DW Scarf completed

Doctor Who crocheted scarf 2 is complete. You might remember that I was working the Season 14 scarf rows as noted on Chris Brimelow's site but using the yarn and colors from Tara Wheeler's Witty Little Knitter site (the Vanna's Choice option).

I used an I hook this time. The finished size is about 10 1/2" x 106". That is 8' 10" which is just shy of the perfect length. The knitted scarf would be 9' including 5" fringe on both sides. Mine does not have the fringe so the scarf itself is probably a bit longer than the original.

If I added fringe it would 9' 8". Still, much closer to the right size than the other one I did, keeping in mind that I used an H hook for that one and it was about 15" short. If I'd used the I hook, it would have been closer.

There are 7 colors I used: Beige, Olive, Charcoal, Brick, Toffee, Burgundy, and Mustard.

Just to be clear, the Who scarves used on set were knitted, not crocheted. Since I don't knit I adapted. I CAN do a wee bit of knitting but would never in my wildest dreams attempt something this extensive. My problem with knitting is that I can do the stitches, but if I err or have to stop and return to it, I am lost. I actually almost completed a dishcloth. Then if you can believe this, I messed up on the finish off - cast off I think it is called in knitting - and ended up ripping the whole thing back.

Back to crocheting, I finished making the blue squares and putting them together for the babyghan. The person who asked for this mentioned putting a name on it. I kept the center square blank in case I decided to do this. I didn't promise it, but I know she really wants it. I was thinking perhaps of making a separate piece - like a heart or star or rectangle or something, with the name on it and sewing it to the center square. The name is not etched in stone yet as the baby has not been born. However she would like to give the ghan as soon as it is done, so I figured if it has the name on something that is removable and the name changes, not as big a problem.

I didn't measure it yet, but still have the tails to tuck in. The edging is a round of navy and then a round of the light blue. The white squares were made a while back. The blue ones are what I've been working on this past week.

That's all for now. Have a great weekend!

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

bad skein / metal loom / babyghan

Let's get the bad news over with first.

I picked up my last skein of Red Heart Soft Navy and had not gotten too very far when I noticed a large bit of orange in my blue. Okay, not a problem. This has happened before to me with various yarns and usually it is one or two small bits which I can either pick at until I get most of it or cut it out and continue. This time, I cut it off the strand and continued.

Then I got another one. And another one. Then I ripped back my project and started pulling out yarn. It was filled with orange bits. No, this is not a variegated yarn. But it is a BAD skein of yarn. heh

It's unusable for any project except perhaps pet pads. Pets don't care if there is orange in their blue.You'd think their quality control would have seen this. It's sooo obvious the bright orange in the dark blue. Maybe it is automated? I don't know.

I have sent off a note to Red Heart to let them know. If you have this yarn and would happen to have this particular lot, do let me know if you have any problems with it. As you know, I recently made 15 scarves with no problem but I don't know what the lot was for them. I doubt I have any labels lying around still. Sometimes Red Heart will ask that you return the skein to them, so I can't use it for anything until I hear from them, not that I would want to anyway.

Since I couldn't work on that, I decided to try out the loom I got in the mail yesterday. It's one of those metal looms and I bought it from Amazon. POT HOLDER weaving LOOM & loops colored FABRIC kid NEW

The instructions that come with the loom, forget those. They are pertooey. Basically you stretch a loop across each

The loops that come with the kit are okay. I bought some loops from Hobby Lobby. Those were also pertooey. About half or more of them are too short to work with this loom.

I think I am going to buy some Harrisville loops (or maybe a smaller bag ) and see if they work better. I remember seeing some loops at Walmart but I don't remember what kind they were. Oh, I just noticed the Schylling that makes the loom I presently have offers refill loops. They are a little rough, but they do fit the loom well. Maybe I'll get a bag of each and see which works best. Harrisville also makes its own looms Harrisville Designs Potholder (or Harrisville Designs Potholder Deluxe. I wonder if they are different. I felt the loom I have could have had longer tines or pegs or prongs or whatever you call those things. The loops would fall off especially on the last round.

One thing I will tell you is that it is fun at first, but as you come to the last loops, it is so tight that it is a chore rather than fun. To combat this, decided to leave the last row of metal prongs undone. That gives you a little more room to work. You could also try skipping a prong. I think I'm going to try that with these other loops which are very thick. I used a crochet hook to work off the loops.

Anyway, here are my results. I had hoped to make washcloths, but these are too thick and stiff for that. They will make good potholders though.

In addition to the potholders, I made some blue teddy bear squares to go with the white ones I made a while back. I intend to edge each square with a medium or dark blue and assemble them.

Guess that's it for me.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

baby hat in stretch sock yarn

I have been wanting to try this and finally sat down and did it. I purchased some stretch sock yarn some time ago and I was thinking that it might be a good yarn to use for tiny babies (or any babies) because it could stretch to fit their little heads a bit without discomfort. I have not tried it on any little heads, but I will send it off and hope for some feedback.

This is #1 super fine Patons Stretch Sock yarn. I used an F hook. The yarn label recommends a D. The yarn composition is 41% cotton, 39% wool, 13% nylon, and 7% elastic. I am wondering about the wool content now that I think about it.

It is not as soft as say Red Heart Soft but it is not as rough as Red Heart Super Saver.

If anyone has used the stretch sock yarn for hats, I would love to hear about your results and what you think about it. To give an idea of size, here is the hat on top of the skein. :-) The skein is 1.75 oz. so not huge.

As I was going through the 'net looking for various things, I happened across this beautiful pattern by Kim Guzman. It's a personalized baby afghan. I've seen it before, but happened across it again. We've had so  many new babies in my extended family. I really should make one of these and see how it comes out. Maybe for my first grandchild? No, no. None are expected any time soon. Just thinking ahead. I've already got several ghans put aside for the grands.

So many projects in the back of my head. I'm getting to that point of oh my, what do I hit next? So much to do.

On my to-do list:
Finish Doctor Who scarf
15 Special Olympics scarves promised (need yarn for this)
wool scarves for the Bridge Project
Share a Square 6" squares (up to 150)
lapghans for nursing home
Knit Your Bit scarves
HAP rectangles
Chain Reaction squares (when the video comes in)
special request project
and whatever else I'm forgetting ... (like the UFOs in my box)

Happy crocheting!
Sandie