tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-168787382024-03-13T12:04:25.095-04:00Postcard from WaterlooHooked, Punched, and NeedledBetseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577282234471673003noreply@blogger.comBlogger147125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16878738.post-30252487109281787192011-01-18T19:14:00.006-05:002011-01-18T20:02:19.427-05:00#2<div align="left">It's such a mess outside right now - cold, snowy, icy rain, slushy foot-deep puddles. I need a dose of something cute, like these cat slippers. I love the embroidered bees and wasps and triangle trim. I believe they're of Chinese origin, photographed at work. Wish I had a pair for my wet feet. </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563684732981613458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ta0IwWBWiFTth-O6Pbud2rT0peja7sKCJcUYzcIUVunPrDyPDiX1e4I5Huu4Fky9zcaMxX_zQK0_TbQl6Kn4BVp1kytgFDUWrzGJTF_flD96mJLRkGkcONSNcMi8E_tFKoM4/s320/cat+slippers+1.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563693519006061554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypVijTAHsbT5h46zgmM596nKEI3vfD3VA-Wa4ficPm3J_W9yy7lBwhudVDoWxmwuedENA8N7p0qNwM3dTIG7UszQS-aC7zXHwzs9UArEgl0Dfg716GN-Nz8v3jSckXdGznPMC/s320/cat+slippers+2.jpg" /> <p align="left"></p><p align="left"></p><p align="left"></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicW2XUTqdDbNTAXOx5dSpKDUYzX-gjMKYaTCqr7P6gPef9I9tJjeElWcmqhTw3ZQJn_WTNUQ8besuyZXib1azd1gK54XS4c_o4ibJUMxkY1qC7Cq6bKeH2o-RqhkckdqxELeK5/s1600/cat+slippers+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563684738362620450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicW2XUTqdDbNTAXOx5dSpKDUYzX-gjMKYaTCqr7P6gPef9I9tJjeElWcmqhTw3ZQJn_WTNUQ8besuyZXib1azd1gK54XS4c_o4ibJUMxkY1qC7Cq6bKeH2o-RqhkckdqxELeK5/s320/cat+slippers+3.jpg" /></a><br />I'll have to make do making a pot of tea in a hand-thrown pot made by a former coworker many years ago. The hot pad is a single crochet simple square motif of Habu cotton yarn.<br /><p align="center"><a title="Black Coffee pad & pot by betseysen, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/55754541@N00/4371291544/"><img alt="Black Coffee pad & pot" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2773/4371291544_4f55b9bab8.jpg" width="366" height="500" /></a></p>Betseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577282234471673003noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16878738.post-43366095419781985182011-01-12T20:15:00.023-05:002011-01-12T21:30:53.016-05:00#1The first post of 2011.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a title="Jan 12 2011 snowstorm 2 by betseysen, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/55754541@N00/5350164641/"><img alt="Jan 12 2011 snowstorm 2" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5165/5350164641_d2ed2e90c0.jpg" width="480" height="360" /></a></p><p align="left">Though really, I should say the first post in a good long time - since the summer. What can I say - I guess I was lazing on sunny afternoons. Then September came, working full-time and going to nursing school full-time kept me away more. Blog posting fell to the bottom of a long to-do list. I have a little time before school starts again. So, here I am; Happy New Year! Hope you've been well.<br /><br />What other firsts do I have for the new year?<br />My first mitten, not only of 2011, but the first mitten I've ever knit.<br />Subway Mittens, designed by Colleen Michele Meagher. Berroco Ultra Alpaca, Lichen colorway.</p><p align="center"><a title="Subway mitten #1 by betseysen, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/55754541@N00/5340128194/"><img alt="Subway mitten #1" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5043/5340128194_7a8ae8623f.jpg" width="432" height="324" /></a></p><p align="center"><a title="first Subway mitten completed by betseysen, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/55754541@N00/5339517685/"><img alt="first Subway mitten completed" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5122/5339517685_c97a954e2e.jpg" width="432" height="324" /></a></p>Another first, a simple, single strand, crocheted, a January necklace. Habu merino lace, charcoal gray.<br /><p align="center"><a title="January crochet strand view 2 by betseysen, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/55754541@N00/5350760546/"><img alt="January crochet strand view 2" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5205/5350760546_04d880ed94.jpg" width="360" height="480" /></a></p><p align="center"><a title="January crochet strand by betseysen, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/55754541@N00/5350164763/"><img alt="January crochet strand" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5241/5350164763_e469e6d925.jpg" width="500" height="262" /></a></p>And the last first, the first blizzard of the new year. I can't claim making it, but I've enjoyed partaking in its beauty.<br /><p align="center"><a title="January 12 2011 snowstorm 7 by betseysen, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/55754541@N00/5350802624/"><img alt="January 12 2011 snowstorm 7" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5350802624_70c5152fef.jpg" width="375" height="500" /></a></p><div align="center"> <a title="January 12 2011 snowstorm 7 by betseysen, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/55754541@N00/5350204375/"><img alt="January 12 2011 snowstorm 7" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5161/5350204375_7e7a9d746e.jpg" width="360" height="480" /></a></div><div align="center">May your new year reach great heights.</div>Betseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577282234471673003noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16878738.post-68879411290996594032010-05-31T19:05:00.009-04:002010-06-02T21:29:32.029-04:00Last days of May<div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Random views from the last days of May</span></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1s1RpdK1JvbM30rMOhaLFxOUvCLd1GYYJiVZSLxqRvm7_6k7uwvgU8SWDHDrOCY3NksTRnysXe18B-mrosxS1ZJ2Tsdpg8t-G3JDjFePEdDGZBa1wk03KApud44P3jPDLyBo/s1600/kitchen+window.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478351728536524354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1s1RpdK1JvbM30rMOhaLFxOUvCLd1GYYJiVZSLxqRvm7_6k7uwvgU8SWDHDrOCY3NksTRnysXe18B-mrosxS1ZJ2Tsdpg8t-G3JDjFePEdDGZBa1wk03KApud44P3jPDLyBo/s320/kitchen+window.JPG" /></a> </p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRX2TQMUoUoQr9tdWmxSKBo4RtFu4wRKsGTKg-5uF9O9bOyUz_blRpy7yKFj6wP07bN6YU6tzbLBXToJ4YQK17Pt37wMZ0OX9tyTeyu7ZzZPDlYDlRPWlXIBj6WPrkt-yrS-4m/s1600/park.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 288px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 195px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478351557241100370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRX2TQMUoUoQr9tdWmxSKBo4RtFu4wRKsGTKg-5uF9O9bOyUz_blRpy7yKFj6wP07bN6YU6tzbLBXToJ4YQK17Pt37wMZ0OX9tyTeyu7ZzZPDlYDlRPWlXIBj6WPrkt-yrS-4m/s320/park.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-jJvfaSmJ7Dg6l1K6q76BwcAC-yz1Ud-LBbgnKYXHKMH69-Oowq9OTZaFpjytNeE4qFHhejDrtGrj254KFBX-2tFOLzGiOcdzrhlWgL0q7PlcAuSu50o340G9qlLg0ya32-8/s1600/past+memorial.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 288px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 220px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478351555800705474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-jJvfaSmJ7Dg6l1K6q76BwcAC-yz1Ud-LBbgnKYXHKMH69-Oowq9OTZaFpjytNeE4qFHhejDrtGrj254KFBX-2tFOLzGiOcdzrhlWgL0q7PlcAuSu50o340G9qlLg0ya32-8/s320/past+memorial.JPG" /></a><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 288px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 216px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478351548674796066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_Sbo3wkpjRhS59Wk3jWGCaIlozx98rbtWBwoecihSmO3706o7STOH0OGuZ71G5IV_DbQ4YZgBhK7vGDrsB3itpCBPRcfjRQ-yLYKTI5X3QcgencurbD7RK2Q9GpL1bZ4mxYK/s320/rail+station.JPG" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZaW4ukUZKl9D5b0Eb12PqhVkc4ij9u9B_mmG_LNjzrCEyLjjOZbgUBdD3Rghf0qxFcylU-arx2FgQ9BB0k0rwb0vfXH90jAlyIHgJkwbKs4mYipb_ozyoEuatlEk8yIbbjlA/s1600/sweet+william.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 288px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 216px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478351546769841250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZaW4ukUZKl9D5b0Eb12PqhVkc4ij9u9B_mmG_LNjzrCEyLjjOZbgUBdD3Rghf0qxFcylU-arx2FgQ9BB0k0rwb0vfXH90jAlyIHgJkwbKs4mYipb_ozyoEuatlEk8yIbbjlA/s320/sweet+william.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX68gZu5_CZrCIBRLeBPoCCf2ukV6PdnD_VzBsADmsAclLnIMBUJYWLrloJoK47BCo4n2WtSwRoKRYQPsHQH7VC4Yd8PrtdV2B5JmQysxr3QfgtT4Oi-ToyJ2EYzqxCAonhypD/s1600/park+flower.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478351230232358690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX68gZu5_CZrCIBRLeBPoCCf2ukV6PdnD_VzBsADmsAclLnIMBUJYWLrloJoK47BCo4n2WtSwRoKRYQPsHQH7VC4Yd8PrtdV2B5JmQysxr3QfgtT4Oi-ToyJ2EYzqxCAonhypD/s320/park+flower.JPG" /></a> </p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcTZKBx2-0d1yw0mSDYpZKYPeigBfzBaLRqDVGAsxPR5xNM-9gIgg5R62FDsZ8hVASZgFEkTbLwoMavGxv021NaW2CtnmJTyVm4vI_OezKdz7VZ2ro1eds0M09if4WFu9w7un/s1600/lost+cap.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 288px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478351222636017506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghcTZKBx2-0d1yw0mSDYpZKYPeigBfzBaLRqDVGAsxPR5xNM-9gIgg5R62FDsZ8hVASZgFEkTbLwoMavGxv021NaW2CtnmJTyVm4vI_OezKdz7VZ2ro1eds0M09if4WFu9w7un/s320/lost+cap.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWPJHgtKT6cQLeRpL-qtr2lEqgrAW9OL9-cZGsM8RMh_6McYWswz3ohEI7ZeQ2p4NXUCB-u2VHneMLpQCTsS93EIuy56Czd_7A89pA8MM47Otpm7AM9-vavWBMhfIR9_Adxdi/s1600/herbs.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 233px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478351218647658018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWPJHgtKT6cQLeRpL-qtr2lEqgrAW9OL9-cZGsM8RMh_6McYWswz3ohEI7ZeQ2p4NXUCB-u2VHneMLpQCTsS93EIuy56Czd_7A89pA8MM47Otpm7AM9-vavWBMhfIR9_Adxdi/s320/herbs.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiRQ8UuxABMuW-P4MlOo-Zs2-aPZgaEfgm_4vfV3dRFagHJ9mAd-1fI1w9_QyEJW0Nc7kmPRYQ1ZJvyMhBMaLIQdj5p2ch0rCdOV34ihufrj6KhsEXvxKUIyJFCSwUfVyxpkO/s1600/farm+fresh+eggs.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 288px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 216px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478351216621446130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiRQ8UuxABMuW-P4MlOo-Zs2-aPZgaEfgm_4vfV3dRFagHJ9mAd-1fI1w9_QyEJW0Nc7kmPRYQ1ZJvyMhBMaLIQdj5p2ch0rCdOV34ihufrj6KhsEXvxKUIyJFCSwUfVyxpkO/s320/farm+fresh+eggs.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxXaenTXlACotPfM_5ZkUqeIUuTkyDe_tib4vR4fXPVyXMXPvSKtXphdjPf6j23iEXsXzwAWm50qf3VQGTHhFT6jd7FD_C-RV7vu2jUyDRG0XSQ2S0-MkR9fMKRZzIIw_qcpj/s1600/afternoon+crochet.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 288px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 216px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478351208461921762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxXaenTXlACotPfM_5ZkUqeIUuTkyDe_tib4vR4fXPVyXMXPvSKtXphdjPf6j23iEXsXzwAWm50qf3VQGTHhFT6jd7FD_C-RV7vu2jUyDRG0XSQ2S0-MkR9fMKRZzIIw_qcpj/s320/afternoon+crochet.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> and now it's June</span></p>Betseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577282234471673003noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16878738.post-25745940985137721122010-04-18T13:41:00.004-04:002010-04-22T08:47:20.918-04:00F+A+E Brooch<p align="center">F+A+E brooch is the <a href="http://postcardfromwaterloo.blogspot.com/2010/03/rains-gifts.html">mystery blog giveaway</a>. And the winner is...</p><p align="center"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2719/4531967458_fcded2a7f0.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 500px; HEIGHT: 375px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2719/4531967458_fcded2a7f0.jpg" /></a></p><p align="center"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error"><a href="http://chickenbetty.wordpress.com/">Chickenbetty</a></span>!</p><p align="center">Please email with your address info or pm me on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ravelry</span>. Hope you like it! It was crocheted with a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Habu</span> silk using a 1.7 hook. Below is the piece as shown in the book.</p><p align="center"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4531967574_c11fe99549.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 500px; HEIGHT: 375px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4531967574_c11fe99549.jpg" /></a></p><p align="left">Here's a photo from the Knot book that displays all the motifs used throughout the book.<br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2551/4531334101_c465175353.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 500px; HEIGHT: 375px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2551/4531334101_c465175353.jpg" /></a></p><p align="center">Hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend!</p>Betseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577282234471673003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16878738.post-25197663088252023752010-04-11T17:33:00.008-04:002010-04-13T22:41:54.450-04:00BLUE<div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Blue. I'm surrounded by blue these days.</span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">My sister, </span><a href="http://missouritrouble.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:85%;">Jenny</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, gifted me the shawl pattern, Wings of The Valkyrie by Jennifer Benson. I'm crocheting it with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Zitron</span> Trekking Pro <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Natura</span>, a wool/bamboo blend yarn. It doesn't look too impressive in its current unkempt state, but the blocked swatch gives a preview of its future loveliness. The pattern can be found </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.annettepetavy.com/shop/">here</a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> or on </span><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wings-of-the-valkyrie"><span style="font-size:85%;">Rave</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">lry</span>.</span><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4512481880_426779678c_o.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 413px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4512481880_426779678c_o.jpg" /></a></p><p align="center"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2687/4441950128_3bb1cafcb9_o.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2687/4441950128_3bb1cafcb9_o.jpg" /></a></p><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4417791627_593ba2debd.jpg"></a><span style="font-size:85%;">On the blue knitted front, I've started my first lace scarf, Anita Caroline, designed by <a href="http://bluepeninsula.blogspot.com/">Bonnie</a>. It's a really pretty lace pattern, that's interesting to knit, but not too complex for a beginner like me. It too will open up once finished and blocked. The pattern can be found on </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/bluepeninsula"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Etsy</span></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> or</span><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/anita-caroline"><span style="font-size:85%;"> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ravelry</span> </span></a><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4511832315_e9752053e3_o.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4511832315_e9752053e3_o.jpg" /></a></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">Yes, still more blue, but this one is finished. </span><a href="http://butzelkuh.wordpress.com/topflappen/"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Topflappen</span></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, is a fun, uniquely shaped potholder. It was crocheted with Paton's Grace in azure, gray, and beige stripes on front and solid azure on the back. It's on its way to the recipient's mailbox, who just happens to love blue.</span></p><p align="center"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2322/4511841299_70cfd1f73d_o.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2322/4511841299_70cfd1f73d_o.jpg" /></a><br /><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2079/4512481698_451b8fe016_o.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2079/4512481698_451b8fe016_o.jpg" /></a></p>Betseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577282234471673003noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16878738.post-48816894274495694362010-03-30T18:47:00.010-04:002010-04-01T20:02:18.827-04:00Rain's gifts<div align="center"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 184px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4444526828_b516aa4677_m.jpg" /></div><br /><p align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">It's so nice to have April begin with sunny weather. It seemed like March was nothing but rain. In mid-March, on a day with huge wind gusts and torrential downpours, </span><a href="http://bluepeninsula.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:85%;">Bonnie</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> and I spent the day in New York. I've never seen so many broken, abandoned umbrellas but what really impressed me were the hearty souls bicycling through the New York streets in the pouring rain. We managed to stayed dry for a good amount of time at Habu Textiles. </span></p><p align="center"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4470247242_f0e1ff4e43.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 500px; HEIGHT: 375px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4443756779_c0322a4e6d.jpg" /></a><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2688/4443757085_9bbf08e79e.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 500px; HEIGHT: 375px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2688/4443757085_9bbf08e79e.jpg" /></a><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4040/4444527520_81e48e632b.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 375px; HEIGHT: 500px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4040/4444527520_81e48e632b.jpg" /></a></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">There are so many intriguing and unusual yarns. I'd have been happy to sit on a stool there all day long, picking up one yarn after another, creating crochet and knit stitches. There are a few more photos of the shop </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/55754541@N00/sets/72157623719888146/"><span style="font-size:85%;">here</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">. By the time spring arrived, I had finished crocheting a doily full of flowers using Habu Tsumugi Silk. It's a free </span><a href="http://www.rakuten.co.jp/gosyo/461397/713923/904110/905060/"><span style="font-size:85%;">pattern</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> from Pierrot Yarns. Once the silk has been washed and blocked, it softens and drapes so nicely, so exquisite. I'd like to make a summer shawl or top with it.</span></p><p align="center"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4469467323_1f62f9764e.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 500px; HEIGHT: 375px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4469467323_1f62f9764e.jpg" /></a><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4470247242_f0e1ff4e43.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 500px; HEIGHT: 334px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4470247242_f0e1ff4e43.jpg" /></a><br /></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">I found the perfect book to encourage my experimentation with some Habu yarn samples. <em>Knot</em> is a Japanese thread crochet book of small accessories and jewelry. The other day I used a bit of silk and one of the shapes in the book to make a brooch. It reminds me of Birch tree seed pods.</span><br /></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">As a way to say goodbye to National Crochet month and share some Habu goodness, I'm having a mystery giveaway. The winner will receive a crocheted item from the <em>Knot</em> book, made from Habu yarn. I'll include some other surprises as well. Just leave a comment that you're up for a surprise. I'll randomly select a winner on April 17 and show you what the winner won.</span><br /><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4476929113_3c479ae0d9_o.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 383px; HEIGHT: 288px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4476929113_3c479ae0d9_o.jpg" /></a></p>Betseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577282234471673003noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16878738.post-88342694275156934302010-03-02T17:40:00.012-05:002010-03-05T17:08:21.934-05:00Washing Winter Away<p align="left"></p><span style="font-size:85%;">Isn't it nice to finally see and feel the first signs of Spring? I'm looking forward to the temperature climbing into the 50's this weekend. Just about time to do some spring cleaning. Since it's National Crochet Month, here's a washcloth crochet pattern I worked up for some gift-giving during the holidays. I wanted a pattern that wasn't too feminine, but also wasn't a plain Jane. This is what I ended up with-it uses an easy spike/relief stitch and a simple border all around. While I made it to use as a washcloth, it could fit right in in the kitchen too. I used sportweight yarns, but really any weight could be used.<br /></span><p align="center"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4402562678_d94d307c00.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 500px; HEIGHT: 365px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4402562678_d94d307c00.jpg" /></a><br /><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4402562414_d52d5d4642.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 500px; HEIGHT: 368px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4402562414_d52d5d4642.jpg" /></a></p><p align="left"><a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Simply_Cotton_Sport_Yarn__D5420185.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">Knit Picks Simply Cotton</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> Organic Sportweight yarn, Malted Milk and Ginger. You could crochet 2-3 cloths with one skein.</span></p><p align="center"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4401798101_aab0e615f2.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 500px; HEIGHT: 375px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/4401798101_aab0e615f2.jpg" /></a></p><p align="left"><a href="http://www.berroco.com/shade_cards/naturlin_sh.html"><span style="font-size:85%;">Berroco NaturLin</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, Oat and Chocolate. One skein makes one cloth, with a good amount left over, but not enough for 2 (in the size I made them).</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">Pattern: Open Ridge Washcloth<br />Dimensions 8 ½ inches by 8 ½ inches<br />Hook: G/4.0 mm<br />Yarn: Sportweight cotton or linen, such as Knit Picks Simply Cotton or Berroco Naturlin<br /><br />Notes:<br />If you tend to hook tightly you may want to use a larger size hook for your chain row.<br />Work the chain at the beginning of each row loosely.<br />Increase or decrease the beginning chain row by even numbers in order to change the size of the cloth.<br />Any weight yarn will work-adjust the hook size and number of chains accordingly.<br /><br />Instructions:<br />Chain 36 loosely.<br />Row 1: Sc in 2nd chain from hook, and 1 sc in ea ch to end. Turn.<br />Row 2: Ch 1, skip first sc, * skip next sc, hdc in next st, 1 hdc in space between last 2 st., * repeat from *to *, ending with 1 hdc in last sc. Turn.<br />Row 3: Ch 1, 1 sc in back loop of ea st, end with sc in the ch 1. Turn.<br />Repeat rows 2 and 3 until the cloth’s length is equal to its width, or to your desired size. End with row 3. Turn.<br /><br />I added a simple edge of 2 rows of sc. Change it if you'd like!<br />Row 1: Ch 1, 1 sc in ea st across, 3 sc in the last stitch for a corner, sc evenly along each of the sides, continuing to place 3 sc in ea corner st. Sl st to first sc. Turn.<br />Row 2: Ch 1, 1 sc in first st of corner, place 3 sc in middle st of the corner, 1 sc in third st of corner, and continue 1sc in each st, and 3 sc in the middle st of each corner. Sl st to first sc. Fasten off.<br /><br />Weave in ends and block lightly if needed.<br /></p></span><p align="center"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4401797855_eef23608db.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 500px; HEIGHT: 375px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4401797855_eef23608db.jpg" /></a></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">I'm using my initial swatches as coasters. These were made with Elesbeth Lavold Hempathy. They look spring-like to me!</span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">(Off to Ravelry to add the pattern there)</span></p>Betseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577282234471673003noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16878738.post-33876481404924297622010-02-18T14:17:00.011-05:002010-02-19T10:47:28.982-05:00a girl, a bird, a wurm, and a medal<p align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">Or, the early bird gets the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">wurm</span>?</span></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyQYCC-twEKO3lNrs6Nf9A0SxCgLOXsYG6qF1vWrEqjwCvrSS7dYMZidrFMGoADDJablXP3vRv-tmwp2erjt1Sx3T5KXgQJyv60OZ-tNt-MAE6aqm-Pmt9BIWgGLIDIgXh7K8/s1600-h/dont+mess.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439962104812757634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXyQYCC-twEKO3lNrs6Nf9A0SxCgLOXsYG6qF1vWrEqjwCvrSS7dYMZidrFMGoADDJablXP3vRv-tmwp2erjt1Sx3T5KXgQJyv60OZ-tNt-MAE6aqm-Pmt9BIWgGLIDIgXh7K8/s320/dont+mess.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">the bird: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/betseysen/alfred-the-pigeon">my winter pigeon</a></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Doesn't he look tough? <a href="http://mygurumi.de/home1.html">The pigeon</a> was a bit challenging to train. Fingering weight wool yarns, C hook.</span></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79tVtfBGoll9WS7WfEYhIXfqSVieB0p1e2RJ8ETIZbX3qqg9-yjPiTy3S5qoNMHC4ZYcJIMZ2VltldcwvR3LYD1Z5MYtjhSzN_GH4H3UrAlmD6INXKMRF41Sf9bJbAHLAcnex/s1600-h/backside.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439968947229025986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79tVtfBGoll9WS7WfEYhIXfqSVieB0p1e2RJ8ETIZbX3qqg9-yjPiTy3S5qoNMHC4ZYcJIMZ2VltldcwvR3LYD1Z5MYtjhSzN_GH4H3UrAlmD6INXKMRF41Sf9bJbAHLAcnex/s320/backside.jpg" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">the pigeon's cute backside</span></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRlhQsJdSJF8-wc4Kq4tzq-gpsHTR4z5kNqZuBzEmfANkheqxKMZkpew4Q6wq_1OMsSJjRtWvZ5gxB8tgREmoRFJovVhnqSwIapqB5-Wf6cNpKg7mdfPPMhhGhjBgLABvaq2_/s1600-h/wurm2.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439962114829483362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRlhQsJdSJF8-wc4Kq4tzq-gpsHTR4z5kNqZuBzEmfANkheqxKMZkpew4Q6wq_1OMsSJjRtWvZ5gxB8tgREmoRFJovVhnqSwIapqB5-Wf6cNpKg7mdfPPMhhGhjBgLABvaq2_/s320/wurm2.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">the </span><a href="http://www.umschlagplatz.at/"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wurm</span></span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">: a squishy knit with Cascade 220, 1 skein, US 7 & 8 circular needles</span></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIa_ox54kAh-WmMtoAqrdM__Xwh5vTsJcrmUjtNaB7wwngWB1-nrXKUshVIPrV7_EqQ-xhQqBC7JFrU5gy6mZpIQ225zA8YhIx77tv43yDNhUhyqI0Slz4uexG-CmV_WoBmm8-/s1600-h/wurm4.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439962117404294370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIa_ox54kAh-WmMtoAqrdM__Xwh5vTsJcrmUjtNaB7wwngWB1-nrXKUshVIPrV7_EqQ-xhQqBC7JFrU5gy6mZpIQ225zA8YhIx77tv43yDNhUhyqI0Slz4uexG-CmV_WoBmm8-/s320/wurm4.JPG" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/betseysen/wurm">my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">wurm</span></a> pile</span><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFpuKM77kK_Knp_-F1N_KI1m3vBjTJ8ypI9mLTRhsqLlaWOSAF8nvFBpbaXKZZZbCqH-ntOJzxe5ARWDZeX6xUHU0scUpwfj-ZN4cVGYDqS8a_aA3T01S3HWe_W_Iq2SjN_06/s1600-h/4353989591_68acf15d94_o.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 175px; HEIGHT: 100px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439963027098415442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFpuKM77kK_Knp_-F1N_KI1m3vBjTJ8ypI9mLTRhsqLlaWOSAF8nvFBpbaXKZZZbCqH-ntOJzxe5ARWDZeX6xUHU0scUpwfj-ZN4cVGYDqS8a_aA3T01S3HWe_W_Iq2SjN_06/s320/4353989591_68acf15d94_o.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">the medal: <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ravelympics</span> 2010 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Skelegurumi</span> (for crocheting the pigeon)</span></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid90RoAWxQ0s4IhLyrLXyCItXdsOHNTZkG1b9TebOg1-XxuV2DenbZs08tIp0_cWFF1UMY-pHBJIZ7lKksuibHbGf2MA0EprrNr6G9-05c9noZ9Bp5H1tA39r3MV8rxfzR5e1r/s1600-h/pigeon+love.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 222px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439962099494137842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid90RoAWxQ0s4IhLyrLXyCItXdsOHNTZkG1b9TebOg1-XxuV2DenbZs08tIp0_cWFF1UMY-pHBJIZ7lKksuibHbGf2MA0EprrNr6G9-05c9noZ9Bp5H1tA39r3MV8rxfzR5e1r/s320/pigeon+love.JPG" /></a></p><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">...and the girl gets them all.</span></div>Betseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577282234471673003noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16878738.post-8820384282167090042010-02-14T16:54:00.002-05:002010-02-14T17:10:54.219-05:00Loving the unlovable<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2683/4356821117_e1f3dab171.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 402px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2683/4356821117_e1f3dab171.jpg" /></a><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">What's not to love about a pigeon?</span></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">Winter Ravelympics has begun on </span><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/"><span style="font-size:85%;">Ravelry</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">! I've entered the Skelegurumi event and hope to medal for Team Sennott by crocheting the lovable </span><a href="http://mygurumi.de/"><span style="font-size:85%;">Alfred the Pigeon</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">. My much more challenging event will be the Mitten Moguls. I'm still in training for that event.</span></p>Betseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577282234471673003noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16878738.post-27739117649173105172010-01-31T10:55:00.006-05:002010-01-31T11:51:26.711-05:00bits & scraps<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2486/4314886550_bbaf5441ab.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 368px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2486/4314886550_bbaf5441ab.jpg" /></a><em>Winter Daisies Pillow:</em><br />Scraps of unfit (meaning too thin for rug hooking) wool fabric. A bit of crocheted daisy flowers, an abandoned scarf project (all those endless chains...). I used the incredibly easy envelope back pillow tutorial <a href="http://sewing.about.com/od/freeprojects/ss/envelopepillow.htm">here.</a><br /><em></em><br /><em>Coral Strand Necklace:</em><br />A bit of Berroco Mica yarn to make a chained and slip stitched cord, with spare button and looped end. Some scrap yarn of Berroco Seduce yarn, leftover from my knit <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/55754541@N00/3878189230/in/set-72157617882681799/">Baktus scarf</a>. The jumping off point for the necklace is <a href="http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/coral/coral.html">Coral</a>, a free crochet pattern from Berroco. I wove the slipped cord through the holes of the Seduce Coral to make my Coral Strand. Depending on my mood, I can wear it spread out or scrunched up.<br /><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4012/4314893310_62f182d96c.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 375px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 500px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4012/4314893310_62f182d96c.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4314893760_42dd38f9ed.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 375px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4314893760_42dd38f9ed.jpg" /></a></div></div>Betseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577282234471673003noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16878738.post-33637620417750526852010-01-22T11:35:00.003-05:002010-01-22T11:50:06.495-05:00new boy in town<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 375px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 500px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2783/4295747346_661051e37a.jpg" /> <div align="center">He sings, he's athletic, he looks good in red, he's</div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.homestarrunner.com/">Homestar Runner!</a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Another brilliant design by <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.the-contact-network.com/otheregg/aerie/knit.html">Aleta Fera</a></span><br /></div><div align="left"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4295747526_b0a879ee0a.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 375px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4295747526_b0a879ee0a.jpg" /></a></div>Betseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577282234471673003noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16878738.post-18306971620524554292010-01-18T17:21:00.004-05:002010-01-18T18:29:26.150-05:00Sock Star Scarf Reveal<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2539/4001862870_a4292a0fb4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 375px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 500px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2539/4001862870_a4292a0fb4.jpg" /></a> I was so thrilled to be a finalist in Berroco's Sock Star competition! Now I'm even more thrilled to see my crochet scarf, which Berroco named Olney St., in the upcoming <a href="http://berroco.com/292.297/297/297_photoview_pv.html">Sock Star Pattern Booklet</a>. The scarf is crocheted using one skein of Berroco's Ultra Alpaca Fine wool. The pattern booklet will be available in LYS' soon and directly through Berroco. If you voted for the scarf back in the Fall, a huge <em>thank you</em> to you, and I hope people like the scarf if they crochet it. These are a few photos I snapped before I had sent it off to Berroco in August.<br /><div></div><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3470/4001108485_17beae2bba.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 500px; HEIGHT: 375px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3470/4001108485_17beae2bba.jpg" /></a><br /></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2528/4001099499_a0466b9bf3.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 396px; HEIGHT: 500px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2528/4001099499_a0466b9bf3.jpg" /></a></p><p align="left">In September I crocheted it again, using the <a href="http://berroco.com/shade_cards/ultra_alpaca_fine_sh.html">Redwood Mix</a> colorway. I gave it to my sister, <a href="http://bluepeninsula.blogspot.com/">Bonnie</a>, a small thank you for all her support and continuous inspiration.</p><p align="center"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2440/4001861474_05192e09cf.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 500px; HEIGHT: 375px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2440/4001861474_05192e09cf.jpg" /></a></p>Betseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577282234471673003noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16878738.post-25378089997936579172010-01-12T18:12:00.007-05:002010-01-13T20:37:52.552-05:00Cowl Happy<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFAtydcJ100rA9NeIvpgBhUI1Z_EcnZ6IFc9mAMRwdk4WVAZTBHClqRPcARG0Ahhd87jBocaFYcJnplvJY9D4u3XhM2bVUIrbjj-8uQIfnERxhTo9rHzTkvRPqT0_8_YyJ0tw/s1600-h/003.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 305px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425995550336203730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFAtydcJ100rA9NeIvpgBhUI1Z_EcnZ6IFc9mAMRwdk4WVAZTBHClqRPcARG0Ahhd87jBocaFYcJnplvJY9D4u3XhM2bVUIrbjj-8uQIfnERxhTo9rHzTkvRPqT0_8_YyJ0tw/s320/003.JPG" /></a></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">I was<em> totally happy</em> when I received my very own<a href="http://throughtheloops.typepad.com/ChickadeeCowl.pdf"> Chickadee Cowl</a> knit by my sister, Jackie. I love the colors. Sheep Shop 2 yarn if I remember correctly. Thanks, Jackie!</span></p><p align="center"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2748/4270149766_f51fc521ae.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 500px; HEIGHT: 492px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2748/4270149766_f51fc521ae.jpg" /></a></p><p align="left"><span style="font-size:85%;">Then I was <em>way happy</em> at the beginning of this week when I finished knitting my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/bluepeninsula">Buttermilk Sky cowl</a> designed by my sister,<a href="http://bluepeninsula.blogspot.com/"> Bonnie</a>. Knit in Berroco Pure Merino. Such a great texture and great fun to knit.</span></p><p align="center"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2748/4270149382_f70581293b.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 500px; HEIGHT: 375px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2748/4270149382_f70581293b.jpg" /></a></p><p align="center"><em>Cowl Happy</em></p>Betseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577282234471673003noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16878738.post-84140448415588075822010-01-10T18:34:00.009-05:002010-01-10T21:07:21.147-05:00Crochet for a Winter's Day<div align="left"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 327px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4259934541_8798270de2.jpg" /></div>I've been crocheting a few different items as I try out my Habu mystery yarn samples. The doily pattern is from the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kyuuto-Japanese-Crafts-Lacy-Crochet/dp/0811860582/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263173282&sr=8-1">Kyuuto! Lacy Crochet</a>. I love the claw-like petal/leaves and its simple design. The Habu yarn is a laceweight linen so I used a small 1.75 mm hook. The yarn has a beautiful natural color and texture and draped nicely with blocking.<br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4260689894_3a8ef42009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 375px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4260689894_3a8ef42009.jpg" /></a>Sometimes it's very satisfying to complete something from start to finish in just a matter of a couple hours. The Habu yarn I used for this simple necklace appears to be a silk paper/ribbon yarn. It's bronze color seemed to be the perfect compliment for some peach seed beads I had left over from a scarf. I played around with several hook sizes before deciding on a 1.75 mm hook for smaller chains. The necklace is long enough that it can be worn in single strands or doubled up around the neck.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4263505753_280af5e251.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 375px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4263505753_280af5e251.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4263506029_d010d3e85e.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 375px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 500px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4001/4263506029_d010d3e85e.jpg" /></a>This motif reminds me of a passion flower. I'm not sure what this will become. I had just enough of this yarn to make two circle motifs. I may combine it with some linen or wool fabric to make a brooch. Plenty of winter days left to ponder its use.<br /><p align="center"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2793/4263506563_c5e45973d8.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 500px; HEIGHT: 375px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2793/4263506563_c5e45973d8.jpg" /></a></p><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div>Betseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577282234471673003noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16878738.post-37484168420429518442009-12-27T12:13:00.004-05:002009-12-31T18:47:25.865-05:00Squeezing in one more 2009 post<span style="font-size:85%;">Thanks to a new laptop, I can end 2009 with a quick (and not terribly exciting) note. Christmas was spent in Florida's warmth visiting my mom and brother, and his family. My traveling project was a crocheted shawl that perfectly fit the bill - it was pleasant and quick and just needed some blocking when I got back home. </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Pattern: Blue Jeans Shawl by <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Knottie</span> by Nature</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Yarn: Knit Picks Gloss Lace in Celery</span><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://www.techchick.lunarpages.com/knottie/hobbies/patterns.php?pattern=blueshawl&display=1"><img style="WIDTH: 500px; HEIGHT: 375px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4232421900_f31e80f202.jpg" /></a></p><span style="font-size:85%;">My insect-loving nephew received a Rhinoceros Beetle, which spent a little time frolicking with some garden gnomes before being tagged and mounted. </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Pattern: <a href="http://homepage3.nifty.com/omura/shugei/amigurumi/kabutomushii/kabutomushi-1.htm">King of the Forest Rhinoceros Beetle</a></span><br /><p align="center"><img style="WIDTH: 256px; HEIGHT: 216px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4218418095_1fa47159ac_o.jpg" /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4219183698_87b4b8b515_o.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 285px; HEIGHT: 216px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4219183698_87b4b8b515_o.jpg" /></a></p><p align="center"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong><em>Happy New Year to You!</em></strong></span></p>Betseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577282234471673003noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16878738.post-75838100230706742752009-11-25T15:49:00.002-05:002009-11-25T15:54:25.855-05:00Happy Thanksgiving to you<div align="center"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2562/4133753131_c42e438381_o.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 360px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 480px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2562/4133753131_c42e438381_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Have a nice holiday if you're celebrating and safe travels to you.<br /></span></div>Betseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577282234471673003noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16878738.post-67918470614765716382009-10-29T18:55:00.006-04:002009-10-29T19:31:50.878-04:00the (Habu) line up<span style="font-size:85%;">Last week at Stitches East I couldn't resist getting some Habu yarn. I snagged two sample bags of unusual and interesting silks, linens and wools, some crinkled, some paper ribbons, some bound, and some with halos. Here they are all in a row - beautiful!</span><br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2548/4048455660_9b912c1cf9_o.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 432px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 576px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2548/4048455660_9b912c1cf9_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">I also like arranging them like a specimen collection. I don't tire looking at them.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2494/4047709511_f4afa413e1.jpg" border="0" /> <img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2761/4047710601_31059d0f8d.jpg" border="0" /></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">These three bundles were not part of the samples. Ideas are floating around in my head as to what they'll become.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3496/4048454550_65b70fae15.jpg" border="0" /></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">But first, I've been crocheting one of the samples, a tsumugi silk, into circular motifs. Now to add another yarn to end up with a necklace.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 180px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2676/4056232675_dd360bab39_m.jpg" border="0" /></div><div><div><div><div><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 432px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 324px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2565/4056233385_a8570cd6f3.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Betseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577282234471673003noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16878738.post-66959209706948996862009-10-20T17:37:00.005-04:002009-10-20T17:50:25.815-04:00no more brown bagging it for me...<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2453/4027794276_c37c88627c_m.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2453/4027794276_c37c88627c_m.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2421/4027040029_4226dfb26d_m.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2421/4027040029_4226dfb26d_m.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2663/4027795076_b75d685932_m.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2663/4027795076_b75d685932_m.jpg" border="0" /></a>...now that I made a reversable Japanese inspired bag, perfect for carrying my lunch to work.</div><div>From the book, <em>Linen, Wool, Cotton. </em>A free project <a href="http://www.makegoodbooks.com/?gclid=CLG04bzYxJ0CFQRM5QodImP4yQ">here</a>.</div>Betseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577282234471673003noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16878738.post-51932280412704992972009-10-18T16:04:00.006-04:002009-10-18T16:31:02.662-04:00little things on a rainy autumn day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVlvYu2GEYMC0N4HI-sRuTGx2euItBcX3Z3Qp2xf4pAtOOMe0Ed-GcYjybhpjYRmKt3r5n4YtnCIDzN79wqcCwqE4-Mhi9xCfaTZRCzvu_Rhb8C9JJ_YXYPcL8oAxWYFYA4Z3/s1600-h/kitty+leaf.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394035014997916098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 194px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVlvYu2GEYMC0N4HI-sRuTGx2euItBcX3Z3Qp2xf4pAtOOMe0Ed-GcYjybhpjYRmKt3r5n4YtnCIDzN79wqcCwqE4-Mhi9xCfaTZRCzvu_Rhb8C9JJ_YXYPcL8oAxWYFYA4Z3/s320/kitty+leaf.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7kceKtvTq74ZBXgycvQyCpD-ZWbSgNUvkTSbXnR3JasBA2_FHfffLAyZWDwmqu4dnEbaRmNw-jRd3kxiGWQ5GwDV8fZax0LoKO1YgKX67AqpeEiqqQw5ttaV9UT1er5t6IJd/s1600-h/lg+leaf.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394035011351372850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 286px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU7kceKtvTq74ZBXgycvQyCpD-ZWbSgNUvkTSbXnR3JasBA2_FHfffLAyZWDwmqu4dnEbaRmNw-jRd3kxiGWQ5GwDV8fZax0LoKO1YgKX67AqpeEiqqQw5ttaV9UT1er5t6IJd/s320/lg+leaf.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0VjVH7jpipTThMLDYMx5DjpYp8u-X1DczNosbw9J4W-9LjbAV6xqnIcUio54W8EjqZ0VFWPBd0CDpXretzd7wbY50Nqe6CuFgOcLnuhhmE2APxSAqhZfRiuTPnZT34-mreuS_/s1600-h/sm+leaf.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394035003480689186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0VjVH7jpipTThMLDYMx5DjpYp8u-X1DczNosbw9J4W-9LjbAV6xqnIcUio54W8EjqZ0VFWPBd0CDpXretzd7wbY50Nqe6CuFgOcLnuhhmE2APxSAqhZfRiuTPnZT34-mreuS_/s320/sm+leaf.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">A few small leaves, another sweet design from the <em>Charming Crochet</em> book. </span><div><span style="font-size:85%;">The green leaf of KnitPicks Wool of the Andes kettle dyed worsted weight in Grasshopper.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">The gold leaf of DMC perle cotton #5.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">And the kitties? Found long ago amongst nails and screws in a "hardware store in a can" coffee can from my father.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;">Despite the chilly gray skies, my geranium continues to bloom bright pink . Its hot pink inspired me to pull out some Malabrigo Silky Merino I bought in the heat of the summer last year and begin to turn it into a flowery scarf.</span></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dLayCE8pdnWDVjA5m7t3aHbQxqn38njvjLh5dh2L-K1wMDUN8WcCOwlfNKy4cXajx5XGjvIA9ofBx78LG9bzZFsRTuh28pJbUiAulRhaie-DsEBo0Xl2sQHDyzPNF9Q9xfYS/s1600-h/fall+geranium.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394035000008154690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dLayCE8pdnWDVjA5m7t3aHbQxqn38njvjLh5dh2L-K1wMDUN8WcCOwlfNKy4cXajx5XGjvIA9ofBx78LG9bzZFsRTuh28pJbUiAulRhaie-DsEBo0Xl2sQHDyzPNF9Q9xfYS/s320/fall+geranium.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PQJAXUAPl3aU_pUGK6ItapN1Fxodjjbi4MyRYF3hkwvv-aN9qJdqslf_2b4qYLqt75AXaATF9vAp7DgXQAFpXapPmClSRQkECBYTGRh_PpfN2iA4c2XqTXWmRINdPgGjds6b/s1600-h/geranium+scarf.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394034992573656946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 222px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7PQJAXUAPl3aU_pUGK6ItapN1Fxodjjbi4MyRYF3hkwvv-aN9qJdqslf_2b4qYLqt75AXaATF9vAp7DgXQAFpXapPmClSRQkECBYTGRh_PpfN2iA4c2XqTXWmRINdPgGjds6b/s320/geranium+scarf.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div>Betseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577282234471673003noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16878738.post-1030701676401035692009-10-06T17:27:00.003-04:002009-10-06T18:28:14.331-04:00Hempathy's Bounty<p align="center"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3532/3988448756_ef070689c5.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3532/3988448756_ef070689c5.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left">A skein of Hempathy is 153 yards. I've found it can go a long way, and that's even with yarn-eating crochet. After I made myself a Comet using the Tea Rose yarn, I still had alot left over. I added a crocheted edge to a gauze scarf. And I still had yarn left so I crocheted a necklace pouch to hold my eyeglasses or iPod Nano.</p><p align="center"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2640/3988449706_92b20c357c.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 375px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 500px" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2640/3988449706_92b20c357c.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3438/3988449332_e0b326aafe.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3438/3988449332_e0b326aafe.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left">Even after that I had a bit of yarn left. I could have made a little flower or motif. Instead I crocheted this little bird from the Japanese book, <em>Charming Crochet,</em> that has no function other than hanging sweetly on my wall. </p><p align="center"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2588/3988448128_10b7a432da.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 375px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 500px" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2588/3988448128_10b7a432da.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p><div align="center"></div>Betseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577282234471673003noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16878738.post-40327878139223392172009-09-24T18:34:00.005-04:002009-09-24T19:12:32.074-04:00my berry stained handsThe last time I was at Webs I got some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Berroco</span> Comfort <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">DK</span> for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">swatching</span>. When the fall weather arrived, I thought the yarn would be great for transitional fingerless gloves. They're not too hot for this time of year, are stretchy yet keep their shape well, and are just fun to wear. I didn't use a pattern. Using a F/3.75 hook, I just made a long enough chain to fit my hand, joined it for working in the round, then went round and round single crochet through the back loops, skipped some stitches and made some chains for the thumb hole, and continued round. I still have a good amount of yarn left for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">swatching</span>.<br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvQsb_tjYR2NRihZNuyg5D7Zu2etDuiMWf6o6aLfE0aTN2mWzsXU6b_jggqpv_YXoA2n5_DKpjDA2mYGEGe-I8LncTWdAi-Tjz0T6lJuKTRScZWUdyAl5u_xRU3ReTIPDhgUN/s1600-h/IMG_1027+copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385168666014899570" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 238px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvQsb_tjYR2NRihZNuyg5D7Zu2etDuiMWf6o6aLfE0aTN2mWzsXU6b_jggqpv_YXoA2n5_DKpjDA2mYGEGe-I8LncTWdAi-Tjz0T6lJuKTRScZWUdyAl5u_xRU3ReTIPDhgUN/s320/IMG_1027+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left">My apologies, here's a really blurry photo of me wearing them. I seemed to have deleted the good photo! Oh well.</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wcXUadBBJ9p3K2xJv2gQkRKLsmgbWh5DBptO-QPkQUKYM_RYBCr4-O9AwTN4rrtiAPV8UwbQiHOroUbLWPk0hoPrsF-s6bQkqmHAmeexlpX2TsEC_E2uY1RYXr32UT27UZEF/s1600-h/IMG_1033.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385168660374996498" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 185px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wcXUadBBJ9p3K2xJv2gQkRKLsmgbWh5DBptO-QPkQUKYM_RYBCr4-O9AwTN4rrtiAPV8UwbQiHOroUbLWPk0hoPrsF-s6bQkqmHAmeexlpX2TsEC_E2uY1RYXr32UT27UZEF/s320/IMG_1033.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>And, a beautiful woven cloth I was rewarded with from <a href="http://missouritrouble.blogspot.com/">Missouri Trouble</a>! It sits perfectly on my bedside table. It's a cotton and linen blend and the pattern is called Fig Leaf. Jenny wove a series of these mats in tribute to one of her weaving mentors, who before she died, had asked the weaving group to explore the pattern in memory of her. It's so nice to hear the stories that may be behind what people create.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKX1RwlA7kvrATIvwBCzod41gEjOWGQioW6nfQgtQznPKscEV3k7E9btAeDJz1RDrUyIiTUXXdXDBn3ehjHSU9QASnv_1rFxFYBy89wjkq1Gxc-RdXYuGlREPA7K49Y294Hw3m/s1600-h/fig+leaf.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385168651900454818" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKX1RwlA7kvrATIvwBCzod41gEjOWGQioW6nfQgtQznPKscEV3k7E9btAeDJz1RDrUyIiTUXXdXDBn3ehjHSU9QASnv_1rFxFYBy89wjkq1Gxc-RdXYuGlREPA7K49Y294Hw3m/s320/fig+leaf.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Betseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577282234471673003noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16878738.post-39737870471044826862009-09-07T15:52:00.004-04:002009-09-07T16:02:20.428-04:00Sunday's Rosy Hue<p align="center"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3487/3897709788_5b901f0572.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3487/3897709788_5b901f0572.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left">Made while watching the US Open. Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy, 2.75 mm hook. The stunning cloth underneath was a handwoven gift from my sister, <a href="http://missouritrouble.blogspot.com/">Jenny</a>.</p><p align="center"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2530/3896928353_10082a947d.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 374px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 500px" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2530/3896928353_10082a947d.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></p>Betseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577282234471673003noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16878738.post-52374964265170428082009-09-05T09:53:00.003-04:002009-09-05T10:39:42.517-04:00Crocheting the edge of the CometHere's a few tips if you're uncertain about how to slip stitch the edge of the Comet cuff.<br />Step 1: You'll notice some stitches along the edge look like the one below in the photo - a clearly defined crochet stitch. You should slip stitch through the back loop, which really means insert the hook in between the front and back loops to complete the slip stitch.<br /><div><div></div><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3525/3889089193_b7d408fd0a.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3525/3889089193_b7d408fd0a.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div>Step 2: The next stitch will look like a tighter, smaller space, and it won't look like a regular crochet stitch with front and back loops. Just slip stitch in this space. </div><div></div><div><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3514/3889089335_387bc6fe90.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3514/3889089335_387bc6fe90.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div>Step 3: The next stitch will again look like the usual crochet stitch with front and back loops. Again, slip stitch through the back loop. Continue in this manner, which will alternate between slip stitching through a back loop, then slip stitching through the next space. Slip stitching through the back loops makes the edge lay more along the side of the cuff, and I think gives the cuff a neater appearance. Slip stitches through both loops makes the slipped edge lay more on the top of the cuff. </div><div><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2537/3889089497_55fa371df1.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2537/3889089497_55fa371df1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div></div></div>Betseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577282234471673003noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16878738.post-82760389345647540372009-08-25T15:44:00.020-04:002009-08-25T22:20:13.720-04:00New Comet ArrivesAccording to an old <em>American Heritage Dictionary</em>, the comet is “a celestial body having a solid head surrounded by a nebulous luminescent cloud and an elongated curved vapor tail arising when the head approaches the sun.” In the Middle Ages, the comet caused both fear and wonder. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374004843637705938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 151px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinIzJ1akBUAeU_K3Tw8qvnqQy4f6KMf5pZRgeRcgPEGFkcYkPAQ0gbx_m7-6kBhyphenhyphenJhN_2jYzKQy5EW7MGMYyhLLZukeVnlDTNuV3HwX4inZPIF8iptRTuRLFviR6WXTLdROsrp/s320/69319main_comets_woodcarving-lg.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373991468802522354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 237px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7x0dyoiLyLZWDUpeBjdTIoFyTIUd52xsU6k3C8YoV1NyIHoCDDwcuHlCHfIDTzZ4grSC7EmiXRQkEfSEvQ6w_s_R0W7RlvtiqMnOlwot10zIT1dW95TOnAlSBkbj4KyUpuI9A/s320/Great_Comet_of_1577.gif" border="0" />In 1986's modern times, Halley's Comet swung by for an exciting visit.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQ1esJG9Dw5YNSJ4HWHDSZZ25X6dkK2LK97XKLGiVHuEHXmDdQE615K91-zq6oeB68YnIfgFz1F8_wBVKkBrfvCgvpY2GCZEZNv6BmD4L1s4orHqoDm0-IyCBhnhFSrf4y9H9/s1600-h/Comet-Halley%2527s-tail-NASA-1986-b&w.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373990768296876290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 301px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQ1esJG9Dw5YNSJ4HWHDSZZ25X6dkK2LK97XKLGiVHuEHXmDdQE615K91-zq6oeB68YnIfgFz1F8_wBVKkBrfvCgvpY2GCZEZNv6BmD4L1s4orHqoDm0-IyCBhnhFSrf4y9H9/s320/Comet-Halley%2527s-tail-NASA-1986-b&w.jpg" border="0" /></a> In today's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">blogosphere</span>, the comet arriving is a versatile wrist cuff. It's crocheted using a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">sportweight</span> linen blend yarn and can be worn two ways. I'm sharing the pattern if you'd like a Comet to wrap around your wrist. (I'll be adding it to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Ravelry</span> shortly.)<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373997861287570146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLTCh-6H5IGVYMRJRLvYVAU5Qi7ZwtCsGn7jp4YtchaZ1wTlEfuzig3_f-C5pJMYQ58BoQ6U13u7zWf64lAd9i-w1vxk5Ey45cUFCquP00N_4tnWf8XztLtfsXH6s-iUyQaPR-/s320/comet+3.jpg" border="0" /></p><div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373996991168583058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pTCkEGfCATVZVNaD8aPXMT2_EkWQZx0IvVrH0pPAZPT9H_be_pz_8oFBus7kTZnsZ7KrWIA20CiiQRk-yooGTBJm8FYZBkNgmPJw1CuTcfTSW84WNbsmcqez26zcq526xQUq/s320/1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><div>Comet Wrist Cuff<br />Materials:<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Berroco</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Naturlin</span>, or similar <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">sportweight</span> yarn, scrap <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">amts</span>.<br />Hook size: F (3.75mm)<br />One 1 ½ inch jewelry ring-style bead, or O-ring, or washer<br />Two ½ inch buttons<br /><br />Finished dimensions: overall length: 12.75 inches; width at widest point: 2 inches<br />Fits <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">sm</span>. to med. wrists<br />Gauge is not critical but work crochet tightly.<br /><br />Set up row: slip stitch onto ring. Ch 1. 11 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">sc</span> around ring. (carry tail behind and crochet over). Turn.<br />Rows 1-29: Ch. 1. Sc in each st. Turn. (11)<br />Row 30: Ch 1. Sc2tog in first 2 st. Sc in next 7 st. Sc2tog last 2 st. Turn (9)<br />Rows 31-33: Ch 1. Sc in ea. st. Turn. (9)<br />Row 34: Ch. 1. Sc2tog in first 2 st. Sc in next 5 st. Sc2tog last 2 st. Turn. (7)<br />Rows 35-37: Ch. 1. Sc in ea. st. Turn. (7)<br />Row 38: Ch. 1. Sc2tog in first 2 st. Sc in next <strong>3 </strong>st. Sc2tog last 2 st. Turn. (5)<br />Rows 39-67: Ch. 1. Sc in ea. st. Turn. (5)<br />Row 68: Ch 5. Skip 4 st. Slip st. in last st. Fasten off. </div><div> </div><div><strong>Correction Update:</strong> If you printed out the pattern, please make sure your version lists Row 38 with sc in next <strong>3</strong> st. (originally stated 5-oops!)<br /><br />Edge: With right side facing, join with slip st into 1st st. at ring’s edge. Ch 1. Slip st. through back loops evenly along edge to button loop. Slip st into ch <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">sp</span>. 5 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">sc</span> into ch <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">sp</span>. Slip st into ch <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">sp</span>. Slip st through back loops evenly along other side to last st. at ring’s edge. Fasten off. Weave in ends.<br /><br />Finishing: Sew buttons onto right side, approximately 2 and 4 inches from start of crochet at ring end.<br /><br />Modifications:<br />Wrist size can be increased or decreased by adding or deleting rows in the 11<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">sc</span>. section (Rows 1-29)<br />If you only want to wear it one way, you can eliminate one button and decrease the length of the tail section (Rows 39-67). </div><br /><div>© Betsey Sennott, 2009. For Non-Commercial, Personal Use Only.<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373990747014792914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 295px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJVzEiRhB0TfToFlSETFK8cZsJR-nVJxmTta6upLy13hgCPULKPDXGFgItReBsgBqaVK3LASyNTEA75g57N8xDRo25pI_OqOSiSTaWcraDGVi4ZcX3dNH3opgaYAELr1gk5jo/s320/comet+2.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div><br />You can see more views of the Comet Cuff on my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/55754541@N00/sets/72157603539725952/">Flickr photostream</a>.Betseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577282234471673003noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16878738.post-1469218454942263982009-08-13T09:30:00.005-04:002009-08-13T10:27:45.043-04:00I'm into Metal<p align="left">Not the heavy kind (although I do like Van Halen's <em>Jump, </em>but is Van Halen really heavy metal?). In any case, I seem to be attracted to the shimmery stuff lately. I think it makes for some cool-looking hyperbolic crochet.</p><p align="center"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3177/3817811394_6a2505c558.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 364px" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3177/3817811394_6a2505c558.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left">The yarn is Berrocco Mica in the Abalone colorway. The motif is from Edie Eckman's <em>Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs. </em>It looks pretty good as a brooch also. I expect I'll be a metalhead for awhile. Sorry, Ma.</p><p align="center"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3554/3817001697_a16b516928.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 359px" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3554/3817001697_a16b516928.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Betseyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04577282234471673003noreply@blogger.com1