Frogging, Knitting, and a Missing Square

Well, Melissa's tote is coming along. . . slowly. See how my sidebar says 10%? See it? Well, that was yesterday! I've frogged it in an effort to make a tighter base, as cotton yarn often stretches a bit and I was worried that even a liner wouldn't fix the problem. So, here we go again! The yarn is a really gorgeous dove gray/olivey color, and I'm using cream for the secret design. Sorry, but no pictures until Melissa's received it! It's Jo Sharp's Soho Summer in Crete and Calico, from Herrschners. I'm also working on the Booga Bag from Julie Anderson, in luscious Noro Kuryeon (color 95, just like the pattern. . . there's a first!). I got three skeins of it from mom and dad for the holidays, and am finally getting around to working on it. See the pretty print in the background? That's my new Vera Bradley bag, courtesy of my lovely sister Hannah, and it's the perfect size for toting around small projects! Thanks, Hank! Now, with all this happy news there's some sad -- Valerie's February square is apparently MIA. That's the first and LAST time that I send anything without delivery confirmation, or at the very least a little insurance! I'm really bummed, because I'd included a few extras and some candy for her kids. Hopefully it'll show up soon, but I'm going to work up a replacement square to ship out if it's not there by Tuesday (the last day to send for this month's swap!)

And the surprise. . . was a scarf! The pattern is from Vogue On the Go! Crocheted Scarves.

Sometimes it's good to be a poor grad student. . .

. . . because you meet other grad students who are moving and selling really great stuff for super cheap! John and I were lucky enough to pick up a cordless Craftsman drill (complete with extra battery and an extra bit set!) for all of $20 last weekend from a nice guy out in Phoenix.

Why is this so great, you ask? Because I can make zillions and zillions of earrings now!

Speaking (ahem. . . writing) of earrings, Hannah and I have already sold four pairs! Etsy seems to be working out well, assuming their server remains functional and my store site isn't deleted (again). Two of my fave pairs are pictured below!


In other news, part of my Herrschner's order finally arrived this week, so Melissa's bag is officially under way. It's definitely smaller than the last one, but will have a nice long strap and such a cool design that I don't think she'll mind toooo much. Just gotta find time to work on it!!!

Tote 2: Revenge of the Aran!

It's finished! Yay!!! This tote is a good bit smaller than my last one, measuring approx. 11" x 4" x 13" tall, excluding the strap. I just need to line it, and then off to Hannah it goes!

The pattern is written (terribly exciting, I know), and is in the last stages of editing. I hope to submit it to the Crochetville "Round the Ville" newsletter by Monday. . . so look for it there, and eventually on my blog!

Thank you again for all the encouragement and support throughout the creation of this tote, and thanks for your patience while I finish the pattern!


And an announcement. . .
Check out my very own Etsy store!

New Project. . .

I've joined the "63 More" CAL, but this time with a twist. . . Julie is collecting one square from everyone, along with a postcard, and assembling an afghan and postcard album to be raffled off sometime this fall in support of Crochetville. Here's my contribution, Square #26:

I've also selected my yarn for the CAL. . . Simply Soft Brites in Berry Blue, which is actually a really lovely french blue/periwinkle color. This project is meant to be worked on a little bit each day, on my bus rides, etc., as my other afghans have become unwieldy!!!

February Square Swap!

My February square, made by Robin, arrived yesterday! Here it is, in all its lavendar glory:

She used the "Racing Stripes" 12" pattern from Crochet Pattern Central, and SS yarn! Robin also had impeccable timing, as I had just finished my February swap square before going to get the mail. This square (see below) will be heading out to Valerie in TN tomorrow:

Mystery Project!!!

Hannah's tote is progressing along, as is the written pattern! I hope to have it finished up by next weekend, and plan to have at least three testers (two have volunteered already! I love Crochetville!) You can see the newest photos below. . . along with a mystery project I finished yesterday to tuck into the tote before I ship it off!

Don't you just love the button?! Here's the back and front flap, with an opening for the button. Each one of the diamond repeats takes 36 yards of yarn!!!


Here it is. . . the mystery project!!! Can you guess what it is? C'mon. . . try!

City Girl Cap Pattern

I finished the design for this hat a while back, and figured it was high time to post it! This pattern will appear in the 2007 Crochet Pattern a Day Calendar.

Many thanks to my testers, and to Kathy, who encouraged me to submit the City Girl Cap for publication!

City Girl Cap
Designed by Celeste Young

Materials: 3oz/85g (1 skein) Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Seaspray, J-10 (6mm) hook

Gauge: 15 sts, 10 rows = 4” in hdc

Brim (make 2):
Row 1: Ch 31, turn. Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across (30 sc).

Row 2: Ch 2, turn (counts as first hdc in this row only). Skipping first sc, hdc in each sc across and in beg ch 1 (30 hdc).

Row 3: Ch 2, turn. Skipping first hdc, sc decrease over next two hdc. Hdc in next 25 hdc, sc decrease over next st and second ch of beg ch 2.

Row 4: Ch 2, turn. Skipping first hdc, sc decrease over next two hdc. Hdc in next 23 hdc, sc decrease over next st and second ch of beg ch 2.

Row 5: Ch 2, turn. Skipping first hdc, sc decrease over next two hdc. Hdc in next 21 hdc, sc decrease over next st and second ch of beg ch 2.

Row 6: Ch 2, turn. Skipping first hdc, sc decrease over next two hdc. Hdc in next 19 hdc, sc decrease over next st and second ch of beg ch 2.

Row 7: Ch 2, turn. Skipping first hdc, sc decrease over next two hdc. Hdc in next 17 hdc, sc decrease over next st and second ch of beg ch 2.

Row 8: Ch 2, turn. Skipping first hdc, sc decrease over next two hdc. Hdc in next 15 hdc, sc decrease over next st and second ch of beg ch 2. Fasten off.


Crown:
Ch 4. Join with sl st in first ch to form ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 23 dc in ring (24 dc). Join with sl st to top of beg ch 3.

Rnd 2: Ch 3(counts as last BPDC now and throughout), FPDC in next dc, (2 BPDC in next dc, FPDC in next DC) around, BPDC around beg ch 3. Join with sl st to top of beg ch 3 (12 FPDC, 24 BPDC made).

Rnd 3: Ch 3, (2 FPDC around first FPDC, BPDC around each of next two BPDC) around. Join with sl st to top of beg ch 3.

Rnd 4: Ch 3, (FPDC around each of next two FPDC, 2 BPDC around next BPDC, BPDC around next BPDC) around. Join with sl st to top of beg ch 3.

Rnd 5: Ch 3, (FPDC around each of next two FPDC, BPDC around next three BPDC) around. Join with sl st to top of beg ch 3.

Rnd 6: Ch 3, (FPDC around each of next two FPDC, 2 BPDC around next BPDC, BPDC around each of next two BPDC) around. Join with sl st to top of beg ch 3.

Rnd 7: Ch 3, (FPDC around each of next two FPDC, BPDC around each of next four BPDC) around. Join with sl st to top of beg ch 3.

Rnds 8-16: Rep rnd 7.

Rnd 17: Ch 1, sc in same st as joining. Sc in each dc around, join with sl st to first sc (72 sc).

Rnd 18: Rep rnd 17.

Rnd 19: Ch 1, sc in same st as joining and in next 20 sc. Place visor pieces together with WS facing and edges evenly held together (pin if needed) against front of hat. Insert hook into first bottom loops of each visor piece, then into next sc from rnd 18. YO and draw a loop up and through these three layers, yo and draw through two loops on hook (sc). Sc in same way across remaining 29 sc of bottom of visor to connect it to cap (30 sc). Sc in next 21 sts around; join with sl st in beg sc.

Rnd 20: Ch 1, sc in same st as joining and next 20 sc. 10 sc along edge of visor to corner, 17 sc across 17 sts of front of brim, 10 sc along other edge of visor. Sc in remaining 21 sc around. Join with sl st in beg sc, fasten off.

Better photos!

Well, today has been a whirlwind of activity! School from 7:30-2:00, and then home for hours on the phone and. . . new photos! Here's an updated photograph of Hannah's new aran tote:

The space will have a button in it (eventually!), while the flap will have a space in the matching location. Get it?

Tagged by Sue. . . Three posts in one day!!!

Answer the four questions below and then name four taggees.

Four jobs you have held:
1. Teaching Assistant
2. Professional Photographer's Assistant
3. Martini Waitress
4. Hallmark Gift Specialist :)

Four places you have lived:
1. Chicago, IL
2. Syracuse, NY
3. Schenectady, NY
4. Tempe, AZ

Four vacations you have taken:
1. Montreal
2. Paris
3. London
4. Sanibel Island, FL

Four vehicles you have owned:
1. '95 Plymouth Neon Sport
2. '94 Toyota Camry V6 LE
3. I'm only 21! What more do you want!?
4. See above.

Four bloggers you want to tag: (G'on, don't be shy!)
1. Tandi
2. Aunt Linda
3. Drew, the Crochet Dude!
4. Maria

Just for you, Mom!

You will sink in a mire. You like to think you're
normal, but deep down you really just want to
strip off your clothes and roll around in
chicken fat.

What horrible Edward Gorey Death will you die?
brought to you by

Aran the pattern, not the color!

Hannah's tote is progressing quickly, as is the pattern! Some of you may notice that the pattern is slightly different than the cream version, because I've altered the stitch count (vertically and horizontally) to differentiate it from the original pattern. I'm also using a smaller hook (H, not I. . . huge difference, LOL), leading to a much smaller, more manageable tote. Now I just need to choose a button for the space in diamond row 4!



This photo is terribly dark, I know, and I promise that the next one will be better. . . but believe me, the flash was worse! Besides, weren't you dying to see my progress?

Crochet away the day!

Okay, not really. I've been very good this weekend, and finished all the required reading for Monday's classes. Aren't you proud? I am! Some of it was boring! Moving on. . .

I'm through Row 40 of my Lace and Bobbles afghan, which I'm fast growing fond of. John likes it too, and has requested a second version in green. ::adds to giant mental list of future crochet projects:: Here are two up-to-the-minute shots of it, one with flash on, the other off. The colors are deep, deep purple, lighter purple, and cream, and neither photo is right on. Ignore the curtains and carpet, please!

These photos almost cost me my life, as I balanced precariously on the coffee table while desperately trying to fit the ruler in for reference! Enjoy them! No, really, you HAVE TO!

I've also begun working on Hannah's super-cool aran tote, in Caron's Pounder Yarn in Espresso. Here's a before shot:

It'll look a lot like Melissa's tote, but in smaller, textbook-sized form. Melissa's was a bit of a monster, designed to be large enough to carry books along with the occassional skein of yarn (or ten. . . I'm not joking.) I'm also writing the pattern out as I go, due to multiple requests and demands.

Finally, in response to my good blogging friend Sue, here is a photo of where my blogging magic happens, along with most of my crocheting, reading, and desperate writing "magic":

Bad Kitty!

Minerva is in love with all things crochet, and the Lace and Bobbles afghan is no exception! Here she is, warming it up for me:

Some of you may remember this post. . . it looks like a trend is developing!

G'nite, all!

Lacing and Bobbling along. . .

and quickly, too! This is it, through Row 30 (image is clickable):


Minerva seems to approve! I was barely able to shoo her off long enough to take this photo! This weekend will probably slow me down a bit though, as I have tons of reading to wade through. This semester's classes are looking promising, as is my research assistantship. Lots and lots of work, but interesting work! Happy weekend, everyone!

New Afghan!

First, this is for Cristin -- thank you for the lovely compliments! John-Michael's afghan is the December afghan from Birthstone Afghans by Carole Prior. I have a few links to where to buy it, so let me know your email address on Crochetville -- I'm Celestial Seasonings!

I've joined the Lace and Bobbles CAL in an effort to produce something pretty and in one piece for my Great Aunt Max. Unless of course I can't part with it after finishing! In just half an hour, I've managed to get through row 11:

Rosie's Afghan

. . . is finished! I began this just a week before Christmas, hopeful that I'd be able to finish in time (crazy, I know!), and ALMOST made it! The squares were finished in three days, as were the flowers, but the leaves took much longer than expected. Family dinners and all got in the way, and before I knew it, I was packing this afghan up to take back to Arizona! Now that it's finished, it'll be in the mail back to New York tomorrow

Pattern: Vanna's Favorite Crocheted Gifts, "Bed of Roses"
Materials: 12 skeins LB Wool-ease in Fisherman
2 skeins LB Wool-ease in Pink Heather
1 skein LB Wool-ease in Dk. Pink Heather
1 skein LB Wool-ease in Dk. Green Heather
Hook: Sz. I-9
Alterations: Changed edging to that from the "63 Squares" pamphlet, and altered the placement of several leaves to be more symmetrical

I've also finished my January swap square, which will be going out tomorrow!

Let the swapping begin!

In an effort to control my crochet addiction, I joined the 2006 Square-a-Month swap over at C'ville. Theoretically, I'll have a single square to work on each month rather than an entire afghan, which is what happened last semester! Yes, really, I made four afghans last semester. FOUR. It normally takes me 3-4 months to make ONE. That was bad, bad, bad of me!

I've already received my January square from Fiona, and here's a shot of it:

Sorry 'bout the lousy lighting, but I just had to share tonight! Thanks so much, Fiona!

Project Update

Tina's comfortghan is finished, as you can see by these photos! I edged the center square in pink in honor of breast cancer survivors, and edged the afghan using the pattern from the 63 Squares pamphlet (my new favorite!)

I pulled out the brightest squares and assembled them into a bag for the afghan, which I still need to photograph (alright, so I haven't quite finished the edging!) All that's left is to retag the squares and ship! Thank you to everyone who contributed, and keep an eye on your mailboxes next week!

I've also begun working away at John-Michael's afghan. The pattern is simple to remember but looks complex -- my favorite kind! It'll be about 5'x6' when finished:

Back!

A few weeks and a few family dinners later, I'm back in Arizona and blogging away. Yesterday John, James, and I drove up to Sedona. . . note the can of Pringles and dollar-store sunglasses. . . it must be a road trip!

The weather was beautiful, the scenery was gorgeous, and the speed limit was a lovely 75! The desert is SO different from New York! It was also an excellent time to test out the new digital camera, which seems to have passed the test!

Take a look at our gorgeous (unedited, I swear!) shots:


Red rocks abound! We even ran into a rabbit. . . can you see him?

Tomorrow. . . CROCHET!

Chuggin' Along. . .

I've finished 18 of my 35 Squares. . . too bad I can't go to grad school for crochet! I'm done for the evening though, as I promised myself I'd type out at least eight pages on my papers tonight. There's no good t.v. on, and my fingers are tired, so no excuses!!! I do think I'll sign up for the master crochet program in January though. . . it would be nice if I were certified to teach! But which one to choose. . . the CGOA Master's Program, or CYCA Certification?

In other news, Melissa has received her tote! I can finally post a photo of it, and you can see comments here.


It took a little over eight ounces of Caron acrylic in cream (ultra washable!), and I used an I hook. It's adapted from my aran afghan pattern, but the form and strap are my own design. The base is reinforced with "ultra stiff" plastic canvas (felt pretty regular to me!) tucked into a double-thick crocheted strip. Overall, I'm happy with how it turned out -- I've never made a tote before!