Crochet to Go

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Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

From Colombia - a country filled with crocheted crafts. Surprisingly, there doesn't seem to be much knitting at all. More to come...

I can't resist posting a link to Neta's site. She's based in Tel Aviv and creates free-form dolls in crochet, and other mediums. I'm a little scared of the work, but it's fun to dig through her archives and see the things she's made.

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Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

Here's another scarf from The Happy Hooker. Worked entirely in sc, it couldn't be easier. It's a little stiff - I might use a larger hook next time - but I like the look of the vertical stripes.

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Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

I have a number of projects I want to get started on. I also have a mountain of yarn and cringe at the thought of buying more. So I'm stalling and making easy projects with what I have. Here's another version of the One-Skein Scarf from The Happy Hooker.

USA Today ran an article this week about knitted and crocheted products for the home. The examples are fairly uninspiring, but it's great to see this sort of exposure for the medium. Read it here.

My friend Kate is starting up a new knitting blog - Knit NYC. She's off to a great start, and addressing a lot of the issues I (and I imagine a lot of other craft bloggers) are struggling with. Like, it's a lot of work to post several times a week! How does everyone do it? And what do you write about, other than the things you've made? Definitely check it out.

I'm awash in crochet finds this week. In the fine art category, Patricia Waller's show in Germany just opened. The work is diverse and technically very impressive. Often funny, too. You can see more of her work here on her website.

P.S. make sure you look at the "accidents" series. Wow.

I'm buried at work and not finding much time for crochet. There have been numerous crochet sightings, however.

First up, JCrew's Crochet Car Coat. I haven't made up my mind about it. Could be cute, but looks a little stiff. I'll have to see it in person.

Anthropologie is highlighting crochet as one of their spring themes:

And finally, here's one of the crochet offerings at Garnet Hill. I'm not sure crochet would really work well wet, but it's a cute pattern.

Green Brimmed Hat
Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

Here's Hat #3 in the brimmed hat series. It's still not exactly what I was shooting for, but - I'll just toot my own horn here - I love it. I think I'm finally getting over my "Blossom" complex (a.k.a. "Short Girls Can't Wear Hats"). There will be a Hat #4, but I'm definitely saving my pattern notes on this one.

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Originally uploaded by lisabagg.

My friends Lisa and Heather write for She Finds Mom, a blog featuring stuff for moms and babies. It doesn't pay well, but some of the stuff they get to test definitely makes it all worthwhile. This hat is awesome. At Knit Head.

I made it over to Relish at Home recently - it's a lovely little store packed with jewelry, art, bags, and much more by up and coming artists (many of them local). I wanted to buy everything in there. The location is a little out of the way, but it's well worth a trip if you find yourself in Berkeley on a Saturday afternoon.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

From Simple Crochet for Cherished Babies.

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Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

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

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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.

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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.