Gauge

I'm getting close to finishing the front panel of the top I'm making for my mother. This is a stitched photo of the total length. Strangely, a seam showed up in the image (around the 10" mark) after saving it that wasn't there while I was stitching together the two photos. Oh, well.

Click on the photo for larger view options.



With the gauge swatches showing me 15 hdc per 3 inches instead of the 12 hdc per 3 inches in the book, I was curious as to how much of a difference it made. I am using a different yarn than in the pattern, but it has the same bulk (3 or light), plus I'm using the hook size recommended. Technically, it should have been the same gauge, but things like a different brand of yarn, or even the tension I personally keep while working, can make a difference.

Based on the pattern instructions, 66 stitches should have given me a length of 16 1/2 inches. In measuring, I found 66 stitches put me at about 14 1/2 -15 inches, instead. Had I actually had the same gauge as the pattern, that would put the actual length (almost 23 inches) at 6 1/2 inches longer than the pattern. With the different gauge, the change added about 8 - 8 1/2 inches to the length it would have been without the adjustments.

As I near the point where I have to make the arm hole, I will need to check the width and see if I need to add any extra rows to make up for the different gauge. That part is easy. What I'm not sure of is how this will effect the sleeves under the arms. I don't actually know how large my mother's arms are, but I'd rather err towards larger than smaller. Will the difference in gauge make the underarm area too snug? I'll just have to measure against myself and hope she's not larger around the bicep than I am, and that there won't be any pulling in the armpit. That would be really uncomfortable, I imagine.

Meanwhile, I find I'm really enjoying how the resulting fabric is working out. It has a lot of stretch and give, is light and has a very fluid behaviour. I think it will be very comfortable to wear, if I can get the fit right under the arms.

Crochet - Balletneck Sweater - getting started (legal update)

Today, I started on the gift for my mother. Here are the details so far.

Pattern: Balletneck Sweater, taken from Crochet that Fits; Shaped fashions without increases or decreases by Mary Jane Hall

Yarn: The yarn used in the book's sample is Bernat Satin Sport, with Lion Brand Microspun as a recommended substitute. These are bulk rated as light, or a size 3. What I am using is Paton's Brilliant in Prettiest Plum, which is also a bulk rating of 3.

Hook: The pattern recommendation is for I/5.50mm or the size needed for 12 hdc in 3 inches.

The pattern also called for an optional ribbon to decorate the yoke, which I will be skipping.




This is the first gauge swatch I did, using the 5.50mm hook. The result was 15 hdc in three inches. So I tried it again using a J/6.00mm hook and got...




... 15 hdc in 3 inches. Uhm... okay. :-/

The biggest difference was that using the larger hook was a lot more unpleasant to work with. I don't like using big hooks with thin yarns. I don't like how loose and floppy, almost tangled, it feels to work with. There's also a lot more open space in the stitches, which would leave the wearer requiring a camisole or something underneath for modesty. No thanks. I decided to stick with the 5.50mm hook and adjust the pattern accordingly.

Adjustments: I inherited my mother's body shape. We both carry most of our weight in the front, on the belly. She is shorter than I am, and I have a rough idea of her measurements. I figure that if this fits me slightly loose and comfortable, it should fit her much the same way.

With that in mind, I used the photo in the book and my own body as reference in deciding on the length of the starting chain. At the last moment, I remembered that my body shape was surgically altered. My bust is now a lot smaller, so I added more stitches to make up for her still-original bosom. In the end, I added an extra 36 stitches to the starting chain (which was only 48 stitches to begin with - much shorter than I like). Based on the gauge in the swatch, that's an extra 7 1/2 inches or so in length. If I worked it out right, my mother should be able to comfortably raise her arms and not have to worry about the bottom riding up and flashing belly.







[data removed to protect the ideas of the author's.]

I've been reading and re-reading the instructions for the sleeves, which is very different from anything I've looked at before. At this point, I don't get it. I can't "see" what is being described, even with the diagrams. Which is fine. With me, I know I won't get it until I'm actually doing it. Then it will make sense.

After the sleeves and sides are done, there is a lovely yoke done in the round. There is also an optional sleeve cuff. I have not yet decided if I will do full length or 3/4 length sleeves. That can wait until I'm actually doing them.

For any family members who happen to be reading this, I don't mind if my mother knows I'm making something for her. I just want to keep the actual design a surprise. Thanks. ;-D

Crochet - sweater bag - legal update

Using the book I mentioned in my previous post, I worked out this bag.





[data removed. It appears my descriptions were too ... descriptive, and I've been asked to remove it to protect the author's ideas. Since I can't figure out how to do that without making the whole thing completely cryptic, I've removed the whole thing. If you want to make this bag, the pattern can be found in Crochet that Fits: Shaped fashions without increases or decreases by Mary Jane Hall.]




My 12 yr old daughter agreed to model the bag for me. As you can see, it's a very generous size. Because of the smaller bulk of the yarn and the hook sizes, it's very open. I wouldn't want to use it as a purse without a lining added in, as small objects will fall through.



However, it fits a cat quite nicely.

She didn't want to come out again, afterwards. *L*

Now that I am comfortable with the technique, I will start on the top for my mother.

I've changed my mind. - legal update

For the past while, I've been experimenting with some new crochet stitches (linked double crochet, specifically) as well as working on a pair of socks using elastic yarn. I've turned the heel on the first sock I'm doing, but I'm not sure I'm happy with how it's looking. Once I've got it figured out and I'm happy with it, I'll take photos as I make the second one.

If things go to plan, we'll be getting a newer, more reliable vehicle this summer, and will be able to make a road trip back to Manitoba. The only family we've seen in almost 4 years are the ones have been able to come out here. Once we have a set of wheels we're not afraid will die on us part way (our car needs a new transmission, but it would cost more to fix it than the car's worth), we'll hopefully be heading out in August. *knockonwood*

With that in mind, I decided to make a gift for my mother. As a child, she struggled to teach me to knit and crochet, without success. It just didn't click for me, and I'm sure I was no end of frustration for her. *L*

My mother has made quite a few things over the years. She'd knit slippers frequently, so that every winter, everyone could pop on a pair to keep their tootsies warm. I don't remember ever seeing her do thread crochet, but I do remember a huge, beautiful white thread crochet table cloth she'd bring out for special occasions. I asked her about it and was amazed when she told me she'd made it herself. Even as young as I was, I could tell this was a LOT of work. She crocheted a blanket for me that my girls still use (and even repaired it for me when I discovered one of them took a pair of scissors to it!). More than anything else, however, my mother makes granny squares. Using all sorts of colours and yarn types, she makes blankets and lots and lots of chair seat covers.

Before we'd moved out, I noticed my mother was starting to wear tops she'd crocheted for herself. I thought that was great, but granny square tank tops aren't exactly flattering. So I figured I would make a top for her. After discussing things with my sister, who has sewn clothes for my mother in the past, and going through a whole bunch of pattern books, I'd decided on a design. I have the pattern photo copied (I always work from a photo copy, so I can use highlight markers and take notes as needed), I have the yarn, and I even have the right size hook. I just wanted to get started on the socks, first.

With how long the socks are taking, and how I'm not sure I won't be ripping the whole thing and starting over, I was going to get started on the top sooner, rather than later.

Then the girls and I went for our weekly library trip today.

I've changed my mind.

I found a pattern book I hadn't seen before, and which hadn't shown up when I did a search for crochet books on the library website. I thought I'd already taken out pretty much every crochet book they've got. *L*

[data removed. It appears my descriptions of the base pattern from the book I plan to use were too ... descriptive, and I've been asked to remove it to protect the author's ideas. Since I can't figure out how to do that without making the whole thing completely cryptic, I've removed the whole thing. ]

I should have no problem finishing the top before we expect to head out. I just hope it'll turn out to be something my mother will like. We don't exactly see eye to eye on a lot of things. There's no way of predicting her response, but I really want to make something for her. If she likes it, great. If not... well, I can only try, right?

Product review: The Crochet Lite (TM)

Today I finally filled the 4.0mm gap in my crochet hooks. I would have preferred an aluminum hook like I usually use, but after looking in several stores, I just couldn't find any in this size. I'd been looking for a while and the only ones I could find were cheap plastic hooks that didn't have nicely rounded necks on the hooks. They had almost sharp edges.


I'm cheap, but I'm not that cheap, so I broke down and spent a bit extra to buy this. (click on photo for full size image. Other images available here.) It cost $5.47 at Walmart.

It's a novelty hook by Widget Products Inc. They make all sorts of items with lights in them, though in the stores locally I've only seen the knitting needles and crochet hooks.

As you can see in the photo, this is labeled as an F 4.0mm hook. In the pattern instructions I've been looking at that I bought this for, they called the 4.0mm hook a G. What I have at home in my aluminum hooks are an F/5 - 3.75mm and a G/6 - 4.25mm.

Which probably explains why I can't find the 4.0mm in an aluminum hook.

I've started up a project just to try it out, and I really like it. The yarn I'm using is a mohair blend with lots of loose hairs sticking out that could be easy to get hung up on. It hasn't been a problem so far. The hook feels comfortable in my hand, and it's smooth to work with. The only potential problem I see is that the switch for the light rubs against the palm near the outside of my hand. It's not a big deal for short stints with the hook, but I can imagine that spot getting rubbed raw after a while.

As for the light - it's cute and all, but it's not much use to actually work with, though the package says "Crochet anywhere ... Even in the Dark!" There's a bright light in the loops being worked on, which gets a bit harsh on the eyes, but it doesn't light up enough of the project to see the next loops that need to be worked into. It does look really cool in the dark, though. *L*

My conclusion: Although I didn't like paying extra to get the size I wanted (did I mention I'm cheap? *L*), I would say it was worth it. As cute as the light is, gimmicks like this are normally a reason for me NOT to buy something. The hook itself, however, is well made and comfortable to use. The design is quite ergonomic, though the cost is a little more than half the price of the ergonomic hooks I've seen.

I would definitely be willing to buy these in other sizes.

Desk leg carpet protectors.

Since the success of the carpet protectors on our coffee table legs, I've been slowly working on similar protectors for our desk. They're done much the same way, except I've added extra padding to the bases. I've done two for the back of the desk already, but made some changes for the front. The front legs of our desk has some parts missing at the bottom that makes the front lower than that back. As a result, the bottom drawers have a tendency to open on their own.



I started off by making two squares the same size as the desk leg. With the second one, I didn't finish off the yarn, so that I could just continue on and join the two squares together.



I did a round of sc to join them. At each corner I did 1sc, 1ch, 1sc to turn to make sure the square lay flat. This is the "front" of the square, which will be the bottom of the piece.




This is the other side, which will be the inside of the piece.




For the next round, I worked 1sc into the back of each loop. I did 2sc together in the 1ch and first sc of each corner to snug it up nicely.



After that, each round was just 1sc into each sc of the previous row. This view shows where each round was joined by a ss at one corner.



Next, I made another square slightly larger than the original squares.




This larger square was then joined to the base using the front loops left after doing the first round.



Here, the square is completely attached. This is where I finished when making the ones for the back of the desk.



Since I wanted the front to have extra padding to add a bit of height, I made another square, again slightly larger than the previous square, and joined it to the base with sc to finish.



All done.



Unfortunately, once I got it on the desk, it still didn't raise the front high enough to prevent the drawers from opening. I'm hoping that getting the last one on the other leg will make the difference. If not, than the drawers are opening for another reason. :-P

At least the carpet is being protected more, which is the reason I'm making these.

A bit of yarn p*rn

My elder daughter and I had a wonderful afternoon out today. We visited a yarn shop, had tea and went to the museum. That's our idea of a great time. :-D

I've discovered it's dangerous for me to go into a yarn shop, but I think that's a common problem. ;-) My daughter had something specific in mind, but I ended up indulging as well.



The yarn in the back and on the left are my daughter's choices. The Noro yarn is 45% silk, 45% Kid Mohair and 10% lamb's wool. It's a 50gr ball at 100 meters. 4.5 - 5.1mm is the recommended needle size. She's asked her sister to crochet fingerless gloves out of it for her. They've had their heads together, working out the design, for some time now.

I don't know what she has in mind for the Grignasco Savana yarn. I was so tempted to get some of that for myself! The jewel tone colours in all of them are fabulous. This is an Italian yarn, 50gr, 65 meters, 41% polyamide, 30% virgin wool and 29% acrylic.

Instead, however, I got two balls of the Chiara yarn. The owner showed me a scarf knitted with it, and I couldn't resist. Even at the sale price ($9.99 instead of $14.99), it was far more than I intended to spend per ball. I just love the silvery dual-colour effect of it, and it's so incredibly light! A 50gr ball is 190 meters - which is 100 meters longer than the 50gr balls of silky soft bamboo yarn I've been stocking up on. It's 70% rayon, 20% superkid mohair and 10% plyamide, so it's also very durable.

I have no idea what to make with it. Even at 190 meters, two balls won't go very far. I'd like to do something more original than a scarf or hat. With such glorious feel, I'd like to make something wearable - but what?

I'll have to think on that. Ideas and suggestions would be appreciated. :-D



And since I'm posting a bit of yarn p*rn, I figured I'd add these, too. These are actually a Goodwill find. There were 8 balls of the light coloured yarn in back, with 1 1/2 balls of the same yarn in aqua. They are Jaeger, Gypsy, 71% mohair, 13% will, 9% nylon and 7% acrylic. The balls are 25gr, but I don't see the length anywhere on the label.

The pink variegated yarn (1 ball only) in front is Les Fils Marnel yarns, Rainbow. It's 50 gr, 150 meters, 70% acrylic, 20% mohair and 10% wool. I have no idea what the peachy coloured yarn is - it's a partial skein with no label.

The whole bag of 9 full balls and 2 partials cost $4.99.

Quite a deal!