I recently purchased this book from Amazon for the cover sweater:

I couldn't see all of it, due to the way the model was posing, but I was intrigued by the way the cable was made. It reminded me of a Lion Brand knitted pattern that I first saw in a fashion runway photo online.

Oh, by the way, the patterns are made by another 'male' crocheter, George Shaheen.





Well, I received it, and after getting over the fact the book only has 5 patterns for $12!!!!, (one is OK, but the other 3...not for me!) :-)

Got to see the whole sweater.....not bad!


So, after reviewing how the cable strip was made, I decided to make a smaller version, just to see. I decided to try it in a one color bag, then, another version as a hat, with 2 shades of gray ( some left over yarn). I wasn't too sure about this one, but, what the heck, right? ;-)

 

 

I recently met Gene (aka Crochet Dad)from California here in Philly the other day. He and his wife were here to their youngest daughter's graduation from Drexel University.

We met up at a local Starbucks, and one of the first things that struck me was he greeted me with a great big hug....not your standard handshake... that was nice!!

He treated me to a cup of coffee, while I sat and talked with him and his wife, daughter and her boyfriend.

It was both nice and strange at the same time. Nice, because I rarely get to see and talk with another male crocheter, strange, because I've only done that online.

I once met a senior male crocheter(Ed) at a local senior center that wanted to meet me when he heard of me thru a mutual craft friend. She talked about me and he was so excited to hear of another male crocheter( a Black one too!!), that he asked me to come to his center.


So, whenever I came by, he'd always have something for me to see. after awhile I realized that in his funny way, he was 'testing me'. So, sometimes, I'd act as if I didn't know something, just so he could 'teach' me.

He was originally from Texas, were he learned to crochet as a kid.

He was also glad to meet someone who understood crochet on the same level. Most of the ladies didn't, and he would get frustrated with them, so he figured it would just be better to flirt with them (hee, hee!!)

He since passed. But before he did, he gave me dozens of old patterns and a complete set of knitting needles (he was a knitter as well.


So, it was really nice to meet another male crocheter in person, especially one that gives 'hugs'!! 

I stopped in to my favorite LYS:
Jane's Yarn Shoppe
1707 E. Passyunk Ave (near the corner of 12th & Morris Sts)
Philadelphia, PA 19148
  2215-463-8181      

The Crochet Friendliest LYS in Philly!!!

The 'Lustre Sheen' Queen!!

If you're looking a more crochet friendly place, there's none other than Jane's.

And,if you're coming, plan to stay awhile!!!

Make sure you bring something to snack on, 'cause you're gonna have a great time.

She's been a great friend for over 15 yrs. She carries all types of yarn at reasonable prices( and we need those more than ever, right?).

Looking for Lustre Sheen? Well, she has the best supply in town.

So, stop on by. Tell her I sent you!! ;-)

(Click title for free PDF pattern...for Ravelry members only)
This is a nice pattern.

Quick, easy, and simple to make. Both practical and economic.

I've seen other market bags, and there OK, but they all looked like they're about to pop any second from all those chains!!

I plan to make another one, but it won't be as wide, longer straps, and have a stronger bottom base

Got a nice surprise today.

One of my former senior citizen students (Rose) from a Senior apartment building I taught at sent a couple of photos of a afghan & bedspread she just had finished.

One was from a pattern I gave her, the other was just something she made up. I call her my 'Afghan Lady'. That seems to be the thing she enjoys making the most. Don't really need a pattern, I can just make up a diagram, suggest some colors, and off she goes!!

I'm no longer teach there, but stop by from time to time (it was my first official class 10 yrs ago), so some of the members are like family (the ones you really want to be around!!) ;-)

I's rare that I get photos, so I wanted to share.

Maybe it's me.

I seem to have this bad habit of whenever I see something online or a email that I think other people might like, I pass it along (I call it 'sharing').

Well, the other day I saw a baby hat online pattern that I thought some people might like. I'm not into baby stuff, but I know a few ladies who are.

So, after sending the pattern, I got a response from a old crochet friend ( who, by the way, I never hear from till I send her a email), who thanked me for the pattern, and then went on to say that she liked my website, particularly a 'Jeff' cap I designed, and requested me to 'send' her the pattern.

What's up with that!!

What does she think my website is? A 'free' online service? There's a clear difference between a free online patterns and purchased ones.

But because she knows me, she automatically thinks I'll 'give' her the pattern (then won't hear from her till the next time she wants something)..

Well, I tried to be nice, so I didn't respond.

After a week or so, she replied "Since you have not answered me I guess if I want that” JEFF” pattern I will have to pay for it."

Well DUH!!!

Like I said, maybe it's me!!

March is National Crochet Month.

Anyone have any plans? I asked this question last year, and most people had never heard about it. I guess it's not so much of thing anymore.