Saturday, October 2, 2010

Special Olympics yarn

I hightailed it to my local Walmart yesterday and was able to get both colors of Red Heart Super Saver needed for the Special Olympic scarves. I have already begun one scarf. Photos will be forthcoming when I'm done. I hope the two colors play well together. We are not supposed to use any other colors. Just those two.

If you are looking for patterns, you might try Crochet Pattern Central. Lots of scarf pattern links in one place.

In the meantime, I finished a few washcloths with the pink cotton prize yarn Sandy sent me. I had enough for three 8" cloths and the last one is not edged. I will probably keep that one for myself and send the other three off.

That's all for now. Back to crocheting!


Happy crocheting!

Friday, October 1, 2010

Special Olympics

The 2011 Special Olympics USA scarf project is about to get underway. You can find information at several different places. This year's colors are Red Heart Super Saver 512 Turqua and 886 Blue.

Bookmark http://www.scarvesforspecialolympics.org/ and http://scarvesforspecialolympics.wordpress.com/ or join their Facebook page or Twitter to get updated information.

The size for this year's scarf is 6" x 54"-60". That means 6" wide and anywhere from 54 to 60" long.

In shopping around for prices, I found our local Walmart was least expensive at 2.23. I bought six skeins of each color today. Online prices (today) (note they may change) were Hobby Lobby at 2.59, Herrschner's at 2.99, Knitting Warehouse at 3.14 and they went up from there. This is not an all inclusive list. There may be other places with different prices.

Patterns - you can use any pattern you want as long as you use the two colors specified (no additional colors) and make it the size specified. One possible choice would be to adjust Jamie's Scarf, alternating the two colors. Just use a shorter foundation chain to make it 60" and work the number of rows it takes for 6".

I'll have to check my other patterns to see if any meet the size guidelines or can be adjusted to be that size. Of course, there is always a simple stripe pattern with a nice edging. You can view pictures of previous project scarves at the Facebook page.

Happy crocheting!

Monday, September 27, 2010

faux cable scarf

Another scarf made and packed to send to Knit Your Bit. I again used the faux cable portion of the 2010 pattern (my design). I love that design. I think it is one of my all time favorites. Is that vain? LOL I even love the picture of the scarf I made that is used with the pattern. The blue is striking and the picture came out true to color. Because a J hook is used, it is drapable and goes quickly. Did I say I love this pattern?

This one came out 6" x 60" and is made with I Love This Yarn. I can't remember the color - a country blue of some sort.

I had a small ball leftover and am making 6" squares with that using Suzie's pattern at http://suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com/2010/08/sfprr.html. I had intended to send them to her but the first came out 5" instead of 6". I got it to 5 3/4" by changing the last sc round to a dc. Maybe if I concentrate on making my dcs longer each round, I can get it to size. That's the golden loop thing. [edit: I did what Suzie suggests and worked a hdc then a sc round and it came out EXACTLY 6". *happy me* Thanks, Suzie.]

I need to find a good I hook. The one I'm using is catching the yarn and not flowing smoothly. It is one of the Inox made in Germany which are my all time favorite hooks, but this one was a flub. What I need to do is put it away and pull out another I hook to put in its place as I always go to the same spot to grab my working hook. Do you have a spot where you keep your special hooks, the one you use most often for quick and sure projects?

Suzie has some wonderful patterns and I've used a lot of hers in the past. I could spend all day over there looking, but then I wouldn't get anything done! LOL

Someone over at Craftown forums was asking about fringe and tassels. As I investigated I found this article in Crochet! magazine. It's an excellent brief tutorial on making different types. I've long had in mind to make something with the loop fringe, but since I don't use fringe very often I've never done it. Maybe on my next scarf? We'll see.

This morning I ran across this beautiful sampler afghan at Red Heart. Lovely squares. I would probable do it in one color or perhaps two. It does say to "check your gauge" and I notice each square has a different gauge. That would be a problem for me as I am not in the habit of checking gauge. The pattern uses 8 of the 7 ounce skeins of Super Saver. I do like the colors they chose, but I am not sure I like them together in the same ghan. Coral is a gorgeous, vibrant color. Frosty green is a pretty shade of green and I have used the cornmeal before and love it. Buff is just a neutral color. Tea leaf is the other green - looks like grass green to me. Green is not my favorite color but it's been growing on me lately. This is not a bad shade. Of course country blue IS my favorite color. :-) Anyway, I saved the pattern for "one day". :-) Red Heart yarn is available at my local Walmart and I think they've improved the yarn a bit. I haven't had as much trouble with my last couple skeins. Hoping that's an across the board improvement.

Well, I could chat all day, but I'd better get to finishing the hat I've started and working on that square.

Have a great week! I'm having root canal Wednesday so if you don't hear from me for a few days that is why although I'm not expecting any problems.

Happy crocheting!

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Queen's Scarves

Dee Stanziano posted a link on her Facebook to the HHCC (Happily Hooked on Crochet Club) and of course I went to have a look-see. I happened across a mention of Queen Victoria presenting scarves which she crocheted herself to various soldiers in the British service. You can see the scarf and read a brief article about it at http://www.queensroyalsurreys.org.uk/museum/agq_0109.html

The article says this about the scarves:
An unusual award, in the form of a long scarf crocheted by Queen Victoria, was made to selected servicemen during the South African War. It was apparently worn over the shoulder, passing under the shoulder strap, across the chest and buckled on the right hip. The description of the scarf is given as "..crocheted in Khaki-coloured Berlin wool, approximately nine inches wide and five foot long, including a four inch fringe at each end, and bears the Royal Cipher V.R.I. (Victoria Regina Et Imperatrix)..."
The article goes on to give more details. Eight scarves were awarded.

Cool, yes?

Happy crocheting!