After a month that started with a long trip and ended with five days of festivities for our friends' wedding, I'm only now getting back into the swing of my normal daily routine involving things like email, blogs, well-timed meals and normal sleep patterns.

A post on Modish today about Wren Handmade's lovely crocheted accessories sparked hours of Etsy surfing.

What are your favourite sources of handmade goods for when you're too busy/tired/uninspired to make your own?

When I was in Manhattan a few weeks ago I was delighted to come across the "9th Street Fence" guerrilla knitting project at the PS122 Gallery at 150 1st Avenue. Crocheted webs and knitted tubes adorned the wrought-iron fence that was surrounded by blue construction poles.

I especially enjoyed the notes people left for each other there.

Ever come across unexpected yarn art during your travels?

WPI: If it sounds like so much crochet alphabet soup to you, don't worry. I didn't know what wraps per inch (wpi) meant until a couple of years ago. Now I figure wpi for all of the yarns used in the Interweave Crochet patterns. Along with the characteristics of a specific fiber, wpi is an invaluable tool when you find you need to substitute a yarn. WPI is simply the number of times you can wrap the yarn around an object in an inch. You can either use a wpi tool or a ruler. You want to measure the number of times you wrap the yarn around your wpi tool or an inch of the ruler.


If your yarn strand variegates between chunky sections and thin sections be aware that this may not be an entirely accurate way to measure the yarn. Remember when you are wrapping the yarn to wrap it firmly, but don't pull too tightly. Also don't squish as many wraps as you can possibly squeeze and pry into that inch.

You are measuring the width of the yarn strands. Now take your wpi information to your LYS or personal stash. Now pick a yarn that you would like to use. Using the same technique, measure your chosen yarn's wpi. If both wpi measurements closely match, the substitute yarn should give you a correct gauge.

In today's enewsletter, CrochetMe More (if you're not getting this, click on the button at the right), we wrapped up our discussion of crocheting in the front loop only (flo) and back loop only (blo) to produce different fabrics.

This washcloth features a stitch that utilizes both the front and back loop of the same stitch to create a sturdy fabric.
When I went to fetch the cloth from the kitchen to firm up the details of the pattern, I couldn't find it by the sink where I left it. I glanced about and found it IN the sink – some intrepid dish-washer had USED the cloth. How was he (she?) to know that it was technically a WIP, since I hadn't finished writing the pattern.
No complaints – good to know someone's doing the dishes! And it works well. I squeezed it out and here's the pattern:

Flo/blo Textured Washcloth

This makes an 8-inch square washcloth. To make it bigger, add more stitches. You will also need more yarn, as this cloth takes up almost the full ball.

materials
1 ball Sugar & Cream (Lily, 100% cotton) (I used color 01011)
hook: 7
abb:

rev sc: reverse single crochet (work sc from left to right across row)

dc: double crochet

blo: back loop only

flo: front loop only

directions
Chain 32. Work dc in 3rd chain from hook and all chains across (30 st). Do not turn.

Row 1: ch 1 (does not count as st) rev sc flo

Row 2: ch 2 (does not count as st) dc blo

Repeat rows 1 and 2 11 times. Do not break off yarn.

Work Rev sc around border of cloth, working two or three rev scs in corners.

Cut yarn and pull through final loop. Weave in ends.

Happy washing!

Marcy

Hey crocheters,

Our Summer issue of Interweave Crochet features a downloadable pattern, Dolores, free through September 17.  This is a great summer piece, easy to layer over a tank or swimsuit.

It's made up of Solomon's Knot, which is a lovely, lacy stitch that works up quickly. If you haven't worked with this stitch before, it can seem kind of mysterious. These step-by-step photos may help out:

Start with a single crochet in the designated stitch. When you complete the stitch, pull up the loop about 1/2 inch:

Draw a loop through to make a loose single crochet, then insert the hook between the front loop and the "hump" in the back:

complete this second single crochet by pulling a loop through:

Now you have a loose single crochet, with a tight one at the top. Pull the loop of this tight single crochet up about 1/2 inch:

make another loose single crochet:

and secure it with a tight single crochet:

Then work a single crochet in the designated stitch on the base row:

Pull up the loop of this single crochet as before to start the next Solomon's Knot stitch:

On the second row, you'll have these airy Solomon's Knot's to work into, rather than the base row. You work your securing single crochet in the tight single crochet at the center -- or the "peak" of the stitch:

Then pull up the loop of this stitch to begin the next Solomon's Knot:

And, voila! You're on your way to making your own Dolores!

Be sure to post pictures of your FOs. We'd love to see how you make it your own!

Best,

Marcy

Wimi had a blast checking out the yarns and people at TNNA. Here's a little bit of what she saw.

Here with her new Peruvian crocheted friend, Smith, Wimi is under the spell of a new acquaintance. She declined the offer of a beer, but regrets that she can't tell you more. The babe in black is the creation of Mary Beth Temple.

Here, Wimi and Smith hang out at the ballpark for the TNNA Stitch n Pitch at Huntington Park (great fun, though Wimi has the same story: She declined the offer of a beer, but regrets that she can't tell you more about the game).

She met a new BFF:

This is Laura Patterson, with a freshly signed copy of Cookie A's phenomenal Sock Innovation. Laura, of Fiber Dreams, has already cast on Wanida.

Over at the booth, Interweave was taping Knitting Daily TV. And to prove that the series really does feature crochet, here is Kristin Omdahl wrapping up her chat with Eunny Jang:

(I know some of you may be thinking that Wimi has some kind of mad crush thing going with Kristin Omdahl, but really, it's just coincidence)

There's more. But as Doris Chan says: "What happens in Columbus stays in Columbus."

So we leave you with this image. Wimi getting home on the last flight out of Philly:

Really. That is The. Last. Plane. Usually there are two boards full of flights. (At least there was one.)

Stay tuned for an upcoming blog on the Solomon's Knot, to help you along with Dolores, the featured download with the Summer issue of Interweave Crochet.

Ciao,
Wimi

(and Smith and Marcy)

Wimi is napping (girl needs her beauty sleep). Soon, she'll post her report from TNNA.

Have you ever found a pattern that instantly intrigued you? You immediately set about finding the perfect yarn in the perfect shade, and you could just envision the completed project. Settled into the perfect crocheting location, you dug through your hook case for the proper size hook. But the hook wasn't there. I know I have at least 2 hooks in each size, so I hate when that happens. Invariably I realize where the absent hook is, languishing with one unfinished project or other in my UFO basket. I'm not sure how many UFOs I have accumulated but I would venture a guess you could count them on both hands, well maybe both hands of two people. How do they accumulate so quickly? Why does a project end up in the UFO basket? When I conceived the idea for this blog the other day, I had a plan. And it was the perfect plan. I have a beautiful summer top in my UFO basket. All it lacks are a couple of short, flirty sleeves, weaving in a few loose ends, and blocking. This blog would give me the motivation to finish the top and write a short piece on finishing a UFO.

But when I found myself with an hour to kill yesterday and a hook, ball of rich burnt orange yarn, and a quick pattern handy, I couldn't resist. The delicate summer top has moved to the top of the UFO basket, but if I pick it up I will merely replace it with a different UFO. So what pushes a project into the black abyss of the UFO basket? Maybe a project is pushed aside when something new catches my eye, that particular project simply isn't handy and I simply HAVE to crochet, or the project is out of season or I fear it will no long fit me well. Perhaps it doesn't matter why a project sits in my UFO basket. How do I get it out of the basket into my closet? Have you found any good motivators or do you also suffer from severe UFOitis?
~Toni Rexorat

You all have the best ideas!

I asked you what button to use for the cardi and you chose -- no buttons!

So I made ties:

I attached the yarn at the top of the body, right under the motif yoke. I chained 50, made a 3-stitch bobble in the second chain, then slip-stitched back up the chain to the body. I slip-stitched a couple times on the body, then wove in the ends. I made the tie on the other side the same way.

To wear it, I laced the ties upward through the edge loops on the yoke.
It looks good, too, with the ties just tied right at the top of the body, and the edges of the motifs folded back. But I don't have a good picture of that.

(Her Dogginess actually approves, though she looks rather aloof at the moment.)

Thanks, y'all!

Marcy

Here it is!

My version of Kristin Omdahl's Forest Flower Pullover, from the Spring cover of Interweave Crochet.

The surprise is that it's a cardi! (You can't see this all that well because Peggy Sue there is a few sizes smaller than I am.) I like it a lot.

Now, I need your help. I'm not entirely sure how I'm going to work the closure. The top motif part is quite a bit lighter than the body of the sweater, so I'm not sure how well it will support buttons. But buttons will be involved somehow, if only at the top of the teal portion of the body. I'm planning to put the closure just at the top, not all the way down the front.

I dove into my button stash and this is what I emerged with:

What's your vote?

And, no pressure, but I need to get this closure thing worked out in the next day, so I can wear this at TNNA.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Marcy