December 2005 Archives

I picked up some Moda Dea Cache which think I'll make a purse or two with. It's not soft or stretchy like many of the other fancy yarns but I loved the colors!

• Moda Dea Cache: Serengeti (6)
• Moda Dea Cache: Smartie (6)

I'm such a yarn addict!

Oh, my. The colors! The textures! I read on Crochetville that Michael's Craft Store had Moda Dea yarn on sale for 50% and 70% off (which wasn't advertised in Sunday's Michael's ad). So, of course, I had to stop by on the way home from work yesterday to see what was available...and came home with a bunch more skeins of fancy yarn at 70% off!

• Moda Dea Wild!: Funky (2), Flames (2), Hot Tamale (2), Denim (1)
• Moda Dea Vixen: Royal Highness (1), Licorice Whip (2), Green With Envy (1), See The Fuchsia (1)
• Moda Dea Eden: Flame (2), Earth (2), Serpent (2)
• Moda Dea Espree: Grassy (2), Blues (2), Sands (1)

Size: 35 inches x 45 inches
Colors: Scraps in warm colors
Pattern: Double Trouble (Star Squares) - Design by Kathleen Garen
Book: Big Book of Scrap Crochet Afghans - ISBN 1-59217-004-8 - Copyright 2003 - House of White Birches
Hook: K
Date: December 2005

The Double Trouble afghan has two square patterns: Star Square and Box Square. I liked the Star Square a lot so I used only that pattern for this lap blanket.

Date: December 2005

I needed 2 more bookmarks for co-worker gifts and whipped these up Thursday night!

• Colors: White (Royal Classic, size 10)
  Pattern: Snowflake - Design by Roberta Maier
  Book: 3 Dozen & One Bookmarks - Leaflet 873720 - Copyright 2002 - Annie's Attic
  Hook: 4 (2.0 mm)
• Colors: Mint (light green), Orchid Pink (Royal Classic, size 10)
  Pattern: Flower Key - Design by Bettie Dowler
  Book: 3 Dozen & One Bookmarks - Leaflet 873720 - Copyright 2002 - Annie's Attic
  Hook: 4 (2.0 mm)

A note from my boy son:

I noticed the money transferred into my account. Thanks! Hopefully I'll be able to support myself someday... I am 26 years old ya know :)

I gave him (a not-yet-starving law school student) money so he can visit me this month and have some extra to buy food with for a few months when he gets back to Virginia. I've been telling him for years that he'll support me in my retirement!

Size: 13 inches wide x 9 inches long
Colors: Dark Plum (Red Heart TLC Essentials)
Pattern: A shorter tube than the So Simple Wimple by Dot at bythehook
Hook: M, L for edging
Date: December 2005

As I was re-making my wimple yesterday, the tube reached a length that was perfect for a neck warmer! I've had long below-the-shoulder length hair for many, many years, and in September had it cut above my shoulders. Since the cool weather arrived, I've noticed my neck is cold. So, after finishing the wimple, I made this So Simple Cowl Neck Warmer based on Dot's So Simple Wimple pattern (follow Dot's pattern but make only enough rows around to fit your neck, instead of your whole head and neck). I used an M hook, started with 71 chains, and with an L hook added a picot edging on each tube end.

Size: 14 inches wide x 20 inches long
Colors: Dark Plum (Red Heart TLC Essentials)
Pattern: So Simple Wimple by Dot at bythehook (modified)
Hook: N, M for edging
Date: December 2005

The wimple I made last November was too large around my face so my neck got quiet a bit of cold breeze! I took it apart yesterday and made a smaller one!

I still used a larger crochet hook than the original pattern (N instead of K) because I like the texture better, but I started with 71 stitches (instead of 90 as before). Dot's So Simple Wimple pattern is very easy to follow! I added a picot edging (M hook) on both sides of the tube to finish it off.

The second month (of 12) of sample skeins from Elann arrived last weekend - rich browns! Again, accompanied by information about each skein and snippets of the yarns in other colors.

My free Bernat Disco yarn arrived last Saturday! The color is Aqua Velvet. Bernat has also been shipping free skeins in Mr. Brown, which looks like a light chocolate to me (but some people have referred to it as Mr. Poo on message boards/blogs/listserv messages!).

I also filled out an offer form for a free skein to be sent to Mom's house. It hasn't yet arrived, but a mixture of the Aqua Velvet with Mr. Brown might be nice!

Now...what to make? I'm very into machine washable items (since hand washing is not my thing), but a scarf or trim on something is a possibility. Or I can add these to my growing use-for-freeform crochet yarn collection.

Disco yarn patterns on the Bernat website.

Colors: Burgundy, White, Maize (yellow), Forest Green (Royale Classic, size 10)
Pattern: Chrysanthemum
Book: One-Day Dainty Doilies - Leaflet 101147 - Designs by Hazel Henry and Lucille LaFlamme - Copyright 1999 - House of White Birches
Hook: 7 (1.5 mm)
Date: December 2005

After finishing the thread bookmarks, I decided to crochet my first doily! I liked this pattern because it is colorful and has a unique oblong shape.

Because of a "grandma kept doilies under glass" comment at a recent meeting at the college, the doily is now under a clear plastic runner on the carpet in the president's office...just to see if anyone notices and puts two and two together!

Date: December 2005

Top row:

1. Colors: Wood Violet (light purple) (Royal Classic, size 10)
   Pattern: #5 - Design by Patty Kowaleski
   Book: Corner Bookmarks - Leaflet 2749 - Copyright 1995 - Leisure Arts
   Hook: 4 (2.0 mm)
2. Colors: Orchid Pink (Royal Classic, size 10)
   Pattern: Pineapple - Design by Judy Teague Treece
   Book: 3 Dozen & One Bookmarks - Leaflet 873720 - Copyright 2002 - Annie's Attic
   Hook: 7 (1.5 mm)
3. Colors: Red, Forest Green, Maize (yellow) (Royal Classic, size 10)
   Pattern: Classic Bookmarks: Flower - Design by Barbara Neid (modified to make petals fatter and add a second leaf)
   Book: 3 Dozen & One Bookmarks - Leaflet 873720 - Copyright 2002 - Annie's Attic
   Hook: 7 (1.5 mm)
4. Colors: Bridal Blue (Royal Classic, size 10)
   Pattern: Cross Stitch - Design by Brenda Stratton for Crochet Trends & Traditions
   Book: 3 Dozen & One Bookmarks - Leaflet 873720 - Copyright 2002 - Annie's Attic
   Hook: 4 (2.0 mm)
5. Colors: Burgundy (Royal Classic, size 10)
   Pattern: Classic Bookmarks: Butterfly - Design by Barbar Neid
   Book: 3 Dozen & One Bookmarks - Leaflet 873720 - Copyright 2002 - Annie's Attic
   Hook: 4 (2.0 mm)

Bottom row:

6. Colors: Cream, Violet (Royal Classic, size 10)
   Pattern: Mile-A-Minute - Design by Kyleigh Hawke
   Book: 3 Dozen & One Bookmarks - Leaflet 873720 - Copyright 2002 - Annie's Attic
   Hook: 4 (2.0 mm)
7. Colors: Cream, Maize (yellow) (Royal Classic, size 10)
   Pattern: #5 (pineapples)
   Book: Crocheted Bookmarks - Leaflet 2594 - Designs by Cindy Peecher - Copyright 1994 - Leisure Arts
   Hook: 4 (2.0 mm)
8. Colors: Mint (light green), Forest Green (Royal Classic, size 10)
   Pattern: #7
   Book: Granny Square Bookmarks - Leaflet 2631 - Designs by Carolyn Pfeifer - Copyright 1994 - Leisure Arts
   Hook: 7 (1.5 mm)

For a few co-workers this Christmas.

Size: 7 inches x 60 inches
Colors: Earth Shades (brown, black) (Bernat Soft Boucle)
Pattern: My own
Hook: K
Date: December 2005

For my son, Greg, to keep his head and neck warm during the Virginia winter.

Size: 5 1/2 inches x 46 inches
Colors: Wandering Wines (variety of rose tones) (Patons Bohemian)
Hat Pattern: Brimmed Hat by Lion Brand
Scarf Pattern: My own
Hook: M
Date: December 2005

For my son's girlfriend, Lauren, to keep her head and neck warm in the Virginia winter.

Size: 21 inches diameter (flat sides); 24 inches (points)
Colors: Scraps
Pattern: V-Stitch Rug by Tammy Hildebrand (p. 42)
Book: Big Book of Scrap Crochet Projects - ISBN 1-882138-94-5 - Copyright 2003 - House of White Birches
Hook: M
Date: November 2005

For our "88 model" kitty, Bubba, because she lays on cold tiles to be in the sun. She likes it! I woke up this morning with her snoring in the sun on the pad!

Size: 35 inches x 47 inches
Colors: Scraps
Pattern: My own
Hook: K
Date: November 2005

Hmmm, I didn't quite have the pattern right for the valley of the ripple until the last few rows.

Size: 36 inches x 44 inches
Colors: Scraps
Pattern: Ripple (p. 116) (modified: made lengthwise instead)
Book: 40 Fabulous Afghans - ISBN 0-696-02357-1 - Designs by Patricia Bevens - Copyright 1993 - Meredith Press
Hook: K
Date: November 2005

Size: 32 inches x 46 inches
Colors: Burgundy, Jewel (variegated), Light Sage, Country Blue (Red Heart Super Saver)
Pattern: Ripple (p. 116)
Book: 40 Fabulous Afghans - ISBN 0-696-02357-1 - Designs by Patricia Bevens - Copyright 1993 - Meredith Press
Hook: J
Date: November 2005

A first lap blanket for 2006 donation. This is probably my first ripple afghan!

[December 21, 2005] Hubby asked if he could send this one to an elderly relative - of course, I said yes!

A few interesting websites to note:

From neauveau.com:

• The Recycled Yarn Tutorial - Great tutorial on how to unravel an old sweater (or other crocheted or knitted garment) so you can re-use (recycle) the yarn.
• How to Wrap A Skein of Yarn

...

New Yarns by Crochet911.com

Walk into any yarn department or store and the variety of yarns and colors will amaze you. Beautiful textures, interesting fibers and exciting blends are now available along with classic, traditional yarns. ... To help you better understand what these new yarns look like, following is a brief look at some of the more popular new yarn types.

Photos of different yarns are provided.

...

Great freeform crochet art: 60 Odd, A Fiber Oddyssey

61 fiberartists, all members of the International Freeform Artist’s Guild were given a unique challenge. Each artist selected one yarn and sent 61 five-yard skeins of that yarn to a central location. In return each artist received 61 different skeins from fellow artists all over the world. There was no coordination of color, texture, or any other artistic components. The Challenge was to create their own interpretation of fiber art using only those yarns.

...

Lovely freeform at KnotJustKnitting.com.

...

How to Figure the Starting (Foundation) Chain for Filet Crochet - "It's actually very easy to figure out how many chains should be in a starting chain for any filet crochet chart. I've given formulas below to figure starting chains for both a 3 dc mesh and a 4 dc mesh."

knitPro - Free online photo-to-chart maker

The Crochet Works - Love the Rainbow Mobile, Ghostmobile. Also: pocket animals, forest freinds, door mouse, draft bunny, guard dawg, sentry snake, crib toys, witch and caldron (Scara-Lee), candles, angels, toilet paper Christmas toppers, gingerbread man and lady, snowflakes, Christmas ornaments, holiday bells, Christmas tree skirt, baskets, shopping bag, crochet hook case, more.

• Stitch Me Up - Huge list of bookmarks to crochet and knitting websites.


• Crochet and Craft Links - Stargazer / Martha - Huge list of links

Celt's Vintage Crochet - patterns from early 1900s through it looks like 1960 or so.. Tablecloths, toys, dolls, wearables, baby, afghans, bedspreads, wall hangings, runners, christmas, kitchen, bath, pinapple squares, doilies, misc. filet and edgings.

Charted Alphabets (uppercase and lowercase letters)

OMG! I don't remember where I saw these, but they're WONDERFUL, especially since I'm a cat lover!

• Tree Decorating 101 - My son's response: "Annoyingly cute." Ha!
• StuffOnMyCat.com

Wow! Pattern information at Spiral Doily (it's Russian, I think).

Also, see this photo (no pattern instructions). The web page says "Small Runner From Burda Crochet Fall 2000".