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.