Rustic Day Trip Scarf

Just a quick little post to show you my latest Day Trip scarf made with two shades of Stylecraft Alpaca Tweed.    I divided the row count by three.   Worked the first third in "Ocean";   the second third in "Duck Egg" and the last third in "Ocean".

The Alpaca Tweed is a blend of 20% Alpaca / 77% Acrylic / 3% viscose, in thirteen soft shades, which you can view HERE.

There is 240 metres of yarn per 100g ball, and I used about 160g in total.  

I love the way the solid colour yarn (worked with a 4.00mm hook) showcases the simplicity of the stitches!  

The pattern for the Day Trip Scarf can be found in my RAVELRY STORE

ALONG THE WAY CROCHET

January has flown by in such a flurry of activity, with the build up to my youngest daughter's wedding and  being appointed a STYLECRAFT BLOGSTAR, that I just realised I had forgotten something very important......

A big calico bag full of 100% cotton DK bits and bobs went with along on the long 690km road trip up to Johannesburg for baby girl's wedding. I always put hot dishes onto a crochet trivet, ever since a little accident one night many, many moons ago when just married. I roasted some chicken pieces in a glass dish, and put it straight from the oven onto the heat proof counter top.   The dish shattered into a hundred little pieces, ruining our supper.  The ZOOTY OWL TRIVETS made in 2014 have been used so much that they have started looking really sad, so for starters I made three new trivets.

The African Flower pattern was on the cover of a magazine at the supermarket checkout, and I reproduced it from memory.

The Easy Round Trivet is exactly that - just a simple circle..   Leave it as it is or add a simple border.   Follow the instructions for the base of the SHABBY PROJECT BAG to make a perfectly flat circle.

The Sunflower Trivet was a sudden flash of inspiration!

Due to health issues, long journeys leave me in excruciating pain, so both the to and from trips were done over two days.   Harrismith is a quaint "dorpie" (small town) 416km from Port Shepstone.   We slept over at DE OUDE HUIZE on the first leg of the journeys.  Do go and have a look at the lovely photos the owners have on their page.    The place has a wonderful nostalgic feel to it and the hosts could not be more welcoming or gracious!

Although the bathrooms have all the modern comforts, they still have that olde world charm which immediately inspired me to hook up some wash cloths.

The cloths are far from perfect as the cottons, although all DK, were not all the same thickness - but that just adds to their charm.   

This easy pattern is a great way to use up cotton scraps and to test out colour recipes or stripe compositions.

A double crochet (UK treble ) stripe is crochet at its simplest and is the best way to practice neatness and tension.  Even tension is probably the most important aspect of crochet in any form. 

My gran made me crochet row after row after row (after row...) of double crochet until my tension was spot on, before she would let me move on to anything more complicated.  If your tension is even you can be sure of neat, perfectly shaped pieces.  If you are new to crochet or have experienced wobbling or curling, it is worthwhile to make a couple of these to check that your tension is even.

What to do with all these cloths.......

• For a quick in-the-bath "spa treatment" take a handful of sugar, mix it with a bit of shower gel - just enough to make a paste.   Only make enough for immediate use as the sugar will soon dissolve in the shower gel.   Soak the cloth in the water while you rub the sugar mix over your body.   Wring out the cloth, rub it in circles over your skin to gently exfoliate, rinse off and then wash as usual.  Arms, hands, legs and feet take a bit of a beating in our hot climate.   (This works just as well with a packaged scrub.)  A gentle exfoliation is needed at least once a week to allow my skin to better absorb body lotion and keep it soft and hydrated. 

• Spray a few cloths with some scented linen spray, fold neatly and leave in a small basket in the guest bathroom, along with a bigger empty basket for used cloths.   It makes for a nice touch for each guest to dry off their hands with a fresh cloth (and these are way more environmentally friendly than paper towels)

• Fold and tie up two or three cloths with a pretty scented soap for a quick gift.

OH SO EASY WASH CLOTH PATTERN

Yarn:  100% cotton, DK (eg Stylecraft Classique Cotton;   Raeesah;   Strawberries & Cream)

Hook Sizes:  4.00mm and 4.50mm

Pattern Terms:  US (see conversion chart for UK terms)

Skill Level:  Beginner / Easy

Pattern Notes:  
Each stitch is worked into the top of the corresponding stitch on the previous row.   You will see that there is a "v" at the top of each stitch.   When working into the stitch insert your hook under both loops of this "v" and then complete your stitch.

Along the sides of the cloth the border stitches are worked around the post of the stitch at the end / start of each row.

Foundation:   Using 4.50mm hook, chain 37

Switch to 4.00mm hook

Row 1:   1dc into 4th chain from hook (counts as 2 dc);  1dc into next each of next 33ch (35dc);  turn work

Row 2:   3ch (counts as 1dc);  1dc into each of next 34dc,  turn work

Rows 3 - 17:   Repeat Row 2, break off yarn

Border:

Round 1:  Working along the top of the cloth, join yarn with a sl st into 2nd dc on Row 17.   1ch (does not count as a stitch), 1sc into each of next 32dc.   Do not work into the top of the next (last) dc, but insert your hook into the space between the last 2dc on Row 17,  work 5sc around post of the end dc;

Working down the side of the cloth, 2sc around each dc post at the end of the next 15 rows,.  5sc around next dc post;

Working along the bottom of the cloth, 1sc into the chain at the base of next 33dc;  5sc around post of last dc;

Working up the side of the cloth, 2sc around each dc post at the start of the next 15 rows;  5sc around next dc post.   Sl St into top of start sc to close,   Turn cloth.

Round 2:   Join yarn in 3rd sc of any corner 5sc;  1ch (does not count as a stitch); 3sc into same place as join;  (1sc into each sc to 3rd sc of next corner;  3sc) x3;  1sc into each sc to corner;   sl st into start sc to close.

Note:   Your workpiece should be perfectly square and flat.   Depending on type of yarn used, you may  have to block.  If you find your border is slightly wavy use a hook 1 or 2 sizes smaller. 

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A special thank you to my friend Kim Ryan for testing this pattern for me!

 

The Edge of Madness

I have been working as if my life depends on it to finish up orders and gifts and donations, as well as trying to prepare for 2017 and complete a few patterns that were partially written. 

My big table has been at the centre of all the action, with projects in various stages of completion around three sides, completed and packaged projects on the fourth side, and all the leftover yarn and packaging dumped in a heap in the middle!.  Last Sunday I wrapped the last of the work which I had to get out, and I could breathe easy again.

My craft room was, of course, a complete disaster so I spent a few hours tidying up - rolling up ribbons, packing away unused gift bags, tags and sorting yarn leftovers.  I "MAGIC" knotted left over bits of yarns to make my own "variegated" yarns, which were used to hook up a few Day Trip and Road Trip scarves and shawls.

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.  In this photo you can clearly see the difference between the two scarves.   Both are 1.5 metres in length, but the RTS becomes a shawl, whereas the DTS remains a scarf.

I have come up with a sweet little edging that can be used in many different ways with both the ROAD TRIP, and DAY TRIP SCARVES

The edging is a repeat of a "shell" followed by a "loop" along the shaped edges of both scarves, with a simple chain loop worked along the straight edges.  

This plain and simple edging is the perfect finishing touch for a "toned down" look.

A scarf or a shawl with a generous fringe always adds a bit of fun to a winter outfit, but sometimes working directly onto the scarf base looks untidy.   This edging neatens up the scarf base and the fringe can be attached around the loops for a very neat finish.

SHELLS 'N LOOPS EDGING PATTERN

PATTERN NOTES:   This edging is suitable for both the Day Trip and Road Trip Scarves.   The edgings vary slightly for each scarf so just make sure you are using the correct one! 

The "loop" is in its "simplest form" in the written pattern, but it can be changed in many ways for a different look:

Instead of 3ch, crochet 1ch, 1 picot, 1ch 

OR
Crochet 15ch (or more) for a crochet fringe effect......

Thread beads onto your yarn before you start working and add a bead to the loop as you go....

The possibilities are endless - just have fun!!  

DAY TRIP SCARF
Pattern available in my RAVELRY STORE
(Refer to the notes of the purchased pattern for stitch references). 

Working from the starting point (Row 1) along the increase edge of the scarf, join yarn around 1st Sp.  
3ch (counts as 1dc), 3dc around same Sp as join; 1sc around next Sp, 3ch;

(1sc around next SP; 4dc around next SP; 1sc around next SP, 3ch) repeat up the increase side and down the decrease side, until your final row;
(Note:  the stitch sequence remains the same over the apex)

1sc around final Sp on decrease side, 
4dc, 1sc; around Sp on the straight (unshaped) side;

(2ch; 1sc around next Sp) repeat up to and including the Sp of Row 1;  3ch, 1sc around same Sp; sl st into 3rd of start ch to close.
 

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ROAD TRIP SCARF
Make sure that you end on an EVEN number row.    Stitches are worked into 1ch spaces between dc's along the shaped sides, and around the side of the stitch post at the end of each row on the straight side.   At the point the stitches will be worked into the 3ch sp.

Join yarn in 4ch at start of your last row.   4ch (counts as 1sc, 3ch);  skip 2dc; 1sc into next 1ch sp;

(4dc into next 1ch sp; 1sc into next 1ch sp; 3ch, 1sc into next 1ch sp) repeat up to and including 1ch sp before point.  

[(3dc, 3ch, 3dc) into 3ch point]; 1sc into next 1ch sp;

(3ch, 1sc into next 1ch sp; 4dc into next 1ch sp; 1sc into next 1ch sp) repeat to 1ch sp before your final row increase;  

3ch, skip 2dc, 1sc into final 1ch sp; 2ch

working along the straight (unshaped) side, (1sc into side post of next stitch, 2ch) repeat until you are back at the start of the edging.   Sl st into 1st of start 4ch to close.

Add your FRINGE around the 3ch loops!

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.

In the photo below you can clearly see the difference between the two scarves.   Both are 1.5 metres in length, but the RTS becomes a shawl, whereas the DTS remains a scarf

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.

The pattern for the Day Trip Scarf is available in my RAVELRY STORE

Gifts

On Saturday afternoon, just before sunset, Mom's ashes were interred at the Holy Rosary Garden of Remembrance.

I have been making gifts from MOM'S YARN STASH to work through my grief and to spread a bit of comfort to family and close friends:   a "MAGIC" COMFORT BLANKET for my brother,  a HUGE COMFORT BLANKET for my dad, (as well as a few hot water bottle covers and some baby blankets to donate).

For each of the girls I made a super chunky ROAD TRIP SCARF!

Blues for my brother's girlfriend, my mom's best friend, and me:

Pinks for my eldest daughter and my sister:

And purples for my niece, and one extra in case my dad remembers somebody I forgot (oops)

(I will make my son a pair of gloves and a scoodie for my youngest daugher)

Each gift was hand-packaged

 with a special little tag:

These Road Trip Scarves were very quick and easy to make and are super warm - with a few twists on my original pattern:

YARN:   16ply (Super Chunky) - I wound various weights of yarn together to get 16ply.

HOOK:   9.00mm

NUMBER OF ROWS:    25

EDGING:   a simple 3ch picot

Of course, even though Mom is no longer here, I know she is here in spirit - so I made a special mandala and butterfly for the table beside her chair!

(My wonderful friend, Lori, has already tested both patterns for me - I am in the process of editing the photos so that I can publish them.    The Sunflower pattern will be for sale on Ravelry.   The Butterfly pattern will be a freebie on this Blog!)

Comfort Blanket for Dad

I cannot believe my mom has been gone for just over a month - it still feels so unreal!

I have been working through MOM'S YARN STASH - what a wonderful gift from the "afterlife" as it were.      A beautiful way for me to meditate, grieve, reflect and remember my precious Mommy!

When I received the stash I decided that I would not "hoard" it but would immediately set about making meaningful things from it!

So far I have made a few baby blankets, a "MAGIC" COMFORT BLANKET for my brother, for each of the girls I have made a super chunky ROAD TRIP SCARF!, and this HUGE comfort blanket for my Dad. 

We are scattering Mom's ashes on Saturday and I wanted to have these comfort gifts finished by then (I nearly crocheted my fingers off!)

Yarn:  Acrylics, Courtelles, Acrylic / Wool Blends

Yarn Weight:  16ply (Super Chunky) - obtained by winding strands of odd weights together to get 16ply (eg 2ply + 2ply + 4ply + 8ply = 16ply)

Hook Size:   8.00mm

Colours:   Blues, Turquoises, Greens, and a few odd colours in between

Foundation Chain:   180 plus 2 (this gives you 180dc)

Number of Rows:   102 rows of Double Crochet

Border:   1 round hdc,   1 round dc.

Edging:   A simple half shell made as follows (2ch, 2dc, skip 2 spaces, sl st into next space) repeat all around the blanket ending with a sl st into the base of the start 2ch.

The blanket will fit very comfortably on a double bed.  

It's soft and thick and warm and was made with loads of love with good memories of my mom in every stitch!