A Matter of Thrifting Part Two

As I mentioned in part one of this post, half of the books in this 12-edition auction lot were those I didn't want, but I decided to put in a bid to see if I could win it anyway. A brief bidding war insued, and a last-minute sniper ended up winning the lot. I went back to see what it would have cost me with shipping if I had won it, which would have been $37.21.

Although I was disappointed, I then went on Alibris, my favorite site to thrift used books, and ordered 5 crochet books that I did want for a total of $35.19. The first three books in that order arrived about a week later, and then another week went by until the last two landed in my mailbox.

I'm really happy I decided to buy these books new versus getting sucked into a bidding war at the online auction. For one thing I was able to hand-pick what I wanted, which included a copy of one of the books from the auction I actually wanted. The fact that the five books were $2.02 cheaper also factored in.

Crochet Your Way by Gloria Tracy and Susan Levin was published back in 2000, but it has so much packed into one volume: a learn -to-Crochet afghan pattern with twenty different pattern stitches, and then forty plus more patterns for mostly wearables. I already see a pullover I want to make.

The Best of Interweave Crochet, published in 2011, is slightly more contemporary, features twenty designer patterns published during the first five years of IC magazine. Mostly wearables with a few super interesting projects like this mosaic afghan that has that tile look to it. Definitely going to try that one.

In the end I'm rather glad I got outbid on the online auction lot. It gave me the nudge I needed to explore other options, and now I have five crochet pattern books that I already love.

The first pic in this post came from the original auction listing at ShopGoodwill.com.

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Eight Plus Numbers

When I was looking up the retail on the small lot of yarn plus a tapestry kit I got a lot of surprises. This Red Heart Roll with It Sparkle skein in "Diamonds" was actually a cake that sells $10.99 on Yarnspirations. The lot included two Red Heart Super Saver Jumbo skeins, which retail for $8.99 each, and stuck in the center of the buff color I found a 5.5 mm crochet hook. This is a skein of 100% Icelandic wool, which can be really expensive. It's marked with a price tag of $7.00, and I found it selling for $8.00 online. The needlepoint kit is the biggest surprise of all. It makes a pillow, and hails from the UK, where it sells for £45.00 ($60.76 US). Since it's flamingos I definitely have to finish it if I can. Altogether my eight plus lot retails for $125.04; I paid $21.30 total for the lot with the buy-it-now option and one penny shipping. I indeed got a very nice bargain.

Bucket List

This year I'll turn 65, so I am starting to put together a crochet bucket list. It's not because I think I'll be kicking the bucket any time soon, but while I'm still around there are some projects I'd like to make. It's also fun to compile a list of dream projects. This crochet version of a double wedding ring quilt definitely tops my list. I have a nice little collection of these quilts, and it would be fun to crochet one. When I first saw the Aura Mosaic Crochet Blanket I knew I wanted to make it. It's not that I dislike all the brightly colored Persian tile type projects, I just gravitate more toward earthy and nature-inspired palettes. This one is simply stunning. I'd really like to crochet a light and lacy duster like this one from Red Heart to wear. Mine would likely end up being a mossy shade of green or off-white. Speaking of mossy greens, this Mirrored Leaves throw was on the cover of the catalog that Herrschners sent wit...

On the Beach

Last week my guy and I went to walk Daytona Beach, which was mostly (and eerily) deserted. This is what our beaches used to look like when I was a kid. It was a beautiful day, cold and breezy but calm. It feels like 2026 is getting off to the right start.

Thrifty Crochet

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