Blocking Blue Jazz

Blue Jazz in the works here, as some saw it on Wed. The colors are more true in this picture, though I did make a few square changes in the finished project below.
Not sure why this picture isn't as good. I may move it later and re-photograph it; it's in a location I don't typically use for photo's....perhaps it's a lighting thing? But, it's wet and currently being blocked, so don't want to pick it up now and move it. Lots of different sized squares, some rectangles, some knitted, some crocheted. Took lots of edging to bring this one together so it really needed blocked...more so then some of the ghans of late. Used about double the amount of yarn I usually do in the edging, joining, and bordering.

Have picked out a shrug pattern I want to make for myself (not on the YOP list), but it calls for bulky #5 weight yarn. Says it should measure 15 x 54, using a size 10 needle is suggested. While I don't think it's necessary to swatch for something like a shawl...I'm wondering...I want to use DK weight yarn (merino), probably size 7/8 needles...in my mind, I can't determine if my item will be larger or smaller? I've not substituted yarn before knitting. Thoughts? I bought the yarn for a specific pattern, then found a pattern I liked better

The afghan is the only think I've worked on this past week, therefore the only change to the list. YOP list on tab across the top of the blog, with badge and link in right sidebar.

Blue Jazz

Jazz - an American art form and an international phenomenon! Jazz is not the result of choosing a tune, but an ideal that is created first in the mind, inspired by ones passion and willed next in playing music. Jazz music is a language, sometimes intimate, often boisterous, but always layered with experience and life profoundly lived. Jazz is not found in websites or books or even written down in sheet music. It is in the act of creating the form itself, that we truly find Jazz.
I thought, that partial definition I found on the web made perfect sense when viewing this afghan design. Rather I should say, that definition seems to be a good description for this afghan design. It's free flowing...it's changed over time, it mixes things up, it was an idea in the mind, and brings together many hands and thus many life experiences. Inspired by ones passions....that surely hits things squarely on the head. Those who knit and crochet squares show their passion for wanting to help, and my passion is orchestrating their wishes into realities. If you've not read about Project, "Welcome Home", please pop over to Bridge and Beyond, my charity blog. This afghan was designed some time ago and has been waiting in que...step #1Step #2, removed a few squares--think I might now have enough red, white and blue in bins to do a Patriotic Ghan so removed that one, plus wanted to diminish the whites some; so removed those and added a few additional squares to enlarge the size with squares that have come in since it's first design. Have begun edging and joining as you see, it's in the works on this Work in Progress Wednesday.

I've also been scouting out shrug patterns....I actually might get around to making myself a shrug.......though am not holding my breath. lol Check back, partially trying to decide how warm I want it...do I want it more summery or using a nice wool for cooler weather?

Happy Wednesday, please click WIPW badges and links in sidebars to see some cool projects, and please feel free to join us and link up in the one or more of the linky parties.

Diagonal Buckeye Scarf Done

Diagonal Buckeye Scarf Done! This scarf was started as a Christmas gift, didn't get it finished. Project layed aside, without notations about where I was in the pattern. Argh. Thank you Chris, fellow blogger for coming to my rescue. After the project being dormant and or my work in progress list for far too long.........I used Chris's directions and was able to pick up where I left off. Finished it last night. I did have some issues with adding a couple of extra stitches here and then, then lost a few...though it's not real noticeable...even to me and I know it's there. I like the diagonal slant, I need a new scarf..........maybe I'll keep this one? Would be good to wear to The Ohio State Football Games, maybe.........I'll donate it, maybe...........I'll hold onto it for awhile and decide. Juries out. I have a scarf barely started for myself with luscious mohair...hum....

Anyway, successfully got this project moved from wip list to the FO list. Since last Sunday's post for YOP post this is the only completed project; though 2 more afghans for Bridge and Beyond are in the works. Since the start of our list (see tab on top of the blog for updated and ongoing list), these 2 afghans, Day at the Beach and Blue Jazz make ghans #13 and #14. Stay tuned, perhaps I'll unveil them as there's a bit more to see.

I'm really needed to pull out Candy Corn Ghan as the longest running wip I've ever had....just not motivated.

YOP badge and link in sidebar. YOP List on tab at the top of the blog.

He went to Jared's

I really don't watch much TV, but since I named this afghan GemStone, the commercial saying, "He went to Jared's", popped into my brain. Above are some donated squares I put together. Debated about what color to use...was leaning towards the off white/ivory edging and joining, then when checking my stash, noticed I had a blue on hand that seemed to be a shade that blended well with the 3 shades of blue in the ghans squares...so started counting and realized 10 of the 30 squares, 1/3rd of them were in fact blue. Decision made. Next decision, did I have enough of this one particular blue to edge, join, and border? Maybe, but if I didn't edge them, I certainly had enough. It's been years since I've not edge squares to join; but since these were all the same size squares (which often they aren't)...I thought I'd give it a whirl.
Comes together much faster when you're not edging each squares. I tied them all together at the corners with scrap yarn and starting crocheting them together, first horizontally then vertically. Added the border. I had very few tails to work in, as I worked them in as I crocheted it together.
It was a cold ugly day, one to stay indoors. I assembled this ghan in one day. I've never put one together so quickly. So, the question is, what do you think....putting it together without edging? Showing a flip of the backside as well. I probably won't have the opportunity to do this often, as typically the squares I put together come from different people, are different sizes, and different type of squares, but.........sometimes, like this they are the same style and size and are donated by one person; so it's a possibility. The other consideration is, size. There were enough of these squares I was able to put together to make a nice size adult afghan that I didn't feel I needed to edge to enlarge the ghan; often I'm not putting together as many squares, or the squares are smaller and so edging increases the overall size of the afghan.

Love some input on this folks. This is another afghan donated for Project, "Welcome Home", on Bridge and Beyond. Had hoped to show you the diagonal Buckeye Scarf today, but it's not quite finished for Finished Object Friday...close though. I have been about to about double it's size then the previous post. Perhaps I'll be able to show you it on Sunday for Year of Projects.

As always, Finished Object Friday Badge and link in sidebar. Join us, always fun to look around. The more the merrier.

Sunday with Sandy

YOP, updated in tab above, only thing remaining untouched on list is Candy Corn Ghan, and learning to make socks. Since last week's update have added 2 finished ghans, Baby Boy Blanket in previous post (FOF).

Kaleidoscope is finished. Was pleased with the end size, given how small the squares were to start with, and my limited amount of black in my stash. I edge the 25 squares with 2 rows of black, joined them using the sc continuously across, then added a row of sc pink, sc black, sc green, sc black, followed by a edge scalloped row in pink. Here it is before being laundered and blocked, measures about 44 inches squares, should grow maybe a couple of inches in the process. This will be a nice blanket for a little girl up to teen in a lapghan.

A close up of the border. Another afghan that will be donated to Project, "Welcome Home", through Bridge and Beyond.

TaDAH! I'm pretty excited about this scarf. Not that it's really even something "special". But, I started it before Christmas...ran out of time, laid it aside. Totally forgot where in the pattern I was and didn't know how to figure it out. Sometime back I posted about this problem. Was debating about frogging it. A fellow knitter, ChrisKnits came to my rescue and left directions about how to figure out where I was. Got brave the other day tried it, and ....it worked. Tank you Chris! I've successfully added 4 sections! Woot woot. Love it when a plan comes together. This has been on my YOP list untouched for way too long, so despite it just being a scarf (small project compared to all the ghans), I'm excited because I'm making headway, solved the problem, and won't be frogging. QUESTION...on the increase decrease row pattern calls for k1, k1 front and back (for the increase). I'm not thrilled with the look and wonder if I do this again (do like the stripes), how different it might be to do a yo for the increase and or cast on another for the increase. Obviously the yo would create the eyelet edge look, but what about the cast on add?

**Plan for the week is to finish scarf, begin working on another ghan, thinking of removing socks from list. Realistically, I feel making the ghans for those in need is a bigger priority then making socks for myself......though I do want to learn. Not very motivated to pull out Candy Corn, since it's not the season; but........it won't be until after we finish our year...**
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No Pink Please, Baby Boy

I'm pleased to say even I can't see the wee bit of pink in this finished afghan/blanket. I posted the process and it's story previously. If you'd like to read about this soon to be born on the streets baby, please click HERE. It measures just over 41 inches square. Not bad for a start with 16 6 inch squares. This will be hand carried by my friend Rae to this expecting homeless couple.

If you're moved, and would like to help, please pop over to my charity blog, Bridge and Beyond. There are many ways to help. The more help we have, the more people we're able to help.

Short and sweet this week folks, many things in the works though.

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*posted a bit early, that's a change