Triangular Granny Shawl

Sometimes when I'm looking at yarn, I find some that I just have to have. That was the case when I saw the colours for this fall shawl I crocheted. I had the pattern already at home, but when I first went to try it something in the instructions threw me so I put it aside. A year or two later, and I'm much better at pattern reading and crochet and the pattern seemed the perfect one for the yarn I wanted to use. So I began to make my granny shawl.

The pattern was very easy to follow, and if you can make a granny square, a granny triangle will be just as easy. I found the pattern on Ravelry, which is a good site for patterns, but not really my favourite. It might be one day, just isn't right now. I used colours I liked, and I wanted a fall shawl and I decided myself when I wanted to change colours.

Personally, I love the colours and the soft yarn. It should be cozy in the fall months. This would love amazing in some jewel tones, or even in monochromatic tones like black and white. The pattern lets you decide which size hook to use and I used a 4mm which made the project work up a bit more slowly, but I think the effect is nicer and suited the yarn well. 

The pattern included an optional boarder, and I wanted to finish it off with a pretty edge but I was unable to use the boarder included in the pattern. Try as I might, I couldn't follow the instructions and I eventually gave up and decided to see if I could create a nice boarder using a shell stitch, and luckily that worked out. So in the end, it all worked out well! This is a good larger project for a beginner and just as much fun for the more experience crocheter. 

Happy Hooking,

Jewels

Ridged Beanie Hat

With the weather getting cooler, I decided it was time to make a beanie hat for the autumn days. I found a yarn I loved and then went hunting for a pattern for that was just right. And I found one that was perfect--it looks great and was interesting to crochet.

I found the pattern for this hat at Rescued Paw Designs, which I check regularly since the patterns are usually easy to follow and fun to work up. This pattern uses the front post double crochet (fpdc) and the back post double crochet (bpdc) and was a lot to make. Plus, it looks great! Not sure how to make the back post double crochet? Neither was I, and written instructions proved baffling. That's because you are working in the back of your work, or you could think of it as the opposite side of your work, and that was an odd concept to me. I've included a video to help you, since I needed a video to help me really see how it's done. Once you master this (and it won't take long) you're on your way to making a great beanie hat! 

It might look a little strange, but really it's just as easy as the front post double crochet so keep trying as it is not at all difficult. I also want to mention that the pattern includes adult, child and baby sizes as well as a cute flower applique that I chose not to make for my own hat. So you can make one of these beanie hats for anyone in your family! I love my hat and although I'm sorry to see summer behind us (mostly) I can't wait to wear my new hat.

Happy Hooking,

Jewels

Crossed Double Crochet Stitch Scarf

Not too long ago, I started working on a project using some beautiful fine yarn, and I shared with you that working with fine yarn was forcing me to re-learn some crochet technique. Well, that project is finally done and I love it! I made a scarf and it turned out very nicely, and the pattern I used was one of my own making, using a cross double crochet stitch. It's fairly easy, so I'll share with you what I did. I found out via the internet that a cross double crochet stitch should start with a foundation chain of a multiple of 2 plus 2 for the starting chain. This really helped in creating my pattern.

Working with a fine yarn was something of a new experience for me. I had to use a smaller hook, which made the work slower going initially, and I had was all thumbs for a bit. But once I got the hang of it, it was smooth sailing. I love the look of the scarf, as it drapes rather nicely and looks a tad more elegant than if I had used a worsted yarn. 

Pattern: 

Stitches used--chain (ch), slip stitch (sl st), double crochet (dc).

I used a 3.75mm hook and approximately 400yards of yarn.

Chain 28 

Row 1: DC in the ridge of second ch from the hook, and in each stitch across. Ch 1, turn. 

Row2: DC in first stitch. Skip next stitch, dc in next, cross back and dc in skipped stitch. One crossed double crochet made. Repeat across. End with a double crochet in last stitch. Ch 1, turn. 

Repeat rows 1 and 2 for pattern until desired length. Fasten off and weave in ends. 

I had a lot of fun crocheting this, and I can't wait till the cooler weather sets in--so I can wear this lovely creation. 

Happy Hooking,

Jewels

What's this Stitch? DC2tog

I've learned a lot about crochet, but I've always avoided decreasing and increasing in patterns. Not because I thought it'd be difficult but just because I was afraid it'd be time consuming, But I'm in the middle of  project that is a garment--my second one!--and I came across the stitch, dc2tog. And having no idea what this was, I had to hit the internet and lo! it's a decrease stitch.

How do you make this stitch? It's actually easy, I didn't even need a video. The written instructions with pictures are here for you. And believe me, if you can double crochet, doing this will be just as easy. I don't know why I avoided decreasing and increasing now that I know this stitch. Whatever will I learn next in crochet? I'm excited to find out!

 I'm also including a video because videos are always super helpful when learning something new in crochet.

I hope you find this useful. I'll keep you prosted on the garment I'm making with this decrease stitch. 

Happy Hooking,

Jewels

Working with Fine Yarn

Not too long ago, I was in a yarn shop and found this lovely yarn that I just fell in love with. I also got to see what it looked like when worked up and it was simply lovely. It was pricey yarn but I decided to take the plunge and buy one skein.

Of course, I wanted to start crocheting with it immediately. But I needed a pattern. I found one I liked but I had a good chunk of worked up when I realized, that no, this pattern wasn't going to work for me. There were certain things about it that got on my nerves and affected the overall look and I knew the end product would be nice, but would not be what I wanted. So I unraveled and started fresh.

And made my own pattern. My own very simple, pattern which I will share with you when the project is complete. It's the first pattern I've created, so it's nothing very creative, but it's turning out nicely so far. But this yarn is fine, and I'm using a 3.75mm hook. I don't normally work with such a small hook or yarn, I tend to stick to worsted yarn and fatter hooks. But even though I feel all thumbs I think it's good practice because I do want to learn lace crochet (which I started by the way) and the thread is even finer.

I have to wonder if I'm all thumbs not only because the yarn is fine and I'm not accustomed to working with it, or if it's also because I hold my crochet hook all wrong. Maybe the technique I am using doesn't lend itself as well to crocheting with finer yarn or thread. So I'm trying to re-train myself. It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks though, and it's slow going at the moment. I'm sure it'll get better!

I haven't crocheted much of this scarf, but I've gotten a good start. and I'm loving the look of it so far. I think it will be nice in the cooler fall months, which could be right around corner for me here in the great white north. I like the look of it and the way it drapes, and the delicate feel of it. I think it will turn out to be a very nice accessory piece. I haven't decided yet if I'll add a boarder or fringe, but we'll see.

Stay tuned for more of this project! Pictures of completed project and pattern to come.

Happy Hooking,

Jewels

Knit Like Crochet Stitch

Recently, I was looking for a pattern for a scarf for the fall. I like making scarves, and I love that they keep me warm, so having a few different ones is useful to me on cold days. I spent four hours looking for a pattern because I had a very specific look in mind, simple but not plain or basic. I didn't want anything too lacy looking, or open weave but I wanted it to have a bit of oof, so no basic double crochet for me. I finally, finally, finally found a stitch that gave me the kind of look I had been searching for all afternoon.

And that stitch was a stitch I found on JennOzkan.com, which looks very much like knit but isn't because it was total crochet fun! It's a ribbed effect, very nice and I used a 6.5mm hook which made the scarf feel thick and warm. Here is the this neat knit stitch.   I promise you that even if you are a beginner, working on easy patterns, this is a stitch you can do. It was so much fun, that after making this lovely hunter green scarf, I made another in white. I'll give it to a friend for Christmas. I can't wait to wear this in the fall. The scarf worked up quick and I think this stitch can be used for baby blankets, the effect of it is lovely.

The instructions are very easy to follow, and the creator of this stitch has also provided very useful pictures to assist you. Once you take a look at it, you'll probably experience the same "ah-ha" moment that I did because you'll know immediately what to do. I started immediately and finished this scarf in only a a few hours.

So, if you are looking for something easy and quick as well as something that catches the eye a bit, this is one stitch that fits the bill.

Happy Hooking, 

Jewels

Coasters and Crochet

I don't know why I decided to make coasters one day, but I did. Maybe I thought it'd be a quick and easy project (and it's supposed to be) or maybe I thought they'd be fun adornments but whatever the reason, I recently hooked up some coasters. And it wasn't easy. First of all, I couldn't find a pattern I liked. I tried several, but something was always off. Then, I finally settled on what looked like a simple pattern. Unforunately, working in the round using a single crochet was hard work. I crochet too tightly, and it was slow going because as much as I tried to ease up on the tension, I was also working with a 4.25mm hook. Anyway, these were not fun to make, and I've one more to make for a set of four.

I found the pattern on Ravelry, and I'm sharing it with you here. I made some changes though, switching to a half double crochet in row 5, and then I used a puff stitch and chained one and made another puff stitch in the same stitch, chained one, skipped a stitch and repeated around in row 6. I couldn't make row six work, maybe due to my tension, or perhaps I miscounted somewhere, so I did my own thing. 

They look cute and I'm happy with the result, but I won't be hooking these up again any time soon unless I learn some trick to loosen up my tension. I might try other coaster patterns however. We'll see what I create next! I'm  undecided at the moment, so stay tuned.

Happy Hooking,

Jewels