I guess I'm not going out today.

The forecast said some snow, but this is insane. Where is yesterday? I want my weather how I like natural women, leaning more towards the plus side.  Women are beautiful and social stereotypes and expectations are totally ridiculous. But that is off topic.

I didn't work on this current shawl at all on Monday, I had to clean and steam clean... Insert grumblings and mention the definition of insanity here.

So It's taken me about 3 days of work to get to where I am right now, I am estimating it will take me about 10-12 days of work to finish.

I am still debating if I should make the pattern available to this. Someone who I assume knew very little on how to crochet mentioned I should just sell the pattern and not try to sell the shawl, because people want a taste to do this themselves. That maybe true, but I am not sure how I would show the design without a example to go with and what about for those who aren't handy at crafting?

I am not going to post the entire design until I am done. So back into crocheting I go, while I glare out my  back door cursing Monday's and Tuesdays tease weather.

Motif for sale

please see my Etsy shop to buy my newly made motif called Star of Bethlehem

You can find it here Star of Bethlehem listing.

Go to my shop, it accepts credit cards, debit cards and Etsy gift cards!

I'm on Etsy

Ok, so I am making this super easy for y'all and just putting my stuff on Etsy. Please feel free to look and buy. I am trying to keep my prices reasonable. I know I am not going to get hourly rates for the stuff I made. But I need to make room for more things to make and would appreciate the cash flow to feed my habit.

Find me here on My Etsy. I am still working out the little details to my shop

Hairpin Rose Shawl -With Complete Instructions!

Ok so I have been trying to instruct as I go.  Here it is, done. Let me know if this makes your eyeballs bleed.

Pink rose hairpin shawl
Light (3) yarn, Approx. 700 meters
3mm hook
Hairpin loom 3 inches wide.

4 strips of hairpin needed
10 rose motifs

first strip crochet 285 loops on each side of the loom, centered.
I normally put a bread tag in the middle every 30 loop seeing as this is done in multiples of 30+15

Side One
Note:normally when I am working the first side, I don't take it off the loom all at once before I crochet it together, I take it off as I crochet.
chain 4 and sl st into fist chain, then ch6.
**sc 15 loops together, ch4 picot in the sc, ch 5 *sc 3 loops together, ch5. Repeat from * to make 5, 3 loop clusters, repeat from ** until the end. Ch6 sc into middle of strip ch4 picot in sc, ch6 and start on next side.
Side Two
*sc 3 loops together, ch5. Repeat from * to make 5, 3 loop clusters, sc 15 loops together chain 5 and repeat from * at the end ch6 and sl st in very first picot made, fasten off.

Make two of these strips. Set aside.

Rose motif
Chain 8, sl st into fist chain
Rnd 1: ch2 3dctog as your first cluster, *chain 4 and dc4tog, repeat 4 more times until you have 6 clusters, chain 4 and sl st together in the first cluster made. This makes the inner petals
Rnd 2: into each -ch4 space of rnd 1, sc, hdc, 2dc, trbl, 2dc, hdc and sc into each of the 6 -ch4 spaces. The will make outer petals of flower
Rnd 3: sl st into next 5 of previous round to top of trbl, *chain 9, sl st into trbl of next petal, repeat 4 more times, ch 4 and trbl crochet into the sl st of trbl of first petal worked from
Rnd 4: ch3 trbl2tog in same space as ch3, ch4 and trbl3tog in same space as previous cluster, *chain 6 and sl st into each sl st of previous rnd, chain 6, trb3tog in 5ch of previous -ch9, repeat from * 4 more times, ch6 sl st into sl st of previous rnd, ch6 and sl st into first ch3, trbl2tog cluster.

Round 5 is where you star joining the first two hair pin strips together. The outer two roses to the shawl only join 4 out of the 6 picots on the motif to the lace strips, the other 8 use all 6 picots on the motif. Please see figure A

Figure 'A'

Rnd 5 of outer rose motifs: ch1 *3sc into -4ch sp ch 1 sl st into picot of first 15 loop cluster of one strip ch1 and sl st making a picot into rose motif 3sc in -4ch sp, sl st into top of trbl cluster chain 8 and sl st into first of the next 2 trb clusters, repeat from * but skip on the hairpin strip, 2 picots and join in the middle (3rd) picot of the 5-3loop fan cluster.
Repeat from * 2 more times but joining from 4th picot in on second hairpin strip and then the 15 loop cluster picot. **sc3 into -4 ch sp ch3 and sl st to make a picot, sc3 into -4ch sp, sl st into trbl cluster, ch 8 and sl st into first of the next trb cluster repeat from ** and fasten off.

Rnd 5 for the inner 8 rose motifs: Ch1 *3sc into -4ch sp ch1 sl st into picot of middle loop cluster already joined with previous rose motif, ch1 sl st making a picot on rose, sc3 into -4ch sp, sl st into trbl cluster and chain 8. Repeat from * 2 more times but work picot into 15 loop cluster, and next middle cluster picot in next fan. Always skipping 2 picots on each strip of lace
repeat from * 3 times on other stip, but working from the 6th picot away from the fan cluster working towards last cluster worked on strip. See figure 'B"

Figure 'B'

Now I added an extra 2 strips of lace to make it wider.

Two more strips done the same as the first two but when you make the picots, ch2 sl st into picot of strip next to it as shown in figure C

Figure 'C'

If it helps, after chain 4 and sl st into fist chain, then ch6. instead of starting with the 15 loop cluster, start with the 5-3 loop cluster as in side two first, to finish one side before joining the strip to the rest of the shawl.

When I fasten off, I generally hide those ends as I go. I am not sure if I want to make tassely bits on the ends, The raw look on the ends kind of looks okay they way they are.

Let me know what you think,I hope this wasn't confusing, Email me: raynecrochet@gmail.com. Again I would like to mention that I got the rose motif from Donna Kooler's Enclopedia of Crochet, amazing reference and pick it up if you don't have it.

Bud's new hammock

Over the years I have always made bud a hammock to sit in his cage. We have had him for almost 5 years, and he was so tiny he sat on my thumb, but he didn't stay tiny.

He actually has another bed I crocheted a while back when we put him in the cage, it's the blue and white thing he is sitting beside. He has been sitting in his bowl because he is protesting. He wants more food, but feeding him is not what I do, it's the man-unit's job.

I never have a pattern I make his hammocks from, they are usually just whatever my mood is for the time.

I generally make a new hammock once every six months, because he slowly felts them over time. Currently they are both cotton.
Never had a problem with them, I was a bit scared that he may have a reaction to the material but they seem to help him when he is in a shed cycle.

He seems to like it. I think I have to put more chill space in for him.

Pink Rose Shawl

I am going to try to give you a walk-through to this pretty piece. I have never done instructions before soo... Okay, here it goes.

First off I do not have a hairpin loom, I have a cut coat hanger, shaped into a U. 

It's 3 inches wide from one prong to another. A friend was asking how I kept count of the loops well, I keep the tags from my bread. I am using a size 3mm hook with a light (3) yarn.

 

Crude, but effective

This fan pattern is done in multiples of 30 +15 to make it begin and end with  the large 15 loop groups on one side, and the 5 clusters of 3 loops each on the other side. I am working so that there is 225 loops on each side, the finished project should be about 8 inches for every 45 loops.

The original pattern I have used once before for a shawl I made a few weeks ago, but I modified how many I chain at the ends of each 225 loop sections for this one. I don't take it off the loom I am using before I start making the clusters I take it off the loom as I crochet up one side so I don't twist my work. Right after making the right number of loops I chain 4 and SL ST into the first chain to make a Picot, chain 6 and start making the first 15 loop cluster SC them together and chain 4 to make another Picot, chain 5 and SC in the first set of 3 loops and make another Picot. Always chain 5 between each each cluster.
Side 1
**sc 15 loops together, ch4 picot in the sc, ch 5 *sc 3 loops together, ch5. Repeat from * to make 5, 3 loop clusters, repeat from ** until the end. Ch6 sc into middle of strip ch4 picot in sc, ch6 and start on next side.
Side 2
*sc 3 loops together, ch5. Repeat from * to make 5, 3 loop clusters, sc 15 loops together chain 5 and repeat from * at the end ch6 and sl st in very first picot made, fasten off.

Make two of these strips.

Now onto the middle I wasn't exactly sure if I can use this diagram (I prefer using diagrams over written instructions,) but I will give credit where its due This is from Donna Kooler's Encyclopedia of Crochet. If you do not have it, I suggest you get it. More so if you are a lefty (like me) because of the left and right hand stitch instructions. I have seen others on many websites post other materials from this book.

Before you finish the fifth row, you join 3 picots to one strip, and 3 to the other strip. I will get to the picot, ch1, then sl sp into a picot onto the stips [the picot above the 15 loop clusters and the 3rd, 3 loop clusters for the fans.] 8 of these motifs are needed for this. Unless you are making the pattern longer or shorter.

I think I may add one more hairpin strip to each side to make it wider. I will let you know when I get there. I still have 3 more roses to add.

I hope this made sense. and sorry it took a little longer to put up. Little man let me sleep in for a change.

UPDATE:http://youtu.be/EsXYFV-SyVE

Finished Gift

I am happy that this has turned out, seeing as I have not done anything like this before.

I was originally to make a few dresses, but my sewing machine seems to be picky at what it sews, so I made a matching stuffed animal instead. The stuffed animal is currently being test run by my son before it goes in the wash, I am figuring if it can withstand an active 16 month old, it can withstand a little girl.

Video Tutorial can be found from The Crochet Crowd's video. However, since I was working in the round, I did not have that extra stitch to keep it even looking, There are 15 scales for each row.

I actually took a chance and sewed the fabric under the wings with my machine, leaving room for me to attach the wings on like I would normally attach two pieces of crochet together.

Now to wash the dress and owl and put them aside for the next week.

Tiny Little Dress for a Tiny Little Miss

It's my niece's first birthday coming up, The hubby and I went shopping for some larger clothes for our son, he bought me this pink Italian crochet thread, I already had the fabric laying around... It seamed only natural. Okay, I will hide in a corner for that one. I was sweating there for a bit because I have never gotten around to properly fixing the cam assembly to my sewing machine and it has been a few years since I ran anything through it. Apparently nothing a little painters tape and steady hands couldn't fix.

The hardest part was merging the bodice to the skirt, only because it took more time to do then crocheting the bodice or sewing the skirt individually.

It needs to be washed and given a light ironing, little man wanted to sit on the fabric and play with it any chance he got. I may just boil a pot of water and steam the wrinkles out. Not bad for a first try, I have actually been wanting to do something like this with some open lace work to make a shirt or dress for myself.

I altered a pattern I found from H&G TV, since I have never done anything like this before I wanted to get the sizing close as possible.

The dress is sized for a one year old, but my niece is also extremely dainty so it may be too big for her yet.

Butterfly lace

I have spent the last few days slowly working on some lace for a bolero scarf. I only get maybe 20 minutes max at a time to work on it, but that is okay, littleman is getting better at expressing what he wants and when he wants it.

I think the hardest part was working around the pins that was keeping its shape while I added the green.

I got the butterfly pattern from here, but none of it is in English. I will keep you updated on my progress.

Owl just leave this here

Lace Masque

I have been wanted to do this for a while, I just felt too clumsy with crochet thread up until now.

I didn't have a design in mind, but I guess it's turning into an owl.

Dragon blanket

I had actually finished this a while ago, not only was it the first tapestry style I worked on, but it is the largest thing I have made to date.

A bit of a mystery however. Shortly after I finished this blanket for the hubby, in a smoke free home, between me washing it for the first time, and taking it out of the dryer, a small portion connecting the panels.
I just never got around to fixing it until now, I wasn't sure how and it was unraveling so I stuffed it away for the last.. oh, six months.
I never did find out what happened, and nothing else in the laundry load was brunt, it was the only thing to smell burned or to have any signs of a burn. The smell is gone and the damage is fixed. It now hangs in our bedroom as decoration. Six feet tall and 4 feet wide, there aren't many places I can put this, and my son and cat fight for it everytime it's in their reach.

It's far from perfect, but I am happy that I stuck with it and finished.

Stole finished

I added a flower broach that comes off to it, it's surprisingly warm for how light it is.


I guess this means that I have to stop stole'ing and work on making a pattern for these balls of crochet thread.
Okay, that was a bad pun.

Hairpin lace stole

"What's a stole?" Asked the hubby when I told him what I am making, I told him it's a fancy name for a fancy scarf.

So I have seen pictures and stumbled upon instructions and video to this before. I never really bothered before, nor do I really have the proper equipment. Buwahaha, the right tools have never stopped me before (I swear those will be my last words one day.)

I found an old mishapen metal hanger near the washer and dryer and just used  a pair of side cutters to take the hook part off. 

 TA-DA!

Okay, so it's a very crude frame but effective. I don't have the money to spend on a thing that I may never use ever again if I don't like it. I looked at a few tutorial videos and thought this one was the best by 

stitchdiva. It was the best for seeing what was going on visually.

I have gotten the hang of it. This is just usuing one stitch type of hairpin lace, using regular crochet to finish and join the strips.

Link to the instructions can be founr here.

Now if you excuse me. I apparently have a winter boot to chase down.

More lace

Are those blue things wings or leaves?? 

After the use of Google translate, a few Russian Youtube videos and scratching my head while tilting my head, befuddled at some templates these are what I have produced so far.

This is suppose to be Irish Lace but so far I am left feeling like Indiana Jones deciphering text that will reveal the instructions of how to get to a forgotten temple... Still encountering what is in English, is trying to sell me something, and everything in another language and still trying to sell me something.

Apparently Google want's to suggest that crochet and giraffe are interchangable nouns.





I guess I will have to give myself some credit that I have gotten this far with only a few days of trying this style.

Attempting Irish Lace

It's an absolutely lovely form of crochet. I see tonnes of examples and items for sale, but it's hard to find a good resource... that is in english.

After some searching, I tried to find the least complicated motif to start. That does not say much because what I could find was in Russian.

First time trying this style, it's not dramatically different than what I am use to doing, but its a start.

I have no idea is I did it right. I will have to find more resources for it, that are not trying to sell me items of step by step videos. Maybe if I had more money, for now I am willing and, have the time to sift through page after page of searches to find good diagrams and instructions.

The things I have for sale

It is unfortunate that with me being a full-time mommy, that I do not have the time or resources to pump out enough crochet to make it a full time business. Ok, I could theorectically but, my first priority is my son and setting him on the right path, even if he can be a handful, climbing the furniture right in front of me.

I miss working, I will admit that, I miss me time, and I think because of my son, I now spend every moment I can multi-tasking because I appreciate the time I once had a few years ago to do whatever I wanted.

The hubby gets this look on his face, wondering how I can watch a movie and crochet. Well, I get bored watching TV without keeping my hands busy. I groan, because I feel like I am wasting my time on TV, without using the time to cook, clean or crochet. The littleman for the most part, is pretty content just doing his own thing with the occasional cuddle time with one of us, getting me to chase after him or pick up the trail of toddler desstruction and asking for food (constantly) or his juice. Generally I don't watch TV, I put on documentaries, some sci-fi or CPAC. Listening to CPAC while the House of Commons live debates is honestly some of the best television out there, it's political Springer and Big Brother.

I crochet because I can. Rant over.

I didn't spend as much time during my crochet shaping the blue shawl, I am doing that slowly right now.
The black shawl if from a Winter Rose pattern, I have no problem giving credit where it's due on that one.

Please feel free to email me at raynecrochet@gmail.com for more infor and asking prices.

Seas without a border... For now.

I just need to finish the border, then I will be done. I have already got one out of three rows and am working on the second row right now.

I thought I would show just how tiny the stitches are, to give some perspective for those who are not familliar with filet and thread crochet.

The hook is a U.S. 3 or 2.1mm, I do have smaller hooks but, I like this one.

I have gotten somemore threads in different colours and will be making my own instructions for something lace, not just filet to make with them. Having just 2 stitches is getting repetitive and I would like to try something more than filet patterns.

New shawl

At least, I started it as a shawl...

One hundred and fifty-five rows down, fourty-five rows and a border to go. This was this second filet pattern I had made from scratch. This first one I finished before the program I was using decided to 'save' my work as a blank canvas. Two hours of work gone.

My floor, less than a day after steam cleaning

 

 

I prefer to have paper copies of patterns and resources, it makes things easier and, if in the case of no internet, computer or power *shudder,* I have something to do other than complaining that I do not have one or all of those three.  I knew I wouldn't really miss having a cell but, I honestly would not know what to do if I did not have access to the internet for a prolonged period of time.

 

I really need to find more people close by that craft. I have also thought about if I want to teach basic crochet. The biggest thing is trying to keep my son happy, while not spoiling him or giving into when he is upset over not getting his way, and crochet.

 

Now that little man is finished his food, back to toddler damage control. 

Christmas Ornaments

Yes, I do undestand this is a little late. I actually wanted ot post these much earlier then now. A I didn't really want to post them until after I gave them out and bloggers upload haven't been allowing me to get any pictures onto this blog.

Hippo Hat

I am a Facebook member of a local buy/sell/swap page and A woman from the East Coast was advertising that she makes hats and posted pictures of some (trademarked) designs of baby and kid hats. Another lady inquired if there was a hippo hat available and how much. The woman who makes the hats said no and that she does not have a pattern for that.

Neither do I, but is that honestly going to stop me? I posted that if she was willing to wait until after the holidays I could have something for her.

I spent all day Monday, referencing previous patterns I have used, along with a free nothing special hat pattern and making the rest up as I went along. The making it up part was about %40 of the hat. Just over 9 hours later, between making the hat, making dinner and keeping a 14 month old who's teething occupied...

Well after several anxious days of trying to upload ONE picture, here it is. Gah!
A wrote out a pattern to this and, I used up all my purple yarn.

Been busy

Alright so it is a new year. Happy New Year folks!

Blogger is not letting me upload any pictures for the last several days. I guess I get what I pay for... a free service, thank you Google. Instead I shall try to use the written language alone for this post until the issues are fixed.

So aside from family gatherings I have been busy. Now that I have a crock pot after 7 months without one. Make that two crock pots now. No I am not hoarding them *innocent whistle.*
I didn't actually grow up with a oven or stove in the house for the fist half of my life, so I learned to cook with one of three things. A microwave, an electric frypan and a crock pot. Since getting them,  New England Baked Beans, French Onion Soup and, Three Bean Pork Chili. Cinnamon Coffee Cake, steaks on fresh home-made garlic bread, they all sound yummy. In my modesty, they are delicious. I am happy to know that the first time cooking chili from scratch, I cooked the kidney beans just right to umm..... de-flatulate them for consumption. Go me. The hubby says that it is a rare that anything I make isn't anything but mouth-watering, then mumbles about the 'Rosemary incident' and moves along. I put a wee bit too much dried Rosemary in pasta once, but then I remind him that Milestones thought it was a good idea to cook Lavender flavoured potatoes as a side for a while. Something that should not be done to a perfectly good potato.

While continuing on the topic of food, I made mini pumpkin cheesecakes, molasses cookies, chocolate chip oatmeal bacon (yes this is not a typo) and lemon squares. In all honestly if you are going to make the last one, barring any food allergies, keep them simple and they remain to be awesome.

Enough about food thought. I finished making ornaments, I made myself some slippers, and made a hippo hat for a lady. I am still waiting to hear back from her, she has seen the picture and my message a few days ago. Here is to hoping she likes it. I am currently working on finishing the pieces to the chessboard that has been in the works for... oh, forever.

I hope you had a happy Christmas or, one of the other festive celebrations I sadly, do not know enough about to comment on and hopefully the new year is a lot better for you than how it started for bloggers picture upload.