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A Quickie Project

Posted on October 20, 2010 by auburnchick

The last time I went to visit Chicky, I gave myself treat:  a break from lesson planning.  I needed the day and a half to simply “be.”

So, I took a skein of yarn, a crochet hook, and a simple pattern book and got to work.

First of all, I did not make a typo.  I did mean to say “crochet.”

I had just overseen a divorce proceeding…unmarrying the yarn I had chosen from the pattern I’d paired it with.  Just like people, some knitting notions are not meant to be together.

So, I was in need of a quick project.

When you combine that need with very little time and a dog who has chewed up almost every dish rag I own, my pattern choice was easy.

I selected the Simple Crochet Dish Cloth…

While the Mr. drove us ever closer toward my baby, I crocheted and frogged…crocheted and frogged.  Finally, though, I got the hang of it (these were single crochet stitches all the way through).

By the time I got to Chicky’s school, I had completed one third of the cloth…

I had to put away the project, though, because we got busy watching the game and cheering on the girls.

I resumed working on it the next day, during the ride home, and finished it within a very short time.

I am so happy with the finished product!

The texture of this cloth is PERFECT for washing dishes!!  I used one entire skein of Sugar n Creme (Pastel Delight).

The quick project lifted my spirits and my intense need for a project fix.  I can’t wait to make more of these…whenever I have time again!

Filed under: crochet | Tagged: , | 4 Comments »

Olympic Medals

Posted on March 4, 2010 by auburnchick

Ok…so this post isn’t exactly about Olympic medals.  I had to find a way to make you look though, didn’t I?

If you want to know what this post is really about, take a look at the following…

That, my friends, is my official badge.  It means I am a Ravthlete.

Don’t know what this is?

Well, you might remember that in previous posts, I made a couple of references to the Ravelympics.  Ravelry is an online forum for fiber artists.  It is an incredible resource to use if you are looking for patterns, projects, and camaraderie from fellow artists.

To receive medals, fiber artists (I use this term to refer to knitters, crocheters, and spinners) complete projects in various “events.”

This was my first Ravelympics, and I received THREE medals!

The first one was for my Big Seed Stitch Pom Pom Hat.

Next, I received a medal for the Granny Square Dish Cloth…

And last, but not least, was my medal for the Frog Prince…

If you’re not on Ravelry, I highly encourage you to join up.

Participating in this year’s Ravelympics was so much fun, and I look forward to the Summer Olympics in a couple of years when I can work towards more bling!

Filed under: crochet, Knitting | Tagged: , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Knit 1 Crochet 1

Posted on March 2, 2010 by auburnchick

I just finished pulling two projects off of my blocking foam.  They are dish cloths…one knit and one crochet.

The knit cloth is from the KrisKnits’ January 2010 Dish Cloth KAL.  The free pattern starts here.  You’ll have to browse through her posts in January to find the rest of the clues.

I used the Rowan Cotton that I had originally used for the disastrous Christmas gift for my sister.  I dropped the needle size to a US 1 1/2; however, the pattern still doesn’t pop as much as I would like.  I just don’t think this yarn is meant for dish cloths because it is a thinner cotton.  It would be perfect for a summer top, I think.

For the Ravelympics, I crocheted the Granny Square Dish Cloth, using the yarn that my friend, Kate, gave me along with a pattern from the booklet that accompanied it.

The yarn is Lily Sugar’n Cream, and the colorway is Desert Rising.  I used an I hook.

I just love the natural colors!!

The cloth measures approximately 10×10 1/2.  I’m pleased since it was my first foray into granny square crocheting!

I just love getting projects off of my needles!!!

Filed under: crochet, Knitting | Tagged: , , , , , | 3 Comments »

This and That

Posted on February 28, 2010 by auburnchick

It’s a hodgepodge today…kind of like my life.

On Friday, I was privileged to sub for the classes I’d had for a month.

When I arrived to the classroom, I found this…

Inside was this…

A thank you gift for treating the teacher’s students so well.  But of course!  They’re a lovable bunch!

The kids had a ton of bookwork to do, so I was able to start a new project…

That is some of the yarn I received from my friend, Kate, along with the pattern booklet.  I am attempting to make the Granny Square Dish Cloth…easier said than done.

After quite a few sessions of ripping and restarting, I was able to complete this much…

I’d love to finish this in time to enter it for another Ravelympic medal.  We’ll see.

Now, a clue to one other project I’ve been working on…

That’s all you get for now.

Filed under: crochet, Knitting | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

What Did AuburnChick Knit in 2009?

Posted on January 6, 2010 by auburnchick

I thought it would be fun to recap the items I knit (and a few I crocheted) in 2009.

~January~

Waffle Stitch Spa Cloth

Waffle Stitch Soap Sack

Hawaiian Leis Socks

My So Called Scarf

~February~

No Hair Day Hairy Chemo Cap

Calorimetry

Cabled Napkin Rings

Stornoway Socks

~March~

Shetland Shorty

~April~

Amigurumi Dolphin

Prayer for Comfort Shawl

Swallowtail Lace Shawl

~May~

Christine's Shawl

Belle Epoque Socks

~June~

Leyburn Socks

South of the Border Prayer Shawl

~July~

Hanging Vines Socks

~August~

Rick Socks

~September~

Knit for Hope Baby Hat

Lacy Rib Baby Socks

~October~

Black Sheep Booga Bag

Turn Back Time Spa Cloths

Black Sheep Booga Bag

Frog Prince

~November~

Warm Stripings Hat

Shetland Shorty

~December~

Slipper Disaster

Journal Cover Disaster

Here’s to a new year of projects!  Let’s hope that I do a little better than I did the last month of ’09!

Filed under: crochet, Knitting | Tagged: , , | 6 Comments »

A Shawl for Christine

Posted on May 26, 2009 by auburnchick

Three weeks ago, one of my online friends sent me a message in which she asked if I would be willing to make her a shawl.  She had seen the one I crocheted for my church’s prayer ministry, which came from this booklet (purchased at Joann’s):

She wanted to pay me.  For shame!  How can you put a price on handiwork?  I offered to let her pay for the yarn and shipping and call it even.

The deal was done.

I bought the yarn right away, even though I had explained that it would probably be a while before I made it…having other projects on my needles…one of which was the Swallowtail Lace Shawl.

That bag of yarn was like a siren…calling to me from the dining room table, where I had placed it.

There’s something about making a commitment to a friend.  You want to follow through right away.

And so, after feeling frustrated with the Mexican Rainbow Shawl, I began Christine’s shawl on May 18th.  Because I haven’t delivered the other shawl to church, I was able to check my gauge.  Apparently I crochet tightly.  I decided to go up two hook sizes to an I (5.5mm) hook.

I quickly made progress.  I think my crocheting has improved.  There’s a different kind of rhythm that I find very soothing.

Four days later I had completed this much (keeping in mind that I do work and sort-of clean and cook)…

Two days later, I finished.  It was actually rather late at night when I wove in the last end, so Chicky took pictures of it yesterday (Memorial Day)…hence my patriotic shirt…

You’ll notice that this shawl is bigger than the last one.  I really like the texture that resulted from using a larger hook.  The stitches are much more open, and the yarn is fabulously soft.

I just love this shawl.  I love the yarn – Bernat Satin (Worsted).  It’s soft, snuggly, and will be oh so warm in the frigid climate that my friend lives in.

The border, which I struggled with last time, was much easier this go-round.  Maybe it was the fact that the stitches were looser, making it easier to see where I needed to insert the hook.  I don’t know, but all I can say is I tore it up (that means I went really fast), easily completing it in one sitting and with no hair-pulling.

I’m going to put it in the mail today.  My fingers are crossed that it lives up to her expectations.

Filed under: crochet | Tagged: , , | 6 Comments »

New Projects

Posted on May 22, 2009 by auburnchick

You know I am not content to finish one project without casting on another.

I’ve actually got two projects going right now.

You already know about the Mexican Rainbow Shawl.  I’m using Vanna’s Choice yarn, a gift from one of my Bible study friends.

I’m experiencing a bit of anxiety about this project because the pattern was written for DK yarn.  Vanna’s Choice is a heavy worsted.  I debated about modifying the pattern but decided against it.  The center is supposed to be a square.  You can see, in the picture below, that this isn’t the case.  I’m currently working on the short rows that will allow the blanket to take on a semicircle appearance before actually becoming a circle.  It looks a bit wonky, but I hope things wind up working out in the end.

As you can see, the shawl is already rather large, so I decided to begin work on a second project…one that is more portable.

A KnittingHelp friend saw the last prayer shawl I made (the crochet one) and asked if I would be willing to make her one.  She’s having some trouble with her hands.  She is a generous lady, heading up the Canadian Oddball Baby Blanket Project.  I adore her, so it was an easy yes.

She requested black.  I think that’s a smart color to go with.  It will match just about anything she chooses to wear it with.

Here’s my progress so far, after five days…

We’re not traveling this weekend or next, so I hope to finish the black shawl and make significant progress on the other one.  I’m already scheming as to what I’ll put on my needles next.  I’m thinking socks!

Filed under: crochet, Knitting | Tagged: , , , | Leave a comment »

My First Prayer Shawl

Posted on May 7, 2009 by auburnchick

Did you notice the word “first” in the title of this post?

Yes, that’s because, as you know, I’ve recently become involved with my church’s new prayer shawl ministry.

Today I did the Happy Dance because I finished the first one!!!  And, it’s what I consider my “first” crochet project (I don’t count the little animals I’ve made).  This pattern had double crochet and half double crochet stitches.

Oh yeah, baby.  Bring it on!

Ok…so on to the pictures, and then I’ll give stats…

Here’s the pattern booklet that I bought at Joann’s:

I had fallen in love with this project (the picture from the book):

And here’s my finished project…

I had a hard time getting the hang of the edging.  I just couldn’t quite figure out where to insert my needle on the row ends, so two of the sides look a bit wonky.  The third side was a piece of cake because it was my cast on edge.  Here’s a close-up of the stitches and edging (the part I’m proud of):

I started on 4/27 and finished today (5/7).

I used a little under four skeins of Bernat Satin (the colorway is Sable).

The yarn is soft and very warm. It was a little bit thready…which was not super easy for a novice crocheter like myself, but I didn’t find myself doing battle, if you know what I mean.

All in all, a pretty easy project except for the edging, which I attribute to my lack of practice and not the pattern.

Filed under: crochet | Tagged: , , | 5 Comments »

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