Crimmis Hook

It's here! Jimbo's Front Porch 2010 Crimmis Hook ("Crimmis" coming from Jimbo's son Lance mispronunciation of Christmas as a child). I WON this gorgeous hook which is made from holly, a very smooth,white wood. The Crimmis is a size I (5.5mm) hook. The red light is a REAL Christmas Tree light and is easily removed if you want to take it off. You wouldn't believe how smooth it is. I am excited to get started on a project with this beautiful hook.  It will be a joy to work with, I'm sure.


If you're going to be crocheting tonight, you might want to try working cables. http://www.crochetspot.com/how-to-crochet-cable-stitches/ .


Another way of making cables is what I call "faux cables". Basically it's a front post and back post cross stitch. You can see a tutorial on that method at Crochet Cabana http://www.crochetcabana.com/stitches/stitches-fptrcr-fauxcable.htm .


Then if you have some time to get more deeply in the basic skills and perhaps pursue some specialty stitches you've not had time for before, you can pre-order Kristin Omdahl's new DVD at http://www.interweavestore.com/Crochet/Video/Crochet-Me-Workshop-Crochet-Corner-Basics-and-Beyond-with-Kristin-Omdahl.html . Interweave has an article about the dvd here which worked very well as an advertising tool since I hopped right over and ordered it. :-) 


Also, a friend reminded me about this pattern by Peggy Su Besco, which is going on my to-do list. I love the cross-stitch. Can't wait to try it. 


But first I want to make another scarf using this method I saw at Crochet Spot.

But wait, I have two other scarves already in progress, and the Jacob's Ladder afghan. *head spinning*


Maybe I should get off the computer and pick up my hook!


FYI, it was 2 hours from when I started this post to when I posted it. :-)

Happy crocheting!

Anniversary stashin'

Yesterday was our 28th wedding anniversary. Hubby and I headed to Houma LA to celebrate. We hit Hobby Lobby, Michael's, Booksamillion, Bed Bath and Beyond, iHOP, Chick-fil-A and Waffle House. Here is a photo of my anniversary present - my new "stash", courtesy of my hubby.

You'll notice there is a book included. The book is Super Finishing Techniques for Crocheters: Inspiration, Projects, and More for Finishing Crochet Patterns with Style (Betty Barnden). I chose this one for a few reasons. One is the section on fringe and tassels. Some interesting takes on those techniques. Other topics that are covered include: pockets, buttonholes, woven crochet, adding beads, picture crochet, surface crochet, embroidery, felting, and a multitude of wonderful edgings.

There were two other books I looked at and came this close to buying, but I didn't feel like I should buy three of them. LOL The first one that I didn't buy, but would put on my wishlist is A to Z of Crochet: The Ultimate Guide for the Beginner to Advanced Crocheter . That link brings you to the paperback version. If you like spiral bound, you can buy it here A To Z Of Crochet. I do like spiral bound myself though I think the one I picked up was the paperback version. There is a look inside feature for this one, but it really doesn't give you as good an idea of what is inside as seeing it in person.

I am almost positive the second one was Crochet Edgings & Trims (The Harmony Guides). I can't remember too much about it, but I know it was a Harmony book and included edgings. I thought it provided a good take on the topic. A pretty trim can really dress up a project.

The yarns I picked up included I Love This Yarn, Deborah Norville, Vanna's Choice, Impeccable, and Red Heart Soft. Not a bad haul. I usually try to grab at least 3 skeins of 3.5 ounce yarn, enough to make a scarf. I knew I wanted some white and off-white/ivory so I got that, and I wanted more colors to finish the Jacob's Ladder.

I hope to have pics of the Jacob's Ladder soon. I also have a couple scarves in progress, one a new design using my current favorite stitch - the berry stitch.

That's all for today. Hope you all are enjoying the holiday season and not getting too stress with all the holiday craziness. Myself, besides the important religious significance of celebrating the birth of Jesus, I'm looking forward to the Doctor Who Christmas special Christmas evening.

Happy crocheting!

Jimbo hook contest

I WON! Now this is a happy day. After my troubles of yesterday (fell while bringing empty boxes outside, and my kitchen flooded in unrelated events), this was a welcome thing to wake up to. You can read the entire post at Jimbo's here, but here is the significant part. :-)

Christmas Hook Contest WINNER IS "SANDIE P" ... (and some hooks for SALE)

SANDIE P IS THE WINNER OF THE CRIMMIS HOOK. SANDIE WAS #47, DRAWN AT NO SMALL EFFORT IN COUNTING, FROM 148 ENTRIES, INCLUDING THOSE WHO ENTERED VIA EMAIL. SANDIE IS A VERY ACCOMPLISHED CROCHETIER! YOU CAN VISIT HER BLOG AT http://crochetcabana.blogspot.com/
AND MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

CONGRATULATIONS SANDIE, I HOPE YOUR CRIMMIS HOOK MAKES LOTS OF NICE THINGS FOR YOU! AND THANK YOU ALL FOR ENTERING.... KEEP WATCHING, THERE WILL BE OTHER CONTESTS COMING.

As soon as it comes in, you will have pictures.

I sometimes mention Teresa's Art of Crocheting at YouTube. She posted yesterday the index of her videos. You can find it here.

Sandy over at the Bridge and Beyond had a request for an "ugly hat". My daughter and I were just talking about these "ugly" parties people have. I truthfully don't see the point. I'd be forever worried my favorite item would show up. LOL Regardless, she made the hat. I'm not sure if I would go all the way to ugly, but it certainly is interesting looking. You can see it here.

I also thought the post before that was interesting. Sandy took some small grannies and turned them to make diamonds and joined for a scarf. She is always innovative with her use of donated items. Hmmm I might have to try that myself.

Every time I get a Herrschner catalog in I stop at the Penguin Afghan. I haven't bought it because ... all that black. I have a hard time with black. But isn't it cute? You also get the book 2009 Juvenile Afghans with some other patterns. They have one kit available from each book 2008, 2009, 2010 in the catalog I'm looking at.

One last note, there is an excellent video on how to make a vertical ripple (wave, chevron or whatever you want to call it) scarf for Special Olympics. You can use it for other things as well, of course. Note that Special Olympics scarves must be 6" wide by 54-60" long.



There are 3 stitches between hill and valley. Hills are made by working 3 dcs in one stitch, and valleys are made by a decreasing over 2 stitches.  The beginning chain is 19.

That's all for now. Hope you're having a great crocheting day!


Happy crocheting!

mini police box and interesting videos

I had some fun last night creating these two squares. They are part of the afghan Patchwork Squares. You can find it at e-Patterns Central or in the Crochet World August 2010 issue (available online if you have a digital subscription).

The afghan contains four different squares. Of the two I made, the one on the left uses the berry stitch, which I just love. So simple. The one on the right uses popcorn stitches. I used to shy away from popcorns, but they are really not difficult. I had to do additional rows to get my square to the same size as the other one, but that was not really a problem. They are 8 1/2" square.

I added a round of hdc to the berry stitch top and bottom and sc to the sides to get it "square". On the popcorn, I worked additional rows plus an edging of  dc all around. That one was really off on size if they are supposed to be the same size, at least for me. Now I must admit I did not work gauge so it is most likely me and not the pattern.

My friend has received her gift so I can show photos of the special project. It is a miniature police box. :-) She is a big Who fan. I know I said I wasn't going to do another, but this one was small. Still the same number of color changes, but didn't take nearly as long to do. It came out a bit smaller than I'd hoped, but still quite serviceable and she is pleased with it. That's the important thing. FYI, this is a "side" view of the police box, without the phone opening.


Here are some photos to show the difference in size between the full size and the mini.

Since we recently talked about crochet courses, I grabbed on to this file that was posted somewhere - Ravelry I think. It is a skills check off list, so you can see how you fare. http://4h.wsu.edu/em2778cd/pdf/c0678.pdf

Here are some online classes that are available. These are not free, but paid courses.

KRW Knitwear. http://learningcenter.krwknitwear.com/

Crochetville http://www.crochetville.org/forum/

Then I found this cute pattern for a long "tree topper" hat for sale.
http://www.crochetmemories.com/patterns/santa-hat-tree-topper.php

Maggie Weldon posted a free pattern for a pretty Cathedral Window potholder on her Facebook page. Look in the tabs under Free Pattern.

I also was going through my YouTube favorites and ran across a few videos from which I thought you all might benefit.



The one above shows how to add chains if you miscount when you're making a long foundation chain.

Then I found this video showing how to make the first stitch of a row with a chain up sort of turning chain. It gives the first stitch of a new row the look of a regular stitch, rather than the thinner chains.



Isn't that neat? I wish I would remember these things when I'm working.

This one shows a different method of taking care of tails as you go. You can decide if this method is for you or not, but I found it interesting.



Also neat. It's great that these things are available so we can share our knowledge with one another.

I think that's all I have for you today. Don't you love when you go through files and find neat stuff? :-) I do.

Happy crocheting!

I PASSED!

Just got the news via e-mail ... I passed the CGOA MASTER OF ADVANCED CROCHET STITCHES AND TECHNIQUES course. My grateful thanks to CGOA and Karen George, who reviewed my swatches. I'm very pleased and excited. Was it worth the wait? Since I passed I can say definitively YES, indeedy. ;-)

It's been a wild ride, but I do think now it was worth it.

If you're considering taking the course, you have an advantage in that you can be prepared if there is a delay. As long as you understand that, I think it is well worth the time and trouble.

Here is the timeline of my experience.

July 12, 2010 Rec'd my course materials via e-mail
July 19 Finished course and rec'd letter to hold it until notified (on July 28 there were 58 ahead of me)
Nov 2 Rec'd request to mail portfolio to head office. I am among the top 15 (mailed it out that day priority)
Nov 5  portfolio was rec'd by CGOA office according to delivery confirmation
Nov 22 rec'd note that my portfolio was being sent to a reviewer
Dec 1  rec'd note from reviewer that she had rec'd the portfolio and I should allow a month for processing
Dec 12  rec'd notification that I passed!

Really, once things got moving, it didn't take that long. If you look at the numbers, it looks to me like they were processing about 15 portfolios a month and I was told mine would take about a month.

These are volunteers, so this is not the only thing they do. They have lives, jobs, kids, etc. and now it is the holiday season. Note that I received my notification on a Sunday so they are working weekends too.

Taking everything into consideration, I think they really are processing as quickly as they can while doing a proper job of it so that when you get the certificate, it has meaning.

In other news, here's a photo of the stocking I made using Maggie Weldon's granny mini stocking pattern. I thought it was a square since it is named "Granny Square Mini Christmas Stocking" but when I went to work it, I discovered it is a pentagon. Nice pattern. Do follow the instructions and sew the ends in when she specifies. This is important. *voice of experience*

Maggie specifies a G hook. I was a rebel and used an H hook and regretted it. I got a stocking that was really larger than I wanted. My bad. I think if I were making this again. I would use sport weight yarn and the G hook or even fingering and a smaller hook to get a tiny one.

That's all for now. I have a special project in the works, but can't post about it yet as it's a gift.


Happy crocheting!