What is this, you say? I'll tell you what it is. It is the result from not following instructions. You see, I'm one of those people who don't take the time to make the sample swatch. I have to jump right in and get busy on the project. A few days ago, I read where Attic 24 is having a Hook-A-Long (HAL). Instructions were posted and I wanted to join in NOW. So, I started crocheting and I got this ruffley thing, that I ended up unruffeling! I knew I was doing something wrong, but what? I'm new at the crochet thing.
So I did the little sample swatch...and guess what folks! It all came together so nicely. aahhhh, sample swatches.....
So my friend, Teresa, who is good with colors, came over and we went through my yarn stash. I do not want to buy any more yarn until I use up my pile, or at least make a dent in it. And these are the colors we came up with and I started hooking! Hooking, hooking, hooking. Happily hooking away......until.......my shug says, (and use your man voice here. You know the one... it sounds deep, and the vowels are stretched out. Kind of dorky sounding. You probably didn't even know you had it, but you do.) "uuuhhhh, those colors look kind of hillbilly." Me: "Nobody talks that way anymore. Stop being politically incorrect, or discriminatory...or whatever...." (man voice) "Weeelllll, they're kind of Alabama Flash." Now, and please excuse my french, but what the hell is Alabama Flash? Is that bad? Because it totally made me doubt my blankey colors. Then I just kind of kept hooking, slowly hooking a long. You see, I wanted some bright colors, like Attic 24, but I didn't want to go buy them. Not when I have this stash. So I got back into my stash. And I'm thinking....should I have saved those bright yarns for a granny square HAL?
Instead of using these....which I have to admit, I haven't been working on them in awhile. Would the Alabama Flash colors look better in grannies?
And would this blankey look better in my sand and sea colors?
AND....If I do Sand and Sea, should I add coral?
and Kelp?
Or just stick with Sand and Sea?
Cindy,
ReplyDeleteI say keep on hooking, I'm lovin it. This pattern sort of lends itself to the Alabama Flash blankey. I think its lovely. Maybe you'll have enough stash to make some squares as well..great job, and yes those sample swatches do make a difference. You inspire me to get my hooks back out, I could use some new cotton dish cloths, they are the best!
Blessings,
~Ronda~
Well thank you Ronda. I have to tell you I went to the Park Band Concer tonight and I had my crocheting in a basket ready to take with me, then I chickened out! I was afraid others would think it's ugly! When I got there, this young girl right by me was crocheting. I was so disappointed in myself. I could have hooked for an hour! And get those hooks out. Those are the only dish cloths I use.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could help... but am a pattern novice... though I have been wiser to the swatches... mostly. I loathe making swatches (my term for gauge) because I want results now... and don't want to mess around with a silly piece that doesn't even count! Oh well... sometimes its necessary... keep on keepin on.
ReplyDeleteWell, I think that your Alabama Flash blanket is just perfect the way it is and you should definitely just keep hooking away! Sometimes I think we spend too much time worrying and thinking about colour schemes - this is going to be so beautiful and I think that's awesome that you're using up all your yarn and not buying anymore! SO good!
ReplyDeleteTo me, it's looking like a beautiful rainbow....and rainbow + crochet = goodness!
Well so far the "Alabama Flash" blanket is winning! Thank you Melissa for commenting. You are such an accomplished crocheter and I value your opinion. I've been watching your crafty-ness on your blog for over a year now. You have inspired me a lot!
ReplyDeleteAnd Taking Heart - Do you think we should just start doing swatches...even though we can't like 'em? Maybe we could make them all around the same size, and start stitching them together like a crazy quilt type thing!
Cindy
Great idea on the crazy quilt kinda, thingy. Won't make those sample swatches seem like a waste...
ReplyDeleteoh dear, I just looked over Lucy's tutorial for her new blanket and I just sat here and whipped up a little sample. EEEKK - so tempting to start yet another blanket!!! Oh dear, dear - I must restrain, I must restrain, I must restrain!!!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to watch the progress of your blanket by the way :))
Melx
Melx-I know EXACTLY how you feel, only this time I just did not refrain. I see you, Lucy, and Pip (Meet Me at Mikes) crocheting,(on your blogs) and I just decided I had to give it a try. I am LOVING it! I have so many works in process though it drives me crazy. I JUST started a knitted shawl about a week ago, then this HAL came along and I decided to go for it! I have the yarn - stashes and stashes...might as well use it!
ReplyDeleteLOL, well at least all these crafts keep us busy and out of trouble :)) I'm off to bed now to dream of crochet and blanket colours :))
ReplyDeleteMelx
LOL too! I really do fall asleep thinking of crafty stuff. Sometimes it consumes my mind! I keep forgetting you are on the other side of the world. It's 8:30 in the morning here and I'm getting ready to go outside and work in the garden before it gets too hot! Sleep well...
ReplyDeleteI love the colors. You go girl. That is exactly how a scrappy afghan should look. I have one that I started somewhere not the same stitch. But you use your stash of leftover and every other row is black. Very colorful.
ReplyDeleteI went to JoAnn's today and picked me up some cotton yarn, gonna get that hook out and make me up some dish rags...thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteBrenda thanks. It's staying. I actually love it again. You all are so wonderful.
ReplyDeleteRobyn - next time - just go shopping in my basement!! What color of yarn did you buy?!?!
I have been inspired by so many people that blog, I'm glad to pass a little bit of inspiration along.
Guess what I was doing today??
ReplyDeleteCrocheting a new blanket - eek I know, no will power here.
I'm doing Lucy's pattern and also cast on 240 chain. I'm up to my sixth colour. I can't believe how fast 8 ply crochets!
Melx
Melx you are cracking me up! You HAVE to post pics on your blog. What kind of yarn are you using that is 8 ply? I wish I would have cast on more, but I only cast on 120. Not ever having crocheted a blanket before, that chain looked so long, but when I started crocheting, it wasn't as long as I thought. The next one will be longer. I was even dreaming of a bedspread! And I totally understand the no willpower thing...I just sat down in front of my computer with my latest Lion Brand Yarn catalog to look at all of their "free" patterns! I'm supposed to be e-mailing our architect! Cindy
ReplyDeleteLOL LOVING the comments, and for the record, i think your granny stripe colours are absolutely wonderful, please do carry on and you'll end up with a real gem of a blankie. Don't go all sandy and muted, go all out for the Flash!!!!
ReplyDelete:o)xx
happy hooking to you my lovley..funny I've just been visiting with Melissa, I saw her squares blankie and loved it, didn't realise she had been tempted by the stripes too lol!
xx
Its variegated greens/cream. My kitchen is green..!! I also bought a needle punch for DUMMYS kit, this should be good. I need a Don't Start Another Project for dummys kit..lol. If they would of had one for felting I probably would have bought it too! I think you are good on your Alabama Flash!!
ReplyDeleteHi Lucy,
ReplyDeleteI have been laughing about these comments too. And really cracked up when I read Melissa's most recent blog post! She has a pic of her new blankey! I absolutely LOVE my flash blankey now and am happily hooking away every chance I get! This post started out kind of a 'downer' and now I will treasure my blankey forever. It will remind me of all of my blogging 'flash' friends! And how amazing you are - - - inspiring people all over the world to crochet. Cindy
Ronda, First of all, let me apologize for calling your Robyn? I have no idea where that came from. I was re-reading above and wondered who Robyn was!! Secondly, punch needle is fun, and easy,and you will find several of the "Granny Bees" do punch needle. I have made some punch needle projects....and of course, have a few unfinished ones sitting around as well...but it's a fun thing to do when you are watching the tv and you don't want to think about what you are doing. Remind me to show you some of my punch needle projects sometime. Keep us posted on your dishcloth progress. Jeez Loueez - all I want to do is craft! Cindy
ReplyDeleteCindy,
ReplyDeleteWanted to let you know, I dug out my hooks today and went looking for a dishcloth pattern. I have a book with 99 dishcloth patterns in it. Now, which one do I do? If you want I'll bring it to Granny Bees next week so you can look at it..let me know..