My dear husband gave me a lovely book for Christmas, knowing that I did learn to crochet a long time ago (thanks Grandma, and Mom) but would like to get back into it and eventually do the freeform/scrumbling thing. Anyhow, to make that end a reality, I figured I should brush up on my skills and actually learn to do a pattern before I break from using patterns altogether. Why? I can’t answer that question except to say that I think that’s a logical progression of things. No real reason, honestly.

The book is Jane Davis ‘felted Crochet’ and I decided to work on the felted bowl. It looked easy and I’d like to own a felted bowl to store bits of stuff in, since I have so much stuff. So I used the felted bowl as an excuse to go to the lys today Cire Handknits, owned by a friend of a friend. It’s a lovely shop–much more cozy (and full) than her photo shows and Caroline–the owner–was extremely helpful and friendly. I bought two different yarns to try out for the bowl pattern, some tools, some novelty yarns to ply with handspun. Not being one to pass up an opportunity, I did mention that I spin my own yarn, just to plant the seed in her mind. I also found out that my next-door neighbor is a very good customer of hers…small world. Anyhow, I decided to try the Noro Kureyon in a purply/brownish color blend, for my first crochet bowl. Ok…easy peasy. I made it in under 2 hours. It looks great. Took a few photos for ‘before’ to post so I could throw it in the washer to felt.

I chuck it in with some jeans and other non-pilly clothing, to save some water. Completely forgot about it. Go rushing downstairs to the rinse cycle figuring I’d have a sake cup instead of a wool bowl. And, there it was…not even slightly felted. What the heck is up with that? Anyhow, I’m off to the basement for a second run, on HOT this time. Wish me luck. I’ll post pics when it’s done. If it doesn’t felt, it would make a nice beret I guess…

In other news, I actually spun about 7 skeins in the past 7 days! I think that’s a record. Hopefully I’ll update my store tomorrow. I am putting some yarn aside for the (not so) lys that I am desperately overdue to restock, but have about 5 for my own listings…matching sets this time! Recharging camera batteries tonight….ciao!