I'm very happy this week about finally being able to coordinate with a friend who had asked me several weeks back if I would teach her to crochet. We met on Thursday for an hour and a half and it was fun and encouraging to see her progress even in that short length of time. So
YAY! for being able to share the love of crochet!
I'm still plugging away on my
Kilim throw. I finally realized why it's going slower (than it felt like at the beginning). I'm trying to weave in the ends as I go. Not immediately after finishing a row, but after a number of rows I stop crocheting to weave in some ends. Of
course, that's slowing down the growth of the blanket. But it's growing steadily and hopefully by being proactive about the ends as I go, finishing it will be a true joy.
I really love working with double-stranded yarn and using a big hook. What a hearty, thick fabric it creates. :^)
And since Valentines' Day is next Sunday...
... just for fun, I made a couple
heart dishcloths.
The pink cloth is made from Lily Sugar n' Cream (which I like just fine for this pattern), but the red cloth is made with Premier Home Cotton - which I want to talk a little about. It's 85% cotton, 15% polyester. It has a soft cottony feel, but has some nice properties of synthetics - namely, it doesn't fade nearly as fast as many "kitchen cotton" yarns and it feels a bit more polished even after washing. It's lighter weight than Sugar n' Cream, which I count as a plus (I'm not a big fan of bulky dishcloths) and you get 140 yards on a solid color skein that can often be purchased for $1.00 apiece when on sale. It does split a bit more than some other cottons, but the good qualities outweigh this slight negative in my estimation. I originally bought this online, but have since discovered that Meijer carries it. I love it when I can buy something locally that I like to use. :^)
And finally...this weekend I'm working on a project for a CAL I'm hosting a week from now. Hopefully I'll be happy enough to show it in next week's YOP post, but here's a tease today:
To see what other Yoppers are working on check out
this week's thread on
Ravelry.
Goodness, that Kilim throw is beautiful! I just love those rich jewel-toned colours! I expect that weaving in the ends as you go WILL make the finishing a true joy :)
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm about two-thirds of the way done now!
DeleteLove the Kilim throw! The colours are gorgeous! I've been weaving in ends on my throw each time I finish a set of 15 stripes, yes it slows it down a lot but so much better than reaching the end and having a bajillion ends! I think I'd cry! Looking forward to seeing what that CAL piece is your working on.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ruth. When I saw your Cosy Stripe Blanket all I could think of was all those ends. lol And I felt I had a friend.
DeleteMmm the throw looks lovely and weaving in as you go sounds a great idea, especially with that number of ends. Love the cloths and the CAL piece looks intriging!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lucy!
Deleteenjoyed seeing your creations!!! lovely! well, if you weave in as you go, you will have less to do when it is done! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's the plan! :^)
DeleteYou're smart to weave as you go. With double strands I can't imagine the spaghetti factory that you would have at the end. You will be so grateful to put in the last stitch and know you are DONE!
ReplyDeleteJenn
Spaghetti Factory - lol! That's exactly what these multiple color blankets look like with all their ends hanging out!
DeleteThat blanket looks really warm. I sew ends in as I go because it makes me really happy. When the blanket is finished, it really IS finished. You were good to teach your friend crochet. I would have really loved someone to sit with me on my first few attempts.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Una! I'm already looking forward to our next get together to see how my friend has progressed.
DeleteThe Kilim throw is very pretty. I love seeing all of your projects. I will have to look for the Premiere Home Cotton yarn. The Sugar and Cream is fine but I think a blend would be nice.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa. I appreciate that, seeing all the great things you create!
DeleteThe throw is growing into a real beauty! And thank you for spreading the crochet love - the more, the better :) I hope you are having a great week!
ReplyDelete