Odiferous Fiber

I've been seeing a lot of questions pop up on blogs and in groups around the net pertaining to foreign odors in yarn. Whether it's the result of a smoker, the family pet(s), or just plain funkitude (did I just invent a word?) it's something that needs to be dealt with.

First of all, consider the source of the smell. If it comes from smoke, or some other "additive," you are going to want to wash the yarn to remove any remaining residue. Of course you can just wash the yarn and be done with it all in one fell swoop, but it's probably easier to wash a finished item than it is a skein of yarn (plus a finished item will dry WAY faster than a skein of yarn!) Just food for thought.

Secondly, keep in mind that I am in no way an authority on the subject. I just thought I'd gather a few suggestions that I, and others, have found successful for removing those offensive smells.

> Erika over at Crochet by Day used some Febreeze and good ole fashioned sunshine to wipe out her "Yarn Funk".

> This idea is from me but inspired by Cyndi. Of course people have been using baking soda for years in the fridge for keeping odors at bay. Cyndi started sprinkling it on the carpet to avoid the unwanted odors that owning a dog can bring. She also uses it to remove foul odors from anything plastic. So I had the idea to place one of the fridge packs in with a box of offensive yarn. Leave it in the closed box overnight, or a couple of days for stronger smells, and you will have odor free yarn.

> And here is a discussion over on the 'ville regarding washing a whole skein yarn. It seems wrapping it up in a knee high stocking and letting it run through the machine is a go!

That's what I have for now. What have you used to remove unwanted odor from your yarn?

Last Slice of Summer

There is a relatively new forum over on Crochetville entitled "Giveaways" (you may need to be logged in to see it) in which I have been lurking here of late. It's a simple concept. A member posts an item that they've made to the forum and then chooses a fellow member to give it away to.

There are various methods for choosing a recipient. Some post pictures and then have people request to be added to the list, then they choose from the recipient from the compiled list. Others simply choose people at random to receive their lovely gifts.

Many of the "Giveawayers" make and offer an item each month. Usually the same item but in a different color or style. Tammy, of Coffee n' Crafts fame, has been offering a crocheted hook cake each month. Her cases are usually themed for the month, and are always super cute and awesome.

My favorite so far has been the *Summer Time Seeds* Hook Case. I had seen the post and knew I loved it and wished I could have it, but knew there were a LOT of people who felt the same way as I. So imagine my surprise when I saw that big puffy envelope with her return address on it!

Isn't it just AwEsOmE?!

And packed with extra goodies too!

THANK YOU Tammy!!! I love, love, love it!

:)

Algebraic Equation

Ben + Afghan ÷ Scissors = Sad MomMom³

I should know better than to turn my back on a 2 year old, even for a second, for I know terrible and destructive things can, and will, happen. I take full responsibility for it though. I should have put the scissors up.

I had been crocheting dilligently the night before. I was in the homestretch. I was almost finished the project. Nothing like this has happened before. He honestly thought he was helping. He started crying when I cried, the poor thing. I should have put those darn scissors up!

*sigh*

Since Ben's "surgery" on my latest project I've been in a crochet slump. I still haven't brought myself to attempt re-construction. I did, however, finally bring myself to inspect the damage. It won't be impossible to fix. It's an afghan done in strips. One of the strips is beyond repair, but the other 2 that were damaged shouldn't be too difficult to fix. whew

Tears were shed, lessons were learned (on both sides). The scissors are safely hidden away on the highest shelf, where they belong, safe from adventurous little fingers. :)

Drop Dead Fred

My thumb is brown after all. :(

Whoever said you can't kill a succulent has never met me.

He was doing so well. I managed to keep him alive for 10 whole months with only minor mishap. He even had a little bud at the base of his stem. Life was good for Fred. But the move out here proved to be his demise. Well, not the move itself actually, it was me, I'm a horticultural murderess.

When we arrived in Ohio on Saturday afternoon 3 weeks ago all I wanted to do was escape from my cramped quarters in the backseat of Cyndi's Lancer. But in doing so, I left my healthy green companion sitting in the back window of the car, and thus subject to the heat of the car on a hot summer day. My absent mindedness cooked (literally) my poor little friend.

R.I.P. Fred, you will be missed :(

Moving Vans, Beef Lo Mein, & Birthday Cake

The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age. ~ Lucille Ball

There have been lots of happenings lately on the Left Side of Crochet. First of all, our stint in Missouri came to an abrupt end a few weeks ago. To quote Popeye, "That's all [we] can stands, and [we] can't stands no more."

In short, the economy got the better of us.

So we packed up our gear, (including over 20 boxes of yarn!) and started heading East. We came to rest in a quaint little town in NE Ohio situated right on Lake Erie. It has that perfect little hometown feel. Not too slow as to be boring, but not too bustling as to feel frenzied.

It wasn't a random pick. We chose the area, #1, because it's a factory town with plenty of jobs for the taking, and #2 (and most importantly), because it is where my youngest daughter lives.

It's so incredibly good to have the family together again!

And just in time for my special day...

Surf & Turf

Chain a multiple of 15 + 2

Row 1: dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in each of next 2 ch, *[skip next 3 ch, (4 dc, ch 1, 4 dc) in next ch (shell made), skip next 3 ch], dc in each of next 8 ch, rep from * across to last 11 ch, rep between [ ] once more, dc in last 4 ch, ch 3, turn.

Row 2: dc in each of next 3 sts, *[ch 3, skip next 4 sts, sc in next ch 1 sp, ch 3, skip next 4 sts], dc in each of next 8 sts, rep from * across to last shell, rep between [ ] once more, dc in last 4 sts, ch 3, turn.

Row 3: dc in each of next 3 sts, *[skip next ch 3 sp, (4 dc, ch 1, 4 dc) in next st, skip next ch 3 sp], dc in each of next 8 sts, rep from * across to last shell, rep between [ ] once more, dc in last 4 sts, ch 3, turn.

Row 4: dc in each of next 3 sts, *[ch 3, skip next 4 sts, sc in next ch 1 sp, ch 3, skip next 4 sts], dc in each of next 8 sts, rep from * across to last shell, rep between [ ] once more, dc in last 4 sts, ch 3, turn.

Repeat rows 3 and 4 to desired size.


You can see my previous blog post about this stitch pattern here.

Majesty Square

Finished Size: 12 inches square

Materials: Worsted Weight Yarn: approximately 2 ounces in each color A, and color B*; US size "H" hook; tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

*In example shown Red Heart Super Saver in Lavender was used for color A, and Red Heart Super Saver in Soft White was used for color B


With color A ch 5, sl st in 5th ch from hook to form loop

Round 1: ch 3, [2 dc, ch 2, (3 dc, ch 2) 3 times] in loop, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3.

Round 2: ch 3, dc in each of next 2 sts, *ch 2, sc in next ch 2 sp, ch 2, dc in each of next 3 sts, rep from * twice more, ch 2, sc in next ch 2 sp, ch 2, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3.

Round 3: ch 2, dc next 2 sts together, *ch 3, skip next ch 2 sp, (sc, ch 3, sc) in next sc, ch 3, skip next ch 2 sp, dc next 3 sts together (cluster made), rep from * twice more, ch 3, skip next ch 2 sp, (sc, ch 3, sc) in next sc, ch 3, skip next ch 2 sp, skip beg ch 2, sl st in top of next st to join, fasten off.

Round 4: Skip next ch 3 sp, join color B with sc in next ch 3 sp, *ch 2, skip next ch 3 sp, (4 dc, ch 2, 4 dc) in next st, ch 2, skip next ch 3 sp, sc in next ch 3 sp, rep from * twice more, ch 2, skip next ch 3 sp, (4 dc, ch 2, 4 dc) in next st, ch 2, skip next ch 3 sp, join with sl st in beg sc.

Round 5: ch 3, *2 dc in next ch 2 sp, dc in each of next 4 sts, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 sp, dc in each of next 4 sts, 2 dc in next ch 2 sp, dc in next st, rep from * twice more, 2 dc in next ch 2 sp, dc in each of next 4 sts, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 sp, dc in each of next 4 sts, 2 dc in next ch 2 sp, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, fasten off.

Round 6: Join color A with sl st in any ch 2 sp, ch 3, (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, *(ch 1, skip next st, dc in each of next 2 sts) twice, ch 1, skip next st, dc in each of next 3 sts, (ch 1, skip next st, dc in each of next 2 sts) twice, ch 1, skip next st**, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 sp, rep from * three times more ending last repeat at **, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3.

Round 7: ch 3, dc in next st, *(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 sp, (dc in each of next 2 sts, ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp) three times, dc in each of next 3 sts**, (ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp, dc in each of next 2 sts) three times, rep from * three times more ending last repeat at **, (ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp, dc in each of next 2 sts) twice, ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, fasten off.

Round 8: Join color B with sl st in any ch 2 sp, ch 3, (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, *dc in each of next 4 sts, dc in next ch 1 sp, (dc in each of next 2 sts, dc in next ch 1 sp) twice, dc in each of next 3 sts, dc in next ch 1 sp, (dc in each of next 2 sts, dc in next ch 1 sp) twice, dc in each of next 4 sts**, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 sp, rep from * three times more ending last repeat at **, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, fasten off.

Round 9: Join color A with sl st in any ch 2 sp, ch 3, (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, *(ch 1, skip next st, dc in each of next 2 sts) four times, ch 1, skip next st, dc in each of next 3 sts, (ch 1, skip next st, dc in each of next 2 sts) four times, ch 1, skip next st**, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 sp, rep from * three times more ending last repeat at **, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3.

Round 10: ch 3, dc in next st, *(2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch 2 sp, (dc in each of next 2 sts, ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp) five times, dc in each of next 3 sts**, (ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp, dc in each of next 2 sts) five times, rep from * three times more ending last repeat at **, (ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp, dc in each of next 2 sts) four times, ch 1, skip next ch 1 sp, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, fasten off.



Pattern designed and written by April Moreland
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