Sunday, March 25, 2007

New Rippler (and newly addicted to crochet)...

Hi everyone! I'm Meshell, and have just decided to finally join in the rippling blather. I've been lusting over ripple blankets for weeks (Alicia's just about made me faint!) and have been sad that I couldn't make one as I have never crocheted. BUT, then one day it hit me, I could, you know, LEARN to crochet. Dear me...a bit slow on the uptake there =P

So I did, I ordered some yummy yarn as I am a sewer and don't actually have a yarn stash (I can hear the gasps! But I do have much fabric, so I know how it is, ha =P). I also got myself a hook and some beginner crochet and the 200 Ripple Stitch Patterns books out from the library. And a few days worth of fun, frustration and tears neatly averted I can do as much as I need to do to be able to use the Soft Waves pattern that I'm using, yay! I'm so proud and absolutely loving crochet (and it is so easy to rip out when needed! hehe).

The yarns I'm using are Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, some Jo Sharp Alpaca Silk Georgette and some Rowan Cotton Glace. I used the random stripe generator for my stripey-ness, although I found some ugly bits in my chosen pattern on closer inspection so ended up chopping up lots of generated patterns and sticking them all together to create the one I wanted...so not so random, lol =) Then I did the same with my yarns and fiddled around with them, so I'm pretty happy with it and hope it turns out ok!

So it is now day 2 of rippling and I'm half way into row six. I am in love with these colours so far, I started with the aqua, then some charcoal and now I'm in the middle of some plum. It's so exciting running to see what colour comes next in the chart...although I'm waiting for the time when I don't agree and change it and muddle myself up! =)

Anyway, that's about it for now. Must give a big shout out to the videos over here which helped newbie old me immensely as I'm such a visual learner. I am now thoroughly addicted to crochet and keep having to make myself stop so that I can get some work done! My wrists aren't quite accustomed yet so I've given them a little heat treatment in the form of a rice filled sock out of the microwave, which works a treat, lol.

So glad to have joined the fun, am loving looking through everyone's work and the flickr group, such lovely colours happening! I think I want to try granny squares with my leftovers (if there are any!).

Cheers,
Meshell in Perth, Australia

http://www.littlemissmeshell.typepad.com

12 comments:

babette said...

Very nice job. You are no longer a *newbie* to crochet. Oh, and I love the colors!

kate said...

GREAT job- I am amazed!

nanaofnc said...

I can tell you are truly an artist with all the prep time you put into your new ripple. Great job! I love your blog. Anyone who includes photos of their kitty and names their sewing machine is my kind of person. Added you to my blogroll!

deedledumpling said...

You have a very lovely start. Good for you learning to crochet from scratch. I want to go back and read your blog. I have just started my own and am having alot of fun with it. Keep it up!! Diana

Susan (ZenKnit) said...

The plan looks excellent and it sounds and looks like you are already a pro. Beautiful colors. Off to read your blog now.

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much everyone! =) I am enjoying it so much...to much perhaps, my hand keeps seizing up! =P Each colour change is so exciting isn't it.

Hilde C. said...

Congratulations with a new addiction (I know exactly how it is ;-) The colors you've chosen look beautiful :-)

Jenni-Raie said...

Oh the colurs you're using are heavenly, as exhibited by your cat! beautiful!

Lallee said...

Good for you, Meshell! Your color choices are absolutely divine. That was a great idea to cut up the random stripes pattern to suit yourself. Another tip I'm going to remember ;-)

Deb said...

Hey Meshell! I am in Perth, too! I was actually looking at your blog yesterday (going through Alicia's blogroll, LOL) and picked up on you being an Aussie, but hadn't realised you were in Perth. Sweet. Love your work. :)

--Deb

Anonymous said...

Oh wow Deb, hi! Lovely to meet another Perthian =)

TeaMouse said...

Way to go!! You're ripples are looking great. Welcome to the new addiction.