A Day at the Fair

Cyndi, Ben, and I spent this past Saturday splashing in the mud and playing with fiber! We visited the HFA Fiber Fair 2010 in Marshfield, Mo. It rained off and on most of the day but everything was in the pavilions so we stayed dry (for the most part) and had a blast! :)

We weren't there but about 3 or 4 minutes when a woman handed me a card and said, "You've won a door prize!" It was a lovely assortment of Goat's Milk bath products in a basket shaped like the state of Missouri, provided by Misty Woods ~ Home, Health, and Goat's Milk Products.


Next it was off to look at the craft tables and all the fiber goodies. There were so many gorgeous handmade items. And the yarns were so much fun to look at. I bought some hand dyed wool for Cyndi to play with:


And I got myself some pencil roving so I can try my hand at Kool-Aid dying and needle-felting:


Oh, and we picked up a couple of hot chicks too! (Pot holders) LOL


But the real reason we were there, at least as far as Ben was concerned, was to look at all the animals:

Little Lambs

Alpacas

Alpaca after shearing

And the most impressive: A lady spinning angora directly from the bunny while he's sitting on her lap. Sorry for the dark picture... the lighting was bad for that one. :(


After the fair we went up to Springfield to visit A New Yarn (my favorite LYS!) where I bought some Noro Silk Garden to make myself a new bag. :)


Well, we were exhausted when we got home but it was totally worth it! We will definitely be going to the fair again next year! :)

Civil War Era Shawl

A reproduction of the shawl found at: http://www.shasta.com/suesgoodco/newcivilians/womenswear/ladycoats.htm#Shawls

Finished Size: 34 inches at center point (not including fringe)

Materials: Worsted Weight Yarn; US size "H" hook; Stitch Marker; Tapestry Needle (for weaving in ends)

Ch 6, join with sl st in 1st ch to form loop.

*Note: Place marker as indicated on Row 3 to mark center ch 3 space. Move marker up each row as you work being sure to keep it in the center ch 3 sp.

Row 1: ch 5 (counts as beg ch 3 + ch 2 now and throughout), (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc, ch 2, dc) all in same loop, turn.

Row 2: ch 5, (3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 2 sp, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 3 sp, (3 dc, ch 2) in next ch 2 sp, dc in top of beg ch 3, turn.

Row 3: ch 5, (3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 2 sp, (3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 1 sp, [3 dc, ch 3 (*mark as center ch 3 sp), 3 dc, ch 1] in next ch 3 sp, (3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 1 sp, (3 dc, ch 2) in next ch 2 sp, dc in top of beg ch 3, turn.

Row 4: ch 5, (3 dc, ch 1) in next ch 2 sp, (3 dc, ch 1) in each ch 1 sp across to last ch 1 sp before center ch 3 sp, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc, ch 1) in center ch 3 sp, (3 dc, ch 1) in each remaining ch 1 sp across, (3 dc, ch 2) in next ch 2 sp, dc in top of beg ch 3, turn.

Rows 5-33: Repeat row 4, do not turn at end of row 33.

NOTE: Shawl may be made longer by repeating Row 4 until desired length.

Row 34 (top border): ch 3, (2 dc, ch 1) in end of row 33, (3 dc, ch 1) in end of each remaining row across top of shawl including the beginning loop. (102 dc)

Row 35 (bottom fringe-optional**): [ch 13, 5 sc in 2nd ch from hook, 5 sc in each of next 9 ch, ch 2] (one corkscrew made), sl st in next ch 2 sp, make corkscrew, sl st in same ch 2 sp, [make corkscrew, sl st in next ch 1 sp] across to last ch 1 sp before center ch 3 sp, make corkscrew, sl st in next ch 3 sp, make corkscrew, sl st in same ch 3 sp, [make corkscrew, sl st in next ch 1 sp] across to last ch 1 sp before laast ch 2 sp, make corkscrew, sl st in next ch 2 sp, make corkscrew, sl st in same ch 2 sp, make corkscrew, sl st in top of beg ch 3 of Row 34.

Fasten off, weave in ends

**Alternate fringe: If you prefer to use a plain fringe, (for each fringe) cut 3-5 pieces of yarn to twice the desired length and secure in ch 1 spaces with a larks head knit along bottom edge. This website has a good tutorial for making fringe in this manner.

Closeup of Row 34 (top edge)
Closeup of center
Closeup of corkscrew
One more for the road...

Pattern written by April Moreland
© 2010 All rights reserved

Solid Corner Half Square

Solid Corner Half Square

Finished Size: 5 inches X 6.5 inches on the diagonal side

Materials: Worsted Weight Yarn; US size "I" hook; Tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

ch 4

Round 1: (beg ch 3 counts as 1 dc) 7 dc in 4th ch from hook, turn.

Round 2: ch 3, 2 dc in same st, dc in each of next 2 sts, 5 dc in next st (corner made), dc in each of next 2 sts, 3 dc in

next st, turn.

Round 3: ch 3, 2 dc in same st, dc in each of next 6 sts, 5 dc in next st, dc in each of next 6 sts, 3 dc in next st, turn.

Round 4: ch 3, 2 dc in same st, dc in each of next 10 sts, 5 dc in next st, dc in each of next 10 sts, 3 dc in next st, turn.

*Note: For a larger square, continue in same manner making sure to increase 2 sts in the first and last st of each row and

to place corner in the center dc of corner from previous row.

Fasten off at end of last row, weave in ends.

Here it is laid on top of the solid square.
Pattern written by April Moreland
© 2010 All rights reserved

Solid Corner Square

Solid Corner Square

Finished Size: 5 inches

Materials: Worsted Weight Yarn; US size "I" hook; Tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

ch 4

Round 1: (beg ch 3 counts as 1 dc) 11 dc in 4th ch from hook, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3.

Round 2: ch 3, 5 dc in next st (corner made), [dc in each of next 2 sts, 5 dc in next st] 3 times, dc in next st, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3.

Round 3: ch 3, dc in each of next 2 sts, 5 dc in next st [dc in each of next 6 sts, 5 dc in next st] 3 times, dc in each of next 3 sts, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3.

Round 4: ch 3, dc in each of next 4 sts, 5 dc in next st [dc in each of next 10 sts, 5 dc in next st] 3 times, dc in each of next 5 sts, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3.

*Note: For a larger square, continue in same manner making sure to place corner in the center dc of corner from previous row.

Fasten off at end of last row, weave in ends.

Pattern written by April Moreland
© 2010 All rights reserved

I'm Done!

At long last the Calendar Ghan is finished!!


Now I just need to get the border instructions written up and we can call this one a done deal! WOOHOO! :)

LYS Review

I'd never stepped foot in a LYS (local yarn store) before yesterday, not because I didn't want to, but because the opportunity had never presented itself. A New Yarn is a brand new LYS in Springfield, MO. I found them via their group on Ravelry earlier this month and knew I must visit!

WOW! is all I can say. I've heard so many LYS stories from different areas of the U.S. (both good and bad) that I really didn't know what to expect. Well there are no horror stories to be found here! I was greeted upon entering by an exceptionally friendly and helpful, but not at all overbearing, staff that obviously strives for a cozy atmousphere. I immediately felt at home.

I was on sensory overload as I perused the stunning displays of fibery goodness. The inventiveness and creativity that went into the displays is impressive. Of course there were the expected "cubbies" full of center pull skeins, and the "wall of hooks" displaying hanks ready to be wound, but what caught my eye was the display of Rowan Cotton seemingly tossed in an old washtub, the Crystal Palace Cotton Chenille arranged on an antique hutch, and even more yarn packed into a strategically opened drawer, all adding to the cozy, homey feeling.

Their spacious layout lends to the comfortable atmousphere. I could have easily strolled Ben around if necessary without feeling like the displays would come crashing down. I was in such awe of the yarn and displays that I almost didn't notice the comfy seating area. I could just picture a group of ladies sitting and talking about the week's events while knitting or crocheting. Such fun!

Much to my amazement, I only walked out with one skein of yarn. I bought a ball of Crystal Palace Yarn's Cotton Chenille in Bubblegum Pink. I've been wanting to play with this yarn ever since I saw the Reverse-Bloom Flower Washcloth in Weekend Knitting a few years ago. I have a few projects I need to wrap up, but I will definately be playing with the chenille soon!



I regret not planning my trip a little better. I really should have made a list of my current WIMs and the proposed fibers for those projects. I knew I needed some feltable wool but had not a clue as to my color needs. I stood there looking at their huge display of Cascade 220 feeling a bit overwhelmed. I know I could have asked for help, and it would have been given without hesitation, but with no idea of the direction I wanted to take with my color effect, it would have been frustrating for both of us. :(

The stress was all in my own head though. I felt rushed because I knew Cyndi and Ben were waiting anxiously in the car for me so we could grab some lunch. But even with feeling rushed, I had a blast petting all of the amazing yarn that I've only seen on the internet or in magazines.

Thank you A New Yarn for providing me with a wonderful shopping experience. The yarns are fabulous and the prices are easy on the wallet. I'm already planning my next shopping trip, and next time I will make sure I have plenty of time to explore!

If you're ever in the area, pay them a visit and tell them DishclothDiaries sent you! Even if you don't knit or crochet, it's definitely worth the trip just to see the colorful and inventive displays alone! :)

Calendar Ghan Joining Instructions

**It was my original intention to do a photo tutorial of the joining method, but Ben decided to "play" with the camera so it is not operating to capacity at the moment(it won't focus properly) so doing a step by step photo tut was out of the question. I will get better pics of the finished ghan up ASAP. In the meanwhile, if you have any questions please leave a comment here. I will do my best to answer!


Materials: US size "I" hook, worsted weight yarn (Soft White was used for example), tapestry needle for weaving in ends

NOTES:
1: December's Mistletoe square has some ch 1 sps on the outermost row. When joining this square each ch 1 sp will count as one stitch.
2: Each of the Calendar 'Ghan squares have 37 stitches along each side PLUS the corner ch 2 sps. If the squares you are using do not have 37 sts you will need to do a row of sc around each square, increasing or decreasing as necessary to bring them all to the proper st count.
3: Alternately, these joining instructions may be used for any square so long as each side (not including the corner ch sp) has a stitch count that is a multiple of 3, + 1. Please note that you will need to adjust the number of repeats of the instructions in the brackets if using with a square other than one that has 37 sts on each side.

ABREVIATION NOTE:
S1 = Square 1 (you will only make one of these)
S2 = Square 2 (joined only on one side)
S3 = Square 3 (joined on two sides)
SA = Square A (when joining S1 and S2 this is the square facing you)
SB = Square B (when joining S1 and S2 this is the previously worked square behind SA)
SC = Square C (when joining S1 and S3 this is the next previously worked square behind SA)

*Use the Layout Chart below for square placement

Square 1: With right side facing, join yarn with sl st in any corner ch sp of square, (ch 3, dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in same sp, ch 1, skip next st, [dc in each of next 2 sts, ch 1, skip next st] 12 times, *(2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in next corner ch sp, ch 1, skip next st, [dc in each of next 2 sts, ch 1, skip next st] 12 times, rep from * twice more, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, fasten off.

Square 2 (one sided join): With right side facing, join yarn with sl st in any corner ch sp of square, (ch 3, dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in same sp, ch 1, skip next st, [dc in each of next 2 sts, ch 1, skip next st] 12 times, (2 dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in next corner ch sp, ch 1, skip next st, [dc in each of next 2 sts, ch 1, skip next st] 12 times, (see abreviation note above) holding wrong sides together, on SA work 2 dc, ch 1 in next ch 2 sp, sl st in corner ch 3 sp on SB, ch 1, 2 dc in same ch 3 sp on SA, sl st in next ch 1 sp on SB, [(skip next st, dc in each of next 2 sts) on SA, sl st in next ch 1 sp on SB] 12 times, skip next st on SA, 2 dc in next corner ch sp on SA, sl st in corner ch 3 sp on SB, ch 1, 2 dc in same corner ch sp on SA, working on SA for remainder of square, ch 1, skip next st, [dc in each of next 2 sts, ch 1, skip next st] 12 times, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, fasten off.

Square 3 (two sided join): With right side facing, join yarn with sl st in any corner ch sp of square, (ch 3, dc, ch 3, 2 dc) in same sp, ch 1, skip next st, [dc in each of next 2 sts, ch 1, skip next st] 12 times, (see abreviation note above) holding wrong sides together, on SA work 2 dc, ch 1 in next ch 2 sp, sl st in corner ch 3 sp on SB, ch 1, 2 dc in same ch 3 sp on SA, sl st in next ch 1 sp on SB, [(skip next st, dc in each of next 2 sts) on SA, sl st in next ch 1 sp on SB] 12 times, on SA work 2 dc, ch 1 in next ch 2 sp, sl st around joining slip st previously joined squares, ch 1, 2 dc in same ch 3 sp on SA, sl st in next ch 1 sp on SC, [(skip next st, dc in each of next 2 sts) on SA, sl st in next ch 1 sp on SC] 12 times, skip next st on SA, 2 dc in next corner ch sp on SA, sl st in corner ch 3 sp on SC, ch 1, 2 dc in same corner ch sp on SA, working on SA for remainder of square, ch 1, skip next st, [dc in each of next 2 sts, ch 1, skip next st] 12 times, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3, fasten off.


Square Layout Chart



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Pattern designed and written by April Moreland
© 2010 All rights reserved