Yarn Eater Throw Update

Well It's been 6 months since I started my Yarn Eater Throw. 

You can read about the start of it and grab the free pattern in my previous post : 

Yarn Eater Throw

I got excited at the start to learn bavarian crochet but after the 1st few rounds I got distracted. I rarely do large projects. So I knew this would be a long process. The stitch is now burned into my mind and it's very easy even though you kind of have to pay attention or you will miss stitches.

Right now it's measuring about 32 x 32 inches. I have 10 skeins of yarn left and the wheel stitch rounds (2 rounds) now take about a full skien. My goal is to finish this by spring.

I'm slightly disappointed in the way the variegated colors are working. I love the yarn but I wish it had more blue and that the red/cream didn't look so pink. I originally went with the variegated because I'd hoped it would mean less yarn changes but you have to fasten off every other row anyways because of the way the stitch works. I think in the end I'll still like it but I'm to far in to start fresh. It's still a special project to me!

I think I may need to block it. I must have done something weird at the start or crocheted with looser tension because it won't lay flat. It kinda pokes up in the center. Unless I stretch it out, like I did for the picture. Anyone else have that problem? Any advise?

Top 10 Posts from 2013

What a great 3rd year for Calleigh's Clips and Crochet Creations. It's been fun branching out even more and sharing my projects and pattern with you! This post is about the top 10 most viewed posts of 2013. Most are freebie patterns and then my fun tutorial on the lawn chair crochet over.

1. Chunky Braided Cowl 

2. Key Tab Slouch 

3. Key Tab Fingerless Gloves 

4. Key Tab Boot Cuffs 

5. Lego Earflap Hat

6. Key Tab Cowl 

7. Premie Tiger Hat 

8. Folding Chair (walkthrough)

9. Popsicle Snuggy

10. Bow Tie Back Headband

While these were the top 10 post of 2013 

My top two post of all time are....

 1. Addison Headband  -The headband got a make over and re-edit.

2.  Sunset/Universal Slouch 

I just recently added toddler size to the slouch post so you can now make it in 3 sizes toddler, kids, adult! This was also the most favorite pattern on All free crochet for Dec 2013 and a top 100 for the 2nd year in a row! So exciting!! 

Did you make any of these patterns? Which one is your favorite! 

Hand Chain Scarf Crochet Pattern Review

Hand chain Scarf in Sashay Golden

During the business of the Holiday's I hurt my hand and couldn't crochet for a about a week. I'm not really even sure what I did. I play piano too and I think I actually hurt it practicing not crocheting. Hand and finger exercises are soooo important to your hand health. You can read more about that in a previous post I wrote: Breathing in and out while you crochet.

Anyhoo. Not being able to crochet for a few days well wasn't going to happen. I tried to rest but still needed to whip out a few gifts some how. So, I cheated and found a pattern on how to crochet with your fingers as the tools instead of a hook. I thought maybe if I was relaxed and not gripping a hook that might help the pain.

I had two skeins of Sashay yarn I'd bought at Michaels that I thought should be used. The pattern I found was a freebie on Red Hearts Website called Glam-It Up Hand Chain Scarf.

This is a wonderful beginning project. Even if you've never crocheted this would be a great place to start. Or if you teach it may be a great project for you to get your students started with the basics of chaining and tension with out having to worry about a hook.

 Working with the mesh yarn can be a bit frustrating otherwise. I'd made several ruffles scarfs the previous year and I prefer to knit those rather than crochet and I don't knit well!

These scarves worked up in about 20 minutes, so I made two and really could have made more! The colors were gorgeous and I loooove the way they turned out! I used Red Heart Sashay Metallic in Rubies and Golden. They are so sparkly and pretty in person. I also love the fact that the scarf is super light! It's not heavy at all! I will for sure made more of these in the future.

I used two fingers and kept my tension pretty loose. I left a decent amount at the end and after I tied the ends together I made a little bow detail (see golden image) That way I could make it adjustable. The golden one has different lengths wrapped. The red one they are all about the same length. I like options! So will you try a finger/hand chain scarf?

Hand chain Scarf in Sashay Rubies