Thursday, August 25, 2011

Don't Do This!

People often ask me what the difference between crochet and knitting is, and I usually give a sort of technical answer (hook vs. needles, type of stitches, etc).  The thing I rarely say is that people are more willing to do crazy, stupid, down-right ugly things with crochet.  Does that mean crocheters are more creative?  Not really.  More willing to take risks?  I think so.

I was browsing around Ravelry today, and found . . . well.  No offense to the pattern maker, because it's a very . . . creative idea.  But, please, lovely readers and friends, don't do this:


I can't imagine why you would want to do that to a harmless teapot.  What did it ever do to you?  and it . . . I get that you want it to look like coral, but . . . no.  It looks sort of like the Yip Yip aliens from Sesame Street decided your teapot was real purty, if you know what I'm saying, and I think you do.

My lovely friends, I encourage creativity with anything you do, but . . . god.  Don't.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Scarf/hat combo!

Well, at least part of it.  I haven't done any real work on the hat yet.  It's my first time working with serious, grown-up cables, and I thought that it might be easier to get the idea of how things work without having to work in the round.

I was right.

Both patterns are off of Ravelry (the scarf and the hat), but I've obviously changed the yarns to Misti Alpaca Tonos Worsted.  I love it, it's so soft and squishy!






I hate when colorways are just letters and numbers, but this one is TW16 - I'm calling it grape, so there.

The scarf is coming along - I'm having a few issues with putting it down, and then having to remember how to cable again after a few days, but other than that, it's pretty easy.  Front/back post crochet is easier than I had thought, waaaaay back when I first saw a piece of cabled crochet.

The squishiness of the yarn, however, means that stitch definition isn't what it might be.  I don't care, I'm making the scarf because I want a cabley scarf and hat, and I like the color and feel, but it explains why the pattern calls for superwash wool.  Here's a pic of the stitchwork, though it didn't turn out awesome (purple-on-purple with the iPhone camera doesn't turn out so great).





I like how it's working up, even if it does look a little clumsy.  I'm hoping to get it done in time to block it before chilly weather starts up.  It's really hard to stay focused on making cold-weather gear when it's nice out and all I want is a ball of cotton to make myself a new purse.  But I'm in love with this color and the idea of having something sassy and matched for Thanksgiving/Christmas.





It's moving, a little at a time.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

My hat!

I'm not a hat-maker, as a general rule.  Probably because I'm not a hat-wearer.  Hats look sort of silly on me; or at least, I feel like they do, which amounts to the same thing, right?  But I finally gave up on my hat protests, because I need a winter hat.  I just get too darned cold without one, when it's snowing and 3 degrees out.

So I made m'self a hat from some leftover yarn (Cascade Eco Wool, if you're curious; giant skeins = more left when you finish a project!), and it's awesome!  I'd never made a hat before . . . well, not one that fit, at least.





Isn't it pretty?  And it fits and everything!  I was so proud.

Friday, August 19, 2011

People I *heart*

. . . include, but aren't limited to, the author of this blog.  Courtney is a doll, and one of the people who made me feel like I'm going to be doing the right thing by opening my store.  She's also given me great, great feedback about yarn stores and what makes a good one.

She also happens to be one of the most talented (if ADD) crocheters I know, which roxors.  Her blog is awesome.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Awesome!

I got the summer issue of Interweave Crochet a few days ago, and I am just beyond thrilled with it.  I don't think there's a section that doesn't have something I want to make!  I am, however, holding back; I'm still working on my scarf and hat set (pics will be posted later!) and I don't feel right starting anything new until I get at least one done.

However!

I may have to change up my ravelry queue to reflect a few of those patterns, because they are SO awesome, and I have really, really been jonesing to work with crochet thread lately for some reason.

I love the idea of making "prayer shawls" (not my favorite name for them, what can we call them that's better?) for people, though.  Love love love projects that work up quick and are cozy and easy to give.

Inaugural Post!

It's been a long time since I had a blog, but it was about time for me to get another one, I think.


I'm getting psyched up to start my own store, and it'll be great.  Terrifying, but great.  Until I get going, this'll be mostly for cool patterns/yarns/things I want to sell or make.  And a forum for people who are interested in the idea of a girl willing to let the public watch her try to make something of her own, or who want to talk back about what they want in a store.

Alternatively, if you love yarn and yarnwork, you're welcome here as well.  No one will be kept out of this place.  So, welcome to Adventurous Crochet!