Wednesday, November 30, 2011

fingerless mitts and pattern preview

I apologize for not updating in so long. I have not been idle, but the projects I've been working on did not produce anything I could post about yet.

However, I have now finished - tada! - a set of fingerless mittens. My very first. Yes, they did come out looking like mittens and even more or less like the pattern. I did not use the reverse sc edging.

The pattern is at Red Heart and is called Crochet Lace Fingerless Mitts. Very easy pattern if you know front post and back post hdc.

Of course you have to pay attention to what you're doing. I was working on this while watching the Saints game which, to my consternation, kept being interesting! LOL Great game. I was having trouble with this one round. FINALLY, I actually READ the round carefully. You know, the part where it says TURN or DO NOT TURN. LOL That was crucial in that step and I was distracted and didn't catch it.

I completed the mittens though it probably took me longer than it should have. The second one went much quicker. Here is my  proof - a picture.

The pattern called for a superfine (#1)  sock yarn (Heart & Sole Mellow Stripe) and a D hook. The yarn looks like a very nice yarn - it has aloe and everything! But I did not have any. So I went with #3 Moda Dea Sassy Stripes Crayon. I used a G hook.

Since that is a thicker yarn, supposedly the mitts came out larger than they would have. They are a little large on me but might fit a person with larger (wider) hands. I think I could use them though. They don't fall off or anything. At the wrist it fits fine.

In other news, I am compiling a page for the web site on problems and solutions that folks have while trying to make granny squares. If you have a problem that you have found a solution to, do holler out and I will add it. If you are the first to send that particular problem and solution (or a new solution to the same problem), I will give credit. If you send me something I will assume you are giving me permission to post the info on the web site.

In even more other news I am working on a pattern that I've had for a while, but have not done much with. This is a pattern that is close to my heart as I designed it to go with an unpublished story I wrote. The original was meant to be an afghan made by the hero's daughter as a Christmas gift to him. I shared the pattern as a lapghan during the Crochet Cabana anniversary. I plan to make it available with info on how to make it everything from a scarf to a full size afghan in my Etsy shop. (If the story is ever published it will be included free in the book - but don't hold your breath! I haven't submitted it anywhere.)

Here's a sneak preview, in scarf form. The scarf is not finished ... I will tell you that it is a sampler. Each portion is a different pattern. It will probably be nine or ten inches in width.

I thought I'd also share a few links that I ran across this week. Some I've been to before and some are new (to me). Hope you enjoy them.

Symbol Crochet program
https://stitchworkssoftware.com/

http://crafty-anna.blogspot.com/

http://iamtotallyobsessedwithyarn.blogspot.com/2006_01_01_archive.html (rectangle granny)

Puff Stitch square
http://crochet-mania-grannysquare.blogspot.com/2009/01/puff-stitch-crochet-square-5-rounds.html

Jacob's Ladder hat and scarf
http://crochetncrafts.com/crochet/jacobsladderpopcornhat.html
http://crochetncrafts.com/crochet/jacobsladderpopcornscarf.html

Crocodile Stitch http://www.crochetme.com/blogs/crochet_me/archive/2011/11/17/creating-the-crocodile-stitch.aspx

WOOL project (Warm out of Love). Even though the page says October 2010, the Facebook page is active.
http://www.warmoutoflove.com/

The Granny Ripple
http://thelazyhobbyhopper.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-to-crochet-granny-ripple.html

Loom Knitting, some good videos
http://isela.typepad.com/loomknitting/videos.html

That's all for now.


Happy crocheting!
Sandie