The Old Fiber Star

I'm moving!

2006-10-27T13:07:00.000-05:00

My blog is moving. I just couldn't wait one minute longer to use the beta blogger and I needed to cure my split personality of two blogs.

I hope you will join me here at the new Fiber Star - Confessions of a mother who crochets and sometimes reads too much.

I plan to keep this blog here for now and slowly move some if not all the posts over to my new blog.

My WIPS and WIMS Wednesday

2006-10-25T10:39:00.000-05:00

WIPs - Works in Progress
UFOs - Unfinished Objects - They were WIPS at one time but have not been touched for a very long time
WIMS - Works in my mind

I have very few wips right now as so many of them turned to UFOs recently.

WIPs:
Sushi pattern testing

UFO's that really need to move back up to WIPS
*Mary Werst doily for a gift
**Irish and brugges lace crochet doily
* Nova star Afgahn - I really want to finish to enjoy it this winter.
*freeform doll blanket - finish for my daughter
freeform bag or possible a shawl
freeform tea cozy for me
finish sewing a rabbit doll and embroider the face
weave in ends on a hat
**hemp tote bag
small purse - need to finish shoulder strap and write up the pattern
*embroider face and finish weaving in ends on rabbit
a scarf out of lace weight yarn

Many of these need to move up to a WIP soon because I need to make them for gifts!
WIMS: lot of these are for gift this year:
**a few more small doilies
**Several bookmarks
**cases to hold the kids gameboys and a game or too
**crocheted doll clothes
**purse for dd
butterfly lapghan
butterfly shawl
Sweet Sweater on Crochet Me or a Shrug from Interweave Crochet
a shawl idea using some Paton's Divine I inherited from a friend and possibly submit somehwere
another pair of socks!
a crocheted skirt - I have seen several that I want to do
Sweat Pea Shawl in the Happy Hooker
**make ornaments for the ornament swap on crochetville

Destined to be frogged:
a scarf - I decide I did not like the colors
a poncho that just didn't come together - not sure it's even worth frogging
a sweater I started at the end of winter using some lionbrand homespun - I will either use the yarn to make the Sweet Sweater, shrug or maybe a shawl. I can't decide. I could even break down to make a small lapghan too.

What I need to do is make my to do list for the holidays and get hookin' I am behind!

More Socks

2006-10-25T07:07:00.000-05:00

I think I am addicted to socks. I want to learn to knit too just so I can make even more socks.

Yesterday, I finished my 4th pair of crocheted socks and I am fairly pleased with how they turned out. I still have some kinks to work out to make the perfect pair.

I used the toe-up sock tutorial here on crochetville. I'll take you through the steps and share my insights so you will able to make the perfect pair of socks for your feet.

Step One - Foot measurements:

I added a few xtra measurements because the socks I have made in the past were tighter as I got to the arch and knew I was would need to vary the stitches needed for proper fit.

Ball of foot: 9 inches
Arch: 10 inches
Ankle: 91/2 inches
Length of foot: 10 inches

Step Two- Gauge Swatch
I didn't worry about row gauge so much as my stitch gauge. I used Knit Picks Essentials in purple and a purple D hook- 3.25mm (it is not mandatory to use the same color hook as your socks but I found it appropriate if not a bit confusing at times)

I did a pretty slack approach, I only crocheted for an inch in length(rows) and 4 inches wide. I plan to do a bigger swatch piece next time and do it in the round as well to get a more accurate gauge.

My gauge was:

6+ stitches/inch

Then I took the 6sts-1st=5sts

5sts x 9inches = 45sts - added one to make it 46sts for my purposes.

Step Three- Crocheting the Toe and Foot

I used sc and sc back loop only for the foot.

I chained 9 then followed the instructions for the most part to complete to reach the 46st required. The tutorial suggested a 3 stitch increase in one stitch I did one sc increase on each side. I am not sure if this is a problem or not. It did take me 14 rows to get to the 46 sts required before I worked even. Other toe-up patterns I have done did 2sc increases on each side for a total of 4 increases each row.

When I reached the 46 sts I marked the sides of the foot and centered 20sts on what I considered the top of the sock. I worked sc around, when I reached the 20sts area I crocheted in the back loop only.

I like how it looks but I am not sure if I will do this again using sc. I did want to add some pattern to my sock. I might try this again with extended sc. I want expand my pattern repretiore especially for socks.

Step Three - Arch - (I added this to ensure proper fit)

Using my measurements it suggested I should increase to 50sts. I increased to 52sts and still think I needed more. I started increases at 30rows(of back loop pattern-44rows total) which was about 4 or more inches of sock.

I worked 2 increases (one on each side), worked even, increase, even , increase etc. The end result is still a bit tight around my arch, even though I did more stitches than my gauge suggested. I think there are several factors adding to the tightness. I needed to start increases sooner. The stitch pattern I was using, sc back loop only, is not very stretchy.

I continued the pattern rows until I reached the recommended 3in from the length of your foot. I think I needed to go a bit longer maybe as much as 2.5 inches from the end of my foot.

Step 4 - Short rowed heel:

I can't be much help here. I found the short rowed heel a bit tricky. I added stitches which ended up being a helpful thing! I could not figure out how to do the short rowed heel to get the same number of stitches I started with. When I finished my heel I ended up with 64sts. I decreased those stitches to 58sts.

Step 5 - Leg:

My plan was to continue with the sc back loop pattern up the leg but it was painfully slow going so I gave up and worked alternating rows of sc and extended sc. I really like how that looks and plan to use it for the foot and leg part in future socks. As I worked up the leg of the sock I decreases to 54sts total. I worked the decreases in the sc rows. I started those after I had worked 2inches or so of the leg pattern.

After I worked 4plus inches of the leg pattern I slip stitched to join then ch2 and dc around. Then did 3 rows of front post dc all around. I did a ch2 for the beginning of each round instead of a ch3. I joined to the ch2 slip stitching around.

Wove in my ends and put my socks on!

I love how they look and feel when they get on but they are a bit tight to get over my heel. I seem to have that problem with toe-up socks and I don't have it with the top-down sock I just made.

I may end up being a top-down sock maker after all to ensure I can get my foot in my sock easily. I have not given up hope yet. I may need to crochet longer before I start the heel and use a stretchier stitch pattern throughout. I think that yarn choice might be a factor as well. Knit Picks Essential has less stretch than Patons Kroy. I don't want to give up on Knit Picks yet because I love the solid colors and the reasonable price tag. I only needed 2 skiens to make my bit higher that ankle length socks. Yeah! They are sooo soft too.

A belated blog thanks to my Autumn Secret Pal

2006-10-14T22:15:00.000-05:00

Secret Pal Swap
Originally uploaded by sammimag.

I received a lovely package from my Secret Pal on crochetville.

She sent me chocolate and licorice - Yum!
Paton's Kroy sock yarn and a sock pattern book. I'm new to making socks so this is perfect!

Cotton yarn for making dishcloths and a sweet little teddy that was a hint where she lives.

If you've been keeping track, I have already made a pair of socks from the book.

Thanks Pal :)

Sock Yarn Reviews

2006-10-13T11:47:00.000-05:00

My views are from the standpoint of someone who makes a crocheted socks. My socks are only a few months old so I can't attest to wear a tear. I'm pretty hard on my socks so I think all of my socks are doing well so far.

Patons Kroy:

Patons Kroy is a superwash/nylon blend. It's a soft yarn that feels very comfortable as a crocheted sock. Not sure about wear a tear so far. As I have not washed them. I found the yarn difficult to work with. It splits easily and if I had to go down to hook size smaller than an E-3.50-3.25 mm. I'd quit! The sock I made is stretchy too. I needed just over 2 skeins to make the socks I made here. I'm disappointed there are few solid colors available in this yarn.

I have washed them once and they came out fine with no noticeable piling and they "shrunk back to size" a bit as they had stretched out some after being worn.

Sockotta by Plymouth:

I like my Sockotta yarn socks. The yarn is spun well so the yarn does not split. Yet after making the other socks I wonder if the tightness in my afterthought heel has some to do that it is a cotton/wool/nylon blend. The cotton does not lend itself to stretch much and since crochet is less stretchy than knit that may be a problem. I still want to make one more pair of socks with this yarn using a short rowed heel and see how the yarn performs.

I like how these feel on my feet. One skein can make a pair of med-large ankle size socks. I'd need a few grams from another skein to make taller socks. You can see the socks I made with this yarn here and here.

I enjoy the colors available yet again there are few solid colors available in this sock yarn and seem to be hard to come by online or at my LYS.

Knit Pick Essential Solids:

Review to come soon when I make pair of socks! I love the colors that are available. If you haven't figure it out. I want some solid colors socks! I have green and purple. The purple is on my hook right now.

Easy Does It - Socks

2006-10-13T09:49:00.000-05:00

Thanks to my Autumn Secret Pal I got Crocheted Socks! and some Patons Kroy yarn. So I made these socks.

All done and the feel great.

I had to do lots of adjusting to the pattern to make them fit me which has me wondering about pattern sizing. I like socks that fit on the snug side. All the finished sizes for this book are the same size as my foot so that would make a pretty big sock in the end don't you think?

Anyway by the time I was done with the sock I was using stitch count for a small sock rather than a large sock. I will probably adjust the pattern around the leg for the next pair of socks I make.

I still think the book is useful for ideas and a starting point. Just try on your socks as you go! Even better do a few socks using the free toe-patterns on line to give you a sense of the gauge you need to get your a socks on and off easily then making these socks will easier.

Here I am wearing another pair of socks I made. It was cold in the house! I have just finished the cuff of the sock and started on the leg.

The leg is almost done and I am ready to do the heal flap and heel turn.

They look good in my shoes too.

Tea Cozy and more! - Thank You!

2006-09-17T10:16:00.000-05:00

Tea Cozy
Originally uploaded by sammimag.

A package in the mail yeah!

It was a lovely surprise after a long day exploring a Lewis and Clark celebration in Atchison, Ks.

She not only sent a me a lovely tea cozy but some yummy coffees and raspberry flavored black tea, and some biscuits all the way from New York City. The raspberry tea came in the a little tin too. I just love little tins. She also made me a hot pad to rest my tea pot on too. This makes it perfect because I can brew up a pot of tea and keep it right next to me in the living room where I crochet and read.

Thanks swap partner. I love it all. Yesterday, I enjoyed a pot of Cinnamon Coffee. The weather has cooled off quite a bit so I plan on brewing up a pot of the raspberry tea today. I wish I could see New York City again someday. Last time I was there was when I was 19 years young.

Tea Time Freeform Style

2006-09-14T21:30:00.000-05:00

I made this Tea Cozy as for a swap on crocketville this month. I asked my partner if she would like a freeform cozy and she did. I love getting a chance to make something doing freeform crochet.

So off I went and bought some spiral instructions I have wanted to purchase for a while now. I was a bit disappointed in the the quality of the instructions but they did help me figure out how to do bobble spirals and other spiral techniques. In the end I think they were worth it because my partner likes her cozy - phew!

A few more pictures you can check out they are clickable.

Socks

2006-09-12T12:30:00.000-05:00

Socks
Originally uploaded by sammimag.

These are the pair of socks I did as a part of a Sock CAL on the CGOA members email list. I made these to fit a bit more snug than my first pair but I have still have some learning to do.

My next pair I plan on doing what's called a short rowed heel which will eliminate the chaining around the ankle which always give me this tight feel and doesn't offer much give around the ankle.

I finished these a few months ago just when t he temperatures soared up to the 100's. I didn't even want to put them on to take a picture!

Today they were the perfect thing to keep my toes warm on this cool fall day.

I used Sockotta sock yarn. I love how it feels.

It's fillet of tea

2006-09-09T12:32:00.000-05:00

My first project using #20 thread and my first thread fillet project. Surprisingly, it was an enjoyable project. Fillet is combination of chains and double crochets to create a picture. Usually I find double crochets repetitive not to mention boring! At the time, it was the perfect almost meditative process I needed.

It was a perfect gift for my secret pal who collects tea pots and loves vintage like things.

What I have been up to....

2006-09-09T11:30:00.000-05:00

Instead of blogging I've been crocheting and doing my best to keep my house in order which has been a blessing. The kids and I have been playing games and hanging out with friends. So I have not had time for blogging not to mention that words are not coming easily to me either.

I thought my loyal follower (s) might like to see what been on my hook(s)

I gave this doily to my friend Tara last night for her 30th birthday. She liked it:) phew! This is doily #7 . I made it with #10 Opera thread in wood violet. Doily #6 is still a secret until I can give it to the intended recipient.

I made this Purple Puppy for her son who also turned 1year old yesterday. Yes mom and son share the same birthday.

The Purple Puppy is my own pattern that I re-worked from the cat pattern I designed when my daughter wanted a crocheted cat doll. I'm re-working this pattern to share for a Crochet Along (CAL) for members of the of the Crochet Guild of America's online group. I've improved the written pattern and added some elements so you can make a cat, dog, rabbit or bear. I'm hoping others will get even more creative. I think this pattern can adapt to just about a pirate or a monster perhaps. One member on the list wants to make skeletons.

A few days ago I finished this book mark. It's my second completed protect done in #20 thread. All of the doilies I have made were done using #10 thread which is not quite 1/2 bigger than #20 thread. I have to use a much smaller hook too. I just might go blind!

I used a coaster pattern by Patricia Kristoffersen my favorite doily designer. The coaster should have been about 4" in diameter using #10 thread. #20 thread made the coaster a perfect book mark motif at about 2"

I have completed a few other things that I will share soon but if you want a sneak preview just take a through my photo gallery.

Secret Pal Package - Thank You!

2006-09-07T14:59:00.000-05:00

Secret Pal Pacakge
Originally uploaded by sammimag.

I got a great package in the mail today from my secret pal on crochetville.

I love it all. I have finished up a few projects recently and needed something new to do so this came just at the right time.

I got thread too! Lovely crocheted dishcloths in my favorite color, purple.

She sent a birthday card for my son who just turned eight.

Thank You Secret Pal you are the best!

Secret Pals and such

2006-08-23T18:43:00.000-05:00

I decided to do the Secret Pals again for the Autumn round. I accidentally revealed myself to my secret pal. I think it was meant to be and so does my pal. We share so much in common. She homeschools, I homeschool my kids. Not only that she was excited to find out that I unschool my kids too and we've been talking about that. We also love yarn, crochet, spinning, making doilies, etc....

It doesn't mean the spoiling will stop. She still might need another PK doily book even though she has one already because you can never have too many doily books. She needs pretty vintage things because that's what she likes. You can read her blog here.

I have heard from my Secret pal a few times too. She asked me some questions to get to know me better which is cool. It's nice to get a happy e-card in my inbox too. I'm looking forward hearing more from her in the future.

Espresso Doily

2006-08-10T11:43:00.000-05:00

Espresso Doily
Originally uploaded by sammimag.

Espresso is a Patricia Kristoffersen Doily from Coffee 'N' Cream.

I'm a bit disappointed how this turned out. Part of it puckered even after blocking. It still looks okay though. I think I need to work on my tension when doing the outer ring. The upside down picot were challenging to be nice about it!

This was my first time working with a better quality thread too. I use Opera from Coats and Clark. I loved it feel so shiny and smooth. It was almost too smooth! It took me some getting used to because my thread would slip of my hook.

Someday I want to make this again and have it turn out perfect. I need to let my memory fade a bit with the pesky upside down picot.

You can see more pictures of the doily in my doily set.

Amaretto - Doily Number #5

2006-08-01T12:02:00.000-05:00

Amaretto
Originally uploaded by sammimag.

Amaretto is a Patricia Kristoffersen Doily from Coffee 'N' Cream.

This book is out of print but I was able to get a used copy off eBay for not too much even after shipping. This picture barley shows the lovely raised stitches that are ( I think) are signature of PK's designs.

Amaretto is now gracing my daughters dresser. You can see more pics of the doily in my doily set on flickr (just scroll down on my side bar to find the link.) I just love the texture in PK doilies. The next PK doily is for me. I just ordered some thread and will start my doily as soon as I get it.

Right now I am working on a doily using a motif from a book. I plan to use that doily in the bathroom. I'm using a dark purple thread so the white porcelain in the bathroom will show off the design quite nicely, I think.

I love it - T-shirt Underwear

2006-07-31T13:16:00.000-05:00

T-shirt underwear.... you know you want a pair!

Check out this link here and get your sewing machine revving.

Now, I know what to do with unwanted tie dye t-shirts! Woot!

Tiny Hearts Doily

2006-07-27T19:50:00.000-05:00

Tiny Hearts Doily
Originally uploaded by sammimag.

My 4th doily what fun! Tiny Hearts Doily was in Crochet! the March 2006 issue. Do you think I am obsessed? Don't answer that I'm just talking out loud and really don't want to know 'cause I already know the answer.

I think this doily might look nice in a pale pink for Valentines Day or maybe a red if you had a light or white background to put the doily on.

I am STILL waiting for my PK doily book. I'm also drooling over all kinds of threads on this website here. I really should NOT spend more money but I will likely do it anyway and rationalize that I will be making gifts for family. Yeah! that's it I am spending money for gifts. If a few seem to stay at home that seems only reasonable. Doilies also encourage me to keep the clutter down because what good is a doily if you don't have a clean table to show it off on? So doilies encourage me to keep things cleaner at home. So I must make more doilies so I must buy more thread. Phew! I am glad that's settled.

Two more doilies

2006-07-25T10:06:00.000-05:00

I have done it! I think I am officially addicted (and probably insane too) making doilies. I see yet another bin to store crochet thread in. I am impatiently waiting to get Coffee -n- Cream by Patricia Kristoffersen. You can have a sneak peak of the lovely doilies I will making the future here.

Tribute to Trish Doily - Trish is Patricia Kristoffersen above. You can see her beautiful doily designs here. I want to get more of her books. I hope my friends and family like doilies because I think you will be getting some in the future. Please drop very detailed hints of your favorite colors so I am sure to make something you like :)

You can find the pattern for the doily above here. I used a #7 hook and #10 thread. I gave this doily to a friend moving to Indiana.

You can click on the pictures below to see more detail. I will post larger pics later as flickr is hiccuping right now.

Starflower Doily - 1998 Decorative Crochet Magazine

I used #10 cotton thread and a #6 crochet hook

Thanks for looking

My First Doily

2006-07-22T18:00:00.000-05:00

my very first doily
Originally uploaded by sammimag.

Truly, I never saw myself as a doily person. After participating in the secret pal swap on crochetville and reading the blogs of may doily doers and completing my first one I think I'm hooked.

My fist doily is called Delicate Daisy - from Crochet Fantasy - 1988
It's not too bad for my first try at a doily. I may have stitched it too
tight in the center because I am having a hard time making that part
lay flat although it has not been blocked yet. I did use #10 thread
and steel hook #4 (I think.) I have since blocked it and it's till not laying as flat as I would like. I don't have a very good blocking system yet so I might try again.

I am almost finished with my second doily and I will post a pic of it soon. I ordered an out of print doily book on eBay that I can't wait to make something from it's Coffee -n- Cream by Patricia Kristofferson.

More Tie Dye

2006-07-12T00:22:00.000-05:00

Here's a few more things we tie dyed recently.

Jades shirt she did it herself. It's a two colored spiral.
colors: fuchsia and cerulean blue

Primary colored spiral I made for Corbin. I made a camisole using the same colors for me.
used procion dyes: cerulean blue, deep yellow and chinese red

This is a jacket we low water immersion dyed using fuchsia and cerulean blue

Jade made these socks which are currently decorating my living room. Do you think I could start a new trend?

The tea towel Jade made. She twisted it then folded it over then put rubberbands along it. She used deep yellow, cerulean blue and chinese red I think. I love the feathery look of the colors.

I did this one. It turned out just a wee bit too patriotic looking for me but timely.
colors: cerulean blue and chinese red.

Doing some dyeing...

2006-07-03T17:54:00.000-05:00

Some Tie Dyeing that is.

A few tea towels:

Socks to keep my feet warm this winter:

All of this will make me smile and cheer me up during the dreary months of winter. The socks make me hotter just looking at them and I am already hot enough!

We did some more tie dyeing and some low water immersion dyeing today too. So I will have more pictures to share soon.

I got an awesome tote

2006-06-28T16:52:00.000-05:00

I got an awesome tote for my WIPS from my partner for the Use what you have swap this June. I just LOVE it. It's purple what's not to love about that! It's big so I have plenty of room for yarn, patterns etc.

The inside is even lined with a pocket that is a perfect to fit for the Altoid mint tins I use to hold stitch markers and the like (Yes, I do eat the mints before I add pins to them. Sometimes, I even wash them first;)

Thank You!

Secret Pal Swap

2006-06-27T18:57:00.000-05:00

Secret Pal Swap
Originally uploaded by sammimag.

I got another package from my Secret Pal on Friday last week. I would have posted the photo of all the goodies she sent me sooner if I wasn't getting ready to go camping last weekend. (We had a blast camping too)

I got two different kinds of lotions, a few free patterns that look fun to give a try, a scrap afghan pattern book, a shawl pattern book, crystalite hooks (this was great because I have the larger one but not the smaller ones)

As you can see I have already put the yarn holder to use. I am making a washcloth with some Bernat Cotton Tots.

Thanks Secret Pal!

Use What You Have Monochrome Swap

2006-06-26T21:25:00.000-05:00

I just participated in my first use what you have swap. I made my partner a tote, amigurumi kitty, a bookmark and a headband.

The tote was inspired by the blanket in the Spring Interweave Crochet. The headband is my own design and you can find the pattern for it here in my blog. I did adjust the pattern a bit because I used size 3 cotton rather than ww yarn. The bookmark is a free pattern but I altered it a bit. The kitty was from a pattern book.

I enjoyed the creativity that was part of this swap and tried things that I would not have tried. It was hard to only use what I had for a whole month. I did break down and buy some cotton yarn at the very end of the month because I wanted to make some facecloths and I didn't have the cotton yarn I wanted. I also purchased some patterns that I didn't want to wait for. In my defense (except for the cotton yarn) I only used yarn from my stash for the entire month. You can see those things in my flickr photo gallery.

I like the idea of a use what you have swap because it makes you think and get the creative juices going. I found even in my other projects I could find something to use that I already had rather than go buy something new to finish it. Yet, Telling myself I couldn't buy anything was like being on a diet I wanted it even more! (Because I am new to dishcloths and facecloths and I just wanted to do it!)

AND

Let's face it I'm addicted to yarn and proud of my stash!

AND

It will all be gifts for family and friends and for me too. So, it will all get used eventually.

Stitch Markers

2006-06-21T09:04:00.000-05:00

Stitch Markers
Originally uploaded by sammimag.

I have been having fun with beads and earring findings I have one hand making stitch markers for when I crochet. Many of these markers I will send out as surprise gifts for the wishing well on crochetville. Some I will keep for myself.

more spinning

2006-06-13T12:45:00.000-05:00

more spinning
Originally uploaded by sammimag.

I've been working on this on and off for a few days. The spindle is now full. So it's time to ply my yarn soon.

Categories: spinning, 2006, I'm going to try my hand (literally) at the Andean plying technique.

Socks - a little further along

2006-06-12T17:47:00.000-05:00

Socks - a little further along
Originally uploaded by sammimag.

My socks are movin' along a bit more. I have the next task to complete for the crochet along. I just need to decide how I want to go about it. I found when I did the grafton fibers toe-up sock pattern when I got to the heal I need it to be a bit more roomy.

So do I make a longer chain than suggested or do I add a few more rows then make the chain?

Categories: sock, CAL, workinprogress, crochet, 2006

I'm spinning ...... sort of ....

2006-06-11T23:16:00.000-05:00

I took a spinning class this weekend. Man oh man it was hard. I forgot how some physical things take me sooo long to learn. Spinning ,especially on a spinning wheel, is like trying to rub your belly and patt your head at the same time.

Let's just say it out loud now, I cried. I wanted to figure this out sooo bad. I had such a hard time keeping the wheel going and figuring just how much fiber to feed the spool and not break the yarn or get the wheel going the wrong way. AAAACK!

I managed to get the hang of it. Dang it, I may be dang near 40 but it was embarrassing for me to be the only one struggling really hard. Then my frustration gets to me then the tears.

There is some beauty in the end. My first skein of yarn spun and plied on a spinning wheel.

Since I didn't bring home a spinning wheel (that a 350-400$ purchase yikes!) I worked on my drop spinning when I got home and made this skein, another chunky weight yarn:

I plied this yarn using a drop spindle and that was a challenge to say the least. I think lots of the twist I had out in to the singles all came out when I plied. Now I have this soft looking yarn that looks like roving.

Not only can I cry when I get frustrated. I'm reminded that I am STILL impatient. Right now I am on my next spinning attempt and the pace is very slow. I am taking my time a pre-drafting the fibers and doing the park and spin method. I am pleased with what I have so far. So that's a good thing.

I think I am sufficiently challenged. I now HAVE to master this. I will preserver. (and have fun too) I will learn to take my time.

I got a package!

2006-06-11T23:14:00.000-05:00

I got a package!

I got a package from my Secret Pal on Friday. It was a nice surprise after a long day at the swimming pool.

I got a skein of yarn, some Mocha Java coffee, a tote bag for my many WIPS ;) and a small clutch like bag great to hold some hooks. I have already indulged in some of the coffee, very yummy.

Thank You Secret Pal!

more socks - the beginning

2006-06-05T17:22:00.000-05:00

more socks - the beginning
Originally uploaded by sammimag.

I'm working on a Sock CAL for CGOA members. I got this far then after doing part of the next task I decided to frog back to the beginning. I just didn't like how roomy the socks were at the toes. I was worried they would be even roomier if I kept going.

The pattern suggested I end with a certain number of stitches which didn't make sense to me if I want the pattern to fit my feet.

The gauge required was 13sc/2inch which is about 6.5 sc/inch. I measured my foot just under the toes and got about 8.5inch around. So that got me about 55sc needed to fit my foot. I decided if I ended with 54 sc I would get a snug fit and the sock will stretch.

54sc is just about what I ended up with when I did the grafton fibers toe up sock. I also changed how I did the increases. I did increases w/o a sc in between them which I think makes a tighter fit.

I hope I'm right.

Bear and Purse

2006-06-05T17:06:00.000-05:00

Bear and Purse
Originally uploaded by sammimag.

My son has a little friend down the street who was having a birthday last weekend so he asked me to make her a little teddy bear. He contributed lots to the overall design of the bear.

He had me sew on a little pink heart for the bears belly (I don't have a picture of that sorry!) He also requested I make the bear a scarf and mini purse. Then I made a purse for the little girl to hold the bear in.

I was able to make this with everything I had in my stash in honor of use what you have. I am trying very hard this month to NOT buy any more yarn or craft stuff.

I have not succeeded very well though. I couldn't pass up a crochet book I found at half price books a few days ago for only $5 and a pattern for some fun book marks.

I haven't bought any new yarn for 3 weeks now!

Secret Pal

2006-05-22T15:40:00.000-05:00

My secret pal has been emailing me a bit to learn more about me which has been fun. The questions make me think, what are my preferences? What do I like and don't like isn't always clear to me LOL.
It's fun to find out we share some things in common like our other interests have taken a back seat to crocheting and that both of our sons like knights.

She sent me an E-card to day and you can see it here.

I had a pretty good day yesterday. I've watered the garden, made a center pull ball from some lace weight yarn I got as an extra goodies when I did the summer scarf swap on C'ville. I started a scarf with it.

I am particpating in a Sock CAL through CGOA and will share my progress on the Sock CAL on crochetville and here on my blog. I completed my swatch and was just about right on with the gauge. I'm using the sock pattern I found here

Categories: CAL, swap

One Skein Questions for C'ville Swap :)

2006-05-20T07:55:00.000-05:00

Hi, swap mates and swap partner:) Here are my answers.

1. Which yarn is most like your personality?

I took a quiz recently that suggested I was Mohair. I like mohair but I have not crocheted with it yet.

2. What is your favorite color yarn to knit/crochet with?

Purple! Then I like burgandy like colors or redwine. I lik those colors for ME :) I can crochet with any color yarn I love it all.

3. Have you ever used variegated, or magic, yarns?

Varigated yarns yes but magic stripes yarn not yet.

4. Do you tend to favor certain fibers when choosing yarns?

Depends on what I am making. I do use lots of Redheart to make amigurumi. I did spurlge on some pretty yarn with alpaca and made an anmigurumi frog with it. It's so soft. So I could see wanting to get luxury yarns in my future. (After, I win the lotter that is:)

5. Do you prefer to work with center-pull or traditionally wound balls of yarn?

center pull

6. Have you ever worked with organic yarns or are you interested in trying them?

I'll try just about anything once :)

7. How many and what projects have you made in the last year?

several amigurumi/stuffies
freeform hat
socks
Bohemian Jacket in Hip to Crochet
a few scarves
book marks
a baby blanket

8. Will you be crocheting any gifts this year?

I want to but sometimes life gets in the way or the muse leaves me.

9. What is your favorite one skein project?

If the skein is the right size then maybe socks. When I need a simple get the creative juices going or to calm my mind I like to make bookmarks and amigurumi.

10. How much yarn do you have in your stash and how do you store it?

I store my yarn in big(14gal size) rubbermaid bins. I have 4 bins that are full if all the yarn is in the bins. Often the yarn escapes and is in baskets and an extra bin near my workstation.

11. Do you have a yarn in your stash that you love so much you can never use it or part with it?

No, I don't thinks so. I really want to see what the fiber can do so I want to use it :)

12. Do you crochet less or differently in the summer?

I find myself less excited to work on the afgahgn I started. My poor garden is being neglected this year with my new found passion for crochet so I "should" do some gardening and maybe a little less crochet :)

13. Do you belong to any crocheting groups (online or offline)?

I don't belong to any in person groups. I did join CGOA and want to start a chapter here. I'd love to get together in real lfe with other crocheters. Mostly, I connect with crocheters online at crochetville and through a few other email lists.

I got my scarf in the mail!

2006-05-18T15:38:00.000-05:00

I love getting packages in the mail. It's so fun.

I got my summer scarf today from my partner. It's beautiful and my favorite color, purple.

She included the leftover yarn she used too, it's called Endless Summer. She also sent me some stuff from her home town, Austin, TX and MORE yarn. I got a hank of laceweight knitpicks yarn and some Cascade 220. Yippee! My yarn stash just keep getting bigger. (It's simply irresistible y'know :)

Thanks so much!

Categories: swap, 2006, crochet

Shhhhhh It's a Secret Swap

2006-05-15T11:33:00.000-05:00

I'm participating in the Crochetville Secret Pal Swap this summer. I'm excited about it.

Secret Pal if you are reading my blog, Hello and Welcome! If you want to get to know me a little and how I spend my time when I'm not crocheting you could read more about me and my family on my other blog here.

If you haven't already figured it out I'm a bit of a crocheting geek.

Categories: swap, secret_pal

Socks - It's a Pair!

2006-05-15T10:39:00.000-05:00

My socks are finished! I was worried that I didn't have enough yarn for the second sock but I had just enough. I still have some yarn on order at the Yarn Barn so I guess I will HAVE to make another pair :)

I think these will look great with my tangerine converse sneakers. The socks feel comfy in my sneakers too.

Categories: socks, 2006, crochet

Sock(s) - Just one so far

2006-05-13T12:16:00.000-05:00

I was wanting something new to try and decided to make my first pair of crocheted socks.

I used a Toe Up Sock pattern that I found here
I used an E hook and Sockotta yarn. I don't have color code any more sorry!

The pattern was fairly easy to follow. A few tips that weren't shared in the pattern:

Do not join rounds (work in a spiral) if you join rounds you get a ridge that could feel uncomfortable. ( I did join rounds when I did the cuff part because I was doing some dc)

When I started the heal I joined the yarn in the heal opening in the second stitch from one "corners" (with the right side facing me.) I don't think it matters which one. Then did a decrease on that side then a decrease on the other side. I hope that makes sense. I might try and get a simple drawing up so it will be clearer. I plan on making another pair socks that does the same kind of heal so I can take pics of that. There are more pics of making the socks on my flickr pages just click on the flickr badge in the side bar and look in my crochet folder.

The beginning:

When you get to the heel/cuff part she suggests you divide in half the number of sc stitches you have to get number of the chains you make. I did that and thought it was too tight. I did a few more chains. So I recommend you try the sock on at that point to see how easy you think it will be to get on and off.

I think this pattern is really easy to do and works up quick but if your are new to crochet it might be a little confusing until you play with it a bit. I like how I can make the basic sock part with single crochet then do some fun stitch experimenting for the cuff. My sock fits nicely. It will fit even better after it's been washed (I hope!)

A close-up of the sock cuff. I use fpdc and a cluster dc. If I do this pattern again I might switch it around and do the cluster stitch first then do the post stitch. The fpdc stitch kind of mimics knit ribbing.

The finished sock

Categories: socks, work_in_progress, crochet, 2006,

Tunisian Crochet and some Ribbon Yarn

2006-05-10T00:40:00.000-05:00

I'm experimenting with Tunisian Crochet and some ribbon yarn just to see what happens.

I'm using Modea Ticker Tape yarn
What I think is likely a K or L hook. If I do it again I want to try using a larger hook. The Yarn calls for a an N hook.
I'm not following a pattern.

I'm using the following Tunisian stitches going back in for between and open look and doing all the stitches and using different sized stitches (follow stitch names to links for tutorials/intructions on how to do the stitch):

Tunisian treble
this recommended a chain two for the first treble stitch. I think a chain three works better.
eyelets or skipping stitches
I skipped stitches doing the Tunisian treble so I wrapped the yarn over 3 times instead of two and pulled thru twice.
simple stitch crochet

Lots of good video tutorials for Tunisian here and how to's for more stitches here

The beginning

I think the scarf looks good with green.

You can see the fringe I added here, how it looks with a purple shirt and about how long it is. I dyed the shirt myself doing low-water immersion dyeing.

Back to the pic with the green shirt because even if do say so myself not a bad picture of me. I like how the scarf looks too.

I'm trying to decide if I like the tape yarn or not. It was fun to experiment with and I want to try some more. I think that tape might be something you like or you don't like. It has a more "edgy" modern look to it and less organic than yarn. So that's how I am looking at it and trying to see how to showcase it's edginess best rather than trying to make it something it isn't.

Categories: ribbon_yarn, 2006, scarf, tunisian, crochet

I might as well face it I'm addicted to YARN!

2006-05-08T22:29:00.000-05:00

This weekend I was not planning on buying lots of yarn. Honest! I really wasn't. I was just going to go to Michaels to pick up few more skiens of Raspberry Caron Simply Soft to finish my Supernova square afghan.

The Dollar Tree was on my way and last time I was there they has some yarn I just couldn't pass up, Bernat Frenzy.

I'll be using some of this in some freeform scrumbles I'm sure.

So I just had to see if there was some more yarn I had to have. Yup! There was some yarn I just had to have.

While I was at Michaels I did manage to avoid buying more Moda Dea yarns because I bought for $2/skein even though they were now $1/skein but it was HARD!

My stash increase from a few weeks a ago lots of Moda Dea yarns.

Then of course I had to go looking to see if there were some other great deals for $1/skein. Oops! There was! See what just fell into my basket and what I picked up at the Dollar Tree

I found the hot pink and the pastel pink ladder yarn at the Dollar Tree. The rest fell into my basket at Michaels (More PINK!) I really don't like pink. Someone must be telling me to get in touch with my inner pinkness or something. I couldn't help seeing a fun freeform purse for a princess or someone who like pink for baby girls. I want to see how an amigurumi bunny or bear might look in the hot pink. The purple rainbow ribbon yarn is some xtra I bought so I can make scarf. I'm wondering if should go buy more then I could make a shawl instead. Oh please somebody stop me!

As I was leaving the store I couldn't help but think of the Robert Palmer song Addicted to Love. I found the original lyrics HERE .

Do you remember the video with the scantily dresses women? I do. And although in someways it offended my feminist sensibilities there was an artistic quality to the video. I can't help but imagine a fiber artist filk video. All us fiber artist men and women flipping our handmade scarves around our necks dancing and singing the song. Can you see it ?

Because You might as well face it you're addicted to YARN!

Here's my version:

Addicted to Yarn

Your lights are on, and you're not home
Your mind is not your own
Your heart sweats, your body shakes
Another SKEIN is what it takes

You can't sleep, you can't eat
There's no doubt, you're in deep
Your throat is tight, you can't breathe
Another HANK is all you need

Whoa, you like to think that you're immune to the stuff, oh yeah
It's closer to the truth to say you can't get enough
You know you're gonna have to face it, you're addicted to YARN

You see the signs, but you can't read
You're spinnin' at a different speed
You're crocheting in double time
Another SKEIN and you'll be FINE!, a one track mind

You can't be saved
FIBER is all you crave
If there's some left over
You don't mind if you do

Whoa, you like to think that you're immune to the stuff, oh yeah
It's closer to the truth to say you can't get enough
You know you're gonna have to face it, you're addicted to YARN

Might as well face it, you're addicted to YARN
Might as well face it, you're addicted to YARN
Might as well face it, you're addicted to YARN
Might as well face it, you're addicted to YARN
Might as well face it, you're addicted to YARN

------ lead guitar ------

Your lights are on, but you're not home
Your will is not your own
You're heart sweats and teeth grind
Another SKEIN and you'll be FINE!

Whoa, you like to think that you're immune to the stuff, oh yeah
It's closer to the truth to say you can't get enough
You know you're gonna have to face it, you're addicted to YARN

Might as well face it, you're addicted to YARN
Might as well face it, you're addicted to YARN
Might as well face it, you're addicted to YARN
Might as well face it, you're addicted to YARN
Might as well face it, you're addicted to YARN

Simply Irresistible!

How can it be permissible
FIBER it celebrates my principle, yeah yeah
That kind of love is mythical
Oh YARN is anything but typical

It's a craze I do embrace, It's FIBER with a powerful force
I'm obliged to conform when there's no other course
YARN used to look good to me, but now I find it
Simply irresistible, Simply irresistible

The weight is so powerful, huh
It's simply unavoidable
The trend is irreversible
The softness is invincible

YARN'S a natural law, and WOOL leaves me in awe
Mohair deserves the applause, I surrender because
YARN used to look good to me, but now I find it
Simply irresistible, Simply irresistible

Simply irresistible (the YARNS so fine, there's no tellin' where the money went!)
Simply irresistible (The YARNS all mine, there's no other way to go)

It's unavoidable, I'm backed against the wall |
Yarn gives me feelings like I never felt before |
I'm breaking promises, I could break every law | DRUMS
Yarn used to look good to me, but now I find it |
Simply irresistible. The yarn's so fine, there's no tellin' where the money went!?!
Simply irresistible The yarn's all mine, there's no other way to go

GUITAR SOLO

My yarn is indescribable
The proof is irrefutable, Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
YARN is so completely HOOKABLE, huh
Our lives are indivisible

YARN's a craze I endorse, YARN's a powerful force
I'm obliged to conform when there's no other course
YARN looks good to me, and now I find it

Simply irresistible (Yarn's so fine, there's no tellin' where the money went?!?)
Simply irresistible (It's all MINE, there's no other way to go)
Simply irresistible (It's so fine, there's no tellin' where the money went?!?)
Simply irresistible (It's all mine, there's no other way to go)

FADE

Categories: stash, filksong, work_in_progress

It's all about the process - rip it! rip it!

2006-05-05T15:02:00.000-05:00

I decided to frog the spiral blanket back to the beginning so it wouldn't be so wavy. I had to go back a looooong way. Then I started making it again. I laid it flat on a table every round to make sure it would lay flat. It's about 10inches wide now and I plan in making it bigger.

I got it to this size and started adding on again.

Here's the second go around adding things to the outside. I just gets too wavy. So I frogged it back AGAIN to the spiral picture above. I started making small scrumbles rather than trying to crochet it continuously.

Here are some scrumbles that will be added to the blanket.

A blanket overview

I want about 1/3 more scrumbles before I think I'm done.

Categories: freeform, crochet, work_in_progress, doll_banket

Learning to Crochet

2006-05-05T12:27:00.000-05:00

Check out my post on my other blog. My son has masterd chaining!

It's a scarf!

2006-04-24T22:42:00.000-05:00

It's the scarf I made for the summer scarf swap on crochetville which my daughter is graciously modeling. I can finally sharee it because my partner recieved her scarf.

Frog Tree Yarn (85% Cotton and 15% Silk) a dk weight yarn
Used and E or F hook (I forgot!)
I added glass beads to the fringe

These are very basic instructions on how I made this scarf:

Chain any number depending how long you want the scarf
I used an extended sc stitch and I skipped stitches randomly leaving some open work.

See photo below:

I only did 5 rows to make it fairly skinny.

Add fringe in three places across each edge.
Add beads of your choice, as shown our in your own style.

Categories: scarf, 2006, swap

What Yarn Kind of Yarn are You?

2006-04-21T10:37:00.000-05:00

What kind of yarn are you?

You are Mohair.You are a warm and fuzzy type who works well with others, doing your share without being too weighty. You can be stubborn and absolutely refuse to change your position once it is set, but that's okay since you are good at covering up your mistakes.
Take this quiz!

Quizilla |
Join

| Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

Tree Sweaters!

2006-04-18T19:29:00.000-05:00

These Sweaters are knit but I think I will make crocheted ones this winter for some trees around town.

Check out this knitted tree sculpture.

This poor tree got a sweater, she keep an update on it on her blog. Here's the back story.

Here are some updates about the sweater.

I think this crazy thing rock.
Categories: knit, fibercrazy

Lacey the not so Lacey Headband

2006-04-14T06:24:00.000-05:00

This pattern has moved! You can find it HERE

Scarves, scarves everywhere

2006-04-11T15:26:00.000-05:00

Scarves seem a bit insane with the heatwave sure to hit Kansas as the summer kicks in. I still like scarves because they are so easy to make. I'm having fun designing my own. It's a fun way to try out new stitch patterns and they work up so quickly.

I'm also making head scarves and head band like things too so I can hold my long hair back away from my face. It's giving me chance to try out some patterns and ideas with Lion Brand Microspun Yarn which I ljust love the feel of.

Here's a headband one I made inspired by Bruges Lace I love the look of this lace. I'm not much of a thread crocheter at least not yet. This style might make me a convert. I think it also translates well to yarn. I have a few ideas swirling around for a fun scarf using this method as a starting point.

Here a scarf I made using microspun yarn from the Interweave Crochet - Spring 2006 it's The Pointer Sisters Scarf scroll to the bottom to find it. While you are at it you will find lots cool crochet projects. I want to make the colorful Babette Blanket, the Sea Side Espadrilles sandals for the summer and I also like the lavender shrug and I'm not a shrug person. I want to make the Sea Foam Skirt too but I have to learn how to do hairpin lace first. So much to learn so little time....

Here's a yellow open net stitch scarf and a granny square like kercheif also made with Microsup Yarn.

A close up of the yellow scarf I also made a kercheif with the yellow but couldn't find it to take a picture. I can tie this scarf around my head to keep my hair out of my face too.

A close up of the kerchief - It's a free pattern from the Craft Yarn Council of America

Categories: crochet, 2006, scarves,

Happy Birthday to Me!

2006-04-05T10:45:00.000-05:00

Thank you Tracy for making that beautful card for me on your blog!

I posted more about my birthday on my other blog.

Lulu - the spring time bear

2006-04-02T07:07:00.000-05:00

Lulu just came out of hibernation to enjoy the lovely spring weather we are having in Kansas.

I used a F hook and brown Red Heart Super Saver yarn. Her flower eyes are made with #10 cotton which I crocheted with a #4 steel hook. She is sporting the freeform thread experiment has a sarong. I used embroidery floss to make the nose.

I may have stuffed her too much because there are larger holes than I'd like on her body. Overall I like her look. I read somewhere that the stuffing does relax and most sites to say to stuff amigurumi fuller than you think so I'm giving that a try although I'm not sure I agree.

I made her following the Amigurumi dude pattern in the Crochet Me spring issue. You can see more photos of Amigurumi inspired dudes here.

Categories: crochet, 2006, amigurumi,

Freeformin' it

2006-04-01T15:12:00.000-06:00

I've been itching to complete a freefrom project so I started this project yesterday and decided to make a hat because I was kind of cold.

I really like how the colors came together but I'm not sure I like the "bumpyness" (like my technical term :) After taking the pictures is does seem that the hat is loosening up a bit and seems to look a little smoother. I used left-over ww Plymouth Encore yarn from my Bohemian Jacket and some Moda Dea Dream(fuzzy purple) and some other Bernat fancy yarns. I started the project using a fairly large hook like a J but them moved down to a H.

Here are a few pictures that give some views of the top of the hat and the sides and back:

I want to make another one soon when I can build up a good stash. A friend of mine is going to give me some yarn she doesn't want anymore which will be perfect for some freeform work. I mostly played with varying stitch height with this hat in my next project I want to get even more creative with the stitches

I also been messing around with some skinny scarf ideas becasue I 'm participating in the summer scarf swap on crochetville

I free formed this swatch to see how thread might hook up. I used a size 4 steel crochet hook and cotton thread # 10.

Here's a close up of the sample:

It's big enough to fit around my neck as a choker. I can't decide if I really like it or not.

Categories: free_form, crochet, thread, hat, 2006

Fancy Star Flower

2006-03-28T11:17:00.000-06:00

This pattern has moved! You can find it right HERE

The Basic Star Flower

2006-03-28T11:15:00.000-06:00

This pattern has moved! You can find it HERE

Basic Flower

2006-03-28T11:10:00.000-06:00

This pattern has moved! You can find it HERE.

It's a Floral Frenzy

2006-03-28T09:50:00.000-06:00

Yeah!

Everyone has received the flowers and the xtra goodies I sent out for the floral frenzy on crochetville. So here's my unveiling of what I sent out. I have received one of my packages of flowers and plan on sharing a picture of them soon. I loved them they are so petite. I'm look forward to getting the other flowers so I can get inspired on what to make with them. I got some xtra fun goodies too but I won't tell as to not to spoil the surprise for others.

Some of the flowers are my own design and I will be sharing the patterns here soon. I used a variety of yarns: plymouth encore, red heart super saver, homespun, moda dea, & bernat.

I took this picture before I sent out the flowers but then took one of the flowers out and added another flower that I did NOT take a picture of. The flower I added was a daisy/sunflower like flower for a swap member who wanted retro looking flowers.

About the xtras I included in in the packages:

A lavender sachet that could put in a project bag to have your current project smelling good or in a dresser drawer. I crocheted the small flower on the sachet then sewed it on very carefully then added the dried lavender and stitched it closed.

I have included a few photos of flowers from my garden when I lived in Washington State. I included a picture of a sunflower because I'm back living in Kansas, the Sunflowers State. The sunflower picture was a volunteer sunflower that grew in the rock bed path of my garden in Washington.

A flower fairy - Flower fairies like to play with little kids who don't put things into their mouths or in and around houseplants. My kids and I like to make them. We got the inspiration for them from a Curiosity flower fairy kit. I found some online directions here. I might do some how to directions on this blog someday soon too.

Lemon Balm seed heads - Although they don't have much of a flower, they do have a lovely scent. I just wanted to send everyone a little something that grew in my garden last year. The bags the flowers are in are left over from sachet bags I made for Christmas gifts a few years ago and I like to keep them around to send out for suprise gifts so they were perfect for this swap.

Categories: flowers, swap, crochet, 2006

Flower Dolls - The Patterns

2006-03-22T16:32:00.000-06:00

This pattern has moved! You can find it HERE

It's Spring!

2006-03-14T09:48:00.000-06:00

It's Spring!
Originally uploaded by sammimag.

More amigurumi! I love spring and flowers. I have been making lots of flowers for a flower swap on Crochetville and was inspired with making flowers and the amigurumi I've been doing. I plan on adding the pattern for these little flower dolls here soon and some of the flower designs I made for the flower swap.

So check back in a few days.

Categories: amigurumi, crochet, 2006, spring

Neopet Amigurumi

2006-03-09T11:15:00.000-06:00

Neopet Amigurumi
Originally uploaded by sammimag.

Here's my first try at making something from scratch. I found this Neopet toy lying around yesterday a decided to make something inspired by it.

It turned out much smaller than I intended. So when I make it again, I will make the head much bigger and the body slightly bigger. I will likely use a lighter color felt for the belly.

Categories: amigurumi, crochet, 2006

Bunnies

2006-03-08T12:34:00.000-06:00

I keep making amigurumi. I can't seem to stop myself. I think they are the cutest things. I need to get more yarn so I have a greater color selection. I have lots of ideas of things to make.

Categories: 2006, crochet, amigurumi

A few more critters

2006-03-07T12:50:00.000-06:00

Meet Rasta the Happy Critter, he likes to listen to music and relax. He's a happy guy and his favorite thing to do is laugh.

You have already met Lila. I finished her friend Corbin Jr. yesterday his body, arms and legs a bit bigger than Lila's. My kids just love them. Corbin Jr was all wrapped up in a homemade sleeping bag last night on the night stand next to my son.

I'm a bit disappointed that I'm still getting holes where you can see the stuffy :( What's the trick to avoid that. I especially get a holey look when decreasing. I did find that if I don't decrease in the same place every time it's not as noticeable but I can still see it.

Note: these are not my patterns. I used the book How to Crochet Cute Amigurumi you can get it here.

Meet Lila

2006-03-06T10:21:00.000-06:00

Lila is a Baby Critter I made from How to Crochet Adorable Amigurumi by Carolyn Christmas Savage. I will need to alter the body pattern by adding extra stitches and use a smaller hook because the multi-colored yarn was much thinner than the blue.

Categories: amigurumi, crochet

About my blog categories

2006-02-24T12:05:00.000-06:00

When I'm looking for inspiration about crocheting or tie dying nothing frustrates me more than to go to a blog that says it's about crocheting or tie dyeing and not find any posts.

It's not that I don't want to know about you but when I'm looking for stuff about fiber arts that's what I want to read about. If I like what I see I'll likely want to get to know you better too!

So I try and have categories on my blogs so if you are looking for specific information hopefully you will find it. So here's the scoop, on my side bar and at the bottom of each post is a category to click that will take you (regrettably off my blog) to a list of posts about free_form crochet or amigurumi. All you have to do is click on the post that interests you and it will take you back to this blog for further reading.

Here's a link to all my categories (tags) for this bog.

Hope this makes sense.

Free Form Spiral Doll Blanket

2006-02-24T10:31:00.000-06:00

I enjoyed working on this last night. It worked up fairly quickly to. I'm using Red Heart yarn and an H hook. When I make another one I will likely try a larger hook to see if the blanket will have more drape that way.

I'm making this for my dd as a doll blanket. I'm having fun exploring the possibilities of free form crochet. In the future I want to make some baby blankets for real babies. I like the idea of making something on the funky fun side in bold and bright colors. I even like the pastels my daughter picked out for this one. (I'm not a a pastel colors person. I love bold colors even on babies)

Overall I'm liking the look. Especially how things are adding on to the outside but if you look at the last photo the project really doesn't lay flat and it's bugging me.

You can see that I added too many increases. I may frog back to the beginning and do less increases unless I get some suggestions on how I can salvage it.

Categories: crochet, free_form,

A simple and soft baby blanket

2006-02-24T10:20:00.000-06:00

This pattern has moved! You can find it HERE

Flowers! And More

2006-02-22T21:54:00.000-06:00

I'm looking forward to participating in my first swap at Crochetville. I love getting things in the mail and making things for others.

I'll be making some of the flowers from here and here.

It starts in March so I should get started trying out some of the patterns.

I am currently finishing up on a baby blanket that was going to be for one of daughter dolls. Dd thinks it's too big for her doll so now I'm making it for one of dh's co-workers who just had a new baby girl. It's very simple, just a front post dc stitch but it give such a fun texture to it. It is so soft because I'm making it with Caron Simply Soft so I can't help touching it every so often.

I will need to make a afghan for myself out of Simply Soft soon. I did buy the Leisure Arts 63 Squares recently which I plan to make an afghan with soon. I want to use it because I will learn so many new stitches. I just sent an order in to Annie's Attic for some Amigurumi patterns, other animal patterns and Tunisian sweater.

I also started another sweater for myself. This one will be a pull-over. It's my own design, kind of freeform. I'm using Lion Bran Homespun and a K hook. I plan on sharing more about it soon.

If you want to see what been keeping me so busy lately and why I have not been adding to this new blog check out some of my recent posts on my personal blog. I'm reminiscing about my travels in Europe when I was in my 20's. I want to go back.

It’s a cat, it’s a dog, bear or rabbit. Oh My!

2006-02-15T19:37:00.000-06:00

This pattern has moved! You can find it HERE

Welcome to Fiber Star

2006-02-15T19:15:00.000-06:00

Fiber Star (because secretly I want to be famous), is my place to share my wisdom and inspiration in my fiber arts journey. My current passion is crocheting.

I'm also learning to knit and dabble in felting, tie dyeing, and low-water immersion dyeing. Currently, I'm dreaming about teaching crocheting and dyeing, selling some of my designs and things I make, and writing articles about crocheting and other fiber arts.

I usually have several crocheting projects going at once. You can see some of my finished work and works in progress if you click on my flickr button on the side bar.

My project list just seems to get longer and longer:

FreeForm Crochet

Amigurumi, crocheted stuffed animals. I have made a few cats which I will share in a future post with a pattern too.

Make myself a poncho.

A baby blanket for my dd's baby doll(s)

A crochet stitch sampler

Make the colorwaves sweater (I already have the yarn.)

My ds wants me to make him a red sweater.

I want to improve my Spiral Baby Cardigan design.

I also want to make some hats and maybe a poncho for a young girl I found out has leukemia.

Crocheted slippers

A crocheted skirt

make the easy going hoodie and make the make an hemp necklace just below.

low-water immersion dye some fabric and clothing that's looking lonely and neglected from Dharma Trading Co.

Tie Dye some socks

Dye some yarn

And more.....