Secret Project 2 is Done

Finished my 2nd secret project (except for edging) this morning.   Really happy with how it came out.  Took longer than I had wanted but other projects were done and continue, towel topper and jasmine, so 3rd secret project will also be delayed some in completing.  Starting it in the morning.
Will be using the same crochet technique, Join As You Go C2C, and same basic design, thinking about changing each square configuration however.  Will keep you posted.  Anyway picture of Special Project #2.

Extended Stitches

Took a few minutes to crochet regular (sc, hdc, dc, tr) sequence and extended stitches (sc, exsc, hdc, exhdc, dc, ex dc, exexdc, tr) just to show the progression and how using them can be very useful to add a little height.  Extended stitches tend to be more elastic than normal stitches but they also give a nice drape and height progression.

The technique is the same with all extended stitches, pull up loop, yarn over, pull through 1 loop on hook, yarn over and finish your stitch as normal.  They can be used on any stitch except slip and chain, including extending and extended stitch,  Basically they add height the width of your yarn or thread.

The first image is regular stitch height progression.  Reading from right to left:  sc, hdc, dc, tr.

The second image is the same height sequence build using extended stitches.  You will notice the exsc and hdc are the same height, the others are a gradual height build.  Reading from right to left:
sc, exsc, hdc, exhdc, exexhdc, dc, exdc, exexdc, tr

As you can see the height build is much smoother using the extended stitches than the regular ones.  A crocheter can get very creative with curves, fans, and anything else to get the height and look they want.

Crochet On!

Calla Lily Progress, Towel Topper

My hooks have been super busy lately.  Did a set of towel toppers for my daughter.  Used Walmart brand, Mainstay, yarn.  Have no complaints and it is very reasonable for similar quantity as RHSS or Caron.  Did get the impression that is was a bit smaller than a normal worsted weight - 4 as I was able to use a G hook very comfortable.  None the less am pleased with the yarn and the project.  Used my
"Fudge Towel Topper" pattern, which is available on my Raverly store here:  https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fudge-towel-topper-version-2.

Have another set to do for her, same design and will use same yarn.  Work on those in a few days.

Below is a progress of my Calla Lily, Have it about completed now, Starched and drying.  Made some butterflies to go with them, they are glued to the wire and drying.  Wouldn't you know what I thought I had was a piece of Styrofoam to use to hold them up, wrong.

Anyway will post a completed version in a couple of days.  Flower is 20 thread and 9 steel, measures about 2.5".  Nice thing about my pattern can use about anything I want and just stop or add rounds to get to the size wanted.  Will be writing it soon,

Calla Lily Flower design

Calla lilly design about done. Have a bit too much curl and need to make the center 3rd (I think) stitches different to get the right look. Have to decide which side of work I want where so start/end is okay for overlap and the center part (not that big of deal) below is 6 rounds 85 extended half double crochet, measured about 2 5/8" diameter (10 thread, 1.5 mm). Going to take out last 2 rounds, add 1 of ehdc in each around, then do increase, and 1 ehdc for about 28, center 29 will need experiment, 1 ehdc in last. Think that'll take care of excess curl, add a bit to diameter, and get center point like I want. Picture of real one, and both sides of work at this point.

Will be putting wire as part of the final round to shape and hold, but that will be on real one.  Of course have the other finish work to do, but that is the easy part.

Also, will be making Lily of the Valley to put with the Calla Lily.  These are for Mother's Day (my daughter and Mother) hope I get them done, but have extra time for Mom's if needed and I'll do an I owe you or late for my daughter if needed.  Not a surprise for her so that will work. Lily of the Valley will just modify hyacinth petal pattern so would be a major design issue.  Greenery I haven't thought about yet, leaves that is. 

Latest Project Completed

Had to put my afghan projects aside at the beginning of the month to design and try and get a replica of a picture my daughter sent me, and a couple of "live" shots from here flower bed.

These are done in #10 thread using a size 8 steel hook.  Took a bit to get the flowers looking right, the leaves and stem were pretty straight forward.  Gluing the flowers on and getting them placed ok and so they didn't fall off right away (results from rushing to get them glued on), and were not laying on their side.  There are about 30 flowers on each stem, or a few more as I did the first 30 then did fill in as necessary.

Didn't get completed by Easter but did finish up this morning, late Easter for my daughter and the other for Mom when she's here this weekend.

Pleased with how they came out, not sure I'll write a pattern for them right away though, depends on interest.  If, I do it'll be a paid one.  Will keep you posted.

Back to afghans now.  Also need to get some water balloons made to market, season is about on us here.  

My posting has been lame lately, I will make a concerted effort to do better.

Crochet On!

Project Update - Afghan 2nd Surprise

Been really busy the last week or so.  But have been pretty much on schedule with my Second Surprise Project and have an updated photo to show you.

Have had to reduce time on this project for some I need to get done by Easter.  My daughter saw an idea and asked me to copy it,  flower bulb with face and flower, so have worked on it some.  Prototype of flower below with the photo of the actual plant.  Have modified slightly for the final flower but only the base, petals remain the same.  Will post a photo of some in a day or so, haven't taken a picture of any of them yet, will be pink and a red (I think) color.

My prototype leaf and flower.                                          The Plant

New Afghan

Boy, I didn't realize how long it has been since I posted anything.  Finished the First Surprise Afghan up to the edging, decided to edge them all after all bodies done.  Didn't take a picture.

Started the Second Surprise Afghan and am about a third done,  same C2C Join as You Go technique being used and same stitch sequence of block and shell squares. Real happy with this one.  No real yarn issues either, few thick and thin spots but nothing big.  Overall happy with both of the ones I've worked on, like the simple geometric pattern and how the colors have been flowing.

C2CJAYG Project Update

After all my complaining and finishing the second skein of the base color, I find manufacturing issues way less than 5% of the total skein yardage.  In the industry where I have vast experience 5% was acceptable but irritating to the end user.  Without knowing the machinery and product flow through the process can't really tell what a specific issue could cause -- small sections (about dc length at a time) thick and thin yarn nor why I had a big section of white in the middle of the skein, the rest was okay.  So my complaints are of a normal end user but probably within an acceptable range for yarn standards,

Anyway, project going forward at the speed of a racing turtle (slightly faster than a racing snail).  But making good progress considering time limitations.

Crochet On!

Crochet Project Update (C2C JAYG)

This project is coming along pretty good.  Today was not real productive however, did 9 squares but took out and redid 3, so a net gain of 6 squares.  Had to take one out due to color placement, was holding project at a different angle than the chart, so followed the chart to the wrong column and row.  Another because of incorrect stitch sequence and the 3rd because I wanted this square with darker base color, from square 1 that I took out, just switched the yarn for these 2.

About 2/3rds through the second skein of the base color, which I have been real pleased with the color changes.  At this point the color change for white is very long, UGH! worse than the first skein.  Looks like it may run for the rest of the skein.  Makes a person real unhappy.  May unwind the rest and rewind slicing so have a good color change, hate to do that but... Will look very closely at the reset of this skein and decide.

Have 2 more projects about the same size using this color for the base, hope the skeins come out better than these.

I typically don't bad mouth a yarn company's quality control, but what I have experienced  with the 3 skeins I am currently using manufacturing QC needs to improve. Granted these 2 base colored skeins are not from the same dye lot, but I have NEVER had a dye lot change nor within the same skein like I am seeing with the second skein, and I have used a lot of skeins in the 60 some years I have crocheted and knitted.

But, I am not going to get real upset over it, I'll find a way to work around so the project looks good,  But will be looking at the labels closely and be sure I don't use yarn from the same plant again (if I can identify it).  Usually each plant will have an identifier for internal use mainly, but industry QC checks also.  I have done this with "No Dye Lot" yarn that the same color was very different, a white and an off white when both should have been white.

Come to think of it:  When you purchase NO DYE LOT yarn find another identifier (date/time; another number, something that will help you determine if you can be reasonably certain the skeins are from the same facility as well as probably same dye lot (batch).  Also, look at the yarn very closely, but lights in stores can hid obvious color differences when looked at elsewhere.  What happened to me with my "white yarn" issue.

Crochet On!!!

Crochet Project -- Secret Though

I have started the other set of butterfly towel holders.  Will post a picture when done with them, haven't worked on them for a few days but next week will complete.

Have been working on one of my larger projects, I am not saying what it is, but thought I would share a small piece and some commentary about it.

Sharing a small view of a larger project. Using Patchwork Quilts join as you go C2C squares. She has a very good photo tutorial. If you try this technique, from experience making mistakes and taking out on this project, pay attention to stitch marker placement and do it. I'm adding markers with same placement as I go wider and longer -- not moving, adding. Also, the first block on vertical rows!!! My nemesis--Do Not Chain 6 etc, but chain 3 and move to the left!!!

This project is solid blocks (3 dc) and shell blocks (dc, ch 1, dc) to make squares. Doing 6 block squares, on row 6, solids have shell, shells have solid, all squares start with solid. Shell squares make up most of the project, have rows and columns spaced evenly using solid squares. Also, these outside edges are all solid blocks. This helps maintain and stabilize the shape. Each square measures about 3.5 inches, using Lion Brand Big Scoop, #3 and H hook. Using a basic geometric graph for color, row and column placement.

Like the yarn pretty good, purchased online because couldn't find what I wanted in stores (locally) and I was very ill so really didn't get a "good" look at my offset color, if I had I am sure I would have gone to a different one.  Not because it is not pretty and doesn't look good but my base color has white in it and so does the offset color, so am strategically placing squares so white offset isn't against base white.  Which means I am moving around on my chart some to have colors reasonably placed in some cases do have a little adjoining whites.  Hadn't decided on pattern so purchased "I think this'll work" quantity", wrong after got chart laid out for the size I wanted with edging calculated.  Local store had 3 skeins of the base color which I needed so got them - not the same batch.  Have used one  skein of this and started another, have found the length between color changes is significantly different in the second than the first and more like I had anticipated.  Anyway a good example for the need to purchase same dye lot for a project.

I have found that there is thickness variation, run into very thin small sections (fine thickness) and some thicker sections as well as the 3.  These sections are not very long so not slicing my yarn.  

Picture is a small section of the project.

Crochet - Baby Afghan

Have finished my baby afghan my daughter wants for a friend.  Real please with how it came out

Used diagonal block for the body, then did a round of extended single crochet, round of extended double crochet and final round of (sc, ch2, sc in next).  So made a nice border and not "girly" as we found out the baby will be a boy.

Used a total of about 2210 yards (1105 of each color) and about 34 inches square

The edging is difficult to see in the picture, but after trying several angles, etc. this one seemed the best.  Real happy with it, so is my daughter.

Crocheted Butterfly Towel Topper

Finished 1 set of butterfly towel toppers.  They were a struggle from stitch 1.  There was no reason for it, only difference was yarn color, used exact same hooks and my Fudge Towel Topper pattern but fought every stitch on these.  Just bad crochet day I guess.  Didn't get them hung straight and laid straight when took the pictures so look kind of off balance.

Overall am pretty pleased with them, and more importantly my daughter loves them.

Crochet On!

Crocheted Baby Afghan

We found out the baby will be a boy over the weekend.  Certainly glad I added the blue yarn.  This is double strand - diagonal block (C2C).  Body measures 32 inches square.  Need to measure yarn available before starting edging, but think I'll have enough for a round of extended single crochet, a round of extended double crochet and a rice final round.

Really happy with it.  The colors and texture make a really nice looking article.  Picture isn't very good, next one I'll do where there is different lighting, hopefully that'll show the colors better.

JRuBee Design Ravelry Store

With my store on Craftsy being closed I have opened one on Ravelry.  Address:  https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#query=JRuBee%20Design

At this time I have posted 5 leg warmer patterns for $0.99 each (or made to order by contacting me at jrubeedesign@outlook.com).

They are:  Fenced Cable. Double Thick Cable. Large, Medium and Small Spiral

I have also published 1 wine/spirit bottle holder for $0.99 and my free Fudge Towel Topper patterns. 

 More will be published in the coming days.

Quick note on projects:  Baby afghan body about completed, towel topper on butterfly towel first row done on 1 and 30 blocks done on one of the large projects.  Will post pictures in a few days.

Crochet On!

Baby Afghan Update and cost calculation

After battling pneumonia for a little over a week finally picked my hooks up a couple of days ago.  Got approximately half of my yarn used for the baby afghan so started decreasing.  Wanted to be sure I had enough to finish and put an edging on it.  Yarn Chicken not an option!!!!!


Am real happy with the diagonal block (C2C) pattern for this project.  Gives some texture and the yarn colors flow nicely.  Picture doesn't do it justice, however.

Will be allocating my crochet time between this and 2 other projects for the next few days or so.

As I mentioned before was working on a cost calculation to share.  Lost it a couple of times -- didn't save!  But have the shell done.  Image below is the basic shell, will be expanding with appropriate labeling and calculations.  

Some items I don't see mentioned in cost discussion, sales tax and mileage (special trip/across town as part of another trip) miles and IRS 2019 mileage reimbursement rate. For this I just made up a sales tax rate (I don't have it in Oregon) and used roundtrip miles special trip to get yarn for that calculation.  Yarn stats made up for this purpose also.

Snapshot of the shell:  As you can see sales tax and mileage add about 2 cents per yard to the cost.  Mileage is significant at 58 cents per mile, as you can see if I make a special trip to town to get 4 skeins of yarn at 5 dollars each (20 total), mileage is $23.20 and this would be the cost whether I purchased one skein or 100 skeins, doing this for 1 skein would raise the cost for the skein from 5 dollars to 28.20 (not including tax) but purchasing 4 skeins the cost per skein would be 5.80 for a total of 10.80 per skein  (not including tax). Hope to have a spreadsheet available to share within the next few weeks.

Crocheting 2019

Hope your projects are going better than mine.  Cold got worse, went to Doctor to be sure it was pneumonia -- no, really bad cold so gave me a prescription for Sudafed, in Oregon you have to have one to get it because people were clearing the shelves to cook Meth, so took that a couple of days and then I wasn't better I was worse, back to doctor - pneumonia - my cold had turned.  But caught it before it was "hospital" stage.  Whole thing hasn't helped with my crocheting.

Got out the piece I had worked on a day or so ago this morning, and between coughing, spitting, nose blowing looked at what I had done.  WRONG! Needed 6 blocks and had 5, out it came.  Checked several other squares and they were okay - glad I had only done 3 that day!!  Will see if I can get fixed this afternoon, if my nose blowing, spitting and cough settle down some.