A Felted Crochet Hook Case
So my post a while back about my first felting adventure is finally complete - took way too long between, mostly because I have a hard time getting myself to pull out the sewing machine, even though it isn’t that big of a deal. Point being, I finally finished it off - after the initial felted rectangle, the project just needed a crocheted piece to put the hooks in, which was sewn on one side of the felted piece. Then I glued ribbon along the sewn edge, attached a button, and filled it up! I think it turned out pretty cute, not to mention a great way to organize my bamboo crochet hooks!
So orderly. (=
Pattern from: Kluster Happy crocheting!
My New Student - Have to Brag
So I taught a friend of mine to crochet 3 weeks ago, and she has taken off!! Not surprising, given her personality - in her own words, “My team never loses!!” So with that mentality, she took my instructions and ran with them - armed with her own hooks and yarn, and the Happy Hooker book, she completed a dish cloth and a purse already! So I’m here to brag and post the picture of her cute pink purse. (= Hope she doesn’t mind.
Pattern same as the one I used for my green purse from the Happy Hooker. If you are learning to crochet, I recommend this book very highly - just beware that unfortunately, it is error filled, but you can find the corrections on their website. Now if only I got paid for every time I mentioned this book. (=
Go Colleen, go!
A little help with yarn weights and gauges
So I’m searching and searching for the right patterns to use up the bins of yarn in my house with little success. It seems that the yarns I always want to use for something just won’t stack up. I don’t if you have those same problems, but I found this chart online and found it endlessly helpful. I don’t know why people haven’t just picked a yarn standard for each weight and stuck with it, but it seems like every pattern has a different name for yarn weights, and many just neglect to say it at all. So here are two vital websites for yarn substitutions:
A yarn weight system chart: Yarn Standards
And a yarn index, doesn’t have it all, but darn close: YarnDex
Hope these help with your substitution choices, and check back soon - I have many projects in the their final phases - many pictures and patterns to come soon!
A Tall Order - Crochet Giraffe Experiment
For my aunt’s birthday, I knew I wanted to make her a giraffe. Problem: no matter where I searched, I just couldn’t come up with a pattern for a crochet giraffe. So it was time to improvise! While on a road trip up the west coast and back, I sat in the passenger seat during my driving breaks and created her giraffe. He had some good times peaking out at the cars beside us on I-5 and came together (after a few rip outs) very nicely.
And here he is again with my road buddy. She was mighty proud of me. (=
So my aunt adored him and it was so fun to give her something she loved so much with all that she does for me. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to replicate it, since my note taking during production hit a bump with the body - giraffes have a funny body shape and it took multiple attempts to get the shaping to work - and in the many tries, I stopped taking notes. If I ever make a written pattern, I’ll be sure to share. (=
On my needles
Graduation is behind me and the real world awaits - which means moving, some travels and finding myself a J-O-B. Gotta pay the bills somehow! Oh no!
But in the meanwhile, I’m taking advantage of this freedom to get some new projects going, but nothing done yet. While I keep my needles clicking away to get some new projects to share, check out what I want to whip up! Both are patterns from Knitty Gritty, a yarn show on HGTV or DIY Network. Their website is a bit difficult to navigate, but there are some great ideas. Have fun exploring and finding inspiration. (=
A knit garter - wanted it for holding my phone and camera during graduation, but finals kind of got in the way of its completion. Whoops. Still fun and gotta finish it.
Knit boots! I have been looking for a pattern like this for ages and finally found it. I will certainly be extending mine more to below the knee, but so exciting. I’ll keep you posted on the progress!
Crochet A Tiny Turtle - A Little Procrastination
It’s the middle of finals week for me - everyone else I know has finished their finals, and I’m stuck with 2 more taking me all the way to Friday of finals week and the afternoon before I graduate to finish college. Can’t be a slacker in the end apparently - meaning this week has been filled with lots of studying (virology, immunology and physics - nothing light about it), some packing for my big move next week, and definitely some yarn work to keep me sane! I found a new favorite project that brings a smile to anyone’s face during these stressful times, and works up so fast it is the instant satisfaction I crave right now.
A tiny turtle! The shell is made in the round, in one complete piece. The head, legs and tiny tail are all spirals, and work up so fast you’ll have a herd of them (bale of turtles, apparently) before you know it! They are easy to make and perfect way to use up bits of yarn. I’ve made mine from Simply Soft and Sugar n Cream. Already have 2, and can’t wait to get going on a third. Any suggestions for names for these two little guys? Happy crocheting!
Source: Tiny Striped Turtle
She has the best patterns!
Finally finished! Cabled Hobo Purse
So it took me seemingly forever, but the cabled purse I have been promising is finally complete! And I’m just so happy with it. Funny story about this purse: I was at my local yarn store making an exchange, when I saw a cabled purse hanging that looked similar to one I had a pattern for. I picked out some beautiful Alpaca Yarn (by Berroco) in a dark green color. It is similar to Cascade 220, but different fiber content. I came home, hunted frantically for that pattern, and when I finally found it, I had magically picked the exact yarn (color excepted) that the pattern called for! It was pretty exciting - I am one of those that rarely uses the right yarn purposely, let alone by chance. I tell you, this purse was meant to be!
So this was my first cabling adventure - and for those of you that have only admired cables from afar, try it! It is so much easier than it looks, making you very impressive. Once you get the idea, it is just fun and breaks up the monotony of stockinette. The only drag is when you get to the gusset, because that gets a little boring, but it is worth it. I also made mine with a changable handle by adding snap closures to the gusset instead of sewing it closed. I don’t really like the handle right now, but will be making a perfect chocolate brown one soon, so I needed a way to switch it out. Very exciting, or at least I think so. I will definitely be lining this as well, but I bet it would be interesting on slightly larger needles with light felting. Experiment! And certainly give cables a go.
Pattern from: Berroco
Knit Log Cabin Style
While talking about knitting log cabin style may cause you to imagine yourself curled up in a comfy chair with a fire roaring in the fireplace, in some cozy cabin in the woods, it’s actually a technique! A friend of mine just completed a baby blanket in that style, so I decided to tackle it myself. I was just playing around with the style, using up some random bits of Sugar n Cream to make a dish cloth in this style. I made 2 pieces and attached them together, because the backside didn’t turn out so pretty. Gotta perfect my stitch pick-up technique.
For directions on this technique, see the Mason-Dixon Knitting site. Scroll about half way down to the section called “This Old Log Cabin.” The site is really great - take some time to explore the other posts.
The basic technique is just knitting a small piece, then turning and picking up stitches along its end, knitting some rows, and doing it again - bind off, turn, pick up stitches, knit. It’s a fun way to keep it interesting and use up scraps of color. I think I’m going to be doing this quite a bit to make those bins of yarn I have shrink!
Projects on the Hook
I promise, in a matter of weeks, you won’t be able to keep up with how many posts I’ll be doing. Just have to get through finals! So close to end of my college career and can’t wait to get more yarn in action. Currently I’m working on all kinds of odds and ends, anything to keep me sane amidst all the studying.
New thing I learned - working on a simple knit or crochet project while reading (this would work with any reading material, but I’m referring to text book reading) helps keep your focus on what you are reading. It honestly increases your reading comprehension. It’s like you keep the distractable part of your mind on the knitting, so you can actually maintain focus on the material without your mind wandering. Pure magic. And it makes you feel less pained about studying because you get to knit at the same time. Even just doing some simple garter stitch with left over yarn - the goal is the process, not the end project.
Check out the patterns I’m using right now for my random projects or things I hope to start soon. I’m a little too all over the place to actually get anything done, but I’m getting there. Join me and put these projects on your hook too! (=
Dog Toilet Roll Cover - one of those things we all swear we’ll never make, but then it is just too funny not to. I’m making one for my friends’ new apartment as a house warming gift. (=
Hippo! - This woman has the most amazing animal patterns. I want to be her. That is my new goal. I have been wanting to make this little guy for so long - it’s time to just do it. Probably one of those afternoon projects - doesn’t seem too complicated. And a great way to use up extra yarn! Check out her too-cute turtles too.
Chihuahua - I have been meaning to make this little guy for months. He is just so goofy. I’ll probably make the head a little less tall, but that’s just me.
Happy crocheting and check back soon for my versions of these projects!
Crochet Handbag - an oldie, but a goodie
I found a picture of an older project of mine that I never posted, so during my project lag time, here’s another purse to ponder. It’s just a little bag, good for nights out more than the day-to-day necessities.
I made it out of Cascade 220, in a tweedy-sort of green. I then lined it (not pictured) with this great fabric I bought in Tanzania last summer and a pretty green ribbon wound through the eyelets. You could make it without lining, but it will be a bit stretchy. Another great idea would be to make it a bit bigger and felt it! The pattern is very adaptable, as really it is just a rectangle of half-double crochets. The only added intrigue are the rows for the handle - basically like making a giant button hole. It really is one of those weekend (or even long evening) projects that are highly satisfying in how quickly they work up. Make one this weekend!
Pattern from: Happy Hooker, by Debbie Stoller (great book - for beginners and beyond!)
Knitty Gritty
First off, I’m sorry again - school and planning graduation (and freaking out about the real world and being a grown-up!) has prevented me from even touching a ball of yarn in over a week - I’m certainly going through withdrawals, let me tell you. Sadness. I promise, promise that I will have a new project to post soon - a pretty cabled purse!
Until then, another random tip to share - a show on HGTV/DIY Network - Knitty Gritty! It isn’t the most thrilling 30 minutes of TV you will watch, but it is pretty fun to have a show focused on knitting! The projects range from very cute to borderline hideous, but the show is always good for a new technique. Never stop learning! The girl who hosts it is a little forced, but then again, she is trying to make knitting a TV-worthy event. Don’t get me wrong, I get excited about the simplest thing related to yarn, but it just doesn’t film all that well.
This was supposed to be praise - so let me try again: in the time before I have a new picture to post, check out Knitty Gritty - good knitting fun! Have a good one!
A Few Recommendations
So I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned it, but I’m a graduating senior at the University of California at San Diego (UCSD), majoring in Microbiology (I know, can’t get much further from knitting can I?). I’m in my last quarter and I’m in quite a load of classes in order to graduate this June. As a result, my time to devote to new projects is scarce. Aside from multiple drink cozies and a purse that I’m almost done with, I don’t have any new projects to post yet. (But the purse is darn cute, I’ll post it as soon as it is done.)
So instead, I wanted to let people in on a few trick of the trade as it were, things that changed my yarn life for the better. They may seem trivial, but they make a world of difference! Hopefully I can enrich your yarn adventures too. (=
Things I Can’t Live Without in My Knitting Bag (I’m a sucker for notions!)
~ Safety pins - especially for crochet! If you are working on a project somewhere, and it’s time to pack up and move, don’t risk losing your progress - slip the working loop onto a safety pin and close - voila! Now your work is safe a sound. They can also double as small stitch holders (when making I-cords, for example) I swear, this safety pin trick has changed my life. (=
~ Thread cutter pendant - I just discovered this a few weeks ago, but it is a circular pendant that is actually a thread and yarn cutter. It is supposed to be airline friendly, which simplifies the process of working on yarn projects in air. I’m so sick of getting my Swiss army knives taken and being stuck in the middle of a project because I can’t cut my yarn. Problem solved!
~ Post-It Notes - So I love sticky notes anyway, but they are absolutely essential when I’m following a pattern. I use one to mark the page of the pattern (if in a book) as well as any other notes I need for help. But the crucial note is the one I use to mark my place. I use a Post-It to mark above the round I’m on - this way, when I glance down at the pattern, I don’t accidentally follow the instructions of the wrong round. Added bonus - helps you remember where you are when you walk away for a while or get distracted and lose track. No worries - the Post-It is there to save you!
~ Split-ring stitch markers - they are simple, yet makes marking things in crochet very easy. Closed ring markers are of no use in crochet, but the split rings can be used to mark the right side of the work, the beginning of a round (so you know where to slip stitch), and the target stitch when you are teaching beginners. I teach crochet, and I find them very helpful in teaching people which stitch is their next one when they get lost.
I have many others I love, but they are a little more mundane: Crochet hook, yarn needles, tape measurer, pen, stitch holders, stitch counters, needle protectors (help keep stitches on your needles during travel as well), and those stitch counters that go on your needles.
Lastly, my new favorite website - it makes yarn substitutions sooo easy!
You can easily search for any yarns, and find out what weight it is, the fiber content, colors, and where to find it. Genius!
Happy Knitting and Crocheting - Hopefully I’ll some good picture to post soon!