the ANGRY KNITTER: May 2006

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Crochet Madness
Tuesday, May 30, 2006

I've tried my hand at amigurumi again, this time after tackling a couple of easy crochet projects as a warm up. Since I felt more comfortable about weilding the hook, I dug in and and crafted another chihuahua. Please don't ask where I got the pattern: I didn't use one. And I didn't write down what I was doing as I did it. I know, not very bright of me, but I think it adds to the one-of-a-kindness of my new chi baby. I tried to knit her a sweater, but her head is so large there was no way it was going to fit, so I made her a little pink cape instead. I made the doll in one day.

I also finished another crochet project yesterday. Can you believe I finished something? Trust me, I'm in shock myself. I spent the last week or so making the "Exchange Bag" from Stitch 'N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker. I chose a sophisticated taupe nylon yarn. The result is handbag Kyle says looks like something an old lady would tote her bingo markers around in. Whatever. I like it. I need to get a snap for it today so it won't gape open. I have enough yarn left over to make another one--for my grandma perhaps. This bag was a good project to tackle, because it forced me to really look at the stitches I was making. I had to go back and rip out the middle part of the bag twice because I messed up the pattern. But it all worked well. Now I have yet another bag and I've sharpened my crocheting chops.

posted at 9:29 AM . link .

. (8) comments
8 Comments:

That chihuahua is too cute. I like the bag, too. Maybe you can tote all your chihuahuas in it;)

By Acornbud, at 12:53 PM

The chihuahua made me laugh out loud. That's fabulous! Great job :-)

By Valerie Polichar, at 2:09 PM

Again, I absolutely adore them both. (But I'm an 80-year-old woman waiting to happen - so your husband might be right)
It makes me want to start working on one or several of my projects.

By Olivia Cobiskey, at 9:38 PM

Fabulous! Do you take commissions? I don't think that the Chawazek household would be complete without a croqueted Chihuahua.

By Anonymous, at 11:24 AM

Heather, I will definitely take it under consideration.

By Spacegirl, at 3:38 PM

I started that bag and got frustrated since you have to get it right. It gives me hope to see that you have done it and had trouble yourself!

By Anonymous, at 11:18 AM

I can't even remember how many times I had to rip it out and start over again. Many times! I made this bag three times, in different colors, and only on the first go was I so anal to make it just right. The other two bags have a few mistakes in them, but no one other than a crocheter would notice. :^)

Good luck with your bag!

By Spacegirl, at 11:26 AM

Thanks for this bloog post

By Erica Rogers, at 5:16 PM

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The Problem With Knitting Socks
Monday, May 15, 2006

I've discovered the drawback to knitting socks: when you finish one, you're only half done. Or in my case, three-quarters done. I brought the second sock along with me on my trip to Italy, but I was too busy taking my mom to the 24 hour emergency dentist to knit much. Then I got home and put the sock on a shelf. I know, it's very sad to leave one sock in a drawer with out it's mate, but c'est la vie.

I've been crocheting a lot recently. I got Stitch 'N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker, and now crocheting makes more sense to me. Not as much sense as knitting, but Debbie Stoller has made it a little more comprehensible. My first finished project was the One Skein Scarf which I made in Peacock Classic Wool. I have a ton of Peacock Classic Wool in my stash. Years ago I bought many skeins for a sweater, but after that project became a lost cause I rolled it into balls which have taken up abode in my stash drawer (keeping the one sock company, I dare say).

Then I started making the green shrug from "Cutting Edge" magazine. It's a very easy pattern, but, of course, I finished half of it before I noticed a huge mistake I made right at the beginning. I hate patterns that don't include schematics. Not to mention I look like the swamp thing when I try it on. I should just stick to making non-garment projects.

Like the dishrag I just made from a pattern in Mason-Dixon Knitting. It's the right size. It's functional. I've already used it more than once. Plus, Kyle thinks I'm a genius. He wants more. More dishrags! Oh joy!

I'm also making granny squares galore. Perhaps this time I will make enough to sew together an afghan. I'm using various shades Patons Decor yarn from my prodigious stash. Kyle was pleased to learn that I hadn't bought any more yarn.

posted at 1:03 PM . link .

. (3) comments
3 Comments:

I love those dishrags - I've made four, I've got a baby bib going (from MD Knitting) and I'm also working on Absorba, the giant bath mat. No more cotton purchases for me!

By Jen, at 1:23 PM

Yeah, that bath mat looks cool. I'm trying to use up stash, so I won't be able to make that yet--I don't have that much cotton on hand. But I would like to make some of the bibs or maybe that baby blanket for yet another baby that's on its way!

By Spacegirl, at 1:44 PM

Hi there, I was searching flickr for granny squares and came upon yours. I love the colours you used. Did you ever make it into an afghan? Could you point me to a photo if you did? I just crocheted my first square tonight - made a couple of mistakes. Need inspiration to keep going. Cheers, Andi.

By Anonymous, at 6:24 AM