Crochet Socks and Such

KEWL SITE

2010-05-17T18:27:00.001-06:00

I stumbled upon this kewl site and thought I would pass the word.
http://charitycrafter.blogspot.com

Adult Muff suggestions

2007-12-23T22:12:00.001-07:00

Maddy, on one of the crocheting groups that I belong to wrote: Honey, you don't need a pattern for that! A muff is just a rectangle.

First decide just how much warmth you need. Last winter I was in Maine; for that cold a climate, I might consider a double layer (one tube inside another for extra insulation) Here in NC I wouldn't bother with a muff at all, except as a fashion accessory in which case I'd use fun fur or some such fru fru.

1. Shop your stash first for a nice warm soft wool. Animal wools are the warmest. Alpaca is nice, warm and soft but not too too fuzzy.
2. Nothing in your stash? Go to a good LYS and shop the sale bin first. You'll only need 2-3 50gm balls, and LYS's will deeply discount NICE yarns when they're down to such small quantities.
3. Check the ball band for recommended hook size for your yarn (that's a good place to start).
EITHER:
4. Crochet a chain as long as you want the width of your muff.
5. Pick a stitch you like from your favorite stitchionary.
6. Work piece until it's long enough to wrap comfortably around your forearm.
7. Slip stitch bottom row to top row to make your tube.
8. If you like, use a fluffy fru fru yarn to go around the ends of the tube.

OR
4. crochet a chain to go comfortably around your forearm, and join to form ring.
5. pick a stitch you like to work in the round
6. crochet until your tube is the length you like
7. skip this step, your tube is already closed
8. same as above

CONSIDER:
CROCHETING A LONG CHAIN TO THREAD THROUGH YOUR muff, long enough to go over your shoulder like a purse so you can pull your hands out when needed withhout losing your creation

Fixing an afghan

2007-12-02T23:20:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, I came across this on one of my other groups and thought that this information was good to pass on to you all.

Someone has asked about an afghan that was 2 long, and they didnt want to frog it for some reason. So this is the reponse that was posted.

You COULD cut the afghan and "pull" the yarn in order to bind off the edge. Here's what you would need to do:

1. Determine the minimum length that she wants the afghan.
2. Add 6 inches

Lay the item flat on the kitchen floor and use masking tape to securely tape the item down so that it will not move.

Lay a piece of masking tape along the middle of the row that is located approximately 6 inches from the END of the afghan. She will use this piece as a guide when cutting.

Prepare a tapestry needle with a LOOOONG piece of yarn. This yarn will be threaded like a basting thread through the loops that are left -- as each loop is cut -- in order to keep the whole afghan from unraveling.

Cut the afghan along the bottom edge of the masking tape. As each loop is cut, thread your long piece of basting yarn through each loop from the row below so that the loops do not get lost. THis step is very important. If you lose loops, your piece will unravel.

Once you are finished cutting, clear away any tiny pieces of yarn. You should have a whole row of loops on the basting thread. If your friend knows the afghan stitch, these loops can be transferred onto a long afghan hook, or she can begin working backwards with the long thread and securing the loops with a bind-ff sewing stitch.

The origins of the Afghan

2007-11-26T14:49:00.001-07:00

Ever wondered about the humble afghan or granny squares...well wonder no more, this was taken off a list that I belong to.

From Crochet Kitty:

Origin of the Afghan (and an explanation for Granny Squares)

According to a crochet pattern published by the Spool Cotton Company
in 1941, "the thrifty womenfolk of our early American days carefully
saved odds and ends of yarn, leftover colors, ravellings from
sweaters and socks — all to be made into a robe for the family's
general use.

As fast as the yarn accumulated, it was crocheted into small squares —
the colors tastefully combined from whatever yarn was available at
the time. When sufficient squares were completed, they were sewed
together to make a colorful blanket useful for many purposes — as a
bedspread, for a shawl, as a leg and lap covering, for sleighing,
for "bundling," as a throw over a rocking chair, and a colorful
decoration around the house.

Because grandmother played the major role in its making, the robe was
affectionately called the "Granny."

Because granny's robe originally was made of many colors, it
resembled a particular type of colorful rug brought from Afghanistan
to this country by the gallant sailing ships of colonial times. So
the nickname, "Afghan," came into popular use!

Today, "Afghan" is used to describe various kinds of robes and
blankets which are crocheted or knitted of soft wool yarns in the
beautiful shades suggested by style and made available by modern
thread and yarn manufacturers."

Making patterns bigger/smaller

2007-11-26T02:37:00.000-07:00

I got this from an email group that I am part of and thought that it would be great to share with all of you. I hope that you find it helpful.

One easy, no math, fool-proof way to start your foundation for any
pattern is to:
1. Chain to the width that you want.
2. Place a safety pin in the last chain stitch made.
3. Using a second skein or the other end of the same
skein of yarn, join yarn in the first stitch of the
foundation chain and work the first row of the
pattern.
4. Work the pattern until your piece is as wide as you
want it to be.(*Be sure to end with a complete
pattern repeat as called for in your directions.)
Now, for the safety pin. If you find you have chain stitches you
don't need, then simply take out the pin and pull out the extra chain
stitches until you get to your last stitch worked in the first row
and fasten off the chain stitches. On the other hand, if you need
more foundation stitches, just insert your hook and make as many as
you need before fastening off.
This is especially useful when you are chaining 200-300 stitches for
afghans. This works for me.

*Please, since I do not know how to design, I hope those who do will
help me make this clearer to the members. It really does work.

Edging items - some useful information

2007-11-08T13:03:00.000-07:00

I came across this on another list that I belong to, and thought that it was so good that I just had to pass it on to you all...
It is about adding edging to FOs ...

If you made the square in the round, you just use the last row's stitches as a guide, adding extra stitches in the corner for ease. For sc, that is 3 sc in the corners. For dc, you will add 5 dc in the corners.

If you worked the square in rows, you will need to figure a little differently. If the square is a true square, the stitches added on the sides should be the same number as the ones on the
ends.

Generally speaking, you go by the heighth of the stitches on the sides of the rows.
For example,
sc = 1 stitch,
hdc = 2 sts,
dc = 3 sts,
tc = 4 st, etc.

However, sometimes that will cause work to ruffle so I may do 5 sts. across 2 dc instead of 6 sts.

Hilary also added the following...Is it truly a square?

If so, you'll want the exact same # stitches on the side as across
the top and bottom. This will usually be the same as your foundation
chain minus the turning stitches, or # stitches in the first row.
(depends on the pattern stitches used)

Sometimes the stitches along the side may be every row, every second
row, 3 stitches every 2 rows, or even 2 stitches every 3 rows. All
depends on what stitches you're using. This method will make it
easier to figure:

Take a box of straigt pins. On the foundation row edge, count the #
of stitches. Put a pin in the center stitch, then divide each half
into quarters, mark with a pin.

Now fold the square in 1/2 along the side. Mark the center with a
pin. Divide each half into quarters, mark with a pin.

On the foundation row, count how many stitches between pins. Make
that same # of stitches between pins on the sides as well.

And don't forget the 3 stitches in every corner. :D

Kemberlee's socks

2007-11-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

Those that are not sure about trying to crochet socks, are just not sure if you can do it, then you need to try Kemberlee's socks.
I for one, was very worried about making socks, and not sure if I could do it. Then there was a sign-up period for a Sock CAL, and I thought, I will give it a go. And wouldnt you know it, it was pain free and so easy to do it.
There is currently a sock along happening at the moment of Kemberlee's socks and unfortunately, I am not making them this time around, but rest a sure, I will do doing them in the New Year as presents for my family.
If you have started on the socks, and want to join the fun, then let Kemberlee and Chris know and join the others. It would be great to see what color combinations have been made with the socks.

My Bookbag

2006-10-29T18:49:00.000-07:00

This is my bookbag crocheted with some scrap yarns. Very colourful, isn't it?

There are more pic in my blog if you would like to take a look: Cyn's Corner

Where have I been??

2006-10-03T03:56:00.000-06:00

Well everyone, I went on insulin June 22nd, found out I have kidney disease right after that. Then from Aug 1st thru Aug 10th I was in the hospital (4 days in intensive care) with pneumonia. After I was home about 1 1/2 weeks, I got it again! Oh boy. Then, Yes, Sept. 12th I had it again, got a big shot of antibiotics the 15th and again the 18th. I think I'm over this terrible disease now! Keeping my fingers crossed. I'm still weak and very tired, but I'm coming back!! I just wanted everyone to know that I had not dropped off the face of the earth, just felt like it.
Crochet hugz,
Joyce

Cyn's Knitted Newborn Booties

2006-07-26T19:40:00.000-06:00

This is my 1st designed booties. It is knitted and mixed with some single crochet st.

My blog:
Cyn's Corner

"New Shoes" in Annie's Attic

2006-07-19T03:13:00.000-06:00

If you are looking at this on 19th of July, you can still get this free pattern at Annie's Attic.
Don't miss it!!! Get it now!

This is my 1st try. The toe portion of the right side is not very neat. Since the pattern is so easy, I will try to make another better one.

This is the side view

Today there are 2 free booties' pattern. I only finished one side for the "Newborn" booties.

Sorry I have been MIA

2006-07-18T22:45:00.000-06:00

This summer has been a whirl wind for me and I am so sorry I have not been active here. I got to thinking about my crocheting and I realized I actually started crocheting a year ago this week! I can't believe all the things I have made and the progress I have made in one year. So my question is how long have you been crocheting and in that time what projects have been your favorite or stand out the most in your mind? Was it something you have made for a special someone? Was there a special baby item you are still hanging onto or is it that unfinished object that is still sitting in your closet that haunts you that you remember most?

June hooking progress

2006-07-09T07:20:00.000-06:00

Still no socks!! But soon, I hope there will be some socks. In the meantime, here's what I did in June.

I thought I was making a simple sundress for my dd. But it wasn't so simple! The Caprice Sundress as designed just didn't work for me. It became quite a project as I ended up frogging, redesigning and re-crocheting the entire body of the dress. (all those links will take you to the full story - with pictures - at my blog!) I think I will end up lining it as soon as I can get to a fabric store.

I'm still working on the Drops Top we're doing at my Yahoo CAL group. I'm moderating this CAL which started on May 1st. Too many baby items in May and my dd's dress in June stalled progress on this. Nonetheless, I have finished the front panel. Working on the back panel now! I will finish this soon!!

While waiting for the sock-a-long...

2006-06-09T20:16:00.000-06:00

...here's what I hooked in May...

First I finished the Seraphina Shawl done in Joann's Sensation Rainbow Boucle 'Dark Blues', with a 7.0mm Boye K hook. I had started this as a CAL with the my Yahoo CAL group. This was given to my ds's Kindergarten teacher (in honor of Teacher Appreciation week). I think she really likes it!

Next I started the Drops Top we're doing at my Yahoo CAL group. I'm moderating this CAL which started on May 1st. I've done 8 rows of flowers so far and am finally getting back to it after many distractions. This is a close-up of the cursed, yet beautiful, bobble flowers.

I put that down to begin Baby Gift # 1, a cute sweater & hat set. The pattern is Absolutely Precious, by Denise Black in 24-Hour Crochet Projects ed by Rita Weiss. I used Caron Simply Soft 'Light Country Blue' and my Brittany 4.0mm G hook. My dd's baby doll is modeling it here!

Next came some quick dishcloths for my MIL while she was visiting. I chose this set of 5 textured dishcloths. Due to an error the first one I made was a mini (so it was for me). I did successfully make the first 3 dishcloths before my MIL left (no photo, oops!). To finish the set, I started #4, but didn't like it so I frogged it and did #5. Then I saw the pattern for this Simply Circle dishcloth and I thought it might be nice for teacher gifts. Somehow it turned out tiny too, so I now have one large and two small dishcloths in my kitchen.

My next distraction was Baby Gift #2 - the Sideways Shell Baby Afghan. Due to time constraints I decided to make a small carseat blanket. I made this using an H hook with an acrylic, baby/sport weight, pastel variegated mill end yarn. It's for a boy. Don't tell me if you think it's too girly. I don't want to hear it!!

Finally, Baby Gift # 3 was a second Absolutely Precious sweater & hat set. I used a Brittany G hook (4.0mm) with Caron Simply Soft 'White' and RH ‘Monet’ for the edging. This is the one for my ds's kindergarten teacher's yet-to-be born grandchild!

No socks for me in April...

2006-05-13T08:21:00.000-06:00

Why? Well my hooks have been a bit busy!! Here's what has come off my hooks lately.

My Jiffy Jacket. Pattern is by Kim Guzman available here at her site. Yarn is Caron Simply Soft 'Dark Sage'. Hook is 5.5mm Brittany. I made this with some friends at Yahoo Crochet-a-long. Kim even joined us to answer questions ans cheer us on!

My dd's Sweet Pea Cardigan. Pattern is by Candi Jensen in Winter 2005/2006 Interweave Crochet. Yarn is Dale of Norway Svale. Hook is 4.00mm Addi.

My dd's birthday poncho - the Lacy Shells Poncho. Pattern is by Chelle Grissam available here at her site. Yarn is a Caron mill end in pale purple. Hook is 6.5mm Boye.

More details on all of these at this post and elsewhere on my blog.

I promise more socks will come soon!!

Flower Plate Potholder ( from Annie's Attic)

2006-05-06T16:58:00.000-06:00

This is the free pattern of today from Annie's Attic ( 6th of May).
If you are reading this on 6th of May, you can still catch the pattern at:
Annie's Attic

A fast crocheter can finish it within an hour.
I spent 2 hrs to make it.

Pls take a look at the one I made......I think my photos are too bright!

I didn't understand the instructions when it came to the "stems" part.
I guess there are some mistakes when I did this part.

This potholder is a bit "uneven" but the color is sweet, don't you agree?? LOL! TQTQ!!

Bullion stitch

2006-04-28T15:53:00.000-06:00

It has to be one of those stitches that you need to practice a thousand times to get one right. I love the look of them and so far, mine have turned out horrible...More practice I guess. I was wondering if there were any socks out there that used the bullion stitch? I think it would look really good as a bed sock or for socks to wear around the house...or it could be that i am such a homebody that anything is good to wear at home...Well I must go and try and concentrate (got a cold) and see if I can finish the pattern that I am working on. Only the sleeves, collar, and trim to go on my Elegance sweater!!!

2006-04-27T12:33:00.000-06:00

I made it, I made it in, finally!

Talk to everyone later.

Joyce

My Blog: Whizbang Crochet

Bullion Stitch / Crochet on a Roll

2006-04-27T00:45:00.000-06:00

Today De asked about the Bullion stitch in the group.
I did tried it last month, just to see how it goes.
It is not as difficult as I expected.

These are the tutorial links I found:
Roll or Bullion Stitch
Bullion Stitch Tutorial aka Crochet on a Roll

My first try......

Hey there, its Julie

2006-04-25T20:35:00.000-06:00

This is my family, my son is now 15 months old and a real bundle of energy...if only i knew how to harvest it.
Well this is me in my wedding kimono, with my husband and son, on our last trip to japan.
I have been crocheting for a long time now, since i was about 12. I really enjoy it, and am just learning to read patterns...i can crochet from a diagram with ease but from a written pattern, i need a bit of help...so I take things a little slowly.
I havent started a sock yet, but hope to do one soon, they look like a lot of fun and I would love to give it a go, but at the moment i am working a sweater.

RECYCLING PLASTIC BAGS INTO CROCHET MEDIUM

2006-04-23T20:10:00.000-06:00

Jane West is showing you my current project-in-progress. It's going to be a purse or tote bag. Can you recognize what it is made from?
It's made from plastic bags from Walmart, H.E.B. and other places. The bags are smoothed out, and cut across into loops, which are then looped together into a long rope and rolled into a ball.I really like how this is turning out.
But now I need to cut some more plastic bags. This is a photo I took when I was cutting the first batch of bags. I really, REALLY like this project, not only because it is recycling, but because I like the look of crocheting with this free material. Besides bags, you can make useful floor mats from plastic as well.

2006-04-16T00:47:00.000-06:00

Glitter Graphics

Easter Egg Bookmark ( crochet)
This can be done within half an hour.

Hi. Thank You All For the Invitation.

2006-04-13T13:17:00.000-06:00

Hello, all. Thanks for inviting me to blog with you all. I'm crocheting my second pair of socks - this time for my son. They are in "Wood" Woolspun from Lionbrand. I'm liking them but I don't think I really made them big enough for Son Joel. He says the first one is ok but if the second one fits him better, I might rip the first one back and do it over from the heel gusset. You can see pics (oops, not yet, maybe tomorrow) and stuff on my blog:
jeannieshandsatwork.blogspot.com
I've been crocheting for about 25 years. I taught myself to crochet one Christmas season with a "Make in an Evening" -Woman's Day promised me- bath mat. It was an Aunt Lydia's Rug Yarn pattern, and I was going to do bath mats for all the In-Laws, Parents, and Siblings. The starting chain was fine, I got that from the little how-to book. The double crochet was fine on the next row; got that. Third row: Dc in first 2 dc. Post dc in next dc. What?! My how-to book didn't have it. My knitting books -what few I had then- didn't say anything either. I ended up driving into town from the mountains - 50 miles round trip- to go to a yarn store where a woman helped me and was amazed that I had gotten that far on my own. Bless her, I don't remember her name, but I'll never forget her as she is responsible for me not giving up on crochet. Here I am 25 or so years later, and I teach and custom make things and Love crochet as much as knitting. :)
Happy Easter to all.
Jeannie

Have you ever seen this before?

2006-04-12T21:02:00.000-06:00

It worked

2006-04-08T07:20:00.000-06:00

Yhanks Ginny. It worrked so here I am. LOL
Some of my yarn stash.

Blink You Dot Com

2006-04-08T01:38:00.000-06:00

Hello in a glitter way!~~~

There are many glitter names and graphics on the left of the site .

Click on the graphic.....

LOL!LOL!

Lacy Petals Potholder

2006-04-05T17:25:00.000-06:00

Does it look familiar?
Yes, this is the free pattern from Annie's Attic on 5th of April . You can still get this pattern before 12AM in your area.

I love my choice of colour! Don't you think it is sweet?? LOL! (self-praising!~~)

If anyone is interested, I have more progress photos in.... Cyn's Corner

Ginny's finished socks

2006-04-02T21:58:00.000-06:00

I tend to suffer from 2nd sock syndrome... not always... but definitely lately. It's all the wonderful crochet-a-longs I've been doing lately. I feel compelled to start the new projects with my friends so the 1st sock gets done, but then it sits lonely....
In any case I am happy to report that the 2nd sock for our sock-along is completed. Ta Daa! Here is my PAIR of "In your shoes ankle socks" using Patons Kroy Socks 'Vista Sea'. I also crocheted a "Classic Ribbed Cable" sock mate (pattern in Crocheted Socks by Janet Rehfeldt and Mary Jane Wood) using Swizzle sock yarn. This particular 2nd sock was put on hold so I could do the crochet-along socks with Yahoo CAL group, the sock-along with this group & my Crochet Olympics sweater. I also completed the well traveled bag & a cable purse and started another sweater and a Seraphina shawl before returning to finish this sock... Bad me! I was finally compelled to finish these socks because they were part of my March challenge at my Yahoo crochet challenge group. Now I have to figure out my April challenge!

Thanks for the invite!!

2006-03-29T21:00:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

Still working onmy CAL, due to an overwhelming amount of wedding showers and baby showers. LOL

I did crochet a beautiful baby blanket in yellow for the new mommy and guess what? I forgot to take pics of it. POOH! Everyone loved it though and I will ask around if anyone has a pic of it.

See ya around!
DeeDee
ps: Bingo starts tomorrow ;-)

Beth's projects. :)

2006-03-29T19:54:00.000-07:00

I just finished a pair of longies for my dd out of peace fleece
They are really cute and soft. The peace fleece is a little stiff and scratchy before it is lanolized, but after it is really nice and soft. They work really well as longies. They lasted threw a nap and were hardly wet before I lanolized them.

I am working on putting a ruffle on the top of a pair of store bought socks with crochet thread.

I will put up a picture when I get them done.

MY RECENT PROJECTS

2006-03-25T14:54:00.000-07:00

About the most enjoyable things I've crocheted lately are these two doll sweaters, and the doll purse. I collect vintage vinyl dolls like the doll on the left, and the smaller ones are in desperate need of clothes. I don't really enjoy sewing (except for quilt blocks), and don't like crocheting with thread, so when I found this free pattern, I thought I'd give it a try. On the first try - F hook and regular 4 ply worsted, I got the pink sweater that fits an 18" doll. My second try was with a smaller hook and baby yarn. It fit the 14" doll. I guess I'll have to try some other kind of yarn if I still want to try for clothes for my needy 7-10" toddler dolls.
This is the progress of a mystery crochetalong. It's turning out to be a poncho in stitches much more complicated and time consuming than what I normally do. Frankly, I never would have even thought about making this if I would have seen the whole pattern at first. That is one of the best things about crochetalongs - taken in small bites, you can really accomplish more than you think.
These are two projects involving little crocheted yarn hearts. On the left is a set of 4 mug mats or coasters tied together with a bow. On the right is two of the hearts sewn together and made into a small purse.
So what is everyone else working on?

Is spelling important?

2006-03-24T14:05:00.000-07:00

LOL I always see these around and it never fails to shock me how easily I can read this. Lets see if you can read it too!

i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno’t mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

How did you do?

Socks and stuff

2006-03-23T22:39:00.000-07:00

Just stopping in to say hello and let you all know what I have been up to. I just purchased a couple new patterns last night and I will be working socks with crocheted ruffles. I purchased the patterns from Crochet Garden called dainty lacy sock trims. This will be my first time working on the trims for socks. I had thought you needed to make holes in order to crochet into socks or any material for that matter but it seems you just crochet straight into the sock, no need to make holes to crochet into. I also went to the local greenware shop with my hubby's grandmother and picked out a mug to paint with a crocheting theme on it to hold my hooks if I want or to just drink out of. Here is a what it looks like:

You can see the ball of yarn

You can see the hook

Fancy schmancy handle lol

A view of the whole mug.

Once I get some socks done, I'll show those pictures off too. Wish me luck!

Cyn's Socks CAL

2006-03-22T16:03:00.000-07:00

Let me start with the 1st post regarding our socks CAL....

This is the CAL (crochet-along) going on in our group CrochetSocks at this very moment. It is the "In Your Shoes Ankle Socks"

This is my completed socks. I think it is a bit loose at the cuff. A friend told me to use elastic thread on it . I guess I must try this in my next socks.

If you are interested , I have more photos
here .

Can't wait for the next CAL.....It is FUN!!

Cool - a team blog

2006-03-19T15:17:00.000-07:00

Hi folks - just a quick post to say hello and enter myself in (and not my dh) as a contributor to this blog. I blog at least every other day in my own crochet blog so I'll try to post here every few days as well. Crochet wise I'm recovering from a major frogging I had to do last night, but the sweater and I are getting along much better with a larger inline hook (and I'm a Boye girl at heart!). Silly post with pictures is over at my blog. Keep on hookin'!

Waving Hello from The Other Side Of the World!~~~~

2006-03-19T00:42:00.000-07:00

Hi!
This is Cyn waving at you in Malaysia!
My time here is 3.49pm on Sunday. I guess ev1 of you must be still zzzzzzzz~~~ so I am acutally ~~~whispering~~~don't want to wake you up.......

This is for all of you, my friends........ (don't forget to switch on your speaker).......
and click here... Now And Then

First post of the new blog by Denise

2006-03-17T01:23:00.000-07:00

OK, here we go! This is the first posting for the new blog created for the members of the
Crochet Socks Yahoo message group.

Any member of this group is free to use this blog as long as it is not abused. The subject can be about crocheting socks, knitting socks, crochet/knitting sweaters, crochet/knitting bags/purses, I think you get my meaning here.
You can post pictures of your finished creations ,

your pet dog . Well mine kind of looks like this! Or you can post links to free patterns available on the net. Or cool websites we should check out.

Since this is a crochet group, let's keep this blog needlecraft related. Other than that, let's have some fun!

As is the norm, no flaiming other members or bloggers. If you have a problem with something that has been blogged, contact me privately.