Purple Mountains Stroller Blanket

Another stroller blanket, this one using Premier Yarns Sweet Rolls - you've surely seen these, along with Caron Cakes, at the big box craft stores and on Ravelry. Acrylic yarn (easy care! Perfect for blankets that get exposed to all manner of spills and dirt!) that comes with long sections of color, making for easy stripes.

I initially made this blanket just to keep Grant warm in the stroller while we walked his big brother to school. (Yes, it does get cold here in the winter. Well, cold enough to need sweaters and jackets.) When given a choice (because I do have a plethora of stroller/baby blankets), this is usually his first pick to take with us.

Purple Mountains Stroller Blanket
by Katherine Larson

Finished Size: 28" wide x 24.5" tall (71cm x 62cm)
Skills needed: foundation double crochet, chain, single crochet, double crochet, slip stitch

Yarn: Premier Yarns Sweet Rolls (5oz/140g, 245yds/224m, 100% acrylic) 2 skeins or 550 yds worsted weight yarn
*note: the sample for this project used all but two yards of the original two skeins. Check your gauge, or have an extra skein on hand.
Tools: I/5.5mm crochet hook or size needed to meet gauge
Tapestry needle

Gauge: 13 dc x 5.3 rows = 4"/10cm

Pattern notes: Pattern is written in US crochet terms.
Turning chain does not count as first stitch.

Abbreviations:
Fdc - Foundation Double Crochet
Ch - chain
Ch-sp - chain space
Sk - skip
Sc - single crochet
Dc - double crochet

Pattern:
Row 1 (RS): Fdc 97

Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, turn. Sc in first st, * ch 2, skip 2 sts, dc in next st, ch 2, skip 2 sts, sc in next st, repeat from * to end.

Row 3: Ch 1, turn. 3 dc in first st, sk ch-sp, sc in next st, * sk ch-sp, 5 dc in next st, sk ch-sp, sc in next st, repeat from * to last dc, sk last ch-sp, 3 dc in last st.

Row 4: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first st, * ch 2, sk 2 sts, dc in next st, ch 1, sk 2 sts, sc in next st, repeat from * to end.

Row 5: Ch 1, turn. Dc in first st, * 2 dc in ch-sp, dc in next st, repeat from * to end.

Repeat rows 2-5, 13 more times, for a total of 53 rows.

Border: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st to last st, 3 sc in last st, working down side of blanket, work 2 sc in each dc and 1 sc in each sc to bottom of blanket, working across bottom of foundation row, 3 sc in first st, sc in each st to last st of foundation row, 3 sc in last st of foundation row, working up opposite side of blanket, work 2 sc in each dc and 1 sc in each sc to top of blanket, join with sl st to beginning sc. 

Fasten off.

Weave in ends.

Green Thumb Stroller Blanket

It's been a while.

I made this baby blanket almost two years ago, but never wrote the pattern out. Well, ok, I wrote the pattern out, but never shared it. It's a stroller blanket, which means it is smaller than a typical lapghan or baby blanket. But it's the perfect size to keep a toddler snug in a stroller or car seat.

This one is crocheted in acrylic, which means it is so easy to clean - you can throw it in the washer & dryer!

Like all the patterns on my blog, this is free, and written only. Feel free to do whatever you like with what you make from this pattern - use it, gift it, sell it, frog it, trash it (although I hope you don't do that last one). 

Green Thumb Stroller Blanket

by Katherine Larson

Finished size: 27" x 22"/68.5cm x 56cm
Skills needed: Chain, double crochet

Yarn: 370yds/338m aran weight yarn (I used Big Twist Yarns Baby Solids (3.5oz/100g, 185yds/169m, 100% acrylic), 2 skeins)
Tools: I/5.5mm crochet hook or size needed to meet gauge
Tapestry needle

Gauge: 3.5 pattern repeats and 7 rows = 4" / 10cm (gauge is not critical for this pattern)

Notes: Pattern is written in US crochet terms.

Abbreviations:
Ch - Chain
Ch-sp - Chain space
Dc - Double Crochet
Sk - skip

Pattern:

Ch 90
Row 1: Dc in 5th ch from hook, ch 3, dc in same st, *sk 3 ch st, (dc, ch 3, dc) in next st, repeat from * 20 more times, sk 2 sts, dc in last st, turn. (24 dc and 22 ch-3 spaces)
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), 4 dc in ch-3 space, *ch 1, 4 dc  in next ch-3 space, repeat from * across, dc in last st, turn. (22 shells)
Row 3: Ch 5 (counts as dc, ch 2), dc in first st, *sk 4 dc, (dc, ch 3, dc) in ch-1 space, repeat from * across, sk last 4 dc, (dc, ch 2, dc) in last st, turn.
Row 4: Ch 3, 2 dc in ch-2 space, *ch 1, 4 dc in next ch-3 space, repeat from * across, 2 dc in last ch-2 space, dc in last st, turn.
Row 5: Ch 3, sk 2 dc, (dc, ch 3, dc) in ch-1 space, *sk 4 dc, (dc, ch 3, dc) in ch-1 space, repeat from * across, sk 2 dc, dc in last st, turn.
Repeat rows 2-5 eight more times, then repeat rows 2-3 once.

Fasten off, weave in ends. 

Quick Kindergarten Handwarmers

So yesterday afternoon, my almost-6-year-old says to me, "Mama, I need mittens."
We live in Las Vegas. "Winter" means temperatures of 45F during the day.

Well, anyway, I can't say "no" when my son asks me for something handmade, so I grabbed some blue yarn (because he asked for blue) and a hook and 40 minutes later I had this pair of mittens done.

Yes, they are fingerless. He wants to wear them on the playground, which means he'll need to grip or grab things. Again, we live in Las Vegas, these are perfect for winter.

They were so simple, I figured I'd share them with you all for free.

Here we go:

Quick Kindergarten Handwarmers
by Katherine Larson

Finished size: 4.5"long x 5.5"circumference (11.5 cm x 14 cm)
Skills needed: chain stitch, slip stitch, single crochet, working in back loops only/front loops only

Materials:
Yarn: 25-30g of aran weight yarn (I used Big Twist Yarns Premium Solids, in Royal)
Hook: J/6.0mm or size needed to meet gauge
notions: yarn needle

Gauge: 7 sts and 7 rows = 2" / 5cm in sc blo
Notes: Pattern uses US crochet terminology.
Each handwarmer is worked flat, then seamed via slip-stitch.

Abbreviations:
Ch - chain
Sc - single crochet
Sc blo - single crochet in back loop only
Sl st - slip stitch
st - stitch

Pattern (make 2):

Ch 16
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, and each ch st across (15 sc)

Row 2-18: Ch 1, turn. Sc blo in each st across (15 sc)

Row 19: Ch 1, turn. Fold handwarmer so that row 18 and row 1 line up. Working in back loops of row 18 and front loops of row 1, sl st 4; working in back loop only of row 18, sl st 3 (thumbhole made); working back loops of row 18 and front loops of row 1, sl st 8.

Fasten off, weave in ends.

There you go! I hope you enjoyed it! If you like, go ahead and make a project page on Ravelry (click here to do so!)

New Year, New Pattern

Yes, we're more than a week into 2018, and yes, this actually did get published last week. So I'm a bit late. But not really, since school here didn't start back up until this Monday, so it hasn't really felt like the new year until this week. And then it rained for two days, which in Las Vegas is a really big deal. The last rainfall we had here was September 13th. That's nearly three months with no rain. 

So it's no wonder I've been dragging a bit with everything else. 

Anyway, my most recent pattern is now live on ILikeCrochet Magazine! 

Here's the web address: https://www.ilikecrochet.com/crochet-bag-patterns/mineral-springs-cosmetic-bag/?mqsc=ILCF18

And the Ravelry database entry: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mineral-springs-cosmetic-bag

This handy little pouch uses just under a skein of Cascade Yarns Sunseeker. I wish the yarn photographed better, there's a metallic thread spun into it that gives quite a bit of sparkle. But it's still a nice looking zipper pouch, if I do say so myself!

Fall Into Crochet Sale!!

To celebrate the start of my favorite season, I'm running a sale in my Ravelry store. All patterns are 20% off now through midnight (PDT) on Monday, 25.September.2017. No coupon needed, just add patterns to your cart and check out.
Enjoy!

Seasonal Change Cowl

It's here! My newest design, the Seasonal Change Cowl:

The weather is getting cooler. The days are getting shorter. And the leaves will soon begin to turn.

This cowl takes less than a skein of Malabrigo Rios. And it works up quick - one of my testers finished in an afternoon. It's perfect for a last-minute fall accessory, and even better for those last-minute handmade holiday gifts.

The pattern is available for sale in both my Ravelry and Craftsy stores.

Pattern Tease

This Seasonal Change Cowl is coming, just in time for fall.

Weekend Wind-Up

Sad news: my favorite local yarn shop, Mirage Fiber Arts, closed down earlier this month. Now I'm stuck with online shopping for most of my favorite yarns.

On the upside, I purchased an inkle loom on clearance. And I've already started weaving. And I'm learning that I have plenty of room for improvement.

First weaving project

I took a weaving class in high school, so it's not as though this is completely new to me. But sophomore year was twenty-two years ago. And although all three use yarn, weaving is a lot different than knitting or crochet.

Still, I'm enjoying this. 

Yes, it's patriotic.

In crochet news, I'm making progress on my Doors of Durin filet project. It's the project bag attached to the stroller, so it goes with me to drop-off/pick-up C from preschool. 

And I finished this gorgeous shawl! The pattern is Over the Willamette by Jenn Wolfe Kaiser, the yarn is from Forbidden Woolery - the "Veiled Scandal" colorway I picked up at Vogue Knitting Live. It uses almost two skeins (I really should just weigh this and figure out exactly how much). Oh, wait. The scale is right next to my computer...173g, so 1.73 skeins.

 The details on this are just so pretty!

There's also this pair of socks that I promised for one of my friends. I finished one sock, I've turned the heel on this one, and now I'm panicking a bit because the color stripes aren't going to match on the leg. I really hope my friend loves these being hand-knit just for them enough to overlook the imperfection.

So, pretty good weekend. How was yours?

Weekend Wind-up

I really, really wanted to say I finished a sock this weekend.
I didn't.
I didn't even finish it this morning, although I'm binding off:

And then I need to make the second sock (luckily, second-sock-syndrome is not something from which I suffer).

I did manage to get another handle on that market bag:

And the garden is coming along. I think. Here's what the vegetable box looks like right now:

The cucumber plants got big. So did the basil. I really hope the cucumbers produce - I've seen evidence of cutter bees on the rose bushes, so I know we have pollinators around here. I'm just really eager for the fruit to grow!

Weekend Wind-up

I didn't actually manage to finish anything this weekend, but I did make some progress. And I started another project. Because I have to keep crafting. It's an addiction. 

First up: The nearly-finished grocery bag. This is not the same pattern that I just wrote and released on Saturday; this is the leftover yarn from that bag, and I had a choice between making two dishcloths or making a small mesh bag. I have plenty of dishcloths already. 

Just one more handle to go

Next: I started a sock. Again. Because I have a serious case of startitis with socks. But as this pair is for a friend, I might actually finish them.

Seriously, I'll finish this pair!

Finally, there's this pair of wool shorts that are very nearly complete...except for the drawstring and lanolizing that will ready them as a diaper cover/springtime clothing.

Oh, and I might have added a bit to the stash...but, I mean, I had to buy a new circular for the socks. And I didn't want to wait for shipping, which meant I had to visit the yarn shop...and no one expects to walk into a yarn shop like Sin City Knits and not buy yarn, right? At least I kept it manageable. A skein of Vintage (I've got a bit of inspiration to design something) and a skein of self-patterning sock yarn. Because, like I said, I've got a serious case of sock startitis. 

Green Grocery Getter - Earth Day Free Pattern

In honor of Earth Day, I would like to share the pattern I wrote for this reusable grocery bag:

If you've been reading along this year, you already know that I've been participating in an Earth Day-themed Crochet-A-Long in the Nerdy Hookers group over at Ravelry. This bag is a result of that CAL; I would very much like to stop using so darn many plastic bags every week, but I also know from years of experience, that bringing only enough bags for half the groceries does nothing but confuse the cashiers and baggers.
So, I need to make a lot of them. A whole lot.
I have a bunch, already; about 7 six (I counted) knit and crochet bags; this is more than enough for a trip to the farmers market or Trader Joe's, but I'm still building up to the 12 or 13 I estimate I'll need for a typical grocery run at Smith's.

The collection so far

This bag does hold a decent amount, about the same as a plastic grocery bag, with a little more room at the top. Here's a comparison (it's the same box of Shredded Wheat and fruit snacks in each bag):

Something important to note: I've made two of these, the first from Lily Sugar & Cream and the second (shown here) from KnitPicks Dishie. I strongly prefer the Dishie, and I've listed the gauge for that yarn. Gauge is not crucial to this project, so if you're using a thicker kitchen cotton, like Sugar & Cream or Bernat Handicrafter Cotton, it's ok if your gauge is different. Just make sure you like the fabric you're creating (and you might want an extra ball of yarn, just to be safe).

Ok? Well, then, here we go!!

Green Grocery Getter
by Katherine Larson

Finished Size: 4.5"/11.5cm wide x 11"/28cm long x 10"/25.5cm tall

Skills Needed: Chain, single crochet, slip stitch, half-double crochet, double crochet, single crochet back loop only

Materials:

Yarn: KnitPicks Dishie Multi (3.5oz/100g, 190yds/174m, 100% cotton), 2 skeins or 230 yards/210m worsted weight yarn

Tools: H/5.0mm crochet hook or size needed to meet gauge

Tapestry needle

Gauge: 16sc and 20 rows = 4”/10cm

Pattern Notes: Pattern is written in US crochet terms.

Bag is worked in the round.

Abbreviations:

Ch: chain

Sc: single crochet

Hdc: half-double crochet

Dc: double crochet

St: stitch

Sl st: slip stitch

Shell: (dc, ch1, dc, ch1, dc) in same st

Pattern:

Body:

Ch 22

rnd 1: 2sc in 2^nd ch from hook, sc in next 19 sts, 4 sc in last st, working along back of starting ch, sc in next 19 sts, 2sc in last st, join with sl st to beginning. (46 sc)

rnd 2: ch1, 2sc in same st, 2sc in next st, sc in next 19 sts, 2sc in next 4 sts, sc in next 19 sts, 2sc in last 2 sts, join with sl st to beginning (54 sc)

rnd 3: ch1, 2sc in same st, 2sc in next st, sc in next 23 sts, 2sc in next 4 sts, sc in next 23 sts, 2sc in last 2 sts, join with sl st to beginning (62 sc)

rnd 4: ch1, 2sc in same st, 2sc in next st, sc in next 27 sts, 2sc in next 4 sts, sc in next 27 sts, 2sc in last 2 sts, join with sl st to beginning (70 sc)

rnd 5: ch1, 2sc in same st, 2sc in next st, sc in next 31 sts, 2sc in next 4 sts, sc in next 31 sts, 2sc in last 2 sts, join with sl st to beginning (78 sc)

rnd 6: ch1, sc in same st, sc in next 2 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 29 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in next sc in next 6 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 29 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in last 3 sts, join with sl st to beginning (86 sc)

rnd 7: ch1, sc in same st, sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 31 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 8 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 31 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in last 4 sts, join with sl st to beginning (94 sc)

rnd 8: ch1, sc in same st, sc in next 4 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 33 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 10 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in next 33 sts, 2sc in next 2 sts, sc in last 5 sts, join with sl st to beginning (102 sc)

rnd 9: ch1, hdc in same st and each st around, join with sl st to beginning (102 hdc)

rnd 10: repeat rnd 9

rnd 11: ch1, sc in same st, * ch5, sk 4 sts, [sc in next st, sk 2 sts, shell in next st, sk 2 sts] twice, repeat from * around, join with sl st to beginning sc

rnd 12: ch1, dc in same st, ch2, sc in ch-5 sp, ch5, sc in middle dc of next shell, shell in next sc, sc in middle dc of next shell, * ch5, sc in ch-5 sp, ch5, sc in middle dc of next shell, shell in next sc, sc in middle dc of next shell, repeat from * around, ch2, join with sl st to beginning dc.

Rnd 13: ch1, sc in same st, * ch5, sc in ch-5 sp, shell in next sc, sc in middle dc of next shell, shell in next sc, repeat from * around, join with sl st to beginning sc

Repeat rnds 12 and 13 five more times.

Rnd 34: ch1, sc in same st, 4 sc in ch-5 sp, sc in next (sc, dc, dc, dc) twice, * sc in next sc, 4 sc in ch-5 sp, sc in next (sc, dc, dc, dc) twice, repeat from * around, join with sl st to beginning sc

Rnd 35: ch1, sc in same st and in each st around, join with sl st to beginning

Fasten off.

Handles (make 2):

These can be placed to your preference.

Row 1: Join yarn to top of bag with sc, sc in next four sts, turn (5 sc)

Row 2: Ch1, sc in back loop only of each st (5 sc)

Rows 3-20: Repeat row 2

Row 21: Ch1, working through both loops of row 20, sl st to top of bag.

Fasten off.

Weave in all ends, and enjoy your new eco-friendly grocery bag!

ps - if you've made a bag from this pattern and would like to share your results, the Ravelry link is: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/green-grocery-getter

Weekend Wind-Up

I finally finished that market bag I started a few weeks back.

This one is made from KnitPicks Dishie Multi, which I absolutely love for kitchen cotton! It's much nicer to work with than Sugar & Cream, and the colors don't fade as fast. 

Of course, it's thinner than Sugar & Cream - which means the gauge is different, and thus this bag is smaller than the first.

That's ok, though! It's a market bag, not a fitted garment. It just has to hold soup cans and cereal boxes, or apples and clamshells of berries (especially since it's spring, and strawberries are back in season).

I also finished this lovely shawl:

The pattern is Blackcomb, and I enjoyed crocheting this immensely. However, I chose a yarn that just didn't have the yardage I needed for a shawl that would be my size (which is, um, ample up top). I should have read the ballband closer, it was only 75 grams. But look at that color changing! The colorway is called Aloha, and I really think it does suggest an island sunrise. (This was part of my yarn haul from VKL last month, I'm so excited to already start working through it!)

Frogging party

What have I done. Oh, dear. It's pretty awful...and yet, awfully optimistic.
Two projects, frogged. Here are the before pictures:

And the after:

So what happened? Well, I failed to admit that this just wasn't turning out how I'd envisioned it, and remained stubbornly determined that it would be perfect just as soon as it was finished. But it wasn't, no matter how pretty this lace is:

And I grew more upset with it, the more I looked at it, so a-frogging I went.
By the way, single-ply alpaca silk does not like to be frogged. At all.

Then, a decision that this other piece wasn't doing anything spectacular for me, either, so why not just rip it out and make something better? (Tosh DK, on the other hand, doesn't mind being frogged at all.) Although I do like the lace on it, so I might use the stitch pattern somewhere else:

I totally admit, that if I'd made these in acrylic or even some cheap wool like Cascade 220, they would probably be relegated to the bag of finished-objects-I-never-use for eternity. (It's a real thing. In a dark corner of my closet.)
But these aren't cheap yarns, that's Blue Sky Fibers Metalico, and a skein of madelinetosh. Those are yarns that need to be something!
So, a-frogging I went.

And now I know what doesn't work, which means I'm just that much closer to something that does. 

Weekend Wind-Up

Well, I managed to finish the crochet shorts!

They fit perfectly over a large prefold. I still have to lanolize them, but I'm quite happy with the result.
These were made from the Little Fire Crochet Pants pattern (Ravelry pattern page is here). I typically knit wool diaper covers, but decided to try out this pattern in honor of both NatCroMo and the Earth Day CAL I'm doing.
One thing I liked about this pattern is the lack of short rows for shaping - instead, half-double and double crochet stitches are used to give extra length on the back side.

It's especially nice as it doesn't cause obvious patterning changes with variegated yarns. This yarn is fairly monochromatic, so it wouldn't be as noticeable anyway, but on some colorways it really shows.

Shortly after I finished these, we had a crazy dust storm. I went outside to secure everything on the patio, and snapped a picture while I was out - it was crazy haze.

Seriously, there is no filter on this. Here's what it normally looks like (from a slightly different angle)(ignore the weeds, please, it's an ongoing struggle):

We didn't lose power, but I did lose a few branches off one of the rose bushes. And our welcome mat got flipped over. And there was dust everywhere. But otherwise, we're fine.

I had another bout of startitis, and just had to begin making a shawl.

That's one of the yarns I got at Vogue Knitting Live, I've already hit the first color change (you can see the last row is green instead of yellow), and I'm loving how this is working up!

Finally, I have some garden news. I have a carrot sprout!

 And a strawberry!

I hope you had a great weekend, too!

Weekend Wind-Up

I did manage to get some crocheting done this weekend! Nothing is finished yet, but that's ok.

Remember this market bag I made earlier in the month? Well, I'm making another one. This is out of KnitPicks Dishie, which is so much nicer to work with than Sugar & Cream. The cotton is a bit thinner, so I'm using a 5.0mm hook instead of 5.5mm. This will also make a slightly smaller bag, but that's ok! The mesh will stretch quite a bit. 

I'm also using this project to trouble-shoot the notes I made from the prototype. If I can actually nail down the challenges and solve them, I'll have a workable pattern to share. 

And I'm working on a pair of shorts for Grant. It's starting to warm up, and in the hot weather I'd rather use a wool diaper cover than a plastic one. Wool is breathable, he stays cooler. I haven't made this pattern before (I usually knit diaper covers), so it's interesting to see the different construction. 

The yarn is Malabrigo Worsted in Comfy Junkie, and I'm using a 4.0mm hook - my gauge was spot-on with the first swatch, which is always a nice feeling! It's like the pattern just wants to be made, right away!

Hopefully, I'll be able to finish at least one of these before Friday, so I can have more than one completed project to wrap up National Crochet Month!

The Yarn Haul

Today, I visited the Marketplace at Vogue Knitting Live. It was in Las Vegas - right down the street, actually, at the Red Rock Resort & Casino.
I initially wanted to take a class, but the schedule just didn't work out for me. But that's ok! I still got to shop for yarn!

All the goods!

Let's take a closer look, shall we?

After a couple rounds of browsing the various booths, I ducked into 3GreenSisters to look at bags. Yes, I know, I have plenty of project bags. So what? This gorgeous bag was calling my name.

See? It's orange! My favorite color! And it stands up on its own. (Nevermind the tilted tripod - I was too excited to get pictures, I didn't want to waste time.)

And it has pockets inside, too!

Next, I found myself at Mimi's Needle Basket, looking for a new circular to knit socks. I really like the Chiagoo circular I already have, so picking up a second was a no-brainer. And I saw this nifty sock ruler, so I thought I'd give it a try. One of the knitters in the booth showed me hers, along with the sock she was working on, and it looks like something that come in handy.

At this point, I popped over to the Fitting Station to get my current measurements taken. I received a card with the measurements, plus a schematic to remind me which numbers are which. (I'm not about the share that, though...let's just say, the baby weight hasn't gone anywhere.)

And then, yarn. Wonderful wooly fibers in all sorts of colors! I could have gone a bit crazy. I almost did. But, I'd like to actually knit (or crochet) with everything, so I tried to be conservative.

I found this gradient pack, and paired with black it should look absolutely gorgeous. It's from Greenwood Fiberworks, and if I were a spinner I'd have gone nuts in that shop. So much roving, so much color! As it happens, I prefer having my yarn ready-to-knit.

I may need to re-shoot these pictures; it decided to rain this afternoon, so the light just isn't the greatest. The gradient pack is called "Tiger Lily", and it is the same base (Star Dust) as the black.

I stopped into Invictus Yarns, and fell in love with this so so so soft merino-silk blend, fittingly called Poetry.

It is destined to be a shawl(ette). The colorway is "Charred", and it is a lavender-gray.

Of course, I stopped by my LYS to show support! If you're ever in Vegas and want to shop for yarn, visit Mirage Fiber Arts. I picked up a skein of Hedgehog Fibers sock yarn in "Copper Penny", and a cake of Freia Ombre Fingering in "Aloha".

And, yes, I intend to actually knit socks. That's a story for another post, though.

Oh, and I did pick up a few freebies:

A couple of pinback buttons (currently residing on another project bag) and a snag-free stitch marker.

And, finally, I spent some time in the Forbidden Woolery booth, chatting about Captain America, Marvel movies, and where color inspiration comes from.

Two skeins of Fortitude (a fingering-weight merino) in "Veiled Scandal" - how could I pass up a name like that? And a skein of Justice (a fingering-weight Merino/Cashmere/Nylon sock blend) in "Water Bender" - yes, that's from Avatar.

One more thing I want to share - this amazing installation by Gina Rose Gallina.

Everything is crocheted! The dress, the wig, the flowers, the bees and bugs, even the fence posts.

All in all, I had a lot of fun. I would definitely visit again - hopefully I'll manage to get a whole weekend, and take a class or two.