Let Them be Squared

They may not be miters and there may be no madness over their creation, but I am enjoying being squared.  Six squares out of twelve have been hooked and the process has re-hooked me. Like Vicki, I need to be careful not to overdo, as crochet seems to use a different set of muscles than knitting.  The hand that holds onto the square feels it more than the hookin' hand.  Squaring is a nice diversion and at this point in time, when I'm searching for some new knitting to needle its way into my life, hookin'
is a good choice.

At the rate this hookin' is headed, the Larger Than Life Bag should be completely squared by next week. There is a load of single crochet to put it all together and that means lots more time to hook. Returning to hookin' has been rather fun!

After finishing up the last Big and easy sock on the needles I decided it was time for something more challenging. I'm going to use the The Summer of Socks  KAL to challenge myself to do more than 'just plain easy socks.  I have a couple in mind, including the Spiral Boot Socks, by Véronik Avery, from the new IK(and I have the yarn thanks to Katherine). Another 'must knit' from the issue is Kate Gilbert’s fabulous Syncopated Cap (yarn has been ordered). Knitting mojo has returned with the arrival new inspiration.

You've likely have heard by now about Ravelry. It's the brain child of Jessica and it is one fabulous idea.  You'll find information on yarn, patterns, books...well, anything fibery, and it's a great place to compile your own info and meet up with other knitters.  You can use it whether you have a blog or not...check it out!

My plan this weekend is to spend as much time as possible with Emmylou. Enjoy your weekend, especially those of you at the Maryland Sheep and Wool!!

Comments

[~Kristie]

I'm starting to feel the urge to learn crochet. Have a great weekend!

[jackie]

Enjoy your weekend with Emmylou! I'm sure that you will sneak in a few squares!

[Rachel]

I agree, crochet uses a different set of muscles than knitting. I get a cramp in my hand if I crochet too long.

The squares are moving along nicely, though! I have two more squares to make for that bag, and then on to the bottom and sides! Have a great weekend.

[Cara]

Looking good, you happy hooker you! I love those spiral socks in the new IK too. Sadly, that's about all I love.

[Carole]

Your squares are terrific! Laura is thinking of putting together a kit complete with yarn, crochet hook and lining fabric. I'm tempted.

[Alison]

Lovely colors. I like those spiral socks, too!

[Vera]

Love your squares. I had to give in, and I'm nearly five sqaures into the bag.

The designer, Cecily Keim is hosting a CAL.

http://www.suchsweethands.com/ltlcal/

[Christy]

The colors in the squares are so spring-like and happy!

Love them!

[Norma]

I really love your squares and still can't wait to see the finished bag. I did not know about Ravelry -- what a great idea!

[Kathy]

You are squared, in a good way!! Love them.

[Kim]

Your squares look great....can't wait to see the bag finished! Tell me, how do you find all these KAL's? Thanks for this one :-)

Happy Spinning!

[marie in florida]

crocheting for long stretches makes my back ache a little but not my hands. i learned to crochet first , thus am a continental knitter.
i makde a magic 28 sock last night while watching "the illusionist"/ so/so film; great pattern.
and
the first square in your line up on (our right, blue;pink,white)is private side out. don't forget tot check that when you go to sew them together for your purse.
Ravelry; looks cool! can't wait to investigate; thanks for showing us that

[Laura]

Whelp, I'm hooked. hehe I just signed up for the CAL since it appears that my wild imagination has me making several of these bags and I'm getting ready to put together a kit complete with a zippered lining sewn by me for a contest prize on my blog! I did six more blocks last night. Whew. This is really taking me away from the knitting but it's such instant satisfaction that I can't stop. I also took pictures last night for a little "tips and hints" tutorial. The fun never stops! heh

Have a wonderful spinning weekend Margene - I'm still just drooling over the darling Dandy Lion baby hat you made. :)

[Wool Winder]

Can't wait to see the bag all sewn up. Good plan for the weekend. Have fun!

[Lucia]

Your squares are great! (I gotta get squaring myself, to get square with Cynthia.)

The Summer of Socks looks most intriguing. Do I dare? We all know about my track record with KALs.

[Judy]

I love that bag. It looks like the squares might be a good beginner project, but what about the joining? Have a good weekend, sounds perfect. I hope to be spinning.

[Birdsong]

Your squares cover a lovely palette of colors! Crocheting seems to use more motions than knitting for me, since I usually knit continental... I made the first two for the LTL bag from some of my handspun last night and realized that one hand got a rest while the other worked harder! For me, it is the hooking hand most affected. Hand exercises rule!

[Cheryl]

Your squares look so fresh and Spring-like. The bag is going to be great.

[Julia]

Ya know, I don't like ALL granny squares, but these are really pretty! I haven't hooked in forever, but you gals are really workin' it.

[blogless val]

What's happened? I leave for a couple of weeks (and spend a few precious minutes of internet time to check in) and find you've taken up crocheting? Well I hardly know what to say. I found a knitting group in a shop in St. Andrews last night and had a few laughs with the wee gals and guy. Had to pet some wool that wasn't still on a sheep. Having fun...
v

[knitnana]

LOVE your squares. I like them better than mitres, but I think that's just me...
Ok. You did it. I'm off to order that issue!
:)
And I'll be a lot slower than you crocheting it, too...it really hurts my "hooking" hand...
Have a wonderful weekend with Emmylou!
(((hugs)))

[Anne]

Geez - you surely got those worked up quickly! I'm glad you got your knitting fever back for a while. Looks like Saturday will be a good day for quiet indoor crafty stuff.

[Beth S.]

Cute little squares! :-) I know what you mean about the muscles, I remember that well from my crochet days. I used to get claw-hand after a while.

Kate's hats were the highlight of the new issue, I think. There wasn't much else in it that appealed to me. I hope Blue Moon will offer kits, because otherwise, you could wait years waiting for the right shades of STR to come back into circulation!...

[Lolly]

Those squares make me smile ;)
I am doing the Summer of Socks again too. Socks socks all the time!

[Kate]

Those are really beautiful squares! With all the socks I have on the needles, the Summer of Socks sounds like a good idea...

[Ruinwen]

Everywhere I turn people are making squares. Yours are sure beautiful. I can't wait to see your bag all made up! :)

[Vicki]

I'm hip to be square!! I hope to be squared up by next week, also. Are you using any kind of "system" in choosing color combos for yours?

Have a great weekend, Margene!

[Lynne]

Today is the day we're all showing off our squares, I think! I love your colors. And, just so you know, I left a comment with Laura about her IK bag kit contest prize...how are you going to finish your bag? Are you doing the sides as written?

[amanda]

Love the squares! Have a great weekend with Emmylou!

[jenifleur]

I want to make VA's boot socks, too. I'm still having nightmares about the last pattern of hers I tried to knit, but I looked over the instructions and they seem do-able. I'm going to use stash yarn, though, even if it means wacky striped/spiraled/lace socks that make everyone's retinas explode. If my brain doesn't do it first. Did I mention I really am afraid of her patterns?

[Kristy]

Your squares look great! I love the colors.

I'm also really excited about the Spiral Boot Socks. They look like a lot of fun :)

[kara]

I have always wanted a granny square bag of my own, but of course had no idea how to crochet. You are an inspiration!

[Shannon]

I'm completely in love with those squares. Your bag is going to be beautiful.

[kathleen]

It's really pretty Margene, the bag. I wanna hook too.

[Kim]

Cute squares! I started with the sides of the bag because, well, I don't know how to do anything but SC and DC!

[Jen]

ITA--must make Kate Gilbert's cap! I fell in love with it while reading the mag yesterday. Your squares are darling.

[Teresa C]

I love the crochet! Who knew?

I have to stop reading blogs. First, I didn't know about the Summer of Socks (and yes, I ran over and signed up, but for me? That pretty much insures that I will not finish a single pair, heh). Now I want to crochet squares. I will be spinning this weekend. I just finished a job that I had and am feeling all 100 pounds lighter and care-free. AND a Starbuck's just opened near my home. So right now I am taking my Venti green iced tea, unsweetened, with my wheel to my back porch to spin. Ahhh....

[Jane]

Your squares are so inspiring! Such wonderful colors. I've never made a granny square in my life, but you may have just pushed me over the edge.

[Asaknitter]

Those squares are very pretty. Good for you for crocheting too, something I haven't done in years.

[Kelly]

The squares are great! Looking forward to seeing the finished bag.

Have a great weekend!

[ann]

you've gone and done it - you have officially driven me over the edge with those squares!

[Jennifer]

I love the squares! Must... learn... to... crochet... granny squares.

[Nancy]

Oh, very pretty squares! They evoke spring flowers to me.
Away, away! You cannot tempt be away from my knitting!

[Teyani]

have a happy spinning weekend!

[Pat K]

Thanks for the link to Summer of Socks -- now I've joined as well. And I want to try Ann Budd's toe-up socks in IK, as well as other things.

[Pat K]

Thanks for the link to Summer of Socks -- now I've joined as well. And I want to try Ann Budd's toe-up socks in IK, as well as other things.

[Hillary]

The squares look great. Very nice colors. I hope that you and Emmylou have a great weekend together.

[Kelly]

ohhh i love your squares! The purple,pink,green one speaks to me!

[Julie]

I love your square! I've got that bag on my "to do" list.

[Annie]

Love those squares! Now I want to learn to crochet! Hope you're having a great weekend.