Catching up, FINALLY!!

I made this for my Grand-niece, Ruby, 4 years ago. I had it posted before, but not the way I wanted to. It's made with Red Heart White, and Red Heart Stars and Stripes. The pattern is available at http://www.angelfire.com/tx5/angelcrafts/patterns/grannyripple.html.


This is my attempt at the "infamous" Seraphina Shawl. http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/donisfuff/croshawl.html, corrections and helpful hints available at http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showthread.php?p=1205529. There is a chart for the pattern here: http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showpost.php?p=1203781&postcount=2
I started this prior to going in for heart surgery, but still haven't finished it. Once I finish the project I'm working on right now, I plan to go back to this. I'm seriously considering giving it to my daughter-in-law for when she nurses my future granddaughter. I just have to get it finished in time, and I'm not sure that I will.

This is as far as I've gotten on a sweater for myself that you can see I started almost a year ago. It's really more of a jacket than a sweater. The pattern is located at
http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/khs-flatteringJacket.html. The yarn I'm using is
Bernat Softee Chunky Twists Tawny Rose.

This is the beginning of the blanket I made for my Grand-nephew, Brady. It's made with Red Heart Blueberry Pie. It's also from a very old pattern that I've used at least 3 other times. I neglected to take a photo of it when it was finished. I hope to get a photo from Brady's Mommy, Brittany, and will post it when I do.

I knit this hat to donate to our local VFW group. I did a second one, with slightly different colors. This is from a beginner's book that I've had for at least 30 years. It's a very basic k1-p1 pattern. I can't begin to guess how many hats I've made from this pattern over the years. This one is made with Lion Brand Vanna's Choice Solid Colonial Blue.

This is one half of a pair of fingerless mitts I made for myself. I made them because during the cold weather my hands sometimes get pretty chilly when I'm at the computer. The yarn is Red Heart Plum Pudding. The pattern calls for G Hook, but I crochet tight and ended up going up to a size J to get it to fit. I LOVE this pattern!!! Only took me a little over an hour to finish each one. (Okay, so I crochet slow…LOL) But being able to finish the pair in one day is a real bonus for me. The pattern is available online at http://suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com/2006/02/fingerless-mitts-pattern.html.

This is a blanket I made for my Grand-niece, Sarah. It's made with Red Heart Bikini. It's from an old pattern that I've had for quite some time. It's a simple pattern, but time consuming because it's all popcorn stitch.

I'm in the midst of a project for my coming granddaughter. I'll post pictures as soon as it's finished and on the way to Philadelphia.

Oh my, I certainly have been remiss in keeping up with this blog. The only excuse I have is part health issues and part simple procrastination. In April of 2008 I had heart surgery to replace a valve. Due to some post-surgical side-effects my left hand was partially numb for a few weeks. That made crocheting nearly impossible for a while. It finally cleared up and I did get a few projects done. I had completed a few prior to surgery which I didn't post until now, although I did post them on Ravelry. I will post them here, but can't promise I'll actually get them in the right order.
Another reason for my procrastination was my intense interest in the Presidential election last year. I haven't been so interested in an election since I was in 7th grade and John F. Kennedy was running against Richard Nixon. I won't get into the politics of it here since this is a blog about my knitting and crochet projects and not about politics.
I've also been very involved in researching family history, both my own and my husband's, and when I get on a roll with it, it takes all my time.
Enough with the excuses.....let's get to what's happening now.

I'm going to be a GRANDMA!!

My son and daughter-in-law in Philadelphia are expecting in mid-September. According to the ultrasounds so far, the baby is a GIRL!! After having 3 sons, it's going to be so much fun making things for a little girl! I've got so many things in mind already. She is going to be one spoiled little girl!!

We went back to Michigan for a week in May/June. It was so good seeing the family. It had been 3 years since we'd seen everyone. Hopefully, we'll be going home to Michigan at least once a year from now on. While back home I was able to get to a few stores and stocked up on yarn. Most of what I bought is intended for projects for my new granddaughter. I also picked up a simple hat pattern, a pair of circular needles, and yarn to learn to knit on circular needles. You'd think after knitting for over 35 years I'd have learned to use circular needles long ago.

Within the next few days I hope to post pictures of projects I've completed since my last posting.

My New Favorite "Hang-Out"

I just have to shout it out loud..."I LOVE RAVELRY!!!" Ravelry has got to be the coolest, most fun web site/forum for knitters and crocheters on the web today! Not only is it informative, it's also a great place to connect with other crafters who share your non-yarn related interests, or are located near you geographically. I find it to be very friendly and a lot of fun. Granted, the knitters far outnumber crocheters, but that can be a positive for me when I need to ask a knitting question or three or four. I wish there was a bit more affirmation for those of us who for whatever reason choose to work with acrylic, but on the whole there aren't many rude "yarn snobs." I've found that the majority of those who prefer not to use acrylic are polite and considerate of those of us who do.

I'm especially enjoying belonging to a group dedicated to promoting the nomination and election of Sen. Barack Obama. Lots of very well informed people and no disrespect of the other candidates.

I also enjoy the groups "Queer Ravelry" and "Gay Crochet." While I personally am not gay, one of my sons is, and I like to be involved and informed on issues affecting the LGBT community as well as supporting the community.

I belong to over 30 groups, some more active than others, and I'm loving every minute of it. The only problem is my crocheting is being neglected because I spend so much time at Ravelry. Somehow I think my problem is a common one.

I highly recommend Ravelry to all crocheters and knitters.

Disrespecting Crafters

What is it with all the stores that traditionally sold fabric and yarn? Do they think that all the crafters have shriveled up and died? Or do they think that no one does crafts anymore? Now, I live in a semi-rural area, but one that is a major tourist destination as well. I don't have a JoAnn's, or a Hancock Fabrics close by. I didn't know until yesterday that there is a LYS here, and even at that, it's primarily a cross-stitch shop that also carries yarn. Now, K-mart stopped selling fabric at least 20 years ago, and my only local store can't make up it's mind if it wants to sell yarn and crochet/knitting supplies. Sometimes they have them, sometimes not. What's up with that? I have 2, soon to be 3 local Walmart stores. The one I shop at most discontinued their fabric two years ago, but still had a respectable yarn and supplies department. I discovered, much to my dismay, last week that they have not only moved that department, but shrunk it to only a few shelves. I was quite disappointed, needless to say. Yesterday I went to the other Walmart....the one that kept it's fabric department and had a larger yarn department. I was extremely upset to find they have also discontinued their fabrics and shrunk their yarn department to one side of half an aisle. WHAT'S UP WITH THAT??? Do they really value our business so little? Believe me, I wouldn't darken Walmart's door if I had alternatives closer than 40 miles away. Yes, I do know I can buy yarn on line. I've done it. But when I'm looking to try something new, I'd like to be able to see it in person, to feel it to get an idea of how it will work for the intended project and whether or not I like the feel of it and think I will like working with it. In the meantime, what can we do about being treated like 10th class citizens by these companies? I'm certainly open to suggestions.

Re-Stashing

I went through my plastic bin of yarn last night and re-wound what needed to be re-wound, and transferred almost all of it to my new bin with a lid. I only threw out 3 partial skeins. Two were at least 23 years old, and one probably was even older. No sense in keeping stuff that's on the verge of dry-rot. I was amazed at how little yarn I actually have left. I guess I used up more of it than I thought when I made the afghan for my son's wedding 3 years ago. I made it a lot bigger than the pattern called for. He's 5'11 and I wanted him to be able to cover with it when he lays on the sofa. He loves it and said that it's big enough for both he and my daughter-in-law to cover with when they watch TV.

One of these days I'm going to have to start re-building my stash. I just have a hard time buying yarn without a particular project in mind. I'm always afraid I'll buy a bit and then find any project I want to make with it calls for more than I bought. So, the way I generally build my stash is by buying extra every time I buy yarn for a project. I think I'm going to have to change my modus operandi. I have some $$ squirreled away and I think I'm going to use it for some serious stash-re-building. Now to decide what types of yarn to buy and what colors. Any suggestions?

It's About Time!!

Trying to organize my relatively small stash, patterns and tools has really been "fun!" Well, going shopping for the storage containers was fun. So far I have most of my books and leaflets organized. I've also got my mini-projects, both finished and unfinished put in their own bin. Tomorrow I hope to go through my dilapidated plastic bin of yarn and actually toss some it away, and put what's left in a new bin that actually has a lid! Now before you have heart failure at the thought of me throwing yarn away, let me explain. I have at least one, and maybe more, partial skeins that date back as far as 1985!!! I think it's probably close to dry-rot stage and really needs to go. I made the mistake of using some of this "antique" yarn in my "9 Year Granny Square Afghan" and when I washed it a couple of the squares started to disintegrate. I dread having to take it partially apart and replace those squares. But I consider it a lesson learned. Frugality isn't always the best way.
I also bought some plastic sheet protectors, a nice soft side binder, and a pack of dividers to organize all the fantastic patterns I've printed off the 'net. I underestimated how many I'd printed and now I need to get another binder. Staples, here I come tomorrow! LOL But seriously folks, it's great to be getting organized.......finally!

I also need to clarify something I posted previously. When I referred to "yarn snobs", I was referring to those who, look down their noses at those of us who, for whatever reason, are relegated to using good ol' Red Heart and whatever we can find at Walmart or K-Mart. I didn't mean to call anyone and everyone who is able to use the finer yarns a "yarn snob." If I offended anyone, I'm truly sorry.

Is it Just Me??

I'm not even halfway finished with the baby blanket I'm working on and I've already gotten myself involved in another project. I'm going to make a "Flannelghan." It's a CAL (crochet-along) on Crochetville. http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showthread.php?t=42711

I found the discussion last night and knew immediately that I had to make one for my husband. I ordered the yarn today from Knitting-warehouse.com. Bernat Super Value in Bright Yellow and Medium Navy. He's a big University of Michigan fan and these should be pretty close to the school colors. I can't wait to get started on it! If it turns out nice I'll probably make one for my oldest son. Not sure about colors, though, maybe a light gray and black. He's got cats and a dog and I think that's a good combination to not show as much fur.

Am I the only one out here who still uses the "standard" WW yarns like Red Heart Super Saver, Bernat Super Value, etc.? I don't know, but I just can't see spending a fortune on yarn to make a new pattern that I could possibly screw up or find I don't like or maybe not like working with that yarn. I still remember when Wintuk was only $1 or so a skein. Paying $5 and up per skein and needing 6 or 7 or more skeins or balls for the project really is prohibitive for me. I also feel like those that are able and willing to use the "elite" yarns are "Yarn Snobs" and look down their noses at those of us who still use the old standbys. And it seems to me that knitters are more apt to be "yarn snobs" than crocheters. And why is it that crocheters seem to be so much more accepting of knitters than the other way around? I learned to knit before learning to crochet, but I prefer crochet because I find I'm more likely to complete a crochet project, and for the most part crochet projects require less "finishing" than knit ones. Crochet goes faster....I guess that's the big reason for me.

I've yet to learn to knit using circular needles. They just seem cumbersome to me and awkward. I really do need to force myself to learn to use them, though. I pass up way too many projects because they call for circular needles. I also pass up those that call for knitting on 4/5 needles. I have small hands and it's really awkward for me to knit on 4 needles. I've tried and I soon loose interest.But I REALLY want to learn to knit socks, so I'm going to have to push myself on those too. But then I run into the expensive yarn issue. The current sock yarns are NOT cheap and I hate to spend the money and not finish the project. I guess I need to get over that mental block, don't I?

Has it really been this long?

I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted anything. To be completely honest I forgot I even had a blog until going through my bookmarks a few days ago.

I've gotten away from crocheting for some time now and I'm throwing myself back into it, full force. I'm waiting for some instruction books and a kit from Mary Maxim right now as well as some books off ebay.

I have a new Grand-nephew on the way and am working on a colorful blanket for him. I've gotten a late start, but better late than never, right? This is what I have done so far....
This is good ol' Red Heart yarn, Bikini color. I don't know about you, but I LOVE really bright colors for babies. I'll post photos as I go along so you can see the progress.

Welcome to My Blog

Welcome to my blog. I hope to share with you my projects and my thoughts. I have a few projects in the works right now, and way too many in mind. I have never blogged before, so please excuse me if mine doesn't come up to the others you are used to reading. I'm sure I'll improve over time. At least I hope I do.


Elaine aka Sleepystitcher