Yarn Along...

Second linen stitch scarf finished:

And a third one begun:

I think I may need an intervention.  This crochet stitch is so satisfyingly easy and intricate looking.  And every combination of yarns and colors is different from all the others.  I just can't seem to stop making these scarves!

In this third one I'm using Red Heart Unforgettable yarn in the colors, Echo and Petunia.  My thoughts about this yarn are mixed. The self-striping colors in both yarns work together in this pattern to make a pretty, almost mosaic-like pattern that is fascinating to watch grow.  Unforgettable is an acrylic yarn - and I love that it should be easy care.  While it doesn't feel scratchy at all, it is a bit less soft than some other acrylics, but it's certainly soft enough for a pretty (or handsome) scarf.  ;^)    

The spin is where it loses some points with me.  It is spun very haphazardly - in an intentional manner, I'm sure.  Its thickness ranges from tightly plied fingering weight to almost unspun slubs. I've had to cut out more than a few knots and slubby stretches of yarn and I can't say I like that.  I've seen pictures of some beautiful things created with this yarn, but after working with it, I'm re-thinking crocheting some lacy (or even larger) things I originally envisioned using it for. 

My overall thoughts are:  For scarves (and I imagine hats), it's terrific, and pretty reasonably priced.  I feels fine and, well...it is beautiful.   Some might say, unforgettable.  It comes in a variety of great colorways and two or more can be combined to make some amazing creations.  Again, everything I've seen made from this yarn looks great, but the way it is spun limits what I'd be willing to use it for.  When all is said and done, while I love it for these scarves, I'll probably think twice before using this yarn for other projects.  Two-week-later update:  I bought some more of this yarn. In two different colors.  The colors really are beautiful.  And I really am a bit insane over this linen stitch pattern.

A note on the scarves - in case it helps anyone else.  The beginning chain and row, for some reason, was more stretched out than the rest of the scarf in the first scarf I made, so I corrected this by, first of all, crocheting my chain and first row with a size smaller crochet hook than I used on the rest of the scarf, and then later (at any point in the crocheting) I go back (with the larger hook) and do a row of the linen stitch down the opposite side of the that beginning row.  It blends in perfectly - but I do recommend doing this before working the fringe. Now that I know to do this, I need to plan the color of that row as I'm starting out, but it's a very easy "correction" for what felt like a bit of a sloppy first row otherwise. 

This week I started reading The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier.  I haven't gotten far, but I'm all in after reading about the harrowing trip Honor Bright and her sister make to America on their sea-sickening voyage from England.

If you get this far, and are so inclined, I'd appreciate feedback on my font size.  I, personally, prefer a larger font - my eyes struggle to read smaller print.  But I have no idea how it appears to others. Any and all feedback regarding it is welcome this week since I'm experimenting a bit. 

Visit Jenny's Small Things' Yarn A-long to see what other yarn enthusiasts are working on this week..

Yarn Along...

Finished!   My first crocheted linen stitch scarf.   I love the effect of this very simple crochet stitch.  If you're a Ravelry member, a link to the pattern can be found on my Ravelry project page.

 In fact, I love it so much I started a second scarf immediately after finishing the first one:

The yarn is Loops & Threads Woolike.  It's a soft acrylic fingering-weight yarn, double stranded in these scarves - which makes for an easy self-fringe.  I may end up braiding the fringe on this second scarf.  I think that would be fun.

Check out other yarny creations this week at Ginny's Yarn Along.  

 

 

Yarn Along...

Feeling the need to do something small after crocheting several blankets I started a Linen Stitch Scarf this week.



Using Loops & Threads Woolike, double-stranded I'm enjoying experimenting with a variety of color combinations.   This is an almost lace-weight yarn so even double-stranded it makes a lightweight, but warm scarf.  I know...it's a simple thing.  But I was craving doing something more free-flowing - just to see where it takes me.  So far I'm liking it.

Of course, there's still my Arrowhead Afghan in a basket waiting for me to get back to it.  With the cooler weather we're having this week, it's actually a perfect time to pick it back up and work on it.

But my little scarf is calling me..

Small Things blog hosts a weekly yarn-a-long that showcases many other yarny creations. Check out the latest.

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I'm glad to say I finished and put in yesterday's mail a blanket I've been crocheting for a dear friend who's husband passed recently.  Bob and Eileen were an "older" couple when my husband and I met them at church over a quarter of a century ago - at the tender and respective ages of 25 and 20.  My, how time flies.  We're now probably a decade older than they were when they first took us, and a group of other young adults, under their wings.  I know it's a trick the mind plays on a person, but those seem like such innocent and carefree days now.

While that was a season with its own trials, the memories are sweet indeed.  I hope Eileen feels like she has a yarny hug when she receives this blanket - and that sweet thoughts of days-gone-by, and prayers said by many today bring comfort to her.

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Yarn Along...

I'm almost finished with the blanket I'm crocheting for a friend.  I can't wait to get it in the mail to her.  Hopefully by the weekend!  Though the weekend appears to be a busy one, so I'd better make Monday my goal for sending it off.

I finished From the Kitchen of Half Truth and highly recommend it as a light fiction read for any female reader, teen through adult.

And I've decided to revisit The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis.  I started it during the weeks leading up to Easter and had to put it aside as I was finding myself in an almost too reflective place (following the death of a dear older friend).  But I've decided it would be good to pick it back up again. This translation is a rich and honest look at the Christian life and how we are to live.  The truths are simple and honest.  A very relatable translation written for modern readers, but with a touch of humor that crosses over from another time with truth and eloquent wit.  I highly recommend this for a devotional read. You'll be tempted to read this through (leaping from one reading right into the next), but I'm finding it is best savored slowly with time to contemplate between each sitting.

Visit Ginny's Yarn Along  and check out the variety of yarny creations others are working on.  Wander about the Small Things website and you'll, no doubt, be charmed by pictures of Ginny's family and her sweet way of telling about their lives.

Yarn Along...

Yarn I had been waiting for came in over the weekend and I put aside the blanket I was working on to start a new one.  It's a blanket for a friend and that's all I can post about that for now. But here's a picture that shows some of the detail:

I think it's similar to a block-stitch pattern (made of triple crochets), but it's more delicate than any block pattern blanket I've seen.  What I especially love about this pattern is the beautiful finished edges it creates.  Curves along the top and bottom and those pretty points along the side.

The pattern was found in the book Weekend Afghans by Jean Leinhauser (ISBN:  0806964863).  This book is an oldy, with a collection of knit and crochet patterns, but I've marked at least 6 afghans I hope to make.  This is the second time I've made this one - I like it so much.

I'm using Deborah Norville's Everyday yarn in the color Orchid, and can I just gush for a minute about how wonderfully soft this acrylic yarn is?  Soft, soft, soft, soft soft!  It's also antipill and I can say (from another blanket I've made from this yarn) that it came out of the wash even softer than it went in, and looking amazing.  It may be too early to tell just how anti-pill this yarn is, but it did not fuzz.  At all.  It truly looked just like new after washing.  I hope to make many more things with this yarn.  Certainly anything that needs to be easy care, but also anything I might use acrylic for.

The color range of Deborah Norville's Everyday yarn is decent and the price is great if you get it on sale (I've never paid more than $3.00/skein).  In case anyone is familiar with Willow Wash, this is a very comparable yarn.  In fact, having both in my stash I have plans to combine colors from both Willow Wash and the Everyday yarn in a project and I'm sure I won't be able to tell the difference between the feel of the yarns.  I'll officially report on that once I actually try it.  ;^)  To tell the truth, I've wondered if the same mill creates both of these yarns - they are so similar.  Would appreciate any information about that if anyone knows.

I am still enjoying reading From the Kitchen of Half Truth, but have also been perusing some crochet pattern books this week.  I went on a binge and checked out a bunch from the library recently,  Not that I needed any more ideas, but the eye candy is wonderful.

Check out (and join, if you like) the other yarn along posts at Small Things where Ginny hosts this weekly yarny extravaganza.  The talent of knitters and crocheters who participate is inspiring.