Crochet Project: Head Scarf

Last Wednesday, I was again in need of a break from a bigger project. So, to use up the tiny bit of leftover yarn from my recent Gingerbread Socks, I chose a quick, fun head scarf project.
I used this C's Kerchief pattern, and a size H hook with the leftover Knit Picks Imagination Hand Painted sock yarn in "Gingerbread House". However, as usual, I modified the pattern a bit. I decided to work more rows - 34 instead of 22 - partly because my gauge was slightly small (but I didn’t want to use any bigger hook with this fingering weight yarn) and partly because I was trying to use up this yarn. I only chained 30 for the kerchief's ties though - since the main part was larger, the ties didn’t need to be so long. Also, I single crocheted in the tie chains instead of slip stitching, to make them a bit thicker. Then I decided to go ahead an add a shell border on the sides, since I still had plenty of yarn, to make it look a little more “fancy” - (2dc, ch 2, sc) in same st, slst in next two st, repeat from around. I love this pattern though, it makes a really cute head scarf! And it would also work well as a dog bandanna. :-)

Crochet Project: Turtle Pillow Pal

My Sister loves turtles, so when I saw this Turtle Pillow Pal pattern earlier this year, I just knew I had to make one for her. I began the project in early June and finally finished it up a week or so ago, but couldn't publish my post about it until after she opened her birthday gift. :-)

To make the turtle's head, body, tail and the pillow strap, I worked a double strand of Caron Simply Soft in dark sage green with a size N (10.0mm) hook. And for the turtle's shell I worked a double strand of Lion Brand Homespun in Fiesta with size P (11.5mm) hook.

Head, Shell & Body:
As I saw mentioned in several others’ project notes, (despite matching the gauge) I also thought the head was a bit large, the shell was a bit small, and the pillow cover was a bit tight/short. So, in the head I left out 2 or 3 of the repeats (during rounds 8-19); I added 1 or 2 rounds to the shell, and I added quite a few extra rounds to the pillow case to give my turtle better proportions.

Tail:
I decided to make a tail for the turtle - basically I worked an appropriate-sized triangle, sewed it together up one side, stuffed it, and sewed it to the back end of the turtle.

Strap:
I used a button closure for the strap instead of Velcro as called for in the pattern. The button I used for this matches the brass buttons I used for the turtle's eyes. I think the strap could have been a few rows shorter though, because it is stretchy. The more the strap stretches, the flatter the turtle lays, but I guess it still looks like a turtle anyway.

This project worked up quickly, but since I hate sewing, the construction of the turtle took me a lot longer than it should have to complete. My Sister totally loves this newest turtle in her collection though, so it was definitely worth the time and effort I spent on it.

Work-in-Progress Phriday 7/13/12

There have been a lot of changes here in the last month. I completed my first crochet contractor project early last week, then took most of the week off from crocheting. This week, I started my part-time job. My new schedule doesn't lend itself to WIP Wednesday posts any longer, so I've tweaked the name and will post on Fridays. I saw the Phri-for-f spelling on a local Philadelphia-based restaurant menu and liked it, so I'm borrowing it.

Despite my new work schedule, I got several rounds done on the Spiral Blues baby blanket. That's a good thing because Squish, my soon-to-be-born nephew, is due the end of the month!

Spiral Blues baby blanket, working Round 36

Crochet Project: Gingerbread Socks

Well, I've been a very busy crocheter lately. I actually have 5 or 6 crochet projects going right now, but I can't blog about most of them yet, because they will be birthday or holiday gifts for family (and one of my family members does occasionally visit this blog, so no spoilers!).

However, recently I needed a break from a large, monotonous project, so I decided to make some socks from a couple of hanks of Knit Picks Imagination hand painted sock yarn in "Gingerbread House" that I picked up recently. I wasn't 100% sure about that colorway but it had intrigued me for awhile. I finally couldn't pass up giving it a try when it was on sale and I had an additional coupon. As it turns out, I don't hate it, but I think the "gingerbread" color looks better on the site photo (with my computer screen anyway) than it does in person.

Anyway, I picked out this Kemberlee's Crocheted Socks pattern to try. Although this is not my favorite sock pattern style, it is an easy, quick to work up cuff-to-toe pattern, which yields pretty nice socks. (FYI: I tend to prefer sock patterns that are worked from the toes up - I seem to achieve a much better fit when socks are worked toes up instead of cuff down.) Despite the simplicity of the pattern though, I would still recommend trying them on as you go, and most importantly working both socks at the same time (instead of finishing one whole sock before beginning its mate as this pattern mentions). I recommend this with all "pair" items, to help ensure they're worked exactly the same.

I tend to crochet fairly tightly, so I had to use quite a bit bigger hook (G) than called for to get the correct gauge. Otherwise, the first time around, I worked the pattern as written (keeping in mind that, as noted in this pattern, DC = SC in the U.S.). Unfortunately as I worked, I realized these socks were going to be a bit loose on my feet.

Also, I realized upon beginning my project that the two hanks of yarn I received are noticeably different colored when worked up, even though the labels say they’re from the same dye lot. Of course, I understand that it’s “hand painted” yarn, but it's still a bit disappointing. The differences are quite obvious to me in the resulting socks - one has lighter colors with longer color changes and the other has slightly darker, much bolder colors with shorter color changes. :-(

Although I couldn't do anything to remedy the yarn color differences, luckily, the pattern was easy to customize for a better fitting pair of socks. So I frogged my first attempt and began again. The second time around I made my socks 6 stitches less around. I also added 3 more rounds to the ankle before working the heel opening - I still made the chain 20 st, and worked 24 around instead of 30. I worked a 48 st heel and added 2 non-decrease repeats at the 11 and 9 stitch rounds to make the heel a bit fuller.

Despite the inconsistency of the yarn color, I still like the socks. I maybe should have made a longer cuff for warmer winter socks, but these will be great for cool autumn days.