My Birthday

SnB Birthday Spread

Thanks to ALLLLL of my friends at the WeHo SnB for making my birthday special! It was quite a party!

Mr. Larry took me to dinner at Monsieur Marcel at the Original Farmers Market. We had a beautiful meal...I had the Salade Tahitienne with avocado, fresh pineapple and butterfly shrimp. Larry had the salmon with spinach and French fries.

Mr. Marcel's Baked Salmon

Mr. Marcel's Salade Tahitienne

After dinner, we walked upstairs so I could hang out with my fellow fiber pals at the SnB. Wow! What decorations and what a spread!!! Natalie, Darcy, Lori, Faith outdid themselves with decor, cupcakes, cheese balls, ukulele cookies along with great balloons from Jennifer. It was so festive. There were tons o' presents...thanks to Mary Jo, Carla and the aforementioned for their faboo gifties. Natalie and Darcy even made little granny squares to add to the pink dingle ball decorations. You know, granny squares are my favorites. Granny squares are the building blocks to fashion. See Carla's post for more on that!

Darcy made up these tiny little purses for decorations too. She knows that I love to knit and crochet purses! So cute! I'm going to photograph the purses later with my vintage Barbie Dolls!

Hours of Recipe Fun from Faith

Ellen, Mary Jo and Mary Jo's gorgeous felted bag

Lori's Delicious Ukulele Cookies

Lori, Darcy and Ellen

Carla's Yarn-like Salt & Pepper Shakers

Natalie's "Knit-a-Poodle" Kit

It was a great evening, lots of fun, lots of laughs. I spent my birthday evening with many of my favorite people!!! Thanks again.

EARLIER IN THE DAY...

L.A. City Hall

I drove Downtown and took a tour of the newly renovated, revived and refreshed City Hall. The Los Angeles City Hall is a movie star. It has appeared in tons o' movies, ever since it was built in the 1920's. At one time, it was the tallest building in Los Angeles. Check out this site for more interesting facts.

All of the gorgeous tile work, marble, woodwork and various fixtures have been restored. The building is magnificent.

A lovely docent by the name of Hazel gave me a personal guided tour of the 3rd floor public rooms.

I got to visit Mayor Tony's conference Room and have my photo taken in his chair. We also saw the Press Room where the Mayor makes his public statements. He stands in front of a photo mural of Los Angeles from the 1960's....no really tall buildings! it's a hoot!

Then, I took the elevator up to the 27th floor to the Tower Room to check out the view! Even with all of the really tall buildings, the sightlines are amazing. There were some location guys there checking out camera angles for an upcoming television shoot. There are entertainment crews crawling all over the City Hall. Like I said, the L.A. City Hall is still a star.

Larry and I were married at the L.A. Hall of Records almost 15 years ago. We had photos taken in front of the historic City Hall and in the Tower. I hadn't really been inside since then. The tour was awesome and I'm so glad I made the effort.

After the tour, I was getting hungry. I drove over to China Town, found a parking spot and checked out some of the little shops. I ended up having lunch at Hop Woo on North Broadway.

Since it was my birthday, I decided to splurge. I ordered the lobster with ginger and scallions. Yum.

There was this amazing, rotating light fixture over my head. I just had to photograph it!

I had to get outta downtown after that! It was sweltering! I did a little more shopping closer to home, then I rested until the evening's festivities (see above).

Again, thanks to everyone who helped me celebrate my big day. The celebration is NOT over however! More to come this weekend. After Sunday, I'm going on a liquid diet! Oy!

Colorful!

I've finished my Hexie Bag. All I have to do now is give it a light steam and sew in the perfect little magnetic snap that my Fairview Knitter friend, Molly gave me. I really like the happy colors of this bag. It should be quite a pick-up for my drab summer wardrobe.

I had the beginnings of a multi-color grannyghan sitting on the couch. I was wondering if I should just keep crocheting grannies and joining them as I go for a large blanket, or turn these squares into something else. Last week at the WeHo SnB, Beth remarked on the clever bag that she'd seen Ana carry awhile back. I can't find a photo of Ana's bag on her blog, but it was a felted cover for one of those cylindrical Trader Joe's reusable grocery bags. Ana turned the printed side of the T.Joe's bag inside out and covered the plain side. The bag was fantastic! I'm so glad that Beth reminded me about it. I decided to use the granny squares I'd made to cover my own T.Joe's bag! I crocheted a circular bottom for the bag out of black acrylic yarn, then continued up the sides in the round, with black and a few stripes. I like the result!

Gale asked that I offer a tutorial on how to cover your own reusable grocery bags. I'll try to be clear, but I usually do these things on the fly.

1. My T. Joe's bag is round on the bottom, so I used my basic hat pattern to crochet a bottom for my cover. I used worsted weight acrylic yarn and a size "I" crochet hook.

2. Once the disc was the size of the bottom of the bag, I crocheted a row of single crochet decreasing evenly, one stitch about every 5 stitches around the edge. If it's not exactly even, it doesn't really matter.

3. I continued in basic double crochet stitches up the side of the bag, switching colors to make some stripes.

4. I could have eliminated the stripes and attached more granny squares, but I wasn't feeling like making more squares and I wanted a few stripes for variety.

5. My granny squares usually measure one inch per round, so if I want a 5-inch square, I crochet 5 rounds. I needed 8 squares @ 5-inches each to go around the circumfrence of the bag. I'd already joined all the squares, using this method. I merely joined the piece into a cylinder using a single crochet stitch.

6. At this point, I attached the granny portion of the cover to the grocery bag with some binder clips

7. I held up the striped bottom portion of the bag to the granny portion to see if I had enough stripes to fit. It seemed a bit big, but I recklessly joined the striped portion to the granny portion, also using a single crochet stitch.

8. I unclipped the top portion of the bag and, using the black yarn, did a single crochet border around the top of the cover. On the second row of single crochet, I essentially made a button hole around the bottom of each handle portion. This is done by crocheting around the top of the piece and when you get to the handle, chain out about 6 stitches, around the handle, then come back to your previous row of single crochet where you have skipped 5 stitches and continue crocheting around until you reach the next handle bottom. You will do this four times, creating this window for the handle to slip through while the top of the cover is attached to the grocery bag.

9. I used a plain ol' needle and thread to sew the granny cover to the top of the grocery bag. That's another reason I used black yarn for the top border...the top of the T. Joe's bag has a thin black plastic edge and black handles. I wanted everything to be matchy matchy.

My cover is slightly longer than the actual T. Joe's bag, but it doesn't show and you only realize it when you set it down. I'll measure more carefully next time! I'm thinking that this custom bag cover would make an excellent gift! I'm also thinking that I could fill the bag with some faboo T. Joe's groceries for the recipient!

I hope my creation doesn't end up here!

Granny squares are the building blocks to fashion.

Consumer Report

Costume Jewelry-a-Rama-a-Go-Go

Saturday was a shopping day! A few of my WeHo SnB buddies, Darcy, Natalie and Carla came over to my house early (10 am) and we zoomed west to a little swap meet in Santa Monica. The location of this swap meet shall remain nameless. Find your own cache of good ol' stuff to buy!

Anyway, one of the booths at this little swap is chock full o' costume jewelry. My good friend, Rhoda discovered this swap. She is the supreme queen of costume jewelry. She knows the history, artisans and value of everything. The prices are very reasonable at this booth and we all went kinda' crazy. We barely even looked at any of the other booths. Many shekels were spent.

After all of this shopping we were starving, so we drove over to our fave westside taco place, Tacos Por Favor on Olympic and 14th to chow down.

Rhoda had to leave us after lunch, but Darcy, Carla , Natalie and I then drove over to the Talking Stick on Ocean Park near 17th St. None of them had been to the site where the Tuesday SnB meets. We noticed that the owners had mounted and hung the beautiful Talking Stick blanket that a few of us had contributed squares for. Two doors down from the Talking Stick is this store that specializes in Oaxacan arts and crafts. Faith purchased a bag there made out of colorful oil cloth that we all admired. Of course, we all wanted one. There were lots of choices, styles, colors. There were tote bags, suitcases, makeup-cases, messenger bags, etc., all verrrrry colorful. More purchases, more money spent!!!

I suppose we hadn't spent quite enough money or shopped quite enough, because we all decided to visit Shannita at her new venture....A Mano Yarn Center in Mar Vista! Shannita is now one of the owners of this great yarn shop. Too bad Shannita wasn't there at the time...we left her a note. Shannita knitted these darling dolls to represent the owners of the shop. Of course, we had to purchase a few items!!! We started talking about granny squares while we were at A Mano, so instead of doing any more shopping, we went back to my house for a granny square crochet lesson. Carla, Natalie and Darcy are now on their way to realizing my mantra....."granny squares are the building blocks to fashion."

Building Blocks

Puffed Flower Granny Square - 100% Virgin Acrylic Yarn

I read Drew's post yesterday about Heartmade Blessings. He is part of a group that puts together comfortghans for people in need. He's looking for donations of afghan squares for the group. Drew has all the specifics on his blog regarding how big to make your comfortghan squares, what type of yarn to use, etc.

I L*O*V*E crocheting granny squares. I've often said that "granny squares are the building blocks to fashion." When the crochet craze of the late 1960's, early 1970's came on, I couldn't wait to learn how to crochet so I could make some granny squares and put them together in a long vest to wear over my muslin peasant blouse and blue jeans. Squaw boots were in style at the time too. We were oh so colorful back then!

30 + years later and, surprise, granny squares, brightly crocheted clothes and the flower-child look is back. Thank goodness I honed my crochet skills early so that I'd be prepared for this fashion comeback!

Vintage Acrylic & Dazzelaire Yarn from Super Yarn Mart

As soon as I crochet a few more squares, I'll be sending them to you, Drew!

If you'd like to make some granny squares for donation, here's an easy pattern to follow. Also, Drew also listed more patterns on his site for you to crochet. Start building those blocks to fashion and philanthropy now!

Granny Goodness

Mary Jo, Carla, Natalie, Ellen

You know that I've always said, Granny Squares are the building blocks to fashion. Well, granny squares and all other types of squares can also be the building blocks to love. I'm so proud of my friends of the West Hollywood Stitch 'n Bitch in addition to members of the Santa Monica Fairview Knitters for contributing squares for two beautiful comfortghans for Frank and Oliver.

The other day, angelic messengers Carla and Natalie gifted Frank and Oliver with the completed afghans. You can read about it on everyone's blogs.

For Frank's summer vacation, he battled cancer. It was a grueling way to spend vacation, but Frank is now cancer free! Congratulations to Frank, his family and friends for continuing to give him support throughout this ordeal.

Natalie came up with the idea of making the afghan. We quietly asked members of the WeHo SnB to contribute squares. The response was amazing! We had so many squares that we even had enough for a mini-ghan for Frank's little boy, Oliver. Once we had collected the squares, I began to edge them. The core group of my Krewe, the Knit Grrrrlz came over one Sunday and we commenced to crocheting the squares together. Brit also showed up and entertained us and gave us moral support. Thanks so much to everyone that helped with the blankets. Click on the various photos below for captions.

Inspiration

Of course, I gained tons of inspiration from just sitting and watching everyone at Stitches West in Santa Clara. It's a 24-hour fashion show. Everyone is wearing clothes they either knitted or crocheted. You can really start to recognize trends and fashions. I saw lots of mitred square sweaters and jackets, lots of lace shawls and this year, even lots of crocheted pieces.

In the past, when I've needed a crochet or knit inspiration jolt, I've driven over to Sawtelle Blvd. in West L.A. to the few blocks dedicated to Japanese shops, restaurants and markets. There's a big bookstore on the east side of the street, just north of Olympic called the Asahiya Bookstore . It's on the 2nd floor of this mini-mall (just upstairs from Beard Papa, by the way). Everything about pop culture is located in this store. I usually make a beeline for the craft section.There are lots of books and magazines dedicated to knitting and crochet. Most of these magazines are beautifully photographed. I cannot read Japanese, but I can understand the crochet diagrams. About a month ago I picked up two magazines on granny squares. You know my saying, "Granny Squares are the Building Blocks to Fashion."

That very day, I met up with my friend Rhoda and showed her the magazines. Her gaze stopped at a black and red granny square purse. She had that look of want on her face. Now I know what to make for Rhoda for her upcoming birthday.

I'm using Bernat Lana Wool in black and TLC Amore' Yarn in Garnet for the handbag. I'm not exactly sure what shape this bag will become, but I know I'll have to line it. Results to follow.

Granny versus Granny

Traditional Granny Square Afghan with Lacy Border

I've been crocheting granny squares for decades. I love them. I've been quoted as saying that "granny squares are the building blocks to fashion." Yes they are. Modular garments are perfect for granny squares. You can construct ANYTHING from squares: Afghans, sweaters, jackets, trousers, upholstery, lacy tops...the possibilities are infinite.

Crochet Chart for Traditional Granny Square

Illustration from Eastern European Crochet Site detailing modular crochet square patterns

I just cannot stop making granny squares. They are so satisfying. You can make solid squares with one color yarn or mix it up and change colors every round. The results can be stunning. Contrary to their name, granny squares do not have to look like something your granny made during the last century. They can look modern and hip like this bulls-eye pillow:

Modern Bulls-Eye Granny Pillow

Recently, I've been experimenting with what is known as the Chocolate Box granny square. This is also referred to as the block stitch, brick stitch or mosaic stitch.  Rather than going round and round with groups of 3 double crochets in the spaces like a traditional granny square, this Chocolate Box stitch alternates rounds of chains with the 3 double crochet rounds. The 3 dc stitches are stacked on top of each other like a box of chocolates. I was aware of this stitch, but became reacquainted with it by my friend and crochet protégé, Gail Zucker. Gale is a professional photographer, excellent knitter and has taken to crochet with her own beautiful style. Here is one of Gale's Chocolate Box Afghans:

Afghan and photo by Gale Zucker

Gale used a different color yarn on each round/row of her afghan. Notice how the crochet chain rows frame the little boxes? I just love this look!

Photo and Chart for the Chocolate Box Granny Stitch

Another example of the Chocolate Box/Brick/Mosaic/Block Stitch

I started making a simple boxy top to use up all of my skeins of brown-toned sock yarn. I crocheted a few traditional granny squares with a size "G" hook, a much larger hook than would usually be used with this weight yarn. Even though my hook was big, the square just wasn't that flexible. I wanted a good drape for this sweater. I tried the Chocolate Box stitch and my square was WAY more flexible and draped beautifully. This is due to the row of chainy lace stitches every other row!  LOVE it. The front of my sweater is made up of many different squares. The back will be one big, solid chocolate box in a single color.

Flexible Chocolate Box Square, Sock Yarn, Size "G" Hook

Next up, a chocolate box sweater in worsted weight yarn!  Woo Hoo, I'm livin' it up!