30 October 2012

RED CROSS CHARITY CHRISTMAS FAYRE....

First Christmas fayre of the year this morning and I bought two wonderful gifts for someone.
A beautiful purple scent bottle
and....

A FABULOUS pair of striped handmade socks for the silly price of dare I say £3.50...
What a wonderful pressie they will make for someone...
Aren't they gorgeous?

Cushion progress not good...
The Moss stitch cushions aren't getting the attention they need right now. Lots of new stitch samples to play with lol.

I will finish them and then make a patchwork cushion of all the samples too...
I think it will work alongside the others
Simple shell stitch and an easy ripple cushion to go with the moss stitch plus the patch work.

Still looking for the right buttons for the new Cashmere Cowl?

Have fun x

29 October 2012

CROCHET RIPPLES , WAVES MARBLE YARN AND CORRECT HOOK SIZE

Been playing with a few ripples and waves over the weekend instead of finishing my Moss stitch cushions......
Re-pinned a pattern on PINTREST 

I Love crochet diagrams so much easier to follow than reading written patterns, you can see it all in one look, except of course if you miss read it because you haven't got your glasses on but I realise quite quickly I had made a mistake....oops!

Love the pattern but getting the right hook size so the crochet isn't hard and the right yarn to ripple can take a bit of time, not right yet and once you get going the pattern isn't as complicated as it looks

love the pattern, 
love the colour, 
love the variegated yarn....
but the hook size isn't right yet. This JAMES C BRETT Marble DK has never felt hard before but it does with this sample so I will try a 5mm hook instead of a 4mm, see if it softens up a bit.

Treated myself to a few colours of 100% Cashmere from COLOURMART on monday, probably the most expensive yarn I have ever used and if I am very honest it is like old rope to work with (oiled yarns), I have string softer lol.......but I had already made and washed a 
granny square and WOW! it is so soft and beautiful after washing.

A Before and after picture tomorrow of the Ripple Button Cowl 

Moss stitch cushions to finish...
have fun x


update: Styelcraft by Susan Pinner 
Ripple pattern

use the code YART10 for a 10% discount





and lots more to see 

27 October 2012

When does an open shell stitch become a 'v' stitch...love the shell stitch and all it's variations was playing yesterday with a sample.
Can you tell in this sample when the stitch changes from an Open Shell Stitch to a Double 'V' Stitch?

NO NEITHER CAN I...and I did the sample!

so which is it then?

the first row from the bottom: 2dc 2ch 2dc
the second row: 2dc 1ch 2dc
the 3rd 4th 5th rows: 2dc no ch 2dc
6th and 7th: 2dc 1ch 2dc
at least I think that is how I did each row???

but the difference was so slight, the only thing that happened when you use 2 ch it grew sideways and no chain it pulled back in again maybe it is a little more open than no chain space but really it would be hard to decide don't you think?

Moss Stitch throw in the making..
So I have been a bit distracted from the Moss Stitch cushions, peeking at me from my string bag ....


25 October 2012

UPDATE ON THE MOSS ST. CUSHION

Sorry I didn't get back to this yesterday, I forgot that it was wonderful Wednesday.

Wednesdays as from a couple of weeks back is now filled with new friends, cups of coffee and shared knitting and crochet at a KNIT AND NATTER group in Shrewsbury....Thanks Erika for a fabulous and friendly group, so pleased I made it to your group eventually and Thanks Maralyn for suggesting I go along. 
A fabulous group of girls who made me feel very welcome from the first minute I arrived....Thanks Girls I look forward to many a fun filled Wednesdays from now on.

4 of us took a trip to Colinette yesterday too, a fabulous wool store well worth a visit. 

Here is the new stitch numbers for the Diagonal Cushion Pattern I shared a couple of days back


MOSS ST. DIAGONAL CUSHION new sts numbers
When I did the pattern I forgot how moss stitch tightens up and has very little stretch, unlike dc used in the original  Diagonal Striped cushion

These sts numbers are for Moss Stitch only
Using a double strand of DK worked together and a 5mm hook

70 base chain, made a 13" diagonal cushion but will make an 18" straight cushion 
82 base chain, will make a 16" diagonal cushion
90 base chain will make an 18" diagonal cushion
98 base chain will make a 20" diagonal cushion

BUS STOP KNITTER, how new friends can be made?
Met someone at the bus stop yesterday polite chat revealed she was an avid knitter and we had a great chat, I got out my crochet on the bus and she came over to see what I was doing, she loved the Moss Stitch and said she would definitely be having a go....new friend made? lol

HAVE FUN X




23 October 2012

CROCHET: Moss Stitch Diagonal Cushion and Border pattern

Remember these diagonal striped cushions in simple rows of dc [tr)?

Making a new version of the cushion picking the colours from the new rug...

Moss Stitch Border
A simple but effective stitch 
MOSS STITCH AS A BORDER
Round 1: start in a corner, sc, [dc], ch3, sc [dc], in the corner sp, miss a st, sc [dc], in the next st, ch 1, miss a st, repeat to end of row, repeat corner sc [dc],  ch3, sc [dc], continue to repeat side and corner stitches, to end sl st to complete cut off and weave in ends

Round 2: change colour and repeat round 1



Quick pictorial HOW TO for the diagonal MOSS STITCH CUSHION
sorry this is only in US Terms
Diagonal Cushion in the round
For approx. 18" cushion pad
6mm hook 
2 strands of DK worked together as one or chunky yarn will make a firm and durable cushion cover
RECOMMENDED: Tension sample first
US Terms in black, UK Terms in brackets in red

ch90 stitches (length of the diagonal) in the first colour, 
ROUND 1:Cont. in 1st col. sc [dc], down one side of the ch70, then return and sc [dc], up the other side of the chain, 
an even number is required if you are doing Moss Stitch in the round

ROUND 2: changed colour every round, sc [dc], miss a st, ch1, sc, [dc], miss a st, ch1 repeat to end of round, sl st to complete

change colour every round to give a tweed look to the Moss st.

ANY STITCH...
Any stitch combination and any colourway (plain or striped) can be used for this cushion just start with the chain and sc all around the chain.

PLAIN, TWEED OR VERTICAL STRIPES
same colour every round..plain texture only
change colour every round...tweedy look
use 2 colours, used alternately gives a strip

DIAGONAL/STRAIGHT CUSHION NOTE
Start with a long chain the width of the cushion, but you will need to crochet twice the length of the diagonal cushion length to cover a cushion this way.

Hope to have the first cushion finished for pictures tomorrow morning


TRY THE PART MADE CUSHION ON YOUR CUSHION PAD 
over the opposite corners, the number of rows you need to make it meet in the middle.....so keep going until the 'bag fits the cushion pad comfortably 
and meets in the centre diagonal

Straight cushion Bag
Above straight cushion bag...70sts base chain.

MOSS ST. DIAGONAL CUSHION APPROX. ST NUMBERS

Moss stitch tightens up a little as you work it, this is a guide to the number of stitches for a particular size of cushion pad, but you would be best to do a tension sample as Moss stitch has very little stretch

These sts numbers are for Moss Stitch only
Using a double strand of DK or chunky worked together and a 6mm hook

70 base chain, will make a 13" diagonal cushion...but make an 18" straight cushion bag

82 base chain, will make a 16" diagonal cushion
90 base chain will make an 18" diagonal cushion
98 base chain will make a 20" diagonal cushion

22 October 2012

Men's Crochet Slipper Pattern


MEN'S  SLIPPER PATTERN

(USA Terms)
Chunky or Very chunky yarn and 5mm hook

Basic pattern, you may need to alter lengths depending on the yarn used and foot size

PATTERN: make 2
Gents: size 10
chain 4, into a circle
Row 1: 14 dc into circle, sl st to complete round (14 sts)
Row 2: 2dc in each stitch, sl st to complete round (28 sts)
Row 3: 1dc in each stitch, sl st to complete round (28 sts)
Row 4 - 11: repeat round 3 (28sts) 


NOTE: adjust the number for individual foot
I did 16 rows in total for my son who takes a size 8.

BACK OF THE SLIPPER:
The back of the slipper is worked back and forth not in the round as are Rows 4-11
NOTE: Depending on yarn this could be less rows

Row 12-18  depending on foot size and yarn etc: 
1dc in the next 23 sts then turn and work back and forth until the correct amount of rows have been done to fit your foot snugly. Some yarns it is 6 back of slipper rows and some it is 7.

FRONT TAB:
An additional tab front into the 5 sts left off when doing the backs at the front plus two more stitches one each end of the tab.
 So do 2 rows of 7dc, start in the last stitch of the side/back and finish in the first sts of the side/back so that both ends of the tab overlap the side/back by one stitch

TO FINISH:
Sew or sc the back seam together.
Add a SC stitch in a contrast yarn around the opening edge and tab front
keeping it quite tight at the back but not so tight over the tab.

DECORATION if you want:
Make a circle decoration, and sew it to the Slipper front.


HELPFUL TIPS:
The number of rows in the total  length can depend on the yarn you use.
And to get the right fit with one yarn I did the last row in SC and not DC for some yarns


Don't make it too loose or they won't stay on your feet as they stretch a little in the first wearing.
But it is easy to adjust the number of rows to fit your foot and make them personal.

21 October 2012

Crochet Slipper Pattern and a New Rug For the Craft oom...

Do you ever get that feeling something exciting is about to happen, but you have no idea what?

Yesterday, doing the food shop, we came across a new store....next door to the last shop.

Come on says Phil lets go take a look, he rushed on ahead, you know like men do and before I was 10' into the shop he was on the way out saying it was all rubbish.
"What!" says I...

Now I could see that most of it was, but!
being a stubborn old mule that I am I wanted to look for myself.

NOT SURE IF PHIL WAS TRYING TO GET ME OUT OF THE STORE FAST OR WHAT? hehehe

WOW!!!
So many, it was hard to make a choice, I have measurements now so I might just  go back for another look.

What do you think a real bargain or what?


And just look at the price reduction too......
It is huge and just fits perfectly between the two sofas in my craftroom.

Now where can I put another one?...lol
Far too good a bargain to not buy another, don't you think?

LADIES SLIPPER PATTERN
(USA Terms)
Chunky or Very chunky yarn and 5mm hook

Basic pattern, you may need to alter lengths depending on the yarn used and foot size
PATTERN: make 2
Ladies: size4/5
chain 4, into a circle
Row 1: 12 dc into circle, sl st to complete round (12sts)
Row 2: 2dc in each stitch, sl st to complete round (24sts)
Row 3: 1dc in each stitch plus one extra at the end of the round, sl st to complete round (25sts)
Row 4: 1dc in each st, sl st to complete round (25sts) 
Row 5- 11: Repeat row 4 (25sts)

NOTE: adjust the number for your foot, high or low front

BACK OF THE SLIPPER:
The back of the slipper is worked back and forth not in the round as are Rows 1-11
NOTE: Depending on yarn this could be less rows

Row 12-16 depending on foot size and yarn etc: 
1dc in the next 20 sts then turn and work back and forth until the correct amount of rows have been done to fit your foot snugly. 

TO FINISH:
Sew or sc the back seam together.
Add a SC stitch in a contrast yarn around the opening edge,
keeping it quite tight as after one wearing they stretch a bit.

DECORATION:

Make a flower or circle decoration, and sew it to the Slipper front.


HELPFUL TIPS:
For me 16 rows was perfect in one yarn in another I only needed 14 rows in total it just depends on the yarn you use.
And to get the right fit with one yarn I did the last row in SC and not DC.


Don't make it too loose or they won't stay on your feet as they stretch a little in the first wearing.
But it is easy to adjust the number of rows to fit your foot and make them personal.
Started to make another pair with a lower front and longer back....

so play around with the number of rows for the front and the back.
MEN'S VERSION TOMORROW.

Hugs to all and Have fun
x

19 October 2012

Over two weeks since my last post......how did that happen?

Been a tad busy just lately and the last two weeks seem to have flown by, lots of cleaning and sorting and all the problems August and September way behind me now, thanks goodness.

Exciting progress with the book, so a lot of reading and editing going on, a few more samples that the book designer requested and I eventually signed and returned the contract and got my first royalties cheque yesterday.

Old Tins recycled...
......made colourful covers, prefered one colour per tin, but in a rainbow of shades, are real quick to make and great for crochet hooks, scissors, glasses and pens and a splash of colour too.

POST UPDATE OCTOBER 21ST 2012 Asked about the mats...
PLACEMATS...DUNELM CLICK TO SEE MORE £1.99 each and still available.


QUICK SLIPPERS......
made from the same pattern as the tin cover with a few more stitches added for the back.

so the tin covers turned into a slipper or two.... lol
Two pairs have disappeared with James for his friends wife and a pair for himself (not photographed yet, male version) and a pair ordered for his friend too.
To make one slipper takes me about 3/4's of an hour for the bigger sizes 8/9/10's and half an hour to make size 4/5 my size

BIT OF NEW YUMMY YARN TO SHARE TOO...
This random dyed one I have had a couple of months and only really made a couple of flowers with it, but it is really light, soft and makes up beautifully. Thinking soft Granny square Wrap? 

But it could always turn into something else on it's journey though.....a bit like mohair without the tickle

No idea what this one will be be....
but it is equally as soft and lovely to work with, 
AND 
it comes in purple shades that match the sofa exactly...no real ideas yet 

Been Holiday Shopping..
...just a few things to coordinate with what I have, that will be great for my holiday and layered will also take me through the winter. I tried everything on and decided a stripy scarf would look lovely and bring all the buys together plus, keep me warm this end.
  
Found this one A MILLION STRIPES by Brenda Burrell on Ravelry a striped scarf, knitted in the round. Loved all the variations, picked the colours from my holiday buys and started it last night

But having made about an arms length last night, (my sc, version in mostly Colourmart Cashmerino) it has turned into the sleeve of a jacket....no pictures yet waiting until I have at least a front to show as well as a sleeve.

Looks like it is going to make a beautiful striped jacket, but will I finish it before our late hols? 
Going to give it a go anyway.

HAVE FUN X

03 October 2012

ANOTHER DAY OF CRAFT ROOM SORTING...

Took me longer than expected yesterday I kept finding things to look at and remember lol
lots of half made paper things....
From paper dolls to birds garlands to flower balls...
also spent time looking through all my old college drawings and my Dad's artwork too, 
James thinks I should frame some of them. Might with some of my Dad's stuff drawn in the 1950's

At least I managed to clear the dining room but there is still a pile of woolly stuff to deal with and only one cupboard and a couple of storage boxes left to fill, don't think I will manage it do you?

Finished late last night didn't want to go to bed so I lingered a while and watched the TV.
I Love My Crafty Space again

Certainly a lot tidier than a couple of days ago

Hugs x


02 October 2012

Eventually the much needed craft room clear out....

Been going to sort out the awful mess in my craft room for weeks. 
Yesterday I just woke up and decided this was the day....I wanted to clear a dance floor space to allow me to do my Zumba tapes.

It's looking great so far unfortunately the dining room isn't hehe. Moved everything out of the dining room into the kitchen, and everything out of the craft room into the dining room so I could decide how to make the changes...
.....decision to get rid of my huge craft table to give me more floor space, so now all the furniture fits in comfortably and I have half the room as a dance floor, Zumba here we come.
still need to remove half of the big table base, you can just see it in the bottom left corner,
but it will gives me a good space to Zumba in.

Still lots to sort out, but if it won't fit in the cupboards at the back or the storage boxes then it's got to go.

YEAR'S OF FABRICS
Thanks Annie and Jo for taking the fabric collection off my hands I am sure you two will find a better use for it than it sitting in boxes for years. It will need sorting for sure, I daren't look at it' 'cos I know what I will do so it's all yours. 
Cya next week.

I AM A HOARDER, are you?
Why do we keep useful stuff, but never look at it again?
MEMORIES I suppose?
Opened one bag yesterday and found a couple of James' knitted baby things I made him, he is now 28, some of my Mum's delicate crochet in another bag and a box of my old sketches from the art college days in the 70's.....how do you deal with memories and storing them?

PAINKILLERS FOR BREAKFAST
 My back took some stick yesterday moving furniture around and humping big boxes, in fact last night i could hardly move...ooops!

LATE HOLIDAY...
We booked a much needed late Holiday last weekend
With all the upset and turmoil of the last few weeks (it came to a satisfactory end on 21st Sept.) so we are going back to Lanzarote with the same friends we went with in the Spring.
Hope this one is as good Alison and Dave.

Hope the ZUMBA works too lol.

Hugs xx