Knitting and Crochet Blog Week... Day One

A week full of yarn people blogging together is what 2KCBW is all about.  The first day's post is to compare a yarn you love with a yarn you hate, or whatever degree of emotion you feel about said yarns!

To begin with, I have to confess of not ever using any other yarn except 4-ply worsted weight.  I have used all sizes of thread... I used to make tons of doilies back in the day.  You know, the pre-arthritis days.

Anyway, my current yarn of choice is:  Red Heart Super Saver (aka RHSS).  Durability, range of colors, availability, price are all the reasons I use it.  I use it especially for afghans.  Below are squares I did for Share A Square this year.

My choice of the "other yarn" used to be my favorite until K-Mart stopped carrying it.  Ok, so we don't have a K-Mart in my town anymore either.  I am speaking of LoveKnit.  (Actually, I think the manufacturer stopped making it.)  Much softer than RHSS right on the skein.  Price, color, durability -- all there.  Below is an afghan I made for my father-in-law's Christmas present about 25 years ago.  He had cancer, and so sat a lot of the day.  This photo was taken last week.  As you can see, still holding up strong.  I actually buy any and all LoveKnit I find at thrift shops, garage sales, etc.

So, my "Tale of Two Yarns" is done.  If you want to participate in Knit and Crochet Blog Week, click on the banner at the top of today's post.

See ya tomorrow!
Renee  :)

Spring Garlands... Part 2

Morning to all... even if it's not morning where you are!

Thanks to all who have commented on my Spring Garlands.  I just became aware not too long ago of the copyright issues involved concerning the publishing of the pattern/diagram for the Japanese flowers.  Copyright must be respected, and so the diagram and links have been taken down from Lucy's post.  I also believe the book from which the pattern is taken is sold out in most places.  Motif Book, Vol. 4 by Nihon Vogue Sha (September 2006) is the book which features the original pattern.

I hope everyone has the best weekend.  We have tons of snow here -- last of Winter's storms, first of Spring's.

Renee  :)

UPDATE:  Elizabeth Cat still has her version of the pattern posted here as a tutorial.  So Lovely!

Spring Garlands...

Ah, yes.  Spring has sprung.  Finally!  And some more work out of my stash.  A couple of Spring Garlands using the now-famous Japanese Flower pattern featured here on Lucy's post.  They are so quick and easy to do, even with color changes.  The small flowers and leaves are also from a Japanese pattern book.  But my copy of the pattern is from a photocopy.  I cannot find the particular book although I have looked through a LOT of books.  And drooled a lot, too!  The Japanese crochet books are sooo lovely; printed very nicely featuring wonderful patterns!

UPDATE:  Joining in Kootoyoo's Creative Spaces today...

Share A Square...

Hello again.  I've finished 12 squares for Shelly Tucker's This Eclectic Life project called Share A Square.  She has taken on a massive mission to make 150 afghans for kids with cancer.  Each afghan is 80 6" squares.  I think these can rightly be called blankets, not afghans!

Out of the 12 squares, 5 are standard grannies.  Another granny has my very first flower on it.  And 2 of the patterns are my own; the 3 squares in the 2nd photo and the 2 pink ones in the 3rd photo.  The back one in the 3rd photo is a log cabin pattern from Dutch Girl Diary.  All the yarn is from my stash.  I don't think these squares even made a dent in my yarn, I have so much!

I went to mail the squares this afternoon.  Our post office has a machine in the lobby to do your own mailing.  It's a handy little thing.  But just because it's a 3-day holiday, the machine was not taking either of my debit cards - Visa or the other one that starts with an M.  I will have to go back on Tuesday and try again.

PIF Winners...

Good morning to one and all!

Today is the day I announce the winners of the PIF give-away. Woo-hoo! The winners are: Gail from Yankee Teapot, Aisyah from My Tinker Space, and Marisol from Heart and Sol. Yay Ladies!

So, Ladies, please email me with your mailing address.

The process: I have 3 months in which to send each of you goodies. At least one of them will be handmade. After you receive the goodies, gifts, presents, etc., you blog about the PIF and link back to me. You then get to hold a PIF giveaway of your own! And so on, and so on, and so on. No stress and no worries, only handmade goodness going out to the universe!

Have a wonderful day everyone!
Renee