My Elise Shawl and Crochet Magazine Nirvana

Hello my dears!  I have been happily crocheting along on my ruby red Elise Shawl that my blog friend Meredith suggested I try... I'm using Blue Sky Alpaca, Company's 50% Baby Alpaca - 50% Tussah Silk yarn.  To say it's a delight is an understatement.  There has not been ONE SINGLE knot/tie in any of the skeins.  It's soft and shiny and wonderful.  OK.. so I'm at the point of it's as big as my other shawl.. but I am not impressed with the border/edging in the original pattern.  I *love* the lacy edging on my Ruby Shawl in Autumn colors.  So, I may do that border.  What do you think?  I adore my Lumix camera but it does not do RED very well.  The red is an amazing pure ruby red.  It looks kind of pinkish here, but it's RED.

Again, not the ruby red that it is, but I love the lacy-ness of this design.

Time for the border to begin!

Don't you love crochet lace?

NOW... (I am not being paid to tell you about this magazine).. and I never get crochet magazines for some reason... but my friends John & Molly from Celtic Swan fiber tools were excited about having one of their hand wrought crochet hooks featured in this fine publication, John posted about it on his Facebook page.. so I promptly went on Amazon and found the magazine and bought it.  It arrived yesterday and after the boys went to bed, (and Dayle was watching recorded American Pickers), I settled in by the fire and opened this magazine up...

Right straight away near the front of the 'zine was the 14k *gold* C sized crochet hook that John and Molly made in their forge in an old school bus by their vintage farmhouse on Lopez Island in the San Juan Islands of Washington State.  I have a set of their fabulous sterling silver crochet hooks and a yarn needle.  I only use these hooks to do my crochet projects.  

And the fun kept going in this magazine!  Next up was my blog friend "Suz" staring up from the pages!  How fun is this?  

Then.. the main articles.. Oh. My. Goodness!  Amazing wearable art, page after page of deliciousness!

I just wish I had the shape of these models!  I love all the laciness!

This is a gorgeously brilliant blanket by the designer Kaffe Fasset.  What wonderful color sense he has!

Then... they had stories of crocheters who have gained notoriety, these two guys look like real characters, don't they?  I love guys who crochet!!  Be sure to visit their blog and watch their video about themselves.. I want to be their friend!  LOL!  Arne & Carlos.

And that isn't all the guy crocheting coolness.. check out these five young men!  One of them couldn't find a beanie he liked, so he bought some yarn and a crochet hook and made his own.. then 4 of his friends joined him in making custom made hats from their website, and now after being shown in the media, they are making 1500 hats a year and have hired several women to crochet for them!  HatNuts

Well, Dayle and I are soon to head out for an adventure.  We're going to visit the new Cabela's store in Tualatin.  (too-ALL-uh-ten).  I will take photos for you.  And then out to lunch and a few other errands.. I hope you have a nice day!  ((hugs)), Teresa :-)