Zooty Owl Cushion CAL (5)

This CAL ended November 2015.   The pattern is now available in my RAVELRY STORE
 
Hello and welcome Crochet-A-Long Friends.

It's hard to believe that October has come and gone and we have reached the final instalment of our Zooty Owl Cushion CAL.


The progress photos sent to me by some of the CAL ladies are quite fabulous:

Elizabeth Koegelenberg

Elizabeth's parliament of colourful owl's are quite an inspiration!

Nancy made these cuties to add to the back of her cushion!

Sharon has almost caught up!

Lynette is adding rows to make a blanket to donate to charity!

Zooty Owl Cushion CAL (4)

Hello and welcome to all my lovely Crochet-a-Long friends.

This CAL ended November 2015.   The pattern is available in my Ravelry Store.

Friday I was happily working away on the catch-up post, when my thought train was disrupted by a raucous coming from the bottom of our garden.    Hubby and I went to investigate and there was a crew of workmen up in the big trees on the property behind ours.      They were cutting down the trees with electric saws.  Nobody had asked us to switch our electric fencing off (mistake number 1), so hubby quickly switched it off.    Just as well!!!    He had hardly turned it off when one of the workmen lost his footing and fell from the top of the tree (easily 4 to 5 metres off the ground).   He fell backwards into our garden, taking down the electric fencing and a gutter from one of our storerooms, before landing on the paving.       He cut himself to smithereens on the way down too.     We thought for sure he would need medical attention!     Would you believe?    He got up, asked for a ladder and climbed back into the tree, bleeding as he went!

Hubby and I were in a bit of shock after seeing this, and I had completely lost my ability to formulate a paragraph!    On top of all this our entire back electric fencing was ripped down and we had to make arrangements to have it fixed urgently.

Anyway the fencing was fixed and I managed to finish and post my catch up post.     By then I was so worn out I had to get some sleep.     I planned to get up early yesterday morning to quickly finish the post for Part (4).    The universe was having none of that!!!!     I had barely started editing when suddenly we had no power (LOADSHEDDING I thought).    It was not loadshedding!    One of the electricity poles had completely toppled over pulling the electrical wires with it.   We were without power the entire day (until about 18h30 last night).    A new pole had been installed and the wires repaired!

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Keep sharing your photos on my Zooty Owl Facebook page so that I can include them in the Gallery!

Please join me again on Friday, for the joining and finishing of the cushion!   (Hopefully this will be a less "exciting" week). 

Zooty Owl Cushion CAL

This CAL ended November 2015.   Pattern is available in my RAVELRY STORE.

The past two weeks have been such crazy busy weeks for me, and on top of that my Internet connection has been so slow that my Blog was not loading properly.  The connection seems to have stablilized (holding thumbs) - so let's make hay while the sun is shining (or at least while there is a speedy connection)!

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Your cushions are all looking quite fabulous!!!

Elizabeth appears to be our most enthusiastic CAL friend!   She is making FOUR cushions at the same time!    WOW!

Lynette and Nancy have been very creative with their cushion backs!!

Robyn, Sharon, Rose and Svanhild have chosen gorgeous colours for their cushions!

Please keep on sharing your photos - it is wonderful to see how each and every cushion grows in such an individual way!

Zooty Owl Cushion CAL (3)

This CAL ended November 2015.   The pattern is available in my Ravelry Store. 

I have been having trouble with my internet this week.    It has been so slow that my blog is not loading properly.    I have not been able to load some of the photos - hopefully this problem will be sorted early in the week!

I will post a follow up post as soon as I can (gallery photos, feet and fluffy wings).   Please keep sending your photos in so that I can include them in the gallery on the CATCH UP POST.

Zooty Owl Cushion CAL (2)

Happy Friday and Hello to all the lovely crocheters who are hooking along with me on this CAL!

This CAL ended November 2015.   The pattern is available in my Ravelry Store.
 
We are going to have some beauties by the time we are done, judging from the photos I have received!!

Elizabeth Koegelenberg is a very enthusiastic crochet-a-long(er) and is making no less than four cushions at the same time!  

 

A lot of people say they "hate" doing their cushion backs as they just want to finish their project once the front is done.   So I thought we would get most of the cushion back squared away before we started with the fun bits!

The back is made from two double crochet stripe sections.   

My stripe composition is 5 rows and 6 colours:

Section 1:  Beige;  Apricot;  Coral;  Dark Red;  Blue;  Light Blue.
Section 2:  Apricot;  Beige;  Light Blue.

Feel free to play around with the your stripe composition for the cushion back, or even use a solid colour!

Remember to post your progress shots on my Zooty Owl Facebook page so that I can include them in next week's post!

Have fun crocheting your cushion backs and please join me next week for Part 3:   Owl Features and Embellishments (the FUN part!!!!)

Zooty Owl Cushion CAL: October 2015

This CAL ended November 2015 - the pattern is available in my RAVELRY STORE

Thank you all for the wonderful response to the idea of hosting an OWL CUSHION CROCHET-A-LONG!

It gives me great pleasure to announce my 4th CAL (crochet-a-long):   
THE ZOOTY OWL CUSHION CAL!!!!!

The CAL will be held during the month of October 2015 and I will post a pattern and a photo tutorial every Friday - starting this Friday!


I added a bit of oomph to the Jumbo Owl Cushion to make it more fun to crochet and to make the cushion more durable.

My patterns are all written in US TERMS

The pattern is suitable for DK (8ply / light worsted) weight yarns and a 4.50mm hook OR Worsted Weight (10ply / Aran) and a 5.50mm hook.      

You can use an assortment of scraps to make your cushion, or choose a special colour palette, the choice is yours!

I have used a small amount of "Eyelash" or "Feather" yarn to add a bit of detail to the wings and owl belly - this is entirely optional, but it does give the body a bit of dimension.

For my "showcase" cushion I have used a selection of 100% Acrylic DK Elle Yarns (made by our South African Saprotex Mills) in six main colours: Apricot, Coral, Pink, Light Blue, Blue, Deep Red and Beige (with small amounts of white and navy for the eyes)

My colours were picked randomly for an "autumn feel" with a bit of pep (since this cushion is made from 100% Acrylic).    

If you would like to make a cushion to add some warmth to your autumn decor, you may want to select your colours from the Pantone Autumn Palette for 2015:

For those in the Southern Hemisphere a cool cotton cushion made with colours selected from the Pantone Spring Palette for 2015 may be more practical:

You could even be bold and mix the two palettes up a bit, depending on what you have in your stash!

You will need a minimum of three colours to make the design work (as well as small bits of contrasting colours for the owl's beak and feet, white and navy or black for the eyes).    There is no limit to the maximum amount of colours used - go wild!!

I am looking so forward to having you join me for this CAL on Friday!!!!!!!

Border and Edging: Wades's Blanket CAL (Part 8)

Hello and welcome to Part 8 of the Wade's Blanket CAL, hosted by Zooty Owl and Kokopelli Design. 

This is our final instalment but the patterns will remain on our Blogs - so you can make Wade's Blanket at your own pace.      

Here are the links to date:
INTRODUCTION 
PART 1 - CIRCLE IN SQUARE GRANNY
PART 2 - TRADITIONAL GRANNY SQUARE
PART 3 - TALL STITCH DAISY SQUARE 
PART 4 - MINI GRANNY SQUARE 
PART 5 - "V" STITCH CENTRE PANEL 
PART 6 - DOUBLE CROCHET STRIPE 
PART 8 - DIAMOND STITCH GRANNY STRIPE 

So far your blanket should be looking like this:

We did not get many photos this week (if I missed any just give me a nudge on Facebook and I will include them in our next post)

We decided to surprise you with a choice of two borders and two edgings which you can mix and match as you please! 


PATTERN TERMS:    US

YARN WEIGHT:   DK (8PLY / LIGHT WORSTED WEIGHT)  

HOOK SIZE:   5.00mm

Zooty Owl's Colourway:   Denim Blue, Blue, Turquoise, Lime, Bright Green, Lemon and White.  

Bacon, the frog was taken out of storage for these photos.     I am holding on to him while my baby girl gets settled and sorted in her new home.    You can read the story of Bacon and how he got his name HERE

I chose Border 2 in the following stripe compilation:

Row 1:    Denim Blue
Row 2:    White
Row 3:    Lime
Row 4:    Denim Blue
Row 5:    Bright Green
Row 6:    White
Row 7:    Denim Blue

and Edging 2 in Lemon

BORDER 1 or 2: 
Row 1:    Crochet a round of sc around the entire blanket.   Note:   into each of the 4 corner 2ch work 2sc, 2ch, 2sc.   Where a corner of a square is joined to a stripe work 1sc into the corner 2ch, 1sc into the join.    Across your vertical stripes (the dc stripe) and the diamond granny stripe work 1sc into the first dc post, 2sc into the next dc post (alternating 1sc, 2sc into each post).   Work 1sc into each ch at the bottom of your v-stitch panel, and 1sc into the top  of each dc at the top of this panel.

Row 2:   Crochet 1dc into each sc around the entire blanket, working 2dc, 2ch, 2dc into each corner 2ch.

BORDER 1:
Rows 3 - 4:  Crochet 1dc into each dc around the entire blanket, working 2dc, 2ch, 2dc into each corner 2ch.

BORDER 2:

Row 3:  Crochet 1 sc into each dc arount the entire blanket, working 2sc, 2ch, 2sc into each corner 2ch

Row 4:  Crochet 1dc into each sc around the entire blanket, working 2dc, 2ch, 2dc into each corner 2ch.

Rows 5 and 7:  Repeat Row 3

Row 6:  Repeat Row 4

Note:    Since both borders are relatively simple and do not require any complex counting or concentration I have included links to You Tube Videos for those who have not yet been exposed to the relevant stitches (techniques) - please, please do not feel shy to ask if you have a question with regard to this post though!

EDGING 1:
Crochet a row of reverse sc (crab stitch) into each stitch around entire blanket, working 2 reverse sc into each corner 2ch.

 
EDGING 2:
Crochet a row of Pineapple Edging Stitch
around the entire blanket

Please send Andrea and I the photos of your finished blankets so that we can include them in our Ta-Dah Posts in two weeks time!!!!

We hope you enjoyed this CAL as much as we did and look forward to receiving your pics for our grand "Ta-Dah" post!!!!

Diamond Sitch Granny Stripe: Wade's Blanket CAL (Part 7)

Hello and welcome to Part 7 of the Wade's Blanket CAL, hosted by Zooty Owl and Kokopelli Design. 

The patterns will remain on our Blogs - so you can make Wade's Blanket at your own pace.      

Here are the links to date:
INTRODUCTION 
PART 1 - CIRCLE IN SQUARE GRANNY
PART 2 - TRADITIONAL GRANNY SQUARE
PART 3 - TALL STITCH DAISY SQUARE 
PART 4 - MINI GRANNY SQUARE 
PART 5 - "V" STITCH CENTRE PANEL 
PART 6 - DOUBLE CROCHET STRIPE 

So far your blanket should be looking like this:

Feel free to share your progress photos with Andrea and/or me on Facebook so that we can include your photos in our Gallery.

Of course I left the tutorial to the VERY last minute, and then it started to rain - so please, please, please excuse the poor quality photos!


Diamond Stitch Granny Stripe Side Panel:  

The Diamond Stitch Granny Stripe is just as easy to do as the simple Granny Stripe - the only difference being that your dc groups are 2dc instead of 3dc.


This section of the pattern is worked onto the Circle In Squares Granny strip (to which you will then join your Traditional Granny strip)
 
PATTERN TERMS:    US

YARN WEIGHT:   DK (8PLY / LIGHT WORSTED WEIGHT)  

HOOK SIZE:   5.00mm

Zooty Owl's Colourway:   Denim Blue, Blue, Turquoise, Lime, Bright Green, Lemon and White.  

I crocheted 12 rows using the following composition:

Row 1 - Denim Blue
Rows 2 & 3 - White
Row 4 - Blue
Rows 5 & 6 - White
Row 7 - Turquoise
Rows 8 & 9 - White
Row 10 - Bright Green
Rows 11 & 12 - White

Row 1:  Working on the right side of your work, join your into the corner 3ch of the first square in the row,  1ch, 1sc into same place as join (counts as 1sc);   1sc into the top of each dc, when you reach a corner on a block 1sc into corner, 1sc into loop of  join (if you have used my visible join:  alternatively 1ch over a join - which will count as 1sc), 1sc into corner on next block.   Repeat this to the end of the row of blocks.  1sc into the last corner 3ch.

Row 2:  Into top of first sc on the right side of your work, crochet  4ch (counts as 1dc, 1ch);   (skip 1sc,  2dc into 2nd sc from hook)  rep to last 2sc;   skip 1sc;   1ch, 1dc into last sc;   turn work

Row 3:  turn work - now working on the wrong side;  ch 3 (counts as 1dc);  1dc into 1ch space;  (2dc into space between 2dc groups) rep to end of row, with your last 2dc being worked into the 4ch at the start of your previous row;   turn work.

Row 4:   Working on the right side of your work;  4ch (counts as 1dc, 1ch);  (2dc into space between each 2dc group) repeat to last 2dc group;   1ch, 1dc into last dc;    Turn work

Rows 3 and 4 form the pattern repeat.      Continue until your stripe is the required size.

Join your Traditional Granny Squares to the last row of your Diamond Granny Stripe - and your blanket is ready for the border and edging which will be posted on the 26th of June!!

Have fun - and don't forget to share your photos!!!!

Double Crochet Stripe: Wade's Blanket CAL (Part 6)

Hello and welcome to Part 6 of the Wade's Blanket CAL, hosted by Zooty Owl and Kokopelli Design.

It is not too late to join this Crochet-A-Long!     The patterns will remain on our Blogs - so you can crochet along at your own pace.      

Here are the links so far:

INTRODUCTION 

PART 1 - CIRCLE IN SQUARE GRANNY

PART 2 - TRADITIONAL GRANNY SQUARE

PART 3 - TALL STITCH DAISY SQUARE 

PART 4 - MINI GRANNY SQUARE 

PART 5 - "V" STITCH CENTRE PANEL 

At this stage of the crochet along you should have 4 panels of squares.  Last week we began joining the panels with a series of stripes - the first being a horizontal v-stripe panel!

Please feel free to share your progress photos with Andrea and/or me on Facebook so that we can include your photos in our Gallery.

Double Crochet Side Panel:  

PATTERN TERMS:    US

YARN WEIGHT:   DK (8PLY / LIGHT WORSTED WEIGHT)  The amount of yarn required depends on the size of the blanket you would like to make. The one pictured in the photo is 110cm x 110cm - I used just over 600g (1800m) of yarn. A 150cm x 150cm would probably take 800g - 900g.   For the 110cm x 110cm blanket I used 8 squares each of the first three 12cm x 12cm patterns and 16 squares of the 6cm x 6cm pattern (Part 4) 

HOOK SIZE:   5.00mm

The most important thing is that your tension remains even throughout the blanket - this will ensure that you will have an evenly shaped blanket at the end of the project.

Zooty Owl's Colourway:   Denim Blue, Blue, Turquoise, Lime, Bright Green, Lemon and White.  

The dc-stripe panel joins the Tall Stitch Daisy Squares and the Mini Granny Squares

Follow the tutorial I did for my BABY GROOVYGHAN DC STRIPES or for an alternative way of doing the stripes follow Andrea's instructions below:

Row 1: Join your yarn (I used white and changed colors every row) into the 3ch corner of your Daisy Square strip and crochet a row of sc along one of the long sides of the strip. This gives you a nice straight edge to start your dc rows from. Turn your work.

Row 2: Ch 3. Dc in the next stitch. Dc in each sc to the end of the row. Turn your work.

Row 3: Ch 3. Dc in the next stitch. Dc in each dc to the end of the row. Turn your work.

Row 4: Repeat row 3 until your dc row strip is as wide as you require

Join us in two weeks time for the "Diamond Stitch" stripe!

V-stitch Centre Panel: Wade's Blanket CAL (Part 5)

Hello and welcome to Part 5 of the Wade's Blanket CAL, hosted by Zooty Owl and Kokopelli Design.

It is not too late to join this Crochet-A-Long!     The patterns will remain on our Blogs - so you can crochet along at your own pace.      

Here are the links so far:

INTRODUCTION 

PART 1 - CIRCLE IN SQUARE GRANNY

PART 2 - TRADITIONAL GRANNY SQUARE

PART 3 - TALL STITCH DAISY SQUARE 

PART 4 - MINI GRANNY SQUARE 

At this stage of the crochet along you should have 4 panels of squares.  This week we will begin joining the panels with a series of stripes.

Please feel free to share your progress photos with Andrea and/or me on Facebook so that we can include your photos in our Gallery

 
Today's pattern is:
V-STITCH CENTRE PANEL:  

PATTERN TERMS:    US

YARN WEIGHT:   DK (8PLY / LIGHT WORSTED WEIGHT)  The amount of yarn required depends on the size of the blanket you would like to make. The one pictured in the photo is 110cm x 110cm - I used just over 600g (1800m) of yarn. A 150cm x 150cm would probably take 800g - 900g.   For the 110cm x 110cm blanket I used 8 squares each of the first three 12cm x 12cm patterns and 16 squares of the 6cm x 6cm pattern (Part 4) 

HOOK SIZE:   5.00mm

The most important thing is that your tension remains even throughout the blanket - this will ensure that you will have an evenly shaped blanket at the end of the project.

Zooty Owl's Colourway:   Denim Blue, Blue, Turquoise, Lime, Bright Green, Lemon and White.  

Make your strip the same length as your square strips, as you will join two of the square strips with the v-stitch stripe. You can make the stripe as wide as you like, changing colours as you like. The v-stitch stripe will be the centre stripe.

(NOTE:  For the swatch piece Andrea made 16ch, which makes for 7 v's in the end.    Andrea's v-stripe for the blanket is 27 v's and changes color every other row, so her blanket will fit a single bed in the end.    My v-stripe is 22 v's and I have striped mine as follows:    *3 rows "denim";   1 row bright green;   3 rows blue;  1 row white;   3 rows turqoise;   1 row lemon* repeated until the strip is long enough)

Foundation:   Chain an even number of chains.  (Tip: We recommend doing the starting chain and leave a long tail. Then start your pattern rows from the "start" end of your chain row - that way you can always add or take away ch stitches in case you have miscounted the chains).

Row 1:   3ch, 1dc in the "start" chain (or 2dc in the 4th ch from hook if you just turn your work);  skip 1ch. 2dc in the next ch. Continue to the end of the chain.   (Add or take away ch stitches if needed.     Break of yarn for foundation chain). Turn work.

Row 2:   3ch, dc in between the "V" cluster of the last row. 2dc into the next "V" from the row before. Continue to the end of the row. (Can you see how the v's open up in the bottom row?).   Turn work.

Repeat Row 2 until your work is the same length as your square panel!

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Andrea or me via our blogs (in the comments section).   You can also find us on Facebook:   ZOOTY OWL and KOKOPELLI DESIGN