Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Beauty of Crochet Creates Kiss

One of the great things I love about crochet is how changing just one thing ... be it a yarn over, where you grab your loops, changing the yarn or the hook ... will change the look of the fabric we're creating stitch by stitch.

One of these simple changes is working its way into one of my designs that is headed for publication. While I cannot give details on the actual project (yet!), I can share the stitch. Before doing so, I want to note that I do not recall seeing this stitch in a publication -- yet. Or perhaps I have, but just can't remember where. I am not claiming to have invented it, but I am claiming naming it the "Kiss" stitch until I can find out more information about it.

Why call it the "Kiss" stitch? Because it reminds me of two great loves coming together to create one special experience -- a simple kiss. Give it a try and let me know what you think:



Readers, if you've seen this stitch elsewhere, please let me know! Thanks! :)

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Checking In

For the past week I have been blowing through more tissues than yarn, eating nothing but chicken soup, drinking "tea for flu," and sleeping. A most miserable waste of a week!

Yesterday Mr. Dee took me to the Bethel library to take down the display my local CGOA Chapter had up in celebration for National Crochet Month. It was the first time I've been out all week and by the time we got home I was drained. ... I'm thinking today will be another day to stay in the pjs.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Celebrating National Crochet Month

I had a fantastic time yesterday, with members of my CGOA Chapter, celebrating March as National Crochet Month. We offered an afternoon of yarn playing: a free beginners crochet class, and a free Tunisian class at the Bethel Connecticut Library. (for those looking for the history on National Crochet Month, I have information posted about it on my forum.)

Free Crochet Lessons were held at the Bethel, CT, library

We had the pleasure of meeting/teaching many wonderful people who were interested in learning about crochet! We had the full spectrum of learners: newbies, knitters*, and those wanting to relearn the joy of crocheting after taking a long hiatus. Everyone seemed to have had a good time.

So, how can a day get any better than that?!?

Priscilla accepts HHCC donation from HHCC President, Grace

... how about with a donation of a crochet book to the library! We donated Erica Knight's, "Essential Crochet," so that long after this year's National Crochet Month is over, crocheters will be able to borrow this book! (for those interested in checking the book out, please give the library time to get it into circulation.) Pictured is Priscilla, accepting the book on behalf of the Bethel library, presented by Grace, The HHCC's President.


(*Why place knitters as their own classification of crochet learner? Because for many knitters, they already know how to utilize two hands to create stitches/control tension. Even though crochet only uses one tool, the crochet hook, it still requires most crocheters to use two hands to create stitches/control tension. This therefore gives many knitters a slight learning advantage over those classified as "newbies:" those who have never picked up a crochet hook or knitting needles before.)

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Limerick Winner ...

We've spent the morning in rhyme, here at CWDland, as each contestant's entry was read. Without further ado, here is the winner -- announced in limerick form:
The children compared their notes,
Smiled, and then cast their votes,
Sang some Irish songs,
Dancing like leprechauns,
"Karmasmom!," is what they wrote.
Karmasmom's entry:
There once was a lady from Burton
Whose hobby made her hands a-hurtin'
She crocheted night and day
Wore the skin clean away...
Now she's even too tired for flirtin!!
Thank you to all who participated in this contest; your enteries were great!

Karmasmom, please email me your mailing address so I can send the Shamrock Earrings out to you.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Ewe'll Love It

I have a busy, busy day planned for today, but before I go I wanted to remind everyone that today, at midnight eastern time, is the last day to get your Limericks in for the contest. Go here for details.

I also wanted to share this little YouTube video that is delighting many yarn & sheep admirers around the Internet ... I'm sure ewe'll agree with me you'll never look at fireworks again without wool in mind ...

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Dee: Reloaded

Mr. Dee and I watched two movies this past weekend: The Matrix, and The Matrix Reloaded. For those who have not seen the movies yet, I will recommend the first. (The second one has me scratching my head and saying, "Wha??" Maybe the 3rd movie of the series will help clarify?) The Matrix is about living in a dream state, only the dream is real with computers running the world. You SciFi fans will love it.

In my world, computers fear me. I tend to burn through computers at an alarming rate. A brown out here (fried mother board), and other various "accidents" tend to happen when I'm around. It's not something I'm proud of. Nor a title ("computer killer") that I wish to hold. But it's the truth. (Yes, I use a UPS system, and virus protection, but that does not seem to be enough insurance from the wrath of Dee. Iieeeeeeeeeeee!)

And, knocking on wood here, thus far the new laptop (which I use daily), and the new PC are doing well. The only drawback is not having access to files that were stored on those older, fried, computers.

Tonight I REALLY needed access to one of them. (One of those life or death situations, especially when it's been requested for publication, know what I mean?) I needed access to a pattern I had written for a class series I had taught awhile ago. I asked Mr. Dee if there was any --ANY -- way he could help me retrieve them. He smiled. "I do," he said. He left the room and shortly returned with some computer guts and this cute little box that is now humming beside me.

That's right. I'm now reloaded. Patterns I've written long ago, long thought to be lost forever, are now at my figertips, awaiting to be reharvested. And I am one -- very -- happy -- camper!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Pinch Me, I'm Irish

"Wow, Mom! You whipped that up, in what, a half an hour?!", exclaimed my son last night as I handed him a brand new tie, hot off my hook.

Backing the story up a bit, he had said 30 minutes earlier, "All the kids will be wearing green, and I don't have anything with green on it." How could I let my child, with a bit of Irish in his heritage, go to school without wearing a least a pinch of green? Wearing a clover pin was out -- "it's just not cool, mom, for a boy to be seen wearing a crocheted clover pin." So I did what all problem-solving superhero crocheting mothers would do -- I crocheted a green tie for him to wear today, calling him my "jazzman" as yes, he really does play the trumpet.

He was amazed at my speed, crocheting along, using nothing but slip stitches, that the tie had worked up. Mr. Dee set the record straight, saying to my son, "It might have taken your Mom a half hour to wip up that tie, but it took her a lifetime to learn how!"

After steam blocking the tie, Dee Jr. wore the tie, with pride, to school today. He had more than a pinch of green on, he was wearing "coolness." Ah, that's me lad!