La has dubbed me Darth Cara and truth be told, I LOVE IT! Not so much the crochet, but the moniker! I LOVE DARTH! Sometimes I walk around humming his theme music because it’s just so…so…COOL. La said I had completely gone over to the dark side because you know, it’s not enough with the crochet or the acrylic, but it’s got to be RED HEART. La, my friend, when have you EVER known me to go half-assed on ANYTHING? It’s all or nothing BAYBEE!
So the crochet continues. I like it. It’s okay. I will not be making the Babette any time soon, though, I promise. I’d still rather knit than anything. I just can’t get into a rhythm like I can with the knit and that’s one of the things I LOVE about the craft. But it’s good. Still. So far my pattern has been to use the last color on one square for the first color on the next square. We’ll see how that holds up. I’m not sure about the colors I chose for this one:
I’m not sure there’s enough of a difference between the purple and red. Or maybe too much difference between the green and red. I reserve the right to change this one. But I like this one fine!
I’ve got the first two rounds of green done on the next one. I just have to choose the next colors. I think I need to plan this better, but I’m only sort of into it.
Decidedly NOT an obsession.
Something that is an obsession? Monkey socks! I actually cleaned up a little bit this weekend – I made a dent, let’s say. Enough of a dent that I pulled together all the random yarn lying around the house and actually got out the vacuum and all the attachments. I’ve written before about how much I love the attachments on my vacuum. Welp, I was at it again! It’s always a bonanza to clean the sofas – I never find change, but I always find stitch markers! Anyway, while I was gathering up all the yarn, I ended up digging through my STR stash looking for the next monkey. I came up with this yarn, which I’ve always loved, and never used.
STR Crazy Lace Agate
Even though I’ve only just finished the heel flap on my lastest monkey sock, I started a new one.
Only one problem: I think it’s much better suited for a jaywalker than a monkey, so I’m ripping it. I think the colorway will knit up very similarly to this carbon jaywalker and that’s works for me just fine. I think the monkey socks look better with lots of colors all jumbled together. The blues in this one are too much of a break for me. So back to the stash! (You may ask why don’t I knit a jaywalker then? It’s not the right time for that. Soon maybe, but the pattern’s not going anywhere and the yarn’s not going anywhere so it can sit.)
Work has exploded a bit around here so the knits might not be as fast and furious as they have been lately. The socks are great for times like these – I can knit without thinking and have something wonderful to show for it in a relatively short period of time. The Monkey period has begun. I can feel it.
Yeah, that STR isn’t perfect for Monkey’s. I might be on a Monkey binge myself. 😉
Your crochet granny squares look very traditional and well constructed. I have never been able to crochet with the ease that I can knit (actually, I usually end up with a big knotted crocheted mess!). I love monkey socks best with colorways that have small stretches of color rather than longer ones. I think the colors blend better. I also like jaywalkers but usually use handpainted yarn that stripes and has a high contrast. So, have you decided what you are going to make with your granny squares?
Because it’s such a light color on the outside of the square or maybe because the red is so bright, the green one looks smaller than the others. I have a feeling that is what’s bothering you. Might not look right on the finished bag – don’t know!
My favorite jaywalkers (I had 2 pairs I kept and 1 I gave away and another underway now…) were knit from Crazy Lace Agate. I was just thinking, as I saw your ball of yarn but before I read down, that I should try to get another ball of it & make a replacement pair because I loved them and wore them to bits! 🙂 -Cass
I love your use of color!! The squares are SO beautiful!! Can’t wait to see them put together!
I started with Crocheted Granny Squares…back in the…umm…60’s. I love that crocheting is coming into it’s own.
Hey, I happen to know where you can get a beautiful glass crochet hook 😉
I cast on my first pair of monkey socks over the weekend. I can see what you mean about saying, “Oh, I’ll just finish this 11 row repeat before I turn the light off.” I’m just using a Regia stretch in blues/tan and it looks great. Thanks for featuring the pattern!
I used to be called Vader when I was still playing softball. My last name rhymes with Darth, so they just substituted my last name in there first. I loved it. Anyways, I love that color of STR. I sense an order on my next yarn spree. I can’t wait to try my first STR soon. I’ve finally managed to make it there after the Opal, Trekking, Online, and Lorna’s phases.
Cara, your “I LOVE DARTH!” comment totally reminded me of this: http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a260/iharthdarth/comic14.gif
The short-lived web comic is I Harth Darth, found over on LiveJournal , and is totally worth checking out. So cute! So full of the Darth love! 🙂
Same… I’m picking you your habits! 🙂 I am in the midst of miterville, doing #1 monkeysock, AND finishing up a MDK dish cloth. Life is good!
The question remains, who’s the emperor puppet master luring you to the dark side in the first place?
I agree about the socks. I think stripes look better as Jaywalkers or similar patterns. Love all the Monkeys, though. I am itching to start my own pair!
so if you’re Darth than is Vicki the Emperor? And who is Yoda, oh I know Margene!! And that would make Ann – Obi Wan or maybe Darth Maul 😉
Crochet is fun, but like you, I don’t see it as something I will do often. I just finished the crochteting on my Larger than Life bag, and I’m glad to be finished. Your squares are looking lovely. Personally, I like the colors in the square you are having reservations about, but that’s just my humble opinion.
La’s kind of right…Red Heart crochet strikes me as the antithesis of all I hold near and dear right now.
After your miter-madness, I made a mitered discloth. Despite my aversion to crochet, I even looked up the pattern for the bag because it is SO freaking cute. I’m holding off on the Monkey pattern…so far. I’ll give in eventually because it looks like fun, but I am stuck in the middle of a pair of Arrrgyles and thus anything that is not intarsia looks like fun. 🙂
There’s nothing better than a mindless sock knit, is there? So comforting….
Love the mitres!
Love the squares!
I’ve been lurking lately, as we’ve been busy, but have been watching your progress with amazement!
I had to de-lurk, so that I might introduce you, Darth Cara, to my daughter, Darth Manipulator!
😉
i see what you mean about the monkeys with that yarn…but i LOVE that colorway!
I bet you always find tapestry needles/yarn needles/whatever you want to call them in your couch too. Those things disappear like crazy.
My best friend’s baby went through a period where he would only sleep with Darth Vader’s theme on!
Love the granny squares.
The STR yarn is going to look great as Jaywalkers for sure. I have been strong and stayed away from the Monkey Sock sensation. I don’t know how long I can hold out.
Love your squares. I have 10 done and just pick up my fabric for th lining. I’m looking forward to starting another LTL bag when this is done.
You gave me the courage to give red heart a whirl. Your squares are amazing and as ever, your color choices are inspriring. Hang in there with the crocheting. It does become as rhythmic and it can be just as relaxing.
I think I have joined you on the Monkey binge. I have never knitted a sock so fast. I’m on the second repeat of the second sock:)Can’t wait till they are done. The first one fits great.. I think Jaywalkers are next. I’m a little slow….lol…Love the grannys btw
If you’re a Darth fan, check out my blog for a picture of me and the Dark Lord (actually a friend in his *incredible* costume).
I love that STR colorway, but I think you’re right, not a good choice for Monkeys.
I just finished my own first Monkey. I can see the obsession.
I guess then that makes Jen Han, and me Chewie? Greeeeeeat! Oh wait! If you’re my father, then I guess I’m Luke…then Jen’s Leia? She’s not gonna like the bun hair
That’s truly a wonderful colorway! I always love blue/brown combinations. And your granny squares are very pretty, too. You really like Monkey that much? I have a ton of sock yarn, so maybe I should cast on for a pair… (Note use of the word “should” 😉 )
Liking the crochet squares. Glad to see you haven’t completely gone to the dark side – another Monkey! Everyone’s knitting them at the moment.
Darth Cara!! I love it!
All hail the Monkey! While your crochet squares are superb and great in every way, that matters not when you’ve got a calling. A *Monkey* calling!
Also, that STR yarn is sensationally beautiful.
Meanie.
😀
Darth Cara kinda has a certain wheeze to it! Your granny squares look so crisp. Mine, not so much… but then I wanted to use some random bits of handspun to make something I would like and keep. Personally, I like the red and purple together, but my fave is the turquoise, coral and red… you go, grrl!
“The Monkey period has begun. I can feel it.”
I KNOW what you mean. I’m going to find yarn for the third pair today…
Hi..Ok..I apologize for being away from your blog for so long. But, can you please help me out with telling me WHAT are MOnkey socks?? IS it the pattern or the concept? I, too, am part of the cult following of STR. I think your crochet looks good..I say, keep with your strategy of choosing the last for the first..and it’ll pay off. Have you seen the truly amazing crochet pieces in the current issue of Online? I’m a knitter, not a crocheter, but am flirting with the dark side, maybe part time. I would change in a second if i would like the model on the cover if I made the garment. 8-} But, monkey socks are probably more my style….
A friend of mine is a first cousin to James Earl Jones. I met him when I was about 15 months preggers with Cakers and he patted my tummy. And I was totally okay with it.
And I have monkey feet and so does my daughter. I used to gross out my college roomies by picking up stuff with my toes and handing it to them. Or footing it?
Love the colors on the crochet.
I love that STR–such strikingly different colors and no mud! Whoa!
But, respectfully, I think you are wrong. I think they should stay the monkey. Because I look at them in a more traditionally striped form–http://www.keyboardbiologist.net/KnittingGallery/2006/STRCrazyLaceAgateSocks.htm
and see blah. I see your socks and I go “hummanah hummunah hummanah!”
Also, kudos for commitment to a bit with the Red Heart. 😉
Do you think you could post the directions for your granny squares? Or if anyone knows a good site with detailed instructions (for slow people like me) that would be great.
Thanks for the beautiful pics.