Knitting on a Crochet Blog??

Sacrelige! Well, no, not really. I just wanted to crow a bit. :) When I was about 8 years old, my mother gave me a partial skein of bright pink baby yarn and a pair of size 2 needles and taught me how to garter stitch, English style. All I ever made was a very funny looking rectangle that I never learned how to bind off. That was my only foray into knitting.

Fast forward many years. I really wanted to learn to knit, but I wanted to learn Continental style, since thats closest to how you crochet and I figured it would be more natural for me. I tried over and over, got disgusted and quit. I bought many books, looked at many videos but STILL I couldnt get it. Well, about 3 days ago, I sat down again with a new book and tried again. I took a photo of what I did and I posted it on Rav and asked if I was doing it right. Well, I found out I wasnt doing it WRONG, but I wasnt doing it the way it was really supposed to be done. So I went back to the videos. Tried weaving the yarn around my fingers the way it all the ladies were showing....but it was awkward and I felt like a 5 year old. Then one lady told me to try holding the yarn whatever way I felt comfortable....after all, there are no KNITTING POLICE to keep me from doing otherwise. So I took her advice. I started holding everthing just the way I would hold it when crocheting. And the clouds parted! And I started knitting. And it was good! LOL! So, behold my first knitting project....Grandmother's Favorite Dishcloth.....

Its not perfect, but to me its just beautiful. Its something I never thought I could do. And I can actually USE it! That makes it even better.
I will continue to practice this knitting thing...he,he... But it will never change my love for crochet. I just wanted to prove I could do it. Thanks for reading.....and....

Crochet, Away!

Seashell Tote

This was a spur of the moment project that I found in the Summer 2009 issue of Interweave Crochet. I never made a tote like this before and I liked the design. I especially like it because you can add rows to the base and it doesnt affect the pattern....you only have to adjust the handle row accordingly. You can also use just about any cotton or acrylic yarn for it. It makes a great beach or market tote and its very easy. Might give it as a gift....not sure yet.


I used Bernat Cool Crochet and a G hook for the body of the tote....and F hook for the handle portion. Cool Crochet is a nice cotton blend yarn. And now that its available in 8.5 oz skeins, its even better. Its on the list of discontinued yarns but you can still find it at the craft stores. If you can get a copy of the Summer IC magazine, this one is a great carry along project. Give it a try!

Crochet, Away!

One More.... :)

I decided to show you the other piece I made for my partner. This is called the Starburst Hotpad. For a first attempt, it came out pretty well. Its a neat proceedure. You can find the pattern HERE, and you can find a video that explains how to create the starburst HERE. I didnt find the video till AFTER I was finished but I did figure it out on my own eventually.

I liked this one so much, I made another one for myself....

So now that I have the technique down, I can make more pretty easily and I dont need the pattern now. Give it a try.

Crochet, Away!

More Kitch

Working on a potholder swap that I have to send out by the 8th. So being the efficient person that I am, I decided to make my potholder ahead of time by starting it before I got paired up and surprise my partner by mailing it off right away. Thats the first one.....from the Spring Hotpads/Potholders pattern from Annie's POTD. You may have that one saved if you follow the free patterns. I got a nice e-mail from my partner saying she doesnt care about the color....except she doesnt like pink. OH NO! :) So I dove into potholder patterns and I found the Clownfish (you can find the pattern HERE). A really easy pattern EXCEPT for weaving in the ends. If you hate that, you might want to make the fish in a single color. :)

I will probably make another potholder for my partner, NOT in pink :)....and send her 2, since I still have some time. The flower potholder I will hang onto for another swap.

Crochet, Away!