New Design!

Crochet! Magazine has created Best Ever Afghans and my Cables and Bouquets Afghan is included. Panels of popcorn-flower bouquets alternate with cables.

Grandparent's Day

Today is Grandparent's Day--the day when Grandparents go to breakfast with grandchildren and maybe back to the classroom to read a story or two. I never remember when the day is because we have one grandparent and he lives in another state.

Papa came to stay with us for a little while this summer. The first words from my oldest lovely was "Can he come to Grandparent's Day?". The first thing she said to him when he arrived was "Can you come to Grandparent's Day?". When she found out that he was going home in July, she cried because he wouldn't be here for Grandparent's Day.

We made big promises. We would make the 8-hour drive (one way) and bring Papa here so he could go to Grandparent's Day. She stopped crying, but didn't quite make it to Happy on that subject.

My heart plummeted on Wednesday when I saw the notice about Grandparent's Day come out of the backpack. Foul language sprang to my lips (I squelched it in the presence of the young). There was no way either me or doc could make the drive and keep that promise.

Was there a Plan B or even C? In hindsight, I should have gone to www.RentAGrandparent.com or called 1-800-GrandparentalRental.

Grandparent's Day has dawned bright and early to lots of tears. Neither me or doc (who is the  master) were able to calm the Lovely.  I was reminded of a line from a movie (Tootsie)--"I'm just going to feel this way until I don't feel this way."

It doesn't have to be Grandparent's Day for me to miss my mother and mother-in-law. Both have been gone 11 years. The first thing I wanted to do after we received both girls was to call them. When they do something that is too-cute-for-words, I want to tell them about it.

When a new design comes out, I know that both would bust their buttons with pride. When I've been working on a design problem and the light comes on, I want to call them and share that rush of success.

When I teach my own girls to sew--one using Grandma's sewing machine and the other using Grandmother's--I am thankful that I had a mother and a mother-in-law who loved me fully, taught me how to be crafty, and shared the need to create things.

Gauged Graph Paper

One more thing I learned at Chain Link 2011 . . .

Again, from Lily Chin (yes, you are the master!) I learned how to use gauged graph paper.  I knew it existed and I have even searched for it on the internet and printed out a few pages.

And I've used the standard grid graph paper for all sorts of things--graphing out color work, stitch patterns, and shaping for necklines and armholes in pattern grading. The last was to verify mathematical calculations for increases and decreases, but didn't mimic the actual shape of the item.

First, I swatched (we all do, don't we?!). Then I measured my gauge on that swatch. Next, I took out my notes and went to the first website Lily had mentioned (tata-tatao.to) and entered the # of rows and stitches over 4" in my swatch.  This website creates a pdf file with the grids. I printed a few pages, but I also saved the pdf for future use. 

The project I'm working on requires quite a bit of shaping, both increasing and decreasing. I took out a colored pencil and set to work. This first picture shows my 1st attempt with the stitch pattern and the increasing.

That worked pretty well, but I wondered what would happen if I stitched the item in a different direction.  I have a template of the shape. After I graphed out the stitch pattern, I put the template on the grids and traced around it. As you can see in this picture, I've got some major problems!

Today, I went back to the drawing board, printed out more pages of the graph paper (so glad I had saved that file!). I taped several together, and traced the entire template and started over, plotting out the increases and decreases. This graph helped me realize that I needed a double increase on some rows. After I had plotted out about 30 rows, I began to swatch again, testing my graph. I am also able to put the swatch on the graph paper to make sure the shaping and sizing actually does what I want it too.

Now I am a happy stitcher . . .





Circular Tunisian Tapestry Fabric

As promised, I've got a few pictures of fabric that I've created using the technique I learned at Chain Link 2011 -- Lily Chin's class Circlular Tunisian Tapestry Crochet.  This is a fun technique that combines Tunisian crochet with Tapestry crochet, and my muse has been overwhelmed with design ideas!

This swatch plays on the contrasting colors of black and grey and utilizes the Tunisian Knit stitch and the Tunisian Reverse stitch.

This swatch is similar, but places the Tunisian knit and reverse stitches in a zigzag pattern.

And finally, this swatch combines the zigzag pattern with the Tunisian Simple stitch.

 

Tunisian and color play, all in one technique. I couldn't be happier!



Photo Friday

Just a little something fun today . . .

Here are my lovelies on the first morning of school -- 3rd and 5th grade (recognize that earring?)

And one must have fashionable feet to start school:




I sent a model out today, and I've been working on ideas inspired by the new technique using the double-ended crochet hook that I learned while at Chain Link 2011.  Check back and I will show you some of the various fabrics that I've come up with using this technique.

I hope this weekend is a great one for all!  Enjoy the holiday!

What's On the Hook/Needles Today?

I do have lots of crochet projects on the hook, but none that I can tell you about. So . . .

I am a confessed “sockaholic”, and I always have a pair of socks in play.  I was thumbing through one of my stitch dictionaries and saw a swatch that called to me for a sock (a knitted sock). I like to make socks from the toe-up, 2-at-a-time. I selected a colorful yarn—Tofutsies (lots of green, yellow and blue; quite cheerful) and started working on the toes.  I was quite excited when the toes were done and it was time to start the pattern on the instep. 

               

                Knit, knit, knit . . . . purl, purl, purl

                                Round and round I went . . . .

Do you see the lovely pattern stitch?

Me either.

All I see are the stripes.

Hmmm, beautiful yarn, but I must go back to the drawing board and find a stitch pattern that will let the stripes strut their stuff (why do all that work and not have it show up?). AND, I must look around my yarn cubicle for a solid or less-self-striping yarn for the stitch pattern that I am dreaming of.

New Designs Out!

The October 2011 issue of Crochet World should be arriving soon in your mailbox, and on the newsstands. The preview of the items in this issue is up on their website. I am excited to show you 3 of those designs!

First, the Autumn Bobbles Rug.  The bobbles are offset by tracks (highs and lows) and are just downright fun.

Next up is the Massaging Back Scrubber. This fun little piece is worked with alternating post stitches and makes a great gift.

Finally, the Tunisian Lace Cardigan is sure to be a staple in any wardrobe. The bodice uses the Tunisian Knit stitch, while the skirt is done in an easy Tunisian Lace stitch.

Pom-Pom Scarf

Our LYS had a sale this summer and my oldest decided to spend her money on pom-pom yarn. Once home, we researched the yarn on Ravelry and found a simple pattern. We got out the size 13 needles (almost as big as she is), and cast on. After a few rows, I turned the reins over to her.  She's doing well, but slowed by her desire to rub the scarf on her cheek, a look of pure rapture on her face.

The pattern is very easy and would normally work up rather quickly. It can be adjusted for length or width. For a wider or narrower scarf, add stitches or subtract stitches. Knit 2 stitches for each pom-pom. In her scarf, we chose 3 pom-poms and cast on 6 stitches; we cast on and worked the scarf in the following order:

1 st, pom-pom, 2 sts, pom-pom, 2 sts, pom-pom, 1 st

These would be good gifts for teachers or class-mates.