So… I have two knitting projects going right now but I haven’t picked them up because the thought of touching yarn when it’s this hot out seems kinda of icky.
Do you all find it hard to knit and crochet when the weather is warm? Or do you do just fine with your yarn projects in any kind of weather?
If you’ve got any tips, I’d love to hear them!
So, I’ve been neglecting my blog duties.
I can admit it.
In my defense I’ve actually been working on a couple of projects.
First is The Millie Cardigan from Vintage Crochet by Susan Cropper . The pattern is by Alicia Paulson, and it’s worked from the yoke down, which is SUPER easy! It’s all single and double crochet. I’ve decided to use ribbon instead of fabric strips for the ties and I’m going to make “toggle” closures with the ribbon and decorative buttons isntead of just having it tie to close. I may also crochet some flowers and vines on it too. I really want to make it up special as it’s a gift for my friend Jen. It is the LATEST birthday present ever… she probably won’t actually get the sweater til sometime in August. Her birthday was in February. Oy.
Scarf pattern from Interweave Crochet Winter 2008.
Second, is a scarf project from my completely abused Winter 2008 issue of Interweave Crochet. It’s called Mitered Squares and it’s by a designer named Annette Petavy. The pattern is single crochet in the front loop only with a regular decrease in the center of each row. The name of the pattern pretty much says it all. Anyway, with a little counting and a stitch marker, this scarf works up in no time.
For the Mitered Squares project I’m using Jo-Ann Fabrics Debbie Mumm Traditions in Purple, instead of the recommended yarn(South West Trading Company Karaoke). The Debbie Mumm isn’t very thick so I used a size G hook instead of a K hook (as recommended). I’m not having any problems working it up.
I’d like to try using these mitered squares for a blanket. I actually think the Traditions yarn would work up nice. I’m so in love with variagated yarn right now! But that is also another post.
This is a late night post… So, I’m not going to wax poetic. I just wanted to share my first progress picture. I will admit that it looks a right mess but I reserve the right to claim that WIPs are exempt from looking perfect.
This is what happens when you crochet in a dark hole...
My pitiful camera phone does the pretty teal color of the yarn no justice… Still you get an idea of what the rows look like, if nothing else. At this point I’m about 10 rows from working on the right front panel. A last minute decision: no bow. My mom wants me to make one of these for her so I’ll tackle the bow when I work on hers this Spring.
See you next week, YarnThings!
I was working my crochet on the bus today and my hands were dry… It seems like dry hands cause you to feel every twist of thread in a strand of yarn, doesn’t it? I know I did… and it got me wondering about something I thought about a few days ago while I was working on my project at home.
I was watching one of the CSI shows and they were talking about epithelials, the skin cells that slough off our bodies when we touch things, and how they were found on some object that was relevant to their case.
It got me thinking this:
Every time I touch this skein of yarn and wind it around my hand, pulling up loops to create the fabric, I’m leaving a little bit of me behind. It’s not just my skill (or lack of it!) as a crafter that goes into, not just my time, not just my effort – but actual small bits of me that hold my very DNA are being woven in as well.
That might gross some people out… but not me. I was kind of awed by the thought. I don’t think anyone who picks up a crochet hook or a set of knitting needles ever thought of what they do as being anything other than personal. To me those little skin cells are physical reminders of the love, the heart, the soul we put into every project our hands touch. And yeah, they probably all get wiped away when we wash or block those projects but I’d like to think that just a little bit of me is locked in and will stay with whoever holds or wears that piece.
There is nothing more personal than that.
I must admit, fellow YarnThings, that I did not already have a project ready when I announced the meeting. So for the last few days I’ve been searching online and in stores for a project that would be easy, fun, and wearable.
I found it today while I was in Barnes & Noble. My project is the sweater on the cover of Interweave Crochet – It’s a 3/4 sleeve cardigan with an asymmetrical front, and a bow tie at the neck… all done in single crochet! In one piece! I have this lovely teal yarn that I’m going to use. Now I just need to find a buttons for the front.
I’m so excited to bring this project to our meeting next month. It makes me wonder what kind of things my fellow YarnThings are going to be bringing and what patterns and projects have you salivating like I am over this cardigan.
Will you be knitting? Or crocheting? Are you using thick yarn or thin yarn? Wool, silk, cotton, or acrylic yarn? Don’t you just thrill at the choices you have when you pick up that skein or ball of yarn?
I’m so looking forward to our first meeting and seeing all the exciting choices that you, my fellow yarn lovers, have made with your own projects. Hopefully, the group will cause ua all to to be encouraged in our crafting, expand our mental horizons, and engender a greater sense of community and sharing. So, pick your project… and join Seattle YarnThings on February 10!
Hello Yarn Darlings!
Just wanted you all to join me on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at 5:30 pm at Top Pot Donuts at 5th and Lenora for the first Seattle YarnThing meeting.
Please bring you, some yarn and knitting needles and/or crochet hooks, and any patterns you might want to try. There are coffee and pastries at Top Pot to snack on while hang out. Invite a friend! I hope you can make it!
Yarn Up!
As Is Home 