Design Preview

The next issue of Crochet World is set to hit the newstands at the end of December and the preview of What's In This Issue is up on the web. This issue contains my Mosaic Diamonds Rug.

Socks and Gators

We had a great Thanksgiving. MM's homework over the holidays was to eat lots of turkey and she succeeded. But now it's back to work.

I'm teaching a crocheted sock class at Fiber Art on Saturday. I'm terribly excited about this class. You know I love socks, and now I have the chance to share that love of making socks with others. There are 8 people signed up for the class -- a full house!

And then there are submission deadlines coming in early January, so I'm busy thinking of ideas for submissions. Next week (after the 1st session of sock making) I'm going to start swatching and getting my proposals ready. Wish me luck!

On a non-crochet note, my Florida Gators are playing the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC championship game on Saturday. In some polls, these teams are #1 and #2 in the nation. So, for me, this game will be the NCAA national championship -- the winner will surely secure a spot in the BCS national championship game. Go Gators!!

What Do You Do . . .

When you have a stomach flu? Crochet, of course. I spent yesterday in bed with a fever and periodic trips to the . . . well, you can imagine. So I started a sock for my girls. I've wanted to make a small sock for some time. I'm using Heart & Sole from Coats & Clark and the colorway is Spring.

CGOA Professional Status

Check over to the right. You'll see something new.

I am now a Professional member of the CGOA (Crochet Guild of America)!

Sow's Ear to Silk . . . Hat

What do you do with those projects that are experiments that don't quite turn out the way you'd hoped? We all have them.

I put them "away." I stuff them into a box of other projects; I put them in a cabinet where they are hidden but not forgotten. Every once in a while, I go searching through those hiding places and stare at them, looking for enlightment.

Last night, I found one quite by accident. I was dipping into the bag of left-over Halloween candy and this little gem almost shouted to me. It was originally intended to be a carrier for a WebKinz, but it was too big.

More Socks

Not since I met my husband 25 years ago have I fallen in love with something as much as I love socks (ok, maybe, just maybe there are 2 exceptions to that--MM & K).

I finished the World Series socks and there has been a void in my life for a few days. Last night I started a new pair in San Francisco, color # 206. The picture on the band shows a distinct striping pattern. But one of the things I love about crocheted socks is that the striping pattern develops differently. This means that there is ALWAYS a surprise in store for me and that the pure pleasure I get from seeing the project grow is magnified.

Back to that striping pattern . . . I'm not adverse to stripes; they just don't stir my inner sense of beauty. I would describe the pattern that develops as "mottled." Definitely variegated. The colors play and mix together rather than lining up straight as an arrow, shouting "I am purple" while another shouts "I am grey." They just seem to be more in harmony with one another.

And harmony makes me smile.

Knit & Crochet Today! on PBS

I have been really sad because the second season of the Knit & Crochet Today! show has not been airing on my local PBS station. I loved the first season!

I wrote to my local station but had not received a reply. Last night I decided I would order the DVD of the second season.

I just received an e-mail from the programming director stating that the second season will begin airing on December 11! Just in time for my birthday!

The show has a website that contains a wealth of information as well--episode listings, videos of techniques that have been demonstrated on the show, tips, and free pattern downloads.

http://www.knitandcrochettoday.com/

Project Status

I'm making headway on my WIP's.

My World Series socks are about 75% complete. I'm still decreasing the gusset on the 2nd sock.

My knitted top in the Gedifra Mayra yarn is 90% finished. I've finished front and back and next to knit are the sleeves. I'll add a crocheted edging around the neck, sleeves and bottom. It has been a fun project and I can't wait to post the picture of the completed project.

I bought 2 hanks of Cascade Pistaza at Fiber Art, Inc. in September. I started a hat that I found in the February 2008 issue of Crochet World. I love to start a new project!

I will be teaching a class at Fiber Art making a Christmas Stocking the next 2 Saturday's. I'm looking forward to working on something for the holidays. I can't believe that Christmas is a few weeks away!