Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

YARN CRAWL

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Booties knitted by Georgia Druen of Hearthstone Knits of Angora New Fall from Plymouth Yarns

http://hearthstoneyarns.com/?cat=1

We’re having a yarn crawl in St. Louis at the end of July.  I can’t wait!  I’ve read about these before, but have never participated.  There are quite a few good yarn shops in the St. Louis area, other than the big box retailers like Hobby Lobby, Joann’s, and Michael’s.  We also  have at least one fantastic craft store (http://www.schaeferhobby.com/) that’s especially good for beaders and model toy makers.  It also has the distinction of being the shop is where I finally learned to crochet!

The local yarn shops participating in the Yarn Crawl are:

Hearthstone,

Knitty Couture,

Knitorous,

Kirkwood Knittery,

The Weaving Department at Myers House,

Knit & Caboodle

I  have visited most of these shops in the past few years.  My fave – and my ‘home’ shop is  Hearthstone Knits.  They are especially crochet-friendly and even host our monthly Crochet Club meetings.  Georgia, the owner, is mainly a knitter, having had several patterns published in national knit magazines.  Her yarns are just yummy.  She also maintains a very nice collection of yarn bins with clearance yarns at 40% off – not just orphan skeins either.

That Plymouth Angora comes in all these pretty colors at $6.95/skein:

The Weaving Department started life as a place for weavers.  But, since crocheters and knitters can use the same fibers, including warp yarn that I’ve blogged about before, the shop is stuffed with goodies for all of us.  Nancy, the owner, doesn’t crochet but is very welcoming of crocheters.  They also formerly hosted the Crochet Club, so we have a warm spot in our hearts for the Weaving Department.  It also has the dubious benefit of sharing a roomy old house with a quilt shop.  I say dubious because, if I’m not careful, I can be detained on the first level by all the beautiful quilting fabrics and add more to that stash too!

I’ll blog more about the Yarn Crawl after I experience it.  If you live close enough to participate, visit any of the shops listed above to get your ‘passport’ to be stamped at each shop you visit so you’ll be entered to win prizes.  I believe they have two prizes – $100 of  yarn and $50 of yarn.  Now, that can’t be bad!

Hours of the crawl are:
Friday, July 30 – 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Saturday, July 31, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Sunday, August 1, Noon to 5:00 PM

Call Georgia at Hearthstone for more info 314.849.9276

Comments

  1. Just to add more details about the prizes: each shop (so that’s 6!) is raffling a “local” prize valued around $50-$75 plus multiple grand prizes of $150+. Check my website for details and times or there’s an “event” listing on Ravelry.

Have you read?

Shock Wave Free Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern

This Free Shock Wave Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern from Mary Maxim looks like one of those wonderfully satisfying projects that gives big cozy payoff without fiddly detail. Mary Maxim lists it as a free download, designed as a crochet afghan/lap blanket, with a finished size of 45 x 50 inches.

What immediately stands out is the yarn choice. The pattern is made with Bernat Blanket Extra Thick, using 5 skeins, and calls for a U.S. U/50 (25 mm) crochet hook. That is gloriously chunky territory, which usually means fast progress and lots of squishy texture. If you are in the mood for a project that feels substantial in your hands and grows quickly row by row, this one definitely has that appeal.

Mary Maxim describes the blanket as having a beautifully textured, plush, soft finish and suggests it as a project for home décor or gifting. Based on the materials and oversized hook alone, that sounds about right. This feels like the sort of blanket you make for curling up on the couch, draping over a chair, or giving as a practical handmade gift that will actually get used instead of folded away “for best.”

The pattern is marked Easy, and the listed stitch requirements are straightforward: chain, repeat, double crochet, single crochet, and slip stitch. That makes it sound approachable for confident beginners and very appealing for anyone who wants a relaxing crochet project without too much counting drama.

I also think the lap blanket size is a smart one. Not every crochet blanket needs to become a giant commitment that takes over the lounge room and your will to live. A 45 x 50 inch blanket is a useful, manageable size for gifting, for wheelchairs or reading nooks, or just for keeping on hand for chilly evenings. That practicality gives this pattern extra appeal. The usability point is my own take based on the finished dimensions Mary Maxim provides.

At the moment, the pattern page shows no reviews, so there is not much customer feedback to go on yet. Still, if you enjoy easy crochet blanket patterns, super chunky crochet throws, or quick lap blanket projects, this one looks like a solid freebie to save.

My overall take? This looks like a fast, cozy, beginner-friendly crochet blanket pattern with plenty of texture and instant-gratification energy. Very much the sort of project you start because it looks easy, then keep going because the yarn feels ridiculously soft.