Me at Homespun Australia

Hi everyone, hope you are as excited as I am this morning!

Yay, my design was published in Homespun Australia. I hope I am not making you all bored with this strawberry stitches again. On the contrary I hope you will make something out of it. Ok enough said, here is the image of the printed magazine with my Strawberry Crochet Bag in it. Patten can be found in here...Strawberry Stitch Pattern

Photo credit: Homespun 

Merry's Silk Shawl

My friend Merry asked if I could make her a shawl, something lacy and light to match her peach Nigerian dress which she could wear to the Church. We selected several type of yarns and the final choice was silk/merino/kid mohair yarn.

Merry is not very particular about the motifs and leave it to me to decide. I did my research for one to compliment her dress and found one from a stitch dictionary. I redraw the chart and make each row colorful for easy interpretation.

I could have made the shawl wider but at the time I started I was not sure if the skeins I have would be enough (6 skeins of 25 gr silk/merino/kid mohair yarn). But now I know.  I only used 4.5 skeins for the shawl and the 8 inches fringe.

This shawl has been tested. Here is a beautiful shawl Kalpana Chitharanjan of Ravelry made using acrylic.

Below I am using the same pattern with rayon/cotton mix to make a small scarf.

Pattern is free from March 7 to April 20, 2014 at Ravelry and Crochetville.

ICE Tube Yarns Crochet Bag

Download PDF

Description: 

A simple elegant bag made using tube yarn, which can be finished in two days.

Terms: (America) 

Difficulty Level: (Confident Beginner) 

Yarn: Any colors of ICE yarns tube fnt 32509, 5.5 balls 50 gr/55 m and 50 gram of variegated yarn in matching colors. 

Hook: H/5 mm 

Bag Handle: Faux leather handle, 22 inches 

Gauge: 12 pattern st = 4 inches, 10 rows pattern st = 4 inches

Finished Measurements: Base 9.5 inches, height 10 inches, width 15 inches, opening diameter 26 inches.

Stitches Used:

Yo = yarn over

Ch = chain

Sc = single crochet

Dc = double crochet

Sl st = slip stitch

Dc3tog = 3 double crochet stitches together:

a. YO, insert hook into the indicated sp, YO, pull up a loop,  YO, draw two loops on hook (two         loops left on hook). 

b. Repeat step a into next the indicated sp (3 loops on hook).

c. Repeat one more (4 loops on hook).

d. YO and ch 1 to secure the stitches.

SCRF = Single crochet rise relief st:  Insert hook from in front and from right to left round the stem of the appropriate st, YO, pull yarn through 2 loops.

Note:  Chainless start double crochet begins with a slipknot on the hook, Yarn over and insert hook into the stitch, then complete double crochet.

Chainless dc: Sc, and make another sc right on top of sc you just made.  

The base and the body of the bag is worked in continuous round, no joining except in round 1 and as indicated.

Pattern

The Base:

R1: Ch 2, sc into first chain, 5 sc, join with sl st—6 sc, place marker (pm).

R2: 2 sc into next and each of sc around—12 sc, pm.

R3: (2 sc, 1 sc into each of next 2 sc) repeat around—18 sc, pm.

R4: (2 sc, 1 sc into each of next 3 sc) repeat around—24 sc, pm.

R5: (2 sc, 1 sc into each of next 4 sc) repeat around—32 sc, pm.

R6: (2 sc, 1 sc into each of next 3 sc) repeat around—38 sc, pm.

Repeat in this manner until round 15--90 sc, pm.

The Body:

R16: (1 sc, 1 dc) repeat around--90 st, pm

R20 – 41 repeat R16—90 st, pm

R42: Pick up variegated yarn, sc into all the st around—90 st, pm.

R43-R48 repeat R 42, pm

Handle:

R49: Sc into each of next 8 st, ch 1, turn. (Sc in ch-1 sp, 1 sc into next 7 sc, ch 1, turn) repeat 6 times ending with sc on last row. Pass the flap you just made into the ring of the handle, sl st into the first sc, 1 scrf  into each of next 5 st, slip st into each sc all the way down to  R49.

R50: Sc into next st and the remaining 45 st, ch 1, turn. (Sc in ch-1 sp, 1 sc into next 7 sc, ch 1, turn) repeat 6 times ending with sc on last row. Pass the flap you just made into the ring of the handle, sl st into the first sc, 1 scrf  into each of next 5 st, slip st into each sc all the way down to row 49, fasten off yarn leaving a 6 inches tail.  Weave in ends to finish.

Stockiest: http://crochetrockstar.yarnshopping.com/ 

Yarn needles available at Lion Brand

Red Headband with Beaded Buckle

A young Mum asked me to make this for her  and I thought I would share a pattern with you. If you are new to crochet, this is a quick way to learn some simple stitches. This pattern uses chain, single crochet, half double crochet, slip stitch.

Finished size 20 inches. This is to fit head circumference 22 inches.

Material: 1 skein Lion Brand Amazing Rose variegated yarn, 50 gr, 147 yards/135 m. I purchased mine from Amazon.com
Hook size G/4mm
Yarn needle
A beaded rectangular buckle  (available from bead shop or sewing supplies) or you can buy the sew on buckle and make one like I did.
5 grams glass beads
a beading needle
a yard of beading thread
Gauge: 14 st over sc and hdc pattern = 4 inches
16 rows of sc and hdc st = 4 inches

The Band
Ch 71, join with sl st carefully not to twist the ch, ch 1.
R1: Sc across, join with sl st, ch 1.
R2: Sk next st, (1 hdc into next st, 1 sc into  next st), ending with 1 sc, join with sl st on top of
ch-1.
Repeat 2nd row till the band measure 3.5 inches (9 cm) in width, cut yarn, and weave in ends.

Ribbon
Ch 31
R1: Sc across, ch 1, turn.
R2: Sc in same ch-1 space, (1 hdc into next st, 1 sc into  next st), turn.
Repeat 2nd row till the ribbon measure 3.5 inches (9 cm) in width, cut yarn leaving 1-yard tail.

The buckle
Thread the beading needle leaving a 6 inches tail, slide one bead into the thread, insert the needle into the same bead again one more time (this is called a stopper bead). Insert the needle from the wrong side of the clasp and sew in the beads leaving no more holes on the buckle, remove the stopper bead then tie a knot to finish. Dab a glue to prevent frying.

Assembly
 Slide the ribbon into the buckle. Find the side of the band where joining is visible (btw I learned invisible joining from Planet June, so check that one out). Thread a half yard of yarn with a yarn needle, attached the ribbon into the band by sewing it several time, careful not to pull the yarn too hard. Cut yarn and weave in the ends.

Using the tail from the ribbon, sew in the four corners to the band. You might want to stretch the band before doing this by asking someone to wear it then mark the place where you want to sew the corners or roll a big towel and slide the band in.  I actually slided it into my rectangular cosmetic bag which size match perfectly with the headband, nice! ☺ Cut the yarn and weave in the ends.
© Iin Wibisono 2014

Bali in PIcture

Yarns Organizing Idea

Here is one yarn organizing idea for you. I have uploaded this yarn roller idea in a fb group before which received  an overwhelming feedbacks but have never published it in this blog. Now people are asking again for the same ideas so I thought I will post it here for easy reference for all.  

You need several household items such as:

1. a plastic basket with holes
2. yarns in cake shape as above works better
3. drinking straws
4. a knitting needle

Here is how:

Slide the needle inside the straw, if more straw is needed to cover the needle cut another  straw. 

Locate the most top hole on one side of the box. Slide the straw covered needle through the hole, string the cakes carefully, pass the needle though the opposite side of the box. 

Now you have it. Turn your work from time to time to avoid tangling. When stringing the cakes make sure you pull the threads all in the same direction toward you. If you prefer you can insert each of  the threads through the holes in the box to separate them.

Get the box from Carrefour outlets or from online store such as Organizeit. 

Finishing Your Crochet Project - Tutorial Round-Up

Today I bring you several pictures and video round-up on how to neatly finish your crochet project.
After my last trip to Bali and saw all those beautiful crocheted  items and purchasing some-- I came home with the thought that there is room for improvements here on how those pretty fabric can last for a long time so you can keep them as treasures. Here are some useful technique I found on the web.

• This article talks about tapestry needle and why you need it in crochet. I always keep at least of them along with a scissor and measuring tape in my hook case.  
• EliZZZa of Knitaholics show you  how to tie a Frankfurt Knot. 
• Finishing ends tutorial from Red Heart. 
  

• Bethinx1 demonstrates how to break off your yarn and secure it from unravel using several methods.

If you find more tutorials which can benefit crocheters like us, please share them in comments below. xoxoxo