Is it wise to use an 80/20 merino/nylon blend sock yarn to make a lace shawl? I've seen some gorgeous hand-dyed yarn on etsy that I would love to make one of these shawls with:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/harmony-shawl-2
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/clover-honey-shawlette

I'm concerned that the nylon would cause the shawl to stretch. Is this a valid concern?

[Has anyone used this yarn before? And also, can anyone suggest a nice pattern for me?]

Wow! It's been a longgg time since i've been on Craftster! I've missed it!

So I've been on a knitting hiatus for quite a while, but unexpectedly got the urge to make a blanket. I bought about 12 skeins of Red Heart Eco-ways in misty violet. I was just wondering: Has anyone used this yarn before? And also, can anyone suggest a nice pattern for me? I was thinking something lacy, since it's spring here.

Thanks everyone!

I was wondering about how many dish/washclothes you can normally get out of a regular 2.5 oz skein of Peaches and Creme?

I just picked up a few skeins, but since I don't often knit these I was wondering about how many I'll be able to make. I understand that a lot of it depends on what stitch/pattern I use as well, but a rough estimate would be great.

Thanks!

Caron International has some new yarns out. They look pretty nice and their website has some really nice free patterns using the yarns. The yarns are called Country and Spa. Country is 25% merino wool and Spa is 25% Bamboo, the other 75% for both is microdenier acrylic.

Here's the link to the free crochet patterns: http://www.naturallycaron.com/projects/item_index/crochet.html.

For those of you, like me, who also knit, they have several free knit patterns as well.

I was just wondering if anyone here had made this: http://www.unicornbooks.com/pattern_Bshawlcollar-SQL3.asp. I'm just wondering about the fit--was it comfortable, too tight, too lose, etc? Was there anything about it you would you wish you had changed? I just need some feedback before I decide whether or not to make it.  Thanks!

Does anyone know of a pattern for something similar to the cropped cardi found here? It's really cute, but $25 for half-a-seater just isn't in my budget right now.

[Would anyone like to do a swap?]

I have four skeins of Bernat Baby Coordinates yarn I'd like to get rid of (they were originally for a baby blanket, but I scrapped the idea and I doubt I'll ever use this yarn for anything). So, I have two skeins of "baby pink" (a pale pastel pink) and two in "sweet pink" (a bright pink). It's approximately 862 yds of each color (or 1724 total). Would anyone like to do a swap? I'd love some plain worsted or chunky yarn if you have some in your stash you'd like to dispose of. If you're interested, just let me know.   

This is a baby blanket I designed and crocheted for my 6 month old neice as a Christmas present.








~~~~~~~~~~

Rosie Clusters

This baby blanket is crocheted in the round from the center. The clusters keep it interesting, but the simple design and construction make it easy to get lost in your favorite tv show. I personally think this would make an excellent gift for either a boy or a girl. It would also make a great lapghan.

Materials:
Caron Simply Soft Brites (6oz/315yds/288m, 100% acrylic) - 3 skeins in Rose Violet (9611)
US size G hook (4.25 mm)

Gauge:
17 dc X 9 rows = 4" X 4"

Finished Size:
30" X 30"

Special Stitches:
beg cl (beginning cluster): ch3, (yo, insert hook in sp and pul up a loop, yo and drw thru 2 loops on hook) twice, yo and draw thru all 3 loops on hook.
cl (cluster): (yo, insert hook in sp and pull up a loop, yo and draw thru 2 loops on hook) 3 times, yo and draw thru all 4 loops on hook.

Pattern:
Ch 8, sl st to form ring.

R1: beg cl, ch5, cl, ch2. *cl, ch5, cl, ch2* 3 times. sl st in beg cl. (total: 8 clusters)

R2: sl st in next sp. (beg cl, ch3, cl) all in same sp, ch2, 3dc in next sp, ch2. *(cl, ch3, cl) all in next sp, ch2, 3 dc in next sp, ch2* around. sl st in beg cl. (total: 8 clusters, 3 dc each edge)

R3: sl st in next sp. (beg cl, ch3, cl) all in same sp, ch2, 2 dc in next sp, dc in each dc across, 2dc in next sp, ch2, *(cl, ch3, cl) all in next sp, 2 dc in next sp, ch2* around. sl st in beg cl. (total: 8 clusters, 7 dc each edge)

Continue increasing by 16 dc each round in the above way (round 3) for a grand total of 31 rounds. Round 31 will have 8 clusters and 119 dc each edge.

R32: sl st in next sp, (beg cl, ch3, cl) all in same sp, ch2, cl in next sp, (ch2, skip 2 dc, cl in next dc) to next ch-2 sp, *ch2, cl in next sp, ch2, (cl, ch3, cl) all in next sp. ch2, cl in next sp. (ch2, skip 2 dc, cl in next dc) repeat to last 2 dc. ch2, skip next 2dc.* repeat around. cluster in last sp, sl st to beg cl. (total: 172 clusters)

R33: ch1, sc in same st. *5sc in next sp, (sc in cl, 2sc in next sp) rep to next ch-3 sp, sc in cl* repeat around. sl st in first sc.

Break yarn and weave in all ends.

To make the blanket larger:
In order to make the blanket larger you'll add more rounds before round 32. In order to do this you will have to count the number of dc on one edge, add 1, and divide that solution by 3. If the solution is a whole number, you can proceed with round 32. If not, you will have to add other rounds or remove them until you get a whole number.

To save all the hassle of counting and/or frogging, I've come up with a formula to make it a bit simpler (I use the word 'simply' loosely here. lol. But it's really not that bad):

First: 3 + (4 * a) = b, where a = the total # of rows minus 2. Just plug that number into the formula to get b.
Second: (b + 1)/3 = c. Again, if c is a whole number, you will go on to round 32. If not, just plug in another number for a and continue with the formula. This way you can decide if you want a smaller or larger blanket without a lot of guess work and unnecessary crocheting/frogging.

~~~~~~~~~~

I hope everyone enjoys this as much as I did (and hopefully as much as my neice will)! If anyone has any problems with the pattern just let me know. Thanks for looking!

I don't know how many of you receive the LionBrand Newsletter, but this week there was a special charity feature on the Snuggles Project. The article (it's a short one) can be found here.

I think this would make a great crochet-a-long. We could each make a few little blankies for the cats and dogs in our local shelters. There is a directory of shelters on the Snuggles website under FAQs. The shelters with the snuggle kitty icon will accept snuggles. If there are no shelters accepting snuggles near you, you could always call one up and ask if they accept easy-care blankets or towels.

There is also a list of patterns and suggestions on the website, but here is the rundown:
~ Easy to clean acrylic or cotton yarns of any weight (preferably doubled worsted or chunky for cushyness,
   but anything's fine).
~ A range of sizes can be made, here's the general guidelines:
             14"X14" for kittens and small dogs
             24"X24" for cats and small/medium dogs
             36"X36" for medium/large dogs
~ Any pattern or colors can be used, as long as it's made with love (although it is suggested that donators refrain
   from open stitch patterns as they don't provide as much warmth and can lead to tangling).

This is a great project for anyone wanting to use up their stash of acrylics/cottons, who's on a budget, who would like to give a little to animals in need, and who have some free time to enjoy crocheting!

Sooo...who's with me???

I don't know how many of you receive the LionBrand Newsletter, but this week there was a special charity feature on the Snuggles Project. The article (it's a short one) can be found here.

I think this would make a great knit-a-long. We could each make a few little blankies for the cats and dogs in our local shelters. There is a directory of shelters on the Snuggles website under FAQs. The shelters with the snuggle kitty icon will accept snuggles. If there are no shelters accepting snuggles near you, you could always call one up and ask if they accept easy-care blankets or towels.

There is also a list of patterns and suggestions on the website, but here is the rundown:
~ Easy to clean acrylic or cotton yarns of any weight (preferably doubled worsted or chunky for cushyness,
   but anything's fine).
~ A range of sizes can be made, here's the general guidelines:
             14"X14" for kittens and small dogs
             24"X24" for cats and small/medium dogs
             36"X36" for medium/large dogs
~ Any pattern or colors can be used, as long as it's made with love (although it is recommended that donators   
   refrain from using open stitch patterns as they don't provide as much warmth and can lead to tangling).

This is a great project for anyone wanting to use up their stash of acrylics/cottons, who's on a budget, who would like to give a little to animals in need, and who have some free time to enjoy knitting!

Sooo...who's with me???