Crochet to Go

I've been on hold for what seems like hours trying to make changes to a plane ticket. So...crochet finds!

For adults, I'm in love with these lamp shades. They're so simple - I'd love to have a set for stringing in the back yard at night. Or a row of them along the wall, spotlighting art.

For children, wouldn't crochet letters be a great learning tool? They'll double as pillows.

I'm busy with baby presents these days. I have several pregnant friends, most of whom aren't planning to find out the gender of the child in advance. I think I've said before that I generally find crochet to be a girly medium - patterns that work in fabric, or even knit, often look overly feminine when worked in crochet.

I'm pleased with this latest effort - it's completely gender neutral. The pattern was found in Simple Crochet for Cherished Babies (I simplified the front closure, otherwise it's exactly as written). The styling is very simple, and it should fit for quite some time, depending on how much you roll up the sleeves. I like the slightly open-weave feel of it - I think I might try to modify this into a hoodless cardigan for myself. It would be the perfect coverup for wearing around the house.

Other projects I have going on:
1. A worsted-weight baby quilt based on this pattern. I have neither the time nor the incredible patience needed to pull of the exact result, but even in a looser weave it's looking pretty good.
2. Final modifications on this hat (the brim will stay the same, but the overall hat will be deeper.

IMG_2209.JPG
Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

I survived the Maker Faire. As you can tell from this picture, it has a carnival-ish air about it. Lots of burning man art, some bands, and building after building of robots, electronics, and models. The craft component was surprisingly minimal. I imagine it was an absolute dream come true for a 13-year-old boy. From what I gather, the event was significantly larger than last year, and I hope it continues to grow. There's certainly something for everyone, but it doesn't yet feel like a cohesive whole. Certainly interesting, though.

The Craft Blog ran a post on the toilet paper wedding contest recently - did you check out the photos? I absolutely agree that this first example should have won. Can you believe all the detailing? I'm quite fond of this second dress, too.

If you have a lot of time - and toilet paper - information on entering the contest is available here.

Robyn of Crochet by Faye has a very interesting post this week about her design process - I'd definitely recommend checking it out. I was especially intrigued with how she multiplies crocheted samples in photoshop (like this example) to find interesting patterns. Very clever. I must refine my photoshop skills.

Here's another major find from my Grandmother - dozens and dozens of crocheted flowers. My Grandma Welch (my great-grandmother) made them; my mom remembers her making one after another when she was a kid.

I've always thought that these were used as doilies, or possibily as coasters. My grandmother writes that they were starched and used as Christmas ornaments. I imagine that's quite beautiful - I'll certainly try to do that this year.

Being several years (at least) from having a house big enough for a full-sized tree, I've been trying to think of other things I could make the extras in to. Ideas so far:
1) scarf
2) shawl
3) placemats

It's only days away! It's like burning man, without the dust. And with more clothes.

I'm signing at the Chronicle Books booth on Sunday at noon. I'll have some crochet projects along, and would love to talk to YOU about everything you're making right now. Stop by! You can see first-hand the weird way I hold a crochet hook (a result of being left-handed and self-taught). There's a lot of other really cool stuff happening too. Won't you be crushed if you miss power tool drag racing? Haven't you wanted to learn how to make your own cat furniture? Seriously - they have everything.

Learn more about Maker Faire is right here.

I'm drowning in printouts of adorable amigurumi projects these days. Here are a few of the best:

Happy eggs.

Toy airplanes, with pattern for sale.

Birds and a platypus in crochetroo's etsy shop (and lots more).

Raindrops in mochimochiland.

Bjork by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin
Originally uploaded by the adventures of hori hara.

One my surprisingly observant coworkers stopped by my desk the other day and said, "Whenever I hear Bjork I think of you." I was flattered and flumouxed, until he said, "You know, that outfit she's wearing in the posters on the street outside."

I had never noticed, but look - it's crochet! Quite a spectacular collection of crochet ruffles.

I finished this a few days ago. It's getting a little late in the season for a heavy scarf, but my mom spends a lot of time up in Oregon, where it's still fairly cool at night. It's my first project from the 2007 Crochet Pattern-a-Day Calendar. I don't like 90% of the patterns in it, but I really enjoy thumbing through it and seeing all the interesting, odd, and funny things you can crochet. I'll definitely buy it again next year.

This is the "Cluster Craze Scarf", from 2/8/07. I'd recommend increasing the initial foundation chain (it's a little short), but otherwise it's a fine pattern. You can find it online here.