Crochet Project- trying a new way to do a granny square! and a RANT!

 Hello All I hope this finds you doing well and staying cool. We've had some high temps with a real feel of above 100. My thoughts and prayers are going out to everyone on the West Coast, they are dealing with devastating fires and higher temps.

I'm trying to learn to do a rectangle granny square scarf from a pattern on The Unraveled Mitten

It's a free pattern on her website Not Just for Granny Rectangle Crochet Scarf

I also applied to become an affiliate for Premier Yarns( fingers crossed). I've ordered from them several times and I have never had a problem with my orders reaching me in a timely manner. I'm also happy with the yarns that I have received from them. I have another order coming soon.

Now for a tad of irritating news. I ordered a mystery box from Lion Brand on the 16th. They state it usually takes 3-9 business days to receive your order. Here it is the 30th of July and still no package.

They stated it was on the way this week and that was yesterday thru email according to their FEDEX agent. I also spoke with a Fedex agent the day before I sent them an email. The FedEx site tracking hasn't updated since the 21st. When I called the agent told me it takes 14 days for USPS to get package which to me was FALSE. I have ordered from Lion Brand and received previous orders in 5 to 7 days with no issues. WHY this last one hasn't shown up is beyond me. I sent them an email back this afternoon after checking my PO and told them I would give it till Monday and if it didn't show up then I want a refund. You may not have a problem with the company which I don't really, I just don't like FedEx. I am to say the least not going to order from them again. I'll find Lion Brand yarns from other places from now on......

Anyway I know this is short but I am really tired from work and achy...

Until Next Time...

Happy Stitching and May you have smokin' needles...xxxx

Premier Yarns Affiliate :) Link to the Coffee Shop Yarn

Coffee Shop Yarn Sumatra

Easy Double Crochet Scarf

 Hello All 

I hope this finds you doing well , staying safe and staying cool.

I'm back with another crochet post but this time it's my own design. I just come up with it this week and it's very easy to do. It consist of the chain stitch and double crochet.

This one I have used Yarn Bee Mimosa yarn #2 Fine in Blue -3.5 oz./100g-240 yards/220meters. A 4.0mm G hook  It does twist when you center pull from the skein and will tangle. You can use any yarn you choose to use. I've used #4 weight as well with this simple scarf. This yarn using the whole skein gave me a 6 inch wide and 41 inch long scarf. Again you can choose to make it longer if you want or wider. I didn't crochet a swatch with this so there's no stitch count per inch.

Chain 23 + 3. I don't count the chain 3 as 1 of my double crochet but you can if you choose to do so. 

Row 1 and beyond >. double crochet in each stitch including the 1st stitch across the chain. chain 3 turn and double crochet into the top of each double crochet. Without counting the chain 3 you should have 23 double crochet across. It's simple and you can probably crochet it up in 1 night. I'll come back with one using #4 weight yarn and give you total inches etc. 

That's all for now.....

Until Next Time

Happy Stitching and May you have smokin' needles...xxx

Crochet Update #3 plus my orders are in!

 Hello All I hope this finds you doing well  &  once again another update on projects. These post are acting as sort of a journal as well as I enjoy sharing my projects with you and hope it inspires you to go out of your comfort zone and try something new :)

 On my last post I was working on the Broomstick Lace Scarf using Premier Nordic Self Patterning Design(#3 Light)  in Harbor Grey. I'm happy to report it is now right at 33 inches long, My plan is going to 44 inches long which will hit right at my waist line. I don't really want it any longer than that as it is more of an accessory than for warmth even though it does feel warm. 

That black yarn is another project I started using Red Heart Soft Essentials. More on this one later.

The scarf is coming along smooth right now and I am working on it this evening, nice easy relaxing stitch.

I have stopped the Infinite Granny Square for the time being, Trying to locate the Yarn Bee Purely Fresh in charcoal at a reasonable price. All I am seeing at the moment is the yarn on different sites selling for twice as much as regular price($5.99) I bought it on sale for $1.37 clearance price.

I refuse to buy it at double the price so I will work with the second color once I give up trying to find the charcoal color.

The Simple Double Crochet Blanket is coming along nice as well. It is now 4 foot long and I have used 4 skeins. I have 6 more skeins so I am deciding on how long I really want this one to be. The Bernat Softee Chunky (#6 Super Bulky) can be found at a VERY reasonable price from an Etsy shop called YarnShop4U  OR on their website at the same price for a 3 pack which you get a 4% refund on the price. YarnShop4U website

Next up is 1 yarn haul from Lion Brand another favorite yarn of mine. I spoke of the order coming in on my last blog post and said something about the Santa Sack. It come in and I am very happy with the yarns. Total retail price of the 9 skeins is $71.91. These prices are listed on their website. 

 Break down of each then pictures

3 skeins- Lion Brand Cotton Candy Blend retails for $7.99 each 

3 skeins- Lion Brand Twisted Cotton Blend (Red) $5.99 each

3 skeins- Lion Brand Homespun Thick and Quick Stripes (Coral Stripes) $9.99 each

I haven't decided what I will make with the Cotton Candy Blend or the Coral Stripes yet but the twisted cotton will most likely be hand/kitchen towels just like the one I made with the twisted cotton in black 

< I redone this one as I lost count of my double crochets

 

I also recently purchased a couple of skeins of Premier Sweet Roll Frostie yarn in Iced Coffee. $4.99 each.     Premier Yarns Sweet Roll Frostie  I am making a simple double crochet scarf with this yarn.

 I like the "boxy" color changes this way. You could start this length wise and have the colorway that way as well. I may try that with the 2nd skein that way I have 2 different looking scarfs with same colorway.

There's another project I am trying with a different yarn but not liking how it is working up. I'm doing simple hand towels or I may stop it and call it washcloths but I just don't know yet. I got this at Hobby Lobby on clearance for $1.49. It's Yarn Bee Mimosa 3.5 oz. 240 yards Blue. It's a light weight. It really likes to twist up bad when you are working with it. I don't know if it's because I am working with the center pull or what. I just know I won't be looking for this yarn at all. I'll use up what I have and be done with it.

I think that is all for now and back to crocheting and watching videos for more inspiration. 

Until Next Time.....

Happy Stitching and May you have smokin' needles...xxx

Crochet Update #2!

 Hello All I hope this finds you doing well. Right now Tropical Storm Elsa is over us dumping a LOT of rain, seen some wind gust but nothing bad so far. It's been raining for 3 hours now with no letting up. Flash Flood warning is in effect for most of the day. I'm home today working on a scarf and a couple of double crochet blankets and a infinite granny square shown in previous post

Broomstick lace scarf using #3 light weight Premier Nordic self patterning yarn in Harbor Grey. This yarn splits easily so it's slow going.

Infinite Granny Square using Yarn Bee Purely Fresh 50g skeins in Charcoal. That is 10 skeins so far working on 11th skein now. I hope tp be able to buy more of this color in the near furture.

This is going to be a blanket/afghan as well using the light blue yarn I got from Mary Maxim- 1lb. bag of yarn-solids

This one is a simple double crochet afghan using  Bernat Softee Chunky - #6 Super Bulky in Faded Denim. I have 4 skeins using 1 now and have 3 more I ordered from YarnShop4U on Etsy.  3pack for 8.29. YarnShop4U They have lots of items for sale in their shop. 

Last up is another yarn order that come in. I have 2 more in transit.

This is from Yarnspirations - 

MYSTERY BAG, 1 LB OF YARN $8.99 not including tax and shipping.  This is unbanded and doesn't seem to be full skeins and seems to be a #5 Bulky compared to my #6 Super Bulky. BUT it is still going to work out just fine. I'm learning how to join yarns so this shouldn't be a problem

I actually like getting the Factory Mill Ends but be careful if you order them. I have heard of there being Roving that you actually have to wind(spin?) into usable yarn. I'm not a fan of roving nor do I know how to "spin"(?) that stuff  LOL. But so far with the factory mill ends I am happy with what I receive. 

Until Next Time before this internet goes out again........

Happy Stitching and May you have smokin' needles...xxxx

Update time! Plus another Yarn Haul.

         

            

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!   

Hello All, 

I hope this finds you doing well and staying cool. Lockdowns have eased up here in NC for a few months now and people are beginning to travel more. The new job is going well so far, still have to get a routine down but things are a lot less stressful, no drama, no pressure, no attitudes. The people I work with are really great as well. Now onto other things......

I've been able to work on more crochet. I am learning new stitches and have started several things but I am not going to overwhelm myself with a lot of projects at once. I am learning a couple new stitches at a time, working on them then laying them aside to work on older projects. I haven't picked up my broomstick lace scarf yet but plan to this week and try to get it done this month. Trying my best to limit myself to working on 1 project AND completing it before going to another. 

I ordered more Mira yarn from Amazon for a granny square blanket/throw. I've learned how to finally crochet granny squares and having lots of fun sitting listening/watching   videos while crocheting these. 

Mira Handcrafts Acrylic Yarn 12 pack

It's wonky lol but I am learning what I am doing wrong and fixing it. I've crocheted 6 green and now working on my 4th pink one with the yarns I have from Amazon. I don't have pics of those yet, this one pictured is what I started with. I also found 1 of my grandmother's crocheted afghans and have to repair it but hoping mine turns out similar to this. I am using solids colors, She mixed her colors.

Next thing is orders I have received so far from Premier Yarns, Mary Maxim and Yarnspirations websites. 

#1 Premier Yarns

#2 Mary Maxim

#3 Yarnspirations

Premier Yarns I ordered twice because I was able to get discounts on the second order since I ordered some clearance yarn from them 1st.

 #1 Clearance yarn  is a bag of 5 Uptown Worsted Spirit Stripes #518 Interception. 

#2  Premier Coffee Shop 3 cakes for 4.99 each of Sumatra. 

Mary Maxim I ordered another 1lb yarn- Solids this time of unbanded yarn. It feels like #4 acrylic yarn and it's light blue, project started with this, I'll post about it later. 

And also ordered  3 small skeins of Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Yarn in a Blue Jeans color. I'll make some type of scarf with this as well.

Yarnspirations I've ordered twice from them, second order is the 1st time I've been able to snag a Santa Sack from them. Description says 9 skeins of yarn worth $65, I snagged it at the price of $19.99. It's in transit at this time.

 The 1st order is sitting at the Post Office now waiting on me to pick it up. I ordered a Mystery Bag 1lb. of yarn. I don't know what type or color this will be since this is my first time snagging one of those mystery bags...

Next up is a few pics of the haul and some things I am learning how to crochet

Yarn from my last haul is being used  to crochet a infinity Granny Square Blanket/Throw. As of right now it is 29 inches by 29 inches square I have used 6 skeins of Yarn Bee Purely Fresh (Bulky #5) in Charcoal. I was lucky enough to snag 6 more skeins and 7 skeins of the same yarn but in a teal/blue color called Peacockle. I'm not sure when I'll be able to buy anymore at this time. I have to limit myself on  buying any more yarn and work with all that I have now...

Infinity Granny Square - Charcoal color

The Lion Brand  Cotton Blend on the left was on clearance and I am making a couple of crochet Hand towels with it. 

I'm going to continue with the 6 skeins of the Charcoal color then will use the blue and go as far as I can with it. 

I also picked up more of Lion Brand Wool-Ease #6 Super Bulky and  Loops & Threads Cozy Wool #6 Super Bulky like I used on the last broomstick Lace scarf I made but in different colorways this time. 

Lion Brand Wool-Ease 2 skeins of Dusk and Loops & Threads Cozy Wool 3 skeins in Granite. These also were on clearance.

I am also learning how to do Basic Bruges Lace from a youtube channel- Stitches n Scraps

Made a napkin ring using 100% cotton Thread

I am also learning how to do Queen Ann's Lace from another youtube channel- Fiber Spider

That's all for now... I hope that you have enjoyed the Holiday. Stay Safe, Stay Cool 

Until Next Time.....

Happy Stitching and May you have smokin's needles...xxxx