It all started because my hair appointment was mis-scheduled for next Saturday. There lied the danger! My favorite LYS is just across the street, JoAnn's is in the same shopping center and across from them is a Big Lots.
From the LYS, I bought some neat hand-dyed yarn to make another Fat Bottom Bag, some silk yarn that I'll use to make scarves for Christmas gifts, some Noro wool and the SNB Nation book.
From JoAnn's, a new standing yarn tote and some RH to make some 12" squares to help out another person in another group make an afghan, some Angel Hair yarn and 2 sets of purse handles - 1 wood, 1 bamboo.
Then I got an itch for Big Lots. (After all, why stop now?) If you don't have these stores in your area, they buy large lots of discontinued or overstock items. I get the itch for this store about once or twice a year. When I walked through the door, off to the left, I saw yarn - they never have yarn! They were selling Bernat Galaxy for $1 a ball. I bought 30.
Needless to say, everything is still in the trunk of my car...
:oP Mini
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
WIPs Running Amok
You know what I mean. Those 10 different projects you started because they sounded good at the time but then you quickly lost interest and just piled them up thinking you'll get to them later but then later turns into weeks, then [possibly] months? Well, I'm clearing it all out so I can shift my focus to fun, wintry Christmas gift crocheting :) Here are a few I finished off last weekend.
August HH Swap. This was a choice of either an 'autumn' item or a Halloween item. My partner preferred something she could use throughout the fall as opposed to something specific to a holiday. So I worked up 4 of my favorite Patricia Kristofferson coasters in fall colors and made up a little gift basket for her.
One Skein Scarf. My CFL and Pogo buddy Cris was raving about the one skein scarf in the SNBCHH book and I decided I needed to check it out. She was right! Very cute and a simple pattern that I ended up using as a stress reliever for my minions at work (one expressed an interest in learning and not being one to pass up an opportunity to share our obsession...) So we ended a bit of a stressful week with a little relaxing, quality crochet time at work :) Can it get any better than that?
I'll be posting more soon as there are more WIPs to finish! ;)
xoxo,
Mini
August HH Swap. This was a choice of either an 'autumn' item or a Halloween item. My partner preferred something she could use throughout the fall as opposed to something specific to a holiday. So I worked up 4 of my favorite Patricia Kristofferson coasters in fall colors and made up a little gift basket for her.
One Skein Scarf. My CFL and Pogo buddy Cris was raving about the one skein scarf in the SNBCHH book and I decided I needed to check it out. She was right! Very cute and a simple pattern that I ended up using as a stress reliever for my minions at work (one expressed an interest in learning and not being one to pass up an opportunity to share our obsession...) So we ended a bit of a stressful week with a little relaxing, quality crochet time at work :) Can it get any better than that?
I'll be posting more soon as there are more WIPs to finish! ;)
xoxo,
Mini
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Not A Stitch Diva
Many of the crochet blogs that I read belong to those who aspire to have their original patterns published. I guess I am not one of those. I crochet because I enjoy it, not because I want to become the next stitch diva. Now I'm not doggin' these folks, whatever floats your boat and more power to ya! It's just that I have always found that once I put a price tag on my work, I suddenly detest it and all joy is gone. Not that I haven't also had these thoughts - and it always sounds like a good idea at the time - but it always turns sour for me. It must be that rebellious bone that I grew as a teenager and never quite got rid of. Once it resembles anything close to a job, it falls into the "I'd rather be doing something else" category.
But if I did want to aspire to be the next stitch diva, it would be Patricia Kristofferson that I'd hope to emulate. What that woman can do with thread! She is my hero.
I much prefer to give my work away. I'm hobbit-like in that I love giving presents ~ pretty wrapping paper, crafted gift baskets, fancy trims and inside, something I made just for you. No one else has it. That is where my joy is. That and collecting yarn, hooks and patterns ;)
So etsy and ebay away comrades, I'll stay right here in my nest of patterns and yarn agonizing over what I'm going to make next. My feet will be up, the tube will be on and I'll be in 7th heaven!
Ciao for Now!
But if I did want to aspire to be the next stitch diva, it would be Patricia Kristofferson that I'd hope to emulate. What that woman can do with thread! She is my hero.
I much prefer to give my work away. I'm hobbit-like in that I love giving presents ~ pretty wrapping paper, crafted gift baskets, fancy trims and inside, something I made just for you. No one else has it. That is where my joy is. That and collecting yarn, hooks and patterns ;)
So etsy and ebay away comrades, I'll stay right here in my nest of patterns and yarn agonizing over what I'm going to make next. My feet will be up, the tube will be on and I'll be in 7th heaven!
Ciao for Now!
Saturday, September 16, 2006
The Lost Doily
This is a pattern that a fellow grouper had lost years ago. I'm assuming it was published once-upon-a-time, but no one was able to locate it for her. Armed with a photo of the doily, I re-engineered the pattern and the results are below. Should anyone know the publisher or copyright status of this pattern, please let me know. Otherwise, I assume that my interpretation is the only one that exists.
Size
Approximately 10 inches in diameter
Materials
1 ball DMC Cebelia crochet cotton, size 10
U.S. Steel Hook No. 7
Gauge
Not critical (see notes at end of pattern)
Doily
Ch 6, join with sl st to form ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 3, 23 dc in ring, join with sl st to top of ch-3.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in same st, (ch 6, sk 3 dc, sc in next dc) 5 times; ch 3, dc in first sc. (6 loops)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in loop just formed, ch 6, sc in same loop (ch 6, sc in next loop, ch 6, sc in same loop) 5 times; ch 3, dc in first sc. (12 loops)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in loop just formed, (ch 6, sc in next loop) 11 times; ch 3, dc in first sc. (12 loops)
Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc in loop just formed, ch 6, sc in next loop, ch 6 sc in same loop, [(ch 6, sc in next loop) twice; ch 6, sc in next loop] 5 times; ch 3, dc in first sc. (18 loops)
Rnd 6: Ch 1, sc in loop just formed, (5 dc in next sc, sc in next loop, ch 6, sc in next loop) 8 times; 5 dc in next sc, sc in next loop, ch 3, dc in first sc. (9 shells, 9 loops)
Rnd 7: Ch 1, sc in loop just formed, (5 dc in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, 5 dc in next sc, sc in next loop) 8 times; 5 dc in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, 5 dc in next sc, join with sl st in first sc. (18 shells)
Rnd 8: Sl st in next 3 dc, ch 1, sc in same dc, (5 dc in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, ch 6, sc in next sc, ch 6, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc) 9 times; ch 6, sc in next dc, ch 3, dc in first sc. (9 shells, 18 loops)
Rnd 9: Ch 1, sc in loop just formed, (ch 6, sc in same loop, ch 6, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, ch 6, sc in next loop, ch 6 sc in same loop, ch 6, sc in next loop) 8 times; ch 6, sc in same loop, ch 6, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, ch 6, sc in next loop, ch 6, sc in same loop; ch 3, dc in first sc. (45 loops)
Rnds 10 & 11: Ch 1, sc in loop just formed, ch 6, sc in next loop around ending with ch 3, dc in first sc. (45 loops)
Beginning of Shell Groups
Rnd 12: Ch 1, sc in loop just formed, * 5 dc in next sc, sc in next loop; (ch 6, sc in next loop) 4 times; repeat from * around ending with ch 3, dc in first sc. (9 shells, 36 loops)
Rnd 13: Ch 1, sc in loop just formed, * (5 dc in next sc, sk 3 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, 5 dc in next sc, sc in next loop) 3 times; repeat from * around ending with ch 3, dc in first sc. (18 shells, 27 loops)
Rnd 14: Ch 1, sc in loop just formed, * (5 dc in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc) twice; 5 dc in next sc, sc in next loop, (ch 6, sc in next loop) twice; repeat from * around ending with ch 3, dc in first sc. (27 shells, 18 loops)
Rnd 15: Ch 1, sc in loop just formed, * (5 dc in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc) 3 times; 5 dc in next sc, sc in next loop, ch 6, sc in next loop; repeat from * around ending with ch 3, dc in first sc. (36 shells, 9 loops)
Rnd 16: Ch 1, sc in loop just formed, * (5 dc in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc) 4 times; 5 dc in next sc, sc in next loop; repeat from * around ending with sl st in first sc. (45 shells)
Rnd 17: Sl st in next 3 dc, # (5 dc in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc) 4 times; sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, turn;
Sl st in next 3 dc, (5 dc in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc) 3 times; sk 2 dc, sl st in next dc, turn;
Sl st in next 3 dc, (5 dc in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc) twice; sk 2 dc, sl st in next dc, turn;
Sl st in next 3 dc, 5 dc in next sc, sk 2 dc, sl st in next dc. Finish off.
Next 8 Shell Groups
Attach thread with sl st to 3rd dc of 1st shell on right side of shell group. Repeat Rnd 17 from # to complete. Finish off and weave in all ends.
Rnd 18: Attach thread to any sc between shell groups, ch 1, sc in same st, sc evenly around, join with sl st to first sc. Finish off, weave in ends.
Gauge Notes
The doily I made used approximately 2/3 to 3/4 of the ball of Cebelia. This is roughly 190 – 215 yards to complete the pattern. If you use a different brand, be sure you have enough of the same color in the same dye lot.
I crochet rather tightly and this pattern produced a bit of a ruffled piece, but I was easily able to smooth out during blocking. Should you crochet on the loose side, I would recommend the following changes:
Rnd 1: Ch 1, 24 sc in ring, join with sl st to first sc.
Change all instructions from ‘ch 6’ to ‘ch 5’.
Change all instructions for ending loops from ‘end with ch 3, dc in first sc’ to ‘end with ch 2, dc in first sc’.
Enjoy!
Interpretation copyright 2006
Size
Approximately 10 inches in diameter
Materials
1 ball DMC Cebelia crochet cotton, size 10
U.S. Steel Hook No. 7
Gauge
Not critical (see notes at end of pattern)
Doily
Ch 6, join with sl st to form ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 3, 23 dc in ring, join with sl st to top of ch-3.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in same st, (ch 6, sk 3 dc, sc in next dc) 5 times; ch 3, dc in first sc. (6 loops)
Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in loop just formed, ch 6, sc in same loop (ch 6, sc in next loop, ch 6, sc in same loop) 5 times; ch 3, dc in first sc. (12 loops)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in loop just formed, (ch 6, sc in next loop) 11 times; ch 3, dc in first sc. (12 loops)
Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc in loop just formed, ch 6, sc in next loop, ch 6 sc in same loop, [(ch 6, sc in next loop) twice; ch 6, sc in next loop] 5 times; ch 3, dc in first sc. (18 loops)
Rnd 6: Ch 1, sc in loop just formed, (5 dc in next sc, sc in next loop, ch 6, sc in next loop) 8 times; 5 dc in next sc, sc in next loop, ch 3, dc in first sc. (9 shells, 9 loops)
Rnd 7: Ch 1, sc in loop just formed, (5 dc in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, 5 dc in next sc, sc in next loop) 8 times; 5 dc in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, 5 dc in next sc, join with sl st in first sc. (18 shells)
Rnd 8: Sl st in next 3 dc, ch 1, sc in same dc, (5 dc in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, ch 6, sc in next sc, ch 6, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc) 9 times; ch 6, sc in next dc, ch 3, dc in first sc. (9 shells, 18 loops)
Rnd 9: Ch 1, sc in loop just formed, (ch 6, sc in same loop, ch 6, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, ch 6, sc in next loop, ch 6 sc in same loop, ch 6, sc in next loop) 8 times; ch 6, sc in same loop, ch 6, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, ch 6, sc in next loop, ch 6, sc in same loop; ch 3, dc in first sc. (45 loops)
Rnds 10 & 11: Ch 1, sc in loop just formed, ch 6, sc in next loop around ending with ch 3, dc in first sc. (45 loops)
Beginning of Shell Groups
Rnd 12: Ch 1, sc in loop just formed, * 5 dc in next sc, sc in next loop; (ch 6, sc in next loop) 4 times; repeat from * around ending with ch 3, dc in first sc. (9 shells, 36 loops)
Rnd 13: Ch 1, sc in loop just formed, * (5 dc in next sc, sk 3 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, 5 dc in next sc, sc in next loop) 3 times; repeat from * around ending with ch 3, dc in first sc. (18 shells, 27 loops)
Rnd 14: Ch 1, sc in loop just formed, * (5 dc in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc) twice; 5 dc in next sc, sc in next loop, (ch 6, sc in next loop) twice; repeat from * around ending with ch 3, dc in first sc. (27 shells, 18 loops)
Rnd 15: Ch 1, sc in loop just formed, * (5 dc in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc) 3 times; 5 dc in next sc, sc in next loop, ch 6, sc in next loop; repeat from * around ending with ch 3, dc in first sc. (36 shells, 9 loops)
Rnd 16: Ch 1, sc in loop just formed, * (5 dc in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc) 4 times; 5 dc in next sc, sc in next loop; repeat from * around ending with sl st in first sc. (45 shells)
Rnd 17: Sl st in next 3 dc, # (5 dc in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc) 4 times; sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, turn;
Sl st in next 3 dc, (5 dc in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc) 3 times; sk 2 dc, sl st in next dc, turn;
Sl st in next 3 dc, (5 dc in next sc, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc) twice; sk 2 dc, sl st in next dc, turn;
Sl st in next 3 dc, 5 dc in next sc, sk 2 dc, sl st in next dc. Finish off.
Next 8 Shell Groups
Attach thread with sl st to 3rd dc of 1st shell on right side of shell group. Repeat Rnd 17 from # to complete. Finish off and weave in all ends.
Rnd 18: Attach thread to any sc between shell groups, ch 1, sc in same st, sc evenly around, join with sl st to first sc. Finish off, weave in ends.
Gauge Notes
The doily I made used approximately 2/3 to 3/4 of the ball of Cebelia. This is roughly 190 – 215 yards to complete the pattern. If you use a different brand, be sure you have enough of the same color in the same dye lot.
I crochet rather tightly and this pattern produced a bit of a ruffled piece, but I was easily able to smooth out during blocking. Should you crochet on the loose side, I would recommend the following changes:
Rnd 1: Ch 1, 24 sc in ring, join with sl st to first sc.
Change all instructions from ‘ch 6’ to ‘ch 5’.
Change all instructions for ending loops from ‘end with ch 3, dc in first sc’ to ‘end with ch 2, dc in first sc’.
Enjoy!
Interpretation copyright 2006
Well, here we are at my blog
I should have my head examined for starting anything else that requires maintenance. I already have a website that I don't maintain. But, what the heck? I need something to do while I rest my wrists from crocheting ;)
Speaking of which, I have far too many WIPs. I must have started at least 10 different projects in the last month, most of which no longer hold any appeal for me. So after I finish my latest exchange item, I think I'll take some time to go through everything - patterns, yarn, WIPs and all and decide what goes and what stays. Maybe I have too much crochet clutter to be able to focus on any one thing. Too much distraction. Yeah, that's it! LOL
Here's a pic of the last thing I made for myself. Had I not been leading a crochet-a-long, I probably wouldn't have finished it either! It's made with Marble by James C. Brett and I am jonesing big-time for more of this yarn! The pattern is a freebie I found on line: Blue Jeans Shawl
For you LOTR freaks, yes, that is Sam's and Bill the Pony's head just above the shawl. Another one of my obsessions - Sideshow Weta sculptures of LOTR characters.
This is the Fat Bottomed Bag from the Stitch 'n' Bitch Happy Hookers book. I made it as an exchange item for my chucklebuddy Cris at Crochet for Life! I didn't have the good sense to take a picture of it before I sent it on, so I had to snag it from her blog (so lame, I know). Anyway, I made it with Bamboo yarn from South West Trading Co. in Parrot which I thought worked really well! Cris made it look even better with her nice photography :)
That's all the rambling for now. I'll post again when I am better organized.
Ciao Babies! Mini
Speaking of which, I have far too many WIPs. I must have started at least 10 different projects in the last month, most of which no longer hold any appeal for me. So after I finish my latest exchange item, I think I'll take some time to go through everything - patterns, yarn, WIPs and all and decide what goes and what stays. Maybe I have too much crochet clutter to be able to focus on any one thing. Too much distraction. Yeah, that's it! LOL
Here's a pic of the last thing I made for myself. Had I not been leading a crochet-a-long, I probably wouldn't have finished it either! It's made with Marble by James C. Brett and I am jonesing big-time for more of this yarn! The pattern is a freebie I found on line: Blue Jeans Shawl
For you LOTR freaks, yes, that is Sam's and Bill the Pony's head just above the shawl. Another one of my obsessions - Sideshow Weta sculptures of LOTR characters.
This is the Fat Bottomed Bag from the Stitch 'n' Bitch Happy Hookers book. I made it as an exchange item for my chucklebuddy Cris at Crochet for Life! I didn't have the good sense to take a picture of it before I sent it on, so I had to snag it from her blog (so lame, I know). Anyway, I made it with Bamboo yarn from South West Trading Co. in Parrot which I thought worked really well! Cris made it look even better with her nice photography :)
That's all the rambling for now. I'll post again when I am better organized.
Ciao Babies! Mini
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