The Crochet Corner

**mauimagic** · 05-28-2010, 02:41 PM

Just knew that one day a company had to climb to the top of the crafting tool ladder with premier tools!!

**dcompton** · 05-28-2010, 05:12 PM

I did see both the Soft Touch and hi-tech hooks at Hobby Lobby today. I had to really search for the Clover ones. No wonder I had never seen them before. Yes, I went by there, charging off on a new project. But I'm waiting for the hook. A stop by the grocery on Monday will just about max out my budgeted limits before the CC closes on Tueday. (I've had a lot of fun in May!)

The library is going to be a great waste of desolation this holiday weekend with the semester more or less over, and I wanted something to surreptitiously do at the desk when there is not a soul in sight. I picked up several Suger 'n Cream cotton yarn colors.

I own three hot pads, and carry them out of the kitchen to put under microwave-hot plates when I eat at the wooden computer table - no room for a place mat. So I'm going to make some "plate pads." I hate having to tear around looking for a hot pad when I need one in the kitchen -- "put is back where it belongs when you're finished with it" doesn't seem to work at this latitude.

Also, glasses with iced drinks condense so much in our summers, even indoors, even with AC on, that water just puddles on the stone coasters. Even they aren't that "thirsty." So I'm going to make some small rounds to set on the coasters and see if they will gradually absorb the excess. I get tired of having to pour it off the not-that-absorbent sandstone coasters.

New projects! Yippee!

**Debbie-cat** · 05-28-2010, 08:57 PM

I love the idea of the plate pads Donna! Thanks for sharng it as I think my mom would like something like that as well.

**mauimagic** · 05-28-2010, 11:00 PM

Plate pads - great idea, what pattern are you going to use Donna?

I remember a million years ago when I was young, my mother used to have cozies to pull up the bottom of glasses to use as a coaster that stayed with the glasses. Think that might help - but I'd still use the stone coaster to put it on for extra absorbency.

**frugalfranny** · 05-30-2010, 01:44 PM

More done on the afghan.

I am off to meet my next crochet teacher........my buddy at the nursing home came through with results........and I am going today!

**dcompton** · 05-30-2010, 02:19 PM

FF -good luck with the new teacher! We're expecting a report, of course.

MM - we had some of those glass coasters too. I am planning to put what I make on the stone coasters. Otherwise I would just end up with a puddle on the table top.

This is the pattern I used - assuming I can post this link correctly:

PLATE COASTER

Hmmm. That doesn't look right. If it doesn't work, I'll try again.

I made two. On the second row there are picots added. It seemed to me they just bunched up and didn't add anything to the pattern. I liked it better on the second one when I just left them out. I'll post pictures later in the week. I really like the edging on this. I wish there were a way to turn it into an afghan, but it has 7 sides. I can't see that working!

**mauimagic** · 05-30-2010, 03:30 PM

It works just fine Donna!! Like the design - and the fact that it uses worsted yarn - easy and frugal!! May have to make one up myself. Mahalo for the link.

FF - have a great time with your new crochet teacher - cannot wait to hear stories!!

**dcompton** · 05-30-2010, 04:02 PM

I used Lily Sugar 'n Cream cotton yarn for it, which is a worsted weight. I haven't measured, but it's a stretched out pinky-tip to thumb-tip wide, which on my hand is approximately 8 inches.

**mauimagic** · 05-30-2010, 04:10 PM

Any special reason why you used that yarn Donna? Here at least, it is much more expensive than the RH yarn.

**dcompton** · 05-30-2010, 04:23 PM

It is more expensive. In fact, I've never used it before. But I had picked some up, so I had it on hand.

I thought the coasters would be more absorbent in cotton than a synthetic (I may be wrong about that) and I wanted to make a few dishcloths, something I have never done, and cotton seemed best for that. I've used such coupons as I could, and since it's only 1.99 at Hobby Lobby, it's not too big a bite. I would never use it for anything bigger - I'm too cheap!

Admittedly, however, they better be pretty classy dishcloths. It would be cheaper to buy a big skein when I have a 40% coupon some where, but I wanted a variety of colors. I am so spoiled!

Anyway, I've been indulging my hobbies. As I said, I had a lot of fun in May! I have a couple of coupons I can use this week, so I pick up another couple of colors.

**Debbie-cat** · 05-30-2010, 05:38 PM

Those are really pretty donna! Thanks for the link. I am going to have to make some of them.

**mauimagic** · 05-31-2010, 01:17 AM

I agree that the cotton should be more absorbant. Gad you have some coupons to take advantage of these goodies!!

**frugalfranny** · 05-31-2010, 01:59 AM

Like that pattern dcompton........I need one too. But have enough going right now...........thanks for posting the link.

Would like to go inside a HL store......do you have a Michaels there? Is HL similar to michaels?

The teacher??? ----not sure.......am tired tonight but will try to explain tomorrow.......she was nice and she helped.....not sure what to say or how to say it here.........it worked out okay though. didn't stay too long........older person you know, and they get tired. Had to stop and say a quick hi to my buddy too........and wanted to get home.

**dcompton** · 05-31-2010, 08:44 AM

FF: How very mysterious. Can't wait to hear all about it!

HL and Michaels are much alike in my opinion, though the HL has a lot more "stuff." I used to go to Michael's all the time, but when they moved several years ago to much larger store in an upscale area, they stopped carrying RH, and I stopped going. I went in a couple of years ago with a coupon to buy a pattern book, and their new policy was that coupons could not be used with books. Huh? They said it was because the publishers didn't allow it. (Yeah? Then how come JA and HL can do it?) I left them the book, if I remember, and haven't looked at yarn there since.

However, I'm going to be out that way tomorrow or Wednesday, so I'm taking a coupon and I'll check over their yarn again and see if it's better than it was. The last time I looked, they seemed to carry only the more expensive brands, and were very heavy on wool and novelty yarns that I don't use.

**frugalfranny** · 05-31-2010, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by dcompton

FF: How very mysterious. Can't wait to hear all about it!

I went in a couple of years ago with a coupon to buy a pattern book, and their new policy was that coupons could not be used with books.

Didn't mean to be all that mysterious. I was just so tired last night that I thought whatever I wrote might come out wrong.

That is good to know about Michaels. Didn't know that about their books. I don't shop there a whole lot....but sometimes. Their coupon never comes with the ads I get and it isn't in my normal 'shopping loop' that I do.

thanks for letting us know dc.......

My new JA has a TON of books so I usually have to check them out...if I have a coupon. It is HORRIBLE to be a BOOK ADDICT when I really don't need any more!!