In the Land of the Frog

I have been crocheting, really! I had to frog the Michael's baby blanket pattern twice, so I looked around. I couldn't find something else I wanted to do, so I looked at stitch patterns until I found something I liked and now I am doing a baby-sized blanket in that pattern. I wanted to be half-done at this point. This is for my mom's coworker, who just became a great-grandmother. The baby is already born, so I am trying to get it done as quickly as possible. I'll post a pic later.

On a positive note, yesterday we went to Woofstock on Monument Ave. in Richmond. It was in the same area as the Easter Parade/Festival, but not nearly as many blocks long. They crammed a lot of vendors in the smaller space, though. We made off with quite a bit of swag: two cans of pet food, two reuseable bags, several things of treats. Kookie had a blast, just like at Easter! She had to say hello to every dog she saw. There was a doggie fashion show, which was cute and silly for the few minutes I watched. Mostly little teensy dogs in clothing. A basset hound was paraded across the stage in a hoodie that kept covering its eyes - not a smart fashion statement!

I couldn't bring my camera because I had Kookie, and my mother didn't bring hers. Sorry, no pics.

Baby If You'll Give Me All of Your Love

I'll hug you squeeze you tight as I can...

I started making this baby dress on Monday. Isn't it cute! Sorry for the dark picture, the flash of my camera shone off the yarn when I tried to use it.

Unfortunately, I will be setting this aside for now. My mother has requested a baby blanket for a co-worker who told her last week that she is now a great-grandmother! I would have a WIP pic of that, but I had to frog all the work I did last night and start over.
Yesterday we went to the super Jo-Ann's on Midlothian with coupons and picked out the yarn. Safe yellow and green Bernat baby coordinates. I am making this pattern from Michaels.com.

I love baby yarn! It's so soft and baby stuff is small and cute!

Blue Butterfly

My friend took the pictures for me! She also trimmed the antennae, which I ran out of time to do. Here is a handpainted butterfly I made for my friend's birthday! I decided to make it a pin, so that it could be multi-purpose. I love the color, so I will have to make it again. Unfortunately, I am running low of this paint, and I haven't been able to find a place to buy it. I need to look online. I may be able to recreate it by mixing paint, though. I am pretty good at that.
I mixed the paint for the monarch in the previous post because I don't own an orange I liked enough to use. I am not a big fan of orange, so I only have two bottles. I bought the second bottle after painting the monarch!

What was I doing?

Oh yeah, getting ready to write this blog. Oh, look, shiny blog written by someone else!

Sorry, I can get easily distracted.

Today, my Mom and I went to Williamsburg to meet an online friend of hers, Joan E. from Canada (123stitch.com)! We had a blast. We met her at The Village Shops at Kingsmill. We went to Haus Tirol/Stitching Well (cross-stitch), Knitting Sisters (YAAAAARRRRRRNNNNN), and Bead Haven (I love beads!).

I promised Joan that I would put up pictures of a bead project I made before starting this blog, and of the butterfly wings, which I haven't posted because they are not finished yet.

This is one I created last year for my mother.


I have been creating butterflies. I have handpainted the wings and am working on attaching them to bead bodies. I made one successfully, but had to give it away as a gift immediately - so there is no picture. I need to get the person to take a picture for me! At least so I can make it again. But here are the other wings I have done so far, as promised:






I find that the plastic I am using tends to curl, but I think that actually works well for the wings. I am basing them on real butterflies, like the monarch. I love the glasswing butterfly one, but am afraid to spray the acrylic sealer on it. I found that the sealer makes the plastic a little opaque.

Thank you, Joan, for showing me the chainmaille jewelry and how to make the rings. I am so hooked!

And finally, STUFF!

Hmmm...

I am looking at the pictures of my bag and I am wondering if next time I should use the opposing color to edge the sides of the panels. That way the pattern comes out a little more crisp? I dunno, just thinking.

I am pulling together stuff for a trip to Williamsburg, VA. My Mom and I are meeting an online buddy of hers from Canada. That's quite a drive! She's spending at least the long weekend in Virginia (maybe longer?) and wanted to meet her online buddies here while she was visiting.

I am bringing some of my finished beading and crochet projects, like the special effects bag. She has mentioned bringing her chain-mail projects (cool!), among other things. We'll also visit the bead shop, cross-stitch shop, quilting shop, and yarn shop that are all in one shopping center there. I forget which though - I am a little tired.

I didn't do much, except work my way through patterns for my third project. I am leaning towards something baby, to put away for the next baby shower. Or something else, as long as it uses up stash.

Special Effects: Finished!

The Special Effects bag is finished. I think it turned out nicely. I still have to sew in the liner, but the crochet part is finished.
Changes to the pattern:
The pattern calls for crocheting 4 pieces, then attaching them to make a panel. Two panels are whip-stitched on three sides to make the bag, and then a handle is attached. I decided that I wanted 2-inch sides so that the bag would be functional. After attaching the four pieces of each panel, I added a row of hdc on the three sides of each panel so that adding the sides would not affect the special effect look of the panels. I used the row join method mentioned in the pattern to attach the sides to the panels. I attached the panels to the posts of the hdc row I added so that there would be distinct edges.

I used white thread for one stitch all the way along the panel that has white facing the sides. I had originally tried using straight black for the sides, but it was too visible on that panel. Sorry for the pictures - black and white yarn doesn't photograph well!

Here are the directions for the side panels:

Hdc on three sides of each panel, with 5 hdc in the corners to turn to the next side. Make sure that there are the same number of hdc on each panel or they will not attach evenly.

All Row joins are attached to the back post of the hdc of panel. This creates an edge between the panel and the side and give the bag a 3D shape. The panels are attached to the side panel wrong-side to wrong side.

Attach white yarn to the back post of the first hdc at the top of white panel, 1 ch, change to black, 5 ch, row join to black panel.
Row 1: Ch 1, row join, turn. 5 sc in black, change to white, 1 sc. Turn, row join.
Row 2: Ch 1, row join, 1 sc in white, change to black, 5 sc, row join.
Repeat rows 1-2, making sure to get every hdc on the panels, including the 5 hdc on the two bottom corners. This will cause the side to curve cleanly, so that only one side panel is needed to attack to all three sides.
When you finish the side of the bag, do not fasten off the black yarn. Instead, continue with the handle:
First half:
Row 1: Turn, Ch 1, 6 sc in black.
Row 2-45: repeat row 1. Fasten off.
Second half:
Attach black yarn to the beginning of the side panel.
Row 1: Ch 1, 6 sc. Turn.
Row 2-45: repeat row 1. Fasten off.

Whipstitch ends of handle halves together.

I edged both sides of the bag. Hdc in matching color across the top of each panel, with the first and last stitch attached to the first stitch of each handle with a row join. SC in black on both sides of the handle for the remaining stitches.

I like this bag, and may do it in black and a different color at some time in the future. I am considering what kind of liner I am going to sew into the bag.

I did finish on Thursday, but I have been busy since then and did not have time to write down the changes to the pattern.
Friday was my night out with my friends, so I never have time to post then. Today I went to the New Kent Winery Festival with my mom and sampled wine from several wineries, including New Kent's of course. I bought a leather wine glass holder that hangs from the neck ($5!). Sorry, I forgot to take a picture.
After the festival, we went to Michael's, Barnes and Noble, and a shoe store in between the two stores. The shoe store and B&N were disappointing. Very little in my Mom's or my shoe size, and not much was nice in there anyway. My mom couldn't find a new book, and none of the new knitting magazines had anything I was interested in. Until I am employed, I can't afford magazines that have nothing I definitely think I will do eventually. Although, if I could get my hands on Rowan magazines I would make an exception!
The Michael's at Virginia Center Commons mall has renovated since the last time I was there. The yarn section is in the front (and smaller!), next to a new bead section. The store looks pretty cool, but it is mostly the same selection with fewer actual products to make the place look more spacious. The only improvement was the beading section is bigger and is carrying a selection similar to that at the A.C. Moore's in Fredericksburg. I at least got the paper I had gone in for, though.
A display of clearance yarn was right next to the door at Michael's. It was a little discontinued yarn and a lot of yarn that had lost their labels. The discontinued yarn was about half off, but the unlabeled yarns were $0.45 or $1! Woo! More stash! I got two skeins of Patons Classic Wool Merino in the Palais colorway. One had the wrapper on, so it was $1.99 (from 4.99!). The other one has no label at all, so I got it for $1! I didn't even have to ask. It's still on the Patons website, so I don't know if it is discontinued or if this particular Michael's stopped carrying it. There are three Lily Sugar'n Cream cotton skeins, two light blue and one cream. One Bernat Baby Coordinates in pink. One Vanna' Choice in Brick and one Fun Fur in Sandstone (Lion Brand). One Caron Simply Soft in Grey Heather.
Normally I try not to buy one skein of a color because I am afraid I can't use it, but most of these can be used with skeins of other colors from the same brand. These are all staple brands at Michael's (how I was able to tell what they were), so if I need to I can buy more. I figured I could make a baby item out of the baby yarn without needing more, and scarves, hats, or purses out of the rest, unless a bigger project comes along. The Sugar'n Cream is definitely enough to make a baby jacket with. At $1 each I couldn' pass these up! I'll make gifts out of most of it. There was a lot more yarn, but I didn't like any of it or it was still in the wrapper and I didn't want to spend more than a dollar on it. If you live in the Richmond area, check Michael's out before it's all gone!
Oh, and check out the cute free pattern I found. Too bad there weren't 3 more skeins of the Caron Simply Soft yarn; I could have made the shawl. I don't think I would want the shawl in grey anyway, but the grey goes very well with the brick red Vanna, so I may go look for a light weight dark red yarn to use with the grey. Vanna's is worsted weight and too heavy for matching with the Simply Soft, unless I was careful.

Next projects:
1) Socks for me: Knitting! I need to get a new set of DPN's - I have #4's and my swatch came out too big. I need #3's. Maybe eBay? Also, most of the patterns in the book I bought want sizes 0-3 DPNs. I found one elsewhere that took #4's since I had them already, but the needles are a size too big. Funny. It seems I crochet one hook size up for most patterns and knit one needle size down for at least this first pattern. Only time will tell if that will repeat.

2) A short sleeve cardigan for Mom: We picked out the yarn online, so now I have to wait for THAT as well. I'll post the pattern later.

3) Now I need something to keep me happy until I have needles for 1) and yarn for 2). AHH! I actually hung out with my friends on Friday without yarn in my hands! First time in 6 months! It felt wrong. I kept a laptop on my lap instead. I wasn't the only one, but still. I am thinking something with that skein of Bernat baby yarn I just bought.

Fredericksburg and STASH!

I went to Fredericksburg, VA today with my Mom. We stopped at the super Jo-Ann's, A.C. Moore's, Everything Cross-stitch (a cute little cross-stitch shop), and The Knitter's Corner. We made several other stops along the way home, like Home Depot, but nothing very interesting.

I love coupons! I had 40% coupons for Jo-Ann's and A.C. Moore's. I was able to get The Ultimate Sock Book by Vogue Kniting with the coupon. All magazines at Jo-Ann's are 10% off, so I bought the latest Vogue Knitting magazine. I saw the cover and some cute stuff inside the magazine so I had to get it. I only buy a magazine if I like something inside. That's why I don't do subscriptions anymore. Each crochet or craft magazine I ever had a subscription for had more editions with nothing of interest in them than editions with something I liked, so they were generally a waste of money. Turns out Agnes of Knitting in the Valley has already done the cardigan on the cover (very cute!)

I also bought 2 balls of sock yarn on sale from each store (except the cross-stitch store, obviously).

I have learned the stitches for knitting in the past year, but haven't done a real project yet. I plan to do a simple sock first in Deborah Norville Premier Yarn Serenity Sock Weight yarn in Chili colorway. I love that the yarn creates a pattern so that I can use a simple sock pattern. Knitting is turning out to be relatively easy to pick up, but I still need practice. I've been wanting to pick up knitting for a while now, but since I have been doing mostly projects as gifts for others I could not justify the time to learn. I can crochet pretty quickly normally, so it was an obvious choice. Now I have time for few projects for me, hence finishing the Special Effects bag.

Speaking of the Special Effects bag, I have added a row of stitches on three sides of the front and back panels, and am attempting to stitch the sides to that row. The last attempt proved that adding the sides of the bag directly to the panels ruined the "special effect" of the bag. I am almost half-way done with the sides, and so far I am happy with the results, but I won't be able to tell until it's done or almost done.

Frog It!

I am frogging the sides off of the Special Effects bag. I just finished the sides and stood back to look at it. I don't like how the whole thing looks. I need to add an edge to the three sides so that I don't lose the special effects image and I need to use both colors when making the sides, because just using black detracts from the side that is white on the outside.

Rippit!

toting along

I decided to add sides to the Special Effects bag. Originally the pattern just has the front and back panels whip-stitched together, and the handle crossing the seams. I am adding sides as wide as I want the handle, and the handle will just be a continuation of the sides. I will also finish the edge of the opening so that it has a thick edge that is sturdy enough for a lining. I'll give the directions for the changes when I am finished. I am starting the third side now, so it should be finished tomorrow or Wednesday unless I don't have time for it.

Arts in the Park

We went to the Arts in the Park at Maymont/Byrd Park in Richmond this morning. Normally we go on Saturday, but I had agreed to go to the Science Museum yesterday. Thanks to it being early Sunday and raining off and on all morning, the grounds weren't very crowded and parking wasn't insane like it usually is.

The Arts in the Park is an art show and contest and the proceeds from the booth rentals go to different charities each year. Each booth sells goods in addition to being able to enter the contest. I did not know until this year that there was a contest. The booths range from artwork to jewelry to plants. It takes about two hours to walk through the whole thing.

I am unemployed, so all I bought was soap. I only use natural soap, like goat milk soap, since I tend to react to normal soap sold in stores. I like the way natural soap smells better too, since it is made with essential oils for fragrance. Even though I still have half a bar of soap in my bath, I need to put it away and switch to scents that don't attract bugs now. During the cold months I use floral fragrances because they are my favorite and lift my mood during gloomy weather. During the warm months I switch to lavender, citrus, and other fragrances that repel insects, since they are a major problem here in Virginia.

I am currently finishing the Special Effects bag. I need to make handles and add a finished edge.

Science Connection

The Science Museum celebrated the 400th anniversary of Galileo using the telescope to gaze at the sky for the first time. There were lots of activities, and the students involved in the after-school science outreach program, Science Connections, were invited for free. I volunteered for the Science Connections program this semester, and was invited to come. I brought a friend and his son, since I was allowed to bring family and have no kids of my own. There was free pizza and bottle rockets and 5 hours of fun.

It turns out I was further along on the Special Effects bag than I thought. I already had six panels finished before I picked it back up the other day and I finished the remaining two panels by Friday evening. I am now constructing the bag from the panels. I am worried that I may lose power tonight, depending on how strong the storm is outside, so I may not be able to finish or post again tonight.

Does anyone besides me save the little tails of thread when they crochet? I know a lot of cross-stitchers save their threads to use for things like filling clear ornament balls or other projects, but have never heard of people saving their scraps of yarn. I figured they would eventually be enough to stuff something.

It's Done!!!

My Tweedle Dee shawl in Moda Dea Tweedle Dee in the Blue Heather colorway is finished! I finished it last night, but was too tired to post the pictures. Also, my internet has been flakey, and we can't figure out why. It works fine if you are hard-wired into the modem, but not when connected to either the new or old wireless router. Considering that my computer is upstairs, I am stuck sharing the downstairs computer.

The shawl took four skeins instead of the five I had planned, so now I have to figure out what to do with the fifth skein. No rush. It can sit in my stash until I am good and ready. I was thinking of making an afghan out of all the remnant yarn left over from the projects I have been doing. I made four scarves for Christmas and this shawl, plus odds and ends from projects I can't remember anymore. I have a terrible memory. I remember when I hold the leftover yarn or the project, but when I have neither, I forget. That's one of the reasons for this blog, a written memory.

I have already gotten back to the project I put aside for Christmas projects: The Special Effects bag in the Jan/Feb 2008 Crochet Today (pg 8-10). I think I will need to make a change to how the pieces are put together, so that the tote is actually useful. This first bag is in the black and white Red Heart Super Saver yarn as suggested, but I may make another one in different yarns.

I know there are yarn snobs out there who wouldn't use Red Heart, but the yarn is actually working well for this project. I am picky about my yarn for garments, but accessories can be made out of whatever yarn suits the project. Plus it was a cheap project - just two skeins of Red Heart!