Quick update on projects.  Busy weekend with my brother and mom here.  Mother really liked the pineapple shawl.  It fit really good. Just right over her shoulders.  No picture, she was real tired when they arrived so sat and visited.  Great family gathering in the afternoon and Sunday breakfast before
everyone headed out.  She is doing real good for being 93, 94 in a few months.

Afghan at row 97 so about 31 left to go, these will be the standard block stitch.

Time to think edging in earnest, I guess.
Know it will be simple, nonfrilly.  Possibly straight edge the ends and rice stitch for final round.  Haven't decided yet

Mother/Daughter Pineapple Shawls

Mother/Daughter Pineapple Shawls, (Formally called Mom's Shawl)
Or in this case Great Grandmother (Mom) and Great Granddaughter (baby niece).

Made the small one - center back and front about 11.5 inches, 29 across top edge, used about 232 yards of Mandala Wood Nymph and H hook same as Mom's.

Will be writing pictures and making sure row instructions are correct over the next bit of time. After the end of the small didn't take row by row as the rest to the final adult are pretty much repeat rows.

Update

A quick update on forth coming projects.

​The Mandala Genie afghan is on row 76 as of this morning, a little over half done.  About 52 rows to go should be completed by the end of the first week of May.  Continue to do 2 or 2 1/2 rows a day which has significantly cut down on ripping out and redoing.  I will post a picture in a few days.

​Mom's Pineapple shawl pattern is coming along.  Have photo tutorials of rows 1 through 16 done, am going to stop doing those after row 22 (I think) then do edging.  The remainder of the pattern is repeat rows for the most part.  Writing done through row 7.  No chart work done, may not include this time, we'll see.  
Bye for now,
​Happy Crocheting

Crochet Hook Observations and Comments

.Several years ago I started working on a crochet hook equivalent chart.  In the process I noticed several things and came to the conclusion not all hooks are created equal so an equivalency chart is a guideline only, but developed it anyway and have shared on Resource Page.

​Another thing I noticed, is Boye and Susan Bates hooks in addition to the fact Boye has a tapered throat while Susan Bates has an in-line throat is that Boye hooks are slightly smaller, think this is because of the tapered throat and longer than Susan Bates hooks.  See pictures below.  These differences are not huge and the hooks stay within the sizing stated, but it does make a difference in your project if part is done with a tapered throat and part with an in-line throat.  But, on the same token you should used the same hook for your entire project as they can vary slightly  from the same manufacturer for the same size hook.

​I use Boye tapered hooks most of the time, as these are what I learned with and my crochet technique is compatible with this throat.  I have used an in-line hook at times, but have had to change my crochet technique so don't split my thread/yarn.  The tapered hook I hold with the head down while the in-line hook I hold with the head up.  

​I have seen posts asking whether they are crocheting "right" because of how they hold the hook and control tension.  I, personally, don't think there is a right and wrong way to crochet.  I think it's time to rethink what you are doing if your tension is even making your work look sloppy and inconsistent, or your are splitting your thread/yarn a great deal when doing your stitch (some yarns split more than others due to their spinning tension).

​See Hook Equivalent Chart on Resource Page                                     Resources​

Beginning blocking process, dampened shawl and hung to let the stitches fall out.  Additional blocking will be done as needed when it is dry, won't be much if any.
Picture isn't good, but don't have any other way  to hang or layout something this big.

​Back to working on pattern.  Have 7 rows done, picture of each row and/or part of row.  These will be part of the final pattern.
​

Ugh! Reading pineapple shawl pattern this morning, found where I had not included some skips. Not a lot of rows to rewrite but still enough to make you want to spit shingles.

I can crochet with it, but have made a lot of pineapple items and of course this one, but someone else would probably have a mess as you would be crocheting in chains, etc that should be skipped. One good thing, however, don't have you crocheting in air anymore.

Decided to regroup with pineapple shawl🤔

Going to take it apart and do audio with video I'm thinking. Then transcribe, hopefully will work.

Not sure video will turnout very good as don't think I crochet video friendly, but We'll see.

Wish me luck.

Afghan update, about half done. Am only doing 2 to 2 and 1/2 rows a day - no ripping out