Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Crochet Easy Fingerless Mitts Pattern


Easy Fingerless Mitts

Size 4.00 mm hook (US G/6)
A fine 8 ply yarn (could be US baby)

US abbreviations used
Stitches used
Sl st, sc, dc

Size’s, small to medium, (medium to large)

Notes: centre st referred to through out pattern is the second dc of the 3 dc group, or the 1st dc of the ch 3 and 2 dc group

Beginning at wrist

Ch 21, (medium to large size ch 25)
Sl st to form a ring, avoid twisting ring

ROW 1. Ch 3, 2 dc in same st as ch 3, ch 1, skip 2 ch, *3 dc in next ch, ch 1, skip next 2 ch* repeat to end, join with a sl st to top of beginning ch 3
(7, 3 dc groups made, small to medium size, 8, 3 dc groups made, medium to large size)

ROW 2. sl st to the centre dc of group (see notes), ch 3, 2 dc in same space, ch 1, *3dc in next centre dc, ch 1*, repeat to end, sl st to top of beginning ch 3

ROWS 3 to 8. repeat above row 6 times more, giving you 8 rows in total

Making the thumb hole

ROW 9. sl st to the centre dc of group, ch 12, sl st in centre dc of next dc group, ch 3, sl st into 9th ch of the ch 12, 1dc in same space as ch 3, ch 1, continue pattern around ending with 2 dc in beginning ch 12 space, sl st into 3rd ch of the ch 12, work 5 sc in next 5 ch, and sl st across to top of ch 3 (centre of group)

ROW 10. ch 3, 2 dc in same place, ch 1, *3dc in next centre dc, ch 1*, repeat to end,

ROW 11. 3 dc in centre group of beginning ch 12, ch 1, skip 2 sc, 3 dc in next sc, ch 1, skip 2 sc, sl st to join in top of ch 3 of next group, (this is the new beginning of the rounds)
sl st to centre dc, ch 3, 2 dc in same space, ch 1, continue around in pattern, sl st to top of beginning ch 3

Making the top

ROW 12. Sl st to centre of first group, ch 4, sl st into centre dc of next group, *ch 4, sl st into centre of next group*, repeat to end finishing with a sc in same space as beginning ch 4

ROW 13. 3 sc in ch 4 space, 1 sc in same place as the sl st of the previous row, (into the top of the dc) *3 sc in ch 4 space, 1 sc in same place as the sl st of the previous row*, repeat to end finishing with a sl st to join in the ending sc of the previous row

ROW 14. 1 sc in next sc, (sl st, ch 3 sl st all in next sc), *1 sc in next 3 sc, (sl st, ch 3 sl st all in next sc)*, repeat to final 4 sc, 1 sc in next 3 sc, (sl st, ch 3 sl st all in next sc), sl st in next sc and fasten off

Weave in ends and block if necessary

Please do not sell this pattern, it is supplied for free for all to use.


© Cathy Wood. 2008



Notes: many have tried this pattern and have found the starting chain too tight, I believe it is because of the difference in yarn ply. AU yarn is much thinner than UK and US yarn.

Very nice.

Monday, April 21, 2008

Crochet Julius (Paul Frank) Hat

Hey!
Would the real Julius( Paul frank), please stand up!

Well he is not this one.
This is a picture of the rip off, of Paul Frank's Julius on Joels jacket.

I told him I could crochet that face.

I asked him if he would like a hat to match his jacket and he said yes.


So here is the hat with a similar Julius to his jacket


Now this is the real Paul Frank's Julius


He is nothing like the above Julius

I thought the monkey's name was Paul Frank, but it is not.

Paul Frank is the name of the designer and the name of this monkey is Julius.


It has since been pointed out to me from an anonymous comment that

Joel's monkey is a Bape Monkey .

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Crochet Ice-cream cone scarf

Ice-Cream Cone Scarf Pattern


Designed for Sorie's Grandaughter




It takes about 30 minutes to make one of these cones, thats not including the making up (sewing).


If you do not want the cones to go all the way around your neck, you can use the neck part of the ladybug scarf I made.





I tried various stitch patterns for the cone and came up with this one, the stitch diagram I had was for 38 sc, so I had to reduce it and change the pattern slightly to finally come up with the shape I liked.


The Ice-cream cone ScarfMake as many cones needed for the length you require

US abbreviations used through-out pattern
Materials
Size 5.00 mm hook (H/8) and 4.00mm hook (G/6)
8 ply and 12 ply yarn used (Light worsted and worsted weight yarn)
Colours needed
Cone colour of your choice, for full length scarf about 200 grams or more
Nice bright colours for ice-cream (good stash buster here)
Small amounts of chocolate or dark brown for chocolate topping

Stitches used
FPTR
SC

Stitch patterns used
Diamond stitch
Griddle st
ConeDiamond st worked for the cone
Size 5.00 mm hook and worsted weight yarn

Sc 13
Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, ch 1 and turn (12 sc)
1 sc in each sc across, ch 1 turn (12 sc)
Repeat above row 1 more time

sc in first 2 sc, work fptr around post of first sc of the 3rd row below (not the very edge sc), skip next 4 sc of the 3rd row below, work fptr around the next sc of the 3rd row below, skip next 2 sc from the last sc made, sc in the next 4 sc, work fptr in the next sc in the 3rd row below, skip next 4 sc of the 3rd row below, work fptr in the next sc of the 3rd row below, skip next 2 sc from the last sc made, sc in the next 2 sc, ch 1 and turn

Work 3 rows of sc, chaining 1 to turn

work fptr around the top of the fptr in the 3rd row below, skip first sc, sc in next 4sc, work fptr around the top of the fptr on 3rd row below, skip next 4 sc on the 3rd row below, work fptr around the top of the fptr on the 3rd row below, skip next 2 sc from the last sc made, sc in the next 4 sc, fptr around the top of the fptr on the 3rd row below, leave last sc un worked, ch 1 and turn

SC in both loops of the unworked sc an the fptr, (i.e.: sc both together), sc in each sc across, ch 1 and turn (12 sc)
Work 2 more rows of sc, chaining 1 to turn


Repeat the first pattern row, working the fptr into the top of the fptr of the 3rd row below. Fasten off


Top of the Cone, worked onto the last row of the lower part of the cone
Griddle st worked for top part of the cone

Ch 2, working in front loops only, work 1 sc into the first sc, of the last row worked,
1 sc in each sc across, ch 3 and turn (12 sc, 4 ch and 1 turning ch)
1sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 dc in next ch, *1sc in next sc, 1 dc in next sc,* repeat to end including final 2 ch, ch 1 and turn (you will end with a 1 dc in the final ch, you will have 16 pattern stitches and a ch1 to turn)

*1 sc in the next dc, 1 dc in the next sc*, continue in this way across, ch 1 and turn
Repeat above row 1 more time fasten off.
Ice cream scoopIf you are using scrap yarn, use the hook size relevant to the yarn
Size 4.00mm for 8 ply, 5.00mm for 12 ply , you may need to add an extra increase row to the thinner ply yarn.
Ch 2
Work 3sc into 2nd ch from hook. Ch 1 and turn (3 sc)
Work 2 sc in each sc across, ch 1 and turn (6 sc)
Work *1 sc in next sc, work 2 sc in next sc* repeat to end, ch 1 and turn (9 sc)
Work *1 sc in next 2 sc, work 2 sc in next sc* repeat to end, ch 1 and turn (12 sc)
Work *1 sc in next 3 sc, work 2 sc in next sc* repeat to end, ch 1 and turn (15 sc)
Work *1 sc in next 4 sc, work 2 sc in next sc* repeat to end, ch 1 and turn (18 sc)
Work *1 sc in next 5 sc, work 2 sc in next sc* repeat to end, ch 1 and turn (21 sc)
Work 1 sc in each sc across; do not turn (21 sc)
Working across the bottom part of the scoop, work this way evenly across, *3 sc in one space, sl st in next space* to end, fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing

Making up the ice-cream cone
Sew in all loose ends of the cone, sew ice-cream scoop to the top of the cone (you may have to slightly stretch or gather the ice-cream scoop)


Chocolate toppingWork the first 5 rows of the ice-cream scoop (15 sc)
Working across the bottom part of the chocolate topping, make the chocolate drips
(you may have to wing it a little here)
1 sc in space, 1 sc in next space, ch 3, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next ch, 1 sc in the same 1sc space, 1 sc in the next 2 spaces,1 sc in the next space, ch 4, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in the next 2 ch, 1 sc in the same ch 1 space, 1 sc in the next 2 spaces, 1 sc in next space, ch 3, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next ch, finish off with a 1 sc in next space, fasten off leaving long thread for sewing.


There are various ways to decorate the ice-cream scoop
Sew or crochet, chocolate chips.
Sew or crochet, coloured sprinkles
Add a cherry or a stick of chocolate flake (a couple rows of sc in brown should do the trick)

I had some hollow spaghetti type plastic that I could sew thread through and attach to the ice-cream scoop, by hand sewing.

Good luck and enjoy the pattern
Please do not sell this pattern, I have made it free for all to enjoy


Choc chip mango



Strawberry surprise



Rainbow
These will all need to be blocked before sewing together

© Cathy Wood. 2008

Friday, April 18, 2008

Crochet Snake Hat

This is another book my daughter bought me from Amazon.
It really is Kooky too.
I liked the snake hat below apart from having too many snakes.
So I came up with my own version with a little help from the book.
I used the pattern for the large snake and it's head with a few minor alterations.

My yarn is never the same as the pattern requires so I always have to improvise. Mainly because I can't quite understand the ply refered to (US sizing) and also I buy lots of left over yarn from other peoples stash from trash and treasure. For a very cheap price mind you.

So here is my snake hat. Ssssssss.

He's spotted you and is on the turn! Look out!

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Richmond/Tigers AFL Scarf and neckwarmer

With footy season upon us here in Australia,
I thought I would come up with a new design scarf.
It has little footy jumpers with players numbers on the back.
Of course they are in the colours of the Richmond Tigers Team.







I also thought a neckwarmer in the footy colours would be nice, here is a simple one.


Monday, April 14, 2008

Home made bag/purse handle tutorial

Here is a nifty little idea I have been tossing about.
I have seen similar handles up for sale on the internet,
but knowing I had all the supplies on hand I decided to make my own handles.

The one thing I did not have on hand was 16 guage wire,
which would have been more flexible to work with and a better guage for some of the beads and findings I have on hand.
So I used coat hanger wire, but believe, me I would not use it again.
It does make for a strong handle though.

These are some of the materials needed for making your handles.

Pliers, wire cutter, wire, beads and findings.



Cut you wire to length
I read some where that the length of your finished handle should measure about 13 inches in length, allowing extra for turning ends in.



I have made mine a little longer here as I know I will need extra length to work off a nice finish, since the coat hanger wire is not so flexible.



Once again as my wire is not as flexible, I have used a sturdy circular object to shape my wire.






Now I have the shape I am happy with, I can prepare my beads.









Set out your beads in a colour scheme that you are happy with.

I have used some nice glass foil beads I bought some time ago on special.







I am going to space my beads with the only other thing I have on hand with a big enough opening, other wise I would have used some nice silver balls or similar.





After placing my beads on the wire, I bent over the end I was not working with, so my beads would not fall off. I needed to bring out the heavy duty pliers here, as it was hard to bend the other end around to form a nice circular close.







Here is the finished handle, both ends have been turned in and the excess wire has been cut off for a nice finish.

I may attach some half circle wire hoops to the ends of the handles, for attaching to a bag, or attach directly into the finished loops above.


Next thing I need to do is make the bag.

Crochet neck warmers

Here's some more neck warmers I've made to give away.
There is also an eye glass case.

Crochet Home Made Button Tutorial


Do you find that buttons can be expensive or you can't find a matching button?
Then try this simple idea.
Materials needed.
Plastic (I used the lid from an ice-cream container), shape to trace ( I used a button that was the size I needed for my project), marker/texta to trace with, preferably a thin tipped one, hole punch, scissors, yarn, hook and sewing needle.

Trace your shape

Using your thin tip marker, trace your shape then cut it out.

Mark holes for punching

These holes are used for sewing your button on.


Sewing View.

Colour your plastic button, optional

Depending on the yarn you use, the colour of the plastic may show through, so you may want to colour the plastic a colour similar to your yarn.
Now to crochet the cover for your new button
Using the magic ring technique (this forms a tighter close for the beginning ring)
6 sc into ring, (do not join rounds through-out)
2 sc into each sc around, (12 sc)
1 sc through back loops only in each sc around (12 sc)
1 sc through both loops around (12 sc)
Place plastic button into your crocheted work
sc 2 together around (6 sc)
Fasten off leaving long tail for sewing.
Beginning side
Finishing side
Thread tail for sewing
You sew the button on from either side up or down, it depends on the look you want.
When you are sewing on your new button, coming out from the top, you may need to weave under to get to the next hole, so as not to expose you sewing yarn.
These are some buttons I prepared earlier for a neck warmer I made

Now this is a simple button to make, it can be made smaller or larger by adding or subtracting the sc from your beginning ring and also by subtracting or adding more sc rows.
You may want to dress up your new button a little, by using your knowledge of crochet techniques.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Short and Sweet, Lacey Bolero.



I've just finished this lovely lacey bolero from the pattern book
The Happy Hooker.
The pattern was quite easy to follow and as the book states after a few repeats I could make the stitch with barely a glance at the pattern.
I used an 8 ply yarn and a size 5.00mm hook.
I made it casually over a few nights.
It's such a pretty bolero, I have made it for my sister-in-law, I'd make one for myself, but it is a bolero and I'd like it to meet up closer in the centre.
I must say that this book is worth buying.
My daughter bought it from Amazon for a very good price of around $12.00.
It was shipped from the states along with a couple of other books, that I am looking forward to use.
Here in Australia, the crochet fanatic is not really catered for, buying a good pattern book here, cost's around $30.00 and upwards, if you can find them.
So Amazon is a very good resource to purchase from.


Thursday, April 10, 2008

Ladybug Purse



I just whipped up this little purse to match the Scarf and Beret.


There is no pattern as I winged it.


It's actually a shape that went wrong, because I didn't count my stitches to make them even.


So that is why I have a side ways ladybug.


I persevered with it and it came out ok in the end.