Black Dog

Yup, it’s true–I did crochet before I could knit. It all goes back nearly 40 years, when my maternal grandmother taught me to crochet first (on my fingers, in the back of the family paneled station wagon, headed towards Wisconsin on vacation….turquoise blue Aunt Lydia’s Rug Yarn, thank you very much for asking), and then she eventually taught me how to knit (tho I have NO recollection of us sitting down and learning K and P and more). But for years now, I’ve knitted almost exclusively, with only a little crochet thrown in for good measure.

Cut to this past June, while at the semi-annual TNNA market, where Matt, myself, Meg from Yarn Expressions (in AL), her daughter Liz, and the fabulous Kim Werker (editor of Interweave Crochet) all had dinner together to discuss how to promote crochet in our yarn shops. Not only was the company extraordinary and the food tasty, but the conversation was exciting, as we all shared ideas, lamented the challgenges of inspiring crocheters, and brainstormed on what to do as the fall fiber season arrived. Cut to last weekend, when Kim showed up for an event (preplanned by her, of course!) to launch the fall issue of Interweave Crochet with Sandi Wiseheart (you know her from Knitting Daily) in tow. Sandi was here (with her mannequin Bertha) with the idea of doing a gallery with crochet garments for Knitting Daily (GENIUS!) as well as to help local folk with fit and shape and alterations and color and and and. Suffice to say, it was a FAB weekend with two wonderful women, over 40 folks excited about crochet (one young woman and her mother drove over from Madison, WI), and tons of fab garments (seriously–every single garment from this issue was here for the weekend!). THANKS to all who particiapted!

So, a weekend of crochet means I left inspired to make several things, but only started two (I wanted to start two others, but I’ve resisted so far…but can’t forever…Robyn Chachula is calling…….via her new book “Blueprint Crochet”). First off, I started the Woodland Shawl by Kathy Merrick, which happens to be the cover project of the current issue

I’m using the same yarn (Manos Silk Blend, YUM YUM), but in a different color scheme

with a fun color for the flower edging

different than the original

but still beautiful. I’ll be teaching a class on this project starting in late October, and it’s something that’s VERY VERY VERY beginner friendly, as all you need to know how to do is chain, slip stitch, single crochet, and half double crochet, and maybe double crochet. Easy peasy!

I’ve also been seduced by yet another project from this issue

That’s the Ridge Swing Cardigan by Robyn Chachula (surprise!), made with Tahki Savoy, a luscious blend of silk and merino wool (I see a trend here……..silk………wool……….yum).

That’s an evening’s work–seriously! I haven’t touched it since Sunday (I started the shawl on Monday) and there’s not been much time for crafty business this week, as we have had some other stuff keeping us busy here at the shop (including absolute tonnages of new merchandise…check out the New Arrivals blog for details, of course. I’m also intrigued by this

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but not enough to start it........yet. Not that it isn't beautiful (and I mean beautiful!), but I have enough crochet to work on right now. Plus some knitting, too!

I’ve started a new pair of socks

using some BEAUTIFUL Creatively Dyed Ocean, a blend of Seacell and wool that’s hand dyed by Dianne in South Carolina and available at ThreadBear, of course. I’ve just started the pattern, so you can’t see it at all, but look how BEAUTIFUL that is knitting up so far…and I don’t even like yellow!

I did finish a sock in a day last week….behold my Sheep Feet sock

made with one skein of Sheep Feet from Sheep Shop Yarn Company (there’s plenty in the skein to make the second sock, as long as you stick to about a ladies’ 8.5, max). The pattern is free with purchase of the yarn, and it’s TONS of fun to knit (very easy) and goes fast, as the yarn is worsted weight and you use US 4 needles. YEAH, baby!

Gotta run, but there will be more later ………… most likely tomorrow (if I don’t leave now, I can’t make progress on projects to show you…..well, I do have a new cabled jacket to share….that I started a couple weeks ago). Back soon!

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