Project Lost to Time: Revealed

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This morning I was sorting through some boxes of stuff that has become all disorganized and lost in the process of our move, and I came across a little notebook. I opened it up, and inside were pages of design notes. Among these were notes for some patterns you might recognize, such as the Hybrid Hat, Feminine Wristwarmers, and the Hundred Yen Pouch. However, among these past-blasts was an unlabeled page with some very brief directions on them, and I was puzzled. What could it be? The other patterns dated my use of the notebook to just before and just after our move to Japan, but I didn’t recognize it. For a few minutes I thought it might be the notes for the Simple Speedy Cowl, but suddenly I remembered what it was:
Superkid by Melissa Mall
Somehow this project never made it to the blog (I can’t imagine why) but I am suddenly reminded how my little buddy kept taking t-shirts and wrapping them around his shoulders like a cape. It was so cute that even though we were under a great deal of stress and trying to pack for a move around the world, I took some time and made him a proper cape. It’s not fancy; I made it with ties in the front so that if I only tied it once instead of knotting it he could pull it off himself, and it didn’t take very long. Aw. My baby. Before I get to the directions, I just want to give a little comparison shot:

WOW, that kid has grown. Sigh.

Superkid

Materials:

  • Red Heart Super Saver (Hot Red)
  • K/6.5mm crochet hook

Directions:

Row 1: Ch 62. Skip 2 chains, *dc in next st, sc in next st. Repeat from * across, (60 sts), turn.

Row 2: Ch 2. *Dc in next st, sc in next st. Repeat from * across (60 sts), turn.

Row 3: Sl st across first 14 sts. Ch 2, [dc in next st, sc in next st] 16 times for a total of 32 sts. Leave remainder unworked, turn.

Row 4: Ch 2. Dc and sc in next st to increase. Dc in next st, sc in next st. Dc and sc in next st to increase. Sc in next st. [Dc in next st, sc in next st] 3 times. Dc and sc in next st to increase. [Sc in next st, dc in next st] 4 times. Sc and dc in next st to increase. Dc in next st, [sc in next st, dc in next st] 3 times. Sc and dc in next st to increase, sc in nest sc, dc in next st. Sc and dc in next st to increase. (38 sts) Turn.

Row 5: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first st. Dc and sc in next st to increase. *Sc in next st, [dc in next st, sc in next st] 2 times. Dc and sc in next st to increase. ** Dc in next st, [sc in next st, dc in next st] 2 times. Sc and dc in next st to increase. Repeat from * once, then repeat section between * and **. [Dc in next st, sc in next st] across remaining sts. (44 sts) Turn.

Row 6-?: Ch 2. [Dc in next st, sc in next st] across. Turn.

Repeat Row 6 to desired length; finish off, weave in ends.

(Rows 4 and 5 may look a bit complicated, but that’s just trying to get the increases to work with the pattern stitch.)

Etsy Diving: Rainbows

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I love rainbows. Something about that beautiful combination of colors is just the happiest thing in the world, and it’s a wonderful sign of spring.

1. Small Rainbow Stacker by imaginationkids 2. Rainbow Necklace by stitchedforyou 3. Handspun Handpainted Yarn by debrobinson 4. Handmade Rainbow Striped Mug by judybfreeman

ImaginationKids has a lot of cute wooden toys, and I want some of that rainbow merino.

5. Rainbow Tutu by lindsayswhimsiestutu 6. Rainbow Striped Hand Dyed Silk Scarf by hartzsilk 7. Rainbow Swirl Lollipop Earrings by cuddlebugeeshi 8. WINNING crochet coffee cozy by knotworkshop

Number 8 is included purely because it made me laugh.

Yarn Detours

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We are home again, thank goodness. (Although man, it’s hot here! It’s not fun driving from snow to sweating in the same day.) Anyway, while we were in Colorado we drove through the small town of Florence. As we were driving we saw a little sign:

causing me to exclaim, “LOOK, IT’S AN ALPACA YARN STORE!” Unfortunately we were on a schedule, but I made Greg promise we’d take a look on the way back.

By the time we passed it again, it was early evening and we weren’t sure if it would still be open, but we pulled into the drive anyway. The store is a small building back behind the house; the windows were dark and there were no hours posted, so we assumed we’d missed our chance. As we turned to leave, though, a woman came out from the house.

“Did you want to go into the store?”

So we did.

Please excuse the picture quality; we had to use our second backup camera and it does not like taking pictures inside. That’s Liz in the gray sweatshirt, and she’s telling me about their alpaca! They keep their own herd (flock? Herd.) of alpaca, about fourteen animals if I remember correctly. When they shear them they send the fleece to be spun, and they sell it in their store. They also carry a few major brands of alpaca yarn, some roving, and a lot of alpaca related products like hats, gloves, socks, rugs, and blankets.
All of the yarn and fiber from their herd is undyed, which is really cool. I know I’ve mentioned before that alpaca naturally produce fiber in many, many different colors. Black, brown, tan, cream, white, gray, and lots of variations. Also, they include a picture of the alpaca the fiber came from on the label. I love it!

They’re pretty cute alpaca, too. So what did I get, you may ask?

First I got these laceweight mill ends from the clearance basket by the door. I almost missed it, can you believe it?! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; never pass up alpaca that’s 50% off. I love how there’s such a good range of colors in the four skeins! I also bought the stray skein of worsted that was in there:

Another mill end, it’s pretty close to a full skein with 93 yards. And look, it’s from Mohini, just like my black laceweight! Finally, I bought a full skein of sport weight yarn in a lovely brown.

Gorgeous! If you’re ever in Florence, stop by the Alpaca Yarn & Gift Shop. You can call ahead to be sure they’ll be open. (Make sure you have cash or bring your checkbook, though, as they don’t have a card-reader set up in the shop.) Not going anywhere near Colorado? You can still shop their online store and support a small family yarn business – and a very cute herd of alpaca.

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