Recently, I went to Michaels and the Vanna's Choice yarn was on sale 2 for $5. Although I'm not a huge fan of acrylic yarns, I think the Vanna's Choice feels pretty nice. I wouldn't make a sweater out of it, and I thought crocheting the hippo (at a fairly dense gauge) was a little hard on my wrists, but it does seem like a good choice for practicing crochet motifs, and I thought it might make a cute little mini-afghan for Measure. He helped me pick out a selection of nice bright colors, and when I got home, I pulled out a mega-enormous size P hook (I think it's 11.5mm or something like that) and started right in. In each round, I held two colors together, changing up the colors every round. For a pattern, I used the basic granny square instructions from Maggie Righetti's Crocheting In Plain English. By that evening, I'd finished about 75% or so of the blanket, and I completed it the next morning. I think it's a pretty good result for such a small time investment -- it's not the warmest blanket ever, but it's bright and cute and makes the couch a little more cozy. Measure likes it, so I'm happy.
Love the pumpkins and the very cute young man! You are so creative! Your blog is very good--even for one who hasn't picked up a needle in years.
Posted by: Joan Menzies | November 11, 2009 at 02:50 PM
Hi aunt Joanie! How are you guys doing? I hope well see you over the holidays -- maybe New Years? Say hi to Doug and the girls for us!
Sarah
Posted by: Sarah Fama | November 11, 2009 at 03:01 PM
It's very cool! How did he get so big already?
Posted by: Ruth | November 12, 2009 at 08:13 AM
I know -- its crazy how fast these kids grow! :)
Posted by: Sarah Fama | November 12, 2009 at 08:43 AM
He is all grown up!
I use VC for blankets for kids. It's soft and durable. I have made a baby sweater with it and then used the steam from an iron to steam block it. It kills the acrylic and gives it such a great drape and makes it even softer.
Btw, I was able to pick up a copy of Yarn Forward at Michaels over the weekend and I can't wait to make your shawl! I have a skein of Plucky Knitter Lace that is 700 yards. Do you think I could get away with that amount?
Posted by: Oiyi | November 17, 2009 at 02:18 PM
I know, they grow up so fast! Im pretty sure that 700 yards will be enough -- I think I used only about half of the second skein of Malabrigo Lace, and thats only 470 yards/skein. You can just work the last chart until you run out of yarn, basically. Cant wait to see how it turns out!
Sarah
Posted by: Sarah Fama | November 17, 2009 at 03:02 PM
love your Mayville Cardigan - I saw a picture of it on Knitting Daily. Do you share your patterns and if so, can you send it to me?? Thanks! Gail
Posted by: Gail T. | May 30, 2011 at 04:32 AM
Hi Gail, glad you like the pattern! It was published in the most recent issue of Knitscene, which is still on newsstands -- I'm on vacation in Australia right now, but when I left a week ago, my local Barnes & Noble still had copies, though it seemed like a lot of yarn shops had sold out.
Posted by: Sarah Fama | May 30, 2011 at 03:05 PM