crocheted trim is going to rescue me

I receive a phone call from the school this morning:
"Dee?  Hi, this is the second grade teacher's aid.  Does your son have a costume for tomorrow?  He's quite upset that he didn't bring it in today."

"What?  No, he has it.  We tucked his costume into his book bag last night.  Have him look around; I'm sure he'll find it.  He's going to be Spiderman."

"Um, No, that won't do.  He's to be a Saint tomorrow, remember?  He needs his Saint costume ..."

((gasp!!)) "Oh!!!  Yes, I have it here; I'll deliver it tomorrow..."

And then it sets in -- fear!  That "it's foggy outside and there's a monster chasing me" fear!  Had I mentioned last week that I needed to dust off the sewing machine and whip up a costume for my son?  I'm sure I did; but I never got around to it!  Oh NO!!!  

So what does one do?  I looked at the trim I crocheted for last year's costume, St. Mary, that you see to the right.  From the trim I gather up what colors would go with the basic blue theme.  I then run and look at my fabric stash (Did I ever admit that I have a fabric stash?  LOL  I do, but it's nothing like my yarn stash!  I use the fabric for photo backgrounds)  Anyway ... I rummage through and I find an awesome deep green velvet ... enough to make a sash.  (I am SO hoping they wore sashes in the 600s!)  I figure he can wear the light blue shoulder piece (seen in the photo here) on his head, with the green sash.  He should make a mighty handsome St. Zachary.  BTW, I made the two rope pieces you see there too ... thankfully that crocheted trim is going to rescue me from the fog and that monster that's chasing me!  ((grins))

... So, while I'm off to get out the sewing machine and let the petal hit the metal (Sheila, are you envisioning this?  It's a scary thought, huh?? LOL), here are the hats I promised that are available for purchase.  If you're interested in helping me raise funds for the American Cancer Society, they're $35 each (includes shipping w/in US).  As usual, first come, first serve.

CLICK ONTO THE PICTURES TO ENLARGE:

 Gigi Jolie:  due to wonderful comments on the first offering of this style hat, I crocheted another!  It has the finer (smaller) stitches than the Marlene hat shown below, but is created from the same pattern concept. Washing instructions are to hand wash and lay flat to dry; do not spin/wring. The designer fiber used is from England, is 100% nylon and incredibly soft!

Colors: Neon pink, orange, green and yellow with white whisper puffs of soft "fur."

Current Status:  AVAILABLE

Gigi Jolie II: this hat was crocheted with the same finer stitches as the Gigi Jolie hat above.  Washing instructions are to hand wash and lay flat to dry; do not spin/wring. The designer fiber used is from England, is 100% nylon and superbly soft!

Colors: Neon pink, orange, green and light purple with purple whisper puffs of soft "fur."

Current Status:  AVAILABLE

Marlene Two:  one reader wrote that this hat reminded her of the fall foliage in the New England States.  In thinking about it, I couldn't agree with her more!  So I created another!   Since a larger hook was used the end results is a stunning hat with texture. Washing instructions are to hand wash and lay flat to dry; do not spin/wring.  The designer fiber used is from Italy, is 40% nylon, 35% Merino New Wool, and 25% acrylic -- and it's extraordinarily  soft!

Colors:  A variety of oranges mutate throughout the work and combine with gold flecks and puffs of burnt orange/brown "fur".  Stunning when sunlight dances upon it.

Current Status:  AVAILABLE

Scaring Up Some Halloween Patterns

The longest day of the year during the longest month of the year ... ah, what does one do with oneself when extra time is available?  Why, crochet!  But of course!  ((giggles))  And for those that are really into the Halloween theme ... perhaps they'd be crocheting up some Witchcraft Lace ...

Or wickedly trying to create a Witch Clothespin Doll (she's so cute!); or chanting over this pattern (German) to whip up this great looking Witches Hat before flying over to the Lion Brand Website to create the hair and broom to complete the look ...  and lets not forget about the pumpkin!  Maybe instead of scaring youngsters (and youngsters at heart)  they'll be more into collecting the candy loot.  If so, they might want to scare up the right ghostly goodie bag, and don't forget they'll be wearing a Masquerade Mask, eh! 

Maybe the season has them feeling a bit batty, and want some crochet to hanging around ... there's many, many more Halloween theme patterns available on the Internet, so always look around!  A quick search will surely scare up some more!  Wha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!!

A Note: The pails featured in today's picture were crocheted by a member of The HHCC where they were placed up for auction -- and where yours truly heavily bid on them (couldn't come home with just one, you know!).  Now they're a part of my kids Halloween tradition.  Unfortunately I do not know any details of if/where there's a pattern available.  I just know that my children love them!

Whoohoo! Hats Received!

Just a few moments ago I updated my journal entry from Tuesday called "Meet the Buyer" ... Pamela emailed me to say she received her package along with her lil' somethin'-somethin'  I added in for herself for being such a wonderful person who happens to be battling cancer herself.  (But just in case you haven't scrolled down yet to check out that journal entry, I'll post the picture of her gift-hat here to the right.  You can click onto it to see a larger version)  I crocheted it using the same Italian fibers ... this one was in hues of blues and cream with gold flecks and puffs of "fur" ...

She wrote, "I absolutely adore ALL the hats and now I can send 2 on ... and not feel like a martyr lol ... the caps are so beautiful, so comfortable and i know my mom is going to love being able to give these to her friend.   Thank you so much !"
                                                 No, Pamela, Thank YOU!!!!


I will be offering more hats for sale.  Just in case you can't wait until Monday, I'll offer up this one ... If interested, email me; first come, first serve!  I am raising funds to donate to the American Cancer Society.  $35(includes shipping w/in US):

Marlene Three:  the same line ofdesigner fiber was used to create Pamela's hat above.  Since a larger hook was used the end results reveal a stunning hat with texture!  Washing instructions are to hand wash and lay flat to dry; do not spin/wring.  The designer fiber used is from Italy, is 40% nylon, 35% Merino New Wool, and 25% acrylic -- and it's fantastically  soft!

Colors:  A classic variety of white, gray and black flow throughout the work and combine with gold flecks and puffs of white "fur".  Stunning when sunlight dances upon it.

Current Status:  SOLD!!

A B C D E F G H I J K ...

L M No?

          What about P?

Q R S T ...

          Not even U?

What is going on here?

Last night after finishing two more hats that will be available for purchase on Monday, I settled in to start working on one of the scarves that will be given to one of my son's teachers this holiday season.  He picked out two fibers ... Di.Ve's incredible "Revival" to be mixed with "Spice #10" on the edging.

The plan was to take this wool and acrylic blend in it's beautiful pink/mauve mix and "waffle weave" it up as I did with the scarf pictured on the right.  I tried a number of different sized crochet hooks and it just did not look "beautiful" to me.  It was either too stiff, or had too many holes.  No hook, including my "U" did the trick.  So I thought of other crochet stitch variations that I love ... nope, nope, nope!  Ugh!!  I was becoming frustrated.  Ack!  What stitch would make this fiber "sing?!" the way it was meant to???

I looked over to my knitting needles.  Do I dare?  What would the teacher receiving the scarf think if I handed her (gasp!) a knitted item instead of crocheted?  My heart sank.  What was I to do?

I thought about it more.  It's been nearly a year since I've attempted any knitting. AND lets not forget that the scarf I knitted (and donated tocharity) had a mysterious "button hole" in it.  (Eish!)  I felt the dread settling in; I really didn't want to knit it -- the teachers know me for my crochet.  Do I break out of my mold and just go for it?  I felt scared, after all what if I knitted it up and the mysterious "button hole" reappeared?!  I shuddered.

I stared at the fiber.  I looked over to the knitting needles.  The needles just sat there looking back at me saying nothing.  They've never spoken to me and I've often wondered why.  I then looked over at my crochet hooks.  What?  Did I hear that right?  My "P" hook whispered something to me -- I swear!

I leaned closer; what was it trying to say?  It was hard to make it out as it spoke so softly.  There!  It said it again!  I blinked, looked at the fiber again then back to the hook.  I hadn't thought of that!  Would it work?  

I sat back, picked up the "P" hook, chained 12 and set to doing the hooks' suggestion.  I let out a big sigh of relief.  It's going to be alright!  The hook was right -- Tunisian does look wonderful with this fiber and the hook size gives it a beautiful drape!

                              We should all listen to our hooks more often, eh?

Illumination

You know what I love?  I love "illumination."  No, not the cartoons shown on television, and no, not the action of flicking on all the lights in the house.  The "illumination" I'm talking about are those moments of "eureka" when it all clicks together for a newbie crocheter.  I love the twinkle in the eye, the smile -- oh! I love everything about THAT moment!  Maybe that's the main reason I enjoy teaching crochet so much ... so I can see those moments happening...

After today's class I was shown a unique toy, and being that I embrace my inner child daily, I decided I have to get one!! (see image/link to the right)  Can you imagine pressing it after finishing every row -- and having the stitch count right? What a riot!!  

Speaking of "illumination," I was also over there at the Ritz camera website and found another toy I think I "must have" -- it's called "Photo Studio in a Box" and sells for $100.  Before I add it to my "Dear Santa" Wish List I plan on stopping at a local Ritz store to check it out first hand.  It sure sounds like a promising product -- or should I say "easy?"  heh heh heh

Finally, Jean Leinhauser, author of many, many cochet books and owner of the Crochet Partners online group asked what advice experienced crocheters would give beginners.  I offered the following:

RELAX
R-epeat the process, skill comes with practice.
E-njoy the Process, it's not a speed contest.
L-oose stitches make the next row/step easier.
A-lways count your stitches.
X-periment; mistakes happen, learn from them.

Do You Love Your Job?

I do -- I absolutely LOVE mine!  When I worked "corporate" I was not the happiest of people for a number of reasons.  The main one was that I felt my artistic side was stifled by the long hours.  Many-a-time I'd take over several lunch tables to do my crafting; that is when I felt happiest back in the day of 50-70 hour work weeks.  Today I have time to spend with my children and doing what I love -- teaching crochet to others.  Are you lucky like me where you can spend time doing what you love?  I wish everyone did.

Soooooooooooo -- as I'm preparing to dash out the door to have fun teaching a crochet class tonight I wanted to post real quick about an interesting artist that is displaying herself "in an office" while crocheting an afghan that will provide no warmth.  Nope, she's using the stuff you wrap flowers with and a HUGE crochet hook.  The concept is to show how we have jobs but the security does not provide us with warmth. 

(When's the last time you saw MAMMOTH SIZED CROCHET???) 

Wait no longer!  Click here to read the article, and click her to read the blog.  A very interesting read INDEED!

                              {{{{Thanks for sharing this Barbara!!  J }}}}

Meet the Buyer

Today I'd like for my readers to meet the buyer of the Lacy Hats I featured for sale yesterday in the goal to raise funds for the American Cancer Society in memory of my Aunt who passed away this past weekend. 

I think the buyer is a very special lady who happens to be battling cancer herself!  ... And, she's a beginner crocheter saying, "I've never ever done more than a chain stitch and a double crochet stitch."  When I inquired if she tried the pattern for the hats she said, " ... I got 3 steps into the instructions and decided this was NOT the time for me to be learning a new trick lol"

She bought the special hats yesterday to bestow upon a friend of the family -- but says she just may keep one or two for herself!

Well, Pamela, keep an eye on out for your postal carrier ... there's a lil' somethin'-somethin' in there just for you!!!  (Update 10/28: Pam received her hats, along with the blue one pictured on the right that was crocheted just for her!)  Thank you, Pamela! 

Everyone else, go ahead and give her blog a visit: GirlsHeadNoise

Finally, I've been asked if I'll offer more hats for sale.  I thought about it -- and the answer is yes!  I bought more designer fibers today so you know my hook will be flying to crochet up more deliciously soft lacy caps!  I'm thinking I'll offer them next Monday, the last day of "Breast Cancer Awareness" Month.  Stay tuned!  J