Playing Around

So, I've wanted to try making a kippah for a while. I'm too chicken to try it from string, yet. So, I thought I would start with yarn. I tried a traditional one that would be solid, but didn't like the way it was turning out. A switch of gears, some digging through patterns, and adaptation yielded this: Close up...
I was wondering if people think it looks too much like a snow flake? I'd appreciate opinions!



My concern about the "snowflake thing" led me to give this yarn a try...

What do you think? I spotted this yarn and it reminded me of Hanukkah. =-D

In other news, here is the beginning of a scarf that has now traveled to the frog pond. I still think it is a good idea, however, in this yarn the body was too stiff. Since my goal is a scarf for a nine-year-old, I'm on to plan B.
Lastly, as promised a pic of the center of the baby blanket. Haven't worked on the edging since my last post. It will take some uninterrupted time and concentration. It will have to wait for the right moment.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Making Room

So a few of you wanted to know what the yarn was that I plucked from the stash the baby blanket. It is the white Caron Simply Soft that I bought to make my mother a shawl. That was a little over a year ago! If you clicked on all the links you know I eventually gave up and lucked into the perfect pattern a month later.

Want a progress pic on the baby blanket? I'd love to show you one, however, after two days of trying to get Blogger to upload it...I give up! When it cooperates, I promise you'll see. =-D It is looking good. The center and one round of the border are complete. Just cross your fingers for me. I'm doubtful I'll have enough yarn to complete all 7 rounds of the border. I'm hoping that when I run out I'll like the way the edging looks!


Monday, the giving tree went up at school. So, now I have plans for two more skeins of Caron Simply soft in Iris and Grey Heather (scroll down they are side by side) to go with the requested present. I'm envisioning a vertically striped scarf with corkscrew fringe in the same color as each stripe. We'll see if it works...

Maturation

O.K. so I've had a "stash" for quite some time. What crocheter doesn't, right? It reflected my current interests, then stretched to include yarn I just had to have. Over time, I've developed a section where beautiful yarns just stare at me saying, "What will I be? When will you crochet me?" I haven't a clue! I do, however, sigh over their lusciousness occasionally.

Friday I had a realization. My stash is officially mature. How do I know? Well, the last three projects I've started have all been worked with stash yarn! I saw the pattern for the Olde Peddler Shawl on Ravelry and thought, "Perfect! I've got some pretty lace weight that will work." Then there was the skein of Berry Blast from Sereknity that was the perfect match for my new winter coat. However, I didn't quite realize yet that there had been a change in my usage until I went "shopping" in my stash for yarn to make this:

Yarn I didn't remember was in the stash. Yarn that was just what, according to those on Ravelry who have made this blanket, I needed. It was even the right color. The down side? I need to reorganize my stash (again) because it no longer fits in its corner of my closet! LOL The up side? I'm making room by using up some of the yarn that has been residing there. Maybe it is time to give away some more acrylic to charity...

Did You Notice?

I pulled the new Webs catalogue out of my mailbox this morning and got a surprise. Anyone watch America's Next Top Model? It is one of my guilty pleasures. Well, one of the contestants has shown up in the catalogue! See? (page 25) And since I borrowed the picture, she is modeling the Long Stitch Wrap made from Silk Rhapsody... =-D

I'm not sure what to think of the fact that she seems to be the only model with just one photo, however, it's still kind of cool to see her turn up there!

Modified Moss Afghan - Pattern

Yawn. So, what do you do when it is 6am on an Saturday morning and your plans don't begin until noon? Why you take pictures and wash swatches of course!


At long last here it is, the finished afghan sans blocking.

And a close up of the stitches...

Why sans blocking? Well, when it was done and I climbed underneath, I discovered with just a little gentle pull the afghan would tuck under my feet and tuck under my chin! I'm thinking the weight of the finished piece and simple use will stretch it enough without blocking. =-D

Can I just tell you how happy it makes me to glance around my living room and see something beautiful that came from the work of my hands? Priceless!

Pattern

10 skeins of Universal Deluxe Worsted LP color 09

Hook US I/9 (5.50 mm)

Foundation: Chain 130.

Row 1 (sc then dc) in 3rd ch from hook, *sk 1 chain, sc then dc in next ch* repeat to end. Turn, ch 2.

Row 2 in each sc across work a sc then a dc (you skip over the dc).

Repeat Row 2 until you run out of yarn! =-D

The Challenge

So I rarely talk about anything but yarn on this blog, however, today is the exception. I set my students the task of finding an "item" that related to discrimination or prejudice as part of our unit on To Kill a Mockingbird. Today, they made their first presentations . You know what? I've now heard a rap style song I can get behind (she used the third verse):




Not only is it a powerful message, it uses "Clair de Lune" as a background. This brings back memories of my sister sitting at our piano. I actually taught myself to play a very small portion of this piece from my sister's sheet music when I got older because I loved listening to her play it!

And speaking of my sis, she surprised me last week. In the mail was a package which after squeezing it I thought contained yarn. Well, only sort of...see?


So soft and cuddly! It's made from Lion Brand's Landscapes yarn in Country Sunset. Such a lovely surprise that matches the new winter coat! (Yup, it is the right blue.)