Roving Crochet Reporter: Crochet Sightings

We thought we'd have a short light-hearted post this week - pictures from some of our members about crocheting sightings in and around the metro. We'd love to hear from you if you've seen others!

Bossy the County Fair Cow

This sighting has a story behind it. Last year, CTC was fortunate enough to be able to demo crochet at the Hennepin County Fair and we were asked back this year. So all year long, two of our members have had a yearning desire to yarn-bomb Bossy, the County Fair Cow.


This year they asked permission to deck Bossy in crocheted regalia - and the fair organizers said yes. So here is Bossy with her very own ripple crochet afghan. Quite a knockout, isn't she?

Bossy's new outfit was quite a  success with the attendees and drew many comments and compliments. You think we're joking, don't you? We aren't - the fair contacts we worked with liked Bossy's outfit so much that next year they want to have contest between the demonstrating guilds to see who can dress Bossy the best!

Funny Feet!

This crochet sighting is one that a member spotted last week at a strip mall in the eastern suburbs. If you look closely you'll see that the mailbox has developed feet!

Furthermore, the feet look very sturdy, they have padded toes and look like they are gripping the edge of the concrete so that the mailbox doesn't topple and fall.









Whoever has done this has taken great pains to make sure the feet stay fastened securely.

This isn't the first time this mailbox has developed feet - about a year ago it was decked out in purple and gold Vikings feet, same careful construction.







As a final word, please remember if you plan to decorate / yarn-bomb an object, be sure to check with the property owners first! We want everyone to have fun with crochet and stay out of trouble!

4th Saturday meetup: June 27

Time flies; we're nearing the end of this month, and that signals Fourth Saturday meetup. If you're new to the group, meetups are help at rotating locations around the metro where we can grab a cup of coffee and sit and crochet and chat. It's all very informal - but lots of fun! You can drop in any time and stay as long as you're able.

There's no charge to attend a meetup so it's a great way to meet us and ask questions about the group, particularly if you're new to crochet. We'd love to meet you!

This month's meetup is Saturday, June 27 from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Bruegger's Southtown (Bloomington, 494 & Penn).

We hope you can join us!

What's on your hook? Joan's arm warmers

At our May meeting, we learned all about using variegated yarn in crochet projects and members brought in both completed and work-in-progress items made with a variety of variegates. Joan brought in one of the most interesting projects, still in progress, so it seemed the perfect "on the hook" story.

Joan, this yearn is lovely! Can you tell us more about it?
I thought it was lovely too - it's yarn I found at an LYS in Port Townsend WA while I was visiting one of my daughters. The shop is called Bazaar Girls Yarn Shop & Fibre Emporium; they carry a wide variety of locally spun and dyed yarns and this yarn is one of those so it's not a national brand.
Note: In the class, we learned that yarn is a wonderful example of a special spinning technique called fractal spinning.



What are you making with the yarn?

I'm making hand-warmers, from the Tussie-Mussie Arm Warmers pattern by Yumiko Alexander, found in Interweave Crochet Accessories 2011 magazine.

I did have to make a modification to the pattern to get the colors to work. Because the color repeats are so long, I could tell I wasn't going to like the result if I made continuous motifs like the pattern was written. So I am making each motif separately and then will join them together in a color sequence that I like.

How in the world are these little circles going to end up making a hand warmer?
I know, it is a very unusual pattern, Let me show you how the construction works. The warmers are for my daughter but my hand is close enough in size to hers that I can be the model.









Joan, this is a wonderful example of using variegated yarns, we can't wait to see the finished result!

Broomstick Lace: June 13 meeting preview

Broomstick lace is a really beautiful crochet technique that makes distinct "eyelet" designs like those in this photo. It looks difficult and time-consuming, but is actually fairly easy and quick. At this month's meeting you'll get a chance to learn this beautiful technique and see how it can be used for all types of crochet projects.

The meeting will be Saturday, June 13 at the Textile Center of Minnesota, 3000 University Ave SE, with the following schedule:

• 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM - Open Crochet
• 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM - Announcements and Show n Tell
• 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM - Crochet Education

To get the most out of this meeting you'll need to bring:

• Two to four ounces of worsted weight yarn; as always a light to medium solid color is recommended for learning new stitches and techniques 
• Appropriate size hook for the yarn (for most people that's H8, I9, or J10)
• If possible, your own "pin". Broomstick lace is worked over a large round stick referred to as a "pin" (originally an actual broomstick handle). Most people now use a plastic or wooden knitting needle (size 50 or 25 mm); you can also use a dowel that's an inch or so in diameter. If you can't find a pin, we will have some extras on hand for you to use during class. 

If you're new to Crochet Twin Cities, you can join us by downloading our membership form and bringing the amount shown on the form to the meeting or you can pay the non-member fee of $5 for attending one meeting.

Note that broomstick lace is best suited to crocheters at advanced beginner level and beyond. Advanced beginner means you are comfortable with managing a hook and yarn and that you know how to do basic crochet stitches - chain, single crochet, and slip stitch are needed for this class. If you do not yet have this skill set, you are most definitely welcome to attend the meeting. Just identify yourself at check-in so that we can pair you with a more experienced crochet buddy to assist if needed.

We hope you can join us!