Zooty Owl's Crafty Blog

Colourful Crochet, Craft, Cooking, and Contemplations

Friday 22 August 2014

Happy Days CAL (4): Solid Granny Square

Welcome to Part 4 of our Happy Days Blanket Crochet Along! 

It is not too late to join in the fun!     The patterns will remain on my blog - so you can crochet along at your own pace.      

Here are the links so far:

PART 1 (Hakuna Matata Mandala Square) (where you will find all the necessary info about this project);
  
Part 2 (Sunny Flower Square)

and

Part 3 (Tic-Tac-Toe Square) 

So far we have made:
4 Hakuna Matata Squares (28cm x 28cm each)
10 Sunny Flower Squares (14cm x 14cm each)
4 Tic-Tac-Toe Squares (28cm x 28cm each)

 

Some colourful photos sent to me by a few of the lovely CAL ladies!

 

This weeks square is my version of a solid granny square.

We will be making 10 of these 14cm x 14 cm squares.

SOLID GRANNY SQUARE PATTERN 

YARN:  DK (8ply / light worsted weight) 100% acrylic 

HOOK:  5.00mm

SIZE:  14cm x 14cm

PATTERN TERMS:   US

I will include this conversion chart with each pattern to make it easier for those using UK terms


crochet terms conversion chart


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)


Row 2:  3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc, 3ch, 2dc into same place as sl st;   [1dc into each of next 2dc;   (2dc, 3ch, 2dc) into next dc] x 3;  1dc into each of next 2dc;  sl st into 3rd ch at start to close.   Break off yarn.

Row 3:  Join yarn in top of any dc;   3ch (counts as 1dc);   [1dc into each dc;   (2dc, 3ch, 2dc) into corner 3ch sp] repeat until you are back at the start;   sl st into 3rd ch at start to close.   Break off yarn.

Rows 4 and 5:  Repeat the instructions for Row 3.

Row 6:  Join yarn in top of any dc;   1ch (counts as 1sc);   [1sc into each dc;   (2sc, 2ch, 2sc) into corner 3ch sp] repeat until you are back at the start;   sl st into 1ch at start to close.   Break off yarn.

Row 7:  Join yarn in top of any sc;   1ch (counts as 1sc);   [1sc into each sc;   (1sc, 1ch, 1sc) into corner 2ch sp] repeat until you are back at the start;   sl st into 1ch at start to close.   Break off yarn.


Join the Solid Granny Squares to the Sunny Flower Squares using the VISIBLE JOIN METHOD to make bigger squares (28cm x 28cm = 2 Solid Granny Squares and 2 Sunny Flower Squares).



*******

I was going to do the Saturday Morning Square this week - but thought it would be fun to rather start joining the smaller squares.

The pattern for the next square will be posted on Friday, 5 September 2014.


Please post the photos of your progress on my Zooty Owl Facebook page so that I can share them with my next post!

Happy crocheting!

(Part 5 of the CAL - Popcorn Flower & Leaves Square can be found HERE)

Monday 18 August 2014

World Wide Artist Blog Hop


I was invited to join in on the World Wide Artist Blog Hop by the multi-talented Andrea of Kokopelli Design (http://kokopellidesign.blogspot.com/2014/08/worldwide-artist-blog-hop-and-four.html) - thank you for thinking of me Andrea!

Artists around the world post answers to 4 questions on their blogs and link to 3 (a minimum of 1) artists who post their answers the following Monday and so it continues..! 

The blog post looks like this:

 • Link/ intro to the person/blog who invited them on the blog-hop.
 • Answers to these 4 questions:

1. Why do I do what I do?
2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?
3. How does my creative process work?
4. What am I working on now? 

And finally the links to the artists of your choice who will post their answers the following Monday.
These are some of the other bloggers who have participated in the blog-hop: http://lovingrd.wordpress.com/ http://www.kimwerker.com/2014/06/02/around-world-blog-hop/ http://carinascraftblog.wardi.dk/2014/06/around-world-blog-hop.html http://pagesintime.blogspot.com/2014/06/blog-hop-last-week-i-received-email.html http://inthehillsofnorthcarolina.blogspot.com/2014/06/blog-hop.html

WHY DO I DO WHAT I DO? 

Because I love it!     I love colour!    I love "making" things!   Even my very earliest memories revolve around crayons, paint, paper and yarn!   Creating is like breathing - something I do without thinking, but without which I would not be able to LIVE! 


crochet mandala

HOW DOES MY WORK DIFFER FROM OTHERS OF IT'S GENRE?

To say my work is unique or set apart from other work in the same genre seems a bit pretentious!    My work may be a bit different in that I do not work with a set number of colours only.   My yarn stash is more built on colour variety than type of yarn!   The only colour I do not work with is black.    I also don't worry much about trends!     I create what I FEEL!

granny square jacket

HOW DOES MY CREATIVE PROCESS WORK? 

Sometimes I wake up with an idea in my head or I see something that inspires me (colours, pictures, flowers etc).   If I cannot start crocheting or crafting immediately, I do a quick sketch and make some notes in my ideas book.    

The inspiration for THE "PACHA" PONCHO came from a Dutch design site.    It took on a personality of its own and ended up looking like Pacha's Poncho (the big guy from Disney's The Emperor's New Groove) and not even remotely similar to the original inspiration!

crochet poncho

Often when I start working on a project, more ideas seem to flow - I will also jot these down in my ideas book.

While I was making the DAISY CENTRE MANDALA, I had the idea to turn it into a SQUARE and make an afghan!


crochet mandala



mandala squares

Sometimes I am too tired to crochet or craft and I will just sit at my desk and draw and colour little doodles - a lot of my colour combinations flow from this.  The Starflower Doodle was the inspiration for the Starflower Mandala


crochet mandala

I am a "neat freak", and have a bit of an aversion to storing "scraps".  When I have crafted myself into a literal corner, and I am surrounded by half balls of yarn or mounds of cut paper,  I will have a quick tidy up and spend a bit of time "thinking" what I can make (anything not to have to hoard the scraps).


granny square afghan

WHAT AM I WORKING ON NOW? 

I have been on a serious WIP and Stash Busting mission since the beginning of July!     Part of this plan is to finish writing all my incomplete patterns.

The pattern for my SUNFLOWER MANDALA has been completed and posted on Ravelry


crochet mandala

I am also holding a crochet along on my blog for a HAPPY DAYS BLANKET, with a different square every two weeks


crochet squares

I invited the following artists to join the Worldwide Blog Hop:

Dedri Uys of LOOK WHAT I MADE

Julia Gartner of  DADA NEON CROCHET

The Roxi Slouchy Beanie: Pattern

Last Tuesday, instead of paying attention to the piles of WIP's lying on my table, I was determined to make something with a rather ugly ball of variegated yarn that had been driving me insane for a few days! 

I had tried it with so many different patterns, and no matter what I did, it was just too ugly to look at!

After multiple froggings I decided to mix the variegated with a solid red yarn and attempt to make a slouchy beanie. 

My beautiful youngest daughter modelling her slouchy beanie:

slouchy beanie 

I made another one mixing the variegated yarn with a solid cream for my other beautiful daughter, Dani. 

slouchy beanie 

I used a bit of the variegated yarn making two HIBISCUS BLOOMS to decorate the beanies (if I had not done this I probably would have managed to make both from 100g of the variegated yarn)

"THE ROXI SLOUCHY" PATTERN

Pattern Terms:
My patterns are all written in US terms - I have included this little chart to make it easier for my UK readers to reference the difference in stitch terms.
 


Materials:   
50g - 60g of variegated DK plus 50g - 60g of solid DK

DK (8ply) is equivalent to US Light Worsted Weight yarn.  Working with a double strand of DK (8ply) gives you a 16ply yarn (Super Bulky).

Hook Sizes:  9.00mm;  8.00mm and 6.00mm

Size:   Medium Adult 

Using a 9.00mm hook:

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

Row 1:  3ch (counts as 1dc), 11 dc into circle (12 dc), sl st into top of 3ch to join


Row 2:  3ch (counts as 1dc), 2dc into each of next 11dc (24dc), sl st into top of 3ch at start to join

Row 3:  3ch (counts as 1 dc), 1dc into next dc;  2dc into next dc;  (1dc into each of next 2dc;   2dc into next dc) x7, sl st into top of 3ch at start to join (32 dc) 

Row 4:  3ch (counts as 1 dc), 1dc into each of next 2dc;  2dc into next dc, (1dc into each of next 3dc, 2dc into next dc) x7, sl st into top of 3ch at start to join (40dc) 

Row 5:  3ch (counts as 1 dc), 1dc into each of next 3dc;  2dc into next dc, (1dc into each of next 4dc, 2dc into next dc) x7, sl st into top of 3ch at start to join (48dc)

Row 6 3ch (counts as 1 dc), 1dc into each of next 4dc;  2dc into next dc, (1dc into each of next 5dc, 2dc into next dc) x7, sl st into top of 3ch at start to join (56dc)

At this point the diameter of the circle is 21cm

Row 7 3ch (counts as 1 dc), 1dc into same dc as join ("v" formed),  skip next dc;   [2dc into next dc ("v" formed), skip next dc] all around, sl st into top of 3ch at start to join

Row 8 sl st into space between 2dc of 1st "v", 2ch (counts as 1hdc), 1hdc into same space ("v" formed), (2hdc into space between 2dc ("v" formed) of next "v"), all around sl st into top of 3ch at start to join 

Row 9 sl st into space between 2dc of 1st "v", 3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc into same space ("v" formed), (2dc into space between 2dc of next "v"), all around sl st into top of 3ch at start to join

Rows 10 - 21 - Work as follows:

Rows 10; 12; 14; 16; 18 and 20 repeat Row 8

Rows 11; 13; 15; 17; 19 and 21 repeat Row 9

The length from the bottom of Row 7 to the top of Row 21 should be 20cm 

The length from the crown of the beanie to the top of Row 21 should be 28cm 

Switch to using a 8.00mm hook:

Row 22:   1ch (counts as 1sc); 1sc into each space between dc; sl st into 1ch at start to join; 

Rows 23 - 24:  1ch (counts as 1sc);  1sc into each sc;   sl st into 1ch at start to join;   Break off yarn. 

EDGING:
Using only 1 strand of yarn (I used the solid colour) and a 6.00mm hook join yarn with a sl st in any sc; 2ch;  (sl st into next sc;   2ch) repeat around ending with a sl st into start sl st to join.   Break off yarn.

Friday 8 August 2014

Happy Days Cal (3): Tic-Tac-Toe Square

Welcome to Part 3 of our Happy Days Blanket Crochet Along! 

It is not too late to join in the fun!     The patterns will remain on my blog - so you can crochet along at your own pace.      

These are the links to:

PART 1 (Hakuna Matata Mandala Square) (where you will find all the necessary info about this project)
 
and

Part 2 (Sunny Flower Square)



Some of the lovely ladies who are crocheting along were kind enough to share their photos with us: 
 

Our third square is the Tic-Tac-Toe square - a nice relaxing square to crochet consisting of an alternating mesh row (the noughts) and a crossover dc row (the crosses).    We will be making FOUR of these!

TIC TAC TOE SQUARE PATTERN 


YARN:  DK (8ply / light worsted weight) 100% acrylic 

HOOK:  5.00mm

SIZE:  28cm x 28cm

PATTERN TERMS:   US

I will include this conversion chart with each pattern to make it easier for those using UK terms


crochet terms conversion chart

Notes:

Rows 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 are crocheted with the right side of the square facing you.  

Rows 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 are crocheted with the wrong side of the square facing you.

Special Stitches:

Crossover dc (crdc) - is made by crocheting your first double crochet to the left of the dc in the previous row; and then a second dc to the right of the dc in the previous row

Foundation:    ch 4, sl st to join OR make a magic ring

Row 1:   4ch (counts as 1dc, 1ch);  (1dc into ring, 1ch) x7 (8 x 1dc, 1ch);   sl into top of 3ch at start to join.

afghan square

Row 2:  sl st into 1ch sp;   4ch (counts as 1dc; 1ch);  [2dc, 2ch; 2dc into next 1 ch sp (corner formed);   1ch, 1dc into next 1ch space, 1ch] x 3;   2dc, 2ch, 2dc into next 1ch sp, 1ch, sl st into 3rd of 4ch at start

afghan square

Row 3:
Join yarn in 2nd 1ch space on any side of your square;   3ch (counts as 1 dc)

 afghan square

1dc into 1ch sp directly to the right (i.e. the first 1ch sp (crossover dc made)


afghan square


Note:   As the square grows there will be more 1ch spaces.    Always start your row at the 2nd 1ch sp   Repeat until a crdc has been made into each 1ch space

Your corners will be worked as follows:

1crdc into space between first 2dc at corner

afghan square


afghan square

into corner 3ch work 2dc, 3ch, 2dc


afghan square

1crdc into space between 2nd 2dc at corner

afghan square

Repeat this around your square, ending with a sl st into the centre of your start crdc to join

afghan square

Turn work so that the wrong side is now facing you 

Row 4:   Slip stitch into centre space of crdc

afghan square


4ch (counts as 1dc, 1ch);   (1dc into centre of next crdc; 1ch) into the centre of each crdc;  

1dc into space between first 2dc at corner, 1ch

2dc; 3ch; 2dc into corner 3ch sp, 1ch

1dc into space between 2nd 2dc at corner, 1ch

afghan square
 
Repeat this around your square, ending with a sl st into the 3rd of start 4ch


afghan square

Row 5:  Repeat Row 3 

Row 6:  Repeat Row 4

Row 7:  Repeat Row 3 

Row 8:  Repeat Row 4

Row 9:  Repeat Row 3

Row 10:  Repeat Row 4

Row 11:  Repeat Row 3

Row 12:  Repeat Row 4

Row 13:  Join yarn in any 1ch sp;   3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc into same 1ch sp as join;    2dc into each 1ch space;    2dc, 3ch, 2dc into each corner 3ch,   sl st into top of start 3ch to close.   break off yarn

afghan square

(This pattern is great for a giant granny square.    Just keep repeating rows 3 and 4 until your square is the required size)

Two of my Tic-Tac-Toe squares for the Happy Days Blanket! 


afghan square

I had planned to lay all the squares out on the grass for a photo shoot but the wind has been blowing like crazy all day (think we might be getting a cold snap).   

I did manage to take a photo of the designs I have made so far (you can see Part 4's square peeking out under the Tic-Tac-Toe Square).     This is going to be SUCH a happy blanket!!



I will post the pattern for the fourth square - The Saturday Morning Square - on Friday, 22 August 2014.


Don't forget to post photos of your progress on my Zooty Owl Facebook page so that I can share them with my next post!

Happy crocheting!

(Part 4 - Solid Granny Squares can be found HERE)

Saturday 2 August 2014

Yarn Indaba 2014 - Voortrekker Monument Yarn Bomb

I first blogged about the Yarn Indaba 2014 way back in September 2013 in THIS POST

The day of the great Yarn Bomb (1 August 2014) finally arrived and hubby and I set off to Pretoria.    The last time we visited the Voortrekker Monument was about 28 years ago (before we married!).

After the Garmin got us lost a few times, insisting we turn where there were no turns, or make a u-turn in the face of oncoming traffic, and attempting to send us up a dirt road we eventually arrived at the Monument. 

OH MY!!    OH MY!    So much yarny awesomeness!!!

Yarn Indaba

I have never ever seen so many granny blocks!

We had to behave like tourists and get a "selfie" at the foot of the stairs with the most spectacular display of colour in the background!


yarn indaba

In order for the world record attempt to succeed a total number of 19050 blocks of 20cm x 20cm and 3350 blocks of 15cm x 15cm were needed.

By 14 July 2014 a total number of 27 803 squares had been collected (according to the Yarn Indaba Facebook Page).


yarn indaba

A total of 657 blankets were made which will be gifted to various charities when the Yarn Bomb is dis-assembled this afternoon.


yarn indaba

So many beautiful, colourful blankets, worked together so neatly.

What an amazing privilege to have been able to witness this!!!!

I am one happy lady!!