For some reason I am finding it difficult to write this
post.
The last couple of weeks has reminded me of something quite
fundamental within the fiber arts. When you find those that share your hobby,
you find your tribe. I have witnessed several examples of how this tribe is a force
of good in the world.
The first example was while I was at the DFW Fiber Fest.
Just as the vendor market was about to open the rumor had spread that one
vendor had not been able to set up. Apparently, the trailer that carried all of
their yarns, their samples, their entire booth set up was stolen from a hotel
parking lot.
Most vendors are small businesses, the entire family participates
in the entire experience. This is the livelihood, and obviously a loss like this
is huge set back.
So, what happened next was a true feeling of the tribe. All
the other vendors donated items for a raffle drawing, while attendees began
taking up donations. After 24 hours all organization came together for one
central raffle drawing fundraising event. In just two and a half short days
over $12,000 was raised to help offset the losses to this family.
To add to the story, apparently the thieves took approximately
a third of the yarn they had stolen and donated it to a Habitat for Humanity store.
A crochet loving volunteer thought that this donation looked odd, did a bit of
research and was able to return some of the vendors stock to them. The vendor
was able to have a small booth to sell these found yarns, in which they had a
steady show of support.
This was occurring as a fellow crochet was losing her battle
with cancer. By now in life I have been down this path before, it does not become
any easier. However there was a bit of a difference with this passing. I know
this crocheter from the Crochet Guild of America, I have spent time with her at
the annual conference, and followed her life on-line via Facebook.
After her passing, her only living relative, her brother,
reached out to her crochet community to inform them of just how much we all meant
to her. This tribe was her family, and the simple act of sharing our love for
crochet had created an environment in her life that was the world to her. Her
tribe was important to her enough that they become a part of her everyday life.
There is a void in the crochet community.
There are other instances that have come together this week
to remind me that there is so much more we have in common than we have
different. Crochet just happens to be one of those tribes that we can easily
recognize, we know that if someone plays with yarn we can find a common ground.
I still do not understand why I have had such difficulty
putting any of this to words, maybe it is because my tribe is too close to my
heart.
When I first created this design, I was planning on celebrating crochet during the National Crochet Month (every March), but now it has grown into a much longer celebration time….If you are visiting this site from the Yarnover Truck as part of the San Diego Yarn Crawl…Thank you! Please enjoy “my crochet story” and your free pattern.
I met Underground Crafter through the Crochet Guild of
America, actually I have my career in crochet because of CGOA. I never thought
that crochet could take me to the places it has.
I will admit that when I first learned about CGOA I didn’t
really know what to expect. I found an ad for it in a magazine, and figured I
would give membership a try.
I soon learned of the Masters program, then completed the Advanced Stitches &Techniques Program, which consists of 48 swatches and 13 question. Some of the swatches were things I had never heard of before, like foundation single crochet, so I learned some new skills and have my work reviewed. I remember that I was nervous, excited and a bit terrified to have my work reviewed. Fortunately, and eventually, I passed the program.
Later that year I was invited to the CGOA annual conference
to be recognized for my accomplishment. I was a bit reluctant….after all it was
a crochet conference….so people just sat around and crocheted?…But with
encouragement from family and friends I went, and I was hooked!
Where this one event took me
I met so many incredible people from so many walks of life.
It was an experience that changed my life, seriously. It was at this conference
that I sold my first design, and began my career as a crochet designer, that
lead to more teaching, that lead to volunteer work in crochet…that lead to
being a reviewer and a writer for the Masters Program, that lead to a seat on
the Board of Directors, and finally my title as President. It is hard to
believe that my career started only 7 years ago, from a membership that I took
a chance on a decade ago.
Even if I never took the chance at conference and started a
new path in my life, I was hooked as a supporter of CGOA for the simple fact
that it is the only organization that solely supports crochet. It is a unified
voice of crocheters in the craft industry, a central point for the history of
all things crochet, a source that encourages and expands the skills and
knowledge of crochet. It does all of this numerous volunteers coordinating over
twenty committees. I am constantly impressed with the ideas and energy of those
that love crochet.
I would continue to support CGOA simply because it supports
crochet.
In addition, please enjoy my free pattern, Quiet Night Wrap. I designed this pattern by candle light during the winter storms and my journey back to the 1800’s just a few weeks ago (find that story here). I hope you have enjoyed a month long celebration of crochet, personally I think I will try and celebrate it every day.
Quiet Nights Wrap
Quiet Nights Wrapby:
Linda Dean
Created in the dark during a winter storm, this simple 2 row repeat worked from the center back outward, will be a go to favorite for a triangle shawl. The ending edge really makes it a show stopper. This will be the wrap that everyone wants you to make for them.
Treble Crochet Two
Together (tr2tog): YO
twice, insert hook into stitch, YO, pull up a loop, (YO, pull through 2 loops)
twice, YO twice, insert hook into stitch, YO, pull up a loop, (YO, pull through
2 loops) twice, YO, pull through 3 loops.
The Pattern
Row 1: Ch 2, (sc, [ch 3, sc] 3 times) all in 2nd ch from hook, turn. -4 sc, (3) ch-3 sps
Row 2: Ch 4 (counts as dc + 1 ch now and throughout), 3 dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch-3 sp (insert removable stitch marker in ch-1 sp to mark center of shawl), ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 1, dc in last sc, turn. 14 dc
Row 3: Ch 1,(sc, ch 3, sc) in same st, ch 3, sk ch-1 sp, sk 3dc, sc in next ch-1 sp, [ch 3, sk 3 dc, sc in ch-1 sp] across to center of shawl, ch 3, (sc, ch 3, sc) in center ch-1 sp, [ch 3, sk 3 dc, sc in next ch-1 sp] across to last ch- 1 sp, ch 3, sk 3 dc, sk ch-1 sp, (sc, ch 3, sc) in last dc, turn. -7 ch-3 sps
Row 4: Ch
4, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp, [ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp] rep across to center of
shawl, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in center ch-3 sp, [ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp]
across, ch 1, dc in last sc, turn. -26 dc
Row 51: Ch 4, dc in same sp, [ch
1, sk 1, dc in next st] across to center of shawl, ch 1, (dc, ch 1, dc) in
center of shawl, ch 1, dc in next st, [ch 1, sk 1, dc in next st] across to ast
st, ch 1, (dc, ch 1, dc) in last st, turn.
Row 52: Ch 3, dc in next 4 sts, [ch 5, sk 2 ch-1 sps, tr in next ch-1 sp, ch 5, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, dc in next 6 sts] 12 times, ch 5, sk 2 ch-1 sps, tr in next ch-1 sp, ch 5, sk next 2 ch-1 sps, 3 dc in next ch-1sp (center of shawl), [ch 5, sk next 2 ch-1 sps, tr in next ch-1 sp, ch 5, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, dc in next 6 sts ] 12 times, ch 5, sk next 2 ch-1 sps, tr in next ch-1 sps, ch 5, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, dc in last 4 sts, turn.
Row 53: Ch 3, dc in next 3 sts, [ch 7, sc in tr, ch 7, sk ch-sp and next dc, dc in next st, dc in next 4 sts] 12 times, ch 7, sc in tr, ch 7, dc in next dc, (dc, ch 1, dc) in next dc, dc in next dc, [ch 7, sc in tr, ch 7, sk next ch-sp and dc, dc in next dc, dc in next 4 sts] 12 times, ch 7, sc in tr, ch 7, sk ch-sp and next dc, dc in next dc, dc in last 3 sts, turn.
Row 54: Ch 3, dc in next 2 sts, [ch 7 (sc, ch 5, sc) in sc, ch 7, sk ch-sp and next dc, dc in next 3 sts] 12 times, ch 7, (sc, ch 5, sc) in sc, ch 7, sk ch-sp, dc in next 2 sts, (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp, dc in next 2 sts, [ch 7, (sc, ch 5, sc) in sc, ch 7, sk ch-sp and next dc, dc in next 3 dc sts] 12 times, ch 7, (sc, ch 5, sc) in sc, ch 7, sk ch-sp and next dc, dc in last 3 sts, turn.
Almost done….
Row 55: Ch 3, dc in next st, [ch 3
(tr2tog, ch 3) 4 times in ch-5 sp, tr2tog in same sp, ch 3, sk ch-sp and next
dc, dc in next st] 12 times, ch 3 (tr2tog, ch 3) 4 times in ch-5 sp, tr2tog in
same sp, ch 3, sk ch-sp, dc in next 3 dc, (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp, dc in next
3 dc, [ch 3, ch 3 (tr2tog, ch 3) 4 times in ch-5 sp, tr2tog in same sp, ch 3,
sk ch-sp and next dc, dc in next st] 12 times, ch 3 (tr2tog, ch 3) 4 times in
ch-5 sp, tr2tog in same sp, ch 3, sk ch-sp and next dc, dc in last 2 sts, turn.
Row 56: Ch 1, sc in same st, ch 3,
sc in next st, {[ch 5, sc in next ch-3 sp] 5 times, sc in next ch-3 sp} 12
times, [ch5, sc in next ch-3 sp] 5 times, ch 5, (sc, ch 5, sc) in ch-1 sp, ch
5, sc in ch-5 sp, {[ch 5, sc in next ch-3 sp] 5 times, sc in next ch-3 sp} 12
times, [ch 5, sc in next ch-3 sp] 5 times, ch 5, sc in next dc, ch 3, sc in
next dc. Fasten off.
Weave in ends, block.
A Bonus
Thank you for participating in the San Diego Yarn Crawl…as an added bonus, you can download a PDF of this pattern here.
Some color changes are a bit different than others. The way to change the color in a stitch is the same, I discuss that here. However, there times when a couple of other little tricks can make the color change smoother, and your fabric much more eye catching.
One of these times is when the color change may occur within
the rows with a shift of the stitches, like a line of color moving diagonally. The
color change is not exactly in the same location as the row below, so to have a
really clean look you may have to start a new yarn each time or end up with a
color strand laying awkwardly across different color stitches.
A diagonal color change, without ends to weave in, and a visually consistent look.
I for one really do not want to weave in as many ends as it
would require to shift a color change every row, so there are a couple
techniques I use to reduce the ends while keeping a smooth color edge.
For starters, when I change the color I toss the “old” color
stand over the fabric, so that it is on top of the stitches. After completing
the row of stitches and returning to the color change point, if I am changing
the color before the last stitch of the color I change the color but leave a
slightly loose tension in the new yarn. I then crochet over this yarn until I reach
the same color, and crochet the next stitch over the loose tension strand in
the same color stitch.
When the color change happens after the last time it was changed. The loop brown strand, is the pulling up of the color a row below, then it is worked over until the color is changed.The color change is completed, and the “old” yarn is then tossed to the opposite side of the fabric, over the fabric. This helps assure that the yarn is in the correct location for working on the returning row.
If the color change occurs after the last stitch of the
color, I pull the yarn that will be changed up and crochet over it until the
stitch it needs to be changed in.
When the color change happens before the last time it was changed. Leave a little slack in the yarn when it changes color.Crochet over this “slacked” yarn, until at least into the same color below.
Essentially I am working over the color change yarn until it
is needed. This helps me keep a smoother look while actually being able to stay
sane while working up and finishing the fabric.
Yarn makes such a difference in your crochet. Often when we
think of yarn color, or weight, maybe even fiber, but we often do not think
about the ply. The ply however can really make a difference in our project.
So, what is ply? Well it helps to understand some basic yarn
construction. Yarn is comprised of fibers that are spun together in one
direction, this direction can be either clockwise or counterclockwise, the most
import think is that all the fibers are spun in the same direction. These spun
fibers are now what is referred to as a single, meaning a single strand of
yarn.
Singles can be used as a yarn all by its self with no need
for plying, but this yarn tends to be a little less stable, and honestly if you
have to rip back your work it is not very forgiving. It also has a tendency to pill
more in the final project, so something that is getting a lot of use may look
aged quickly. However there is a benefit to this yarn, it is evenly round, its “tube”
is an even circle.
The top yarn is a single, meaning it is not plied. The bottom yarn is a 4 ply yarn, meaning that 4 singles are spun together in an opposite direction from the spin of the singles.
Plied yarns, take multiple singles and spin them together in
the opposite direction from the original twist. Meaning that if the single was
spun clockwise then the singles would be plied counterclockwise. This tension
between the different directions of the spinning help create a stable yarn that
holds up well.
So now how can your plies make a difference in your crochet
if it is a stable yarn? Well it comes down to how “round” the “tube” is. If you
ply two singles together you then have 2 round tubes spin together, the result
is not a final “tube” that is really round, it is more flat of oval at best. There
is nothing wrong with this, but the rounder the yarn the more stitch definition
you have. This can be important when working textural stiches, as a cable
stitch may not “pop” as much with a 2 ply yarn, verses a single.
Three swatches, using the same stitch, but the yarn changes the look. The top swatch is a 6 ply yarn. The middle swatch is a single. The bottom swatch is a two ply yarn.
The more plies a yarn have typically the closer to “round”
it becomes, while staying more stable. So yarns with a greater number of plies
does allow textural stitches to shine more.
In some projects this may not be noticeable, but it is good
to know, to ensure your project comes out the way you intend.
There are many things that I have taken for granted in my
world of crochet over many years. One such things is the hook I use.
I have also found that it is one of the things that very few
people consider when evaluating their crochet work, people consider the
pattern, the yarn, even their ability before considering the tool that was used
to make it. However there are differences between hook, aside from how it feels
in your hand that can affect how you stitches looks.
The main parts of a hook, are well first of the hook. Is it
an in-line or a taper hook? An in-line is essentially a tube, nice and smooth
that has a slit cut into it, while a taper has a shaft that gets smaller as it
approaches the hook, then gets larger again at the head of the hook. The most
common hooks on the market that reflect this are the Susan Bates- inline, and
Boye- taper.
In-line Hooks
The biggest difference I have found with these hooks and my
stitches come into play when working stitches that have several yarn overs or
“loops” to pull through, such as a bullion stitch. (A bullion stitch can have a
several yarn overs, in some cases 10, before pulling through all the loops on
the hook). For me the taper makes it difficult to keep these loops even when
pulling through, and I have a tendency to fit it a bit to get all the loops
off, while an in-line hook seems a bit easier.
Yet the gentle increase of a taper hook in general helps me
to enlarge loops that might be getting to tight to pull through, simply by
sliding the hook up the shaft. It gives me a bit more flexibility when transitioning
between various stitch techniques, especially where stitches can inadvertently
be pulled tighter. Whereas an in-line does not give me as much variety and
option in this area.
Taper Hooks
However, if the taper is too great, giving a large finger
support that creates a larger increase in the taper I find that my loops become
a bit more inconsistent when working decreases or clusters. Where I have to keep loops from other
stitches on the hook to be worked off together, the large taper prevents the
loop from being easily adjusted on the hook, and instead makes one of the loops
tight while the other end are a bit loose.
So just this one difference in hooks, the simple shaft,
either in-line or taper, can affect my work and my look. There are other
factors, but this is just one that relates to my current projects. Never be
afraid to try a different style hook, you might learn some subtle differences
for yourself too.
