Owls Need Big Eyes

While cruising the pages of Ravelry I came across a crochet pattern for little owls ( http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/owl-key-chain-pattern ).  I had some cotton scraps I was waiting to move into a finished object and thought this pattern was a good project to achieve these goals.  I also thought they would be cute little gifts for my friends.  With hook in hand I started on plan.  My first couple of tries were not cutting it.  I pulled those out and started again.  My crochet skills lacks the refinement of some of my more talented friends.  However, it did not deter me from making four of these little key chains.  My first 3 look okay, but the 4th one looks much better.  In the end the success is all about the eyes.  I have tons of buttons in all sizes, but currently I have no idea where my buttons are packed.  So I was scrambling for 2 matching buttons of any size..  My friends at Kirkwood Knittery gave me the buttons to finally make my little owl look great. Lesson learned, owls need BIG eyes.

Cat's Cradle or More Crochet then I can Stand

About a year ago I started on a quest to improve my crochet skills.  I wanted to get better at hooking, you know what I mean.  Sometimes when you knit it helps to be able to incorporate crochet to be a more versatile fibernista.  And I did use skills I learned on the crochet afghan to finish the building block blanket for Natalie.  I am not regretting spending more time in the land of crochet, but while I am crocheting I am longing for my knitting bag sitting so lonely on the corner of the futon.  You would think after the afghan I would throw away my hooks and cast on some dramatic knitting project and never look back.  You would think that.

Try not to notice the spiderish shapes on the tunic

However, I still wanted to crochet myself some crazy tunic to wear over a turtle neck or something like that.  Well, the something like that turned out to be the Cat's Cradle 2 by Doris Chen.  I promised myself I would only join the crochet along if I could find the yarn in my stash.  I found I did not have enough of one color, so I added another color for the trim and just like that I was in another crochet along.  As always I was compelled by that inner product knitter to crochet my tunic up as soon as possible and with miles of chain stitches behind me, I finished.  I even made it point to flaunt my project at a craft fair and a party all in the same day. 

Hooking under a "Sale" sign

Now, I am saying this to you and anyone else who is listening, I done hooking for awhile, Christmas knitting is awaits me.

Finishing the Building Block Blanket & a Tunic Too!

Call me the queen of finished projects!

First I finished my building block blanket.  You know the one Natalie and I worked on in 2014?  I crocheted the blocks together and then did an awesome crochet border.  So happy to call it done!

And then I finished a cotton tunic with sleeves!  Trying to impress you by adding the "with sleeves."  However, because the tunic was cotton, I kind of sucked at sewing the sleeves.  Also, once again I forgot my 3X body has almost non-existent shoulders.  Even with my I-cord edging I am still looking at a droopy neckline.  When will I learn to go down a couple sizes at the very top.  Better luck next time, because done is DONE!

Blue Horizons Circa 1974

After traveling over mounds of stashed yarn, struggling through pages of difficult instructions, and hours of strenuous hooking I have completed my Blue Horizons crochet project (cue over the top music).  Okay, I finished my afghan, my first, and maybe last afghan.  Relieved to back to my sticks and leave the hooks behind.  I used up 3/4 of my Mission Falls stash and hooked about 4000 yards of yarn.  Yes, that afghan has over a mile of yarn in it.  Of course we are on the cusp of Summer and I don't think I am ready to cuddle up with my a wool afghan. Fall will come my pretty.

The original pattern had blues and purple aptly named Blue Horizons.  As I love green and I have a lot of green yarn I decided green it would be.  I added snaps of reds, balanced by a blue and some purples with black for the borders.  In the end I think the colors remind me the early 70s when my mom put in an avocado kitchen accenting it with autumnal colors.  I loved those colors then, I love now and I love this crocheted afghan. 

I need to thank my friend, and teacher, Suzanne, for all the help along the way.  Thanking her and the rest of my crocket group for the patience and assistance to get me to this beautiful finished project.  Feeling I have earned my crochet afghan merit badge.

Busting out the Begonia Blocks

After rumaging through my stash, weighing my skeins, and doing some math I finally finished crocheting all my blocks for the blue skies afghan. The last block was called Begonia, and I really loved the dramatic flower in the center.  I am ecstatic to be done with these blocks, but I still have a way to go for a finished product.  As I write I have begun blocking the blocks.  I am hoping next month to begin the process of putting them together (more crochet).  In the meantime, I am enjoying not crocheting and working on knitting projects. 


One of the bittersweet things about this project has been using my stash of Mission Falls yarn. The colors have been beautiful to work with and I have fallen in love with this brand all over again.  Sadly, as this yarn is no longer manufactured, I am using up the last of my stash of this yarn.  My friend Suzanne has said people are holding on to this yarn and taking it to the grave. 



I used all but maybe 18 inches of the lavender.  The last block was a real nail biter, but I went down to a smaller hook and used almost every last scrap of the yarn.  When I made it to the end of the last block I got up and did a little victory lap around my living room.  It feels good to see my stacks of finished blocks.

Popcorn Crochet?

As I have mentioned I am working on a crochet along with my friend Suzanne.  I am not loving the crochet as much as knitting.  I like crochet, but I never come home at night and say, "Yay, I can't wait to crochet."  However, most nights I do come home with the expressed goal to knit.  Once I finish the blue horizon afghan, I will only be hooking as needed.

Pay No Attention to the Stray Knitting Needles Next to the Blocks

I have crocheted 8 textured bluebells square, 20 cornered grannies, and now 16 popcorn flower squares.  I have 20 more begonia squares to do.    I have been taking a break on the crochet and working on some knitting projects before facing the begonias. I have promised after the next knitting project to go back to the crochet.

In the meantime I am knitting and working on moving.  One day in the future I will be moved into the new house.  Until then I am going through books, recycling 5 years worth of Vanity Fair, and wondering why I thought moving was a good idea.

Building Block #11 & 20 Cornered Grannies

With all the things going on in my hometown, I have felt frivolous blogging about my knitting and crochet.  I am struggling to make sense of all the events that have happened and how I feel about it.  I have opinions, but then again don't we all.  I have decided to stop expressing my opinions and just spend my time on working towards solutions in the way I live my life.  I will continue to judge people by their actions not physical or social traits, I will continue to respect the law and those that enforce it,  and I will continue to be a human in a world full of wonderful and amazing creatures.  Personal manifesto stated is it alright if I discuss my fiber crafting, without too much judgment? 

Stack O' Corner Grannies

I have been trapped in crocheting corner grannies, 20 of them to be in fact.  Our crochet along group assignment was only 8, but I soldiered through to get all 20 done.  In working towards stash busting, I realized that I needed to get all of my corner grannies done before moving on to a different block.  I needed to be sure I had enough of the colors to complete these blocks and judge what I would need for the next block pattern.  I repeat to you, working out of your stash is hard.  I have also discovered I do not love crochet as much as I love knitting.  At the end of a trying and difficult day watching your hometown going up in flames, I want to knit the hopelessness away, not crochet.  With discipline and resolve I stuck to the corner grannies and I am gratefully done with them. 

Building Block #11, The Make One Square

As soon as the crochet task was done, I looked at my calendar and realized my monthly block was not finished.  With a squeal and a flurry of needles I whipped out building block #11.  This month the block was all about the make 1 stitch.  I dislike make 1 in knitting because it always leaves a hole, but following the instructions I did as I was told.  This block is not my favorite, but I do have a better grasp of the make 1 stitch now.  Practice aside, I think I will still continue to use the knit front and back (kfb) as much as possible.  November block done, just in time in for the  December block, the last block.

One final thought, I hope your Thanksgiving celebrations found you warm, safe, and with those you love.  Peace my friends.

Cornering in on the Granny

I am admitting, I have always wanted to make a granny square.  I am working on a crochet along so I can learn to make granny squares.  In the process I am also hoping to get better at crochet so I can diversify my fiber skills.  I am also trying to use yarn out of my stash.  I am succeeding at all of it, but the last one.  Knitting or crocheting out of my stash is hard.



Test Granny

After a test corner granny with much crocheting and ripping out and weighing of the yarn I was able to work up a strategy to use stash yarn and get the 20 blocks I needed.  I have been hooking away to get these blocks done. I have got one corner of corner grannies done.  Check granny squares off the fiber bucket list for me.

A Corner of Corner Grannies

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.

Tied Up In Crochet

Over a decade ago I purchased a tie dyed tee shirt.  It was a rainbow of colors and I just loved it.  Many weekends and vacation days were spent in that shirt.  Natalie liked it when I wore the shirt because she could spot me in a crowd.  I was disappointed that after a decade of hard wear my beloved tee shirt gave up on me ripping out under both arms.  I was thinking about tossing the shirt, but remembered my friend Suzanne was teaching a class on how to make tee shirt yarn and crochet it into a basket.  I knew in theory how to make the yarn so with my fancy scissors Lenora gave me and a ruler I cut my shirt up.  I ended up making a ball of very colorful yarn and a need to learn to crochet a basket.

First I want to say I am a knitter, not a crocheter.  There is nothing wrong with crochet, I just have limited skill in that arena.  I do have a desire to be more proficient with a crochet hook, but not really the drive to practice the skill.  Here was an opportunity to get my crochet on and spend some time with the always patient Suzanne.

I ended up doing a 1 on 1 class with Suzanne and she got me hooking along.  As you know I am a go big or go home kind of girl and after I finished my ball of tie dyed tee shirt yarn I realized I wanted a bigger basket.  Suzanne congenially offered to cut up a second shirt for me with her speedy rotary cutter saving me from the slower scissor method.  With the second ball and more help from Suzanne I finished up my lovely, crocheted basket.  I know it is not perfect and working that size P hook was awkward to my knit trained hands, but I still have my old tee shirt repurposed into to something else I will love.  Thanks Suzanne!

Belated Birthday

This year my birthday was delayed because I felt it was unimportant compared to other events. So I have had the weird random belated birthday gift thing going on. I love gifts, so I am not at all complaining. However, I was surprised by this beautiful gift from my friends Rachel and Deborah. Deborah bought the Karaoke yarn and made Rachel crochet this gorgeous scarf.

It is so surprising and stunning all I could do was clutch it to me and gush. I wore it Thursday to work with a shawl pin. I felt so chic swooshing it around in the library. My boss told me to wear it more often it was so awesome.

I have some of the best friends. Thank You.