Da fourth

Happy 4th of July!

*That’s cool* a random fact

The official military name of the M-80, an illegal firework that was designed to simulate the sound of gunfire, is “military rifle fire simulator.”

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Marbles and bubblebum

 

Doesn’t the picture above look like a crochet spermatozoom, perhaps carrying a tiny X chromosome?  (And, yes, I did have to look up the singular form of ‘sperm’.)

Anyway, Val over at Yarni Gras! has this great tutorial for making marble-enclosed book thongs.  Her Crocheted Bookmark calls for yarn and a size F hook.  I like this supply list because not all crocheters have a plethora of steel hooks and crochet thread at their disposal.

I used Babysoft in bubblegum, a clear marble and a size C hook.  With a much smaller hook than gauge, the decreases make lacy holes.  You can see the upper half of my bookmark has some open work because of this.                        

I was surprised how fast this book thong worked up.  With the tutorial pictures, the pattern is very easy to understand.  If you’re looking for more bookmarks, Val also has an owl and a blowfish/peep pattern, too. 

*That’s cool* a random fact

Virtually all the scripts of the unsuccessful sitcom “Hey, Landlord” (1966) were eventually rewritten as scripts for “Laverne & Shirley” (1976).

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From january

I took a walk around Mountain Lake with my brother today.  We wanted to scout out the best campsite since registration is opening up at Moran State Park for the summer season. Quite possibly the best car camping in San Juan Island, WA is located in campsites #126 though #136.  They all are on an elevated loop looking out onto Mountain Lake.  There’s a boat launch, tiny stretch of rocky beach and a hiking entrance within 500 feet of the loop.  Also, the area is far from the main road so you don’t get the car traffic like you do in the Southend sites. 

Can you believe this is the view from campsite #130?

 

Read more about why my trees look black on naturephotographers.net.  I’m still learning how to get a blue sky with a point and shoot and not end up with silhouetted trees.  Suggestions are appreciated!

I took more pictures of the campsite loop but, for some reason, they didn’t register on the memory card.  I think it was because I changed the batteries and the memory card was jarred in the process. 

I did get the memory card to save pictures of my Quick Winter Headband.  This free pattern gets an ‘A’ for adaptability.  Not only does any yarn weight work, you can insert any crochet stitch you like for the body of the headband as long as it starts with a base of thirteen stitches.

The headband pattern isn’t beginner friendly though, as the stitch directions for the body are not written with the pattern.  Instead, the reader is directed to the Vanilla Grit Stitch Washcloth.   

I had to frog the first row a couple times before I realized that the stitch pattern should start with row 2.  Since row 2 refers to stitches from the foundation row, it took a little extra work to figure out exactly how many single crochet stitches to skip to account for the unworked foundation.  For this reason I wouldn’t recommend this pattern to crocheters just learning to read a pattern.    

Once I had the first row figured out, the grit stitch went quick.  It’s an easy stitch, but interesting.  Also, the headband is worked entirely in one piece so there’s only two ends to weave.

The pattern calls for worsted, but I used Babysoft in Cream. The headband still came out pretty wide, about three inches. With worsted weight yarn in gauge, I think the final product would end up similar to Christina‘s St. Maurus Headwarmer.

I finally photographed my St Maurus Headwarmers from January with the buttons sewed on. I was really dreading the needle and thread until Christina suggested using buttons with large holes and a tapestry needle.  Worked like a charm!

This striped one looks a little fuzzy since I’ve been wearing it a lot in the past month. It’s great in windy weather since my ears can be easily covered with my hair pulled back.  

I like the style of this headwarmer.  I’d like to try knitting the Calorimetry for the fall.

Also, remember the Jacob’s ladder stitch baby blanket I talked about? I found out the Rainbow Bright pattern is available for free on the Coats and Clark website.

*That’s cool* a random fact

Mosquitos are twice as attracted to blue than any other color.

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March of the penguin

Zarah sent me some beautiful crochet gifts for my ‘All About Hearts’ themed Swap Swap Gals package.  This cute little penguin has got a lot of character to him.  Must be the eyes. 

From foot to hat he stands about ten inches tall.   I like his heart-shaped tummy; that is so creative!  Plus, the scarf he’s wearing is really pretty.  Anyone know what yarn it is?   

These heart coasters are really pretty.  They are serving as a center piece on the table right now.

On top of all the crochet goodies, I got a bunch of gummies.  Yum.

Thanks, Zarah, for the fantastic Swap Swap Gals package!

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Neither rain nor sleet

I finished the knit boucle scarf for my mom.  Even though the pattern was very simple it took a lot longer to make than I’m used to.  There are more stitches to the inch compared to crochet and being a slow knitter doesn’t exactly speed things along. 

When I did finally finish the knitting I still wanted to embroider something simple in the corner.  After deciding on a treble clef, I put an image through knitPro to get one of those nifty graphs.  Originally, I intended to try out the duplicate stitch technique but the Caron SS yarn was fatally hidden by the boucle.  Those little tufts of yarn buried my best attempts. 

Since the duplicate stitch didn’t look right, I tried the back stitch.  Even with two strands together all that fuzzy boucle still got in the way, so I finally came to the conclusion that the crochet slip stitch was my only option.   

The slip stitches turned out to be just what I was looking for.  The only downfall is you have to free hand a bit more than the embroidery (exactly the reason I put it off).  The extra effort was worth it, though.  The slip stitch made the curves look much nicer than the embroidery and the raised effect makes the insignia really pop. 

My favorite part of the slip stitch technique is the opposite side.  Since I wove the ends in back through the treble clef, the backside doesn’t look that much different from the front.  See the gray yarn outline through the back?   

This scarf was made just in time, too.  We got four inches of snow yesterday and then a few more today.  What’s weird is that it snows during the night and early morning and then it’s really warm and sunny during the day.

During the day, on account of the warm weather, the snow trapped on tree branches melt off randomly in clumps.  It sounds like it’s raining all around in short, heavy bursts – defintely an auditory experience.  Plus, every once in a while when I was under a tree (hard not to do around here) I got smacked in the head with an ‘organic’ snowball courtesy of Mother Nature.  

*That’s cool* a random fact

The treble clef is also known as the G clef because one end circles around the ‘G line’.

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By any other name

This is a small sample of the Progressive Pattern Stitch Afghan with Bernat Baby Coordinates Sweet Stripes.  I had some yarn left over from the Chromium Star Blanket and ended up using one full skein before the warping upper left hand corner got to me. 

Maybe a heavy border would help the misshapen corner and plump the size a little.  I guess I could also try blocking it, but I’ll most likely put it in snooze mode and try to find a charity that would take it.  I really don’t feel any drive to improve or finish this particular blanket.   

I do like the way the blanket is worked though, similar to a mitered square.  You crochet a bunch of chain loops on two sides of the square and turn.  The second row uses granny-style shell groups in each chain loop.  Because there are only two different rows the pattern is easily memorized. 

Plus, I personally am partial to exponential blanket construction.  It’s relaxing to watch a blanket grow, knowing that you can use the maximum amount of a skein without worrying that you’ll run out.  Using this pattern in the round would probably hold the shape better, like Robyn‘s  Baby Blanket on Flickr.  I like how her color changes compliment the pattern. 

*That’s cool* a random fact

Yellow roses symbolize friendship and sociability. 

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Swap swap gals

 

I’m joining Lesalicious‘ Swap Swap Gals blog and these are the required survey questions.  Enjoy!

hobbies : digital photography, guitar hero, reading (esp. non-fiction science, trivia and ‘book club’)

crafts : crochet, knit, bead, cross stitch, paper crafts, book binding (learning), latch hook rugs, paint-by-number, origami

favorite colors: deep blue, aqua, turquoise, lime, heathers, the cottonease colorway or anything bright and cheery

favorite animals: penguins, frogs, jack russells, goldfish, octopi, koalas, hamsters, orca whales

all dislikes: not a fan of royal purple, denim, dusty pinks, lemon yellow, caramel candy, lots of fun fur

favorite candies: peach, gummies, cinnamon and dark chocolate, coconut, hazelnuts, basically any nuts. 

favorite smells: linen, lavendar, cinnamon, pumpkin, butter-cream, honeydew, watermelon, lilac, anything that doesn’t smell like a disinfectant

other: have a jack russell terrier, The Office fan, thread work is beautiful, always on the lookout for good recipes, enjoy trivia/flash cards, ribbons and buttons, listen to music in the car, like playing video games, puzzles/card/board games are fun, handmade is the best 

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Photo randomness

I have lots of crochet projects finished but have been rather lazy getting them documented so I thought I’d throw you readers a few non-craft related photographs a la Niki.  If you read the blog Knockout Niki Crochets then you’re familiar with her photo randomness posts.  The basic idea is to blog seven or more random photographs vertically in a single post.

Oh and check out Niki’s Etsy shop for prints of her photographs and crochet projects.  I’m especially fond of the crocheted chess clutch.   

I think the last photo would make a good wallpaper.  Don’t you think?   

When it was warmer I’d use my camera on walks and shoot the landscape.  I haven’t been taking the camera out much these days because it rains and if I just stand in one place I get cold.  Then my fingers go numb holding the camera and my toes feel like ice because I wear flip flops.  I realize I could be warmer with ‘real’ shoes but I like my flip flops.   

Speaking of photos, here are some photography pointers I’ve come across on the web.  I have a regular point and shoot camera and I’m not a photo expert but these little tips have helped me a lot, especially with my crochet projects.   

In general: 

Natural sunlight is best.  Use the tungsten setting for artificial light.   

Direct sun on a nice day is too bright for most subjects.  Try the shade.   

Don’t take photos with the light source directly behind the subject.  I’m guilty of not following this one because the window is such an enticing backdrop. 

Turn off the flash or greatly reduce the output for accurate colors.

Reduce camera shake by propping your body and arm against something.

Odd numbers are better than even. 

Use the rule of thirds.

For close up shots:

Use the flower/macro setting.

Don’t use the zoom.  

That’s enough about photography.  I promise an actual craft-related photo in the next post!

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Jump right in

This is the Soley Granny Hat Pattern from Crafy Christina’s blog.  I used a size G crochet hook instead of the prescribed I hook.  The result is a hat sized for a three to twelve year old.  I used Red Heart Super Saver in bright yellow, spring green and royal blue.  I wanted to make a boyish hat but the color order bothers me.  I wish I had switched the yellow and green so it doesn’t look like yellow flowers with a blue center. 

Otherwise this pattern was a fun distraction from projects that are on my Christmas WIP list.  Grannys are always satisfying to crochet but I didn’t enjoy the multitude of ends.  Oh the ends! – but I did jump right in to make another. 

The purple and green version was crocheted with a size F hook which would fit a one to three year old.   I used RHSS pale mint, lavender and TLC eden green. 

The first two rounds of my upcoming granny blanket pattern was used to make the circular center.  The only difference was I used double crochet instead of half double crochet.  By replacing the the center like this the squares are more rounded and therefore the border around the hat isn’t as even.  I want to try another with the first two rounds in half double and see if that would help the border straighten out.     

 

Here you can see the difference in starting rounds.  One with the regular square start and the other with the circular foundation. 

*That’s cool* a random fact

Green Iguanas are a tree dwelling farmed food source in Central and South America.  Because of this, they are often referred to as ‘chicken of the trees’.

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Tiny glowing votives

Here in the San Juan Islands we got a few humble inches of the white winter stuff today.  The snow covered almost every surface, just not very well.  It’s good for packing though.  If there’s more snow tomorrow I want to make a snowman.  There should be enough to make a little one. 

I’ve been on a short hiatus from the actual act of crocheting and with my hooks on vacation and all, I took them outside to enjoy the view. 

I am busy with crochet related business though, organizing the testing session for my new free granny blanket pattern.  You can read the thread on Crochetville and see what the testers have swatched. 

If you’re just itching for a granny square blanket and can’t wait for the free pattern to turn up, give these a gander:  

A Microspun version on the Lion Brand website has a similar color scheme. 

For giant granny square worked in the round with a shell border try the Large Granny Square Blankie by Lisa Wolf at Bev’s Country Cottage. 

In other news the snow completely covered the Christmas – ahem – holiday lights that are coiled around the deck.  Little by little they melted quarter sized circles all along the deck.  Scientifically speaking, it was interesting to see how much snow a little bulb could melt but I didn’t give it much attention.  

Then at dusk I saw that the light illuminated the snow surrounding the bulb and it looked like a bunch of tiny glowing votives.  They seem very cozy in their little snow caves. 

 

*That’s cool* a random fact

Thomas Edison tried over 1,500 different materials for the filament in his first lightbulb including fishing line, coconut fibers and hair taken from a friend’s beard. 

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