Sidney's Sideways Sock CAL

Click on the above link.  It will take you to sock CAL.  Go to the bottom of the page and click on "last" for the latest post.

Knit and CROCHET Festival 2012

Hey All -
Check out the above link.
There's a crochet festival, apparently every February in Pittsburgh.  That's within driving distance for me.  I'd love to take classes and then spend the evening crocheting what I've learned with new made friends in the lobby.  Doesn't that sound great?

It seems to me I've seen something of this sort for different parts of the country.  It's worth googling.

sc, dc, trc shawl

Closeup of Tunisian Lace

Tunisian Crochet Pics

Orange Tunisian Lace Shawl

 

 

 

Crocheting is Healthy!

I've had a lot of fun with my sock CAL buddies.  We've found out some interesting things.  We're obsessed with this sock pattern as well as having great stories about chocolate, travel, fun, chat and pets.  I feel privileged to be a part of the group.

As for my musings, I'm still enthralled with, of all things, market bags.  I've tried several, some I love and am going to have to stiffen with buckram (on order) and line.  When you see the lining paired with the yarn you'll be either amazed or appalled.  My bags are not for the faint of heart.

I started out with shawls and they still hold a place in my heart, but, market bags......

Since we are temporarily a one-car family I have learned the joys of online shopping.  It's so cool to find neat stuff, that being yarn, et al., and with a click ordering it and a few days later my delivery man comes with my box of goodies.  I love it.  No parking to find, weather to fight, store hours to obey.  I sit in my jammies with a cup of coffee and check out the endless array of items.

Hang on, the UPS guy is pulling up to the house...bye!

New Yarn Scoop - Giveaway

 Everyday Soft Worsted Print Yarn
The first response to touching this yarn is to be amazed at just how soft it is. Any garment or toy made with this yarn will be touchable and feel as soft as silk. The yarn is also anti-pilling, which means less fuzz on the surface. The 24 smart prints on the yarn create the look of stripes and Fair Isle color changing without all the work. 


Everyday Soft Worsted Print Yarn (3 skeins)
Gifted by Premier Yarns
www.premieryarns.com
                          Reviewed by Maria Nerius

This new yarn sounds pretty good.  I know I'm going to try it.  Hope I win it!

sew ritzy-titzy

 This is a greattttt site.  It's beautiful to look at, has lots of wonderful projects.

Understanding Symbols

From Free Crochet.com (click on above link)

Here's another great crochet tip!
As you work through a pattern, you'll quickly notice several symbols in the instructions. These symbols are used to clarify the pattern for you: Brackets [ ], curlicue brackets { }, asterisks *. Brackets [ ] are used to set off a group of instructions worked a number of times. For example, [ch 3, sc in ch-3 sp] 7 times means to work the instructions inside the [ ] seven times. Brackets [ ] also set off a group of stitches to be worked in one stitch, space or loop. For example, the brackets [ ] in this set of instructions, Sk 3 sc, [3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc] in next st indicate that after skipping 3 sc, you will work 3 dc, ch 1 and 3 more dc all in the next stitch.
Occasionally, a set of instructions inside a set of brackets needs to be repeated too. In this case, the text within the brackets to be repeated will be set off with curlicue brackets {}. For example, [Ch 9, yo twice, insert hook in 7th ch from hook and pull up a loop, sk next dc, yo, insert hook in next dc and pull up a loop, {yo and draw through 2 lps on hook} 5 times, ch 3] 8 times. In this case, in each of the eight times you work the instructions included in brackets, you will work the section included in curlicue brackets five times.
Asterisks * are also used when a group of instructions is repeated.
They may either be used alone or with brackets. For example, *Sc in each of the next 5 sc, 2 sc in next sc, rep from * around, join with a sl st in beg sc simply means you will work the instructions from the first * around the entire round.
*Sk 3 sc, [3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc] in next st, rep from * around is an example of asterisks working with brackets. In this set of instructions, you will repeat the instructions from the asterisk around, working the instructions inside the brackets together.

Crocheted Eco-Friendly Carryall (cont'd)

My crocheted market tote was a success. Of the two different designs I tried out this one was the easier and less work intensive of the two.  (For pattern see previous blog of same name with link to Canadian Living).

The other market tote was from http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/crochet-save-earth-bag.  It was more work but also looks a bit nicer, in my opinion.  Try both and you decide if you like them.  My hat goes off to the designers for their skill in creating these patterns for us.


Another bag/purse I really like, I've made four of them and have lining fabric, is the hobo bag from Crochet Spot's site http://www.crochetspot.com/crochet-pattern-perfect-fit-hobo-bag/.  I've made it out of chunky (5), 2 worsted yarns together (4) and a single strand yarn (4).  Numbers in () means yarn weight, found on yarn label.  This bag is easy and three dimensional.

Craft Yarn Council

Click on Craft Yarn Council link above to get a nifty document that will answer your measuring needs and the measurements are The Industry Standards!

Calculate Me

Click on Calculate Me in title for a great tool in figuring out how many meters, yards, grams convert into same.  For example convert meters on your skein wrapper to yards which is on your instruction sheet.  Click on Home Page for an entire listing of conversions.  Copy and paste this useful tool into your browser and bookmark it.

Crafty Is Cool

http://craftyiscool.blogspot.com/

Check out this web site if you're into amigurumi this gal has Oprah, Conan, Siamese kitty, owl and many many more.  Lot's of fun!

How do I stop the curling when working in Tunisian crochet/afghan stitch?

http://www.crochetkim.com/curling.html

This site has good info on Tunisian crocheting; also known as afghan stitch or crochetknit.  I'll be posting on Tunisian crochet in the future.

Crocheted Eco-Friendly Carryall

http://www.canadianliving.com/crafts/crochet/crocheted_eco_friendly_carryall.php

I'm on a market bag kick.  This one hails from our neighbor to the north, Canada.

I'm about to start it.  It looks easy and takes only 3 balls of Patons Grace (50gm) and a 4 mm crochet hook.  Click on link for details and instructions.

I'm trying out http://redheart.com Eco-Cotton blend, 85gm, it's a 4, medium weight.  For more info and patterns for this yarn click on the redheart link, click on yarn, under "browse by weight" click on "medium", scroll down to Eco-Cotton and enjoy.

Market Bag

www.redheart.com
"Crochet Save the Earth Bag"
 WR1795

This easy market bag is good looking and fun to do.  I used Red Heart's Eco-Cotton in Candy Marl for a bright cheerful bag in hues of yellow, orange and blue.  It takes 2 skeins of yarn.

I finished it in two sittings while watching TV, it's a good project for that.