The Highpoint of Designing

The high point of designing and making a garment is to see it on a person. This was mostly my reward when I was designing and making clothes for other people, it is no different in crocheted garment. I love to see people wearing what I've made, especially when I know that they really appreciate the warmth that the garment provides.

In the photos, I've shown how the scarf may be worn depending on how cold it is. I hope whoever tries to make this pattern appreciates it as much as I do. I would appreciate a comment from those who wants to try making this pattern which I'm offering free for personal use and charitable purposes. And yes, you may sell items made from this pattern but not the pattern itself. Instructions for this scarf is found on my 3 posts before this one.

Scarf Edging 3rd And Final Round

Photo #6(above) shows the end of final round (R3)


Photo#4 Scarf Edging(above) demonstrate Round 3. Click on photo to enlarge.


Photo#5 (above) Scarf edging. upper portion of photo shows part of scarf with only 2 rounds of edging. The bottom portion shows partly done 3 rounds of edging.


After comparing how the scarf looks with only 2 rounds of edging and the other end which shows 3 rounds of edging, I decided that I like the scarf better with 3 rounds of edging. The 3rd round (R3) is basically a repeat of R2, the only minor difference is in doing the corners; and instead of sc on midchain of chain5, you are doing sc on midchain of ch3. So here's the 3rd and final round
--yeahhh, almost done!!! I'm ready to get back on other UFO's that had been put aside, in favor of this one.

Scarf Edging Last Round (R3) Instructions:

R3 Sl to midch (of ch3 between 2 esc(s), ch5 *esc on same midch, ch1, esc on nx midch,ch3.* Repeat from *to * all around except on all corners of the scarf.

On corners do: esc-ch3-esc on 1st ch of ch3, ch1, skip midch, esc-ch3-esc on 3rd ch of ch3, ch1, esc nx midch. Resume *to*. End with sc on 2nd ch of R3 starting ch5. See photo #6. Hide the end of yarn by weaving in ends using a yarn needle.

The completed scarf will be shown on my next post.

Scarf Edging

(please click on photo to enlarge) Photo#1 (above) shows Scarf edging R1





Photo #2 (Above) shows scarf edging R1 completed.





Photo #3 (above) Scarf Edging
Please click on photo to enlarge. Photo shows round 1(R1) and round 2 (R2) of scarf edging. Round2 (R2) is incomplete.

Scarf Edging Instructions:

Terms and Abbreviations:

midch=middle chain, e.g. midch of ch5 is the 3rd ch; midch of ch3 is the 2nd ch from hook, etc.

fblp (fbl)= front and back loop

After sc on fl of last row (of scarf main fabric), don't fasten off but continue to do the edging.

R1 Working on Vertical side (width) of scarf,[Ch5, sk2 esc posts, sc on nx ch1 sp (space between esc posts, See photo #1]. Repeat [ ] up to the corner of the scarf (this makes 8 ch5 loops on this side of the scarf). End this side with sc on the base of beginning turning ch3 of R1.

Working on the horizontal side (length) of scarf,[ ch5, sk1 side post, sc on nx sp (side post)], refer to photo for clarification. Repeat [ ] until last side post. Sc on the corner esc. Repeat the Vertical side instructions to continue. Repeat the Horizontal side instructions and end R1 with sc on the base of R1 starting ch5. See photo#2.


R2 Ch4, [esc on midch of nx ch5(catch fblp), ch3, esc on same midch, ch1]. Repeat [ ] around except at corners: Make [dc-ch3-dc on sc of previous round(R1)]. Repeat [ ] on 3 corners. Ending this round with dc-ch3-sc on the 3rd ch of starting ch4 (count the 3rd ch from the sc of previous row).

At this point I have not made up my mind whether to finish the edging at r2 or add more rounds with more complicated design. AAAAAAHHHH---- the agony of writing out the process. I admire the professional crochet designers more and more, now that I'm trying to write out what I do so easily with my hands. I will post photo of the final product.

It's Time To Get Back To Crochet -- (Posting, that is)

Please Click on the picture to enlarge and see the text within the picture.


It's been a while since I posted anything regarding crochet, so to get back on blogging, I'm posting my current crochet WIP. I'm posting instructions on how to make this scarf. The main body of the scarf is simple to make but the lace edging will be more complicated. I will post instructions for a simplier edging for those who finds the lace edging so complicated. Above is a photo of starting row. You increase the length of the scarf by doing as many rows to accomplish the desired length. The lace edging is done after the main body of the scarf is completed.

I like the __Ch1__as in sc-ch1-sc or esc-ch1-esc combination because it is fast and makes crocheted fabric that is very flexible and drapeable, specially, when you use this combination stitch technique with soft yarns such as Caron Simply Soft. This stitch combination is appropriate for making garments, however, I would not recommend it for items that will be tugged on or pulled such as baby blankets or other items that needs to be firm or stable such as place mats etc. The stitches on the main body of the scarf are worked on fl(front loops) only and are loosely made.

Materials:

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft, worsted, wt=med.(4); 1 skein of 6oz/170g; 315 yds/288 meters
Crochet Hook: Boye G/6-4.25mm
Gauge: 5 stitches = 1 inch; 2 rows = 1 inch (unstretched)

Stitches Used: Ch, Sc, Esc(same as dsc), Dc

Crochet Terms and Abbreviations used:

ch = Chain

sc = single crochet

esc(dsc)= extended single crochet (dsc =double single crochet)

ch1fl =chain-one front loop, this is created by the ch1 between 2 esc(s). For short this would be referred in this pattern as simply fl.

Sk = skip

sp = space

lp = loop

Sl = slip stitch

nx = next

St = stitch



The Pattern

Foundation chain = Ch29 + 3 (turning chain)

R1 esc on 4th chain from hook. *ch1, sk1 ch, esc nx st (ch)*. Repeat from* to* until there are 16 esc posts. Ch3, turn.

R2 *esc on next front loop, ch1*. Repeat from * to * until there are 16 esc posts. Ch3, turn.
Note: Please refer to the photo above to identify the fl (front loop to which the hook is inserted for making the esc(s).

Repeat R2 as many times needed to complete desired length. I'm a petit woman so I made a total of 96 rows. The scarf will hang a little bit below my waistline.

This is all for now. The edging instructions will be posted on my next post.

A note on where I learned the dsc or esc stitch: Encyclopedia of Crochet by Donna Kooler. This is really a good book with beautiful photo of different stitches and instructions for doing crochet stitches for both lefth-handed and right handed crocheters.

I hope you try this wonderful stitch combination. This is mainly the technique I've used on all the shawls and scarves that I've made.

First Snow fall in 2009

Please Disregard the date on the Photo (I forgot to adjust the date on my camera)
This and photos below were taken December 5, 2009. Our first and probably last snowfall this year.



Disregard the date on photo ( Everytime I change battery on my camera the date has to be reset and I keep forgetting to do this) . This and subsequent photos are taken Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009.
The snow accumulation is about 3 inches in some places but as you can see, there are bare spots not totally covered by the Snow. It was pretty waking up in the morning and all the trees and low growing bushes covered with this white stuff from heaven.

The last Blooms of My Garden 2009

Pink Zinnias, Can you believe that these are still in bloom on 11/07/2009?
This is supposed to be bright red-orange Zinnias but somehow it did not come out in its bright original color. Must be the bright light of the sun clashing against the flash of my camera.
Oh Well, But I still love the colors. I would like to capture these beauties in crochet. We'll see what happens.


I have problem saying goodbye even to my annual flowers. I know they must go but I just don't have the heart to pull them out of the ground when they are still blooming prettily. So I thought I would just wait until mother nature claims them for herself. I took pictures of them, since I thought they were remarkable for toughing out the cold spells that started way back on the first week of October. The other Zinnias have long dried out, but these group which is planted
in a partially shaded area, sheltered from the wind by our cabin really looks healthy. Can you see the moth or is it butterfly? I have to look it up for I don't know right now.

Contemplating On God's Blessings

God's blessings abound and yet in my busy and distracted life I failed many times to see them. In my ungratefulness, I oftentimes, see and dwell on the bad things that surround me. The darkness is an illusion of my darkened heart. Offer this darkened heart to God. Let His eternal sunrays penetrate every corner and subdue the dragons and the lions that made their dwelling place there.
Let the Light of Truth shine so that the lie recedes until it comes to nothing as I come closer and closer to the source of Truth and Life.

Our Orthodox Kids Crafts

This will be the crafts that we are going to do this Sunday. The children (3-4 years old) will help us paint the background for the words by using stamping or imprinting techniques. I think they will enjoy painting activity. We selected Psalms 107:1 "Oh give thanks to the Lord for He is good! For His mercy endures forever."

Materials:

pressed, dried leaves from different trees.
yarn
yarn needle
small paper clips
scissors
different color water base acrylic (non-toxic) paint
foam brush with flat round end, 1/2 to 1" diameter
paint dish (I use bottom end of plastic water bottle, with the top cut away)
papers where each word of Psalms 107:1 is written.
Water to dilute the paint
loose T shirts (to wear over kids clothes so they will not soil their clothes)
Table cover to keep the classroom table free of paints.
push pins (to hang the crafts on the wall)

I pre-strung the leaves using a yarn needle. This string of leaves will then be hang on the classroom wall using push pins. The words will be hang on this string by means of paper clip and
yarn. See the photos. The brown leaves should show better against the classroom's sage colored wall.

Misty Morning

It was cold and misty this morning. I tried to capture the morning sun as it peeks out on top of the ridge. Our gas stove was on to drive away the morning chill. I would have walked early but it was just too chilly for me, so I did my aerobics instead. I actually walked later but brought a crochet project with me. Halfway through my walk, I sat on a bench, in a sunny location, and crochet a while. I need some vit. D from the sun, so I need to keep this as a regular routine--to crochet outdoor and enjoy nature and my favorite craft. Crocheting in the sunshine is a good way to chase away the blues.

Red Hat & Red Shawl

This is the red hat that I have been working on. I did not find a red fabric that I like to make as decorative band so I just made a crocheted one instead. The flower serves as a decoration as well as a closure. The band is removeable.

I have made the shawl a while back and had not worn it at all I think I'll wear it during Christmas Holidays.

I want my scarf to "rock" but not to "roll"

(I don't mean to have everything here underlined but I can't seem to fix this problem, so I'm sorry, but I have to post what I have to post. It is obvious I have a lot to learn, so please bear with me). When crocheting scarf using stockinette or garter stich, the edge rolls. So to fix this problem, I turn the crocheted fabric (ws) wrong side up and crochet 1 to 2 rows/rounds of the edging, then crochet (rs)right side up next and (ws) up alternately. This makes the edge to lay flat and not roll towards the right side of the fabric.



The photo shows a portion of a crocheted scarf (wip) with the (wip) edging. A photo of a knitted scarf with crocheted edging is shown in "tips and tricks" section of Crochet Me.

Self Imposed Pressure

Hello everyone!

I hope you have had a great day today. It's been raining here since yesterday so I just mainly stayed inside our little cabin and try to concentrate on crochet. I'm not very good at pressuring myself to keep my focus on what I need to do. I developed this habit early in life of functioning and focusing better to meet other people's expectation. Left to my own device, I just let my creative imagination run wild which interferes with my finishing my current project. So to focus and get back on track of the 15-20 hat self challenge I will post the hats that I have completed. I will not post the red hat because I cannot find the appropriate fabric to make the decorative band.

These hats have adjustable band that can be tightened or loosened and will fit adult sizes.
The depth of the brim is also adjustable and can be folded over for a narrower brim or pulled out to cover ears and forehead well during very cold days. The band is removeable so that different colored fabric or crocheted yarn band can be used to match the color of the clothes.

I'm currently self testing the pattern for these hats that I designed as I make them.
I intend to publish the pattern after Christmas.

Please leave a comment and let me know what you think. Your input will be greatly appreciated.

Happy Crocheting,

zoe

Time Out From Crochet

I met my hat qouta for this week (2 hats made) and I'm starting another one. I plan on making at least 3 next week. so far so good. I will post the photo when I make the trim it will be a lot prettier. I'm looking to see these black hats trimmed with fabrics in different colors.

In the meantime, I want to take a time out from posting crochet photos, so here are some pictures that I took while walking yesterday and this afternoon. I am collecting some tokens (colorful leaves, twigs and wild flowers that are still in bloom at this time of year). I also took a picture of my shadow.

Fashion Hat For Cold Weather

Ok, so I'm running a little bit late on my schedule. I'm finishing the last row of the hat I started yesterday. Its color is red. In the meantime, I decided to go ahead and post this hat that I made prior to my starting that self crochet challenge. The red hat will be made just like this, only the trim will be different. I either crochet a red band with crocheted flower on it or find a soft sheer red fabric to decorate the hat. The lady that I'm making the red hat for likes red color.

Crochet Challenge

This is a crochet challenge to myself ( and anyone who care to join). The purpose is to make 15 to 20 hats by December 22, 2009. These hats will be given away for Christmas on Dec. 24th. This is the date when my family gathers up and open presents. This will be my surprise handmade gifts to everyone.

Starting Date: November 4, 2009
Ending Date: December 22, 2009

I started my first hat at 2pm today. I can't do it continuously, of course, because of other house chores but it is halfway done at this time and hopefully I will be able to finish and post the photo by tomorrow evening at about this time. I do better at anything when there is a challenge involve and that is why I'm doing this. So please join in if you want. Your project does not have to be a hat, it may be a scarf, a mitten or a pair of socks, dishcloths or other small home dec items.

I have to set aside other projects and concentrate only on making hats until the ending date.
So I better go to bed for now, I have a very challenging day tomorrow--that is to finish the hat that I started today!

Happy Crocheting,

Zoe

A Shawl Tie -- How to use (continued)

As one can see in the photo, the buttons keep the shawl tie fasten to the shawl at all times (so it would not be lost) and one can put the shawl on or take it off without unfastening the buttons; still one has the choice to take out the tie and use some other closure on the neck area. This shawl is my favorite for now. I'm sure I'll come up with another different design which will end up being my next favorite.

A Shawl Tie -- How to use (continued)

Tie it as one would tie a shoe lace.

A Shawl Tie -- How to use

After threading shawl tie through the ch3-space( of the shawl), pull each end of the tie in even length and as tight or loose on the neck according to one's preference.

Please see the first step on:

http:crochetme.com/tips
and the following posts with the same title.

Fall Landscape

October 29, 2009

A Beautiful Landscape Made by Unseen Hands

I'm walking in this beautiful picture. The glorious colors of foliage surrounding me everywhere......reds, yellows, greens and browns in varying shades met my eyes. I thought, I wish I have the ability to capture all these and express them in a canvas, somehow my camera does not capture the breath-taking beauty of what I'm seeing. But who can duplicate the beauty that God has created?

As I walk, a squirrel scampered away in the nearby woods, climbing up a small tree trunk and looked at me with, ooh, so innocent eyes. A bird that I used to know flew away from under the low bushes and made its warning calls. A Wood Wren also flew away and perched on a twig nearby turning this way and that way with its birdy manners.

Ah.... I love the aromatic smell of the decaying twigs and leaves; and of pines and deciduous tree saps fermenting on the ground. The earth is making its fragrant incense and censing the woodlands and anyone who strolls by. Who can comprehend the magnificence of the Creator? Much less explain Him using the loftiest human thoughts and knowledge? Ah, I am but a speck of dust, hardly visible, in His vast canvas of Creation. But here, I am happy not to be seen or known, except in the memory of Him who created me.

Decorative Non-Conventional Crochet

This is my first attempt on making non conventional crochet. Should I call it freeform crochet (scrumbling)? The design was inspired by my Clematis garden. The flowers and leaves are separate motifs which are connected together by slip stitches using a yarn needle. The flower background and border is done in crochet. The whole design is tacked using a yarn needle onto a polyster upholstery fabric. I would like to do more of this type of crochet, using, especially the Fall foliage for inspiration.

Crocheted Clematis flower

Inspired by my Nellie Moser clematis in bloom, I crocheted this pillow cover. My Nellie Moser plant is gone since I have moved to a different location but the memory of its gorgeous blooms remains with me. What do you think? Do you think it is worth taking my time to try to write a crochet pattern for this?

Discipline, Discipline, Discipline..........

I can see that my blog will keep me very busy and will take time away from my crochet activities but I'm loving the blog and I'm afraid that I'm spending more time to blog than to crochet so some self discipline is needed here. I will limit my blogging time to only 1hr per use of computer and then before I turn on the computer to blog, I will do at least 1row of my current project, this way if I blog 3 to 5X a day I would have finished 3 to 5 rows at least and my crocheting is not sacrificed in favor of blogging.

Okey... time is up. It is time to quit for now and do a row of crochet!

Happy Crocheting and or Knitting!

zoe

Another FO (finished object)

Another FO (Finished Object)

This Shawl is made from Lion Brand Yarn, medium wt (4), 100% acrylic, "Vanna's Choice". I used only the fl (front loop) on each row to make it more drapeable. The whole shawl is crochetd in one piece (no seams). I used a small plastic hair clasp for buttons. This shawl is very warm and fits well on the back and shoulders. Approximate size is sm. to med.

This is the front view.

My Fall Shawl

This is my fall Shawl. I designed and crocheted it last year. Unluckily, I did not write the crochet instructions because I'm just now trying to learn to write them; so I cannot duplicate this shawl exactly if I wanted to.

This is the back view.

Fall

Fall is definitely upon us. With it comes the thoughts of Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays. If you are like me, who is always trying to make things to give away as gifts, time to crochet and craft things for Christmas gifts is really running short. The next best thing to do is to make small keepsakes instead of large items. Hmmm.....let me see if I can do this.

My First Blog

Hello, Please do be patient since I'm new and this is my first blog. I hope to write and post something that will be useful and inspiring but for now I'm learning my way around here. Hope to post lots of interesting crochet projects and crafts as soon as I can.

Thank you for stopping by and hope you come and visit again.