Finding my Feet

First off I would like to say THANK YOU!!!!  All so very very much for the wonderful messages and words of comfort with my Mom's passing.

For the past many months of CHANGE and HEARTACHE I have not been very productive pattern-wise.      I have crocheted up many new designs but have not been able to muster the concentration required to finish writing them up!

The past three weeks or so I was not even able to manage anything more than the most basic crochet (even a granny square was a bit of a challenge!!).

I tidied up my yarn stash (as I do every so often).     Rolling together all the odd yarns to make 16ply yarn - a very therapeutic exercise!

I had quite a lot of odds to roll (this basket is pretty deep!) but it kept my mind off things for a few days! 

The 16ply (Super Chunky) yarn makes for wonderful relaxing crochet - perfect for times of turmoil!  
I have made quite a few delightfully colourful and snuggly blankets this way!

THE HOLIDAY RIPPLE BLANKET

 and the RIC RAC WINTER BLANKET

Monday I visited my Dad and fetched my mom's yarn stash which was left for me.     Normally the thought of getting a random heap of yarn  would make me jump up and down with glee - but this made me so sad as it just really brought it home that mom was gone.

There was a LOT of yarn, and it was in a bit of a jumble.      

I spent Monday afternoon and the greater part of yesterday morning listening to silly music and sorting yarn!    

I managed to make up a few whole zip-lock packs of the same yarn. 

There were a lot of odds 3ply, 4ply, dk, chunky and hunky - so I just rolled the strands together to give me a basketful of 16ply "candy floss" coloured yarn for baby blankets

and a basketful of slightly darker shades for lapghans:

There is also a basket of black, greys, reds and white to make my brother a "Magic" comfort blanket, and a few tapestries which I plan to complete at some point.

The biggest "surprise" in the stash was a zip-lock bag of my great granny's crochet.   It contained these "motifs"which look like some of my VERY early (circa 1972) attempts when my granny would make up easy patterns for me to practice!

I am trying to get back into the swing of pattern writing so I thought I would start "putting the wheels back on" by writing up this motif pattern. ( Since my family have all passed on their crochet to me I don't think anybody would object to me "reverse engineering" them!).    

I tweaked the pattern a little to give it my own Zooty Owl twist and to make the motifs easy to "join as you go"!    

This will make a bright and cheery table runner or tray cloth.    Just need to add a few motifs and work out a nice border and then I can share the pattern!!

I made a delicious pot of LAZY BEAN SOUP for our supper (to be followed by a glass of Old Brown Sherry)!   - Now that is COMFORT.

Keep warm friends!    Be kind to yourselves!

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!!!!

Another Owl Cushion

In the process of sorting and tidying out my EMPTY NEST I have been doing some major stashbusting. 

There were a  few bits and pieces of Raeesah Cotton Soft DK;  Strawberries & Cream (a recycled cotton / acrylic blend) and Coffee Cotton (a panfibre / cotton / coffee extract blend) in one of my baskets - not enough to make anything "big" but just enough to make a cushion!!!!

I had to plan out the colours carefully so that I would only use up the scraps!     

I mixed and matched the buttons for the back too so that I could start clearing out my odd button stash!

If you would like to make one of your own the pattern can be found on RAVELRY

For the next 10 days only you will receive a 30% discount on this pattern if you use the following code:

POC0001

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!!!!

Popcorn Owl Cushion

Last year I was asked by a South African Group to do an "OWL" project for a crochet along.

I totally forgot about it was in a bit of a pickle when I realized I had a week to come up with a project worthy of a crochet along!

I merged a few ideas that I had been playing around with and came up with a Popcorn Owl Cushion:  The pattern is for sale on RAVELRY!!

I adapted the back from a cushion I had made some time back

A few very kind crochet buddies helped me test out the pattern with lightening speed!!!

Due to the time difference I have not received all the photos yet!    I will do a follow up post with more photos!

In the meantime!     Thank you so much Lezelda Barocci Faul for your exceptional work, late night chats and endless stitch counting!!!!!

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

Making Light of a Crisis

Here in South Africa we are once again faced with an ELECTRICITY CRISIS - the worst since our first crisis in 2008.       While extreme electricity price hikes over the past 7 years were supposed to be used to improve infrastructure, the additional millions have instead been used to provide corrupt officials with bonuses and ridiculously high salaries -  so there is no possibility of this crisis ever abating!!

Forgive my rant - but back in my day poor performance was met with disciplinary action NOT rewarded with bonuses and salary increases (does anybody else spot the not here???)!!!

Our Minister of Energy, in her (*cough, laugh, sputter*) infinite wisdom gave a speech saying we should adapt because this is a way of life!     Well OK then!

When ESKOM gives you loadshedding -  make granny squares!!!!

A couple of evenings ago, I was sitting in my recliner, watching "Criminal Minds", working on a new pattern......  when suddenly "hello darkness, my old friend"!!   - We have just been loadshed.

We frantically run around lighting tea lights, giving just enough light here and there so that you do not fall and break your neck, but not enough to actually see what you are doing!!

Three to four hours of doing absolutely nothing is enough to drive me insane - so I grab a hook and a few baskets of scrap yarn and listen to an audio book on my phone (Anne of Green Gables).     Fortunately I am able to crochet a granny square blindly!!   (I am not that awesome yet that I am able to manage anything more complicated!!)

After three hours without power the lights are back on and this is what I have managed......

The following evening I made dinner early, just in case - a lovely homemade chicken pie (the one with the bread triangles and the mayo! - YUM), and I prepare two flasks - coffee for hubby and tea for me.  Thank goodness, because I have just settled into my chair when..... instant blackout!

"Muuwaaahaaa", I laugh in the face of darkness - tonight I am prepared!!!

Light the candles, listen to audio book and start hooking away on my "loadshedding" squares:

The next morning I arranged the squares I had made (a very motley assembly indeed!).     I then started joining them.

I have to do the joining and the working in of the tails (and OH MY GOODNESS what a lot of tails) in daylight - this is not something I can manage in the dark!

By day (whenever I have a quick spare minute) I weave and join!     When the lights go out I crochet!!

I just made this up as I went using a mishmash of colours and scrap yarn.

There is no "pattern" but this is what I did:

24 x 14cm circles in squares grannies (you could try one or two of these patterns:
WADE'S BLANKET CIRCLE IN A SQUARE;   or
BABY GROOVYGHAN CIRCLE IN A SQUARE

24 x 14cm TRADITIONAL GRANNY SQUARES

Add a single row of double crochet in "cream" to each square (the squares now measure 16cm x 16cm)

Join 4 squares with black yarn (2 traditional granny squares and 2 circles in squares) using the VISIBLE JOIN METHOD

You now have 12 blocks of 4 squares each

Crochet a BLOCK STITCH border around each of these 12 blocks (sc, ch row in beige and the dc cluster row in black).

Plan out the larger blocks before you star adding the border so that you can join as you go.

For the border:  1 granny row (black);   1 dc row (tan);   1 granny row (black)

Use the remainder of the scraps to measure out and cut lengths of yarn for the braids (I just wound them around an emery board and then cut through the top and bottom end).      Add a BRAID between each granny cluster!  

This is a very therapeutic, almost hypnotic exercise (so easy that you can make them in the dark!)

A real "feel good" blanket - I put both my time and my scraps to good use!    

We have been quite lucky so far this week - no loadshedding!     I will have to prepare a new "loadshedding" project just in case .......... (*touch wood;   fingers crossed*)