Hook of Choice
Before I go into hooks, I have to say that I was so overwhelmed by all the congrats and well-wishes that I received about my upcoming book project. I spent the weekend just soaking in all the good vibes as I get ready to start this rather daunting task. Your confidence means so much to me and if I ever get worried or frustrated, I will come back to your comments to recenter myself. Thank you for that gift!!
My good friend Ellen from Lalaland gave me a crochet hook one time a couple of years ago and it was a size "H", and she said "I know that's your favorite size" and I thought holy guacamole she's pyschic because indeed that is my favorite size hook to work with. I asked her if she would read my palm too and she replied that she noticed that most of my designs used a size "H". Okay, so she's more Nancy Drew than Miss Cleo but I was impressed nonetheless. While in Detroit I purchased this lovely size "H":
And here in Houston I came across this SQUARE crochet hook at Nancy's Knits (check out her store, it's really nice!):
I designed a new purse that I'm about to publish using a size "H" from my Jimbo collection. Do you have any of Jimbo's hooks yet? Well, why the heck not? Everyone I know that has one looooooves it, including me! What's fantastic about wooden hooks is that they get smoother and more comfortable the more you use them. I would show you a photo here but it would be easier for you to boogie over to Jimbo's page; the hook on the very right of the May 3 post looks just like the one I have.
A few weeks ago I mentioned that I wanted to turn part of the back yard into a garden so that when I looked out my studio window from my desk I would see beauty and abundance, remember? Well, life happens and I just didn't get to building the raised beds to plant. I realize now that building the beds and getting the soil in place and fertilized organically etc are all winter activities. So if I survive the book project this summer/fall I will plan to build the new beds this winter.
For now I picked up some of those lightweight planters that look sort of like cement planters (I got them at a discount store for under $20 bucks each, which is a steal) and strategically placed them so i could see them from my studio window. Over the weekend I planted them with colorful flowers and (especially as they get bigger) they create a nice view from the window:
On To The Hooks
My good friend Ellen from Lalaland gave me a crochet hook one time a couple of years ago and it was a size "H", and she said "I know that's your favorite size" and I thought holy guacamole she's pyschic because indeed that is my favorite size hook to work with. I asked her if she would read my palm too and she replied that she noticed that most of my designs used a size "H". Okay, so she's more Nancy Drew than Miss Cleo but I was impressed nonetheless. While in Detroit I purchased this lovely size "H":
And here in Houston I came across this SQUARE crochet hook at Nancy's Knits (check out her store, it's really nice!):
I designed a new purse that I'm about to publish using a size "H" from my Jimbo collection. Do you have any of Jimbo's hooks yet? Well, why the heck not? Everyone I know that has one looooooves it, including me! What's fantastic about wooden hooks is that they get smoother and more comfortable the more you use them. I would show you a photo here but it would be easier for you to boogie over to Jimbo's page; the hook on the very right of the May 3 post looks just like the one I have.
Garden Reduced
A few weeks ago I mentioned that I wanted to turn part of the back yard into a garden so that when I looked out my studio window from my desk I would see beauty and abundance, remember? Well, life happens and I just didn't get to building the raised beds to plant. I realize now that building the beds and getting the soil in place and fertilized organically etc are all winter activities. So if I survive the book project this summer/fall I will plan to build the new beds this winter.
For now I picked up some of those lightweight planters that look sort of like cement planters (I got them at a discount store for under $20 bucks each, which is a steal) and strategically placed them so i could see them from my studio window. Over the weekend I planted them with colorful flowers and (especially as they get bigger) they create a nice view from the window:
The purse is beautiful! Gorgeous! Droolworthy. Very nice indeed! Yummy, no seriously. Me likey
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Tell me how you REALLY feel.... LOL - seriously, thanks for the kudos. I'm so glad you like it! Stay tuned...
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drew...been reading your blog for a while now, at first just for your hysterical sense of humor, but now i admit you have revived my interest in crochet (as something more than 'garnish' for my knitting, that is!). thanks for the smiles, i'm off to dig out my old susan bates hooks, at least until i deserve the nicer jimbo hooks!
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Hiya Vicki - I'm so happy happy you are dusting off the hooks! Woo hoo!!!
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Love the hooks, I just won a Jimbo hook the other day, umm it's like my 5th or 6th. lol They are addicting.
Jim is a sweetheart and a darn good whittler.
We have a couple of those planters although they are concrete, I want to switch them out to the lighter nonconcrete ones so if I need to move them I am not breaking or straining anything lol
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His hooks are addicting indeed!
I'm actually going to get a couple of the real cement planters to put on the front porch. Last year the fake ones got snatched in the middle of the night!! I figure if they are heavy enough they will stay put this time!
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H is one of my favorites too! I love a good view while crocheting also- I have a tiny balcony garden, but the view of the trees and the pond makes up for lack of space
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The view makes all the difference, doesn't it? Sometimes I wish I lived in the country with a view of some mountains and a crick running through the meadow... but for now a few planters of bright flowers and a green lawn does the trick!
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Hey Drew! Thanks for the "heads-up." Your new crochet hooks look faboo...can't wait to see what you create with them!
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Thanks Ellen!
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finding affection for H as I practice more and more of my mad skills.. Ok - that purse - perfect!!! Get that pattern going Mr Drew!
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I'm on it! (well, not literally, I'm on the job of getting the purse done...if I were actually ON the purse the photos would turn out silly....anywho...)
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Hey, Drew, if you ever read my comments at Laurie's you already know I am exceptionally slow... so let me be the eleventy-billionth (slow, yes! but I can plagiarize!) person to congratulate you on your book! So many books... so little time.
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You're never too late to say congratulations!!
Thanks!!
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I just happen to stumble on your site. I am so glad I did. Love it! I wish I had more time today to read more. I'll be back later tho.
Dora Renee' Wilkerson
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I'm glad you stumbled here too! Come back anytime!!
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Wow, those flowers are just beautiful.
I needed that. Thanks.
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Anytime!
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Love the hooks.
CANNOT wait for your book!! Woohooo!! Congrats!!! What more can a girl ask for ~ A book from Crazy Aunt Purl and the Dude! too much to absorb.
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Thanks! I can't wait to write it!! I'm trying to figure out a way to get Laurie in the book (I guess I'll just have to fly to Lalaland and teach her to crochet!!).
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Drew:
LOVE, let me repeat LOVE the purse pattern. It will make me dust of the hooks again for sure. The Munchkin loves green, so I will have to get the name of the yarn.
I love to sit in my back yard and knit with all the wildlife and flowers, and would love to help you with beds at some point if it will get you the inspiration that we need from you.
Can't wait for more details and pictures!
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Hooray for dusting off hooks! It's comments like this that make it all worthwhile!
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Hi Drew! Congrats on the upcoming book! I learned to crochet when I was 7, and have been knitting for just two years now. I love the book you co-authored with Annie... I got to meet her last week in Michigan when she spoke just outside Toledo. Now I see you turning up on Laurie's blog (Crazy Aunt Purl). Dude, you get around!
I'm off to check out some of your crochet designs.
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Thanks for the kudos!! I do get around indeed!
I alsmost went with Annie to her speaking engagement but had to come home because of work. I'm so glad you got to go see her!
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Busy is good.. (right? tell me I'm right, I'm up to my eyeballs in busy). Your purse is lovely and so are your flowers
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Busy is very good! Thanks for the kudos; I sure hope I can get that purse published soon! I bought the silk to line yesterday afternoon. If this coffee I'm drankin' kicks in perhaps I'll work on the lining this morning!
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Hey Drew!
Sorry that I'm a tad late to the party. I've read the entry but didn't leave any comments. Got some stuff that was really pulling my psyche down up until this morning....now it's all good. so....
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!
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Thanks so much!!
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