Woolhoo: I Won!

I love contests, and having had several here at CrochetingWithDee.com, I do love the reactions of the "OMG! Me?!!" and "Whoohoo(s)!" when I announce the winners.  Now it's my turn to be on the receiving end! {{VBG}}

Since writing my blog entry about the Connecticut Sheep & Wool Fiber Festival, I've been curious what others thought about it too.  To find out, I used the Technorati website/search engine to find other blog entries using key words like "CT Sheep & Wool" and "Connecticut Sheep & Wool."  Delightfully, I found several all stating the same thing as I did -- that it's not a big event, but it is one worth checking out (and whetting the appetite for the much larger Sheep & Wool events).

So in exploring all the blogs I saw one blog had announced they were having a contest -- it was one of the vendors!  The contest stated to send them an email and tell them what color the building was that they were in at the recent CT Sheep & Wool.  I decided to give it a try, and not only was my answer correct, but then when they did a random drawing of all the correct responses -- I won!  Whoohoo!  Check out what I picked as my prize: "Dark amber flat disc buttons with subtly shimmering heathery swirls" hand made by Glastonbury Glassworks!    Woolhoo indeed!  :D
Tags: crochet, ct sheep & wool, connecticut sheep & wool, glastonbury glassworks, contest

Question From Reader: Beginner Garment Help

Dear Dee,

I recently purchased the book "So Simple Crochet" by Melody Griffiths because I am a new crocheter and want to try making items other than scarves.

There is a pattern in the book called "Shimmery Tank Top" that I'm thinking of making since it looks like it's made out of double crochets.  Can you tell me how to change yarn colors, and how would I substitute the Sirdar Duet that the pattern calls for to use something else? Also how do I figure out if it will be comfortable to wear?
Thanks!
Your blog fan,
Allison

Hi Allison,
I love getting to know who my readers are; thank you for contacting me with your questions about changing colors, yarn substitutions, and figuring out if an item will be comfortable to wear.

First, let me state that upon reading your email I checked my personal library and found I do have this book!  The tank top you mentioned looks like it would be a fairly easy project -- a great project for a beginner crocheter to try!  So, let's start with your first question: How do you change colors?

I think the best way to change colors is to crochet your pattern stitches until you get to the very last stitch required with the old color.  Begin that last stitch with the old color until you come to the point of the very last yarn over ... instead of yarning over with the old color, you'll want to yarn over with the new.  Once you pull the yarn over with the new color through the loops on your hook you're ready to start crocheting!  Leave long tails (4" -6") to weave in later.  Anniesattic.com has little video clips you can watch on your PC for free -- including on how to change fibers as I just described.

Moving on to question #2: How to substitute yarn.  If you look at the pattern, it will give you a gauge.  It is very important that crocheters work up at least one swatch to ensure they're meeting the required gauge to ensure the garment will fit.  This means, Allison, that you can use whatever fiber you'd like as long as you meet the gauge required for your project!

And this leads me to the answer for your third question: How do you know it will be comfortable to wear?  Ah -- the swatch holds the answer!  I just stated moments ago that you should work up at least one swatch, but really, I recommend creating two!  The first swatch will act as your control.  As you are working it up, take note if you like the way the fiber feels slipping through your fingers and looping over your hook.  If you're not happy with the feel at this point in the project, then pick another fiber to try.  We crocheters tend to finish projects with fibers that make our fingers happy!

Second, work up that second swatch I strongly recommend and then "beat it up!"  Throw it in the washer/dryer for a few cycles and then, since you're a girl, tuck it under your bra strap for a few hours.  The second swatch will tell you how well the fibers held up, the color fastness, AND if it will be comfortable against your skin!  If you're not happy with the results, then pick another fiber and try again.  If you are happy with the swatch results then you made a great choice!

Happy stitching,
~Dee

Gardening Daydreams

The children and I visited our local nursery to pick out various items to grow in our re-claimed garden bed.  As we strolled around looking at everything from seed packets to bricks (and everything in-between!) I allowed my mind to daydream just a bit about exploring two crochet theme categories:  one is mac-cro-mé (the blending of crochet and macramé), and the other crocheted veggies.

First, I was thinking that the mac-cro-mé  might come in handy in creating a sort of trellis for when the tomatoes grow big and heavy.  Of course since the plants are only a few inches high, exploring these thoughts can wait a bit.  I decided to let my thoughts wonder over to the other category: crocheted veggies.

Growing items by seed or startlings can be quite rewarding.  But, being one that has not quite acquired a totally green thumb yet, I know I'm going to need all the help I can get in determining what is planted where -- and what is and what is not a weed.  So, I was thinking that perhaps some crocheted veggies might work well as a "labeling" system.  (Surely I am not alone in thinking this, right?) I was thinking a crocheted carrot, corn, tomatoes, eggplant, squash and so on, would look great, and if made out of cotton, would last a few seasons (and might I add, also be machine washable for winter storage).  Of course something like the veggies created by LadyLinoleum could also be helpful in keeping an "eye" on the deer & birds who might want to munch on my tender plantlings & fruits of labor ...

... but thanks to Astaryth, I just might want to also keep a snake around too, you know, to keep tabs on the field mice population ...

Whatever I decide, I know it will feel great to have the crochet hook back in my hands ... just a few more days ... just a few more days ...  :D

Tags: crochet vegetables, garden

Roughing It

This weekend I have been outside with the family, working to reclaim our garden that we abandoned some 10 years ago. As we cut, yanked, pulled, and dug out roots to the world's toughest choker vines and weeds, I began to have thoughts of grabbing my largest crochet hook and crocheting the various vines into some unknown project.  I'm sure I could have, but with my tender hands now looking like they belong to a lumber jack, I quickly set those thoughts aside. Perhaps another day I'll explore crocheting with young timber, but not right now.

I've also had to place my crocheting with unspun silk onto the back burner because of how roughed-up my hands have become.  To do so right now would be pointless; the silk would just stick to my hands rather than become the whisper of stitches they desire to be.  So I'll need to wait at least a week before my hands are back to their normal  "tender" selves. 

In the meantime, Christy inquired as to where one would purchase Silk Hankies to crochet with.  Per my conversation with the folks from "A Touch of Twist," the very same folks I purchased my silk hankies from at the CT Sheep & Wool Fiber Festival, they reported that they'll be at the CGOA Conference this summer.  However, I do not see them listed on the vendors list (yet), so those interested may want to contact them directly. 

I also checked on ebay.  If you do a search using keywords: "spin silk hankie" some listings should appear.  Christy also inquired about how much the hankies cost.  They're sold by weight, and you can get several "hankies" within a given "dye lot."  I bought several "dye lots" weighing .02 ounces for $1.44 each. (Note: the darker the color, the more the dye -- so you may not get as many hankies for a darker colored lot!)  Since I purchased my hankies at the Sheep & Wool Festival I did not have to absorb shipping costs.  (which BTW, the USPS is raising their shipping rates on May 14th!)

So, after I "deep condition" my hands tonight, I have plans of sketching various projects I have dancing in my head.  One is a bag that is being donated to the Helping Handbags Silent Auction to benefit the Needle Arts Mentoring Program of the Helping Hands Foundation, Inc.  The auction proceeds will go to the non-profit organization to help spread the needle arts all over America.  The other project I have planned is for the "crochet exchange" that takes place at the Conference.  This should be fun!  :D

Tags: crochet, crochet summer conference, cgoa, silk hankies, sheep & wool, connecticut, new hampshire

Smokin' Hot: Crocheting with Unspun Silk

The following image is what is currently on my (new) Grafton Fibers crochet hook: ripple pattern #81, "Ocean Spray" from the "200 Ripple Stitches" book I mentioned on Wednesday. I love how the unspun silk looks like smoke -- that's when you know crocheting is hot! (lol)

As I draft each hankie for directly crocheting with, I love the "thick & thin" texture --and with how airy the stitches feel. The colors, a mixture of three different hand-dyed hankies, also seem to be in harmony with Spring.  :) 

Tags: crochet, unspun silk, silk hankie

A Tension, Please! :)

I've received several requests for help this week all on the same issue: tension! So I thought that perhaps discussing it here would help others too.

Technically, in crochet, tension is the balancing act we perform when each yarn over or loop is created with our hook.  Put the "death grip" on the hook, or on the "feed" of the yarn, and your stitches unhappily shrink. Or worse, yank yarn away from completed stitches to ensure they're "taught" and we wind up with a much smaller than usual stitch.  Or, keep the "feed" as loose as a goose and the stitches become very deformed.

So how do we deal with our (a)tension issues?  First, stay relaxed. Try not to crochet in environments that will effect your emotions -- such as crocheting during the evening news; your tension will change with each story they report!

Second, ensure you're lifting the crochet hook UP off your work with each loop you "pull up."  If each stitch is created with the hook resting against the side of the work already created, then the stitch is going to be a bit tight -- and squat!  This usually means you'll end up needing to create additional rows, and using more fiber. Remember to lift, lift, lift!! that crochet hook up.  The more you lift, the taller your stitch will be -- and also more relaxed!  To see this in action, watch this anniesattic.com clip -- look how nice & high the loop is pulled up!

And while we're on the topic of squat stitches, if you're a "yanker" -- break that habit!  If you're yanking your yarn after each stitch is created then you are robbing your stitches of the fiber needed to help them stand proud and tall!  How much of a difference can it make?  Well, take heed from a lady I helped awhile ago ... she was crocheting a shawl that called for two balls of mohair.  She came to me when she was on her 6th ball and was at the halfway point of her project.  I asked her to crochet some stitches while I watched and bing! I knew instantly what the problem was. Once I pointed out to her that she was a yanker, short changing, her stitches, it made a world of difference!

Sometimes it's hard to see if we're short-changing our stitches, so I recommend having a cro-friend or teacher observe our stitching technique.  If you don't have such a person available, most digital cameras have built in videoing options -- video your hands in action and then watch the video.  As you watch, remember that the (a)tension you put into your technique is well worth the effort!

If your tension is "loose as a goose," well that just means you haven't learned the balancing act yet.  Keep at it, try different holding techniques (both yarn & hook), and practice, practice, practice.  Eventually it will all fall into place!  :) Tags: crochet, tension, gauge

Coffee, Crochet & Chat

We had a fantastic morning at our local Borders bookstore this morning.  I have been waiting for this day since last week when the book, "200 Ripple Stitches" arrived from Amazon ... it's a book that Priscilla has been raving about for awhile now on her blog; and I finially, gladly, succombed to peer pressure. (heh heh heh) So I was excited to see Priscilla and show her how her enthusiasm for the various ripples have "infected" my work. 

Of couse she had a huge smile upon learning this.  "See Dee," she said with laugh, "I told you it's addictive!"  I replied, "I'm not complaining; I'm having fun experimenting. It's just when I'm up late at night thinking I should try this one or that one ..."  She knew exactly what I was saying!  We're both addicts of the 200 Ripple Stitches!  :}

New in joining us for our "Coffee, Crochet & Chat" session was Lynne.  She found us through the International Freeform group and we were delighted she did!  We chatted about Freeform crochet, and then she showed us the earrings she's working on (pattern featured in the latest issue of Crochet Today magazine).  It was a pleasure to meet Lynne and now I'm looking forward to seeing her, and her finished earrings, next month!

Our newest HHCC member, Kathy, also joined in on the fun this morning.  Upon arriving you could just tell she was excited to share her latest creation with us -- she finished her first crocheted garment for herself!  A tank top!  She did a really great job. (I believe she said the pattern was featured on the Lion Brand website.)

If you find yourself in the Brookfield, Connecticut, area on the first Wednesday of any given month, come and join us!  There's two sessions for our Coffee, Crochet & Chats -- I'm usually at the morning one that runs from 10:00 AM - Noon.  The evening session runs from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM.  It's a great way to connect with others who enjoy crocheting!  :)  Tags: coffee crochet & chat, connecticut, borders, crochet