Square Crazy

Victorian Lattice Square in "Sabine" by Juniper Moon Farm

I've had the Victorian Lattice Square by Destany Wymore in my queue for a very long time. I tried following the pattern once or twice, but got confused. Yes, I've been crocheting for a 100 years and I still get confused by written crochet patterns. Eventually, I looked up the pattern again and Joyce Herrmann made a wonky CHART for this gorgeous square. Thank you, Joyce! Using the written pattern along with the chart, helped me finally crochet this square. After making a couple of squares, I've simplified the chart for my personal use.

Many people have used this square in their projects. There are tons of examples on Pinterest. Some of my favorites are blankets and potholders:

autumnrainbow's potholders

Kate's Baby Blanket

Nikki's Peach Blanket. This blanket looks awesome in one color!

I had 3 skeins of souvenir yarn in my stash, recently purchased at Anacapa Fine Yarns in Ventura called "Sabine" by Juniper Moon Farm. It's a blend, 30% royal llama, 30% merino wool and 40% cotton. The cotton really gives this yarn a nice texture.  I figured that I would just make squares and then think of what to make with them once I know how many I have. So far, I have 15 squares. Looks like I'll end up with about 18 squares.

15 squares so far

Maybe I'll have enough squares to work up a little vest.  If I want to make a jacket, I'll have to add another color to the mix.  Probably, this will be a shawlette or scarf.  We'll see.

One of these days I'll get back to my top-down Noro-Brigo cardigan. It's finally starting to get chilly enough in Los Angeles to wear a sweater!

Work in Progress, the Noro-Brigo Cardigan

Truly Spooktacular!

Last night the West Hollywood Stitch 'n Bitch celebrated Halloween at their annual Spooktacular party. Wow! So many people dressed up! Our theme for the evening was Mythology: Gods, Goddesses and Mythical Characters. You did not, however have to stick to the theme. There were three categories for prizes: Best of Mythology - God, Goddess or Mythical Character; Most Original and Best Use of Yarn. We all voted and came up with three winners. It was REALLY difficult to decide. EVERYONE is a winner in my opinion!

Left, Bridget as "Annoya" the goddess of lost kitchen utensils. Right, Jenna in her fab "Game of Thrones" garb

The Arctic Family: Sara the Snow Owl, Vivian the Narwal, Richard the Walrus and Simon the Snow Tiger

Left, Sara, a crew member dealing with Tribbles on the Starship Enterprise. Right, Tiffany as Isis, goddess from the polytheistic pantheon of Egypt

Lovely Green Sarah as Medusa

We had yummy snacks, Mr. Larry took all of our professional photos, we all voted for our favorites and then we awarded prizes!

Prize winners, Ellen, Bridget and Sarah

Thanks to Natalie and ME for prizes and everyone else for bringing treats to share!

Kitsune and Malabriga

I thought Kitsune could fly! Apparently Natalie Kitsune was tired and decided to drive last night!

To view photos of our extravaganza in more detail, click on this LINK.

Fun After 40 Club

Browsing the Los Angeles Public Library photo collection for vintage L.A. Halloween photos, I came across this picture.

1961. Photo by Alan Hyde for the Valley Times

The photo caption reads, "October 19. 1961.  Members of the Burbank Fun After Forty Club bring out their Halloween decorations in preparation for a club party to be held Halloween Eve at the Auld Lang Syne Building, 1111 W. Olive Ave., Burbank. Surveying the Jack o' Lanterns are, from left, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur W. Borowick, Ray Petit and Mrs. Mary Madison." 

This location is still the Burbank/Olive Recreation Center. I wonder if the Fun After 40 Club is having a special party this weekend?

Sign me up for the Sad After Sixty Club

It's All About the Hat

Hats and Masks are crucial for a great costume!

Halloween is near! Is your costume ready? We always have a theme at our West Hollywood Stitch 'n Bitch Spooktacular. This year's theme is Mythology: Gods, Goddesses & Magical Creatures.  Pick your Pantheon and make the most mystical and magical costume ever. There are three categories for the Costume Contest:

1. Best of Mythology: God, Goddess or Magical Creature
2. Most Original
3. Best Use of Yarn

Larry always comes up with a good hat or mask!

I've been working on the hat portion of my costume for a couple of weeks. I have a few more finishing touches to add, but I'm basically done. The clothing and accessories portion of the costume are still a work in progress!

I've been fascinated by this Pagoda Hat pattern (1938) for YEARS!  One of these days, I'll crochet it. This hat has always reminded me of Hop Louie's in Chinatown!

The Pagoda Hat reminds me of Hop Louie's

We would LOVE it if you would attend our WeHo Stitch 'n Witch Spooktacular! It's this coming Thursday, October 27th, 2016 from 7-9pm in the upstairs dining area at the Original Farmers Market, 3rd and Fairfax. You don't have to wear a costume, but a hat or mask is preferred. BRING TREATS TO SHARE!!

The Cat Hat is always appropriate 

Success on Smelrose!

Friday was the first day of the L.A. Eyeworks eyeglass frame sale. Larry and I met up with Ms. Natalie at around 6:30. Dinner time is the best time to go to this sale. The big rush at the beginning of the day is over. The shop has so many boxes of frames for sale and they keep bringing out oodles of frames to the display tables. You'll never miss anything!

The sale prices were a bit higher than in previous years, but still an excellent deal. I managed to pick up two pairs, one for $45! Larry bought a pair and Natalie found several, but came home with one pair.

Natalie and Ellen in aqua neon frames. We did not purchase these, but maybe we should have! We look cute!

Crazy Mr. Larry

The most fun is trying on frames with all of your new four-eyed friends.  It's a party!

Happy People Work at L.A. Eyeworks

After all that shopping we were hungry! Natalie suggested Tatsu Ramen, down the block. Very cute place. The menu and payment are digitized. Easy! Natalie ordered the Hippie Ramen (vegan broth); Larry ordered Bold Ramen (pork/Tonkatsu) and I ordered Cheeky Ramen (chicken broth).  All were seriously DELICIOUS! They make their own noodles right there.

Cheeky Ramen: Chicken broth + noodle = heaven! Slow-cooked from scratch topped with all-natural chicken breast, seasoned soft-boiled egg and green onion.

It's always fun walking down Smelrose Avenue. Lots of quirky window displays, along with great clothes, hats, shoes and more. We had a good Friday night!

This Weekend

We will be concentrating on adding to our huge collection of eyeglass frames. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, L.A. Eyeworks is holding it's annual frame sale. This is one of my favorite events of the year. I get to hang out with all of my four-eyed friends in the most fun place on Melrose!

Some years I go crazy and buy 4 or 5 frames. Other years I buy nothing. I'm still wearing about 4 frames purchased in years past exclusively. Others are mistakes. One day I should have an eyeglass frame sale of my own!

They keep bringing out boxes and boxes of great frames!

We've been going to the sale for at least 10 years. It's best to go during the dinner hour. Don't worry about getting there right when the doors open. The supply of eyeglass frames is replenished throughout the sale. You won't miss a thing!

Why didn't I buy these in 2014?  They're great!!

I like to go to the sale with Larry. Larry has been wearing eyeglasses since he was 7 years old. He's an expert on fit, comfort and style of your eyeglass frames!

Veteran Eyeglass Wearer, Larry Underhill

Here we are in 2009 trying on matching green frames.  Nope, not for us!

L.A. Eyeworks Sales, 2009

That very same year, we ran into Natalie and her husband Joe. It was a photo opportunity!

Natalie and Joe, 2009

2009. We were thinking about going with the orange frames. I bought them. Natalie did not.

See you there this weekend, friends!

Making Things for Friends & Family

I don't know if any of these ladies have EVER worn their flower headbands again, but it made for a great photo opportunity!

Holiday gift time is near. Many of my yarny friends are making items to gift to friends and family. Sometimes this is a good thing. Sometimes it's not. Usually, I only give yarny, handmade items to other friends who craft. They appreciate the work that goes into a custom item.

Recent Shawls for Nancy and Leah

When gifting someone with one of your own creations, it's usually safe to give them something where size does not matter...a scarf, shawl, household items, etc. I've made sweaters for my Mom and Husband, but I know their sizes and see them often enough to check the fit.

Checking the fit in progress on Mom's cardigan

You can ALWAYS make a tiny sweater for a new baby. Babies don't care what they're wearing. As long as you please the mother, the baby is sure to get some use out of your creation.

The Twins are a captive audience!

Mom Sara and Baby Vivian in her green cardi, whether she likes it or not!

Here are some of my successful yarny gifts!

Brooke's 70's Granny Afghan

Larry's Blue Cable-Knit Pullover

Suzette's Sock Monkey Toilet Roll Cover

Last Christmas I made hipter beards for EVERYONE, including me! They might not wear these in public, but at least they're cozy on winter days!

Hipster Beards for Everyone!

Jeff and Audrey

Toasty!

Are you planning your crafty gifts for this year's holiday season?  What are you making?

V*O*T*E

Today, I filled out my absentee ballot and mailed it in. It was my privilege to do so.

Voting is a sign that you believe in your democracy and that you feel that it is a worthwhile and important thing to do.  Therefore, every time you vote, it is a declaration that you believe in your country.

Before 1920, women in the United States of America could not vote. My own grandmothers could not vote in the years that their children were born. Thank you for fighting for our rights.

The 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote, was ratified in 1920

Voting day is Tuesday, November 8, 2016. I am not going to recommend who you vote for or which ballot measures to support. It is just important that your choices are counted. Your vote can make a difference, especially on the local level.