Exterminate!

I have happily completed my filet crochet Dalek. For those who are not Whovians, the Daleks are one of the "monsters" from Doctor Who TV series. Their most famous quote is "Exterminate!" which they attempt to do to everything in sight.

I used the pattern chart at http://meredee.livejournal.com/1608.html.

My finished Dalek is 22" x 26". The chart says 40 x 51 squares, but that is JUST the Dalek. There are extra boxes on the sides, top, and bottom.

I used a G hook and some ... uhm yarn. I am not sure what yarn it is. I had almost a full skein of it but no label on the skein. Go figure. It was a large skein, like a pounder, but seems like sport yarn to me or one of the light worsted.

The chart did not include line numbers so I added those to the next two patterns as I found it difficult to keep track of the rows. I also used a stitch marker at the end of rows to help me keep count of which row I was working on.

Well, the Saints game is starting so I'll end.


Happy crocheting!
Sandie

working in the round

Hats and scarves are my go to project when I don't have anything particular in mind. Crochet Me recently talked about hats in their newsletter. They have a page at the web site on this topic. Notice the 3 rules for making hats. I have mentioned these myself in past posts, but they bear repeating. 

When working in the round, whether it be for a hat or any round project like a coaster for example, you start off with a particular number of stitches and you increase by that number on each round as long as you want the work to remain flat. That beginning number depends on the height of the stitch in which you are working.

For example, if you are working in single crochet, you might start with 6 chains in center of ring. How you make your ring is your choice. In future rounds, you would increase by the same number you start off with. So in this case, you would increase in every stitch since you have six stitches and you want to increase by 6 stitches. So work 2 sc in each stitch. In the next round you still want to increase by 6 but you have 12 stitches, so you would increase in every other stitch. And so on...

For half double crochet, you might start with 8. So you would have 16 on the second round, 24 on the third etc.

For double crochet, which is the stitch I most like to work with, you might start off with 12. So your next round is 24, then 36, 48, etc...

For triple crochet, you might start with 24, so the next round would be 48 etc. It would increase more rapidly since you start off with more stitches.

Now, that said, I sometimes like to vary it up and increase half the amount to give a more gentle slope to my hats, and not such a flat top.  But we are talking here of how to make your piece stay flat.

There have been some good articles and tidbits about working in the round in many books and magazines. The one that comes to mind is Pauline Turner's  chart in her book How to Crochet.

Besides thinking about working in the round, today I added a pattern to the Charity Patterns section at Crochet Cabana. It is not a new pattern, but one that was on the site years ago. I did some tweaking and decided it would be a nice pattern to make for needy babies and children. It is called Baby Love and Prayers. Those who have been around a while might remember it.

In addition to that I've been working on a filet piece. It is a Dalek from Doctor Who. I hope to also make an Adipose, an Ood, and K-9. You can find the charts at Meredee's site. I've known about them for a while, but finally decided to do it. I am not using thread, however, but thin yarn. Pictures when it's done, of course!

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

cross-stitch ghans

I finished two afghans made with the squares I think I posted a photo of a while back. These are going to relatives.

Over the past years I've concentrated my efforts on charity crocheting and many of my nieces and nephews were left out of the ghan loop, so I'm playing catch up. This year my "plan" is to work on ghans for those who don't have one (and want one) and to do some Doctor Who things just for fun. Of course I will continue to support charity efforts, just not to the exclusion of other things.

I've noted the colors used as I remember them. I don't have the labels any more so I can't be positive. I had a bit of the rose leftover, but the white and pink were pretty much used up. I ran out of red - two skeins makes 3 squares. I was unable to get more of the red. When I went to Michael's they had skeins marked "scarlet" but the color was clearly not red. It was more like their rust.

Vanna's Choice white, Red Heart pink, and I Love This Yarn rose

Vanna's Choice white, navy, scarlet, and colonial blue

Both afghans were with nine-round cross-stitch squares. The edging was worked in a continuous join-as-you-go using the cross-stitch. I found it to be a very good, sturdy join.

I hope the first projects of the new year are going well for you all.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie