join in round

Last time I mentioned joining the rounds of a hat with a (ch 1, dc) so when you come around you have an actual stitch in which to insert your hook rather than a chain. Well, a chain is a stitch of course, but the pattern stitch is what I mean. In this case, a dc. 

The next hat I made, I worked as is normally done, joining in the top chain of the turning chain. This is what that looks like.

Here they are side by side. What do you think? I folded the hats to make it easier to photograph. I personally don't see that it makes a whole lot of difference which you choose to use. I'm sure there are other joins that you can use as well if you have a preference.

That's about all I've been doing crochet-wise. I've been more into reading lately as that is something I can do while I'm rockin' the wee one. I use the Kindle app on my phone (or iPAD but that's a little heavier to hold with a little one). :-) Didn't have that option when my own were tiny tots. I like it!

Did you know you can save patterns purchased at some places (like Annie's Attic, for example) to your Kindle or Kindle app? I can also borrow some ebooks from my library which can be read on my Kindle. At first I wasn't sure I'd like ebooks, but now I am really hooked on them and it feels strange to have to search for where I left that paper book I started.

Hope your summer is going well!

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

hats hats hats

I'm getting slower in everything I do these days. About three weeks ago I was asked to make some hats for the troops and, of course, I agreed as I always support our troops when I can. I didn't have any wool (needed for anything going to ground troops) so I had to order. I chose Patons Classic Wool since I've used it before and it is what I used in my patterns. It's about $6/skein. I ordered from Knitting Warehouse on 6/11. I received the shipping notice on 6/16 so I'm sure I received it soon after that.

I bought Black and Deep Olive. I may later get some of the Chestnut Brown. I hope to get a dozen hats out of my purchase. We'll see how that goes. They aren't needed until November so I have plenty of time. Thanks to the coordinator for giving me an early heads up this year.

Anyway, I've only made 3 hats in 2 weeks! Not that long ago I could have whipped one of these up in a couple hours. I'm not sure if I'm moving slower or if I just have too many other things going on to interrupt me. 

For troop hats the simpler the better, so I decided to use my Basic Beanie pattern which was developed for this purpose and can be found at Crochet Cabana on the hats page. These are meant for warmth so close stitching is desired. Since the Patons yarn is worsted, but a little thin, I used a G hook.  I am using double crochet for the main part of the hat with a rim of single crochet. 

Here is the hat as shown from the front.

Here is the back of the hat. It shows the join of each round. For the beginning of each round, I use a ch 1, dc so that when I come back around, I am joining to an actual dc, not in a ch-3. I haven't done it with the ch-3 in quite a while. Perhaps I'll do one that way to compare. 

For those who can read my shortcut, the rounds are 12 dc, 24, 36, 48, 48, 60, 60, 72, 72, 84, 84. I worked 18 rounds of dc and 4 rounds of sc. 

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

Doctor Who scarf finished

The double crochet version of the Doctor Who 4th Doctor's scarf is finished. I even added fringe! 

I began the scarf on June 1. I finished the body of the scarf on June 9th and the tails were all woven in by June 11th. Fringe was added this morning, June 12.

Here are pics taken outside in daylight. I think it gives the best representation of the colors.

Finished size is about 10" x 12' 2"

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

The details:
I chained 42 for my foundation chain, worked first dc into the 4th chain from hook and used ch-2 for my turning chain. All rows are worked in double crochet.

For gauge, I followed a general rule of 2.5 rows per inch and used doctorwhoscarf.com inches pattern for reference (with permission). I multiplied it out using the general rule for fractions - if it's over a half inch, go up. In other words, if I needed 6.5", I multiplied 6 x 2.5. The result is 16.25 which is less than sixteen and a half, so I dropped the quarter and made it 16. If I needed 5.5" I multiplied 5.5 x 2.5 and got 13.75 which is more than thirteen and a half so I went up to 14 rows.

Pattern can be found at my Doctor Who weebly site (under My Scarves) at http://gallifreyancrochetin.weebly.com/ 

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

DC Doctor Who scarf

Someone on the Stitches group showed a picture of their Doctor Who scarf worked in dc. I have been saying I wanted to do a 4th Doctor scarf in dc and this inspired me so I began one Sunday (June 1). I have about four and a half feet done so far. I would guess I am maybe a third of the way but that is just a guess.

Here is a comparison between the dc, knitted, and sc look. The colors do not show up well in these photos, but you should be able to see the difference in stitches. The original scarf was knitted.

The top one is Stylecraft Special DK Camel in double crochet. The one in the middle is I Love This Yarn Lt. Taupe in knit The bottom one is Knit Picks Brava Sport Almond in single crochet (the one I finished recently). 

Here is what I've done so far on this one. Again, the colors in the photo are not really accurate. The grey, for example, is not as blue as in the picture.

I will of course give you an update when it's completed.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie

Mini TARDIS

I guess this cannot really be considered a TARDIS since it has 4 windows instead of 6 and 6 boxes instead of 8 and the words did not fit on the smaller version. But I am putting it with my Doctor Who stuff. :-)

Finished size is about 26" x 31". My Walmart did not have the Red Heart Super Saver Royal Blue which is what I wanted to use. They did have the blue, so I used that. The picture actually shows it up well but in person I find it a little light for a TARDIS. It took less than 2 skeins of yarn, probably about 10 ounces.

I will put the pattern with chart at the web site eventually. [update: I am having problems getting the pattern on the web site, but it is up at Ravelry]

The pattern is worked in 3dc mesh. The chart has blue x squares and solid white squares. I used the blue squares as open mesh and the white squares as solid squares. I know this is probably opposite of what most patterns do, but you can work it whatever way you prefer. I like a more solid piece myself.

I used an I hook. It took me only two days to make it. I could have finished it in one if I'd had the yarn on hand already. It's very simple. You only have to know chain, double crochet and single crochet and how to follow a chart. The pattern is symmetrical so it doesn't matter if you read from left to right or right to left. The center is wider than the sides to allow for a keyhole/handle though I didn't put one on there.

You could conceivably make a separate piece with letters. I actually considered making the top section in single crochet and try to do some kind of stitching of the words, but decided it didn't matter to me enough to do that.

For what it is, I think it came out pretty well. Perhaps a Whovian parent would appreciate it although they might then ask for the larger version. LOL That one is also not difficult to do but would take a bit longer. 

The pattern is not as visible with filet as with a worked in color version but IMHO it's easier to do than the worked in one.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie