Crochet Wednesdays plus a Sock Update

My wonderful SP11 spoiler sent me some sari silk that I immediately decided to make a cosmetic bag with. I was following a pattern in my Getting Started Crochet book. I ripped out all the stitches and started over again because I didn't want to sew the seams together on the sides and to the zipper. I using a modified pattern for the cosmetic bag. The pattern is actually a pattern for a potholder. I'm just not going to fold the edges diagonally to make the potholder.



Twist & Shout Sock Update:
I so far I've met my goals for knitting the 2d sock.
On Monday I finished the leg and wrapped the stitches for the short row heel.



On Tuesday, I unwrapped and knitted the short row heel. I even knitted a couple of inches of the foot.



My goal for Wednesday is to finish the foot and on Thursday I'll do the toe decreases and kitchener the toe. So I'd better get started.....

Crochet Wednesday very, very late.......

Well, I'm behind and I haven't been doing my homework. I'm still working on the homework from Lesson #3. I've only made the Shell stitch block.



I've been crocheting but I've been making potholders. I found a tutorial on the potholder that J made for me. I've made potholders for myself, my aunt, and friends. I going to try to get back on track over the next few weeks. I'm on vacation so I haven't been doing much crafting. My soapmaking class is postponed for a few weeks. I won't be able to take it again until October :-(

Expanding my Craft Book Collection

I was feeling a little down so I thought... what would perk me up? I went shopping for books so I could get ideas for knit/crochet projects. (I'm such a nerd.)



Since I'm learning to crochet, I bought this beginner book, Getting Started Crochet. It has this great pattern for crocheting hats that I'm going to try as soon as I finish the Twist & Shout socks(Oh by the way I'm not liking how the short row heel looks on the sock. I've already ripped it out twice. I'm going to try it one more time. If I don't like it, I'm going to do a heel flap.) I bought the Knitting Loves Crochet book because the Shaped Cardigan with Shell Sleeves pattern. I don't know how to knit cardigans but I want learn so I can do that pattern. Learning to knit cardigans is on my to do list. There's also a cute baby washcloth that has crochet edging, pillow covers and placemats and napkin rings that I like.



I added Favorite Socks to my sock book collection. (I want to add Ann Budd's Getting Started Knitting Socks so I can read her tips on sock knitting.) The patterns that stand out and make me want to knit them:
1. Retro Rib Socks for my uncle
2. Embossed Leaves Socks for my friend, N- they're pretty like her
3. Mock Wave Cable Socks for myself
4. Cable Rib Socks for myself
5. Diagonal Cross Rib Socks for my Dad
6. Undulating Rib Socks for my Dad - I've decided that for the next few Father's Days I'll knit my Dad a pair of socks.
7. Go With the Flow Socks for my friend, S - they fit her personality
8. Waving Lace Socks for my cousin, T - they're pretty like her

The only criticism that I (and others) have for the Favorite Socks book is the note, " To make the socks larger or smaller, use needles one or two sizes larger or smaller and lengthen or shorten the foot as necessary." To make a knit a sock smaller or larger using that note will only work if you're adjusting the size a little bit. Charlene Schurch's books have taught me to look at the stitch pattern and make adjustments based foot measurements and yarn gauge.

Crochet Wednesdays

Here's the 2nd pattern of my homework from last week, Basic Granny Square:


I had a hard time doing the granny squares because I kept misreading the pattern. I tried working on the pattern Monday and Tuesday. I could never get my square to look like the picture. I posted a question on Knitting Help about how many sets of 4dc that I should be doing, and Larudden not only answered my question, but she also provide me with an excellent granny square link. I was able to figure out what I was doing wrong...... I got so frustrated with the granny square that I casted on and started knitting a Calorimetry.

Hopefully, tomorrow I'll have the Wheel in the Valley squares completed. I'm having trouble with the 1st one. I don't have enough sc to do round 5.

Learning to Crochet - Lesson #3
In lesson #3, I learned the shell, popcorn, V, puff and bullion stitches. The Wheel in the Valley pattern I'm working on has the shell stitch and the V stitch.

My crochet homework this week has 6 different patterns. I start on it and post them when I'm done with last weeks patterns. I'm planning on Lesson #3 being done over 2 weeks.

Pretty Pebble Squares, Twist & Shout Socks II

As part of my homework for Learning to Crochet Lesson #2, I had to make 2 squares for 3 different patterns. Here's Pretty Pebble Squares:



The crochet stitches used in the squares are single and triple crochet. I used a F hook to get the pattern gauge. (The pattern called for a G hook to be used.) I'm going to block the squares before I sew them into lapghan because the edges curled alot. I've talked to some of my crocheting friends and asked them to show me how they hold their yarn. I've been experimenting with what they told me. I used the crochet technique that I. showed me to make the squares. I think if I just keep crocheting it will feel less awkward to me. I remember when I started knitting it felt weird holding the needles and the yarn.


I finished the cuff and have started the leg portion of the Twist & Shout sock. This is my first lace sock. I've only knitting lace dishcloths before. I frogged back to the cuff twice because I've made mistakes on the leg pattern. I either had too many stitches or not enough stitches. I knitting slowly so I won't make mistakes.

Crochet Wednesdays

This posting is late; just a lil(it's really 0405 on Thursday). I've had a migraine for the past 2 days, and I'm just starting to feel that it's going away. I've been taking Aleve 440mg every 8 hours and either laying down in bed in the dark or wearing dark sunglasses if I have to be up during the day. This sucks big time......











Learn to Crochet - Lesson #2
This week I've learned to slip stitch, half double crochet, double crochet and triple(treble) crochet stitches.



I also tried to crochet in the round. The various stitches were pretty easy to learn. I will have to refer back to the tutorial when I make my squares because I haven't committed them to memory yet. I had to read and make the crochet circle a couple of times (plus read another tutorial)before I could get it right. I found another really good tutorial on crocheting in the round at the Crochet Cabana. Crochet Cabana is an excellent site on how to crochet. Sandra has alot of tutorials on various stitches, links for blocking and other crochet tutorials, and pages about specialty crochet. Another website that I found in my crochet learning journey is NexStitch. NexStitch has great videos on crochet stitches, patterns and articles.

My crochet homework this week is to make 2 squares from 3 different patterns that incorporate the stitches I've learned. The patterns are Pretty Pebbles Square, Basic Granny Square, and Wheel in Valleys. I'll post the squares when I finish each pattern.

Crochet Wednesdays

My first attempt at crocheting was 20 years ago when I was 19. I wanted to make my brother an afghan. What I created instead was a hot mess..... my tension wasn't consistent, the edges were slanted because I didn't know how to pick up a stitch when I was turning my work.... it was fugly. LOL

This summer I decided to take another stab at crochet. Crafty Daisies are hosting a 12 week course on the basics of crochet. They started the lessons back in May(I learned about the course in June). In real time, Heather, the fantastic lady who put together the tutorial, is already on Lesson#9. I got side tracked with learning entrelac so I'm behind.

In Learn to Crochet - Lesson #1, I learned how to do chains and single crochet.


I practiced making a few chains then I started making single crochet. I find it awkward holding the the feeder yarn, and the piece I'm working on. I still haven't found a way that feels comfortable to me. I'm going to ask a few of my crocheting friends how they hold their yarn and the crocheted piece. Hopefully, I'll get enough feedback that I'll find a technique that feels comfortable to me.


At the end of the tutorial, we have to make a few single crochet squares. I was able to keep a consistent tension though holding the piece and yarn was awkward. I'm really proud that the squares edges are even. (Yay!!!) Heather suggested that we use Red Heart acrylic yarn to make our squares, but I'm using Patons Classic Wool Merino instead because Red Heart feels icky in my hands. I'm looking forward to next Wednesday so I can learn how to do half double crochet, double crochet, and triple crochet stitches.