A Year of Projects: Update 2

Official List Updates:

• Basket for Crochet Finished 7 July 2013
• (NEW) Technique: Reading Charts
• (NEW) Object: Diamonds in the Rough

Here's a brief summary of everything for the week, with a link to each post if you're curious about the details or just really don't want to work on Monday morning!

Tunisian Practice & Botched Basket

I made a small swatch of the Tunisian Simple Stitch before trying to make a basket, but all of the edges were curling so I clearly have some more practice to do before I can cross the Tunisian Simple Stitch off my list. I ended up tossing the basket.

Finished: Basket for Crochet

Yay! This basket turned out quite well and is my first finish for the year. It was my first time crocheting with multiple strands together and it was a little tricky, but I think it was just because my hook was a little on the small side. The handles aren't perfectly symmetrical either but that's probably because I was having a glass of wine.

WIP: City Neckwarmer

Crocheting is done, just need to buy buttons and attach the fastener.

WIP: Original Design Cape

This has a long way to go but I am crazy about this yarn, such a cool effect.

Working top-down, the cowl and tops of shoulders are done.

I flew home this weekend and I won't be back until the end of August, so it'll be a while before you see either of these WIPs finished. Not to worry, though, it gives me an excuse to start new projects!

Adventures with Tunisian Crochet

This was my very first time working with Tunisian crochet. I followed a very wonderful tutorial by Crochet the Day Away.

Tunisian Basic Stitch Swatch

I started with making a small swatch to get a feel for the basic stitch before I made any real projects. I loved the pattern (both right and wrong sides) and the stiffness in the created fabric, but even with crocheting in a fashion that would normally be quite loose, my stitches felt very tight.

Tunisian Basic Stitch Swatch

As you can see in this picture, the fabric was curling a lot. This was after I tried to tame it with a little tugging and flattering camera angles. I also think I skipped a stitch at the beginning. Oops. I figured it was time to try making something with this stitch, and since the pattern reminds me of baskets, I figured it's a perfect stitch to make a little basket for the powder room to hold extra rolls of toilet paper.

I am admittedly quite embarrassed to show this, erm, piece of work. It didn't turn out at all how I wanted. This was my first ever basket and I just improvised a pattern instead of following one. Despite the stiffness of the Tunisian basic stitch compared to normal crochet stitches, it was still quite flimsy and I had major curl-age on the sides! I didn't even bother weaving in the ends because I know this piece is probably just going to get tossed.

I wasn't paying close enough attention at the end and accidentally made my contrast side panels go in two different directions since one was attached directly onto the side and the other was attached onto the base. I'm also not a big fan of the yarn colors. I'm not really a camo girl, and while the only then-current colors in the powder room were white and black (I know, how brave), this just did not look nice. Since then we bought a gorgeous, deep red hand towel so if it wasn't out before, it is now!





I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong to make the pieces curl up, but I think I will have to revisit this project later once I get yarn that looks nice with the new hand towel. Next time I'm going to try using a bigger, non-Tunisian hook to get a looser tension. I think I'll go back to flat things like dish towels for mastering the basic Tunisian stitch and then make my powder room basket with a multiple-strands-together technique.

Superman Crochet Round Up

I have had the new Superman movie's theme set on my Google Chrome browser since I got my laptop almost a year ago. One could say I'm a little excited. I am going to see the movie on Tuesday, but in the mean time, here are some great crochet patterns and goodies that are Superman themed!

I am dying to try turning one of these charts into a giant afghan! Did you see the Harley Davidson chart I linked on Twitter?. This website has a ton of super hero charts, so maybe I'll have to do a set of coffee mug cozies or scarves for the boyfriend's buddies. I've heard these work great with single crochets and the afghan stitch (aka Tunisian simple stitch) which are both square stitches.

SO. CUTE. It's from Arjeloops on Etsy. There's only one and it's reserved, but maybe if we ask really sweetly she'll make more. Earth needs more Superman.

Here's a downloadable pattern for a similar stuffed Superman for $5 by BotShop on Etsy.

Not Superman-specific, this is a free pattern for the iconic red cape. Alternatively make it in black and your little one turns into Batman. A crocheted cape would be perfect for those chilly Halloween nights.









Do you have any tips for working with charts? Who's the super hero lover in your life? Let me know in the comments!