CAL - Crochet-a-long - Mesh Raglan Pullover - 4 letter word

There was a 4-letter word in the pattern instructions that I missed - TURN.

Apparently, when you "work in the round" in crochet, you don't go round and round and round.

Not in this pattern anyway.

The instructions wanted me to go round one row, then stop, TURN, and go back the other way for the next row.

I missed that 4-letter word.

I've already frogged back once so I've decided I don't mind that there is a boo-boo and I'm going to continue and see where it takes me.

And so this project continues ....

ferrari

Saw this ferrari in London (Canada) recently.

Ah, to dream of owning (even for 10 minutes!) such a car ...

CAL - Crochet-a-long - Mesh Raglan Pullover - I started!

Well, I got off to a bit of a rocky start. :)  I am *so* new to crochet - I've only made one terrible dishcloth and 2 pairs of slippers (one of which was probably full of mistakes like the dishcloth).

In all those projects, new stitches were always made using the holes created by the previous rows of stitches.

So that's how I thought this pattern was.  Wrong!

I wasn't getting the pretty open square pattern that attracted me to this Mesh Raglan pullover in the first place!

So I visited the blog and read everyone's comments (some are already working on the sleeves!!) and then visited Ravelry and read everyone's comments there.

And I discovered that I shouldn't be creating my new stitches using the hole created by the previous stitch.  Instead, I should go through the stitches at the top of the "column" created by my "dc" stitch.

I also discovered I did the corner stitches wrong and didn't have enough stitches at the end of 3 rows.

So I frogged back to the base stitches and started again.

I've completed 3 rows now (and they're not error-free but I hope they'll be ok).

Next post I'll have photos!

Christmas In July Sale at Patterns And Such - Save 20%

Christmas in July Sale!

It's time to start your holiday projects!

Shop now for patterns and supplies for your seasonal projects!

At PatternsAndSuch on Etsy, use Coupon Code CIJ20 at checkout to receive 20% off your purchase prices!

Click on the Christmas Patterns Section listed to the left in my shop.

Full Moon

A full moon tonight.

Here's a photo I took a few years ago.

Tutorial - Mark Your Suitcase

Tutorial - Mark Your Suitcase

Suitcases on the baggage claim carousel all look the same!

You *think* you bought a unique suitcase, and then you see so many that look so similar!

What to do?

I saw a suitcase on a carousel once - and I *loved* what they did!  They put initials on the suitcase!

Since we were buying replacement suitcases for our ragged old suitcases, I decided to do the same!

First we thought we'd use liquid paint pens.  I tested that theory in a hidden area .. and the paint simply soaked into the suitcase fabric!  No to that idea.

Then we found the acrylic paints that used to belong to my husband's aunt.  I chose a bright yellow and it was perfect!

I used the word processing program on our computer to print out initials in the size we wanted (about 5 inches / 120cm high) and then I carefully cut them out to make the template.

I taped the template to the suitcase and painted!

We did 2 coats.

And then we went on a trip!  It was great!!!  We knew exactly which ones were ours!!

Are You Planning to Make Christmas Gifts??

If so, do you have all you need?

I started my Christmas knitting this week - I know handmade gifts take time and I don't want to be caught short!

To help you, my Etsy shop PatternsAndSuch is having a
Christmas-In-July sale!

Use Coupon Code CIJ20 at checkout for 20% off the purchase price.

Here is a sampling of patterns available!

CAL - Crochet-a-long - Mesh Raglan Pullover

I plan to take part in the Crochet-Along (CAL) sponsored by Lion Brand to make the Mesh Raglan Pullover.

I am new to crochet.

I have only made a dishcloth and 2 pairs of Mary Jane slippers.

So this will be a huge project for me.

Wish me luck!

Christmas In July Sale at Patterns And Such!

Christmas in July Sale!

It's time to start your holiday projects!

Shop now for patterns and supplies for your seasonal projects!

At PatternsAndSuch on Etsy, use Coupon Code CIJ20 at checkout to receive 20% off your purchase prices!

Click on the Christmas Patterns Section listed to the left in my shop.

20% off!

Use Coupon Code CIJ20 at checkout!

Please note - coupon code will expire July 31, 2011.

Happy Canada Day!!!

Happy Canada Day!!

TWO videos for your enjoyment!!

What's Growing in Your Garden?

What's Growing in Your Garden?

Well, in my case, what I mean is: what's growing in your garden besides weeds!

I have one garden in particular that gets overrun with weeds - and it seems it happens the day after I finish weeding it!  Our plan is to make that garden smaller some day, so hopefully when we do that we can somehow find a way to get rid of those pesky weeds.

I do like my gardens ... I'm not a big fan of gardening though.

My lilacs have bloomed and I've trimmed them back.  And the lily of the valley, tulips and such are finished too.  Right now I still have some peonies, bleeding heart and my rose bush.

I'm looking forward to the lilies, clematis and rose of sharon ... and possibly some other plants I've forgotten are there. oh, like the hostas - their flowers are so nice, too!

If you'd like a chance to own a piece of my garden, I have photographic prints available at this link.

Where are your Needles and Hooks?

Where are your needles and hooks?

I received this beautiful flower pot from my daughter and it's the perfect size for my crochet hooks, shorter knitting needles and various tools needed for knit/crochet work.  And that adorable fairy watches over them to be sure that when I use them, I won't lose stitches or mess up the pattern.

My dpns are stored inside this tin - the Victorian-esque print on the tin is Christmas-themed, but I like it and keep it on display year round.

I was thrilled to find these see-through cases at a yard sale!  I had no idea what they were but knew I'd find a use for them. Originally I thought I'd use them for mini first aid kits for Girl Guides, but when I needed something to carry my essential knitting tools, I realized their true purpose in life!  I now have two of them ready to go into any knitting project bag.  They hold my stitch markers, measuring tape, small scissors, stitch holders and anything else that fits. 

And see the little tube with the blue ends?  This holds my blunt end needles for sewing up the ends of my projects - and it originally stored "jumbo erasers for automatic pencils" - I think leads for pencils come in similar containers. 

Another gift from my daughter was this amazing metal vase - perfect for knitting needles! 

How have you recycled items to store your crafting supplies and tools?

What ideas do you have for similar storage gems?

Leave a comment and share with us!

Knit In Public Day

Happy Knit in Public Day! 

Knit everywhere from today until June 19th to celebrate!

And if you need a new pattern to knit, check out the knitting patterns I recently added to my PatternsAndSuch shop on etsy!

EASY Way to Fold Fitted Sheets!

So Simple!

So Easy!

Why did I not know this before?

 

Tips for taking your knitting travelling

I receive the Knitting Daily newsletter (subscribe at http://www.knittingdaily.com/) and a recent newsletter contained these great tips for taking your knitting (and I'm sure, crochet, too) travelling!

This is a summarized version ... if you'd like full version, visit Knitting Daily here. (you may need to login to view)

1. Pick easy projects. "Easy" here is a relative term ... be honest with yourself about your skill level and choose projects that you can knit without having to give a lot of attention.

2. Pick small-ish projects. The smaller the project, the easier it will be to knit while you're traveling.

3. Choose your tools wisely. Socks are my number one project for knitting on the go ... for longer travel, I usually opt for Magic-Loop — nothing like making friends with everyone on an airplane as you attempt to chase down a dropped dpn.

4. Organize everything. ... whatever you use, make sure it has some sort of closure. Placing your knitting projects in bags also protects them from getting roughed up in transit.

5. Keep a notebook handy.Having your notebook and pen or pencil nearby ensures that you can make a quick note of your stopping point, or jot down any modifications you make on the go.

6.  Most importantly, relax!