The Knaughty Knitter

Crochet wonders

If you are in Nashville anytime soon, stop at the State musem and look at the Small Expressions exhibit.  There are wonderous things in it and none of it is larger than 15" in any direction.  This exhibit is from the Handweaver's Guild of America and tours the country every year and we got it this year, probably thanks to the fact that the woman who was the judge for this year's show is at the Appalachian Center for Crafts in Smithville.  Anyway there were some truly amazing little pieces of fiber art, among them some great little crocheted nests that I just loved.  We went last weekend - I just got some of the tiny crochet thread into the store and tiny hooks yesterday.  We'll see what I can come up with tomorrow on my day off.  There are new colors of #10 crochet thread, and some white and ecru #20 & #30.  This'd be good for tatting too I guess.

There are a few new colors of Marina in as of Thursday afternoon, and couple more due in the next two weeks.  (Marina is that ruffle yarn) I also have some other companies versions that will hit the shelves next week along with some new yarns in from Louisa Harding that are to die for.

 

Still Crocheting

I have two other crochet projects going, but I just finished this hat. Opal sock yarn and a great little pattern in a Vogue book of crocheted hats.  I am think there may be a little crocheted scarf to go with it in my future.  The pattern was pretty fun.

 
  Any crochet classes anyone - doilies, crocheted lace, hats?  And I have someone whois willing teach needle tatting in the fall.  Let me know if you are interested.

I've gone Crochet Crazy

I have been crocheting a lot lately....I started a bed spread, and am doing doilies and whatever else I can get my hands on.  I got some new books in today - crocheted socks, hats, baby cocoons, and some knitting books too - really lovely baby knitted things (christening gowns)....Anybody up for a crocheted sock class?

Here's a doily I started

 

And there is new yarn - lovely cotton from Swedish Yarns - Jarbo Soft Cotton....it feels very nice

 
There is more Swedish Yarn coming - Raggi which is a worsted weight, self striping sock yarn.  But we have to wait for the new colors to come in....

There's another box here from Universal Yarns, but I haven't opened that yet.....

I have added some classes to the calendar for July that will help you tap into your creative side.  Check 'em out.  (Hint - if you want to take the freeform knitting & crochet class - take the beginning crochet class in June so you can practice.)

Okay I added socks too.....but a different way of doing socks than my usual toe up, afterthought heel - a more the "old fashioned" way - cuff down etc.  and this will be a little lace sock.  SO if you have made socks before, but don't quite get it and want to try them again this is a good class for you, or if you have never made socks before this'll work too.  I have two socks on the needles and one is made with interesting techniques - it makes the tiny yarn knitting go faster, so does making it lace.....I know it seems that would be harder, but trust me on this - I usually find sock knitting tedious and I am really liking the little lace one.

Latest Projects

Since we came back I have finished 4 projects and so I think I deserve to start something new or 3 somethings.....

There's the June Secret Scarf...not showing that, but it is pretty cool...Clue:  Remember that the Farmer's Markets starts On The Square in June......

And I had this in my queue for quite a while and feel like crocheting so I started last night in group.  This is a free pattern from Crystal Palace in Mini Mochi  - The Flower Garden Shawl.  I am using their suggested colors but changing the pattern a bit....Theirs had the green squares on the outside of the shawl sort of like the grass at the edge of the flower bed.  I decided (with Lisa's help) that green outside on each of the squares worked better for when I am sewing them together and gives each "flower" some foliage. Here are some squares...

 

They are wonderfully fun and quick and I love seeing what color will come next in the ball.  Anyone want a class? 

Here's the other thing I started on Thursday in the morning group...A little shawl in Noro Sock yarn

 
It is reversible and easy but requires just enough attention to be interesting cause you change the stitches whenever there is a color change - It is the Gaia wrap and is free on Ravelry. 

Here are some flower pictures - obviously this is where my current attraction to purples and green is coming from. 

 
 
 I think these delphiniums are the best.  Oh I wish the cicadas would hurry away - I can't really do much dyeing with them all over my clothesline where I hang fiber to dry....

Samples from a couple of upcoming classes

 Here's a wrap I just finished in Entrelac.  It is not blocked - I'll get round to that soon. The class for Entrelac is coming up in June.  Usually for class we use self striping yarn so there are fewer ends to weave in, but I like this look too.  Even after all this I am still looking for way to incorporate entrelac into some things.  Maybe the edge of a crocheted bowl is next.

And these are a couple of shawls made using what I'll be teaching in Knitting Lace Triangles Class on May 21st.  There are some spots left in both of these classes.  The deadline for sign ups for the last class is Saturday, so don't delay.  The blue is made with lace weight yarn, the other is worsted weight (It went VERY FAST).

 

For tonight's May Secret Scarf Class bring #4 needles - straight, circs, double points, any will do though my preference for this was double points.  You will also need 6's for the scarf but that can be done later. 

Here is the shawl I started on the plane to Italy....crochet is so much faster....I used three colors at a time of various vegetable dyed yarns from my stash and didn't worry too much about what ball of  yarn I grabbed next except that the general concept was to go from lighter and subtle to darker and more intense.  I have put a beginning crochet class on the schedule for June 11th and we will be using this pattern for the class.  It is just a one time 2 hour class but you'll learn the basics and some pattern reading too.