Pointed Observations

Yesterday my children started their new school year.  I'm not one of those parents that cheer for this day as I enjoy, rather we enjoy spending time together.  But I did as any normal parent would do when faced with a few hours of alone time ... I headed to our local Borders bookstore and hooked up with another crocheter for coffee.  We had a great time catching up and I even got some more rows done on my scarf for the Scarf Contest that will be held at the upcoming NYC "Knit Out & Crochet Too" event.  At one point a woman sitting across the cafe approached me and complimented me on my knitting.  "Oh!  It's not knitted," she exclaimed as she petted the airy softness of my scarf. 

"No," I replied with a big grin, "it's not."

"Oh, I see that now; you only have one stick in your hand," she commented.

"Yes, it's a crochet hook." 

"You're right," she said.  "I should have recognized that.  Your work is beautiful."

I thanked her.  If I were reading a mystery novel I might have thought that would be "foreshadowing" -- a hint of things to come later on.  But since it was real life, heh, I just took it at face value.  A compliment from a knitter; I like when that happens!

After picking my children up from school we then headed into NYC for another "Knit Out & Crochet Too" meeting.  Upon walking into the conference room nothing looked "unusual" ... until we took our seats.  This is when Mary, the coordinator of the event, announced there were no crochet hooks for us to create the "starts" with.  This meant that all the volunteers involved in planning this big event would be busy knitting them.  GASP!!

"Oh, hmmm," I quietly said. "I'm not a knitter.  I use those sticks to keep my hair up."  As the meeting took place with many plans coming to a close I looked around the room.  Everyone had needles in their hands, knitting.  Even my daughter!  I felt left out of the party.  Could I possibly remember how to create those stitches with out twisting & warping them?  As I wondered why I never quite found the time to practice a little, I asked my daughter for her help. 

She climbed on my lap, cast on a bunch of stitches and did the first row.  "Now you do the next row," she encouraged.  I took a deep breath and took her lead.  "Like this," I asked. 

"Yes, Mommy."

"Are you sure I'm not pulling the yarn up the wrong way; the way you end up twisting your stitches?"

"You're doing fine, Mommy."

"I'm at the end, I don't remember.  Do I chain one to turn?"

"No Mommy." (I swear she rolled her eyes at me!)  "That's crochet you're thinking about."  She took the hooks needles and began the next row effortlessly.  Fearlessly.  "OK, Mommy, I did the third row, you do the last."

I did, and I think our little "start" we created came out pretty good (see image #2).  For dramatic effect I could say we continued on but fortunately sadly they ran out of yarn.  I really should put in some more practice time with the sticks!


Some details from the meeting:
1.  There will  be Knit and Crochet Speed trials.  If you're fast with your stitches, then this is the place to enter! 

2.  The New York City Crochet Guild pledged 1,000 preemie hats for the Caps to the Capital" campaign.  Make that 994 now as Barbara, the NYCCG President, got six from me yesterday.  (See image six; she didn't care that I hadn't tucked my ends in; "I'll do it for you honey," she said. "Just be sure to get me four more!")   {{chuckles}}  If you'll be attending the KOC2, why not see how many you can donate too!  Click here for the details & free patterns!

3.  It's not too late to submit your Doggie Fashions!  Click here for the details!

Lastly I want to thank my son for being our photographer yesterday; I think he did a wonderful job, don't you?Tags: crochet, knit, koc2, Knit Out, Knit Out & Crochet Too, needles, hooks, NYC, caps for the capital

Thoughts about the CraftAdventure

Ever since the founding of  my CGOA Chapter, The Happily Hooked on Crocheting Club, our members enter items for judging into what is known as The CraftAdventure, an event held in West Springfield, Massachusetts. 

In all the years we've been attending, I'd have to say that this was the leanest ... in entries, vendors, and spectators.  Was it the weather?  Was it the economy (ie. gas prices)?  Even Priscilla made note that this event wasn't as it has been in the past.  I certainly do hope they can turn it around as this year marked their 30th year celebrating being the "largest fiber & fabric art showcase in New England."

So what about the ribboning?  I wanted to see how the judging would do between two different venues.  So I entered my Red Ribbon winning Sun Dress from the Bridgewater Fair into the CraftAdventure.  Kind of like comparing apples to oranges, or along those thought lines.  Based on the results here it won an Honorable Mention (there was no ribbon on it at the event so I didn't know until today when I was adding links to today's entry.)

My daughter won a Red Ribbon for the crocheted slippers I mentioned about a month ago that she was working on.  (Dare I mention that she finished them in the parking lot just moments before entering them???)  I must say that it's a great "How to Crochet" kit for anyone looking to get their child crocheting. 

We had another member enter a toddler sweater with three car toys; she won a Red Ribbon too.

Since the event was so quiet, it gave us more time to spend with the other demonstrators.  My daughter learned how to do macramé and how to weave.  I think it's the weaving that she really enjoyed the most!

After the CraftAdventure we left to visit AC Moore.  For some, visiting a yarn shop is no big deal.  But when a store you like to shop at is over 45 minutes away, it's a big deal.  So we bought some goodies.  Amazingly, I didn't purchase a single skein of yarn!  What's that all about???  Hopefully I'll recover!  LOL
Tags: crochet, ribbons, winning, CraftAdventure, weaving, macrame, crocheting

Caps to the Capital

Averages.  Sometimes they're not really averages at all.  Consider that on average about four bloggers a day mention the Caps to the Capital campaign that is being sponsored by the Save the Children organization.  They're busy crocheting, like Sherri, or knitting, like Cindy.  What an amazing testament of online activism!  Newspapers are picking up the cause too, like Ohio's Beacon Journal with the article, "Sisters pass the hat for newborn caps" -- it's an article about children out to save children.  Amazing really.

On average, it takes about an hour, less for a more experienced crocheter, to create one preemie hat that will help save a child's life.  Is giving up an hour of our time worth it?  I think so.  An hour for a life.  Think about it.  We can be a part of the growing number of people willing to help save four million newborns born worldwide! 

Our caps would prevent, says the Save the Children foundation, 70% of those deaths!  An hour for a life.  And on average, that's saving 319 babies per hour!

"Many of these deaths could easily be prevented with cheap interventions, such as with knit [crocheted] caps to keep the newborns warm ..."
                                                             ~Associated Press, May 9, 2006

Now, if you're in the Connecticut area and need help in learning how to crochet in the round to create the Caps ... contact me.  I will gladly volunteer my time on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday morning (8/30, 8/31, 9/1) at the Borders bookstore located in Brookfield to assist you.  Please contact me to confirm.

Tags: crochet, Caps for the Capital, preemies, crochet lessons, Connecticut

Oh My! RAK'd again!

This week I have fallen in love. We're not talking casual flirting, infatuation, or even high school crushes here.  We're talking love, love, love!  I love my RAK'ing gift, a beautiful Indonesian Rosewood Crochet Hook, complete with a captive ring and a glass Pink Ribbon Bead with silver insert by the creative team of BrainsBarn ... Annie and Brian.  And you know it's love when your heart skips a beat and you're left speechless:

They included a note which stated,

Because you are a crochet cheerleader...
Because you are a caring, unselfish person...
Because you are a great mom...and it shows!
Because you are a tireless volunteer...
Because you just care ...

Pick any of the above! and please accept this as a token of our appreciation and as a reminder for what the CGOA was all about... not only for crochet but in helping Breast Cancer Awareness.

Oh my; I'm blushing!  What an absolutely delightful surprise to find this treat in my mailbox!

How I met Anne and Brian:  I met Anne first; she posted to the online group known as Crochet Partners and we've been keeping in touch ever since.  When I discovered that her husband creates crochet hooks I wondered if they could create one for me that included a Giraffe.  (You know me & my giraffes!)  Anne wrote back that if I could find a giraffe I'd like placed on the hook then they could certainly do it for me.  I'm still searching for the allusive giraffe (you'd think that since they're such tall animals they'd be easy to find; not so! LOL) 

So flash forward about a year or so and we're all at the CGOA's National Crochet Conference ... turns out Anne and her husband were the winning bidders of the bra I donated for the auction!  I walked up to them and introduced myself and it was like an instant family reunion!  What wonderful people they are!  ... and for those that would like another look, here's Brian wearing the bra:

It seems they've been busy RAK'ing other's too:
       See what Amie screamed here when she opened her mailbox ... what's this? Drew is seeing snakes?

Anne & Brian, Thank you for the RAK'ing!  I feel like a Fairy Princess with a magical wand that will create beautiful stitches for my charity works to come!  :)
Tags: crochet, brainsbarn, crochet hook, RAOK, RAK, RAK'ing, RAK'ed

MMMMMM, waffles!

I plan on entering into the KOC2's "Scarf Contest" that will take place on September 17th. Since I'd like to enter/donate more than one scarf, I thought it best to get something on the hook now!  Why wait until the last minute to start a project, right? 

What you see in the image to the left is "the" actual scarf I'm designing -- similar to the one I created just shy of a year ago.   I'm using Nancy Nehring's "Waffle Weave" technique (not to be confused with the "waffle weave" stitch. Two completely different breeds ... like horses & zebras.) with a very large crochet hook along with Red Heart's "Symphony" yarn.  The yarn was included in my "Goody Bag" from the recent Conference I attended this summer.  I've been waiting for the right project to come along to try the yarn and I'm glad I did!  The yarn has a subtle mix of colors with an incredible soft mohair feel & look to it. The fact that it's machine washable & dryable (it's an acrylic) made it perfect for a donation project.  As I work up each row I can't help but stop and pet the softness of the fabric I am creating!  It's that yummy!

As I mentioned just moments ago, the Waffle Weave technique is not the same as the Waffle Weave stitch. The technique utilizes the single crochet stitch that is pulled within itself to create that dimpled look often seen on thermal underwear, or the stable sheets used on horses. (and as long as you're checking out the stable sheets, check this out too -- it's crocheted.)  

If you're looking to learn this technique, then check out Annies Attic -- you'll find two booklets offering instructions & patterns with this technique ...  (Click here to get to
AnniesAttic, and don't forget to use code ERGSHIP to get FREE SHIPPING. Word has it the offer expires on 8/26/06!)

So then, what is the Waffle Weave stitch?  The stitch requires working around the posts of stitches (rather than the traditional top loops).  Does this sound like the Basket Weave stitch to you?  It should; its the same thing!  Designer Kim Guzman has afree pattern offered on her website; go here if you'd like to try the stitch.  And if you need visual help with seeing how to create front post and back post stitches, again, you'll want to visit AnniesAttic -- but this time to view their helpful video clips.

Tags: crochet, waffle weave, stitch, technique, crochetting, cgoa conference, red heart yarn

KOC2: Doggie Idol Fashion Show

Mary Colucci, Executive Director of the Craft Yarn Council of America, emailed me and asked if bloggers could help spread the following information for the upcoming New York City "Knit Out & Crochet Too!" event.  Mary, I'm delighted to assist, and I'm looking forward to seeing all those wonderful pooch designs:

Doggie Idol Fashion Show

We’re prowling for the cutest knitted and crocheted canine outfits to feature at the September 17th New York City Knit-Out & Crochet 2006 in Union Square Park. The winning entry will be determined by the New York Knit-Out audience, and there will be prizes for the winning sweater and, of course, for the owner’s dog.

The number of entries must be limited so we need to hear from interested dog owners no later than September 5th. Here are the guidelines:

• The sweater must be an original pattern.

• E-mail* a digital photo of your dog wearing the sweater along with descriptive copy about the sweater, your contact information, both e-mail and daytime phone contact.
E-mail to: cmcommunic@aol.com
Or
Snail mail to: Mary Colucci, 333 E. 69th St. #7J, New York, NY 10021

• The owner and his or her dog do not have to be present to win. If you would like to submit your dog sweater but you and your dog would not be able to model it at Knit-Out, please send us exact sweater dimensions so that we can arrange for another dog to wear the sweater. If you are in the New York area and would like to have your dog model his or her sweater, please let us know. If you are considering this, we stress that your dog must be comfortable in crowds!

• All entrants will be contacted by September 7th about whether their dog sweater was selected for the Knit-Out Doggie Idol Fashion Show. Unfortunately, the number of entries must be limited.

Join us: It should be a howl!

Bloggers planning on attending the NYC KOC2, please help pass this News Release on behalf of the Craft Yarn Council of America: www.craftyarncouncil.com. 
Thanks, ~Dee
Tags: crochet, cyca, koc2, nyc koc2, 2006, pet, dog, idol, fashion, show, knit, prizes

mission accomplished

Freeform Jacket Awarded Blue Ribbon

Two different patterns, altered by me, come together to create this sweater set that was worn at the CGOA Fashion Show. Awarded Blue Ribbon and BEST OF SHOW!

The dress I created for my daughter to wear at the Fashion Show was awarded a Red Ribbon (2nd Place). And two side notes here:
1. The coordinator said she was tickled to see crochet get BEST OF SHOW. She said it had been a "long, long time since Crochet won this honor."

2. My crochet work did generate interest. I have some phone calls & emails to write. Mission Accomplished! {{Big Grins}}
Tags: crochet, best of show, blue ribbon, red ribbon, bridgewater fair, 2006, trophy