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

The Road Trip Scarf: Print Friendly Pattern

YARN:   DK (LIGHT WORSTED / 8PLY) ACRYLIC

HOOK:   4.00mm

SIZE:  106cm Wide;   48cm long

EXTRAS:  Wooden beads

Foundation:   6ch


Row 1:   Into first chain (the 6th chain from your hook) [crochet 2dc, 3ch, 2dc ( this forms the point of your shawl);  now also crochet 1ch, 1dc into the same place] (turn your work so that you are now working along the "wrong side")

Row 2: Working up the right side of the triangle 4ch (counts as 1dc, 1ch); 2dc into 1ch sp,  1ch;  skip 1dc, 1dc into next dc, 1ch;  1dc, 3ch, 1dc into 3ch sp (point), 

Working down the left side of the triangle 1ch; 1dc into next dc, 1ch, skip 1dc; 2dc, 1ch, 1dc into space at the end of the row; (turn your work so that you are now working along the "right side")

Row 3:  Working up the right hand side of the the triangle 4ch (counts as 1dc, 1ch);   2dc into 1ch sp, 1ch;   skip 1dc;   (1dc into next dc, 1ch) repeat to point (this means that you crochet one dc into each dc from the previous row with a 1ch sp in between each dc);  Into the three chain space which forms the point crochet (1dc, 3ch, 1dc);  Working down the left hand side of the triangle (1ch, 1dc into next dc) repeat to 2^nd last dc, skip last dc, 1ch 2dc, ch,1dc into space at the end of the row

Rows 4 - 32:  Repeat Row 3
(this means that you repeat the pattern row you have crocheted in Row 3 - i.e. just continue to follow the pattern in the highlighted area for the next 29 Rows

EDGING

ROW 33:    (working into the 1ch space between dc) 3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc into 1ch space;  4ch;   (skip next 1ch space;   2dc into next 1ch space,  4ch)  repeat to point;  Into 3ch (at the point) crochet (2dc, 4ch, 2dc), 4ch;   (skip 1ch space, 2dc into next 1ch space, 4ch) repeat to space before last 3dc, 2dc into 1ch space at the end of row

Row 34:    3ch (counts as 1dc);   1dc into 1ch at the start of row (5ch, remove loop from hook, insert hook from front to back of work through the 4ch space,   put loop back on hook and pull through to front of work through the 4ch space;    insert hook front to back through the space between the next 2dc and crochet 2dc) repeat to end of row.

BASE EDGING (this is the edging that runs along the longest side of your scarf)  Working across the base of the triangle 2dc into the same space as last 2dc (the end of Row 34);   (5ch, remove loop from hook, insert hook from front to back of work through next dc post, put loop back on hook and pull to front of work through the dc post, insert hook front to back through the next dc post and crochet 2dc) repeat to end of row, crocheting the final 2dc into the same space as the start of Row 34;   sl st into the top of 3ch to close;     break off yarn.

EMBELLISHMENTS

Magic Ring Flowers:    Make a magic ring,   Into the ring work (3ch, 2dc, 3ch, sl st) x6 (6 petals made).    Break of yarn after final sl st leaving a long tail.    Tighten the ring and work in the "ring" end.  (I made 8 flowers, attaching 2 at each point and 4 randomly around the "v")

Braids:  Pull a double strand of yarn through a stitch at the ends of your scarf - until you have two equal lengths.    Start twisting both lengths in the same direction.   Once they are tightly twisted, hold then together and gently guide them to twist in the opposite direction.   Knot the end of the braid.

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

A tutorial with clear photos can be found  HERE  

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. 

The Day Trip Scarf pattern is available now 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!)

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!!!

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

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)

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!