GretchKal's Granny Stripes Lapghan

Behold, my latest completed crochet project: the granny stripes lapghan. Lucy at Attic24 has great step-by-step instructions on creating this blanket and I used yarn from my scrap bag to crochet up a blanket that is about 34 inches squared.

It’s the perfect size for the car or for sitting outside on a chilly night. I am really happy with how it turned out. I didn’t take any pictures of it when it was completed but the picture below this text is of the lapghan when it was about 80% finished.

Since I used up scrap yarn, leftover from other projects that might otherwise have been thrown away I feel like I saved the yarn from ending up in a landfill. Doesn’t that count as a “green” project? Hmm … I think so!  Another reason to love this project!

Eighty Percent Completed Granny Stripes Lapghan

But I digress …

The thread mentioned something I have never heard of before: a magic yarn ball. A magic yarn ball, for those of you like myself who were not in the know, is a yarn ball that is a ball of yarn wound from scraps of yarn. You take lengths of yarn that are between three to eight yards long and start winding. When you reach then end of one piece of yarn, you join a new piece of yarn by either tying a knot or using a Russian join.

Intrigued?

I had to find out more so I did some Googling and some YouTubing (are those real words?) and about 5 minutes later I was watching the following video clip from Jimmy Beans Wool:

I have tons of scrap yarn sitting around on shelves, in drawers, and in bags … ugh, I have yarn scraps everywhere!

This is a real inspiration.It’s a great way to be green too since all that yarn will be saved from going to a landfill.

I’m envisioning an afghan to cuddle up with on the sofa.

Dainty Loop’s Pink Snood Cowl

DIY Shoe Accessories by Craft Snob

Elizabeth Carl’s Color Block Felted Mitten Patterns

Brown Blended Green Chunky Boots-Slippers by The Happy Feet

Cozy Season’s Rich Deep Blue Ruffle Mohair Scarf

Lasunka’s Crochet Brown Hat

Kacey Kendrick Wagner’s Candlestick Topiary

Crochet Hearts by The Late Afternoon

Foodie Family’s Nana’s Spanish Style Hot Chocolate

Dressed Up Loom Knit Hats by In Words and Pictures

Zoom Yummy’s Crocodile Stitch Purse

Anywho, I made a video of myself making Michelle Molis’ Grocery Bag Purse.

The Purling Sprite has a really simple tutorial on her blog dated from January 2008 on the basics of creating a loomed shrug so I’m going to take her information and run with it. Stay tuned, dear reader, and I’ll post more information soon about how I make my shrug along with photos.

by jeaniewh on Flckr

I’ve made a few modifications. The original pattern is knit flat and then the sleeves are seamed up afterwards. I am knitting the sleeves in the round to avoid have seaming. I’m then handling the middle section by knitting it back and forth. Also, I’m using a different yarn: the pattern calls for 2 skeins of Lion Brand Wool Ease but I’m using Lion Brand Jiffy (if you’re unfamiliar with Jiffy it’s an acrylic but it looks like mohair). It’s fuzzy and cuddly – not at all a warm weather item but I started off working with yarn I had on hand. I’m finishing my 2nd skein of this yarn and about to start a 3rd and I’m only a few inches into the middle section. I think I’ll probably have to buy another skein.

Once completed I’ll post updates, my own photos, and my notes from Ravelry. Stay tuned!

My Circular Shrug

Another thing I’m excited about is that I made this with acrylic yarn that’s super soft and wearable and my total cost to make this sweater was less than $10.00. That’s right:  I bought 3 skeins of yarn at a cost of about $2.50 per skein. And I only used a teensy weensy bit of the last skein so I’ll be able to get another project out of the yarn and all for less than $10.00. Cool, huh?

Here are my project notes posted on Ravelry.

Needle – US 9/5.5 mm

Yarn: Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn! Colorway: Ivory – 3 Skeins (barely used the 3rd skein)

(Note: All photos are clickable to see greater details in the sweater.)

5/22 – Finished! It’s a little bit smaller than I would like. Lessons learned: I should have made the ribbing sections about 2” longer and the middle section about 3” longer to accommodate my larger size. It still fits but it’s shorter than I wanted and the ribbing is streeetttched across my chest. Still … very pleased with myself for having finished my first knitting project. I think I’ll be knitting this again!

5/20 – Middle section completed and about 4 inches of final ribbing done. I am pretty sure I’m going to run out out yarn. I really don’t want to have to buy another skein. I suppose if I do have to buy more then I can either 1) add sleeves to this shrug or 2) make some mittens or slippers or a skinny scarf to gift to someone else.

5/18 – Almost done with the middle section. Yay!

5/16 – 13 inches of middle section finished. I’m only completing a few inches at a time. The rows of purl stitches really kill my fingers and wrist on my left hand. I’ve never had this happen before so I’m surprised by the dull aching. There’s got to be a way to keep this from happening but in the mean time I’m just taking frequent breaks and that is helping.

5/14 – Worked more on the middle section and have about 7 inches of stockinette completed. I’m not in a big hurry to get this done but it’s exciting to know that this is going to be my first knitted garment and will be finished soon.

5/12 – Finished 7 inches of ribbing. I never thought it would end and knowing I have to do it again on the other end isn’t something I’m looking forward to. Hmm. I’m a few inches into the middle section and have decided to speed things along and am doing it in stockinette instead of mock rib.

5/10 – I CO 168 stitches and have about 3 inches of the beginning 2×2 ribbing completed.

Wow, I can’t believe I’m actually about to FINISH my first knitted garmet project! Yippee!

Once I have all the seaming done I’ll take a few photos for your viewing enjoyment.