Major Knitter

Finishing Friday - Intro to Crochet

Despite all the Fourth of July goings-on, I managed to finish my crochet homework from my Knitting Central Intro to Crochet class with Pam (LiveLaughKnit on Ravelry).  I altered it slightly (to cover my errors) and I had the typical beginner's error - I went from 30 sts to 29 to 31 to 30 to 29 to 28 to 26.  Whatever.  At least I stuck with it until I finished my project. 

Anyway, it's finished and I added a Brazilian mother of pearl button that I purchased in Sao Paulo, Brazil in 1988.  I was just waiting for the right opportunity to use it.  Even then I liked purple.  I think I'll line this little clutch with some purple batik fabric and use it for knitting trinkets.

Summer School or "Where I Take A Walk on the Dark Side"

This morning I took a second class at my LYS as part of my summer school program.  I decided it was time I really got a handle on crocheting.  I've taken a lesson here and there, but have not really gotten past that basic first step.  Today Pam at Knitting Central taught us the basics including chain stitch, single crochet and half double crochet and most important of all, how to read a pattern.  We also learned how to make a button hole.

After 2 1/2 hours I managed to get about 16% of the way done on my crochet clutch

This purple yarn is by Art Yarns.  Anyway, I hope to finish this clutch so that I will become more comfortable with the stitches I learned this morning.  My goal is to be able to add crochet edges to knitting projects and blankets.  Sometime I'd like to make that gorgeous granny square tote bag that many of you were making last summer.  Pam is going to teach some more classes, so you might see me stepping on the dark side from time to time. 

* Can you see the small button hole in my clutch?  It's not a mistake.  I did that on purpose. 

Another Book for My Library

I bought this book in January and donated it to the Jackson Recovery Center as part of the knitting/crocheting program I'm trying to implement there.  Crocheting School is such a fantastic reference book that I had to buy another one for my own library.  I'm not a crocheter - and I found this one was very easy to read and understand even for a minor crocheter like me.

What's your favorite crocheting reference book? 

It's Official -- I'm a Happy Hooker!

I finished the crocheted edge on the Dale Baby Cap.  I'm pretty pleased with it especially since it's my very first attempt at crochet.  See

Now I'd better get working on the sweater as I need to have a great deal of my homework done by Wednesday's class and I've spent most of this week making the cap instead.  I need to make about 4-6 rows of the pattern repeat and I've only finished half of a pattern repeat so far. Uh Oh.