Thursday, September 5, 2013
Busy busy busy!
I feel the need to apologize. I do end up letting the blog slide when I get busy with the kids and their activities. I've had a crazy day today, even, but have great news! My baby will be starting Head Start this next monday, so I'll have 20 free hours a week to actually crochet and work on the blog ;) It's a bittersweet event, and it'll probably take me a few weeks to scrape all the accumulated toddler contamination off of everything, LOL. I'm still testing for Crafting Friends and Crochet by Jennifer, though I haven't had time to work on swaps, I suppose I'll have more time soon to do that too. I'm a Brownie girl-scout leader as well- just a crazy crocheting housewife :D I've been crocheting a lot, so I'll add pictures that I can find of stuff too. Sorry for the picture dump!
Sunday, January 6, 2013
2013
I think I'm sufficiently recovered from the flood of holidays and birthdays that come our way during the last 6 weeks of the year. (3 holidays and 4, yes, 4! birthdays in our family between mid November and the end of the year).
So I'll be back soon. I've been cheating on my hooks, and doing other crafty things. I'm currently waiting on a big box o' fun (fur!) from Herrschner's, and I'll be working on some fun stuff when that arrives. It's complicated, but a short version could be that serendipity decided to intervene after my mother in law played with my daughter's Furby all of Christmas Day, and I was gifted a free pattern to match, and she's been known to complain about my crocheting, so guess what she's getting for her birthday in a couple weeks? *Insert evil gigglesnort here* I think I'll make her a hat and put the actual creature in the hat so it's doubly crazy.
I've been spending a lot of time down at the bus stop, and I'm thinking I need a big ole cowl that I can wear as a hood AND twist over my face for a ski mask or veil effect. I also need to make my son the tow truck hat (cough*mater* cough cough) because he now accompanies us seeing as Daddy finally found another job and has started back on the road. Not so good for my Valentine's day options, but way healthier on the budget and definitely a winner in the "OMG Get out of my house for 20 freaking minutes!" department(I love him. But we've literally been at each other's side for two months. Even retirees go play golf for 4+ hours at a time!) Alrighty, that seems like enough of a welcome back ramble.
Keep on Hookin'! Happy 2013~
So I'll be back soon. I've been cheating on my hooks, and doing other crafty things. I'm currently waiting on a big box o' fun (fur!) from Herrschner's, and I'll be working on some fun stuff when that arrives. It's complicated, but a short version could be that serendipity decided to intervene after my mother in law played with my daughter's Furby all of Christmas Day, and I was gifted a free pattern to match, and she's been known to complain about my crocheting, so guess what she's getting for her birthday in a couple weeks? *Insert evil gigglesnort here* I think I'll make her a hat and put the actual creature in the hat so it's doubly crazy.
I've been spending a lot of time down at the bus stop, and I'm thinking I need a big ole cowl that I can wear as a hood AND twist over my face for a ski mask or veil effect. I also need to make my son the tow truck hat (cough*mater* cough cough) because he now accompanies us seeing as Daddy finally found another job and has started back on the road. Not so good for my Valentine's day options, but way healthier on the budget and definitely a winner in the "OMG Get out of my house for 20 freaking minutes!" department(I love him. But we've literally been at each other's side for two months. Even retirees go play golf for 4+ hours at a time!) Alrighty, that seems like enough of a welcome back ramble.
Keep on Hookin'! Happy 2013~
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Free Pattern: Granny's Favorite Reversible Stocking ;)
Granny's Favorite Stocking (Reversible!)
Materials:
I hook(9/5.5mm)
1 skein worsted weight
Red and Green Material for lining(optional but highly recommended)
Sewing Needle
Sewing Thread
Make 22 in Mistletoe, 11 in Green, and 11 in Red
Ch 3, join into circle.
Ch 2(Counts as first DC) and DC 3 more times into circle(4 DC)
Ch 3, then 4 DC into circle- repeat until you have 4 ch 3 spaces and 4 groups of 4 DC
Join into top of Ch 2. Ch 1, SC in same st. SC in next two stitches, and 5 sc in ch 3 space. 3 SC in next 3, then 5 sc in next ch 3 space. Repeat around. Join, finish off, weaving ends as you go.
Once you have all 44 squares, whipstitch together as shown in the picture. Use red and mistletoe on one side, and green and mistletoe on the other with 2 rows of 5 and 4 rows of 3. Using the opposite solid color(red on the green/mistletoe side, green on the red/mistletoe)I did seven stitches on each side of the squares, leaving one on each corner. If you need to have your yarn travel, do it on the wrong sides, as this becomes the interior. Make sure that one side has the toe on the right, and the other has the toe box on the left. Once your squares are assembled, using the same color yarn you used to attach them, sc around. 7 SC on the outer side of each square, 3 sc in each corner space. Ch 1 for each spot where the two corners meet and skip those two corners, and 7 sc in next square. Then, wrong sides together, and using mistletoe, SC through both sides together.
Make the cuff by SC in each stitch around the top, for 5-10 rows(Using worsted weight, do 10, using super bulky, do 5). Finish off and fold it down. Line with material as desired. Don't forget to securely attach a loop at the top above the heel for hanging.
Enjoy!
Materials:
I hook(9/5.5mm)
1 skein worsted weight
- Red
- Green
- Mistletoe
Red and Green Material for lining(optional but highly recommended)
Sewing Needle
Sewing Thread
Make 22 in Mistletoe, 11 in Green, and 11 in Red
Ch 3, join into circle.
Ch 2(Counts as first DC) and DC 3 more times into circle(4 DC)
Ch 3, then 4 DC into circle- repeat until you have 4 ch 3 spaces and 4 groups of 4 DC
Join into top of Ch 2. Ch 1, SC in same st. SC in next two stitches, and 5 sc in ch 3 space. 3 SC in next 3, then 5 sc in next ch 3 space. Repeat around. Join, finish off, weaving ends as you go.
Once you have all 44 squares, whipstitch together as shown in the picture. Use red and mistletoe on one side, and green and mistletoe on the other with 2 rows of 5 and 4 rows of 3. Using the opposite solid color(red on the green/mistletoe side, green on the red/mistletoe)I did seven stitches on each side of the squares, leaving one on each corner. If you need to have your yarn travel, do it on the wrong sides, as this becomes the interior. Make sure that one side has the toe on the right, and the other has the toe box on the left. Once your squares are assembled, using the same color yarn you used to attach them, sc around. 7 SC on the outer side of each square, 3 sc in each corner space. Ch 1 for each spot where the two corners meet and skip those two corners, and 7 sc in next square. Then, wrong sides together, and using mistletoe, SC through both sides together.
Make the cuff by SC in each stitch around the top, for 5-10 rows(Using worsted weight, do 10, using super bulky, do 5). Finish off and fold it down. Line with material as desired. Don't forget to securely attach a loop at the top above the heel for hanging.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Technical Tuesday: These hooks ain't for crocheting
Here's hoping I can get back in the groove and on time with stuff ;)
Today's technical Tuesday deals with our most revered tool- the crochet hook. They come in aluminum, acrylic, bamboo, wood. Plain, or wrapped in fimo, sometimes with pencil grips, they are the most important tool we have. You can gnaw through yarn if you can't find your scissors, but without the hook, you're sunk.
So here's a list of suggested household uses for a crochet hook, and they have nothing to do with crochet ;)
And there are tons of other fun uses that have nothing to do with crocheting :) I'm a proud hooker and I love the tools of my trade but that doesn't stop me from having fun with it too.
Happy Halloween!
Today's technical Tuesday deals with our most revered tool- the crochet hook. They come in aluminum, acrylic, bamboo, wood. Plain, or wrapped in fimo, sometimes with pencil grips, they are the most important tool we have. You can gnaw through yarn if you can't find your scissors, but without the hook, you're sunk.
So here's a list of suggested household uses for a crochet hook, and they have nothing to do with crochet ;)
- Clean your ears and ensure that your hook is well waxed ;)
- Tie a drawstring that has fallen out of a waistband around it and then use it to pull it back through
- Great for clogs in a drain
- Back scratcher extraordinaire
- Undoing a super knot? A hook can help
- Highlight your hair
- Unstick things in small electronics(though aluminum might mess with the electronic components)
- Open the foil/paper seal on small bottles
- A hair accessory- like chopsticks
- To fetch something from a small hole
- Wrap a thin dishcloth over the top and use it to clean small crevices in sippy cups or bottles
- Need an extra 4-6 inches of reach? Use your hook to avoid stretching
- Fix snags
- A broken zipper may be zipped or unzipped with a small hook.
- Close a difficult button/hole
- Do your curtains stick on your curtain rod? Use a hook to loosen the snag on the inside
- Aerate the soil on your houseplants
- Gently remove the ornaments you can't reach on your holiday tree
And there are tons of other fun uses that have nothing to do with crocheting :) I'm a proud hooker and I love the tools of my trade but that doesn't stop me from having fun with it too.
Happy Halloween!
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Technical Tuesday: Crochet Terms (Part 1)
Whether you're a new hand or old at crocheting, sometimes you'll look at a term and just can't figure out what it means. So here is a comprehensive list of common(or not) crochet terms. This is done in US terminology ;)
* (The Asterisk): is found in patterns that repeat frequently, turning "SC in next, 2SC in next, SC, 2SC, SC, 2SC into *SC in next stitch, 2 DC in next* Repeat from * around.
SC (Single Crochet): Insert your hook into your stitch, pull up a loop, pull through both loops on hook.
DC (Double Crochet): Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, pull up a loop. You should have 3 loops on the hook. Pull up a loop through the first two loops, leaving two loops on hook. Pull up again.
TR (Treble Crochet): Yarn over twice, insert hook into stitch and pull up a loop. 4 loops on hook. Pull up a loop through 2, pull up a loop through 2, pull up a loop through the last two.
FL (Front Loop): Instead of using both loops on the stitch you're working into, do the next stitch into the front loop of the stitch only, the loop closest to you(This is hard to explain, pic. tutorial coming soon)
BL (Back Loop): Same as front loop except that you only use the loop on the back of your work
CH (Chain): This is your starting chain or a simple stitch designed to move your yarn and hook up where it needs to be to create a stitch. It is simply pulling up a loop without working through any stitches
INC (Increase): This means to put 2 identical stitches into the same stitch from the last row/round.
DEC (Decrease): This means to take 2 stitches from the previous row/round and put them together into 1 stitch in your new row.
SC2Tog (SC 2 together): This is the SC version of a decrease. Insert your hook into the stitch, pull up a loop. Insert your hook into the next stitch and pull up a 3rd loop. Pull a loop up through all 3 loops on the hook.
DC2Tog (DC 2 Together): This is the DC version of a decrease. Yarn over, and insert your hook into the stitch, pull up a loop. Pull up a loop through the first 2 loops on the hook, leaving 2 loops. Yarn over, and insert into the next stitch. Pull up a loop, then pull up a loop through 2 loops at a time until you have 1 loop left on the hook.
MC (Magic Circle): A common way of starting a project that will be done in rounds or spiral. (There's a tutorial elsewhere in this blog if you need more help) The MC is more adjustable than the traditional method of chaining, joining and stitching in the loop, or putting more than 2 stitches into 1 stitch of a chain.
CA/B/C (Color A, Color B, Color C): A way to differentiate between colors when switching during crocheting.
RS (Right Side): This is the side that will be visible when you wear or display something
RND (Round): This is when you are crocheting in a circle or spiral. The ends will meet or overlap with the first stitch of the round. Synonomous with row when working on a project.
ROW: A certain amount of stitches as you work on the project, the ends do not meet or overlap, producing a flat project.
SL ST(Slip Stitch): to insert your hook into the stitch and pull up a loop through the 1 loop already on your hook. This is a flat stitch frequently used to move the working yarn along stitches that don't need worked, or to edge a piece with contrasting fiber.
FROG: To "rip it, rip it"- removing stitches to fix an error.
TENSION: The amount of give your stitches have, controlled by how you hold your yarn as you work. Loose tension equals stitches that can easily snag, twist, or stretch too far, ruining your work, but some projects require this give.
GAUGE: How many stitches should equal a certain size, i.e. Gauge= 3DC and 2 rows = 1" So two rows of 3 DC should be an inch square
SWATCH: A sample done to see if your tension and hook size can give you the gauge needed to complete your project true to size
YO (Yarn over): To wrap your working yarn around your hook one or more times, giving you more loops to work on, creating bigger stitches.
JOIN: The process of SL ST into the first stitch in the round. Used when crocheting in the round.
SPIRAL: The process of crocheting in the round WITHOUT joining each round.
Now, I know this is just the bare basics. I will add a second post at some point in the future explaining more as I learn them ;)
Happy Hookin' Ya'll!
* (The Asterisk): is found in patterns that repeat frequently, turning "SC in next, 2SC in next, SC, 2SC, SC, 2SC into *SC in next stitch, 2 DC in next* Repeat from * around.
SC (Single Crochet): Insert your hook into your stitch, pull up a loop, pull through both loops on hook.
DC (Double Crochet): Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, pull up a loop. You should have 3 loops on the hook. Pull up a loop through the first two loops, leaving two loops on hook. Pull up again.
TR (Treble Crochet): Yarn over twice, insert hook into stitch and pull up a loop. 4 loops on hook. Pull up a loop through 2, pull up a loop through 2, pull up a loop through the last two.
FL (Front Loop): Instead of using both loops on the stitch you're working into, do the next stitch into the front loop of the stitch only, the loop closest to you(This is hard to explain, pic. tutorial coming soon)
BL (Back Loop): Same as front loop except that you only use the loop on the back of your work
CH (Chain): This is your starting chain or a simple stitch designed to move your yarn and hook up where it needs to be to create a stitch. It is simply pulling up a loop without working through any stitches
INC (Increase): This means to put 2 identical stitches into the same stitch from the last row/round.
DEC (Decrease): This means to take 2 stitches from the previous row/round and put them together into 1 stitch in your new row.
SC2Tog (SC 2 together): This is the SC version of a decrease. Insert your hook into the stitch, pull up a loop. Insert your hook into the next stitch and pull up a 3rd loop. Pull a loop up through all 3 loops on the hook.
DC2Tog (DC 2 Together): This is the DC version of a decrease. Yarn over, and insert your hook into the stitch, pull up a loop. Pull up a loop through the first 2 loops on the hook, leaving 2 loops. Yarn over, and insert into the next stitch. Pull up a loop, then pull up a loop through 2 loops at a time until you have 1 loop left on the hook.
MC (Magic Circle): A common way of starting a project that will be done in rounds or spiral. (There's a tutorial elsewhere in this blog if you need more help) The MC is more adjustable than the traditional method of chaining, joining and stitching in the loop, or putting more than 2 stitches into 1 stitch of a chain.
CA/B/C (Color A, Color B, Color C): A way to differentiate between colors when switching during crocheting.
RS (Right Side): This is the side that will be visible when you wear or display something
RND (Round): This is when you are crocheting in a circle or spiral. The ends will meet or overlap with the first stitch of the round. Synonomous with row when working on a project.
ROW: A certain amount of stitches as you work on the project, the ends do not meet or overlap, producing a flat project.
SL ST(Slip Stitch): to insert your hook into the stitch and pull up a loop through the 1 loop already on your hook. This is a flat stitch frequently used to move the working yarn along stitches that don't need worked, or to edge a piece with contrasting fiber.
FROG: To "rip it, rip it"- removing stitches to fix an error.
TENSION: The amount of give your stitches have, controlled by how you hold your yarn as you work. Loose tension equals stitches that can easily snag, twist, or stretch too far, ruining your work, but some projects require this give.
GAUGE: How many stitches should equal a certain size, i.e. Gauge= 3DC and 2 rows = 1" So two rows of 3 DC should be an inch square
SWATCH: A sample done to see if your tension and hook size can give you the gauge needed to complete your project true to size
YO (Yarn over): To wrap your working yarn around your hook one or more times, giving you more loops to work on, creating bigger stitches.
JOIN: The process of SL ST into the first stitch in the round. Used when crocheting in the round.
SPIRAL: The process of crocheting in the round WITHOUT joining each round.
Now, I know this is just the bare basics. I will add a second post at some point in the future explaining more as I learn them ;)
Happy Hookin' Ya'll!
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Technial Tuesday: Blocking without an iron!
Hope everyone had a productive Labor Day weekend!
And it's Tuesday again. Today I'm covering blocking, as it's fresh in my mind. You see, I didn't believe I'd ever have to block anything, so I was kind of at a loss when I finished my doily. And at the risk of turning in my Homemaker Club Card, I must admit that I don't own an iron... Hehe. I need one, I have visions of melty pegboard beads and being able to wash my curtains without borrowing my mother in laws again, but everytime I look at the store, they never seem to be in stock.
So I had a large doily to block, and no iron. But I'm quite happy with what I did.
What you need:
Item to be blocked
Stainless Steel T pins
A blocking board- I used a piece of foam backing I grabbed out of the dollar store school section
Spray Starch
A scrap towel
A bowl to wash the item in
(Optional) I used liquid stitch on my ends, though I read later that it'll eventually turn yellow with age
A clean workspace
Step 1: Wash the item in cool water with a drop or two of dish(NOT DISHWASHER) soap. Gently swirl it in the water to remove any oils that accumulated while you were working it up(make sure your hands are clean too!). I highly recommend this to be brief and to test any contrasting colors for colorfastness before using anything resembling warm water. Rinse and move to your work area.
Step 4: Run around madly showing everyone you can find your newest creation (Just kidding, sort of. Just because I did doesn't mean you have to!) Step 4 is actually to put it away and not fidget with it. Let it dry overnight, preferably for 24 hours.
Step 5: Remove your pins and put your creation on display :)
In retrospect, I didn't have enough t pins to adequately block. I should of placed one in each point around the outside, but the store only had 1 box of 40, and there is something like 53 points just around the outside, not including the ones I had to place inside. But I made it work, and so can you. Just remember to pin it exactly as you want it to look :)
Keep on Hookin'!
And it's Tuesday again. Today I'm covering blocking, as it's fresh in my mind. You see, I didn't believe I'd ever have to block anything, so I was kind of at a loss when I finished my doily. And at the risk of turning in my Homemaker Club Card, I must admit that I don't own an iron... Hehe. I need one, I have visions of melty pegboard beads and being able to wash my curtains without borrowing my mother in laws again, but everytime I look at the store, they never seem to be in stock.
So I had a large doily to block, and no iron. But I'm quite happy with what I did.
Item to be blocked
Stainless Steel T pins
A blocking board- I used a piece of foam backing I grabbed out of the dollar store school section
Spray Starch
A scrap towel
A bowl to wash the item in
(Optional) I used liquid stitch on my ends, though I read later that it'll eventually turn yellow with age
A clean workspace
Step 1: Wash the item in cool water with a drop or two of dish(NOT DISHWASHER) soap. Gently swirl it in the water to remove any oils that accumulated while you were working it up(make sure your hands are clean too!). I highly recommend this to be brief and to test any contrasting colors for colorfastness before using anything resembling warm water. Rinse and move to your work area.
Step 2: Lay your item out on half of the towel and gently blot it to remove excess water. Following the directions on your starch, light mist the top of your item with the starch, flip it over carefully, gently blot, and starch the other side.
Step 3: Transfer to your blocking board, right side up. This could layers of cardboard or a professionally made item. If you need to pin at certain measurements, draw a graph of the appropriate size on your board before beginning. I did not feel the need to do this, so I skipped it this time.
Using the T pins, start in the center and work your way out, making sure the damp strands look exactly like they should when it's done drying and that the needles are holding the tension as they should. I went all the way through both sides of the foam board I used.
Step 4: Run around madly showing everyone you can find your newest creation (Just kidding, sort of. Just because I did doesn't mean you have to!) Step 4 is actually to put it away and not fidget with it. Let it dry overnight, preferably for 24 hours.
Step 5: Remove your pins and put your creation on display :)
In retrospect, I didn't have enough t pins to adequately block. I should of placed one in each point around the outside, but the store only had 1 box of 40, and there is something like 53 points just around the outside, not including the ones I had to place inside. But I made it work, and so can you. Just remember to pin it exactly as you want it to look :)
Keep on Hookin'!
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