As the short rows come marching in....

They're here!  Finally the short rows for Stephanie's Wrap have made their appearance.  I like that the short rows work up a bit faster to start, but they are certainly deceiving. In the first striped section there were 17 repeats, but only four rows to a repeat, so it at least felt like it was coming along quickly.  Now with the short rows, the first two or three repeats will go quickly, but once those "short rows" get a bit longer and now that it's 12 rows to a repeat, it's only a matter of time until these rows start taking a long time. 

The transition between the second and third sections is coming along nicely.  I wasn't totally sure I was in love with the purple variegated as I started working it in, but once a few rows of it were worked in I think it'll come together nicely.   

A nice close-up of my 3.25mm hook and the stitches.  The itty-bitty little stitches.  Thankfully this pattern is all single crochet and paying super close attention to what stitch goes where next is not a problem!

Over all progress on this project is coming along great!  I'm really happy with how things are coming along and can't wait to watch the rest of it come together!

Chevron Scarf for my class

I've was invited to teach a beginning crochet class at my local LYS.  The first session of class was last week.  I was a definitely nervous since this is my first time teaching a class.  But also very excited to be sharing my passion for fiber crafting with others.  We will be making a simple chevron/ripple scarf for the class.

The class sample was intentionally left unfinished so we can practice those techniques in class.  This scarf is being stitched with Malabrigo Rios. 

Snowflakes and Stripes

Achievement of the Week: I finished my first panel of color work!  Stitching the pattern worked out ok, but keeping an even tension is significantly harder when working with the two colors.  Hopefully I can get that straightened out in while I'm working the remaining panels.  

I'm having a bit of trouble with the edges curling up on me, but looks at how great those colors came together!  I'm pretty thrilled with this half of the scarf.

Moving on to the stripes section....  Stephanie's Wrap is coming along, slowly.  I'm in a section where each row is 200+ stitches, in lace weight yarn, on a size D hook.  Only a few more rows of this repeat until I start working the short rows, which is really keeping me motivated at this point.  

A close of up the stripes.  

Let the stripes begin!

The first section of stripes begins!  I was a bit hesitant to combine the red and purple, but ultimately decided to go for it.  Am I ever glad I did!  The stripes are coming along beautifully.  Though the the rows grow it is starting to take forever to work one row.  

Itty Bitty Little Stitches

I was feeling a bit playful with the camera on this particular day.  The camera and I were a bit at odds with the colors coming out correctly, but the detail turned out great!  The hook I'm working this project with is is a size D - 3.25 mm.

This last photo is the project as a whole.  I find it amazing how quickly this project grows.  Every 4 rows (1 repeat in the stripe section) gains 10 stitches.  And with 17 repeats, things certainly get growing in a hurry.

Snowflake Scarf Round 2

Well I did a bit of homework and decided the best way to cure the curling problem in my Snowflake Scarf was to add a bit of ribbing at the bottom and some edging.

So far things are going well.  A bit of curling around the cord, but it's working it's way out as it gains length.  The ribbing itself curls a bit though I feel that will come out with blocking. The biggest issue at the moment is that the edges are pinching in on the rows where the pink ends then begins on the same stitch.  I'm experimenting with different techniques in hopes to find a fix.  Thankfully even though there is a pinch, its still quite loose and hopefully will come out with blocking.  

Here's a close of up the center snowflake coming together.  The flash on the camera makes the colors look neon.  The photo above is a much more accurate representation of what the colors actually look like. 

One project complete, another one started.

Radiance Shawl is Complete!

It turned out quite well.  This is only the third or fourth project I've blocked and was a bit nervous with pinning it out wet.  I pinned it out at night and let it air out with a fan overnight.  It was still a bit damp in the morning, but after having the fan on it all day while I was at work it was completely dry.  The shape held quite nicely after the pins came out.  The tips of the leaves curl up a bit, which is a bit of a bug, but fighting it is a losing battle.