nameghans

Crocheting seems to have fallen by the wayside lately. Though I haven't been as focused on it as I usually am, I have not completely abandoned crochet. I have been working on the name afghans for my grandchildren. You may remember that I was considering taking apart my first grandson's name afghan in order to add my second grandson's name. I even made two separate afghans with both names which I shared in another post while trying to decide what to do.

Well, I did decide. What I decided was to make a completely separate afghan for grandson #2 with his name and keep the first afghan as it was.

Here is the one I just finished.

Both ghans are exactly the same size - 38" x 39". Each name took one full skein. The letters were made individually and then sewn together. Some names required a couple of "blanks" so the stripes would all be the same size. Each individual letter was edged in single crochet, then the entire piece was edged with (sc, ch 2, 2 dc, sk 2) It's an edging I use pretty often. As I went to start the edging I couldn't find the hook I intended to use (and had been using recently) and had to substitute. It still came out okay I think. I still haven't found that hook. LOL

As to the yarns, I've lost most of the labels. They are all either Knit Picks Brava Sport or Deramores Stylecraft Special DK. Here's what I think they are. KPBS Almond for the edging (that is correct because it was purchased especially for this ghan), SSDK Burgundy, KPBS Cobblestone Heather, KPBS Brindle, SSDK Khaki. I had two skeins of the green and brown so those names use the same yarn. I only had one skein of the red and grey.

I love working on name afghans and other filet projects of all kinds. I hope to get back to the filet dish/wash cloths I was making a while back and I have yarn coming in for bulky scarves.

I actually gave away all the small balls of yarn and even some full skeins that I felt I would never use. I wanted the room for other things. That said, I still have a couple of bins filled with yarn and projects. The yarn is mostly leftover from Doctor Who scarves.

So what am I doing with the time I used to spend on crochet? I've been doing adult coloring. I was gifted Jenean Morrison's 2016 coloring calendar book and have been enjoying working on that. I also am in a family coloring group where we post a picture once a week from the same book. That is a lot of fun as even though they are the same picture, the coloring is so different on each one. Just as in crochet, coloring takes supplies which cost money. Both also allow one to use whatever creativity skills one has. You can see some of my coloring sheets at Crafty Corral.

That's all for today.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

Doctor Who S12 scarf

Here is the finished Doctor Who season 12 DK weight scarf. As noted in the previous entry, I think these colors will be the closest yet. They were suggested by doctorwhoscarf.com's Gene Fender at the Stitches Facebook group and I'm sure will be on the web site soon. 

Here are the DK/sport weight colors suggested by Gene (graphic used with permission) in different yarns. I added the text at the bottom of the graphic which was given in the original FB post.

In text:
BBC = new colors
Purple = Knit Picks Brava Sport Currant (F), alternate Stylecraft Special DK Burgundy (L)
Camel = Knit Picks Brava Sport Almond (D), alternate Stylecraft Special DK Camel (J)
Mustard = Sirdar Hayfield Bonus DK Pumpkin (A)
Rust = Knit Picks Brava Sport Paprika (C), alternate Stylecraft Special DK Copper (I)
Grey = Stylecraft Special DK Graphite (G), my alternate would be Knit Picks Brave Sport Cobblestone Heather (not in pic)
Greenish Brown = Sirdar Hayfield Bonus DK Moss Green (B), alternate Stylecraft Special DK Khaki (H)
Bronze = Knit Picks Brava Sport Brindle (E), alternate King Cole Big Value DK Taupe (K)

A Pumpkin
B Moss Green
C Paprika
D Almond
E Brindle
F Currant
G Graphite
H Khaki
I Copper
J Camel
K Taupe
L Burgundy

I have used all but the King Cole and agree with Gene that they are right on. The Cobblestone Heather was not in Gene's picks, but it is pretty close to the Graphite in my opinion, but heathered. The heathered doesn't bother me. I hardly see it, but then my eyes are not that great. LOL If you're unable to get the Stylecraft, it will work okay I think.

For this scarf, I used
Purple = Knit Picks Brava Sport Currant
Camel = Knit Picks Brava Sport Almond
Mustard = Sirdar Hayfield Bonus DK Pumpkin
Rust = Knit Picks Brava Sport Paprika
Grey = Stylecraft Special DK Graphite
Greenish Brown = Sirdar Hayfield Bonus DK Moss Green
Bronze = Knit Picks Brava Sport Brindle

In my opinion, the hardest color to get right is the mustard which is a goldish color. Most of the yellows are too yellow or too light or too orange. I have used those in the past, but am happy to have found a DK acrylic that is close to the correct gold color thanks to Gene. Because the scarves are so long, the DK weight helps with the heaviness of the scarf. 

I might note that if working with worsted yarn, the Bernat Waverly Gypsy Gold is to me a perfect color for the mustard.

In previous DK scarves and baby afghans I've used the Stylecraft Special DK Sunshine which is way bright and has a bit of an orange tint to it. I used it because it was all that I knew at the time but this Pumpkin beats it hands down for a more accurate Who scarf. For the baby afghans I think the Sunshine brightens it up a bit and for a baby, I think that is okay.

Stylecraft has a new color called gold but I haven't actually seen that one. I am in the U.S. and the Stylecraft yarn is ordered from the UK so I wait until I need a nice amount of yarn before placing an order. I'm pretty well stocked up right now. Deramores, where I order it from, is very quick and has free shipping with a certain amount purchase. I recommend them.

I like all the colors in this scarf. If I were to do another, I would use the same yarns with the possible exception of using the copper instead of the paprika because it is slightly more orange which says rust to me. The difference is miniscule, however. Both work quite fine and I am mightily pleased with this one.

For this scarf, I used the DK/sport weight yarn, a foundation chain of 36, and a G hook, making my scarf about 8" wide. 

For the detailed oriented, there are 53 stripes of colors and 658 rows. The number of rows of each color as follows: almond 145 , moss green 105 , paprika 94 , graphite 99 , brindle 81, pumpkin 57 , currant 77  = 658

Remember that although the number of stripes is the same regardless of what yarn you're using, the number of rows will change depending on what yarn (and what stitch) you are using. 

35 stitches x 658 rows = 23030 plus the foundation chain of 36 so 23066 single crochet and chain stitches in this scarf. That is not an insignificant number! LOL

I began working on May 15 and finished on the 22nd with the fringe.

My Who patterns are up at the Crochet Cabana web site and also over at Ravelry (free). 

baby sweater and Who scarves

I know I have been very lax in keeping up with the blog lately. The last project was such a long one that there wasn't much new to report. I've also been occupied with my new grandson and my mom under hospice care.

Here is what I've been up to.

I began a little baby sweater. The pattern is at Bev's Country Cottage.  It is the hexagon sweater. As you can see, it is not finished. I used a G hook and Hayfield Bonus DK Extra Value yarn from the UK, shade 0891. It's a sort of deep red, light burgundy perhaps.

The pattern is fairly straightforward. You make 2 hexagons and put them together in an L shape. Then you add the extra bits at the collar and sleeves and the spot for the buttons. I will probably not add buttons. Buttons, babies. I'm overly cautious.

I worked 8 rounds with a G hook which I think would fit a large preemie or small newborn. It fit the grandbaby who is just over 9# and 20.5". He is in newborn clothing, but most of it is still large on him. He'll probably have outgrown the sweater before I finish it. LOL

I also finished the main part of the Season 16-17 Doctor Who scarf. I still have all those tails to sew in. I haven't measured it but the sofa seating area is 6' so I'm guessing between 18' long when stretched out.

For the scarf I used my own pattern based on 5 rows to the inch (using the inches pattern at doctorwhoscarf.com which is for the knitted S 12-14 scarves). I used Stylecraft Special DK yarn (from the UK) and a G hook.

The colors used were:
Purple - Stylecraft Special DK Burgundy
Camel -  Stylecraft Special DK Camel
Mustard - Stylecraft Special DK Sunshine
Rust - Stylecraft Special DK Copper
Grey - Stylecraft Special DK Graphite
Greenish Brown - Stylecraft Special DK Khaki
Bronze - Stylecraft Special DK Walnut

I am fairly pleased with the colors except for the yellow which is really too bright and too orangy but the best available in that yarn I think. The brown (walnut) could have a bit more red to it, but I think it works fine with the other colors.

I chained 36. If making this scarf - just as I have it in the pattern with 8" wide - I would suggest buying 2 skeins of all colors but the sunshine and burgundy. You may not need it all but better safe than sorry.

The scarf has all 88 stripes of color and 1054 rows of single crochet. So if you don't like single crochet this is not the project for you! LOL

Row numbers will vary with hook and yarn but that's how many I did. The breakdown is camel 241, khaki 198, copper 159, graphite 142, walnut 123, sunshine 96, burgundy 95 = 1054

Pattern I used will eventually be available at Ravelry and the web site. I'll post when it's there.

I also began a baby size scarf. I took the full size Season 14 and reduced it proportionately. I chained 16 with a G hook and the DK yarn in colors as above. More on this one as it gets further along.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

Doctor Who inspired baby afghans

I totally forgot to add the Doctor Who baby afghan pattern to the web site. It's now been done. This free pattern is also at Ravelry.

The yarn I used is Stylecraft Special DK which I purchased from Deramores in the UK. For the brown, on one of the afghans pictured I used Knit Picks Sienna and the other I used the SSDK Walnut. The Sienna is dark. The Walnut doesn't have enough red to make it bronze but both work well enough for my purposes.

You can find the pattern on the above Ravelry page and also at Crochet Cabana on the afghan pattern page.

More details on the making of these ghans can be found on a previous blog post here. You can also find them at my Gallilfreyan Crochetin' site.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

babyghans

Work progresses on the two projects I have going right now.

The alphabet baby afghan is almost done. I need to work an edging around it and finish sewing in the tails. The assembly was made super easy by leaving those long tails on each rectangle. I was able to use them for both the row and column assembly. Fantastic!

The present size is about 32" x 48". If I did another, and I might as this was super easy, I'd probably do 6 rows across to get it more square. I worked each rectangle with an I hook, ch 21, and left a strand at least 3x the length of the rectangle.

I didn't really have a purpose in mind when I started this, but if you are making one for a particular baby, you could use blues, pinks or the neutral yellow and greens. I'll have the pattern written up eventually.

The Doctor Who baby afghan worked in one piece is also coming along. It is about 24" wide and currently about 10" in length. There are a good many more rows to complete, however.  As above, if I did this again, I'd probably work a little bit longer foundation chain. I worked 101 for this one.

Since this yarn was purchased from UK I wanted to be sure I'd have enough for an afghan before I began so I went with a shorter chain. I'm also not used to working with thin yarn so wasn't sure how size would be affected.

I'm using a G hook and the Deramores Stylecraft Special DK yarn for all but one color. This is a scrumptious yarn, a joy to work with so far.

I've only had to cut out one knot and that was on the Knit Picks not the Stylecraft.

For those who care, the exact colors I'm using are these which correspond to the original colors as such:

Purple - Stylecraft Special DK Burgundy
Camel - Stylecraft Special DK Camel
Mustard - Stylecraft Special DK Sunshine (a little orangy and bright)
Rust - Stylecraft Special DK Copper
Grey - Stylecraft Special DK Graphite
Greenish brown - Stylecraft Special DK Khaki
Bronze - Knit Picks Brava Sport Umber Heather (this is really too dark but the only one I had in similar weight)

I'm following the pattern from Witty Little Knitter baby season 12 but worked with a thinner yarn. 

That's all for now. Back to crocheting. :-)

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

DW scarves

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.

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.

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