New Tool

A few days before CJ arrived, the very nice people at Denise Knitting sent me their new crochet hooks. I'm embarrassed to say it took 2 months before I got to touch them (and we all know why, but still...). Luckily I finally got to play with them this week, because I had a few projects I was designing in Tunisian Crochet. The hooks were so handy. Instead of having to have my bucket of afghan hooks, I could easily grab the Denise booklet and settle next to CJ while she played. See with Tunisian you need to think about the size and the length of the hook before you begin since when you crochet you work the entire length of the row at once (instead of one st at a time as in tradition crochet). Therefore when you are swatching a project, you never know exactly which hook you will need. And these hooks take the length problem out of the picture. You can easily lengthen and shorten the cable with a quick twist. Here are some close-ups of the hooks and cables.

The hooks and cables are plastic. Now I know some don't like plastic hooks, and for traditional crochet I agree. But with Tunisian you are holding the entire row of stitches on the hook, and for me the lighter the hook the easier on my hands. Anything easier on my hands is great! The cables twist onto the bottom very easily with a 1/4 twist. They can be extended to as long as you need. They come with 4 caps, so you can have 4 projects going at once if you are like me with tons of WIPs at once. The only think I am not a fan of is the knife of the hook. I like more of a swoosh in my hook then a hard knife point, but that's just my preference. I know a number of crocheters that prefer that hook knife.

So what can you do with them? Here are two swatches. In the coming days, I hope to show you a few more ideas. Till then, check them out. You might want to add them to your holiday wish list. I found them to be very helpful in bringing me back to Tunisian. I hope you do too.

Book Update

swatches
Originally uploaded by rchach

I thought after weeks of silence it was time for an update. Book work is back on at the CBF headquarters. Amazingly, CJ is letting me get a bit of work done each day. Not a ton, but hey, a little is better then none.

We have been doing a lot of swatching during play time. So much so, that these are the rejects from a recent book project. I love when that happens, because I get a bunch more ideas for future projects. See, just because the stitch pattern doesn't work in the yarn I am using at the time; doesn't mean it wouldn't be perfect in another.

In these rejects, I already have 3 more projects in mind; which is awesome. B/c I have found that inspiration is the hardest thing to muster in my sleep deprivation. Writing and crocheting are not hard for me, but my creativity definitely has suffered. Swatching to the rescue! (for sure)

Oh yeah, back to the book. I have 4 more projects designed and 3 more written. And 3 that are being crocheted as we speak. (the goal is 12 finished by New Years, btw). So we're on our way. Slowly, but on the road; which is great. I figure as long as we at least touch book work everyday we have been successful. I'm not trying to push it, since I am way too new to the working mom gig. Well, enough procrastinating, back to writing before CJ wakes up from her nap.

Baby Inspiration

one of my favorite gifts so far
Originally uploaded by rchach

Finding cute baby clothes can be incredibly challenging. Especially for a mom like me, that doesn't dig overly frilly, girly, cutiesy-poo baby clothes. I like baby clothes to look like clothes I would wear, yet be easy to put on and machine washable.

And that's my design mojo when I design baby crochet, as well.

So when our friend, Tiff, gave CJ this dress; I was thrilled. It is exactly what I love. So naturally, I had to run to the brand's website and check them out. Totally inspiring for me! Exactly the same style that I hope to acheive with my work.

Berry Sneak Preview

Sneak Preview
Originally uploaded by rchach

This is my first full project that I completed with CJ. From concept to completion, she was my little assistant.

The project has a great berry stitch pattern that is easily memorized since it really only has 2 rows that repeat. That makes for very easy baby crocheting (that's crocheting while feeding, rocking, playing with your baby). Actually the whole project is brain friendly. It had to be, since I don't have much of one these days with our lack of sleep.

My favorite part is the sleeves, which you will just have to wait to see. They flutter around you in the best way. That is half due to the yarn and half the construction.

The project comes out this spring and I'll let you know where and such then. Till then, I'm just happy that we actually designed and crocheted an entire project together. Sure, it will be a week late; but we completed it. That in our book is a total success as a new mommy getting her groove back.

Handmade CJ Gifts

CJ is one super lucky girl. She received tons of handmade gifts. Each one was so sweet of the crafter to think of us and spend the time making them. A lot of them are from fellow crochet designers, which really touches me since I know how little time they have to crochet. And the ones from family are especially touching, in the knowledge that we are all connected through our crafty ways. I hope they inspire you in your next gift. (If you really like one of the ones from the designers, I would get in touch with them to see if they have the pattern. I am not sure if they do or not, but it wouldn't hurt to ask them)

Granny Square Cardi from Diane Moyer- very clever construction. Basically it is two panels of granny squares.



Bobble Cardigan and Hat from Margaret Hubert- I love this stitch pattern. I used it recently in a beret. Its like an extended extended extened single crochet stitch. So the fabric is very thin for a bobble, very cool. I think the size is about 12mths, and I can't wait till CJ can fit in it.





Bouncy Ball from Ellen Gormley- The stitch details are quite fantastic, much easier to see in person.




Knit Sweater from Aunt Barbara- so special that my Aunt and I share the obsession with yarn. I'm guessing the size is about 24mths. The little ribbon and button details are so cute.








Quilt from Cousin Kathy- The stitching is so intricate, I am so impressed. My quilts never look like this.





Lime Blanket from Kim Guzman- This one I am almost positive is the sample from Kim's book Tunisian Baby Blanket. It is incredible. The stitch pattern close to looking like a weave. We snuggle under it quite often.

Mommy Crochet Life

In my 4 short weeks of being a new mommy, I have quickly learned that doing anything with two hands is a total luxury.

So here's my short list of what I now can do one handed (while holding a sleeping CJ in the other):

-wind a hank of yarn- of course with a swift and ball winder while sitting down and CJ over my shoulder.
-drawing crochet schematics- with a portable mouse when little miss is nursing
- typing- leaning back with pumpkin sleeping on me

I still haven't figured out how to nurse and crochet yet. But everyone has to have a goal right?

We're doing really well over here, esp compared to all our challenges. Well, my challenges. For the first 2 weeks I was dealing with complications from the surgery. Following week, CJ didn't sleep while we tried to figure out what in my limited diet was upsetting peanut. And this week I got sick with a fever and chills while solo parenting. But even with that rocky road, we are happy and getting healthy over here. We have received some wonderful gifts that I can't wait to show off.

Hope you all have been having a crafty fall!

Crochet Today Alternatives

My designs in the latest Crochet Today all have alternatives that you can try to expand the patterns.



Like for instance, the cowl can easily be extended for a wrapping shawl for a different wintry look. Honestly the only difference is the length, you just keep crocheting till it fits around your shoulders.



Also the booties are easily changed from straps to shoestrings with just a few different steps at the end. Here's a picture of the straps and of the shoestrings.

To make the shoestring option, follow the pattern as written to Rnd 8 of the booty.

Rnd 8 Join CC 4 hdc back from last hdc with sl st, ch 1, sc in same hdc, sc in next 14 (16, 18) hdc, 4 ch, sc in next 3 hdc, sc2tog over next 2 hdc twice, sc in next 2 hdc, sc2tog over next 2 hdc twice, sc in next 3 hdc, 4 ch, sc in ea hdc to end, sl st to first sc, do not turn. (30, 32, 34 sc)

To make the shoestrings:
Ch 20 with CC, hdc in 3^rd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, sl st in ea ch to end, join to boot 2 sc from ch-4 sp with sc, sc2tog over next 2 sc on boot 3 times, sc in next sc, ch 20, hdc in 3^rd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch, sl st in ea ch to end, fasten off, weave in ends.

Of course, you can also change the candyland sweater into a more lacy design just by using a solid fiber instead of the boucle that is in the pattern. Just look at CJ's sweater to see what the stitch pattern looks like in your basic merino wool.

And that's it. Hope you enjoy the options on the projects!

Candyland Sweater

Candyland Sweater
Originally uploaded by rchach

As promised, here's the sweater that I based CJ's sweater on.

You can get a copy in the Holiday issue of Crochet Today.

Latest Project

cj heading home
Originally uploaded by rchach

We did it. Our best project yet! Took about 9 months and was pretty challenging, but quite the reward. (And I'm not talking about the crocheted booties- thank you, Julie!)

CJ was born on Sept 17 at 8:15pm. She decided to come on her own afterall. She takes after me in quite a few ways (of which are being very talkative and assertive), which Mr CBF and I keep laughing about. She was 7lb 5oz at birth (evidently the scale in the operating room was off so our original 6lb 15.5oz was wrong) and 20 in long. She really quite unbelievably cute and quite the flirt (not like me- that's one of her own).

We all are finally at home now and just enjoying getting to know each other. As you can imagine, this first time mom will not be online that often. I will only be checking in now and again when I can tear myself away from all this cuteness. Till we are back in the groove, please check out Ravelry.com if you have a pattern question.

Thanks for all the well wishes you all have sent in. They have really touched our hearts.

Cover Girl

Ok, So I have no idea if this will be the final cover, but I'm pretending that it is for now.

That's my Ghanzi Cardigan on the Fall 09 cover of Interweave Crochet.

I was so excited that I called my mom* immediately over and said, "that's me!"

I'll tell you more about the design when the magazine goes on sale in a few weeks.

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*Since I mentioned my mom being around, I might as well let you know that we are in the home stretch for CJ's debut. She can come anytime now, but will definitely be here on Friday. (I'm getting induced on Friday, so no matter what she'll be here by early Saturday.) Since we are so close now, I'll be offline for a while. I'm going to enjoy these last few days hanging out with Mom and then the first couple of days with just Mr CBF, mom, and CJ. I'll pop back in quick to let you know that we're fine and whatnot, but I'll be pretty out of touch for a while. Hope all your projects are going great and I'll see you on the other side shortly.

What a crochet designer does while on leave...

CJ's First Sweater
Originally uploaded by rchach

She crochets.

So yes, I am taking a break from designing and projects for CBF, the book, and magazines. But that doesn't mean I put down my hook.

I am very lucky that my hobby and job right now are one in the same. And I rarely take a break from work. Usually as soon as I finish one deadline, I'll hop right on to swatching for more submissions and come up with more designs. This time I am really trying hard to sit on my hands from doing that, knowing I'll have no time once CJ comes.

So instead, this weekend I whipped out a little sweater for her. It is my design, not from a pattern. Normally, I would be thinking how to write this up, where I want to publish it, etc. Not this time. I made a promise to not add anything to my work to do list and I am sticking to it. I crocheted this little sweater for CJ and CJ alone.* It was fun for me and hopefully she'll look super cute in it.

Now in full disclosure, I do have a pattern coming out this winter that is similar to this sweater. I used it for the base of this one, so this sweater is sort of like a preview of that one. Granted that one has different yarn, gauge, and style. Ok they only share the same stitch pattern, but it still could be a sneak preview, I think you'll see it too when it comes out.

The yarn I used was Spud and Chloe Sweater. I had a skein left over from a project in the book. The button is a little clay doggie that a friend gave me years ago.

It was really relaxing getting to crochet for the fam and not have to worry about taking notes along the way. I have a couple more projects planned this week to keep me busy while we wait for her little debut. If they come out cute, I'll share them with you.

* I am not writing this up as a pattern, so please please don't ask. This is the first break from writing I have taken in years, and I just want to enjoy it. But do not get mad either, I know for a fact that there are some just as cute baby sweaters coming out this winter that will keep you happy. They just won't be this one or from me. But they will be incredibly cute! I'll let you know when they are out at the newsstand. *

Sneak Preview: New Book 10

This is the last sneak preview I have to show you for a few months on the new book. I turned in half the manuscript and projects this week, and the remaining is not due until the end of the year. I worked out that long of a lead time on purpose for little miss CJ.

With the shipment of the projects out the door, I am officially starting my maternity leave. I plan on taking a month off once CJ comes and doing only things I want/ can do with her (and our lack of sleep). That reminds me, that while I am off for that month (starting whenever she decides to come) I will not be checking my email either. So if you have project questions, you will have to be patient with me. I'll get back to you but it will be slow for a while this fall.

Now that all the deadlines are met, I'm off to play. I have a few projects of my own that I wouldn't mind crocheting and sewing while I have the chance. Hope you are enjoying your holiday too!