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). 

Doctor Who scarf

I apologize for not being around more lately. Since my mom passed away there have been things to do and I've just not felt in the mood to start a large project. I've kept my hooks busy making small things. 

Last week, however, I began another Who scarf. I think these colors will be the closest yet. The yarn I'm using is acrylic DK weight. I'm working in single crochet with a G hook. I will give full details of the scarf when I'm done.

Work began 5-15-2014. I finished the body of the scarf today, but still have tails to sew in and I think I am going to do fringe as well on this one.

Here's a pic to wet your appetite.

Season 12

For those interested in making things with t-shirt yarn, a crocheter sent me the link to this pattern for a doggie rug. I have not made the pattern nor purchased anything from this business myself. It doesn't show how to make the yarn but you can find that online easily enough. It's a fairly simple, straight forward hdc circle.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

Hope Lodge New Orleans

This is not an interview, but it is a highlight of another charity opportunity.

Hope Lodge in New Orleans gives free lodging to those undergoing cancer treatments in the New Orleans, LA area. The facility is located on River Road off Labarre for those who are familiar with the area.

The web site says "The American Cancer Society’s Patrick F. Taylor Hope Lodge is a unique “home away from home” for those who need warm, caring, no-cost accommodations during their cancer treatment at a New Orleans area medical facility."

The Facebook page says "The American Cancer Society's Patrick F. Taylor Hope Lodge is a free service available to cancer patients ages 18 and over traveling to New Orleans for cancer treatment. Each Hope Lodge guest may have one caregiver staying at Hope Lodge with him or her."

The Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/hopelodgeneworleans  and the web site is http://www.cancer.org/hopelodgeneworleans .

You can read more about the requirements for staying with them on this page. 

I know that most of the readers of this blog do not have cancer nor are in need of this service. However, that is not why I've highlighted it. 

I was contacted by the activities director, Danielle, who would like to start crochet/knit gatherings once a month or so for the residents. They are in need of a teacher(s) who can donate a couple of hours to share crochet (or knitting) with a small group of participants, 18 and older. Some may already know how to crochet or knit but others may want to learn. Since the participants are patients undergoing cancer treatments they might be there for one gathering or many, depending on their circumstances.

They also need the tools of the trade - yarn and other supplies as they are just starting out with fiber crafts. If you are able to help with that, I do suggest giving Danielle or Lorraina a shout out so she's not overwhelmed with one type of item and none of another. It would be a shame to have 20 hooks and no yarn. heh (Update: some hooks have already been donated)

They will also accept completed items to give as gifts at their monthly birthday parties, their "no mo chemo" parties, and their Hope Celebrations (for those folks who are leaving and have gone into remission). Crochet bookmarks would be perfect for their hope pockets which they fill with small gift items for the resident.

Donated supplies can be sent to 
Lorraina Aldridge (director)
Mid-South Division | American Cancer Society, Inc
2609 River Road
New Orleans, LA 70121


Happy crocheting!
Sandie

Lily Chin video review

I recently purchased Lily Chin's new video Join as you Go Crochet at Interweave. Short story: Excellent and recommended!

I decided to get the download version so I could watch it right away and also because it was less expensive. It appeared in my account immediately as two videos, parts 1 and 2, each just over an hour long.
In my account I clicked on the links to watch them before downloading to my computer.

Watching them this way gave me no menu option. The video just plays in recorded order. (It was the same after I downloaded them to my computer.) This was in QuickTime which is the recommended program on the web site. I don't know if this is how it works for everyone, but no elapsed time was shown so if I decided to quit and start again later I would have no idea how far into it I had gone. That was disappointing. 

After I finished watching both videos, I downloaded it to my computer for convenience. I then started the videos to make sure they worked before I got off the web page. My computer started the videos using Windows Media Player and now I could see the elapsed time. Still no menu but at least that was an improvement. Since I don't have the DVDs I don't know for sure if there is a menu option there but I would think there would be.

There is a FAQ for video downloads which can be found here. Although the FAQ says their downloads are mp4 this video saved as a .mov . As noted above, it came in two parts which I downloaded separately to my computer. It took just minutes to download. You can download your purchases as often as you like. They are copyrighted, however, so no sharing.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that you can purchase only Part 1 which is about an hour long for $16.99 here. There is also a brief sample that you can watch if you would like to see before you buy. Part 1 concentrates on using single crochet in the join process.

About the first seventeen minutes of the video demonstrated how to make the swatches. I think I could have made the swatches without this instruction if one had said made 2 identical swatches in sc, hdc, and dc using stripes or whatever. If I'd had a menu I would have skipped that part. However, if you think you would have trouble doing that, Lily Chin gave an excellent demonstration. Although she crochets quickly, she took the time to review the steps and explained what she was doing. I thought the entire video was done that way, very thorough and well explained. 

There was a lot of repetition (which I think is good in a teaching video). For example, she often showed the front and back of the pieces and reiterated that there is a definite front side and back side as the back side shows the join. Here are two pics from the video showing the front and back side of a section joining a piece in the center of two previously made pieces. Now wouldn't you want to know how to do that?

front

back

She showed how to tell the right from the wrong side as well, something with which a lot of new crocheters have trouble.

After the swatches, we got to the matter at hand which was "Joining on Every Side" - how to join new pieces in a join as you go manner. She did right side, left side, and top and/or bottom for each stitch (some on part 1, some on part 2). 

She demonstrated joins where both pieces were identical and also those where you were joining pieces that varied in thickness of yarn.

Part 2 begins with how to join a new piece in the middle of two previously made pieces. While it does use techniques previously learned, this was definitely well worth the watch. I can see how this would be quite confusing without the video explanation. I was not working alongside her but just watching the video. I think I would have to refer to this again should I desire to use this method in the future.

Also demonstrated is joining on every side with the hdc and the dc. There are small differences in these methods. I am not patient but I watched each one and there were some small differences in procedure for the different stitches so it is worth a look. The basics remain the same but the details vary.

She also showed how this method could aid in making other things besides joining swatches. Then at the end, she showed how to join as you go using patterns rather than straight lines of stitches. That was very interesting and quite useful, especially if you've finished a piece and found it is not the size you wanted it to be.

The final section considered Tunisian crochet. To me, if you know Tunisian crochet this was the simplest one because the ends of your rows are very evident. There is really no guesswork involved if you're a newbie and cannot find the top of your stitches.

There is a brief section where Lily draws out the stitches as done in symbol crochet. Nicely done!

There were several brief sections with tips and ideas on how to use this method of joining which were interesting.

I thought Lily Chin did an excellent job on this video tutorial. The video showed clear closeups as she worked. She was thorough in her explanations and repeated things to make sure the student got it.

I have to say her nails were lovely too! I wish mine would look so nice. I know, that has nothing to do with crochet. LOL

If I had anything negative to say about it, I just can't get on board with the idea of those tiny strands when making a slip knot. I know this is how Lily does it. I've seen it before and read it in her books. It is not mentioned here specifically, nor are you shown how to finish off the pieces, sewing in the few tails that would remain. I am sure that is because the entire point of this exercise is that you will have minimal sewing to do. I just can't make myself leave short strands. It obviously works for her so kudos. 

I will stick with my 4-6" strands. However, this join method will leave minimal strands to sew in. If you use a variegated yarn rather than changing colors, even fewer! BUT, as she says several times throughout the video, there is a definite front and back of your piece so if you don't like a join that is visible, this video is not for you. If you don't mind that, I recommend it.

Excellent video. Well worth the money if you're interested in this method of joining. I cannot see myself using it for afghans or things where both sides will be visible, but for pillows and garments where the back or inside would not be seen, what a time saver.

If you feel the need for a menu, I would query them as to if the actual dvd has one and then choose accordingly.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

Sadie Sunshine

The Internet can be a wonderful place. In posting the link to the heart and cross popcorn stitch prayer cloths I received a comment from the designer and from there I have had the pleasure of conducting the following interview with the coordinator of Sadie Sunshine. Sadie Sunshine is the Kentucky branch of a larger organization called Crochet for Cancer.

I am not personally familiar with this organization as I was with the other coordinators that I have interviewed, but Carolyn is doing a wonderful job ministering to those in need in memory of her sweet granddaughter.

Crochet for Cancer, the web site for the headquarters so to speak, has much valuable information. It specifies that they will "accept any type of crochet/knit/sewn items that will benefit and uplift the spirits of people taking treatments for cancer. For example, sewn cloth turbans, crochet teddy bears, scarves, prayer shawls, lap blankets, gloves, socks, etc. If you have a specific item that you would like to donate and are unsure, please contact the chapter leader where you plan to send your items."

Here is the interview.

The name of this organization is ... 
Sadie Sunshine Chapter of Crochet for Cancer 

You can find the web site at ... 
www.facebook.com/sadiesunshinechapter

Please introduce yourself and let us know your position or connection with the organization.
My name is Carolyn Dorsey and I started this chapter in memory of my grandaughter, Sadie Caroline Davis, who we lost to cancer in December 2012 at the age of 17 months. [Crochet Cabana: Sadie had acute myeloma leukemia]

How and when did the organization begin? What is the purpose of this organization?
I started the chapter in April 2013 after finding information about Crochet for Cancer in my internet research. I thought it would be a perfect thing to give chemo hats to those receiving cancer treatment to spread some sunshine into their lives.

Do you personally deliver the collected items to the intended recipients? If you do not, who does and how do you ensure that the items get where they need to be?
I mail hats etc to specific people when requested, and mail or deliver to hospitals and treatment centers - Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital in Nashville, TN; Kosair's Children's Hospital in Louisville, KY; locally to our infusion center at Methodist Hospital in Henderson, KY; and to Chemo Buddies who serve all the treatment facilities in the Evansville/Newburgh, IN area.

Scripture sent with each donation

How can fiber crafters help? What types of items do you accept?
Are there any special tips or requirements for the items needed? Yarn colors, finished size of items, yarn used (wool, acrylic, sport, worsted, bulky...)
Details on the hats, suggested patterns, and tips on donating items suitable may be found on the main web page at http://www.crochetforcancer.org/

Sandie: 
A few tips from the Crochet for Cancer site:
They accept items for children or adults; knitted, crocheted or sewn; clean, never worn, free of perfume, detergent, pet hair and smoke. Solid patterns without gaps or holes for chemo caps. No wool. See the web site for other helpful information.

It is understandable that you need to have a person's contact information in case there is a problem and for recordkeeping. Do you allow participants to remain anonymous to those who receive the items?
I use only first names and the state they are from on the facebook page - no personal information is given. I do get the information for my records but just so I can write thank you notes.

hats, prayer cloths, ribbon scarves

Is there a particular item that you yourself enjoy making more than any other?
I make crocheted prayer shawls mostly and these are given locally and also, upon special request, I will mail one to a specific person.

prayer shawl

Does your family participate in your charity effort? If so, how? If not, are they supportive of your work?
My family and everyone is supportive of my work - I have several friends locally who come and help me tag and package the hats to deliver. I receive donations from all over the country, Puerto Rico, and Germany

What would you say to convince volunteers that your effort is legitimate and they can be assured the pieces they send will be used as they intend?
As far as convincing volunteers that I am doing what I say with their donated items, all they need to do is follow our facebook page and they can see everything there that is done. It has never been an issue.

Is there anything else you'd like people to know about your charity effort or you personally?
The main thing I would like people to know is that anyone who is told they have cancer, and especially if their child or grandchild has cancer, it is a very frightening and helpless experience. It threatens their life and their security. We were at the hospital for only six weeks - many are in and out for years in treatment. The experience was heart wrenching to see our precious child suffer, and all the while she never stopped smiling. I learned so much from her during that time about what really matters in life. While she was sick we had so many people supporting us and praying for her and bringing gifts, meals, and anything they could think of to comfort. This is why I wanted to start this chapter, first in her memory so that I could talk about her and share her story and her little life, and second to comfort those who are going through the same battle. We believe in paying it forward for all the love that was showered on her and on us. My heart was broken to lose her, but I find a certain amount of peace in doing for others who are going through the same time in their lives. It is healing for me and is also so rewarding for those who are involved in the making of the hats, prayer cloths, etc. I thank them - and they thank me for allowing them to help. I could go on for hours - but that is basically it. 

I want to thank Carolyn for sharing with us about her branch of this wonderful organization.

As noted above, Carolyn has shared free patterns that you can use for your own charity purposes and also for donating to Sadie Sunshine. I made one of her heart prayer cloths using puff stitches instead of popcorn stitches (just personal preference). I used a G hook and I think it is sport peach yarn. It took me about 45 minutes to make one. I think I got a bit faster after making a few of them.

heart prayer cloth

Crochet for Cancer also has patterns you can use for this purpose though you are not required to use those specific patterns. For chemo caps, patients request closed patterns with no holes.

If you would like to donate an item to Sadie Sunshine you can send it to Carolyn at:
Sadie Sunshine Chapter
c/o Memories Past and Present
324 N. Elm Street
Henderson, KY  42420

Thanks again to Carolyn for sharing her work with Sadie Sunshine.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie