I thought it was going to be hard to figure out how to get started with my Year of Projects. Turns out it wasn’t. Here’s what happened. I’ve got quite a bit of cotton in the stash and I want to make washcloths with it. I’m in New England where it’s been in the upper 90s  - hazy, hot and humid for way to many days in a row. Small cotton projects are where it’s at. I was searching for patterns on Ravelry and found two for cotton Tunisian Crochet Washcloths.  In spite of the heat the light bulb was flashing and I knew that I discovered the first lesson in my year long learning adventure. And that friends is how I came to spend my weekend learning Tunisian Crochet.

I am venturing into uncharted territory, so I began where I always do with something new – I hit the books.  A Rainbow of Afghans (Sedgewood Press1989) offers very limited written information, but a good diagram for the basic technique. The Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting & Crochet Stitches (Readers Digest 2003) lives up to it’s name with a whole chapter dedicated to the technique. Additionally, it offers 39 pattern variations. 39! Until yesterday I was only aware of one!

Wondering what it’s all about? Me too! Here’s what I found out:

Tunisian Crochet is often referred to as the Afghan Stitch (which explains why I thought there was one pattern/stitch!). It’s a technique that is worked on a special hook that looks like a cross between a crochet hook and a knitting needle. The hooks are available in the same circumferences used in traditional crochet. Why the long hooks? Because you need it to hold the loops you create on the forward half of the row before you work them off on the return half. Confused? Don’t worry, keep reading and I’ll explain.

Typically in crochet, fabric is created by working a row of stitches, turning the piece over then working another row of stitches. Repeat until desired length. In Tunisian Crochet, each row is done in two parts. Forward and Return.  Forward is done working right to left and pulling loops or stitches onto the hook. (I imagine that this might be what it’s like to cast on in knitting, but since I’ve never done it, it’s pure speculation!).  On the Return, the loops are worked off the hook going left to right. The fabric is created without turning so the right (correct) side always faces you. There is a noticeable difference between the sides – unlike traditional crochet which makes a fabric that is basically reversible.

The fabric produced can be dense and thick. The Sourcebook recommends that you use a hook at least 2 sizes larger than what you ordinarily use based on your yarn choice. I’m using worsted weight (4) cotton which means they suggest I use a J hook. I don’t have a J hook. I have a G hook, and for better or worse – that’s what I’m using. For the purpose of my washcloth I think I’ll be okay.

Basic Tunisian fabric is made using the Tunisian Simple Stitch (TSS), and the Basic Return (BR).  When you see a reference to the Afghan Stitch, this is what they mean. The pattern stitches are worked using the same Forward and Return technique with variations on how you create and remove the loops. It seems like sound advice that you become familiar with the basic Tunisian fabric before moving onto the pattern stitches.  

Now that I’m comfortable with my understanding of the world of Tunisian crochet, it’s time for the yarn and hook to meet.  Join me next time when I put the basics to work and (hopefully) I’ll have a washcloth to show you!

Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

It's been a fabulously productive week. As I began pulling things together for today's post I was surprised by all that I (we) accomplished, and with the variety of mediums that I've been using. Fabric and sewing have been prominent. I figured out a way to combine cloth and crochet and used it to make these handy hair ties/elastics. I'm always looking for something pretty and unique to keep my mop of hair out of my face. These hit the mark and are easy to whip up.  I've been having a blast making flowers. Along with attaching them to barrettes, I wanted to make them into pins. I know you can buy the pin backs, but I decided to upcycle and pulled apart an old promotional pin and stitched the pin part to one of my flowers. Now it's ready for my denim jacket!

Stitch markers and earrings were on the agenda yesterday.  It's been a while since John and I have done this. Like anything creative I have to be in the right mood to want to do it - and for it to be successful. Let me tell you, I was in the zone! I know the pictures don't show them off, but they were coming together so easily! I've had days that no matter what combinations I tried, nothing looked right. Yesterday I could do no wrong! In about an hour and a half I had laid out at least 8 sets of markers and maybe 10 pairs of earrings. John is finishing up the last of them as I'm write this!

The sewing seed was planted a few weeks ago, when a class to make a tote bag was held at the library.  I couldn't attend because I had to work, but Jean set my up with a tasty stack of fabric squares and the pattern. I keep my sewing machine in the corner of the dining room for easy access. Truthfully, I haven't used it since I hemmed a pair of pants for John last winter, but it was ready to go. I chose 4 complimentary prints and had at it! You begin by making 4 strips of 4 squares (easy). Then you lay them out in a kind of windmill pattern and sew them together (still pretty easy). Now the fun begins because you have to somehow sew the sides together in the right order to create a very awkward looking bag (not easy anymore). I did alright for the first three, then managed to sew the top together instead of side three to four. That's why I have seam rippers! I made the lining (really easy) and pressed and pinned it all together. I had to reattach the handles a couple of times to get them to end up between the lining and the main part of the bag, and because once I pinned it so the handles would have ended up sewn into the lining! All things considered, it was a lot of fun and now I have this adorable little tote!

In addition to my fiber offerings on Friday, I like to participate in Five Minute Friday over at Lisa-Jo Bakers place. It's writing in the raw and if you've never done why don't you give it a try? It's really easy - you just:
1. Write for 5 minutes flat on this week's prompt: “Story” with no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking - then post it just as it is!
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Here's what happened when I spent five minutes writing on the prompt "Story"

Fact, fiction, fantasy, fable there are so many stories out there. And I want to read them all!

When I think about stories I begin with the story of my life.  As interesting as that may be, it’s not where I want to spend my time – after all I’m here every day! I’d much rather hear a good story about something I know nothing about. Mermaids, knights in shining armor, being a wealthy celebrity, the possibilities are endless! I suppose that’s why I love the library. Because it’s a building bursting with stories.  Every kind imaginable.

I can loose myself in the stacks. Pulling book after book, looking at the cover and wondering what it holds inside. Will I be transported to Italy or maybe to the desert of New Mexico. I travel and meet new people. I learn and explore and immerse myself in the world the author creates for me.

I remember reading stories to my son – every night until he was too old to let me. And then, once in a while he would allow me to snuggle with his near pre-teen self and share an adventure before bed. Those were magic stories.

Perhaps not my most inspired five minutes. I honestly contemplated not posting it. Only for a secondthough.  Because it's about giving yourself an opportunity for free flowing thoughts, and letting them be just as they are. And how often to do you let yourself do that?

On Friday's there's always lots to do. I'll be heading out to visit my linky friends to see and be inspired by the wonderful things you all are working on this weekend. I'd love it if you came along.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your weekend.
Until next time friends,
Be blesses and stitch & read with love!

Last week I had such fun making flowers that I decided to whip up a few more. In my stash I found this solid red and patterned blue fabric. (The colors on the right are what they really look like.)  To go along with the flowers I decided to make a coordinated hair tie by crocheting fabric around an elastic.  Here's an easy way to attach fabric strips together without sewing. It's like ribbon yarn!

You can attach the strips as you go or do a bunch at the same time (that's what I like to do).  Then I just take a I/9-5.50mm hook and single crochet the fabric around a plain hair tie/elastic. While working around, keep smooshing the stitches together. You want to fit on as many as you can. Slip stitch into the first stitch, fasten off and you're all done!  This afternoon I'll be adding more of these easy hair accessories to my ever growing collection!

Even though it's been hazy, hot and humid all week, I've gotten a few (okay one and a half) more rows added on to Juliana Mod. She's coming along, slow and steady. The pattern continues to be a pleasure. The yarn (Bernat Baby Sport from the stash) is nothing to write home about,  but it's washable and durable without being too stiff. With the bead work I plan to add to the end, I think this will be a pretty, functional piece.

No matter what else is going on in my world, I always, always make time for books. Before I tell you about today's pick, let's talk about a few of the others.  Catching Fire, the second in the Hunger Games Trilogy, kept me interested and entertained straight through to the end. I've been pleasantly surprised by this set of Young Adult books and have the final installment, MockingJay, on CD and ready to go. Next, I read Nora Roberts' The Last Boyfriend. This is also a second in a trilogy called The Inn Boonsboro.  It's light and easy with  beautiful people living beautiful lives. I'd say it's a good one for the beach or a weekend escape. 

Last week it was finally my turn with Fifty Shades of Grey. There has been so much hype and media attention surrounding this trilogy of books I wanted to take a look for myself. I read the first two chapters and was not impressed with the dialog or story telling. If I hadn't waited for two months I would have stopped there. I pressed on cringing at the way Anastasia spoke and behaved. It was a strange blend of  hip college student and spinster great aunt. And then it turned into smut. Pages and pages of it. I blushed and was embarrassed - even though my husband had no idea what I was reading.  I'm not a prude, but I couldn't do it. I know lots of people love it, but it's not for me. I look for something different in the books I read, and I can't say I'm surprised by my reaction. I returned it to the library so the next person in line can decide for themselves if it's worth the wait!

After that I was happy to start There's Cake in My Future by Kim Gruenenfelder. I'm more than halfway through and enjoying this light and breezy slice of chic lit. Funny dialog, devoted friends, love, marriage and a cake pull that shows some very unexpected things will soon be happening. This one is much more my cup of tea!

There you have it. We're laying low and staying cool on this Independence Day.  Before I get back to work on my patriotic hair accessories I'll be stopping by to visit Ginny, Tami and Sue.  I'd love it you came with me.

Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

Planning ahead for a year of projects is a daunting task for me. Typically, I avoid trying to anticipate today what I will want or be able to do that far in the future. This comes after many years of planning, scheduling and otherwise attempting to manipulate my life into submission with disastrous results! These days I’m much more of a “be here now” kinda gal!  Why then have I chosen (yes, this is a choice) to participate in a YoP? The best I can figure is because I like to learn new things and I especially like the community of bloggers and the support they offer each other. After reading through most of the threads in the Ravelry Group Come Blog-A-Long I thought, “What a great group of people. I’d like to hang out with them and give this thing a try!”

But how am I going to make a list that I have any hope of sticking to for a whole year? Last year, many people strayed quickly and often from their original lists.  This year more folks are leaning towards broader goals (I’ll crochet 10 hats for charity). This, (I think) I can do! Now I have to decide what I want to learn and how I’m going to do it.  So I started where I usually do, at the library with a big old pile of books! This is a sample of the roughly two dozen books I’ve looked at over the past few weeks!

After oohing and aahing over many, many beautiful projects (and plenty that flops), I knew that I didn’t want to commit to one book for the whole year. I decided to come up with 10 things that I want to learn about or improve upon. The books were so important in helping me choose. Here is my list, in no particular order:

• Make a sweater (that really fits!) from Custom Crochet Sweaters by Dora Ohrenstein
• Improve my sock skills
• Explore the world of Granny Squares
• Learn Painted Crochet
• Dye my own yarn
• Make something with up-cycled materials
• Crochet a rug
• Design my own wrap
• Learn a new lace technique (ie: Hairpin, Bruges, or Filet)
• Make at least one sewing project from 101 One Yard Wonders
• Give double ended hooks a try
• Learn Tunisian Crochet
  

Okay, so that’s 12 things! But it’s exciting, and I’m feeling good about my list.  I took my time and really gave a lot of thought to what I want to learn and what’s realistic for me. Many of these things have been flittering about in my head for a while.  The difference is now they’re written down. I’m hopeful that a YoP will help motivate me to get busy with my Holiday Stashdown projects. A few months ago I joined up with Marie at Underground Crafter because I wanted to keep ahead of my holiday gift making, instead of having it turn into the last minute nightmare it usually becomes. To date my progress has been less than stellar. Now I’ve gone ahead and made my second public declaration of things I want to accomplish in a finite amount of time! That means it’s time to stop procrastinating and start crocheting!

I hope that you’ll stop in now and again and see how I’m doing.  I’m looking forward to meeting lots of new people and having great adventures trying new things! You can pop into the group to see what everyone else is doing. Also, why not stop by Marie’s and see what’s happing in the Stashdown world.

There you have it friends! The beginning of something wonderful.

Until next time,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

I've been inspired by fabric this week. Today I'm finishing up a tote bag and yesterday in just a few hours I made this sweet barrette. I owe thanks to Libby (Truly Myrtle) who showed me how in her pincushion tutorial. I knew when I saw it that I'd be wearing flowers in my hair! Here's what I did:

I know that this doesn't really "go" with my flowers, but I'd like to share it with you just the same.  Only recently I discovered SoCS. A weekly prompt for five minutes of writing in the raw (like Five Minute Friday). I've been doing them both, but it feels awkward since they're only a few days apart and so similar. It turns out that I don't have to worry about it anymore because Fadra, our host has decided after two years it's time to move on and today is the last SoCS. I wish her well as I've enjoyed the Sundays we've spent together.  There is a bit of serendipity at work here because I was facing another Sunday conflict. I've decided to participate in the Ravelry Group - Come Blog-A-Long. The Second Year of Projects kicks off today, July 1 and weekly updates are posted on - you guessed it - Sunday! With SocS ending I don't have to choose where I want to do my weekly writing exercise or worry about overextending myself on Sundays!  I love it when things just fall into place like that.

So without further ado, here is my five minutes of writing on today's prompt:

What does it mean to reinvent yourself?

Recently I reinvented myself – well not entirely. I think it’s more like I found my true self and I’m letting her out.

I used to worry about fitting in, what people think, keeping up with the Jonses all that kind of stuff, and then a few years ago after some very bad things happened I decided it was time to let go and move on.

To find out who I really am and to be true to her I had to do a lot of soul searching and praying and meditating and simply letting go of all the old ways that were not working.

I started to believe in myself. I began to do things just for me. Because I wanted to and because I need to take care of myself.

I stopped trying to control everything and everybody in my life.

It has been so liberating! So freeing.

I think differently and respond differently and I’m happy. I face difficult situations with faith and optimism that I can and will get through. I enjoy my life. I appreciate little things and little events. I work on being in the moment and being happy now. There’s no reason to wait for the big long list of things to be done and then be happy when I can just do it now.

I hope you enjoy the small things that make up your day! I'll be linking up this week with the lovely Nicole and her family on the farm at Frontier Dreams: Keep Calm and Craft On. There are always lots of wonderful works to see. Why don't you join me? Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!