The good, the bad, and the knitted

So a few noticeable issues I have with the loom first.  The hook it comes with is not very effective, I found myself trying to use it with a pencil hold and with in a minute my hand started to hurt.  I switched up to a knife hold and that works better but I am going to need to add some padding wrap to the handle and extend that about 1/2 onto the hooks shaft for it to be 'comfortable' to work with. 

In the instructional video it comes with the person working the loom had made adoptions to their hook but did not mention anything about it in the video's so I am guessing it's a known issue so just be prepared.  Also the hook could use some work it is not a complete 90 degree bend at the tip which makes working the slider section a bit difficult. I think when I bind off this test sock I am going to see if I can't bend it into a 90 degree angle and see if that helps when working in the smaller space for the slider section.
Now onto the loom itself, I got the wood and metal version because I didn't want to snap off the plastic pegs which I have done before with the cheaper plastic knit in the round hoops.  It is very sturdy so no issues there, but the instructions tell you for a standard sock to cast on 52, and I am finding that to be way to large in width for a sock.  Also I am finding that working around the corners, that corner stitch is always a bit looser no matter how tight I wrap the pegs. 

The test sock I have on the loom right now is worked cuff down, and I have finished the heel section and am just working on the foot section.  I worked a 1x rib cuff through the first color change of the yarn, then switched to working what they call the flat stitch which is basically a knit stitch just a bit tighter then if you work the knit stitch itself.  I think the next sock I work up on it I will adjust where I work the heal at, as their directions have you working it over one long side and one short side in short rows.  I will set it to where my short row ends completely on the short section so I don't have to try and work the heal over the corner.

Now on to the crochet hook I got -- I love it!  My hand did stiffen up a bit when I started using it but once I got into hook up a hat with it I completely forgot that I was using a new hook.  It worked just as great as my ergo handle.

New Tools!!

so I got some new crafting tools with my christmas gift cards.  I am very excited about this crochet hook I found at Hobby Lobby.

 It look like the hooks I covet from Furls Candy Shop, at just a faction of the price instead of paying $49 bucks I only spent $6 on this Yarnology Lux Hook.  I was a bit disapointed they only had sizes J(6mm)-Q (15mm) I would love a smaller size to work my amigurumi with but for now I will make due with this J hook.

My  other big purchase that I am giving a try is a sock loom, I caved in and got it because I found some gorgeous sock yarn that I want to get on my feet.  I know I don't show much knitting here, yes I know how to but it hurts my hands more then crochet does and using this loom is a good cheat heres to hoping it works out and I make a ton of socks!

Whats your most coveted tool?

Baaa Baa conversion finished!

so I have finished my knit to crochet conversion of Bobble Sheep Pillow by Purl Soho.

I have not heard back from them about sharing my crochet conversion so I will  not be posting it, BUT I can tell you I worked the 'body'  in the round same stitch count as pattern. I did a repeating pattern of  Single Crochet, Double Crochet 4 stitch bobble leaving a stitch marker in the middle of the round.  To increase I alternated working a increase at the start/end every other row, and one at stitch marker in the middle  -- increase worked in SC ---  SC, Bobble, SC --- all into the same stitch.  

If any of you want to make a crochet version and get hung up trying to convert it yourself just give me a jingle and I will try to help you out.

Knitting to Crochet conversion Sheep

I was asked to make a pillow sized sheep from a photo that was found online.

Now most people can not tell the difference between knit and crochet, a good bit of them think its the same thing or interchangeable.  The photo was of  the Bobble Sheep Pillow by Purl SoHo.  Very gourgous but I dont knit (I can knit I just prefure to hook). 

So I said I would do it in crochet, and here I am translating a knitting pattern to crochet as I work.

This one will be interesting when I get it finished it will be the largest bobble pattern I have worked up.

So I am going with requested colors of off white and dark gray but I am using yarn that I could buy localy thats super bulky and soft.  If I hear back from Purl SoHo, I will know if I can share my translation of her pattern with you all.

Birthday/Christmas rush over!!!

Happy what ever you do/dont celebrate!  Welcome to 2017!!

I got alot of great gifts this year, including yarn and the next best thing -- gift cards for yarn!!  Its barely the new year and I already have requests for some flower hat octos, so I need to dig threw the holiday stuff and find my amigurumi eye's and stuffing.

I am also excited to have a stand mixer!!!  I will probably post a few more SF, or sugar over loaded recpies, to brake in my new kitchen aid and gothom copper pan's.

Will upload photos of my newly aquired yarn soon!!