Jane's Hooked on Crochet

Fall traveling - no crochet content

2010-10-22T12:38:00.009-04:00

My husband and I just returned from our final trip in the camper for the year. We traveled to Western PA to visit relatives from my Mom's & my Dad's side of the family. My sister flew in from Texas, and an aunt from Kansas, to my parents in NC. Then, along with my brother, they drove up to Western PA. Mom organized a family get together and we visited with family we haven't seen in a while. Great times.
We stayed at a campground in Shelocta.

From there we drove to Blackwater Falls State Park in Davis, West Virginia. We spent a night in the Blackwater Falls Lodge, and the next day hiking through the park and looking at the falls.

Then we drove to Cass Scenic Railroad in Cass, West Virginia. We had a trip on a restored logging railroad, up to the top of the mountain where we had lunch. We had a tour of the machine shop (Hubby's favorite) and a tour of the company town (my choice) and saw a diorama of the town, railroad & mill, and watched a video about the history of the town and railroad.

When we got home we had to winterize the camper. Winter will be here soon in PA.

"Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio?".....

2010-10-22T12:22:00.005-04:00

I know that I've been neglecting the blog again. I got sidetracked with projects and paperwork. Our CGOA Chapter is working on the "60 Scarves in 60 Days Challenge" on "Ravelry". We are planning to donate the scarves to a local YWCA and the PA Breast Cancer Coalition. Then came this year's announcement about the Special Olympic Scarves. We've participated in the SO project for the past two years, so we're making scarves and donating them this year.

In just a week or so we start on the "Caps for Good" project. A joint effort with Warm Up America and Save the Children, these caps will be collected and sent to poor women in other countries. This is a very important project and we're eager to participate for our second year.
The scarves are already being given to me, so I want to set up a system in the back of my car for organizing the various projects until each group is given to a "chair" person who will box and ship them, or deliver them locally.

Tunisian Lace with bobbles and shells

2010-10-03T16:11:00.002-04:00

Many people think that Tunisian is simply the "afghan stitch", and don't like it because it's "thick & stiff". I've posted before about tips to make your Tunisian work soft and drapey. This is a lovely stitch pattern in Tunisian lace, that will change your mind about Tunisian - it's lacy and has bobbles and shells (or fans). This would make a lovely shawl!

I think I'll watch it over again, with hook and yarn in hand.

Knitters' Day Out

2010-10-03T16:10:00.003-04:00

Last weekend I had fun with my fiber friends at Knitters' Day Out. This is a big event in the Harrisburg area. Friday night is a Market, and classes, Saturday is Market, more classes, and a buffet lunch.

Friday night I met up with a friend and we toured the Market, drooling over the lovely yarns, checking out the crochet books & hooks, and thinking about what we might buy and how many yards we'd need. We met up with a lot of crocheting and knitting friends during the evening.

This year I attended as a volunteer teacher! I had proposed a class on Tunisian for Knitters, and my proposal was accepted. I reworked my Introduction to Tunisian with the focus on it's similarities and differences to knitting, not crochet. I had a suitcase full of swatches, and samples including some of my original scarf designs. I am a right-handed crocheter, who also knits; I asked my best student to come along and assist me, she's a left-handed knitter who also crochets. We figured we'd be able to help everyone. I had a sold out class, with 15 eager knitters who knew nothing about crochet or Tunisian. They all left with great swatches of Tunisian knit and Tunisian purl, and some even got to learn a honeycomb pattern that's one of my favorite stitch patterns. My assistant brought along the baby afghan that she's recently finished, a honeycomb stitch worked in a variegated baby yarn. It was lovely! I hope all the students had as much fun as the teachers.

After class, we hit the market, again. I found out that my students did get to the vendor and they bought Tunisian hooks. I think that they will be even more surprised than I was when I opened the hooks. They are double-ended or cro-hooks. I love that because I can use them for Tunisian, and double hook patterns. But they don't look like most of the hooks that I showed them in class.

I filled out the evaluation & said I'd love to teach next year. But first we had to double check the dates for Knitters' Day Out and the dates of the Chain Link Conference in Greensboro. Sept 9 & 10 two weeks before the conference, I should be able to do both!!

Amazing art in crochet

2010-09-28T14:04:00.003-04:00

What do you crochet? Afghans, dishcloths, doilies, sweaters, shawls...There are plenty of possibilities. The hot thing right now is amigurumi, a Japanese word for small crochet of real items. Animals and movie characters were some of the first projects, but there is such variety. There is a book of amigurumi sci-fi and horror creatures such as zombies, there are cute sushi, and tiny desserts. I've just found a website of very unusual ones, but the design & work are amazing. This site has an Easter Island Head, Tongue Idol, bird totems, spirits.
"Easter Island Head"
Caution: There are human body parts, if you're easily offended, don't look.
Peek at the little birds, instead:
"begging baby bird"
"contented birds"

This site is definitely part of my "Art in crochet", amazing artwork.

Sticks Hooks and Shuttles Calendar

2010-09-27T13:25:00.002-04:00

Elmore-Pisgah, the company that makes Peaches&Creme has produced a calendar of knit, crochet, and tatting patterns. The proceeds go to charities, check it out.

Crocheted Peace Sign

2010-09-24T16:57:00.001-04:00

I found this tutorial while I was searching for patterns for Christmas ornaments. We're crocheting ornaments at our August CGOA Chapter meeting. We normally do ornaments or snowflakes in July, Christmas is July! But this year Margie and I talked about the Chain Link Conference in Manchester.

This tutorial has a special feature that I don't think that I've seen anywhere else. When you roll your mouse across a picture, it flips to the left-hand version. Pretty cool way to have a tutorial for left- and right-handers without doing the entire tutorial twice.

I think that I'll use some of my glow-in-the dark yarn to make a few peace signs for the tree. That's if I get any input on decorating this year. When Hubby & I got married we started a tradition of hand crafted ornaments for our tree. I was always sewing, crocheting, doing beadwork and experimenting with all types of crafts for small tree ornaments. When the children came along, I started making a different ornament each year, one for our tree, and one for each of the girls. When they were ready to go out on their own, they had a large box of ornaments. Family supplemented what I made, like a cousin who did a cross-stitch of baby's first Christmas, and a sister-in-law who made a wooden cradle for the first Christmas, and Grandma & Grandaddy who purchased ornaments at craft shows across the country while traveling in their motor-home. But our tree was all handmade ornaments for many years. As the girls got older, they started buying ornaments and receiving some from friends as gifts. For the last 3 years or more, they have enjoyed selecting a theme and decorating the tree with their ornaments.

Peace to all, even if I don't get my peace sign ornaments on the tree this year.

Dazzleaire yarn review

2010-09-24T16:38:00.003-04:00

I've been very busy with crochet-related things, some is paperwork, others are things that I can't mention, yet. But I hate to post that I know things that you don't know, it's so nah, nah, nah, middle-school-like. But Tuesday at our Hooks n Needles group, I was told that I need to update this blog. I explained that I've been catching little fun things, putting the link into a post, and then saving it as a draft. NOPE, they said, that doesn't cut it. New Post, please. So I promise that I won't pop this into a draft & save it for who knows how long.

Marty Miller has written a great review of the New Dazzleaire yarn. I think that most of us of "that certain age" remember Dazzleaire quite fondly. And we spend a lot of time questioning why they don't bring it back. So we were quite happy to hear that Caron was bringing it back. Yeah! Then I went to the website and found that it was a #5 Bulky. Boo! The original wasn't bulky. But I've had several co-crocheters try the new Dazzleaire and declare it as nice as the original. Marty's review is quite favorable. So now, what shall we do with some new Dazzle? The Blue Skies Jacket from Tammy Hildebrand, that I made last year with some Jiffy (is that right?)That pattern would look fabulous in Dazzleaire. It's added to my ever-lengthening queue.

'70s crochet, Ballerina Quilt, Nesting Cat & can you spot some crochet?

2010-08-29T00:00:00.004-04:00

A fellow crocheter posted the link for this blog to the group. I loved the picture of the 1970's...everything seemed so familiar. The "bowl haircut", which was called a pixie when my little sister and I had to sport them in the 1950's and 1960's. The white boots called "go go boots" when my soon-to-be-sister-in-law and I sported them in the late '60's. On to other pictures - like the embroidered linens with crochet edges, every well-dressed bedroom had to have flat surfaces properly covered.
I love all the photos, such lovely quilts, flower arrangements, cups & saucers, and you never know where you'll notice little bits of crochet - lace, granny squares, skirts,...

More Lace Pottery

2010-08-25T00:04:00.003-04:00

I've posted before about the Lace Pottery of Maggie Weldon. She uses lace - crocheted, knitted or tatted - and presses it into clay, then glazes and fires the work to create lovely pottery.
This gentleman in New Mexico also makes lace pottery - he uses the doilies that his mother crocheted. His glazes are the bright colors of the southwest. I'd love to see his work in real life. And maybe buy a small piece to complement the two pieces of Maggie Weldon Lace Pottery that I own.

Fair Isle in Crochet

2010-08-19T21:18:00.005-04:00

I absolutely love the look of Fair Isle. Look at the lovely designs that Karen Ratto Whooley has created in single crochet. These designs are in a book titled Fair Isle for Crochet. I bought this book recently and would love to dive into one of the designs. I think that my favorite afghan is the lovely snowflakes on light blue. Beautiful!

Hmmm...maybe rather than jumping into a full afghan project (which I don't have the time for now), I could take one snowflake motif and work it into a square or rectangular block for a Warm Up American block. Tomorrow I'll spend some time with the book again.

Some Fabulous Freeform

2010-08-19T21:13:00.003-04:00

I have been busy with making swatches and writing lesson plans for the CYCA Certified Instructors Program, and for the Tunisian class that I will be teaching at Knitters Day Out in September. I haven't had much time for writing, but I have been finding some fun things on-line and dropping them into a post and saving them.

Here's a blog that I discovered while checking on the "CGOA Blog Now" site.

Check out the lovely freeform on Shelby's blog. Two of her designs won prizes in the CGOA Design Competition. The awards were announced at the July Chain Link Conference in Manchester, and the items were on display and shown during the fashion show. Shelby's little baby coat won the Grand Prize! My favorite is the Dutch Blue Necklace. Lovely scrumblings, and a fabulous job of joining them into a work of art.

A Humorous look at Crochet

2010-08-19T20:49:00.002-04:00

Get your daily laugh from this great video about crochet and crocheters. This was filmed at the Chain Link Conference in Manchester this July. I was in the market while the beginning was being filmed. It drew some attention! "What's going on over there?" Who is that and what's on her head?" At the time all I knew was that it was Gwen Blakley Kinsler, aka the Crochetqueen, and that was definitely a crown on her head.

The project was Gwen's idea. She wrote the script and recruited actors and film crew. Great job everyone!
Read more on "Gwen's blog".

Carving a wooden crochet hook

2010-08-19T01:07:00.001-04:00

wow! A tutorial with plenty of pictures and lots of details on carving a wooden hook. My favorite part? It's definitely a tapered head! There are lots of detailed photos. Enjoy.

2011 Chain Link Conferences

2010-08-13T16:50:00.008-04:00

Yes, that title is plural. Next year the CGOA is back to having 2 Conferences a year. Previously the CGOA, The Knit & Crochet Show, and Offinger offered 2 conferences, one was National and one Regional. Since the Knitting Guild and the Market were combined with the CGOA, one conference was the Crocheters National/Knitters Regional and the other was the Crocheters Regional/Knitters National. It's sounding like 2011's conferences might be promoted as equal conferences, not one national, one regional.

I know for a fact that the CGOA Board of Directors is busy discussing events to promote at each of these Conferences.
To keep up-to-date with information about the conferences, check out the "CGOA website", the "blog CGOA Now!" and "Ravelry CGOA group".

I've got the dates written on my calendar!

Minneapolis in July
Classes: Wednesday, July 27 through Saturday, July 30
Shopping: Friday, July 29 through Sunday, July 31
Hyatt Regency Minneapolis

Greensboro, NC in September
Classes: Wednesday, September 21 through Saturday, September 24
Shopping: Friday, September 23 through Sunday, September 25
Sheraton Greensboro at Four Seasons/Joseph S. Koury Convention Center

Crochet as Art

2010-08-05T13:28:00.004-04:00

I could spend several days on this subject, but I think I'll just introduce you to several different types of crochet art.
First there is sculptural. The Thread Artist Guild makes miniature animals that will melt your heart. "2009 Contest Winners"
"tiny teddy bears"
While the animals are crocheted, there are also sculptural pieces that apply crochet over another medium or object. This "crab" is crocheted lace over fabric. And the latest thing that I've seen is "lace coverings on river rocks".

Wearable art: Crocheted pieces are made into scarves, wraps, necklaces, or accessories "fashion designer"

Tapestry crochet is a technique that a crocheter can use for sculptural items, or wearables. "Carol Ventura" has a variety of projects including flat art, baskets and bowls, purses and bags

Crochet in Art (not crochet as art)

2010-08-05T12:46:00.006-04:00

Thanks to the sidebar of the blog I was reading this morning "Crochet by Catherine", I've discovered some artists who painted crocheters as the theme of a painting, not just a person in the background.
The title link is to a portrait by Mary Cassatt. The picture is a close up of her sister crocheting.

Here is another "Girl Crocheting" This is by another American artist Edmund Tarbell.

What are your impressions on "this painting"? It's titled "Woman with a Crochet". Is that Woman with a crochet hook? Woman with a crochet-ed doily? or simply Woman with Crochet (drop that a)? We will not be able to study this, like the others, to find out how women in Early America held their hook or whether they used yarn or thread, or what types of projects they created. Still, the artist did choose crochet as the subject of the painting.

"Sarah London" has a gallery of paintings featuring crocheters. I thought that it was interesting that half were of individual women or girls, and half were a pair of crocheters, usually titled "The Crochet Lesson". I also observed that all the crocheters were using a "pencil hold".
Take time to look at Sarah's masthead of her blog, she has created a work of art with her crochet motifs.

We started with Americans of the Impressionist period. Let's jump now to current day, here's an American teen who is a talented painter. He's fascinated with lines and structure, and he knits and crochets. Read the newspaper article "The Art of Seeing".

Round Granny pillow cushion

2010-08-04T12:31:00.002-04:00

I'm back to collecting links to fun things. Here's a tutorial on creating a round granny pillow cover. Notice the paper with the hand drawn symbols for the beginning rounds. She has even taking the time to write out the instructions twice, once in UK crochet terms, once in US crochet terms, and posted the step-by-step pictures in both. It took more time than just a note saying UK treble = US double, but more helpful for beginners. Great photography. What fascinated me, though, was the beautiful lace in the background.
A lovely entry, I aspire to create lovely blog posts!

"A Day at the Office" with Drew Emborsky

2010-07-23T12:44:00.004-04:00

I was following links of interest today and came across this video from Drew.

My first thought was "look at how lightly he holds his hook and yarn". This is something that I try to get across to new crocheters. We don't need a death grip on the hook, it's not going to jump out of our hands. It's not easier to control with a tighter grip. And with the relaxed grip you have less stress on your hands and wrists, and a softer, better draping fabric.

I know that this is not what Drew was trying to say with his podcast, but we can learn from many different sources. Now what was that thread in the Ravelry Learn Crochet group where I was commenting on relaxing and letting the yarn flow? I could add this link for inspiration.

"All the extra stuff"

2010-07-21T13:20:00.003-04:00

Just a quick, short post. I was reading Vashti's blog about her Tunisian stole, (the pattern's coming soon!). This lovely stole was in the Chain Link Design Competition, and won a third place ribbon. Congratulations, Vashti! From there, I decided to check out some of her other links. Vashti's Crochet Pattern Companion has a lot of great information about the designing and blocking process. "All the extra stuff" indeed. Even an experienced crocheter can learn more from the professionals.
Thank you Vashti for sharing those extra tips, tricks, and finishing notes.

Another Unveiling

2010-07-14T22:53:00.010-04:00

I can now tell you about another project that I've been working on...I made a scarf in Tunisian Knit Stitch using Red Heart Stripes yarn. This project is for a raffle in the "RA_Yarnsandmore group"

The design was first worked in Red Heart Stripes in Breezy, a nice self-striping in white, blue & lime green; very summery. This scarf was given at the gift exchange at the Chain Link Conference.

Then I worked up the design in RH Sonoma Stripes - tan, brown, gold and orange. Definitely autumn colors. I worked a round of single crochet in tan, and then a round of reverse slip stitch in the Sonoma Stripes.

This scarf was raffled in the RA_Yarnsandmore group, as a way to generate interest in new yarns. It's on it's way to the winner in the morning.

Thursday at Chain Link

2010-07-13T11:21:00.006-04:00

My fellow chapter member & I went out to breakfast before class, before 8 am and it's already sweltering. I opted for iced tea, instead of the planned coffee. It was in the upper 90's for most of the week, not what I expected when I headed to the North East. But back home it was in the triple digits - 105 in Hershey!

Thursday morning we both took a class with Joan Davis, Crochet Camisoles that Fit. Unfortunately, there were a lot of people of people in a small room and someone had some strong perfume that set off my allergies. Even with an anti-histamine and inhaler, the wheezing & coughing were bad. I tried hard candy, which usually works, and a walk in the hallway, but eventually had to pack up and head to my room.

Lunch at a restaurant on Elm Street included a committee meeting. Great food.

My afternoon class was on designing Tunisian projects with Darla Fanton. This was a great class. I have a lovely swatch of different stitches. I'll try to get some pictures, throwing it on the scanner didn't work with this swatch.

The evening involved the announcement of the "CGOA Design Competition winners", slide show and small fashion show. Wow! Some spectacular designs. Then the gift exchange, I gifted a Tunisian scarf, one of my own designs. I received a chatelaine with scissors, needles and hooks. Thanks, WK I love it. Then on to the Market Preview, shopping and a quick get together with some of the Buddy group from the Ravelry Cyber Chapter of the CGOA. This group met up in the lounge Tuesday evening, and went out to dinner on Wednesday (I had a class), then they went to lunch on Thursday (I had a committee meeting). While I missed most of the meet-ups, I've heard that the group had lots of fun, and was a big success.

My friend & I had dinner at the hotel about 9 pm, and headed to bed early, another long and busy day.

Here's a link to the Design Competition winners, with descriptions and photos:
"2010 Design Competition Winners"

Congratulations to all the designers who entered the competition, and to the winners.

Live from Chain Link! sorry that didn't work

2010-07-13T10:16:00.007-04:00

I had great plans to blog from the Conference, similar to a "Wish you were here" vacation postcard. Unfortunately, all my technology decided to play little games. I was 3 hours from home when I realized that I hadn't charged my cell phone overnight, and then had forgotten to bring the charger. So I planned to set up my laptop on arrival and send daughter #2 an email that I had arrived safely. The hotel had free wireless, and said daughter had downloaded 4 different wireless drivers, so we thought the laptop was good to go. Well, none of the those drivers happened to be the one that was needed for the Radisson free wireless, so I was without that technology. Luckily another attendee had a charging cord that worked, and I got my phone charged and was able to use it.

Since those fabulous, live from Chain Link posts didn't happen, I'd like to give you a few links with photos and give you a taste of the Conference. Wednesday, July 7th was the CGOA Professional Development Day (PDD). PDD started with talks by "Kristin Omdahl" about her life as a crochet designer (among other crochet hats that she wears), and "Lily Chin" discussing her life as a crochet teacher (again, she wears many other hats, also). The afternoon featured break-out sessions by well-known names in many fields of crochet. There was time for everyone to attend 3 sessions. The sessions included designing, contract crocheting, teaching, book publication, and other crochet business ideas. There were door prize drawings throughout the day, and some wonderful prizes were distributed. A Silent Auction to benefit the "Lyme Disease Association" raised almost $1000.

"CGOA Now! photos of Professional Development Day"

After PDD from 8-5, I took an evening class (6-9) on photographing needlework. This class was with "Susan Huxley", and I now have some tips to help with lighting to make those lovely textures show up better in photos.

"CGOA" again packed a huge amount of information into one day! A great start to the 2010 Chain Link Conference.

Organizing & packing

2010-07-05T23:36:00.003-04:00

The organizing is finished. The binder has maps from home to Manchester, downtown Manchester, a list of restaurants downtown, a map from Manchester to the shore, and another from the beach to home. Then dividers for each day at the conference, print out of class description and homework, all homework is in ziplocks in the binder. I have a snack size zippie with the amount of the materials fee (still need to get cash and get it into bags). The suitcase is packed, dress clothes in a garment bag and shoes in a tote, the crochet bag is organized, I have a book bag full of binders and folders for classes and meetings, and I have a bag of yarn for classes.

In the morning I have a few things to add to "cosmetics bag", and some cold things to put into a small cooler, and then I'm ready to hit the road. I'm so excited to be heading off to Chain Link! But, also I'm so tired right now that I feel like it's the first day back home. I better not socialize too late tomorrow night, we have to be up early on Wednesday for Professional Development Day.

See you in Manchester! If you're not going to be there, maybe I'll make a post that's like a vacation postcard. Having a great time, wish you were here!

Crochet So Fine

2010-07-05T13:59:00.003-04:00

Just received an email from Crochet Me, it's advertising Kristin Ohmdahl's book Crochet so Fine. There's a great article with photos, explaining the inspiration for her Orchid Circular Shawl. There is a list of many of the projects in the book, and several photos of other projects. Along with the Orchid Shawl, I love the Dragonfly Shawl. I have to find time to peruse this book...maybe a vendor at the Conference will be carrying it.

Back to packing.

Wood and Wool

2010-07-05T13:54:00.002-04:00

I'm finalizing a stack of paperwork, packing my suitcase, making a grocery store list, and other things before leaving for Manchester, NH tomorrow morning. I've started several posts about the organizing, but found that was taking away time that I could be getting something accomplished. So, here's some photos of crochet to keep you entertained while I'm packing.

More Organizing

2010-07-03T13:46:00.003-04:00

I'm getting to be a wiz on Excel Spreadsheets. I've created a new one for the Chain Link Conference. It has titled pages - page 1 is all the stuff I need to concentrate on before the conference, like homework for classes, and lesson plans for the pattern reading class. Page 2 is a list of things to pack; things for driving such as maps, drinks, money for meals; and then things for crochet & classes; and clothes, and personal stuff - like prescriptions, allergy medicine, etc. Page 3 is actually at Chain Link; classes, meals, events, meetings. And finally Page 4 is for things that I need to focus on as soon as I get back from the conference.

Another Unveiling!

2010-06-30T15:49:00.006-04:00

I can now tell you about another project that I've been working on...I made a scarf in Tunisian Knit Stitch using Red Heart Stripes yarn. This project is for a raffle in the "RA_Yarnsandmore group"

The design was first worked in Red Heart Stripes in Breezy, a nice self-striping in white, blue & lime green; very summery. This scarf was given at the gift exchange at the Chain Link Conference.

Then I worked up the design in RH Sonoma Stripes - tan, brown, gold and orange. Definitely autumn colors. I worked a round of single crochet in tan, and then a round of reverse slip stitch in the Sonoma Stripes. This scarf was raffled in the RA_Yarnsandmore group, as a way to generate interest in new yarns.

It's Official!

2010-06-29T14:44:00.006-04:00

I can finally tell you a little about a project which has been taking up some of my spare time...The CGOA has created a book of patterns from members of the Board of Directors. We each designed a project and wrote the pattern, which then went to editors. After the projects were finished, we each sent our project off to Cari Clement at Caron, where they were professionally photographed. That had me very excited! I've been very tight-lipped, which is hard for me. I told my Mom that I had a project sent to a professional photo shoot, but no details, even after she emailed and asked for more details. I'll send her an email to check out this blog post.

If you join CGOA this year, or if you're already a member and you renew your membership, you'll receive a copy of the booklet. The full booklet will be debuted at the Chain Link Conference in Manchester next week. But we can give you a little tempting peak... Here's the cover photos...

Here's my design, a neck warmer in Tunisian Honeycomb pattern:

Doesn't that picture look fabulous!

I've seen a preview of the full booklet, and it's amazing. If you haven't renewed your membership, or if you've been dragging your feet about joining the CGOA, it's time to join or renew. This fabulous pattern book is only a taste of all the great benefits of the Crochet Guild of America (CGOA)!

hank, skein, or ball Words using with yarn

2010-06-28T23:38:00.002-04:00

This is an interesting discussion of the words hank, skein, and ball and how they are used in yarn talk. I love that the author has gone beyond just how he/she uses it, and searches for the history and etymology of the words. Being a word freak, and enjoying searching etymologies, I enjoyed the blog post.

But, I've gotten distracted, I was searching for the history of machine-wound, center-pull skeins. Back to researching.

Measurement worksheet for garments

2010-06-25T13:19:00.002-04:00

Here's a little worksheet that will be a great help in making garments that fit. There's a cut "paper doll" drawing, with dotted lines and numbers for every area that you should measure. Then numbers and labels in a column, and a place for you to write in your numbers. There's even a few blank spaces at the bottom for you to add your own areas, maybe a head circumference for when you create hats. For those of us with extensive garment construction background all the terms should be familiar. For crocheters who don't have a lot of clothing construction experience, they might have to do a little research to know what armhole drop or rise mean, and exactly how to measure for those. I think that I'll print out a few copies and put them into the binder I've created for sweater making.

Drew's New Book

2010-06-25T12:26:00.003-04:00

WOW! WOW! WOW! You have to look at these photos. Drew has posted photos of some designs that are in his new book "Crochet It. Love It. Wear It!" And the designs are stunning! If you ever hear someone complain that knitters get gorgeous designs, and crocheters get granny square vests and house accessories, direct them immediately to these photos (and after September to this book!). Classic, elegant, chic, designer styles. A little black dress with a sweetheart neckline, a floor-length coat with faux fur trim, a pencil skirt, a scoop-necked vest with some fabulous lines,... Must leave this, head to Amazon and put this book on my wish list!

Preview of Interweave Crochet Summer 2010

2010-06-17T13:06:00.003-04:00

I've just been to the preview site of the Summer Interweave Crochet, and I'm eager for the issue to arrive. There are some lovely sweaters, tunics and shawls. Some of my favorites: Midsummer Night's Shawl by Lisa Naskrent, check out the bonus photo and see those lovely flowers; the Cool Waves shawl by Sheryl Means, Tunisian! (bonus points to anyone who can find me that lovely colorway of lace weight yarn with no wool); and several afghan squares - look at that lovely Double Twist by Drew Emborsky, and the Tunisian Cables!! by Angela Grabowski. I started in a Tunisian Cable CAL with Angela's Yahoo group. Lovely, lovely cables with a Tunisian hook. Can't wait to get my hands on this magazine!

Organizing for the Conference

2010-06-16T23:35:00.002-04:00

It's that time of year. The Event packet has arrived for the Chain Link conference. I've printed out the descriptions of each class, the homework to be done before arriving in class, a map of the conference center, etc. I've got my schedule worked out in an Excel Spreadsheet and in a Word document table. I like the table, there's room for notes, like homework for the class, materials fee, teacher's name, classroom; I have complete information for each class, activity and event. But, it is 4 pages long. The spreadsheet is less than a page, it has basic information; such as there's only 1 hour free on Thursday afternoon, get lunch right there; don't forget to go to the Annual meeting, don't miss the fashion show, etc.

Yesterday I started getting everything off the computer desk, and into the conference binder. First, I've learned to get at least a 4" binder with the create-a-cover. I usually put my schedule in the front plastic cover, and the map in the back plastic cover, great for a quick glance as you clean up from one class & try to decide if you have time for lunch before the next class or activity. So I stick the schedule in the front, flip the binder over, and there's no cover sleeve on the back. Okay, I decided to slip the map into the pocket on the inside front cover. There's no pocket on the inside front or back cover. Daughter #2 says "Mom, you're flipping out over a binder! Relax, breathe"

Well, I guess I'll live through it,...but who designs a create-a-cover on the front only? Who bought this binder?

I'm burying myself in paperwork

2010-06-16T23:16:00.006-04:00

I'm quite used to having piles of paper on the top of my computer desk, list of things to do, files of things that I'm working on, reminders, crochet patterns, print outs of yarns that I'd like to pet at the lys, etc.

Right now the files are piling up. Along with the Conference paperwork, and the normal household notes (grocery list, calendars, reminders of errands); I usually have a pattern that I'm checking, or research on a topic for the CGOA. I'm one of the email correspondents. I also have a folder on the CGOA's Master of Advanced Stitches and Techniques; I've started doing portfolio reviews.

Of course, that's not all...I also have 2 binders for the Craft Yarn Council's Certified Instructors Program (CYCA CIP). The swatches are in zip lock bags with an index card, then all the small bags are in a large zip lock. The legal pad with notes is inside one binder, until I get them typed and proof-read. I also have a file for the Knitters' Day Out, I'm teaching a class on Tunisian. The file has email correspondence, contract, lesson plans, scribbled notes to be added to the lesson plan, pattern to be copied and given to students. After the conference, I will finalize the lesson plan, make copies, and organize the swatches and samples which are in a rolling suitcase right now.

I have a stack of folders with information on different colleges, a folder with transcript information on colleges that I've attended, and a folder on scholarships. That's right, I don't have enough to do, I'm going back to college to finish that Bachelor's degree.

I'm made a general TO DO list on the computer, and I routinely update it & email that to myself. But, I've also created a spreadsheet to help with the push that will come before the Conference. Each night I jot a note about what I've accomplished that day (many days, not enough!), but I'm hoping that it will help me to keep things in focus.

I have emailed my Mom with the instructions that if she doesn't hear from me for a lengthy period, that she should have someone come to the house and move books, folders, patterns, and envelopes and make sure that I'm still alive under all the paperwork.

Haystack Mountain School of Crafts

2010-06-15T22:56:00.004-04:00

Wow! A summer workshop using fiber techniques including ropemaking and crocheting. If only I had some artistic talent, rather than simply craft level talent, I think this could be a lot of fun.
The workshop is the 4th one down, under Fiber and is title: Assembled Lines: Plane, Sculpture, Concept.

Plarn Worldwide

2010-06-13T11:57:00.004-04:00

Wow, what does that title mean? Well, if crocheters don't have yarn at hand, they will crochet with anything. Plarn is yarn that is made of plastic bags. A great way to recycle all those bags that you get from the grocery story, drug store, and everywhere you go, it seems. They don't decompose in a normal lifetime, so throwing them into the trash and landfills means we've got a longtime mess. Reuse those bags, and make other bags. I've got a CGOA Chapter friend who does this, it's fun to tease her about spending time cutting up a dozen or so bags, and taking the time to crochet and then ending up with...only 1 bag!
Ahh, but those bags are sturdier, will hold more, and importantly, they're not adding to the massive landfills.
The blog entry in the title was written based on another blog, so this story is getting passed along. Be sure to visit the original "bagsbegone" and check out the photos of projects, and the many places she's taught. Very inspiring! By the way, the project can use donations of large crochet hooks, or old toothbrushes which are melted and a hook formed, or just some cash to purchase hooks.

Check out this new blog

2010-06-11T12:14:00.000-04:00

A fellow member of our local CGOA Chapter, just started a new blog. I'm going to add her to my "sidebar". Do I remember how to do that? Or do I have to call on daughter #2 again? In the meantime, take a peak at her blog through the above link. I'm already loving that pile of knots on her couch!

PS: Our local CGOA Chapter is Those Yarn Crocheters, Harrisburg.

Tea Cozies

2010-06-09T21:20:00.000-04:00

Many of us will not see the use of tea cozies, because we don't have a big pot of tea sitting ready to pour anytime we get thirsty. But making a pot of tea is so much easier than making a cup at a time. Now, how do you keep it hot? You crochet or knit a little blanket for the tea pot...to keep it cozy warm.
I've seen some really cute ideas. From this grouping, I like the white knitted cozy with the rows of buttons around the bottom.

What do you wear to elope?

2010-06-08T15:20:00.000-04:00

Okay, you're eloping to get married on the top of a California mountain, followed by a trip gold mining in Northern Canada. What do you wear?
This creative bride spent 3 weeks crocheting doilies, designed & sewed a dress, sewed the doilies over the dress, attached clip earrings to high heels, and then made her bouquet.

She gets super bonus points from me - I've crocheted a lot of doilies. I designed & sewed my own wedding gown, and did most of the sewing on 1 bridesmaid dress (the other ladies each made their own). I've also done some flower arranging, and a lot of cake decorating, including wedding cakes. But to do all of that at the same time. Kudos!!

Check out the stunning dress and read the rest of the romantic story:
http://100layercake.com/blog/archives/6562

Lacy Leaves Shawl

2010-06-02T19:26:00.000-04:00

I took a trip to North Carolina at the end of May. I visited with family, and went to my nephew's wedding reception. Had a great trip and good times!

Since returning I've been trying to catch up on various projects for the CGOA, National and our local Chapter; a design that will be raffled on RA Yarnsandmore; and I've started the CYCA Certified Instructors Course.

Today, I finally blocked the Lacy Leaves Shawl that I made in April. It's made of a lace weight yarn, and it dried very quickly!

Amigurumi

2010-05-19T12:51:00.000-04:00

Do you think that all amigurumi (small Japanese crocheted items) are either fun little animals, or fruits and veggies? Take a look at this site. I have no idea what Big-Daddy Bouncer or Bioshock are, but I appreciate all the hard work that went into this project. Look at all the little details. And, she's included a pattern!

This is today's "Must See".

Some fun American history

2010-05-12T17:04:00.000-04:00

Dee has answered a reader's question with a great story about American history, whaling, fashion, and of course, crochet.

In the meantime, I don't have much on the hooks right now. I'm swatching yarns for another Short and Sweet Cardigan from The Happy Hooker, and for the Crochet Yoke Tunic in the June Knit'n Style. 2nd Time Cotton, Spa, Satin Sport,... And thinking about yarns that I might want to use for the Tropical Breeze Shawl that I just purchased from a Ravelry site. I have plain white and plain light blue in acrylics that I could use to make up one, maybe just for practice while searching for a lovely variegated fingering weight yarn (with no wool!)

Some pictures

2010-05-11T01:56:00.000-04:00

The software for the printer/scanner/copier/camera is finally working properly, and I can load pictures from my camera on to my computer. No more putting crochet work onto the scanner and scan, then cropping, etc to get pictures onto the blog. Maybe I'll get pictures posted more often, and more current!

Here is a necklace that I made as practice for the Make It/Take It Class at the Gathering of the Guilds in February...

This is the baby sweater that our CGOA Chapter has been working on as a CAL. Each month we learn about a new part of garment making. Selecting a pattern, yarn characteristics and sizes, substituting yarns, foundation stitches, extended stitches, making simple changes to a pattern, gauge, seams, blocking, etc. This is the first sweater that I did...

Saturday evening I finished the dorm blanket that I was making for the Shawl Ministry. Tonight we blessed all the blankets, sewed on labels, and bagged them in preparation for presentation to all the seniors. Here is a shot of most of the bags.

And finally, a peek at some swatching
That's been frogged, and the yarn is busy with some new swatching. Who knows what it might end up being.

Doting on Doilies

2010-05-08T15:02:00.000-04:00

It's been a while since I posted, the hooks have been busy. Anyway, here is a blog that I just discovered, and I love the doilies. My favorites? The swans, and the Connected Hearts. Hearts, lace, pink roses, how romantic!

Guinness Book of World Records & Crochet?

2010-05-01T02:39:00.000-04:00

That's right! Crochters are trying to set a world record and make it into the Guinness Book of World Records. Stitch N' Pitch is sponsoring the event at the Mets Citi Field on Saturday, June 5th.
Arrive early, check in and receive a free crochet hook and yarn, attend a learn to crochet lesson if you don't know how to crochet, and then "let the fun begin". The attempt is to set a record for "The Most People Crocheting Simultaneously" for 15 minutes.
I know that I can't make it to Mets Field on June 5th, and I bet there are a lot of other folks just like me. What if we had a little supportive simultaneous crocheting? I think I'll suggest that our CGOA Chapter get together and crochet for 15 minutes at the exact same time, just to send the crocheters at Mets Field some good crochet energy.
For more information, click on the above link, or check out the "CGOA Now!"

Chain Link Buddy Program

2010-04-27T14:10:00.000-04:00

The CGOA is offering a new program for all who are attending their first Chain Link conference. The program is called the Buddy Program, and all "newbies" can sign up to have an experienced conference-goer be their Buddy. The Buddies can get together upon arrival for a friendly welcome, they can arrange to have coffee or lunches together, or get together to crochet and chat in the lounge. No longer do the first-timers have to have the "Deer in the Headlights" look. There really is a lot going on, lots to do, sometimes you have free time but don't know the choices for things to do in your spare time; it's good to have a friendly face so you don't feel completely lost.
If you're interested in being a Buddy, or if it's your first Chain Link Conference and you'd like a Buddy, check out the "CGOA Blog Now".

What I'm up to this week

2010-04-25T04:23:00.000-04:00

Well, last Monday may have looked like an ordinary day to most viewers, but I think it was a little special. My daughter and I started with going to the grocery store and running other errands. Then made dinner & watched a video together. But in-between those things I got a project out in the mail, it's on it's way to a professional photo shoot. And in the evening I signed a contract to teach a class this fall. It's not at the local Michaels, but will have to save details for a little while.

Since then I've been swatching and designing a project for a raffle at the RAYarnsandmore group.

What else is one the hooks? A striped shawl in Tunisian doubles, with Homespun - white, lilac and light green. It looks like Easter grass! And a basket weave afghan in green and white.

Both items are for the Shawl Ministry, the basket weave is for a graduating senior and is his school colors.

Knitting your Filet Crochet?

2010-04-15T13:13:00.000-04:00

I've mentioned Knitting Daily before. I love receiving this newsletter in my daily emails. "It's Not just for Knitters Anymore". Sure, there are photos of great knitted sweaters, scarves, socks; and knitting patterns for sale. That's just inspiration, "I love those sleeves, I could do that in crochet by..." "I love the fit of that sweater, I need to adapt a crochet pattern to that shape". The newsletter is packed with information gauge, drape, fitting, blocking,...all things that we need to think about in our crocheted garments.
In today's issue there's a pattern for a blouse inspired by fashions of the 1940's, and the yoke of the piece is knitted to look like filet crochet!

More on the gauge swatch

2010-04-13T15:38:00.001-04:00

Well, it seems that the importance of the gauge swatch is the topic of the day. Check out the article in Talking Crochet. It focuses strictly on the mathematics of the gauge: number of stitches per inch, size, etc. It doesn't mention all the other issues of the gauge swatch, such as stitch definition and drape.

A fellow blogger writes about the gauge swatch

2010-04-13T15:28:00.000-04:00

You know that I'm always fussing about the gauge swatch. A swatching session is imperative if you want the finished garment to fit, essential if you've substituted yarns, and informative about the stitch definition, drape and look of the final project.
Here's a great blog about swatching.

Basic Class - Reading & Understanding Crochet Patterns

2010-04-13T01:46:00.000-04:00

At the Chain Link Conference in Manchester, NH in July, my friend and Chapter co-founder, and I are representing the Harrisburg CGOA Chapter in teaching a basic class in reading and understanding crochet patterns. Here are the basics as posted to the "CGOA Conference information site". The class is Friday, during the lunch break between morning and afternoon classes.

"CGOA Reading & Understanding Crochet Patterns
From 12 pm - 1 pm, come to the lounge for this basic class on understanding a crochet pattern — abbreviations, symbols, sentence structure and more. If you have a pattern that's confusing you, feel free to bring it along and ask us about it. Brought to you by Those Yarn Crocheters, the Harrisburg Chapter of CGOA."

We will also be representing Those Yarn Crocheters at the Chapter Coffee on Friday evening. I hope to see some readers of my blog at one of these two events, please say hi to us if you attend!

Pretty Patterns for Little Girls

2010-04-13T00:41:00.000-04:00

Look at this lovely top for a little girl, it's made with motifs joined in a diagonal and a yoke added. Be sure to skip over to this designer's Etsy shop. She has a lot of sweet little designs. Those cute halter tops and cardigans make me wish for a little one to crochet for.

Chain Link registration

2010-04-10T21:08:00.000-04:00

I started a post on Wednesday about Chain Link prep time, then jumped onto the CGOA site and registered for classes and events. I was amazed that I went on about noon-time and there were already several classes sold out! I registered for all the classes that I wanted, but I'm encouraging everyone to register as soon as they can in order to get exactly what you want to take.
I'm looking forward to the Conference, taking classes, attending events, meeting up with friends I've made at other conferences, and meeting other crocheters.

Historical Society offers class on Tunisian

2010-04-10T20:21:00.000-04:00

The Giles County Historical Society is offering a class on making a potholder in Tunisian crochet. The class is 2 hours each on 2 days, for only $10. That's a great bargain for a class.

Slightly off topic - I was a little frustrated that it took so long to search the site to find out exactly where Giles County is. Why didn't they include the state in the blog header? It's in the Profile.

Doily sun catchers

2010-04-08T13:12:00.001-04:00

This is a fabulous idea! Sun catchers made with doilies, but a unique feature - they are covered in a cake of ice. Easy to make, lovely to look at on a cold day, and you can retrieve the doilies and do it again.

It's Chain Link preparation time!

2010-04-08T12:09:00.000-04:00

This week is more preparation for the annual Chain Link Conference. This year it will be the first week of July in Manchester, NH. The conference was in Manchester two years ago, I attended, but didn't stay in the hotel. Hubby & I took our camper and had a conference/vacation/anniversary trip. We stayed at a lovely campground on the edge of a small river with a sand camping spot. That was my first time camping on sand, and it was a lovely area. Our second camping in sand was last year in Presque Isle, that's another tale.

The class preview was posted to the CGOA, and the Knit & Crochet Show websites in late March. I made a list of classes that I'd like to take, and events that I wanted to attend, and then set the paper aside to let ideas flow.

Last week I reviewed my class list and finalized (I think!) what classes I wanted to take. I emailed this to my CGOA Chapter buddy so we could see if we were taking some of the same classes.
Early this week I started the famous spreadsheet. I put in days and times, then started adding classes, other "paid" events like the banquet and Professional Development Day (PDD) and PDD lunch, then I started adding free events that I didn't want to miss like the Fashion show preview and the various Meet & Greets. Then I tried to add in Market Time, and breaks for lunch and dinner. Looks like I might not get many of those! Then add the colors. I try to color everything paid with one color, free want to attend in another color, paid meals in another, and free time in yet another, this year I also have to add a color for required meetings.
This way, when I'm packing my brain with loads of crochet techniques, patterning, and other fabulous stuff, I don't have to use a lot of brain space to remember when I've got a meeting, an event or meal that I've paid for and should go to, and when I have a little free time to get together for coffee or lunch with a friend. Just a quick glance at the spreadsheet to see if that's a "free time color".

Later on I'll start assembling my Conference binder, and I'll put "my daily schedule" spreadsheet inside the front clear plastic cover. The back cover will hold a map of the event venue which we'll get at registration. At a later date I'll write more about what's inside the binder, and what will be added to it.

Today, I'm doing my online registration! Under special events, the first item is:
1st Timer and would like to have a CGOA Buddy
How cool is that! I barely remember my first time at a Conference, but I remember not having someone to hang around with, someone who knew about where to register, where to relax and stitch, and introduce me to other crocheters. A buddy to help newbies feel at home is a great idea.

Vickie Howell's Movie Monday blog

2010-04-07T16:52:00.000-04:00

I know that in some of the groups that I belong to, there's always talk when a new movie comes out in the theaters and a viewer sees a crocheted or knitted item, like the light blue sweater worn by Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter movie, or the grandmothers knitting in bed in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Well, I've just discovered a blog where Vickie Howell has photos of knit and crochet items from a specific movie - this week's movie is Fantastic Mr. Fox.

"vintage-crocheted-spring-sweater"

2010-03-29T15:25:00.000-04:00

Take a look at this gorgeous crocheted garment. It's so light, frilly and feminine.

Recent Magazines

2010-03-29T13:45:00.000-04:00

I have subscriptions to two crochet magazines, but browse the crochet and knitting magazines at Borders every Tuesday evening. The past few weeks I've seen many projects that I want to make. Here are some of the magazines and the projects.

"Crochet!" May 2010
Cockleshells Cardi, Sally's Best Friend Cardigan, Love Knot Shawl, Blue Blitz Jacket, Caribbean Topper

"Interweave Crochet" Spring 2010
Chloe Cardigan, Kristy Cardigan, New Town Swing Sweater, Buttercup Bag, Five Peaks Shawl (Tunisian! Knitting Daily rates the pattern as "easy-peasy".)

"Crochet Today!" March/April 2010 (website shows the May/June issue & previews)
Chic Cabled Bag,

Inside Crochet Dec/Jan 2009 (I can't locate a website with previews)
Capricious Cardigan, Dragon Gauntlets
The articles are of interest, including Tunisian in this issue. There's a very classic men's vest in the Feb/March issue.

A knitting friend at our Tuesday get-togethers always brings a stack of books and magazines to the table, and we love to check out patterns & yarns, discuss what we like, don't like, what we might change, etc. I frequently find something of interest. The June "KNIT'nSYTLE" caught my attention - the cover design has a crocheted shell top with a lightly-gathered knitted body. It's a lovely light blue with specks of various colors. (It's on the preview page.) I can do the body portion in Tunisian. It will take a little gauge swatching to get the perfect yarn, and hook sizes, but it's the process.
This issue has a "Mini-Focus on Crochet", starting with a to-be-expected article on adding crochet detail to a knit project, and two projects (a handbag and a sweater) in your choice of knit or crochet. There are also articles on crochet - an introduction to Tunisian, a workshop on borders, and interview of Drew Emborsky, The Crochet Dude, and projects totally in crochet. The projects include a Tunisian shawl, a jacket in Catherine Wheels, a shoulder bag, and a broomstick lace beach coverup. Crocheters as well as knitters will love this issue!

College Students take a study break to Crochet

2010-03-28T21:59:00.000-04:00

Here's a news article about college students who formed a group to crochet caps for cancer patients:
U.Va. Students Take a Study Break -- to Crochet

Cute little mice

2010-03-28T14:11:00.001-04:00

Enjoy looking at this crochet artist's cute little mice. Their faces are adorable, and they wear the nicest clothes. Then the artist has created some short stories, I followed the swing story without having to know a single word of the language. I think my favorite is the little girl in the winter coat and hat.
Be sure to check out the beautiful home crafts, also. I love the bowl with the white lace edging. And since I speak the language of crochet and understand sentence structure, I'd be able to make the bowl from the pattern, even if it's not in English!

I'm back online!

2010-03-23T11:42:00.000-04:00

Computers! Sometimes I hate them as much as I love them.
Our desktop got a Trojan virus, which started eating all the execute files. That's what runs the programs. We scrambled and copied my important files onto a flash drive.
Next we updated the virus protection on the laptop, since it hasn't been used since daughter #2 replaced it with an Apple, the virus protection was 40 months out-of-date! Then loaded an Office program to the laptop. Next we loaded the files from the flash drive onto the laptop. Then we were ready to give the go-ahead to the shop to wipe the hard drive. That was tough, I know that I lost a lot of important stuff, including some crochet patterns that I had paid to download.
Hubby retrieved on old desktop from the basement and hooked it up, but it wasn't even "better than nothing". I couldn't get anything done on it.
Daughter #2 downloaded wi-fi drivers from the Internet to her computer, to the flash drive, to the old lap top. Then I was driving to Borders almost daily to check my email. Most of the time I did not get to read it, I just made sure that the wasn't something urgent that I had to take care of, and then sort some emails into files to be read later. When daughter #1 arrived home, she set up her wireless router so that we could all use wi-fi at home.
I now have my desktop computer back, and have slowly been transferring things back from laptop to desktop. I've also spent time online, and have started bookmarking favorites.
Less time driving to & from Borders, and setting up & putting away the laptop, I can get back to my email, my blog, and crocheting!

2010 Knit & Crochet Show

2010-03-17T00:05:00.000-04:00

Here is a post that I made on our CGOA Chapter's site on Yahoo groups. I thought that some readers might benefit from the "reasons to review the available classes, even if you don't plan to attend the Conference".

Offinger has posted the information about the Knit and Crochet Show in Manchester, New Hampshire this July. The Conference includes the CGOA Chain Link, The Knitting Guild Conference and the Market. Information on Professional Development for both the CGOA and the KGOA, and classes for both organizations is availble here: "Knit & Crochet Show" Registration starts at the end of March.

I know that many of you will not be able to make it to the Conference. But, take the time to review the classes available. It will give you a larger view of what you can do in crochet and knitting. And you can start learning about the big names in crochet. Maybe you'll get some ideas of what you'd like to do in Chapter meetings this year.

Crochet for charity?

2010-03-08T02:49:00.001-05:00

Like many crocheters, I like to help others with my craft if I can. I make shawls and lapghans for a Shawl Ministry, make blocks for Warm Up America, create scarves for the Special Olympic Winter Games, make chemo hats and hats for premmies at the local hospital, and make hats and baby sweaters for a local group. Sometimes when a tragedy strikes somewhere in the world, I think about how I can help. Do they need hats, scarves or blankets in their climate?
It's also fun to bring ideas to our Tuesday night Crochet in Public group and to the CGOA Chapter. Then I have friends and we can encourage each other, and mail everything in one big box. But, I don't always have time to search for new charities, and to assess their needs and authenticity. Bernat now has a team and a website to help, check out the new Bernat website, "BernatCares"

Want your crochet a little edgier?

2010-03-08T02:48:00.001-05:00

There's a new digital crochet magazine called Tension. Along with crochet patterns and articles, there are recipes and articles about crafts. The photos are fabulous, and the writing, too. This month's issue includes a pattern for a pillow in Tunisian, and features a fun interactive where you can change the main color and contrasting color and see what combinations you like best.

Decorating an old house?

2010-03-04T12:45:00.001-05:00

This artist has created a different fiber art design for each riser on her staircase:
"Life in an old House"
Creative!
I love the sheep, and the log cabin squares, and the crochet motifs.

Love doilies?

2010-03-04T12:44:00.000-05:00

This artist collects old doilies and uses them in her artwork. I love the lithography. It's a shame that she cuts some of them up.
"doily art"

National Crochet Month

2010-03-02T13:20:00.000-05:00

March is National Crochet Month!
I need to brainstorm and make a list of activities & ways to celebrate for our CGOA Chapter.

In the meantime, I think that I'll make short posts about fun things that I come across. Let's start with miniature dollhouse accessories. I think that I've written a long post on this at some time. Here's a link to a photo album of little afghans, and baby clothes.

Love miniatures and dollhouses? Here's some crocheted items, even some Tunisian, for your house:
"MaryBears Miniature Needlework"

Predator vs Prey Mittens

2010-02-24T23:57:00.000-05:00

Here's a very clever idea, warm mittens and puppet fun all in one. okay, technically two mittens. A lion and gazelle pair, a frog and fly, and a whale with a fish. This designer came up with a creative product.

Linked stitches

2010-02-15T17:46:00.000-05:00

I discovered a video of a linked stitch technique that creates two rows of dc at the same time. It's such a simple idea, and I took a class on linked stitches at the last conference, why didn't I think of this? Think how much faster you can make a scarf or afghan that involves row after row of dc's. I've just gotten an idea, must go play with hook and fiber!

How Knitting and Crocheting Make Us Better

2010-02-07T12:58:00.000-05:00

I discovered this blog on Lion Brand while meandering this morning. I don't think that I need to add a lot here, just read.

Crochet Stitch Markers

2010-02-05T15:16:00.000-05:00

Crocheters and Knitters need different kinds of stitch markers. Why? Well, in knitting the stitch marker goes onto the needle between stitches, not on the yarn. As you work a row or round, the stitch marker is left in place and slipped from one needle to the next. In crochet, the stitch marker is clipped onto the yarn at a specific stitch or space. The crocheter actually has to unclip the stitch marker, move it to the next row or round, and clip it on again. Knitting stitch markers can be closed "round rings", while crochet stitch markers need an opening, or a clip of some kind.
Some crocheters go with the "it's cheap, it's handy" idea and use scraps of a contrasting color yarn, paper clips, bobby pins or safety pins. These are all nice for the cheap and handy reasons. Over the decades, I've found things that I don't like about all of them. I'm willing to pay a few dollars for what I know is a very necessary tool.
Most yarn stores carry knitting stitch markers and most will carry the "Clover stitch markers". These look like safety pins, and are made of colorful plastic. I like them because they're easy to use, and usually contrast nicely with the colors of yarn that I'm using! If you drop one of these cheap plastic stitch markers and it escapes under the couch cushion or the Lazy-Boy, just grab another and go on with your project! You can retrieve it later.
I also have some lovely bead stitch markers, hand made by a fellow CGOA Chapter member. These look elegant on a project in the works. But I usually will not use them on a project that I may carry to the Shawl Ministry get-togethers or the Tuesday evening Crochet in Public. If I lost one, I'd be more than sad.

If you'd like to have some lovely beaded crochet stitch markers, check "these".

crochet clip art

2010-02-03T16:41:00.001-05:00

A reader left a comment on a previous post, asking about crochet clip art. I've spent most of the day looking for some good clip art. In my searches, I'm surprised at how often the search term "crochet" brings up pictures of yarn and knitting needles. But a bigger surprise is that term bringing pictures of croquet mallets. People don't know the difference between a croquet mallet and a crochet hook?!

I finally hit the jackpot and found a great source of pictures of crochet, crochet hooks, crochet fabrics, etc. Enjoy looking "clip art"

Tip - Border for granny square afghans

2010-01-31T14:28:00.000-05:00

I'm very busy "behind the scenes" right now. I have a lot of reading, writing, editing, etc while trying to get our spring weekend crochet event up and running. I can't write very much here about that, and it would be rather boring to the average reader, so I'm looking for fun things to share.

"Here" is a great blog entry about adding borders to granny square afghans and a tip to make the border smooth. I think that it's a great tip.
While there, look closely at the lovely yarn she's using in this afghan. The colors are lovely, the yarn is smooth and has a little sheen. In the close up photo, you can see each strand in the plied yarn, which makes me think that it might be Microspun.

Learn to Crochet

2010-01-24T01:41:00.000-05:00

Today our church's shawl ministry held a "Learn to Crochet and Learn to Knit" workshop. We had a great turnout, and great "teacher" to student ratio. Some people worked one-on-one, but I had a group of 5 - some totally new to crochet and some just needing a refresher. I had prepared a 10 page handout of simple instructions, and had plenty of hooks and worsted weight yarn to demonstrate. I also got the chance to show some basic Tunisian stitches.
I had the chance to talk about the up-coming Gathering of the Guilds, and our Chapter's Crocheters' Weekend in April.
The workshop was such a success that afterwards we talked about holding another one.

invisible sc decrease

2010-01-20T07:10:00.000-05:00

Here's the best tip that I've come across in a long time. This blogger has a short tutorial on how to make an invisible sc decrease in an amigurumi. But, it's such a fabulous, invisible decrease, we should be using it in all kinds of projects, especially garments.

Knit to Crochet, it's not simple

2010-01-18T00:22:00.001-05:00

Have you ever seen a lovely garment that you wanted to crochet, and then found out that the pattern is for knitting? I know that I have. The next step might be an attempt to recreate the garment in crochet. How does that work out? "Here's" a blog entry about a crocheter with this situation, and how she did crochet that garment.

2010-01-17T00:56:00.000-05:00

"You say it's your birthday
It's my birthday too--yeah"

For at least part of the day, that Beatles' song has been floating through my head. But I also thought about different people singing different songs for birthdays. My oldest brother's family sings The Eagles' Seven Bridges Road
"There are stars
In the Southern sky
Southward as you go
There is moonlight
And moss in the trees
Down the Seven Bridges Road"

And our two daughters have chosen Blessid Union of Souls' It's Your Day (Bronson's Song).
"It's your day
Colored pictures from the kid's
Across the way
And the animals are curious today
As if life is just a candle wish away
Wish away
It's your day
Candles burning more than you would like to say
Send the conversation way the other way
Did you find another silver line today
Or is it gray"

Is everyone one singing a birthday song now? We're singing because today was my birthday. I had a day filled with fun, family, friends, food, f f...no yarn, hooks, and beads. (All the fun things don't start with the letter f!) At Friday's event planning meeting, someone mentioned that there was a Hobby Lobby in Chambersburg. After much disbelief, discussing, and online searching, we found out that's true; and someone mentioned a trip for today. Then it was suggested that we go to the Yarn Basket, also. So 3 of us planned to meet at noon. Just before leaving the house, I got a call and the suggestion that we hadn't discussed whether we'd have lunch before meeting or while together, did I want to go to Panera Bread. So we met at Panera Bread for lunch, then to Yarn Basket. Fabulous store, we had a great time shopping and selecting yarns, booklets and buttons. The owner had recently pulled a lot of old patterns from the store selection and gave each customer a few in her bag. Then on to the Hobby Lobby, which was only 3 minutes down the road. They had a great collection of soft yarn. I think that we all agreed that "I Love This Yarn", my favorite might be "I Love This Cotton". We filled the cart with yarn and hooks, before venturing over to check out the beads and jewelry fixings. We each added beads to the cart, and a good selection of items needed for the Make It-Take It Project of the Gathering of the Guilds. We had talked about good ice cream shops while eating lunch, and found out in Hobby Lobby that there was an ice cream shop locally. We decided that would be the perfect ending to our birthday celebrating. And the custard we all selected in cones was delicious!

I arrived home to find that hubby had a cheesecake in the oven - birthday tradition. And a necklace from daughter #1. Then hubby offered to take me out to dinner, on the way we stopped at the mall, and he bought a necklace for me with a diamond pendant!

That's not enough birthday fun? At the restaurant, the server complimented me on the crocheted sweater I was wearing and said that she knew a few stitches, but wanted to learn more. I told her that I knew where she could do that, and gave her information about the Guild.

I hope that your birthday is as great as mine was!

Chapter Happenings

2010-01-12T01:54:00.000-05:00

Here's a post that I started in mid-December:
"Friday night our event planning committee meet again, we're trying to meet weekly from now until the big weekend."

Yep, that's all that I managed to write. But I guess that's okay, because that's exactly what I was thinking about writing this time, too.

Our CGOA Chapter is going to be very busy for the beginning of the year. Last year we participated in the local Gathering of the Guilds. (see post of March 3, 2009). To promote the Gathering, the sponsoring Guild - The Keystone Lace Guild - has a booth at the PA Farm Show. This week is Farm Show Week - and surprise, we have Farm Show Weather! So, we've been busy filling out the paper work for the Gathering, and planning a Make It and Take It Project. Yesterday morning, two members did a crochet demonstration at the Farm Show and spent the afternoon manning the booth, and crocheting preemie hats to donate to Hershey Medical Center. I arrived late in the afternoon to help man the booth, and started some thread work. I made a pineapple motif, after it's blocked I'll add a long tail to create a bookmark. I hope to make a stack of these for door prizes at the Gathering.
I had an interesting crochet experience with a very young boy who came, alone, to look at what I was doing. I showed him the pineapple and how I did a few stitches, and he seemed interested, so I tried to find a hook and yarn for him to try some crochet. Unfortunately, I didn't have any worsted weight yarn in my bag, because I wasn't doing any demos, all I had was #10 thread. But I got out a ball of thread, and a large hook and showed him how to do some chains. Then let him try it out. I think that he only managed to create one chain, but he had a grin the whole time. I was a little concerned that no parent seemed to be missing this child, but I soon saw that mom was at a booth catty-corner to ours and was watching & smiling. When the boy got up to leave, she mouthed "thank you!" But really, I had as much fun as he did!

The Gathering of the Guilds is an opportunity to share our needlework interests with the community, and a chance to tell people about our Guild. In preparation for the Gathering, we are planning our Make It/ Take It. It's an introduction to crochet with a small project that the students should be able to finish in 1 hour. We will be making up kits for each student. So our January Chapter meeting will be making one of the projects, discussing ways to make it as easy as possible, and then assembling the kits.

Our February meeting will probably be preparing displays for the Gathering, and possibly making some items to sell. We don't know the theme for this year. Last year's was Under the Sea, and Justine crocheted some fabulous shells, and Faith made a beach themed scarf.

The Gathering is February 27th. For more information, check out "the website".

March is National Crochet Month. We usually put together a display for the library where we hold our meetings. With on-going construction and parking lot paving at the library, I can't remember how long it's been since we've met there. I need to find out if they want a display this year. I also need to finalize meeting room plans for the year.

Then April - It's official - The First Annual Crocheters' Weekend will be held April 23rd and 24th at the Church of the Brethren in Mechanicsburg! Friday night we will have a market, book signing, crochet clinic, swap room and display. On Saturday, we will have all those events, plus classes. Our big name teachers are "Margaret Hubert" and "Dee Stanziano". Several of our Chapter members will also be teaching, including my introduction to Tunisian crochet; Justine teaching hairpin lace, and a class aimed at teens; and a young lady who will be teaching a beginner crochet class just for kids. Lunch and childcare will be available, so you can make a full day of crochet!

Our planning meetings have produced a letter for yarn shops to display and handout, a registration form, and a brochure is almost finished. I'm working on getting a website up and running, although that's not at all my skill set. I'll post the website here when things are ready.

In the meantime, I'd like to step away from the computer, the word processing programs, the note taking at meetings, etc. and get my hook back into some yarn!

Holiday catching up

2010-01-01T03:51:00.000-05:00

It looks like this might be a "snowier-than-usual" December. We had about 4 inches fall Wednesday night into Thursday morning. It looks very "Christmasy"
Daughter #2 arrived home from her year-long work assignment on Wednesday evening. We had a newsy, laughter-filled dinner out with friends.

Tonight, New Year's Eve for many, was Christmas for our family. We watched our usual Peter, Paul & Mary Holiday Concert, drank hot cocoa, and exchanged presents; and then had a traditional New Year's celebration of a family game, this year it was Apples to Apples. Then we watched about 15 minutes of the New Year's Celebration and count down on the Internet.

2009 was an interesting year for me, there were a lot of changes with jobs; some planned, some a surprise. Crochet-wise there were things planned that never got completed, projects that were finished fabulously, and things that came serendipitously. It looks like 2010 will be starting that same way! Our Chapter, Those Yarn Crocheters, Harrisburg Chapter of the CGOA will be very busy for the first four months of the year. I promise to write more very soon.

Here's hoping that everyone had a fabulous year in 2009, and wishes that 2010 is even better!

Snow, (not crochet) our story continues

2009-12-22T02:49:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I shoveled off my car. No, that's not an incorrect preposition. We did not shovel OUT the car, we shoveled OFF the car. We actually took the snow shovels to the car and took 4-6 inches off with each shovelful, until we got down to an inch or two left. Then I was able to open the door and get a pair of gloves, and search unsuccessfully for the scraper/brush that I know was under the front seat. Wonder where it traveled? Daughter #1 took pictures of the car & snow and part of the removal process.

We had to go out and pick up some prescriptions, and decided to get take out from Noodles & Co. rather than take Grandma out to a restaurant or brave the grocery store. We were afraid that it would be too much like Friday night before the snow. The Noodles & Co. was just a store or so away from the drug store, and then there was a Starbucks. One of 2 that we had stopped at Friday evening, only to find them closed. So we returned with hot dinners and Starbucks Peppermint Mochas. A satisfactory meal after shoveling off and out after the blizzard of '09.

MIL & I were sitting at the table chatting after dinner while #1 took a hot bath, and I suddenly heard a "clock ticking" in the hallway. There's no clock there, not one anywhere that I would hear. So what was I hearing? Water dripping! In the hall closet? Unbelievably, that is exactly what was happening. Water was coming from a pipe within the wall on the 2nd floor, running down the wall inside the closet, collecting on the door sill, and then dripping on the hardwood floor. I grabbed a roll of paper towels and took up residence in the closet while yelling upstairs to "quit whatever you're doing". We left the tub full of water, and a bucket under the drip, and spent today with the plumbers.

Plans are now to leave tomorrow. I'm getting Starbucks before I start the trip.

Interesting things

2009-12-20T02:48:00.001-05:00

Interesting Fact: 10 million tons of snow fell on DC in one day (Saturday)

Interesting Detail: Guess where I was at that time.

Interesting Story about Travel Plans: Daughter #1 needs a formal gown for an opera gala opening night in February. She did a lot of shopping on her drive home recently, and we've shopped out the Harrisburg, PA area without much luck. Why is everyone around here carrying only knee length dresses with rouching and bling? We finally spent an evening at a bridal shop with her trying on bridesmaids dresses, a few possibilities. So we planned a fabulous shopping expedition on the way to spend a weekend with her Grandmother (my MIL). We originally planned to leave on Saturday, but our weather forecast said chance of snow. 2 scenarios - a dusting or about 5 inches. So we changed plans and drove on Friday, shopping in York and Baltimore, getting dinner and arriving at destination before the snow started about 11 pm.

I woke up this morning with the snow still falling. I shoveled the front steps and sidewalk, and came in to watch the snow fall for the rest of the day. News reports say about 16 inches where we are staying.

Interesting things to do when snowed in, not in the plans, not at your own house: Luckily I brought along a variety of things to entertain myself. I have a laptop that I've inherited from daughter #2. I discovered that it doesn't have any word processing software, well not discovered, I was rudely reminded that the software is sitting on my computer desk at home. I did try to write a blog entry and a few other things on notepad, then decided it might be easier to write it with old fashioned paper and pencil, and type it later at MIL's computer.
I also brought along the latest issue of Interweave Crochet which arrived in the mail on Thursday. This issue has a focus on Tunisian crochet, articles and patterns, so I'll stay busy with that. Lucky me, I also have an issue of Crochet! magazine because I was thinking of swatching some yarn and a pattern. Today I watched an old Cary Grant movie with MIL, helped cook dinner with daughter, and watched a documentary/musical about Peter, Paul & Mary and folk music.
Tomorrow there might be crochet time after again shoveling the front porch and sidewalk, and then the driveway, and uncovering my car.

I'm thinking that we might be able to drive home on Monday or Tuesday, but we were planning to come back down again Friday night for Christmas. Maybe it doesn't make sense to drive home. But I hadn't finished decorating the tree, baking cookies, ...

Book recommendations from the children's section of the library

2009-12-14T02:33:00.000-05:00

I've always been an avid reader, and don't limit myself to adult fiction. In fact, I love a great picture book and I like to read the magazine The Reading Teacher for recommendations of new books. I also like to browse the new books in the library, children, young adult, fiction, and non-fiction. Saturday I discovered a new picture book titled "Mr. Nick's Knitting", by Margaret Wild. The story is about a man who knits on the train each day to and from work, and the woman, Mrs. Jolley, who sits next to him and knits. They discuss yarn, and help each other with knitting problems; while enjoying the sights from the train. Mrs. Jolley gets very sick and has to spend a long time in the hospital, and Mr. Nick misses her company on the train each day. Mr. Nick creates a wonderful gift for Mrs. Jolley. It's a very touching story.

I also discovered the latest in the American Girls series. Now, when my girls were younger, #2 and I loved this series, and we kept up with all the new books, and the new girls as they were added to the series. It's been a while, and I found they've added 3 new girls. The latest is a girl who lives in New York City, and is set in 1914, before America becomes involved in World War I. In the first book "Meet Rebecca" by Jaqueline Dembar Greene, the story involves a crochet hook and some thread!

Today's Knitting Daily

2009-12-11T13:52:00.000-05:00

You might be surprise where your next crochet idea, inspiration or project will come from. I subscribe to the email newsletter Knitting Daily, not because I'm such a knitting fan, but because knitting and crocheting are related fiber arts. I learn so much from the videos, things like finishing on garments and buttonholes (the concepts are the same even if the stitches differ), and information about fabulous yarns, and links to patterns.

Today's Knitting Daily had a link to a video where Norah Gaughan talks about geometric concepts and knitting. She has some fabulous sweaters designed from hexagons and tessellations! The blue-purple sweater has a diagonal bodice with a diagonal ribbed skirt, lovely construction...I almost wish that I could knit a lot better. ah, but wait, it's shape is rather basic...Tunisian?
The link to the video is in the title of this post.

Norah also talks about and shows a little about how to make a stellated dodecahedron tree topper or toy. Okay, you're not math geeks, it's a 12 pointed star that's knitted and stuffed. "Here's" a pattern for the crochet version. This might be a Christmas project. Or a toy for a baby shower. Wouldn't that be a very different gift?

Where will your next crochet inspiration come from? Keep your eyes and mind open to new possibilities.

Ornament Exchange

2009-12-09T15:44:00.000-05:00

Last night our "crochet in Public" group had their 2nd Annual Christmas Ornament Exchange. This is the group of crocheters and knitters, (actually anyone who does any kind of needlework) who meet every Tuesday evening at Borders. We drink coffee (Peppermint Mocha Trio for me!), check out the new magazines and books, talk, show off some of our latest projects, and do some stitching, too!
For the Ornament exchange, each person who wanted to participate made or bought an ornament ($10 limit). Then each package had a number taped to it, duplicate numbers were dropped into a gift bag. Then each person drew a number and picked up that numbered package. We went around the tables with each person opening their gift and showing the ornament around & finding who gave the ornament.
I spent a lot of time thinking about what I might make, and changing my mind repeatedly. I finally crocheted a red mitten with a white cuff and snowflake on the front. The white was done in the glow in the dark yarn that I've been enjoying as it sits on my lamp table, waiting for just the right project. The pattern is from Coats & Clark. "Snowflake mitten"
The ornament that I opened was a miniature knitted sock. It was beautiful, and I know that it took a lot of time and talent. With my allergies, though, I did have to ask...turns out it was made with a sock yarn containing wool. Someone offered to trade with me. I got a crocheted bag that's shaped like a ball ornament, it's a great size to drop a small bag of Cebelia thread in so that I can crochet on the go. The bag had a lot of small crocheted ornaments inside - 2 stars, 3 mints, and a pinecone. I was told that the pattern was on-line, and I found it easily today. It looks very easy, and you still have time to make some pinecones for your tree. Here's the link: "crocheted pinecone ornament".

Maggie Weldon's Lace Pottery in Southern Living

2009-12-02T17:14:00.000-05:00

Maggie Weldon's lace pottery is featured in a section of the December 2009 issue of Southern Living Magazine. Unfortunately, I don't have a subscription to that magazine any longer. It was just a little too southern for this Pennsylvanian. I'll have to check out the magazine section next time I'm in Borders. I toured Maggie's studio when I was in NC last year, it was quite impressive (see blog entry of August 9, 2008). I loved the pottery and drooled over some of the large platters and bowls. I did buy two small pieces to bring home and display. One is a saucer, about 6 inches across, the other a bowl about 10". Here is a picture of the larger piece that I purchased, it's called "Victorian Elegance".Both are a pretty blueish color (my friends are surprised by the color choice...not!) I loved the Lotus bowl with those lovely fan borders. I just now fell in love with the "Affinity" Look at those lovely pineapples!

Take the time to check out the December issue of Southern Living for the picture of one piece of pottery. Then head over to Maggie Weldon's Lace Pottery website to see even more. This is really a unique look for crochet! True artistry!

2009 60 Scarves in 60 Days Challenge

2009-12-02T02:46:00.000-05:00

Well, yesterday was officially the last day of the Challenge. Tonight I finished scarf number 3. The first was in Red Heart Super Saver in a pale pink, and used Dee Stanziano's new stitch pattern Tumbling Clusters. It uses the technique that Dee taught in a Chain Link class in Buffalo this summer. Fabulous class! I thought of several things to make with some linked stitches. Anyway, I bought Dee's pattern for the "Tumbling Clusters Autumn Scarf" and made a slight adjustment for a narrower scarf.

The 2nd and 3rd scarf are both made with Bernat Satin in Flamingo pink. That's a fun color, and a very soft yarn. For me it splits a little too much. If I hadn't planned to make scarves for Breast Cancer Awareness in October, I think that I would have found a different yarn. But for this project, the bright pink was just too perfect. I bought the Satin online and fell in love with another darker pink called Mai Tai, and bought 3 skeins of it. So I'm going to have to think up a project of two to use with this yarn!

I posted to our CGOA Chapter group and asked them to send me an email with the number of scarves that each had completed. When I get totals I need to post them to the Ravelry group for the 60 Scarves Challenge, and get their total. Then I'll post the total for the entire Challenge to our group site.

Last year we made blue & white scarves for Special Olympics Winter Games.
This year pink scarves for Breast Cancer Awareness (they'll go to Hershey Medical Center).
I wonder what cause we'll make scarves for next year for Dee's 60 Scarves in 60 Days Challenge?

Reading that's related to my crochet, and yet not about crochet

2009-11-21T15:58:00.001-05:00

I hope that title whets your appetite.
I'm reading some interesting books and magazine articles right now. They're not crochet books, or anything about crochet; and yet, they are relating to my crochet life.
I mentioned the audio that I was listening to, "How to Prepare a Winning Proposal" by Pat Cramer. That's related to an online class that I took. I also read a book titled "How to Write Irresistible Query Letters", by Lisa Collier Cool. What's a Query Letter you ask? Good question! A query letter is when you write to a publication, editor, etc and say "I have this great idea, it's great because.., I think you'd be interested, and I think that I'm the perfect person to implement this great idea because...".
I recently read "You can Write and Publish a Book" by John Bond. By the Way, the little "quizzy thing" said "Go for It!" Before that I read a great book called "How to Toot your Own Horn without Blowing it". That's about marketing yourself and your ideas. I really enjoyed reading that and working the little "think abouts" and activities. I found this to be fascinating, and chock-full of good advice. I think everyone should read it!
I have pages of notes on these books, along with several notebooks of other notes. I'm hoping that I can make all these ideas come together the way I'm thinking.

Readers - is there anything that you're reading that's related to your crochet, and yet is not a crochet book? I'm interested in hearing all about it.

Technology

2009-11-16T13:51:00.000-05:00

Don't you just love technology? Scientists are always coming up with new ideas, it's fascinating!
Now, I'm not talking about cell phones, gps and Twitter. I'm talking some fiber-related tech. I bought several skeins of the Bernat Glow in the Dark Yarn. I didn't have any projects planned, but thought I might add some as accents in a piece. Basically, I just wanted to play with it! I have the skeins in a small earthenware mixing bowl sitting on my lamp table. When I finish crocheting or reading in the evening (okay late at night!) I turn out the lights and the yarn glows! It's fun, every single day.

Now, Susan Bates has come up with "glow in the dark knitting needles". Oh, not those ones that were out a year or so ago that required batteries, and therefore had these big heads on them. These have the glow in the dark built right in to the plastic/acrylic component of the needles.
I just did a little more searching, and found the "crochet hooks!"

New to me Designer

2009-11-15T21:04:00.000-05:00

I think that I've discovered a new favorite designer! I recently found these "adorable Mary Jane booties" on Ravelry, and had to purchase the PDF pattern. Aren't they just fab! And the color combinations, what an eye for design. Tonight I've come across several other sets of adorable booties, "Little Button Loafers" and "2Strap Mary Janes". I love the white with the pastels, and these adorable pastel heart buttons. These designs are by Sylvia Schuchardt. Great job Sylvia!!

You probably need to be a Ravelry member to see these links, but you should be a Ravelry member anyway!

It's that time of year!

2009-11-15T02:41:00.001-05:00

No, I don't mean that it's time to sort through your recipe box and find your favorite pumpkin pie or cranberry salad recipe. It's time to sort through your pattern books, printouts, and websites to find your favorite snowflake patterns!

Our CGOA Chapter has decided that they want the November meeting to be "how to make" snowflakes. Along with tips on how to work with thread (for those new to thread), and how to follow the patterns (which are different from long rows in an afghan or sweater), I want to discuss finishing, unusual beginnings and endings of rows, and do a demonstration on blocking.

I have a folder of patterns from last year. I should look through those, and select several that are easy, then post those links on our Chapter site. I have also pulled out all my thread books and leaflets, I have several with snowflakes and other Christmas ornaments. I could post a list of the leaflet names in the group database, also. Next, I'm going to make several examples, and have two of the same showing the difference in the blocked and not blocked. While watching reruns of Lost tonight (it's an obsession!) I pulled out thread and made the first 2009 snowflake! Well, for me. Colorado has plenty of snowflakes very early this year.

After I finish several and have a blocking party, I'll get some pictures posted here.

To get us started - here's a window that I've got open on my computer. I need to find time to review these. It's on Crochetville, and they've had a "snowflake a week CAL" for 2008 and 2009. I wonder how I didn't find this earlier? Anyway, I hope you have time to look at some of the great snowflake patterns, and maybe make a few for decorating your tree, or windows, or a wreath. They make great tie ons to Christmas packages, or a little gift to tuck inside your Christmas, New Years or seasonal cards.

Crochet pattern ad - Did you catch the boo-boo in the ad?

2009-11-05T15:11:00.000-05:00

Here's another short post of something funny that I found while "surfing". Annie's Attic is having a clearance sale, with pages of crochet-related stuff on sale. That's worth searching through!

So I found a crocheted top that I like, (note-remove that silly drawstring!) and spent some time thinking about the yarn, color, size, cost, etc. The pattern is right there (add to cart), they recommend 2 different yarns and look you can order the yarn right there (add to cart), but with the yarn information, there's something funny going on! For each yarn they have a choice of size and how many balls of yarn you will need (to make it super easy to add to cart). Then each yarn gives information about what size knitting needle to use, and the knit gauge. Hello, AA!! That's a crochet pattern! What size crochet hook do we need to buy? (why can't we add to cart?) What's the crochet gauge? Who put together this ad? Who did the copy proof on this ad? Where's the crochet employee who should have caught this blunder?

Miniature crocheted dogs

2009-11-05T14:03:00.000-05:00

I think that these dogs are just adorable!
Can you just imagine the time that it takes to make these little guys? I can!
I really love to browse online and look at the miniature crochet things, especially the little dogs and bears. But little items for doll houses are fun.

When we lived in New Jersey, I had a friend (Chris) who had a lovely dollhouse, hand made by her husband. She was into all kinds of crafts and made furniture, curtains and little items for the house. But she also made some miniatures in many multiples and sold them at a local indoor market. Well, sometimes she sold them, most of the time she used them in trade for ceramic bathtubs, Victorian couches and other items for her doll house!

Chris and I loved doing crafts together, and often taught one-another a craft that we knew. Some of the things that we did - crocheting, knitting, cross-stitching, needlepoint, crewel embroidery, bead flowers, paper quilling, candle making, stained glass, cake decorating, candy making, ... I still have a needlepoint that I made, and her husband made the frame & framed it for me. I also have a miniature bakery wall hanging. I made the bread, rolls, cakes, etc from bread dough and a tiny plastic mold. Then I hand decorated some of the miniature cakes. That was fun! I also made some miniature cakes from slices of wooden dowel, painted them and added dried flowers. I think that I even sold some of the miniature cakes at that doll house store in the market.

If I had the time, space and organization skills,...I'd love to make a doll house. I could crochet miniature doilies, and bedspreads, that should be quicker than a full-sized bedspread, but I'd probably need to use size 50 thread! How about a little miniature bear on the bed? Dream on...

Fall leaves doilies

2009-11-05T13:37:00.000-05:00

I have several posts started, one about where I've been and what I've been doing. That post will be long, and I'm not sure when it will be finished and posted. In the meantime - there will be a couple of short posts on some pretty crochet things that I've found around the Internet.

This blogger posted some colorful, fall shots of Long Island. The scenery and photos were inspiration for some crocheted fall leaves. It looks like this designer started with working in rounds for a typical doily, and then started "short rows", turning and working in rows or partial rounds to create these lovely leaves. They're lovely just as works of art! But they could be used for coasters, doilies, or made larger for fall placemats.

What has inspired your recent crochet projects?

Beautiful pineapple doilies

2009-11-03T22:52:00.000-05:00

Wow! These doilies are beautiful and very different from the usual round doily. I really love pineapple doilies, and this designer has created some unique designs. What more can I say? Just click on the link and enjoy these beauties.

Making progress

2009-10-13T07:16:00.000-04:00

This week I've been trying to finish up a few of the WIPs that are stacked on my couch. I've been working steadily on the Tunisian Shells and Columns baby blanket, and a Tunisian Feather & Fan baby blanket. The F&F is white fingering weight and will go to the church Shawl Ministry for a christening blanket. I started this so long ago (in crochet time) that I had forgotten how to do the fancy stitch pattern and had to pull out the pattern. Then I kept messing up and coming up with funky stitch counts. On Sunday I probably ripped out as many rows as I put in for several hours, then finally got it together and made progress. I took this project to the Shawl Ministry last night and finished several more rows. It will be finished soon!

Since swatching the sock yarns, I'm tempted to crochet a pair of socks, but I better finish up some other projects first. I've driving to NC tomorrow, so I'm stocking my crochet bag for a vacation. I probably won't get a lot of time to crochet, but I need to have something on hand in case my fingers get the itch. Also, my niece emailed and asked if I'd help her with some pattern adjustments in her crochet project.

Swatching non-wool sock yarns

2009-10-07T18:47:00.000-04:00

Kertzer's On Your Toes Bamboo
Content: 75% bamboo, 25% nylon
Care: Machine wash and dry
Origin: Made in Turkey
Put Up: 100 grams/3.5 ounces
Yardage: 328 yards/300 meters
WPI: 15
Needle/Hook recommendation: 3mm/US 3, no crochet hook recommendation
Cost: $12.60 at LYS

My colorway is a beige/blue. The yarn is super soft!

Bernat Sox
Content: 60% acrylic, 40% nylon
Care: machine wash and dry
Origin: Made in Turkey, Packaged in Canada
Put Up: 100 grams/3.5 ounces
Yardage: 425 yards/388 meters
WPI: 14
Needle/Hook recommendation: 3.25mm/US 3, D crochet hook
Cost: $6.35 at AC Moore

The colorway that I selected is "Hippi Hot" a medium blue/aqua/lime/pink. It's not quite as soft, either in surface texture or "squishiness".

Cascade Fixation
Content: 98.3% cotton, 1.7% elastic
Care: cold wash, dry flat
Origin: Made in Brazil
Put Up: 50 grams
Yardage: 186 yards (spandex) /100 yards (relaxed)
WPI: 11 relaxed
Needle/Hook recommendation: 4.5 US 7/ Label says 1.75, which is a steel 6. That's not right. I'd say a 2.75, C or a 3 D would be best.
Cost:

I bought a minty-green, and then a variegated with green, pink, purple and white. Think Easter and spring time!
This yarn is thicker than the others, but it has super stretch. The trick is not stretching too much when crocheting, therefore leaving that nice stretch to help the socks hug your feet and legs.

I think that the On Your Toes bamboo feels the best and would be soft and the most comfortable for wearing, but I'd have to vote for the Cascade Fixation for it's great stretch and would stay up the best.

2009-10-05T14:17:00.000-04:00

I had an interesting weekend involving crochet. I spent a lot of the time working on swatches of various fibers. On Saturday our CGOA Chapter had a planning meeting, followed by an outing to a local yarn shop, and then lunch at Panera Bread. What a great time with friends, fiber and food!

The yarn Shop was Colonial Yarn Shop in Shiremanstown. This was only my second time in this LYS, the first was following the last planning meeting. The shop is small, but well organized and stuffed with beautiful fibers, beautiful samples, patterns and books. At the first outing I purchased 5 skeins of Second Time Cotton, to make another Short and Sweet Bolero (pattern by Angela Best). This time I needed a nice sock weight yarn, no wool! That's a little difficult, but the shop owner suggested this lovely bamboo - Kertzer's On Your Toes, which is 75% bamboo, 25% nylon. The skein is a generous 328 yards. After I finish my swatches, I may swatch a sock pattern, or maybe try it on a super small Tunisian hook. I think that I have a cabled G hook, that might be the beginning of the Tunisian/crohook swatching.

While swatching yesterday, I dropped my hook down beside the seat cushion of the LazyBoy. When it finally dropped out onto the floor, it looked like this:

Luckily, I keep at least two of every size hook (except the G7), so I was able to complete my swatch.
Today I'm finishing the last of this specific swatching project.