scrap pillow and SHADA scarf completed

That multi-colored piece I was working on using my leftover balls has now become a pillow. You might call it a pet snuggle as I'm thinking to use it for the dogs since it can be removed and washed easily.

Having the color change right in the middle made it really easy to assemble the two sides and run a bit along the folded edge. See how I planned that? hahaha

In other news, I finally sewed the tails in on the SHADA Doctor Who scarf I finished about a month ago! Yay!

This scarf took about two to three weeks to make (post of May 16), barring those tails. It took two days to sew in all the tails.


Details. I chained 31 with an I (5.5mm) hook (single crochet) and followed the pattern at doctorwhoscarf.com (which is a knit pattern). The finished size is about 19' long and 9" wide.

Here is the yarn I used:
Purple - Vanna's Choice Purple
Camel - I Love This Yarn light taupe (2 skeins)
Mustard - Bernat Gypsy Gold
Rust - I Love This Yarn Terra Cotta
Grey - Vanna's Choice Taupe (2 skeins)
Greenish brown - Bernat Waverly Bark (2 skeins)
Bronze - Vanna's Choice Toffee (2 skeins)
Light grey -  ILTY greybeard (it's a little dark, but it's what I had)

I think that's about it. Now to finish the Season 18 I have begun in Lion Brand Suede!

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

the stash

As I've mentioned before, I'm working through my stash. As I'm sure anyone reading this knows, every time you work a project, there are balls of yarn left over. These eventually fill every nook and cranny available. What to do with these? There are lots of projects that you can make with these leftover balls, but what I've chosen to do is make yo-yos and perhaps squares. Daughter has been collecting yo-yos for a while and I contribute these to the cause. 

Besides that you know how you plan to make something and then change your mind. Yeah, I have some of those skeins. Then there are the skeins that you actually hold in your hand and think "I must try this" or "Surely I can find something to make with this lovely yarn!" Yeah, I have some of those. Then there are the "one more skein" to make sure you have enough yarn to complete the project in the proper dye lot. The JIC (just in case) yarn.

So here's what I have on hand ...

The four bins are loosely organized by color. (Three here and one in the other pic). The top one is my Deramores DK yarn from the UK. It's for another baby blanket.

The big bag is filled with ziploc bags of relatively small balls of different sizes. The round basket on the floor has two levels and both are filled with small balls. The basket on the glider is the one I'm working through now, rolling loose yarn and putting the items in their proper place. I found a whole bunch of yarn labels and even a pack of stitch markers. :-)

There is also my ruler for making sure I have enough yarn to make a yo yo (8 wraps). When I have a bit that's too small, it gets tied into my scrap ball for a kitty pad.

Here are the yo-yos I've made so far, one 8" square for the Bridge, and part of the V stitch scarf I started.  For some reason, I am having a problem keeping my tension even on this one. Let's blame it on the yarn. ;-) The pattern is my daughter's V stitch scarf.

These are items I found in one bag which were made by my husband and son when they kindly agreed to help me with my certification by allowing me to teach them some basics. One of these was made during commercials of a football game! They were created in 2005.

The bottom bin here is some donated yarn and a few other things. I haven't gone through it yet as any donated yarn is used for charity items so I keep it separate as much as possible.

The bag on top is a bunch of completed things that are up for grabs which I posted about previously.

This bag contains some wool yarn I got off Ebay and ended up not enjoying so it sits.

These are skeins and balls which are not worsted weight. I have a bin for DK yarn which is all Who scarf colors so these did not go with those. They will probably get used soon so I can clear this space.

Here is the completed SHADA scarf still waiting for me to sew in ends and the WIP or UFO, depending on how you look at it, Season 18 scarf made with Lion Brand Suede. Both need to be completed by November 23 for the challenge.

While I'm working on paring down my stash I have been watching Doctor Who Trial of a Time Lord featuring Colin Baker as the 6th Doctor and Michael Jayston as the Valeyard (the dark elements of the Doctor in an incarnation between his 12th and last). I've finished those 14 episodes now (including all special features which were excellent) and will be starting a couple of Tom Baker's episodes, including his final one, and Peter Davison's first.

I am also looking for a good series I've not seen before that is available on Netflix instant view (or Hulu) that I can use while I walk on the treadmill. If you have a suggestion, holler out to me. 

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

SHADA scarf

The SHADA scarf body is finished. I still have tails to weave in, but the main bit is done. I haven't added fringe. Not sure if I will do that or not.

I'm not sure how long it is as though I have the space in my hall to lay it out properly I am not physically able to get down there and measure it. LOL I am guessing it is about 20' but that's just a guess. I have not blocked it, nor do I intend to. The width is about 9".

I chained 31 with an I hook.

Here is the yarn I used:
Purple - Vanna's Choice Purple
Camel - I Love This Yarn light taupe (2 skeins)
Mustard - Bernat Gypsy Gold
Rust - I Love This Yarn Terra Cotta
Grey - Vanna's Choice Taupe (2 skeins)
Greenish brown - Bernat Waverly Bark (2 skeins)
Bronze - Vanna's Choice Toffee (2 skeins)
Light grey -  ILTY greybeard (it's a little dark, but it's what I had)

If you're also interested in working on the Doctor Who scarf challenge, you can find the information on that in this post.You can use the picture below to advertise the challenge if you like. The picture was created by Matt Swanson, a member of the Stitches in Time group. The challenge ends November 23.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

SHADA progress

I continue to work on the really long SHADA scarf. Here's my progress.

No real details to add on this. I didn't measure it but I know I am presently working stripe 50 which makes me more than half done. I am still on the first skein of all colors except the bark (brownish green). I started the second skein of bark this afternoon. Of course, the I Love This Yarn is twice the ounces in the other skeins.

I'll keep you all posted.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there!


Happy crocheting!
Sandie

Doctor Who scarf challenge

As you all know, I'm a big Doctor Who fan and have made many scarves and other items from the Whoniverse. Several have commented about those items here and privately so I know there are a few of you out there interested in this type of item. Here is your chance to get your own Who item, made by your own hands. If this is something you've been wanting to do, but just couldn't get started, here's your opportunity to work alongside those with like mind.

Stitches in Time over at Facebook is having a Doctor Who scarf knit or crochet along (KAL or CAL).  If you're interested, come along and join us. Here are the details of the challenge:

Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Scarf Knit (or crochet) -Along

If you have ever wanted a Doctor Who scarf, keep reading…..

The Stitches in Time Facebook group is planning a knit-along for those who want to knit or crochet one of these scarves for the 50th Anniversary and we would like to invite YOU to join us.

Wait a minute, I can’t Knit.
That’s cool, we can help you learn. We can help you with tips, online tutorial videos, yarn recommendations and moral support. All you need is enthusiasm, yarn and a little time. Wouldn’t it be nice to learn a new skill, and have a nice scarf for the Anniversary and winter?
And if you want to crochet, we can accommodate you too.

Ok, how long do I have?
We’re starting in May with a goal of ending on November 23rd 2013, the anniversary.

I don’t have a lot of money.
We have yarn suggestions and combinations to suit any budget.

Ok, Where do I Start?
Come on over to https://www.facebook.com/groups/stitchesintime/

Patterns are for Doctor Who scarves can be found online, free.

- Doctorwhoscarf.com versions:
http://www.doctorwhoscarf.com/

- Witty little Knitter’s. versions:
http://wittylittleknitter.com/

- Whovian Times version:
http://www.androgums.org/scarf.html

... And here is what I've done so far on my SHADA scarf, which I'm making for the challenge. I have 25 color stripes worked. I also have a Season 18 started, which will probably be finished closer to the deadline as it is slow going.

I am using the doctorwhoscarf.com SHADA count suggestions and wrote out the pattern in words rather than relying on the picture only (though I printed out the picture from both dws and wlk for comparison.

The SHADA scarf is made from two previous scarves with a burgundy stripe added at one end and a light grey at the other end. Even though the two scarves used were no longer full length, it still makes for one of the longest scarves (excluding the Season 18) used at 87 color stripes.

I chained 31 with an I hook for my scarf as I wanted an approximately 8" scarf (the original is wider).

The yarn I am using is:
Burgundy - Vanna's Choice Burgundy (there is only one stripe in this color)

Purple - Vanna's Choice Purple
Camel - I Love This Yarn light taupe
Mustard - Bernat Gypsy Gold
Rust - I Love This Yarn Terra Cotta
Grey - Vanna's Choice Taupe
Greenish brown - Bernat Waverly Bark
Bronze - Vanna's Choice Toffee
Light grey -  haven't decided - possibly ILTY greybeard. There is only one stripe in this color and it's the very last so I have time to decide

That's all for now. If I continue as I began I'll have this done way before the deadline, but still have the Season 18 to work on as well. 


Happy crocheting!
Sandie

new scarf

Okay, I have to confess. I ordered more yarn! LOL I am terrible! I so enjoyed working with the Stylecraft DK that I ordered more, even if it came from UK. There was free shipping over $50 purchase. My thought is to make a wider afghan... But you never do know ...

In the meantime, while waiting for that yarn, I have in mind to make a SHADA scarf with the other colors I have on hand. I have to get my stash down to make room for incoming and that is a scarf I've wanted to do. It is one of the longer scarves and used only in the one episode. I do not plan to work some backwards as the knitted pattern shows. I'm just going to follow the colors. My tickly thing is that DWS and WLK start and end at different points.

The SHADA is made up of bits of two scarves. Which scarf is first on the actual scarf, I don't know. I guess it depends on which way you look at it? In crochet, your stitches face a certain way so an experienced crocheter can tell where you began working. Not sure how it is in knitting.

Still some thought to go into it.

I've finished the scarf I was working on. It's a simple, straight dc scarf with a sc edging. Nothing fancy about it. :-) Finished size is 6 1/2" x 71".

Also, just as a side note, I decided to leave the Hook and Needle Club. Though I've gotten a few patterns that I would like to work again, overall I just haven't gotten the use out of it that I envisioned. In a few kits I used just the yarn and the cost for one or two skeins of yarn is not worth it. Then there is the time. I have less time now to pursue items that I can't use even if I might enjoy the challenge of it. At first I just changed my settings to receive a kit several months apart, but then I realized that things will likely not change in that amount of time so I gave it up. I still think it's a good club for those who knit and crochet.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie