Late Friday night (so late it was in fact already Saturday!) my hands were too cramped to crochet anymore. I was sitting at my desk doodling with my colour pencils and koki pens (please do not laugh - it WAS really late!).
I had a lightbulb moment - make the doodle
into a crochet motif! Grabbed a hook and a heap of yarn scraps and hooked up a very "rough" draft
Yesterday morning, using my Stylecraft
Special DK and a 3.50mm hook I started working on an improved version of the idea
Lots and lots of stitches and a couple of movies later and it was done!
17 Rows of colourful fun crochet!
Measuring 33cm in diameter!
The STARFLOWER MANDALA!
I scribbled the pattern as I went along - but it needs a LOT of tidying up. Making a second mandala so that I can sort out the pattern and make a tutorial to share.
Baking Nutella Muffins.
Was a bit bored while waiting for them to come out of the oven and so I made these. They remind me of daffodils although they are not quite daffodils!
Have not even worked in the ends yet - just had to type up the pattern first while it was still fresh in my mind:
With Colour A - 6ch, ss to join
Row 1: Into the ring, 2ch 2dc cluster, 3ch; *3dc cluster, 3ch* crochet *to* 5x (6 clusters), ss to close, break off yarn
Note:
a 3dc cluster is formed as follows - yarn over hook, work the first
part of the stitch leaving 2 loops on your hook, repeat this twice more
(four loops on hook) Yarn over hook and draw through the loops on the hook to form your cluster
Row 2: Join Colour B in any 3ch sp; 2ch, 2dc, 1tr, 1 picot, 1tr, 2dc, 2ch, ss into same space; *ss into next 3ch sp, 2ch, 2dc, 1tr, 1 picot, 1tr, 2dc, 2ch, ss into same space* *to* x5, ss into same sp as first petal to close. Break off yarn
Pattern is written in US terms
I used Elle Pullskein DK and a 4.00mm hook
Made a few more in a thinner yarn and added a bit of detail to the petals. I think these are much nicer!
PS:
The Not Quite a Daffodil Square Pattern can be found HERE
I have started assembling my "big" project - but not sure whether this project is going to be completed or just frogged!?
Happily my Mandala pattern was very popular! It will be one of the designs featured by the Creative Crochet Crew Facebook Group for their CAL on 29 April 2014! It was also featured on ERIKA'S CRAFTY CORNER
I had to make a two bigger Mandalas for the project:
I have had quite a few requests for the pattern for the larger Mandala - so here it is!
LARGE DAISY CENTRE MANDALA PATTERN:
Pattern terms: US
Hook: 5.00mm
Yarn: Elle Pullskein DK
Each row is worked in a different colour
Note: these
Mandalas are components of a bigger project I am working on - I needed
them to be "stretchy" and therefore used a larger hook; A 4.00mm to
4.50mm depending on your tension will probably be a better option for
this type of yarn
Rows 1 - 11: Follow the pattern for the Daisy Centre Mandala over HERE
Row 12: Into any dc, 3ch; 1dc into each dc to end, ss to close, break off yarn
Row 13: Into top of any dc 6ch *1dc, 3ch into top of 4th dc from hook* repeat * to * to end, ss to close, break off yarn
Row 14: Into any 3ch sp, 3ch 4dc; *5dc into next 3ch sp* repeat *to* to end, ss to close, break off yarn
Row 15: Into any dc, 3ch; 1dc into each dc to end, ss to close, break off yarn
Row 16: Into any dc directly in line with dc on Row 13: 7ch, into
top of 5th dc from hook 1sc; *6ch, into top of 5th dc from hook 1sc*
repeat *to* to end, ss into 1st of 7ch
Row 17: ss along first three chain of Row 16; sc *7ch, sc into 6ch space* repeat *to* to last 6ch sp; 6ch ss into first sc to close, break off yarn
Row 18: Into any 7ch sp; 3ch, 6dc; *7dc into each 7ch sp* repeat *to* to end, ss to join. break off yarn
I am not really a Mandala "person", but I have been seeing a lot of them
lately - such bursts of inspirational colour!
The other afternoon I
was not in the mood for any of my WIP's - I desperately needed a bit of
colourplay!
This is the result of an afternoon and evening well spent:
DAISY CENTRE MANDALA:
Pattern terms: US
Hook: 5.00mm
Yarn: Elle Pullskein DK
Each row is worked in a different colour
Note: these Mandalas are components of a bigger project I am working on - I needed them to be "stretchy" and therefore used a larger hook; A 4.00mm to 4.50mm depending on your tension will probably be a better option for this type of yarn
Foundation: 4ch, ss to form ring
Row 1: 4 ch (counts as 1dc 1ch), 1dc 1ch into ring (repeat 11 times) (12 x 1dc, 1ch groups) ss to close, break off yarn
Row 2: Into any 1ch sp, 2ch 2dc cluster, 3ch; *3dc cluster, 3ch* crochet *to* 11x (12 clusters), ss to close, break off yarn
Note: a 3dc cluster is formed as follows - yarn over
hook, work the first part of the stitch leaving 2 loops on your hook,
repeat this twice more (four loops on hook) Yarn over hook and draw through the loops on the hook to form your cluster
Row 3 Into any 3ch sp, 3ch 2dc 1ch; *3dc, 1ch into next 3ch sp* repeat *to* to end, ss to close, break off yarn
Row 4: Into any 1ch sp, 3ch, 1dc, 1ch, 2dc, 1ch: *2dc, 1ch, 2dc, 1ch into next 1ch sp* repeat *to* to end, ss to close, break off yarn
Row 5: Into any 1ch sp, 3ch 2dc; *3dc into next 1ch sp* repeat *to* to end, ss to close, break off yarn
Row 6: Into any sp between 3dc groups, 6ch *1dc, 3ch into next sp between 3dc groups* repeat * to * to end, ss to close, break off yarn
Row 7: Into any 3ch sp, 3ch 4dc; *5dc into next 3ch sp* repeat *to* to end, ss to close, break off yarn
Row 8: Into any dc, 3ch; 1dc into each dc to end, ss to close, break off yarn
Row 9: Into any dc directly in line with dc on row 6: 7ch, 1sc into top of 5th dc from hook; *6ch, 1sc into top of 5th dc from hook* repeat *to* to end, ss into 1st of 7ch
Row 10: ss along first three chain of Row 9; sc into 6ch sp; *7ch, sc into 6ch space* repeat *to* to last 6ch sp; 6ch ss into first sc to close, break off yarn
Row 11: Into any 7ch sp; 3ch, 6dc; *7dc into each 7ch sp* repeat *to* to end, ss to join. break off yarn
A very quick and easy to make little six petal flower:
ch 4 ss to join
3ch (counts as first dc); 11 dc in circle, ss to join (12 dc)
Into same place as ss 1ch, 1sc, 1hdc, 1dc, 3tr, 1 dc, 1hdc 1sc; *skip 1 dc, into next dc 1sc, 1hdc, 1dc, 3tr, 1 dc, 1hdc 1sc* repeat * to * 5 x (6 petals), ss into 1ch to end.
Cute on its own:
Or layered and embellished with a button and some tassles:
To make the top layer I used a size 4.00 hook with my DK yarn; for the bottom layer a size 4.50mm hook with my DK yarn (making it just ever so slightly bigger).
I had so many requests for the Crochet Sunflower Applique Pattern after I showed / posted my pink crochet sunflowers:
The sunflowers can be used to decorate fabric or crochet items and can be made up in a variety of colourways. Each sunflower is made up of four colours - so let your imagination run riot!
The pattern can be found in my RAVELRY STORE
Yarn: (any yarn or thread is suitable) I used Elle Classic Wool DK
Hook: (to suit the yarn you use) I used a 4.00mm
Pattern Terms: US
Flower centre:
Foundation: 4 chain, sl st to form ring OR make a magic circle
Row 1: 3ch (counts as 1dc), 11dc into ring (12dc)
Row 2: (First round of petals) [(3ch into a space between dc, 4dc in same space, 3ch sl st into same sp), sl st into next 2 spaces]; [(4dc in same space, 3ch sl st into same sp), sl st into next 2 spaces] x5 (= 6 small petals)
(Note: each next petal is formed in the same space as the 2nd ss
Row 3: (Foundation for second round of petals) Behind your first round of petals, into sp between petals crochet (5ch, sl st into next sp between petals) x6 ( = 6 loops)
Row 4: (second round of petals) [sl st into 5ch sp; (4ch, 6tr, 4ch, ss into same 5ch sp)] x6 = 6 medium petals
Row 5: (Foundation for third round of petals) Behind your second round of petals, into sp between petals crochet (7ch, sl st into next sp between petals) x6 (= 6 loops)
Row 6: (third round of petals) [sl st into 7ch space; (5ch, 8dtr, 5ch, ss into same 7ch sp)] x 6 (= 6 large petals)
Backing & Attachment of Pin
Crochet a circle as follows:
Foundation: Ch 4, sl st to join OR make a magic ring
Row 1: 3ch (counts as 1dc), 11dc into ring, sl st into top of 3ch to close (12dc)
Row 2: Into space between 2dc crochet 3ch (counts as 1dc) 1dc into same space; (2dc into space between next two dc] x 11; sl st into top of 3ch to close (24dc)
Row 3: Into space between two dc crochet 3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc into same space; 1dc into next space; [2dc into next space; 1dc into next space] x11 (36dc)
Attach pin to centre of circle (I love a safety pin - maybe not quite the fancy thing to use - but I have had too many brooch pins coming loose and puncturing me!)
Sew the circle onto the back of the flower.
And there it is - ready to adorn your favourite scarf or jacket!
(This pattern has not been tested - if you find any errors please drop me a comment!)
I am going to share with you the first
flower my gran taught me to make - a chain loop daisy! (I remember making
hundreds of them after she showed me - that was all I made for days!!)
CHAIN LOOP DAISY
Two colours are used here
Centre: Colour A
ch 4, ss to join
3ch, 11 dc into ring, ss to join
Petals: Colour B
Join second colour in sp between any 2 dc.
*12ch, ss into same sp, ss into sp between next 2dc* rep to
Perfect for embellishing bags, scarves and just about anything else you can think of! (The pattern for the bag can be found HERE)
At some point during 2013 a whole stash of Elle Charity Chunky was purchased on a whim!
Just before Christmas I had finished up all my WIP's and was undecided what to do next. We were having some lovely rainy weather - a good time to tackle the Chunky project. Something quick and easy - not requiring too much thought or effort - or so I thought!
Was I in for a surprise?
I tried hook after hook size - before finally settling on a 7.00mm. Then I tried out pattern after pattern after pattern after ..... Nothing seemed right!
I tried squares - nope. A big granny - nope. A ripple - nope.
Granny stripe - nope. Diagonal granny - nope. Box stitch -
nope. Diagonal box stitch - nope.
At that juncture I was - extremely annoyed and worked up!
I was NOT going to pack the chunky away - I WAS going to best it (the deciding factor here was that after removing all that chunky from my yarn cupboard and rearranging the rest of my stash quite satisfactorily I had NO intention of trying to get the chunky back into the cupboard!)
Eventually out of sheer desperation I tried a plain old double crochet stripe. Not too bad after a couple of rows....... and then it started taking shape. So easy and quite nicely textured. I calmed down and started enjoying the project.
I worked up row after row in mauve, blue and grey.
Bordered it with a few rows of single crochet and gave it a nice bobble fringe (about twelve hours work start to finish - what a bargain!)
Even with the border the double crochet stripe was a bit boring - and so taking inspiration from my lovely popcorn cushion, I made heaps of yellow flowers, orange flowers and lime green leaves.
Appliqued them on to the bottom and top corner:
It fits quite nicely on a 3/4 bed (had to fold it to get the flowers in the photo).
Must say I am rather delighted with it!
Happy 2014! Hope this year is filled with all things wonderful for you.
2013 was a very busy, successful year for my little family - with
each of us setting and achieving our individual goals and even keeping
to the resolutions we made at the beginning of the year.
We have enjoyed a lovely festive season - lots of (too much) good food and good company.
I used plain brown paper and kraft board to wrap and package gifts this season, decorated with green paper raffia and handmade embellishments.
Star flowers crocheted with paper raffia, with a bit of glitter and some shiny beads:
Crochet Christmas Trees found on Ale's lovely blog:
Our weather has been a bit strange - quite a few grey rainy days, a lovely cool respite from the South African heat. The cloud formations have been absolutely stunning and we have had some pretty scary electrical storms. Overall though the days have been magically clear and sunny - perfect summer weather. I am as brown as a berry from all the lazing about in the garden and around the pool.
2013 was a very busy and enthusiastic crafting year for me. My blogging was sadly not anywhere nearly as enthusiastic and I made heaps of projects which I never got around to photographing, much less blogging about (hoping I won't be such a lazy blogger this year!)
I have been sorting through my photo's - putting them into folders etc and I have come across a few that I took and never showed on my blog. I will be doing some posts over the next few days to show these.........
Happy Tuesday!
While hopping around the internet I found these lovely little crochet owls!
I just had to make a few for fun!
Unfortunately there were no bright colours in my stash - so I am going to have to get some and make another brightly coloured batch.
Jacquie used beads for the eyes but I had some "googly eyes" and glued them on instead.
Have a "hoot" crafting!
