More than a month later...

and November brings with it a new hard drive, some FO's, some WIP's, some discards, and some photos to recapture. Life has been a bit busy, while I also had a need to slow down. I'll try to catch up and post a few things I've been doing. I'll be enjoying this bobble hat. The pattern is from fable handmade goods. Jen has some lovely designs. The yarn I used was Plymouth Encore. Not a fancy yarn but I liked the color.
And I had enough yarn left to crochet this neckwarmer! It's not a pattern - just alternated single and double crochet stitches.

Voting Day

Yeah, it's been a couple weeks since I posted. No excuse really, although my camera seemed to have gotten the flu and refused to take any decent pictures. It did cooperate today. I made this bag from Interweave Crochet Spring '06. But I'm not a big tassle fan so I'm going to do some other sort of embellishment. Here's where you can vote again today (or for the first time if you didn't have primaries today). Please give me your opinions and suggestions!
Here's my changes: I used KnitPicks Sierra yarn. Instead of the crocheted handles I'm going with leather straps. The fabric is for the lining. The embellishment options: a line of little corkscrews or varying leaves and flowers. I'm also thinking maybe some sort of trim edging like an elaborate picot trim. The colors of the flower, etc are just a sample. So what do you think?

Other updates: my hooked bag is waiting for its handles to arrive in the mail and the spokes stool is about halfway done but looking different from my original vision. More photos soon if my camera decides it wants to be helpful.

Flowers and Vines Pouch

I finally got around to sewing up the flowers and vines pn embroidery. Now instead of using a plastic bag I have a pouch for carrying around current crochet projects.

And yesterday Ganesh Chaturthi began. Wouldn't it be great to go to India for the festival.

This, that, and the other thing

August has been full of a variety of small projects. Here's a sampling of some of them. "Zinni" is my first attempt at crocheting a Amigurumi toy. She was alot of fun to crochet, but less fun to sew together.

I crocheted a little (about 3x4) jewelry pouch for my mom to give her a yarn sample for some doilies she wants me to make for her. The very nice yarn is Jaeger Aqua, a mercerized cotton, and the color is water.
A long time ago I had gotten some Manos del Uruguay yarn for a rug hooking project. I decided to crochet a ruffle scarf with it. I think it'll make a festive scarf for the holidays.

And I started an easy, casual shawl. I'm really liking the pattern and the color of the wool, a soft Berroco Ultra Alpaca. The fabric in the background is going to be the lining for the hooked circle handbag. Have a nice weekend - hard to believe August is almost gone!

In the bag

The evenings and early mornings have been cool enough to hook and get the circles handbag done. It still needs to be steamed, and then sewn together and a lining put in. I haven't decided on a lining fabric yet or the type of handles or strap I want to use. I've been browsing online at M-J Trim, UMX, Tandy, Joann's, etc. Here's a picture of how it'll look when it's put together. It'll be about 11.5x7.5 inches, with a 2 in bottom.

And here's a close up!
Now I'm off to play tennis. It's a beautiful day!

Think Pink

There's something soothing and cozy about pale pink and that's why I used a light shade of pink for a couple scarves for The Think Pink Challenge (supports breast cancer awareness). I used the crochet cravat pattern from the One Skein book. I couldn't find an affordable bulky pale pink yarn at my local LYS's, so I used worsted weight Ultra Alpaca. I made the first scarf using one strand and K size hook. It's a fun, easy pattern and super quick and pleasant using a bamboo hook. The pic below shows me wearing both scarves. I hooked a second one (2nd pic) using a double strand and the K hook as I don't have a P size hook as recommended. The bulky yarn really does make the scarf. I'll definitely be making more!

Blocking the Bamboo Scarf

A quick picture while I'm pinning down the bamboo scarf. Woolcott Yarns in Cambridge is having a sale tomorrow so I'm browsing my potential patterns in preparation. More tomorrow!

Bamboo and a Wrap

The last time I was at Windsor Button I saw a pretty crochet scarf on display made with Bamboo. You got the pattern when you purchased a skein - so I couldn't pass it up. Here it is in progress. It'll be a nice scarf for all seasons. I like how the color makes it look a bit nature-inspired.


While I was at WB I also picked up some Berroco Touche (cotton/rayon). My intension was to make a summer tank but I changed my mind and I'm crocheting a wrap. I'm changing the stitch pattern every 4 inches or so as a way to try out different stitches.
It's looking like it's going to cool down enough this evening to actually do some rug hooking, so I'm off!

Catching Up

Summer Coasters! My sister, Bonnie, gave me some KnitPicks Shine Sport yarn to try out. It's incredibly pleasant to crochet with, and so soft. These coasters are the results-perfect for resting a beer on during this summer heat.
Last Sunday I went to Plum Island and Newburyport so I made a stop at the Wenham Museum to see this hooked rug exhibit. Alot of nice rugs with summery themes, and a wide range of styles. If you're in the North Shore area, check it out. I really liked seeing the late 1800's stamping blocks by Philena Moxley that are also on display. She's the great grandmother of the woman who now owns Green Mountain Rugs in Vermont-rug hooking passed down through the generations.
Oh, I visited the Fiber Art Center in Amherst (see sidebar) also and saw the Dutch Fiber Artists show on view until the end of the month. I liked the spiderweb-like wall installations by Marain Bijlenga, who uses horsehair, thread, and fabric and paper remnants, and the paper jewelry by Nel Lins.

I Love Bobbles

Bobbles sure are alot of fun to crochet. This little bag is from the One Skein book. I used Louet Merlin Avalon, a merino/linen wool, as suggested in the book. The bobbles and wool give it a great texture. I was hesitant about sewing in the zipper, but for the first time doing it, I'm happy with the results. I can't wait to use it!

Happy Summer

Check out this link to grow your own flowers

'tis the season for another bag

Well, it might always be the season for another bag. I made this bag last night because I was worried - worried that the bag I've been embroidering with intentions to use as my summer biking book bag wouldn't get finished. This bag is what I'm envisioning the embroidered bag will be like. A long strap good for biking, light for summer, and big enough to carry the usual stuff. It's about 9.5x13 in., made from a worn out linen dress and no longer worn skirt. I love the print fabric, which also covers my kitchen stool. I used it today and I have to say we had a pleasant journey together.

weekend wrap up

It turned out to be a productive weekend. Here's a few things I completed. Yesterday I had to go into work for a little bit and while I was waiting for visitors to arrive I crocheted a little cozy for my mp3 player. That was the extent of my crocheting in public for "worldwide knit in public day". It's made with sugar and cream cotton yarn from the Ben Franklin down the street. I used one of my punch needle embroidered buttons for it. It was a good, quick way to learn decreases. I used the passport bag pattern from Fuzzy Galore, but changed the size. And now in use is a crocheted potholder/dishcloth. I thought I'd make a couple as a way to learn different stitches. I also finished up sewing a needle case for my pne needles. It's got a few spaces for needles, scissors, notebook and pen, and a see through zipper pouch for floss and needle threaders (and a magnet to hold onto those easy-to-loose threaders). I should have done it properly making a pattern or using a ruler but instead I just eye balled cutting the fabric, and so there's some imperfections. But what the hey, I'll still use it!


During the week I finished hooking one side of my circle handbag. I purchased the pattern from Nola Heidbreder, whose design has a big "concentric circles" on one side. I've marked out my changes and will do another set of 12 squares on the second side. I need to start thinking about what type of handles I want to use. The finished bag size will be about 8 by 11 inches, with a 2 inch gusseted bottom.

to market, to market...

with a cool, lavender string bag. I finished my first crochet project, and before the start of the farmers market! I'm happy with it and pleased with myself. Now to decide what will be my next project. Right now I'm thinking about a ruffle corkscrew scarf or shell stitch clutch.I'm really enjoying crochet - guess I'm hooked.

A Square a Day

I've been trying to hook a square a day on the handbag (well, maybe it's been more like a square every other day). There's something pleasing about filling in the grid, and it's easy to see the progress being made. It's been nice using just the leftover strips - in a way I have to think about color a little more.
And look at this sweet rabbit! Being petless at the moment, I can't resist cute animal shots. This is Tai Pae, my sister Jenny's new rabbit. Jenny raises angora rabbits and uses their fur for yarn. She's an amazing weaver, spinner, felter, and knitter.

Thinking of you, Dad

Remembering my father today and through the weekend with lots of love.

A Bag Full of Leftovers

I originally thought I'd hook my Kandinsky's circles handbag using primarily red wools. But then I looked at this basket of leftover and unused wool strips...

and decided it was time I empty that basket a bit. I'm now hooking the circles bag using only leftover strips. So far, it's coming along fine. The striped section will be the bottom of the bag.

the rain stopped

No rain yet today and the outdoors are looking more colorful, like this rug. This was the third hooked rug I made. It's no house in particular, just made up. The inspiration came from Paul Klee's "White House" painting and also antique hooked rugs with houses that often seem to have unusual shapes and motifs swirling round them. This rug gets tramped on daily in my living room. The photo is actually a scan of a small resized photo and so it's pretty grainy. I just can't find the cd with the original pic and I'm feeling too lazy to take a new one. I'll replace the pic when I find the original.

Preparing for the Farmers Market Season

Over the past week I've been practicing my crochet stitches and started a real project. Here's the beginnings of a string bag. Hey, have to start easy! The yarn I'm using is Samoa Mouline, a 50% cotton/50% acrylic. My town is finally going to have a farmers market-no more commuting around to get to a market. The market starts June 15. I think I'll have time to finish it by then and will soon bike to the market and shop in style. The bottom photo is the finished bag from "First Crochet Projects for Beginners" by Lesley Stanfield.

Hook of a Different Kind

Saturday I rode my bike over to The Knitting Room in Arlington to take a 2 hr. beginning crochet class. I probably shouldn't have had so much coffee before going! Anyway, here's my very beginner attempts at single and double crochet. It was easier than knitting, which I'm hopelessly bad at. This morning I experimented free form which resulted in the little scallop corkscrew. I ended up getting the "Stitch 'n Bitch" crochet book because the directions and drawings are very clear. I decided to try crochet because I wanted something I could easily take to work. My work space tends to spread with rug hooking and embroidery so they don't quite work at work. I'm going to practice a bit more and then decide on a simple project.

Fa-fa-fa-fa-fashion

Over the weekend I heard Bowie songs in 3 different places while out and about. Somehow that naturally turned my mind to fashion - and I thought, "why not turn the dyed-skein-gone-bad into fashion?" Could this semi-felted neck gaiter be a next fall trend? Well, I just couldn't discard this poor skein. What can I do with it? Trying to felt it more seems like too much work. Could it be needle felted? Hmm, it could make a fashionable bird nest.

what a pretty hell this is

It was such a gorgeous day I had to spend most it outside. But now I'm paying for it with watering, itchy eyes, constricted throat and chest, etc, etc. The dry, breezy weather is making this one bad spring pollen season. It's great to see the trees coming back to life and unfurling their leaves but I'll be thankful when those pesky maples and birches are done with it!

Flowers and Vines Variation

This punchneedle embroidery version of the hooked stool is done I think. I may rearrange the vines a bit. It's done on hand-dyed wool, using 2 strands of embroidery floss. The loop pile is fairly high. I applied woven interfacing to the back of the wool in order to punch through it successfully. I think I'll make a handbag out of this; still thinking about the bag design.

Dying with Bonnie

My sister, Bonnie, had to come into Cambridge Saturday to drop off one of her pieces of art at the Cambridge Art Association for their upcoming National Prize Show in May. Afterwards she came to visit and we dyed some of her wool yarn. One skein came out a brilliant terra cotta and the other a yellowy-gold. Unfortunately we weren't paying attention when rinsing out the gold and it started to felt! Cascade 220 yarn really is a great felting yarn. Later, I tried out some Pro-chem dyes I got. I used a new washfast acid dye color, golden pear which I used on a natural wool. I love it - mottled some and very pear-like. I also tried a new one shot dye, Autumn, on a dark oatmeal wool. It's nice, a bit darker than I wanted. And definitely not as delicious as the homemade pumpkin bread Bonnie gave me! I also got to see in person many of her beautiful perfectly knitted pieces that I covet. You can see them for yourself on her blog, Towards the Blue Peninsula, in the sidebar.

Cover Up

Another punchneedle embroidery gets a permanent home. The cat gets to grace this address book cover. This was quick and easy to put together!

Spokes and more spokes

On the left is the punchneedle embroidery sample I made for the spokes stool. It's 2 in x2 in, worked with single strands of embroidery floss. I think I'll use it on the front of a needle case I have been thinking about making. The other photo is the hooked rug stool as it stands so far, based on the pne sample. Have a super weekend, and a heartfelt thank you to each of you for your extremely nice comments!

Apron

So what did I end up doing with the turnip embroidery? It became decoration for the pocket of this apron I made. The patterned material is from a (Gap I think!) shirt I stopped wearing because it shrank too much. And as you can see, I added a little clip for hooking scissors and such on. Almost too crafty a project for me!

Color Sandwich

Sunday morning I did some dying. I'm trying to use up most of my Cushing's dyes before getting some Pro-Chem dyes. These are Old Gold, Dark Green, and Terra Cotta dyes straight up - no dye recipes used this time. Now, time to run the gold through the cutter and start hooking.