Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Weird Posts

If you saw any odd, peculiar post this morning, it was due to my account getting hacked. I've since remedied the situation, so all should be well now.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

2012 Bernat CAL Clue #2...A Sad, Wrinkly Affair...

IMAGE_9D19F5A0-8199-46EB-BFAF-0719E1ADE9ED.JPGSad Picture

After several attempts, I did manage to get gauge--that is, the motif measures 11". I used the K hook to do Rounds 1 through 3, but then reverted to an L hook (8.00 mm) to do the rest of the rounds. It was the ONLY way to get it to 11". As you see, however, I seem to have a slight warping issue. I'm tempted to just see how they look once I block them. I really don't want to do all the motifs over again!!!

The only other thing I can think to do is maybe to pick the motifs apart and redo Round #4, where you do the 5 chains and sc stitches, only use more chains, or do them looser--and then just re-thread the rest of the motif through the chains...

So frustrating!!! Ahhhh!!!


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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

2012 Bernat CAL Clue #1 comments

Yes, I know I'm a day late and a dollar short on my CAL update, seeing as Clue #2 is now up on the Bernat Forum...

Clue one was lots of fun and very easy, once I figured out that, in order to get the little circle to morph into a "square," I'd need to crochet the outer ring much looser. Here is a picture...not one of my greatest, but you get the idea.





The colors are Tibetan Red, Antique, Cadet, and Stone Brown.

Next week, I'll try to be a bit more prompt with my update!

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Monday, February 20, 2012

Special Olympics Scarf - Knit - Free Pattern

This pattern is modeled after my "Scarf from He**" pattern.





Here are the particulars:


SPECIAL OLYMPICS SCARF - KNIT

Measurements: 6" wide x 57" long.

Gauge: 2.5 stitches = 1” in garter stitch

Row gauge is not critical.


Materials:

1 skein – Red Heart Soft Yarn – Navy (#4604) – A

2 skeins – Red Heart Soft Yarn – Really Red (#9925) - B

Needles: Size 13 (9 mm) needles

Hook: Size N15 (10 mm) crochet hook


Body:

Using A and B together, cast on 15 stitches, using a knit cast-on.

Work in garter stitch until the scarf measures 60” long.*

Bind off.


Border:

Double up Color B and, using a size N15 (10 mm) crochet hook, crochet into the garter stitch "nub" selvage at the row ends. Crochet in slip stitch up the scarf and all the way around, making a border.

Bind off and weave in all ends.

*The length shortened due to the crochet border step, which is why a length of 60" is knitted, but the finished result is 57".


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Wednesday, February 15, 2012

The Great 2012 Waverly for Bernat Mystery Afghan Crochet-Along!

I’m happy to report that today is the first day of the great 2012 Waverly for Bernat Mystery Afghan Crochet-Along! Yes, yours truly decided to cave and participate. I’m going to give away the final product, so as not to completely jettison my New Year’s Resolution. For my colors, I have:

Main Color – Tibetan Red
A – Antique
B – Stone Brown
C – Cadet
D – Gypsy Gold




I purposely picked out colors that won’t work in my house, so that I’ll be forced to part with the afghan. Of course, one good paint job could take care of that. NO! Must not be tempted…must not be tempted…must not be tempted…

Anyway, I just completed the gauge swatch and discovered, in fine-honored tradition, that I need a hook WAY bigger than the size 5.00 mm (U.S. H8) indicated. I’m going with a 6.50 mm hook (U.S. K10). I also discovered that while I like the colors, I’m not wild about the splittiness (if that’s a word) of the yarn. Because of this, I’m using my Susan Bates Quicksilver hook. I don’t know what it is about the coating on a Quicksilver hook, but it just works miracles on yarn that splits.

If you’re interested in participating, just go to the Bernat Forums at:

http://www.bernat.com/forums/

You’ll see the Crochet-Along subject right at the top of the posts. There is also a Knit-Along, if you’d prefer that.

Let the games begin!


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Friday, February 10, 2012

In Praise of the Lowly Garter Stitch!

I found myself today at the doctor's office. We won't dwell on the utter pain in the nether regions it is to drive down to Hartford, find a spot in the hospital ramp garage, and then sit around for ages, waiting for my doctor. He's an absolutely wonderful neurologist, but today he was running woefully behind schedule...

Anyway, I had brought (yet another) Special Olympics scarf to work on (thank heavens, as I definitely had the TIME). I decided to use up the last remaining yarn by doubling it and making my infamous "Scarf from He**" which can be found at:

http://wildknitter.blogspot.com/2011/04/scarf-from-he-finally-done-pattern.html

I have to say, it looks really nice in red and blue--I figure I'm going to trim it in the red.

ANYWAY, I was happily knitting away when a woman came into the doctor's office and remarked favorably on my scarf. Immediately, instead of simply thanking her, I had to launch into a lengthy dissertation to defend my choice of garter stitch. "Really," I declared, "I'm really capable of much more complicated work! I can cable and everything! I make socks, too! I'm just doing this because I knew it would be a quick knit..." I went on and on.

Afterwards, I had to stop and consider. WHY am I defending my great love of garter stitch??? I know it's the stitch of grade-school children, but it's also the basis for Sally Melville's The Knitting Experience Book 1: The Knit Stitch, Inspiration & Instruction. I think we can all agree that she turns out a mean pattern. I just love the soft, bouncy, squishiness of garter stitch. Blankets, scarves, and casual sweaters made from it are just so cozy. I love to make scarves where I stripe garter stitch vertically, which makes a nice effect. I'd love to try a log cabin afghan someday, as that's more garter stitching!

So, what is your favorite knitting stitch, and why?

P.S. I was mortified to find that if you Google "Scarf from he**" and "WildKnitter" my pattern comes right up...


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