Monday, May 16, 2011

seeing stars

Finally some sunshine around here!  I may have bundled up in a wool coat and cozy handknit scarf to ward off the cold temperatures and 30-mph gusts today, but I was pleased as punch to see the sun again (and to leave my umbrella at home).

Despite the unseasonably cool and rainy weather, Chicago's flowering trees and spring bulbs have been making a valiant effort to cheer us up.
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All that rain did lead to a cozy weekend spent mostly at home, petting the cats and wielding the crochet hook. I absolutely loved this project, and I can't wait to give this as a gift!  That said, I'd also like to snuggle up with it myself, but somehow a star-shaped afghan just doesn't seem dignified for a grown-up.

pattern: granny star afghan, by Sami Jo Fitzgerald
lemon berry, blueberry, and wonder white
hook: 5.5 mm (I) Clover Soft Touch

notes:
So fun to make! This went super quickly. Like I said in my last post, the pattern leaves out a crucial step. In order for the star shaping to work, you need to skip working a 2 DC "cluster" at the inner angles of the star. Terrible name aside, the Cottontots yarn is very soft, cozy, and affordable.

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So, I loved making the yellow and blue star afghan to such a great extent that...

I started another one right away, using leftover yarn from my stash. I do need to pick up another ball of Lemon Berry (the darker yellow in the middle) to finish it up. It doesn't look lumpy in real life -- that's just the effect of spreading it out on the chesterfield.
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I'm finding crochet to be incredibly addictive. It goes more quickly than knitting, and it uses up oodles of yarn, so it's a great way to make a serious dent in my stash.
This tea scarf just needs to be blocked! I used some hand-dyed cormo (picked up at the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival a few years ago) and a J hook. The pattern's very easy -- I made a few mods that I'll post after I block it and take a proper photo. Capricha certainly is quite taken with it. Side note: cat owners, do not select Schumacher cut velvet upholstery, no matter how much you may fancy it. Cat. hair. magnet.
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Speaking of things I'm hooked on, Tazo's Green Ginger tea makes absolutely fantastic iced tea, sweetened with just a few drops of honey. The ginger gives it a very nice spicy kick!

OK, back to the salt mines for me...

12 comments:

Chris said...

Wow. You have accomplished a LOT! :)

Stephermay said...

I LOVE the star afghans! Nice work!

Rose said...

Beautiful star blanket!! If I get into crocheting, I'm putting that one on my list. And I love the Tazo Ginger tea too! Happy Monday!

Samantha said...

It sounds chilly there! But clear skies and flowering trees do tend to make up for such things. I have never learned to crochet, but I do like crocheted pieces like your fun star afghans. I may just have to learn how to do it some day! I hope your semester is just about over.

Katie M. said...

That star blanket is so cute! I would say that it's perfect for babies and adults alike ... enjoy the sunshine!

Rue said...

Jealous! You got so much done this weekend. I'm pretty sure I knit a bit but I honestly don't remember at this point. Ah, baby brain. There's a reason women should have maternity leave.

UofC looks lovely in the spring. I hope the scenery makes the trek down to Hyde Park seem a bit more worthwhile.a

Carrie#K said...

Nice house. Love your star.

marycatharine said...

The colours in your second star blanket remind me of the flowering tree in the first picture. Hopefully it gets warmer there soon :)

bethrecordcollector said...

I just started to crochet. Your blog is neat and inspiring to me.

Beth http://bethsquilts.blogspot.com/

nicole said...

Those star afghans are so much fun! Who ever said that adults had to be dignified in their own home? I say rock the star blanket to your heart's content!

It's still raining here. Could you please sned a little sun our way?

Gigi said...

Love the starry blankie - so cute! And you always know about the best teas - I must try this one - sounds delish ;).
Blessings,
G
And you're welcome to come sit on my back porch any time;)!

Anonymous said...

I was wondering if I could get the pattern for this? If so, could you email it to me at RKTK93@aol.com?

Thanks:)

Great work on the star afghan :)