Jan 29 2009

Book Review: The Complete Book of…

Category: Crochet,Reviews — Mistress Rows @ 10:09 am

Title: 300 Classic Blocks for Crochet Projects, The Complete book of Crochet Stitches,The Complete Book of Crochet Border Designs
List Price: $24.95, $29.95, $29.95
Amazon Price: $16.47, $19.77, $19.77
Binding: Hardcover, 256- pages
Publisher: Lark Press (January 1, 2008)
Variety: Reference +
Sizing: N/A
Value Ratio: Inexpensive
Stamina: High
Clarity: High

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Though I have an innate passion for reference and resource books, I can say with great conviction that not all reference books are created the same. Today I am reviewing a family of reference books that I feel belong on every crocheter’s book shelf, what I call Linda Schappers “Big White Book” series. They are (re)published by Lark Books and are in full color on glossy, thick pages.

First off, these books are mighty, and made to last. I prefer my reference books in hardcover rather than the lighter and more affordable paperback. My main reason is that they are easier to use because they tend to lay flat more often, and also, they hold up to wear and tear better. While this doesn’t make them tote friendly, it does mean that they can stand up to years of service.

As with most technique and reference books, these books each begin with a competent how-to section. Normally I prefer photos, but the illustrations in these books are so clear and concise that even someone new to crochet could pick up hook and yarn comfortably. Unlike some books, all the samples in each book were made in a light color yarn and clearly photographed against a darker, solid background. Also, (be still my heart), every pattern is presented in both written and symbol form with a symbol guide included in the glossary.

Book One is for the modular stitcher who enjoys piecework. These “blocks” are so much more than just your average granny square. Lacy, funky, classic… it’s all there. Use one or more of these 320 patterns to make your next modular masterpiece. I am already planning an evening wrap in a subtle sparkling yarn made up of a few different blocks. And of course, as many already know, blocks are a surefire way to use up your odds bits of leftover yarn

Book Two, the standard stitch guide, covers every foundation stitch I’ve ever imagined and them some. There are fully 500 stitches that are waiting to become the background of your next afghan, sweater, accessory or home décor project. As an added bonus, there is a photo index of each stitch in the beginning of the book to help you find what you want.

Book Three fills in where the other two leave off – meaning the borders and edgings department. There are 300 different borders for you to choose from, some simple and some that are incredibly complicated works of art. Borders are the perfect way to spice up a simple blanket, scarf or shawl. The right border can make something good into something stunning, and it doesn’t matter if you started the project with knitting, crochet is more than happy to finish it up with some pizzazz.

With over one thousand combined crochet stitches and blocks to explore there is almost no end to the versatility of these exhaustive compilations. While owning just one of these books would add a world of possibilities to a hooker’s repertoire, owning all three really is advisable. As with the Barbara Walker stitch guides, one volume missing means you lose out on so much.

I think of really good reference books as creative passports to endless possibilities. Linda’s big white books are an excellent value, especially when you consider that you can buy them on Amazon for more than 30% off of full list price and get free shipping on top of that. At these prices they are a steal! All in all, I give these books a combined 4.5 out of 5 stars. Linda’s books truly are thick tomes of crochet stitch love.

Caveats:

  • Samples in the book of blocks were crocheted in shiny yarn that was pressed to get them to lay flat for photography.
  • Only the stitch pattern book has a photo index.
  • Being large, hardcover books, they can be unwieldy, use of a photocopier or manual transcription is a must for portability.

Next Month: A recent – and impressive – sock book. If I get ambitious, a spectacular train wreck too.

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Jan 28 2009

Death by Tray

Category: Friends & Fun — Mistress Rows @ 7:19 am

Language is colorful, so these are not work safe (depending on where you work). This one’s for you Jess. Because it takes a special kind of someone to be quite as geeky as we.

And while not Force related, here is more Eddie Izzard, who is bloody brilliant (and a very snazzy dresser).

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Jan 25 2009

Comfort

Category: Life & Stuff — Mistress Rows @ 7:46 pm

Family, as we all know, can be complicated. I didn’t always have the same level of awesomeness with my parents that I do now, especially my mom. I count my lucky stars that she and I have been able to come to a place of comfort, even if getting there was hard. I think we both appreciate just how far we’ve come. 

I like to make things for my loved ones, especially when I know how much they appreciate my work. I don’t need anything more than the smile that lights up their faces when they open that package, it’s priceless and worth more than words. There’s a joy in that, and I think all crafters who create for friends and family know exactly what I’m talking about. Mom has been the recipient of many a handknit gift, and I know she loves each and every one. 

Mom visited with me yesterday before we joined friends in Albany for a great dinner. She needed help with her knitting loom project, and it was a nice afternoon. We worked together, went through some acrylic yarn I was giving her from my backroom stash, and during that time it came up that she wanted to know if I would make a shawl for my grandmother. Not a fine lace shawl, just a worsted weight acrylic comfort shawl to keep her warm now that she’s gone to live in a nursing home in Puerto Rico. I was taken aback. 

I refer to my grandmother, when speaking to my mom, as “your mom” or if I have to (when speaking to others) as “my grandmother”. Steve’s grandmothers I call Grandma Pat and Dot. The distinction is love. Without airing dirty laundry, my mother’s mother is a pretty awful person. She routinely thinks it’s ok to insult, hurt and make my mom cry. And no, it’s not dementia, she’s been doing it her entire life. To hurt my mom she incited my extended family to boycott my wedding. Yes, she really did that. 

This holiday season was horrible on my mom and dad as they went down to PR to try and get her mother the care and home she needed. Nothing but abuse was heaped on them the entire time. It was emotionally draining and painful for my mom, especially. I’m so different from her, I have never had these automatic emotional roots and ties. My love is earned through mutual respect and kindness, not by blood or birth.  I understand trying to “do the right thing”, but also seeking her love and approval baffles me. 

So, for my mom to ask this of me really did blow my mind. “You want me to what?”, I asked.  Mom clarified, “Something to keep her warm, she’s always cold. Would you do that?” I stood and stared. Mom thinks it’s her duty to love her mother. I think she’s a better person than I. This presents an ethical question for me. To knit or crochet something for a woman who has emotionally tortured someone I love, how could I do that? Even sick and old, she has her family dancing to a horrible tune and it won’t stop till she’s gone. How could I create something that would take many hours and not work in my righteous anger? As a Pagan, this is a very serious question. It would be like wrapping her in a spiritual time bomb.  

It took me only a moment of my mom looking up at me with hope in her eyes to know what my answer was, and it wasn’t what she expected. 

“I’m not going to do it for her mom. I’ll do it for you.”

And in that moment, we understood each other. 

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Mood: Introspective
Listening To: The Cure – Open

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Jan 22 2009

All Wrapped Up

Category: Crochet,Designing,FO,events — Mistress Rows @ 5:41 pm

I still don’t have any good action shots of me wearing my new shawl, but I do have some nicer shots of it off the blocking board. It’s amazing what you can do with those last few minutes of light as you’re walking in the door. These photos were taken just as you reach my front steps, part of the charm of living in an old brick “Victorian” are the little details that you can’t afford or find in newer homes.

Wrap in repose.

Wrap in repose.

The shawl is probably 8 feet long, after blocking. Part of that is the effect of gravity, the weight of the shawl pulls it longer – which has the unfortunate side effect of making it narrower. It’s about as wide as your average wrap, but not as wide as I’d hoped. I’m sensing a theme. Next time I design one of these things I’m going to make it at least 25% wider than I think I should. Then again, if I’d made this particular project wider I’d have run out of yarn, or at least cut it VERY close. The length of the shawl is actually perfect, in that I’m able to toss it over one shoulder and saunter about my workplace feeling very elegant. Well, as elegant as one can be in tailored chinos and combat boots.

What’s really excited me are the comments I’ve gotten, online and off, as to offering the pattern for sale. I feel weird about it because the pattern involved a bit of “fudging” which is a familiar term to those who designs their own crochet patterns. Crochet is very free form, and it has an organic quality to it that’s hard to explain if you don’t already crochet. You can literally stitch any shape, wander off in strange and unexpected directions, and literally create almost anything you can imagine. Not that you can’t experience freedom in knitting, but it’s much more immediate in crochet, for me. So, what I’m getting at is that I feel odd saying “fiddle with the stitch count until you have this many filet crochet boxes across, generally skipping every other stitch (or more as needed). I’m going to sit down with a pen and paper this weekend to see if it’s as awkward as I think.

 

If I do end up getting to where I’m comfortable then I plan to offer it as my first pay-pattern. I’ve already got one pattern up for free on Ravelry, strange that both involve crochet on one level or another.

I planned on starting mom’s wedding shawl, with commercial yarn, when I realized that I’d bought the wrong yarn for the pattern. I had it in my head that the pattern called for 1,200 yards of lace weight, so I purchased Knit Picks Gloss Lace. Turns out it needs fingering weight yarn, I had it half right, but I should have bought the regular Gloss. Damnit. And I really want to get started on that so I can pick up and put it down over the course of the year till it’s done. Steve’s sweater is also frustrating me, but instead of a project I can’t start, this one I can’t finish! The local stores don’t have the yarn in stock right now and since my order total is under $25, I’d have to pay as much as the single ball is worth in shipping… plus tax! What kind of nonsense is this? Grrr. I’m not sure what to do, to be honest. JoAnn’s is usually no problem for me.

Lastly, I’ve had some really nice feedback about the Stir Crazy Stitch & Spin online and off. I’m hoping we get a nice crowd, I’ll be putting flyers up locally starting next Tuesday. Oddly enough, my announcement drew a “disagree” on Ravelry, could it be because I asked that all children be closely attended by an adult? Hopefully no one takes offense, but it’s important to me that everyone be able to enjoy themselves. Spinning wheels are not only potentially dangerous to little fingers, but they’re also very expensive. I’ve seen, more than once at public events, a child anywhere from 8-12 years old just sit down and start pulling or pedaling roughly at the wheel. I love kids, I really do, but I’m trying to think of everyone. Hopefully guests will understand. Anyway, if you’re local, I hope I’ll see you there!

Mood: Content
Listening to:  Disturbed – Sacred Lie

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Jan 18 2009

On a Roll!

Category: Crochet,FO,Knitting,WIP — Mistress Rows @ 9:07 pm

Come Friday I was amazed that it was the weekend already (again) and now, come Sunday, I’m mystified as to how it’s just about Monday (again). I live in a time vortex, I swear. 

HOWEVER… I can feel absolutely, 100 freakin’ percent pleased with how much I’ve accomplished in the last few days. Let’s start with the Sweater of DOOM, shall we? As you can see, I have re-knit the bottom. What you can’t see is that it’s a simple seed stitch border. The reason why you can’t see it is because I refuse to take a close up until it gets a bath and block. Let’s just say ramen yarn isn’t particularly attractive. I’ve got high hopes that the bath will do much to even out all that nonsense. It does look much nicer on him now, that I will say! Skimming ladies, skimming. 

Tweedy grey sweater of MADNESS.

Tweedy grey sweater of MADNESS.

Our next picture shows just how close to the end that I was before I ran out of yarn. Oh yes, sweet, sweet denial. I kept telling myself I had one more ball of yarn. What I should have kept in mind instead was the undeniable truth of the universe. My husband has monkey arms. I think he has monkey arms just so that he reach things on high shelves, have enough length to wrap around my largeness, and to drive me mad whilst knitting him a sweater out of the deep well of love in my heart. 

Cruel fate, so close yet so far.

Cruel fate, so close yet so far.

That last part might just be the melodrama in me talking. I don’t really believe he has monkey arms just to spite me. 

Now, on to things of a much more thrilling and satisfying nature! With great fortitude and strength of spirit, I crocheted my little heart out on Saturday and finished my Maja Shawl (new name yet to be found) in time to wear it to Steve’s company dinner at a VERY posh restaurant later that evening. Even unblocked it was gorgeous, though a bit more like a really wide scarf, but still servicable as a wrap. Steve, sweetheart that he is, pointed out several times that I had made it myself since all his coworkers know that I knit, spin and crochet. He’s a keeper, that one. Totally makes up for the monkey arms. 

If you only knew how BADLY she wants to be laying on that mat.

If you only knew how BADLY she wants to be laying on that mat.

I am IN LOVE with this shawl. Everything about it makes me happy. The yarn has a bit of texture due to it being essentially a thread plied single. It is incredibly soft, yet durable because it’s a wool/acrylic blend, about 56% wool if I remember correctly. The pattern for the body is very easily memorized, and the lacy border was a fun break (and took way longer than you’d think). I truly enjoyed every bit of designing it, though fudging the fit so the different pattern counts would work makes me wary of writing it up for others. I think I’ll design another shawl in the same style in the future, with the aim of offering it for sale. 

Oooh... purty...

Oooh... purty...

All told, do you wanna know how much it cost me to crochet this stole? I used 6.5 balls out of 8 and they cost me $1.50 each on sale. Yes, I made a generously sized stole (in crochet!) for $9.75. Crazy! And what really makes me smile is that unlike sometimes, this was sale yarn that actually fit my needs exactly. It isn’t languishing in my stash, a guilty purchase that has no future. I made KICK ASS-NESS with it! I’m all about the kickin’ of the ass. I just wish the light were still good so I could show you what it looked like when it was done drying… it blocked out perfectly and I lurves it very much. 

Gothic-y goodness!

Gothic-y goodness!

Lastly, I have started a pair of mittens in the same yarn as my mom’s cowl. Since I never posted on the old blog about mom’s cowl (that I remember) I’ll make a nice combined post when they’re done and share all the love at once. For now I will show you this much, though I am actually far enough along that in a few minutes I’ll be decreasing for the top of the first mitten. 

Mom's been asking for them, and I am happy to oblige.

Mom's been asking for them, and I am happy to oblige.

 

Listening to: Guns ‘n Roses – Welcome to the Jungle
Mood: Inordinantly Pleased

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Jan 14 2009

Online Finds & Review: Knotions

Category: Reviews — Mistress Rows @ 4:12 pm

URL: www.knotions.com
Variety: Wide
Sizing: Wide
Ease of Use: Excellent
Frequency: Quarterly

You’d be hard pressed to find a net-savvy stitcher who hasn’t heard of Knitty, but have you heard about Knotions? Edited by Jody of Savannahchik Knits, Knotions has been on my Bloglines radar for a long time – just waiting for them to announce that they were finally ready to launch. While the first issue rocked my socks, it was the second issue that cements them firmly in my mind as a premiere online knitting magazine (OKM). Unlike some (now defunct) examples of a free OKM, Knotions shows just how good it can be when careful attention to detail is paid.

The first thing I notice when the website loads is layout. The eye is neither overwhelmed, nor left wondering where the goods are. The layout is easy to navigate, but could improve as far as all content being easily accessible at all times. I’m sure things will become more fine-tuned as time passes. Another thing that jumps out at you as you browse is the photography. As a whole the quality of the photography is very good, clear photos and plenty of them, not too artsy but not boring either.

Moving to the current issue page, I am in love with how the main pattern page lists the vital stats of each pattern right underneath. No falling instantly in love with a sweater only to realize it doesn’t go up to your size. You can scan that main page and know instantly the size, yarn and yardage for any pattern listed. Simple, but genius, and apparently a product of listening to reader requests!

When you do click on a pattern you’ll find three tabs that take you to more information. Depending on the pattern you’ll have the main tab, charts and schematics, and more pictures. I both love and slightly resent this feature. On the one hand, it’s nice because the page is less cluttered and “long” than it would be normally. I adore the fact that the photos are clickable, popping up into larger versions that let you get a very good look at the item in question. On the other hand, I very much hope that they’ll offer a “print friendly” version that lets you print the entire pattern out in one go. At this time there is no print version option at all that I could find. Another feature I like in the patterns section is the use of tags. Again, simple, yet clever when you’re searching for more – say of a particular designer.

Moving back to the general navigation experience, the tabs at the top of the website are well thought out. I find it useful, for instance, that there is a technique tab, taking you straight to that helpful article you read a couple of months ago… but only got around to needing now. I would suggest a tab for articles as well, the only way to get to them is from the current issue page. Perhaps a drop down menu to help further navigate the site?

Last, and certainly not least, we have the patterns as a whole. The first issue had quite a few patterns from MagKnits, which shut down abruptly in 2008 (?), and I’m glad to see that some of the patterns we know and love have a new home. For the purpose of this review I’m going to focus on the Winter (second) issue. I find the range of designs submitted in the second issue to be excellent. There’s a little bit of everything, and the quality is, in my opinion, on part with sister sites. There is always going to be an element of hit or miss when it comes to personal taste, but I have high hopes for the site if it continues to pull in talent that is just as good, or better, than what they’ve already showcased. I am very drawn to the socks, most of which are works of art. Other standouts include these mittens, swing cardigan and this adorable little girl’s sweater. This is solid knitting for the real world, at least so far, and I haven’t seen anything yet that strikes me as outlandish, though personal taste and time may change that.

From well-written product reviews to patterns, informative articles to designer spotlights, Knotions has a lot to offer and I hope that they are around for many years to come. Here’s crossing fingers and toes that we’ll see some great lace come the spring and summer issues! I’m sure that Knotions will become one of those cultural icon OKMs, eagerly awaited and much loved. I think it’s a wonderful addition to the community and wish the editor and designers much success.

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Jan 13 2009

Crack o' Dawn

Category: Loot — Mistress Rows @ 2:18 pm

Since I’m pretty sure the RSS feed didn’t update accordingly, I’ll start this post by announcing that the flyer for the Stitch & Spin is available for download here.

In a way, I’m glad my boss is out on vacation, because when I had to ask HER boss for PTO on Thursday, and told him what it was for, he didn’t even blink. Frank has been in many a meeting with me as I knit away on a sock, so for him it made perfect sense that I would take Thursday off to attend, what I call, the 0′Dark Thirty Sale. Why do I call it the 0′Dark Thirty Sale? What else do you call a sale you have to get up at 5:30 a.m. for, leaving the house at 6:00, standing outside in line in the cold and dark for when the doors open at 7:00? Wonderful Things, here I come.

See you, most of you, totally get it. Becky asked to ride with me, and I may be picking up Michelle too, so we’ll be in line with the other dozen or so brave souls who show up first thing. The deal is that if you arrive between 7 and 9, you get your hand stamped and are entitled to 40% off all the yarn in the (quite large) store. They’re overpriced on a lot of stuff, so you have to know your prices, but it still works out to a nice discount. The stamp means you can come and go all day and still get the sale price, but if you have no stamp you don’t get the discount.

It’s tempting to pick up a couple of sweater’s worth of Cascade 220 for less than $25 a pop, but I’m going to try and restrain myself. My stash has reached epic proportions, so you won’t see me buying much of anything for myself. Mostly I hope to pick up gift yarn for swap recipients. I could, in fact, skip the sale entirely this year, but it’s tradition for Michelle and I, and a lot of fun.

I love the selection, and the 45-minute drive to get there, but I don’t love their prices or how they’re listed on a sheet on the wall, instead of on the ball band or shelf. I always end up a little peeved at the customer service part of the experience, but with a little planning it can be worth your while. I figure, I’m in there twice a year, once for recon and once for the sale… I get my money’s worth.

 

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Jan 12 2009

Warm Ewe Up Question #3

Category: Q&A,Swaps — Mistress Rows @ 1:54 pm

If you could only knit or crochet with one brand of yarn for the rest of the year, what would it be?

Believe it or not, I’d have to say Knit Picks, since I’m assuming you mean a brand I can actually afford to knit with. I know, not what you might have expected, but let me put it this way. They have a good workhorse worsted weight wool that comes in a ton of colors, including heathered. They also have Elegance, which is a delicious ‘luxury’ blend, it’s totally yummy to work with. They have beautiful sock yarns in all styles, from basic to hand dyed, all wool to luxury blends. From shimmering lace weights to fluffy bulky yarn, they have it. I very much enjoy their yarn lines, and I appreciate the fact that they’re always looking to improve the quality and range of offerings.

Now, if I’m not footing the bill, I have a harder time choosing. I love certain brands for certain styles of yarn, but how many of them offer all sorts of weights and styles in plain and colorful options? And how many of them have I actually used, so I can speak from experience? Otherwise I’d pick one, like Rowan, and say that’s fine.

But truthfully? Plymouth is the first that jumps to mind. Plymouth has an amazing range of yarn, from universally friendly Encore to Rowan like tweeds and gorgeous alpaca blends. Their prices are all over the map, some of it is completely entry level cheap and some of it can be quite pricey. Their line is HUGE, and I love that they have Boku, a nice Noro substitute. Yeah, defnitely Plymouth. It’d be tempting to say Lorna’s Laces, Dream in Color or any of the luxury lines, but if I were stuck with JUST ONE brand I’d want a mind boggling array of options.

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Jan 11 2009

Event: Stir Crazy Stitch & Spin

Category: events — Mistress Rows @ 11:27 am

(EDITED TO ADD: Stir Crazy Stitch & Spin Flyer!) 

Winter’s kinda tough on the human spirit, at least here in the Northern hemisphere. I hear a lot of people, friends IRL and online, who comment on how down they get. I understand completely, it used to be brutal on me too and it’s still not one of my favorite times of the year. For those involved in the fiber arts community it can be quite the letdown after the busy spring, summer and fall show and guild seasons. I don’t know about you, but I get a little stir crazy and just want to get out of the house! To that end I present:

 

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Stir Crazy Stitch ‘n Spin

Sunday, March 8th, 1-5 p.m. 
Hudson Opera House 

Knitters, crocheters and spinners – needlecrafters of all stripes! Brave Old Man Winter and get out of the house for a few hours of good craft and company with others who share your passions. Bring your needles and hooks, spindles and wheels and prepare to have a great time getting to know this vibrant community. 

Free to the public, the event is an opportunity to meet others from near and far who are just like you, crazy about yarn. Men and women, all skill levels welcome, but we ask that all children be closely attended by an adult. Light refreshments and drinks will be served, door prizes too!

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There are a lot of fiber crafters in the Hudson Valley, a LOT. You know who you are, oh yes you do. I mean you!  Whether they’re used to being part of a larger community or not, they’re there. Part of my personal goal as a member of this far flung community is to provide events for fiber folk to meet and share their passions. I’d very much like to reach a wide range of people, especially those who might not normally attend a  fiber event. Now, there’s only so many people I can reach with my blog. I’ll do my part, and post a link to this info from the NY and Hudson Valley Raveler’s message boards, but I ask that you get help get the word too. Please consider talking up the event in your local yarn store and knitting group. Bring a friend, bring a family member who also knits, spins, or crochets. And of course, as always, I thank you for all your help and support.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to comment or email. 

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Jan 08 2009

A Comedic Tragedy Illustrates “Wuv, Twoo Wuv”

Category: Knitting,Life & Stuff,WIP — Mistress Rows @ 10:13 am

(The scene is set. After cooking a healthy dinner of salad, broiled Pollock and a small amount of french fries, and washing a replicating mountain of dishes, our loving wife sits down to frantically rush down the “home stretch” of her husband’s first handknit sweater. This sweater needs to be finished in three days, for husband’s birthday. Said husband watches NCIS with his wife as he quietly trolls the internet for nuggets of fascinating gamer geekdom.)

Wife: CRAP! Look! (she holds up a tiny little nest of yarn, all that remains of the available yarn for this project.)
Husband: Oh, crap. Is that all you have left? (he looks suitably concerned.)
Wife: (resigned sigh) Yeah… and I only had six inches of sleeve left to go! (holds sleeves up to illustrate.)
Husband: (Thinks for a moment, perhaps looking to forestall raging and wailing to come) Well, won’t you gain some yarn back when you rip out the bottom and re-knit it? (bottom is cabled.)
Wife: (Blinks) Not enough, but how did you know to think that?
Husband: Well, I figured that the more complicated the stitch pattern, the more yarn it uses, right?
Wife: (Stares at husband intently) Honey, your brain is DEAD SEXY.

(And so, husband further illustrates his love and understanding for his knitterly wife by further pointing out that she should relax as they’d be eating in a far away town that weekend to celebrate his birthday, and said town has two different yarn stores that carry said yarn, and he didn’t care if the dyelots didn’t match, it was good enough for him, and only six inches besides. And all was well in the House of Chastinez. Wife may or may not have kissed husband lovingly in that little crook betwixt shoulder and neck, but that’s a private tale and neither here nor there.)

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