It never fails to amaze me how quickly time passes. Without actually meaning to, I’ve taken the past couple of months off to enjoy time with my mother, who is spending the winter with me and my husband in Indiana, and getting ready for Christmas. My daughters, Tammy and Liz, and their families joined us this past week for a wonderful Christmas celebration. Although they have all returned home now, the memories we made together will remain for a long time to come.
With 2008 quickly coming to a close, I have high hopes for a bright and beautiful 2009!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Experimenting With Tunisian Crochet
I’m home again (at least for now)! I have several more trips coming up, so I'll be traveling off and on for the next couple of months.The last few weeks have been hectic so I took a day off this week and made it an official play day. I spent the day experimenting with my Tunisian hooks and an assortment of stitch patterns, which I've been wanting to do for awhile.
I started with a Tunisian short-row dishcloth I found recently on Crafty Boy’s (Khebin Gibbons) Web site. At first glance, it appears a bit complicated, but it’s really easy and fun to crochet. The photo above shows my finished version of the dishcloth, which I made using Peaches & Cream worsted weight cotton yarn.
I followed the pattern exactly through the sc border around the ou
ter edge. Then, because I wanted the dishcloth to be just a little larger, I added a mock shell border. You can find the pattern for the Tunisian Short-Row Dishcloth on Khebin's site at:
http://1craftyboy.wordpress.com/2007/12/27/tunisian-short-row-dishcloth/.
My simple instructions for the border are below. (Note: I used a crochet hook two sizes smaller than the afghan hook and a relaxed tension to work Rnd 2 of the edging to keep it from ruffling.)
EDGING
Rnd 1: Follow the instructions given in Khebin's pattern.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, (sc, ch 2, dc) in same sc, sk 1 sc, *(sc, ch 2, dc) in next sc, sk 1 sc, rep from * around, join with a sl st in beg sc, fasten off.
I enjoyed making the first dishcloth so much that I made a second one, and will be adding it to my list of favorite dishcloths to make again in the future.
ter edge. Then, because I wanted the dishcloth to be just a little larger, I added a mock shell border. You can find the pattern for the Tunisian Short-Row Dishcloth on Khebin's site at:http://1craftyboy.wordpress.com/2007/12/27/tunisian-short-row-dishcloth/.
My simple instructions for the border are below. (Note: I used a crochet hook two sizes smaller than the afghan hook and a relaxed tension to work Rnd 2 of the edging to keep it from ruffling.)
EDGING
Rnd 1: Follow the instructions given in Khebin's pattern.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, (sc, ch 2, dc) in same sc, sk 1 sc, *(sc, ch 2, dc) in next sc, sk 1 sc, rep from * around, join with a sl st in beg sc, fasten off.
I enjoyed making the first dishcloth so much that I made a second one, and will be adding it to my list of favorite dishcloths to make again in the future.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Favorite Fibers
As I mentioned in my last blog entry, I’ve been in Illinois for the past several weeks while my mother recuperated from an injury. She’s made great progress so I’ll be on my way home again in just a few days. I’ve enjoyed my stay, but it will be good to be home again.
Although most of the past few weeks have been spent in family-related activities, I did manage to finish a few designs including a doily and swatches for a baby afghan and an adult afghan. I also have a layette underway, but will finish that when I get home. In the meantime, I’m starting another doily, a floral this time.
Most of my designing career has been spent working with yarn. While I’ve always admired thread work, I found it difficult to work with for many years. About 10 years ago, I finally decided I was going to master it one way or another, and so I did. Since then, thread has become my favorite fiber to work with. When I am between projects or just looking for something fun to work on, I usually pick up a steel hook and a ball of thread to see what I can create with it…but I still love yarn, too!
So, if you have ever suffered the frustration of working with thread, I urge you to give it another try…and another…and another…until you feel comfortable with it. It’s really no more difficult to work with than yarn, just different. Once you get used to it, it’s easy to switch between the two.
Although most of the past few weeks have been spent in family-related activities, I did manage to finish a few designs including a doily and swatches for a baby afghan and an adult afghan. I also have a layette underway, but will finish that when I get home. In the meantime, I’m starting another doily, a floral this time.
Most of my designing career has been spent working with yarn. While I’ve always admired thread work, I found it difficult to work with for many years. About 10 years ago, I finally decided I was going to master it one way or another, and so I did. Since then, thread has become my favorite fiber to work with. When I am between projects or just looking for something fun to work on, I usually pick up a steel hook and a ball of thread to see what I can create with it…but I still love yarn, too!
So, if you have ever suffered the frustration of working with thread, I urge you to give it another try…and another…and another…until you feel comfortable with it. It’s really no more difficult to work with than yarn, just different. Once you get used to it, it’s easy to switch between the two.
Sangria Shawl
My Sangria Shawl is now being offered as a free download at the Coats & Clark Web site. If interested, you can get it here. Enjoy!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Playing In The Yarn
I finally completed all my deadlines, then found myself on the road again unexpectedly. I’m in Illinois once again spending some time with my mother who is recovering from an accident. Much to our delight, my eldest daughter, Tammy, was able to fly in from her home in Virginia to spend some time with us. We wish she didn’t have to fly home again tomorrow, but we’ve had a great week touching base and renewing family ties.
I’ve also been able to fit in some crochet time. I’m currently swatching some baby items and afghans and hope to have them sent off to a publisher sometime next week.
One thing I seem to have trouble finding time for is exploring new (and old) techniques. So, I packed a number of my favorite technique books, a wide assortment of specialty hooks and look forward to spending some time just playing with them. I'll be making a trip to the local Hobby Lobby this weekend for more yarn, so I'm looking forward to seeing what I can do with them.
Happy Fall!
I’ve also been able to fit in some crochet time. I’m currently swatching some baby items and afghans and hope to have them sent off to a publisher sometime next week.
One thing I seem to have trouble finding time for is exploring new (and old) techniques. So, I packed a number of my favorite technique books, a wide assortment of specialty hooks and look forward to spending some time just playing with them. I'll be making a trip to the local Hobby Lobby this weekend for more yarn, so I'm looking forward to seeing what I can do with them.
Happy Fall!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
My Newest Designs in the Fall 2008 Herrschners Yarn Catalog
On 8/1/08, I announced that my First Baby Blanket was published on pages 30-31 of the new Coats & Clark booklet, Crochet Made Easy. I was pleased to discover this afternoon that this afghan has also been made into a kit and is available through the Herrschner’s fall 2008 yarn catalog. You can view the catalog online at http://yarncollection.com/shop_by_Catalog.aspx?catalogpage=1. First Baby Blanket is on page 33.
Another of my designs, Sangria Shawl, has also been made into a kit and is available on page 14 of the same catalog. This is a great project if you need to create a wrap in a hurry. It's fun to stitch and works up quickly.
Also, check out Rose In Bloom, the afghan pictured on the cover, available on page 24. While I did not design this afghan, I DID stitch this one for photography purposes. I normally prefer more vibrant colors but was really pleased with the way this one turned out. It's very classy-looking when completed.
UPDATE 11/15/08
Several people have contacted me asking for help with the stitches in the Rose In Bloom afghan. Please understand that my only connection to this afghan is that I stitched it for Coats & Clark. For help with the pattern, please contact Coats & Clark directly. Thank you! :-)
Another of my designs, Sangria Shawl, has also been made into a kit and is available on page 14 of the same catalog. This is a great project if you need to create a wrap in a hurry. It's fun to stitch and works up quickly.
Also, check out Rose In Bloom, the afghan pictured on the cover, available on page 24. While I did not design this afghan, I DID stitch this one for photography purposes. I normally prefer more vibrant colors but was really pleased with the way this one turned out. It's very classy-looking when completed.
UPDATE 11/15/08
Several people have contacted me asking for help with the stitches in the Rose In Bloom afghan. Please understand that my only connection to this afghan is that I stitched it for Coats & Clark. For help with the pattern, please contact Coats & Clark directly. Thank you! :-)
Monday, August 25, 2008
Our Beloved Dog, Raven (1998-2008)
This month has been a busy one, full of looming deadlines and caring for our beloved dog, Raven, who has been ill for the past two weeks. Here is a photo of her laying beside me in my office a few years ago.
I’m halfway through the deadlines, for which I’m grateful. But I’m also happy to have work to keep me busy just now, to help keep my mind off Raven who, sadly, crossed the Rainbow Bridge today.
We will miss her dreadfully. She was with us for ten years which doesn’t seem nearly long enough. (Is it ever?) She brought us untold joy and lavish amounts of love. We’re thankful to have had her in our lives all these years.
I’m halfway through the deadlines, for which I’m grateful. But I’m also happy to have work to keep me busy just now, to help keep my mind off Raven who, sadly, crossed the Rainbow Bridge today.
We will miss her dreadfully. She was with us for ten years which doesn’t seem nearly long enough. (Is it ever?) She brought us untold joy and lavish amounts of love. We’re thankful to have had her in our lives all these years.
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