Crocheting Again

Well, it finally happened. I can crochet again. Not for a long time, but hey better than nothing at all for over a year. I joined the Ravelry 2012 BOM for crochet. I also starting some amigurumi toy manufacturing. Since I just started playing Angry Birds (and totally love it), I'm making an angry bird. There are a few patterns on the internet and for the small amount of yarn, I will probably try them all until I figure out which is the keeper for me. During my year of absense from crocheting, I was only so-so at not buying yarn, so I'm also going to be working on reducing the stash down to 2 containers - one for wool and the other for everything else. I'm more or less going out of afghan making for awhile and going for little projects. Yeah, and maybe I'll get that ladybug afghan done!

A Finish!

Finished a project!! In the nick of time!! Here's the Take-a-Long Granny square afghan that I've been working on. It's about 45x65 inches (standard afghan size) and based on a photo of a kit that I saw in the Mary Maxim catalog. I used Red Heart yarn in white, sage, time and dusty rose. Yep, it's a scrap afghan. I plan to gift it sometime in January.


Bad photo- it's just been dim and dark outside. I'll replace this with a better photo when I can.

Crocheting Near Finish!

Just thought I'd show you some progress on the crochet front. Here's a photo of the Granny Square afghan. I've completed the body. I still need to work in ends and then do the edging. I plan to make some crocheted kitties to attach and personalize this afghan. This is just brainless crochet for someone as experienced as I am, but it sure looks nice. I still have a LOT of leftover green and pink, so yes, I'll be making another one. I cannot BELIEVE how many skeins I bought thinking I wouldn't have enough and of course, Mom then wanted a change of green. I don't know who the final afghan will go to, but it will be my main project in December. I still cannot knit due to my arm pain, so a good time to work on the project.

I use a BASIC GRANNY SQUARE pattern and change colors every row. I'll include more instruction when I finish the afghan. Right now, I'm thinking of going with my favorite scall0ped edging. I'm going to first consider some of the edging options in 50 Crocheted Afghan Borders. I was hoping for something more like a flat braid, but using an H hook, that doesn't always work in a larger size. We'll see. I'll experiment tonight.

Crocheting and Cat Beds

A 3-4 hour appointment turned into 5.5 hours of solid crocheting. As a result, I was able to get nearly 3 of the large squares done last week. Each large square is about 14 inches and the entire length is roughly 43 inches. Once all the rows are done, I think I'll finish the edging in scallops. I love scallops.



I have a lot of cat help at most times. But what they really do is sleep. Everywhere. All day long unless you are working on something and then they help. Their current favorite sleeping bed are the 2 boxes from the grocery store.
It's not like they don't have other beds. Its there. It's a cardboard box. I'm going to sleep in it.

Cleo-Claudine and Bart (he's the all black one). Cleo and Bart tend to sleep together. Bart is very much a mama's boy. See that ugly chair in the back? I'm hoping to refinish it before it snows. Gotta buy some paint stripper this week.


Polly in grocery cardboard boxes. Too tired to even look up.



Here's the cat bunk bed. I think this photo was taken last Spring. From top to bottom is Bart, Cleo-Claudine, and Sylvester.


Here's Polly sleeping in a chair. Too funny.


We bought these beds for about $6 at Walgreens. Polly was in it so quick, I didn't even have the tag off! This is their winter livingroom bed.

Crocheting Afghan Again

Well, today I'll show you progress on the crocheting project. This is the my take-a-long project granny afghan. It's based on a photo for a kit sold at Mary Maxim. After getting my leftovers from the rose afghans together, I realized that I had only 3 skeins of white and 5 or more of rose and green, so my color arrangement had to vary.



Here's a closeup. Threading in the ends is always such a pain in the neck. So, I just stick in DVDs and watch movies or series while threading in. Star Trek Next Generation is good for this since I've already seen most episodes before, although some were so long ago, I've forgotten them. I'll have to start crocheting the larger blocks now. I do want to finish this afghan (as well as the Ladybug afghan that continues to linger) before the end of the year.

After I finish these two projects, I have 5 more afghan projects for which I have yarn. Planned projects include a dragonfly afghan, an Irish Rose pillowghan, Winnie the Pooh, and an animal afghan.

Projects and Near Dones

Lots of things I have been working on when I should be doing other things. Just finished attached the binding to the front of the Waterfall quilt, so that is an almost finish. I expect that I will finish it in a few days. For the first time, I finally used the instructions for making continuous bias binding from a rectangle. Went very smooth. I learned from the last time - just make more than you need and save the leftover for some scrap quilt or potholders.

Started a pair of Baba's Bed Socks finally using leftover blue Woolease. The instructions say to cast on using 2 strands of yarn. Ok... remind me to never again try to do this using 2 ends of the same skein. It works, but it was just a dumb thing to do. My only excuse was that I was rushed. I couldn't find my knitting bag and I needed a take-along and it was the only thing where I could quickly nab yarn, needles and instructions and zoom off. I foolishly only grabbed ONE skein of yarn. Anyway, this is a top down on double pointed needles pattern. I finished the cuff and since it goes right to the heel, I expect, it won't take too long to do.

My goal has been to finish the ladybug afghan by April 15, so I really have to get a move on that one. I'm at a point where everything needs to be done at home, so I have my large clipboard to hold the background piece while I attach. Periodically, I have to stop and make more spots for wings. They are tougher than they seem to make because of the black, but the stitches themselves aren't particularly complicated.

Homespun Granny Afghan

Homespun Granny Afghan
Originally uploaded by Tarana5

Completed 12/25/2010! Here's my completed Games afghan. Begun during Opening Ceremonies, I finished it just after lunch today. The sewing up took longer than I thought it would (doesn't it always?). The afghan is 50x62 inches and made entirely from Lion brand Homespun in several colors. The goal of this project was to use up all these leftover skeins from other projects. Still have enough leftover to make a pillow.

This is just a basic 12 inch granny square. I varied the squares based on the amount of yarn I had of any color. It's quite heavy and cozy warm. Cat tested and approved already.

Another photo of the afghan.

More Progress on Games Projects

I've managed to finish all the squares for the Homespun Granny Afghan. Still to do is the weaving in of the ends, sewing or crocheting together and adding a final border. I expect to be done Tuesday or Wednesday. This Homespun stuff is SO soft.



Here's the progress on the Team USA hat. I am about 2 rows shy of the antlers. I hope to finish most of the knitting today. Already managed to find little flag appliques for those blank spots. I plan to make this hat again but with some changes. This hat is being made from Vanna's Choice yarn. It does knit nicely - was a good choice for an acrylic.

Progress on Games Knitting

View 1 - granny square afghan
Originally uploaded by Tarana5

As you can see, a lot of afghan creation going on here. Five squares done and the remaining 15 at least partially done. I had originally planned to unwind a shawl that wasn't being used, but there was an outcry. So, I'm on hold until I get to the store tomorrow to buy another skein of brown. I tried one square without the brown and hated it, so back to Square 6. With the additional skein of yarn, the remaining squares should finish up quickly. I'm hoping for a Friday completion.

I started a Buffy potholder, but miscounted, so will be starting that again. Tomorrow, I will also get a start on the red socks. My hat project may be changed from the Snowboarder's cap to the US Olympic Team hat.

Let the Needlework Games Begin!

I'm in all 3 - Ravelympics2010, Ancient Crochet Games and UFOlympics.

My starting project tonight will be the granny afghan. It's mindless and doesn't require me to watch it much so that I can watch the Opening Ceremonies, followed by recording Caprica and then on to my Buffy marathon. The afghan is such a large project that I have it in both the Ravelympics and Crochet Games.



The Lacy Sock is my entry for the UFOlympics. It was my first toe up sock and I'd like to finish it first. It was after this sock that I tried and loved knitting with just 2 circs. I also am far less intimidated by the lace pattern. Even with my experience, it's hard to believe that I'm still intimidated doing what really are truly easy things. Rather than risk a change of gauge, I will continue to knit this on double pointed needles.


On the quilting front, in order to maintain my 1 hour of sewing or cutting without my machine, I cut up scraps yesterday and today. I have enough to do so again tomorrow. Gotta keep taming the scrapmonster.

Hey, I was excited to find out that KnitPicks has already shipped my order! Maybe I'll be able to start it next week!

Granny Square Afghan Project

grannyproject
Originally uploaded by Tarana5

During the Olympics, one of my major projects is a Granny Square Afghan made using up all remaining Homespun yarn. I will still need to buy both a black and a purple skein to make all the different colors play nicely together. I'll pick those up on Thursday. Pictured is my pattern sample - done in size K hook. The result is a 12 inch square. I'll need 20 of them for a full-sized afghan. I'm not so keen on that large black blob in the middle. It looks great with other colors, but with black, it's just a blob. Not a good choice.

The final afghan will be a gift for someone.

Ravelympics Preparations

If you knit or crochet, you probably know that the Ravelympics 2010 is soon to begin. I am a member of two teams: Team Minnesota and Team Buffy Staked Edward. See the cool logo? Team MN doesn't have one yet. You Twilight fans - don't get too upset. I am also thinking of joining Team TrueBlood. Buffy will likely stake Eric and Bill as well.

I have only seen a smattering of Buffy shows, so purchased, used, the entire Buffy and Angel series. I plan to marathon watch during the Olympics as they only cover my favorite skiing events at odd times. I really like watching the skiing and fancy skating.

I plan to do multiple SMALL projects this time around. I don't have to buy any yarn and I have all the tools. Nothing to buy. The only project I'm concerned about is the kitty Pi bed. I want to use Wendy Johnson's NEW pi bed pattern. I copied it from a book at the library and now can't find the pattern and the book has been checked out by someone else!! I made the old pattern (Huff and Spitty, my sister's cats, are featured on her gallery pages). If I can't find the pattern instructions, I'll just have to pass on this project until I can get the book again.

Here are the potential events I will be participating in. Obviously, I will ultimately only participate in 3 or 4, but it gives me a basis to figure out where I have the patterns, yarn and tools. For instance, my search for Homespun yarn last night produced only 3 skeins. I'm thinking that I may have sold that stuff in last year's garage sale. Hmm.. I'll have to check the pictures to see if it was on the tables (photos taken for scrapbook included the crafts table). The items in BOLD I've already decided to do and have everything in the Olympics bag (from the Atlanta Games).

Aerial Unwind - reclaim the yarn from an unloved project.
Bag Jump - tote bag
Bobsled - Pet projects - Wendy's Pi bed
Felting Freestyle - crocheted & felted bear
Free Dance - anything that doesn't fit other categories
Giant Slalom-ghan - afghan - Crocheted granny square lapsized afghan in Homespun yarn
Hat Halfpipe - hats - I have kit I bought last year. I could maybe finish it while there is still snow?
Platter Lift - home decor. I wonder if this includes washcloths?
Single Skein Speed Skate - uses one skein. I have a pillow to make! Or a washcloth.
Skelegurumi - toys - my robot fits here.
Sock Hockey - socks - a simple sock from Wendy's sock book
Stash Compulsory Dance - use of long neglected stash. I'll have to check. Most of these skeins are more complicated projects.
WIPs-Dancing - any WIPs/UFOs I will have socks in this category. I have several second socks I can make.

Finished an Afghan!

My first finish of 2009 is the crocheted 2 Color Striped Afghan! It is wonderfully light and cozy and I love the basketweave pattern (reminds me of baskets made in South America). Here's a photo plus a closeup. The closeup helps show that starburst pattern in the edging. The afghan is about 48 x 68 inches and made from 12 skeins of Woolease in Denim and Wheat. The pattern is a freebee from www.lionbrand.com. This was an ideal TV project. I made much of it while watching several series from Netflix including 4 seasons of Desperate Housewives. On the downside, I seem to have given myself tendonitis, so am giving myself a break for the next month and just crocheting the Ravelry Blocks-of-the-month.




Not yet washed and dried, so it's a tad wavy.

Afghan and Swap Blocks

I have been having a heck of a time trying to post to Blogger. I know the problem is with my computer, but it is so darn frustrating. Photobucket is also giving me issues, giving a link instead of a photo. Anyway, enough griping.

The 2 color striped afghan is halfway done. While I did have a lot of progress on it in January, much of that was due to watching Desperate Housewives DVDs which averaged 3-4 hours each. Almost done with season 4, so I don't really expect to finish this afghan until March. Currently, it is about 45 inches wide and 43 inches long. I'm thinking about 70 inches long and then I will add the scalloped edging.


Also have been working on swap blocks. Finished an Iris and the sewing portion of the bee blocks. Still have to add attenae (sp?). This is a 3 part swap and my final part will be appliqued dragonflies. They will probably look better than my Iris' since I've had more practice now.

Crafting in the New Year

I am having terrible internet problems that will likely occur until something gets fixed next week.

In the meantime, I have been crocheting and quilting. My current crochet project is a one-piece using woolease. I love the textures.


For quilting, I've been working on Bonnies' mystery that began New Year's Eve Day at Quiltville.org. I've finished step one and here's a photo of those little blocks.

Finally, I did the first block for my QATW 2009 BOM. Here it is!

Log Cabin Blocks Completed

I finished the log cabin blocks last night. When putting together an example section, I realized that my layout plan won't work. Why, you might ask? My blocks are not squares. They are 9x10 unfinished. So, I need to do some playing around with EQ6 and figure out a different layout. I'm glad I discovered this doing a little section (way less ripping out). The black sashing really makes it pop though. Good choice!

I discovered Plurk last night as a result of WendyKnits. It's kind of cute, but since I'm not part of a group, exactly, I'm not sure how useful it will be. However, click on this link and you can become a part of Plurk and figure it out for yourself. You will start off as one of my friends. I get no gratuities for this.
Plurk Link

For my QATW Countdown Challenge project, I am quilting the second wreath wallhanging I did last year. Last year's (for my brother) I did in-the-ditch quilting in the green areas using some old Coats & Clark sparkly green. This time, I did meandering and I'm not as happy with that. However, the sparklies should show up better in the light. Most of the local stores no longer sell this metallic, but it does sparkle as much as the more expensive stuff.


On the crocheting front, I have decided to abandon the Flying Afghan project (pattern by Drew Emborskey) and will offer my instructions to someone else. I have done 3 of the squares. I like the pattern, but just am not inspired to continue the challenge of this project, not to mention the fact that nobody in my family wants an afghan with wool (I inherited my grandmother's 2 wool afghans by being the only one who would actually USE them). I'll decide later what to do with the yarn - I think I have enough to do a color block sweater.

Talk Like A Pirate and Look Like One Too!

Aye, once again it's International Talk Like A Pirate Day. What be you doin'? I be makin' pirates.

This 'ere's me new shipmate, Yellowbeard. 'Is mum called 'im Rrrnold. Made 'im from Jiffy yarn (acrylic mohair, hence the beard) and odds and ends of acrylic leftovers. He be about 10 inches tall and fittin'. Pattern based on Pirate Pal from Lionbrand.com. No, Polly is not wantin' to have a cracker. She be a particular yarn cat. It'd be Alice who'd be wantin' herself a cracker.



What's a pirate's favorite socks? Arrrrgyle.

How do pirates make their money? By hook or by crook.

Why did the pirate refuse to say, "Aye, Aye, Captain"? Because he's only got one eye.

What has 12 arms, 12 legs and 12 eyes? A dozen pirates.

Finished the Chicken!

Here's my first potholder in decades. The pattern is from Annie's Attic Ultimate Book of Potholders. I did this in Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton using an E hook. It came out an inch larger than the pattern, but I actually like them a little larger so that's fine. I actually need a bunch of potholders and am inspired to do some crazy ones first.


If you don't want to buy the book just for this pattern, here is a very similar version for you to use.
http://www.craftown.com/crochet/pat55.htm

Crochet-a-long and Old Project

Yes, once again, multiple projects. Today, I'm working on a potholder. As soon as that is done, I have to start working on a gift for another crocheter (a crocheted purse), now that I have all the materials. I still need a small amount of fabric for the liner, but that will wait for a shopping day. I also need to work on my robot. I'm not very good for much else this week - major sinus congestion is making me dizzy. I'm still kindof whiny about cutting back on coffee. I love tea, but it's just not the same (and I'm not counting the caffeine).

I joined the Lion Brand Yarn Crochet-a-long which started at the beginning of September and lasts for 6 weeks. We are all working on a sampler afghan. Here are two of my blocks. I'm using a P crochet hook and, as I'm a loose crocheter, my blocks are a tad above gauge. While these two come out the same size, the third block does not. I'm just going to add more chains to the foundation chain and make it a little bigger. The final size of the afghan according to the pattern is just a little smaller than average and this will bring it up to a more comfortable 45x60 inch. At the suggestion of several other participants, I went with Vanna's Afghan yarn. This stuff is SO soft and I would say virtually the same as the old Caron Sayelle that I used for all my afghans in the 80s and 90s. These colors are beige and dusty blue. They go fast and now that I've decided on sizing, I should be able to get a bunch done in the next week.


I am also back to working on my Leisure Arts 63 Stitches Sampler Afghan started in 2004. Yes, way back then it ended up on the sidelines. Here are blocks #39 and #15. I really like this puff stitch and plan to incorporate it in an afghan soon. I am working on at least one block a week on Thursdays. Yes, at that rate, it will take me until late next year to be completed, but when you consider that I started in 2004, next year is good enough.

Halloween Project Done!

I managed to finish my Halloween project before the end of the Crochet Games, but made some alterations. The web actually went well once I got the hang of handling cording. I used a different stitch for the candy corn, so varied the pattern a tad as a result. More interesting than plain single crochet. While I wouldn't ordinarily use a beat-up blue tarp to show off completed objects, they do show up well against it.

This Halloween pattern is by Maggie Weldon. I'm not sure of the thread, but the black yarn was similar to Vanna's afghan yarn. The candy corn and pumpkin were made out of Red Heart and part of a Caron One-Pounder.