Another Crocheted Favorite

This is the picture of another favorite of mine -- a 3 corner crocheted shawl from a 1970s issue of Magic Crochet . The magazine was printed in France by the same people who did Mon Tricot. I believe it's been out of print for years.

I made the shawl from an off-white mohair like fingering yarn, an acrylic if I remember right, and left off the fringe. My daughter asked for hers to be made from snow-white worsted weight yarn with the fringe. Both shawls were great. Hers is just bigger and warmer, but the fringe is glorious. Now my 8 year old granddaughter wants one. But do I want to do that much crocheting? I really prefer to knit... Ah, well. Grandkids have their ways.


As an aside, I'll mention that the nightgown directions on the left of the page make a great summer gown. I made mine of skirt-weight cotton gauze (not the bandage type gauze! :) ) The crocheted bodice worked beautifully with it. I'd still be wearing it if a new puppy hadn't decided to snack on the shoulder straps and half the side...

To be able to use the directions, you will need to save the image to your computer, then enlarge it.

Crocheted Tam-O-Shanter

Ok, it's not knitting, but I love this pattern. I went looking for it to teach it to a friend, but couldn't find the original. Gee. It's only from the 1960s. Why can't I lay my hands on it?

I studied the hat and wrote the instructions. I'll post it here for posterity.

Crocheted Tam-o-Shanter
If you add a pom-pom to the center of the top, it’s a Tam-O-Shanter. If you leave it plain, it’s a beret. I like to change the color of the last two rows to make a trim.
I’m a bit vague on what size crochet hook I used to make my first Tam. Probably an F or a G. Choose one that fits your yarn. Adjust the stitches according to the thickness of your yarn (bulky will need fewer stitches and fewer rounds) Directions are given for worsted weight yarn.
YARN: 1 skein primary color (Color A); 1 small ball of scrap yarn for trim (Color B).
Stitches you need to know: chain stitch, double crochet, slip stitch, decrease, single crochet.
Abbreviations: Ch = chain stitch; DC = double crochet; SS = slip stitch; DEC = decrease; SC = single crochet. Repeat directions between the *s.

To do a decrease: Work 1 DC until there are 2 loops on the hook, work next DC until there are 4 loops on the hook. Yarn over the hook, pull through and work off 2 loops. There will be 3 loops left on your hook. Yarn over and pull through to work off last 3 loops. One loop will be left on the hook to create the next stitch.
Adjustments for hook size and yarn differences: If work will not lay flat after each round, omit last increase (“DC 2 in following stitch”) of each round. Your row count will change, but the overall effect will be the same. The important thing is to have the increases evenly spaced around the circle. As long as your increases are spaced evenly apart (hence the 1 DC between, then 2 DC between, then 3, etc.) the circle will grow evenly. You should be able to see a “pie shape” pattern growing between your increases.
You may not notice a wave in the edge until several rows past the spot where you should have dropped the extra increase. If that is the case, rip out your work to the last point it laid flat, and redo it omitting the last increase.
Pattern:
Center: Chain six and join (by slip stitching to first stitch of the row). Ch 3. (12 stitches)

1. 1 DC next to Ch 3. *DC 2 in each stitch* around. Join. Ch 3. (1^st Ch3 counts as 1 DC when counting; 24 stitches)
2. 1 DC next to Ch 3. *DC 2 in each stitch* around. Join. Ch 3. (36 stitches)
3. 1 DC next to Ch 3. *DC 1 in next stitch. DC 2 in following stitch* around. Join. Ch 3. (48 stitches).
4. 1 DC next to Ch 3. *DC 1 in next 2 stitches. DC 2 in following stitch* around. Join. Ch 3. (60 stitches)
5. 1 DC next to Ch 3. *DC 1 in next 3 stitches. DC 2 in following stitch* around. Join. Ch 3. (72 stitches)
6. 1 DC next to Ch 3. *DC 1 in next 4 stitches. DC 2 in following stitch* around. Join. Ch 3. (84 stitches)
7. 1 DC next to Ch 3. *DC 1 in next 5 stitches. DC 2 in following stitch* around. Join. Ch 3. (96 stitches)
8. 1 DC next to Ch 3. *DC 1 in next 6 stitches. DC 2 in following stitch* around. Join. Ch 3. (108 stitches)
9. 1 DC next to Ch 3. *DC 1 in next 7 stitches. DC 2 in following stitch* around. Join. Ch 3. (120 stitches).
10. 1 DC next to Ch 3. *DC 1 in next 8 stitches. DC 2 in following stitch* around. Join. Ch 3. (132 stitches; circle should be 11”to 12”” in diameter).

Begin decreasing to make fold and size down to head band:

1. 1 DC next to Ch 3. *DC 1 in next 8 stitches. DEC in following 2 stitches* around. Join. Ch 3. (132 stitches)
2. 1 DC next to Ch 3. *DC 1 in next 6 stitches. DEC in following 2 stitches* around. Join. Ch 3.
3. 1 DC next to Ch 3. *DC 1 in next 5 stitches. DEC in following 2 stitches* around. Join. Ch 3.
4. 1 DC next to Ch 3. *DC 1 in next 4 stitches. DEC in following 2 stitches* around. Join. Ch 3.
5. 1 DC next to Ch 3. *DC 1 in next 3 stitches. DEC in following 2 stitches* around. Join. Ch 3.
6. 1 DC next to Ch 3. *DC 1 in next 2 stitches. DEC in following 2 stitches* around. Join.

Headband:

1. Ch 3. 1 DC next to Ch 3. *DC 1 in each stitch* around
2. Ch 3. 1 DC next to Ch 3. *DC 1 in each stitch* around
3. Cut yarn. Join trim color. “Bury” ends by SC over them in this row. *SC 1 in each stitch* around.
4. *SC 1 in each stitch* around.
5. SS around to secure edge. Cut yarn. Weave in end.

Pom-Pom:
To make a 1”-2” pom-pom.

1. Wind Color B yarn around a heavy piece of cardboard or object about six inches wide (at least 2 inches larger than finished pom-pom diameter, to give you “trim room”.). Make at least 100 windings. You want a full pom-pom. More can’t hurt.
2. Pinch center and hold it firmly. (You may want a helper if this is your first time making a pom-pom.)
3. Slip yarn off cardboard.
4. Tie tightly with a piece of matching yarn. Leave tie ends long for attaching to hat. TIE VERY TIGHTLY. You don’t want threads slipping out of the pom-pom.
5. Fluff to make it take a ball shape. It will be straggly.
6. Holding over a trash can by the tie ends, trim with sharp scissors until the ball is the right shape and “perky”. (Don’t cut the tie ends).
7. Place on hat and pull tie ends through outer edge of the center circle. Tie securely. Bury ends under crochet loops.

Above is the first crocheted Tam I ever made -- circa 1968. I still wear it. It was made from the scrap yarn left over from an Icelandic sweater my mother knitted for my brother. That's some good yarn!

Knitting is in the Bag

We had our annual Regional Library System In-Service Training yesterday. Sharon from KansasKnits and Hollis, who works with Kathy G. of KansasKnits, were both presenters. Sharon was there in her professional capacity along with her cohort Julie to tell us about how they used knitting as a hook to teach folks about technology. I learned about all sorts of things I didn't know before.

I didn't get to hear Hollis speak because I was introducing the speaker at a parallel session. Her talk was on finding hidden markets in your community. I was introducing the session called "Why is That Dog in Here?" about the Reading with Dogs program in libraries. (I had fun petting Sophie.)

Where all this is leading is the new knitting bag I found to use at the in-service. Since Sharon's topic was related to knitting, we encouraged folks to bring their work. I saw several folks KIPing during the day.

My bag was small, just a bit bigger than a very large apple -- there was just room for a ball of yarn and my short bamboo needles, a business card case that carried my ID, ATM card and a few business cards, and my small, slim digital camera. It clipped to my belt loop, so I never lost my knitting or my "purse" and I could snap photos where ever I found something interesting happening. (I'm the editor, chief writer, camera-gal and Girl Friday of the system newsletter.)Since I was the coordinator of this workshop, I was all over the place doing one thing or another. If I ever laid anything down, it was gone. I really enjoyed my little knitting bag.

If you have to be on the go and want to be hands free, I recommend a bag like this. Mine looks like a mini-backpack. I found it at Staples in a back-to-school bin in September. If I remember right, it was under $10. If they still have them, they may be on the clearance rack by now. Hm... note to self -- go back and check Staples for more of these.

AND how has your knitting week been? Now that the in-service is over, I plan to have my life back and get to knit more often!

Patron Saint/ Goddess of Knitting

It appears knitting is a fairly young craft. It can't be documented before 1200-1500 AD. (That doesn't mean it wasn't around before then. It just can't be documented. After all, fiber rots.) There is something called nalbinding that looked like knitting that was around earlier, but it was created by a different process. http://everything2.com/index.pl?node=knitting

This means knitting wasn't out there, standing in line, when goddesses and patrons saints were being handed out. Knitters may have to share with other crafters in some "blanket goddess/saint". St. Clair of Assisi seems to get the most votes because she is the Patron Saint of Needle Workers. http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintc03.htm

I found quite a lot of blog chatter about patron saints. When I searched "goddess of knitting" I got every blogger in the world who has named herself a knitting goddess. Some have a good sense of humor, like Evil Bitch Goddess of Knitting or Knitting Goddess #9 and High Goddess of Knitting and Small Fluffy Dogs

There have been some interesting suggestions on other blogs and sites. I'll consolidate a few.

Franklin in Chicago picked St. Clair. I like his logic:
I want to say a prayer but don’t know who the patron saint of knitters is. I decide on St. Clare of Assisi – she’s the patroness of embroiderers and can always pass along the message – and the Virgin Mary, who is obviously fond of shawls. http://the-panopticon.blogspot.com/2005/08/stitches-midwest-diary-part-one.html

Bridget in Philadelphia has quite a discussion of patron saints and goddesses spurred by her blog. I only listed one.
And speaking of saints, I was trying to locate the patron saint of knitters. I couldn't come across anything definitive, since there were no specific listings under "knitting," or "knitters." I did learn that St. Blaise (he of the blessing of the throats) is the patron saint of wool workers. But in the end, I think we have to go with St. Clare of Assisi, who is listed as the patron saint of embroiderers and needle workers, among other things.
Teabird17 responded to her with:

I wouldn't be able to help you with the patron saint of knitters, but I've read that the Greek Goddess would be Hestia - the Chinese would be Kuan Yin, Goddess of compassion, I think, for the warmth we create,and the Hindu might be Sarasvati, for creativity.

http://the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com/2006/11/november-1st.html

The New York Times offers this tidbit:
" There is no company of stocking-knitters known earlier than 1527, in which year a company established itself in Paris, choosing for its patron saint St. Fiacre, because he was supposed (in France) to be a Scotch Prince, the son of a Scotch King, and it wanted to do Scotland, the knitting country, every honor"
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9807EFD71F3AE533A25750C1A9649C94609FD7CF&oref=slogin

St. Fiacre, was actually Irish and a gardener. Do we want to share knitting with the Patron Saint of Hemorrhoids?

Patronage

barrenness; box makers; cab drivers; fistula; florists; gardeners; haemorrhoids; hosiers; pewterers; piles; taxi drivers; sterility; syphilis; tile makers; venereal disease

http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintf13.htm

I'm not the only one wondering about such things. E.Zimmerman cries out:

Anyone know the patron saint of knitters? (I found St. Pareasceva for spinners and FOUR for weavers including St. Parasceva, St. Antony Claret, St. Maurice, and St. Onuphrius. Lucky ducks for the weavers out there!) Anyway, my patron looking out for me on that first pair of socks, is obviously doing other important work, because the second pair is TOUGH!

http://twinsunplus1.wordpress.com/category/e-zimmerman/

Then there is a blog that offers to find you a patron saint, no matter what:

YOU NEED ALL THE HELP YOU CAN GET!

Shop Announcement

Stuck in an office with a horrible cubicle mate? St. Therese, patron saint of people who are annoyed by the annoying habits of others. Sewing? St. Ann. Embroidery? St. Clair. Trekkies? St. Martin de Porres. There really IS a patron saint for everything! We can custom match a saint for whatever your needs may be, just contact us! Each item comes with a holy card pictorial story of your saint.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=53281

After reading all of this, my friend Steve suggested Saint Rafqa. She is the Patron Saint of Bodily Ills (hm... someone I can relate to), but at least she was a knitter!
On the feast of the Holy Rosary in 1885, Rafqa prayed that she might share Christ's sufferings. Her health began to deteriorate, and she was soon blind and crippled. She spent as much of her remaining 30 years in prayer as she could, but always insisted on working in the convent as well as she could with her disabilities, usually spinning wool and knitting.

http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintr27.htm


Maybe we still need to stay anonymous. Moth Heaven sort of sums it up in her plea,

Help me oh sweet patron saint of knitters, whomever you are. (Even if I am a Unitarian).

http://scrubberbum.typepad.com/moth_heaven/2005/07/okay_okay_ill_u.html

So Much Yarn, So Little Time

Working sure interferes with my playing. The only time I get to knit is when I'm a passenger in a car. I do a lot of commuting and have road time in my job, but I'm usually driving. RATS!

Sandy, the Youth Consultant, and I took a trip to Coffeyville last Thursday. She drove, so I got to knit. (Nice lady, Sandy.)

Did you know you could knit four socks at one time? I did it! I had Pat's white socks and Kayleigh's pink socks both in my traveling bag. I couldn't decide which pair I wanted to work on. Both were being worked on Size 1 circulars and two of the circs were extra long. Hm... I wonder.

Sure enough, I was able to slip all four socks onto the two longest circulars. I merrily knitted on both pairs all the way to Coffeyville and back. I'd still be working on both pairs, but Pat's socks are through the part that needed size 1 needles and needed to switch back to size 2.

Pat's socks are being knit in a wool blend sport weight yarn that I got at JoAnns. I am trying a trick I learned from Carla of KansasKnits. She said she knits the ankle part of her socks on needles one size smaller than the rest of the sock. This makes the sock fit more snuggly and prevents bagging. I'm 3/4 finished with Pat's socks, so we'll see soon how this works.

I love the yarn I'm using for Kayleigh's socks! It's a cotton/elastic blend called Cascade Fixation. It feels good, just to hold it. This is going to be my yarn of choice when I knit for grandkids. The girls are going to love the colors. I have pink self-striping yarn for Kayleigh. I haven't decided who will get the violet self-striping yarn. Pat III has requested green socks, so I need to make an expedition to a yarn store to find his yarn.

I'm finding the yarn stores! I've been to Yarn Barn in Lawrence and Twist in Wichita. The Kansas City knitters on KansasKnits have found KitWits in Olathe. Pat and I drove past The Shivering Sheep in Abilene when we were coming home from a library event in Salina. (He wouldn't let me go in. Just because he had a schedule! Men!!) After a library meeting in Manhattan I visited Wildflower and found the toe-up sock knitting book that is my Bible. I have heard a rumor that there is a new yarn store in Garnett. I do hope it's real. That will be my closest yarn store (27 miles away). I am about 60 miles from Olathe, 59 miles from Lawrence and 120 miles from Wichita. I only get to go to Twist, Shivering Sheep and Wildflower if I'm in the area for other reasons (that usually means something library related.)

You folks who live in urban areas with a source of yarn ten minutes away, please thank your Yarn God. Hm... wonder who would be the goddess of knitting or Patron Saint of Knitters? Arachne is for spinners... But that will be another blog entry.