Cabled Bracelet

Ok so this project is actually complete.  It only took a few hours to make in total.  It was easy and it actually is quite comfortable.  Hopefully the person being gifted will like it as much as I do. ^_^

 

Hope you enjoy. ^_^

Mock (Faux) Hairpin Lace Wrap

Mock Hairpin Lace Wrap #4 in Vogue Crochet 2014
Pattern by Jill Wright


I started this project on May 10th.  I was able to pick up the yarn I wanted to make this project with.  Note I have already found an error in the pattern.

Errata:  The chart for this on page 66 of the magazine shows only 11 chains in the turning chains for the spine of the wrap.  There should be always 14 ch for each turning chain. 

This pattern is beautiful and though it does seem time consuming, I believe once you get the hang of working with the smaller hook (1.80mm), it will go faster.  I might be a fast crocheter, but just the first spine has taken me over 5 hours and I'm still not done.  Hopefully I'll be getting faster as I get used to the stitch pattern.  It is a bit more tedious working with such a small hook.

The initial spine consists of 202 short rows, each with a ch14 turning ch.

This is one of the projects I was most excited for when I saw photos from Vogue Crochet 2014.  I'm looking forward to the finished product.

Android Apps for Crochet/Knitting

So I love Ravelry for the fact I can keep track of my patterns, but sometimes that is not always convenient.  So I recently did a search for apps on Google Play Store.  I found some really nice new apps.

The one that seems to be the most powerful is Knitting and Crochet Buddy.  If you want to remove the ads and have a couple addition features, there is a $0.99 yearly subscription fee.  It's certainly cheaper than yarn.

You can keep track of multiple projects.  It allows you to even keep track of what row you're on with controls for repeats and such.  There is a project timer that you can use as well to keep track of how much time you've actually devoted to the project.  It allows you to take photos of your projects and the patterns.  It even has a ruler to help with determining gauge.  The Stitch Calculator (Beta) has the potential to be VERY useful.  It can help you decide the best spacing for increases and decreases.  Currently it only works for one row.  Obviously they will be adding more features to this tool.

"Add the total number of stitches in the From Stitches and To Stitches fields and then click calculate button.  For example, if you are knitting 60 stitches and the pattern says to increase by 12, enter From = 60 and To = 72 (60+12 = 72)."

So this is great for work in progress.  Yet I haven't quite found what I really want. I have yet to find a program or application that can help me with designing my crochet pattern diagrams using the crochet international symbols.  I would rather have some sort of way other than just hand drawing them.  So my search will continue.

Project Complete: Victorian Shrug - Sirène Boléro

Victorian Shrug- Sirène Boléro (Mermaid Shrug)

The texture of the alternating hdc gives this garment the look of Mermaid Scales.  So I have name my project Sirène Boléro (Mermaid Shrug in French).  The color of this yarn is beautiful.  You cannot truly see the how gorgeous this color Spectrum is until you see it in person.  The yarn is very soft and warm.

Needle and Yarn
Hook:
    •    2.75 mm (C)
    •    3.5 mm (E)
    •    4.25 mm

Yarn: madelinetosh tosh merino light
945 yards 2.25 skeins = 945.0 yards (864.1m)
Colorway: Spectrum
Purchased at: Fancy Tiger Crafts in Denver, Colorado

 

I made some minor modifications to the pattern.

Pattern Modification:
Instead of attaching yarn to other side and then working hdc over the, I used foundation hdc (f-hdc). Once you complete the row up to where the chains would start work the the same number of chains specified in f-hdc.

f-hdc: yarn over, insert hook into the bottom of the previous stitch, pull up loop (you should have 3 loops on your hook), yarn over and pull loop through all first loop on hook, yarn over and pull the all 3 loops on hook. f-hdc made.

By using the f-hdc method you reduce the amount of ends you’ll need to weave in and the f-hdc will stretch more like the rest of the garment material.

Follow the pattern as instructed until you get finishing stage. Work sleeve cuffs as instructed.
For the collar and bottom edging, sc around entire neck opening, front panel and bottom edge.
I added 5 rows of hdc in the alternating pattern on the bottom edge. Then I worked 3 rows of the lace pattern to add a little flare and a tie in to the sleeve cuffs.

If you have any questions about the modifications I made, feel free to message me.
Ravelry Project Page Link: Victorian Shrug

Vintage Lace Shawl

From Vogue Crochet 2014

#08 Shawl

Started a new project on Saturday. I went to Joanne's to pick up the lace trim. I found some gorgeous trim.

I thought it would be fun to mix some of my scraps of yarn to create this beautiful piece. So first I used up almost all of this variegated baby yarn. Pink, blue, white and cream colors mix quote nicely. I made 10 of the 18 motifs out of this yarn. The other 8 will be made out of some old J&P Coats Luster Sheen in Lilac. Even though it's a thinner gauge yarn it works up just fine to the right size motif. The pattern calls for light/baby/sport weight yarn and a 3.25mm hook. For the Lilac yarn I increased the hook size to 3.5mm. Once everything is blocked it'll be perfect.

Almost Done...

 I love how these colors have turned out.  Someone said that it reminded them of Mermaid scales.  So I've decided to call this Sirene Bolero (Mermaid Shrug in French)

 The arms have been seamed. 

Just finishing the single crochet edge of collar and outer edge.  I want to create a slightly different collar.  I haven't decided exactly how I'm going to do that, but it will be beautiful! ^_^

I'm working on the sleeve edging now.

**Hopefully I can get my phone to work with one of the Blogger Aps.  So far no success with getting any of them to work. 

Crochet Blog

I've decided I should log my crochet creations.  It will help me with learning to make my own designs and seeing how long it actually takes me to make things. So I'm almost done with the project I'm working on.  So it won't have the beginning stages. I will include it in the next post.