize that I'm no longer a fan of straight needles. I think I'll give some to D since he's now learning to knit. My second favorite place to knit/crochet is at Bean Counters Coffee House in Highland. I meet with Rachelle and Sandra on Tuesdays (used to be on Mondays). I usually get an iced tea and set myself up at the table in the Gathering Place at the coffee house. The plasma TV is usually set to some rerun of a long-cancelled network series. I get so caught up in my stitching that I don't really pay attention to it. Sometimes the TV is set to a news channel. The three of us sit around the table and talk about our projects or yarn or whatever is on our minds. We're usually there from 5:30 until closing at 7:00. We seem to always be the last ones out the door. They have a new owner. Nice guy. Friendly. Doesn't rush us out the door at closing. I like that. Finally, I sometimes enjoy knitting/crocheting at Borders. I don't go there as often as I'd like. I have also been known to knit/crochet in Barnes & Noble and Washington Park by my home. I like to sit on a bench along the walkway entrance to the park. Tomorrow we are going on a field trip to see the Railcats play. I'm going to be making another dream swatch headband for Lyd and a Juliet cap for our class production of Romeo and Juliet. Thank goodness I have a class of responsible students who will behave so well that I'll probably be able to finish at least one of those two projects. Whew! Short question and a long-winded answer. I think I'll take pics of these places and blog about them in more detail at a later date.

2007-05-13T22:03:00.000-05:00

A Yarn Tasting Event at Loopy Yarns

I had no idea what a yarn tasting event was until Friday night. Loopy Yarns on State Street in Chicago hosted one that night. In a few words, the new yarns are placed into courses (like a fancy meal) and those in attendance receive about a yard's worth to try out. The hostess describes the yarn and suggested patterns. I had a great time. It was especially fun because I brought along D, the crochet fiend in my classroom. I took a few pictures to chronicle the day. I'm not sure exactly where D gets his yarn, but I believe he gets it at Walmart and from the stash I keep in the classroom. I thought he might enjoy trying out some good quality yarns so I invited him to join me. Here's the story...

I picked him up at about 4:15 PM so we'd have ample time to find a parking space and wait for the 4:47 PM South Shore train to Chicago. He brought along his ever-present yarntainer with two balls of yarn. However, he forgot his crochet hooks at school. The email from Loopy Yarns listed the knitting needles we should bring. I brought along my Denise interchangeables and two bamboo crochet hooks for D. I eventually let him keep them since he liked them so much. As soon as we boarded the train, he tried out the bamboo J hook on his yarn.

We decided to eat dinner next door to Loopy Yarns at a place called Pizza-Ria. D ordered sausage pizza.

I ordered a garbage salad that had at least 10 different items in it. We shared some boneless chicken wings.

While I finished my salad, D checked out the jukebox. Here he is with his yarntainer in hand.

We had some time to kill so I taught him how to crochet a bobble stitch and make a granny square.

We walked next door just before 7:00 PM and browsed around while the earlier group finished tasting the yarns. D was in heaven. He said, "I think I need to come here more often!" We seated ourselves and I figured D would bust out the bamboo hooks to try the yarns; however, he said, "I think I want to learn knitting now." I let him borrow some size 8 needles from the Denise set and showed him how to do a cable cast on and the knit stitch. That boy got it within five minutes! He started stitching with the first two yarns he received. I got to try out the yarns without coaching him anymore.

Before we left I told him I"d treat him to some yarns. He opted for a skein of Checkenheaton Merino in red, a skein of of Plymouth Yarns Baby Alpaca DK in baby blue, and two skeins of Berroco Bonsai (a yarn we "tasted") in white and some rust color. He said he was going to use the Bonsai to make something for the Lake County Fair. Here's his haul. In all, it only cost about $20. Not bad since I've been known to drop four times that amount on myself.

On the train ride back, D couldn't wait to try out some of his yarn. He took out the K hook and started making a pillow with the Baby Alpaca.

He fell asleep with hook in his hand and I had to wake him when the train arrived at our destination. He said he had a good time. I told him that maybe we could go back on some other Friday for their open stitching night. He'd like that. I also told him to bring his yarn to school on Monday and I'll bring my yarn winder so we can wind the Bonsai before he uses it. I'll put a reminder on the bathroom mirror so I don't forget.

2007-05-08T20:37:00.000-05:00

Week 2 - Question (from the Spring Felted Bag Exchange)

Where you live, what signifies the beginning of Spring? A favorite flower blooming? Snowmelt? Pollen (Cough cough, gak, here in ATL, thanks) Post something up describing how you knew 'Spring had Sprung' for you!

One of the first signs of spring in Northwest Indiana are the political sign "weeds" that crop up overnight on people's lawns. Another sign of spring is the fidgety behavior of my 6th graders. And yet another sign is the beginning of construction on the local highways. But in all seriousness, the first signs I notice are the appearance of buds on the trees and the birds that sing outside my window. I don't suffer from allergies so pollen and stuff like that doesn't affect me. I also notice all the kids in the neighborhood out on bikes and walking around. I happen to live a block away from a park and right next-door to McDonald's so all the people out enjoying the rising temps find their way to my neck of the woods. But the biggest sign for me that spring has sprung is my own need to go outside for recess to get out into the warm air.

2007-05-07T20:45:00.000-05:00

More for the FO Pile

I finished Lisa's cable footies a couple of weeks back. Here's a picture of one of them on my hand.

I hated doing the Kitchener stitch to finish them. The toes came out a little pointy. When I make these again, I'm going to finish them several rows before so I won't have such pointy toes.

For Mothers' Day, I plan on knitting shower puffs for my three sisters who are mothers. The pattern is in the book One Skein. The cable footies pattern is in the same book. I kinda like the puff now, but that Himalaya Aloo yarn was hurting my finger before. I think I just got a stubborn skein because the second puff is working up really fast. I started it yesterday and I'm about three quarters of the way done. The puff just seems like the perfect companion for oatmeal soap. Here's what they'll look like before I pair them up with a bar of oatmeal soap.

2007-05-07T20:09:00.000-05:00

Interesting News for Designers out There

The good people that publish the Knitting Pattern-a-Day and the Crochet Pattern-a-Day calendars will be publishing a few (three, I think) of my patterns in their crochet calendar for 2008. They've just announced a pattern contest for their 2009 calendars. Check out the flyer here (pdf format).

2007-05-01T22:29:00.000-05:00

A- Maiz-ing!

I bought some SWTC A-maizing yarn from The Yarn Grove, one of Get Stitchy!'s sponsors. I only got one spool because I had no idea what to make, but I knew I just had to play with the yarn. I love this stuff. It's like a very skinny tube of even tinier knit stitches. Since a few people at Get Stitchy! made the Dream Swatch wrap, I decided that's what my corn yarn wanted to be. I don't really care to wear anything on my head for fear of squashing my paltry 2" of hair, but this actually looks kinda cute on my head. Go figure!

Here it is.

2007-05-01T21:43:00.000-05:00

This Week's Question (from the Spring Felted Bag Exchange)

How did you get interested in felting? Did you learn it from someone, see a bag you liked? Just want to try something new? If you have a picture of your first project, please include it!

My friend Lisa told me about a bag she'd seen someone sporting at Stitches Midwest last summer. I wanted to make that skull bag that she'd seen, but I'd never felted before. I decided to try something simpler in case I screwed it up royally. I crocheted a simple gray granny square bag from Reynold'd Lopi yarn I purchased at Stitch by Stitch in Highland. I blogged about it here.

2007-04-29T01:33:00.000-05:00

Stitch Marker Swap (Part 2)
I finally got around to taking pictures of the stitch markers I received from Keely in the Get Stitchy! stitch marker swap (see previous post). They're cute and delicate. I like the butterfly beads on them. I received five jump ring type markers, three markers that I can use on my crochet work, and one row counter. I'm sorry that these pictures are crappy. I just couldn't get them to not look fuzzy.

I immediately used the five jump ring markers on my evolving clapotis. I also used the row counter when I finished section two (increase rows) of the clapotis. Perfect timing on the stitch marker arrival.

This picture shows three of the markers on the clapotis-in-progress.

This pic shows the row counter and the other three stitch markers.

2007-04-18T23:05:00.000-05:00

D, The Crochet Fanatic in Room 243

In December I taught my students to knit and crochet. Some have since abandoned the needlecrafts, but others have continued. D is one of those who continued. While I have a handful of girls who have gone on to make scarves and scrunchies, none of the boys have kept up the stitching. Save for one - D. D is one of those kids that has trouble when routines change. It is my understanding that in the past, if routines changed too much, D would vomit. Poor kid.

After mastering the chain and single crochet, D was in business. Literally. One of the first things he made was a purse originally intended for his mother. Another boy offered to buy it and promptly gave it to his girlfriend. Cha-ching! D just racked up his first sale.

One day on the busride to school, D dropped his ball of yarn. Of course, being on a moving vehicle, the yarn rolled around. Some other kids on the bus began kicking it around. D eventually got the yarn back, but not before the bus driver scolded HIM for causing a disruption! Never mind that the other kids chose to cause trouble instead of picking up the yarn and letting D be. The bus driver told D he couldn't bring yarn on the bus anymore. Ms. Sh and I decided that if D wants to take yarn on the bus, D can take yarn on the bus. I don't need to go into great detail here. Long story short...I ordered two yarntainers from amazon.com and had them delivered to D at school. Yarn-rolling-around-the-floor-of-bus problem solved. He ALWAYS has a yarntainer and a project with him. It's kinda cool.

During bathroom break about three weeks ago, D walks up to me in the hallway, hook attached to ball of yarn, and asks, "Do you know how to make a shell stitch?"

Soon after that, during another bathroom break, he walks up to me carrying a yarntainer of yarn and a binder open to a print out of a Lion brand free pattern for fingerless mittens. He declares that this is his next project. Never mind that spring it trying desperately to free us from the jaws of winter. D wants fingerless mittens. He walks up to me and says, "Can you help me get started with the ch 19 at the beginning of the pattern?" Here's a pic from that moment in crochet history.

Tuesdays and Thursdays D has speech class. On Tuesday, we go to the computer lab right after D finishes speech. This week he walks over to his computer and starts opening the email I sent. As I scanned the class to see if everyone was on task, I look at D's hand. There it is. It's not quite the original pattern. Sitting on his right hand was one white wool fingerless mitten. So what if it's April! D wants fingerless mittens NOW! Here is a picture of Tuesday afternoon in the lab.

2007-04-15T18:25:00.000-05:00

Another Washcloth and a Purse
I already posted a pic of this cloth in progress. Here's the final version. It has a red glow to it because I took the pic with my phone while in my car when I picked up my mom for our Friday dinner date.

I gave it to my mom because she likes all my stuff. Maybe I'll make some more for the sisters for Mothers' Day. Now that I think about it, I need to find some patterns for Mothers' Day. Unoffficially, I'd like to make all my gifts for every giftgiving occasion this year.

This is a purse I made with some Karaoke yarn (Dipity 300) I got at Loopy Yarns.

Somebody (Ruth?) at Get Stitchy! used Karaoke for a scarf and some of the colors ran together. My yarn was fine. I felted the purse and gave it to Glor before she went back to New Orleans.

Soon I'll be posting a pic of the cable footies from the book One Skein. I was going to make them for me but decided to give them to Lisa instead. I have one done and I'm on the heel of the other. I used some self-striping Universal brand yarn (color 9612) that I got at Loopy Yarns back in January for 70% off. I love a yarn bargain.

2007-04-13T00:39:00.000-05:00

Stitch Marker Swap (Part 1)

At first I wasn't interested in joining the Get Stitchy! stitch marker swap. But then I reread all the postings about stitch markers different members had made. They were all very pretty. And, let's face it, the small plastic rings are a wee bit boring. Simply Knitting Magazine then had to go and give away four free stitch markers with last month's issue. I was hooked. I joined the swap. Shortly thereafter, I received my partner's name. We exchanged addresses and whatnot for the swap.

I went to this bead shop in Highland around the corner from the Town Theater. I'd never been there and hoped that I could find cute beads for my markers. I was a little bit scared since the only time I work with wire and beads is for art class at school. I usually start the class on something and I don't have to finish it. This time I would need to start and finish a wire project.

The owner of the shop had no clue what I was talking about when I told her I wanted to make stitch markers. I told her that I, too, was clueless as to how to make them. At any rate, I scoured the drawers and bowls full of beads. I settled on about five different beads and some earring wires. The owner then helped me pick out some wire, pliers, and cutters. I was ALMOST ready to start.

The earring wires I chose would work for crochet stitch markers, but not for knitting markers that have to stay on the needles. I still needed some sort of rings. I found them at Walmart - toggles! I tossed out the sticks and kept the rings. While at the store I also purchased a small package of green and pink beads. My swap partner likes the colors pink and lime green. I couldn't find lime green, but I did find green. Sweet!

Well, I was still apprehensive about making stitch markers so I let the tools and materials sit for almost a week before I even took them out of the bags, which I did today. I started by cutting wire and twisting it on the toggle ring. Then I added beads and twisted the ends to secure. So far, so good. I got one marker in the done pile. It wasn't so bad. As a matter of fact, I kinda liked making the marker. Each one I made was just a bit easier to get done. Long story short. Twenty-four stitch markers later, my swap partner, Sandra, and I all have brand new, handmade stitch markers. I would have made more, but I ran out of beads. I'm feeling an itch to buy more beads. Soon.

Part 2 of this stitch marker swap posting will include pictures of the stitch markers. I don't want to spoil the surprise for my swap partner by posting pics before she receives the real thing.

2007-04-12T00:20:00.000-05:00

Spring Felted Bag Exchange

QUESTIONAIRE:
1. How long have you been knitting or crochetting? How did you learn?
I taught myself to crochet when I was ten-years-old. I checked out a book from the local library, stopped by Newberry's and bought a plastic crochet hook and one skein of red worsted weight yarn. I took it home and learned. Alas, I couldn't teach myself to knit. My sister Irma taught me to knit shortly after I learned to crochet. I must have been eleven- or twelve-years-old then. The first pattern I ever had was a photocopy Irm made for me for some slippers with little rosettes on top. I made those slippers in navy blue.

2. What are your favorite yarns to knit\crochet felted bags with?
That's a toughie. I guess I really like using Paton's Classic Merino. It felts beautifully. I like the way the colors meld with the Noro Kureyon, but it takes f-o-r-e-v-e-r for that to felt. Knit Picks Wool of the Andes yarn felts nicely, too. Overall, I choose Paton's as my favorite.

3. What are your favorite needles to knit\crochet with?
For knitting, it's a toss-up between my new Denise interchangeables and the Addis I just bought. For crochet, I like my good ol' aluminum hooks. I'd like to try some rosewood hooks I saw at the Hobby Lobby. I can say with certainty, however, that I do not like plastic crochet hooks.

4. What are the last 3 bags you knitted\crochetted (include URL for Yahoo! or flickr album or your blog if you have them!)? You can also link to patterns if you don't have pictures of your finished objects!
The last three bags I stitched were the Karaoke purse I just knit, Irm's felted drawstring bag, and my button purse. All three are my own patterns.

5. Do you carry the bags that you make, give them as gifts, or both?
I promised the women in my family I would make them felted purses for their birthdays this year. I also like to use them personally.

6. What is your favorite felted bag that you have made for yourself?
My favorite felted bag is hmmm........ Let me think....... I'm not really sure I have a favorite exactly. The first bag I felted is a sentimental favorite because it was my first felted project so I suppose that one is my favorite.

7. What are your favorite colors? Do you like bags in these colors or choose other colors?
I like just about any color, but lately I've been partial to reds.

8. Chocolate: White, Milk, Dark, or not so much?
I don't eat chocolate very often since I'm diabetic. When I do, I eat Hershey's Special Dark sugarless version.

9. Coffee, Tea, or Milk?
I'm not big fan of coffee, but I do occasionally drink it. My favorite of the three is iced tea.

10. Do you prefer sweet or salty treats? What kinds?
Salty all the way. As I mentioned before, I'm diabetic so I don't really do sweets. Never have been much for sweets my whole life. My absolute favorite snack is popcorn.

11. If you went into Bath and Body Works and could only come out with one item, what would it be and what would it smell like?
ONLY ONE ITEM!! I'm not sure I could do that. I suppose it would be body spray in either Moonlight Path or their newest Honeysuckle.

12. Do you enjoy any other crafts or hobbies? Do you collect anything?
I'm participating in a stitch marker swap so I'll soon start doing some beadwork. Who knows? Maybe that will be my next obsession. Aside from knitting and crocheting, I don't do too much in the way of crafts.

13. Are there any bag patterns you have not yet knit, but hope to someday?
Where do I begin? There are lots of patterns I have yet to try. One that I'd like to try because I bought the pattern and yarn it, is this entrelac tote.

14. What is currently OTN (on the needles) for you?
Yikes! Let's see... a dresser scarf (crochet) for my sister, a blue vest (knit) for me, a washcloth (knit) for me, the cable footies from the One Skein book for my sister, umm... I think that's all for now.

15. What is your most recent finished object before that?
The hospice shawl found on my blog is my most recent FO. Technically speaking, that's the most recent completed object. The one cable footie (as opposed to a whole pair) doesn't count.

16. What's cutest: Puppies, Piggies or Pixies?
Not into any of these, but if I had to choose one, I'd choose pixies.

17. Do you enjoy reading? Books, Magazines, or both?
Yes, I enjoy reading both books and magazines. Sometimes I'll read the newspaper online.

18. Do you have any children? (kid-kind or pet-kind apply!)
I have no children except the 23 that I teach. If you're going to include the pet kind, then I have a son who is a corn snake named Cookie and a daughter who is an Australian bearded dragon named Pebbles.

19. What are some of your favorite yarns for other projects?
Lately, I've enjoyed the natural fibers more so than the acrylic ones; however, I don't have a problem with any yarn. Oh, and I'd really like to try Amaizing, a Southwest Trading Company yarn made from corn.

20. And for the final question, one I see debated all over: Novelty Yarn: Love it! Hate it! or It depends!
It depends on what I'm making and how much of a novelty it is. I loved the yarn I used for the hospice shawl. I don't, however, enjoy the fancy fur varieties. They have their place on some needles somewhere out there, but not on MY needes.

2007-04-11T23:52:00.000-05:00

Would you believe...

that until this past week, I'd never knit a washcloth/dishcloth? I've been knitting since Irm taught me when I was about 11-years-old. That's a lot of years ago. For the April Showers-along at Get Stitchy!, I decided to make this facecloth with my Tatiana yarn in midnight. I followed the directions and made seven wedges, but the pic on the pattern looks to have eight wedges. At any rate, here is my double diamond facecloth.

Then I decided to make this cloth with the charcoal yarn I bought. This cloth is still a WIP.

2007-04-11T22:35:00.000-05:00

The Hospice Shawl

Stitch by Stitch in Highland is working in collaboration with Closely Knitters to collect 400 shawls for the Friends of Hospice (scroll towards bottom of article for explanation), the auxiliary for the not-for-profit Hospice of the Calumet Area. I decided to participate by donating at least one, maybe two, handknit shawls.

I remember the care my dad received from his hospice (a different hospice than the aforementioned) and the support we got from Barbara. Deciding to donate a shawl or two was a no-brainer for me. Even though Daddy needed hospice services for only a couple of weeks, it made a deep, deep impact on me. I never thought I had the strength to be a volunteer to speak to families considering hospice care, but I always felt like I wanted to do something for them. I just didn't know what. I suppose this is my chance.

Here's the pattern.

You need:
size 17 needles (I used Addi Turbo circs)
1 skein of a novelty yarn called Dali and 1 skein of Cascade 220 in a matching color

Holding both yarns together, CO 36 stitches
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: K1, (YO, K2tog) across until you have one stitch left, K1
Repeat Row 2 until you have 3 yards of yarn left.
Knit one row.
BO
Weave in loose ends.

If I have time, I'm going to make this shawl with this yarn:

2007-04-06T10:55:00.000-05:00

Wednesday Night Meet and Greet

Loopy Yarns in Chicago hosted a book signing, trunk show, and party for Amy Singer, author of the book No Sheep for You and editor of knitty.com on April 4, 2007. I got on the 4:46 PM South Shore train and got to Chicago just past 5:30 PM. I got my copy of the book and chatted with Amy while she signed it. I asked if she'd ever heard of Get Stitchy! - an online stitching group to which I belong. She hadn't, but said she'd try to check it out later. A couple of threads in the forums are rife with references to patterns at Knitty like Branching Out, Calorimetry, and the ever-popular Clapotis.

As I walked up to the store, I wondered how many people would be there. Loopy Yarns is a small, cozy shop filled with an impressive array of yarns and fibers. Since I got there a little past 5:30 PM, the party was just getting started. I fondled some yarn. That Malabrigo stuff is nice. I then got in line and picked up a copy of No Sheep for You for Amy to sign. She sure is one friendly lady. Clutching my newly-autographed book, I made my way to the area behind the table Amy was sitting at to check out the snacks.

Nice spread! There was a table covered with cheeses, crackers, hummus, wedges of pita bread, mini spinach quiches, mini broccoli quiches, grapes, potato chips, chocolate cupcakes, muffins, and a couple of other items that I can't remember at this particular moment. I helped myself to one each of the mini quiches, a wedge of pita bread with hummus, and some potato chips. Next to the needles, hooks, stitch markers, etc. was a table set up with regular pop, diet pop, wine, cups, and bags of ice.

There was a photographer roaming around the premises capturing all the happenings. I imagine some of the pictures will end up on the Loopy blog. While I was checking out the yarn made from corn, Amaizing, the photographer walked up to me and pointed to my bag. It's the loteria messenger bag I bought from cafepress.com. She told me that Amy Singer did the artwork for the bag and that her husband (the guy sitting on the couch by the snack table) was the hand model for it. I immediately went back to Amy and her husband (didn't catch his name) and asked them to autograph the bag. Here are the pictures.

and

At the end of the whole visit, I ended up getting a set of 5" size 8 Brittany double pointed needles so I could finish the cable footies from the One Skein book and two balls of Tatiana cotton yarn in charcoal and midnight to make a washcloth for the Get Stitchy! April Showers -along. That was in addition to my book purchase. Here's the yarn, by the way.

I ended my visit to Chicago with dinner in a restaurant called The Thai Spoon. I haven't figured out if it's a play on the word teaspoon or typhoon. At any rate, I had the shrimp with glass noodles. Yum! I liked this place. It's on the corner of Wabash and Harrison.

It was a fun day. I think I'm going to try and make it more often to Loopy Yarns Friday night stitching get-togethers. I was there for it a couple of weeks ago and got some really pretty yarns for my future clapotis (the Lorna's Laces sportweight in Bittersweet), my branching out scarf ( the blue stuff - I forgot the kind of yarn) a felted bag (the Karaoke yarn); some just-for-fun on clearance sparkly stuff; and a set of Denise interchangeables. See?

2007-04-02T16:04:00.000-05:00

Branching Out

I've never knit lace before and decided to give it a shot. I looked online and found the aptly titled "Branching Out" at knitty.com. One trip into Loopy Yarns was all it took to find the yarn I wanted. I settled on a royal blue wool in fingering weight. Threw out the label so I can't tell you what yarn I used exactly. I'll try and figure it out. I usually use worsted weight or chunky/bulky yarn because I want as much instant gratification in my stitching as possible. I started the scarf on the March Girls Night Out knitting get-together at Stitch by Stitch in Highland. It took about 13 hours in total of knitting time to complete. I used my brand-spanking-new Denise interchangeable needles. Let me just say, "LOVE THEM!" Before I digress, I've included a picture of my first piece of knit lacework. I still have to weave in some loose ends and block it. I forced it into shape on my quilt for the picture. As soon as I picked up the scarf, it went back to a misshapen piece of knitting with loose ends. All in all, I would have to say that my first experience with lace went pretty well. I think I may have to find some more lace projects.

2007-04-01T21:46:00.001-05:00

Flash Your Stash Day

So it's my understanding from the Get Stitchy! forums that today is Flash Your Stash Day. Oy! I didn't realize how much yarn I had in my stash until I took pictures today. It took fifteen pictures to fit in almost all my yarn. I still have seven skeins of navy blue yarn in a bag set aside to make myself a sweater for spring. Actually the first three pictures are showing what's inside of the plastic tubs. I guess it's safe to say that I have a rather ample stash to flash.

2007-03-11T13:04:00.000-05:00

Triangle Shawl

Materials and Equipment
3 balls of Berroco Yoga color 6402 (Swami) or color of your choice
1 hank of Sensations Majesty from the Sophisticates Collection in copper
size 19 knitting needles
size 35 knitting needles

Gauge: does not matter for this garment since I used a different yarn than the one suggested. There is a gauge listed with the original pattern.

Directions
This shawl is my version of this shawl. I used the yarns listed above and followed the pattern. I used the Yoga for the shawl and a combination of the Yoga and Majesty to make the fringe.

2007-03-07T00:43:00.000-06:00

Button Purse

Materials and Equipment
2 skeins of Paton’s Classic Wool Merino- color Retro
Crochet hooks size J and Q
Large wooden button

Gauge: not crucial to finished piece

Directions
Purse
With J hook, Ch 40
Row 1: Dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across. 38 dc
Row 2: Ch 2 (does not count as stitch in any row or round), dc in each dc. 38 dc.
Rows 3-6: Repeat Row 2. Do not cut yarn at end of Round 6. Continue along edges of rows just worked.

Sides
Round 1: Ch 2, 2 dc in end of each row (12 dc), dc in each ch of opposite side of beg ch (38), 2 dc in end of each row on other side (12 dc), dc in each stitch of Row 3 (38 dc). 100 dc in all.
Round 2-13: Ch 2, dc in each dc around. 100 dc.
Round 14: Ch 2, dc in first 8 dc, dec over next two dc, (8 dc, dec) around. 90 dc.
Round 15: Ch 2, dc in first 7 dc, dec over next two dc, (7 dc, dec) around. 80 dc.
Round 16: Ch 2, dc in first 2 dc, dec over next two dc, (2 dc, dec) around. 60 dc.
Cut yarn and weave in loose ends.

Closure
Lay bag flat. Working with J hook and three strands of yarn, attach yarn to center of back side of purse and ch 20 . Sl st in same stitch as point of attachment forming a loop. Weave in loose ends.

Handles
With Q hook, and using four strands of yarn, ch 100.

Felt purse and straps according to your favorite method. Stuff purse with plastic bags to shape. When purse is dry, use scissors to poke holes 1 ½” in from the sides and 1 ½“ from the top. Poke through both sides to ensure even placement of holes. Thread each end of one strap through the holes on one side of the purse from the outside in and tie an overhand knot on inside of purse at each end, adjusting the strap to desired length. Cut off any excess strap. Repeat on other side of purse.
Sew button to center front side of purse at the desired distance from the top so that loop closure fits properly.

2007-03-04T16:55:00.000-06:00

Some More Finished Projects

2007-03-04T15:30:00.000-06:00

Pattern is for purse pictured on the left; purse on the right was made with 2 skeins of Caron Felt-It yarn

Felted Drawstring Bag

Materials and Equipment
1 skein of Paton’s Classic Merino Wool Yarn in Palais
Crochet hook size I
Scrap ribbon

Gauge: Rounds 1-3 = 3 inches

Directions
PURSE:
Ch 4
Round 1: Make 8 dc in 4th chain from hook. Close this and all rounds with a slip stitch in top of first dc.
Round 2: Ch 2 (does not count as first stitch), 2 dc in each stitch.
Round 3: Repeat Round 2.
Round 4: Ch 2, dc in first stitch, 2 dc in next stitch, (dc in next stitch, 2 dc in next stitch) around.
Round 5: Ch 2, dc in first 2 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch, (dc in next 2 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch) around.
Round 6: Ch 2, dc in first 3 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch, (dc in next 3 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch) around.
Round 7: Ch 2, dc in first 3 stitches, dec over next 2 stitches, (dc in next 3 stitches, dec over next 2 stitches) around.
Rounds 8-18: Work even in dc.
Round 19: Ch 2, dc in first 2 stitches, (ch 2, skip next 2 stitches, dc in next 2 stitches) around.
Round 20: Ch 2, dc in each dc, and work 2 dc in each ch 2 space.
Round 21: Do not make any chains. Skip first 2 stitches, (5 dc in space between next 2 stitches, skip next 2 stitches, sl st in space between next 2 stitches) around. Sl st in space before first stitch at beginning of round.
Cut yarn and weave in loose ends.

STRAPS (Make 2):
Using two strands of yarn together, chain 120.

Felt purse according to your preferred method. Before felting, cut a length of scrap ribbon long enough to thread through the ch 2 spaces of round 19. Thread ribbon through ch 2 spaces and tie ends together. This will prevent the ch 2 spaces from felting closed. After felting, remove the ribbon and discard.
When purse is dry, weave 1 strap through ch 2 spaces and tie ends together. Weave other strap through ch 2 spaces in the opposite direction of first strap and tie ends on opposite side of drawstring bag.

2007-03-04T03:51:00.000-06:00

Irma’s Felted Drawstring Bag

Materials and Equipment
3 skeins of Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky in Redwood Forest
Crochet hook size L
Scrap ribbon
2 safety pins
2 wooden beads

Gauge: Not crucial to finished bag

Directions
PURSE:
Ch 4
Round 1: Make 8 dc in 4th chain from hook. Close this and all rounds with a slip stitch in top of first dc.
Round 2: Ch 2 (does not count as first stitch), 2 dc in each stitch.
Round 3: Repeat Round 2.
Round 4: Ch 2, dc in first stitch, 2 dc in next stitch, (dc in next stitch, 2 dc in next stitch) around.
Round 5: Ch 2, dc in first 2 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch, (dc in next 2 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch) around.
Round 6: Ch 2, dc in first 3 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch, (dc in next 3 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch) around.
Round 7: Ch 2, dc in first 4 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch, (dc in next 4 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch) around.
Round 8: Ch 2, dc in first 4 stitches, dec over next 2 stitches, (dc in next 4 stitches, dec over next 2 stitches) around.
Rounds 9-21: Work even in dc.
Round 22: Ch 2, dc in first 2 stitches, (ch 2, skip next 2 stitches, dc in next 2 stitches) around.
Round 23: Ch 2, sc in each dc, and work 2 sc in each ch 2 space.
Round 24: Work one round even in sc.

Cut yarn and weave in loose ends.

DRAWSTRING:
Chain 120. Sl st in second ch from hook and in each ch across.

FLAP:
Ch 21
Row 1: Dc in third ch from hook and in each ch across. 19 dc.
Rows 2- 8: Ch 2 (does not count as first dc) Dc in first st and in each st across.
Row 9: Ch 2 (does not count as first dc), dc in first 8 stitches, ch 3, skip next 3 stitches, dc in remaining 8 dc.

Do not cut yarn.
Edging: Ch 1, work sc evenly spaced along side of flap, 3 sc in corner stitch, sc in each ch on opposite side of beg ch, 3 sc in corner stitch, sc evenly spaced along right side of flap, 3 sc in corner stitch, sc in each stitch and ch of Row 9. Sl st to top of first sc. Cut yarn leaving a tail for sewing. Sew flap to 20 stitches that form back of purse when drawstring is pulled (one group of 8 stitches, the ch 2 spaces on either side, and 4 stitches on outsides of ch 2 spaces) at bottom of Row 20.

STRAPS (MAKE TWO):
Ch 120
Row 1: Dc in third ch from hook and in each ch across. Cut yarn leaving a tail for sewing.

Place two safety pins at top of Round 7 so that they are lined up with the corners of the flap. Sew end of straps to center back of purse just below the flap. Sew other ends of straps to ends of strap top of Round 7 where safety pins are.

Cut a length of scrap ribbon long enough to thread through the ch 2 spaces of round 22. Thread ribbon through ch 2 spaces and tie ends together. This will prevent the ch 2 spaces from felting closed. After felting, remove the ribbon and discard. Felt purse according to your preferred method. Stuff with plastic bags to shape the bag while it dries.
When purse is dry, weave drawstring through ch 2 spaces and pull through ch 3 space of flap. Attach one wooden bead at each end of the drawstring and tie a knot to secure bead in place.

2007-02-10T08:52:00.000-06:00

(Almost) Instant Gratification Hat

Materials and Equipment
Crochet hook sized N
1 1/2 skein of Yarn Bee’s Mosaic Twist (tangy clay #117 used in model)

Gauge: Rounds 1-2 = 4 inches

Directions
Ch 4
Round 1: 12 dc in 4th ch from hook. Sl st to close this and all rounds.
Round 2: Ch 2. This doesn’t count as the first stitch. 2 dc in each stitch. 24 dc
Round 3: Ch 2. 2 dc in 1st stitch, dc in next stitch. (2 dc in next st, dc in next st) around 36 dc
Round 4: ch 2. 2 dc in 1st stitch, dc in each of next 8 dc. (2 dc in next st, dc in each of next 8 dc) around. 40 dc.
Round 5: Ch 2. Work even in dc. 40 dc.
Round 6: Ch 2. Skip first st, dc in next st. Now go back and dc in skipped st. Stitches form an “X” shape. (Skip the next st, dc in following st, go back and dc in skipped st) around. 20 “X” stitches formed by the 40 dc.
Round 7: Work even in sc. 40 sc.
Round 8: Repeat Round 6.
Round 9: Repeat Round 7.
Round 10: Repeat Round 6.
Round 11: Ch 2. Work one round of dc in front loops.
Round 12: Do not ch. Turn work. (Skip 2 dc, work 6 dc in space between 2nd skipped dc and next dc. Skip 2 dc, sl st between 2nd skipped dc and next dc.) around. 20 scallops formed.

Cut yarn and weave in loose ends. Fold hat along bottom of Round 11 to form brim.

NOTE: I’m not much for wearing hats. But if I do wear one, I prefer that it have a loose fit so this hat fits loose around my head. If you prefer a closer fit, try using hook sized L or M or you can adjust the pattern as follows: Work Round 4 even in dc. The rest of the pattern will work as written except that you will have 36 stitches instead of 40, Round 6 will result in 19 “X” stitches being formed, and on Round 12 you will have 19 scallops formed.

2007-01-15T01:32:00.000-06:00

Diagonal Scarf

Materials and Equipment
3 balls of Noro Kureyon
knitting needles size 13
sewing needle

Gauge: not important

Note: Any size needle that works with worsted weight yarn can be used since the width is set whenever the knitter decides.

Directions

Setting the stage
CO 3 stitches.
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Inc in first stitch, K1, M1, K last stitch
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: K1, inc, k to last stitch, M1, K last stitch
Row 5: Knit
Repeat Rows 4 and 5 until scarf is as wide as you would like it to be. Make sure you end with a knit row. I stopped when I reached 27 stitches.

Knitting the scarf
Row 1: K1, inc, K to last three stitches, dec, K last stitch
Row 2: Knit
Repeat these two rows until scarf measures 60”-65” from beginning to higher end of the diagonal. Make sure you end with a knit row.

The Big Finish
Row 1: K1, dec, knit to last three stitches, dec, K last stitch
Row 2: Knit
Repeat last two rows until there are five stitches left. End with a knit row.
Next row: Dec, dec, knit last stitch
Knit one row.
BO and weave in loose ends.

2007-01-12T22:34:00.000-06:00

Lyd’s Purse

Materials and Equipment
Crochet hooks sized J, P
Knit Picks Wool of the Andes (50g/110 yds), 4 balls in color of choice
Magnetic snap
Decorative pin

Gauge: 7 hdc = 2 inches
5 rows = 2 inches

Note: Beginning ch 2 DOES NOT count as 1st hdc.

Directions

Bottom of purse:
Ch 42
Row 1: Hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across. 40 hdc.
Row2-7: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc. 40 hdc. Do not cut yarn.

Purse:
Round 1: ch 2, hdc in end st of each row (7 hdc), hdc in each st on opposite side of beg ch (40 hdc), hdc in end st of each row (7 hdc), hdc in each st of row 7 of bottom of purse. 94 hdc.
Rounds 2-20: Ch 2, hdc in each hdc. Sl st to top of first hdc to close round. 94 hdc. Cut yarn at end of round 20.

Flap:
Row 1: Join yarn with hdc in 23rd st of the round. Hdc in next 39 hdc. 40 hdc.
Rows 2-19: Work even in hdc. 40 hdc.
Row 20: Sl st in 1st hdc, skip next hdc, 4 dc in space between next 2 hdc, (skip next 2 hdc, sl st between next 2 hdc, skip next 2 hdc, 4 hdc in space between next 2 hdc) 9 times. Sl st in top of last hdc. 10 shells made. Cut yarn and weave in loose ends.

Strap:
Holding 3 strands of yarn together and hook size P, ch 100. Sl st in 2nd st from hook and in each ch. Cut yarn. Chain more than 100 if you’d like a longer strap.
Felt strap and purse according to your favorite method.

Finishing:
Use scissors to poke a hole 3/4 inch from top of purse on one side. Thread end of strap through the hole from the outside in. Tie end of strap in an overhand knot inside purse. Repeat this for attaching strap on opposite side of purse.
Attach magnetic snap to purse. Attach decorative pin to hide back of snap.

2007-01-09T18:05:00.000-06:00

Some Finished Projects

Some Finished Projects

2007-01-01T12:19:00.000-06:00

Bufanda de cuatro horas

**Someone in Mexico e-mailed me and asked if I could translate my pattern into Spanish. Here it is. I know there are mistakes since translating my patterns is not something I ordinarily do. The person in Mexico understood my translation so I guess it's passable. However, it makes me think that I should consider doing this to all my patterns.***

Materiales y Herramientas

3 oz de estambre “worsted weight” en cólor negro3 oz de estambre Red Heart Plush en cólor negro

1 a 2 oz de estambre “eyelash” (como cejas) en cólor dorado

1 a 2 oz de estambre “eyelash” (como cejas) de cólor plateado

Aguja de ganchillo tamaño P

Nota: Para cambiar estambres para las rayas, haga un punto alto doble con los estambres negros, dejando dos anillos en el ganchillo, deje el estambre “Plush” y sigue con el estambre “eyelash” (como cejas) y el estambre “worsted weight”.

Direcciones:

Comenzando con los estambres negros, haga un cadeneta de 18.
Vuelta 1: Haga un punto alto doble en el 4o cadeneta desde el ganchillo y en cada cadeneta que sigue. 15 puntos altos dobles.

Vuellta 2: Haga 3 cadenetas. Estas 3 cadenetas son el primer punto alt doble. Haga un punto alto doble en cada punto. 15 puntos altos dobles.

Vuelta 3: Repite Vuelta 2. Cambia el estambre “Plush” por el estambre plateadoen el el ultimo punto.

Vueltas 4-5: Sigue tejiendo estas vueltas con puntos bajos. 15 puntos bajos. A terminar vuelta 5, cambia el estambreplateado por el estambre “Plush.”

Vueltas 6-7: Repite Vueltas 2 y 3. A terminar vuelta 7, cambia el estambre “Plush” por el estambre dorado.

Vueltas 8-9: Repite Vueltas 4-5. 15 puntos bajos. A terminar vuelta 9, cambia el estambre dorado por el estambre “Plush.”

Vueltas 10-52: Continua tejiendo con puntos bajos. 15 puntos bajos.

Vuelta 53-54: Repite Vueltas 8-9. 15 puntos bajos.

Vueltas 55-56: Repite Vueltas 2 y 3. 15 puntos altos dobles.

Vueltas 57-58: Repite Vueltas 4-5. 15 puntos bajos.

Vueltas 59-61: Continue tejiendo con puntos balos. 15 puntos bajos.

Corte el estambre y esconde los lados del estambre en el revés del labor.

2007-01-01T12:10:00.000-06:00

Firecracker Scarf
Materials and Equipment
1 skein of Colinette Firecracker (100 g/70 m) in color of your choice (florentina used in this case)
size 19 straight knitting needles

Gauge: not important for this project

NOTE: You can substitute 1 skein of Yarn Bee's (Hobby Lobby's brand) Beguile yarn in place of Colinette for about 1/5 the cost.

Directions

CO 10 stitches. Work in garter stitch until there is one yard of yarn left. BO. Weave in loose ends.

2006-12-31T03:16:00.000-06:00

Change Purse

Materials and Equipment:
Sensations “Smania” yarn – one ball makes about 3 purses
Crochet hook size K
Fabric for lining, optional

Gauge: does not matter

Directions:
Ch 15
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch. 14 sc.
Rows 2-28: Ch 1, sc in each sc. 14 sc.
Fold in half and sc closed from row 2 until fold on each side of purse. Do not crochet first and last rows. Leave first row and last row to form opening.
Drawstrings: Take 30” length of yarn and cut in half. Beginning on one side of change purse, weave in and out between stitches in unworked rows of opening. Tie in overhand knot. Trim ends of yarn. Take second length of yarn and repeat beginning on other side of change purse.
Sew in fabric lining if desired.

2006-12-29T00:10:00.000-06:00

Felted Drawstring Purse

Materials and Equipment:

size 13 straight needles

Noro Big Kureyon color #4

2 straps, each about 1 1/2 yards in whatever material you like

1 scrap of ribbon about 2 yards long

safety pin

Gauge (in stockinette stitch): 6 sts - 2" and 7 rows = 2"

CO 40 stitches

Work in stockinette stitch until you have three yards of yarn left. BO and use remaining yarn for sewing seams. Fold about 1 1/2 inches of BO and CO edge to wrong side (purl side) of knitting to form drawstring tunnel. Fold entire piece in half with right sides (knit side) facing and sew side seams stopping at the drawstring tunnel. Turn purse right side out. Use a safety pin to draw ribbon through drawstring tunnel on each side of purse. Tie ends together. This will ensure that the knitting doesn't felt onto itself and close the tunnel. Felt the bag according to your preferred method. I used a combination of machine and hand felting since the yarn took so long to felt. Let purse dry and remove the ribbon. Use the safety pin to draw one strap through both drawstring tunnels and the other strap through the drawstring tunnel in the other direction. Sew or tie the ends of the strap depending on the material used for the straps. I used some vinyl stuff with silver grommets I found at Jo-Ann.

2006-12-21T22:30:00.000-06:00

Fingerless Gloves

this pattern of mine is a variation on this pattern >>>> http://www.zenknit.com/mitts.html

Equipment and Materials:
1 skein (50 grams/100 meters/109 yards) of Classic Elite Inca Print yarn in color of your choice
****I used just about every inch of this yarn making these gloves that fit a medium-sized woman's hand****
dpn size 6 (set of 4 or 5)
stitch markers (1 split ring and several locking)
stitch holder

Gauge:
(in stockinette stitch) 11 st = 2 inches

Cuff:
CO 40 stitches
Work 20 rows of k2 p2 ribbing. Use a locking stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.
Now work 8 rows of knit sitches.

Thumb shaping:
Inc in first st (and place locking stitch marker on first stitch), k4, inc in next stitch, place split ring marker on needle, knit the remaining stitches.
Knit the next row.
Inc in first st, knit to stitch before marker, inc in that stitch, slip marker, knit the remaining stitches.
Knit the next row.
Repeat the last two rows until you have 18 stitches between the markers.
Next row: K1, slip the next 16 stitches onto a stitch holder. Knit the remaining stitches.
Place locking stitch marker on first stitch after the thumb stitches on the holder.
Knit 10 rows.
Work 8 rows of k2 p2 ribbing. BO

Thumb:
Knit the 16 stitches off the stitch holder, dividing the stitches evenly among the dpns. pick up and knit two stitches from the edge between the mitt and thumb. Knit one row. On next row, dec two stitches at the joining between the mitt and thumb.
Work 5 rows of k2 p2 ribbing. BO
Weave in loose ends.

Gloves can be adjusted for larger or smaller hands. Just remember that the number of stitches in the ribbed sections must be in multiples of 4 for k2 p2 ribbing.

2006-11-06T16:15:00.000-06:00

Nora's handbag

i just finished this little purse for my cousin for her birthday. man, i like how knit picks wool of the andes yarn felts. this purse turned out about half the size it was before felting. i'm about to get started on a semi-circle purse in the same color (black cherry) as this one. if i can remember the pattern for this purse, i'll post it soon. i'll call it nora's handbag. the pattern for the semi-circle one i PROMISE to write as i go along so i can post it.

2006-10-09T23:09:00.000-05:00

Getting felt up...
well, not exactly. here's a pic of my first foray into the world of felting. it's a simple square purse that i crocheted with reynold's icelandic lopi wool yarn. i had such fun felting that i'm going to make more purses and bags. i just ordered this pattern and this pattern and the necessary yarn from knitpicks.com. i'm all giddy with excitement about receiving my yarn.

2006-10-05T22:56:00.000-05:00

Bright Granny Square Scarf

Materials and Equipment
1 ball each of Bernat Softee Yarn in the following colors:
(A) Hot Pink
(B) Hot Blue
(C) Hot Orange
(D) Hot Lime

Crochet hook size K

Gauge: 1 square = 5 ½ inches

Note: You will be making 12 squares in total in the following color order:
3 of Square 1 – Round 1 (A), Round 2 (B), Round 3 (C), Round 4 (D)
3 of Square 2 – Round 1 (B), Round 2 (C), Round 3 (D), Round 4 (A)
3 of Square 3 – Round 1 (C), Round 2 (D), Round 3 (A), Round 4 (B)
3 of Square 4 – Round 1 (D), Round 2 (A), Round 3 (B), Round 4 (C)

Directions

For each square:
Chain 4
Round 1: With first color, work [3 dc, (ch 2, 4 dc) 3 times ch 2] in 4th ch from hook. Join with sl st to top of beg ch 4. Cut yarn.
Round 2: Join next color with a dc in any ch 2 space except for last ch 2 space made. Work [1 dc in same ch 2 space, 1 dc in each dc, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in ch 2 space] 3 times, 1 dc in each remaining dc, 2 dc in first ch 2 loop, ch 2, sl st to top of beg dc. Cut yarn.
Round 3: Repeat Round 3 with next color. Cut yarn.
Round 4: Join next color in first dc after a ch 2 space, (sc in each dc, 3 sc in each ch 2 space) around. Cut yarn.

Sew squares together in the following order: 1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4-1-2-3-4

Edging:
Round 1: Join hot pink in any corner sc or scarf, work sc in each st and 3 sc in each corner sc. Join with sl st to top of first sc. Cut yarn.
Round 2: Join hot lime with dc in any corner sc, ch 2, dc in same st, **(ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st) to next corner. Work (dc, ch 2, dc) in corner. Repeat from ** around. End with ch 1, sl st in top of first dc. You may have to adjust st to get the ch 1 spaces before each corner. Cut yarn.
Round 3: Join hot blue with dc in any corner ch 2 space, 2 dc in same space. (Dc in each ch and dc to corner, work 3 dc in each corner) Repeat around. End with sl st in top of first dc. Cut yarn.

Fringe:
For each fringe, cut 4 strands of yarn, each 22” long and fold in half. Make 6 fringes of each color. Attach 12 fringes evenly spaced apart at short end of scarf in the following this order: A-B-C-D-A-B-C-D-A-B-C-D

2006-08-20T23:57:00.000-05:00

Fur-trimmed Handbag

Materials and Equipment
2 ½ oz Red worsted weight yarn
2 ½ oz Red Heart Plush yarn in Spice
1 ½ oz black and white combo fur yarn
crochet hooks sizes J, L

Gauge: 6 sc = 2 inches (with worsted weight and Plush yarns together and crochet hook size J)
6 rows = 2 inches

Directions

Front of purse (using crochet hook size J):
Use one strand of worsted weight yarn and Plush together.
Ch 25 loosely
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across. 24 sc.
Rows 2-15: Work even in sc. 24 sc.
Cut yarn and weave in loose ends.

Back of purse:
Working on other side of beginning ch, crochet as follows.
Row 1: Join with sc in first st, sc in each ch of beginning row. 24 sc.
Rows 2-15: Work even in sc. 24 sc.

Sew side seams. Attach fur yarn to first sc after side seam. Work on sc in each sc around. Crochet a second round of sc.

Handles (make 2 using crochet hook size L):
Holding one strand of each of the three yarns, ch 50. Sl st in second ch from hook and in each ch across. Cut yarn leaving a long enough tail to sew strap to purse.

Finishing:
Position ends of handle approximately 2” in from side seams and sew to inside of purse just below fur trim. Weave in loose ends.

2006-08-13T22:56:00.000-05:00

Big Blocks Afghan

Materials and Equipment
Lion Brand Chunky USA yarn
6 skeins of color A (Gulf Green, in this case)
6 skeins of color B (Yukon Gold, in this case)
Crochet hook size Q

Gauge: Rounds 1- 3 = 9 inches

Finished afghan is approximately 60” x 80”

Directions

Square: Make 6 with color A and 6 with color B

Ch 4. Join to form ring.
Round 1: Ch 3 (This counts as first dc in this and every dc round.), 3 dc, ch 2, (4 dc, ch 2) 3 times in ring. Sl st to top of beg ch 3 to close this and all dc rounds.
Rounds 2-6: Dc in each dc, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in each corner space.
Round 7: Ch 1, sc in same st as joining, sc in each dc, 5 sc in each ch 2 space. Sl st to top of first sc to close. Cut yarn.

Sew squares together alternating colors in a 3 x 4 checkerboard fashion matching stitches beginning with middle sc of 5 sc group and ending with middle sc in next 5 sc group. Sew through both loops of the final round when sewing squares together. You should have one row of squares as follows: green, gold, green. The next row should be gold, green, gold. The next row should be green, gold, green. The final row should be gold, green, gold.

Edging
Round 1: Join color A in middle stitch of 5 sc group in any corner square. Ch 3 (counts as first dc in this and next round of edging.), dc in each sc and joining between squares, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in each of the four corners of the afghan (middle sc of the 5 sc group). Sl st to top of beg ch 3 to close this and next round of the edging.
Round 2; Using color B, repeat Round 2 of square.
Round 3: Using color A, repeat Round 7 of square.

Finish off and weave in loose ends.

2006-08-04T10:24:00.000-05:00

Coffee Cup Plant Holder

Materials and Equipment
Ø 150 yards of jute twine
Ø Crochet hook size K
Ø 6-7 inch diameter potted plant or any potted plant that fits snugly inside crocheted cup

Gauge
Rounds 1-3 = 3 inches

Note: Jute twine can be messy to crochet with sometimes. Bits of the fiber will flake off around your work area and it can be itchy on your fingers as you crochet.

Directions

CUP:
Ch 4, join to form ring.
Round 1: Ch 1, 8 sc in ring. Sl st to top of first st to close this and all rounds. 8 sc.
Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in same st as joining and in each st around. 16 sc.
Round 3: Ch 1, sc in same st as joining, 2 sc in next st, *1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st.* Repeat between * * around. 24 sc.
Round 4: Ch 1, sc in same st as joining, 2 sc in next st, *1 sc in each of next 2 st, 2 sc in next st.* Repeat between * * around. 32 sc.
Round 5: Ch 1, sc in same st as joining, 2 sc in next st, *1 sc in each of next 3 st, 2 sc in next st.* Repeat between * * around. 40 sc.
Round 6: Ch 1, sc in same st as joining, 2 sc in next st, *1 sc in each of next 4 st, 2 sc in next st.* Repeat between * * around. 48 sc.
Round 7: Working in back loops only, ch 3, dc in same st as joining and in each st around. 48 dc.
Rounds 8-10: Working in both loops, repeat Round 7. 48 dc.
Round 11: Ch 3, sc in same st as joining, 1 dc in each of next 5 st, work dec as follows (yo, insert hook in next st, pull up 1 loop, yo, pull through 2 loops, yo, insert hook in next st, pull up 1 loop, yo, pull through 2 loops, yo, pull through 3 remaining loops), *1 dc in each of next 6 st, dec,* Repeat between * * around. 42 dc.
Round 12: Ch 1, sc in same st as joining and in each st around. 42 sc. Do not cut yarn. Continue with handle.

HANDLE:
Ch 15, join to bottom of Round 7 with sl st. Turn.
Work 2 sc in each of first 3 ch, 1 sc in each of next 7 ch, 5 sc in next ch, 1 sc in each of last 4. Sl st to top of coffee cup. Cut yarn and weave in loose end.

SAUCER:
Round 1: Working in unworked loops of round 7 of cup, join twine at bottom of cup (with open side of cup facing you) in any st, ch 3, dc in same st as joining, dc in each of next 4 unworked loops, 2 dc in next loop, *dc in each of next 5 loops, 2 dc in next loop.* Repeat between * * around. 56 dc.
Round 2: Ch 3, dc in same st as joining, 1 dc in each of next 5 dc, 2 dc in next dc, *dc in each of next 6 dc, 2 dc in next dc.* Repeat between * * around. 64 dc.
Round 3: Ch 3, dc in same st as joining, 1 dc in each of next 6 dc, 2 dc in next dc, *dc in each of next 7 dc, 2 dc in next dc.* Repeat between * * around. 72 dc.
Round 4: Ch 1, work one round of crab stitch around. Cut yarn and weave in loose ends.

Press with an iron to smooth out the handle. Place potted plant inside cup.
You can play around with the hook size and number of single crochet rounds to adjust the size of the holder or you can use different yarns and a strong starch solution to set its shape.

2006-06-24T00:43:00.000-05:00

A gift

I wanted to thank Bean Counters for being so kind as to allow us to meet in the coffee house. This is what I came up with. I took some twine and crocheted a large cup of coffee on a saucer. Then I purchased a cactus plant that, luckily, fit the cup perfectly. See the picture? I think I'll make another and keep track of how I crocheted it so I can put the pattern on the blog.

2006-03-20T21:18:00.000-06:00

Crocheted Four-hour Scarf

Materials and Equipment

3 oz worsted weight yarn in black
3 oz Red Heart Plush yarn in black
1 to 2 oz gold eyelash yarn
1 to 2 oz silver eyelash yarn
Crochet hook size P

Note: To exchange yarns for stripe, work dc leaving two loops on hook, drop Plush yarn and replace with eyelash yarn. Draw worsted weight and eyelash yarn through last two loops of stitch.

Directions

Working with worsted weight yarn and Plush yarns together, ch 18.
Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook and in each remaining ch. 15 dc.
Row 2: Ch 3 to turn (this counts as first dc at beg of each row), dc in ea dc across. 15 dc.
Row 3: Repeat Row 2. Exchange silver eyelash yarn with black Plush yarn on last dc.
Rows 4-5: Work even in sc. 15 sc. At end of Row 5, exchange black Plush yarn with silver eyelash yarn.
Rows 6-7: Repeat Rows 2 and 3. At end of Row 7, exchange gold eyelash yarn with black Plush yarn.
Rows 8-9: Repeat Rows 4-5. 15 sc. At end of Row 9, exchange black Plush yarn with gold eyelash yarn.
Rows 10-52: Work even in dc. 15 dc.
Row 53-54: Repeat Rows 8-9. 15 sc.
Rows 55-56: Repeat Rows 2 and 3. 15 dc.
Rows 57-58: Repeat Rows 4-5. 15 sc.
Rows 59-61: Work even in dc. 15 dc. Finish off.

Weave in loose ends.

2006-03-13T20:20:00.000-06:00

tryin' to spread the word . . .
about our group. peggy from schererville joined us today. she brought along a ripple afghan she started about 10 years ago. she read about us in the newspaper and decided to come by.
i decided to e-mail friends and family and ask that they pass the word about the group.
keeping my fingers crosssed.

2006-03-06T21:04:00.000-06:00

Rectangle Purse

Materials and Equipment

Crochet hooks, size J and L
Lion Brand suede yarn
1 ball garnet or the color of your choice (A)
1 ball eggplant or the color of your choice (B)

Gauge (with J hook) 7 sc = 2 inches
3 rows = 1 inch

Finished dimensions approx. 7” square

Directions
Note: To change colors, draw new color through last 2 loops of sc.

Purse (make 2)
With yarn A, Ch 11.
Row 1: (outside of purse) Sc in 2nc ch from hook and in next 8 ch, 5 sc in last ch. Working on opposite side of beg ch, work 9 sc. Change to B. Ch 1 to turn.
Row 2: Working with B, 11 sc, ch 1, 3 sc in next sc, ch1, 11 sc. Ch 1 to turn.
Row 3: 11 sc, 3 sc in ch 1 space, 3 sc, 3 sc in ch 1 space, 11 sc. Change to A. Ch 1 to turn.
Row 4: 12 sc, 3 sc in next sc, 5 sc, 3 sc in next sc, 12 sc. Change to B. Chi 1 to turn.
Row 5: 13 sc, 3 sc in next sc, 7 sc, 3 sc in next sc, 13 sc. Ch 1 to turn.
Row 6: 14 sc, 3 sc in next sc, 9 sc, 3 sc in next sc, 14 sc. Ch 1 to turn.
Row 7: 15 sc, 3 sc in next sc, 11 sc, 3 sc in next sc, 15 sc. Ch 1 to turn.
Row 8: 16 sc, 3 sc in next sc, 13 sc, 3 sc in next sc, 16 sc. Ch 1 to turn.
Row 9: 17 sc, 3 sc in next sc, 15 sc, 3 sc in next sc, 17 sc. Ch 1 to turn. Fasten off.

Edging
Hold both pieces with outsides facing out. Working through both sides at the same time, join A in upper left sc.
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in same stitch and in next 17 sc (down the left side of the purse), 3 sc in next sc (corner), 17 sc, 3 sc in next sc (corner), 18 sc. Fasten off. This is the front of purse.

Purse opening
Join B in sc at end of Row 9 of front. Sc in end sc of every row and in beginning ch of one side and continue on other side of opening. Sl st to first sc to close. 38 sc. Fasten off.

Strap
With front of purse facing you and using hook size L and one strand of A and one strand of B, join yarn with sl st to third sc of bottom right corner of purse on edging row. Sl st in next 17 sc (going up the side of the purse), ch 70, sl st in remaining sc of edging on the left side of the purse beginning with first sc of edging row. Sl st to first sl st of strap. Weave in all loose ends.

Purse can be made larger by following established pattern. Purse can be stopped after Row 4 to make cell phone holder. Pockets can be added by working one side of purse until desired pocket size is achieved. Whip stitch pocket to inside or outside of purse after finishing.

Purse can be made all in one color with different colored trim (see purses post) and a flap closure.
Flap closure Row 1: Same as Row 1 of purse.
Row 2: Ch 1, 11 sc, ch 3 (buttonhole), skip next sc, 11 sc
Row 3: (front of flap) Ch 1, 11 sc, 7 sc in ch 3 space, 11 sc.
Sew flap to middle 7 sc of back of purse. Sew button on front to match buttonhole.

2006-03-06T20:33:00.000-06:00

Drawstring Purse

Materials and Equipment

Crochet hooks, size I and K
3 oz. of worsted weight yarn

Gauge (with I hook) Rounds 1-5 = 3 ¼ inches

Directions

Purse
Ch 4. Sl st in first ch to form loop.
Round 1: Ch 1, 8 sc in loop. Sl st to top of first sc to close. 8 sc.
Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each sc. Sl st to top of first sc to close. 16 sc.
Round 3: Ch 1, 2 sc in first sc, 1 sc in next sc, (2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc) around. Sl st to top of first sc to close. 24 sc.
Round 4: Ch 1, 2 sc in first sc, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, (2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc) around. Sl st to top of first sc to close. 32 sc.
Round 5: Ch 1, 2 sc in first sc, 1 sc in each of next 3 sc, (2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 3 sc) around. Sl st to top of first sc to close. 40 sc.
Round 6: Ch 1, 2 sc in first sc, 1 sc in each of next 4 sc, (2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 4 sc) around. Sl st to top of first sc to close. 48 sc.
Round 7: Ch 1, 2 sc in first sc, 1 sc in each of next 5 sc, (2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 5 sc) around. Sl st to top of first sc to close. 56 sc.
Round 8: Ch 1, 2 sc in first sc, 1 sc in each of next 6 sc, (2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in each of next 6 sc) around. Sl st to top of first sc to close. 64 sc.
Round 9: Working in back loops, ch 1 and pull up loop in first 2 sc, yo, pull yarn through all 3 loops on hook (dec mad), sc in next 6 sc, (dec, sc in next 6 sc) around.
Round 10: Working through both loops, ch 1, work even in sc.
Round 11: Ch 3 (to raise yarn to proper level), skip first st, dc in next st, dec in skipped st, (skip next st, dc in next st, dc in skipped st) around. Sl st to top of first dc (not the ch 3).
Rounds 12-20: Repeat Round 11.
Round 21: Ch 4 (counts as fist dc plus ch 1); (skip next dc, dc in next dc, ch 1) around. Sl st to rhird ch of beg ch 4.
Round 22: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in each dc and ch 1 space around.
Round 23: Work one round of crab stitch. Weave in loose ends.

Straps (Make 2)
With hook size K and using 3 strands of yarn, ch 80. Cut yarn.

Weave one strap through ch 1 spaces of Round 21. Weave second strap through ch 1 loops of Round 21. Make sure middle of second strap is at beginning (same ch 1 space) of first strap. Tie ends of straps and use sewing needle to fray ends of straps to make tassels.

Purse can be lined and top of lining sewn to purse at top of Round 20.

2006-02-07T15:12:00.000-06:00

New stitcher

ruth has joined our group. she's been working on scarves. big lots had some ribbon yarn that i used for a scarf. phyllis combined the same ribbon yarn with white worsted weight to make a scarf that looks like confetti ice cream. i'll have to get a picture of it. it's really pretty.

2006-01-31T16:56:00.000-06:00

January 30

rachelle, heather, phyllis, and i met and showed off our latest projects. rachelle was crocheting a beautiful pastel green baby afghan with an attached hood, but was contemplating not putting on the hood. phyllis was working on a blue scarf. heather was still learning the ropes and working on a rainbow variegated piece that looked tie dyed. i was trying out a new yarn i found at, of all places, big lots! phyllis told us last week that big lots had a surprising amount of yarn. of course, i had to check it out. i found some ribbon yarn (80 yds) for 79 cents each. i decided to make a scarf with it. we all had new projects that we were working on. we also discussed books. we shared our favorite shows. turns out that we are mystery fans listing james patterson and sue grafton as some faves. as for television, we seemed to be fond of the csi franchise of shows and "how i met your mother" among others. we even confessed to being hooked on a few reality shows. bean counters is such an inviting place. rachelle and heather made plans to stop at big lots on the way home, phyllis called it a day, and i purchased some french onion soup in a bread bowl to take home. i think i'll ask about putting up our group's flyer at jo-ann fabrics. i personally find it comforting to be with people who understand my need to surround myself with skein after skein of soft, fuzzy, furry yarns.

2006-01-24T14:40:00.000-06:00

our first meeting...

went well i think. we had five people show up: phyllis, henri, rachelle, heather, and me. bean counters is such a cozy place. we sat in a room named the gathering place. phyllis worked on a scarf in red, black, and gray tones. she got her yarn at bargain prices at big lots (an unusual place for yarn). henri bought some red heart light and lofty yarn in shades of purple. she's learning to increase and decrease in knitting. i taught henri to knit last year and this year she's ready to venture into more advanced techniques. rachelle is a math teacher working on a beautiful circular baby afghan. she says she'll probably be finished by next week's meeting. heather learned to crochet years ago, but came along with rachelle and is relearning the art of crochet. today, henri informed me that she checked out lion brand yarn's website after rachelle raved about it last night. she says she already downloaded three patterns. that site's a favorite with rachelle and me. i think next week will go just as well. before i left, i had to get myself a bowl of potato soup and an iced tea. yum!!

2006-01-19T18:30:00.000-06:00

My red poncho

i crocheted this long asymmetrical red poncho a couple of summers ago. the pattern is available at craftown (see link to the right). here's the link to my pattern. if you make the poncho, let me know how it went.

http://www.craftown.com/crochet/cropat61.htm

2006-01-18T18:18:00.000-06:00

first meeting of the knitting and crochet group i'm putting together...

is coming up. we'll meet at bean counters on kennedy in highland, indiana at 4:00 p.m. on monday, january 23. i've reserved the cafe for mondays at 4:00 p.m. it's just a chance for the knitters and crocheters i've met along the way to get together and learn from each other and to just hang out. i hope it all goes well. i've heard from about a dozen or so people interested in the group. i hope interest is sustained and we keep the group going for a long time. or at least through summer since i don't work in the summer and i'll need something to do with my time. maybe we'll post some pictures of ourselves and our awesome creations (i'm very optimistic) on this blog. i'm so excited!

2006-01-18T14:57:00.000-06:00

purses

i've been working on purses lately. they are easy to make and if you start with one basic pattern and work it in stripes or boxes or all one color, you can make the cutest purses. i'll be publishing the pattern for the purses at a later date.

2006-01-18T14:54:00.000-06:00

my scarf

i modified a pattern i have for a poncho and crocheted only 9 rows of it. i alternated colored worsted weight yarn with multicolored lion brand homespun yarn to make the scarf. i like how it turned out. i was lucky to have yarns that matched so well in my stash of yarns. i'll provide the directions later.

2006-01-18T14:51:00.000-06:00

introduction

i decided to create a knitting and crochet blog for my passion. i considered naming it the knitwit hooker, but thought that might turn some people off. so i opted for another name.i plan on posting my numerous thoughts on knitting and crocheting, publishing my original patterns, posting updates on the knitting and crocheting group i'm putting together at bean counters in highland. i hope all works out well