Showing posts with label crochet projects. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crochet projects. Show all posts
Sunday, November 26, 2017
moving to my own domain
I have finally launched my own website - I am so excited! I will continue to blog there - please come visit me at dmcogger.com !!
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Summer Reading
Summer reading for me tends to be more like summer browsing. I like to take crochet books and magazines, and after catching up on the articles, browse patterns.
I'll choose what it is that I want to make for whom, so I have plenty of time to find the perfect yarn. If you're looking for something new, check these out:
All Free Crochet is giving away a free copy of Austentatious Crochet - all you have to do is enter.
Get a copy of Dora Ohrenstein's latest book, Custom Crocheted Sweaters: Make Garments That Really Fit. Almost everyone can use a new sweater!
Laurie Laliberte's new paperback has just been released - Quick Crochet For Kitchen And Bath - another great resource for gift ideas.
For the sports lover, check out another new release - Sports: Baseball, Football, Basketball, Hockey Knit and Crochet Patterns.
The amount of ebook patterns and crochet books is constantly rising. It appears that Amazon has recently released several vintage patterns on ebook.
If looking at all of these patterns inspires you to create your own, pick up The Crochet Artist Memory to get it down on paper!
 |
| credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net |
I'll choose what it is that I want to make for whom, so I have plenty of time to find the perfect yarn. If you're looking for something new, check these out:
All Free Crochet is giving away a free copy of Austentatious Crochet - all you have to do is enter.
Get a copy of Dora Ohrenstein's latest book, Custom Crocheted Sweaters: Make Garments That Really Fit. Almost everyone can use a new sweater!
Laurie Laliberte's new paperback has just been released - Quick Crochet For Kitchen And Bath - another great resource for gift ideas.
For the sports lover, check out another new release - Sports: Baseball, Football, Basketball, Hockey Knit and Crochet Patterns.
The amount of ebook patterns and crochet books is constantly rising. It appears that Amazon has recently released several vintage patterns on ebook.
If looking at all of these patterns inspires you to create your own, pick up The Crochet Artist Memory to get it down on paper!
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Combining Yarns
When crocheting winter gloves, I generally use sock yarn or fingering weight wool. The gauge works out perfectly for the small to medium hand size. Medium to large, however, requires either thicker weight or a larger hook.
I had purchased some fingering weight 100% wool at the Yates Farm Yarn sale, but I found that it felt a bit too stiff and scratchy. Next I tried combining it with lace weight alpaca to soften it up. It worked like a charm.
By combining the two, I achieved the gauge I needed for medium/large gloves. Both being natural fibers, the combination should provide the same if not more warmth and still be water resistant. By using 1 strand of forest green wool with 1 strand of medium brown alpaca, the color combination works wonderfully. The wool should also keep the alpaca from stretching out of shape.
It is important to learn the various properties associated with different fibers to make a combination that works. If I had put the wool with cotton, for example, I would not trust that it would retain the water resistant properties. I could have doubled up the wool, but that would not have softened the finished product at all.
Combining yarns can be a fun way to get the properties you want out of your finished crochet project. Trial and error may take some time, but it is well worth the education you will give yourself.
I had purchased some fingering weight 100% wool at the Yates Farm Yarn sale, but I found that it felt a bit too stiff and scratchy. Next I tried combining it with lace weight alpaca to soften it up. It worked like a charm.
By combining the two, I achieved the gauge I needed for medium/large gloves. Both being natural fibers, the combination should provide the same if not more warmth and still be water resistant. By using 1 strand of forest green wool with 1 strand of medium brown alpaca, the color combination works wonderfully. The wool should also keep the alpaca from stretching out of shape.
It is important to learn the various properties associated with different fibers to make a combination that works. If I had put the wool with cotton, for example, I would not trust that it would retain the water resistant properties. I could have doubled up the wool, but that would not have softened the finished product at all.
Combining yarns can be a fun way to get the properties you want out of your finished crochet project. Trial and error may take some time, but it is well worth the education you will give yourself.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Changing Weather, Changing Projects
Crocheters often have more than one project they are working on at a time. Some may not understand why they can't complete a project before starting another, but it makes perfect sense to have multiple projects in the works for a variety of reasons. The weather is a good example.
In the course of a single day, it could be cold and damp, turn hot and steamy, and end up mild. Why not have a project that is comfortable to work on regardless of the weather? It's much more productive that way.
Yesterday's cold rainy morning was perfect for working on those wool coats. As more fabric was created, it draped over my lap keeping me warm and comfortable. Cold, damp hours are also perfect for afghans or any other large project.
When the sun comes out with its summer heat, time to switch to cotton or some other lightweight fiber. Small projects, such as socks, work up relatively quickly and won't stick to your skin or provide unwanted warmth by covering you up. This is the perfect time to work on those submission swatches for the spring/summer deadlines that are coming up.
In the evenings after the sun has set, the mild temperature allows the crocheter to work on whatever project they would like. Mid-weight tops, skirts, purses - the possibilities are endless. Personally, I like to work on the gifts I'm planning to give as a way to unwind at the end of the day.
Instead of cursing the weather, use it to your advantage by working on a comfortable project suited for the current temperature. You'll soon forget all about what is going on outside!
In the course of a single day, it could be cold and damp, turn hot and steamy, and end up mild. Why not have a project that is comfortable to work on regardless of the weather? It's much more productive that way.
Yesterday's cold rainy morning was perfect for working on those wool coats. As more fabric was created, it draped over my lap keeping me warm and comfortable. Cold, damp hours are also perfect for afghans or any other large project.
When the sun comes out with its summer heat, time to switch to cotton or some other lightweight fiber. Small projects, such as socks, work up relatively quickly and won't stick to your skin or provide unwanted warmth by covering you up. This is the perfect time to work on those submission swatches for the spring/summer deadlines that are coming up.
In the evenings after the sun has set, the mild temperature allows the crocheter to work on whatever project they would like. Mid-weight tops, skirts, purses - the possibilities are endless. Personally, I like to work on the gifts I'm planning to give as a way to unwind at the end of the day.
Instead of cursing the weather, use it to your advantage by working on a comfortable project suited for the current temperature. You'll soon forget all about what is going on outside!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)