Hibiscus Bloom: Pattern

I had a 100g ball of Lollipop variegated yarn in spectacularly bright rainbow colours.    Thought I would make a ROAD TRIP SCARF with it - but OUCH - there was just too much colour going on (never thought I would actually say something like that!!)

I suddenly had the idea to make a beach bag and just started crocheting!    Even though I had no clear idea as to what the end product would look like, I knew EXACTLY how I wanted to decorate it!     Great big floppy Hibiscus Blooms - like the ones you find on the Island Queen Hibiscus:

The bloom is quite frilly and just altogether fantastic. Not an easy thing to recreate!     

Remember a few weeks back I helped Designer Iin Wibisono test the FRILLY PANSY pattern (I used it to decorate my JAR JACKETS)?     The big frilly pansy petals were perfect to start forming my Hibiscus Bloom - so thank you Iin for the inspiration and letting me borrow something from your idea!

I used the reverse single crochet to edge the first one I made:

I love the look of the reverse single crochet, but my fingers get a bit knotted up doing the crab stitch, so I changed the edging a bit on my second attempt:

Quite happy with how it turned out - of course not even close to as spectacular as Mother Nature's work - but not a bad yarny copy!

Special thanks also to the ladies who tested the pattern for me!   You girls ROCK!

Gloria Clayton used a cotton poly blend for the petals and base but had to switch to Simply Soft to get the hot pink border.    Gloria says "I found it pleasing to make and believe with your special stitch instruction it could be made by some beginners."   She suggests that you DO read the whole pattern through before starting to crochet as there are several portions to be worked.

Gabriela Mendez from Beunos Aires used cerise for rows 1 and 2 - the same colour as the beads; then a soft yellow for the petals and the flower centre; bright orange for the eding.   Gabriela says "it is wonderfully written, very clear"  

My wonderful bloggy friend, Pat Wilkinson, from SUNSHINE AND A SEWING BASKET once again stepped up to help me test, making her Hibiscus in these beautiful shades.

I can also always count on my Facebook friend, Laura Brozo to quickly and effectively test my patterns!   I just LOVE the hot pink she used as well as the straight slip stitch along the edge!

  
Thank you all, once again, for your wonderful input!

So enough blah blah blah from me....... here is the pattern!

HIBISCUS BLOOM

PATTERN TERMS:   US

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.

Skill Level:  Intermediate

Approximate Time:  60 minutes

Yarn:  Any DK (8 ply / Light Worsted Weight) or Aran (10ply / Worsted Weight) Yarn (I used Lollipop DK) - The bloom is made from 3 different colours.

Hook:  Use whatever hook size suits your choice of yarn and your tension (I used a 5.00 mm hook;   and a 4.00mm hook)

Special Stitches:    I use a double triple crochet (dtrc) (yarn three times around hook) - this is known as a Triple Treble in UK Terms (ttr)

Foundation:  With colour A and using a 5.00mm hook - 4ch, sl st to join OR make a magic ring

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

Row 2:  3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc into top of same dc;  (2dc into top of  next dc) x11 = 24dc;   sl st into top of 3ch to join

Row 3:  Join colour B into top of any dc;   4ch, 2dtrc into same dc as join; 3dtrc into each of next 2dc; into next dc 2dtrc, 4ch sl st;   (4ch, 2dtrc into same dc as sl st from previous petal; 3dtrc into each of next 2dc;  into next dc 2dtrc, 4ch sl st) x 6;   4ch, 2dtrc into same dc as sl st from previous petal;  3dtrc into each of next 2dc; into next dc (same dc as start of first petal) 2dtrc, 4ch sl st= 8 petals formed

Petal Edging:   Using the 4.00mm hook join Colour C with a sl st into the top of first dtrc on any petal;  (1ch; 1sl st into the top of next dtrc) x 9;   (1ch, sl st into 4ch) x 3;    sl st into sl st at base of 4ch;   6ch, sl st into 3rd ch from hook (picot formed) 3ch,  sl st into sl st at base of 4ch  

[(1ch, sl st into 4ch) x 3;   (1ch, sl st into top of next dtrc) x 10;  (1ch, sl st into 4ch) x 3;   sl st into sl st at base of 4ch;   6ch, sl st into 3rd ch from hook (picot formed) 3ch, sl st into sl st at base of 4ch] x 7;   break off yarn

(VARIATION:   you could use the reverse single crochet - as with the Frilly Pansy - to edge your petals!)

Flower Centre:  Using the 4.00mm hook attach Colour B with a slip stitch around any dc post in Row 1;   9ch,  sl st into 3rd ch from hook (picot formed)  6ch;   

(sl st around next dc post in Row 1;   9ch, sl st into 3rd ch from hook;   6ch) x 11;   sl st around last dc post from Row 1;   break off yarn


 
Embellishment - sew a few little beads into the centre of the flower!

This little flower is quite versatile!

Leave the picot part out when you do the edging,   don't crochet the flower centre - and add a big button to the centre instead:

PS:  OOOh...... ooh and a last test in - this one from Iin Wibisono - isn't it pretty???  (Thank you Iin)

Mom-and-Daugher Crochet Along!

Many, many, many moons ago, when my girls where little, they used to love crocheting with me on winter weekends.

We would decide what we were going to make on a Thursday evening -a bag, a pillow, a scarf - always something quick and easy.   I would stop at Checkers (supermarket) on my way home from the office on Friday evening and  pick up a few balls of yarn in the colours they had chosen.     (Checkers still stocks this yarn today - it is called Chick and is probably the equivalent of the Red Heart Super Saver in price and quality.)

I would make up the patterns as we went, often sharing the pattern with friends whose daughters also liked the crochet-along mom and daughter routine!    (Most of these "patterns" were never more than hurried scribbles on scrap paper)

Anyway, a few days ago I was chatting on Whatsapp to my friend who now lives in Cape Town, and she sent me a photo of herself wearing a scarf.   "Kyk wat kry ek in die stoorkamer" (look what I found in the storeroom) she said!    One of my little patterns she had made with her girls about 16 years ago!   "Ek wil weer so een maak" (I want to make another) she said!   "Kan jy onthou hoe?" (can you remember how?).    Hhmm - vaguely....

Picked up my hook and some variegated and an hour and a half later ......... ta-dah

So much fun!

Made another so that I could write the pattern - of course I had to add a bit of extra flair to this one!!

At less than 100g for an adult scarf (probably about 50g for a little girl's scarf) this is a perfect project to keep little hands busy on cold or rainy afternoons!

The scarf takes very little time to crochet, making it a great "rescue" when you need a gift in a hurry!

Busy tidying the pattern up (my friend in Cape Town is doing a quick test for me) so that I can share it with you in time for next weekend!

Dahlia Mandala: Pattern

Skill Level:  Easy

Pattern Terms:   US

Materials:  Raeesah "Cotton Soft" DK (100% Cotton)
Hook:  4.00 mm
Size:  32cm

Materials:  Strawberries & Cream  (100% Cotton)
Hook:  5.00 mm
Size:  38cm

SPECIAL STITCHES:
  
Four Triple Crochet Cluster:  Yarn twice over hook, work the first and second part of the stitch, omit the third part of the stitch (2 loops on hook);   work the second stitch the same way (3 loops on hook);  work the third stitch the same way (4 loops on hook);   work the fourth stitch the same way (5 loops on hook);  yarn over hook;   draw yarn through all five loops on the hook.    (When working cluster at the start of a row the start chain counts as the first stitch)

Six Triple Crochet Cluster:  Yarn twice over hook, work the first and second part of the stitch, omit the third part of the stitch (2 loops on hook);   work the second stitch the same way (3 loops on hook);  work the third stitch the same way (4 loops on hook);   work the fourth stitch the same way (5 loops on hook);  work the fifth stitch the same way (6 loops on hook) yarn over hook;   work the sixth stitch the same way (7 loops on hook) draw yarn through all seven loops on the hook.    (When working cluster at the start of a row the start chain counts as the first stitch)

Foundation:  4ch,  ss into 1st ch to form circle OR make a magic ring

4ch (counts as 1dc, 1ch);  1dc, 1ch into circle) x 1;  sl st into 3rd ch at start to close (12 x 1dc, 1ch) 

Join yarn into any 1ch space Row 1; 3ch (counts as 1hdc, 1ch), 1hdc, 1ch in same 1ch sp as join;  (1hdc, 1ch, 1hdc, 1ch into next 1ch space) x 11;  sl st into 2nd ch at start (24 hdc)

Join yarn in any 1ch sp;  3ch (counts as 1st trc in a 4trc cluster - see SPECIAL STITCHES above ), work 2 part trc into next 1ch space;  1 part trc into next 1ch sp and complete the cluster;  4ch;  

(Into the same space that you worked the last stitch of the previous cluster work 1 part trc,  2 part trc into next 1ch space;  1 part trc into next 1ch  sp and complete the cluster;   4ch)  x 11;  sl st into top of first cluster

Join yarn in any 4ch space between clusters;  3ch (counts as 1st trc in a 6 trc cluster - see SPECIAL STITCHES above ), work 5 more part trc into same 4ch space, yarn over and draw through all loops on your hook to complete the cluster, 7ch;  

(6trc cluster into next 4ch space,  7ch) x 11;   sl st into top of first cluster

Join yarn in any 7ch space;   3ch (counts as 1 dc), 6dc into same space as join, 1ch;  (7dc into next 7ch space, 1ch) x 11;   sl st into top of 3ch at start to close (12 x 7dc, 1ch groups made)

Join yarn in any 1ch sp;  5ch (counts as 1sc, 4ch):  1sc into top of 4th dc of 7dc group;  (4ch, 1sc into next 1ch space;  4ch, 1sc into top of 4th dc of next 7dc group)  x 11;  4ch, sl st into first ch at start of row

Join yarn in any 4ch space;  3ch (counts as 1dc), 4dc in same space as join (5dc group), 1ch;  (5dc into next 4ch space, 1ch) to end sl st into top of 3ch at start of row

Join yarn into top of 1st dc on any 5dc group;   3ch into same space as join (counts as 1dc), 1dc into each of next 4dc, 1ch:  (1dc into each of next 5dc, 1ch) to end sl st into top of 3ch at start to close

Join yarn into top of 2nd dc on any 5dc group, 3ch into same space as join (counts as 1dc),  1dc into each of next 3dc (4dc group), 1ch, 1dc spike into 1ch space on Row 7, 1ch;  (1dc into 2nd dc on next 5dc group, 1dc into each of next 3dc;  1ch, 1dc spike into next 1ch space on Row 7, 1ch);  sl st into top of 3ch at start to close

Join yarn into top of 1st dc on any 4dc group;  3ch into same space as join (counts as 1dc), 1dc into each of next 3dc, (4dc group), 1ch, crossover dc (made by crocheting 1dc into the 1ch sp to the left of the dc spike on Row 9 and 1dc into the 1ch sp to the right of the spike), 1ch;  (1dc into each of next 4dc; 1ch, crossover dc, 1ch) repeat to end sl st into top of 3ch at start of row to close.

Join yarn into top of 2nd dc on any 4dc group,  3ch into same space as join (counts as 1dc); 1dc into each of next 2dc (3dc group), 6ch;  (1dc into 2nd dc on next 4dc group; 1dc into each of next 2 dc, 6ch) repeat to end sl st into top of 3ch at start of row to close

Join yarn with a sl st into 2nd dc of any 3dc group; 8dc into 6ch sp;  sl st into 2nd dc of next 3dc group  (8dc into next 6ch space; sl st into 2nd dc of next 3dc group) repeat to last 6ch sp;  8dc into last 6ch sp;   sl st into same space as start ss to close

Join yarn with a sl st into any dc, 1ch;  (sl st, into next dc, 1ch) repeat to end, sl st into start sl st to close

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.