So how was your holiday weekend? Mine was kinda yarny. On Saturday night, I knitted the second sleeve of my sweater, and Sunday morning I finished the ribbing and wove in the ends. Finito! (Pictures to come.) Sunday evening, as a quick palate cleanser, I did in fact crochet a little bowl, according to the new Purl Bee pattern, starching it on Monday. And the same evening, I also cast on for a hat to donate to Afghans for Afghans via Cephalopod.
The bowl was super quick, less than two hours of stitching, even factoring in time spent studying a tutorial to remind myself how to crochet. (I’m sure a seasoned crocheter could have done it in 20 minutes.) I used some red-and-white kitchen twine that’s been waiting around for an assignment, and a size J hook, so it’s a little bit lacier than the original. And I made it fairly shallow — I think I did 12 or 13 rows of the pattern. The starch-and-block business is pure genius.
I just love the instant gratification of a little project like this. And, hey, I have a lot of diluted cornstarch left over for more. How long do you think that will keep?
I love that bowl! I want to try one! No knitting for me this weekend, but I bought three new knitting books! Looking forward to pics of your sweater.
Details, please — which books?
Ha! One = One Scarves, Shawls and Shrugs by Iris Schreier; Knit Red- Stitching for Women’s Heart Health, by Laura Zander; and one called Scarves- a Guild of Master Craftsman Publication. My general rule of thumb is, if I can find 3-4 patterns that I would make if I had the time, I buy the book. If there’s just one in there, I don’t buy it.
That should say One+One!
that’s my rule too!
That bowl is exquisite..almost makes me want to learn how to crochet.
And where did you get that kitchen twine?
Jo, I’d love to teach you to crochet (what little I know). But I also feel confident you could watch a single-crochet tutorial at YouTube and have a bowl done before you go to bed tonight.
I got the twine at a nearby garden/gift shop called Flowerland, but I found a great resource for it online recently, an amazing number of colors. I’ll dig it up and share …
Love it. I am so jealous thatbyou can do all this. I have NO aptitude for it. None. Good thing I got myself some other talents…
I’m teaching you to crochet this summer. You’re the craftiest person I know — you can totally do this.
Wow that’s so pretty! I’ve not actually ever considered using bakers twine for crochet, its a great idea! I will be trying this as soon as I buy some ^_^
Hi, GH. For you and Jo and anyone else interested, here’s that resource I mentioned before: The Twinery — http://www.thetwinery.com/
Mine didn’t come from there, but look at all the amazing colors! And they have sampler packs. I’m afraid if I start putting anything in my shopping cart, I’ll wind up just buying that set that’s a full spool of every color. I love this stuff.
Oh my gosh those pictures make me want to buy them all!! Thank you for the link! (although my partner might not be thanking you when another parcel arrives for me full of crochet related goodies ;))
Always happy to enable.
Ha ha! I’m a big enabler, too!
Yeah! Go “fiselle”! This is what the twine is called in French. I went to the supermarket to get the twine, generally available in white and blue/white, but also in red and white if you are lucky. I am glad you mentioned this substitute for the Habu, which is definitely out of my price range and on top of my Christmas wish list… Thanks for this interesting posting on your great blog!
Hi, Laura — I’m glad you found it useful! And welcome to the blog.
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