For Future Reference (Mine): Granny Square Joining Technique

I found this over at Carina's Craftblog today, and I can't wait to start using it. It falls in line with the "join as you go" method (rather than whip stitching w/a needle), and can make things go, IMHO, a bit faster.

I just need to do things the mirror image of that tute, given I'm a leftie. Seems simple enough: ch3 in first square, then 3tr in each "void" (as I call the spot between stitch clusters), and ch3 to join at the end. That's the only further interpretation I needed. And am posting it here on my blog, not for others, (never for others' benefit) but for my own. I use my blog as a scrapbook for my projects, as well as a notepad for things that inspire or perhaps might be useful in future projects.

Too bad, I'm working on a floral motif 'ghan, not in square forms, but I'm joining the individual motifs together; otherwise, I'd start a new project JUST TO USE THIS TUTE!

Thanks Carina!

Can't Believe I Didn't Post This Before Vacation

Maven's Celtic Knot Granny, Prototype 1
Pattern listed in my projects section on Ravelry

I finished up this granny prior to my vacation two weeks ago, however was remiss in posting it here (though I did post it in my projects section on Ravelry). The pattern went through a few edits, and if you want to test it out for me, or offer up an edit, let me know via Ravelry.

I love Celtic Knots, macrame, Oriental style frog making, and lace tatting-- or I should be more specific, I love the appearance and might want to learn these crafts.

Not sure if I have it in me to attempt too many other things, so I try to adapt what I want to accomplish with the skills and smarts I have within crochet. And to be honest? I don't think the husband has it in him to withstand/tolerate one more obsession of mine. My den/spare bedroom/crafting studio/office is OUT OF CONTROL as it is.

Perhaps I should photoblog the monstrosity the room has become as of late. PERHAPS!

Picture gently lifted from Yarnplayer's Tatting
Isn't it lovely?

I hope to study this and try to craft a crocheted celtic shamrock for my study in Celtic knots rendered in crochet, inspired by this piece of lovely tatt work. I love the whole "deconstruction" I do in mapping out each thing I attempt, and once I've figured it out, I'm off to the next thing to decipher.

I've even been fascinated by Noreen Crone-Findlay's Woven Spool Knit Heart (hint! hint! for those wondering what to get me, for you know, any gifty-type situation), which is in keeping with my affinity for Celtic Knots. And right now, I'm putting Celtic Knotwork Handbook (Paperback) by Shelia Sturrock on my Amazon wishlist.

Stay tuned...

Inspiration Pieces: For Future Projects

Clever use of Granny Squares (another thing to which I'm addicted!)
I found this at Tattis Cuties Flickr group.

Example of Yemeni Oya/Oyalari (LOVE this motif!)
I found this (and more) at Lilac.

I might attempt playing around with this motif on my own.
The flowers are definitely hooked; however, the leaves
appear to be shuttled.
Let's see how it goes.

What's on My Hooks These Days...

I started working on her last night out of boredom, using all wool, and my hand turned P hook from Turn of the Century (link on sidepanel). I'm loving the colors. Just using what's in my stash. Some Debbie Bliss is in there, some Lion Brand Landscapes, and some other fancy (the one with the oranges) I picked up from Flying Fingers during a trunk sale. This might be my travel project. It's still small enough to be portable.

ETA: 12/28/10: This square is no longer portable!

Here is my ripple afghan I'm doing for the No End in Sight Ripple Along (link in sidepanel). I'm working it in dc, with my Brittany wooden M hook, using a bunch of Lion Suede I picked up at the Dollar Store of all places. Haven't decided yet if I'll keep this or give it away. The Lion Suede is a joy to work with, so soft. Great t.v. watching project, though I did work a bit on it at last weeks Knitting Under the Influence meeting... (despite it obviously being crocheted)...

ETA: 12/28/10 Ripple and related yarn given to a friend in a swap.

Here is what I'm referring to (at the moment) as my God's Eye. I haven't decided if when it's finished if it'll be a rug or a wall hanging. If it'll be a wall hanging, I plan on making an actual God's Eye w/Fimo and affix it to the center, and perhaps add some beadwork to it, too. But at the moment, it's using up stray bits of wools left over from projects, and I'm doing it up in I-cord, and whipstitching it together. I like the effect, so far.

ETA: 12/28/10 This God's Eye I-cord project is stalled.

One other project not shown: an unmentionable out of broomstick lace. I brought it to my first [Group name redacted], and flubbed my count, and I also don't like the three rows of non-broomstick lace I worked into the project, so sometime this week, I'll be frogging about four rows of work. Rather would do that than abandon it. Hopefully will pick it back up this week.

And as if all of that were not enough, I am contemplating gifts for next year, and I saw this pic on someone else's blog and saved it to my directory for a future project (so if I swiped it from your blog, don't be pissed, I love how it looks, and want to figure it out for myself). THIS is what I might play around with for next year's holiday giftage...

Afghan For the In-Laws... MAYBE

Out of order a bit, but this is the sorting stage of the granny square motif:

A close up of what the center is being worked:

A wider view of the center of the afghan:

ETA: These squares were dismantled and given to a fellow Raveler to be donated towards another afghan for another friend/Raveler.

It was worked up freehand in Patons wool.