Crochet to Go

IMG_1574.JPG
Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

I'm slipping behind on my projects lately, it feels - somehow time is just disappearing. I have been working, just not doing a lot of actual crochet. As you can see, I have an actual copy of the Crochet to Go Deck! It looks great, and should start appearing in stores in the next 2-3 weeks.

I recently heard from the publisher's publicity person as well; advance copies were sent out last week. I'll let you know if there are any hits (come on, Martha Stewart! Ladies Home Journal! Make!).

I've also pitched two new book ideas, and am trying to submit at least 1 pattern per month to magazines. Now I just need to carve out enough time to actually write the patterns...

I started the "Soft Brimmed Casual" a few weeks ago. I was diligent and made my swatch (it took a couple of tries - the yarn reference from 1947 is fairly oblique), and carefully counted and measured my rows.

Here's attempt #1:


As you can tell, it's a complete failure (as an adult hat; it's actually pretty cute for a toddler).

Here's attempt #2 (a complete departure from the pattern; I did my best to interpret the instructions for the proper sizing):


Off, it's really not bad. On, it's awful. Way too wide at the top, too flared at the bottom. Plus it has those awful depressions around the top. On the positive side, it's a decent fit, and the texture and stiffness is right.

Here's #3, a work in progress. Let's hope it works.

It's hard to pass up on this tutorial, although I suspect making that little loop at the end is harder than it looks. On Girl on the Rocks.

DSC08749.JPG
Originally uploaded by pt.

This crochet example snuck into an otherwise knitting-heavy exhibit at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City. The show is up through mid-June - looks like it's worth a visit.

I just recently stumbled across this blog. Cathy posts vintage craft pictures from what I assume is her own massive collection - she's posting almost daily. This example is a real gem - can you imagine crocheting your own tights? This outfit must have taken years to make.

It has been a good week for crochet sightings. First up: these truly impressive examples of crocheted food (you can buy them at Mahar Dry Goods). Be sure to check out the new crocheted baby shoes on the site, too.

Next up: a whole pile of strawberries on Bloody Bunny's blog. Definitely check out some of her past posts too - she makes amazing things.

Craft Magazine has this gem - knitted breasts, for use as a teaching tool for new mothers. Go figure. Apparently the cost of model breasts in England has gotten too expensive.

IMG_1610.JPG
Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

I finished this little dress last weekend. It's the fourth project I've completed from Simple Crochet for Cherished Babies (pictures of the others below). This book is great - well photographed, simple patterns, and lots of attention to the details. The leg snaps on the overalls, for example, make the garment actually wearable. I used Sirdar Snuggly Chatterbox (how's that for a name?) yarn, and vintage buttons for the closure.

IMG_0914.JPG
Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

From Simple Crochet for Cherished Babies.

IMG_0813.JPG
Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

This is my favorite piece from the book - the side tie made it quite adjustable, and wearable for months.

IMG_1377.JPG
Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

And another.

Judy Geib's work in included in an exhibit at the Cooper-Hewitt right now. She makes gorgeous, heavily layered jewelry, and insists that the pieces be displayed on her custom crocheted display stands. She also crochets remarkable seashell handbags.

Apron Chronicles
Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

My dentist kept me waiting over an hour on Friday. The only upside to this was that I ran across a reference to this traveling exhibit of aprons in Food & Wine magazine. It's a book, too. The show hasn't made it out to California yet - let's hope it does. There's a photo gallery on the site with lots of inspiring aprons.

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