Jar Jacket Pattern

A few days ago I volunteered to test a Frilly Pansy pattern for designer lin Wibisono.

This is such a clever, pretty flower - perfect for embellishing just about anything!!

I made two (with Mirage 4ply Acrylic and a 3.50mm hook) to decorate a corrugated gift box:

I made another two using Raeesah Cotton Soft DK and a 4.00mm hook to decorate some jar jackets I had made:

The pattern for the flowers can be found on lin's blog CROCHET ROCKSTAR

Here is my pattern for the JAR JACKETS (in case you would also like to make a few)

JAR:   900g jam jar with a 9cm diameter base

YARN:    Raeesah Cotton Soft DK (any DK acrylic or cotton yarn will work well)
HOOK:  4.00mm

SKILL LEVEL:  Easy

PATTERN TERMS:   US

Foundation:  5ch sl st into first ch to form a circle OR make a magic ring

Row 1:  4ch (counts as 1dc, 1ch);   (1dc, 1ch) x 11, sl st into 3rd of start 4ch to close;  break off yarn.

Row 2:  Join yarn in any 1ch sp;  3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc in same space as join, 1ch;  (2dc in next 1ch sp, 1ch) x 11;   sl st in top of start 3ch to close;   break off yarn.

Row 3:  Join yarn in any 1ch sp;   3ch (counts as 1dc), 2dc in same space as join, 1ch;   (3dc into next 1ch sp, 1ch) x 11;   sl st in top of start 3ch to close;   break off yarn.

Row 4:  Join yarn in any dc;   4ch (counts as 1dc, 1ch);   1dc, 1ch in each dc around;  sl st in 3rd of start 4ch to close;  break off yarn.

Note:   Increase the circle until it is the same size as the bottom of the jar.     Do not increase over subsequent rows.

Row 5:  Join yarn in any dc;  4ch (counts as 1dc, 1ch);   1fp dc, 1ch in next dc;  (1dc in next dc, 1ch;   1fp dc in next dc, 1ch) repeat to end, sl st in 3rd ch of start 4ch;   break off yarn.

Row 6:  Join yarn in any dc,  4ch (counts as 1dc, 1ch);   1fp dc, 1ch in next fp dc;   (1dc in next dc, 1ch;l   1fp dc in next fp dc, 1ch)

Repeat Row 6 to approximately 2cm before the opening of the jar

First Decrease Row:   Repeat pattern as in Row 6 skipping 1ch every 4 stitches

Second Decrease Row:   Repeat pattern as in Row 6 without 1ch stitches

Edging:  Join yarn in any dc;   (1ch, 1sl st in next dc) repeat to end sl st to close.

Sunny Flower Motif Table Runner

On Wednesday night I had literally worked myself into a little corner of my desk (and my brain!)

I had to get organised!

Started tidying away drawings into a folder, pattern scribbles into another folder, rolling up yarn and packing  WIP's and yarns into their bags or baskets!

I sat down to update my to-do-list - on which I only noted projects that can reasonably be completed within the next four weeks or so!

I LOVE a forcefully scribbled list!    Indicative of my absolute determination to work through such list - I have already crossed one item off!!    The BABY GROOVYGHAN - now washed, tumble-dried and folded neatly on a shelf in my craft room (until I can make up my mind how to display it).

The rest of my WIP's (tooooo many to mention) have been packed away until I have worked through my to-do-list!

It seemed most sensible to start with the items that were either closer to completion or would not take up that much time.

When I posted the  SUNNY FLOWER COASTERS  and my SUNNY FLOWER MINI MANDALA  Patterns in various Facebook Groups I had quite a few requests for variations on the patterns, and since those patterns are already written and tested, the variations are as good a place as any to start (as an added bonus I get to use up all the teeny tiny balls of leftover Raeesah before I dive into my new stash!)

SUNNY FLOWER MOTIF

My patterns are all written in US TERMS.   

Yarn:  Raeesah Cotton Soft DK (100% cotton) 
Hook: 4.00mm
Skill Level:  Novice

Foundation:  4ch,  sl sl into 1st ch to form circle OR make a magic circle

Row 1:  3ch (counts as 1dc) ;  11 dc into circle;  sl st into 3rd ch at start to close (12dc).   Break off yarn.

Row 2:  Join yarn into top of any dc,  3ch (counts as 1dc) 1dc in same space as join (2dc grouping);  *2dc into top of each dc  (2dc grouping)* *to* to end;   sl st into top of 3ch at start to close (24dc).  Break off yarn.

Row 3:  Join yarn in space between any 2dc groups;  3ch (counts as 1st tr ),  2trc into next space as follows - work the first and second parts of the stitch leaving last loop on your hook, into next space work the first and second part of 1 trc leaving the last loop on your hook (four loops on hook).   Yarn over hook and draw through all the loops on your hook to form your cluster,  4ch;  (into same space as last trc, work 1st trc of 4trc cluster;  into next space work 2nd & 3rd tr of 4trc cluster;  into next space work the last st of 4trc cluster, 4ch) x 11 (12 x 4trc clusters made);   sl st into top of first cluster to close.   Break off yarn.

 

 

Row 4:    Join yarn in 4 ch space between clusters;  3ch (counts as 1dc) 2dc, 1ch, 3dc in same 4ch sp as join;    (into next 4ch sp, 3dc, 1ch, 3dc) x 11,   sl st into top of 3ch at start to close.   Break off yarn.

Joining the motifs:   Each motif is joined-as-you-go at 2 points (2 consecutive 1 ch spaces) on Row 4.   At the joining point 3dc, 1ch, on your working motif, 1sc into the motif you are joining to, 1ch, 3dc into your working motif

Join as many as you like - to make a table runner or maybe even a shawl OR make the motifs on their own to use as coasters.

Edging: 

Join yarn in any 1ch space 2ch (counts as 1hdc), 2hdc, 3ch picot, 3hdc in same space as join;

(3ch picot;   into next 1ch space, 3hdc, 3ch picot, 3hdc) repeat this along the "solid" edge of your runner

When you reach the curve where your join would end if you were adding another motif made 3 x 3ch picots over the gap;   3hdc into the 1ch space where your join would start if you were adding another motif.

 Repeat this all around until you react the start point, 3ch picot, sl st into the top of the start 2ch.    Break off yarn

A picot is formed by crocheting 3ch and then sl st into the 1st of the 3ch

 

Time to sit back and enjoy my handiwork with a nice mug of tea and a fresh Chelsea Bun!

Border and Edging: Baby Groovyghan CAL (9)

We have reached the end of our Baby Groovyghan Crochet Along!    I hope you have had as much fun making this as I have!

For those joining in now (or for those who are a little behind) here are the links to the previous posts:

WEEK 1 - RAINBOWS AND DAISIES SQUARES

WEEK 2 - RAINBOW HALF GRANNY SQUARES

WEEK 3 - THE FIRST STRIPES

WEEK 4 - CIRCLES IN SQUARES

WEEK 5 - ZOOTY OWL SQUARE

WEEK 6 - ITS STARTING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE A BABY GROOVYGHAN

WEEK 7 - POPCORN FLOWER SQUARES 

WEEK 8 - TRADITIONAL GRANNY SQUARES 

This is what my Baby Groovyghan looked like at the end of Week 8:

Pattern Terms:  US 
Yarn:  Mirage 4ply 
Hook Size:  3.50mm
Final Measurement:  106cm x 86cm

Yarn Quantities:   White (200g);   Green (100g);  Pink (75g);  Purple (75g);  Orange (75g);   Yellow (50g)

My patterns are all written in US terms.  For those readers who are used to UK terms I will be including this little conversion chart in all my patterns for ease of reference.

BORDER 

Row 1

Bottom end: Join your yarn (I used white) into the 1st dc after the corner 3ch on the bottom end of the blanket

3ch in same place as join (counts as 1dc), 1dc into the top of each dc, when you reach a corner on a block 1dc into corner, 1dc into loop of  join, 1dc into corner on next block.   Repeat this to the end of the row of blocks;  2dc, 3ch, 2dc into corner 3ch;

Around the first side: 1dc into the top of each dc on the side of the block;   2dc into the corner   

*1dc into first dc of your first row of stripes;   2dc into the first dc on your next row of stripes;   continue across the stripes alternating 1dc then 2dc into each of the following stripes;

2dc into corner of next block;   1dc into the top of each dc;   2dc into the corner*

Repeat *to* across blocks and stripes until the last dc on the top corner block,  2dc, 3ch, 2dc into corner 3ch;

Top end:  1dc into the top of each dc, when you reach a corner on a block 1dc into corner, 1dc into loop of  join, 1dc into corner on next block.   Repeat this to the end of the row of blocks;  2dc, 3ch, 2dc into corner 3ch

Around the second side: As for the first side.  Sl st into the top of 3ch at start of bottom end.

Row 2:  3ch into same space as sl st on Row 1 (counts as 1dc);  1dc into top of each dc;   into 3ch sp at corner 2dc, 3ch, 2dc.   Repeat around all four sides.   Sl st into top of 3ch at start to close.   Break off yarn

Row 3:  Join yarn in any corner 3ch sp;   6ch (counts as 1dc, 3ch), 3dc in same space as join;   (skip two spaces, into third space from hook 3dc;  rep to last 3dc before 3ch corner space;   3dc, 3ch, 3dc into 3ch space) x 3;   skip two spaces, into third space from hook 3dc;   rep to last 3dc before 3ch corner space;   2dc into 3ch sp;   sl st into 3rd of 6ch to close.   Break off yarn.

Row 4:   Join yarn in any space between 3dc groupings;   1ch, 1sc into same space as join;  (3ch, 1sc into next space between 3dc groupings) repeat until 3ch cnr space is reached;  3ch, 1sc, 3ch, 1sc into corner space.    Repeat along all four sides and corners.   Sl st into 1ch at start to close.   Break off yarn.

Row 5:  Join yarn in any 3ch sp (not a corner);   3ch (counts as 1dc), 2dc into same space as join;   3dc into each 3ch space;   into corner 3ch space do 3dc, 3ch, 3dc;   sl st into top of 3ch at start to close.   Break off yarn.

Row 6:  Repeat Row 4 

EDGING

Row 7:   Join yarn in any 3ch space;   3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc in same space as join, 3ch;   (2dc into next 3ch sp, 3ch) repeat along all sides;   into each corner 3ch space crochet 2dc, 3ch, 2dc, 3ch;   all around sl st into top of 3ch space at start to close.   Break off yarn.

Row 8:  Join yarn with a standing sc between any two dc on any side;  (standing sc = make a slip knot, insert the hook into the 3ch space, yarn over hook, pull loop to front of work;  yarn over hook again, pull through both loops on your hook)

(5ch,   remove loop from hook,   insert hook from front to back of work through the 3ch sp,   put loop back on hook and pull through to front of work through the 3ch sp, insert hook front to back through the sp between next two dc and crochet 1sc) repeat all around until last 3ch sp -  follow the steps above but instead of forming the sc between the 2dc you will make a sl st into the top of the start sc

This was quite difficult to explain and so I made a little video - in slow motion - to show you how!     (First attempt at a crochet video EVER!     Quality is not brilliant - still a steep learning curve here)

I have finally managed to work in all the ends (seems like there were a million!!) and my blanket is ready for its grand debut!!!

This blanket has been dragged around everywhere for my little photoshoots! 

It is now seriously grubby and has been tugged out of shape a bit.   A gentle wash and tumble dry with those delightfully scented non-static sheets will sort that out nicely!

 I love the GROOVY edging!!

The outside photoshoots etc have rendered this blanket unfit for use as a baby blanket - so  it will become a display piece in my workshop.

Just look at all those lovely bright colours!

PS:    Pattern was written, made and tested by me alone!   If you find any bloopers please point them out and I will fix them asap!

Zooty's Lazy Bean Soup

Yesterday I was walking around in a short sleeve top and capri pants!

Woke up this morning to grey skies and the smell of rain, and although not exactly cold I have been wearing jeans, a long sleeve tee and a body warmer!

We had a huge brunch and have been nibbling all afternoon so I felt for something light for supper, like yummy BEAN SOUP! 

Now making bean soup the "proper" way is quite a production which involves soaking dried beans overnight!   The cooking process itself takes about four to five hours!    

I decided to make Bean Soup at twenty past five THIS afternoon - making it the "proper" way is  out of  the question wouldn't you say??

So here is my LAZY BEAN SOUP RECIPE:

Ingredients:

3 medium size carrots (peeled and grated)
2 medium size onions (peeled and finely chopped)
250g diced bacon (guess you could leave it out for a vegetarian option!  - but I cook for a good old fashioned South African man!)
2 x 410g cans Mixed Beans (drained)
1 x 410g can Butter Beans (drained)
500ml  (2 cups) stock (I make mine by dissolving a chicken stock cube in 500ml boiling water - vegetarian option use 5ml veggie stock powder)
5ml (1 teaspoon) garlic pepper (a mix of garlic flakes, ground pepper and salt)
12,5ml (1 tablespoon) butter or margarine
12,5ml (1 tablespoon) flour
125ml (1/2 cup) milk
12.5ml (1 tablespoon) lemon juice

Method:

Heat a little sunflower oil in a heavy base pot (I use a cast iron pot)
Sweat the onions, carrots and diced bacon for about 5 minutes

Add the beans and stir through with a wooden spoon

Sweat for a further 5 minutes
Add the stock and the garlic pepper

Simmer over low heat for 60 minutes

(Meanwhile do something that does not require much concentration like working ends in!)

While still simmering -  mash the soup with a potato masher (when making "proper" bean soup this process involves putting the mixture through a sieve).    Now bring the mixture to the boil.

Melt the margarine or butter in the microwave.   Mix in the flour (make a paste).   Mix in the milk

Add to the boiling soup and stir until the soup binds (the milk mixes in and it goes a creamy beigy colour)

Add the lemon juice and stir through

Serving suggestion:   Toasted bread fingers (I cut the crust of day old bread, cut into fingers and toast under the grill in the oven for a minute or so!)

YUM!   

Does not look very artistic I am afraid - but it does taste good!!!

Granny Star Pattern

I have always made little embellishments for gift bags and as appliques for blankets or "plain-looking" projects.  

Going through my craft room I came across these very quick and easy to make granny stars made last year (takes longer to sew in the tails than it does to make the stars!)

A print friendly version of this pattern can be found HERE

GRANNY STAR PATTERN

TERMS: 

My patterns are all written in US TERMS

I have made this little conversion chart to make it easy for my UK readers to also follow the pattern

YARN:

Raeesah Cotton Soft DK

(This is a matter of choice - as gauge does not really matter here, you could use anything from cotton floss to t-shirt yarn, depending on how you are going to use your stars)

HOOK SIZE:  

4.00mm

(here again use whatever hook you are comfortable with for your choice of yarn)

Foundation:   5ch, sl st into 1st chain to form a circle.

Row 1:  3ch into same place as sl st (counts as 1dc), 2dc into the circle, 3ch;   (3dc into the circle, 3ch) x4;  sl st into the top of 3ch at start to close;   break off yarn.

Row 2:   Join yarn in any 3ch sp;   3ch (counts as 1dc), 2dc, 3ch, 3dc into same place as join;   (3dc, 3ch, 3dc into next 3ch sp) x4;  sl st into the top of 3ch at start to close;   break off yarn.

Row 3:  Join yarn in any 3ch sp;   3ch (counts as 1dc), 2dc, 4ch, 3dc into same place as join; 1sc spike into top of "middle" dc on row 1;  (3dc, 4ch, 3dc into next 3ch sp;   1sc spike into top of "middle dc on row 1) x4;   sl st into the top of 3ch at start to close;   break off yarn.

Row 4:  Join yarn in space to the left of any sc spike; 1ch (counts as 1sc) in same sp as join;  1sc in space between next 2dc;   3sc into 4ch sp;   15ch, sl st into top of last sc; 3sc into 4ch sp;  1sc in space between next 2dc;  (1sc into sp before dc spike;   1 picot; 1sc into sp after dc spike;  1sc in space between next 2dc;   3sc into 4ch sp;   1 picot; 3sc into 4ch sp;  1sc in space between next 2dc) x 4;   1 picot, sl st into 1ch at start to close;   break off yarn

Note:   A picot is formed by crocheting 3ch then sl st into the top of the last sc, in exactly the same way as the 15ch loop is made.     The 15ch loop can be replaced with a 3ch picot if you want to use the star for an applique.

Work in ends

Depending on the yarn used and your tension you may need to block your star (a puff of steam and a gentle flattening with palm is usually sufficient)

So cute!

So colourful!

(And a super fun way to use up those teeny tiny bits of yarn!)

(PS:   This pattern was written and "tested" by me, myself and I - so if you find any little bloopers please do not by shy to point them out!)

Mood Blanket 2014 - Change of Pace

I last posted progress on my Mood Blanket in mid March (HERE).

I was getting a bit bored with taking photos of the same old squares over and over (and over) and wanted to change the design a bit to indicate the change of season and also to make the project more interesting!

Stripes seemed like a good idea, but a stripe a day would result in a very long blanket!    Two rows a week (in the overall mood for that week) keeps the blanket more or less in line with the size I had planned from the start.

At the end of March there were five blocks short on my last row, and so the first five days of April had to be squares!

My mood rows so far:

Pink = Sociable (6 - 12 April)
Green = Inspired (13 - 19 April)
Yellow = Happy (20 - 26 April)
Orange = Energetic (27 April - 3 May)
Purple = Grateful (4 May - 10 May)

Autumn Cleaning

In years gone by Spring was my favourite season!

I used to love spring cleaning:   unpacking every single cupboard;  putting down fresh shelf liners;  adding scented bags to the clothing and linen cupboards;   washing and packing away the blankets after the winter!

September and October used to be the best time for gardening and spring cleaning - it was warm but mild!    The last couple of years have just been unbearably hot here in Johannesburg (right from the beginning of September) - so hot that all I want to do is laze about by the Pool.

This has forced me to move my "Spring Cleaning" to Autumn - and really our Autumn weather is wonderful - warm and mild - occasionally a bit windy and a bit cool at night - but WONDERFUL!  The kind of weather that makes you feel energetic and INSPIRED!

I started my Autumn Cleaning with a tidy out of my craft space.    Sorting, rearranging - admiring all my pretty papers, paints, pens, embellishments and most of all YARN!!

Rolling the yarns that are no longer "whole" into cutesy little balls (by hand by the way - very relaxing!) and piling them into pretty baskets!

Taking the crochet blankets out - giving them a wash and a tumble dry (with those delightfully fragrant anti static sheets!)

Pretty Pinks and Reds,  (top down), GYPSY BLANKET;  HEXAGON MOTIF BLANKET;   DUSTY ROSE AFGHAN

Loving the pretty flowers and simple edging on my Gypsy Blanket

Blissful blues and purples,  (top down)  BLUE HUES;   BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE;   SHADES OF BLUE and a luxurious corner to corner granny that for some reason I never blogged about!
 

Glorious grannies, (top down)  HAPPYGHAN;  a grey, tan and teal granny blanket (added in some really weird looking variegated yarn and some fluffy yarn left over from making infinity scarves);  my  OLD GRANNY BLANKET  made about 25 years ago;   and a purple / turquoise granny blanket also made some years ago from odd squares!

Warm winter colours, (top down) HEXAGON SCRAPGHAN  and a RIPPLE AFGHAN!

This Autumn Cleaning is a slow process - I keep getting sidetracked by all the lovely little details that make up my life!   Sitting looking through my scrapbooks,   taking out and packing away sentimental keepsakes - feeling happy!  happy!  happy!

Speaking of happy - I am still rather elated by my contribution to Lucy's (Attic 24) vision for YARNDALE 2014!

 

It was SO difficult to keep the secret while Lucy was preparing her blogpost!    My lovely bloggy friend, Pat of SUNSHINE AND A SEWING BASKET guessed my secret and not only agreed to keep my secret with me but to test the patterns before I published them!!!   Head on over to Pat's beautiful blog and have a look at all the happy, colourful mandalas she has been hooking!   She recently published two gorgeous designs of her own too!

And in keeping with the theme of Autumn look (oh just LOOK) at the gorgeous colours she used!!!!

Thank You Pat!    For making my patterns look SO good!

Tomorrow I plan to do a bit of stocktaking!    Sorting and prioritizing works-in-progress and patterns that need to be written / published.

But for now....... a nice cuppa and a few Bachelors Buttons (lovely jammy cookies) my son and I baked this morning!