October 2005 Archives

I don't know how long the offer will last, but Bernat has an offer for a free skein of their Disco yarn... I ordered mine a few weeks ago, but it hasn't arrived yet. Other people posting on the Crochetville forum and on the Crochet Partners listserv have received their skein, so it's only a matter of time...

How exciting! I joined the Crochet Guild Of America (CGOA) last week.

Membership includes a subscription to Crochet! magazine with Chain Link newsletter inserted in each magazine.

A few weeks ago, I ordered the 2006 Crochet Pattern-a-Day Calendar from calendars.com.

Don't throw yesterday away - just hook it into today's most hip and chic designs with designer Annie Modesitt and friends! Each day throughout the year features hip and chic crochet patterns with photos and corresponding instructions and measurements to help you complete exciting new projects. From scarves and pillows to afghans and shawls, you'll never run out of wonderful handmade gift ideas!

Hmmm, some of the patterns are carried over multiple days, so there aren't 365 patterns. I've also heard on the Crochet Partners listserv comments from some pattern designers that different yarns were substituted for some patterns so a photo of an object (made by the designer) may not be of the same yarn specified by the pattern.

Last week I placed an order for Elann's offer of 52 sample skeins of yarn! I figure it'll be a good way to see and touch a variety of yarn types! I can also use them for Freeform Crochet!

Sample Skeins Subscription - Start Nov 2005

Have samples to knit with before new closeout and special purchase yarns are offered! Subscribe to receive sample skeins of all new closeout and special purchase yarns for one full year - one sample skein for every Tuesday of every month - 52 sample skeins per year! Sample skeins are 10 yards each for the majority of yarns, 5 yards each for bulky yarns yielding 65 yards per 50g or less, and variable for rare precious yarns where Elann price is greater than $10.00 USD per 50g.

Included with your Sample Skeins Subscription will be a matching complimentary subscription to our Newsletter - a value of $20.00 USD!

Best of all, the purchase price of your subscription will come back to you over future yarn purchases. Your skeins subscription comes with 21 electronic credit vouchers of $2.50 - each worth $2.50 USD off every $25.00 USD in future yarn purchases (no time limit).

Colors: Autumn (Lion Brand Wool-Ease)
Pattern: Joan's Socks, published by Lion Brand
Hook: E, F
Date: October 2005

My second pair of crocheted socks! I started the first sock intending to wear the socks myself - but the sock was too big for me! So, I gave them to Bill to keep his feet warm in his slippers.

The pattern for the woman's size calls for G and H hooks (H and I for the men's size), but since my gauge is so loose, I went with E and F hooks. I must have a really loose gauge or other people have a really tight one.

Colors: Jazz Hot (Bernat Sox)
Pattern: In Your Shoes Ankle Socks by Pam, published in Crochet me (I added a band on the cuff to make it longer)
Hook: E
Date: October 2005

My first pair of crocheted socks! I wore them to work last week - the day after I finished the second sock of course! The texture can definitely be felt on my feet (i.e., the sock yarn is not as plush as the white ankle socks I usually wear), but it's not uncomfortable.

The pattern calls for a G hook, but since my gauge is so loose, I went with an E hook. They fit just fine!

Size: 39 inches x 51 inches
Colors: A variety of pink yarn (Red Heart)
Pattern: My own using a variety of Crochet on the Double and Tunisian Crochet stiches in panels
Hook: I, H
Date: June 2005

I'm finally posting photos of the last lap blanket I finished - in June! I used a variety of sizes of Crochet on the Double and Tunisian Crochet hooks, stitches, and yarn in pinks to play around with my then new cable hooks for Crochet on the Double and Tunisian Crochet. The cable hooks are so much more comfortable to use for my wrists than the 14-inch Crochet on the Double hooks!

Color: Soft Mauve (lavender) (Bernat Baby Coordinates)
Date: October 2005

Afghan Size: 33 inches diameter
Pattern: Ripple Baby Afghan by Mary Jane Protus
Book: New Crochet Basics - Leaflet 777 - Copyright 1989 - Leisure Arts
Hook: E

Sacque and Bonnet Patterns: Diamond Cascade Layette
Book: Crochet for Today - Leaflet 102678 - Copyright 1996 - Leisure Arts
Hook: E

Booties Pattern: based on Roller Skates
Book: Baby Bootie Boutique - Leaflet 871020 - Copyright 2002 - Annie's Attic
Hook: F

Two new babies are on their way in Bill's family - both of his second cousins - one baby is due in late December/early January and the other in April.

I made this layette set thinking purple was one of those gender neutral colors for babies - like yellow and green. So, I dressed my Cabbage Patch doll (whose name is Jason Eric) in the layette set and brought him to work last week to show it off. At least five people asked if Jason was a girl.

I guess the lavender is more "girl" than "boy" in most people's thinking.

So, if one of the two coming babies is a girl, then she'll get this layette set.

I'll make a second layette set in other colors. If both babies are boys, then I have one more baby afghan or layette set to make (specific for a boy since I'll already know the gender).

Whew. These gender things are complicated for some people.

I'm gonna jump on the crocheted socks bandwagon! Last week, I ordered these different brands of sock yarn from the Knitting-Warehouse.com: Patons Kroy Socks (Paint Box) and Bernat Sox (Jazz Hot).

Size: 36 inches x 73 inches
Colors: Red, Blue, White, Green, Dark Grey, Light Grey, Black, Buff, Yellow (Red Heart Classic)
Pattern for Race Track: My own
Pattern for Tic-Tac-Toe and Checkers Game Boards and Game Pieces: Fun and Games Bag by Sharon Volkman (page 86) in Annie's Favorite Quick & Easy Projects - ISBN 0-9655269-5-X - Copyright 1999 - Annie's Attic
Hook: H, G, F
Date: October 2005

I wanted to make something for Jack since he's getting a brother or sister in late December or early January. Jack is almost 3 years old and is the son of my husband's second cousin Jackie and her hubby Jason.

I decided to make the Fun and Games Bag and in late July began the Tic-Tac-Toe and Checkers game boards which make up the two sides of the bag.

While making the game boards, it occurred to me that I could connect them to make a rectangle, add half circles on each end to make an oval shape, and crochet a race track around the game boards, complete with spectator stands on one side and a winner's circle area on the other! As a NASCAR fan, this seemed like a perfectly reasonable thing to do! So I did it!

I also made a colorful drawstring sack to carry the game pieces in - and a smaller double-opening drawstring sack so that the red and blue checkers could be stored separately if desired. I thought a 3-year-old would find it fun to open and close and put things in and take things out (over and over...).

Size: 28 inches x 64 inches
Colors: Sage (Red Heart Super Saver)
Pattern: (my own) OHLONE in Filet Crochet
Book: Your Name & More in Filet Crochet by Vivian Floy Smith - Leaflet 3110 - Copyright 1999 - Leisure Arts
Hook: H
Date: June 2005

This blanket is my first experience with filet crochet. I made the blanket in two days over a weekend! Pretty darn fast that filet crochet! I brought it to work and keep it in my office to use as a light-weight lap blanket when the heavier lap blanket is too much.