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Crochet, yarn, shopping and baby birds!

5/6/2021

 
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After a day in the basement dyeing fabric yesterday, I decided I needed a little walk outside in the evening. The first stop was the bird box to see the new batch of baby bluebirds! They hatched Saturday. So cute. They look the same every year but I still get excited to see them.
We checked on the iris. There are loads of them in bloom and lots more getting ready. I don't know the story on that last one. I don't know if it's a hybrid that's gone bad but it's not something I planted!
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We also saw that in just the right light that weeds can look like grass.
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Now back to our little trip. When Anne and I got to Lancaster Sunday evening we decided to check out one of the outlet malls. I really hate shopping but I seem to do great at shopping when I'm traveling. Otherwise my shopping is almost 100% by mail. I've lost a couple of sizes this year so I'm in desperate need for new clothes. I lucked out and found some shorts, pants and tops and everything was on sale. Don't be diverted by the ugly maroon and orange sweater. That's specifically for cheering on my Hokies during football season! I can't believe that Gap ever thought an orange and maroon sweater was a good idea. It's no surprise that the clearance rack was FULL of them. I even picked up one for my best Hokie buddy.
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We got up Monday morning ready for fabric shopping. We checked out Zooks, Old Country and Log Cabin quilt shops. I limited my shopping to looking for pillowcase fabric and I scored a few winners. 
Then I saw the Minnie Mouse fabric! Last week Pixie Fairie offered this shirtwaist dress as a free pattern. I didn't plan on using it but I downloaded it anyway. This fabric is so perfect for it and Ella is going to Disneyworld for the first time this month.
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Then we went to Ruthie's Tees (next to Log Cabin Quilts) and I saw THIS!! It's supposed to be an adult coin purse. For $6 I could not let it pass. I see the dress with red collar, cuffs and belt with this awesome plaid bag as an accessory.
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Now, on to a crochet update. I took this yarn with me and made this chemo cap on the trip. I've taken to buying some yarns in single skeins to try out.  I've been learning a lot about yarn from a few YouTube channels and have started venturing out a little. I actually like making hats so that's a good way to test out new yarns with single skeins.

​After making the gingham blanket that I liked so much, I ordered some different brands of yarns (on sale) for 2 more gingham blankets. One set was some Herrschner's yarn and the other was Premier Basix. I didn't like the Herrschner's yarn right out of the box so I'll donate that. The Premier yarn seems nice so I'll make that blanket. But for basic worsted weight acrylic I'm probably going to stick to Hobby Lobby. I like their yarn best of all that I've tried. Red Heart and Herrschner's are definitely out. I still need to try Lion Brand and Premier Anti-Pilling yarns but Hobble Lobby is 15 minutes away and it's always well stocked and they have a sale every other week.

The yarn I used on the gray hat is Lion Brand Feels Like Butta and it's pretty much the same as Premier Bundle Up that I used a couple of months ago. I think this yarn is incredibly soft and perfect for chemo hats. But I have a feeling that it might pill a lot. Does anyone have any experience with this yarn?
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While Anne was at her appointment I did a little retail therapy at the nearby Michael's. One yarn that I've decided that I absolutely love for baby blankets is Caron Baby Cakes (see below) so I bought 3 cakes for one more blanket. I figure this stuff (like Hobby Lobby yarn) is on sale enough that there's really no need to stockpile it. But it was on sale so I picked up 3 cakes. Here are the other yarns that I've bought to try and I started a new hat with the Flecks.  That yarn is really soft too! This ball probably has 3 hats in it. I got the Basic Stitch Reflective to make a hat for my brother. He's a cyclist and I thought he might want it for winter rides. It really is very reflective!
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Meanwhile, here's where I stand on the current project. Once this ball is done I'll add a pink border. This yarn is so soft and squishy.
I am taking crochet in short bursts at the moment. I seem to have a bit of tendinitis in my hands. It's getting better so I should be back in full gear in a couple of weeks.

Today, after spreading a 4th truckload of mulch, I hope to spend the day quilting veterans quilts. We have quilt club sewing this weekend so I want to have quilts ready to return to the quilters. I won't get them all done but I can make a dent if I just focus and don't overcomplicate the quilting.
Karen Goad link
5/6/2021 11:03:46 am

some people are really picky about yarn and don't like to buy from places like Hobby Lobby and Wal-Mart but to me their yarn is just fine - I have ordered nicer stuff and not always satisfied with it. But I don't need any for awhile I have enough to last awhile.
Lucky you to go down a size or two - wish I would in pants but it seems no matter how much walking I get in I have to starve myself to just loose 3 pounds.

Mary Anne
5/6/2021 06:52:41 pm

Your retail therapy sure bore fruition!! I'm with you on the hearty dislike of Red Heart - it used to be one of my favourites but they must have changed their manufacturing process.

Gene Black
5/7/2021 08:20:00 am

I agree with you on yarns. You find what works for you and your typical projects. I bought a lot of Herrschner's for a weaving project. I didn't love it. I think you will like the Lion Brand- whether you "love it" depends on you. It is certainly better than Red Heart.
The Nuboo yarn looks interesting, I have a fondness for rayon yarns.

Vicki in MN
5/7/2021 09:09:15 am

You hit the jackpot in all areas of shopping, how fun it must have been! Can't wait to see the Minnie mouse dress. I downloaded that pattern last week too. Not sure If I will ever use it, but I'll get it when it is free;)

patty
5/10/2021 08:42:52 am

That Minnie Mouse dress is going to be so cute! I hope you have enough left you can make the doll something out of the scraps. The bluebird babies are so sweet! Last week I saw the first group of baby Canada Goose at the pond on the road where I work. I am sure there will be many more.

Cheryl Kotecki
5/13/2021 01:08:57 pm

We have baby birds for the first time! The mother Phebe built a nest last year in the same spot (on the horizontal part of a gutter downspout) but we never saw any babies - but this year yes!! Three hungry mouths that pop up now and then. For yarn reviews and how people have used them, you really can't beat the Ravelry community. I checked your Feels Like Butta - no complaints about pilling - some people had knots in their skeins.


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    About Vicki

    I'm Vicki Welsh and I've been making things as long as I can remember. I used to be a garment maker but transitioned to quilts about 20 years ago. Currently I'm into fabric dyeing, quilting, Zentangle, fabric postcards, fused glass and mosaic. I document my adventures here.

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