Crochet to Go

It's hard to resist the cuteness of these cars. It looks like a nice, quick project. By French artist Sylvie - find her pattern available here.

IMG_1538.JPG
Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

I've been working on a "simple" pattern for arm warmers: something suitable for worsted weight yarns of all kinds, fast to make, comfortable to wear, and not overly precious - basically, something for everyday. If you live in a climate like mine, they're perfect for office mornings - just enough to take the edge off while the heater is struggling to warm the place. They work well if you're typing, too.

Materials needed
- 3.5 oz worsted weight yarn (Lion Brand Wool)
- Crochet hook size H
- Yarn needle

Gauge
In pattern, 15 dc and 9 rows = 4 inches
Pattern is sized for an average-size woman.

To make a Popcorn st (yo, insert hook into st and draw up a loop, yo, draw through 2 loops on hook) 4 times all in the same st, yo and draw through 4 loops, yo and draw through remaining 2 loops.

Directions

Side A
Using peach, ch 32. Without twisting ch, sl st to first ch to form a circle.

Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc). Dc in next ch and in each ch around (32 dc). Sl st to top of tch at start of row. Ch 3, turn.

Rnd 2: Work 1 popcorn st into first dc of previous row, *dc in next st, popcorn st in next. Repeat from * to end of round. Sl st to tch. Ch 3, turn.

Rnd 3: Dc into each st around. Sl st into tch. Ch 3, turn.

Rnd 4: Dc in each of first 10 sts. Over next 2 sts, work dec dc. Dc in each of next 10 sts. Over next 2 sts, work dec dc. Continue working in dc to end of row (30 dc). Sl st into tch. Ch 3, turn.

Rnd 5–10: Repeat rnd 3.

Rnd 11: Dc in each of first 5 sts. Over next 2 sts, work dec dc. Dc in each of next 15 sts. Over next 2 sts, work dec dc. Continue working in dc to end of row (28 dc). Sl st into tch. Ch 3, turn.

Rnd 12-14: Repeat rnd 3.

Rnd 15: Dc in each of first 5 sts. Over next 2 sts, work dec dc. Dc in each of next 10 sts. Over next 2 sts, work dec dc. Continue working in dc to end of row (26 dc). Sl st into tch. Ch 3, turn.

Rnd 16: Repeat rnd 15.

Rnd 17-20: Repeat rnd 3.

Rnd 21: Dc in each of first 7 sts. Over next 2 sts, work dec dc. Dc in each of next 7 sts. Over next 2 sts, work dec dc. Continue working in dc to end of row (22 dc). Sl st into tch. Ch 3, turn.

Rnd 22-23: Repeat rnd 3.

Rnd 24: Dc in each of first 3 sts. Ch 4, skip 4 sts—thumbhole created. Dc in each remaining st. Ch 3, turn.

Rnd 25: Dc in each st and ch of row. Sl st into tch. Ch 3, turn.

Rnd 26-27: Repeat row 3. At end of row 27, do not ch 3. Fasten off.

Side B
Follow directions from Side A through row 22.

Rnd 23: Repeat row 3. At end of row, do not ch 3. Fasten off.

Rnd 24: Attach yarn at opposite side of row just worked. Dc in each of first 3 sts. Ch 4, skip 4 sts—thumbhole created. Dc in each remaining st. Ch 3, turn.

Rnd 25: Dc in each st and ch of row. Sl st into tch. Ch 3, turn.

Rnd 26-27: Repeat row 4. At end of row 40, do not ch 3. Fasten off.

Reinforce thumb
1: Attach yarn to one of the unworked dc of thumbhole. Sc in same st. Sc into each unworked dc, the side post of adjacent dc on either side, and base of row above (10 [XX] sc). Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

Weave in any loose ends.

Finished dimensions
12 inches long; width at widest point (row 1) is roughly 10 inches, although the weave will stretch to fit a slightly larger width.

IMG_1535.JPG
Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

IMG_1542.JPG
Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

I finished this scarf a few weeks ago, along with the purple version pictured below. It has been really difficult to photograph - the yarn is a mix of orange and purples with a black metallic thread running through (Artful Yarn's Broadway). This picture doesn't quite do it justice, but it's close.

I wasn't a big fan of the yarn originally, but I love the finished result. It was a treat to be surprised by yarn for once - I usually work with solids, so the results are more predictable. This pattern (the One Skein Scarf from The Happy Hooker) is great - simple, fast, and yields an elegant scarf. I'm sad to give these two away, but I suppose I'll just have to make time to make one for myself.

Oh yeah - it takes more than one skein to finish the scarf.

IMG_1539.JPG
Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

My coworker Christine (who's one of my favorite jewelry designers - you can see her work here), noticed this article, Crochet Undergoes an Upgrade, in the New York Times Style section today. Crochet artist Waejong Kim is one of the founders of a new store in New York, and apparently the reason why "the store has become something of a destination for crochet fetishists". It's interesting work - not necessarily wearable, but fun and flashy. Check out more here.

Hannah's Baby Shower
Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

Hannah is the first of my friends from college to have a baby. I find this a little odd (I'm almost 30, after all), but perhaps it's normal now that more women in America are unmarried than married?

It's exciting - I can't wait for Hannah to have her little girl.

Blanket Detail
Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

Adam's "Camping" Hat
Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

I'm nearly finished with the second "camping" hat - a brimmed cap with ear flaps. Adam's is complete; mine should have flaps attached by this evening. Perhaps not the most fashion-forward items I've made, but they're really warm and comfortable. And just in time for the truly awful cold spell we're having. To quote Friday's SF Chronicle:

"With Bay Area temperatures expected to drop into the 20s by Friday -- and stay there through the weekend nights -- it might be time to pull out that parka, along with the wool gloves and mittens and that ridiculous hat with the ear flaps."

Alicia's "Camping" Hat
Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

sexy little knits
Originally uploaded by knitomatic.

Have you noticed this craft trend lately; the desire to make knitting and crochet "sexy"? Here's an exceptionally bad example. The photographer for my book had recently shot a series for Sexy Little Knits. I don't love the cover, but definitely want to buy it.

And, of course, there's Naughty Needles: read the SF Chronicle's take on it here.

P.S. I'm having major photo uploading problems - Flickr seems to be the only way to get any images up. Hopefully will be resolved soon.

Holiday Gifts
Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

I'm trying to be better about getting photos of the actual receipient wearing the things I made them (poor Adam gets tired of all the modeling). Here's Wes in his new hat, and Christina with her scarf.

The final three! I'm especially pleased with the military green and red version. Next up:

- Hand warmers (2 pairs)
- Baby blanket
- A new hat design, with a fold-over brim and earflaps, for really cold weather