Cornwall Yarn Shop

The Cornwall Yarn Shop Crochet Along will be donating a small blanket to an American Soldier returning home from Afghanistan or Iraq. The lap blanket was made by each member of our CAL. We crocheted 9 twelve round squares from the Babette Blanket pattern.

Many thanks go to Liz Mitchell and Gerry Sims who did a beautiful job seaming the squares together. Also, Liz will be delivering the blanket to the donating agency which will distribute the gifts to the soldiers.

Below is a picture of the blanket crocheted by Liz, Gerry, Mary Lou, Karen, and Sue.

Join us for our next CAL on Tuesdays from 1pm – 3pm. Our project is Cecily Keim’s Larger than Life Bag published in the Spring 2007 issue of Interweave Crochet

Crochet Along – Babette Blanket by Kathy Merrick

We are starting to sew squares together….and loving it!!!

These pictures were taken at our 3rd CAL session, Thursday May 1st.

Liz’s Babette

Karen’s Babette

MaryLou’s Babette

Gerry’s Babette

Sue’s Babette

This week’s Crochet Along was fabulous!!!

We are getting our squares done and they look fantastic in all the different color schemes.

Also, we looked at different options on sewing them together. The three different ways to seam the squares together are: whipstitch, mattress seam (as used in knitting), and the single crochet seam, which proved to be the most popular for it’s ease and clean look.

Karen’s Squares

Sue at work

Karen, Maureen and Sue

Liz Loving Her Work

Gerry and Maureen

A big thanks goes to Mary Lou for taking these pictures. By next week we should see our Babette Blankets taking shape. And the girls are having a great time!

It’s not too late to join…

Thursday, April 17th, was the first session of the “Babette Blanket” CAL. We all had a great time picking out our yarn and colors from Borocco Comfort and Plymouth’s Jean Nee and Encore yarns.

We discussed variations in the pattern schematic as well as the possibility of breaking through our pre-conceived notions of color combinations. We considered being opened to different and contrasting colors and to work a pattern to suit our own needs and make personal modifications to the original pattern.

Also, we learned the Double Crochet Square motif called for in the pattern by designer Kathy Merrick. Once started, everyone was pleased with the ease and beauty of the stitches. We are not too far along so it really is not too late to join us.

The student crochet project of the week is Sandy’s Poncho which she made for her granddaughter. She did a great job and she learned the increase stitch used to do the shaping. This was a quick project which she finished in less than a week. Pattern by Plymouth Yarn Company, yarn also by Plymouth, Encore Chunky.

Next week we are beginning our Crochet Along on the Babette Blanket. There is still room to sign up if you would like. Working the Babette Blanket is a fun way to learn colorwork and sewing techniques, as well as a variation on the granny square. This will be a 6 week CAL on Thursdays from 1 -3pm, beginning April 17th.

New Berroco Comfort colors are expected in at the end of this week. Another great yarn to work with for this project and the spring/summer season is Plymouth Jean nee. Both a soft, non wool, washable yarn, great to wrap up in on a breezy evening sitting outside listening to the tides ebb and flow in the distance….oh sorry, thinking of summer vacation…….

Below are some color variations to keep you thinking.

Also, one of our newest, and youngest crocheters is working on some pieces for her American Girl doll. She completed this beautiful blanket with minimal assistance. Katelyn is a great student and hard worker. Congratulations and your first crochet project completed!

Mo’regards,

Maureen

Gail and I would like to introduce our new addition to Shop Talk…Off the Hook Crochet. In this category I want to give all of you crochet fans a look at what’s new and happening on the crochet scene and on the runway. Crochet designers, new books, tools, techniques and events will be announced and explored.

Hello April! You know what they say “There’s no fool like an April Fool”! Step up knitters and grab a hook for two crochet happenings at the shop…Beginning Crochet for Knitters and Crochet Spring Scarves. Workshops will be held on Wednesdays in April from 1 – 2 pm. Also, check the shop calendar.

To celebrate Major League Baseball’s Opening Day, today, March 31,we are planning on participating in the National Stitch N Pitch event sponsored by TNNA (The National Needle Arts Association).We are organizing a shop trip to Shea Stadium on September 25thto see the Amazins’ and say goodbye to the old stadium. But, sooner rather than later, I am sure we can do a warm-up with the Hudson Valley Renegades. All in the planning stages though. Let us know your interest…..

Come and join the shop’s first Crochet Along. For 6 class sessions we will be completing the Babette Blanket, seen first in Interweave Crochet, Spring 2006 issue. Stop in to see the photo album on all the different color combinations possible for your blanket. Also, see Gail for sign up and tochoose your yarn. First class is scheduled for Thursday April 17th from 1-3 pm.

New crochet books we are waiting for at the shop are the new Harmony Guides by Erika Knight, Basic Crochet Stitchesand Crochet Stitch Motifsand Crochet Inspiration bySasha Kagan.

So, there you go…hopefully enough crochet news to keep youinspired. Check back soon for our next post.

Mo’regards,

Maureen