Diagonal Box Stitch Cowl

Pattern will be available soon on my private blog.  If interested in viewing the pattern, please email me (zoecglover@gmail.com) so I can include you on the list with the names of people who can view the blog.

Thank you:)

Zoe

Six-Petaled Flower Motif -- Cowl (WIP)

This is another crochet project done in continues crochet technique, where motifs are made and joined together without breaking the yarn until the project is finished.

A Brighter Outlook

It's time to have a brighter outlook!  Put away the gloom! Ignite that creative spark!  What would it take to revitalize your interest and zest for creating?  A tiny bundle of yarn with metallic fiber did this for me. 

Baby Booties -- Finished (FO)



 It is nice to finish a project in a very short time.  I used crochet hook to bind off the ribbing since I don't know how to make a stretchy knitting bind off on ribbed stitches yet.  I used (slip st on next st, ch1)rep to end method to make the top edge of the booties stretchy.  It made the top edge flare which looks ok.

                                                                                                                                                                      

FO--Fan In Winter

Here are  photos of  Fan In Winter shrug:

Fan in Winter

I'm making a scarf that is quick to make for a friend.  This is my second day of doing this and a 6 oz. skein of Caron's Simply soft is halfway gone.  For the record:  I'm using crochet hook "Boye" F/5-3.75mm.  I used a bigger hook for the foundation chain "Boye" F/5-5.00mm to make the foundation chain very loose.  These skeins of white yarn have been waiting for sometime and I hope that I can fulfill their full potential and provide warmth to someone this Fall/Winter season.  I should write the pattern, I suppose, but then if I try,  I lose the creative impulse to just work and finish the project.  I wish I have someone who would jut down the detail as I work but this is wishful thinking.  For now, my goal is to finish the project and that is all!!!

Just a side note for those who are learning to knit or crochet:  http://knittersreview.com/forum/
is a good site with lots of friendly knitters/crocheters willing to answer your questions pertaining to these art/craft.

Knitting WIP Basket Weave Afghan

Knitting WIP Afghan

 I'm more than half way done on this and I've worked on it for 4 months now.  Knitting is much slower than crochet.   I loved that I'm finally comfortable with both knit and purl stitches.  There are quite a few bobo's on this afghan, but it is my first big knitting project so I will not be too hard on myself.  The main thing is that I'm now proficient in making both purl and knit stitches and I have something to show for my effort.  I want to make another project of the same stitch pattern and when I do it, I want perfection.  In the mean time I need to finish this one.

Baby's First Play Rug - Finished

This is a reversible afghan.  For instructions on how to make the squares, please see my older post with the same title.  The individual squares are joined together using a yarn plastic needle and using a herring bone joining technique.  All yarn ends are tucked (woven) underneath the crochet stitches and worked towards and within side A and B layers.  The border is worked in 4 rounds of sc(s), starting with side A up first round, side B up, for second round; Side A up for third round and Side B up for 4th round. Since the border is not worked in a continues fashion,  after connecting with sl st (slip stitch) at the end of the round,* I turn the afghan, then ch1, then sc all around and connect with sl st to the beginning ch1. to complete the round*.  Then repeat * * the same for remaining rounds.  The reason I used this technique is to prevent the crocheted fabric from curling up towards one side of the crocheted fabric (usually the right side, side B).

Side B

Side A

Rose Curtain Tie Back on a fleece drape

Tada! How do you like it?  I was going to remove my winter drapes that are made out of fleece to keep heat in and cold out during winter time, but I think I'm just going to keep them open with these tie backs instead of removing them and hanging them back again during Fall and Winter season.

Crocheted Rose Curtain Tie Back

I want to make 3 or 4 pairs of these to use as Ties for my Curtains.

Oct. 11, 2017 update:  Pattern for this Tieback is available
here

How To Do T-Shirt Make Over (From Plain T-Shirt To Fabulous Shrug)

Sewing tools and equipments:

Sewing Machine

1 = French Curve
2 = Tailor's Chalk
3 =  Safety pins
4 = Pins
5 = Tube Turner
6 = Scissors
7 = Bobbin
8 = Spool of thread
9 = Tailor's Square

Diagram on how the t-shirt is cut apart

The t-shirt is divided into 3 main parts upper part (Bodice), middle part (mid section), lower part (Bottom) 
The lower part of the shirt becomes the band of the shrug and the middle part becomes the left and right ties.

Bodice:

Top diagram = Fig. 1;  Bottom = fig.2

photo A

photo B

Instructions:

1.  Choose a well fitting t-shirt. (Old one is recommended for practice).
2. Put it on and using a safety pin, pin at the front center where you want the sash to be tied.  Put another pin toward the side seams below the bust.  
3. Take the shirt off and fold as shown in fig.1.  Lay it on the table with the safety pins facing you.  See fig.1 above.
4. Pin side seams to get the front and back center.  Match the shoulder seams also. Use pins to hold  seams together.  See fig.2 above.
5. Using tailor's chalk or washable crayons,  mark the places where the safety pins entered the fabric.  Remove the safety pins. See fig.3 above.
6. Use a French curve (photo.A) as a guide to mark the cutting line starting  where you just marked (step 5)  from the center towards the side and then use a tailoring square (photo.B) if you have one, if not, use a ruler or yard stick) to guide the marking straight across to the back of the shirt.  See fig.4A
7. Add 1/4 seam allowance toward the bottom of the shirt from where you marked and this is the actual cutting line.   If you cannot cut by sight maintaining the 1/4 seam allowance all through, mark this area first before cutting.  Then cut on this line. See fig.4A and fig.4B above.
8. Cut through the front center, which is where the shirt is folded.  Cut a 1/8 ( or less ) notch (A) at the center back of the bodice.  See step 8 diagram above.
9. Remove the pins and unfold the upper part of the shirt.  Zigzag or serge the raw edges of the front of the shirt, using the same color of thread as the shirt.  Do for left and right front of the shirt.  See step 9. above.
10. Fold zigzaged (serged) edges 1 and 1/4 inch toward the wrong side of the shirt and pin in places.  See Step 10 and 11 diagram above.
11. Starting at the neckline, sew (using straight stitch) down to the bottom of the shirt. See Step 10 and 11 diagram above.
 

Band:

 

 

1. Make this middle part ( mid section)of the shirt straight by cutting away the slope (uneven) front center created when the top of the shirt was cut away.  See (Band) step 1 diagram above.
2. Fold lower part of the shirt (hemmed part) towards the middle part, to within 1/2 inch of the raw edge.  The 1/2 inch is a seam allowance.  See (Band) step 2 and 3 diagram above.
3. Cut at the fold.  See step 2 and 3 diagram above.
4. Make a 1/8 notch (B), ( or smaller) at the center fold of the bottom part of the shirt.  Later, this notch is to be lined up with  notch (A) of the back center of the bodice before seaming the two parts together.  See step 4 and 5 diagram above.
5.  Cut open the un-notched center fold.  See Step 4 and 5diagram above.
6. With right sides together, match notch A (center back of the bodice) and  notch B  ( center ) of the lower part of the shirt.  Stitch together leaving a 1/4" seam allowance, starting from the center (notched) part toward the front.  See step 6 and 7 diagram above.
7. Finish with zigzag or serge the raw edges.  See step 6 and 7 diagram above.
8. Cut the excess fabric ( if there is any) at the front ends of the band leaving a 1/4" seam allowance.  This is where the front ties will be sewn.

Ties:

photo D

Ties  (The midsection of the t-shirt becomes the front ties)

1. Cut the side seams of the mid section of the shirt.  This makes the left and right front ties.  See (Ties) step 1 diagram above.
2. With right sides together pin the ties to the band's end, positioning the mid sections so that there are 1/4 allowance on top and bottom edges.  See (Ties) step 2 and 3 diagram and photo D above.
3. Sew together band's ends and ties, starting at the last stitch of the center front. See (Ties) step 2 and 3 diagram above.
4. Fold lengthwise toward the right side of the bodice (right sides together) and pin to stay in place. See (Ties) step 4 diagram above.
5. Seam along lengthwise starting at the front where the stitches intersect,  turn at the corner and finish at the fold.  Do the same for the other tie.  Left and right  tie tubes are sewn. See (Ties) step 4 diagram above.
6. Turn tie tube right side out using a tube turner (See Sewing tools and equipments: # 5).  Dull pencil or size 5 or 6 crochet hook can be used.
7. Finish front tie by turning seam allowances in and do 3/8" wide top stitching to the tie and bands 1 and 1/2 inch from the front center.  See (Ties) step 7 diagram above.
8. Clip thread ends and enjoy wearing the T-Shrug.  See (Ties) step 8 diagram above.

If anyone wants to try this project, I recommend to practice on  old t-shirt that is no longer worn.

Good Luck and enjoy the project!

From Plain Shirt To Fabulous Shrug

It's nice to finish a project in less than 2 hours. It gives one a sense of accomplishment. So I took a break from crochet and knitting and made a shrug from a plain t-shirt that I bought on sale. The photos above show the result.  Watch for my How To Instructions on my next blog.

Good Service at Knitting_Warehouse

I'm very impressed with the service at Knitting Warehouse I ordered 6 more crochet thread of the colors that I need to finish the Summer Shawl. I ordered them last Thursday and the package arrived this Monday. I'm pleased. I'll definitely buy from them again.:)

Thread Crochet

I was enticed by the color of this Red Heart  crochet thread which sparked my interest to working with crochet thread again.  This is size 3, so it is not too bad for my eyes and I can see the stitches well.  I'm going to make a summer shrug or a shawl if I have enough Thread.  I ordered some more from Knitting Warehouse since Walmart did not have enough.  This is in WIP status along with the baby blanket that I'm knitting. 

The stitches pattern is from http://mypicot.com and the thread as pictured above is by http://www.redheart.com/

Knitting FO

I'm learning how to knit and this is one of the result of my knitting experiments-- A knitted washcloth with crochet edging.  Now I'm wishing to knit a baby hat.

Baby's First Play Rug

Photo above is side A.

It's time to get back to crochet.  I'm making a Play rug for a baby so that he/she can lay on it on the floor.  This is a reversible afghan and I'll call this Circle Within a Square Reversible afghan.  Here is the instructions:

Materials:
Color A medium green;
Red Heart (super saver) or your favorite yarn. 7oz, 364 yds/333m, worsted medium 4.
Color B dark green (same type of yarn)
Color C light green (same type of yarn)
Crochet hook: Boye 6/6-4.25 mm
Plastic needle

Side A (color:  medium green): Ch4, slip stitch (sl st) on first(f) ch.
R1   Ch3 *(3dc over ring, ch2).* Repeat(rep)*( )*4times(x).  Sl st on top of first dc.
R2   Ch1, *[ sc nx(next) stitch(st) up to ch2 space(sp), ch3, sc on same sp]*. Rep *[ ]* until the first ch1.
        Sl st on the first ch1.
R3   Ch1, *[sc nx st up to ch3 sp. Ch3, sc on same sp, skip (sk)1 st(chain), sc nx st up to ch3sp]*.  Rep *[
        ]* until the first ch1 sl st on the first ch1.
R4   Ch1 Sc nx st up to ch3 sp*[ch3, sc on same sp, sc nxt ch and remaining chains up to ch3 sp]* .
        Rep*[ ]* until the first ch1, sl st on the beginning (beg)ch1.
 R5   Ch1, sc nx st up to last ch before the ch3 sp.  ATTACH SIDE B AS FOLLOWS:
NOTE:  See instructions on how to make side B.
 R6  *[[With side A up and wrong sides of A and B facing together, insert hook on both A & B ch3 loops,  yo and draw up loop and make a sc]*; ch3 and rep *[ ]* on same sp. ** [Sc nx 2 ch of side A.  Catch side B(insert hook on nx side A ch and nx side B loop, yo and draw loop and make a sc)]** .Rep* *[ ]** until the ch before the ch3 sp.]]*.  Then rep *[[ ]]* up to beg sc. Sl st. on beg sc
R7 TURN with side B up.  Ch1, *[Sc nx st up to ch3 sp. Ch3, sc on same sp]*.  Rep *[ ]* until beg sc.  Sl st on beg sc.
R8 With side B up. Repeat R7.  Fasten off.

How to make Side B:

Ch4 and connect to form a ring.
R1   Ch1 (this counts as 1 sc).  *[sc on nx st ]*.  Rep 11x.  Sl st on top of beg ch1.
R2  Ch3 (this counts as 1dc; dc on same sp. *[2dc on nx ch]*.   Rep *[ ]*until beg ch3.  ATTACH COLOR A (OR YOUR FAVORITE BACKGROUND COLOR).  Sl st on top of the first ch3 post.
R3  *[ Ch3, sk1 ch, sc on nx ch]*.  Rep*[ ]* 12x.   NOTE:  12 CH3 LOOPS MADE.  THE 2 END TAILS ARE TUCKED UNDER AS YOU WORK THE CH3 LOOPS.  Fasten off leaving 8" tail for finishing.     Thread this tail through the plastic (yarn) needle.  work the tail through the wrong side stitches making sure it does not show outside by hiding it under dc or sc v bases.  Clip the end.  NOTE:  Side B must be finished (all yarn ends hidden) before it is attached to Side A.

For those who are trying to make this pattern please let me know if the pattern instructions are clear or if there are any errors.  I'll be happy to clarify  and rewrite to correct them.  I'm learning to write  pattern instructions
so any positive critique will be appreciated.  Thank you. I hope you enjoy making the afghan.
Photo below is side B.

Remember The 1950's?

Okey.... It is not about crochet but I said that this site is about crochet and other things that interest me.  I got invited to a 1950's theme Birthday Party so I made this poodle skirt with matching crinoline to wear to the party.  The poodle skirt was fun to wear.  Of course back in the 1950's women did not wear their petticoat (I don't even remember how to spell ptcoat lol!) showing under their skirts.  I'm sure it will be very inappropriate back then.  So I sort of modernize it by making the crinoline longer than the skirt.

I was too little to wear a poodle skirt back then.  I got the opportunity to wash and iron similar type skirts for my older sister, especially those pleated full skirts.  You have to crease each pleat of the skirt one at a time.  But first, you have to wash them and then starch them stiff.  It was a chore for a little kid but I'm glad I did it for my sister and now I got to wear one too!

I Designed My Very First Shrug!

Yayy!  I designed my first Shrug and completed it.  I liked it a lot.  My daughter-in-law got me back into crocheting by giving me a bagful of yarn with different colors of yarn in it.  The bag has my name nicely embroidered in it---Isn't she thoughtful?  I love her.  Now I know what I'm going to give the women in the family for Christmas---a shrug. and I should be starting now.  I'm making a second one which is in peach color.

I'm getting my energy back and walking 2 miles everyday when I can.  So things are looking up.

Have a good Summer everyone!

Cross Medallion And An Apology

I'd like to express my appreciation to those who had been following/viewing this blog and at the same time, I'd like to express my apology for not being able to post often enough here. I have other interests that I'm pursuing so if you are curious, please click on my profile to see the other interests that occupy my time. Thanks again for stopping by.

This photo is of a Cross Medallion done in crochet. If there are enough interests, I would post the instructions on how to make it.

Have a good day everyone!

Zoe

Open Fan Shawl

After I finished this shawl this winter, my creativity just went into hibernation and my energy level went down the drain. This past winter seems to be the longest one that I remember. But I'm so glad that Spring is finally here, well, hopefully, no more cold spells. No energy no crochet. I'm hoping to get back in the swing of things (crochet) but, then there are the seeds that need to be planted and I really want to spend more time in the sunshine. I missed it so much!

The Hounds Tooth Experiment

I favor the #4 swatch. I think this is closer to the look of the woven design. I will continue to improve on the #4. I did not use tapestry crochet technique on this swatch. I crochet each color alternately on each row without breaking either yarn.

One of my niece asked me if I can crochet a hounds tooth using two colors. Since I can't find any available crochet pattern for this stitch design I decided to experiment on it myself and see what I can come up with. Above are photos of my design experiment of Hounds Tooth Crochet Pattern. I want to make a beret out of the #4 swatch.

Happy Crocheting and Designing!

Dogwood blossom motif

This is just a swatch. I have not decided what items to make. Should I make a tablecloth? place mat? Curtain tie back, etc, etc........ endless possibility and unless I make up my mind what to make of this motif, this will just remain a little piece of pretty little motif laying somewhere alongside my stash of yarn, unused, unseen and not good for anything except to collect dust. An Idea is of no use to anyone unless applied and or given physical form to benefit others.

Year 2010 Winter Walk

Note photo taken today. 1/5/2010

My first walk this year. It is cold but I wrapped up with fake fur vest underneath my fleece jacket and a fleece lined crocheted scarf that I wrap around my neck and part of my face (covering up to the tip of my nose ) to prevent the winter wind from chaffing my lips. This is very effective for the air around my face is warmed by my breathing. I also wear my crocheted hat that I pull all the way down covering my ears and forehead. I leave just enough gap between the hat and the scarf to be able to see. I thought about crocheting or knitting a combination hat and cowl that will have opening for the tip of the nose and eyes and will be worn as I have described above. This is what I have to do in order to be able to spend time outdoor during winter time. Some of my fingers actually turns white from absence of blood flow when I get cold but this time I did not experience such.

The sun was shining bright but there was such a hush, no barking squirrels or twittering birds along the roadsides. The nest that I took photo of and posted on previous post "Sign of Spring 2010" is still there undisturbed. Part of the lake is frozen. I feel better that I tried to walk, if only I could do this everyday, I will still be able to keep in shape even in winter time. It is a 2-mile walk.

I'll try to work on that hat-cowl combination and if I succeed I will post it either here or on Crochet me, http://crochetme.com/

Sign of Spring 2010

Note: This photo was taken fall of 2009

I took this picture during one of my walks. The nest was fastened onto a wild ox-eyed daisy. The bird used the top of the whole plant to hold the nest, fastening all the leaves or using them as foundation for the nest itself. I'm curious to know what kind of bird made this and I wonder if it would use the same nest this year. I hope no one disturbs this nest as I am checking on it everytime I walk. I'm going to mark the spot so I would know where the nest is, when Spring time comes. I hope I can take a picture of the mama bird on the nest. This is something to look forward to. May you all have a great New Year 2010!