It seems as though with some winter-like weather I've been moving more slowly than normal. That is not to say my "normal" is fast. LOL In any case, I have still been crocheting though perhaps not with the speed I normally accomplish my projects.
Here's what's been on my hooks.
I am still working on the Season 18 Doctor Who scarf with the Lion Brand Suede discontinued yarn. I have about 29" done so that's a bit more than the 11" I showed you last time. I sewed in some of the tails and will probably do a bit more of that before moving on. I could have worked over them but with this yarn I don't find that works as well. It seems to pull the sides in. Could be something I'm doing unconsciously.
I also started a Doctor Who season 12 baby/lap afghan. I'm trying this in what I think is an unusual way. heh I divided up the total number of rows into 3 sections (173 rows in each section). I am short 2 rows total but I figured I would just add a couple rows somewhere to even the columns out.
I used the 4 rows to an inch for worsted yarn a while back and that took me close to the finished size a normal scarf would be, but for this scarf I wanted it smaller. Even though I was using a thinner yarn and smaller hook, I kept to the 4 rows per inch. Whether that turns out to be a good idea, well .... we'll see.
I finished the first section, which is about 34" I think. Not a bad size for a baby afghan or small lapghan.
.jpg)
The yarn I am using for most colors is Stylecraft DK Special which I purchased from Deramores in the UK. This is my first non-worsted scarf and I really like how this is working out. It's lighter and the stitches are smaller, more in line with knitted stitches I think.
What I plan to do - I say PLAN because you never know how plans will work out, eh? - is to continue the pattern in the next 2 strips. So it will be ONE scarf pattern, worked into one afghan.
Why, you might ask, am I doing this? LOL Well, long ago my husband said to me "you should make an afghan in that pattern". Then a bit later my daughter said to me "you should make an afghan in that pattern". I am a bit thick but I finally got the message. However, I have a queen size bed and really single crochet?? How long would THAT take? LOL
I wanted to test the waters first and what better method than in a small afghan. I thought about using double crochet but in case it did end up being used as an actual baby afghan, I wanted close knit stitches. I was thinking it could also be used as a lapghan though it's a little small as it is turning out. I didn't realize how much difference the DK yarn would make in overall size since I've not worked with it before. It is, however, a very nice yarn. I wish they sold it stateside.
Here are the exact colors I'm using, all purchased from UK except the Knit Picks.
Purple - Stylecraft Special DK Burgundy
Camel - Stylecraft Special DK Camel
Mustard - Big Value shade 671 (thinner than rest)
Rust - Stylecraft Special DK Copper
Grey - Stylecraft Special DK Graphite
Greenish Brown - Stylecraft Special DK Khaki
Bronze - Knit Picks sport Sienna (too dark, not enough red)
I chained 35 and am using a G hook. I have not even used a complete skein yet in any of the colors. Skeins are measured 322 yards. No ounces are listed but I weighed an unused skein on my postal scale and it said 3 1/2 ounces.
I used a different amount of each color due to the pattern specifics, but I measured the Camel and I have 2.6 ounces left. No, I'm not going to measure the yards. LOL
I have had NO problem with this yarn at all. No thick or thin sections, no knots to cut out. It's been a very nice change. The Big Value, though thinner than the Stylecraft, has also been no trouble so far.
Just for comparison, have a look at the difference between the DK yarn and the LB Suede chunky yarn.
.JPG)
I don't know if you can really tell from these pictures. I should have taken one closer up of the DK. The DK is 4 stitches to an inch with a G hook. The Suede is 4 stitches to 1 1/2" with a J hook.
I think with this yarn and hook that I could probably follow the Who knit pattern exactly for the original scarf in DK/sport and get the proper size. That's just a guess, of course. I may try it one day but buying DK yarn from UK is expensive. I still don't have a best brown in DK but this one will do okay. I'm not tremendously gung ho about having to have the exactly right shade though I do have my preferences. After all, if I was that picky I wouldn't be crocheting it, eh? The original, as you know by now, was knitted.
FYI, I ended up not making the other two items in the Hook & Needle club kit but my daughter made one. I will take a picture and share later.
Just to brag, daughter made this gorgeous afghan from a purchased pattern at Ravelry called Solas Caomh by Jodi Euchner.
I started to make one myself and decided I didn't have the patience for it. she did a fabulous job. This is one of the most beautiful afghans I've ever seen. Very complex. Heavy and warm.
That's it for now.
Happy crocheting!
Sandie
Here's what's been on my hooks.
I am still working on the Season 18 Doctor Who scarf with the Lion Brand Suede discontinued yarn. I have about 29" done so that's a bit more than the 11" I showed you last time. I sewed in some of the tails and will probably do a bit more of that before moving on. I could have worked over them but with this yarn I don't find that works as well. It seems to pull the sides in. Could be something I'm doing unconsciously.
I also started a Doctor Who season 12 baby/lap afghan. I'm trying this in what I think is an unusual way. heh I divided up the total number of rows into 3 sections (173 rows in each section). I am short 2 rows total but I figured I would just add a couple rows somewhere to even the columns out.
I used the 4 rows to an inch for worsted yarn a while back and that took me close to the finished size a normal scarf would be, but for this scarf I wanted it smaller. Even though I was using a thinner yarn and smaller hook, I kept to the 4 rows per inch. Whether that turns out to be a good idea, well .... we'll see.
I finished the first section, which is about 34" I think. Not a bad size for a baby afghan or small lapghan.
.jpg)
The yarn I am using for most colors is Stylecraft DK Special which I purchased from Deramores in the UK. This is my first non-worsted scarf and I really like how this is working out. It's lighter and the stitches are smaller, more in line with knitted stitches I think.
What I plan to do - I say PLAN because you never know how plans will work out, eh? - is to continue the pattern in the next 2 strips. So it will be ONE scarf pattern, worked into one afghan.
Why, you might ask, am I doing this? LOL Well, long ago my husband said to me "you should make an afghan in that pattern". Then a bit later my daughter said to me "you should make an afghan in that pattern". I am a bit thick but I finally got the message. However, I have a queen size bed and really single crochet?? How long would THAT take? LOL
I wanted to test the waters first and what better method than in a small afghan. I thought about using double crochet but in case it did end up being used as an actual baby afghan, I wanted close knit stitches. I was thinking it could also be used as a lapghan though it's a little small as it is turning out. I didn't realize how much difference the DK yarn would make in overall size since I've not worked with it before. It is, however, a very nice yarn. I wish they sold it stateside.
Here are the exact colors I'm using, all purchased from UK except the Knit Picks.
Purple - Stylecraft Special DK Burgundy
Camel - Stylecraft Special DK Camel
Mustard - Big Value shade 671 (thinner than rest)
Rust - Stylecraft Special DK Copper
Grey - Stylecraft Special DK Graphite
Greenish Brown - Stylecraft Special DK Khaki
Bronze - Knit Picks sport Sienna (too dark, not enough red)
I chained 35 and am using a G hook. I have not even used a complete skein yet in any of the colors. Skeins are measured 322 yards. No ounces are listed but I weighed an unused skein on my postal scale and it said 3 1/2 ounces.
I used a different amount of each color due to the pattern specifics, but I measured the Camel and I have 2.6 ounces left. No, I'm not going to measure the yards. LOL
I have had NO problem with this yarn at all. No thick or thin sections, no knots to cut out. It's been a very nice change. The Big Value, though thinner than the Stylecraft, has also been no trouble so far.
Just for comparison, have a look at the difference between the DK yarn and the LB Suede chunky yarn.
.JPG)
I don't know if you can really tell from these pictures. I should have taken one closer up of the DK. The DK is 4 stitches to an inch with a G hook. The Suede is 4 stitches to 1 1/2" with a J hook.
I think with this yarn and hook that I could probably follow the Who knit pattern exactly for the original scarf in DK/sport and get the proper size. That's just a guess, of course. I may try it one day but buying DK yarn from UK is expensive. I still don't have a best brown in DK but this one will do okay. I'm not tremendously gung ho about having to have the exactly right shade though I do have my preferences. After all, if I was that picky I wouldn't be crocheting it, eh? The original, as you know by now, was knitted.
FYI, I ended up not making the other two items in the Hook & Needle club kit but my daughter made one. I will take a picture and share later.
Just to brag, daughter made this gorgeous afghan from a purchased pattern at Ravelry called Solas Caomh by Jodi Euchner.
I started to make one myself and decided I didn't have the patience for it. she did a fabulous job. This is one of the most beautiful afghans I've ever seen. Very complex. Heavy and warm.
That's it for now.
Happy crocheting!
Sandie