Crocheting With Friends

How do these things get started?  It is rarely my idea.  At least I don't think so.  There are a group of us who get excited about a pattern or "look" and then one person says the magic words and suddenly we have a small group knit/crochet - a - long.

Most recently, it was crochet.  One pattern, different yarns, different thoughts and we were off and running.  The crochet cowl we decided to make is huge.  Humongous.  Very long and wide.  Thus, you will not be surprised to find out that I shortened the thing.  Not in half like another in our motley group because I still wanted it to work doubled and be easy to pull over my head.  But math (with the help of two other number-type people) was done.

Just looking at the width on the pattern was scary, so I nixed repeating rounds and came up with the perfect size for me. 

The thing about the cowl that is most notable is the edging.  What looks like crochet bobbles is better described as closed clam shells.  It was a new stitch for me and I'm thrilled with the result.  Caution:  it takes a long time to work both edges; watch a movie and get a rhythm going.

About the yarn - also new for me.  This is Cascade Roslyn which is a wool and silk.  And I like it.  A lot.  Great for crochet work and I hear that it knits very well.

So, new math skills to reduce size of cowl, a new stitch for bobble edging and a new yarn to love.  No wonder I'm hooked.

What The Mesh?

There is a lot of mesh happening lately.  My inbox is filled with knit & crochet patterns that feature mesh open work on all manner of items.  Even a quick walk into a clothing boutique and "holey" fabric is displayed for the season.  Apparently, I have jumped on the band wagon.

Look at this!  That there is a whole heap of mesh chains interrupted by little leaf stitches.  The pattern is Down The Garden Path by Michele DuNaier.

There are those who will say that I am a fast crocheter (and knitter).  But really, with all those chains and single crochets this pattern works up lickety-split.  The whole thing only took five days.  And that includes blocking and drying time.

The result of all the mesh is a huge and feminine crescent.  This one will not keep you warm in winter.  But it will add flirty charm to a sundress or similar summer ensemble.

There is one major problem with this finished project.  It is not for me.  All that luscious cotton - all that frilly flirty girly stuff - and it isn't for me.

Such is life. 

Mixing Stitchery

Combining crochet and knit in a project makes me happy.  Years ago, there was the ribbed skirt with the crochet edging.  I still love that one and wear it every winter.  More recently, the blue afghan was a fun way to connect sections with no seaming (or ends to weave in) at the end.

This weekend, I cast my eye at a left over ball of Noro with the few orphan bits of color from other balls and decided to try a hat that has been twirling through my mind.

 The  band is TSS (Tunision Simple Stitch) worked  to a length that was about three inches longer than needed to go around my head.  TSS makes a lovely chain on the edge which is just perfect for picking up stitches for knitting.  From there, I used my regular hat pattern and let the Noro Silk Garden do its thing.

Finishing was simple.  The  band was crossed over itself and pinned for a perfect fit.  The two buttons are non-functional, but really do add a bit of style and hold the band in place.  One large statement button would work also.  

Making this took one afternoon.  But it will probably take a few weeks of procrastination before I write up the pattern.  In the mean time, this will become my new charity hat pattern for the fall.  

SS Infinity Casts Off

 Daughter #1, she who crochets, has a new accessory.  And this mama is darn proud.

Quoth she:  [the pattern] recommends 20 rounds but I stopped at 15.  I'm little and easily overwhelmed.  Also used a different yarn but only because I tried to order what was recommended and only ugly colors were in stock even via the website.  So I used Redheart SOFT in LIGHT GREY HEATHER.  






Regardless the whole point of the pattern is loosey goosey and who cares because you're going to wrap and scrunch it around your neck anyway.

Way to go, Sarah!

Ruffle and Ruche

  The Critron is finally complete and will soon have a sister named Citron.  The most exciting part is that I have broken the curse of the color way repetition and branched out - sort of.

The beads in the photo are from the stash and would really pop on the solid color knit work.  Alas, me thinks them too heavy for the lace merino/silk blend.  You should be here to see me toss the ball of green and feel the weight as it delicately settles back in my palm like a spring leaf wafting down to the fresh grass.   Then I toss the ball of yarn with the beads wrapped around it.  Just a few beads (basic size 6 that I use so often) makes the yarn plunk down like a bag of rocks at a gem show.

So, there is a choice to be made.  Forgo the beads  - which don't exist in the pattern - or go shopping for smaller beads - which many have successfully incorporated according to Ravelry posts.

I have only one week to get this ruffle and ruche design knitted and blocked.  Both shawls are needed as samples to entice  good folk to join in a K/CAL* at Riverside Knitting Guild.

*Knit/Crochet A-Long

Same Thing, Different Result

Last year several posts were devoted to the quick, fabulous South Bay Shawlette from Lion Brand.  I made several and delighted in each.  That same stitch pattern is also used to crochet the New Lace Tunic from the same source.  

I'm making the tunic with the yarn from yesterday's post.  Having made the stitches before, it is almost too easy to create a rectangle.  The tunic, as it turns out, is just two rectangles seamed appropriately to create the effect.   The rows are churning out quickly and one hour of work produces as much lace as does twice that time spent on a new pattern.  

There just might be something to this whole repetition thing.  The brain is in balance and all cylinders are firing!

Thinking Required

Today should have been the end of my new summer sleeveless shell.  All that is need is to pick up stitches and work three rounds on each arm hole.  Very easy.  But alas, my brain started to explore possibilities.  Or perhaps the better description is that my brain started to think, "and then what?"

That is all it took.  How could I possibly finish the only project on needle or hook and be faced with nothing?  As previously confessed, I do not do well with nothing in the work stream.  Oh, yes.  My brain started thinking.  So, I sat and thought my way through back issues of favorite publications.  I made a pot of green tea with the hope that the thinking would be enhanced. 

I even - please insert your own huge gasp - checked out the stash for inspiration.

Nothing.  

I could not think of any  thing that made both my fingers and my brain happy.

I'm still thinking.  And hoping.  That inspiration is close at hand and  will present as just the perfect next project.  Because I really, really do want to finish the cotton shell and strut the simple beauty of cotton in the summer.

Encouragement is humbly solicited.

Ready For A Change In The Weather

Mother Nature has fooled me once again.  It is cooler than a cucumber this Spring morning.  Down near cold if you ask me.

Rather than fretting over the thermometer, I shall keep my eye fixed on the calendar and declare that it is time to switch from wintery felted fibers to summery plant fibers.  A few hours of edging and sewing yesterday was all it took to complete my new Summer Time bag.  

The pattern is a freebie!   Let's hear it for manufacturers and publishers who offer up so much free information.   Check out Sugar N Cream for this Crochet Bag.  The link is here.

I did make a few modifications to the pattern.  First, owing to my total length, the length of the straps was shortened.  No surprise there!   As you can see in the photos, I edged the entire bag with a lovely black to match the button that was languishing in the button stash.  (Yes, I have a stash of buttons also.  Don't you?  How many different stashes do I have?  Don't ask and I won't tell!)

After much debate, I finally decided that this fabric is solid and sturdy enough that a lining is not required.  Oh, to be sure it would be nice to open this bag and find a bright pink or orange pop of color.  But in the end, simplicity and quick finish won out.

 Although not specified in the pattern, a pocket seemed appropriate.  And, for flexibility, this pocket is made from several rows of double crochet.  The hdc of the body would have been very firm and unyielding when I try to cram way too many little things into the pocket.

All in all, this was a very pleasing project.  The pattern (again, Thanks to Lily and Bernat for the freebie!)  is excellent as written and easy to adapt to specific needs of the end user.

What will you be toting this summer??

Back To Basics

 The extended holiday weekend brought me back to the basics.  The basics of home decor and practical string work.

Bert needed a new lovey/play cloth.  He is rather protective of this new bright blue cotton.   If you look close, you'll see that his seed supply is covered up for safe keeping.  Sometimes it even becomes necessary to sit on top of the cloth so as to protect the food supply from some unseen seed thief.  

Although it does not show up here, and try as I might Bert would not pose appropriately, the bright blue does bring out the tips of his tail feathers.    He does so enjoy being a color coordinated flight of fashion.

The same simple crochet for Bert became new dish cloths for me.   Clicking on the photo might embiggen it and then you'll notice the texture.  These are just single crochet (sc).  The texture comes from working one sc in the back loop of the row below, the next sc in the front loop of the next stitch and repeat across.  A little bit more textural scrubby than plain single crochet.

All this new practical basic string work took just a few football games.  And - here is the joy of it all - no blocking required!

Getting Organized

Time to get organized for the new year. Not my favorite thing in the world, but every now and again an event or a thing inspires me to challenge the professional organizers on television. You might say that it was news of an event and the resulting gift that brought on my current need for neatness.

A phone call. Just a phone call with daughter #2 and I was shocked to discover that the man in her life gifted her with golf clubs. My daughter and golf! Who'd have ever thunk it. Well, as we all can attest, each new gift deserves another gift - often referred to as an accessory - so off to Ravelry I went and discovered a swift to crochet golf Tee Bag designed by Priscilla Hewitt.

Stash diving for a color that would not disappear when dropped on a golf course revealed left over Kollage Yummy in Miami colorway, which owing to it's 80/20 bamboo/merino nature makes it quite 'green'. It is important to go green to the greens, don't you know. And given where daughter is most likely to hit the links, going green is quite important.

Not more than half way through this very quick to make project the light bulb of inspiration flashed and I realized that this is way more than a golf tee bag. It is a marvel of design that goes far beyond the intended purpose.

It is an organizer for knitting needles and crochet hooks. Yes, indeed. An organizer. Why there is even a button hole that is just the right size for hanging from a hook placed on a wall, a bulletin board or (as I have done before) from one of those removable hooky things placed on the side of a desk. Brilliant. Flexible. Blog worthy. Gift worthy. And, I must confess, Show and Share worthy at your next guild meeting or knit/crochet gathering. Which of course I shared with the Riverside Knitting Guild just yesterday.

So now all thoughts and efforts are focused on making several hook and needle hangers to jump start the organizing efforts for 2009. I'm even dreaming of sewing two onto a place mat, spaced apart appropriately to hold the straights. I'm telling you this is practically a miracle pattern. Multi-use, quick to complete and a stash buster.

Click on over to Priscilla's patterns (link is above) and make one for yourself.

Free and Functional Stash Basket.

Working the lace for my Wild Blue Space Shuttle scarf kinda got to me. I just can't memorize the pattern, so I actually have to look at the chart every two rows. But it is OK because the scarf is working beautifully. And it should as it is a kit from Stefanie Japel.

A bit of rooting though the stash revealed the left over skeins from a recently completed sweater. There was just enough cotton/wool blend to crochet this quite useful little basket.

It measures about six inches square and even stands up and looks sturdy with just the edge folded down. This is single crochet worked over twenty-five stitches. Each side is twenty-four rows worked with an H hook.


I really like it. Free and Functional. Anytime a project can be completed using only the remains of other projects, it counts a free. Surely it does, doesn't it?

This will be quite useful for catching odds and ends like the extra phone charger that doesn't have a special home. I might just have to make another one or two.

Blogging Is Not My Whole Life

Some weeks are just too busy for adding to the Blog. This is surely one of them. I got off kilter early on with meetings.

First there was a strategic planning committee meeting and I missed it. More on that later. Then there was a budget and finance committee meeting. I really have to prep and focus for those. It is not my strong point, so I try to go into b&f with just the right level of caffeine, my files at hand, and a pen for notes.

Let's not forget the Riverside Knitting Guild meeting. After all, it was the third Tuesday. Our tip this time was on utilizing the Russian join. I truly enjoy simple ten minute tips and hints. Even when it is something I already have in the repertoire, it is useful to brush up on these things.

Second, there was surgery. My oldest daughter had a little problem. So there was driving an hour to meet her for the pre-op meeting and make sure we were on the same game plan as the surgeon. (That little excursion is why I missed the strategic planning committee meeting.) Then there was getting to the hospital early, prepping for the surgery and then the waiting. And waiting. I'll spare the details, but do know that her man friend was forced to sit in public view and hold the knitting while I frogged. It's hard to count to "2" when every footstep could signal the surgeon coming to give the news. But now it is over, she is past the hardest part, released from the hospital and firmly bedded down in my guest room trying to stay awake long enough to watch stupid movies. Chicken broth and jello - yum, yum.

Third, there is the boutique. Brockton Arcade here in Riverside, where Knit 'n Stitch holds a prime corner spot, is the location. We set up at 8:30 this morning.

There was a lovely young woman setting up her birdhouse decor items.

Riverside Knitting Guild was selling tickets for the afghan raffle. See how beautiful it is! Those are President Sue's pillows for sale.

I can't believe Sue would sell the flag coverlet. But she put a price on it and there it was - ready for a proud American to purchase.

My friend Lisa was a bit late in arriving and I did not get photos of her soap and lotion line. The big joke with Lisa is that after 3 or 4 years of loudly claiming she would never knit a washcloth - ever - what's the point - what a waste - - - - she is know producing washcloths like a knitting maniac. Turns out that people who like goat's milk soap also like organic cotton washcloths. What a concept!!

Of course I unpacked and then tried to set up - so it looked messy for a while. Eventually, I got all organized and pretty. You can't see it in this photo, but a nice coat rack was used to hold purses and make the whole area really look like a boutique.

Also helped Mitch out by watching over his sales while he went to his real paying job. Cool necklaces! Each and every one a 'gem'

The boutique runs all day Saturday as well. What kind of mother am I? I'm leaving the precious girl all stitched up and in the care of a father and a man friend who will likely spend the day munching and grunting at football. Oh, yeah. Now I remember. . . . . . .

Men who are not capable of pampering and caring are not real men.

Double Post Crochet Purse

The season has definitely changed. Even here in southern California the evenings are cool, the vista is crisp and pastel tints are being replaced with darker shades. Definitely time for a change in the wardrobe - including the bag de jour. That makes it a wonderful time to revisit a favorite of mine. Actually a design of my own.

The Post Modern Purse works great in solid cotton. The texture provided by the crochet post work is all that is needed to give subtle (OK maybe not so subtle) interest. Make it plain or embellish with ribbon. The choice is yours.

Post Modern Purse
Designed by Lenora François Stewart
copyright 2007

This modern and functional draw-string purse features front and back post double crochet panels. Scallop finishing and drapery cord closure add glamour making this lined purse perfect for day to evening.

Finished Measurements
Approximately 9” wide x 7” high x 3” deep (excluding handles)

Materials
• Butterfly Super 10 Mercerized Cotton light (dk) weight yarn (4.5 oz/250 yds/125g per skein) 2 skeins # 3429 merlot or equivalent substitution
• Size E/4/3.5mm crochet hook
• Wrights Home Collection 27” drapery tieback with tassel at each end
• 1/4 yd. lining fabric

Gauge
10 dc = 2 inches; 5 pattern rows = 2 inches

Special Stitches
fpdc (Front Post Double Crochet) yo (yarn over), insert hook from front to back and to front again around the vertical post (upright part) of next st, yo and draw yarn through, yo and complete dc.
bpdc (Back Post Double Crochet) yo (yarn over), reaching over top of piece and working on opposite side (right side) of work, insert hook from right to left around vertical post of next st, yo and draw yarn through, yo and complete dc.

Note
Front, bottom, and back are worked as one panel. Side gussets complete the purse shape.

Main Purse Panel
Chain 87
Row 1: dc in 4th chain from end and in each chain across, turn (85 sts)
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc throughout), dc each st across, turn (85 sts).
Row 3: rep Row 2
Row 4: Ch 3, dc across in top loop only, turn (85 sts)
Row 5: Ch 3, dc in next st, fpdc, [dc, fpdc] 16 times, 15 dc, fpdc, [dc, fpdc]16 times, 2 dc, turn. Note: The 15 dc will become the bottom of the purse
Row 6: Ch 3, dc in next st, bpdc, [dc bpdc] 16 times, 15 dc, bpdc [dc, bpdc] 16 times, 2 dc, turn.
Row 7: Repeat Row 5
Row 8: Repeat Row 6
Row 9: Repeat Row 5
Rows 10 – 16: Repeat Row 2
Rows 17 – 21: Repeat Rows 5 – 9
Row 22: Repeat Row 4
Rows 23 – 24: Repeat Row 2

Gusset
(Make 2)
Chain 37
Row 1: dc in 4th chain from end and in each chain across, turn (35 sts)
Rows 2 – 7: Ch 3 (counts as first dc throughout), dc in each dc across (35 sts)

Lining
Using Main Purse Panel and side gussets as pattern, cut one panel, and 2 gussets from lining fabric adding seam allowances. With RS facing, sew lining pieces together. Fold top edge 1/2” to WS and stitch in place. Set aside.

Finishing Purse
Holding wrong sides together, sc bottom edge of gusset to first 35 dcs of Main Purse Panel, sc side of gusset to the 15 dcs of bottom of purse, then sc top of gusset to next 35 dcs. Repeat for 2nd gusset.

Work Scallop Edge along top of purse as follows:
Sl st in any corner and work *5 dc in next space, sc in next space * Repeat from * around opening.

Beginning at middle of one gusset insert one tassel end of drapery tie; weave through under scallop stitches skipping from center of one post work panel to the center of the next post work panel to form handle; continue around to middle of second gusset. Repeat with second tassel end for 2nd handle. Tie cord together so tassels hang on one gusset end.

Slip stitch lining to inside of purse below scallop edge.