Corelle Blocks - Beauty Shot

I took this photo last week, but hadn't felt much like posting.  These four day work weeks are actually harder than a regular five day one because I end up trying to get more work done to try to minimize the effect of the furlough on my project, but it leaves me pretty tired at the end of the day.

Pattern:  Corelle by Donna Kay Lacey
Yarn:  The Unique Sheep Luxe in Vine and Cantaloupe
Hook:  2.75 mm

Coming up - finished pictures of Meris, and Camp Loopy Project 3.

Corelle - Second Block Done

I finished up the second block tonight.  Apparently I couldn't read the yarn labels, the yarn is Luxe, not Verve.  I got the colors right, though, but how could you miss those colors.  I really enjoyed these blocks.  They had enough variety to keep me from getting bored, with some fun design features, but straight forward enough that they weren't too hard.

Pattern:  Corelle by Donna Kay Lacey
Yarn:  The Unique Sheep Luxe in Vine and Cantaloupe
Hook:  2.75 mm

Corelle - One Block Done

In between sleeves I worked on my July Crochet Block from the Unique Sheep.  It was a little later arriving than usual, but that doesn't really affect me as I have established a tradition of working the blocks the last weekend of the month.  The yarn this month was once again Verve in Vine and Cantaloupe.  Here is the first block completed.  A fun pattern and pretty easy to work up.

Pattern:  Corelle by Donna Kay Lacey
Yarn:  The Unique Sheep Verve in Vine and Cantaloupe
Hook:  2.75 mm

May & June Crochet Blocks - Beauty Shots

It occurred to me that I never posted beauty shots of my May 2013 Unique Sheep Crochet Blocks, so here they are.

Pattern:  Playa del Sol by Donna Kay Lacey, March 2013 Unique Sheep Crochet Block of the Month
Yarn:  The Unique Sheep Sushi Socks in Leaf and Daffodil
Hook:  2.75 mm (C)

And here are the June 2013 Blocks.

Pattern:  Ornate Arches by Donna Kay Lacey, the June 2012 Unique Sheep Crochet Block of the Month
Yarn:  The Unique Sheep Verve in Washington and Cornwallis
Hook:  2.75 mm

Ornate Arches - Second Block Done

And the second block is blocking.  The second block always goes quickly.  Now I can get back to my Pineapple shawl, although I already worked a fair bit of the short rows while we were watching our science fiction shows (Continuum and Defiance).

Pattern:  Ornate Arches by Donna Kay Lacey, the June 2012 Unique Sheep Crochet Block of the Month
Yarn:  The Unique Sheep Verve in Washington and Cornwallis
Hook:  2.75 mm

I finally managed to get some decent beauty shots of Gr-orange.  We've had thunderstorms almost every afternoon last week and the light just wasn't cooperating.  Here's the front.

And here's the back.

I noticed that the colorway is available on The Unique Sheep web site now.  This was a Sip 'n Stitch colorway from last year.


Pattern:  Indian Feathers by Alina Appasov
Yarn:  The Unique Sheep Tinsel Toes in Gr-orange
Needle:  US 5 (3.75 mm)

Ornate Arches - One Block Done

It is the last weekend of the month, and you know what that means - time to do June's Crochet Blocks.  Here is the first one done.  I did change the color usage a little.  At the end of round 9 you fasten off color A, but on round 10 you rejoin color A in a different spot.  I didn't read that instruction very carefully, so I switched to color B for round 10.  Imagine my surprise when round 11 said to join color B, and round 12 had you join color A to finish off the last 3 rounds of the block.  I liked the way mine was coming out, so I used color B on round 10, color A on round 11, and then finished off the block with color B.

Pattern:  Ornate Arches by Donna Kay Lacey, June 2013 Unique Sheep Crochet Block of the Month Club
Yarn:  The Unique Sheep Verve in Washington and Cornwallis
Hook:  2.75 mm

Playa del Sol - Both Blocks Done!

Of course the May 2013 Unique Sheep Crochet Block came out earlier this month, and I actually wound the skeins shortly after I received it, but I didn't start the blocks until today.  I have decided to make it a rule to work the blocks no later than the last weekend of the month, and tomorrow marks the beginning of the last weekend of the month.  Bruce and I took the day off for his birthday so I decided to set aside my knitting and work on the blocks.  I spent the day with Turner Classic Movies and yarn, which is one of my favorite ways to spend the day.  Once I figured out a stitch I wasn't familiar with, the blocks were quick to work up and I've finished both of them.

Pattern:  Playa del Sol by Donna Kay Lacey, March 2013 Unique Sheep Crochet Block of the Month
Yarn:  The Unique Sheep Sushi Socks in Leaf and Daffodil
Hook:  2.75 mm (C)

Berry Bloom - Beauty Shot

Here they are, all done blocking.  Now I am all ready for the May blocks.

Pattern:  Berry Bloom by Donna Kay Lacey, April 2013 Unique Sheep Crochet Block of the Month
Yarn: Unique Sheep Tinsel Toes in Beech and Sugar Maple
Hook:  2.75 mm

I've been thinking about what to do with the optional clue on my Treasure Island Cape.  Part of my reason for waiting was that I wanted to see what the clue looked like knitted up.  When I saw the clue I just wasn't sure that it was really going to go with the rest of the lace work, it just didn't seem like it was going to flow properly.  The thing that I was most concerned about was how the motifs of the optional clue would line up with the motifs of clue 6.  I've mentioned it before, but I am incapable of knitting asymmetrical designs.  There has to be a symmetry there, somewhere, and I can't see one with this optional clue.  So, last night I decided to make my own optional clue.

The first thing that I did was replicate clue 6 in my Knit Visualizer software, and then I started extending the lace motifs from clue 6 into my optional clue.  I completed the chart for my variant this morning, but it uses more yarn (54 grams) than either the optional clue (30 grams), or my initial variant on the optional clue (41 grams).  The good news is that I can cut several rows from my variation without ruining the pattern if I am going to run short of yarn, so I can safely start knitting.  One of things that I did in my variant was replicate the beaded medallions from clue 6, unfortunately that will use more beads than I have for this shawl and I don't have more of that color in my enormous bead stash.  Fortunately I have some other beads that will work and that I think will look better with the colors of my later skeins than the ones that came with my yarn.

Berry Bloom - Both Blocks Done

After I finished the first block this morning, I whipped the second block out this afternoon.  Both blocks came out a little small, so I'll have to add some rows before assembly, but there is plenty of time before I have to worry about that.

When I did this block I shifted the beginning of the rounds.  Most of the rounds start in the corner with a triple crochet and 2 double crochets, and end with the other two double crochets of the corner motif, but I felt that this made for an awkward join on the first block so I did the entire corner motif at the start of the round.  This meant that I had to slip stitch to the triple crochet on several rows, but I think the joins come out cleaner.

Pattern:  Berry Bloom by Donna Kay Lacey, April 2013 Unique Sheep Crochet Block of the Month
Yarn: Unique Sheep Tinsel Toes in Beech and Sugar Maple
Hook:  2.75 mm

Berry Bloom - One Block Done

I don't know where this month is going.  I started on this block pretty soon after I received, but then I set it aside after I did that first contrast row, distracted by several other projects.  I picked it back up again this morning when I realized that April was quickly coming to an end and I would soon be receiving another block.

Pattern:  Berry Bloom by Donna Kay Lacey, April 2013 Unique Sheep Crochet Block of the Month
Yarn: Unique Sheep Tinsel Toes in Beech and Sugar Maple
Hook:  2.75 mm

Ferris Wheel - Bloth Blocks Done

I was pretty lazy last week when it came to crafting.  I did a little weaving on my Silk Twill Scarf but didn't touch my crochet or knitting projects.  I did finish the book I was reading - The Map of True Places, by Brunonia Barry.  I had read her first book - The Lace Reader, obviously attracted by the title, and had really enjoyed it.  I'm not sure how I would classify the books - literature, contemporary fiction - I guess you could say that in both books the main characters are trying to understand themselves and their pasts, but there is so much more going on than that.  Her writing is beautiful, she has a wonderful narrative flow.  Of course, now I face the quandary of what to read next.

The week started out kind of rough, a carryover from the previous week, but ended well, so come Friday I was ready to be creative again.  I cranked out the first clue of the latest Unique Sheep Mystery Knit Along, and yesterday morning I cranked out the second block of the March 2013 shipment.  The pattern was fun, but working with the darker yarns was a bit challenging and required good lighting.  I will probably make this block again out of some of my leftovers using brighter colors.

Pattern:  Ferris Wheel by Donna Kay Lacey, March 2013 Unique Sheep Crochet Block
Yarn:  The Unique Sheep Verve in Coal and Earth
Hook:  2.75 mm

Post Script - 17 March 2013.  It has been pointed out to me by Margaret MacInnis that this crochet block pattern is actually from a vintage pattern - Cathedral Window Tablecloth by Cecilia Vanek.  Just wanted to make sure that credit went where it was due.

Ferris Wheel - One Block Done!

I feel sort of like I should have a drum roll or something.  Here I am working on the March 2013 Unique Sheep Crochet Block of the Month and it is March of 2013.  This is Ferris Wheel, by Donna Kay Lacey.  The yarn is Verve in Coal and Earth.  Still using my trusty 2.75 mm hook.

So this morning I click on my Google Reader tab to catch up on the blogs I follow and a pop-up window appears telling me that Google Reader is going away, I think the date was June or July 1 of 2013 (it was kind of early in the morning, so I'm not sure which), and there is a button on the pop-up that says "Okay".  And the only way I can make that pop-up window disappear and read my blogs is by pressing that button that says "Okay".  But it is not "Okay".  Not at all.

Here's a piece of trivia for you, do you know why we usually put the punctuation inside of the quotation marks?  Because in the good old days of type-setting, the punctuation was usually a pretty small block and it had a tendency to fall out of the tray or fall over, but the quotation marks would hold them in place.  Ah, the things one can find out on the internet.

So now I have to figure out what I am going to use to read my blogs.  I am trying out Feedly, but don't really like it.  I'm an engineer and I like the simplicity of the Google Reader interface.  I don't need fancy layouts and pretty pictures, and only displaying the ones that have new posts.  I don't even know if Feedly will translate my foreign blogs for me.  What is going on with Google?  First they get rid of the iGoogle page, now they are getting rid of the Reader?  What's next?  What is the world coming to?  Sigh.

Post Script - 17 March 2013.  It has been pointed out to me by Margaret MacInnis that this crochet block pattern is actually from a vintage pattern - Cathedral Window Tablecloth by Cecilia Vanek.  Just wanted to make sure that credit went where it was due.

Intervals - Both Blocks Done!

And here they are!  The last of the 2012 blocks.  Now all I have to do is finish the March 2013 block and I will be all caught up, with at least one club, anyway!  These are the September 2012 Unique Sheep Crochet Block of the Month, Intervals, by Donna Kay Lacey.  The yarn is Sushi Socks in Prana and Gia.  I gotta say, it feels good to be done.  Of course, I still need to assemble the blocks into throws, and then there is all that left over yarn that I have to do something with.  Originally I was making small blocks out of my left overs, but now I am thinking that I will repeat some of the club patterns and just mix and match the colors.  There is always something more to be done, isn't there?  I guess if we finished everything there wouldn't be any reason to get up in the morning.

Pattern:  Intervals by Donna Kay Lacey, September 2012 Unique Sheep Crochet Block
Yarn:  Sushi Socks in Prana and Gia
Hook:  2.75 mm

Here is the obligatory solo shot of the second block.

And a picture of the three sets of Sushi Socks blocks all together.

Intervals - Block One Done!

This is the September 2012 Unique Sheep Crochet Block of the Month, Intervals by Donna Kay Lacey.  The yarn is Sushi Socks in Prana and Gia.  This was a fun block do crochet, but it has come out a little on the small side, so at some point I will add an extra round or two.  I'm already half way done with the second block and then I will wind the yarn for the March 2013 block and then I will be all caught up!

Pattern:  Intervals by Donna Kay Lacey, September 2012 Unique Sheep Crochet Block
Yarn:  Sushi Socks in Prana and Gia
Hook:  2.75 mm

Winter Laurel - Both Blocks Done!

I finished the second block yesterday, during the snow storm that ended up not being much of a snow storm.  We took a snow day anyway.  We figure it is better to be safe, and who doesn't like a snow day now and then, and after the day I had on Tuesday I kind of needed a day off.

Here is a solo shot of the second block.

Pattern:  Winter Laurel by Donna Kay Lacey, February 2012 Unique Sheep Crochet Block
Yarn: Sushi Socks in Forest and Mist
Hook:  2.75 mm

Winter Laurel - One Block Done!

This is the February 2012 Unique Sheep Crochet Block of the Month, Winter Laurel by Donna Kay Lacey.  The yarn is Sushi Socks in Forest and Mist.  This is the first time that I have used this yarn, it is a 60% Merino, 30% Bamboo, 10% Nylon fiber, and I find it a bit splitty and not quite as nice to touch as the other yarns in the club.  But it works up nicely and blocks well.

Pattern:  Winter Laurel by Donna Kay Lacey, February 2012 Unique Sheep Crochet Block
Yarn: Sushi Socks in Forest and Mist
Hook:  2.75 mm

Kaleidoscope - Both Blocks Done!

I have really been on a crochet kick lately, burning through my backlog of Unique Sheep Crochet Block of the Month Club blocks.  Of course, I have lots of other club backlogs to work through, but this is going to be my year for it.  I am cutting way back on my yarn purchases this year.  Not that it will be much of a hardship, my stash has definitely reached the point where it exceeds my life expectancy, as well as my ready storage capacity, for both yarn and finished objects.

I am almost done with the blocks.  I am over half way finished with the second block of the next set, which is the final set in Verve that I have in my stash, and then there are three sets in Sushi Socks to do.  No word on the March block yet, so I posted a message on Ravelry.

Here is a shot of the second block.  The Conch has a nice subtle variation to it.

Pattern:  Kaleidoscope by Donna Kay Lacey, April 2012 Unique Sheep Crochet Block
Yarn:  Verve in Conch and Turquoise
Hook:  2.75 mm

Kaleidoscope - One Block Done!

I started this on Tuesday and finished it up last night.  This is the April 2012 Unique Sheep Crochet Block of the Month, Kaleidoscope by Donna Kay Lacey.  The yarn is once again Verve in Conch and Turquoise.  The design is lovely, but then you know that I am a sucker for lace.  It is also a bit more challenging, because of the lacy pattern.  I love the colors, they make me think of a tropical beach far away from all the pressures of work.

Pattern:  Kaleidoscope by Donna Kay Lacey, April 2012 Unique Sheep Crochet Block
Yarn:  Verve in Conch and Turquoise
Hook:  2.75 mm

Pineapple Posey - Both Blocks Done!

And here are both blocks.

Pattern:  Pineapple Posey by Donna Kay Lacey
Yarn:  Pashmi
Hook:  2.75 mm

This finishes up all the Pashmi blocks that I have in my stash. 

Pineapple Posey - One Block Done!

Well, actually both blocks are done, but the second block is blocking.  This is the February 2013 block from The Unique Sheep Crochet Block of the Month Club - Pineapple Posey by Donna Kay Lacey.  The yarn is Pashmi in Amethyst and Natural.  The photo does not capture the purple at all, I'm thinking it is a limitation of the camera. I've noticed this before with certain colors.  The photo was taken in natural light with no flash.

Pattern:  Pineapple Posey by Donna Kay Lacey
Yarn:  Pashmi
Hook:  2.75 mm