Retro colors and some simple Tunisian...

Submitted by Brianna on 4 October 2007 - 9:34pm. Categorized As:

So, I was minding my own business, pushing a cart full of frames around my local Michael's, when some yarn jumps into my cart! The air must have been filled with some crazy electro-magnetic charge for the yarn to find the energy to jump like that, but all I know is...I didn't put them in the cart, fully intending on sneaking them into the cashier's hands, so that I can spend a chunk of the evening watching "Supernatural" and crocheting.

Me? Seriously? I wouldn't dream of it. But now that they're here...

The actual colors look like this:

I'm super excited about doing some plain ol' tunisian simple stitch in these great retro colors. It'll be a long, skinny scarf, increased and decreased at the ends, which may or may not have a multi-colored tassel at the pointier sides. Between the retro-funk and the simple style, a Chicago musician-friend will be sure to enjoy it, I think.

How are you liking the yarn? I purchased two skeins recently but haven't really done anything with them.

They feel great in the hand, how well do they work up? Do they split? Though with Tunisian it isn't usually an issue ...

Oh yeah .. pretty scarf! :)

Submitted by taligator on 4 October 2007 - 10:43pm.

The yarn is pretty smooth. It feels nicer when I just pet the skein versus working with it. It's not bad, I just think it has a different feel when it's already been worked up. Honestly, it just feels like a mildly-rough cotton. Since I haven't had the opportunity to wash it yet, seeing as how it's not done (obviously), I don't know how it will feel afterward.

As for splitting, I haven't had any problem with that. I'm only on the second repeat of the striped pattern, which is about 8-9 inches, so I'm not that far into it. I know an end of one skein unraveled a bit, but the rest of the yarn has kept it's twist.

I'm really loving how the tunisian lets the colors just flow one into the next. Because the simple stitch has the stitch lines (the vertical bars stacked on top of each other), it looks like a continuation.

Brianna
http://www.thecrochetside.com

Submitted by Brianna on 5 October 2007 - 9:13am.

I'm having trouble finding tunisian crochet hooks. I checked Michaels yesterday and found nada. I may have to shop Ebay for them.

Submitted by Kim on 5 October 2007 - 6:26am.

Are you looking for ones that are just marked as Tunisian, or are you looking for the cro-hook/afghan ones too? I've only ever seen one labeled Tunisian hook, which is a Boye, size I, in stores.

Check your local wal-mart, or any other craft stores (hobby lobby, joann, ben franklin, et cetera), to see if they have them.

If all else fails, eBay will have plenty of whatever you're looking for. Just be aware that actual Tunisian hooks (with a hook on one hand, a stopper on the other) will probably run a bit more expensive than the double-ended ones.

Brianna
http://www.thecrochetside.com

Submitted by Brianna on 5 October 2007 - 9:16am.

They don't have them at any of the Michael's I've ever been too. I just moved from NC and knew those stores like the back of my hand...and the ones here in IL don't carry them either.

Neither do they carry circular knitting needles.

I've had better luck finding afghan hooks at Jo-Ann, AC Moore, and Hobby Lobby.

Good luck!

Submitted by shoffee on 7 October 2007 - 8:06am.

What great looking yarn Brianna! I love those colors. can't wait to see the finished product. btw- I know all about that 'magnetic charge' that causes yarn to jump into your cart....LOL!

Submitted by Sogna on 5 October 2007 - 10:13am.

Thanks! I'm enjoying the colors a lot.

Damn magnetic charges. ;)

Brianna
http://www.thecrochetside.com

Submitted by Brianna on 5 October 2007 - 12:33pm.

Your colors are beautiful!

I've been avoiding the pages in my books that talk about Tunisian crochet (just like I avoid knitting); I don't want yet another technique! there isn't enough time as it is! But seeing things like your scarf ... very temptin...!

Submitted by Teresa on 5 October 2007 - 10:42am.

Teresa,

If you ever get past that avoidance, I hope you pick up some tunisian. It makes for some beautiful fabric. :)

Brianna
http://www.thecrochetside.com

Submitted by Brianna on 5 October 2007 - 12:34pm.

I love the colors, and I love the scarf so far! The tapered ends are adorable, and I'm sure your friend will love it!

Submitted by shoffee on 7 October 2007 - 8:08am.

I had a friend check the Hobby Lobby near her in Houston and she didn't find the one I wanted either. I'll find them on Ebay. I was just hoping to find them closer to home. I guess it's one of those things that just don't sell like hot-cakes.

Submitted by Kim on 7 October 2007 - 9:15am.

Mmmmmmmm, I just loooove the new Cotton Ease colors. Retro witha modern twist. I'm finding it nice to work with, softer than plain old Kitchen Cotton or Peaches and Cream. I'll be interested to see how it compares after washing though...the regular cotton wears so well and just gets softer and softer with each washing. I'm afeared of pilling I am.

Dawn

(Let's face it, with 3 kids under 6, 2 bulldogs and one hubbie, crochet... it's a sanity thing.)

Submitted by Crochet Compulsive on 8 October 2007 - 3:03pm.

I chose the cotton (or it, uh, chose me) for the repeated-washing ='s softness factor. I'm hyper-sensitive to what others might feel since wool makes me so ridiculously itchy.

Brianna
http://www.thecrochetside.com

Submitted by Brianna on 9 October 2007 - 8:44am.

Love the colors! And the scarf looks like it will be really cool when it's finished.
I've been searching for a tunisian hook also, and can't find one anywhere locally. Even my lys doesn't have them. :(

Submitted by ykelly1 on 11 October 2007 - 10:13am.

Oh this is so pretty. What a good job you are doing on it. I have never heard of Tunisian, but then I am just getting into crochet after many years.

~ stitch whimsy ~

Submitted by bulletz on 20 October 2007 - 10:03am.

Thanks everyone. :)

Just wanted to update and mention that this project is finished. The final look is at my site and in my flickr account.

Thanks again.

Brianna
http://www.thecrochetside.com

Submitted by Brianna on 20 October 2007 - 11:59am.

I am learning to enjoy the tunsian stitch I am just very slow at it, hope I'll get faster as I go. My Dr. said he thought I had a TIA, miny stroke this past Dec.21, so I'm not as coordinated as I once was, but maybe over time it will come back to me. Right now I'm working on a hot pad. I have the front made, and am embrodering on it at this time.

Submitted by shepherdchild on 24 January 2008 - 6:25pm.

Please over look these last comments my pc got stuck and sent out three replies and I only meant for one to go out. That's life here.

Submitted by shepherdchild on 24 January 2008 - 6:28pm.

Submitted by shepherdchild on 24 January 2008 - 6:25pm.

I like crochet, and loom knitting with provo, also some plastic canvas stitching. My favorite is crocheting using the standard method but also the afgan stitch ot tunisian crocheting as well. Pictures will come when I can get batteries for my camera

Submitted by shepherdchild on 24 January 2008 - 6:28pm.