Last minute gifts...

Snowflakes are my latest endeavor. They are perfect right now, quick and easy projects for instant gratification and much easier to put down when my hand/wrist gets grumpy. I have always loved crocheted snowflakes. My mother made some when I was younger and they always went on the tree or in the window. Watching her hands as she made the snowflakes magically turn into dainty beauties was mesmerizing. I tackled a few snowflakes last year, but I wasn't using crochet thread... I wasn't comfortable with it yet.

This year I needed four small gifts and I happened to think of snowflakes. Now, mind you, this was about a week ago that I had this brilliant idea. But as snowflakes go, they are quick and easy little projects and I finished tucking ends last night.

Then, with the help of my mother since I haven't stiffened crochet before, I tackled the next step.

The stiffening mixture is 3 parts water, 2 parts white craft glue and 1 part glitter. The mixture is mixed in a glass jar by shaking it until well mixed. You will need a surface to pin the snowflakes on. We used a large cardboard box and cut down the sides to make a tray. Then we put another layer of cardboard in for easy of pinning. Next, the tray was lined with wax paper.

The snowflakes are dunked into the stiffening mixture, then squeezed to get the excess out of the snowflake. Don't wring or twist them, or you may end up ruining it. Then the pinning begins. Use rust-proof pins. The goal of pinning is to straighten out all the picots and loops in the snowflake (or other details of the crocheted item). But remember, however the item is pinned that's what it will look like when it's dried! Let the snowflakes sit overnight and tada...

I have enjoyed working on these snowflakes. Not only has my love of crochet thread grown, but working on something homemade for someone is so very special. As you stitch away, thoughts of that person are interweaved in the work. That's ultimately why I picked up the hook for these to give away... I wanted to give something of myself to these four special people.

The patterns are mostly from 100 Snowflakes to Crochet by Caitlin Sainio (2012). I also used the Baby Snowflakes patterns at Snowcatcher. I used Size 10, Size 5, Size 3 crochet thread and Knit-Cro-Sheen made by Aunt Lydia's, Red Heart and unknown (from the stash I acquired earlier this year) as well as a BonBon by Lion Brand.

I hope all have a truly blessed Christmas and don't lose sight of the true Spirit of the Season.


Happy on the Hook!
Gwenhywfar

Wonderings from a yarn addict

My yarn group retreated this last weekend and had a fabulous time! We left after work on Friday and spent the entire weekend crocheting, cooking simple meals with a few dips in the hot tub included in the stay. The beds were wonderfully comfortable, the lighting for crocheting superb and the time absolutely relaxing. This business isn't too far away for us to travel to, but yet it doesn't take a whole bunch of time to get there - perfect in my estimation!

I didn't think to take any photos while I was at the retreat, but to see all that's offered visit http://www.uxor.com/entrance.html and then click on the links for the various rooms/amenities. We spent most of our time in the Entertainment Room, which is upstairs on the same level as the bedrooms. It has great lighting and comfortable seating.

The best part was the owner of the business even found a yarn ball winder she brought out for our use during the retreat. Talk about handy! With just a little bit of cranking, it converted an unruly hank into this:

And the funny part is the owner only paid $2 for the yarn ball winder, which will also take three threads and twist them together into one, at a yard sale!!

My plan this weekend was to stitch up some new wrist warmers with the superwashed merino I purchased a few weeks ago. Cute pattern, crocheted cables. But try as I might I couldn't get the stitch count to come out right. Ditched the pattern and went back to the C2C for Blankets for Barracks Troops.

All of us were, at one time, working on our Blankets for Barracks Soldiers projects. And this is the funny part... all of us purchased items from the store connected to the retreat. Two of us couldn't resist the yarn bins! The business owner has yarn for 25 cents per skein/ball. There are even unfinished projects. I bought three unfinished projects, including a tablecloth with balls of Knit Cro-Sheen.

So, my wonderings include: are we just addicted to buying yarn and yarn projects, or is it a case of seeing pretty colors and new yarn and deeming it something that is necessary? And how is it that just days after wondering about a yarn ball winder I found myself using one numerous times, confirming that I definitely need one. Lastly, how do I live without a hot tub?


Happy on the Hook!
Gwenhywfar

African Flower Hexagon Mandala, with a twist

I have always loved doilies. As I said in a previous post, I remember watching my grandmother crochet such delicate doilies with Knit-Cro-Sheen and I always wanted to try my hand at hooking one up. I haven't yet, but it's on my to-do list.

Instead, I've discovered the mandala craze. I love the colors and uses for these versatile creations! I've sort of gone hog wild in collecting patterns, both doily and mandala... as if I need more patterns!! But that's another story for another post.

I'm especially pleased with my second mandala. I started with Alice's pattern at Crochet with Raymond (available here), who offers a pattern for "Ornamental" Pot Holders. She refers to a tutorial for an African Flower Hexagon Crochet Tutorial that eventually leads to Heidi Bears' tutorial, so I'm providing the link here.

Although I don't write my own patterns, I do tend to 'modify' sometimes as I did on this one. I added another 'granny' row on the fourth row after the African Flower Hexagon (the last completed row in the photo above). It didn't affect the pattern at all and I wanted my mandala a little bit bigger.

I am using a combination of I Love This Cotton yarn from Hobby Lobby and Sugar 'n Cream yarn by Lily. The hook is a size H.

The pattern at Crochet with Raymond is for a pot holder, and I didn't want a pot holder. The final row is the joining row to make the pot holder and didn't look right on the mandala. So I modified once again and added the last two rounds from the Little Spring Mandala by Barbara Smith at Made in K-town.

But the cotton wasn't filling up the space like I wanted it to so I even modified the last round a bit more. One section has 1 HDC, 4 DC, 1 HDC and the next 1 HDC, 3 DC, 1 HDC, followed by 1 HDC, 4 DC, 1 HDC. It repeats all the way around. I tried with 1 HDC, 4 DC, 1 HDC around the entire mandala but it ruffled and wouldn't lay flat.

Sometimes you have to think outside of the pattern. Experimentation is the only way we become comfortable with our craft, and in turn projects take on our personality. I encourage you to be bold and try new things. You may have a few frustrations along the way, but the joy of the finished project is worth it!

Happy on the Hook!
Gwenhywfar

Oh, Knit-Cro-Sheen

Just saying "Knit-Cro-Sheen" brings to mind images of my grandmother crocheting delicate openwork with the finest hook I could imagine. I loved watching her work. Her stitches were so perfectly even. I could never get mine so even, and boy did I try. Her pineapple work and doilies were stunning. I remember thinking, "mine will never look like hers." I'm not sure my work is there yet, but I think I'm close to trying, especially after an acquisition my mother made this week.

My mother found a box and a bag full of Knit-Cro-Sheen at a yard sale. Most have quite a bit of thread on the ball. Some are even brand new. I would classify most as vintage. Now to find the perfect project(s). I love doilies, placemats, tablecloths, table runners - any openwork in a finer weight.

I can't take credit for any of finished work pictured here. All of these were likely done by one of my grandmothers - something to aspire to!

Happy on the Hook!
Gwenhywfar