More Patterns to Come

Well, the beanie hat is in testing and will be offered on here when my testers are finished with it. We'll see how that goes. I stopped using Ravelry for now due to a bunch of random things you don't want to hear about, so my testers are mainly Stitchingupastorm and some friends from the knitting group...which means I have no deadline on how long they can take to work on it...and have no idea when you will see the pattern. So you are left wondering and waiting. :P Once that is done, I will be sure to get some more patterns tested and available on here, but it might wait until after the Christmas season. 

On a happier note, we officially are moved into the new apartment and are mostly finished unpacking. I'm happy to report that I am now in possession of a 'yarn closet'! Because who doesn't want a whole closet full of awesome? I really should take a picture of it with my camera, but I've been a bit busy and lazy...I'll fix it after Thanksgiving. And now that I've spent several hours on the internet watching Tobuscus videos, I think I'll get off the couch and do something productive...like blissfully sit in the yarn closet.

Child Size Shell Headband Pattern

So, for those of you who have made my Easy Shell Headband, this is the adjusted version for child sizing. I altered it to fit a child who was around 5-years-old, so if you are looking to make one for preteen children it would be better just to alter the number of chains at the end of the original pattern. 

Same rules apply as my other patterns: You are allowed to do whatever you want with items made from this pattern (because it is free on the internet and I obviously can't stop you).  Sell them, donate them, give them to your dog as a chew toy, whatever.  

Just don't claim the pattern as your own or try to sell it.  Give credit where it is due.  

Thanks!

Also, if you find any mistakes or have problems following the pattern, please leave a comment on this post and I will do my best to help.

Hook:

H/8

Yarn used:

Simply Soft or other worsted weight yarn

Stitches and abbreviations used: The pattern uses US crochet terms.

• Slip stitch (sl st)
• Chain (ch)
• Stitch (st), stitches (sts)
• Skip (sk)
• Treble crochet (tr)
• Shell: (3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr)
• Treble decrease (tr dec): YO twice, insert hook in next st, YO, pull up loop, YO, (pull through 2 loops on hook) twice. Repeat in next st, YO and pull through all 3 loops on hook.

Gauge: Not important for this pattern, just change the number of chains in the last row to make it fit any child-sized head.

Notes:

• The headband is worked lengthwise from narrow-to-narrow end.
• Row 16 can be altered for fitting. 14-16 chains are what I normally use when I make this pattern.  The best way to size it is to try the headband as written and then decide if you want it looser (chain more) or tighter (chain less).
• This headband takes me ~20 minutes to make when I am consistently working.  You can make this in one sitting.
• The treble stitches in Row 13 shells are inserted in both ends of the shell, in the top ch space, and the 2 tr on either side of the ch space.
• Shells can also be done (3 tr, ch 1, 3 tr) if desired.
• Ch 4 at beginning of each row counts as 1 tr.
• The top of the shell mentioned is the ch space.

Pattern:

       Row 1. Ch 5, tr in 5^th ch from hook. (2 tr)

       Row 2. Ch 4, turn, tr in same st, tr. (3 tr)

       Row 3. Ch 4, turn, tr in same st, tr in next 2 sts. (4 tr)

       Row 4. Ch 4, turn, tr in same st, 2 tr in next st, tr in next 2 sts. (6 tr)

       Row 5. Ch 4, turn, tr in same st, tr in next 5 sts. (7 tr)

       Row 6. Ch 4, turn, sk 3 tr, shell in next tr, tr in last st. (2 tr, 1 shell)

       Row 7. Ch 4, turn, tr in same st, shell in top of last row’s shell, 2 tr in last st. (4 tr, 1 shell)

       Row 8-9. Ch 4, turn, tr in same st, shell in top of last row’s shell, tr, tr in last st. (4 tr, 1 shell)

       Row 10. Ch 4, turn, shell in top of last row’s shell, tr dec. (2 tr, 1 shell)

       Row 11. Ch 4, turn, tr in outside st of shell, sk st, tr in next st and ch space, tr in next st, sk st, tr in next 2 sts. (7 tr)

       Row 12. Ch 4, turn, tr, tr dec, tr in next 3 sts. (6 tr)

       Row 13. Ch 4, turn, tr dec twice, tr. (4 tr)

       Row 14. Ch 4, turn, tr dec, tr. (3 tr)

       Row 15. Ch 4, turn, tr dec. (2 tr)

       Row 16. Ch 14, sl st in 5^th ch of Row 1.

Quick Question

So, before I go to bed tonight I wanted to ask a couple of quick questions. I figured out a way to convert the  Easy Shell Headband Pattern to child size. Should I add that as a note on the original post, or write it out as a separate pattern on here for people? Also, I wrote out a beanie hat pattern I designed on Friday and was wondering if anyone would like to test it for errors before I share it on here.

If no one comments on this, I will assume that these patterns are not wanted and will not worry about posting them...so please comment if you read this so that I will know to continue forward. (Even if you don't have an opinion, just let me know you saw it.)

Fibers Update

As promised, this post will be an update on everything that has been going on in my world fiber-wise.

First off, I finally finished another scarf on my loom. I like to call it the "brick-by-brick" scarf because it alternates black and red. It looked like bricks to me when I was making it, in any case. What do you think? It end has a twill pattern that switches directions in the black section and is a bit stiff while the middle is just a loose plain weave alternating the colors. It was my first time I had tried weaving loosely, and it is very nice to wear.

The end of the "Brick-by-Brick" Scarf.

The middle pattern and majority of the "Brick-by-Brick" Scarf.

After I finished that scarf, I taught my mother-in-law to weave. She loved it! It only took her one afternoon to finish her scarf because she was enjoying playing around with the loom so much. I don't have a picture of her scarf, but it is beautiful and very well crafted, especially considering it was her first time.

Learning to weave.

 These next two pictures are the scarf I have started on my loom right now. I'm using Caron Simply Soft Paints and it is turning out beautifully. I might see if I can get it finished this week so that my mother-in-law can have a chance to weave another scarf before Luke and I move out.

On my next woven scarf I plan on using the yarn below. I found it at Joann's and have been looking forward to weaving with some type of ribbon for a while now. It has a wonderful feel to it and will hopefully weave well.

Okay, now for the rest of the update from yesterday's adventure. A few of the girls from my knitting group and I went to the local fibers festival after the ACS walk. There were llamas and angora bunnies there that people could pet and all sorts of unspun fiber, yarn, and other products to buy. I didn't have any cash or my checkbook with me, so I had to borrow money from a friend. There were just so many amazing things there that I couldn't resist. We walked around for a while and I finally decided to buy some fiber that one of my friends is going to spin into yarn for me and a ski shuttle made by a man who does woodcarving. There were door prizes there, but I wasn't going to sign up because I didn't come in the main door...luckily I was convinced to sign up and ended up winning a scarf. It's 100% wool and is scratchy to me, so I won't probably wear it very often/at all. It might end up getting gifted to someone in the future.

The doorprize I won.

The tag on my doorprize.

The ski shuttle with the man's business card.
His woodworking is amazing and extremely well crafted.

Full look of my new ski shuttle.

The fiber I couldn't leave without.
It's in its bag so that you can see its contents.

The different fibers I bought to be spun.

A close up of the fiber I couldn't live without. It is sparkly, soft, and SO beautiful.

Here's a picture of Pippin. Just for fun.
Disclaimer: I did not make that blanket.

Right now I am making an enterlac knitted blanket in addition to the scarf that is currently on the loom. I think that covers just about everything recent....Oh! I almost forgot! I crocheted a bunch of the shell headbands to sell for donations at the knit-a-thon fundraiser we did for ACS. I've made several more, but I still have to weave in the ends before I can sell/donate/wear them. I have friends who think I should sell them on Etsy, but I don't have an account on there yet and don't know if I really want to have to deal with figuring out how to ship them. Do you guys have any suggestions, ideas, or advice on that?

Until next time,

~Andromeda

Non-fibers Update

Well now, it has been a very long time since I've posted on here. I hope you guys haven't been too disappointed. :P I am now employed at a local child care center working with one-year-olds on weekday afternoons, so I no longer sit on the couch all day and goof off. It's good, because I was gaining too much weight and was getting bored of having no set routine. In any case, both of those things have been resolved. I love working with the children! We have an awesome class to work with, but I probably won't say anything else about it. We aren't really supposed to discuss the children with other people, and I imagine posting stories about them online would be why that rule is in place. :) Luke is doing well too. He got a job at Kroger in the meat department. He's still looking for his career job, but he's making good money and has room for advancement if takes a while to find a job more suited to his field of study.

Also we have officially found an apartment and signed the lease for it! I won't tell you all of the crazy details that went along with that process, but I will say that God's hand has definitely been guiding us through everything. The apartment is 2 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms, so I will have a separate room to keep Pippin from having unsupervised access to my yarn and anything else we don't want her destroying. She is pretty good about not causing trouble when we are in the room with her, but sometimes she can't control herself and tries to eat my lovely projects and supplies. She is a cat after all! In any case, we will be moving in a few weeks and will no longer be living with my mother-in-law. *excitement dance* Don't get me wrong, I love my in-laws and we all get along really well, but it is nice when you are married to be able to have your own place. Plus Pippin tends to bully my mother-in-law's cat, Whiskers, so it will be nice for him to get his home back. The only things we have to do before we move in are get Pippin her annual Rabies shot, set up utilities, and pack up the stuff that isn't already in storage. Oh, and learn how to plan meals better so that we don't eat out so much. lol

Wow, I just checked my old posts and have nothing about the knitting group! I suppose I'll have to start from the beginning on that. When we moved to the area, I was looking for a yarn related group to join so that I would know more people and begin to make friends. I was very lonely. For a little while I was going to two a week, one on Friday nights at a local yarn store and the other on Monday nights at a local coffee shop. I liked both pretty well, but the one on Friday nights was at an awkward time for eating dinner and the women are outside of my generation. That's not normally a problem, but it was far enough removed that I didn't understand most of the references they made and was usually lost during the social conversations. Now that I have my job I wouldn't be able to go to that one even if I was still trying to, but it was fun to meet all of the people there. The knitting group on Monday night is more varied in age; I am still the youngest in the group, but several of the people are closer to my stage in life. And I understand more of the references that are brought up. So, I decided to continue going there and have made some awesome friends!

This month has been Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so the knitting group has been raising funds for ACS (the American Cancer Society). We had a 'knit-a-thon' near the beginning of the month to help with our fundraising and were featured in a local newspaper! It was pretty exciting. Hmmm...maybe I can find a picture from that...hold on a second. Nevermind, I'll have to do that in a different post because this one is getting too long. In any case, we raised quite a bit that night and with other donations we ended up exceeding our fundraising goal. We raised $1083.81 for breast cancer research! Woo! The 5-mile walk in Nashville was yesterday, so needless to say, my legs feel like pudding. Only a few of us were able to make it out there, but it was definitely a wonderful experience. Afterwards we went to a fibers festival that was held nearby, but that will have to wait for my "Fibers Update" post later today. :)

Until next time,

~Andromeda

Blast from the Past

Remember that rainbow armband I mentioned in one of my first posts?  The one that was my first crochet project?  I found it!  Here's a picture of my wonderful beginnings. :P

End of Vacation

So, every year my extended family goes down to Florida for a beach trip together.  I love being down there and greatly enjoy the family time, but the drive is frustratingly long.  Yesterday's drive home was especially painful because we had to drive through thunderstorms...which if you are reading this and don't know me, storms give me pressure headaches.  Sometimes migraines if the system is bad enough.  In any case, I had a wonderful time at the beach but vacation is now over and I need to go find a job.  Tomorrow.

I don't have any test patterns to work on right now, so I'm trying to figure out what to do with my yarn time.  I am going to crochet a couple of hats for family members who graduated this year, but I don't have all of the information on those yet.  I could work on the table runner that Mom wants for her kitchen table.  I think maybe I'll do that or work on weaving a new scarf.  Maybe I'll even finish editing a pattern and get it tested for you guys.  What do you think I should do next?

I've gotten a few things crocheted since the move that I haven't posted pictures of yet.  

Let's see how many...

Pea Hat Test
No Pattern Available Yet.  Still in Testing.
There is a Pea Pod that went along with this test, but I did not sign up for it...so I have not finished crocheting it.

Patchy Puppy Hat Test
Pattern Link
This Hat is both adorable and really fun to make.  You should try it out!

We went to the zoo...
this has nothing to do with crocheting, but I like the picture.

Commissioned Hat!!  I got paid!
Plus I really like the way the hat turned out.

Brimmed Sun Hat for Mom
Pattern Link
I finished it in time for her to wear it on the beach!

Apparently I have finished 4 projects since the move.  I thought I had done more than that...strange...

So, let me know what you think I should crochet next.  Until next time, ~Andromeda.

Moving Woes

Well, for those of you that don't know, we are in the process of packing up our apartment for the move to Middle Tennessee.  I am currently avoiding packing up the kitchen.  Anyway, while 'packing' my studio I found out that I have a lot more yarn than I remembered...so I'm on my first yarn diet.  I'm not sure if I should be stash-busting or trying to make my yarn last as long as possible so we can save money.  I think it might last me quite a while either way.  I'm not sure I've seen any stash-busting projects that aren't blankets, so maybe I'll just work on Christmas presents, writing more patterns and whatever else I come across along the way.  Whittle down the stash one little project at a time.

I have been working on that belt pattern, but goodness I am terrible at sizing!  Normally when I make hats and write down patterns, I avoid gauge like the plague.  I suppose it is time for me to actually start paying attention to such things, but I really just like crocheting by the seat of my pants and altering patterns to fit me along the way!  I will probably end up putting a different pattern up here before that belt one is finished, but for now I think I'm going to test for other designers.  At least until we are settled in the new location.  That way I don't lose any of my patterns in the move.  

We've decided that the loom will be kept in our bedroom at the new house, but that means we won't be able to keep Pippin in there when she is being a bully towards Whiskers.  Not sure how that is going to work out, but it was the best solution for me to have easy access to the loom and be able to practice my weaving skills.

  

Oh, the husband started cleaning/packing...I suppose I should stop procrastinating and get back to work!

Easy Shell Headband Pattern

And now the pattern I promised you guys yesterday!  Same rules as the other pattern: You are allowed to do whatever you want with items made from this pattern (because it is free on the internet and I obviously can't stop you).  Sell them, donate them, give them to your dog as a chew toy, whatever.  

Just don't claim the pattern as your own or try to sell it.  Give credit where it is due.  

Thanks!

EDIT on 08/04/14: I have created a photo tutorial for this pattern. Go here if you need it.

For child-sized, see my new post here.

Easy Shell Headbands

Hook:

H

Yarn used:

Simply Soft

Stitches and abbreviations used: The pattern uses US crochet terms.

• Slip stitch (sl st)
• Chain (ch)
• Stitch (st), stitches (sts)
• Skip (sk)
• Treble crochet (tr)
• Shell: (3 tr, ch 2, 3 tr)
• Treble decrease (tr dec): YO twice, insert hook in next st, YO, pull up loop, YO, (pull through 2 loops on hook) twice. Repeat in next st, YO and pull through all 3 loops on hook.

Gauge: Not important for this pattern, just change the number of chains in the last row to make it fit any sized head.

Notes:

• The headband is worked lengthwise from narrow-to-narrow end.
• Row 18 can be altered for fitting. 14-16 chains fit my head, but I don’t like things to be tight.  The best way to size it is to try on the headband as written and then decide if you want it looser (chain more) or tighter (chain less).
• This headband takes me ~20 minutes to make when I am consistently working.  You can make this in one sitting.
• The treble stitches in Row 13 shells are inserted in both ends of the shell, in the top ch space, and the 2 tr on either side of the ch space.
• Shells can also be done (3 tr, ch 1, 3 tr) if desired.
• Ch 4 at beginning of each row counts as 1 tr.
• The top of the shell mentioned is the ch space.

Pattern:

Row 1. Ch 5, tr in 5^th ch from hook. (2 tr)

Row 2. Ch 4, turn, tr in same st, tr. (3 tr)

Row 3. Ch 4, turn, tr in same st, tr in next 2 sts. (4 tr)

Row 4. Ch 4, turn, tr in same st, 2 tr in next st, tr in next 2 sts. (6 tr)

Row 5. Ch 4, turn, tr in same st, tr in next 5 sts. (7 tr)

Row 6. Ch 4, turn, sk 3 tr, shell in next tr, tr in last st. (2 tr, 1 shell)

Row 7. Ch 4, turn, tr in same st, shell in top of last row’s shell, 2 tr in last st. (4 tr, 1 shell)

Row 8. Ch 4, turn, tr in same st and next st, shell in top of last row’s shell, tr, 2 tr in last st. (6 tr, 1 shell)

Row 9-10. Ch 4, turn, tr in next 2 sts, shell in top of last row’s shell, tr in next 3 sts. (6 tr, 1 shell)

Row 11. Ch 4, turn, tr dec, shell in top of last row’s shell, tr dec, tr in last st. (4 tr, 1 shell)

Row 12. Ch 4, turn, shell in top of last row’s shell, tr dec. (2 tr, 1 shell)

Row 13. Ch 4, turn, tr in outside st of shell, sk st, tr in next st and ch space, tr in next st, sk st, tr in next 2 sts. (7 tr)

Row 14. Ch 4, turn, tr, tr dec, tr in next 3 sts. (6 tr)

Row 15. Ch 4, turn, tr dec twice, tr. (4 tr)

Row 16. Ch 4, turn, tr dec, tr. (3 tr)

Row 17. Ch 4, turn, tr dec. (2 tr)

Row 18. Ch 14, sl st in 5^th ch of Row 1.

Pattern Stalling

I have another pattern ready to be posted on here...but I didn't want to put two patterns in a row and get you guys all excited that I'm going to start posting patterns everyday.  And I didn't think it would be finished testing so quickly.  So this is my post to stall the pattern and hopefully show exciting things.  Tomorrow is my official presentation for my research topics from this semester, so I'm scrambling to make all sorts of things in an attempt to have more to show...and make myself less nervous about the whole process.  It's not working.  If you could see my nerves they would look like this:

Except they don't have the excuse of caffeine

*does nervous jittery things*  Wait, you are still here?  I suppose I could talk some more to make myself less nervous.  I Love Ravelry.  Just so you know.  I have gotten so much encouragement for writing out my own patterns and designing, not to mention the awesome friends I have made so far.  Like I mentioned earlier, I had another pattern being tested, but my testers got done earlier than I thought they would...in less than 24 hours I requested testers, found them, sent out patterns, and everyone finished testing.  Granted, it is an quick pattern to make, but that is record time for a test!  Here's a picture of what I was having tested so you can get excited for the pattern: 

Easy Shell Headbands!

In other news, the clay baskets I've been working on in the ceramics studio are finally dry and ready for their first firing.  They won't be done for the presentation tomorrow, but I have some pictures of them to show what I've learned.  I'm praying they survive, because they will be awesome if they ever get glazed and finished.

I particularly love the basket bowl on the right!

And I have pictures of Doilies 7-10.  I was hoping to get #11 done before my presentation, but my hands are too shaky to crochet tonight.  Maybe I will be able to finish it in the morning.

Doilies 7-10

Doily #7

Doily #8

Doily #9

Doily #10

Today I wore my new hat made from Frugal Fashionista's Spider Web Slouchy Hat pattern!  I wanted to wait and wear it at the presentation, but I could not contain my excitement and ended up wearing it to the studio today.  It was one of the CAL hats for this month...so I finished it on May 2nd.  I suppose that means I need to work on the other hats for this month.  OR maybe I'll just make more from the same pattern.  I ended up counting out warps in the studio today to prepare the loom for a blanket (when I'm finished with its current warp...which may not be for a while).  And I finished testing a pattern for a fellow Ravelry member. In any case, here are my finished hats:

Cyclops/Zombie Frog.  AKA the unfinished Frog Hat.

I think that is enough stalling.  I will post the headband pattern tomorrow after the presentation.  :)

Indiana Memory Pattern

I told you guys that I would post up the finished pattern for the Indiana Memory scarf, so here it is!

Enjoy! 

Just for the record, you are allowed to do whatever you want with scarves made from this pattern (because it is free on the internet and I obviously can't stop you).  

Sell them, donate them, give them to your dog as a chew toy, whatever.  

Just don't claim the pattern as your own or try to sell it.  Give credit where it is due.  

Thanks!

Indiana Memory Scarf

Yarn used: 

• Caron Simply Soft Bone (Color A)
• Caron Simply Soft Collection Pistachio (Color B)

Hooks:

• H for beginning chain,
• G for rest of scarf

 Stitches used: This pattern uses US crochet terms.

• Single crochet (sc)
• Slip stitch (sl st)
• Chain (Ch),
• Double Crochet (dc),
• Treble cluster: YO twice, insert hook in next dc, YO, pull up loop, YO, (pull through 2 loops on hook) twice. Repeat in same dc, YO and pull through all 3 loops on hook.
• Petal (single crochet, ch 4, treble cluster in next st, ch 4, single crochet in next st)

Gauge: Gauge is not important for this scarf, so it can easily be done in any size yarn with a hook that goes well with that yarn.  My finished scarf had a width of 4.5 in./11 cm and was approximately 5 ft 10 in./178 cm long. 

For base (not edging):

Colors alternate one row of Color A, 3 rows of Color B (except when noted).

There should be 13 dc per row (or 7 dc alternating with 6 ch).

Ch 3 at beginning of row counts as 1 dc.

Pattern:

Row 1:          Ch 16 (with H hook and Color A)

Row 2:          With G hook (from now on) in Color A dc in 5^th st from hook, dc across, in last dc keep 2 loops on hook

Row 3:          In Color B, finish last dc, ch 3, turn, sk st, dc across

Row 4:          Ch 4, turn, sk 2 sts, dc, *ch 1, sk st, dc*

Row 5:          Ch 3, turn, dc in 1^st space, dc across (there should be 2 dc in the ch 4 space), in last dc keep 2 loops on hook

Row 6:          In Color A, finish last dc, ch 3, turn, sk st, dc across, in last dc keep 2 loops on hook

Repeat Rows 3-6 until desired length without edging.  In last row of Color A, don’t keep 2 loops on hook…just dc last st.

For Edging:

There should be 7 petals on each end of the scarf.

  

Edging:

Row 1:             In Color A, sl st in top of last dc (or ch 3 sp), ch 3, *sc in side of next row, ch 3*, sl st in bottom of first dc

Row 2:             Repeat on other side

Row 3:             In Color B, start at second row from end, sc in ch 3 space, ch 3, sc in next ch 3 space, ch 4, treble cluster in first st of end row, ch 4, sc in next st, petal across, last petal should end with sc in side of the top row

Row 4:             In Color B, *ch 3, sc in next ch 3 space*

Row 5:             Repeat (Row 3)

Row 6:             Repeat (Row 4),  Sl st in first sc of (3)

Row 7:             Finish off and weave in all ends

Weekend Before Finals

The last week of classes are over and the only 'finals' I have are presentations for my research topics.  That basically means that this next week I will be doing a lot of crocheting and researching various ceramics artists.  This next week will also be my last week of work at the BCM.  Sad day.  I rather like being a secretary, but it is time to move to the next stage in my life.  Hopefully I can get a job at Hobby Lobby (or maybe some related store near to where we are moving).  I would love to work at a local yarn store, but I know I am not experienced enough with knitting and do not have connections...yet.  But Hobby Lobby would be good, because I love their brand of yarn and convince people to get it all the time.  Plus I've helped many people find what they need in Hobby Lobby stores, almost as much as the people who officially work there. *wink*  And I wouldn't have to worry about working on Sundays, because Hobby Lobby is closed for religious reasons!  I would get to go to church every week!  Perfect!

Anyway, I finished the April CAL hat and have finished another doily in my "Doily Challenge".  Below are the pictures.

Doily #5.  I know I said I wasn't going to photograph it until blocking, but I was able to stretch it into shape by hand.

Doily #6

I have two more of the doilies finished and I'm about halfway done with #9, but I don't have pictures taken of those yet.  Maybe when I finish 9 and 10 I will post pictures of the newest ones.  I did get my Indiana Memory scarf pattern tested, so soon I should have that available for you guys on here.  I know I don't have a lot of readers on here, but I'm hoping that will change when I get a couple of patterns posted.  I now have one follower!  Exciting day.  Here's to more followers in the future:

Cheers!

CAL

This past 24 hours have been crazy.  I officially hate my Children's Literature professor, but I'm done with all of the work for her class now so I don't really have to deal with her ignorance anymore.  Hooray! More time for yarn! I joined a new group on Ravelry this afternoon called "Hat of the Month" where we do crochet-alongs (or knit-alongs for those needle people).  They abbreviate it CAL, which just reminds me of "Silence In The Library" which is sad because we just finished watching through Doctor Who with the roommate.  (We have watched through it several times, but we had introduced him to it and he and the husband watched all of the episodes together...I sometimes tagged along.)  In any case, I started my first CAL on this pattern. I like it so far, and just happened to have the yarn listed in the pattern in my stash from Phil's scarf.  Score!  Oh, by the way, I made a belt yesterday.  My pants were falling down, so I made up a belt while sitting in the fibers studio.  It needs some tweaking before it will be considered a good pattern, but it served its purpose yesterday.  :)
Here's a picture:

Impromptu Belt

Those last two pictures are dreadful...but my camera doesn't like indoor night photographs. 

So, that's about it.  The Pippin is leaving with the mother-in-law this weekend.  We need her to get used to her new roommate, Whiskers, and it will help not to have her under our feet when we pack everything up for the move back to middle TN.  I'm really going to miss her during the last week of classes and finals, but I'll use that sadness to propel myself into new crochet projects.  Right now she is trying to help the husband play LOTRO.  She likes pressing the buttons for him.  

I swear if she had thumbs she would be a computer guru.  :P

Until next time,

Andromeda

Ravelry

So I finally joined Ravelry...and I'm hooked!  I've been exploring the site for the past few days and making new friends.  There is so much useful information on there for people who want to learn new techniques, which is perfect for me!  My name on there is Arbocal because Andromeda was already taken....but I've technically been using Arbocal longer, mainly on video games/short stories.

I posted a pattern for testing on there, so hopefully once it is tested I will be posting it on here for free.  You remember the "Indiana Memory" scarf, right?  Oh, I just checked...I had not posted that one on here yet.  Here's a picture:

Indiana Memory scarf (pattern soon to come)

So...I finished the fifth doily from the "Doily Challenge" I started.  I will not be posting pictures of that one until I learn how to block though, because the center is trying to be crooked and looks silly.  I did start using the correct size thread though, so it turned out the size it was supposed to.  *wink*

Well, I'm off to crochet and/or do some homework.  Only two weeks left!!!

The Promised Pictures

  So...we didn't finish watching "Rose Red" last night because it was dark outside and I was starting to get creeped out. We finished up the night with a few rowdy episodes of "Cheers!"  But, as promised, I have taken some pictures of the projects mentioned in yesterday's post. Plus a few extra that I remembered when I dropped into the yarn room.

The woven pieces mentioned in yesterday's post.

The fuzzy blanket of awesomeness!

Close up of the fuzzy blanket.  See how soft it it?

The yarn used in the fuzzy blanket (except the blanket has white instead of yellow)

  If you weave at all, you should definitely check out the Bernat Pipsqueak yarn.  The colors are mostly pastel and baby-like, but the white can be used for non-baby projects.  I'm going to be grabbing some more of it next time I see it on sale at JoAnn's to make a larger blanket!

The zig-zag twill scarf

Close up of the zig-zag twill scarf

Loomie! With no warp...again. :(

A piece of Yo-Yo Crochet (I call it a coaster)

  That last one was me learning how to do a process called Yo-Yo Crochet.  It was supposed to be the start of a blanket, but I couldn't figure out how to do the next row...so it's now a coaster!  Eventually I will take the time to look for a tutorial on YouTube, but that will probably have to wait until after school ends to play with it some more.

 So, that was a fair amount of pictures.  I'm just testing your internet speed for you. *wink*