Batten Down the Hatches..

Well, my fellow East Coast crafty peoples, batten down the hatches and settle in for a long ugly weekend. I have declared a state of emergency in crafting. Please be advised all knitters, crocheters, spinners and crafty people should be aware that a Knit-a-thon, crochet-a-thon, etc. shall commence ASAP. This is NOT a test. This message has been brought to you by Hurricane Irene. That is all.

Learn My Stitches Scarf

Learn My Stitches Scarf

By Hazel Rowe


Materials: 1 skein worsted weight yarn
1 size H crochet hook

Abreviations:
SC - single crochet
DC - double crochet
TRC - triple crochet
CH - chain

Pattern: Chain 16, turn (16th chain counts as first stitch next round)

Row 1: SC 15 stitches across the row, CH 3, turn.
Row 2: DC 15 stitches across the row, CH 4, turn.
Row 3: TRC 15 stitches across the row, CH 3, turn.
Row 4: DC 15 stitches across the row, CH 1, turn.
Row 5: SC 15 stitches across the row, CH 1, turn.

Continue to repeat the pattern rows 1 through 5 until scarf is desired length. Be sure to count your stitches every row to make sure you didn't forget that last stitch on the row. Every stitch will have a friend stitch above him on the next row. Bind off the end with a knot and use your hook to tuck in the ends or a tapastry needle.

And so it said "Craft in 2 hours"..

I recently decided to visit the fabric store and acquire some new fabrics to make some more shirts. I perused the scads of patterns available in the catalogs and settled on 2 patterns. One of them said I could make the shirt in 2 hours. Ha, have these folks met me? Anyway, I went on ahead with my purchases and came on home. They lingered in a bag in my craft room for a few days and I woke up Wednesday and decided to get started. I chuckled again when I read that 2 hour business. I have to tell you that after the first hour I only had the paper pattern cut out. 4 simple pieces. THAT took me an hour. I didn't even use my new fabric scissors I bought a while back yet. I have to say at least 10 minutes was spent (or wasted if you will) trying to fold back the remaining patterns. It was like Map Folding for Dummies or something. Needless to say, I stopped after the hour. I will continue the shirt again probably on tuesday. Like my knitting, I sometimes struggle endlessly with getting through completing something, but then I love the outcome. I am also currently working on a little red shrug out of Rowan Felted Tweed yarn. I am going into my red period. Andy Warhol had his silver period, I have a red one.

PS, what the hell is the business with sizing on sewwing patterns? I have to use a size 16 for a 36 inch chest...really? I don't buy size 16 suits at the store...

Helloooo out there..

I wonder how it is that so many cool people out there have a blog that gagillions of folks read? I really do.

In other worlds, I am contemplating the ideas of teaching my crafts and a big crafty venture might be in the works. I have that feeling frequently that I have been on the verge of something epic involving crafts and I am hoping that fate sent me the right match for that dream idea. I know somehow there has to be a way. The world is looking ugly lately with all the horrible economy but somewhere there has to be a break.

I feel a storm a brewin....