Newsletter No. 31

August 22, 2005

Site Updates

Lots of Links. Here’s the thing. I had a slow week at my internship and I was working on the site while I was waiting for batches of photocopies to finish up. I’ve got a ton of links added to the site and I’m just going to list them here. For a clickable link, or just more information, please visit Age’s Crochet Pages – Links at <http://strngbn.tripod.com/link.html>

Most of the sites are under Resources and Patterns, but I’ve added a charity site and a few shopping sites.

New Links on the Crochet Pages Site:

Alchemy: Yarns of Transformation

A Celebration of Scrumbling

Crochet w/ Dee – Types of Crochet

Eleven Eleven – Not the Knitting You Know

The Prokopowicz Page

The Woodstock Hooker

The Yarn Lover’s Room

Art by Us

ChubbyDollSpoolKnitters (hand turned and adorable)

Style.com – crochet fashion show

Fastest Crocheter Named

Bear Paw Quilting

Guard Dawg and Sentry Snake Patterns

handpaintedyarns.com

Elegant Crochet

The International FreeForm Crochet Guild

Kaps4Karing

Delta Crochet at Hass Designs

A word on Kaps4Karing – this is not a charity that I actively participate in or one that I have volunteered for in the past. I just found out about this one not too long ago and it is on my list of things to do once I’ve graduated and settled into a regular if not typical work schedule.

Stitch Along Project (week 7 of 12)

Rnd 7: sl st in ch-1 sp, ch 3, (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same sp, ch 8, * (2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in next ch-1 sp, ch 8, rep from * around, join w/ sl st to 3rd beg ch


Tips and Tricks

More things to keep in mind about working with beads. I know I’ve mentioned this before, but beads added to crochet can add weight to the project. If you are using plastic beads this typically isn’t an issue. However, if you’re using glass, or even gemstone (things like tiger’s eye or Rhodonite, maybe) beads you will be adding considerable weight to your finished piece.

You know what that means; added weight will affect the drape of the piece. This isn’t a big deal for a doily, they lay down anyway, or purse, since they’re usually made with a pretty sturdy stitch. On the other hand, a beaded trim on the sweater can make the sweater very droopy or awkward to wear. Heavy beaded trim could actually make a sweater look like it doesn’t fit properly.

The best way to get an idea of how heavy beaded trims are going to be is to spend a little time in the bead aisle of the craft store. Most beads are packaged by weight. Simply look at the packages find your pattern requirements and heft the beads. Pick them up, get a feel for the weight you will be adding.

The added drama of beads can be more than worth the added consideration, but as with any new pattern or technique, be prepared to frog a lot.

Question/Comments

Please contact Age Szoke

Moderator, crochetpages

Webmaster, Age’s Crochet Pages