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Post by jeremysgirl on Sept 1, 2022 11:06:23 GMT
Good morning and welcome to September! September! Damn. This year is moving super fast and super slow for me at the very same time. It's like work lately. I'm so busy my day flies by but then I'm like damn, it's *only* Thursday! Sigh. Anyway, I am on the clock and you all know how I feel about deadlines. My grandbaby is due January 23rd. But I have it on good authority that the shower is going to be in November. Yikes! I'd really like to get my blanket done before the shower and I know I'm capable. I just don't like the anxiety of a deadline. I'm working on Meow/Woof from Rosina Plane for the grandchild. It is a real shame I needed to download two patterns to mash up into this blanket. But so far it's coming out cute. I took a pic of the row of geometric "flowers" at least that's what they look like to me. And I'll share here. But I am halfway through my first row of dogs so I should be able to update this weekend with that done. Keep me on track ladies. Ask me how it's going so it will nudge me along. Haha! Who else needs a nudge? Who has Christmas projects? Seaexplore did you ever get your photo albums done? I know you like to give them for Christmas. And I'm really hoping I can get to the advent Santa this holiday season. It would be fun to actually do it during Advent. Jop is waiting on me to get my poop in a group. Lol! Anyone have Christmas projects?  |
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wellway
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Post by wellway on Sept 1, 2022 12:08:49 GMT
Hi, September already! August was just an overheated endurance event, glad to have some cooler, bearable weather. The hot weather wasn't great for crafting but I did move some of my projects along a little bit. I have two Christmas projects to finish off, a quilt and a wall hanging, both are about 80% done so with a bit of dedicated time they will be done in time. My friend and I are learning to quilt together by doing year long quilt alongs, we had discussed next year's project and decided we would not do the same designer again and we had so much to do already that we would be busy enough without signing up for anything new... Anyway, we doing a new year long project that starts very shortly, as her child is off to university it will be perfect for keeping her distracted. The project list just got longer and that does not even take into account all the lovely crochet projects I keep seeing.  |
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Post by jeremysgirl on Sept 1, 2022 12:35:25 GMT
wellway I hear you. I signed up for Jimmy Beans monthly shawl club and I've done absolutely nothing on it. Nothing! All year. I have a bunch of neatly packaged unopened balls of yarn just waiting for me to do something with them. I think I got behind because I wasn't in love with the pattern and I've just been waiting for a new pattern to hit me over the head. But as this drags on further, I'm just not even sure what to do with it. Honestly I'm tempted to repeat last year's pattern which I thought was much cooler. Before you know it though it will be December and I'll have 12 balls of yarn just waiting for me. Ha! Are you at least happy with the way the quilts are coming out? Was this a fun new craft for you that you want to continue?
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Post by jeremysgirl on Sept 1, 2022 12:42:33 GMT
gillyp or wellway do either of you know of a good video to learn how to do a foundation stitch without having to chain? I have a scarf I want to make ultra long with striping lengthwise and the idea of having to chain all that just leaves me feeling nauseous as the first row is such a pain.
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wellway
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Post by wellway on Sept 1, 2022 13:35:06 GMT
jeremysgirl, I tend to always chain, I think I used a foundation stitch once when I made Letitas's holiday by Rosalin Plane. I tried her YouTube channel and can't find the video there. Not sure where else to find it. If it helps I tend to use markers every fifty stitches so I don't have to count from one every time. But I did find out she is launching a new Christmas blanket in 20 hours called HoHoHo, so I'm going to have a look at that...
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Post by jeremysgirl on Sept 1, 2022 13:45:51 GMT
jeremysgirl, I tend to always chain, I think I used a foundation stitch once when I made Letitas's holiday by Rosalin Plane. I tried her YouTube channel and can't find the video there. Not sure where else to find it. If it helps I tend to use markers every fifty stitches so I don't have to count from one every time. But I did find out she is launching a new Christmas blanket in 20 hours called HoHoHo, so I'm going to have a look at that... I usually do the 50 stitch trick too!  I don't need to count on this project. It's just going to be a simple striped scarf. I just don't want to have to chain and then crochet into the chain. The first row always irritates me and it's especially a pain when it is really long. |
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wellway
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Post by wellway on Sept 1, 2022 13:48:40 GMT
jeremysgirl, re the quilting, the couple of projects have been mystery quilts. That added an interesting angle each month as you had no idea what technique, design or colours(within a range) you will be using. My friend and I decided we were ready to know what we were making, so for the new upcoming project we have both selected different colours and know what the end result should look like and what techniques we will be attempting! It's been a blast learning a new craft especially during the last couple of years.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Sept 1, 2022 14:20:02 GMT
Can't believe September is already here! I swear every year flies by faster. It's been a challenge to get any crafting done this summer with a remodel going on. However, I did manage to make 30 quilt blocks for a baby quilt. This month's goal is to actually put them together for a quilt top. The pattern is Happy Stripes. All the blocks are made entirely from fabrics in my stash. Was hoping to do the backing from my stash but nothing is working so I'll have to buy something for that. All these shades of blue and red have been used up so I'll have to look for more fat quarters in these shades at QF.  Yesterday registration opened for the quilt festival. I signed up for 3 half-day classes, one quilting related and the other two are sewing related. The quilting class is about Crumb Quilting. You learn to take all your odd sized scraps and bits of fabrics, sew them together and make usable sized fabric pieces to make scrap quilts with. With the cost of good quilt fabric these days, using every scrap appeals to me. I also love the look of a scrap quilt like my granny used to make. |
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Post by jeremysgirl on Sept 1, 2022 15:02:52 GMT
You know what's kind of funny **GypsyGirl** is the scrap crochet blankets always seem to be the favorites too. I can make gorgeous things but everyone wants the blankets with the most random colors all put together. Is it like that with quilts too? Case in point...I had skein after skein of Lion Brand (cheap) Homespun yarn in my stash I carried around for like 12 years. All sorts of colors. It is a pretty yarn but a real bitch to crochet with. Well I decided one day I would hold it double stranded and crochet it with a double crochet stitch on a ginormous plastic hook. While I was making it, my dog just wouldn't get off of it. So I gave it to my dog. Every time I post a pic of my dog laying on this blanket, people rave about it. And I'm like this is the biggest, heaviest mishmash of yarn. Why does everyone love it so much.  |
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Post by gillyp on Sept 1, 2022 15:13:57 GMT
jeremysgirl , I've used the chainless foundation twice but can't recall which instructions I followed. If you YouTube "chainless foundation crochet" there are a load of videos which should help and hopefully you will find one you can use. Sometimes I have to close a tutorial because the instructor makes me wince. I love Amelia's blanket too! I love the colours and I think it reminds me of the rag rugs my grandmother used to make. Your colour choice for meow/woof is lovely too. The blue in particular appeals to me. wellway , the HoHoHo blanket has already had a photo put up and it's lovely! I will not be doing it, I have more wips than are allowed by the Yarn Police but I'll be favouriting it to maybe come back to one day. **GypsyGirl** I love reds, whites and blues together. I'd love to see what you choose for the back and the finished item.
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Post by gillyp on Sept 1, 2022 15:25:55 GMT
Happy September each and all! We are scarily close to another year, one I hope to achieve more than this. I am still loving making the black and cream Christmassy Mood blanket that I put up last month but it’s on hold while I do some Halloween squares. I put the crow up last month and here is the pumpkin head. I’ve just started the witch’s hat. I’m loving these squares because of the imagery and also because they only take a few hours each. I expect to join them and the resulting blanket will be an absolute hot mess of Halloween colours!  |
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Post by gillyp on Sept 1, 2022 15:40:14 GMT
jeremysgirl you were asking about Woolwarehouse’s own yarn, Yarnsmiths. I got a couple of balls to see what they were like and to see if I could use them with the Stylecraft Special I’m doing the Halloween squares in. The orange and lime are Yarnsmiths and the bottom two purples are Stylecraft. The twist on the Stylecraft seems a little more defined and there is about 5m more yarn to Stylecraft. They feel very similar and both are made in Turkey so I would imagine they are made in the same place. The proof will be in the making so I’ll find out in a little while.  
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wellway
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Post by wellway on Sept 1, 2022 15:46:49 GMT
gillyp , loving your Halloween square. Just curious how does the pattern deal with the yarn ends between the squares? Thanks for posting the comparison photo, will be interested how you find it to work with.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Sept 1, 2022 15:55:22 GMT
gillyp that pumpkin square is so cute! I can't wait to hear more of your review on the yarn. A looser twist can mean more splitting. And that just makes me nuts. So let me know. I just went and peeked. The Hohoho blanket is fab. I just love it. It's just one more thing on my to make list. Which just grows faster than I can even crochet.
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Post by gillyp on Sept 1, 2022 15:59:07 GMT
gillyp , loving your Halloween square. Just curious how does the pattern deal with the yarn ends between the squares? Thanks for posting the comparison photo, will be interested how you find it to work with. I think some have made envelope borders and joined them, some have woven them in. I'm toying with just knotting or maybe doing envelope borders. Either way there will be a bit of bulk there. I hope to back it with a bought Halloween fleece blanket so all the back will be encased and the knots hidden if I do that way. |
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Post by Scrapper100 on Sept 1, 2022 16:56:23 GMT
Jeremysgirl I hope you find a good video and would appreciate it if you would post a link. I watched one and thought I saved it but apparently not. It looked easy and much nicer than my foundation rows look. I hate crocheting into chains to.
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Post by Bridget in MD on Sept 1, 2022 17:06:01 GMT
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Post by Lexica on Sept 1, 2022 17:12:22 GMT
You ladies are all so darned talented! I'm envious. Learning to crochet like my mother did is on my bucket list. Why, oh why didn't I have her teach me when she lived with me?? She made beautiful things. I can actually knit. Mom put my sister and I in a knitting class one summer to keep us out of trouble while she was working. Even though it has been years and years, I still remember the basics. But the final product doesn't look as nice as something that has been crocheted. When I get all moved into a new place and unpacked, I plan on spending the cold rainy and snow days learning to crochet. Let's hope I inherited some of Mom's talent.
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wellway
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Post by wellway on Sept 1, 2022 17:16:02 GMT
You have good taste, it's a very popular pattern on Raverly. Over two thousand people have posted photos of their work using different yarns and colours. I've made a similar type of shawl, I think they are sometimes called reading shawls. |
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Post by Bridget in MD on Sept 1, 2022 17:25:53 GMT
You have good taste, it's a very popular pattern on Raverly. Over two thousand people have posted photos of their work using different yarns and colours. I've made a similar type of shawl, I think they are sometimes called reading shawls. I just bought this pattern thru Etsy. I do not know how to crochet. Before I go down a rabbit hole, can anyone tell me if there is a website or youtube I can go to and learn how to crochet? Am I insane for thinking I can teach myself?  I don't even know the difference btwn knitting and crocheting - although when I was a kid, I did knit my grandfather a scarf. wellway - WOW that is awesome!!!!!! |
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Post by Bridget in MD on Sept 1, 2022 17:27:47 GMT
You ladies are all so darned talented! I'm envious. Learning to crochet like my mother did is on my bucket list. Why, oh why didn't I have her teach me when she lived with me?? She made beautiful things. I can actually knit. Mom put my sister and I in a knitting class one summer to keep us out of trouble while she was working. Even though it has been years and years, I still remember the basics. But the final product doesn't look as nice as something that has been crocheted. When I get all moved into a new place and unpacked, I plan on spending the cold rainy and snow days learning to crochet. Let's hope I inherited some of Mom's talent. - Let's challenge ourselves to learn how to crochet! I used to knit as a kid but that has been scrubbed from my memory!!!!! I don't even know where to begin to learn, but youtube is my next stop! |
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Post by jeremysgirl on Sept 1, 2022 17:29:17 GMT
I've made it twice. No fringe. ETA: I used a bulky alpaca blend yarn for these so they are a bit chunkier than the pattern. I did some adjusting to account for the size difference.   |
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Post by jeremysgirl on Sept 1, 2022 17:30:10 GMT
Jeremysgirl I hope you find a good video and would appreciate it if you would post a link. I watched one and thought I saved it but apparently not. It looked easy and much nicer than my foundation rows look. I hate crocheting into chains to. Yes if I find a good one I will post it. |
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wellway
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Post by wellway on Sept 1, 2022 17:46:11 GMT
Bridget in MD yes, you can teach yourself, I must have taught myself as my mum can't crochet, I don't really remember and I know I was making ponchos when I was a preteen. I can't suggest a specific video but search on YouTube and watch a few, some will appeal to you better than others, i.e. clear speaker, sharp, close imaging, slow process. Good luck, you can do it. Eta crochet uses one needle with a hook, knitting uses two long needles.
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Post by Bridget in MD on Sept 1, 2022 18:37:36 GMT
I've made it twice. No fringe. ETA: I used a bulky alpaca blend yarn for these so they are a bit chunkier than the pattern. I did some adjusting to account for the size difference. so freaking awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I esp love the gray one! |
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Post by gillyp on Sept 1, 2022 21:32:52 GMT
You have good taste, it's a very popular pattern on Raverly. Over two thousand people have posted photos of their work using different yarns and colours. I've made a similar type of shawl, I think they are sometimes called reading shawls. I just bought this pattern thru Etsy. I do not know how to crochet. Before I go down a rabbit hole, can anyone tell me if there is a website or youtube I can go to and learn how to crochet? Am I insane for thinking I can teach myself? I don't even know the difference btwn knitting and crocheting - although when I was a kid, I did knit my grandfather a scarf. wellway - WOW that is awesome!!!!!! You absolutely can teach yourself! I did about 4 or 5 years ago. I don't know anybody irl who crochets. There are so many tutorials out there now and many designers make video instructions for their patterns. Go for it! It's just yarn and a hook, nothing to be scared of. |
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Post by gillyp on Sept 1, 2022 21:47:12 GMT
Jeremysgirl I hope you find a good video and would appreciate it if you would post a link. I watched one and thought I saved it but apparently not. It looked easy and much nicer than my foundation rows look. I hate crocheting into chains to. Yes if I find a good one I will post it. I think I've found the last one I used. It doesn't look as if it's foundation row but it starts about 7.34 min. It's part of a video for doing a double border but maybe you will like the foundation row she uses. www.youtube.com/watch?v=mctYBKni1P0 |
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Post by finsup on Sept 2, 2022 2:16:02 GMT
I just went and peeked. The Hohoho blanket is fab. I just love it. It's just one more thing on my to make list. Which just grows faster than I can even crochet. Where are you all finding a peek at this one? So I can add it to my list of “someday” patterns too 😄 I’ve been making autumn hats for the love of my life. My granddaughter is five months old already!   |
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Post by gillyp on Sept 2, 2022 7:50:23 GMT
Such cute hats finsup! Happy 5 month birthday to your little one. The HoHoHo blanket is in Rosina Plane’s closed group but I think it’s released on Ravelry tomirrow. If you join the Rosina Crochets Facebook page you’ll see it or I’ll post a pic when it’s public. |
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Post by gillyp on Sept 2, 2022 8:27:55 GMT
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I don't need to count on this project. It's just going to be a simple striped scarf. I just don't want to have to chain and then crochet into the chain. The first row always irritates me and it's especially a pain when it is really long. 
I don't even know the difference btwn knitting and crocheting - although when I was a kid, I did knit my grandfather a scarf.
