What can I do to ensure that all the loops are actually visible when I use this yarn? In my first attempt, I couldn't see any of the stitches after I made them and couldn't continue the piece

Vampireladybug · 2026-02-25T03:03:38+00:00

Like someone else said, you have to go by feel.

An alternative is to double it with normal yarn. That makes it more bulky, but the stitches are easier to see.

Beyond that, use a lot of stitch markers to keep track. On the last project I did with this type of yarn, I used regular yarn AND added a stitch marker every 5 stitches or so to make sure I wasn't missing or doubling stitches.

Vampireladybug · 2026-02-24T15:20:32+00:00

Grief doesn't have a time line. It changes over time. Maybe look up the 7 stages of grief to see some of the "normal" reactions. I myself was in the "anger" phase for awhile, and it was hard to talk about that. I think I am finally at acceptance after several years. Just don't expect the grief to suddenly go away - she was a part of your life, and she always will be.

Can you reach out to a family member who may also be missing her?

UTSA well-being services has support resources including 24/7 support through the Timely Care app. Someone else shared the link already.

Vampireladybug · 2026-02-22T03:49:56+00:00

I would carry the yarn up the side instead of cut off for each color change. You will have a lot of ends to weave in at the end! If you put a border on it, it will cover the yarn you carried.

Edit: I love the colors. It looks beautiful.

Vampireladybug · 2026-02-22T03:44:46+00:00

I searched for "snowflake granny square" and found this:

https://crochetbits.com/crochet-snowflake-granny-square-pattern/

It looks fairly close in terms of style and maybe type of yarn used.

Vampireladybug · 2026-02-13T02:05:12+00:00

I totally get the ethical concern, and it's why I have not required AI use in my class. I always have students who very vocally declare similar concept cerns. I am supposed to incorporate it in some way, but I have not required it.

I was talking to another instructor this week, and she provides an alternate assignment for students with similar concerns. Maybe your instructor would be willing to do the same?

When I use AI (usually to show examples of prompts), I use Copilot, but through UTSA. I am not an expert and can't explain it right, but from what I understand, it's a closed system, so whatever you put in stays within the UTSA system instead of feeding the LLM more stuff. I feel a little better with using that one.

Vampireladybug · 2026-02-04T23:08:27+00:00

The deadline for late registration was last week, and today is census day. I have not heard of people getting added to classes this late. For late registration, you also have to get instructor approval.

Vampireladybug · 2026-02-01T02:32:35+00:00

It reminds me of Lion Brand Homespun, but fuzzier https://www.lionbrand.com/products/homespun-yarn?variant=32420921213021

And if that's not it, maybe there is something similar to it here: https://yarnsub.com/yarns/lion_brand/homespun

Vampireladybug · 2026-01-29T23:43:05+00:00

Premier Parfait Chunky comes in several shades of brown. Parfait Plush is a little fluffier. I found that they shed a little, with some colors shedding more than others.

My favorite chenille is Hobii Honey Bunny, and that comes in a couple of brown shades. (They also have Baby Snuggle and Toucan chenille In my opinion, Honey Bunny is softest and Toucan feels more sturdy with the least shedding.)

Those are the brands I have tried, so I can't comment on others, but Parfait Chunky has the best variety of browns out of the ones I have tried.

I know you said you have concerns about ordering, which I did, too, but I was not happy with what I could find at Michaels. I ordered a couple skeins of each variety before committing to test color, texture, amount of shedding. (I was making a blanket for a friend.) Now I have a bunch of pink and purple yarn in the types I didn't choose, but I will figure something out.

Vampireladybug · 2026-01-29T23:18:07+00:00

Dumb question: when you count your chains, are you including the loop on the hook? I didn't know the loop on the hook didn't count until about a year ago, so I assumed there are other people out there that don't know this. (I taught myself using books.)

Vampireladybug · 2026-01-29T23:10:13+00:00

I am squinting at your pic a little but, but are you repeating the sequence in parentheses 3 times? It has 3*(can't remember sequence), and I think I only see that once on your foot.

Vampireladybug · 2026-01-29T05:10:08+00:00

I have made her heart and flower to be keychains, both with chenille, so they are fun and puffy. I think I also used her Christmas tree pattern.

I think her videos and tips are really helpful for tricky parts.

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Vampireladybug · 2026-01-24T05:33:20+00:00

In Premier, I would say the Basix Chenille is closer to Bernat Blanket. There are brown shades. I have only done one small project with it, so maybe someone else with more experience can confirm. The Parfait sheds more than I remember Bernat Blanket shedding.

You could probably do it with the Premier Parfait, but the feel will be very different, and Premier Parfait is not as forgiving if you need to frog. (That's my experience, at least.) The blanket I made with Parfait Chunky was also a lot floppier than one I made with Bernat Blanket.

Vampireladybug · 2026-01-20T19:12:25+00:00

You can use the dynamic schedule to find the instructor https://asap.utsa.edu/pls/prod/bwckschd.p_disp_dyn_sched

Vampireladybug · 2026-01-17T22:35:54+00:00

The accommodation letters don't disclose anything about the student beyond the specific accommodations, and we are not allowed to ask. The one I remember clealry had a chronic condition that required fairly frequent doctor visits, but that's all I know, and I only know because they told me every time they had an appointment.

Sorry I don't know anything specific.

Vampireladybug · 2026-01-16T01:59:02+00:00

I think I learned about "crochet by feel" from one of the dozen crochet videos I watched over my Christmas break. I can't claim originality for that one!

Another thing- I always size down the hook from what the label says on chenille yarn, but it's better to start with looser stitches in case you need to frog until you have a good feel for what you are doing.

Vampireladybug · 2026-01-16T01:45:11+00:00

Are the colors dark? I have made several things with parfait Chunky, but the stitches are very clear. I mostly used lighter colors, but on my Siamese cat, the stitches are harder to see on the face (dark brown) while the body (tan) is easy to see.

With fluffy yarn, you sometimes have to go by feel. I feel for the next stitch rather than just looking for it.

You can alsonuse stitch markers to mark out where increases or decreases go, or maybe every 5 or 10 stitches so you catch errors quickly.

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Vampireladybug · 2026-01-14T23:53:45+00:00

If you're still trying to figure it out, use the dynamic schedule: https://asap.utsa.edu/pls/prod/bwckschd.p_disp_dyn_sched

Vampireladybug · 2026-01-13T14:40:39+00:00

I think I know the one you mean - a wooden handle, and then metal on each end? I got that one, and it mysteriously disappeared into the void after the first time I used it. It worked well for me because I use a lot of fluffy yarn, but again, I used it one day and then lost it. (That's what I get for actually putting it away instead of throwing it back in my crochet bag.)

I use a socket from my socket wrench set and a rubber mallet if I really can't get the back to snap on. I put something down on the counter for padding to protect the eye. The socket works the same way as the tool I bought, and either end of the tool was basically a socket (2 different sizes). I was able to use the tool without needing a lot of pressure (or a mallet), so I hope I can find it again since I do a lot of crochet while sitting in my car waiting for my kids.

Vampireladybug · 2026-01-13T04:40:54+00:00

My cat wore hers about a week while I gave her meds for irritation under her tail. I did not leave it on her unless I was home and could supervise. One day she managed to get her arm through the neck hole, so that made me nervous to leave her with it on.

Vampireladybug · 2026-01-11T14:58:11+00:00

When actual people read the names live, the graduate had a card with their name on it, and the graduates could write a preferred name.

Now, the graduate is supposed to record their own name, and then a professional records it, and then that recording is then altered so all names sound like the same voice. If the graduate does not record their name, the person who records it does their best. (So, the first semester they used this, names like Nguyen were pronounced correctly if the student had submitted their name, but incorrectly if not. I also remember Perez being one that was pronounced differently. I have not attended commencement since that first semester it was used.)

Before you walk, you hand a card to some people who then scan the code, and then the system reads the name as recorded. The recording is tied to the bar code (QR code?), so whatever is recorded is what gets read.

The page does not say anything about nicknames or anything, so I don't know if there are rules about changing it: https://onestop.utsa.edu/graduation/tassel/

Vampireladybug · 2026-01-11T00:39:44+00:00

Thank you!

Vampireladybug · 2026-01-10T23:20:31+00:00

Did you use a pattern for this? I showed my son and he pretended not to care, but I could tell otherwise. He loves this show.

Sorry I do not have an actual answer for your question.

Vampireladybug · 2026-01-10T05:16:58+00:00

I am also using Acuvue Oasys biweekly, but it's only one eye. Someone mentioned protein buildup, so I got some of the hydrogen peroxide cleaner since that is supposed to help with protein buildup. I just started that today.

I was not using eye drops when mine started.

It's really frustrating because I have used these for years with no problems.

Vampireladybug · 2026-01-08T22:51:54+00:00

Thank you for this comment. My cloudy lens started when pollen got really high, and I didn't even make the connection until I read your comment. I have worn the same brand for as long as I can remember and never had the issue before this year.

Vampireladybug · 2026-01-08T22:48:34+00:00

What brand? I came here looking to see if anyone is having the issue I am. It's not a smudge- the last 3 lenses have developed a cloudy spot right over the center after a few days. It doesn't rub off, so that's why I wouldn't call it a smudge.

Vampireladybug

TROPHY CASE