pattern woes & pretty hooks

The crochet Kippen cardigan I started came to an abrupt halt after row 1; I think the pattern has incorrect foundation chain numbers for both the XS and S versions.  I messaged the publisher about 2 weeks ago and have gotten no reply.  Looking at the written pattern, I thought at first that I should chain the stated # and go on with the different stitch count, but now I’m thinking I should probably chain the required amount to meet the correct stitch count after row 1.  *sigh*  This was unexpectedly disappointing (especially after paying about $15 USD for the pattern), but I’ll probably start on it soon and we’ll just see how it goes!

In other crochet news, I have an old set of steel crochet hooks that were my great grandmother’s, but they’re so uncomfortable to use because they have no good place to grip.  I therefore took advantage of a KnitPicks sale & bought the Clover Amour steel hook set:

Clover Amour crochet hook set

Aren’t they pretty?  They came with caps to protect the steel ends (or perhaps to protect humans from the sharp tiny tips), as you can see.  I’m going to use them for some Christmas ornaments.  They didn’t come with a good case though, just the plastic packaging, so I’ll probably get a pencil case to keep them in.

Speaking of pretty and ergonomic crochet hooks, have you seen Furls crochet hooks?  I prefer inline hooks and this is the only brand outside of Susan Bates that I know of that makes them (if you know of more brands, please tell me in the comments)!  You can get beautiful wooden ones for about $75 USD each, PolyResin ones for about $50 USD each, or their more affordable metal tipped ones for about $30 USD each.  I really want the candy colored PolyResin ones but those will have to be saved for special treats!

In my knitting world I still have 3 of 4 straps to finish on my Split Back Tank but that shouldn’t take long, and then I’ll wash it and share!  I’m also diligently working on my Maeve shrug:

maeve shrug

It’s not really as bright or as coral-y in real life, which I prefer, but I’ve had trouble getting any photos that accurately portray the colors.

Speaking of accurately portraying colors (or not), check out this gorgeous yarn:

Leizu DK

It’s a little more pink in real life, testifying to my newfound obsession with all shades pink (which is also evidenced by the Maeve shrug & Kippen cardigan & one more project I’ll share soon).  It’s Leizu DK yarn from Julie Asselin (90% merino, 10% silk) in the colorway Shiitake. I’m planning for this to be a lovely wearable item, I’m just not sure 100% what yet; I’ve got so many options that it’s hard to decide.

Well, that’s all for now; I’ve gotta go to Michael’s before they close to get some things framed for my office at work.  Thanks for stopping by, see you soon!

Fino Circle Scarf: ta-da & Kippen Cardigan: begin!

Here’s a knitted FO; I busted through the last bit just because I’m so eager to start the crochet Kippen Cardigan and I’ve limited my # of WIPs.

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This Fino Circle Scarf took 980 yds of my Malabrigo Yarn Sock in colorway 121 – Marte (about 2.3 skeins), and it also took a little over 6 months to complete.  I jokingly used the hashtag #milesofstockinette on Instagram but it really is over half a mile of yarn!  I was so glad to be done that I didn’t even bother blocking it; the edges might curl but I can block it later if it bothers me too much.

This yarn is really gorgeous even if all the colors don’t show through on camera — it’s got purples, browns, reds, oranges, blues, teals, lavenders, & greys in it when you look closely.  I love it!

So now on to the crochet Kippen Cardigan!  The 11 Scheepjes Stone Washed balls in Rose Quartz arrived today:

scheepjes stone washed

I cannot WAIT to get started!  It’ll be the first crochet sweater/cardigan I’ve ever made (at least, that I’ll actually wear — I made a crochet Filigree Cardigan in 2012 but I used Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool and it was too scratchy and didn’t quite fit right, anyway, so I never wore it).  The yarn is soft and shouldn’t be too hot for living in the south since it’s cotton & acrylic.

Well that’s all for now.  Can’t wait to share crochet progress with you, but it’s midnight now and I’ve got to go to bed.  Aww, I still have to shower…  See you next time!

finished the cushion cover!

After over 4 years of waiting, my husband finally has his cushion cover:

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The cushion cover definitely did NOT reach 28″ x 28″ (the size of the pillow insert), but it is stretchy and the insert was easy enough to get inside.

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I love the texture of this pattern.  It looks cool but it feels pretty neat, too, even in 100% acrylic yarn (I Love This Yarn from Hobby Lobby).

I forgot to take a picture of the back, but I seamed the sides to where the ends of the cover overlap, like a pillow sham.  No buttons needed!

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Chris likes it; it’s big and squishy and the pattern is the same as a large blanket his great-aunt made for him (just in different colors — she used solid red, white, & blue).  It fits well on our daybed-turned-couch.

Now it’s time to work on the 8+ other WIPs I have going on before starting anything new.

It’s also time for something special to happen here on Not Your Average Crochet — stay tuned for something exciting!

Thanks for stopping by, see you soon!

books books books!

Guess what I got today in the mail?

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Just published on March 15th, this book has the cutest home decor items:

pie seat cushion

pie seat cushion

birthday cake toilet paper roll cover

birthday cake toilet paper roll cover

donut ottoman/pouf

donut ottoman/pouf

Aren’t they adorable?!?!  Now of course I’m still keeping my New Year’s Resolution not to buy yarn (which makes me want to clap for myself), but I can plan larger projects for the future and maybe do some of the smaller ones with what I have laying around in my stash.  We’ll have to see!

Also, I got this book in the mail yesterday:

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I’m really excited about this, too — already the forward and introduction are speaking to me, so I can’t wait to get to chapter 1!  This was recommended to me by my therapist and I think it’s going to be very useful.

Well, that’s all for today, just wanted to share those with you!  Thanks for stopping by!

cushion cover: progress

It’s coming along nicely!

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Although actually at this point I’ve continued this pattern and done 6 more additional stripes — it was just too hard to get a good photo because it’s getting really long!  I’m going to overlap the ends so that the pillow insert can be put in just like a sham pillowcase, and hopefully I won’t need to bother with buttons or anything.

In other news, I’ve started therapy and it’s going well so far!  My next appointment is in 2 days, and I’m excited.  I like the therapist and think it’s really going to be a good experience.

Also, I’m a little embarrassed to share this but I’ve started a GoFundMe campaign in an attempt to get some Wing Chun practice equipment for my home.  As I mentioned in previous posts the only class offered anywhere close to my city is on Saturdays, so even though I go to that class for the rest of the week I can’t really practice, even though I want to very much.  Unfortunately the equipment I need is expensive, hence the campaign; I don’t think I can save enough for it myself unless I want to wait like 10 years.  I feel a bit… un-classy asking for donations, but since it would benefit both my physical and mental health greatly I think it’s an important investment to make, and I am thus trying to lay my pride aside for a bit and ask for some help.  Even if I don’t make enough through the campaign to purchase the equipment now, any money raised will go into savings specifically towards purchasing the equipment later.  If anyone is interested in donating or learning more about the campaign, please click here.  I’d appreciate it to no end.

Well, that’s all for today everyone, thanks for stopping by!  See you soon, hopefully with a completed cushion cover!