The Eva Shawl

So I have decided to make some stuff for me lately.

The first project I wanted to try for myself was the Eva Shawl on ravelry. I just loved it and so I wanted a light yarn. I went and splurged on 4 balls of Caron Spa yarn in Ocean Spray.

The pattern is extremely simple and works very fast. I initially went by the pattern, but decided to use an H hook(5.00 mm) instead so that the stitches would seem a little loose so the pattern and yarn can be shown off.

I started this last night and I've made quite the amount of progress on it! I highly recommend this to anyone wanting a lovely light shawl (or use thicker yarn and make a really super warm one)!

Sidenote: I really never thought I would ever get away from using Red Heart acrylic yarn. Then I never thought I'd ever want to use anything else other than cotton yarn...but now that I am really branching out and exploring all the weights and textures, I am really loving the variety out there. I highly recommend trying new things and ravelry if you are a lover of the fiber arts!

Okay, so I'm an adult now....

I just squeed when the furniture company's truck arrived.

After waiting over a month, our couches were here!!!

I have to admit, I was pretty bemused that I was so excited about couches, but now, kicked back in my half of the cushiony reclining couch, I feel danged good.

Being an adult can be fun (and comfy).






Now, do I continue crocheting my fishnet gloves, or stat on the Eva shawl?!? Decisions, decisions!!

(Puppy ,enjoying his new rocking, reclining loveseat.)




(The boys checking out the couch)

KIP Day & Bookmark

Today was the Columbus Knit (or Crochet) in Public day at Polaris Fashion Mall.

Hosted by the Nationwide Knit Guild, we gathered around the walkway between Barnes & Noble and Dave and Busters. It was mostly breezy and threatened to rain, but a few dozen women shared their love for fibercrafts and the arts.

It really was a great chance to meet other people who loved yarn and knitting (and crocheting).

(Thanks to voxless on ravelry for the photo - her blog)

I had a ball and finished my goddess filet crochet bookmark. It's kinda hard to tell what it is, but I'm glad I gave her a try!

Worldwide Knit (or Crochet) in Public Day!!!

I had no idea there was such a thing, but apparently this week is worldwide Knit (or Crochet) in Public day.

This year in Columbus, the event will be held tomorrow at Polaris.

I know I'm planning on spending a little time there, if you're in the area and are a knitter or crocheter, come stop by!!!

Filet crochet tutorial (part 2)

Okay, now that we have the barest basics from Lesson 1, we are going to move on to a slightly larger project.

(Yes, I just made that really quickly with MS Paint and "graph paper" And you can too with the graph paper image I posted below.)

Now, this is 9x10 square filet. Which, multiplied by 3 stitches means the chain row is 10x3 +5 = 35 chains to start.

By following the chart, you get something akin to this:




(Sorry for the fuzzy cell phone picture.)









More advanced charts can be found at a place like this, here or here. This is also a pretty good source for crochet alphabet charts.

Also, groups like Craftster and Ravelry are great resources for tutorials, patterns and support!

Resources:

Alphabets-
http://www.needlework.com/xstitch1pats/html/fancy_alphabet.html
http://www.needlework.com/xstitch1pats/html/old_english_alphabet.html
http://www.allfreecrafts.com/needlework/block-alphabet.shtml

Other Charts:
http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/filet_crochet.php
(I got the graph paper from this website.)



I hope this helps get you started with filet crochet!!!

Back to painting!

I tried a quick painting this afternoon.

I call it "Our Grove"

Filet crochet tutorial (part 1)

Lesson 1
Filet Crochet Basics

Okay, since my first completed project 2 weeks ago, I have been promising a basic tutorial in filet crochet. This will most likely be a 3 part tutorial, as I have yet to upload all the pictures I took of the process.

But I will start with the basics. Filet crochet is an alternative term for lace or filet lace crochet. It generally uses tiny metal hooks, I currently use a 1.8mm (US 6, UK 3.5) and crochet thread, which is most readily available in sizes 10 and 20 in most craft/yarn stores.

To learn the basics, however, you can use any size thread and any size hook you feel comfortable with or have lying around.

The general gist is that in filet patterns, usually in the form of a graph create holes and filled boxes that create a pattern.

Each box represents 3 stitches. The empty spaces are 2chs, 1dc. While the filled-in spaces are 3dcs. So when you begin a filet pattern, you have to multiply each box x3 to get your initial chain count and then add five.

What you need:

• Crochet Hook
• Yarn(or crochet thread)
• Filet Pattern

Knowledge of the following:

• Chain stitch (ch)
• Double Crochet stitch (dc)

I suggest finding a simple project to start, a few letters, or a practice grid, something simple like the following.

Try these below as your homework for Lesson 1:











The pattern for this square goes like this:

Ch14, turn
Row 1: dc in 8th ch from hook, ch2, dc, ch2, d, turn
Row 2: ch5, dc in 3rd stitch from hook, ch2, dc, ch2, dc, turn
Row3: ch5, dc in 3rd stitch from hook, ch2, dc, ch2, dc, finish











The pattern for this square goes like this:

Ch14, turn
Row 1: DC in 8th ch from hook, dc3, ch2, dc1 turn
Row 2: Ch3, dc3, ch2, dc4, turn
Row3: Ch5, dc in 3rd dc from hook, dc3, ch2, dc, finish