New Crochet Book!

So I got this new book... and I think I like it. Kinda...

I really love some of the projects, and can't wait to get my hooks in them! For instance, I'm really excited for the Berry Baby hat and booties, by Chloe Nightingale. It looks like a really simple hat, almost exactly like her Secret Method hat. So I'm not quite sure why I bought the book, if I could get the pattern for free. But that's besides the point.

I'm also excited for the mitt by Kathryn Merrick. They look really easy, and I love that she's included instructions for bigger and smaller mittens.

I also can't wait to try the Ravissant Socks pattern by Robyn Cachula. They look easy and not too thick. Crochet socks often times become crochet slippers because we just make thicker stitches than knitters.

But there are somethings in this book, that although some might love them, I would never make. While I understand that every book can't be made for me, its a little frustrating that after spending $20 on a book, and thinking that all these patterns would be so much fun to make, getting home and realizing that I can't really make all of these patterns (either because I don't like them, or because they're actually meant for pregnant women, not me...).

I guess I should have read these patterns better, before I bought it.

Still though, I'm happy with the book. I love interweave's products and I know that the patterns are well written (not confusing and missing instructions... which is just frustrating and makes me REALLY angry).

I suggest looking into the book though. Its really great, and it supports your fellow crocheters.

Keep on hookin!

photo from interweavestore.com

A new blog to look at

So while I was goofing around on ravelry, I found a woman who makes the cutest stuffed animals. And now I have to share her site.

The Roman Sock is one of those blogs that you fall in love with the minute you start reading. But to add to it all she has the CUTEST squirrel ever.

I mean look at this thing! I just want to make it. But she hasn't put up the link but she did but up a how-to on brush crochet that is a must read. It will make your furry stuffed animals look fluffy and sweet.

Anyway, that's really all I wanted to write about.

Happy hookin!

photo from the Roman Sock

Moorish Mosaic Pillow

So, way back in October I said that I was going to work on the Moorish Mosaic Afghan from Interweave Crochet.

Well, true to my word, I got bored. And I stopped working on the blanket. But I did have a lot of motifs and I really didn't know what to do with them. Well then I took a look around my living room and I saw my ugly, red, Ikea pillows and then BAM! I knew what to do.

Thus: The Moorish Mosaic Pillow! I ADORE this pillow. Its pleasantly hippie but not overwhelming and its so nice to put my head on.

When I was a little girl, my mom had these amazing pillows that one of her relatives

before my time. I can't remember if it was my great aunt or my grandma but either way, the woman who made these pillows had skills. They were grannie squares, surrounded by black and then sewn together with a buttery soft black fabric on the back. I spent hours running my hands over these squares and fell asleep with my head resting on the work of my fore-mothers.

I want this pillow and the 2nd one that I intend on finishing, to pass down through my (future) girls and their daughters and beyond.

And that why I love yarn and doing what I do.

Wishlist Number 2

Oh how I enjoyed working with you Cascade 128. I used the Cedar and the Turtle. Mmmm.

So I told you guys that I would do a Two Buck Chuck Wishlist. Yeah. I suck. Its been awhile, and now its not in time for Christmas. But its here!

1. Vanna's Choice: So I've gone on at length on the wonders of Vanna's Choice. If you're gonna go cheap that this should be your choice. The colors are vibrant, the yarn is soft and easy to work with. Unlike other acrylic yarns, this one doesn't hurt my fingers when I use it at length. It doesn't itch and it doesn't feel cheap at all. This is the best of the best cheap yarn. In my humble opinion.

2. Sugar and Cream Cotton: So if you're looking for the best yarn for purses, wash clothes, towels and any other creations that needs a lot of sturdy yarn that's still easy to work with and isn't too stiff, this is your yarn! Sugar and Cream was my first yarn. I used a ton of it when my mom was just starting to teach me to crochet. Its great for beginners because you can see your stitches clearly and it holds up and to lots of frogging.

3. Patons: is lovely. Just lovely. My favorite is the Classic Wool. This yarn feels good and its felts really easily. There are some wools that take a few washings to felt up well, but in my experience with Patons, its felts easily. One wash and I have a felted stuffed animal. Which is great when you make a ton of animals and you don't have a lot of time for multiple washings. Its also sturdy. A kid can grab on the leg of your stuffed chicken and yank forever and Patons will stand up to it all, which is a good feeling when you're selling a lot of chickens.

4. Impeccable: This is a good all around yarn. Loops and Threads makes softer yarn, but the Impeccable yarn is great for household goods. Its heavy and thick and so its sturdy. I use it for kids toys because it's washable and durable and drool proof.

5. Knit Picks: So I love Knit Picks (I have some issues with them that I'll rant about later). Its a great site and their Wool of the Andes is by far the most affordable yarn on the site. Its great, if a little rough, but it works up really nice and its felts easily. Word of warning, they don't have a whole slew of colors at Knit Picks. You really have to settle sometimes, for a color that you don't actually want. But you're paying a really good price for high quality yarns, so you deal.

So that's my top 5 best affordable yarns. I hope you all had a great Holiday and that your 2010 is better than 2009. May all your yarn dreams come true!

Photo Credits: yarn.com, Lionbrand.com, Sugarncream.com, patonsyarns.com, michaels.com, knitpicks.com

Hat Ornament

So I have to do a Secret Santa at work this coming week and so I thought I'd do something really quick and really easy. Therefore: The Hat Ornament.

Here it goes. You'll need an H hook and some leftover worsted weight yarn.

To begin the hat, you can either use the magic ring method (click here for a how-t0) or ch 3 and then ss in the first stitch to make a loop.

Rd 1: sc 6 times in the loop (6)

Rd 2: sc twice in each st (12)

Rd 3: sc one in the first st, sc two in the next - repeat 5 times (18)

Rd 4: sc one in each st (18)

Rd 5-12: Repeat rd 4 (18)

Fasten off.

For the hanger just take a piece of scrap yarn, pull up through the top and tie into a loop. Double knot for extra strength.

To add on decorations you can put ear flaps like mine, or a bobble or you can put in stripes in the middle. These little guys can be easily customized into the perfect gift. Also, they double as beer bottle hats! Sweet!

Ho Ho Ho.

My Yarn Wishlist:

Oh how I love Christmas, and... yarn. God I love yarn. So here's my top 5 list of expensive yarns to use. I'll make a 2 buck chuck version next.

1. Manos Del Uruguay: This gorgeous yarn is so fun to work with. It moves with your hook, and it works up in the most interesting ways. Because its hand spun and hand dyed, no two skeins are the same, and it thickens and thins as you use it. Its never going to work up the same and no two projects will ever be the same. What's better though is who the company supports. The company is owned and operated by the women who spin and dye the yarns. They are a co-op that creates and sells the yarn made by hard working women for a fair price and its awesome.

2. Berroco: This yarn is amazing. Nuff said. But then you take into account how many different kinds of yarn this company puts out and you'll be stunned. From basic cotton to merino wool and all the way down to a linen blend that looks and feels like a pair of well worn jeans. This company has it all. Plus, the great thing about Berroco is you can try all their yarns and not go completely broke in the process. Always a plus.

3. Cascade: Cascade is a yarn unto itself. I think what I like the best about Cascade's skeins is that you get SO much for your money. And they don't skimp on the quality so you're paying for 2 buck chuck and you're getting 200 yards of high quality, beautiful yarn in every color imaginable.

4. Rowan: Rowan is a unique brand in my heart. They're yarn is gorgeous, and they're patterns are stunning but they are so expensive that I have a really hard time buying the stuff. They also seem a bit knit-centric with very little in the way of crochet patterns in all of their publications. But when this company puts out a magazine or a book its worth picking up just to look inside. They're stuff is to die for. I would die to be able to make the stuff they have and with their yarn. DIE I say.

5. Noro: This is probably my boyfriend's favorite yarn. And I have to say that its a fantastic yarn to work with. Its really very pricey, but the self striping effect added on top of the very unique color choices (I probably wouldn't choose to put any of the colors together that they do, yet somehow it always works when I buy their yarn). Plus you can felt it, or leave it be and always have an insane end product that will make even a knitter happy with your work.

So that's my list of the top 5 expensive yarns. Next up... the cheap ones! Yes!

Keep on hookin' my fine hookers.

All photos are from the website of the yarn producers. Click the links for more details.

Tube Gloves!

So I told ya'll that I would give you the pattern for my tube gloves. Which are awesome. And good lord, they are fast and easy.

Yarn: Lion Brand, Vanna's Choice

Hook Size: H

You can chain as many as you need to fit your arm length, and

make as many rows and you need to go around your wrist comfortably. Just make sure that the thumb hole goes in the middle. So if you do 40 rows, put the thumb at row 20 etc etc.

Ch 30

Rd 1 - hdc in each st, ch 2 and turn (30)

Rd 2 - hdc in the back loop only of each st, ch 2 and turn (30)

Rd 3- 17 - repeat rd 2.

Rd. 18 - hdc in first 24 sts, ch 3, skip 3 st, hdc in last 3 sts, ch 2 and turn (30)

(thumb hole)Rd. 19 - hdc in back loop of first 24 sts, hdc in next 3 sts, hdc in last 3 sts back loop. ch 2 and turn (30)

Rd 20-36 - hdc in back loop of each st ch 2 and turn (30)

At end of row 36, fasten off and leave a long tail (for sewing together). Then sew the tube together and you're set.

Take a 2nd color and use it to accent the thumb hole, and edges and you're good to go

If you have any problems with the pattern, or if it just doesn't want to work let me know and I'll fix it. I think it should work though.

**With the turn, I only ch 1 because my chains are loose, so if your edges are looking sorta loose and you're not liking the look, try ch 1 instead of 2.

Happy Hookin'!