Crochet WIP's

These days I try not to have too many WIP's (work in progress) on the go at once.  At one time I did and it would often take me years to complete something.  It would get stuffed in the back of a cupboard or shelf to be forgotten.  Then when I found it again I would often forget what hook size I was using and sometimes the pattern which is why these days I take a snapshot of the yarn, hook and pattern when I first begin a project.

Lately I have 3 projects on the go but one of them I'm happy to work on only occasionally.

It's an easy light, sparkly shawl that is my current portable project.  I'm only working on it if I'm out and about somewhere or if I'm between projects.

I haven't touched it in about 2 weeks now and that's okay with me.  I know I'll work on it again when I'm in between projects and because it's a basic treble crochet (UK), chain, treble pattern then it works up pretty quickly.

It's a nice soothing project that I'm happy to go slowly with.

I'm also working on a scarf for myself in the Rose coloured Rosabella Threads yarn I bought a few weeks ago.

As it's been sweltering and really humid here lately, I couldn't bring myself to work on a dense kind of scarf so decided on quite an open lace pattern.  This will be perfect to wear during our winters too as it really doesn't get that cold here.

I've actually worked on this a lot over the weekend and it's now getting close to being finished so once it's done and blocked I'll show you the finished product.  I'm really loving this one.

The other project I'm working on is a bit of a secret project as it's intended as a gift for someone.

I can't say more until it's finished so you'll just have to make do with a sneak peek for now.

Some of you may also remember that my husband's Aunt gave me a number of crochet books at Christmas.

I've decided that I will SLOWLY work my way through the book and make a small sample of each of the stitches to see exactly how they all look as it's a bit difficult to tell properly with the black and white photographs.

I started off with my first sample of 10 rows of 10 double crochet stitches (UK terms).  In fact I've decided to try to make all of my samples 10 rows of 10 stitches to see just how different they all work up.

The photo below shows the sample of Double Crochet rows on the left.  The middle sample is made using Ridge stitch which is more widely referred to as DC in the back loop and the sample on the right is Albanian stitch which is working the double crochet in the front loop. 

 I didn't realise they actually had proper names but now I know. :)

Just making those small changes to a stitch can make such a difference.  Even though I've used a light coloured yarn, you can still see the prominent ridges of the middle sample and I was quite amazed how flat and tall the fabric became when working through the front loop only.

I have done one more sample so far, this time using Russian stitch which is working rows of double crochet but all from the right side of the work.  I ended up only working 7 rows of this stitch and not 10 for a reason....

You have to cut the yarn at the end of each row since you're not turning your work.  I ended up with 14 ends to tie in just on this small sample!

The photo below shows the difference in working rows of double crochet, the one on the left is what results when you turn your work and the one on the right results when you work from the right side only.

I do like the look of using Russian stitch but I would need to work on a large project like a blanket or something so I wouldn't feel like I was constantly having to tie ends in every few minutes.

So that's what I'm working on right now and they're all coming together nicely.   I was quite prolific in finishing projects in the second half of 2018 that it feels a little weird that I'm still slogging away at some now but that's okay.

My family is my priority and I made sure I spent as much time with the kids before the school holidays ended and we're now getting back into the school routine and all the adjustments that need to be made there.  We'll get there and things have started off so much better and less stressful than the last few years so I'm hoping for a good 2019.

Have a wonderful week everyone and stay cool, or warm wherever you are in the world battling these extreme temperatures we seem to be having everywhere.

xx Susan