Down by the Bay, where the watermelon grows….
We’re having a mini-Monsoon! The weather was glorious on Saturday. A “Spring is here” and open the windows kind of day. Then Sunday, it started raining. I now know the difference between “showers” and “rain”. Rain is when it stays around for two days! No complaints s’rously! We need the rain. Down in Southern Maryland there was at least one tornado. Blew the roof off an elementary school. It’s the sort of thing one expects out on the plains of Oklahoma,but always a bit of a shock here.
Ta Da! Just in time for Spring, I’ve finished my new Winter jacket! It’s called “Flattering Jacket”- a pattern available from Lion Yarn. The color is called “Rococco” sort of a “taupish” beige. 
They have a bunch of patterns available free on their website. One of the things I like is that many of them, like this one, already offers the plus sizes. This one was offered with instructions for either knitting or crochet. The knitting pattern was all moss stitch and it would have taken an eternity!So I went with crochet. Cool because it was done in less than a month!
The big plus- it was so simple even I could figure out the pattern. Also the Homespun yarn is machine washable (I’ll do it gentle though)The minus- Homespun. It’s is a “twisty” acrylic yarn which is very popular for afghans. Comes in great colors. But wow, it’s heavy! It could be because I’m not cold enough right now to appreciate the warmth. I have a “loose hand” when I crochet. I followed the directions for the 1x with a “K” hook, which called out 7 skeins, but I used 8 and a bit of a 9th without changing the 1x directions a bit. Gauge wasn’t critical for this.
Come next winter, when I’m yapping about being cold, I’ll have this nice snuggly jacket to throw on . But if I decide to make this again, for a gift perhaps, I will use lighter yarn. Bernat Boucle comes to mind.
I’ve sort of developed a new rule of personal needlework too re: knitting vs. crochet. If it’s got interesting details, or being made for a milestone event, such as a baby’s Baptism outfit, absolutely knit it (in high quality yarn) If it’s way BIG, or going to take a long time (apart from your personal masterpiece sweater for example) crochet it!
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April 23rd, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Wow, you are so talented! I’ve always wanted to learn how to knit and crochet. It would be awesome to make my own blankets, sweaters, scarves, and hats. Every time I’ve tried to learn from the beginning I get a few stiches in on a test piece that ends up being about 6 by 10 inches in size, and then I quit. I don’t know why. I think it’s because it’s hard to find the time after working all day, housework, marriage, etc. But someday, when I’m semi retired or a housewife, I’d like to learn.
April 24th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
TY Ciarra! I’m a late bloomer. My grandmother could do anything with a needle- knitting, smocking, tatting, just ANYTHING, but I was a lefty and just couldn’t catch on by watching her back then. What helped me learn to crochet was a book that had printed diagrams for Lefties-so helpful! There’s been a revival of knitting the last few years and there are so many neat projects now. I took a beginner’s knitting class last year which got me started there. Now I’m on a sock making kick!