KYB

As I noted yesterday, I'm working on Knit Your Bit scarves. Note that I am not a representative of this organization, just a volunteer like you all are. I offer my help regarding the crochet patterns as there are more knitters than crocheters available.

As you know, I fully support our soldiers and our veterans and am so very happy to have the opportunity to help in whatever way I can with this worthy project. The WWII museum that sponsors Knit Your Bit is in my area as well, so that's a bonus.

The yarn being used for the V for Victory pattern is Lion Brand Wool-Ease (Ranch Red). I've used this yarn many times in the past with no problem. Last night, as I sat down to work on this scarf, the yarn kept splitting and/or falling off my hook. I am thinking "what's going on here??". I also went to pull some yarn from the skein and ended up accidentally ripping half a row instead. *groan*

I was using a Boye hook - an actual Boye hook not just a hook with a Boye style head. Sadly, I have misplaced my favorite Inox H hook though I wouldn't have used it for this project anyway. I also couldn't find my Inox I hook last night, but I found it this morning.

I was bemoaning the fact that I had lost two of my favorite hooks when my husband looks around at the dozens of hooks I have displayed and knowing I have more elsewhere. He says to me, "And you only have ONE I hook?"

Well, no. *grin* I have lots of I hooks. But I didn't have THAT I hook. LOL

Anyway, when I picked up the scarf (which I had about half done), I noticed that I'd missed a stitch about six rows down. *sigh*I guess last night really wasn't my night to crochet! Have you ever had one of those?

Frogged the error and went on. Today, I am happy to say, was a much better crochet day.  I finished the Wool Ease scarf and have begun the same scarf using Vanna's Choice. When I work on patterns, I often will make two of whatever I'm working on if I have the time and like the pattern. Just to doublecheck things. Unbelievably, I still miss things.

Finished size of this scarf is about 7" x 60 1/2".

I'm also using my Inox I and J hooks and it is working out much better, so I don't know if it was the particular hook I was using yesterday or the yarn. I'll be working with the Wool Ease again probably tomorrow, so I will be able to test it with the Inox hook.

That's all for now.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

one more lapghan and Knit Your Bit

Here is another lapghan for the rehab facility. It is made with 16 7-round granny squares, just like the others, but in this one I used just two colors - Vanna's Choice pink and red - and lined them up in stripes. Then I edged each stripe in white and joined them with a whipstitch. I considered putting another round of white (or red) and might even still do that.

I didn't do it because I was supposed to head out to the facility yesterday. My plans changed when I had to make a dentist appointment, so I'll be going there next week instead.

In the meantime, I will be back to making scarves. This time they will be for the Knit Your Bit project. If you're not familiar with the project, the scarves are sent to veterans all around the country. You can read about the effort here. I will be assisting in tweaking the patterns. In the meantime, if you want to make and send scarves, please do so. You can use ANY pattern and size is flexible. (I have pattern adaptations at Crochet Cabana as well.)

For this project, you should choose colors that can be worn by either gender such as red, white and blue, dark greens, tans, browns, greys, and fisherman. Pinks or pastels would not be work as well for this project.

You know I'll keep you posted as things progress. The first pattern I'm working on is the V for Victory scarf in Lion Brand Wool Ease ranch red.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

lapghans

Here is another granny square lapghan for the skilled nursing facility. It measures about 38" x 39".

Squares are 7 round basic granny squares. Yarn used was by Red Heart (orange, purple, red) I love This Yarn (blue and green), and Vanna's Choice (pink). I believe there are two of each color except the light sagef and dark purple.

I used the continuous join and worked an extra round of blue for an additional border.

The three ghans I've completed are being washed and will be delivered soon.

A seven round granny takes very little yarn, so I've been using leftover yarns in my stash. I have a few colors with two skeins so that will be held for joining and edging.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

Chevron DC Scarf Pattern

Chevron DC Scarf Pattern
c2009 Sandra Petit

Materials: approx. 10 ounces 4 ply worsted weight yarn in Color A (MC) and 3 ounces Color B (CC), I hook, #16 needle, scissors

Size: approx 9” x 66”

Abbreviations:
ch(s) – chain(s)
hk – hook
sk – skip
dc – double crochet

Shell = 3 dc.   

Note1: This ripple pattern is a multiple of 11.
Note2: at the end of rows, you may use ch-2 or ch-3 for your turning chain. Just be consistent.

ch. 33 loosely
Row 1 (RIGHT SIDE): dc in 4th ch from hk, dc in each of next 2 chs, 3 dc in next ch, dc in each of next 4 chs, sk 2 chs, dc in each of next 4 chs, 3 dc in next ch, dc in each of next 4 chs, sk 2 chs, dc in each of next 4 chs, 3 dc in next ch, dc in each of last 4 ch, ch 2, turn.

Note: If you work through BACK LOOPS ONLY you will get a pretty ridged effect. However, the pattern will look fine if you go through both loops.

Row 2 (pattern stitch): sk 1 dc (do not put first stitch in the base of your turning chain, do not put it in the next st, but in the next one), dc in each of next 3 dc,  3 dc in next dc (which is the middle dc of the first shell on the previous row), dc in each of next 4 dc, sk 2 dc, dc in each of next 4 dc, 3 dc in next dc, dc in each of next 4 dc, sk 2 dc, dc in each of next 4 dc, 1 dc in each of next 3 dc, sk 1 dc, dc through BOTH LOOPS of last dc., ch 2, turn.

Rows 3- 9 (or until your piece measures 5" from the beginning, measured along left or ride side of work): Repeat Row 2 for Ripple Pattern. Your last row should be a wrong side row (beginning strand will be on your right). Change to CC.

Rows 10-11: With CC repeat Row 2 for 2 rows. Change to MC

Rows 12-13: With MC repeat Row 2 for 2 rows. Change to CC

Rows 14-15: With CC repeat Row 2 for 2 rows. Change to MC

Rows 16- 93 (or for approx 48"): With MC repeat Row 2. Your last row should be a wrong side row. Change to CC. (about 22 rows per 12”)

Rows 94-95: With CC, repeat Row 2 for 2 rows. Change to MC.

Rows 96-97: With MC, repeat Row 2 for 2 rows. Change to CC.

Rows 98-99: With CC, repeat Row 2 for 2 rows. Change to MC.

Rows 100-108: With MC, repeat Row 2 for 9 rows.

Fasten off.

Border (if desired): sc around working (sc, ch 1, sc) in corners (or whatever it takes to make it lie flat) and 2 sc around each dc post along sides. For foundation row work as for ripple – sk 2 at valley and 3 sc in the 2 chains at the hill

Quick Reference:
ch 40, work ripple pattern stitch Row 2, working colors as follows
MC – 9 rows (about 5”)
CC - 2 rows
MC - 2 rows
CC - 2 rows
MC - 78 rows (about 48”)
CC - 2 rows
MC - 2 rows
CC - 2 rows
MC - 9 rows
Fasten off.

Border as above if desired.

DC Chevron from Crafty Corral

The DC Chevron is another pattern from Crafty Corral that I've moved over here (see other post). The color pattern is from the sc chevron over at WWII museum Knit Your Bit site. I've adapted it for DC crochet. The sc pattern there is lovely and gives a wavy result. I suggest working one of both.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

Knit a tree sweater ...

I received an e-mail that there was a new post at Eons.

So I went over there and saw a link to this pic over at Flickr, which led me to this blog called Knitta Please - which by the way reminded me of my Skippa scarf pattern (FB) (OT) - which brought me to both this Facebook page called A Knitted Wonderland Project with some fantastic photos, and to this news article which was very interesting. (Say goodbye to at least an hour of my life LOL)

This huge project, which I'm sure took quite a bit of organizing and planning - and stitchers - covers 99 trees which are anywhere from 5' to 12' and about 30" around. That is a tall order, any way you look at it.


Similar to what is done with the Special Olympics project, the group chose specific - turquoise, orange, pink and olive - and a pattern of stripes. I'm sure there was a scramble to find those colors anywhere you could get them. The result, however, is spectacular.

I liked one of the closing paragraphs of the article: "Borrowing the vernacular of graffiti to talk about a monster team of knitters who adorn public objects is definitely a stretch, but it probably sounds a lot cooler to say you're "yarn-bombing" 99 trees at the Blanton than to say you're laboring for 20 to 40 hours to cover a tree for the sake of arts and crafts."

Well, arts and crafts are important and the attention to the fiber arts that has been given through their efforts is certainly something.

If you're interested in the topic of yarn bombing, did you know there's a book on just that topic? Yarn Bombing: The Art of Crochet and Knit Graffiti

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

crochet quotes

I was looking for crochet quotes and made the mistake of going to Cafe Press! LOL

Here are some that tickled my fancy. It's not 25 but I think you'll enjoy these. I've included the links to the shops so you can get your own bit of crochet madness.

First off - Crochet Cabana shop. Not a clever saying, but you can display your love of all that is crochet. :-)

Croquet. Hitting a ball with a mallet. Crochet. Hitting a ball with a hook. (Okay, I made that one up.l)

I crochet so I won't kill people.

Crocheting - It is what it is.

I don't have "hobbies". I am developing a robust post-apocalyptic skill set.

Yes, I'm bilingual. I speak fluent Crochet.

Crochet! Learn it! Live it ! Love it!

I'm working on my PhD in Crochet (Projects Half Done)

Instant Crocheter. Just add coffee.

I Work so she can Crochet.

Yarngasm 
1. The physical and emotional sensation experienced when entering a yarn store or fondling yarn.
2. An instance of experiencing this.
3. intense or unrestrained excitement over yarn.

I keep my end tables full of yarn so I won't have to dust them. (This would be  totally me if I HAD end tables.)

Proud member of S.A.B.L.E. Stash Acquisition Beyond Life Expectancy

If it's not about crocheting, don't ask me.

Voulez-vous crochet avec moi?

A yarn shop owner is really just a pharmacist with a limited inventory.

My doctor recommended I go on a high fiber diet. Want to go yarn shopping with me?

Happy crocheting!
Sandie