L.A, #Crochet, & Mommy Tips

Jennie & me before the wedding

 I am so lucky because I was able to take a moment out of my real life to quickly jaunt over to L.A. to see my dear friend Jennie get married to her longtime beau, Larry.  They both looked stunning at the ceremony and we all had a great time at the fun party!

Baby A gets an Owlie!

So, like, three of my friends are preggers right now. I used to do a set of 50 cards for each. Yeah. That was before they started getting pregnant all at the same time! So what's a girl to do?

Bibs.

I know nothing about babies. Nothing. And that's the way I'd like to keep it. But when I saw this cuuute Lion Brand pattern, I questioned the 6x6" size. Are babies who are that small able to sit up and eat? I'm just clueless.

I pondered this question (about baby size) for a while, until I realized I'd really better start, lest my project fall by the wayside. So I made an executive decision to double-strand my 100% cotton sport yarn and use an I-9/5.5mm hook. The resulting bib base is about 8x8. And just in case Mom & Dad still couldn't use it as a bib for some reason, I decided to make the straps removable so they could also use it as a washcloth.

As most things do, this project took a lot longer than I thought it would, but I am really pleased with the results!

The Owl Bib pattern is available for free on the Lion Brand website, and you'll need to log in. (It's worth it!) I've posted the mods here in case you'd like to replicate the project. They also have bib patterns in duckie, froggie, piggie and robot(tie?)! God I love Lion Brand.

TIES (make 2)
I/5.5mm hook
double-stranded yarn
Foundation: ch 5
1: sc into 2nd, and rep across (4 sc)
2: ch 1, turn sc into 2nd and next 3, ch 41 (4 sc and 41 ch)
3: turn sc into 2nd and sc up to the last 3, ch2, sk 1 sc, sc into last 2 (40 sc, followed by ch2 sp, then 2 sc)
4: ch 1, turn, sc into next 2, sc into one ch, sc into next sc. stop. (4 sc)
5: ch1, turn, sc into each. fasten off. Weave in ends. (4 sc)

FEET (make 2)
F/3.75 hook
Hold 1 strand beak yarn and one strand yellow embroidery floss together
Foundation: ch 7
1: sc into 2nd ch from hook, rep across (6 sc)
2: ch 1 turn, sc into 3, ch 3 (3 sc, 3 ch)
3: ch 1 turn, sc into 2nd ch from hook, rep across (6 sc)
4: ch 1 turn, sc into 3, ch 3 (3 sc, 3 ch)
5: ch 1 turn, sc into 2nd ch from hook, rep across (6 sc)

WINGS (make 2)

I/5.5mm hook
double-stranded yarn
foundation: doublechain 10
1: working in round, ch1, sc in first 2 ch, hdc, 4dc, hdc, sc, 4sc in end. Working into bottom of doublechain: sc, hdc, 4 dc, hdc, sc, slst, slst into ch1, tie off.
The end with 4sc is the top of the wing.

Learning to Knit

Big needles for beginners.

If you read my blog back in 2008, you may recall my review of Vickie Howell's Knit Aid book. I was able to knit after reading it, but, in comparison to crochet, I was slow and unskilled. After listening to this podcast by Sister Diane of craftypod, I made the resolution to learn all that I could about crochet. I read countless books, blogs, and patterns, and learned all kinds of stitches. I crocheted many, many things. Now I feel like an expert crocheter!

In the fiber arts world, crochet is considered by many to be the under-appreciated yarn craft. There are countless conversations about promoting crochet, supporting crochet designers, and advancing the craft. I am completely supportive of such efforts, and prided myself in my crochet-only skill set. Yet, I could hear knitting calling my name, and I knew that I would eventually give in.

Using both Knit Aid and Debbie Stoller's Stitch N Bitch as my guides, I picked up the needles and started to knit. My goal was to read slowly and complete projects until I felt really comfortable with the technique. I think I already knew how to cast on, but Vickie's instructions for the knit cast-on were super-helpful. My first challenge was the garter stitch, English-style, which I found to be fun, but slooooow as I was knitting my cotton dishcloth. I couldn't figure out how to make it faster. I had heard that knitting continental is a lot faster, so I figured I should switch my method. Even with both of my books, I couldn't get it to work for me.

Then something clicked. At night, before I went to bed, I tried to visualize my hands making the movements, and I realized that knitting continental could be almost exactly like crochet for me. I picked up the needles and tried the technique holding my yarn in the way I saw in my mind. It was only later that I realized that I was, in fact, knitting Eastern European. Here's a video by elsteffo of youtube that shows exactly how I knit.

With this new technique, I increased my knitting speed quite a lot. I finished the dishcloth, a kerchief, and a felted bag.

The felted garter stitch bag.

After considering being a garter-stitch-only knitter, I decided I should try to tackle stockinette, which involves the infamous purl stitch. I had the same speed problem with the purl stitch, and my method of continental was not very fast, felt awkward, and produced a stitch that looked different. (In case you are interested, I found a video of the same method on youtube.) However, the stitch it produced looked very pretty. But I was looking for speed here.

The pretty stitch with "weird" purling.

And, after a youtube search, I found the Eastern European method, which was the answer! It's quick, it makes sense, and (this is the best part) you don't have to move your yarn from back to front! I assume that I will begin patterns & ribbing soon, and I could not imagine trying them before learning this method. I just don't have that kind of patience. Watch this video to purl Eastern European style. Thanks, elseffo!!

Right now I'm working on another felted bag, inspired by the bag my best friend made for me.

Pre-felted & pretty.

All still images property of artlikebread

Crocheted Purse

I whipped this up for my best friend to say thanks for having me at her home in Irvine for two weeks! We had so much fun together. I loved the way this purse worked up. It's done in a half-double herringbone stitch, which gives it the delicate look. I got the pattern from Stitch N Bitch The Happy Hooker. I modified it by making the handles of yarn.
It think it worked really well, and Erin loves it.

My New Set

Saturday morning I was preparing my breakfast and enjoying the stress-free feeling. I wanted to walk to the museum and take my camera with me. I put on my FIERCE Ani DiFranco T-Shirt, stating "Property of No One", *snap* and got ready to go. But... I didn't have the right necklace here. I wanted a rhinestone choker, but all of those are in the States. So, I pulled out some of my gorgeous quartz beads from Taxco, and snipped off some chain. A few minutes later, this is what I had.

Then I really wanted to round out the look with some big, hoop earrings. But... same situation. I wasn't as confident about this one. It'd been years since I really worked with wire. Since my BFF and I started a crafty business when we were teens. (God, we were so New Age- hand-wrapped crystals! How badass were we?) Anyway, I tried, and... I'm pleased to say, they aren't half bad!

This wire thing is opening doors for me. I've been thinking about it since.

What?

I was feelin' my kuumba. The song "Around the Way Girl" by LL Cool J kept going through my head.

Journal

My best friend (who loves green) got a journal for her birthday! (It was a little late.)

That's the outside cover. Then there was a pocket.
Followed by some "chapters"

She loves the fall, too.

So do I, of course.

We're fall babies. She's a faerie, too.

And she likes eyelets and delicate things.

But I was sure she'd enjoy a walk on the wild side.
I incorporated some handmade papers, too.

There was even a page with spare buttons and a needle!

And this is the last page.

followed by the back cover.THE END