Rip Rip Rip

I wanted to show the progress on my ripple blanket.

I added 7 rows: white, green, and yellow

Then I hated it.

I left it lying on the top of a bookcase beside my bed for about 3 days. I kept looking at it thinking about the colors. To me it just didn't feel right. Do you ever have a project that you start and get stuck on because something just doesn't feel right?

Well I decided I did not like the first three colors together. So I ripped, ripped, and ripped. Not rippled.....ripped. I ripped out 11 rows; 4 colors.

I have no problem ripping out rows or rounds on projects. I want my projects to be perfect, and if I feel something is just not right... then I will dwell on it until I can think of a solution...and then it's coming out. Anyone that ever sees me do this will visibly cringe. They will say 'WHat ArE YoU DoInG!?!' I don't cringe. I actually feel better because I know I will redo it again.

So my solution was to go to the store and get more colors. UUUGggh, I tried to use what was in my stash...but that just didn't work. I did not have the perfect colors. Now I think I do. we will see.

I took out a row of the blue (turquoise) and added a lighter blue beside it. I think it looks much better. The original blue and orange really go together better now.

The colors look a little wacky. It is so hard to photograph red and orange. Photoshop helps some. The yellow is not quite as bright as it looks in the photos.

My next colors will be pink and purple. I really hope that I like them. I do not want to buy more yarn. My house can not take much more. It is everywhere... bedroom, living room, purse, closet, bookcase, armoire (?) I'm definitely an OCD crocheter when it comes to color.

Instructions for the Brite Baby Ripple

As I was reading comments this morning I remembered that someone requested the pattern for the baby ripple. So sorry to Heather... please forgive me for taking so long.

I think I mentioned in the original post about giving this blankie away already. Because of this, I will try my best to write it down from memory and from the photos. It is really simple. I can not take credit for the ripple stitch design. You can find the Neat Ripple pattern here.

I am trying to remember the number of chains that I started with, but I'm sorry to say that I can not remember. So I'll use my measurements instead. (Of course, you can make any size you like)

Materials:

Size G or H crochet hook (if you crochet loosely use the G, tightly use H)

Carons Simply Soft in Pink, Orange, White, and Green (bright shades) I think I used a little over 1 skein of Pink and 1 skein each of the other colors

Yarn needle

Measurements:

32 inches (81 cm) wide

32 inches (81 cm) in height

Pattern

Starting with Pink, begin the Neat Ripple pattern

The following is directly from Attic 24 blog, but I have translated into US terms

To begin, chain multiples of 14, plus 3 for turning.

ROW 1

1 dc into 4^th chain from hook

1 dc into each of next 4 chs

dc2tog

dc2tog

1 dc into each of next 4 chs

*2 dc into next ch

2 dc into next ch

1 dc into each of next 4 chs

dc2tog

dc2tog

1 dc into each of next 4 chs*

Repeat between ** ending last rep with 2 dc into last chain, turn.

ROW 2

ch3, 1 dc into same stitch,

1 dc into each of next 4 sts

dc2tog

dc2tog

1 dc into each of next 4 sts

*2 dc into next st

2 dc into next st

1 dc into each of next 4 sts

dc2tog

dc2tog

1 dc into each of next 4 sts*

Repeat between ** ending last rep with 2 dc into the top chain of the chain-3 from previous row.

Repeat row 2 for length required.

Now follow the color sequence below

3 rows of Pink

2 rows orange

1 row white

3 rows green

2 rows pink

1 row orange

3 rows white

2 rows green

1 row pink

3 rows orange

2 rows white

1 row green

3 rows pink

2 rows orange

1 row white

3 rows green

2 rows pink

1 row orange

3 rows white

2 rows green

1 row pink

3 rows orange

2 rows white

1 row green

3 rows pink

If you have any questions about the ripple part of the pattern, Lucy at Attic24 offers a photo tutorial on her blog. Just click on the link above.

Finish off and weave all of those ends :)

New Projects

I finally decided to start a new project...well several new projects. I have been wanting to make a colorful ripple all for myself. It seems that every single thing that I make goes to someone else. It is so hard to keep things for myself... I love to give to others in my family all the time. But not this time, I have decided that this ripple is definitely gonna be all mine (probably, definitely :)).

I've been eyeballing this ripple for a while now. It is absolutely gorgeous...I look at it several times a day...that is stalking...i know. I haven't gotten very far, but I know that I will finish it eventually. I've been working on it at night in the bed. I like to watch Tv before bed at night...so now I have a project that I can take to bed with me while watching HGTV. Usually I study my signs (American Sign Language... studying for a year now), but now I'll be working on the ripple. I'll try to update my progress on this weekly

I'm also working on these mitts for my niece. She requested a pair in light purple. I have made several pairs from this pattern and actually kept a pair in black for myself. They are soooo comfortable and rather stretchy for crochet. I found the pattern here on Crochet Me designed by Julia Vaconsin.

These are for a 9 year old so I changed the hook size from an H to an F and used sport weight yarn (Plymouth Baby) instead of worsted.

And Finally... this is a sneak peek of my new PIP (pattern in progress)... I got this mohair blend yarn at my LYS for a great deal and decided to make a garment...I'm not telling what it is yet...I'm hoping to finish in a few days and offer the pattern here for FREE!!! All I can say is, it is not a hat, scarf, mitten, or cowl pattern.

Tip: Head and Hat Measurements

After posting the pattern for the Owl Hat I have received numerous comments on here and Ravelry asking how to make one in a larger size. So this has given me the idea to offer a tip on how to help with this dilemma.

I had already given the hat away as a gift so I couldn't expand on the size. I didn't even have the gauge to post. A comment from AbyBay prompted me to search out a chart with hat/ head sizes. AbyBay generously offered to send me a chart that she uses.

The chart does not tell you how many stitches or rounds to crochet but it will give you a general idea about how large you should make the hat.

So now when making a hat, no matter how loosely or tightly you crochet, or how bad you blow the gauge...you can still come up with the right size hat.

I found a great chart here
It is the most detailed chart that I've seen. I think it's my favorite.

I found the chart below on Crochet Geek here, and here it is:

Newborn

Head Circumference 13" - 14 "

Hat Circumference = 11.5" - 13"

Hat height = 5.5 to 6"

3 to 6 months

Head Circumference: 14" - 17 "

Hat height= 6.5 - 7"

6 to 12 months

Head Circumference: 16" - 19 "

Hat height = 7.5"

Toddler -12 months - 3 years

Hat height = 8"

Head Circumference: 18" to 20 "

Child - 3 - 10 years

Hat height =8.5"

Head Circumference: 19" - 20 1/2"

Teens

Hat height 9-10"

Head Circumference: 20 1/2" - 22"

Adult Woman

Head Circumference: 21.5" - 22.5"

Adult Man

Head Circumference: 23" - 24"

Edit: I found another chart here at Woolly Wormhead (mostly about knitted hats) that I am currently using. I really like this one, but the measurements are slightly different from the other one I found. Probably due to the differences in stretch between knit and crochet. Try both and see which you prefer

To Fit	Preemie	Newborn	6mth (Baby)	12mth (Toddler)	Child or Teenager	Adult	Large Adult
Circumference
inches	12	14	16	18	20	22	24
cm's	30.5	35.5	40.5	45.5	50.5	56	61
Length (crown to base of ear)
inches	4.25	5	5.75	6.5	7.25	8.25	9.25
cm's	11	12.5	14.5	16.5	18.5	21	23.5

What To Make?

Every October we take a trip to a beach somewhere on the east coast. Last year it was Panama City beach, the best beach ever (but that's not really the east coast)... Anyway, this year we only had three days so we chose a beach closer to home. So we decided to go southeast to SC. We had a great time...not much sun, but still ok. The weather was only 60-65 degrees...not my kind of beach weather, but at least not crowded. (We hate fighting the summer crowd)

We spent half of the time relaxing in our rental. It was pretty comfortable.

Ireland is a pool baby and did not care about the weather. Good thing the pools felt like a very warm bath.

On Friday we went to Ripley's Aquarium. In season it is so hard to get in there without waiting in a crazy long line. Not this time of year...we just walked right in

I brought a whole bag of yarn with me and wanted to crochet at night...but I had a problem. I could not figure out what to make. I know...weird, huh? Usually I have 3 or 4 projects going at once and can't seem to get all finished. But for once I have nothing going (except a new pattern... coming soon). I'm talking about something for myself to use, wear, or gift.

So each night I would look at my yarn and think to myself... what to make? what to make?

I went on Ravelry and a few blogs that I love to find some inspiration.

Maybe I should participate in a ripple along. I have been wanting to make a ripple like this one ... or a maybe participate in a One a Day.

What do you think?

I'm thinking maybe I should come up with a new pattern.

Help me out...what are you wanting to make right now? Mittens...cowl...hat...something else. I need some inspiration. I need an idea.

I think I will check out more blogs or Ravelry again... we'll see....

And the Winner Is......

Ok everybody. I have just picked a winner for the free pattern giveaway. I wrote everyone's name down on a piece of paper, folded them up, and my daughter, Ireland, picked one

and the Winner is....

Flores.... YAaAY!!!!

So Flores please send me your contact info and I'll send the pattern to you today.

Everyone else that commented...please send me your contact info and I'll also send you something special ;>

Thanks to all who were so nice and kind. I really appreciate all of your comments.

Right now I am on a mini vacation and getting another post ready...so I'll be back soon