I started on the Cupcake shirt from The Happy Hooker, and I thought that my yarn was the right weight, or close enough. But it turns out that weight makes a really significant difference in a big project like a shirt. So I had to frog a couple hours of work.
For Father's Day, though, I'm making a navy blue scarf with a gold U of M "M" on each end. I designed the M myself because surprisingly enough there isn't one in existence already. It was a lot harder than I expected.
I went to Michaels and instead of my usual Red Heart Super Saver yarn I got Loops & Threads Impeccable yarn, which, while similarly acrylic, is AWFUL to work with. It's softer to the touch than Red Heart, but it is definitely less hook-friendly: really squeaky and splits easily. I'm probably not going to use it again.
Anyway, scarves are pretty quick so I figure I'll have it done by tomorrow evening. Pictures will follow.
Update: This scarf is kicking my ASS. It took me probably about an hour just to map out the M on graph paper in the right proportion in a reasonable amount of stitches. I decided to do it in half-double crochet because I find single to be a little too stiff. I thought double would be too long and would stretch the M out. Turns out, Hdc does that anyway. Gonna have to frog the whole thing and start over. GRRRRR.
Second Update: Even with single crochet, I am not loving this M. The color changes are very visible and very out of place. I frogged it and I think I'm just going to go with a slip stitch surface crochet...if I can resist trying this tapestry method again.
Third Update: It is about 2AM and I successfully tapestry single-crocheted the M. I'm trying to line it with slip stitches now, to cover what I'm going to call blips, or stupid flecks of the wrong color. If I intend to finish this scarf by tomorrow night, which I do. I'm going to need some caffeine. Last post for tonight.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Can't stop. Must crochet.
I've been crocheting nearly constantly for the past week. While watching World Cup games, while listening to music, I even took my yarn and hook with me to a poker tournament so I had something to do during breaks or if I lost (which I didn't do much of. Second place, baby!!). I just finished my Orange You Glad bag from The Happy Hooker:
Now, the problem is...what next? I am feeling rather limited in my yarn selection. Everything I have is either a bright primary color or I don't have enough of it to make what I want. I've realized how absolutely vital the color brown is at this point, and I need to get someone to take me to Michael's so I can buy all their Red Heart in brown.
I've been commissioned to do a piano scarf, but WOW it is the most annoying pattern in the world. I think I've figured out how to do it though: working from both ends of my skein, so as to have fewer loose black tails.
In The Happy Hooker, there are tons of patterns, but a lot of them use different yarn than what I have, so I'm afraid to try them. Especially anything involving mohair.
I don't know, I've been looking for like two hours now and I still don't know what to make. Blehhhh
Now, the problem is...what next? I am feeling rather limited in my yarn selection. Everything I have is either a bright primary color or I don't have enough of it to make what I want. I've realized how absolutely vital the color brown is at this point, and I need to get someone to take me to Michael's so I can buy all their Red Heart in brown.
I've been commissioned to do a piano scarf, but WOW it is the most annoying pattern in the world. I think I've figured out how to do it though: working from both ends of my skein, so as to have fewer loose black tails.
In The Happy Hooker, there are tons of patterns, but a lot of them use different yarn than what I have, so I'm afraid to try them. Especially anything involving mohair.
I don't know, I've been looking for like two hours now and I still don't know what to make. Blehhhh
Thursday, June 17, 2010
So-Far Success
To date I have completed the Piranha Plant Scarf, the variegated blue spiral hat, a Rainbow Scarf and my Frankenstein Lapghan. Each has turned out, as must be expected, rather lumpy and/or lopsided.
But I love every single one. Pictures can be found on my Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/51275071@N08/
I have just begun the Orange You Glad bag from The Happy Hooker. It's going well enough. It's simple, with a few uncomplicated color changes that are great for practice. I have strayed from the pattern a little bit, but not enough to damage the bag's finished product. I was watching Mansfield Park while crocheting and wasn't paying enough attention and discovered the asymmetry of the orange rows too late. I don't see that it will make enough of a difference to bother frogging back to make it perfect, so it will be my own slightly different version.
Note: While this bag may be unbelievably cute, do not let that fool you into thinking I have become suddenly stylish. I'm simply following the instructions of those far more fashionable than myself. No miracle or lobotomy has occurred.
But I love every single one. Pictures can be found on my Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/51275071@N08/
I have just begun the Orange You Glad bag from The Happy Hooker. It's going well enough. It's simple, with a few uncomplicated color changes that are great for practice. I have strayed from the pattern a little bit, but not enough to damage the bag's finished product. I was watching Mansfield Park while crocheting and wasn't paying enough attention and discovered the asymmetry of the orange rows too late. I don't see that it will make enough of a difference to bother frogging back to make it perfect, so it will be my own slightly different version.
Note: While this bag may be unbelievably cute, do not let that fool you into thinking I have become suddenly stylish. I'm simply following the instructions of those far more fashionable than myself. No miracle or lobotomy has occurred.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Obligitory Purpose Post
When I was in middle school my mom tried to teach me to crochet. Unfortunately, because she didn't actually know how further than a chain stitch, I ended up creating an all back-loop, slip-stitched, curling bright red monstrosity that was supposed to be a scarf. Frustrated with my apparent failure (which was actually just misinformedness, which is not a word) I gave up crochet until my sophomore year of college.
Thanks to the wonder that is the internet I've learned there is A LOT more to crochet than the slip stitch.
After being given a rogue skein of yarn and a hook from am friend, the first thing I made was a beginner's hat, made by simply single crocheting a large-ish rectangle, sewing it together and drawstring-ing the top. It was not the prettiest thing ever, but the euphoric, triumphant feeling of having made a piece of my own clothing was so uplifting I immediately went out and bought seven or eight Red Heart skeins and a book detailing some basic crochet skills. It's only a few months since that first hat, and I'm still working my way through those skeins (which I've realized far too late are all rather unfortunately primary colors of the brightest kind).
During this blog, I hope my taste in colors and my skill as a crocheter improves. I've just received in the mail one used copy of Stitch 'N' Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker. In it I've found a treasure trove of advice (such as crocheting in your yarn tails !!!!!) and patterns (Ohhh, Short n' Sweet bolero, get on my hook! You are so cute!). I recommend any beginner get it, because it's got some really helpful tips and diagrams for yarn noobs like me.
My current projects include:
Piranha Plant Scarf for my 17 year old Nintendo-fan brother.
Piano Scarf commissioned by one of my sorority sisters.
Blue Bear for my 7 year old brother.
This blog, since I expect it to be read by no one, will also be an exercise in a higher form of writing. If no one reads these words than they can not be deemed to sound haughty or like mannerisms, which, let's be honest, they are. I don't normally write this way, but where else can I?
Thanks to the wonder that is the internet I've learned there is A LOT more to crochet than the slip stitch.
After being given a rogue skein of yarn and a hook from am friend, the first thing I made was a beginner's hat, made by simply single crocheting a large-ish rectangle, sewing it together and drawstring-ing the top. It was not the prettiest thing ever, but the euphoric, triumphant feeling of having made a piece of my own clothing was so uplifting I immediately went out and bought seven or eight Red Heart skeins and a book detailing some basic crochet skills. It's only a few months since that first hat, and I'm still working my way through those skeins (which I've realized far too late are all rather unfortunately primary colors of the brightest kind).
During this blog, I hope my taste in colors and my skill as a crocheter improves. I've just received in the mail one used copy of Stitch 'N' Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker. In it I've found a treasure trove of advice (such as crocheting in your yarn tails !!!!!) and patterns (Ohhh, Short n' Sweet bolero, get on my hook! You are so cute!). I recommend any beginner get it, because it's got some really helpful tips and diagrams for yarn noobs like me.
My current projects include:
Piranha Plant Scarf for my 17 year old Nintendo-fan brother.
Piano Scarf commissioned by one of my sorority sisters.
Blue Bear for my 7 year old brother.
This blog, since I expect it to be read by no one, will also be an exercise in a higher form of writing. If no one reads these words than they can not be deemed to sound haughty or like mannerisms, which, let's be honest, they are. I don't normally write this way, but where else can I?
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