I designed a square!

I sat down and designed a square for use in making afghans. I was actually trying for a 12 inch square, but it only came out to be roughly 10 inches. Still, it's rather pretty... my son said it reminded him of a rose and he really liked it, so I named it after him.

QUINCEY'S ROSE
(copyright Krynne 2011)

Hook used for model was H hook.
Yarn used for model was Red Heart Comfort (colour "red")

Special stitches used:

Begin Cluster: Ch 2, yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over & draw through stitch, yarn over, draw through 2 loops on hook, yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, yarn over & draw through stitch, yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook, yarn over & draw through all 3 loops on hook.

Cluster: Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over & draw through stitch, yarn over & draw through 2 loops on hook, (yarn over, insert hook into same stitch, yarn over & draw through 2 loops on hook) twice, yarn over & draw through all four loops on hook.

X Stitch (also called a Double Crochet Cross Stitch): Skip one stitch, make normal DC in next stitch, insert hook into skipped stitch, make regular DC.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1) Make 8 SC in magic ring, SS at top of 1st SC to join.

2) Make Begin Cluster in 1st SC, ch 2, (Cluster, ch 2) x7, SS at top of Begin Cluster to join.

3) (Ch 4, SS into top of Cluster) around, ch 4, SS to begin ch 4 at beginning of round to join.

4) SS into ch 4 space, ch 3, 4 CD in ch 4 space, (5 DC in next ch 4 space) around, SS in top of ch 3 at beginning of round to join.

5) Ch 3, (DC, ch 2, 2 DC) in same space, *HDC in next 3 stitches, SC in next 3 stitches, HDC in next 3 stitches, (2 DC, ch 2, 2 DC) in next stitch; repeat from * around, SS at top of ch 3 at beginning of round to join.

6) SS to corner ch 2 space, ch 3, (DC, ch 2, 2 DC) in same space, *ch 1, (skip next stitch, X stitch, ch 1) x4, skip next stitch, (2 DC, ch 2, 2 DC) in corner ch 2 space, repeat from * around, ch 1, SS in top of ch 3 at beginning of round to join.

7) SS to corner ch 2 space, ch 3, (DC, ch 2, 2 DC) in same space, ch 1, *(HDC in each stitch & in each ch 1 space) across to corner ch 2 space, ch 1, (2 DC, ch2, 2 DC) in corner ch 2 space, ch 1, repeat from *, SS to top of ch 3 at beginning of round to join.

8) SS to corner ch 2 space, ch 3, (DC, ch 2, 2 DC) in same space, *DC in next 2 stitches, (ch 3, skip 2 stitches, SS in next stitch) x5, ch 3, skip 2 stitches, DC in next 2 stitches, (2 DC, ch 2, 2DC) in corner ch 2 space, repeat from *, ch 3, SS at top of ch 3 at beginning of round to join.

9) SS to corner ch 2 space, ch 3, (DC, ch 2, 2 DC) in same space, ch 1, *skip next stitch, HDC in next stitch, SC in next 2 stitches, SC in next ch 3 space, ch 1, (3DC in next ch 3 space, ch 1) x4, SC in next ch 3 space, SC in next 2 stitches, HDC in next stitch, skip next stitch, (2 DC, ch 2, 2 DC), in corner, repeat from *, ch 1, SS in top of ch 3 at beginning of round to join.

10) Ch 2, HDC in next stitch, *(2 HDC, ch 2, 2 HDC) in corner ch 2 space, HDC in each stitch & in each ch 1 space across, repeat from *, SS in top of ch 2 at beginning of round to join.

11) Ch 3, DC in next 3 stitches, *(2 DC, ch2, 2 DC) in corner ch 2 space, DC in each stitch across, repeat from *, SS in top of ch 3 at beginning of round to join.

Fasten off, weave in all ends, block & enjoy!

I've added this to Ravelry. Please feel free to post photos of your squares you've made!

It's been a while...

Sorry I've not written in almost a month now... I was a bit distracted by other things, such as my Nerd Wars group on Ravelry. This group holds a tournament that runs over a 3 month period. Each month the game master sets 6 different challenges for each team to work on. Some are rather easy while other are quite difficult. This past month (June) I managed to fulfill 5 out of the 6 challenges... and still work a bit on my 3 month long dissertation. I'll post them here in the order I finished them:

My 1st challenge was to make something inspired from a popular YouTube video. Extra points were given if you could somehow tie it in with your team (I’m on Team Rangers - from the TV series Babylon 5). I decided to take the video of the end credits of the game Portal and make the cake that can be seen in the beginning of the video. To tie it in with B5 I mentioned a scene where Security Chief Garibaldi is chatting with a co-worker about cake.

My 2nd challenge was to create something in 3D. Again extra points were granted for linking to our team. My creation was an amigurumi ant. This ties in to B5 as G'kar is speaking to a visitor in regard to "something" she saw near a planet she'd been surveying. G'kar explains that some things are too complex for us to understand. He picks up an ant, shows it to the woman (asking what it is) and as she answers he places it back onto the flower. He states that if the ant asks another ant "what was that" it could only give a similar answer he had given her earlier... that it just can't be explained.

My 3rd challenge was to represent something representing Electricity, whether it be lightning, the current running our electronic gizmos, or the static electricity from loving your cat too much on a dry day LOL! My entry was a representation of a Jacob's Ladder. This device creates a sparking arc that travels from bottom to top. It is often seen in the older monster horror classics, such as Frankenstein. I further went on to mention that in that film electricity is being used to re-animate the dead. In B5 an entity known as Lorien is introduced. He has a human form, but his natural form is of pure energy. In 2 different scenes Lorien shared some of his energy to revive the mortally wounded Captain Sheridan.

Each team also had what they classed as a Team Unity Project, where they chose a subject and we all had to make something for this project. We could then use that project in one of the main 6 challenges. Our Team Unity project was Star Stuff, based on a quote from Delenn, that everyone... be they human, Minbar or Drazi... were all created from the same universe. My Star related item was a simple Baby Mobile full of stars. Perhaps something Sheridan and Delenn would hang above their son's crib.

My 5th & final challenge was in the form of donations of newborn/baby items... we were to show how generous even a Nerdy Geek can be. The donations actually didn't have to be created by us, but I decided to make mine. I crocheted 7 little preemie sized baby hats (and will be donating them to CHEO). I chose colours that could have been used by 2 of the well known alien races on B5: the lighter pastels of green, yellow & blue I felt represented Delenn's homeworld of Minbar, while the shades of purple and darker blue could have come from Londo Mollari's wives on Centauri.

The 6th challenge was to take an adage or phrase (such as "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" or "A rolling stone gathers no moss) and create an item to represent this phrase. Sadly I was unable to think of anything to use for this challenge (and still tie it to my team). But there were a great number of them submitted (not only for this challenge but for all the others too) and I got loads of neat ideas for future projects LOL!

Overall I had loads of fun trying to think of the projects to make for these challenges. I even managed to get some of my dissertation done, though not as much as I'd like. I'll definitely have to work harder on that. The new challenges for July have just been posted and I've already got a few ideas in mind for them!

Canada Post Strike

Well, after what looks like several days of talk, talk, and more talk, Canada Post is going to be on strike as of this Thursday (June 2nd). According to the Canada Post website, they are still talking over things, but the official 72 hour notice of strike was given on Sunday.

I mailed out 2 packages (one to go to the States and one to the UK) on the 28th. The young man working the desk told me it would take 4 days for the 1st one and about 2 weeks for the 2nd... both being sent out on Monday. I was going to mail out another 4 packages today, but with this strike looming I think I'll just hang onto them. Who knows now what will happen to all those packages & boxes, letters, etc already sent out with no one sorting them properly.

I could, of course opt to use Purolator, UPS or Fed Ex... but all those are hideously overpriced. No thanks, I think I'll just wait. The last strike that occurred was in 1997 and lasted about 2 weeks... I'm sure I can wait that long (or even longer) if need be.

Sad thing is I was in a competition for square making in a Ravelry group... the deadline to mail out was today. I mailed it off Saturday but I'm a tad paranoid my box will just get lost somewhere, or majorly damaged... and I'd have to make all those squares over again (if I'm permitted to do so, that is). All I can hope for is that my little package of squares makes it there.

I'm just thankful that all my bills are paid through the internet AND that my monthly finances are sent straight into my bank account. The good news is that all government issued checks (like Ontario Works, Disability, Employment, and Old Age Security) will still get delivered even if a strike is on... that's one thing stated in the contract for Canada Post they must do. Sadly all bills will be held, yet the companies will still need to be paid on time!

Anyhoo... let's hope that if it does decide to go on, that it doesn't take too long.

Nerd Wars!

Hi... it's been a while. The gardening for my friend in the rain made all of us sick as a dog (including the friend). But I'm feeling somewhat better now :) Anyhoo... I'm still trying to get some crocheting up to show off here, but first a fun note.

Over on Ravelry I've now been officially entered onto the Nerd Wars group Team Rangers (I'd opted for the team Stargate Command as my 2nd choice if Rangers fell through). I've been a big fan of B5 and even own the entire series on DVDs. I'll probably be posting a lot about that for the next 3 months as the tourney progresses (the official start date is June 1st). I'm very excited. I was welcomed quite warmly by both veterans from last year's tourney (some who'd always been on the team, others who simply slid sideways onto the team from another) and newer folks alike. I even posted a bit onto my favoured team before I'd been added as a member.

One of the interesting things we can do to earn points for our team is a 3 month long project they term a Dissertation. Here we take an idea for a piece of work and somehow tie it in to one (or more) of the categories listed. However... the work I'd like to do I just can't figure out how it would fit in to anything on the list... it's not very intellectual, there's nothing charitable (unless I decide to simply gift it to someone later, but that's a pretty lame way to be added to that category), it really has nothing Nerdy about it, nor does it show off anything very skillful (the stitches are all basic ones). I think the only category I could possibly use it in is the Team Spirit category... and even there I'm still at a loss at how to properly fit it in.

I'm thinking I may just have to find something else to do. There is a very cute looking Space Shuttle to crochet... maybe I'll go with that and write something about our last shuttles and how they are now being retired.

Well... I'm off to go find some other fun things to make for my team! Wish me luck :)

Busy Weekend!

I got invited out to a friend's place to help with a bit of gardening. Her hubby was away for the weekend and she needed help in clearing the garden out for the new seedlings currently taking up most of her living room. I know her garden and although it's not that big, it meant a lot of bending over. My son and I, along with my son's friend James (who came to spend the weekend) went out Saturday with a promise of a delicious dinner, a comfy bed and a yummy breakfast next day. Another of her friends (Willow) came out in his van to pick us up. Just as we got all settled in for the drive (it was an hour drive to get out there) it began to rain slightly.

We arrive at my friend's without any trouble, but by this time it was now pouring rain out. We still went out to work in the garden anyways since my friend does have hot shower and a washer/dryer. She had eighteen 4x4 beds that not just needed weeding, but the grass in each bed was so overgrown it was up to my chest in height (and I'm a tall lady here at five foot nine)! The roots were down so deep we had to get the pitchforks and claws to twist them out... and even then we still only got down the first foot or so down. In fact one of the claws handle actually broke!

We only got 4 full plots mostly dug out that day and 2 half done (those ones had annuals in them so we simply had to weed around the new plants already there). Due to both my friend and I having major back problems we eventually had to stop as our backs were now screaming and refusing to co-operate so we quit work and went in. We pulled off our now thoroughly soaked clothing (which got tossed straight into the washing machine), cleaned up and bundled up in extra clothing (I forgot to bring extra jeans but the boys were smart and brought a set of everything including socks and undies LOL). No worries though as my friend's hubby had extra track pants I could fit in.

Dinner was interesting. It was supposed to be spicy chicken, but... her slow cooker decided to live up to it's name and it was not done... even though the thing had been on for 8 hours straight! So she decided to pull out some pork chops and try to thaw them out. That didn't work either. My friend then gave up and fed us all the other foods that was supposed to go with the chicken and planned to feed us the chicken for lunch the next day. We had a very, very yummy lentil dish (it was supposed to be a soup but it turned more like a porridge in texture LOL). It was awesome! I'll be getting the recipe later and I'll post it here later.

Along with that, Willow brought his very delicious chick pea salad, with cucumber, feta cheese, black olives and diced tomatoes! And finally, we had a slightly spiced diced potatoes. All in all a very yummy dinner! After dinner my friend brought out a bottle of ginger wine that was so nice... everyone except James (who is only 18 so not legal to drink) had a glass. We then sat down and watched a few episodes of Doctor Who (OMG those weeping angels are sooooooooo creepy)! We all later settled for the night (the boys shared the pullout couch while Willow and myself to the 2 spare rooms). The boys giggled and spooked each other with recollections of the creepy angels from the show before eventually dropping off to sleep.

The next morning the rain was still coming down, though not as heavy as the previous day. After a bit of a wash-up we went out to the kitchen to find a very delicious looking homemade porridge with bits of fruits and nuts. There was raw sugar, cream, and raspberry syrup to add if we so desired. And I had a very lovely chocolate orange tea!

After breakfast we dressed and went out to finish up in the garden. We managed to only get another 5 plots done before we had to again stop due to pain. That and both boys were now sniffling and coughing. My friend was concerned about them catching colds so we all went back inside. She was rather pleased with our progress and was grateful for what we did get done. While we tossed our wet and dirty clothing into the wash she pulled out the chicken we were supposed to have last night and we had that for lunch, along with more of the wonderful chick pea salad and herb flavoured Triscuit crackers (roasted tomato and olive oil flavoured... very nummy).

After lunch with our clothes washed, we dressed and with many hugs headed back out with Willow to head home. Although we did a lot of work that has made me sore for days, I'm looking forward to the promise of fresh veggies from the garden (and herbs too). Both boys though are sore and sniffly, so they have now been sent to bed after taking some cold meds. I'm now off to my bed as well!

Hugs to all!

Wasted Day

Such a waste of a day! It all started at noon. I had a nice cup of tea. It's finally not raining and the sun even peeks out behind some clouds on occasion.

So I decide to go out. It's 1:30pm and I really need to get my taxes done... I desperately need the money (who doesn't). Granted, they should've been done last month, but as long as you don't owe them money, Revenue Canada really doesn't care when you actually do your taxes. I was given certificates to get mine and my son's done for free at H&R Block, so I figured I'd head there to get them done there.

I time it so I can hop on the once an hour bus to go the several blocks down the road to where the income tax place is. I know it's not that far to walk, but with my hip and back not working like it used to, I can't walk even a block anymore without something spasming. Very annoying. Anyhoo. My son came with me so he could get his taxes done at the same time. We get off the bus, walk the half block to the small mall where the tax place is to find... it's closed!! And according to the sign, it's only open on Tuesdays... for 3 hours only!! That's it! WTF?

My son remembers seeing another H&R Block near his old high school. So we wait the 25 minutes for the next bus, hop on it to go check out that area. But as we're riding the bus we don't see it! My son asks the driver if he's ever seen one around this area, but like most bus drivers in this town he's oblivious to anything. However, a nice lady on the bus tells us there is "definitely" one near the Glebe area (which is a half hour bus ride from where we are). I'm debating about going there, but my son is now bored and annoyed. So he hops off to head back home (he can walk, I can't) so I stay on the bus to continue on to the area this woman mentioned.

50 some-odd minutes later (due to bumper to bumper traffic) I finally see the H&R Block sign literally right where the bus stops! But as I'm just about to get off I note that the place is empty of any furnishings and locked up tight and looks as though it's been that way for a long time. So I turn to the driver and let him know the shop is no longer there. He tells me "so what" and barks at me asking if I'm getting off or not. I sit back down. I figure I'll stay on just a bit longer as I know there is a LYS not too far from here. I had been wanting to go there for a while but never had the chance to. 3 blocks later I finally hop off and walk the half block up to the shop.

The shop is lovely... I wander around looking at all the petties and resist the urge to smoosh my face into the soft bamboos and cottons. But yikes.. the prices! One teeny skein of just cotton was $16 (plus tax)!! Sadly I leave without purchasing a thing (and received such a dirty glare of the woman tending the shop). Not going to go back there for a while unless I win a lotto or something.

I wait 20 minutes for the bus to go back home. Another looooong ride home, this time filled with the driver braking to a screeching halt at each and every stop along the way. This is on top of the still heavy rush hour traffic which again is a jerking motion. I'm very much in pain now from my back being flung back and forth so much! And there is a small child screaming at the top of it's lungs the whoooooole time. I finally get to my stop where I now have to wait yet another 30 minutes for the once an hour bus to take me to my home... to find that small child and it's mother are getting off and waiting there too. And they also get on the same bus to go home!!! Now my head is aching on top of everything else.

I stop about 2 blocks before my place to the library thinking I can at least pick up the few books on hold for me (and avoid small child, who is still screaming). I go in... and find someone has taken 2 of the 4 books I placed on hold!! Apparently some inconsiderate buffoon decided they didn't have to wait like everyone else and simply yoinked my books off the waiting shelf without caring that these were for someone else!! I'm fuming now... I'd been waiting a month for these 2 specifically as the hold line for both of them was long (I was number 38 on the list when I put the holds on). All the librarian could do was hope the idiot brought them back soon. She marked a note on the computer about this incident, so I do hope they get held again and don't just go to the next holder on the list. I did get 2 other books so it wasn't a complete loss. I then walk the 2 blocks home.

It's 6pm when I finally get in. No taxes done, not a single thing crocheted (I decided not to bring my crocheting with me since I thought I'd be quick - HA), I ache all over from all my walking, my head is pounding, and I'm hungry as a bear (I also skipped breakfast and lunch for the same reason not to bring my crocheting).

Time to sit, have a cup of tea, take some aspirins, and loving son is even making rice pilaf for dinner. He's such a good boy!

Make A Square a Day in May!

Okay, I've officially joined the Make a Square a Day in May group! It's an awesome little project where everyone makes one square a day from the list posted on the site. We crochet along with everyone else (referred as a CAL) and show off our finished work with pride! for more information (and maybe join in on the fun yourself) give the button to the right a click!

The hostess of this marvelous fun is Melissa from "Hooked on Handmade". You must go check her site out, she has some really cool stuff there!  Anyhoo... each participant will make 30 squares (one a day), and will join them all together on the very last day of the month to create a really special blanket! I can't wait to get started on my own!

I'll post pictures of my daily progress... and maybe a few of the other participants if I'm permitted :)

Current Projects

I have quite a number of crochet projects I'm working on lately. Most are on the site Ravelry, though the last one is another fellow Blogger.

First there is the group 2011 Squares CAL: each month 3 lovely patterns (two 12 inch and one 6 inch) are chosen and we all work on them in our own time, in our own colour choices. I've been with them since January so have a good number of squares made... however I'm a bit lapse on my April squares. Here they are all laid out on my icky gray carpet :)

My next projects are actually all from the Blanket Square Exchange group on Ravelry, though each exchange is a separate event. I'm in 4 so far: Purple Passion (one 12" - kind of obvious in colour), Monochrome (three 6" - done in black, white and gray), Own Colours (one 12" - of whatever colour wanted), and Rainbow (one 12" - each of the first 6 colours of the rainbow). So far I've only made one square (or set) for the first two exchanges mentioned... the last two being my newest exchange, so I've yet to make squares for them

And finally, I just joined a really fun looking CAL... I can't wait to start!

My new Blog!

I was thinking about how many other folks I chat with have commented about how much fun they have with their blog.  I've visited many and they look great, I pick up new hints and tips, and even learn a few new stitches or read about a new brand of tea.  I thought I could do that too!  I've never blogged before, the closest to a blog I've ever done was a Live Journal thing that really didn't last too long.

My next thought was... so what would I blog about?  I mean there are so many blogs out there. Well, I love drinking tea and I love to crochet while having my cup of tea beside me.  So I thought maybe a blend of the two would be nice.  Of course, I'm no expert in either one, I just like them a lot.

So, anyways, here is my intro to blogging. :)
Krynne