Marcy Smith's Blog

A Brand New Year of Crochet!

Marcy Smith — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:00:00 GMT

What? Another new year? Are you as stunned as I am?

As we teeter on the brink of 2012, I decided to check my progress on my resolutions for 2011. (Just to note: I am related to people who track their resolutions through the year. My son posts his list on the bulletin board over his desk, where he can see it all year. Me, I just do what needs to be done. If all goes well, that dovetails with my hopes for the year.)

So I opened my blog of a year ago to see how reality met up with hopes. Here's how it shakes out:

Meet more crocheters. This worked out pretty well. I've chatted with many of you online and in person. I went to Texas to meet up with the Crochet Liberation Front, where I got to hang out with Texas crocheters at the Knitting Nest in Austin. Linda Permann helped me untangle a ball of yarn. In September, I met up with a bunch of crocheters at the Chain Link Conference in Greensboro, NC. This is an ongoing resolution, though. I'm putting it on the 2012 plan.

Crochet a "vintage" Interweave Crochet pattern. Yes! Done. I made the Sera Lace Top from the Fall 2007 issue of Interweave Crochet (which you can find here and here). I love this top and I finished it early enough (in April) that I could wear it throughout the year.

Tackle a new crochet technique. I explored several new techniques, but didn't actually make a garment as I'd planned (I had my eye on the Cupcake Sweater by Tram Nyugen from the Spring 2011 issue for my daughter.) My daughter now really wants the Big Bow Sweater by Julia Vaconsin (you can see this on the cover of The Best of Interweave Crochet, a 2011 accomplishment that wasn't on The List). This is made up of single crochet (super-simple AND super stylish; you might want to add it to your list). Single crochet isn't a new technique, but the construction is innovative, yes? But you and I will have plenty of opportunities to explore new techniques in upcoming issues of Interweave Crochet.

Reduce the yarn, yarn, yarn in every room of the house. Trying to reduce the yarn stash is like trying to bail out a leaky boat with a bucket. Yarn keeps coming in. My plan was to transform the yarn into projects as part of a "make-it-quick-and-get-it-out" monthly project regimen. Hmmmm. I know I made a project every month. But there's still so much yarn. So here's what I did: In the beginning of December, a friend told me that her 7-year-old granddaughter is all about fiber, so I got a big pink box and filled it to overflowing with yarn and shipped it to her. Ta da!

Re-imagine Interweave Crochet. Done! We debuted out new pattern design in the Summer 2011 issue. Do you like it? Let us know in the comments. And let us know what you'd like to see in 2012.

Here's a thing I did in 2011 that wasn't on The List: I taped the crochet segment of Series 700 of Knitting Daily TV with Kristin Omdahl. These segments, which focus on the Chain Reaction Afghan Project and include lots of crochet techniques, were pulled together in a single place, which you can get as a DVD or a download. Kristin and I had a lot of fun and the segments are jam-packed with information. If you're making this afghan on your own or with a group, you'll find this useful.

This leads me to my first goal of 2012: Finish my version of the Chain Reaction Afghan. I've made every square at least once, but not all in the same yarn. Come join me in the Chain Reaction Afghan Crochet-Along and we can finish together! And for every afghan that you make and give away using some or all of the Chain Reaction squares, we'll make a donation to Warm Up America. (Psst. The give-away afghans don't have to be full-size; they can be baby or lap size.) That's double the warmth!

Next up: Make an amigurumi (or two) from the 2012 Crochet Me Amigurumi Calendar. These amigurumis are crazy cute. Want to make one, too? You can purchase patterns for all them at once in an eBook. Or, during the first week of the month each is featured, you can download the pattern for free. First up is Pucker the Goldfish, available free midday Jan 1 through midday Jan 8. You can get the calendar here. And you can download a desktop wallpaper of your favorite amigurumi here (or download a new one each month). There will be a crochet-along each month and a gallery to post pictures of your completed amigurumi. I'm thinking Pucker would be pretty great crocheted in a fun color-change yarn, and I could hang the good-luck fish from the ceiling over my desk.

Make one project from each issue of Interweave Crochet, and share the process with you all. So, the hardest thing about this will be selecting just one project from each issue. The designers keep coming up with such great projects! I'm going to get a start on this by making the Aslan Shrug by Brenda K.B. Anderson from the Winter 2011 issue (Hmmm. Does this count for 2012?)

I'm carrying over my ongoing goals of meeting and talking with more crocheters and continuing the quest to reduce the stash, by whatever means possible. That gives me five. Seems workable, doesn't it?

Let me know your goals for 2012! And let me know how Team Crochet here at Interweave can help you meet those goals. More technique videos? More inspiration? More blogs? It is always our top goal to help you realize your crochet ambitions, so just let us know.

Best,

Marcy

More Snowflakes in a Hurry

Marcy Smith — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:26:00 GMT

	A couple of weeks ago I gave you a recipe for a snowflake in a hurry. Really, you can be done in while you take just a couple sips of latte. These snowflakes can be done pretty darn fast. Probably in a half a latte's time. All of these snowflakes are based on motifs from the Winter 2011 issue of Interweave Crochet. If you're a subscriber, you probably already have this. If you're waiting for it to hit the newsstand, this will have to be a January project (the issue goes to newsstand Dec. 30.) You can order a print copy (they're available in the Interweave store now). Or you can download a digital version right this very minute. Then you can spend January making one of the fabulous projects (I'll be making the Aslan Shrug next week!)
	Snowflake 1 Pattern: Amaryllis Tunic by Robyn Chachula, first four rounds. Thread: Aunt Lydia's Metallic Crochet Thread size 10 in white/pearl
	Snowflake 2 Pattern: Amaryllis Tunic by Robyn Chachula, first four rounds. Thread: Universal Nazli Gelin Garden Metallic size 10 color 702-22
	Snowflake 3 Pattern: Abelia Jacket by Judith L. Swartz, first three rounds, then: * sc in ch-5 sp, ch 2, ch-3 picot, ch 2, rep from * to end, sl st in first sc. Fasten off. Thread: Aunt Lydia's Fashion Crochet Five, size 5, silver/silver
	Snowflake 4 Pattern: Abelia Jacket by Judith L. Swartz, first three rounds, then: (sc in ch-5 sp, ch 2, ch-3 picot, ch 2) two times, ch 5, ch-3 picot, ch 5, rep from three times, sl st in first sc. Fasten off. Thread: Aunt Lydia's Fashion Crochet size 3, purple

These little snowflakes were very eager to have their pictures taken and didn't want to stop to primp. But I'll give them a little smoothing out with a blast of steam before they get attached to presents. Do you have quick crochet gifts to share? Do tell. Also, if you need to make a bigger present in a hurry, check out our Simple Crochet Patterns. Happy holiday crocheting! Marcy

Yarn Spotlight Addition: Winter 2011

Marcy Smith — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:45:00 GMT

	Sure, crocheted socks are great for lounging around fireside. But can you really tuck them into shoes? Yes, you can! The secret is to use sock weight yarn. Sock yarn ranges in weight from fingering to sport (see the Yarn Standards Chart for comparison). Yarn designated for socks often included nylon for added strength; socks see a lot more wear than other crocheted apparel! In the Winter 2011 issue of Interweave Crochet, we an overview of a five sock yarns and how they measure up to the task of crochet. Here are three more.
	Three Irish Girls Adorn Sock Content: 80% merino, 20% nylon Put-up: 3.5 oz, 100 g/430 y, 393 m Construction: 3-ply CARE: machine wash gentle and cool, lay flat to dry Color: winter birch Hook: D-3 (3.25 mm) Soft, smooshy, and pretty to look at, all at once! This yarn is as strong as it is beautiful. Yarns are dyed to order, with enough yardage per skein to make a pair of socks. That means each pair you make will be unique! And if the color isn't enough to make you swoon, the crocheting will take you over the edge. PERFECT FOR SOCKS, BABY ITEMS, SHAWLS.
	Cascade Heritage Content: 75% merino superwash, 25% nylon Put-up: 3.5 oz, 100 g/437 y, 400 m Construction: 4-ply Care: machine wash gentle cool, machine dry gentle and low Color: 5610 camel Hook: D-3 (3.25 mm) A tight twist led me to experiment with a lacy pattern, which it held up to nicely. The solid and lacy portions are both quite stretchy. It looks a little like a Suess sock there, but made large, this would be a happy design. The yarn is sturdy with a silky feel. Available in more than sixty solids and a baker's dozen of quatros (four colors plied together), this yarn is an excellent choice for colorwork garments. PERFECT FOR COLORWORK SOCKS, SCARVES, SWEATERS.
	Dream in Color Smooshy Content: 100% Australian merino wool superwash Put-up: 4 oz, 113 g/450 y, 411 m Construction: 3-ply CARE: machine wash, lay flat to dry or tumble dry and remove while still damp Color: 310 petal shower Hook: D-3 (3.25 mm) The name says it all: Smooshy. This yarn, spun and hand-dyed in the United States, has spring to spare. It crochets like a dream as well. Sometimes bounce and stretch come at the expense of softness--but not with this yarn! Subtle toning prevents the colors from pooling or striping, making it a great choice for garments as well. Yum. PERFECT FOR ANY KIND OF SOCKS, BABY GARMENTS, HATS, CARDIGANS
Also in the Winter 2011 issue of Interweave Crochet, you'll find three sock patterns, including a Basic Recipe for Cuff-Down Socks. In the Spring 2012 issue, we'll have a Basic Recipe for Toe-Up Socks. Want more? Check the Crochet Me store for more crochet sock patterns. Happy sock crocheting! Marcy

Crochet a Snowflake in a Hurry

Marcy Smith — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:06:00 GMT

I needed a super-quick package-topper. I mean, quick.

So I rummaged though my stash of yarn bits and found a little flower.

(I know, right? Who has a little flower in their stash? I bet you do)

Anyway, I would show you a picture of the little flower, but before I knew it, I had crocheted another round and, voila, I had a snowflake:

Need a snowflake right quick? Here's how.

Find a flower in your stash.

If you don't have a flower, do this: ch 2. In 2nd ch from hook, work (sc, ch 5) five times, join with sl st in 1st sc. Break off yarn. My little flower was worked in Trendsetter Dune , but really any yarn would work well here. You can just do the first round in the same yarn as the second round.

For the transforming round: Pick a blingy yarn from your stash. My round is worked with Berroca Lumina, which I find very nice to have around the house during the holidays, much like you keep Toll House cookies around in case guests drop in.

(To do the transformation, you need to know how to do a picot. Here's how: chain the right number of chains, then work a slip stitch in the first chain. That is all.)

Join with a sl st in any ch-5 sp of the little flower. Work (sc, ch-3 picot, sc, ch-5 picot, sc, ch-3 picot, sc) in each ch-5 sp. Join with sl st to first sc. Cut, leaving a long tail. Thread tail through point leading to ch-5 picot. Tie a knot. Tie to a package, hand on a banister, tree or mantel.

Go have a cookie.

Best,

Marcy

(If you have some quick decoration ideas, let us know. Time is short. Crochet is fast.)

Stop Me Before I Crochet Another Seafoam Shawl!

Marcy Smith — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 10:00:00 GMT

	I may need an intervention. Here are my three versions of the Seafoam Shawl by Kimberly K. McAlindin from Crochet Accessories 2011. I can't promise there won't be another. The lacy edge reminds me of the seafoam at the edge of the shore, right after a wave has receded, leaving behind sand, pebbles, sea glass, like the textured body of the shawl. And addictive to make? Check. You work the lacy edge first, then pick up along the foundation row and work short rows to complete the body of the shawl. Most of these shawls were completed in meetings, because the stitching is that easy. Here's a closer look at each.
	Yarn: Neota Designs Chinook (sport), 275 yards color Mountain Jewels, hand-painted Hook: I-9 / 5.5 mm (Tulip) Another very lovely thing about this shawl is that it requires only 250-350 yards of yarn. You could probably find that in your couch cushions, right? (The variance in the amount depends on your hook size and yarn weight. I had yarn left over from this 275-yard skein). So, I rummaged around in my stash for a skein of loveliness that could become a Seafoam Shawl. And, unlike many things in my stash, I can tell you exactly when and where I got this skein of yarn. It's hand-painted with brushes and embodies the earth and sky of Colorado. It's very nice to wear in North Carolina, when I'm far from Colorado. Looking at it, I can almost feel the sharp cold of Estes Park—makes me snuggle into it a little more.
	Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Sock;100% superwash merino wool; 395 yards; color: ivy Hook: H-8/ 5 mm (Boye) This is a bandit-sized version in a shade of Tosh Sock that I love, love, love. I had yarn left over from this skein, too, but not a ton. The bouncy sock yarn fights the blocking efforts a bit, but it's still nice and cozy about the neck. I may make another in Tosh DK in a similar green. Sadly, there was An Incident whilst blocking this shawl and it may find a new home (see Making Mistakes So You Don't Have To below for details).
	Yarn: Classic Elite Chesapeake; 50% organic cotton, 50% merino wool; 103 yards; 5979 Catawba Grape Hook: J-10 / 6 mm (I used my very first crochet hook, the one I used when I was 8 years old. It's blue and it doesn't have a name on it, but judging from the inline head, I think it's a Bates) Love this shawl! It came out larger than the others, because of the larger hook and slightly heavier yarn (sorry to say, I can't remember how many balls I started with, so I'm not sure how much I used). This yarn is crisp and warm at the same time. It has lots of body and likes to be crocheted. It would be pretty happy being crocheted into a sweater.
	And a view from the back, so you can see how big it is. And how lovely it is.
	Now we come to our next installment of Making Mistakes So You Don't Have To. I used the string method to block the shawls. You can read the details on this method. One detail I left out there is about the actual string. You weave scrap string through holes along the straight edges. And this is very important: USE UNDYED STRING. Something truly innocuous, like butcher's twine, also called spago da cucina, which sounds very lovely, doesn't it? Much lovelier than great gobs of green goo. Great gobs of green are what I found on my lovely shawl when I pulled it out of its pre-blocking bath. The long ends of the string wrapped randomly around the shawl, so the blotches are not just at the strung edges. The light-green cotton I used to string along the edges gave up its dye in a most unsightly way. And really a lot darker than you might expect from a pretty light green yarn. So, to reiterate: If you use string with a dye in it, even if it looks like a pretty innocuous color, like one that will hold and not bleed, it may just bleed on the garment. And you will be sad. Use undyed string. I know you can't see anything from this high up, so here's a closer look.
	Ghastly globs of green. All random over the shawl. My friend Amy Clarke Moore over at Spin-Off tells me I might be able to remove that dye with synthrapol. I haven't yet scored this substance yet, but when I do, I'll give it a whirl. Amy is concerned that maybe that darker green has found a new home and won't want to leave. Another option is to over-dye the whole thing another color. That thought makes me sad, because the Tosh color is so, so nice. So this shawl may find a new home with Sarah Read, project editor for Interweave Crochet and fellow CrochetMe blogger. Sarah loves all things green. She has seen this shawl and kind of likes the random dark green touches. But we're all kind of curious about whether the synthrapol will work. We'll report back. Meanwhile, repeat after me: Butcher's twine good.
Here's hoping all your crochet adventures are without Incident. Marcy

Yarn Spotlight: Accessories 2011

Marcy Smith — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 09:00:00 GMT

	Novelty yarns, fashion fibers, trendy threads-no matter what you call them, these delightful yarns are just right for adding panache to your accessories. Most are designed more for fun than functionality, but a few of them are great for full garments. In Interweave Crochet Accessories 2011, we featured seven yarns in a splendid motif (based on the Circle Star square by Julie Yeager). Here we give full descriptions of those yarns, plus three more. The small motifs here are made by working the first round of the Circle Star square. The Circle Star square is one of the squares in the Chain Reaction Afghan Project. Stop by and download a free eBook of these patterns.
	Berroco Flicker Content: 87% baby alpaca, 8% acrylic, 5% other fibers Put-up: 1.75 oz, 50 g / 189 y, 175 m Construction: chainette Care: hand wash, lay flat to dry Color: 3312 odile and 3317 benno Hook: J-10 / 6 mm This chainette yarn is super springy! The alpaca gives it a slight halo and the "other fibers" there is a lovely bit of tinsel (gold or silver, depending on the base color), perfect if you want an little extra shine at a holiday party. It comes in 10 great colors, including Schwarzfels, which is black, in case you want to make an elegant shrug for that party (I would use Petipa, because I just can't get enough of that yellowy-green). The hook range for this yarn is I through K. The label recommends I-9 / 5.5 mm (and we love that the crochet hook recommendation is right on the label!); I used J-10 / 6 mm for the little motif; you could scoot up to a K-10.5 / 6.5 mm if your gauge wants it. Perfect for garments, hats, scarves
	Be Sweet Ribbon Ball Content: Baby mohair, metallic, ribbon Put-up: 1.76 oz, 50 g / 95 y, 87 m Construction: 3 ply, untwisted, with hand-tied ribbons Care: hand wash, lay flat to dry Color: green potion Hook: J-10/ 6 mm This delicious yarn is made up of a strand of boucle, a strand of 2-ply, and a loose strand of tinsel, all of which is tied together with occasional nylon, satin and chiffon ribbons. The ribbons like to hide at the back of the crochet fabric, so you'll have to nudge a few to the front after crocheting. This yarn has additional goodness spun in: By using it, you are supporting the South African women who spin and dye the yarn as part of a job-creation program. Perfect for scarf, hat, cowl, trim on sweaters
	Feza Chanel Content: 70% polyester, 30% metallic yarn Put-up: 3.5 oz, 100 g / 99 y, 90 m Construction: chain with metallic eyelash and tufts Care: hand wash cool, lay flat to dry Color: 6 ash Hook: J-10/ 6 mm This exuberant yarn is made up of a base yarn that holds together a zigzag of shiny yarn and a halo of tinsel with regular intervals of chenille tufts. The little tufts squish right in to the stitches, making a rich, thick fabric, but it is a bit challenging to see the stitches to work into. I'd recommend a fairly tight stitch pattern that allows you to work into chain spaces-wattle stitch might be a good choice. This wants to be the yarn that adds an occasional accent row. it would be really splendid in a freeform sweater of novelty yarns. Perfect for hat, cowl, scarf, accent row in scarf or sweater.
	Halcyon Victorian Boucle Content: 74% mohair, 15.5% wool, 10.5% nylon Put-up: 3 oz, 85 g / 220 y, 201 m Construction: boucle Care: hand wash, lay flat to dry Color: 138 purple Hook: J-10/ 6 mm or K-10.5 / 6.5 mm This yarn works up as a worsted. For crochet, it would be best to work a stitch pattern that allows you to work into a chain space, as it can be hard to identify the top of the stitch amongst all the little loops. Victorian Boucle is matched to the colorways of Victorian 2-Ply and Victorian Brushed Mohair, for a multiyarn sweater or napping blanket. The J hook produces a nice, dense fabric; the K hook gives the little boucle loops a little more play. Perfect for hats, scarves, sweaters, blankets
	Knit One Crochet Too Wrapunzel Content: 70% superwash wool, 30% acrylic Put-up: 1.76 oz, 50 g / 93 y, 85 m Construction: 2 ply Care: machine wash separately cold, lay flat to dry or tumble dry low Color: 720 red dahlia Hook: K-10.5 / 6.5 mm The colors in this yarn are super fun. A wool single is wrapped with a shiny acrylic, each space-dyed in different colors, so that as you crochet, a rainbow of colors streams through your fingers. Added to the fun is a thick-and-thinness that gives the fabric terrific texture. Perfect for hats! scarves, shrug, cowl
	Kollage Marvelous Content: 63% mohair, 13% wool, 24% nylon Put-up: 2.8 oz, 79 g / 100 y, 91 m Construction: 2 ply Care: hand wash, lay flat to dry Color: 2510 teal twist Hook: L / 7 mm Scrumptious! And best of all, with this yarn you can crochets a swath of loveliness in no time! Made up of a solid mohair strand and a multicolored chain with tufts of fiber, something like interrupted chenille, it's like crocheting with cotton candy. Work large stitches or work an alternating single crochet / chain stitch pattern (working single crochet in the chain space) to whip up an elegant and simple scarf or shawl. Perfect for scarf, shawl, or an accent edging on garments or accessories
	S. Charles Luna Content: 71% super kid mohair, 20% silks, 9% lurex Put-up: .88 oz, 25 g / 232 y, 212.5 m Construction: 3 ply Care: hand wash, lay flat to dry Color: 24 gold Hook: D-3 / 3.25 mm This whisper-soft yarn calls for a bit of care when crocheting until you become used to the lightness of the fabric. Try working this with a light hook, such as Lantern Moon. You can also work with two strands of this fiber, with a larger hook, for a more substantial fabric. Perfect for shrug, scarf, shawl, cardigan
	S. Charles Crystal Content: 85% polyester, 15% cotton Put-up: .88 oz, 25 g / 144 y, 131 m Construction: 5 ply Care: hand wash, lay flat to dry Color: 4 gold with gold sequins Hook: D-3 / 3.25 mm This crisp yarn makes assertive loops that can be tricky to manage; they want to stay round, when you want them to squish down a bit. The tiny sequins are quite dear and don't catch on the hook. Perfect for trim, accent row, crocheted jewelry
	S. Charles Luna + S. Charles Crystal Hook: G / 4.25 mm Together, Luna and Crystal go together like the moon and stars. The crispness of Crystal balances the lightness of Luna to create a perfectly balanced fiber. The resulting fabric is both shimmery and sparkly, perfect for a special-occasion garment or a garment that brings a lift to an ordinary day. Luna and Crystal are dyed to be companions, so you don't have to fret about color selections. Perfect for shawls, sweaters, scarves
	SWTC Yang Content: base yarn 60% wool, 20% silk, 20% bamboo; wrap thread 100% silk with metallic sequins Put-up: 1.76 oz, 50 g / 93 y, 85 m Construction: 3 ply base yarn wrapped with chain silk with sequins Care: hand wash cool, lay flat to dry Color: 830 get up Hook: I-9 / 5.5 mm or J-10/ 6 mm The tiny iridescent sequins, chained onto a shimmery silk strand, give a beautiful glint. The silk strand and wool-blend strands are not plied, so this beautiful yarn calls for a bit of attention. With the right tension, it is easy to catch both strands. Yang has a subtler companion yarn called, of course, Yin (http://soysilk.com/yarn/yin-yang/). Together, they can make a beautiful sweater. Perfect for sweater, shawl, scarf, shrug
	Universal Rozetti Tundra Content: 90% acrylic, 10% polyester Put-up: 3.5 oz, 100 g / 54 y, 49 m Construction: wide ribbon adjacent to ribbon with open spaces Care: hand wash, lay flat to dry Color: 41007 orchid Hook: This railroad yarn is unique. You can crochet it two ways: Crochet the whole yarn with a large hook. Or crochet with a small hook into the narrow railroad edge to create a ruffle. It takes a little practice to work this second method. It is really terrific for an exuberant edging on the sweater, bag or other accessory. Perfect for rosettes, trim
Tantalizing aren't they? We'd love to see what you make with novelty yarns. Post your projects in the Reader Gallery.

A Fall Obsession

Marcy Smith — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 16:12:00 GMT

A few weeks ago, when I was gearing up for the Chain Link conference, I really wanted to sport new crochet. I perused the Fall 2011 issue of Interweave Crochet and opted for what looked like the fastest crochet garment in the issue: The Oak Wrap by Doris Chan.

And am I glad I did! I've worn this garment more times than I can say since I made it. Here it is:

and a back view:

This is worked in Berroco Lustra, (Go ahead and click to the color card for a moment. Don't you just want one in every color? Me, too.) Perfect strangers stop me and ask about this garment. At my local LYS, two people grabbed up the magazine so they could make it. Truly, it's a lot of fun to wear -- it gives just the right amount of warmth, and it has a little swerve.

I liked it so much, that I made another:

and a back view:

This is worked in Rowan Summer Tweed, a good weight for the office and warmer days.

And, yes, it is super-fast! I worked the back, ripped it out, reworked it and finished the whole thing in less than a week.

Ripped it back, you ask? Yes, indeed. Which leads me to my main tip for this sweater: mark the first stitch on each row. This stitch lingers close to the chain-4 at the start of the row, and if you don't mark it, it will look a lot like a chain and you will probably forget to count it. Don't believe me? Look at this picture:

See that loop closest to the hook? Looks like a chain, doesn't it? It's not. It's a half-double crochet, and it wants to be counted.

Here's how the stitch looks with a marker in it:

All different, right?

Here's how to mark it:

When you work the first stitch of the row, slide a marker onto the back loop, like this:

Then when you get to the end of the next row, you will totally see it. On the next row, that back loop has become the front loop, which is where you want to work your stitch.

If you do this one simple thing, you won't get to the end of the main section and find yourself 34 stitches short. And you won't have pull out 2,727 stitches, plus 160 chains—for a total of 8,341 loops you made that you have to unmake.

Just saying.

Oh, and because of the clever design of this sweater, it can be tricky to figure out which end is up. So, I crocheted a little loop and attached it to the back neck edge, like this:

Makes everything easier.

Making mistakes so you don't have to -- just a little service we provide here at Marcy's blog:

Happy crocheting,

Marcy

p.s. Tune in Monday to the CrochetMe blog to find out Toni and Sarah's "gotta crochet" items from the Fall 2011 issue of Interweave Crochet.

Yarn Spotlight Addition: Fall 2011

Marcy Smith — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 17:13:00 GMT

In the Fall 2011 issue of Interweave Crochet, the Yarn Spotlight shines on six alpaca yarns. Here we review three more alpaca yarns.

Alpaca is a fine choice for people allergic to wool, because alpaca does not secrete lanolin, the substance that most wool-allergic people react to. Alpaca is denser and softer than wool, and it provides more warmth. Alpaca comes in two types: Suri, which has a soft hair that grows downward like human hair, and Huacaya, which has coarser and crimpier hair that grows outward from the skin. Huacaya alpaca includes long hairs that are picked out of the finer grades of commercial alpaca yarns. Huacaya makes up more than 90 percent of the alpaca available. Compared to wool, alpaca fibers are longer, have fewer scales, and more tensile strength. This all adds up to a fabric that is soft, lustrous appearance, and durable. Alpaca fabric has more drape than wool, which is perfect for garments that call for added drape, such as shawls and wraps, but can pose a problem for more fitted garments. A happy medium is an alpaca/wool blend, which has the luster of alpaca tempered by the firmness of wool for a soft fabric that holds it shape.

The swatches are worked in the body stitch pattern from Simona Merchant-Dest's Lace Canopy Cardi Wrap, the cover garment on the Fall 2011 issue.

Yarns, from left to right: Alpaca With a Twist Baby Twist, Mirasol Qina, Classic Elite Vail

Alpaca With a Twist Baby Twist

Content: 100% baby alpaca Put-up: 8.75 oz, 250 g / 549 y, 502 m Construction: 3 ply Care: hand wash, lay flat to dry Color: 0284 brindle Hook: 7 / 4.5 mm

Baby alpaca is the finest of alpaca fibers, having the smallest micron count (micron count is a way of measuring the diameter of the fiber; the smaller the finer). This super soft yarn, with just a whisper of strandiness, yearns to be a soft winter sweater. And this yarn's generous 549-yarn put-up encourages this indulgence. Its slightly chubby appearance belies its light weight. Working this 100% alpaca fiber on a size 7 hook produces a fabric with drape, body, and stretch.

Perfect for an elegant sweater with drape

Mirasol Qina

Content: 80% baby alpaca, 20% bamboo Put-up: 1.76 oz, 50 g / 91 y, 83 m Construction: 3 ply Care: hand wash, lay flat to dry Color: 918 fire flames Hook: 7 / 4.5 mm

This three-ply blend of alpaca and bamboo works into a soft fabric that has drape. The bamboo lends softness, sheen and drape -but not so much that the fabric sags. The ral story here is the color: a rich blend of coppery red and brown, like a lucky penny shining in the street. Go ahead, pick it up.

Perfect for garments of all kinds

Classic Elite Vail

Content: 70% baby alpaca, 30% bamboo viscose Put-up: 1.76 oz, 50 g / 236 y, 216 m Construction: 3 ply Care: hand wash, lay flat to dry Color: 6438 chestnut Hook: D / 3.25 mm

This yarn, from Classic Elite's new Mountain Top collection, is a blend of alpaca and bamboo in their natural colors for a rich tone. It produces a fabric that is soft, with stretch and a very slight halo. This fingering-weight yarn is perfect for a shawl or fine-gauge garment; it would be really terrific in a classic style befitting its natural look.

Perfect for shawls, fine-gauge women's garments or a keepsake baby blanket or garment.

Top Ten Ways to Celebrate International Crochet Day

Marcy Smith — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 23:45:00 GMT

International Crochet Day is Monday, September 12! That gives you a little time still to plan how you will celebrate and even some great gift ideas.

Here are ten ideas to get you thinking.

10. Teach someone to crochet. Reinforce your teaching by hooking the person up with our eBook: Learn to Crochet: Instruction on How to Crochet and 5 Free Crochet Patterns for Beginners.

9. Yarn bomb a co-worker's cubicle. Or your spouse's car. Or your kid's lunchbox.

8. Vow to bust your stash. We'll help you out with patterns priced at crazy stashbuster prices. Check our Stashbuster Sale.

7. Make a hat. Give it away.

6. Enter a contest to win a crochet hook crafted by award-winning hook-carver Jimbo, who is a big fan of International Crochet Day. See Jimbo's Front Porch for details. Contest ends at noon on Monday.

5. Get started on your holiday gift list. If you can't find just what you're looking for in our 5 Free Patterns for Beautiful Handmade Gifts, check out our other free crochet patterns.

4. Crochet a flower or two or ten. Give them away at random to people you haven't met yet.

3. Leave us a comment here or on Facebook to let us know how you're celebrating International Crochet Day.

2. Crochet in public.

1. Crochet in your favorite spot for as long as you like.

Happy crocheting!

Marcy

The Interweave Crochet Fall 2011 Preview Is Up!

Marcy Smith — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 15:44:00 GMT

It's here! The Interweave Crochet Fall 2011 issue preview is up!

I know, wee little cover there. But if you click on it, it will take you to nice, big images of all the projects in the issue.

And, when you click on the materials button for, say Simona Merchant-Dest's great Lace Canopy Wrap Cardi on the cover, it will take you to a page with lots more images of the garment, so you can see it from all angles and close up. You can also let us know right away how much you love this garment. You can leave a comment, like it on Facebook, tweet it to the Twitter world, send us email, save it to your favorites gallery.

You'll also see a list of our great articles: Maire Treanor's first installment in the Clones lace series, which guides you in making your own Clones lace design; pictures of Dora Ohrenstein's trip to Kiev with Maire and Antonina Kuznetsova; and a profile of Brenda K.B. Anderson, creative genius behind Clarence the Monkey and Sydney's Sideways Socks, among many other designs.

Dive in and start building up your project list for fall!

Best,

Marcy

Wool Gathering: Salina, Kansas

Marcy Smith — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 09:00:00 GMT

I'd been driving a long while and Salina had been beckoning from roadside signs since Topeka. I didn't really have time to stop, since I had half of Kansas, then half of Colorado still to get through. But it was getting to be about lunchtime anyway.

So I exited I-70 and into town. I parked, opened the door and gasped. 108 degrees. No shade.

I wandered down what seemed to be the Main Street. Through the crazy heat haze, I saw a sign: YARNS. Might've been a mirage, but who can take the risk?

I opened the door and discovered cool air first. Then, yes, yarns, and lots of them. Then a whole circle of women appeared.

Carla Welsh, the one checking to see if the back of her head looks good for the camera, is a co-owner of the store, along with Jane Alsop. The whole name of the store is Yarns Sold and Told. And pretty soon I was clued in to the "Yarns Told" part of things.

Turns out I stumbled onto the Tuesday afternoon yarn therapy session. They drew me in right away when I pronounced Salina correctly (it's suh-LINE-uh). They wondered what brought me in. I told them who I was and where I was going (Loveland) and why (to put the Fall issue to press). The women had many lovely things to say about Interweave and the work we do, which was very nice.

Then Carla asked me what I would recommend to help draw crocheters into the store.

Well, boy howdy! Just pull my talk string! I sat down, a cold bottle of water suddenly appeared in my hand, and I settled in to talk all things crochet: various kinds of hooks, the best yarn for crochet, the best classes. I mentioned Tunisian crochet and a flurry of questions arose.

Nancy wanted to know the best way to combat the curl. So I showed her how to pick up the first row in the back ridge loop. After the return pass, the natural curl of the Tunisian stitch pops up the edge to produce a lovely "v" edge. After I showed her the first couple of stitches, she pulled the yarn and hook from my hands and said "Let me do that! Ah, the hook goes in the bump!" And she had a swatch in no time.

Crocheters outnumbered knitters in this circle, though all the crocheters were also knitters. Very skilled, all of them.

Cynthia here was working on a crocheted Elmo:

Connie Jo pulled out her iPad and cruised to CrochetMe. We chatted about blogs and patterns. I'd been in the shop long enough that I'd forgotten how hot it was, how much farther I had to go. The women encouraged me to get lunch, come back, sit and talk a while longer. Tempting indeed.

But I knew that my co-workers would be mighty sad if I decided to stay in Salina much longer. I headed out.

If you find yourself along I-70 in central Kansas, stop in. Aim for Tuesday midday. Stop by Martinelli's first and picked up a quarter Chopped Salad, then join in the yarns.

Happy crocheting,

Marcy

(Carla, Conni Jo, Nancy, Cynthia, Ann, Linda and Jane: Thanks for one of the best hours of my trip!)

Hate Washing Your Crocheted Things? Read On!

Marcy Smith — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 09:00:00 GMT

I really love the look of a new crocheted garment. Love it so much that I want it to look new as long as possible. Of course, ordinary wear weathers a garment to a certain extent. Some garments can benefit by an aged look-- "boyfriend" sweaters, for instance. And if you really, really love a garment, you want to wear it a lot. Which means it will need washing sooner rather than later. And that means reblocking.

I'm all about postponing the whole washing and reblocking thing as long as possible.

If you're with me on this, read on, bearing in mind that not all tips suit all garments.

Always wear something under the garment. If the style of the garment suits, wear a tee-long or short-sleeved. A cami will do for a sleeveless garment. The goal is to keep the garment from touching your body. (Of course, we know you bathe regularly, but even the cleanest skin exudes all sorts of things that mingle with fibers to make them smelly-ish.)

When wearing your cherished crochet garment, avoid:

> bars, bowling alleys or barbecue joints. Smells in smelly places attach to the fibers and nothing will get them out except a good washing.

> small children bearing ice cream or lollipops. That sticky stuff can be spot-cleaned, but getting off really sticky stuff will stretch the fibers in that area, calling for a full washing.

> red wine, blueberries, and butter blobs. Nuff said. If things don't work out, click here.

> people who come at you with the "I must touch" look in their eyes. Do a quick, stealthy check of their hands. If it looks like they've just come in from the garden or from mixing up dough or hanging out with small children bearing lollipops, deflect their touch by quickly sticking out your hand for a shake. Hands are easier to clean.

If things happen (as they do), spot clean when necessary. Got a little foodstuff or dust on your garment? Pull off any large bits. Wet a washcloth with lukewarm water and press it against the fabric. Do not scrub, or you will distend the fabric and only washing will make it right again. Press the wet cloth against the fabric until the stain is gone, turning the washcloth as necessary, to avoid putting the stain right back on the crocheted fabric.

Every couple of wearings, air fluff your garment. Put your garment in the dryer with a dryer sheet (I like unscented sheets). To reduce agitation of the fabric against the walls of the dryer, put the garment inside a mesh lingerie bag. Turn the dryer to "Air dry only" and fluff it out.

In between wearings, store your garment in a place with airflow, if possible. Peggy Sue (pictured above) is a nice place to keep a shawl, for instance. Don't hang it on a hanger, as that will distend it, but don't squirrel it away in a pile, either. Scrunching up a thing that's been worn will let any detritus on it fester and next time you go to wear it, it may need a wash. Air is good.

Now, when the season has ended and you have to put away your garment for a while, you really must rewash and reblock it. And Sarah Read, a braver woman than I, will tell you all about it in her blog next week.
Happy crocheting!
Marcy

Chain Reaction eBook Is Here!

Marcy Smith — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 09:00:00 GMT

The Chain Reaction Afghan Project is underway. We have a Crochet-Along getting started over in the forums. And, now, if you missed any of the issues with square patterns, you can download the Chain Reaction Afghan eBook for free. Now you're all set to join in!

I'll be posting occasional photos to help you along with any tricky techniques. Please post any questions you have, and I--or one of your fellow crochet-alongers--will help you out. In addition, in August, we'll have available a DVD with video demonstrations of techniques, as well as suggestions for colorways and alternate square combinations. You can get a peek at these demonstrations in Knitting Daily TV, Series 700, which starts this Thursday. In this series, I team up with Kristen Omdahl to guide you through the Chain Reaction Afghan. Check the listing for times in your area.

The square on my hook right now is the Tunisian Cables square by Angela "ARNie" Grabowski. Tunisian crochet is sort of a fusion of knit and crochet, because you pick up loops all the way across like in knitting, then release them from the hook two loops at a time, much like crochet. ARNie exploits the knitterly angle of Tunisian with her truly innovative cables. In traditional crochet, cables are usually worked with post stitches. In this brilliant Tunisian fusion, ARNie works the cables just as you would in knitting. Here's how:

First pick up the stitches before the cable, as indicated in the pattern. Then, you use a second hook to pick up three stitches, like this:

For the front cable, you hold these stitches to the front.

You pick up the next few stitches with your original hook.

Then you slide the loops from the second hook onto the first hook. This crosses the stitches to form a cable crossing (you'll have to work the next couple of rows before you can appreciate the beauty of this.)

You now have a lumpy-looking bunch of stitches on your hook. Fret not. All will work out on the return pass. You'll just pull them through a little more slowly, making sure that you're releasing the loops in order.

ARNie includes both front and back cables. For the back cable, you slide your first stitches to a second hook, just like with the front cable, but you hold them to the back when you pick up the next few stitches. Then you slide the stitches from the back hook onto the original hook, just like with the front cable. This time, the stitches cross in the back.

Easy peasy!

Have you worked this square yet? If so, post a picture in the forum! We'd love to see it. If you haven't done it yet, put some easy jazz on the Pandora and put the kids to bed. You'll want to give it your full attention. And you'll feel like a wizard when you get going on it!

If you get stuck, you know where to find us!

See you there!
Marcy

QRochet Geekiness

Marcy Smith — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 09:00:00 GMT

I love it when handmade strikes up a happy relationship with high-tech.

So, here's what happens when I find myself on a long flight with black and white yarn and some graph paper:

Dial up a QR Reader on a smart phone and give it a whirl.

Happy crocheting!
Marcy

Join the Chain Reaction Afghan Crochet-Along!

Marcy Smith — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 17:43:00 GMT

Come join the Chain Reaction Afghan Project Crochet-Along!

The Chain Reaction Afghan Project was born a year ago. A merger of professional and amateur designers, it features 20 squares and a border that appeared in Interweave Crochet magazine over five issues, and three bonus squares, available online. You can read all about it.

Here's what the completed Chain Reaction Afghan looks like:

(photo by Joe Hancock)

In this crochet-along, we'll work on the squares together, one per week.

Select whatever yarn tickles your fancy. The Chain Reaction Afghan is worked in washable worsted weight, so if you're going for gauge, select a worsted.

This is what you'll need.

Patterns: Available in these issues of Interweave Crochet: Summer 2010, Fall 2010, Winter 2010 and Spring 2011. In the Summer 2011 issue, you'll find directions for putting all the squares together and adding a chain border. (NOTE: I've link to the digital issues, but paper issues are available for some. Check the Interweave Store.)

If you missed any of these issues, you can purchase them in the Interweave Store (that way, you'll get all the other great patterns and articles in the issues). If you want just the patterns, in about mid-July, all the patterns will be available as a free eBook. Stay tuned for details. If you want to get started before then, we'll be working the squares in the order they were published, so if you get the Summer 2010 issue, that should hold you over until the eBook is available.

And, that's not all! Later this summer, there will be a DVD available with tips on techniques used in the afghan, as well as ideas for customizing your afghan. Kristin Omdahl and I taped these segments as part of Knitting Daily TV Series 700 and I'm thrilled that all these tips will be available in one place. Stay tuned for more information on this.

Now, for the yarn needs:

Yarn: Washable worsted-weight yarn. Below are estimated yardage for colors as used in the original Chain Reaction Afghan, including border

(A) blue 850 yd
(B) cream 1,000 yd
(C) green 1,400 yd
(D) orange 900 yd
(E) purple 1,200 yd
(F) red 700 yd

Hooks: H, I, J as needed for gauge (see patterns for details)

Here's the schedule, by week, with the name of the square and designer:

June 20 Circles Squared (Kathy Merrick)
June 27 Double Twist (Drew Emborsky)
July 4 Framed Flower (Edie Eckman)
July 11 Making Links (Kristin Omdahl)
July 18 Tunisian Cables (Angela Grabowski)
July 25 Lotus Blossom (Robyn Chachula)
Aug 1 Woven Arrowheads (Lily Chin)
Aug 8 Picture Frame (Lisa Naskrent)
Aug 15 Log Cabin Petals (Annette Petavy)
Aug 22 Tapestry Crochet Heart (Carol Ventura)
Aug 29 Woven Threads (April Garwood)
Sept 5 Circle Star (Julie Yeager)
Sept 12 Circle Around (Julie Yeager)
Sept 19 Intertwining Loops (Victoria Hewerdine Thornton)
Sept 26 ZigZag (Judith Bailey)
Oct 3 Snow at Midnight (Marion Braum)
Oct 10 Dilly Dahlia (Margaret MacInnis)
Oct 17 Ripples on a Coral Reef (Victoria Hewerdine Thornton)
Oct 24 Over Under Square (D. Jacob "Jake" Wildstrom)
Oct 31 Lace Square (Julie Yeager)
Nov 7 Put afghan together
Nov 14 Work border

Whew! That's a bunch of crocheting! The great thing about these squares is that you can learn a new technique with each square. Since they're so different, we'll all want to share our tips as we work them. Really, my fingers are itching to get started on the Circles Squared by Kathy Merrick!

And, when you make and donate a competed afghan, Interweave will make a donation to Warm Up America. Just send an email to crochet@interweave.com with a picture of your completed afghan, who you donated it to and why, and information about the crocheters who made the afghan. A photo of your completed afghan may appear in a future issue of Interweave Crochet.

Stop by the forum and join in! Let us know what colors you'll be using, the kind of yarn, and tips as you crochet along.

I look forward to crocheting with you! Together, we can do great things!

Best,

Marcy