CAL: week 12

August 17, 2013 by 8 Comments

Hello everyone!  I want to say welcome to all the new CAL participants that are still joining in — it’s great to have so many people still starting!  Are you ready for week 12?  Doesn’t seem like we’ve been going that long, does it?

Before we start, I wanted to let you know that a new button has been added in the sidebar along with the individual CAL weeks.  This one is CAL FAQs & links.  It’s mainly for the people who are just joining us, since they haven’t read all the details because they’ve been scattered throughout the CAL posts.  Now they’re all in one place!

Alright, on to this week’s rows.  Remember, we’re using US terms, and last week we ended with row 86:

cal92

row 87

With new color, hdc across.

rows 88-90

For these 3 rows, do the bobble stitch rows (original instructions here).  Here’s a pic so far:

cal93

row 91

With new color, hdc across.

row 92

With new color, dc across.

row 93

With new color, hdc across.

row 94

With new color, dc across.  Here’s a pic:

cal94

This week I got a picture of the whole blanket, although I’d already started row 95 when I took it, so you get a bit of a spoiler if you can make out the top row.

cal95

I think it’s looking pretty good!  My edges are a bit wonky — I guess my stitches have gotten tighter as I’ve gone along because it seems to be getting slimmer; or perhaps the bottom is just stretching out from all the moving around it’s done or something.  In any case, I think it’s going well!

It’s delightful to see everyone’s progress on facebook, where most of the progress pictures are being posted.  Don’t forget about the Instagram hashtag #nyaccal also!

I guess that’s it for today.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

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a hat for Chris

August 14, 2013 by 20 Comments

Chris’ birthday is today!  He’s turning 28 and he says he feels old.  As you know, I don’t have a job, so funds for a present are pretty much nonexistent, but luckily I have a nice yarn stash and could make him something:

spaceinvadershat

It’s a Space Invaders hat!  For those who don’t know, Space Invaders was/is an old arcade video game (probably one of the first ones).  Since Chris loves video games, I figured he’s probably played Space Invaders, and since I found a handy chart by Arne & Carlos here, I figured I could make him that.

To make the hat:  using worsted yarn (Berroco Vintage) and a US6 circular needle, I cast on 96 sts and did some rows of k2 p2 ribbing.  Switching to a US8 circular needle, I used the chart from the free PDF, and did the decreases at the top like this (switching to DPNs when it became necessary):

k10, k2tog.  Knit 1 round.  k9, k2tog.  Knit 1 round.  k8, k2tog.  Knit 1 round…. etc. until I got to the last three decrease rows, where I didn’t do a regular knit row in between them.  When 8 sts were left I cast off and secured the ends!

I hope it fits him — it fits me but might be a little tight for him around the colorwork area — I did the floats without really factoring in stretch.

Also, my sprained foot is feeling much better — I’ve been taking it really easy and I think it’s going to be just fine.  The swelling is almost completely gone, the big bruise has stopped spreading, and I’m walking almost normally again.  Thanks again for all the well-wishes — ya’ll made me smile!

I guess that’s all for today.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

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foot update

August 12, 2013 by 29 Comments

Thanks everyone for the get-well wishes!  You all really cheered me up, for sure.

My sprained foot was feeling better yesterday so I thought I’d try to work a short shift on the food truck (standing didn’t hurt and of course I need the money).  I should not have gone — this morning it was sore and more painful to walk on because of it (also, driving was a bit slow; it’s good I didn’t have to go very far).  Chris is making sure I keep my foot iced and wrapped and elevated, and right now it’s alright.  I don’t think over all that it’s getting worse, I just shouldn’t be working on it.  While it doesn’t really feel worse now, it does look worse; Chris says the discoloration and swelling are results of the natural pooling of the blood and that it’s not anything to worry about (I’m glad he used to be an athletic trainer).  I think it looks fascinating — wanna see?

foot

You can see where I’d had my little brace thing on, which helped with the swelling so it’s not as obvious here.  The discoloration looks so weird, doesn’t it?  This was this morning, and the dark patches have spread a little, but it’s pretty much the same.  Sorry, you probably don’t care about the details of my foot, haha.  I’m just fascinated because I haven’t really seen anything like this in person before (that I can remember clearly).

I have not ruled out going to a doctor if it starts feeling worse, but I feel like right now as long as I do what Chris says, it’ll be OK.  He said I can’t wear flip-flops for at least a month, which really irks me because I love my Rainbows sandals and it’s really hot to wear sneakers all the time (not to mention mine are dirty and falling apart).  But he says sneakers will give more support, and since I can lace them up tightly it’ll be extra good.  *sigh*  I’ll do what he says.   Maybe it’ll just be an excuse to get a cute new pair of sneakers… 😉

Well, thanks for stopping by.  I’ll take it easy from now on and not try to over-do things, so the crocheting is ON!

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felting in the wash

August 11, 2013 by 18 Comments

I’m no expert on felting, but the general process seems to include agitating your wool (by hand or machine) in warm/hot water.  Easy enough to do on purpose, I suppose, but inconvenient to avoid if you’re in a hurry to thoroughly wash your woolens.  It seems that you can even “felt” acrylic yarn over time, to an extent:

felt2

This is an acrylic blanket (Red Heart, I believe) that was made by my boyfriend Chris’ great-aunt.  It’s a full size blanket made with US single crochet stitches, and I can only imagine how many hours it must have taken her to complete.  It seems that she was very wise in choosing her machine-washable materials and denser type of stitch, for the blanket has held up very well indeed (you’d be very impressed too if you saw how my boyfriend and our dog abuse blankets, and you’d also understand why I generally try to keep my handmade items away from their regular use).  The blanket receives much wear, accompanied by many washes and dries.  It has “felted” a bit over time, as well, which has come in handy.  In the picture you can see the stitch definition pretty well, but if you try to tug on part of a stitch, the yarn doesn’t budge because enough fibers are interlocked.  Our dog’s claws (or Chris’ toes) therefore are extremely unlikely to catch and pull.  It’s perfect, and the chevrons are still in style!

My first ripple blanket, made back in 2011, I’m afraid to say hasn’t seen much use because I’ve been too worried over it’s immediate destruction.  It’s a twin-sized blanket and was made with Berroco Vintage Chunky yarn, which is 40% wool and not exactly cheap.  Inspired by the above blanket’s indestructible-ness, today I decided to try and get my lovely ripple to felt a little bit.  Here’s what happened:

felt3

The stitches did indeed begin to sort of “glue” together, although the navy stripes acquired some of the fibers from the other colors and now look a little rough.  That’s OK though — it’s fixable and the experiment gives me hope that with a couple more washes, I may be able to let go of the fears attached to the use of my treasured blanket!  It would be lovely to see it being enjoyed instead of just sitting in the linen closet.

For comparison, I’ve taken a picture of my most recent ripple, which is also a twin-sized blanket made with Stylecraft Special DK (acrylic).  It has not yet been washed because it, too, has seen almost no use:

felt1

Of all 3 blankets, this one has the best stitch definition.  I’m planning on washing it a bunch of times in a row the next time I have extra change for the laundromat so that hopefully it, too, can be indestructable and worry-free!

Have you had any experiences with felting that have turned to your advantage?  Or have you accidentally felted something against your intent?  If you have any tips or pointers for me on what to do or what to avoid while attempting to further felt my wool and acrylic blankets, please do share!

Thanks so much for stopping by everyone!

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CAL: week 11

August 10, 2013 by 8 Comments

Hello everyone!  Today we’re up to week 11 of our crochet along — can you believe it?  Are you ready to get started?  Don’t forget, we’re using US terms.  Here’s where we left off last week:

cal91

rows 79 & 80

With new color, work the two rows that make up the star stitch pattern (click here for the original instructions).

row 81

With new color, work hdcs in the spaces between the hdcs of row 80.  Check your stitch count at the end if you think you might be off one or two stitches.

row 82

With new color, dc across.

rows 83-85

With new colors, work the granny stripe pattern (original instructions found here).

row 86

With new color, dc across.

Here’s what these 8 rows should look like:

cal92

I don’t have a picture of the full blanket this week; I didn’t get a chance to take one in good lighting because this week’s been really busy.  My boyfriend has gone to another city to start a new job (I will hopefully be following him soon) and it’s much tougher cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, taking care of the dog, and working an hour’s drive away without his assistance.  I’m working more days, which is great.  Also, my car is having troubles, so I think I’m going to have to borrow my Dad’s truck so that I can drive to work safely while waiting to hear from the shop what’s wrong with my car (it seems to be the transmission but if the whole thing has to be replaced I’m SOL and don’t know what I’ll do).  I know that many other women do more than this in their days, what with kids or full-time/regular jobs, so I’m not complaining.  Just busier than normal, and stretched very thin.

The sooner I can move, the better, because hopefully I can find a cheaper place and therefore be able to take care of myself.  If that does happen soon, I’m afraid I might miss a week of the CAL.  I’ll make every effort to get it done, but during the moving week we might just have to take a short break.  Just wanted to give you a heads up that that might be a possibility — in fact, some of you might be relieved, because it’ll give everyone a chance to catch up, weave in neglected ends, or just rest those busy hands.

Well, that’s all for today.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

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