Argyle Color Pooling

I started a project a recently just to try a new and interesting technique.  It's called, "color pooling".  Multi colored yarn is stitched in such a way as to produce an plaid or argyle-like pattern.  I researched the internet for patterns, videos, blogs, and tutorials that explained how to do it.  And, after a couple of tries, I finally figured it out.

I can't say it's easy.  And, I can't say it's fun either.  It requires constant attention as to where the colors are landing and lots of ripping out, adjusting of tension, and re-stitching to get the pattern to work and continue to work.  So, it did end up in a short time out.  However, on my trip to Arizona about a week ago, I only allowed myself to take projects that were in progress.  As much as I wanted to stick to my norm of taking lots of project possibilities to start new things, I knew that this was the best chance of getting some projects completed.  It worked!  I completed two shawls and made big progress on this during the trip.  So much so that I continued to work on this scarf and finished it up this morning.  Hooray!

I decided to make the finishing end match the starting end...

I realized while taking photos of the scarf that the pattern matches up when it's draped around the neck.  That's pretty cool!

Of course, it has to work as a cowl...one of my favorite ways to wear a scarf...

I used about a skein and a half of Red Heart Super Saver Multi yarn in the Icelandic colorway and a size J hook to crochet this.  It turned out pretty.  And, even though the process wasn't very fun, the results are kind of magical.  

This will count as number 21 in my Create 52 Challenge.

Create 52 Challenge

I've challenged myself to creating a minimum of 52 things this year...one for each week of the year.  The creations can be crafty, yarny, cooking, etc.  Within that goal, I'm trying to push myself outside of my normal box and try new things.  That can include new techniques, making things I've never made before or making them differently, new recipes, etc.  I had originally thought I'd use Pinterest as my inspiration but I've found inspiration in so many other places too.

Here's what I've created so far...

I fell in love with Caron Cakes yarn and just had to give it a try.  I just couldn't resist these colors and that I wouldn't have loose ends to tuck in at each color change.

The new thing I tried with this shawl project was knitting a triangle from end to end.  The pattern was on the label of the yarn.  I used two balls of this yarn and size eight needles.  It was a lot of fun to knit up.  I found myself knitting pretty fast on it as I would always want to knit to the next color.

I knitted up a pair of boot cuffs.  The new-to-me on this project was that I'd never made boot cuffs and I'd never worn them.  I thought they were pretty cute, could keep me warm, and was something I could make with some leftover yarn I'd acquired from a knit friend.  They knitted up quickly and were fun to make but I wasn't thrilled with how they felt or looked when I tried them on.  I ended up turning the photo black and white in an attempt to like the photo.  I may give them to my daughter.  I think she might enjoy them more than I will.

I've been noticing crocheted jewelry online for a while and finally gave it a try.  I tried making earrings.  It took a few attempts and was surprisingly not as easy to crochet onto the wire as I thought it would be.

I made myself a "pussy hat".  I didn't march in any of the protests as I was sick that weekend.  But, I felt strongly about a lot that was going on.  And, I just love these hats.  It was a fun project to make and to wear.  I found a pattern on Ravelry that was knitted in the round.  I love this color!  And, the hat is really comfy.  It's fun to wear little ears too.  Makes for funny shadows too.  lol

I crocheted a wavey scarf with some yarn I had leftover from my Taos vest.  The pattern is Nanci's Waves Scarf from Ravelry.  I liked how a few people had crocheted the pattern lengthwise I and decided to do that too.  The wave technique was new to me and fun to make.

I crocheted some fun tassels for the ends with little circles.

I made a Pussy Hat for my daughter.  She didn't want it in pink.  So, I knitted it in gray.  I embellished it with a little pink heart.  I've been wanting to embellish some of my projects.  This is a tiny start.  I did it with some pink yarn and duplicate stitch.

I'd knitted up a few gnomes last year and I guess they must have been fun because I just had to make another one.  lol  This time, I made it as a leprechaun.  I bought him a little hat, gave him a shorter beard, a little belt with a felt buckle, knitted stripes for socks, and used the same color for his hands instead of another color for gloves.  And, it was done before Saint Patrick's Day!

I made up a bunch of wool felted balls a few years ago and had been meaning to decorate some and use them for drier balls.  I finally got around to making one.  It's a simple design on natural, multi-color wool.

I got a little fancier with the next one.  I decided to make a desert scene on it.  I started out by making one scene on one side but decided to go all the way around.  It was fun needle felting little cactus.

My daughter was home for spring break and we all found ourselves enjoying an entire day outside on the back patio to enjoy the incredible weather we had that day.  While I was out there, I decided to harvest some lavender from my yard and make a lavender wand.

When my daughter went back to college, I went with her and spent a week there.  There's a great little thrift shop in town that I always go to when I'm visiting.  This time, one of the things I found was a package of tiny glass jars with cork lids.  When I got home, I added lavender to one of them and put it on a chain.  It's cute and I can take a whiff of that lovely scent anytime I want.  It's like aroma therapy on the go!

That's 11 projects and I should be up to number 13.  So, I'm a bit behind on my challenge.  However, I have several projects in the works.  I should be able to catch up with no problem.  I'll try to post the new projects as I finish them up.

You can also follow me on Instagram.  I post on that a lot more often.  You can find me there as acorntooak

Finished Scarf and New Yarn

I finished my Claudia Scarf.  And, I finished it just in time.

The evenings have gotten chilly and it came in very handy last night

at our weekly stitch gathering as we sat outside.

I know it will probably look a lot prettier blocked but I love it so much already!

I snapped these pictures with my phone and posted them on Instagram.

I love playing with the different effects.  The actual color of the scarf is more like the one above.

This pattern was super easy.  It's the same row over and over.

It's great for social stitching because it's hard to make a mistake.

I used three skeins/786 yards of JoAnn Sensations Bamboo & Ewe 

yarn in the Beige colorway and a size H crochet hook.

I haven't measured but it's at least six feet long.

I've had this pattern in my Ravelry queue for a few years.

It feels great to have finally made it.  I love it!

I'm on a yarn diet but it doesn't seem to be going very well.

I seem to keep acquiring yarn.  At least it's not a lot and I did just finish a project.

My latest acquisition is this gorgeous brown and turquoise yarn I brought home from 

stitch night.  It was dyed by a very talented member of the group.

She has an Etsy shop...Inner Yarn Zen.  I love that name!

She's constantly taking my breath away with her color combinations.

They're always rich and gorgeous!  This skein will probably become a lacy shawl or scarf.

I LOVE the colors!

I spotted this one in a yarn shop months ago and couldn't get it out of my mind.

I finally went for it.  It's going to become a hat.  It'll go great with some of my 

new hiking clothes.  It's Berroco Vintage Colors. The colorway is 5222. 

Why don't they give them names?  That's so much more fun than a number!

Little Bit of This, Little Bit of That

I've been a little bit absent in the blog world lately.  I've been wanting very much to dive back in and post more often but I've been finding it a little difficult.  Summer was busy but the end of it was packed!  My daughter came home for the summer and we were busy almost constantly.  Then, all of a sudden there was only one week left to pack in everything that we had wanted to do but hadn't yet.  There was a recording session (she's a musician...harpist), sewing, line dancing, people to see and places to go! Whew!  Then, I blinked my eyes and it was time for her to go back to college.

That first week was a little weird.  There was the quick halt to all the busyness.  Then, I think I was feeling a bit blue that she was gone.  And, hubby was home sick for several days.  I just couldn't get into the swing of things.  I think things finally started to click into place yesterday.  Whew!  I hate that sort of lost feeling and not being able to decide what to do or where to start.  But, hopefully, blogging is resuming...starting now!  :-)

In the midst of the busyness and the weirdness I have been busy with yarn.  I've been doing a little bit of this and a little bit of that.  I started to make an adorable purse...HERE'S the pattern page on Ravelry.  I found the perfect yarn in my stash!  I had two skeins of Cotton Supreme Batik in the "Early Autumn" colorway. When I started crocheting with it I fell in love!  It was going to be a gorgeous purse!  And, perfect for the season! Unfortunately, there wasn't enough yarn.  So, I ripped out the second skein and crocheted it into another granny square and I'm thinking of making them into pillows.  It turns out that the colors go perfectly with my house!

I've crocheted a couple more lacy rock covers.  Here's one of the latest...

I started another de-stashing project last Thursday.  It's the Claudia Scarf that I've had in my Ravelry queue for a couple of years.  It's an easy pattern and I like the look of it.  I like the grid-like stripes and the softness of the shells.  It should look extra nice once it's done and blocked.  I have four skeins of Bamboo and Ewe which should be more than enough yarn.  And, I'm using a size H crochet hook.  I started on the second skein last night.  

I've also knitted a little on a pair of socks I started a long time ago.  I'm up to the gusset on the second sock. And...My daughter and I did some sewing together on the last week of her break.  We both made the same skirt in different fabrics.  I just need to hem mine.  

Now, to get rid of this headache so I can figure out what to photograph for the Alphabet Photo Challenge and the letter N.  And, to get back to work on all of these other projects.  Ugh!  I hate headaches!  I'll be so happy when the weather cools and we can turn off the AC and the ceiling fans.  My sinuses will be MUCH happier!

Woodland Lace

My Spring cleaning this year has started with my craft studio and finishing up projects that have been WIPs for way too long.  I finished the Bora Bora shawl a few weeks ago.  This last week, I finished a lace scarf that I started almost a year ago.  I blocked it yesterday and just finished pulling out all the pins and taking pictures.  

Here it is...

The pattern is "Strangling Vine Lace Scarf".  It's a free pattern that I found on Ravelry.

It's well written and very easy to knit.

I just noticed that I didn't mark a needle size in my Ravelry notes.  Ooops!

But, I'm pretty sure I used the recommended size four that's listed on the pattern.
The finished size is about 7" x 76".

I used a skein of "Hazel Knits Piquant Lite" yarn in the 252 Woodland colorway (400 yards).

I love all the different shades of green.  It's rich and beautiful. 

The bits of light in it remind me of being in the woods with bits of sunshine streaming through.

Because of that, and all the shades of green you'd see in a forest, I decided to name my scarf "Woodland Lace".   I like that name much better than "strangling" lace.

The scalloped ends are a nice touch.

The overall pattern looks like vines and also like pine trees.

 Blocking is always like magic to me.

And, if I didn't know that blocking could turn this...

Into this...

I might not have continued after the first couple of inches.

I'm glad I did.  And, I'm so happy to have picked it up a few weeks ago and finally finished it.

It turned out beautiful and the timing is perfect for Saint Patrick's Day this weekend!

Serenity Scarf

I wove a scarf this week.  It was a quick and easy project and I'm pretty happy with the outcome.

It all started a few months ago when I bought some yarn that I'd instantly fallen in love with and knew immediately that I wanted to weave with it.  The blues and browns are pretty.  The yarn is "Serenity Garden" and the colorway is "Twilight".   This project took two skeins for the warp and one and a half skeins for the weft.  It's done in plain weave with 12 ends per inch. 

As I wove it, the colors in the yarn created stripes and a slight plaid-like feel.

The finished size is 8 1/2" by 90", plus 5 1/2" of fringe on each end (101" total).  The long length will make it possible to wrap it around my neck a couple of times for more warmth, or drape nicely for a pop of color and texture.

Such pretty colors!

I love twisted fringe and have been wanting to try it for a long time.  I finally did it!  But, now I know why there are fringe twisting tools.  My fingers got tired very quickly from all the twisting.

The weather forecast is showing hope for cooler, fall-like weather.  Maybe, I'll get to wear it soon!

Irish Hiking Scarf

My current knitting project is the "Irish Hiking Scarf". It's a free pattern I found on Ravelry and I love it! I just can't get enough of cables. They're fun to make and I love the gentle twists and curves and cushy texture. I'm adding ribbing to the ends of mine. I like how that looks.


After I started my scarf, I noticed that the back didn't look quite as attractive as the front. I saw that a couple of Ravelers made this scarf with a reversable cable. I poked around on the internet to figure out how to do that. I kind of got the idea but wasn't sure how to change the pattern to make it work. So, I just went with the pattern, as is. As it has gotten longer, the back doesn't look so bad.

The pattern was easy to memorize and I quickly figured out a way that I could ditch the pattern. Whenever I finish row one of the repeat, I place a marker around one of the knit stitches on the front of the scarf. With the marker, I can easily identify where I am. I can count the rows and know that it's time to cable whenever I get to row eight. Not having to fiddle with a pattern or keep track with notes makes this a relaxing knit.


I'm not using a fabulous yarn. It's just Bernat acrylic....dino fiber. I'm using size 9 needles which make it feel a bit softer than the 8's recommended on the label. But, it's still a bit stiff and plasticy...as expected. But, it was only about $4 for 445 yards! I should resist acrylic but the color was nice and I was longing for a worsted weight project that I could start on right away. I don't have any local yarn shops now. Shops have been closing over the past few years. The closest ones are 30 minutes to an hour drive away and I don't really like those. So, craft store yarn is my only choice for quick yarn. That means lots of acrylic choices. But, I'm having fun and it will be virutally indestrucable, right?...unless it melts. lol

New Pattern

The knitters and crocheters in the local "Stitch n Bitch" group are always creating beautiful and inspiring projects. Sometimes they even create them from scratch. One of the ladies created a crochet scarf a couple of months ago that I loved so much that I encouraged her to write the pattern. And...she did!

She wrote down some notes...that night, I think...and sent them to me asking if I'd test the pattern and help her with writing it. I was thrilled to be involved and help out.

The pattern requires 400-500 yards of fingering weight yarn. I bought two skeins of JoAnn's "Bamboo and Ewe" yarn in a lovely purple/lavender color. The pattern calls for two crochet hook sizes, "I" and "J". The larger hook is used for the base chain to be sure it's nice and loose. Great idea! The smaller hook is used for the rest of the scarf.

The pattern is simple and the results are wonderful!


The pattern provides a couple of size options and instructions on how to customize the width. Mine is 6" x 76". The long length provides for lots of different ways to wear it. I love that!


It's lacey and soft.


This yarn was splitty but the end result is drapey and the weight is just perfect.


I love the color. I've been wanting to make something in purple to keep me warm. This is such a nice purple...not too dark, not too light and a nice hue. The color in all the pictures is pretty accurate except the bottom two.


There are are several options listed in the pattern for finishing the scarf. It can be blocked out to make it more open and lacey. And, there's an edging that can be added. I opted for just fastening off and tucking in the ends. The edges of the scarf are so frilly, delicate and pretty that I didn't want to cover them up with an edging. I didn't block mine because I like the feel and look of it as is.


The texture of the fabric is really cool. It's lacey and feminine. At certain angles there's a faint grid and lines. And, when it's held up to the light, it has a ziggy zaggy pattern. Who knew you could create all this in a simple pattern with only a couple of different stitches?!


I tried to be as thorough as possible with testing the pattern. I tested out crochet hook sizes to see how they compared, wrote, rewrote, and kept tweeking the pattern until I felt it was ready to send off to her. She was very happy with it and just needed to add a picture and a few details. She added a second edging option which I'm a little confused on it's directions. But, if I make this again, I'll probably do it without an edge because I like it so much on it's own. The pattern is by "Inneryarnzen" (I love that name!). She called it, "The Gift" and it's available for free on Ravelry. Just click "HERE"

I'm so excited to wear my new scarf! Thank you, "Inneryarnzen" for letting me help out with your first pattern and be one of the first to have one of these beautiful scarves. I love it! :-)

Special Gift from a Special Friend

I've been friends with Tammi for over 30 years. Wow! That's a long time! We met in high school, have been friends ever since and I think we will always be friends. Some friends are just like that. They're kind of like family. That's what Tammi and her family are to me. I can't imagine ever not having them in my life.

About 20'ish years ago, Tammi found out about a fiber event happening locally and we went to check it out. There were people doing things I'd never seen or even heard about...they were spinning and weaving! It was fascinating and exciting! I remember one woman in particular who had a small loom with her and she was weaving fabric on it to sew a jacket. Wow! That was so cool!

After browsing around the fiber event, we went to a little yarn/weaving/knitting store that Tammi had heard about. It was in Grand Terrace, California and the owner, Matti (Martha Middleton) had just opened her shop. It was in an old, small, shack like building with one window in the front. She was warm and welcoming and so eager to share her love of weaving and other fiber arts. We quickly signed up to learn how to weave. She asked us to pick out four colors of Lamb's Pride yarn to purchase and she taught us to weave on LeClerc, Dorothy, four harness table looms. She not only taught us for free, she was so generous to let me take the loom home to work on my newly learned skills. And, my love of fiber arts...beyond crochet...grew to weaving, eventually spinning, and, years later, knitting. I will never forget Matti and wish I knew where she was today to thank her, again, for sharing her passion with me. Unfortunately, Tammi became ill and wasn't able to do much more than warp her loom.

Fast forward those 20'ish years and Tammi is doing much better and has been able to pursue her interest in weaving and knitting. She found a local yarn shop a couple of years ago in Colorado, purchased a rigid heddle loom and started taking some classes. She's doing amazing! And, she's knitting! I'm so excited that she has finally been able to learn these things and enjoy them. And, it's so great to share the love of fiber arts with her. How great that she was able to introduce both of us to this wonderful world of fiber! Thank you, Tammi!

This Christmas, she surprised me with a very special gift...a scarf made by her, for me. Wow! How cool is that! I'm not even sure how to express in words how special this gift is to me. But, I can show it to the world! Here it is...my gift from Tammi...being modeled by my daughter...


I'm not sure what pattern she used but it's a little bit open and lacey but also very warm.


It's kind of stripey...but subtle.


The colors are pretty and it's soft. It's a perfect length to be able to wear it in various ways. Yeah...this is me...I'm not crazy about being in pictures or sharing them but I thought I'd be brave and go for it...at least one. :-/


Thank you, Tammi! I love it! Hugs!

Scarves and More Scarves

My Christmas gift projects started out with a scarf for my daughter. A couple of months ago, I mentioned to her how I was tired of knitting with thin yarn and yearned to make a project with thick, chunky yarn. She quickly let me know how much she'd love a long scarf made with chunky yarn. How cool was that?! One of the knit groups was meeting that night and it was the perfect opportunity to get started. I left home a little early, equipped with several sizes of thick, chunky knitting needles, and stopped in at the local Michael's store,where I picked up a couple skeins of Wool Ease Thick & Quick yarn in the color "Spice". I went to meet up with the knit girls and quickly got started. The ladies were such a great help! I kept trying different needle sizes and scarf widths until I finally found the right combination that we all felt would work out just right! I knitted for over an hour and realized that two skeins might not be enough. I dashed over to Michael's to grab another skein, hurried back and kept knitting. The next day, I decided I might need one more skein and went back to buy the last one in that dye-lot. It turned out that I didn't need that fourth one but I was happier to have too much than not enough. I love how it turned out and my daughter does too. She's been wearing it everyday since Christmas!


Three skeins, size 17 needles, and 20 stitches across seem to have been just right. The garter stitch texture is wonderful! And, the length works out really great to wrap around her neck like she wanted. I haven't measured it yet but it's reallllly long! She ran upstairs on Christmas night and hung it over the loft wall...


I knitted this scarf with some gorgeous Bernat Rockport yarn that I had in my stash (about 170 yards) and I used size 13 needles. I cast on 12 stitches and knit it in garter stitch.


It's a long and skinny scarf and it looks great wrapped around the neck and hanging long in the front with a white shirt and blue jeans.


The colors and textures in this yarn are yummy! It reminds me of ice cream and fruit. I love the fluffy nubs of white. So pretty!


I made this one for my niece, Sophia. She is in middle school and her mom told me that her favorite colors are pink, purple and green. Imagine my delight to find yarn with all three colors! I used two skeins of Loops & Threads Charisma yarn from Michaels. I used size 10 1/2 needles, cast on 17 stitches and knit it in a knit one, purl one rib.


It's soft, squishy and so cute for a young teen. The acrylic yarn is suprisingly nice and will work great for machine washing.


I crocheted this scarf for Sophia's little sister, Lucy. She's six and her favorite colors are pink and purple. I had a little trouble finding yarn with those colors that would be fun and pretty for her age. I finally found a skein of Red Heart Ltd Kids Multi in the colorway, "Playful". I forgot to note what size hook I used but I ended up chaining 13, turning, making a single crochet in the second chain from the hook and continuing on in rows of 12 single crochets. I tried several different hook sizes and every size twisted! I've never had this problem with all the single crochet scarves I've made in the past. But, I tired of trying and seeing no change and decided to just go with it. I've decided to call it the "Magic Swirly Scarf"! lol...


I discussed this twisty problem with a knit/crochet friend. She had never experienced this problem either. Since it's acrylic, blocking probably wouldn't have helped. But, I kinda think a six year old wouldn't care...in fact, maybe those swirls are kinda neat!


It lays flat when it's folded...


The stitches and colors sure are cute!...