Solas Caomh

Some time ago I posted a photo of the afghan my daughter made, the Solas Caomh. It's a beautiful cable baby afghan, very complex. I'm one proud Mom that she finished this. I started one and realized I would never enjoy the work as I would have to concentrate and not be able to do anything else while I worked, so I quit. She enjoys a challenge and persevered with this gorgeous result and was even able to hold a conversation while she worked. Oh to have my young brain again!

Now that pattern is available as part of a kit - three kits actually. You can find them here at Interweave Press (Crochet Me). The entry on that page has a slightly different name - Sojas Caomh rather than Solas Caomh, but if you click on an individual kit the name is correct. Google says that Solas Caomh means "gentle light", whereas Sojas means "soybeans" and caomh is not translated with that word. Guess you can't have gentle soybeans. heh Anyway, I wrote to them but the link should work regardless if you want to purchase the kit, or go to Ravelry and buy the pattern from Jodi Euchner for $5.50 and choose your own yarns. It takes 7 skeins of Brown Sheep cotton fleece according to the entry. The kit uses a different yarn for edging, but I personally like it one color.


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

dishcloths

Here are some more dishcloths. I was in one of my repeater moods. I started this pattern and just kept making it over and over again. heh I didn't actually follow a pattern exactly. I chained 31, worked one row of dc, then one row of (dc, ch 1, sk 1). I worked 8 dc rows, then added a single crochet edging around. This is all cotton yarn. The second picture is the same but I added a pretty edging as I ran out of the red cotton and wasn't sure if the second bit I had was the same dye lot.

These are all made with yarn donated by Beth and will be going to the Bridge and Beyond project.

Here is another Dalek dishcloth, but this one went to a new friend who is a Whovian.

Lest you think all I've been doing is dishcloths, I was at Ravelry and daughter showed me a beautiful baby afghan made with cables. You know how sometimes your eyes are bigger than your stomach and you eat too much? Well, I had to try this pattern, but my eyes were bigger than my patience level. It's a very complex pattern. I have the skills to do it, but I would not enjoy it as you have to keep careful track of what you're doing. No TV watching while working this pattern. Complete concentration required.

I even took the time to retype the pattern so that each line would show the different instructions, with the repeats spelled out, to make it easier to keep the cables straight. I got through one cable row. Then I decided there was no way I was going to make an entire afghan of this, so I put it aside and you got dishcloths!

I don't mind a challenge now and then, and if it would have been a square or even a scarf, I'd have probably finished, but a 10 pattern repeat of 8 or 9 rows? hmm. 10 years ago, maybe. Today, no.

I am presently working on some heart squares for a baby afghan. I waffled on which pattern I wanted to work and finally decided on the tried and true. Pictures forthcoming as I get more done.

AND I still have yarn sitting for another Who scarf ... Soon.


I wanted to remind folks that if you write to me for help please don't just say "I need help with this pattern" or "this doesn't work" and not tell me what pattern, the name of the pattern or leaflet, or the link where I can see it and most importantly, what problem you're having with it. Also, your first and best  option would be to contact the designer or publisher for help. Check their web site for errata if you think the pattern is wrong. The person who designed the pattern is the best person to help you. I can sometimes interpret a line for you if that is all that is needed, but rarely do I have the time to make something to show you how it's done. (P.S. Don't send me any copyrighted patterns.)

I AM always glad to help if I can and of course I will do all I can to help with one of my own patterns. If it's my pattern, it's my responsibility. If it's someone else's pattern, I am limited in what I can do without their permission.

If you are a person who likes to make hats, CrochetMe (Interweave) had a nice brief article to give you some tips. These are not new ideas, of course, and all this information is at Crochet Cabana as well, but I thought it well written, short, and timely since it's cold outside and hats don't take but an hour or two to make if you're in need.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie