Posts Tagged ‘crochet’

Whew, what a day!  Today was the first day in our new shop at Number 1, 265 Blaker Rd, Grovely, Brisbane.  It is four times the size of the old one – there’s so much space!  We have three couches, a kids-zone, FREE tea and coffee, more yarn, more things on display, our own kitchen (YAY!) and a library chock-full of some great books to peruse for ideas.

We also have a new staff member – Kate – she is the hand-knitting expert and is here on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from lunchtime onwards, so if you need some advice or assistance, come on in and pick her brains!

Pictures of the new shop will be forthcoming, I promise!  In the meantime, to keep up-to-date, why not consider subscribing to our newsletter?  You can do that by going to our home page - www.americanyarns.com.au and clicking on the link at the right of the page.

Also, our classes are now up-to-date.  Check them out and if you’d like to book, please call the shop on 07 3851 2608.

Thanks for your support!

Gabrielle and kate

This is a re-post (the old one got deleted) of a previous blog entry on the yarn substitutions I am doing for the Moorish Mosaic Afghan – from Interweave Crochet, Fall 2009.

The original pattern calls for Mission Falls 136 Merino Superwash, with a total value of AUD$220 – making it a very expensive project.  The colours are unique, though, which makes it harder to match colours.  at any rate, I have been posting yarn substitutions featuring various yarns that I stock, from budget (Red Heart Super Saver), to average (Lion Brand Wool-Ease), to high-end (Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece).

This post features Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece – a wonderfully light cotton/wool combo – perfect for our warmer climate – similar gauge to the Mission Falls (DK/8 ply) – but a much lighter yarn to work with.

So, for all you Aussies who love afghans, take a look at these gorgeous colours:

1.  Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece – 80% cotton, 20% wool, 113g skein, AUD$11/skein – 197m

Main Colour – new Age Teal: 3 skeins

Contrast colours: 2 balls of each of the following -

Rue

Putty

Peridot

Terracotta Canyon

Hearty Merlot

Total Cost of Project = AUD$143.00

Me – American Yarns  – is sponsoring the January giveaway run by Salihan Crafts.

Answer a couple of questions by clicking on the link at the top right of her blog  to be in the running to win a $20 gift voucher from www.americanyarns.com.au

Good Luck!

Just finished my Noro Taiyo bucket tote.

The pattern was from Noro World of Nature Volume 23 – Spring/Summer 2008.

The pattern called for 2 balls with a 6mm hook, but I actually used 2.2 balls.  The remainder of the 3rd ball was used to make the Over the Rainbow cardie.

Rainbow Tote - Noro Taiyo

Rainbow Tote - Full Length

Here are some baby shirts/cardigans I whipped up over the weekend.  Each one took only 2 hours to complete, including edging and button and as there was no making up, they were really quick and easy!

I love the pattern used to make them – they’re a good way to use up any leftover stash.  The Over the Rainbow cardie used about 80g of Noro Taiyo – leftover from the crocheted bag I made (see next post).

Over the Rainbow Cardie

The Fuzzy Wuzzy cardies below were made using Lion Brand ‘Amazing’, a self-striping wool/acrylic which looks like Lion Brand ‘Jiffy’.  I can order Amazing if interested.

Fuzzy Wuzzy Ballet Top

Fuzzy Wuzzy Cardie

It’s always nice to be able to get the yarn recommended in the pattern, but sometimes it’s not possible.  So, with that in mind, I have come up with some substitutions for some of the patterns in this edition of Interweave Crochet.

The substitutions I suggest, of course, are all yarn brands which I stock or which I can order in.

1.  ‘Sunset Ruana’ by Sharon Falkner -

Sunset Ruana, by Sharon Falkner

Yarn suggested:  Wisdom Yarns ‘Limerick’ – distributed by Universal Yarns – 15 balls (50g/175 yards – total of 2,625 yards)

Approximate Cost:  US$135.00/AUD$155 (not including postage)

Composition – 100% merino superwash, DK weight (8 ply), multi (ombre) yarn

My substitution: Happy Feet DK – by Plymouth Yarn – 90% merino superwash, 10% nylon – (100g/262 yards) – total of 10 balls required

Approximate Cost:  AUD$140.00 (plus postage of $10 – anywhere in Australia).

2.  Tatiana Pullover, by Marlaina Bird

Tatiana Pullover - crochet - by Marlaina Bird

Yarn suggested:  Blue Sky Alpacas ‘Melange’ – 100% baby alpaca – 50g/110 yard ball – (7-16 skeins required – 770 to 1760 yards)

Approximate Cost:  AUD$12.50 per ball – $87.50 to $200 total cost (excluding postage)

My substitution:  Baby Alpaca DK by Plymouth Yarn – 50g/125 yard ball – (7-14 balls required)

Approximate Cost:  AUD$11 per ball – $77 to $176 (plus postage of $10 anywhere in Australia)

3.  Twilight Duster – by Doris Chan

Twilight Duster, by Doris Chan

Yarn suggested:  Tahki Dove – 44% extrafine Merino, 44% alpaca, 12% nylon) – 163 yard/50g balls -DK weight

Amounts required:  6-9 balls of one colour (978 – 1467 yards) PLUS 4-7 balls of a contrast colour (652 – 1141 yards).  TOTAL of 10-16 balls.

Approximate cost:  US$8.85 per ball ($88.50 – $141.60) – excluding postage

My substitution: Debbie Stoller for Red Heart “Alpaca Love”

Alpaca Love

80% wool, 20% alpaca – 132 yard/85g ball – 8 – 12 balls of one colour PLUS 5 – 9 balls of contrast colour – (total of 13-21 balls required)

Approximate Cost:  AUD$6.00 per ball – $78 to $126

I’m currently working on an Entrelac Tunisian Crochet bag as a shop sample.  So I was looking for free patterns for tunisian crochet (as there are not a lot of books on the subject), and found a great site:

Crochet Kim – has a great links page full of patterns in tunisian crochet.

Happy Crocheting!

Gabrielle

How was your Christmas??

Mine was pretty uneventful.  Spent it at my uncle’s place in Victoria Point, Brisbane.  My cousins and various children were in attendance.  It was nice to have us all together.

Received a lovely quilted table-runner from Mum – she made it -

Closeup of quilted Christmas table-runner

I crocheted Gran a teapot cosy.  the pattern is from Coats and Clark – Eco-Living featuring Red Heart Eco-Cotton and Eco-Ways yarn.  I subbed for a ball of Bernat Satin and some left-over Red Heart Plush (now discontinued).

Gran's Teapot Cosy

Found 5 balls of this colour:

Panda Zoomy - yellow

Only $1.75 at K-Mart Indooroopilly!

Here are some pics of my crocheted Seafoam Vest.  The pattern is from Interweave Crochet, Spring, 2007.  The designer is Chloe Nightingale.  The recommended yarn was used – Rowan Summer Tweed, which has now been discontinued.  I got mine from an EBay seller – can’t remember which one though!