Category: Blog

I am sad to say that I’m a bit ashamed of my infrequency in posting. Of course it has nothing to do with the fact that I have a part-time job, go to school full-time, sometimes like to sleep and maybe knit and crochet a bit. These are just excuses!

So I am making a pledge. For the month of September, I pledge to post at least twice a week, with at least one of the posts containing pictures. I’ve finished a lot of projects, started even more, so I have plenty of things to take pictures of and talk about.

This is Post One for this week.

I was looking through my pics from last month to see if there was anything I forgot to post. Here is what I came up with:It’s a blanket I started for a baby gift, but I didn’t get it finished in time. Sooo, it goes on the pile for blankets to be donated. I really am going to donate the blankets. I have two of them ready to go, I just need to make sure the drop-off spot near me is still a drop-off spot before I lug them out in this heat. By lugging, I mean taking them on a bus for an hour, carrying them around classes, then back on the bus before I can drop them off. So, hence the reason why they are still in my room. But enough about my procrastination.

I truly am buried in yarn. I have been trying so hard to work on the forlorn projects stashed around the “yarn area” in my room. Unfortunately, school has started again, so most of my current projects are not portable. Which means that I have had to start new projects just to take with me while I’m away at classes. So far, I’ve started a new blanket project of granny-style squares that are easy to carry around and work on in between classes. I also have bought some wonderful Lion Brand Wool-Ease Chunky, a yummy blend of thick wool and acrylic, in two shades of green for a cabled blanket that I will be starting soon. By soon I mean as long as I can stand not starting the project before I push away the guilt of all the other unworked projects and start it anyway. Here’s a picture of what the afghan will look like:Isn’t it pretty? I just love this pattern, which I found out is made in strips, then sewn together. This fact makes it even better for carrying around, which I plan on doing in a few weeks. I can’t wait to get my fingers through the yarn and start working it. Next to wool, Lion Brand Wool-Ease is wonderful yarn and one of my favorite favorites.

I’m buried in yarn and do NOT need rescuing.

It’s the hottest part of the summer, and I am itching to finish my blanket projects. I am suffering from a severe case of Finish-Up-Itis, as diagnosed by the Yarn Harlot. All I want to do is finish up all of my current projects before I start anything new, so that maybe I can start a better habit of only having one or two projects going at one time. The progress is slow, however, due to the fact that I am trying to finish up blanket projects, none of which are near completion. I currently have four blanket projects in progress, and I’m not sure how long my symptoms of Finish-Up-Itis will sustain me.

The first one that needs to be finished is a blanket I call “Purple Sunset.” The original pattern is called “California Sunset,” but since mine only uses purple, it seemed appropriate to change the name. The yarn is Perfect Match Caron, which I am in love with right now. It is really soft for an acrylic without being as thin or slippery as the Simply Soft. This blanket is for a friend. It has nearly doubled in size since the picture, and now measures 30 inches, so I’m halfway done.The second blanket I am working on is the green ripple that I previously posted about. I have made minimal progress since the last time I posted, but will get started on it again as soon as I can.The third blanket that I am working on has gone through many phases lately. I started with a couple of miters in black and red, then decided that I would try one big miter. I cast on around 250 stitches to start. After twenty or thirty rows, I decided I didn’t want to make a big miter like this in just the two colors. So, it’s been frogged. I decided to stick with the three small miters I have already.I’m going to make one more little miter and sew them together to make a center square. Then I’m going to make the blanket bigger log-cabin style by adding rows of garter stitch in patches of color around the center squares. I haven’t decided what I will do with this blanket once it is finished. That seems to happen a lot when I make blankets.

The fourth blanket I am working on at the moment is a Christmas blanket (no, I don’t have pictures yet). I have had some leftover Christmas yarn for going on two or three years (I can’t remember, maybe I don’t want to remember). I decided it was time to put it to use after I found a cute pattern that is made up of large flower/granny squares. So far I have one strip of five squares done, which measures approximately 50 inches. I think the blanket will be more of a decoration/lap blanket. I just couldn’t resist starting it, even though I already have a bunch of other projects going. I want a Christmas blanket, and I want it before Christmas.

I have two more blankets waiting to be started, both of which will be attempts at reducing The Stash. I’m not sure The Stash will be happy once I start my stash-lowering endeavors. I just keep reassuring It that one day It will be a beautiful blanket, but The Stash just glowers.

My favorite thing to make, whether knit or crochet, is blankets. Lately, though, my love of blankets has reached a level of mania right under my mania of Harry Potter. Unfortunately, living in Arizona makes blanket-making an uncomfortable venture, but it doesn’t seem to stop me from making blanket after blanket. I always have an afghan in progress, whatever else I may be working on. I like all kinds of blankets, all sizes, all colors, all patterns.

So as the first installment, I will discuss the Ripple. I have made other ripples before, as published on this post. I have also mentioned that the Ripple was one of my grandma’s favorite things to crochet and has now become one of my favorites.

Using Jan Eaton’s book 200 Ripple Stitches–the epitome of Ripple sources, in essence, the Rippler’s Bible–I made an lapghan a couple of weeks ago that is now one of my all-time favorite blankets.

The Pink Ripple pattern gives the afghan a nice, airy feeling. I can sleep with this afghan on my bed during the summertime without getting overheated.I used a size K crochet hook for this ripple, which seems to be my favorite hook size for ripples lately. I like how fast the blankets make up when I use a larger hook. 
I am also working on a ripple in a variegated yarn to donate to Project Linus. I didn’t want to have to use another color, so I altered the Soft Waves pattern to give it texture. I crochet in the back loops only of each row to give it depth without altering the pattern significantly. It makes the rows stand out without taking away from the color of the yarn. For this blanket I am using a size I crochet hook, so a few smaller from my normal Ripple hook size. The yarn is so soft and lightweight that I can still stand to have it on my lap during the summer.

More blankets to come.

Don’t worry, I’m not going to spoil the ending for anyone who might be still reading their copy of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows. Just thought I would preface with that so those who read my blog will continue to read this post.

I did go to a book store on Friday night at midnight for the release of the seventh installment. My parents braved the crowd with me to wait in line for my book. Luckily it only took us about twenty-five minutes once midnight hit, so we were out of there before anyone could spoil it for everyone. I came home, grabbed some midnight stash and started reading. It took me almost exactly twelve hours to read the book from start to finish. I’m still trying to catch up on sleep from staying up all night.

Leading up to The Deathly Hallows debut, I decided to put my needles together Molly Weasley-style and do my knitterly thing. (I was disappointed that the book Charmed Knitting:Projects for Fans of Harry Potter didn’t contain more patterns for simpler blankets, like the patchwork stash blanket that Ron uses at Hogwarts throughout the movies. Not that I don’t love the book, I think some of the design are brilliant, I just probably won’t ever make the Weasley Clock Blanket. But I digress.) I wanted to have a nice snuggle-ghan to read with that would also show allegiance to Harry, so I came up with this design, which I call “House Unity”:It is a combinations of knit and crocheted squares, which further combines the House Unity theme. It also uses the four house colors-Scarlet and Gold, Green and Silver, Blue and Bronze, Yellow and Black.The striped Griffyndor and Slytherin squares are knit and the checkered Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff squares are crocheted.I crocheted the squares together to give it a patchwork look, as well as make for a strong join.
It took me a little over a week to make this blanket. After I sewed all the squares together, I added a thick border that alternates colors and rows of half-double and double crochet.This is one of my many favorites. It fits my lap perfectly, just the right size to cover my legs when curled up with my Harry Potter books, or the many other books that I read. (I keep reminding myself that there are still books after Harry Potter, now that I’ve finished reading them for now.)

Molly Weasley is probably my favorite, besides Harry of course. Who wouldn’t love the woman who knits sweaters for her family members each year for Christmas?

I got my first package from my secret knitting pal in the mail today. It made my day to find this little box waiting for me, which has traveled all the way from Norway. Unfortunately since the package was sent overseas, my pal had to disclose her name. But I don’t mind and I love the things she sent me. I got some really unique things.Here’s the package contents:

• Fruit candies that I think are called “Drammensdrops” (they are kind of like “Jolly Ranchers”)
• A little tin with fruit-flavored mints (they are yummy)
• Cute magnet with my initials
• A miniature sheep figurine (I love sheep)
• A miniature Norway souvenir calender with pictures of Norwegian Landscape
• A beautiful little pair of mini socks I’m sure my secret pal knitted
• 2 50gram skeins of “Inca” ultra-soft, super-fine alpaca in bright pink
• A cute vintage-style square box that holds all the contents
• A postcard from my secret pal

The little socks are so cute. They are just big enough to fit on my index finger to give you an idea of size. I can’t believe she made these little guys. It must have been difficult, I imagine.
This picture cannot do justice to this yarn. The super-fine alpaca is so soft and such a beautiful shade of pink. These are my first two skeins of alpaca ever and I’m really looking forward to working with this yarn. I plan to make a lace shawl or scarf.

Thank you so much secret pal; I really love everything you sent and your package made my day.

I am so excited right now. I’m enjoying my job at Michael’s and I am part of a secret knitting pal exchange through facebook. I just got my pal’s name two days ago, and I already have some things for her package as well as so much more planned. Since I can’t talk about it in case she sees my blog, I thought I would post some things about me that might help my secret pal. Here are some things I think my pal might find interesting (for those reading who are not my secret pal, here are some interesting tidbits about me):

I work at Michael’s Craft store. I just started working here and it has been so much fun. I really want to collect a bamboo needle set, but the needles are sold separately at Michael’s. So far, I only have a pair of dpns size 8 in bamboo, and I love them.

I use acrylic, especially Caron Simply Soft. I make blankets for charity that are required to be from acrylic, so I already have a lot of acrylic. I would welcome any yarn, but hope for new brands I’ve never tried before (which is mostly anything that can’t be found in Michael’s or Walmart).

I am just getting into the fiber world, so I don’t know that much about brands. Right now my favorite brand is Cascade 220, but I’m also interested in merino and alpaca. I like Lion Brand wool ease and classic wool, as well as Patons classic wool. I would, however, like to try new brands and better yarns. I don’t really like cotton unless it is mercerized. I have sensitive skin, therefore, I don’t think mohair would agree well with me. I do fine with wools.

I will be a senior in college this year, and I want to make a lace shawl throughout the entire year as a special project to work for my senior year. I have just started my first lace project and I am already loving it. I want to get some really nice alpaca lace or fingering weight yarn in a pastel color (blue or purple) to make a circular or triangular lace shawl.

I’m a writer, so I love composition books, legal pads, notecards, and cheap Bic pens. I read constantly and have quite a library. I shop at Border’s Bookstore. I am also a huge Harry Potter fan, but I already have Charmed Knits.

I do not like Starbucks. Odd, I know, but I am a Jamba Juice girl. My favorite Jamba is Strawberries Wild (I love strawberries, as I mentioned). There is one on campus, so I frequent it often.

Here is a list of more specific colors I like: blue (all shades), purple (all shades, including and especially fuchsia), pink (all shades), melon colors, oranges (except for burnt orange), greens (except olive tones), creme and white but I don’t use them that often, ruby red (my grandma’s favorite color, so it has sentimental value), black as an accent color, yellow (all shades).

I hope this helps and I can’t wait for my first package. I love surprises, and I am looking forward to getting real mail.

The last post I made mentioned a contest I had found through the No End in Sight Ripple Along. I’m so happy because I won! I will be getting free yarn and other knitting-related goodies from a generous knitter who wanted to celebrate her birthday by destashing. Brave woman. I don’t think the word “destashing” should be anywhere near my stash. It might get ideas. Speaking of stash, my yarn stash has been growing substantially thanks to my new job at Michael’s. Yes, I am now employed at Michael’s and I have already worked three shifts, bought two books, and brought home two large bags of yarn to the horror of my dad (if he only knew how large the stash was, it would be hazardous to his health). One of the books I purchased is called Hot Knits by Melissa Leapman and features thirty sweater/cardigan patterns.The author/designer has appeared several times on Knitty Gritty, so I recognized some of the sweaters, including one she wore herself. It may seem strange to buy a sweater pattern book in the middle of summer time, in Phoenix Arizona, but that can’t stop me from making a sweater. The store I work at keeps the temp nice and cool for the customers, but rather cold for a weakling like me. So, I need a new sweater. And a new sweater calls for new yarn! I purchased eight skeins of Lion Brand Homespun in Fuchsia. It was on clearance, originally $4.49 marked down to $2.00 and I got an additional .50 off with my 25% discount. And of course I had to buy eight skeins, even though I technically only needed six, because I can’t be too careful with clearance and the potential to run out and not be able to finish the beautiful sweater I have planned.

I am also working on a ripple afghan in a single variegated yarn to donate to Project Linus. It will make the third one I have crocheted. I haven’t had a chance to drop them off yet, but I will make sure to take pictures before I do. I know they will go to good homes. For now, the ripple is hanging out in my oversized purse and accompanies me everywhere. (Yes, my purse is large enough to carry normal purse stuff, plus a one-pound skein of yarn and the work-in-progress, which happens to be an afghan, and a book. Don’t judge me.)

For Wendy’s graduation, I knit something to go along with the theme of the party: mermaids. I knit the mermaid from the book Dream Toys. I crocheted a little crab to go along with the doll with no pattern (go amigurumi-style toy-designing!). When my little cousin Karee saw the mermaid and crab, she fell in love with them. You see, her favorite Disney Princess is Ariel and she loves mermaids. Later that night, I let her hold the mermaid and then let her keep the mermaid and the crab. I now have to make another mermaid for Wendy and a Belle doll (based on the princess pattern shown on the front cover with minor color adjustments) for cousin Khloe.I used Sugar and Creme 100% cotton in orange, blue, pink, creme, and variegated green/yellow/blue for the mermaid. I’m not fond of this cotton, but it turned out fine, and I will be using it to make the next two dolls. A friend at the party was amazed that I could knit a mermaid. I love what she said to me: “I can barely knit in a straight line to make a scarf, and here is Jenn knitting mermaids. I want to knit mermaids.”

I finished crocheting 15 granny squares to donate to the Hokie Healing Project for victims of Virginia Tech. This project is a wonderful testament of a community coming together to help in a time of sadness and aid in healing. A community of knitters and crocheters who knew that they needed to make blankets. I mailed the package off to Virginia, and now the squares are waiting to be sewn together with other squares. The blankets will first be displayed in a museum, then they will be donated to the families affected by Virginia Tech tragedy. I decided to make granny squares because I knew they would help balance out the other much more complex squares that people were making. The granny square is timeless and synonymous with warmth and love. You can see pictures of the squares people donated to the Mosaic Yarn shop and other stuff here.
It’s wonderful to think that I am a part of something of this magnitude, that my fifteen little squares will be part of a wooly memorial. The healing power of yarn.

It took me one week and one day to make this blanket for a friend of mine back at the end of April/beginning of May. In order to use up some of my scrap yarn, I used two main colors of three rows each, with one row of scrap yarn in between. That way, if I only had a little bit of something left, I only had to do one row with that color. The finished size came out to be approximately 40×60″, perfect size for a lap blanket. I really liked the way it came out and my friend was speechless when I gave it to her. I didn’t know what her favorite colors were, so I picked something I knew I would like, and it was perfect. She teaches, so she keeps the blanket in her office to wrap up with when it gets cold in the building. I really liked the Soft Waves pattern a lot. I found the pattern to be easier to use with a larger size hook, which helps the project go really fast and makes the fabric drape really well. For this afghan, I used a size K, which seems to be my hook of choice right now because I made another ripple using size K that I also love, love, LOVE. I don’t have pictures of that one finished, but it turned out beautifully, as a gift for myself (hey, I can’t give all my ripples away). I even put an edging around the finished piece, which I thought might not work, but ended up making the afghan absolutely perfect. Ripple afghans seem to be hard to put edges on; you have to find just the right one to balance the ripples in the body of the afghan. So far, I have made three ripples to date, I am almost finished with my fourth ripple, and I have plans for another one already. There truly is no end in sight for my ripples.