Must...Not...Do...Another...SQUARE!

Ok, this sock scrap blanket is taking over my life! What started as a fun little project to use up some extra yarn, has turned into a full blown addiction. I know I'm not alone. There is a whole forum on Ravelry dedicated to this deceptively simple yet obsessive project. It's right here if you want to see how many people just on Ravelry have been sucked in to Shelly Kang's delightful blankie. I am posting a link to her free pattern here with a strong warning to proceed at your own risk.

I even have my 1 1/2 year old daughter helping me with squares! This is bad. Very, very bad. I have a lace shaw to finish for my BFF's wedding in October and oodles of Christmas presents to get done. If only I could put down the squares! I can quit anytime, really.

Slip the Marker???

Sure, I've been knitting for a good few years and am pretty familiar with basic terminology. But I recently did my first project in the round, a pair of knit pants, and struggled through both legs with the stitch markers. The terminology was simple enough "slip the marker and stitch to the next marker". However, the only markers I have are the plastic lobster claw like gadgets which I later learned are for crochet. I thought I was supposed to clip one on to the last stitch and then remove it and attach it to next stitch above when I came back around. I was confusing myself trying to line up the lower stitches and needless to say, had to correct a lot of errors.

Then I found a post on the Ravelry forums that changed my life! Someone actually asked what "slip the marker" means! Can you believe it? I didn't even think of asking but she did and I thanked her for asking because the simple response made all of the difference in the pinwheel blanket I'm making that currently has 11 stitch markers. I'm flying through this project thanks to her.

For all of you that don't know what it means and didn't think to ask, slipping the marker is an easy way to mark a certain spot. First you "place" the circular stitch marker directly on the right needle when the pattern says so. When you come back around, knit/purl the stitch before the marker and then "slip" the marker from the left needle to the right and continue knitting/purling the row. So simple yet it's made a world of difference in my technique.

One of the infinite purls of wisdom I've learned from everyone on Ravelry.com (pun intended).

Tiramisu Gift

All wrapped up and ready to go!

Tiramisu is done!

I'm so excited to have this done in time to give to Terry when I see her this weekend for the first time since Michael was born. I have so many other projects on hooks and needles, it feels sooo good to cross one off the list.

Tiramisu - Ready for Blocking

I've never blocked anything before. But then again, I've never made something that was supposed to be square and I wanted to look "finished" before I gave it as a gift. Here's the blanket prior to soaking. I'm following the wet blocking tips previously mentioned and it's in the water right now with a little baby shampoo. Hopefully it straightens out!

Tiramisu - The Best Baby Blanket

I never did finish Taylor's baby blanket. Probably because it couldn't be as pretty and nice as the one I'm working on for Baby Fitzgibbons. This blanket, beautifully made, simply designed, and generously distributed for free by Alicia Paulson is called the Tiramisu Blanket. When I saw this, I knew it was perfect for Terry and James and their soon to arrive little boy.

Although it's a very easy pattern, it has been a challenge for this inexperienced crocheter. This is by no means a reflection on the author of the pattern, simply my impatience, lack of focus and inexperience.

My first problem, that I didn't notice until I finished the body, is that I chain on very tight. Not a good thing when I went around the blanket with the single crochet required for the first row of the trim.

My second problem, I discovered I cannot crochet a repetitive stitch and watch TV, listen to music, talk to my hubby or think about anything other than crocheting.

Which led to my third problem and why I had to start over numerous times. I'm not good enough to not count my stitches in a row. 1/3 of the way up the second time, I took a couple minutes and counted the stitches and discovered I'd somehow added a few here and there and my square blanket was looking more like a trapezoid.

My fourth problem, I don't know enough about crocheting to be modifying a pattern. At least, not on one I am on a tight schedule to complete as a gift. Frogging takes time and I've spent my share doing that. But, I'm not giving up. I really like the look of one of the completed blankets with 8 rows of SS around the trim. I'm just trying to figure out many SS's go in the corners each row.

I did do something right, right off the bat. I read other reader's posts and carefully checked my gauge, increased my hook size to size K USA and it appears to have worked well.

Now I just have to finish the trim, wash it, block it and add the ribbon!