Bluebells and Crochet Hooks

Like a mad woman, I signed up for a year long crochet block class.  My crochet skills leave something to be desired.  I am trying to get better at crochet, trying I say.  The first block I am working on is called textured bluebells.  It has not been the easiest thing I have ever done, but I am soldiering on.

One of the hardest things has been figuring out what size crochet hook to use with the yarn.  I ended up making 3 blocks with 3 different size crochet hooks, G, H, and J.  The ball band said to use a J, but I didn't have enough yarn to make 8 blocks on the J hooks.  I tried the G hook, but it was too tight.  Finally, I tried the H hook.  On the H I will have enough yarn and the fabric had some give.  So yay for the H hook. 

3 Hooks, 3 Size Squares

I want this project to turn out well.  The end result will be an afghan called, Blue Horizons, utilizing 4 different squares.  I will also be able to crochet something more than a chain.  Hoping for a win.

My Summer Caking

This summer I spent much of my evenings and weekends looking for the St Louis 250 Birthday Cakes.  I traveled long and far to collect photographs of these crazy cakes.  It became this quest which required a list, google maps, instagram, and gas.  Good thing I drive a Prius. 

 

What started as just taking a few photographs of the cakes close to my house became an obsession which drove some of my friends on facebook crazy.  In the process I re-discovered my city, found parks I never knew existed, and drove to the ends of the St Louis metropolitan area and then some.  I found 252 cakes and even made a silly little video.  I enjoyed myself and regret nothing.

The Venice Café Cake is my favorite.

The Daniel Boone House Cake is one of the prettiest designs.

 

 

 

The Aerie's Winery Cake has the best view.

 

 

The Malcolm Martin Cake is the most surprising location with its geyser and pristine park.

 

One of my favorite details is the Elephant on the Eads Bridge Cake.

 

 

And my favorite photograph at the St Charles Heritage Site is the one with my dear friend, Kim, who inspired me to start cake hunting.

 

 

My summer was full of cakes, and in the end finding them made me happy and I regret nothing.

Building Block #9 or Twist to the Left

Being a left leaning person, you would think I would like a stitch called left twist, but I did not.  I followed the directions, I swear I did, and watched the youtube video over and over to be sure.  However, I think this stitch looks like I messed up my knitting.  I know that building block #9 might look better when I block it (blocking the block), but I am doubtful.  I will say it is a lovely shade of green. 

On second look, I think part of the problem is that we are looking at the back of the block, but trust me the front looks only slightly better.

Because this is block #9, I have started to think about how I am going to put the blocks together.  I am thinking about knitting everything together.  I even bought some grey yarn to do it.  I like the grey, I am just not quite sure how I will accomplish this task.  I do know I will obsess about this decision from now until January.  And with that, 3 more blocks to go.

A sample of my colors laid out with the grey.