BE MY VALENTINE CONTEST and PEROBA ROSA AUCTION

(PLEASE click on the image to enlarge the photo!)

Its growing near Valentine's Day and another day to show appreciation to visitors to my blog. SO.... I made a VALENTINE hook and I'm giving it away! Its, of course, made of red HEART wood and it an H (5mm) for HEART, which is pretty much a Valentine theme, wouldn't you say. Oh and it has a sparkly heart at the top (that's removable for crocheting).

Would YOU like this Jimbo Valentine Hook?? Hmmmm? Well if you do, all's you need do is enter the contest. Simply leave a comment here in my blog telling me you'd like to enter, or email me at


jimbocrochetwhittler@yahoo.com

I'll do a random drawing from the entries of Sweeties on Valentine's day.

You see the other hook?? Its up for auction, ending also on Valentine's day 10pm Pacific Time. Peroba Rosa is a Rosewood, and this particular piece is one that I cut from a small board, selected for its phenomenal figure and color. Another hook that even with the mirror, you can't really appreciate till you have it in your hand. So pretty it almost fetches a tear.

So anyways, this hook is an H too (5mm) and it's 7 1/4 inches (18.4cm)of unbelievable grain.

Maybe your Sweetie doesn't know what to get you for Valentines day?? Well maybe drop a hint. I'll take bids till the wee hour (lets say 5am Pacific Time) of Sunday, Feb. 14 (Valentine's Day) and announce the high bidder as early as possible on Valentine's morn. Romantic, eh?

To new bidders: I try to post bids as they come in. I'll not be here ALL the time... and I won't stay up Valentine's eve, so if your bid doesn't show up right away, not to worry. Bids will be posted as soon as I'm able to get to them. Identical bids are entered by first-to-post so if your bid is the same as another, I'll go by which ever one was posted first. Also please increase bids by $5 minimum. email bids, if you like, to me at


jimbocrochetwhittler@yahoo.com

Here we go!

Bids:

Peroba Rosa H:
Carla starts it off with $25
Kathy goes $30

NEW HOOK AUCTION WITH NEW HOOKS IS OVER!!

Auction is closed!! I really appreciate your business and bids. Auctions are especially fun for me because I get a chance to meet the bidders, at least for a little bit. So thank all of you bidders!!
High bidders can pay with paypal by clicking on the "make a donation" button in the left margin of this blog page.

And thanks again!!





We have some (ok 2 of them) never-before hooks up this time for auction! And by never before, I mean two of these are hooks that have really unique features. Lets look at the top hook. Ever hear of knooking? Well its a new word, coined by Jen at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WV3ZkUig048

How cool is that!? Well what could I do after that! I just had to make a "knooking "hook. But this is a special one. See the knob that cleverly disguises the "knooking" hook as a Tunisian or afghan hook? That little knob lets you use the hook for Tunisian crochet or it can be removed to expose the tapered heel end and hole that makes the hook into a "knooking" hook! The knob is made of German Plum and fits by friction over the bamboo M (9mm) 8 3/4 (22.2cm). The friction fit is a precision wedge kind of fit that requires no snaps or locking device. Just push it on with a small (NOT HARD or you'll break the knob) pressure, and pull off with a little wiggle. The knob will stay on in all but the most violent crocheting... and WE don't crochet violently, do we?

Next hook down from the "Knooking" hook isn't unusual except that it made from astoundingly beautiful Gabon Ebony. It's a perfect K (6.5mm) and is a perfect fit for a hand that loves to cuddle with a 7 inch (17.8cm) long astoundingly smooth crochet hook.

Next up is another first. Not from the hook style but from the material. I made this hook from a French Oak wine barrel stave! You can still see the stain from the wine along the handle! OOOH you should have been here when that wood was on my lathe! The aroma was VERY nice. And the barrel? Well it's one from one of Spokane's best wineries, Lone Canary. So if you crochet, drink wine and like to collect hooks, this one is for YOU. Technically it's a K (6.5mm) and is 7 1/4 inches(18.4cm)long. French Oak is a fairly porous wood so unfortunately I had to apply a finish and alas the nice aroma is covered. But it's still one fascinating hook and sure to be a conversation piece at your next crochet/wine tasting party.

And Last but far from least is a long and lean Smoked Maple I (5.5mm). This long drink of water is here for the pencil grippers in the bunch who like longer hooks. Not to say that the hook won't work well for toothbrush grippers, aw contraire! It will switch hit easily. Its just that I didn't put a thumb rest on this one, for the pencil holders who like to "roll" their hooks. Smoked maple is just as it reads. The wood has been smoked and that's what gives it that rich smokey color. On the lathe, there's a bbq aroma in the air that makes me hungry. Course the aroma is all covered up by the finish, but what's not is the light weight of this hook. You'd expect a hardwood hook that's 8 inches (20.3cm) long to be heavy. Nope. It's light like the feather of a Deadman Crick Turkey. And the balance point is centered on the hook length!

So there you have it! Lets make this an even shorter auction cause I get to go to the crick this weekend. So lets end this auction at 8pm Pacific Std Time on Thursday night, Feb. 4.


To new bidders: I try to post bids as they come in. I'll not be here ALL the time... so if your bid doesn't show up right away, not to worry. Your bid will be posted as soon as I'm able to get to them. Identical bids are entered by first to post so if your bid is the same as another, I'll go by which ever one was posted first. Also please increase bids by $5 minimum. email bids, if you like, to me at


jimbocrochetwhittler@yahoo.com

Here we go!

Bids:
Tunisian/"Knooking" M:
Jennifer goes $20
Anamaria raises to $25

Ebony K:
Lori goes $20
Elle goes OOH OOH OOH and bids $35


Wine barrel K:
Jennifer too, $20
Lori goes to $25
Jennifer raises to $30
Lori says go to $35
Jennifer comes back with $40



Lean Smoked Maple I:
Anamaria says $20
Amy goes $25
Kristin goes to $30



And thanks for dropping by! Stay awhile, kick your shoes off...have a stroll through the archives.


Jimbo

Exotic F and G Auction is OVER!

It's 6pm! Beth and Kate are high bidders!! Thanks to all bidders. Another auction coming soon!! Got a really interesting hook coming. Stay tuned!
Have a great week-end!
Jimbo




(click image to enlarge)

Here are two hooks made of some if not THE most beautiful wood in the world. The top hook is a G (4mm) and is made of Cambodian Flamewood. You can see how the wood got it's name. Hard and dense, it has indescribably beautiful grain color, deep and rich. The picture is good but the hook is even better. It's 7 1/2 inches (19cm) of utter beauty.

The bottom hook is made of Panamanian Cocobolo, one that I've made before but is still very near the tops in grain beauty. I did this one in an F (3.75mm), the smallest hook in my range. And the grain again speaks for itself. This one is 7 inches(17.8cm)

Tried to come up with more to say but I think the hooks speak very well for themselves.

Lets make this another short auction and close at 6pm on Friday, Jan. 29 Pacific Time.

To new bidders: I try to post bids as they come in. I'll not be here ALL the time... so if your bid doesn't show up right away, not to worry. Your bid will be posted as soon as I'm able to get to them. Identical bids are entered by first to post so if your bid is the same as another, I'll go by which ever one was posted first. Also please increase bids by $5 minimum. email bids, if you like, to me at


jimbocrochetwhittler@yahoo.com

Here we go!

Bids:

Flamewood G:
Shannon says $25
Beth goes to $30
Kate and Bonnie tie at $35 but
Nicole bumps it up to $40
and Beth raises to $45

Cocobolo F:
Kate's in with $25
Shannon goes to $30
Kate's back with $35
Beth takes it to $40
Bonnie and Kate again with a tie at $45 but
Beth breaks the tie and goes to $50
Kate with $55


And thanks for dropping by! Stay awhile, kick your shoes off...have a stroll through the archives.


Jimbo

100,000 hits!! HOOORAY!!

Just now getting to do a post, and the hundred grand mark has past already!
The mark was hit by Sherri! More about Sherri in a follow-up post.

For now, as small part of my appreciation for your visits, I'm issuing a free limited license to copy the above photo if you'd like. The picture is now my screen saver. I took the photo from just down the road from the driveway to the ranch on Deadman Crick a couple years ago after the first snow. It was early in the morning, about 10 degrees F out, and crystal clear. And the camera was working perfectly. Looks like you could walk right into the picture when that happens. Anyways, if you'd like, feel free to copy the picture for your personal use if you'd like. Its such a serene and calming scene that I wanted to share.

I've also been reflecting about how incredible this blog has been for me, and how grateful I still am for Kari and Elizabeth for making it. I was lucky to meet Kari and Elizabeth from Crochetville, way back 5 years ago or so. They liked my hooks and decided to help me out by putting this blog together as a surprise. They knew what a net dummy I was, and took the initiative to set all this up. It's been one of the nicest gifts I've ever had and I'll be forever grateful to them. I had NO idea of all the fantastic people I'd meet through this blog, nor how successful it would become.

It's been just a great time, and the hook auctions have been just incredible. By selling hooks here, we've been able to build a Front Porch on the cabin up on the crick, and we're working toward a roof, all built with hook auction funds! But so many more good things have happened.

Chophook sales and donations from so many kind and talented folks to our FARA auction have helped raise over $40,000 in research money to help find a treatment or cure for Friedreich's Ataxia. And the donations keep coming in! Due in HUGE part to this blog.

Jimbo hooks have made it into several publications, including "Belle Armoire", "Craft", "Make", our local newspaper, the Spokesman Review, and "Talking Crochet". Heck, I was even interviewed in a podcast!! Five years ago I'da thought a podcast was some kind of fishing move. And Jimbo Hooks got the coveted "Flamie" award from the notorious "Crochet Liberation Front" for Best Hooks by and Individual 2008. A HUGE honor.

International Crochet Day (Sept. 12) got it's start here, and is gaining popularity as a day to promote the gentle art of crochet all over the world.
Inspiration for Diplohookticus Jimbosei, the world's largest crochet hook came through this blog.

And all this began with my Sis, Sandy, and the old apple tree up on the Crick; the apple tree donating wood for crochet hooks carved for Sandy, and Sandy encouraging me to make more.

Oh we've had fun with April Fool's day, and you've tolerated my weird humor. It still amazes me about all the friendships that have been kindled here and that will stay with me the rest of my days! A hunnert and five followers!!!

Really, you guys are the greatest, and I hope you'll keep coming back, cause I sure will.. by the grace of the ever tolerant Karol lets me... and so long as these decrepit old fingers can whittle and type, I'll be here.

So thanks again everyone for your kindness and support!

More to follow!
Gratefully,
Jimbo

The Ranch in Winter...auction is closed...(sorry I'm late announcing!!)

BETH is the high bidder for the 7mm Rosa hook!


ARITE is the high bidder for the Tamarack hook!!

Please consider using paypal by clicking on the "make a donation" button in the left margin of my blog, or email me if you'd like to make other payment arrangements.

Thanks!!
Jimbo





stayed another day after everyone else left, and since it's quiet, the deer come out. Nice little white tail buck and his girlfriend down by the old apple tree. Picture's a little dark cause it was dusk.



So pretty out you can just sit and stare, especially through the window from inside where its cozy and warm from the woodstove.


And a couple more hooks to auction!
The top hook is a real beauty, and a re-appearance of one of the finest hardwoods for hooks that I've come across. Its called Peraba Rosa,and it makes just absolutely SUPURB hooks. (the following is a repeat from a past auction for a Peraba Rosa hook) With sharp tools, almost continuous long curly shavings that make this wood an absolute joy to turn. Ah but that's not of interest to crochetiers... Crochetiers want smooooooth hooks that are such a pleasure to hold that beautiful crocheted art just floats off the hook. This is one of those woods. And the color!? Well just look! I researched this wood, and found that its common to Brazil (THANK YOU BRAZIL!!) and doesn't normally have this rich pumpkin color. Normally its more brown and red. So I'm thinking this is an unusual piece, and I'm lucky to have some to work with. But the beauty is in the tightness of the grain and ability to take detail. Carvers would die for this wood! Silk, its like!
This hook and the one below are made to in between sizes. This one is a 7mm, smack between a K and L. And it's 7 inches (17.8cm) long.

And the other hook? Can you guess what kind of wood this is? Think of the tree that looks like a fir, but its really related to hardwoods and it sheds it's needles in the fall after they turn the most brilliant yellow. BEAUTIFUL trees and one of my most favorite woods. Yup you got it. It's Tamarack (Western Larch), and this hook was taken from a fallen branch from a tree that was a little tike when I was a sprout up on the crick. I guess we sort of grew up together. Its huge now, and still pretty healthy.. just sheds a branch or two now and then. So Tamarack is a pretty honey colored wood that's usually knotty and this hook is no exception. In fact there's a knot right in the gullet. Knots are very hard so I take that as a good thing, having a knot in the gullet. Size wise, this one's an O. You never see an O in store bought hooks. Why? Because they didn't want to confuse anyone by using an O which might be confused with a zero. I think you're smarter than that and so I made you an O hook (10.5mm), between the N and P sizes. Its 8 inches long (20.3cm) and is light as a feather... well maybe a wet feather.

This will be another very short auction. Let's finish it up this Friday Night (Jan 22) at oh let's say 5pm Pacific Time (lets the folks back East go to bed earlier).

As usual, you can email bids with $5.00 raise minimums please, to me at:

jimbocrochetwhittler@yahoo.com

To new bidders: I try to post bids as they come in. I'll not be here ALL the time though so if your bid doesn't show up right away, not to worry. Your bid will be posted as soon as Jimboly possible. Identical bids are entered by the time posted so if your bid is the same as another, I'll go by which ever one was posted first.

And thanks again for dropping by!!
Jimbo

Bids

7mm Rosa:
Beth from Australia goes $25


10.5mm Tamarack:
Wow, a bid from Oz, now one from Germany! Arite bids $30

Three Sledders and a request

Any excuse to post a picture of the Grandbabies (though they're not babies anymore, just ask them). Here they're having a little sledding action up on the Ranch. They can slide from the actual "Jimbo's Front Porch" down the hill and past the old apple tree... a distance of about 100 yards. And it's a kick to watch them. Heck I've even slid my old bones down the hill a time or two.

AND here's the thing. I'm noticing my "Stat Counter" edging closer and closer to 100,000 hits, and I'm thinking when it turns over, there should be some kind of celebration. Anybody have an idea? All I can come up with is another hook give away and you guys are probably tired of that.

Gotta go make some hooks now but I'll check back later to see your ideas and maybe I'll have one of my own.. a rare thing these days!

Thanks for dropping by!
Jimbo

Four for auction Auction is OVER, one to give away (CONTEST!!) And we have a WINNER!!

Thanks everyone for bidding and entering the contest. High bidders, please use the "make a donation" button in the left margin for payment using paypal or contact me for other forms of payment.

and now to the winner of the Meanest, toughest hook I've ever made...the Australian Red Gum hook....... Drum roll please... rumpa pum pum.... is..... Laughing Purple Goldfish from Australia!! FANTASTIC!!!

For those who haven't had the pleasure, Laughing is an AMAZINGLY talented Australian crochetier and a very deserving recipient. Check out her blog at http://laughingpurplegoldfish.com/

I picked the winner by random choice, not from the hook names, BUT I have to say my favorite name was "Diplohookticus Jimbosai 'Australis' eucalyptus camaldulensis, common name 'Red Ned'". Ingenious, Beth!! Ah but I also kinda like the name I came up with.. "Redrum", you know from "The Shining" cause it sounds kinda like "Redgum" and spells "murder" backwards.

So, Laughing Purple, if you'd kindly email me an address where the hook's to go, I'll send it off. Aussie wood will be returning to Oz! Probably with some amazing tales to tell.


And thanks again to everyone who entered!! This was fun!! Keep watching. We'll do another contest someday soon.

Jimbo
(click on image to enlarge)

Hot off the Jimbo lathe... 5 hooks of beautiful woods; four are up for bids, one will be given away FREE!!

Lets take a look first at the contest hook (on the far right of the photo). This is a one of a kind hook and it will remain unique in the list of Jimbo hooks as far as the wood type goes.

Of course there's a story behind this. I've been interested in the woods of Australia. The land of Oz grows some really beautiful woods, so when I saw an ad on Craigslist for genuine Australian Red Gum, being sold by an arborist about 40 miles away, I hopped in the truck and beat it over there to buy some. In fact I bought several board feet of the stuff. What I didn't know is that Australian Red Gum is NOT good wood to use on a lathe. The wood splinters and likes to fly off the lathe and attack me. Ah but I don't give up easy. I toughed it out even though a chunk flew off the heel end and tried to impale my hand. So although I finished the hook and its a beauty, I took the hint and won't be turning any more Australian Red Gum into crochet hooks. Now don't get me wrong.... Red Gum is a beautiful wood and it makes some really nice furniture and such. It just doesn't normally want to become crochet hooks. I managed to convince just this one and it turned out to be a beautiful I (5.5mm) hook that's 7 3/4 inches (19.7mm) long!

I took SO much time to make the Red Gum hook that I thought it either should sell for hundreds or I should give it away. I doubt anyone would want to pay hundreds, so I'm giving it away. If you've an interest in an incredibly rare Jimbo hook in Australian Red Gum... all's you have to do is enter the contest by posting a "comment" in this blog entry or by emailing me with an appropriate name for this hook. I'll do a drawing of the entries and post the winner on Jan. 20. One entry per person, please except Australians, who have to put up with this wonderful HEAVY and HARD and DANGEROUS wood get TWO entries each. Also, in appreciation to my wonderful blog followers, your entry will count twice too, just mention that you're a follower and you get two chances!

You can email your entries if posting comments doesn't work, at


jimbocrochetwhittler@yahoo.com


Now on to the 4 hooks up for bids. Lets start on the left and call this one hook #1. This beauty is made from genuine and downright purty Deadman Crick Bush Maple cut my me from a dead branch in a bush not more than a stone's throw (and I can't throw so far anymore) from the Front Porch. Its an N (10mm) and would love to cuddle in your hand and help you make whatever N's like to make. It's longish, at 7 3/4 inches (19.7cm) but light as a Deadman Crick turkey feather.

Moving to the right, we have a hook (#2) made from a chunk of local Black Walnut. This piece of wood has been curing in my basement for about a year and I finally cut it into pieces on my bandsaw and was amazed at the beautiful color of the wood. Ordinarily I'm not a huge fan of walnut. I grew up during a walnut craze and tired of the stuff long ago. But there are exceptions and this chunk of wood is one of them. Its just beautiful! Grain so clear and deep, it's just a remarkable piece of wood. And the hook? I decided to let the hook find it's own size as it was made. Turns out it became an H! (5mm), and the length is a very comfortable 7 inches long (17.8cm). I promise you, this isn't just your ordinary ho hum walnut.

Next hook (#3) is made of that same chunk of walnut, only (shhhh I don't want the other hook to be jealous) even prettier, with wavy grain that you'll just enjoy sitting and staring at; it changes in the light as you move it around. At least I enjoy just sitting and staring at it. And this one is even more unique. It came out the same length at 7 inches (17.8cm) but decided all on own to be between the H and I, at 5.25mm. Do you own an H.5? I bet not. And you won't see a prettier walnut hook. Beauty has its quirks eh?

And last up is a hook (#4) made from exotic Zircote, a hardwood that runs from brown to black to dusky tan in VERY defined streaks. In fact, if I didn't tell you, you might think that this is several pieces of different woods that were laminated together. This hook was made from the wood pieces that my son Lance gave me for Christmas and was hand picked by him for its amazing grain. The hook is an I (5.5mm) and is a bit over 7 inches (17.8cm) long.

So there you have it. Enter the contest whether you bid or not. To new bidders: I try to post bids as they come in. I'll not be here ALL the time... in fact I'll be gone from Thursday - Sunday (Jan. 7-10) so if your bid doesn't show up right away, not to worry. Your bid will be posted as soon as I'm able to get to them. Identical bids are entered by first to post so if your bid is the same as another, I'll go by which ever one was posted first. Also please increase bids by $5 minimum. I'll end the auction on Tuesday night 10pm, Jan 12.

email bids, if you've a mind, to me at


jimbocrochetwhittler@yahoo.com

Whew!! So here we go!

Bids:

Hook #1
Krista jumps in with $15
Virginia bids $25

Hook #2
Nancy's the first bidder with $20
Alice takes it to $25
Nicole goes $30
Nancy searched the couch cushions and came up with $35


Hook #3
JoAnn goes $20
Jennifer's saying $35
Nicole's here too with $40



Hook #4
Kelley's here with $25
Dawn drops a bid for $35
Kelley's back with $40
Jenn's here with $45


And THANK you for dropping by!!

Jimbo