Menokreatikul; Saturday Stitches

I am starting this series on my 66th birthday - the day I officially become an OAP in the UK. Although I have crocheted since the age of seven, the hooking craft is very often perceived as an OAP's craft - even the very popular afghan square patterns often being referred to as 'granny squares'! Nonsense, of course. I am inclined to think that this thinking arises from the fact that almost everyone (at least of my generation) who learned to crochet did so from their grandmothers. (Knitting, somehow, seems to come from mothers...)

There may not be a post every week, and occasionally Saturday Sounds may interrupt, but I've decided this can be the day to focus on the most productive of my pursuits (after blogging and photography!).

I did a few small things over the winter, but following Gail's demise, I lost interest for a while.  The incentive to create something a little dressier for the Rosslyn concert got me going again. Eventually, all the yarn in my stash started to yell at me. "Use us!!!" In particular, some yarn and a pattern I bought some eighteen (probably more) months back. Aitch had spotted the yarn and laid claim to it, and when I showed her the pattern, she really liked it.

Zante Cardi

Utopia Crafts Aran Ombre

If you followed your nose to the pattern, you would see that it is a crisp wee thing made of white cotton. However, it did say that any yarn could be adapted to the pattern and, indeed, the pattern lends itself to adaptation. Aran (5 weight) yarn might not seem an obvious substitution, but I really liked working with this brand, and my word, did I fall in love with the pattern, too! The snag I hit was not properly thinking through the difference in length of yarn required, given the different weights. When I went to the link to order another ball, I found that it is now unavailable (at least here in the UK - for now). This left me unable to provide sleeves; however, with video discussion and me modelling it, Aitch decided she was quite happy with the cap-sleeve version.

Not the best of photos - it is quite even, though this looks very lopsided! The next conundrum I had was the buttons. The pattern called for three, only. However, this heavier, more jacket-like product demanded more robust fastening. By great good fortune, I had a wee baggy of buttons with me... and had these six which turned out to have matching colours!

When I finally get to meet up with Aitch again, I'll be sure to share a photo of her wearing it. 

Once begun, the whole thing was done within a week. Due to the arthritis, I tend to limit myself to not more than two hours per session and at most, two sessions per day. So I'd like to say this was done in a day - but it was, I think, more like 30, maybe 32 hours of work. 

Yes, I am a fast hooker! It helped that this was aran, and I was working with a 6mm (J) hook. Plus, the yarn itself was almost entirely problem-free. I think had a couple of tangles to sort and there was very little splitting to deal with (usually only toward the end of each ball).

The same could not be said for the next lot of yarn that demanded to be worked. I already said how much I loved the pattern... and my birthday was approaching...

I started with the project on the Thursday before Easter. The rain and cold had returned... and the snooker was on the Beeb, so I rather forgot my session discipline.

The yarn is Hobbii Colorina (11) and claims to be DK/3 weight, but inconsistency of spin means that it varies and often drops back into the 2 weight - or even, occasionally, a one. It flows on the hook fairly well, but that variance in spin means that it also, occasionally, goes up to 4 weight thickness, which catches and halts the flow. Aside from the stitching frustration, the other issue was when it came to frogging, where one realised a mistake. It's very 'sticky' and definitely discourages one from pulling it back. I very rarely drop/miscount a stitch, but do like to correct, if possible. With this stuff (and the forgiving nature of the pattern), I ended up just ignoring the three places I missed a stitch, because I dreaded the thought of frogging. Only you and I know about that, 'kay? I used a 4.5 (F) hook.

This yarn is also very prone to forming tangles. It's not for the beginner, that is for sure. Much patience is required. Once used to what one is dealing with, though, I do think it is worth using. Actually, the last large project I completed before 'the break' was the Poncho in another colour of this yarn. That pattern was much more 'open' and also used a 5mm (G), and I don't recall quite so much frustration with the work.

That all said, I am absolutely thrilled with the finished product. I varied the pattern from the wide, scoop neck by beginning with the narrowest measurement, but working enough rows then to the required size, making a deeper yoke. Then I made the sleeves full length and also added a full pattern repeat (eight rows) to the fall, as well as creating my own border to remove the scalloped look. This gave the finished garment a much more coat-like look. 

You can see the effect of the uneven spin as, even after pressing, the fabric looks a little uneven. I am hopeful that a few wearings will help that to settle. 

Now... you just know it has to have a matching bonnet, right?! No pattern, but I can make these up in my sleep. I utilised the eight-row shell pattern after the band was made. Had it pretty much memorised!

I'll stand out in the grocery line, donchya think?! I must say the feel of the fabric created is rather lush. I would purchase this yarn again... but not for a while. There's far too much still waiting for my attention.

On that note, I have begun a year-long project which will utilise my mini-skeins and scraps... but I'll share more about that with you next week!