Res Completa: Giant Granny Square

Finally, at long last, I have entered the world of the crochet. I have dreamed of this moment since the cat ate those coasters I finally made after several tries, moments after completing the last round; since realizing the hat I had been laboring over was a wonky, lopsided mess; since failing not once, not twice, but thrice to get past the third round of this granny square pattern. Here it is: a successful crochet project. My heart sings.



Pattern: Granny Square, from the Purl Bee
Yarn: madelinetosh tosh sock (the orange), Dale of Norway Baby Ull (the dark grey), Jaeger Matchmaker Merino 4-ply (the light purple at the end), and various bits of Koigu KPM (the rest of it)
Hook: Size F, 3.75mm
Start to Finish: May 16 - June 5, 2010



There are so many gorgeous versions of this pattern, with the original Giant Granny Square, by Joelle Hoverson of Purl Soho, leading them all. I had actually attempted this project last year, soon after the first one one appeared on the Purl Bee, but it ended in disaster. And then it took three more tries this time around before I got it right. It always started out ok, but somehow kept getting all ripply and huge after the third round. I ripped out, I tried different hook (ack! I keep writing "needle"!) sizes, but nothing ever worked. Then finally, one day, I LOOKED AT THE PATTERN. Ah. I was half double crocheting into every single space twice, rather than just once, then twice at the spaces in the corners. So reading a pattern is actually helpful! Who knew?!



For the edging, I chained three, then joined the stitch into the space between the half double crochets (my apologies for having no idea what I'm talking about here...I'm just making up terminology as I go). It adds a feminine touch, I think, and adding it used up all but, like, 1 yard of my purple yarn. Sweet.



I am so happy with how this turned out and hope it is just the beginning of a long and happy relationship with crochet. I'm sure the knitting will understand.

Res Completa: Citron Deux

For the most part, I'm a pretty monogamous knitter. I start a project and I stick with it to the end, rarely casting on anything else until it's finished. But every once in awhile, I cast on for something specifically to pick up and put down in between larger projects. Because I hate that in between time when you're too lazy or don't have time to do all the research and swatching for that new project, but waiting another day to click your needles is absolutely unthinkable. In April, I started what was supposed to be an in-between project for the next several months: a Citron, in the Wabi Sabi Lush Lace I bought at Stitches, expanded into however many ruffle sections the yarn and I could handle.

But after about about six weeks, I couldn't do it anymore. I was working on other projects, the whole time thinking about the fact that this Citron had live stitches on the needles, and it started driving me crazy. I HAD TO FINISH IT.



I only did 7 repeats because, seriously, I couldn't handle any more stitches, and I'm very happy with this size. I'm even happier about the color of this yarn. Obsessed, in fact. Somehow, this color matches nothing in my closet, yet goes with absolutely everything.



The specs--

Pattern: Citron, by me
Yarn: Wabi Sabi Yarns Lush Lace, exactly half a skein of Peacock (~650 yards)
Needles: US 5 circs
Start to Finish: April 1 - June 2, 2010



Mods: Using the ultra-handy spreadsheet of stitch counts and frequency of increases kindly created by Rav user lababla (downloadable here), I expanded the shawl out to 7 sections. Many knitters of Citron have done the same, and theirs turned out so beautifully (especially this one, which was hanging in the Wabi Sabi booth at Stitches and made me buy the yarn in the first place) that I had to do it, too. I mostly wear my shawls bunched around my neck, so the small size of the original Citron suits my needs pretty well, but I fully admit that 7 sections works better for a shawl to be worn around the shoulders.



And now that this is done, I am feeling much better.

Res Completa: Sophie

Ack! I haven't been here in ages! Work has been keeping me pretty busy lately, including some travel last week (more on that later -- we just reached a very exciting milestone), and tomorrow I'm flying off again, this time for a family deal. I have been knitting quite a bit, but seem to be having trouble actually finishing things. One of my current works in progress is a 7-section Citron and OH MY GOSH the ruffle is taking for-freaking-ever. Is it a bad sign that I'm getting bored with my own pattern?!

So before rushing off to pack and wind more yarn for tomorrow's flight, here's a quickie project I finished for the adorable baby daughter of a very dear friend:



Pattern: Sophie, by Ysolda Teague (I swear, I keep writing Sophy and having to correct it)
Yarn: Valley Yarns Superwash DK, 1.25 skeins of Misty Lilac
Needles: US 4 dpns
Start to Finish: April 7-14, 2010 (roughly)

No mods, but I did give Sophie a little poof of a tail.



I didn't notice at first, but I may not have picked up stitches for the body just right, giving one the impression that Sophie is looking up and to her left. Or maybe she's just a curious bunny.



Another dear friend just had a baby boy and everyone else I know is pregnant, so there will be many more of these knitted cuddlies in the near future. I love making baby clothes, too, but these Ysolda patterns are so fun and I feel like a hand made stuffed toy is something a little one will be able to hold onto for longer. And they won't grow out of them in a month, either.

I hope little Adaline enjoys!

(P.S. You must check out these photos of Adaline modeling some knitwear made by her great-great-grandmother over three decades ago. I think it is the neatest thing in the world that my friend's family held onto these for so long and that Adaline is able to wear them now. And the pom-poms on the hat are FAB.)