Crochet Me: The Blog

Crochet Cables

Toni Rexroat — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:28:43 +0000

Cables, crochet cables! I love the texture and homey elegance of crocheted cables. I have admired them from afar, played with creating cabled swatches for work, but never taken on a crochet cabled garment or accessory. I figured it was about time to jump in.

For my first cable project I chose the Stone Path Hat by Lisa Naskrent from the Winter 2007 issue. The skill level for this project is labeled experienced and it does require significant concentration for the first repeat of the cable. I am hoping and truly believe the repeats will be more intuitive. There is a beautiful stitch diagram which I found incredibly helpful, so don't let the experience level scare you away too bad if you have some crochet experience. Find a crochet buddy or visit your local yarn store for assistance.

I have the very top of the hat finished and have finished the very first repeat of the cable. I love the way the cables are building. Make sure you pay attention to the single crochets immediately preceding and following the cable as it is really easy to accidentally increase or decrease stitches here.
As I finish stitching this week, I would love to hear from some of you who have worked on this beautiful project. We can help each other as we go.
If you are looking for another project I would suggest trying the Sólás Caomh (a beautifully cabled baby blanket) from Spring 2009.
Best wishes,
Toni

Moorish Mania Goes On

Marcy Smith — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:46:50 +0000

Just can't get enough of the Moorish Mosaic Afghan!

I have about a dozen more motifs to do (one is partially done). But, since I have limited yarn here in Colorado (curses again on not packing more yarn!), I decided to start putting the motifs together.

Look:

Love it! The motifs come together very nicely, as the large and small motifs have the same number of stitches on each side. I'm joining them by holding the motifs right side together and slip-stitching through the outer loop of the outer rounds. Works up lickety-split.

I'm using the dominant color between two motifs to stitch a few seams at a time. For instance, see that maroon motif at the upper left? First I worked the seam between it and the big motif to its right, then the seam between the maroon and the little blue square, then the seam between the maroon and the one under it. Three seams and only two ends to weave in. Yahoo.

OK, now see that motif at the lower right? I just discovered it's the wrong motif (well, not WRONG, exactly, since it is MY afghan, but it's number 14 instead of number 9).

So I "unzipped" the seams (lots easier than pulling out whipstitch), evicted the motif and placed the real motif 9:

Better balance of color and pattern, don't you think?

(This also means that I won't be weaving in the seam ends until I'm sure my motifs are where they should be.)

Can't wait to see how your motifs turn out!

Happy crocheting,

Marcy

The Truth of the Matter

Marcy Smith — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:18:17 +0000

Dudes. I am so busted.

For a little context, first read this blog, where I extol the virtues of a little yarnwork to soothe frazzled nerves whilst on an epic travel day. Where I talk about I finished up four motifs for the Moorish Mosaic Afghan.

So I decided to further ease my frazzles more by weaving in the ends (did I tell you that I'm doing that after every motif? True. No danglies at all).

And here is what I discovered:

The one on the bottom I did while waiting in the RDU airport. The one on top I finished as we were descending into DEN. The two in the middle, I did in between. You will have to trust me that they are squared on top of one another (iPhone has its limits in capturing nuance).

Do you see?

My gauge tightened as the day went on. I was so not relaxed. Rather than letting the crochet ease my tension, I was funneling my angst into the crochet.

For real perspective, here is the final motif of the day atop a motif worked at home, in front of the curiously calming NCIS:

Look at that! At the increases, it's even rippling (more like whimpering).

I see some serious blocking in my future.

Yours in crochet truth,

Marcy

Travel Mosaic

Marcy Smith — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:07:14 +0000

It's presstime in Loveland, which means this editor hit the road today.

Sock-it-to-me fog in Raleigh, NC, and snow in Denver conspired to make this a challenging travel day. Lots of delays and cranky co-passengers.
The delays were unpredictable and mostly secret—we found out about further delays in 10- to 20-minute increments. (If you travel often enough, you know what I'm talking about.)

But we crocheters have secrets weapon against travel angst: yarn and a hook. (I also espied a knitter knitting away, an oasis of calm amongst the delayed passengers.)

So, remember those motifs I "premade" for the Moorish Mosaic Afghan by Lisa Naskrent (Interweave Crochet Fall 2009)?

Done:

(They're not looking their best—rumpled from travel, shot with an iPhone in a motel room. I'm feeling kind of rumpled my own self.)

And, I have the sequence for another motif to make with the purple, pumpkin and blue (btw, if you're using Lisa's color choices, you won't find purple—I substituted it for the mist color. I like purple). Plus I can make a few of the smaller square motifs, as long as the blue holds out (darn! why didn't I pack more blue yarn? If I just left out things like pants or a shirt, I could pack more yarn!)

Obsessed I am.

Can't wait to see how your afghan is shaping up!

Happy crocheting,

Marcy

Scarf Up Warmth

Marcy Smith — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:57:25 +0000

In today's CrochetMe More enewsletter, I allow as how I don't have a crocheted scarf to call my own. I'm working on fixing that.

Look:

This scarf began life as a swatch for a project in Interweave Crochet's forthcoming winter issue (Wait 'til you see the whole project!). It's worked in superlight but warm Tahki Dove.

Light, easy yarn + fun pattern + size I hook (with lots of air in each stitch) = I'll be wearing this puppy soon!

Have a favorite scarf pattern? Do share.

All good stitches,

Marcy

Legal Battle with Chanel over Crochet Design

Kim Werker — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:00:51 +0000

A French woman who owns a company that provides tailoring and stitching work to high-fashion houses is suing Chanel, alleging they stole one of her company's crochet designs.

Carmen Colle filed the suit over four years ago and it's just going to trial in France now. She told the Guardian, "It is not just World Tricot at stake. It is the recognition of small
businesses and their creations," she said. "[Big names] treat us as
things they can take up and then throw away. It's a shame for them. The
greatness of a country, and the greatness of a brand, is the respect it
shows for its petites mains."

The article is worth a read. I'll certainly be watching closely for the decision.

(Hat tip to Amy, who tweeted a link to the article.)

Moorish Mania

Marcy Smith — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:55:42 +0000

I am a crocheter obsessed.

When it comes to crochet projects, I often eagerly take on a project. Then it falls by the wayside in favor of another new project. It's a hazard of the job.

There was every chance that the Moorish Mosaic Afghan by Lisa Naskrent from the fall issue of Interweave Crochet would meet the same fate. But not so.
I have been working feverishly on this. Look:

That's a mountain of motifs! I've done about a third of the blanket (and made three more since I took this picture a few days ago).

Part of the trick, I think, has to do with those little cards I made. I pull out a card and just work the colors as they come up. I don't know what the motif will look like until I'm making it. It's a little thrill.

I've also "premade" some motifs for an upcoming trip to Loveland (lots of good crochet time in the airports and on the airplane--especially if the pilot overshoots the airport and gives an extra hour, you know). For the "premake," I find motifs that have color change in just the first few rounds, then just one color in the outer rounds. I work the first rounds, then put it and the needed ball in a travel bag. So I have to carry only one ball of yarn to finish up.

One side-effect of all this crocheting is that I've developed a wicked addiction to NCIS. I first catch up on my weekly Knitting Daily, then I find the omnipresent NCIS marathon. My new mantra: Just one more show.

How's your afghan coming along?

All good stitches,

Marcy

When You Care Enough to Give Silvered Lace

Kim Werker — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:04:26 +0000

Check this out. Etsy seller WhiteFly casts actual vintage lace in sterling silver, then molds it into a bracelet cuff.

Start saving your pennies now.

(via @etsy)

Quick Crocheted Gifts: Orchard Mitts

Toni Rexroat — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:42:45 +0000

I have begun my countdown—so many gifts to make and so little time until they need to be mailed or delivered. I want gifts that can be completed quickly but that don’t look like quick projects but like a gift of my time. With the cold winters around here I think the Orchard Mitts from the Fall 2009 issue are going to be a hit. I can finish a pair in about 3 hours which fits my schedule perfectly, and the canvas of the perfect spike stitch sparks my creativity. I have started a third pair, each pair is slightly different. I chose a single color for the mitts but added a border of a variegated yarn.

You can achieve a beautiful finished piece by embroidering on the top of a finished crochet fabric. I haven't done a great deal of embroidery, but a simple flower seemed like a fabulous idea. You can either freehand a design or find one to copy on the internet or from a book. I found a picture and attempted to use it to inspire my freehand version.

I will finish up the embroidery this week and share finished pictures next week. I would love to hear your ideas on how to modify or embellish the Orchard Mitts pattern or see pictures of your own pieces.
Best wishes,
Toni

The Motif Wallpaper

Marcy Smith — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:55:48 +0000

Last week, Kim Werker wrote about some cool wall art: Framed doilies.

So, I thought I'd introduce you to my dining room walls.

It started with a ball of sangria-colored thread, a copy of the Harmony Guides Crochet Stitch Motifs and a bit of stress that needed relieving. Next thing I knew, I had a pile of motifs.

So I fetched out the tape and this happened:

then this:

Soon, the children were scanning the walls at breakfast every morning to see what new motif went up in the night.

I've settled back on making the motifs, but they remain, cheery souls that they are, like impossible Mexican snowflakes or something.

Here's a closer look at some of the ones that make me happiest:

Happy crocheting,

Marcy