Cosmos Fields Shawl

A while back I needed a quick on-the-go project to accompany me while out and about for the best part of two days.    I used a mill ends yarn, which I had my doubts about as it was looking a bit too much like red cabbage at one point. I finished it anyway - at the same time coming up with a neat edging which I also used for my ROAD TRIP SCARVES

I let go of the red cabbage idea when I saw this stunning photo of COSMOS FIELDS

These and more AMAZING photos can be found on a gorgeous Japanese Blog called ROUND OF THE SEASONS IN JAPAN

So happy I found the photos - I don't think anyone would want to wear a "Red Cabbage" Shawl!!

It is winter  here in South Africa and although it is still really warm here during the day I am making myself a few scarves to prepare for the cold snap!

Loving the variegated yarn lately - so I ordered a random batch for inspiration.

My fingers are itching to make a more solid version (like this shawl) of my Road Trip Scarf, but I am busy with a tutorial for my Dahlia Mandala (pattern to be posted very soon!!).  I used what was left of my first batch of Raeesah Cotton Soft to make the two pink mandalas.

There were still a few teeny tiny scraps left - so I made another jar jacket! (Had to tie two strands of purple together on the final row, the knot is unfortunately quite visible - I will have to use this jar for flowers or something that will hide the last row!)

Now that I have finished the Raeesah I can delve into my new stash of Strawberries & Cream (50% cotton / 50% acrylic) for the tutorial.  

I have never used the Strawberries & Cream before - it feels very soft but looks as if it might be a bit "splitty" - will let you know how that tests out when I post my Dahlia Mandala Pattern!

Have a super happy crafty Wednesday!!!

Road Trip Scarves: Pattern

Friday I went on a little spur of the moment road trip with hubby and I wanted a fuss free project to keep me busy during the drive.   Scissors are banned on road trips as hubby is paranoid that I accidentally stab myself again (during a road trip a couple of months back I was snipping a thread, we hit a pothole, a very common occurrence on South African Roads, and I embedded the scissors in my left wrist).      While hubby was planning the route I quickly grabbed some variegated yarn, started two triangles to make "scarfy" versions of a shawl I made a few weeks ago, and popped them into my SHABBY PROJECT BAG

I managed to finish both scarves, edge them and make a few little flowers - with a few cm of yarn to spare - before we arrived back home.    Yesterday morning I sewed the flowers on with some beads and a few braids and Ta-dah!

For the greenish scarf I used 2 x 50g Elle Family Knit Classic (Courtelle) colour "Sushi" with a 4.50mm hook and a 5.00mm hook.

For the pinkish scarf I used 100g Elle Escapade DK (Acrylic) colour "Fuschia Falls"  with a 4.00mm hook and a 4.50mm hook

Spinning my wheels a bit yesterday - waiting for the ladies to finish testing the patterns for my Zooty Owl Trivets and my Dahlia Mandala - so I thought I would make another one of these while I wait.

For the brightly coloured scarf I used Elle Family Knit DK Classic (Courtelle) 2 x 50g with a 4.50mm and a 5.00mm hook.

I worked up the pattern and crocheted yet another Road Trip Scarf while making the photo tutorial

ROAD TRIP SCARF PATTERN 

  

YARN:   Elle Pullskein Print DK (100% Acrylic)  (any soft 8 ply yarn would work well)

COLOUR:  Hunter

HOOKS:  4.50mm and 5.00mm

EXTRAS:  Wooden beads

SIZE:  106cm Wide;   48cm long

(The pattern is of such a nature that you could easily make the scarf bigger - even shawl size - by just adding more rows!) 

SKILL LEVEL:   Easy 

PATTERN TERMS:   US

Using 4.50mm hook 

Foundation:   6ch

Using 5.00mm hook:

EDGING

I made a video to demonstrate this edging (no sound),
which I first used for my BABY GROOVYGHAN
 (Note:   I use single crochet for the baby groovghan and for the Road Trip Scarf I use Double Crochet!)

If you are having trouble watching the video here - I have saved it on my Zooty Owl Facebook page too - you will find it under "Photos"

NOTE:   If for some reason you are unable to view the video on this page - I have it stored on my Zooty Owl Facebook page - go to photos and then Videos

EMBELLISHMENTS 

I made 8 flowers, attaching 2 at each point and 4 randomly around the "v"

 

Attach the flowers to the scarf, with a small wooden bead as the centre of the flower

I have been messing around with my camera settings for indoor photos - the days are way too short now as we approach winter solstice.    I don't quite know what I have done but I seem to have achieved a bit of a "neon" effect?!

I LOVE variegated yarn and I LOVE these scarves!!

My elder daughter is very petite and she really feels the cold.    I made her a scarf with Colormatic Aran, and embellished it with my SUNFLOWER APPLIQUE

(A few of you lovely crafty people are having trouble getting started with the Road Trip Scarf - I have put together a little TUTORIAL WITH CLEARER PHOTOS (I used solid colour yarn - as it is sometimes difficult to see the stitches especially on smaller screens)

The print friendly version of the pattern can be found HERE 

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THE DAY TRIP SCARF

In 2014 when I created my Road Trip scarf I had no idea that it would be so ridiculously popular. I had a lot of requests for a longer scarf along similar lines. I finally got around to it - the result is a long “baktus style” scarf with two possible edgings. Either a frilly edge for a whimsical look or a zig-zag bobble edging. (The original Road Trip Scarf edging and trims would also work well with this design) 

The Day Trip Scarf differs from the Road Trip Scarf in that it increases steadily in length and gradually in width, whereas the Road Trip Scarf increases evenly in length and width.

This version can also easily be made on a day journey as a passenger. The project is small and lightweight and can be squeezed into bag, making it a wonderful “take-along” project for a journey by car, plane, train or bus.
The Day Trip Scarf is a very economical project requiring just under 300 metres or 330 yards of DK / 8ply / light worsted weight yarn.
Because the pattern works up so quickly and is so economical to make, it is the perfect end of year / Christmas gift. 

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!