Yarn Opinions

There are a lot of the yarn opinions that exist out there on the web.  There are arguments over to use acrylic yarns or not to use acrylic yarns.  There seem to be those who only knit with wool.  Some crafters only buy at craft stores while others must go to a yarn shop.  I tend to be more moderate.  I love wool, but I grew up in Texas and I understand when wool is just too warm.  There are acrylic yarns that feel like you are knitting with plastic, and then there are acrylic yarns that are soft and cuddly.  I have bought $40/ skein yarn and I've bought 99 cent yarn.

My principle opinion is that a yarn should be fit to the project and the receiver.  I like to use superwash wool or cotton acrylic (I like Lion Brand Cottonease) yarn for baby projects because these can be good yarns to knit with, they are soft to the skin, and they are washable.  Baby projects made with non-washable yarn don't get used.

I love alpaca for its softness, and I have used it for a sweater and a scarf.  I have about 200 yards of 100% alpaca left, and I'm thinking of making a cowl with it.  It feels soft and buttery against my neck, and it will definitely keep out the cold.  It is very stretchy, and the sweater I have is a wool-alpaca blend, otherwise I would be concerned that it would pull out of shape.  The wool definitely helps the fabric hold its shape.

I am knitting charity baby blankets using donated yarn from a local assisted living center, and the newer acrylics are much softer than the older acrylics.  Some of those older acrylics hurt my hands after a knitting for awhile although I do like to use the yarn versus throwing it away.  I was raised in a frugal family and I live in a frugal community -- which is a greener way of living so it is so much better to put the yarn to good use.  The softer acrylics can be a great option for those with allergies, and some of them have fuzzy halos that I use to replace rabbit fur (I'm allergic to rabbit fur).

What do you like to knit with?

Crochet Hexagon Blanket

A friend of mine had her second baby last March, and I wanted to make her a blanket.  Many times first babies are given lots of gifts, but after that, they aren't always given much.  Also, if the baby is taken care of, then I want to give the Mom a gift because she does all the hard work.  So I've been working on this blanket more for my friend than for the baby.  It is a lap blanket size, and usually I can get one out in a month or so, but crocheting causes my injured wrist to ache after about half an hour so it has taken me a year!  I'm working on building up the strength in my hand so hopefully this won't always be the case.

The pattern for the hexagons was found here.  I finished the edges by single crocheting several rows around the whole blanket.  I used Knit Picks Shine Worsted in Green Apple, Crocus, Terra Cotta & Fedora.  Shine is a yarn made out of cotton and modal.  It is soft with a silky texture and a good weight to it.  

Flower Coasters

Pattern: Springtime Coasters by Doni Speigle (found here)

This was another addition to my friend's birthday gift. These were very easy to make, and I could make 2 or 3 of them in an evening. Again I used scrap yarn that I think was either Sugar and Cream or Peaches and Cream and Lion Brand Cottonease. I really love Lion Brand Cottonease because it is so easy to work with. It is much easier on my hands than 100% cotton. Besides dishcloths, I have used it to make spring and summer baby blankets, and I think I might use it to make a summer cardigan someday.

Crochet Textured Dishcloth

I put together a birthday gift for a friend of mine, and since she has just moved into a new house, I thought I would make some functional, yet pretty items. The first was this crocheted dishcloth. I am not sure what brand of yarn this, but it is cotton. It is a really, simple pattern, but I liked it so much, I'm thinking of making one in green for my kitchen.

Pattern:

Chain an odd number of stitches the width desired.

Single Crochet in the second chain from the hook, and then in each stitch across row. Chain one and then turn.

Single crochet across row, alternating crocheting through the back loop and then the front loop.

Repeat last row until dishcloth is the size desired.

See it is so simple, functional, and pretty!

Shell Baby Blanket - Crocheted Shells

Yarn: Bernat Baby Boucle in Dust of Pink and Violet Blossom

Pattern: Crochet Shell -- I improvised this pattern. I alternated single crochet with 5 double crochets in one stitch.

This boucle yarn is soft and nubby. It is easy to work with although it is difficult to pull out if you make a mistake, and if you pull too hard, it will break.

This is a fairly mindless pattern repeat. It was a great project while watching tv.

Baby Blanket Blues

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft, various shades of White and Blue

Pattern: Moderne Baby Blanket found in Mason Dixon Knitting

I made this blanket for a dear friend and her baby. It was fun to make, and it just looks so beautiful. I'm very happy with the way it looks. Towards the end of the blanket, I did get a little tired of knitting row after row.

The edging is called arch and it is from Crocheting on the Edge by Nicky Epstein. It was simple, but I liked the way it completed the blanket. Since this blanket is for a boy, I didn't want the edging to be too feminine. Also, I don't like baby blankets to have too many holes where tiny fingers can get caught.


Also, I've been knitting through a bit of stash that consisted of Caron Simply Soft. I do like Caron Simply Soft because it is soft, washable, and inexpensive. It is sturdy and makes a blanket that can be used!


On the other hand, I have some beautiful yarns that I have waiting for me to make some lovely sweaters for myself. I've started to get a bit antsy to start knitting that yarn. I'm so looking forward to making myself something after months of knitting for everyone else. I love making things for the people I love, especially the ones who appreciate it. Since the cold weather has descended, I just don't have enough sweaters to keep me warm. The Malabrigo is calling my name.

Holiday Bolero

Yarn: mostly Caron Simply Soft
Pattern: Holiday Fantasy Bolero in November 2007 issue of Crochet!

This pattern was easy to follow, and I really enjoyed the fabric that this bobble stitch produced. I did lengthen the sleeves a bit for the intended recipient. This looked fabulous with a little bit of jewelry and a blank tank underneath. It would be perfect for a holiday party.

Poodle Princess

I'm finally had time to catch up on my blogging. All this week I'll be posting to let you know what I did during July. July was my month of trips. This poodle was the first project that I finished near the beginning of July. I have a friend with 3 daughters, and I making each of these girls an animal. The poodle was the first. I used a pattern off of the Lion Brand Yarn website. The pattern called for Lion Brand Ruffles Yarn. Unfortunately, they do not have Ruffles in pink, and my client really needed a pink poodle. So I improvised the ruffle. My inner perfectionist isn't sure about the ruffle, but overall I think the poodle is cute.

Car Personality

Since I describe a nondescript minivan, I like to add some personal touches so I can find my car in a large parking lot. At one time, I had made some fuzzy dice. They started to get a little frayed, and then my son tore them from the rear view mirror. This is what I came up with to replace the fuzzy dice. It is too large rosettes sewn together, and I found the pattern for the rosettes on the Lion Brand Yarn website.

Easy Baby Gift Idea

I literally crocheted these cuties in an afternoon. The pattern is called: Baby Beret and Mary Jane Booties and I bought it from here. It was a very quick baby gift.

Ta Da

My migraines have slowed down. This may sound a little strange, but what has helped is a magnesium powder that I add to hot water and drink before bedtime. It helps me to sleep deeply and no bad dreams either. I have finally uploaded all of my photos and in the following posts, I will show you what I have been doing.

This is my Willow sweater finished!!!! It fits great, except I didn't like the sleeve length so I added a little charcoal gray in a crochet ribbing. I coordinated a crochet slipstictch around the sweater edges and added gray buttons too. The green yarn is Lion Brand's Woolease Chunky in willow, and the charcoal is some leftover yarn. I think it is a chunky shetland tweed from Paton's, but I can't be sure. What do you think?

Cotton Candy

I am trying to use up some of my stash this week, and my 6 yo daughter always picks out this cotton candy pink. I'm trying to use up the last skein by making this really cute beret. If I have enough yarn, then I will make a muff to go with it. I'm sure that this will really contribute to her princess identity. I think that all 6 yo girls have a princess identity, and I really encourage it to an extent because once a girl hits puberty, she just thinks she's the ugly duckling.

Nana's Happy Hat

One of the quickest ways to satisfaction is to make a hat. I made this hat in a couple of days (a few hours while watching television). I am liking how it turned out, except I may work on the buckle a little more. This is the first time I worked with a bamboo yarn, and it is so soft and luxurious. I just find it amazing that this came from sticks. I bought this pattern from The Crochet Side. It was easy to follow.

Cross Crochet Washcloth

This week I have crocheted small projects to give myself a break from the sweaters that seem to be taking forever. Small Projects provide such wonderful instant gratification. Life has been full of emotional frustrations, and the quick, easy projects have really soothed my soul. I needed some encouragement that I could get something done. This small dishcloth provided me with something easy and yet I had never worked this pattern before so it was new. It provided me with the level of mental challenge that I needed while also providing those repetitions calmed my nerves.

Life and the effects it has on my Knitting

In the last 3 weeks, I have planned a baby shower and a birthday party.  I have had my in-laws down for a great visit.  Then this past week, the migraines hit.  All of this has had effects on my knitting.  Since all of this has affected my anxiety levels, it affects my knitting.  Knitting soothes my anxiety so I must knit to calm the savage beast, which rages inside my head.  At first I took it out on my willow sweater.  I analyzed and then frogged the whole thing, rolling the yarn into nice squishy balls.  I found a new pattern and I've knit the back and sides.  I've started on the sleeves.  I've bought a few books to add to my library, and I've been planning future knitting.  

My daughter, the lover of all dresses, has requested a pretty pink dress to replace the skirt that she has outgrown, and I passed on to cousins.  I've had some KnitPicks Shadow in my stash, and I've been looking for wrap / shawl patterns for it.  

Well, this is when the migraines hit, and I needed to knit to distract me, but I wasn't really capable of any complex mathematical skills or the fit concerns.  So I got out some cotton and crocheted a dishcloth, and then I started to knit a swatch from a stitch dictionary.  Pictures to follow.

Starting from the Center

I've started a new baby blanket for my future nephew. It is a crochet pattern of a star (Click here for the pattern). It starts in the center and goes round and round. Whenever I start a new pattern from the center, it takes me 2 or 3 tries to make sure the center is just the way I want it. I think the start of every project is important to get right, and it is worth the effort because this is the foundation upon which you are building your entire project. It is even more important when you are starting from the center because your eye will always be on the center while your eye doesn't always go to the bottom of a sweater. Also I prefer to crochet blankets, especially bigger blankets. The reason for this is simple: when you knit a project the entire weight of the project is on your needles while with crochet, only one stitch is on your needle so your lap carries the bulk of the weight.

Back to the Star Blanket, it is going well, and I think it will turn out really cute. This particular project didn't start with a center circle that you are crocheting into. When you make a hat from the crown down or a granny square, you often make a chain, join the chain ends together to form a circle and then crochet into the center. I recently found a great way to start this which makes the neatest, tight center circle. The answer is an adjustable circle. Click here to find out how to make it.