"Crochet -- Work in Progress -- Bavarian Crochet Afghan" by Miriam E. Waters

"Bavarian" Crochet ... also known as "Sharon's Wheel" & "Wool Eater"

""Knitting -- The Master Plan -- What big eyes you have ..."

OK ... my afghan project ... I'm almost back to the point I'd been when I discovered I needed to R-I-P-P-I-T out!  I need to finish the current and complete 25% of the next rounds to be back where I need to be ...

I visited another local library the evening before last to attend a "drumming" session -- what fun!  

While at the library I discovered a glass display case filled with projects completed by the library's needlework group. Now, I've upped the ante ... not only do I want to learn how to knit mittens, but I want them to be in the "Fair Ilse" style.  These mittens have beautiful patterns that incorporate a motif in one or more colors into a piece.

I had another R-I-P-P-I-T adventure at Tuesday's needlecrafters' meeting.  I'm attempting my first project -- an orange cotton "Honeycomb" dust/dish/counter/what-have-you cloth -- and realized I'd made a mistake ... soooo, I carefully pulled out about three inches of knitting and replaced the piece on the needle.  I needed some help from Shirley to get my yarn "tail" in the right position.  Thanks, Shirley!


Sooo, my knitting program is still "on hold" until I complete the afghan. 

""Knitting -- The Master Plan --Whoops!"

Drats!  I've discovered a MAJOR error in my current project and need to R-I-P-P-I-T out! 

I'm lucky to have a buffer between now and the completion due date ... it will allow me to fix the error.  

Sooo, my knitting program is "on hold" until I can correct my work and complete the piece.  Again, <Insert BIG Sigh Here!>.

""Knitting -- The Master Plan -- Picots"

Credit:  hookedonneedles.com

I'm nearing completion of my diversion from my knitting quest.  

I've completed 25% of the "picots" I'm adding to the border of my current project. 

Once the picots are completed and I've done the dreaded "finish work," I'll be free to turn my attention back to knitting.

I'm planning on completing the textured knitting sample mentioned in yesterday's posting ...

"Knitting -- The Master Plan" -- "Hiatus ... continued"

I continued my break from knitting by focusing on crocheting at today's meeting of the local library's needlecrafting group.  I worked on finishing a large project ... I thought I made great progress during the two-hour session only to discover an error that must be r-i-p-p-p-t out and rehooked.  <Insert Sigh Here!>

I do have a new weapon in my arsenal ... a slim "at a glance" reference card for knitting stitches and hints.  It's come in handy several times since I received it as a gift last week.

The vintage mitten pattern I plan to use is rather daunting at this point in my adventure.  I tried to read and follow the instructions, but I'm not "there" yet.  Sooooo, I backed off and found a booklet filled with textured knitting "samplers" that can be used as dishcloths once completed.  Not too sexy a project, but I need to start somewhere other than with a scarf!

"Knitting -- The Master Plan" -- "Hiatus"

I've been on hiatus from my quest to learn how to knit mittens ... I've been crocheting instead!

I've completed the body and trim on two lapghans and need to do the "finish work" before I can add them to the "DONE" pile.  

The lapghans -- numbers one and two out of five -- are part of the "Veterans' Lapghans Challenge" I set for myself. I'm hoping to complete five lapghans by summer's end.

I decided to add a new stitch to my crocheting skills -- the "Afghan Stitch" ... also known as "Tunisian Crochet," I believe ... could be wrong here ...

It's simple enough ... it involves using a hook that is a cross of a crochet hook and a knitting needle ... so I'm "kind of" knitting. The hook and stitch remain a bit awkward for me, but I imagine I'll improve with practice, practice, practice.

My "Afghan Stitch" practice piece is just as wonky as my initial knitting samples ... loops in places they don't belong and a bottom edge that insists on curling.

Tuesday brings another meeting of needle crafters at the local library ... I guess I'll need to drag the knitting needles out again before day's end!  

I MAY try my hand at reading a vintage pattern for mittens and giving it a go.  If not, I'll select one of the "sampler" knitting patterns I received at the last meeting. Either way, I'll be attempting something NEW!

"Knitting -- The Master Plan" -- "Perfect Practice"

Another week, another gathering of knitters and crocheters at the local library.

Today I focused on practicing the stockinette stitch using size "17" needles and "super bulky" yarn.  I opted for Red Heart's "Vivid" yarn in the type of fun, bright colors that appeal to children.

I worked up the entire skein and will soon unravel it and set it aside for some future project.

"A few of my favorite things ..."

"Knitting -- The Master Plan" -- "Session No. 3."

I attended another session of the local library's needlecraft group today ... it was a full house with eight participants!  
I've got the faces down, now I'm working on the names of the group members.  It's easy to remember "Shirley," because she was the first member I met and she's been extremely helpful.

Today Shirley helped me to explore the mysteries and challenges of circular needles.  I was able to knit a few rows and picked up a few tips for working with the alternate form of knitting needles.  I'm saving the "YouTube" exploration for another day.

Shirley also provided some pointers for reversing mistakes ...

a hot topic for me.  I'm forever dropping one of the needles resulting in all of the stitches landing in my lap sans needle. Trying to make sense of picking up the stitches without twisting their orientation is a bit tricky. She promised more help with this topic next week.

After practicing for awhile, I decided it was time to pick up my crochet hook and work at something I know and love.  I'll resume my quest to learn to knit another day.

"Fabulous Find -- 'Mikey' by The Crochet Crowd -- June 15th, 2016"

Visit ...
thecrochetcrowd.com/mikey-magazine-june-15-2016/
to download a PDF version of this fun and inspirational newsletter/magazine.

"Knitting -- The Master Plan" -- "One DOWN One UP"

The day was disappointing because there were only three members of the library's needle craft group at today's meeting.  Since the other two members were crocheters, I was unable to discover the trick to knitting with circular needles from a live tutor.  It's back to YouTube to find a demonstration ...

On the "UP" side ... the group donated a quantity of yarn to the LFBG's Good Works Ministry.  I spent this evening sorting out the mixed bag of worsted weight yarn, delicate pastel baby yarns, kits, and what-have-you.  The materials will be made available to team members at our next meeting on Monday, June 20, 2016.

There is a quantity of tan and cranberry yarn suitable for a lapghan ... perhaps someone will join me in the "Five Lapghans for Veterans" challenge I proposed at the last meeting.  

I'm currently working on crocheted lapghan number one.  It's made of Bernat's "Blanket Yarn" -- a super bulky, yet amazingly soft and lightweight yarn -- worked in a modified "granny square" pattern with alternating thin and wide bands.

The lapghan's main color is "Sonoma" ... a mixture of rich browns, tans, and cream. 

I've got one more skein of "Sonoma" to add to the body of the lapghan -- I'm aiming for a finished square of at least 40" per side.  

Once the body of the lapghan is completed, I'll design some type of simple border in "Cream" ... perhaps I'll add picots to the edging ... perhaps not.

I'm off in search of a hot cup of "Tazo Cinnamon and Star Anise" tea, a comfortable seat in my recliner, and some quiet time hooking the lapghan.  'night.

"Crochet -- 65+ FREE "Sensational Shawl & Scarf' Patterns -- CrochetStreet.com"

FREE Pattern Roundup ~ Click Here!

This collection of FREE Crochet Patterns Includes ...

 5 Beautiful, Lightweight Scarves and Shawls by Simply Collectible

 20 Free Crochet Patterns Link Blast: Shoulder Lace compiled by Kim Guzman

12 Free Sensational Shawl crochet patterns by Simply Collectible

23 Beautiful Lacy Shawl Crochet Patterns compiled by The Steady Hand Blog

7 Free and Beautiful Rectangle Light Wraps crochet patterns  byJessieatHome.com

"Featured Website -- Lion Brand Yarns"

Lion Brand Yarns Website

"Visit the Lion Brand Yarns Website to discover ...

• 6,828 free knitting patterns, free crochet patterns and free craft patterns, with new ones published weekly.
  
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• the Directory of Knitting and Crochet Clubs where you can find friends who share your interests,
  
• a free gallery where you can upload and share your projects with others
  
• a free weekly e-mail newsletter that is packed with free patterns, tips, contests and features.
  
• inspirational essays and useful articles to help you take your knitting and crocheting to the next level.
  

And much, much more!"

"Yarn Stash"

"Crochet -- 'Blizzard Warning' Square"

Credit:  "All Free Crochet" Group on Facebook

The printable free pattern for this stunning block, "Blizzard Warning," is available to download at Every Trick on the Hook.

The squares in this afghan are connected using a "Celtic Lace Join." Instructions for this technique and many others are available from Cypress Textiles.

For additional information and resources (videos, tutorials, etc.), search "Blizzard Warning crochet" on your search engine (i.e.,  Google, Yahoo, etc.).

"Thusday; June 2, 2016"

Credit:

"Tunisian Crochet"-- crochetingblind.blogspot.com

"Wednesday; June 1, 2016"

Credit:  knittingparadise.com

"Miriam E. Waters ~~ "Calico Cat Bag"

This is my "Calico Cat Bag."  I created it with remnants of rug yarn that came to me in a big jumble and lined it with a piece of Waverly fabric.

These are not colors I would have selected for a project, but they work together in an odd sort of way ... like the colors in a calico cat.  

The body is worked in the "Moss Stitch."

"Fabulous Find -- 'Honoring Our Veterans' -- Leisure Arts"

Resource: "Crochet:  Honoring Our Veterans" -- Leisure Arts

Consider Honoring a Veteran with one of these

crochet throws or lap robes (i.e., lapghans).  

Honoring Our Veterans Crochet Book

Item 346081

Show your gratitude! Each of 13 crochet throws or lap robes(i.e., lapghans) is designed for medium weight yarn in red, white, and blue or camouflage print. Softcover.  ON SALE NOW for $9.79 at Herrschners.  Sign up for their enewsletter and receive an additional 10% off your first order.

Note:  A copy of this book will be available at the May 2, 2016 meeting of the LFBC GWM.

"Wish List -- Handmade Wooden Yarn Bowl -- Darn Good Yarn"

Sooooo beautiful!  Available from Darn Good Yarn.

I'd love one to work with ...