Chunky V. - a crocheted scarf

This is a scarf I made quite a while ago. I want to try my hand at publishing patterns, so I wrote this up and am sharing it. The crochet is beginner level, and it's a quick one skein project to highlight a soft bulky yarn.




Chunky V.
by DeuceMom

A subtle pattern for a simple, cozy scarf to crochet.

Yarn: 1 skein Cascade Baby Alpaca Chunky 100 grams/108 yards, or substitute a bulky weight yarn

Hook: US K-10.5/6.5 mm

Gauge: approximately 11 sts, 4 rows DC = 4”x4”. Gauge is not very important for this project.

Finished size: At gauge stated above, finished product measures 5”x 50”

Instructions:
Chain 15. Last 2 chain sts are turning chain.
Row 1: DC in 3rd chain from hook. DC across, 13 sts.
Row 2: DC 6, chain 1, skip 1, DC6, turn
Row 3: DC 5, chain 1, skip 1, DC 1, chain 1, skip 1, DC 5, turn
Row 4: DC 4, chain 1, skip 1, DC 3, chain 1, skip 1, DC 4, turn
Row 5: DC 3, chain 1, skip 1, DC 5, chain 1, skip 1, DC 3, turn
Row 6: DC 2, chain 1, skip 1, DC 7, chain 1, skip 1, DC 2, turn
Row 7: DC 1, chain 1, skip 1, DC 4, chain 1, skip 1, DC 4, chain 1, skip 1, DC 1, turn

Repeat rows 3-7 10 more times

To end the scarf, DC across, turn, SC across. Break yarn and weave in ends.

A is for Architecture

ABC Along 2010, starting off 3 days late, in keeping with tradition from 2008 and 2009.

This year's theme is going to be architectural details from Rochester, NY. I grew up outside the city, and our relocation in 2008 was back to that area. We will move to the city itself in the next year, so I am doing some exploring.


My first little excursion was into Corn Hill, so named because it used to be a hill covered in... corn fields. Shocking.

It's mainly a residential area now with some law offices and other businesses scattered throughout. It is sandwiched in between a troubled neighborhood and Center City (the clever name for the center of downtown), so it has immaculately maintained buildings alongside a few deteriorating ones. I took some shots of homes that haven't weathered the years as well, and I hope to share some of those too.

Rochester's Landmark Society (on the placard above) provides maps of registered homes, but it's kind of like hide and seek to find them on my own.

I hope to learn a lot more about the city this year, since I'm going to be a resident soon.

Z is for Zephyr

This is the last letter in ABC Along 2009, and though I'm 2 weeks late, I'm still going to finish up because I have a good Z

For my birthday, my knitting SIL got me... Knit Picks Options! I've been wanting these so much for the year that I've been knitting. For non-knitting readers, they are interchangable knitting needles, with different sized needle tips you can attach to different length cords.

They also are super economical because you don't have to buy every different length of every different needle size, plus you can store a project on the cord and use the tips elsewhere.

They come in nickle plated, wood, or acrylic - mine are the Zephyr acrylic set.

Here they are in the pouch they come in - depending on how big the collection grows there are binders and all kinds of cute storage options.

And here's my size 5's ready for action!



They look lighted from the reflection of the flash in this picture. They're actually completely clear. It takes a little getting used to because they are so clear that you can actually see the back side of the stitch and it can look like another stitch on the needle. It didn't take very long to get the hang of it. I have a "Just Enough Ruffles" scarf on right now that requires a stitch in the front then the back then the front of the same stitch and I'm wondering if the clearness is going to make that easier or harder.

Well that wraps up ABC Along 2009! Z is for Zephyr!

I'm gonna let it shine

I'm a little down.

I have some stress happening, with home improvements to get our house ready to sell and my generally busier schedule. It's the after-Christmas letdown. The days are short and it is cold.

Unfortunately, I don't just get to curl up under a blanket, sip hot cocoa and watch movies all day and night until it warms up outside. Even when I think about calling in sick so I'll have a day to myself, I know I can't sit in my house and relax with so much to do, so I might as well go to work and save the day for when I'm sick, not just feeling sick and tired.

I don't completely know the answer. I know I get like this every so often and I know that life will settle just enough time for it to turn upside down again. So I might as well embrace it, right?

First thing this morning I was looking for my camera, but the camera bag was empty. I left for work wondering where it might be. I went home at lunch time because I was concerned about the camera's well-being, and my own well-being if something had happened to it. It was in my knitting bag. That means I haven't been doing much knitting, much photography, or much housework.

Finding the camera was a relief and suddenly Sam Cooke's version of "This Little Light of Mine" popped into my head.

The camera's not gone. It was safe and sound. Just misplaced. I hope to find my sanity in much the same condition.

Review a movie in ten words or less: Seven Pounds

Moving and touching but predictable. Best part was the dog.

(Want more words? Read here.)

Review a movie in 10 words or less: UP

Watch twice to enjoy even more jokes and animation details.

(Want more words? Read this.)