Tiffany Hansen lol... right. I keep thinking maybe the list is shorter now because I finished a few projects but nope.  Looks like I can't crochet fast enough to use up all my yarn and I add on more projects more quickly than I can finish them.

you're welcome. It's a really good book that I have and it's a great price. :)

yay! Can't wait to make this.. I'll add it to my long list. :)

Tiffany Hansen  sorry for missing the earlier part of this weeks meeting.  I appreciate being able to watch these replays.  Very good presentation and explanation.  I know I've been learning alot from testing patterns for two different designers as well as making my own sweaters from a few other designers and seeing how the garments are put together and constructed.  I just wanted to add a comment that I learned about last year (ease) that if someone is using a designers pattern, depending on the designer and the pattern they may have added positive or negative ease and if someone is trying to alter garment/pattern to fit them and sizing up they may want to consider what the ease is and add it to their finished garment measurement size.  I'm not sure if folks might be interested in you explaining this... I think it might be helpful if they have an actual project they are applying this to.  Also I've noticed that many designers won't list how much positive/ negative ease the pattern has.

Janet Page you're welcome. I hope that helps.

sorry I missed the beginning.  I just finished making a cardigan for a pattern I was testing and I haven't had a chance to show the group yet. I still need to weave in the ends, add pockets and buttons... but the pattern that I'm testing hasn't been released yet.

Janet Page is your vertical gauge too short? If it is you can make more rows to try to match until you reach the size needed that matches gauge. But, with a garment make sure you are adding rows in a section where it adds length but that parts like your armholes line up.  Another thing too is you will want to measure your actual garment piece for gauge as you work since gauge can change/vary on larger fabric compared to gauge.  Or you can try to pull up a little bit on your stitches as you work them to see if that helps but that could possibly affect your gauge width as well a bit.  Depending how much the difference is you can block your work after as well to help with that. I've seen videos on YouTube that mention how depending the person and how they crochet some pull the stitches up naturally and others don't... the video talked about 3 different styles and how you can modify your stitches a bit depending on what you do while you crochet, one is called yanker, I can't remember the other 2.

I've heard folks say it doesn't make much of a difference to block acrylic but I haven't heard of whether the yarn is machine washable to have any effect on that whatsoever.  Blocking cotton/ bamboo makes a difference but also depends the blocking style you will use and the type of garment you are making.  If the pattern suggests blocking I would block, it does make a big difference. I've steam blocked acrylic and it relaxes the stitches and the end piece looks better.  If you're nervous about it you can always make a swatch with the stitch you are using and just block the small swatch to see how you like it and what you think. 

Sandra Palmer  I know Bag o Day crochet recently came out with a tutorial for one and Make and Do crew also has a free pattern and tutorial for one. I haven't made either of those yet. I've only made the regular bucket hat. Let me know if you need the links to those free patterns or video tutorials.