Belcarra Ribbing

The final stages of the Belcarra Cardigan: crocheting ribbing around the edges and on the cuffs.

I have lots of photos to share and a pattern idea for learning how to make crochet ribbing.

Two Elephants

One of the loveliest aspects of Lupey Loops is getting to know visitors through comments, emails and each other's blogs. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, stories, enthusiasm, advice and encouragement.

Thank you for also connecting through other means like Pinterest. I don't use it very often, but it is a great source of ideas, especially for visual learners.

Yesterday, regular Lupey Loops visitor, Ingrid K, shared a pattern for a cute crocheted elephant on her Pinterest board "Myfunkycrochet" and it reminded me of a special elephant that I crocheted in 2010 so I decided to share both here today.

Belcarra Cardigan Seams Easy?

The Belcarra Cardigan is a great project if you don't enjoy sewing because there are only two main seams.

Duck Rescue

Not strictly keeping to the brief of "crochet adventures at the lupus end of the spectrum",  posting this story anyway in light of the recent 'duck' theme.

This little cutie (not sure if it is a he or a she) will grow up to be a Wood Duck (otherwise known as a Maned Goose) and was discovered yesterday, running about my front yard in a panic, having lost its family. Such a tiny little thing but it was hysterical; by the time I reached it, it was on the neighbour's front porch repeatedly bashing its beak into the window in desperation where it thought its reflection was another duckling companion.

Blocking Belcarra Cardigan

Hooray!  All of the 'body work' has been crocheted, ready for seaming.

To get the best results it pays to block the garment piece(s) beforehand.

Back section on the blocking board.
The sleeves at the top of the photo are still unblocked and the difference is obvious.
(Right side)

News about Hospital Ducks

At last I have some news about the Hospital Ducks.

Today I opened email correspondence from the office of the Chief Executive Officer of the local 'Health Network'. The reply was a PDF document dated 10 October 2014.

Belcarra Cardigan: Neck & Neck

Counter up to Row 124

A quick photo update. 

Making swift progress. 

Avoiding 'Second Sleeve Syndrome' by working the neck and front shaping on both sides at once.

New MCTD Resource Page

MCTD stands for Mixed Connective Tissue Disease.

It is an "overlap" of various autoimmune conditions. I compare it to a smorgasbord where the offerings include Lupus (SLE), Scleroderma, Sjögren's Syndrome, Raynaud's Phenomenon, Addison's Disease, Vasculitis and others.