Friday, August 31, 2012

A Block-Swappin' We Will Go

Happy Friday, my friendly fiberistas.

After publishing my open letter from blankets and squares, I decided I wanted to make myself a new  blanket. I went to the previous Ravelry group in which I had swapped blocks, but it's virtually defunct. After a few inquires, I was directed to the Vanna's Choice Fan Club group, where block swap groups form with regularity. I pretty quickly joined the "froggy" block swap - the color theme is various shades of green and brown. The goal: swap 2 blocks with each of nine people, then create yourself a lovely blanket with the blocks you receive from your fellow swappees.

Here are my first four blocks, two of which are about ready to hit the mail stream:


Bold Smocking from Nicky Epstein's Knitting Block by Block.
The pattern page photo in Ravelry is not the best.
 
JulieAnny's Stained Glass Square
 
Duckbill Dalliance, and
 
Circle Star, one of the blocks from Interweave
Crochet's Chain Reaction Afghan project from 2010
 
 
I do want to point out that this is 100% acrylic - not my usual yarny fare, but it is a good choice for something that I plan on machine washing and drying with regularity. And I am a fan of Lion Brand yarn generally, so a little Vanna's Choice use is a good thing.

The swap period ends on September 30th. I'm creating blocks at lightening speed. Lightening, I tell you.

Now don't forget to go, like lightening, over to Andrea's blog and see what yarny adventures, swap or otherwise, people are getting into this week.


And for all of the U.S. readers out there, happy Labor Day weekend - the traditional end of summer. Don't work too hard (unless it's at a fun barbeque) and remember all those unseen, unsung workers who have in the past, and will in the future, toil in ways large and small.


Wednesday, August 29, 2012

We Interrupt This Blog ...

... to bring you an unofficial message from the Fall 2012 edition of Interweave Crochet - Doris Chan's latest design, the Rockin' Red Dress, which is a take on Lt. Uhura's infamous Star Trek dress:


For those of you who are regular readers of this blog, you'll note here an Artfully Voie de Vie questionnaire response from one Doris Chan about her last design: a Star Fleet uniform done in Louisa Harding mulberry silk.

Well, this isn't Louisa Harding mulberry silk, but it's definitely the Star Fleet uniform. I'm wondering which came first: the questionnaire response or the design that's made its way into this fall's Interweave Crochet (the digitial version of which is here, on newstands the beginning of September)? Given the long lead time in publishing, I expect the dress design came before the answer. That oh-so-clever Doris Chan.

No matter, really. Just please tell me this isn't the last Doris Chan design?!!!!!

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

VK Crochet: 3rd Installment

Now that herculean Ravellenic Games crafting efforts are over, I thought another installment in my series of finished projects by real people from the special edition VK Crochet magazine was in order. Today's design features one close to my designing heart, since I love all things tunisian crochet:

 Design: #32 Tunisian Lace Tunic

Mary Beth Temple, of  Getting Loopy! podcast fame, has been a crochet and knit designer for many years. This lovely tunisian lace tunic is, to me, her most engaging tunisian design project to date. American audiences are still learning about the wonders of tunisian lace (although Japanese crochet pattern books are repleat with the technique), and I'm thrilled that someone has a completed project from this design (in fact, there are two thus far).

The interpretation:


Annette (ANetTow on Ravelry) has captured the easy wearing yet sophisticated appeal of Mary Beth's design. She's been crocheting for over two decades, and I was so pleased to see in her notes (as well as her photos!) how blocking really opened up the lace stitches:

 
As anyone who reads this blog regularly is aware, I think blocking is magic. The proof is definitely in the stitchy pudding in this design. Annette also used a light fingering weight merino/bamboo blend, which allows for that great drape.

All in all, a nifty little top that I hope she enjoys wearing for many years to come. My thanks to Annette for her kind permission to use her photos.

There's more in store in this series, so stay tuned. Same bat channel. :)