tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19144584369874849732024-03-05T09:29:43.892-05:00On Hooks & NeedlesThis blog chronicles my crafty endeavors of crochet, knitting, designing and whatever else I'm doing at the moment. Now and again I throw in some sass and sarcasm, just to keep things interesting.Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285611780339551128noreply@blogger.comBlogger419125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914458436987484973.post-44187505119084201472012-03-02T09:45:00.009-05:002012-03-02T09:53:21.220-05:00Completed Project: Greenway Variation for JulianWhen I've got a bunch of baby blankets to make, I try to find a blanket pattern I really like, both for the look of it as well as the fun making it. This happened last year with the waves blankets (<a href="http://on-hooks-and-needles.blogspot.com/2010/01/completed-project-ocean-waves-blanket.html">one</a>, <a href="http://on-hooks-and-needles.blogspot.com/2010/02/completed-project-ocean-waves-blanket.html">two</a> and <a href="http://on-hooks-and-needles.blogspot.com/2010/05/completed-project-ocean-waves-baby.html">three</a>). This year, I'm loving the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/greenway">Greenway pattern</a>. After finishing <a href="http://on-hooks-and-needles.blogspot.com/2012/01/completed-project-lennons-blanket.html">Lennon's blanket</a>, my hook was busy crocheting this one. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6786767138/" title="Variation Blanket 06 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7043/6786767138_56b68b1c2a.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Variation Blanket 06"></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6786766350/" title="Variation Blanket 04 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7057/6786766350_3b32294d58.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Variation Blanket 04"></a><br />
<br />
As always,<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/OnHooksandNeedles/greenway-2"> details on Ravelry</a>. <br />
<br />
Using <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Brava_Worsted_Yarn__D5420219.html">Knit Picks Brava worsted weight yarn</a> in an array of blues, blueish greens and gray, I changed the striping pattern so I could buy the same number of skeins for each color. I was able to use just one skein of each color so I've got a second blanket waiting to be made.<br />
<br />
The border was improvised using single crochets, half-double crochets, herringbone half-double crochets, and sometimes crocheting into the back stitch.<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/knit-picks-brava-worsted">Brava yarn</a> that I used is a new line of 100% acrylic yarn for Knit Picks. I ordered it because the colors were exactly what I needed based on the baby's nursery. But I was very impressed with the quality of this yarn. I find it to be a bit softer than <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/lion-brand-vannas-choice-solids">Vanna's Choice</a> (of which I'm also a big fan) and you get more yarn for your money (219 yards vs. 170 yards).<br />
<br />
Little Julian arrived last weekend and I hope he enjoys his new blanket.Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285611780339551128noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914458436987484973.post-53803395806490104802012-02-15T15:30:00.009-05:002012-02-15T15:30:00.984-05:00A Good SportI was graciously adopted into <a href="http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/bos/fan_forum/redsox_nation.jsp">Red Sox Nation</a> when I met my husband, but I've kept my football allegiance my own. I've been cheering for the <a href="http://www.baltimoreravens.com/">Baltimore Ravens</a> since I moved to Maryland. This past football season was a rather tense one in our house since the Patriots were facing the Ravens in the conference championship. <br />
<br />
While we had a non-monetary bet with one another (the loser having to do that week's grocery shopping), I had a "sweeter" bet with a coworker. Also a native of New England, he's an avid Patriots fan. Our bet was that I would make a cake decorated in the winning team's colors. The loser would have to wear the winning team's jersey and pose for a photo to place on their profile on Facebook.<br />
<br />
The reason I was willing to put in all this effort to bake and decorate a cake was because it was part of the <a href="http://www.wilton.com/classes/gum-paste-and-fondant.cfm">Wilton gum paste and fondant class</a> I took in January. <br />
<br />
Sadly, the Ravens lost so I had to make red roses instead of the purple ones I really wanted to make. Here's the finished cake:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6881430209/" title="Pats Cake 07 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7065/6881430209_0772964a8b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Pats Cake 07"></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6881431357/" title="Pats Cake 06 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7046/6881431357_c010d5fb74.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Pats Cake 06"></a><br />
<br />
Pay no mind to the less-than-smooth sides. I <b>HATE</b> covering cakes in fondant because mine NEVER turn out smooth on the sides. I had hoped that this being my second fondant class I would finally be able to do it, but alas - that's why that blue border is there, helping hide the issues.<br />
<br />
The roses are <a href="http://www.wilton.com/technique/Gum-Paste-Rose">gum paste</a>, <a href="http://www.wilton.com/store/site/product.cfm?id=1B1F049F-423B-522D-FF5247A2328CA059&fid=1B1F04BE-423B-522D-FBF36CE0A134B46A">the letters</a> are fondant and the Patriots logo is <a href="http://www.wilton.com/idea/Color-Flow">color flow</a>. <br />
<br />
You may wonder why I'd put so much effort into the other team's cake. Well - it's still my reputation on the line for making pretty cakes. I'm not going to waste time on a bad finished product.<br />
<br />
I did wear my husband's jersey to work. <br />
<br />
I posed for the photo. <br />
<br />
It did end up as my Facebook profile picture. <br />
<br />
It was even submitted to <a href="http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/extras/show_off_your_patriots_pride/#/item-186763">the Boston Globe</a>. <br />
<br />
I was a good sport, don't you think?<br />
<br />
Though I do hope the Ravens win next year so I can make those roses in purple.Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285611780339551128noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914458436987484973.post-70893769264702404002012-01-20T06:30:00.001-05:002012-01-20T07:30:02.643-05:00Completed Project: Lennon's Blanket<i><b>FINALLY!!!</b></i> It's <u><b>DONE!!!!</b></u><br />
<br />
After missing 5 or 6 self-imposed deadlines, this blanket is finally done. It's bigger than a baby blanket for a good reason. The recipient is for "C's" new 4 year old grandson whose favorite color is green. Just because he joined the family at an older age doesn't mean he wasn't going to get his own blanket.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6725615635/" title="Lennon Blanket 01 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img alt="Lennon Blanket 01" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7007/6725615635_571627da2c.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
It's Lion Brand Vanna's Choice Yarn made with a J hook. As always, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/OnHooksandNeedles/greenway%20" target="_blank">all the details are on Ravelry</a>. <br />
<br />
It is so great finally completing this project - and it's going in the mail <u>TODAY!</u> Now I can start two other baby blankets before I have to start two more. What's in your queue for the New Year?<br />
<br />
<span id="yui_3_2_0_13_1327061373946425"><br class="yui-cursor" id="yui_3_2_0_13_1327061373946428" /></span>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285611780339551128noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914458436987484973.post-31267342844628186452012-01-19T13:00:00.005-05:002012-01-19T13:16:05.847-05:00Road Trip<span id="yiv772484575yui_3_2_0_13_1326892063754285">This year is off to <a href="http://on-hooks-and-needles.blogspot.com/p/year-of-lovely-things-2012.html" target="_blank"> a lovely start</a>. I spent a wonderful weekend in Virginia with my chosen sister, <a href="http://perchesinthesoul.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Perches</a>. Her new home is so delightful and welcoming, especially the backyard. Seamus was over the moon as he ran around the fenced backyard in the lush green grass. Some unpacking was completed, a cabinet or two organized, and so much food was enjoyed. </span><br />
<br />
<span id="yiv772484575yui_3_2_0_13_1326892063754285">I baked a cheesecake and a strawberry-cherry pie for Perches and her boys. Here's the pie, prebaked.</span><br />
<span id="yiv772484575yui_3_2_0_13_1326892063754285"> </span><br />
<span id="yiv772484575yui_3_2_0_13_1326892063754285"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6726650553/" title="Cherry Strawberry Pie by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img alt="Cherry Strawberry Pie" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6726650553_49055a46ae.jpg" width="500" /></a></span><br />
<span id="yiv772484575yui_3_2_0_13_1326892063754285"><br />
</span><br />
<span id="yiv772484575yui_3_2_0_13_1326892063754285">That's a homemade crust, a recipe I learned from my DH's awesome grandmother. I'm happy to report that the pie turned out delicious, even for breakfast.</span><br />
<br />
<span id="yiv772484575yui_3_2_0_13_1326892063754285">No additional photos to share because sometimes you have to live life as it happens rather than trying to photo-document it all. Other times you're too busy eating steak and cheesecake to remember to take photos of anything. </span><span id="yui_3_2_0_16_1326995496750291"><br class="yui-cursor" id="yui_3_2_0_16_1326995496750294" /></span>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285611780339551128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914458436987484973.post-15369530451735699752012-01-09T08:00:00.003-05:002012-01-09T08:00:10.325-05:00Year of Lovely Things 2012The <a href="http://on-hooks-and-needles.blogspot.com/p/year-of-lovely-things-2012.html" target="_blank">new list is up</a> and I've already crossed off a couple of items. No photos of the banana cream pie I made over the weekend as I was not happy with the consistency of the custard. Luckily, the custard's flavor was wonderful and the crust of the pie was spot on. <br />
<br />
I'm looking forward to move loveliness throughout the year! My first fondant and gum paste class is this week. Yay!Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285611780339551128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914458436987484973.post-34011911120705224102012-01-08T20:30:00.003-05:002012-01-08T20:37:32.935-05:00Year of Lovely Things 2011 - Recap<div style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Many a lovely thing was experienced and accomplished in 2011. Below is the list showing I got to cross of 44 of 52 lovely things. If there was a post about an item, I included a link. For those other 8 items (<span style="color: red;">in red</span>), some may return on the 2012 list.<br />
<br />
</div><b style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Make</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike><a href="http://on-hooks-and-needles.blogspot.com/2011/03/unanticipated-motivation-and.html">a small sewing project</a></strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="color: red;">a decorated cake</b> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">|<b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="color: red;">a gingerbread house</span></b> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike>pies</strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="color: red;">craft swap gifties</b> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike>reindeer candy canes</strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">|<b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="color: red;">a "window" for my new office</span></b> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike><a href="http://on-hooks-and-needles.blogspot.com/2011/06/oh-honey-honey.html">mead</a></strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="color: red;">butternut bisque</span></b> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike>a new appetizer recipe</strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">|<b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="color: red;">a new entree recipe</span></b> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike><a href="http://on-hooks-and-needles.blogspot.com/2011/04/weekend-of-lovely-things.html">a new dessert recipe</a></strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">a playlist for the iPod </span></b><br />
<br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Celebrate </b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike>the new job</strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike>my birthday</strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike>Sean's birthday</strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">|<strike> </strike></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike>our anniversary</strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">|<strike> </strike></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike>a full moon</strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike>a solstice or equinox</strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><strike><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">freedom from the cast!</span></strike><br />
<br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Pamper</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike>manicure</strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike>pedicure</strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike>bubble bath</strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><strike><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">facial</span></strike><br />
<br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Travel </b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike>Knit and Crochet Show in Minnesota</strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike>Wisconsin to see family</strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike><a href="http://on-hooks-and-needles.blogspot.com/2011/06/successful-shenanigans.html">MS&W</a></strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike>NC to see "C" and "D"</strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike>plan a mini-vacation</strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike>Red Sox game</strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike>renaissance festival</strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><strike><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">weekend on the Eastern shore</span></strike><br />
<br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Do</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike><a href="http://on-hooks-and-needles.blogspot.com/2011/04/weekend-of-lovely-things.html">attend a concert</a></strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://on-hooks-and-needles.blogspot.com/2011/03/spring-fever.html"><strike>plant an herb garden</strike></a> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike>stare at the stars on a warm spring evening</strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><span style="color: red;">take a crafty class</span></b> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike>send snail mail</strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike>Skype with friends</strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike><a href="http://on-hooks-and-needles.blogspot.com/2011/03/unanticipated-motivation-and.html">organize the yarn cabinet</a></strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike>visit a not-previously visited LYS in Maryland/DC/Virginia</strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><strike><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">go to a museum</span></strike><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike>have family dinner</strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike>host/attend a movie-a-thon</strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike>take a mental health day</strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">|<strike> </strike></span><strike><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://on-hooks-and-needles.blogspot.com/2011/01/attack-of-snow-cows.html">enjoy a snow day</a> </span></strike><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike>take silly photo</strike>s </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><strike><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">try a new restaurant</span></strike><br />
<br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Give</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike>to charity (a project, donations, or money)</strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><strike>blankets to my Girls</strike> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">| </span><strike><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">blankets, hats, etc to all the new babies</span></strike>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285611780339551128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914458436987484973.post-7353200139219992542012-01-06T06:30:00.000-05:002012-01-06T09:42:13.261-05:00Emerging from the Shadows<b>Happy New Year, everybody!</b> <br />
<br />
It was a busy autumn and holiday season, hence the long hiatus from the blog. I wasn't as crafty as I had hoped to be during that time and I wasn't inspired to blog about much. I did think about it - and I tried to come up with some posts; but I blog for fun and when it isn't fun, I don't blog.<br />
<br />
But the new year is upon us and with it, there seems to be some frenzied crafty energy swirling around me. Have you felt it, too? Here's how it has been affecting me:<br />
<ul><li>A project that was stalled on progress, regardless of the work and time put into it, now seems to be crocheting itself.</li>
<li>I learned in December I've got three more friends expecting which brings the new baby blanket count for 2012 to four - one in February, one in March, and two in June.</li>
<li>In one day, I was able to find the perfect patterns and the purchase the perfect yarns for the first two blankets. The yarn arrived just three days later and it is now patiently waiting in the craft room.</li>
<li>In just the past few days, I've found three crafty classes to take during the first half of the year.</li>
<li>I've already written my list for the <a href="http://yearoflovelythings.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Year of Lovely Things 2012</a> (thanks to <a href="http://perchesinthesoul.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Perches</a> who has also found her way back to the blogosphere)</li>
<li>The enthusiasm to blog has returned!</li>
</ul><br />
Let's hope this crafty energy sticks around for a while!Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285611780339551128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914458436987484973.post-56708653485642408632011-09-28T16:30:00.002-04:002011-09-28T16:31:48.979-04:00And The Winner Is....I guess I overestimated the readership of this blog as I received only 2 votes on what <a href="
http://on-hooks-and-needles.blogspot.com/2011/09/help-me-choose-project-100.html">my one-hundreth project on Ravelry</a> should be.<br />
<br />
The two votes were both for socks though for different patterns (one for the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crocodile-rock">crocodile rock pattern</a> and one for the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/twisted-celtic-cable-socks">twisted Celtic cable pattern</a>).<br />
<br />
Since one of the voters was Sean and the twisted Celtic cable socks are for him, that is the pattern that won. (I hope you understand, Mistress.)<br />
<br />
I'm hoping to cast on for his socks in the next few weeks.<br />
<br>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285611780339551128noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914458436987484973.post-78884078694457563062011-09-25T17:00:00.002-04:002011-09-25T17:00:03.078-04:00Dreaming of Fabric<i>Oh, how I am yearning to learn to quilt!</i><br />
<br />
Perhaps it is because of the sewing related newsletters and advertisements from JoAnn Fabrics...<br />
<br />
Perhaps it is the little drawer of fat quarters I've acquired over the years...<br />
<br />
Perhaps it is due to the beautiful creations by friends that inspire me...<br />
<br />
Perhaps it is the need to learn something entirely new....<br />
<br />
And I want to sew some other projects, like placemats and pillows and bags, perhaps a tree skirt for the holidays...<br />
<br />
But not yet...<br />
<br />
I cannot give into this urge and head to the craft store with reckless abandon to budget and disregard for the lack of space in the craft room.<br />
<br />
But someday....<br />
<br />
Someday.Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285611780339551128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914458436987484973.post-48237672422604627232011-09-24T11:30:00.003-04:002011-09-24T12:09:37.108-04:00LYS - All About Yarn in Columbia, MD<div class="yiv651254482ms__id477 yiv651254482ms__id10227 yiv651254482ms__id5939 yiv651254482ms__id10011 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1313625178255232 yiv651254482ms__id516 yiv651254482ms__id1395 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1314540722112158 yiv651254482ms__id2625 yiv651254482ms__id5251 yiv651254482ms__id590 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1315346952544152 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315348128112154 yiv651254482ms__id440 yiv651254482ms__id818 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315864654255168 yiv651254482ms__id2815 yiv651254482ms__id455 yiv651254482ms__id17517 yiv651254482ms__id539 yiv651254482ms__id1485 yiv651254482ms__id3944 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1316364448325196 yiv651254482ms__id1017 yui_3_2_0_16_1316872894281204" id="yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_13160966607421610" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Another item to cross off <a href="http://on-hooks-and-needles.blogspot.com/p/year-of-lovely-things.html">my Year of Lovely things list</a> - visit a not previously visited LYS in Maryland. I had a handful to choose from but I hadn't yet decided which would be the right one. The decision was made for me when there was a Groupon which was $10 for $20 worth of yarn at <b><a href="http://www.allaboutyarn.com/">All About Yarn</a></b> in Columbia. How could I pass that up?<br />
<br />
</div><div class="yiv651254482ms__id477 yiv651254482ms__id10227 yiv651254482ms__id5939 yiv651254482ms__id10011 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1313625178255232 yiv651254482ms__id516 yiv651254482ms__id1395 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1314540722112158 yiv651254482ms__id2625 yiv651254482ms__id5251 yiv651254482ms__id590 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1315346952544152 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315348128112154 yiv651254482ms__id440 yiv651254482ms__id818 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315864654255168 yiv651254482ms__id2815 yiv651254482ms__id455 yiv651254482ms__id17518 yiv651254482ms__id540 yiv651254482ms__id1486 yiv651254482ms__id3945 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1316364448325198 yiv651254482ms__id1018 yui_3_2_0_16_1316872894281206" id="yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_13160966607422233" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></div><div class="yiv651254482ms__id477 yiv651254482ms__id10227 yiv651254482ms__id5939 yiv651254482ms__id10011 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1313625178255232 yiv651254482ms__id516 yiv651254482ms__id1395 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1314540722112158 yiv651254482ms__id2625 yiv651254482ms__id5251 yiv651254482ms__id590 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1315346952544152 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315348128112154 yiv651254482ms__id440 yiv651254482ms__id818 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315864654255168 yiv651254482ms__id2815 yiv651254482ms__id455 yiv651254482ms__id17519 yiv651254482ms__id541 yiv651254482ms__id1487 yiv651254482ms__id3946 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1316364448325200 yiv651254482ms__id1019 yui_3_2_0_16_1316872894281208" id="yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_13160966607423581" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><div class="yiv651254482ms__id477 yiv651254482ms__id10227 yiv651254482ms__id5939 yiv651254482ms__id10011 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1313625178255232 yiv651254482ms__id516 yiv651254482ms__id1395 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1314540722112158 yiv651254482ms__id2625 yiv651254482ms__id5251 yiv651254482ms__id590 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1315346952544152 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315348128112154 yiv651254482ms__id440 yiv651254482ms__id818 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315864654255168 yiv651254482ms__id2815 yiv651254482ms__id455 yiv651254482ms__id17520 yiv651254482ms__id542 yiv651254482ms__id1488 yiv651254482ms__id3947 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1316364448325202 yiv651254482ms__id1020 yui_3_2_0_16_1316872894281210" id="yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1316096660742968" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">On a rainy Saturday, the address was plugged into the GPS and off we went. The store is located in a business park and it was a little hard to find. After a few wrong turns, we found it. From the outside (as the photo shows), the shop just isn't much to look at.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="yiv651254482ms__id477 yiv651254482ms__id10227 yiv651254482ms__id5939 yiv651254482ms__id10011 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1313625178255232 yiv651254482ms__id516 yiv651254482ms__id1395 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1314540722112158 yiv651254482ms__id2625 yiv651254482ms__id5251 yiv651254482ms__id590 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1315346952544152 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315348128112154 yiv651254482ms__id440 yiv651254482ms__id818 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315864654255168 yiv651254482ms__id2815 yiv651254482ms__id455 yiv651254482ms__id17521 yiv651254482ms__id543 yiv651254482ms__id1489 yiv651254482ms__id3948 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1316364448325204 yiv651254482ms__id1021 yui_3_2_0_16_1316872894281212" id="yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_13160966607421445" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></div><div class="yiv651254482ms__id477 yiv651254482ms__id10227 yiv651254482ms__id5939 yiv651254482ms__id10011 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1313625178255232 yiv651254482ms__id516 yiv651254482ms__id1395 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1314540722112158 yiv651254482ms__id2625 yiv651254482ms__id5251 yiv651254482ms__id590 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1315346952544152 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315348128112154 yiv651254482ms__id440 yiv651254482ms__id818 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315864654255168 yiv651254482ms__id2815 yiv651254482ms__id455 yiv651254482ms__id17522 yiv651254482ms__id544 yiv651254482ms__id1490 yiv651254482ms__id3949 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1316364448325206 yiv651254482ms__id1022 yui_3_2_0_16_1316872894281214" id="yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_13160966607421447" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6178152700/" title="All About Yarn by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img alt="All About Yarn" height="375" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6165/6178152700_2d3675c730.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="yiv651254482ms__id477 yiv651254482ms__id10227 yiv651254482ms__id5939 yiv651254482ms__id10011 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1313625178255232 yiv651254482ms__id516 yiv651254482ms__id1395 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1314540722112158 yiv651254482ms__id2625 yiv651254482ms__id5251 yiv651254482ms__id590 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1315346952544152 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315348128112154 yiv651254482ms__id440 yiv651254482ms__id818 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315864654255168 yiv651254482ms__id2815 yiv651254482ms__id455 yiv651254482ms__id17523 yiv651254482ms__id545 yiv651254482ms__id1491 yiv651254482ms__id3950 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1316364448325208 yiv651254482ms__id1023 yui_3_2_0_16_1316872894281216" id="yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_13160966607423777" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.allaboutyarn.com/">All About Yarn</a> </b></div><div class="yiv651254482ms__id477 yiv651254482ms__id10227 yiv651254482ms__id5939 yiv651254482ms__id10011 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1313625178255232 yiv651254482ms__id516 yiv651254482ms__id1395 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1314540722112158 yiv651254482ms__id2625 yiv651254482ms__id5251 yiv651254482ms__id590 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1315346952544152 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315348128112154 yiv651254482ms__id440 yiv651254482ms__id818 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315864654255168 yiv651254482ms__id2815 yiv651254482ms__id455 yiv651254482ms__id17523 yiv651254482ms__id545 yiv651254482ms__id1491 yiv651254482ms__id3950 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1316364448325208 yiv651254482ms__id1023 yui_3_2_0_16_1316872894281216" id="yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_13160966607423777" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">8970-G Route 108<br />
(in the Oakland Center - near Red Branch Rd) <br />
Columbia, MD 21045<br />
<br />
</div><div class="yiv651254482ms__id477 yiv651254482ms__id10227 yiv651254482ms__id5939 yiv651254482ms__id10011 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1313625178255232 yiv651254482ms__id516 yiv651254482ms__id1395 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1314540722112158 yiv651254482ms__id2625 yiv651254482ms__id5251 yiv651254482ms__id590 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1315346952544152 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315348128112154 yiv651254482ms__id440 yiv651254482ms__id818 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315864654255168 yiv651254482ms__id2815 yiv651254482ms__id455 yiv651254482ms__id17523 yiv651254482ms__id545 yiv651254482ms__id1491 yiv651254482ms__id3950 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1316364448325208 yiv651254482ms__id1023 yui_3_2_0_16_1316872894281216" id="yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_13160966607423777" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></div><div class="yiv651254482ms__id477 yiv651254482ms__id10227 yiv651254482ms__id5939 yiv651254482ms__id10011 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1313625178255232 yiv651254482ms__id516 yiv651254482ms__id1395 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1314540722112158 yiv651254482ms__id2625 yiv651254482ms__id5251 yiv651254482ms__id590 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1315346952544152 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315348128112154 yiv651254482ms__id440 yiv651254482ms__id818 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315864654255168 yiv651254482ms__id2815 yiv651254482ms__id455 yiv651254482ms__id17524 yiv651254482ms__id546 yiv651254482ms__id1492 yiv651254482ms__id3951 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1316364448325210 yiv651254482ms__id1024 yui_3_2_0_16_1316872894281218" id="yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_13160966607423779" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I wasn't expecting much (more on that later) but I was so pleasantly surprised when I opened the door. You have no idea you're in a business park once inside the shop. The displays of yarns, books, needles and accessories and the great lighting make it a colorful, happy and welcoming store. There are so many different brands of yarn at all different kinds of price points, from common to uncommon yarns, novelty to high-end - there is something for everyone. There was also a wall of <a href="http://www.addineedleshop.com/">Addi needles</a> at very good prices. The store is twice as big as you expect. Go past the register to some displays on either side and then a whole other section opens up. So spacious! Sorry I didn't take some photos to show you. You'll just have to take my word for it.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="yiv651254482ms__id477 yiv651254482ms__id10227 yiv651254482ms__id5939 yiv651254482ms__id10011 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1313625178255232 yiv651254482ms__id516 yiv651254482ms__id1395 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1314540722112158 yiv651254482ms__id2625 yiv651254482ms__id5251 yiv651254482ms__id590 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1315346952544152 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315348128112154 yiv651254482ms__id440 yiv651254482ms__id818 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315864654255168 yiv651254482ms__id2815 yiv651254482ms__id455 yiv651254482ms__id17524 yiv651254482ms__id546 yiv651254482ms__id1492 yiv651254482ms__id3951 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1316364448325210 yiv651254482ms__id1024 yui_3_2_0_16_1316872894281218" id="yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_13160966607423779" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></div><div class="yiv651254482ms__id477 yiv651254482ms__id10227 yiv651254482ms__id5939 yiv651254482ms__id10011 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1313625178255232 yiv651254482ms__id516 yiv651254482ms__id1395 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1314540722112158 yiv651254482ms__id2625 yiv651254482ms__id5251 yiv651254482ms__id590 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1315346952544152 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315348128112154 yiv651254482ms__id440 yiv651254482ms__id818 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315864654255168 yiv651254482ms__id2815 yiv651254482ms__id455 yiv651254482ms__id17524 yiv651254482ms__id546 yiv651254482ms__id1492 yiv651254482ms__id3951 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1316364448325210 yiv651254482ms__id1024 yui_3_2_0_16_1316872894281218" id="yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_13160966607423779" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I got my money's worth with the Groupon. I picked up some <i>gorgeous </i><a href="http://www.cascadeyarns.com/cascade-220Quatro.asp">Cascade Yarns Quatro</a> - 220 yards of 100% Peruvian highland wool.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="yiv651254482ms__id477 yiv651254482ms__id10227 yiv651254482ms__id5939 yiv651254482ms__id10011 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1313625178255232 yiv651254482ms__id516 yiv651254482ms__id1395 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1314540722112158 yiv651254482ms__id2625 yiv651254482ms__id5251 yiv651254482ms__id590 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1315346952544152 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315348128112154 yiv651254482ms__id440 yiv651254482ms__id818 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315864654255168 yiv651254482ms__id2815 yiv651254482ms__id455 yiv651254482ms__id17524 yiv651254482ms__id546 yiv651254482ms__id1492 yiv651254482ms__id3951 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1316364448325210 yiv651254482ms__id1024 yui_3_2_0_16_1316872894281218" id="yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_13160966607423779" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></div><div class="yiv651254482ms__id477 yiv651254482ms__id10227 yiv651254482ms__id5939 yiv651254482ms__id10011 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1313625178255232 yiv651254482ms__id516 yiv651254482ms__id1395 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1314540722112158 yiv651254482ms__id2625 yiv651254482ms__id5251 yiv651254482ms__id590 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1315346952544152 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315348128112154 yiv651254482ms__id440 yiv651254482ms__id818 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315864654255168 yiv651254482ms__id2815 yiv651254482ms__id455 yiv651254482ms__id17524 yiv651254482ms__id546 yiv651254482ms__id1492 yiv651254482ms__id3951 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1316364448325210 yiv651254482ms__id1024 yui_3_2_0_16_1316872894281218" id="yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_13160966607423779" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6047139523/" title=". by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img alt="." height="300" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6188/6047139523_1f9ddabfd3.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="yiv651254482ms__id477 yiv651254482ms__id10227 yiv651254482ms__id5939 yiv651254482ms__id10011 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1313625178255232 yiv651254482ms__id516 yiv651254482ms__id1395 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1314540722112158 yiv651254482ms__id2625 yiv651254482ms__id5251 yiv651254482ms__id590 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1315346952544152 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315348128112154 yiv651254482ms__id440 yiv651254482ms__id818 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315864654255168 yiv651254482ms__id2815 yiv651254482ms__id455 yiv651254482ms__id17524 yiv651254482ms__id546 yiv651254482ms__id1492 yiv651254482ms__id3951 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1316364448325210 yiv651254482ms__id1024 yui_3_2_0_16_1316872894281218" id="yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_13160966607423779" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv651254482ms__id477 yiv651254482ms__id10227 yiv651254482ms__id5939 yiv651254482ms__id10011 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1313625178255232 yiv651254482ms__id516 yiv651254482ms__id1395 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1314540722112158 yiv651254482ms__id2625 yiv651254482ms__id5251 yiv651254482ms__id590 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1315346952544152 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315348128112154 yiv651254482ms__id440 yiv651254482ms__id818 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315864654255168 yiv651254482ms__id2815 yiv651254482ms__id455 yiv651254482ms__id17524 yiv651254482ms__id546 yiv651254482ms__id1492 yiv651254482ms__id3951 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1316364448325210 yiv651254482ms__id1024 yui_3_2_0_16_1316872894281218" id="yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_13160966607423779" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I also got a skein of <a href="http://mountaincolors.com/">Mountain Colors</a> Twizzle, a hand-dyed yarn from Montana. It is 250 yards of 85% merino wool and 15% silk - <i>DIVINE!</i></div><div class="yiv651254482ms__id477 yiv651254482ms__id10227 yiv651254482ms__id5939 yiv651254482ms__id10011 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1313625178255232 yiv651254482ms__id516 yiv651254482ms__id1395 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1314540722112158 yiv651254482ms__id2625 yiv651254482ms__id5251 yiv651254482ms__id590 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1315346952544152 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315348128112154 yiv651254482ms__id440 yiv651254482ms__id818 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315864654255168 yiv651254482ms__id2815 yiv651254482ms__id455 yiv651254482ms__id17524 yiv651254482ms__id546 yiv651254482ms__id1492 yiv651254482ms__id3951 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1316364448325210 yiv651254482ms__id1024 yui_3_2_0_16_1316872894281218" id="yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_13160966607423779" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv651254482ms__id477 yiv651254482ms__id10227 yiv651254482ms__id5939 yiv651254482ms__id10011 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1313625178255232 yiv651254482ms__id516 yiv651254482ms__id1395 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1314540722112158 yiv651254482ms__id2625 yiv651254482ms__id5251 yiv651254482ms__id590 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1315346952544152 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315348128112154 yiv651254482ms__id440 yiv651254482ms__id818 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315864654255168 yiv651254482ms__id2815 yiv651254482ms__id455 yiv651254482ms__id17524 yiv651254482ms__id546 yiv651254482ms__id1492 yiv651254482ms__id3951 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1316364448325210 yiv651254482ms__id1024 yui_3_2_0_16_1316872894281218" id="yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_13160966607423779" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6047140151/" title=". by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img alt="." height="500" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6075/6047140151_b4333347de.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="yiv651254482ms__id477 yiv651254482ms__id10227 yiv651254482ms__id5939 yiv651254482ms__id10011 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1313625178255232 yiv651254482ms__id516 yiv651254482ms__id1395 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1314540722112158 yiv651254482ms__id2625 yiv651254482ms__id5251 yiv651254482ms__id590 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1315346952544152 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315348128112154 yiv651254482ms__id440 yiv651254482ms__id818 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315864654255168 yiv651254482ms__id2815 yiv651254482ms__id455 yiv651254482ms__id17524 yiv651254482ms__id546 yiv651254482ms__id1492 yiv651254482ms__id3951 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1316364448325210 yiv651254482ms__id1024 yui_3_2_0_16_1316872894281218" id="yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_13160966607423779" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv651254482ms__id477 yiv651254482ms__id10227 yiv651254482ms__id5939 yiv651254482ms__id10011 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1313625178255232 yiv651254482ms__id516 yiv651254482ms__id1395 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1314540722112158 yiv651254482ms__id2625 yiv651254482ms__id5251 yiv651254482ms__id590 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1315346952544152 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315348128112154 yiv651254482ms__id440 yiv651254482ms__id818 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315864654255168 yiv651254482ms__id2815 yiv651254482ms__id455 yiv651254482ms__id17524 yiv651254482ms__id546 yiv651254482ms__id1492 yiv651254482ms__id3951 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1316364448325210 yiv651254482ms__id1024 yui_3_2_0_16_1316872894281218" id="yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_13160966607423779" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">There were so many more things I would have bought but I thought two without projects planned for them was enough. I can't wait to go back to the store and at least get some new needles if not some more yarn.</div><div class="yiv651254482ms__id477 yiv651254482ms__id10227 yiv651254482ms__id5939 yiv651254482ms__id10011 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1313625178255232 yiv651254482ms__id516 yiv651254482ms__id1395 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1314540722112158 yiv651254482ms__id2625 yiv651254482ms__id5251 yiv651254482ms__id590 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1315346952544152 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315348128112154 yiv651254482ms__id440 yiv651254482ms__id818 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315864654255168 yiv651254482ms__id2815 yiv651254482ms__id455 yiv651254482ms__id17524 yiv651254482ms__id546 yiv651254482ms__id1492 yiv651254482ms__id3951 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1316364448325210 yiv651254482ms__id1024 yui_3_2_0_16_1316872894281218" id="yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_13160966607423779" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</div><div class="yiv651254482ms__id477 yiv651254482ms__id10227 yiv651254482ms__id5939 yiv651254482ms__id10011 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1313625178255232 yiv651254482ms__id516 yiv651254482ms__id1395 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1314540722112158 yiv651254482ms__id2625 yiv651254482ms__id5251 yiv651254482ms__id590 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1315346952544152 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315348128112154 yiv651254482ms__id440 yiv651254482ms__id818 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315864654255168 yiv651254482ms__id2815 yiv651254482ms__id455 yiv651254482ms__id17526 yiv651254482ms__id548 yiv651254482ms__id1494 yiv651254482ms__id3953 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1316364448325214 yiv651254482ms__id1026 yui_3_2_0_16_1316872894281222" id="yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1316175586929318" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">After such a glowing review and considering this LYS is not far from where I live, you may be wondering why it took me so long to check it out in the first place.<br />
<br />
</div></div><div class="yiv651254482ms__id477 yiv651254482ms__id10227 yiv651254482ms__id5939 yiv651254482ms__id10011 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1313625178255232 yiv651254482ms__id516 yiv651254482ms__id1395 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1314540722112158 yiv651254482ms__id2625 yiv651254482ms__id5251 yiv651254482ms__id590 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1315346952544152 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315348128112154 yiv651254482ms__id440 yiv651254482ms__id818 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315864654255168 yiv651254482ms__id2815 yiv651254482ms__id455 yiv651254482ms__id17527 yiv651254482ms__id549 yiv651254482ms__id1495 yiv651254482ms__id3954 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1316364448325216 yiv651254482ms__id1027 yui_3_2_0_16_1316872894281224" id="yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_13160966607422874" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></div><div class="yiv651254482ms__id477 yiv651254482ms__id10227 yiv651254482ms__id5939 yiv651254482ms__id10011 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1313625178255232 yiv651254482ms__id516 yiv651254482ms__id1395 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1314540722112158 yiv651254482ms__id2625 yiv651254482ms__id5251 yiv651254482ms__id590 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1315346952544152 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315348128112154 yiv651254482ms__id440 yiv651254482ms__id818 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315864654255168 yiv651254482ms__id2815 yiv651254482ms__id455 yiv651254482ms__id17528 yiv651254482ms__id550 yiv651254482ms__id1496 yiv651254482ms__id3955 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1316364448325218 yiv651254482ms__id1028 yui_3_2_0_16_1316872894281226" id="yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_13160966607422876" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The answer is - the <a href="http://www.allaboutyarn.com/">WEBSITE</a>. It is <b>awful</b>.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="yiv651254482ms__id477 yiv651254482ms__id10227 yiv651254482ms__id5939 yiv651254482ms__id10011 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1313625178255232 yiv651254482ms__id516 yiv651254482ms__id1395 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1314540722112158 yiv651254482ms__id2625 yiv651254482ms__id5251 yiv651254482ms__id590 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1315346952544152 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315348128112154 yiv651254482ms__id440 yiv651254482ms__id818 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315864654255168 yiv651254482ms__id2815 yiv651254482ms__id455 yiv651254482ms__id17528 yiv651254482ms__id550 yiv651254482ms__id1496 yiv651254482ms__id3955 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1316364448325218 yiv651254482ms__id1028 yui_3_2_0_16_1316872894281228" id="yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_13166216610921511" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></div><div class="yiv651254482ms__id477 yiv651254482ms__id10227 yiv651254482ms__id5939 yiv651254482ms__id10011 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1313625178255232 yiv651254482ms__id516 yiv651254482ms__id1395 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1314540722112158 yiv651254482ms__id2625 yiv651254482ms__id5251 yiv651254482ms__id590 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1315346952544152 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315348128112154 yiv651254482ms__id440 yiv651254482ms__id818 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315864654255168 yiv651254482ms__id2815 yiv651254482ms__id455 yiv651254482ms__id17528 yiv651254482ms__id550 yiv651254482ms__id1496 yiv651254482ms__id3955 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1316364448325218 yiv651254482ms__id1028 yui_3_2_0_16_1316872894281230" id="yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_13166216610921513" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I will be honest that I even had second thoughts about getting the Groupon in the first place because of the website. I was worried the actual store would reflect the persona of the website. The website is hard to navigate, it looks old, but most of all, it looks unprofessional. While the website gives you the basic information about the shop (location, hours, brands carried), it does nothing to help promote the fabulousness of the store. It doesn't need flashy animation or complicated programming - it just needs to be reorganized, cleaned up, and some fun photos added.<br />
<br />
</div><div class="yiv651254482ms__id477 yiv651254482ms__id10227 yiv651254482ms__id5939 yiv651254482ms__id10011 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1313625178255232 yiv651254482ms__id516 yiv651254482ms__id1395 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1314540722112158 yiv651254482ms__id2625 yiv651254482ms__id5251 yiv651254482ms__id590 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1315346952544152 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315348128112154 yiv651254482ms__id440 yiv651254482ms__id818 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315864654255168 yiv651254482ms__id2815 yiv651254482ms__id455 yiv651254482ms__id17528 yiv651254482ms__id550 yiv651254482ms__id1496 yiv651254482ms__id3955 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1316364448325218 yiv651254482ms__id1028 yui_3_2_0_16_1316872894281230" id="yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_13166216610921513" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></div><div class="yiv651254482ms__id477 yiv651254482ms__id10227 yiv651254482ms__id5939 yiv651254482ms__id10011 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1313625178255232 yiv651254482ms__id516 yiv651254482ms__id1395 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1314540722112158 yiv651254482ms__id2625 yiv651254482ms__id5251 yiv651254482ms__id590 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1315346952544152 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315348128112154 yiv651254482ms__id440 yiv651254482ms__id818 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315864654255168 yiv651254482ms__id2815 yiv651254482ms__id455 yiv651254482ms__id17528 yiv651254482ms__id550 yiv651254482ms__id1496 yiv651254482ms__id3955 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1316364448325218 yiv651254482ms__id1028 yui_3_2_0_16_1316872894281230" id="yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_13166216610921513" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">So don't let the website fool you - this store is definitely worth checking out if you live in or are visiting the area.</div><div class="yiv651254482ms__id477 yiv651254482ms__id10227 yiv651254482ms__id5939 yiv651254482ms__id10011 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1313625178255232 yiv651254482ms__id516 yiv651254482ms__id1395 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1314540722112158 yiv651254482ms__id2625 yiv651254482ms__id5251 yiv651254482ms__id590 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1315346952544152 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315348128112154 yiv651254482ms__id440 yiv651254482ms__id818 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315864654255168 yiv651254482ms__id2815 yiv651254482ms__id455 yiv651254482ms__id17528 yiv651254482ms__id550 yiv651254482ms__id1496 yiv651254482ms__id3955 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1316364448325218 yiv651254482ms__id1028 yui_3_2_0_16_1316872894281230" id="yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_13166216610921513" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></div><div class="yiv651254482ms__id477 yiv651254482ms__id10227 yiv651254482ms__id5939 yiv651254482ms__id10011 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1313625178255232 yiv651254482ms__id516 yiv651254482ms__id1395 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1314540722112158 yiv651254482ms__id2625 yiv651254482ms__id5251 yiv651254482ms__id590 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_1315346952544152 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315348128112154 yiv651254482ms__id440 yiv651254482ms__id818 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1315864654255168 yiv651254482ms__id2815 yiv651254482ms__id455 yiv651254482ms__id17528 yiv651254482ms__id550 yiv651254482ms__id1496 yiv651254482ms__id3955 yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_13_1316364448325218 yiv651254482ms__id1028 yui_3_2_0_16_1316872894281232" id="yiv651254482yui_3_2_0_14_13166216610921515" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></div>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285611780339551128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914458436987484973.post-72895401411283256082011-09-18T12:45:00.000-04:002011-09-18T12:58:07.567-04:00Help Me Choose Project #100Finally! The cool crisp weather of autumn is upon us. Like the beginning of Spring, I feel the need to clean and organize and prepare for the coming months. As a crafter, this goes beyond just cleaning out the clothes closet and dusting the usually neglected crevices of the house. One of my main projects is to get all my crafty projects in order.<br />
<br />
The craft room is actually in pretty good shape. In <a href="http://on-hooks-and-needles.blogspot.com/2011/03/unanticipated-motivation-and.html">the Spring</a>, I reorganized the yarn by keeping similar types of fibers and colors together and I found a way to store all the books and magazines in one place. The other bits of various crafts (beading, fabric, paints, etc) are also where they belong. I also donated a big bag of unused and unfinished motifs including some spare yarn. That freed up a considerable amount of space in my cabinets.<br />
<br />
What needs the most attention now is my list of projects and trying to figure out what I am going to do with all these beautiful skeins of yarn I’ve collected without a designated purpose.<br />
<br />
I’ve started by reorganizing and cleaning up my Ravelry stuff. I had oodles of projects <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/OnHooksandNeedles/queue">in my queue</a> but I didn’t really intend to make them all. Instead, I had used it as a holding bin for projects I really liked or would love to make. So I cleaned it out and added my favorites to <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/OnHooksandNeedles/favorites">my favorites</a>. (Seems like a no brainer, I know. I just never took advantage of the favorite features until now.)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/OnHooksandNeedles/queue">My queue</a> now contains 12 projects that I am actually planning to make because I have the yarn, pattern, kit or the desire to make them. It is much more manageable and I don’t get stressed like I did when I saw an unattainable goal of 50 things I’d never be able to do.<br />
<br />
But now – which one do I do next? I’ve got 99 projects <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/OnHooksandNeedles">in Ravelry</a> so the next one will be number 100. A bit of a milestone, don’t you think? Would you be willing to help me decide the next project that I will have on my hook or needles?<br />
<br />
There are twelve projects listed in <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/OnHooksandNeedles/queue">my queue</a> and they are in no particular order. Most of them are projects for me but some are for others (socks for Sean, a few hats for friends' kiddos). Take a look at what I've got (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/OnHooksandNeedles/queue">in Ravelry</a> - you'll need to log-in) and then vote by leaving a comment. <br />
<br />
Things to keep in mind:<br />
1) I've got <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/OnHooksandNeedles">three projects</a> in progress right now - a simple baby hat, a knitted shawl for a friend and a cable capelet for me. There's also a blanket listed as a WIP but it's actually hibernating.<br />
2) I've listed some possible yarns from my stash for each project but those are just ideas. Once a project is selected, I'll get your input on which yarn to use.<br />
<br />
I'll keep accepting votes and comments until Friday of this week. The results will be posted next week. Thanks for your help!<br />
<br>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285611780339551128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914458436987484973.post-84728617090377775682011-09-14T08:00:00.009-04:002011-09-14T08:00:20.815-04:00Completed Project: Mandy for The Mother Bear ProjectI found out about the <a href="http://motherbearproject.org/">Mother Bear Project</a> during <a href="http://on-hooks-and-needles.blogspot.com/2011/08/knit-and-crochet-show-2011.html">my trip</a> to the Minneapolis Knit and Crochet Show in July. It's a great charity <i>"dedicated to providing comfort and hope to children affected by HIV/AIDS in emerging nations, by giving them a gift of love in the form of a hand-knit or crocheted bear."</i> For a $20 donation, I got the yarn, crochet hook, and pattern to make a crocheted bear. It also included the tag and the shipping costs to get it to the kids overseas.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6047142817/" title=". by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6072/6047142817_b4fc35ea3a.jpg" width="400" height="500" alt="."></a><br />
<br />
This was a fast crochet project and a fun one to do. The instructions are super easy with only chain and single crochet stitches. This would be a great project for any beginner. I did tweak the design a bit by giving her some red shoes and her skirt is slightly different from the pattern. The ears are a bit more cat-like than I wanted but I didn't really understand what the pattern wanted me to do. Maybe the little flower decoration will take attention away from the less than perfect ears. It took me three tries to embroider a face I liked. The plain round eyes looked creepy when I tried them though I didn't find them creepy on other people's bears.<br />
<br />
And I named her Mandy because I had the song "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngAVgqzCtqE">Mandy</a>" from the movie <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047673/">White Christmas</a> floating in my head the other day. Random.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6136207329/" title="Mandy Mother Bear 05 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6168/6136207329_229ae40b41.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Mandy Mother Bear 05"></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6136206831/" title="Mandy Mother Bear 04 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6179/6136206831_47465450ce.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Mandy Mother Bear 04"></a><br />
<br />
As always, details <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/OnHooksandNeedles/mother-bear---crochet-pattern">on Ravelry</a>.<br />
<br />
To learn more about the Mother Bear Project, visit <a href="http://motherbearproject.org/">motherbearproject.org</a>. You can see <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mother-bear---crochet-pattern/people">other bears on Ravelry</a>, join <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/mother-bear-project">the group on Ravelry</a>, and also <a href="http://motherbearproject.org/pattern.html">buy the patterns</a>. Once you buy the pattern, you can make as many bears as you'd like as long as you send in $3 per bear for shipping.Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285611780339551128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914458436987484973.post-17427948814550394742011-09-13T09:00:00.006-04:002011-09-13T09:00:17.447-04:00Completed Project: Ravens Scarf<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6141491351/" title="Ravens Scarf 01 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6062/6141491351_a9f051576a.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Ravens Scarf 01"></a><br />
<br />
As always, details on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/OnHooksandNeedles/model-37---scarf-with-flounces">Ravelry</a>.<br />
<br />
I completed this in plenty of time for the official start of the NFL season. (Sorry - I just don't give a hoot about preseason football.) I think it compliments my Ravens shirt ever so nicely. I expect it will also look good with my black winter jacket.<br />
<br />
It also looks great on Seamus.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6142046008/" title="Ravens Scarf 04 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6074/6142046008_8f091e423b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Ravens Scarf 04"></a><br />
<br />
<b>Go Ravens!!!</b>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285611780339551128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914458436987484973.post-15494558500344036132011-09-12T18:00:00.001-04:002011-09-12T18:01:43.609-04:00Butterflies 2011My parsley plant proved to be a haven for butterflies again. This time I was prepared to keep the little guys (and/or gals) safe. I bought a butterfly enclosure so that once the caterpillars were big enough, I could keep them hidden from birds. Four caterpillars cocooned and one so far has become a butterfly. The other three are still there but I don't know if they have died or if they are waiting until the spring to emerge.<br />
<br />
The photos below show the journey. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<div style="padding: 0; overflow: hidden; margin: 0; width: 500px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6122083702/in/set-72157627487198239/" title="First Butterfly" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6197/6122083702_e7c7f3f0c6_s.jpg" alt="First Butterfly" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6122079356/in/set-72157627487198239/" title="Caterpillars 01" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6069/6122079356_4b6d21cf4e_s.jpg" alt="Caterpillars 01" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6122079484/in/set-72157627487198239/" title="Caterpillars 02" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6207/6122079484_8ecd1f962a_s.jpg" alt="Caterpillars 02" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6122079670/in/set-72157627487198239/" title="Caterpillars 03" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6205/6122079670_fab4564316_s.jpg" alt="Caterpillars 03" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6121536529/in/set-72157627487198239/" title="Caterpillars 04" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6209/6121536529_0076d59e59_s.jpg" alt="Caterpillars 04" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6122079960/in/set-72157627487198239/" title="Caterpillars 05" style="display: block; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6073/6122079960_c9fb272e41_s.jpg" alt="Caterpillars 05" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><br clear="all"/><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6122080276/in/set-72157627487198239/" title="Caterpillars 06" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6062/6122080276_7a162c8d07_s.jpg" alt="Caterpillars 06" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6121537085/in/set-72157627487198239/" title="Caterpillars 07" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6090/6121537085_ed5861d170_s.jpg" alt="Caterpillars 07" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6121537927/in/set-72157627487198239/" title="Very Hungry Caterpillar" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6067/6121537927_8cb034013c_s.jpg" alt="Very Hungry Caterpillar" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6122081932/in/set-72157627487198239/" title="Caterpillars 08" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6192/6122081932_28c3b61e51_s.jpg" alt="Caterpillars 08" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6121538735/in/set-72157627487198239/" title="Caterpillars 09" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6199/6121538735_6c29e67270_s.jpg" alt="Caterpillars 09" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6121538983/in/set-72157627487198239/" title="Caterpillars 10" style="display: block; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6073/6121538983_f929611537_s.jpg" alt="Caterpillars 10" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><br clear="all"/><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6121539159/in/set-72157627487198239/" title="Cocoon 01" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6072/6121539159_e145ee08e3_s.jpg" alt="Cocoon 01" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6122082758/in/set-72157627487198239/" title="Cocoon 02" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6192/6122082758_59f09a84de_s.jpg" alt="Cocoon 02" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6122083052/in/set-72157627487198239/" title="Cocoon 03" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6066/6122083052_ef6f62ffe8_s.jpg" alt="Cocoon 03" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6121539847/in/set-72157627487198239/" title="Cocoon 04" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6071/6121539847_819156c102_s.jpg" alt="Cocoon 04" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6121540139/in/set-72157627487198239/" title="Cocoon 05" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6187/6121540139_ed3cba82c0_s.jpg" alt="Cocoon 05" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6121540293/in/set-72157627487198239/" title="Cocoon 06" style="display: block; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6203/6121540293_473eb6fd96_s.jpg" alt="Cocoon 06" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><br clear="all"/></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px"><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/sets/72157627487198239/">Butterflies 2011</a>, a set on Flickr.</p></div>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285611780339551128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914458436987484973.post-86801211664429133432011-09-06T18:15:00.002-04:002011-09-06T18:26:51.491-04:00New Project: Summit WrapThis project was started with gusto in July but thanks to the <a href="http://on-hooks-and-needles.blogspot.com/2011/08/midwest-meanderings.html">aforementioned</a> time warp, the progress did not continue as planned. I had high hopes of completing it by August 24. I didn't even come close to being half done by that deadline.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6047694684/" title="DSC04838 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6197/6047694684_5a1f0aa799.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC04838"></a><br />
<br />
It's a lovely and free pattern <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEss10/PATTsummit.php">from Knitty called Summit</a>. I happened upon it when I wanted to use some <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/OnHooksandNeedles/stash/cascade-silk-sport">fabulous ivory silk yarn</a> I bought at <a href="http://on-hooks-and-needles.blogspot.com/2010/07/knit-and-crochet-show-part-deux.html">last year's Knit and Crochet show in Manchester</a> for some kind of wrap for a friend getting married. Her dress <strike>is</strike> <b><i>was</i></b> a simple, ivory silk dress, perfect for the bride and the beautiful beach setting. When I saw this wrap on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/summit-2">Ravelry</a>, I thought it would be perfect - simple yet elegant, and the instructions seemed to be something I could handle.<br />
<br />
A really fun new skill I've acquired with this pattern is now I can knit backwards! No, really. I'm knitting <i>backwards</i>. As in, not turning my work in order to do stockinette stitch. It's awesome! The pattern has small, repetitive bits of stockinette over 6 or 11 stitches. The knitting backwards makes it just a little bit faster than turning the work back and forth over and over again as the shawl gets bigger.<br />
<br />
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll have enough yarn for a slightly-smaller wrap. I (accidentally) left off one column of waves making it a bit narrower. As it gets longer I'll hopefully be able to guess when to start ending it so that I have enough yarn left to finish it. I'm also hoping that the finished wrap is long enough that it doesn't look silly.<br />
<br />
Because I wasn't sure if it would actually get finished in time, I did not tell the bride in advance I was making it. I did let her know about it on her wedding day...but gifts were the furthest thing from her mind. Hurricane Irene had her sights set on the Outer Banks, the very beach where her wedding was to take place. So the wedding was moved up by a day and while tons of people were evacuating, Sean and I were driving towards the storm to make it to the wedding. It was a lovely ceremony with fewer guests than planned but they were happily married in the end. And everyone made it safely home before the storm arrived. Here are a couple of photos from Friday morning before we hightailed it out of town.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6122037904/" title="DSC05013 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6199/6122037904_4e15cf0a5d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC05013"></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6121495039/" title="DSC05016 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6191/6121495039_0afc7160d9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC05016"></a><br />
<br />
I believe that technically I have a year after the wedding to send a gift. Given the speed at which the first part was completed, I can't procrastinate. I'll need to fit this in as a project I work on at least once a week. Here's hoping I keep to that plan.Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285611780339551128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914458436987484973.post-47061199289601103992011-08-28T11:00:00.009-04:002011-08-28T11:26:28.293-04:00Knit and Crochet Show 2011I had a wonderful time at <a href="http://www.knitandcrochetshow.com/" target="_blank">the Knit and Crochet Show in Minneapolis</a> last month. The Professional Development Day was the highlight of it all for me, and not just because I won some awesome stuff in the raffle. The presentations, both plenary style by <a href="http://vickiehowell.com/" target="_blank">Vickie Howell</a> and <a href="http://gocrochet.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ellen Gormley</a>, and the small group presentations by nine accomplished instructors and designers, were very informative and interesting. <a href="http://www.lionbrand.com/">Lion Brand</a> sponsored the day (thanks, <a href="http://www.lionbrand.com/">Lion Brand</a>!) which included giving everyone some free yarn and hooks with which to make some chemo hats for the charity, <a href="http://www.knots-of-love.org" target="_blank">Knots of Love</a>. Here's my improvised design:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6047209629/" title="IMG-20110727-00056 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6189/6047209629_ed77162470_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG-20110727-00056"></a><br />
<br />
I was not able to attend the CGOA event at the Textile Museum inducting posthumously the fabulous Jean Leinhauser into the <a href="http://www.crochet.org/halloffame.html">Crochet Hall of Fame</a>, but I can share with you the video that was shown that night:<br />
<br />
<iframe width="420" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DyikWuGQGkk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
Such an amazing woman who will be missed by so many people.<br />
<br />
My sister-in-law and I went to the shopping preview on Thursday night and had a blast. One of my favorite purchases was a handmade sheep pin by <a href="http://www.ogledesign-fiberarts.com/" target="_blank">Ogle Designs</a>. My SIL and I each got one in different colors.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6047142669/" title=". by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6181/6047142669_3a56dc0934_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="."></a><br />
<br />
I had so many people complimented me on the pin and asked me where I got it. I hope I steered more business to their booth and now I hope I've steered you to see <a href="http://www.ogledesign-fiberarts.com/" target="_blank">their website</a>.<br />
<br />
I picked up some Addi needles to make <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/OnHooksandNeedles/model-37---scarf-with-flounces">the purple scarf</a> and I got a signed copy of <a href="http://gocrochet.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ellen Gormley</a>'s new book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Go-Crochet-Afghan-Design-Workshop/dp/1440209073/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314542194&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Afghan Design Workshop</a>. I also picked up some awesome New Zealand yarn called <a href="http://zealana.co.nz/handknit/product_detail.php?bid=1">Kia Ora Kiwi Laceweight</a> by <a href="http://zealana.co.nz/index.php?rnd=1314542368" target="_blank">Zealana</a>. It is 40% fine New Zealand Merino, 30% Organic Cotton and 30% New Zealand Possum fibre. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/threats-and-impacts/animal-pests/animal-pests-a-z/possums/facts/">New Zealand possums</a> are a bit different from North American possums. They were first introduced to New Zealand as a viable fur trade but they have since become <a href="http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/threats-and-impacts/animal-pests/animal-pests-a-z/possums/the-threat/">a threat to other wildlife</a> as they have no natural predators to keep numbers under control. The government has to do some drastic things (as in killing loads of them) to protect other species of animals, mainly birds. <br />
<br />
This yarn by Zealana is available for purchase from <a href="http://theyarnsisters.com/">The Yarn Sisters</a>. But you're not just buying some awesome yarn, you're also helping a conservation movement. Learn more about how this yarn is helping - <a href="http://www.knitwithpossum.com/">"Save a Kiwi - Knit with Possum!"</a><br />
<br />
I picked up three skeins in three lovely colors and I'm hoping to make a pair of gloves from them. This yarn is so incredibly soft.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6047693262/" title=". by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6047693262_904ededd07.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="."></a><br />
<br />
My SIL and I stopped at another booth, this one completely for charity. Called <a href="http://motherbearproject.org/">the Mother Bear Project</a>, the charity is "dedicated to providing comfort and hope to children affected by HIV/AIDS in emerging nations, by giving them a gift of love in the form of a hand-knit or crocheted bear." I picked up a crochet kit and I hope to make at least one bear before the end of the year. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6047142817/" title=". by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6072/6047142817_b4fc35ea3a.jpg" width="400" height="500" alt="."></a><br />
<br />
The CGOA dinner on Saturday was also great - and there was more free yarn (and there was wine)!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6047760684/" title="IMG-20110730-00068 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6193/6047760684_6dd83eebd9_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="IMG-20110730-00068"></a><br />
<br />
Between shopping, free gifts and raffle wins, I had quite a haul of goodies when I returned home.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6047209781/" title="IMG-20110801-00071 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6072/6047209781_62b0dd6781.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG-20110801-00071"></a><br />
<br />
I don't have plans at this point to attend the conferences next year, but that could change. If you're been thinking about attending this fall or next year, DO IT! You'll have so much fun!<br />
<br>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285611780339551128noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914458436987484973.post-1034749946219476092011-08-17T21:00:00.020-04:002011-08-17T21:30:13.902-04:00Midwest MeanderingsIt is amazing how time has been flying all summer. First, I couldn't believe the Knit and Crochet show was a month away - then it was suddenly time to pack and go - and now it's three weeks later. Has your summer been like this, too, or am I just stuck in some kind of time warp?<br />
<br />
Anyways - long story short, it was a great trip. While the 2011 Knit and Crochet Show in Minneapolis was the initial reason for a trip to Minnesota, it was also a great chance to see family in the area. That area included a 5+ hour radius from Minneapolis, too. Neither my DH nor I had ever visited this part of the country (beyond a layover at an airport) so the trip also let us add other states to our list of places we've been together.<br />
<br />
Our trip from Minneapolis started with the 5 hour road trip to Wisconsin. It started out as a nice morning, but the rain came...<br />
<br />
<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="300" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=e18893a6f0&photo_id=6047209271"></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377"></param><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=e18893a6f0&photo_id=6047209271" height="300" width="400"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Sheets of rain, big drops pummeling the car, scary driving rain...but light in the distance made us hopeful for better roads ahead.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6047719216/" title="DSC04623 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6063/6047719216_5a47b45214.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC04623"></a><br />
<br />
A few days in Wisconsin with family included two other states - Iowa and Illinois. Iowa was more of a drive-thru trip just to say we'd been in Iowa. The stop in Illinois was more of a destination. We visited the town of Galena which was historically known for being a major port of call for steamships. The town is full of history having hosted speeches by Lincoln and was the town where President Grant retired.<br />
<br />
Inside of Grant's house with almost all the original furniture.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6047175235/" title="DSC04652 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6199/6047175235_c66f2095fb.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC04652"></a><br />
<br />
Downtown Galena<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6047168237/" title="DSC04641 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6066/6047168237_f0503795b4.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC04641"></a><br />
<br />
It is an artsy, fun little town with boutique-type stores along the main street. One of these stores was especially fun to visit - you guessed it - a yarn shop!<br />
<br />
Fiber WILD! in Galena<br />
<a href="http://fiberwild.com/" target="_blank">fiberwild.com</a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6047168025/" title="DSC04640 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6189/6047168025_5972bcbb22.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="DSC04640"></a><br />
<br />
What a wonderful little LYS this is! It has such a welcoming energy as you step through the door. The yarn selection is great as are the book, hook and needle selections. The owners are super nice and knowledgeable and the customers in the store (including yours truly) were having a wonderful time perusing the shelves for lovely fibers. While I normally try to find some local yarn when I travel, I wound up with two national brands.<br />
<br />
I picked up some Flounce which, I found out later, is all the rage now. I had to have it once I saw the sample scarf being worked up in the store. The ruffles are so fun and the yarn is so soft. I chose purple as this will be my Ravens scarf now that football is back. The yarn is actually really easy to work with once you start. There are also videos online to help you figure out where to pick up the yarn edge. I'm knitting just 6 stitches on size 11 needles and it works up quickly. If it was my only project, I'm sure it could be finished in an afternoon. But I've got a few WIPs plus <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Game-Thrones-Song-Fire-Book/dp/0553573403">a book series</a> I can't put down.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6047690812/" title="DSC04805 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6075/6047690812_e2e6a08374.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC04805"></a><br />
<br />
As always, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/OnHooksandNeedles/model-37---scarf-with-flounces">details on Ravelry</a> - but I will point this out, something that may be obvious to more experienced knitters but it took me a minute to figure out. The patterns and photos on Ravelry show a flatter scarf but I wanted the round, boa-type scarf. So - if you want a flat scarf with ruffles on only one side, knit stockinette stitch (knitting one side, purling the other). If you want the round, boa-type scarf with ruffles on both sides, knit garter stitch (knitting every side). <br />
<br />
My other purchase was this Comfort yarn by Berroco. It caught my eye at the store as the colors are so nice and it is so soft. While I have oodles of baby yarn at home, I was with my sister-in-law who plans to have kids in the next few years. We thought it would be fun to buy the yarn for the hat and booties together so that when she does get the items, she'll remember when we bought it.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6047692854/" title=". by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6083/6047692854_1db4b18b73.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="."></a><br />
<br />
I should have bought my needles for the scarf there, too, but I thought I might get a better deal at the show. Lesson learned - but details about that and the rest of the trip in the next post.<br />
<br />
From Wisconsin, we drove back to Minneapolis along the Mississippi river. It was a lovely trip along the water and was thankfully a rain-free drive.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6047168711/" title="DSC04684 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6074/6047168711_c017359e04.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC04684"></a><br />
<br />
While in Minneapolis, I didn't visit any local yarn shops as there was going to be plenty on the conference show floor. Plus, it was time to do some sightseeing!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6047760654/" title="DSC04788 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6075/6047760654_be20cb8945.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC04788"></a><br />
<br />
I did find some crochet-related fun while on a tour of the Twins baseball park. Here's the front page of the Minneapolis newspaper the day the ball park was approved. Up in the right hand side - an article about crocheting!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/6047175447/" title=". by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6183/6047175447_e96457d9c8.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="."></a><br />
<br />
Next post - actually about the show!<br />
<br />
<br />
Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285611780339551128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914458436987484973.post-77718066999638338942011-07-22T09:30:00.000-04:002011-07-22T09:48:15.290-04:00Happy Trails<a href="http://www.knitandcrochetshow.com/">The Knit and Crochet Show</a> is next week in Minneapolis - hooray! I'm very excited about it even though I'm only going to be at the conference for a couple of days. I'm not half as prepared as I was <a href="http://on-hooks-and-needles.blogspot.com/2010/06/crafty-start-to-summer.html">last year</a> but I'm ready for it. <br />
<br />
There will also be a visit to Wisconsin where, in addition to crafting with my sister-in-law, I just might get to visit <b>an alpaca farm! </b> Isn't that awesome? I hope to also see the sites of Minneapolis including the gigantic Mall of America. A few days with extended family will also be wonderful.<br />
<br />
So it'll be a crafty, family trip. If you're at the show and see my logo bag, please say hello. Otherwise, you'll hear from me next month. Or maybe if I have the opportunity, I'll have some updates <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/OnHooksNeedles">on Twitter</a>. Maybe even cute photos of alpacas!!!!Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285611780339551128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914458436987484973.post-61743751801169446072011-07-11T18:15:00.003-04:002011-07-11T18:22:23.087-04:00Completed Project: Tropical Colors Baby BlanketWhen I make a baby blanket for a friend, I ask the mom- and dad-to-be if they have any particular colors or patterns in mind. Sometimes I get very specific details on what they like (i.e. <i>purple, but not bright purple, more of a lightish blue-purple violet but not pastel</i>) or don't like (i.e. <i>no pink anything!</i>). Some want to see pattern samples and others want to be surprised.<br />
<br />
In the case of this baby blanket, I was given the following info - <i>anything with blue and/or green - maybe even some orange.</i> I was also told to let my creative juices fly! Or drip. Or whatever creative juices do.<br />
<br />
So here's what I came up with...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/5928087772/" title="Tropical Colors Baby Blanket 01 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6017/5928087772_398315cb84.jpg" width="357" height="500" alt="Tropical Colors Baby Blanket 01"></a><br />
As always, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/OnHooksandNeedles/willow">details on Ravelry</a>. <br />
<br />
The pattern is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/willow">Willow</a> from the book "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crochet-Blocks-Blankets-Throws-Afghans/dp/1931499683/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1310422093&sr=8-1">200 Crochet Blocks</a>" using bright colored cotton yarn and a G hook. <br />
<br />
My plan was for a 5 x 5 square blanket and I had made all 25 squares. But when I laid out the pieces, it was too big. I went with a 4 x 5 design which is still a little large but I liked the shape and size better than a 4 x 4. Plus I couldn't handle not using 10 squares I had already made. <br />
<br />
I kept the border to a minimum as the blanket was already so big. It's one round of orange sc, one of green hdc and one of blue Hhdc. The final size was about 41" x 32".<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/5927530393/" title="Tropical Colors Baby Blanket 04 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6150/5927530393_46f67b1103.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Tropical Colors Baby Blanket 04"></a><br />
<br />
I literally finished weaving in the ends from the border about 30 minutes before leaving for the baby shower yesterday. I usually cut things close but this was a little stressful for me. The mom-to-be and grandmas and aunts liked the blanket (yay!) and I got to meet another Raveler who knitted the cutest little booties, hats and mittens.<br />
<br />
There's a lull in babies now...I'm sure it won't last too long so I better get to work on my other pending projects.<br />
<br>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285611780339551128noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914458436987484973.post-8772523596790146552011-07-01T08:00:00.002-04:002011-07-01T08:00:02.220-04:00A Rose By Any Other Name...Thanks to a botantically-inclined friend, the identity of <a href="http://on-hooks-and-needles.blogspot.com/2011/06/gardening-update.html">my mystery plant</a> is <a href="http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/Plants.Folder/Lamb'sQuarters.html"><br />
Lamb's Quarters (<i>Chenopodium album</i>)</a>. A wonderfully cute name for a plant to show up in this fiber fanatic's container garden.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/5879392472/" title="Not Lavender 3 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6045/5879392472_a105686fd8.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Not Lavender 3"></a><br />
<br />
But it's not a plant, it's not a flower, it's not a bush, herb, fern or vine.<br />
<br />
It is just... a really big weed.<br />
<br />
<i>::sigh::</i><br />
<br />
So two nights ago I proceeded to unearth it from the giant blue pot. I had to hack at the soil with a trowel to get it to come out in clumps. It was a damn healthy weed with roots that had spread through that entire pot so out went all the soil, too. I had no chance of saving the coconut lining of the other container, either, so the whole thing was put in the trash.<br />
<br />
The mystery still remains how these plants showed up in my garden. Was it a bad seed packet - labeled lavender but full of weeds? Or was it the potting soil mix (moisture control by Miracle Grow)? It wasn't birds or seeds on the wind since these plants were all started inside.<br />
<br />
Oh well - it doesn't matter. The weeds are gone now. I'll be transferring basil to the big blue container and I hope to grow a formidable basil tree in it.Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285611780339551128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914458436987484973.post-86395577640143121412011-06-30T08:30:00.007-04:002011-06-30T08:30:01.738-04:00Lucky FindOn a recent day trip to St. Michaels, I made my stop into <a href="http://www.frivolousfibers.com/">Frivolous Fibers</a>. They've got a new sign up and they have reorganized the store. It looks lovely! As usual, I didn't need any yarn but that didn't stop me from checking out the selection. I was drawn to their new wall of sock yarns with bold and beautiful colors. I asked my DH if he'd like me to make another pair of socks for him. He looked at the wall and then found a basket full of - wait for it - <a href="http://www.bluemoonfiberarts.com/newmoon/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=182_4_64">Blue Moon Socks That Rock lightweight yarn!</a> One of the owners commented the store had the lucky mistake of getting the skeins by accident. Blue Moon doesn't want new clients (<i>booooo!!!!</i>) so the store has been unable to get the yarn. In the end, it was a lucky find for me.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/5872964544/" title="Socks that Rock Mustang Sally 1 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3081/5872964544_0e60705852.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Socks that Rock Mustang Sally 1"></a><br />
<br />
The colorway is Mustang Sally. I've got a pattern picked out on Ravelry for some <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/twisted-celtic-cable-socks">cabled socks</a> but I need to purchase the pattern in order to make sure I have enough yarn and that the pattern will be large enough.<br />
<br />
DH was warned at the yarn store that the date of completion for this pending project is way, way, <i>WAY</i> up in the air. Like, he might get this pair of socks in the next two years. In the meantime, it makes a wonderful addition to my stash.Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285611780339551128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914458436987484973.post-66583376683573568542011-06-29T16:00:00.015-04:002011-06-29T16:00:01.035-04:00WIP: Burnham Wood CapeletWhen I saw the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/burnham-wood-capelet">Burnham Wood Capelet</a> pictured in the Spring 2011 <a href="http://interweaveknits.com/">Interweave Knits magazine</a>, I knew I had to make it. I scoured the magazine to find the pattern to no avail. Thanks to a quick <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/patterns/1682897/1-25">search on Ravelry</a>, it turns out the capelet was actually in the Winter 2010 magazine. The photo just made a second stop in the spring magazine. This was a very fortuitous error for me as I had not flipped through the winter magazine as thoroughly as the spring one.<br />
<br />
This is the most complicated knitting project I've attempted to date. Not only is this my first attempt at knitted cables, it is also my first attempt at reading knitting charts and it is the largest knitted garment I've ever attempted.<br />
<br />
Note the key word here - <i><b>attempted</b></i>. I have high hopes that I will make it to the end of the project with a capelet that fits and one that I adore wearing. But there is so much that can go wrong between a collar and the last stitch. I'll be checking in with <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/-romis-studio/1378802/1-25">Romi's Ravelry group</a> and other wonderful knitters who have made this project.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/OnHooksandNeedles/burnham-wood-capelet">My Ravelry project page</a> is the most up to date and I've chronicled my progress in the notes. So far, I've completed the collar.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/5872415239/" title="Burnham Capelet 04 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5063/5872415239_220864daae_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Burnham Capelet 04"></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/5872973002/" title="Burnham Capelet 05 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5068/5872973002_b739561710_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Burnham Capelet 05"></a><br />
<br />
The delay in starting the next part of the shawl is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/OnHooksandNeedles/willow">a baby blanket</a> I must complete before a baby shower in July. It's close to being done so I hope to pick up the capelet and get back to work on it soon.<br />
<br />
What has been your greatest knitting or crochet challenge this year?<br />
<br>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285611780339551128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914458436987484973.post-35836892779204504142011-06-29T07:00:00.002-04:002011-06-29T07:00:00.948-04:00Gardening Update<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/5873508518/" title="Garden Progress 6/26/11 2 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5026/5873508518_72abdf864a.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Garden Progress 6/26/11 2"></a><br />
<br />
The herbs are doing extremely well. I've made multiple batches of salsa using the parsley and I have too much basil and thyme. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/5879409572/" title="DSC04605 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6060/5879409572_82b194fbdb.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC04605"></a><br />
<br />
The only issues so far is that the rosemary plants are just now looking like they will survive. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/5873507556/" title="Rosemary by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5062/5873507556_e1f4c74ebc.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Rosemary"></a><br />
<br />
And there is the great mystery plant that is clearly not lavender. The seed packet said lavender and I planted lavender in the pot marked "Lavender" and yet these random sprouts showed up in the "Lavender" pot and all the other containers, too. It then proceeded to grow over two feet in height and hint at some kind of flowers, but no blooms.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/5879392472/" title="Not Lavender 3 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6045/5879392472_a105686fd8.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Not Lavender 3"></a><br />
<br />
This does not resemble any lavender plant I've see before. The stalks don't look right at all. If you happen to know what the heck this plant is, please leave a comment. Whatever it is, it's growing without any problems. It has even filled one of my rail containers.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/5873508042/" title="Not Lavender by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3221/5873508042_3ee825042c.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Not Lavender"></a><br />
<br />
And so far, two Johnny Jump Ups have bloomed. Look closely - they're little.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/5872952755/" title="Johnny Jump Ups 2011 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3030/5872952755_65632572bb.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Johnny Jump Ups 2011"></a><br />
<br />
While I love my container gardening, I yearn to someday have a yard with lots of space for these herbs to grow and flowers to grow.Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285611780339551128noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914458436987484973.post-52304066459379128422011-06-28T17:00:00.001-04:002011-06-28T17:00:00.834-04:00Year of Lovely Things UpdateThe past two months have been oh so lovely. Quite a few things to cross off the list...<br />
<br />
My birthday was celebrated in many ways, starting first with a trip to see "C" and "D". Our visit was in Fredericksburg instead of North Carolina, but it was lovely just the same. I also received some awesome gifts - a sheep mug and the cutest yarn stitch markers.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/5722725572/" title="DSC04578 by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2449/5722725572_6bd25f9283.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC04578"></a><br />
<br />
My birthday celebration continued with a pedicure, facial and massage thanks to my wonderful husband's gift of a day at the spa. I did my own manicure after a relaxing bubble bath at home. I was truly pampered for my birthday!<br />
<br />
Other lovely things accomplished include: sending some snail mail, seeing a Red Sox game, staring at the stars on a warm spring evening, and trying a new restaurant. I watched a marathon of "<a href="http://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones/index.html">Game of Thrones</a>" and I am wholeheartedly addicted. I've tried to celebrate the small lovely things of every day life too, like an easy commute home on a Friday and the fun emails exchanged with friends. <br />
<br />
And still, there are so many things on the list to look forward to. I truly am blessed.<br />
<br />
How lovely is your year so far?<br />
<br>Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285611780339551128noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1914458436987484973.post-31558714021645422292011-06-28T08:00:00.004-04:002011-06-28T08:00:00.764-04:00Oh, Honey, HoneyI made my first ever home-brewed mead with a kit gifted to me by my sister-in-law. It's from <a href="http://www.beefolks.com/">The Bee Folks</a> who are local beekeepers with booths at both the <a href="http://www.sheepandwool.org/">Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival</a> and the <a href="http://www.rennfest.com/">Maryland Renaissance Festival</a>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.beefolks.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=87&cat=Mead+Kits">The kit</a> (many to choose from) has the yeast, herbs, rubber band, cheesecloth, and instructions. You buy two <a href="http://www.beefolks.com/shopdisplaycategories.asp?id=15&cat=Honey">jars of honey</a> (many to choose from, too) and some spring water. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/5646270681/" title="Mead by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5148/5646270681_a4afbd0bb9_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Mead"></a><br />
<br />
Follow the super easy instructions and you'll be brewing mead like a pro. Here's a photo showing the yeast at work.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/5879227180/" title="Proof of Yeast by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5142/5879227180_d4d9658b72.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Proof of Yeast"></a><br />
<br />
And here's a video where you can see the bubbles churning the herbs.<br />
<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="300" data="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000"> <param name="flashvars" value="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=bf865506af&photo_id=5879227992"></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377"></param><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=71377" bgcolor="#000000" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="intl_lang=en-us&photo_secret=bf865506af&photo_id=5879227992" height="300" width="400"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Since I didn't have a dark place to store it, I improvised by covering the jug in a dark dish towel.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/5878665581/" title="In the dark... by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5039/5878665581_15d5be063d.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="In the dark..."></a><br />
<br />
Then - voila! The mead was done in a week.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/5878665809/" title="Almost finished... by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5311/5878665809_92855d272a.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Almost finished..."></a><br />
<br />
It was then enjoyed by friends during Sheep and Shenanigans.<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochetingcommuter/5879260576/" title="Cherrs! by On Hooks & Needles, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5199/5879260576_93d88c0007.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Cherrs!"></a><br />
<br />
I recently tried brewing another batch using one of the kits I bought<a href="http://on-hooks-and-needles.blogspot.com/2011/06/successful-shenanigans.html"> at MS&W</a>. It was quite tasty but I liked the first batch I did better. There are so many combinations of mead kits with honey flavors to try. I've still got another one to try and I plan to buy a couple kits at this year's Renaissance Festival. <br />
<br />
This brewing also helps me cross off an item from <a href="http://on-hooks-and-needles.blogspot.com/p/year-of-lovely-things.html">my Year of Lovely Things list</a>. Which, now that I look at the list, there are a handful of items to also cross off. Where's that pen?Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09285611780339551128noreply@blogger.com1