We learn to do a simple cast on at the beginning of our knitting career. For me it was the backward loop. When we are new knitters we are so happy to get through a row that we don’t necessarily investigate other cast on options. I just downloaded a free ebook from knitting daily entitled The Essentials of Casting-On and Binding-Off. The book shows various methods of both and suggests uses for each. Pictures show you what each looks like which I find very helpful. If you subscribe to knitting daily they periodically offer nice little books like this. If you don’t subscribe yet, take the time to do so. They are a great source of information for knitters.
Category Archives: Crazy for Crafts
Crochet Thursday – Love of Crochet Magazine
I don’t want to talk about the frogging I did yesterday. All the ways back to the six border rows. So today I purchased a subscription to a magazine by the people who publish Love of Knitting. Love of Knitting is one of my favorite magazines. It always has a variety of patterns at different levels and I always find myself trying at least one. So when they sent me an email about their crochet magazine I was interested.
One of my recent goals is to improve my crochet skills. I think I’ve found a pattern to try in the Spring 2013 issue of the magazine.
It looks simple and I’ll let you know when I get started with it. I’m looking through my stash for yarn to do this project. Should have enough. We’ll see.
Sunday Weekly Review
Well this week I was determined to start and finish Building Block #7
Block # 7
from Knit Purl Hunters afghan book.
Building Blocks by Knit Purl Hunter
I went to my group class with Kari the wonder woman at my Local Yarn Store Knitknack in Maplewood, NJ and thought I had it all down. Well for some reason it turned out to be harder than I thought. I put a large F in the word frog this week. A four row pattern and I had to start over three times before I got it right. In row three you reduce ten stitches and in row four you put them back. I had a different number of stitches every time I did row three and four. Well I think I finally have it down. We’ll see.
My Block # 7
Friday Night Reading Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer 2013
I saw a preview of this magazine early last month. Even though I said I was through with magazines, I waited impatiently for my LYS Knitknack in Maplewood, New Jersey to get copies of it. When I went to my monthly building block class Wednesday they had it.
Among other patterns there is one for a black and white dress that I love.
And a really cute cardigan.
I can’t wait to start on one or the other. I’ll let you know. There are so many pretty patterns in this book I was really impressed.
Monday Yarn Review – Captiva Yarn by Berroco Yarns
Today I knit and crocheted swatchs with Captiva yarn by Berrocco. The yarn is 60% cotton, 23% polyster, 17% acrylic. The colorway is #5520, which is called Honey. The yarn is shiny and would make a nice necklace or bracelet or can be knit or crocheted into a dressy top. It comes in a 98 yd. hank and a size 8 knitting needle and H crochet hook are recommended. I would say that the yarn is about a dk weight.
I love the way the yarn looks but wasn’t so impressed by the way that it works up particularly how it knit. Even with the acrylic and polyester, the cotton stretched and some of the stitches were elongated. I believe that I would try the jewelry before I would make clothes with it. It comes in beautiful colors.
knitted piece
Crocheted Piece
Sunday Weekly Review
Mikey from the Crochet Crowd released his new Afghan Challenge using Red Heart yarn and their Ocean Waves pattern. I think that I am going to make this one. It will be fun to see the different combinations that people come up with. It will also be the first afghan that I finish. That’s of course if I stick with it.
I crocheted a small pouch for my purse because I always have to scrape the bottom looking for my necessary small objects. I am attempting to line it and we’ll see how that goes.
Pouch for my purse
It’s time for my next building block square and as usual, I haven’t finished the March square. Usually it doesn’t take more than a few hours so I should be able to finish tomorrow or Tuesday.
March building block square
Saturday Research — Pinterest Yarnie tips and tricks
I ran across a great a wealth of information that can be very helpful to yarn crafters. The Source is a Pinterest board belonging to Coggie TM entitled Yarnie tips and tricks. Coggie TM has taken the time to put this together and I know that you will find something there that is valuable to you! Take a look.
Sunday Weekly Review – Crafters Block
I need to set some crafting goals. I am floundering. I have four or more things on my needles and hooks and may never finish them if I don’t set some deadlines. I also want to sell some things so that I can buy more yarn and start all over. If you have followed my blog for any length of time you’ll know that I have said this for a while and still, no progress. There is a block to my crafting success. I am open to suggestions on steps I should take. Any suggestions?
Friday’s Read – Crochet! magazine
The cover of this issue really caught my eye. The Vivaldi throw is so beautiful I can picture it on my couch. It is a series of flowers and squares put together. The effect is really interesting. While I am just past the beginners stage in crochet, I think that I may attempt this one. Has anyone made it?
Crochet is my Impatient Craft
Sometimes I need immediate gratification. While I love knitting, most of my knitting projects need time and patience. So this week I have been crocheting. I started making granny squares using several squares that I have seen as inspiration.
Last night my Bergen Crafter buddy Cynthia taught me how crochet the popcorn stitch. To me this is equal to the knitted bobble. I like it. So on with my “I must have something to show right now” project. If I can only stay awake this evening to do it. Lol!
Latest Project
