WIP: Christian Michael's Afghan

On my hook is an afghan for Christian Michael, my sister-in-law's grandson. Better get it done soon so he will still be a baby when it arrives! It is made with Red Heart Supersaver in light blue using an H hook. The pattern is a very simple 2 HDC in one stitch then skip one stitch all across.

WIP: Latest Afghan

Even though my yarn stash is still not low, I bought some more yarn to start this afghan. The sale at A.C. Moore called to me! The pattern is called "Harmony" designed by Denise Black from the book "Great Big Crochet Afghan Book" by Needlecraft Shop.

The yarn is my favorite Red Heart in colors Warm Brown (#0336) and Aspen Print (#0305). The varigated Aspen Print happens to have a color that is just like the Warm Brown so it seems like a good match. The hook is my green J hook (as opposed to my red J hook).

This pattern uses a Front Post Triple Crochet stitch that was much easier to learn than I thought it would. The FPTRC every two stitches makes a "window" through which the Aspen Print shows through. Nice pattern.

WIP: Queen-sized Bedspread

About 5 years ago, I started a queen-sized bedspread and continue working on it over time. It is nearly done; only about 6-8 more inches left on the bottom. I plan on creating box corners so it becomes a fitted bedspread.

The yarn is Red Heart "Linen" #o330 and I'm using an H hook. The stitches are the Half-Double Crochet and the Slip Stitch. It is an easy pattern and the only problem has been the sheer size of it. Difficult to manage in my chair or on the couch. I've recently draped it over the dining room table and crochet while standing. Since I am very short, I can lean over the table and rest on it while hooking. When I turn the corner (so to speak) I walk around to the other side of the table and continue. Rather than turning the bedspread, I turn myself!

Because I've had problems before with colors being discontinued when I needed another skein or two, I over-purchased the yarn and still have about 12 skeins of RH #0330 in the Super Saver size. There is still the edging to do and I haven't chosen one, yet. Jean Leinhauser's book "50 Crocheted Afghan Borders" by Leisure Arts will be my inspiration.

WIP: Granny Square Vest

Making this vest reminds me how much I dislike joining small crocheted pieces together. I love the look that these vests have but if only my mother lived close enough to do this for me -- like she doesn't have her own projects to take care of!!!

The yarn is Caron One Pound Midnight Blue #546 and a Susan Bates hook G (4.25mm).

Anyway, I need 56 squares about 3.5-4 inches each and I have just over 30 finished. THEN they need to be blocked; THEN they need to be joined; THEN the vest will need to be edged...

WIP: It's red!; FO: 8/10/2006

This WIP is going to be a shawl. The yarn is Homespun Candy Apple #375 and the hook I'm using is a plastic Susan Bates N (10mm); the stitch is a single crochet (sc). The Homespun is difficult enough to work with that I choose a large hook and a simple stitch. The color just glows!

It will be long enough to toss each end over my shoulders. This will cover my arms but leave my hands free enough to crochet or read. All that's left to finish is a few more inches of shawl plus some fringe.

Update on 8/10/2006: Finally finished and it is warm and just right! The fringe is just long strands of the Homespun tied onto the edge. Each end has a knot in it because this yarn will fray!

WIP: Yarns don't match!

You can see my WIP started below. I have gotten far enough along that I'm ready to tie on a new skein -- but they don't match! The label on the Caron pounder says "No dye lot" (in 3 languages!) but the new yarn doesn't have the same sheen as the current yarn. None of the Caron Soft Sage at Joann's matches, either!

What if the yarn I have already used is the mis-match! Hope this doesn't become another frogging project!

Update on 6/26/2006: Joann's had a new batch of Caron Soft Sage and today I found one that seems to match the original yarn. Thank goodness! I was ready to SIU (see acronyms at right) and frog it. Now I can get back and finish it!

Update on 7/4/2006: Nope! Not a match at all when I finally joined the two colors. Bought a third one which really seemed to match in the store but the light must be really bad at Joann's. So the project is back on hold.

Update on 9/20/2006: Wrote to Caron and explained the situation (folks on Crochet Partners recommended this) and they sent me three (count them -- 3!) skeins of matching Soft Sage yarn. Customer service is still alive and well in America! Haven't frogged the original afghan, yet, or started on a new one with the matching yarn but it won'd be long!

WIP: Afghan with Caron Yarn

My current Work in Progress (WIP) is an afghan using Caron yarn in color Soft Sage (#580). This is the first time I've worked with Caron yarn -- actually, it might be the first time I've worked with anything other than Red Heart! The feel is very soft and it has been very easy to work with.

The afghan is being worked in single crochet with a "J" hook and is going fairly quickly. This will certainly not be the last time I get some Caron yarn!