ATC cards received
I received my partners atc cards today from the swap over on ukhandmade, from Georgina of binkyandbilly, and how gorgeous are they (yes they, I got 2!)? Just look
I love the way she has finished the edging off, and what beautiful fabrics.
And they both have such lovely sentiments on too, how can you not look at these and smile and feel the warmth of a spring day reflect on you!
The backs are as lovely as the front!
So thanks Georgina, you’ve really made me smile!
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One of my fellow ‘crafteroo’ peeps, Joe has written the most fantastic post on genius occupations, this is absolute brilliance, click here and be amazed!
A Flower and Scale Tutorial
I’ve been thinking for a while about writing a tutorial on my blog specifically about crochet. I write a tutorial each month for Beads and Beyond but that is always jewellery specific, but what to do?
Should I write about left handed crochet as there isn’t that much out there with understandable instructions, but the more I crochet the more I realise that it isn’t that different, once you understand the basics that is, its more pointers than explanations, like reading diagrams backwards.
But what I thought would be a good starting point is scale. I love altering scale, for instance taking a traditional doily pattern, and making it into a floor rug using a shredded duvet cover instead of a crochet cotton, as I did for the Folksy upcycle competition:
So, I thought I’d share my pattern for a flower, then show how by changing your material and hook size you can alter the look completely.
I wrote this pattern as I wanted a flower that was lacy and flat so I could add embellishments to the centre, specifically the curtain ring buttons. The instructions are in English terminology, I used a double knit with a number 4 hook.
Lacy Flower
Chain 6, join with a slip stitch to first chain.
Chain 4 (counts a 1 tr and 1 ch) * 1 treble into ring, 1 chain, repeat from * 12 more times, join with a slip stitch into 3rd of 4 chain (=14 posts) When working into the circle remember to work over the tail too, as this makes for a neater finish and you can gather the flower up if wished at the end by tightening the tail).
Ch 1, *db into next ch1 space, 5 tr into next ch 1 space, repeat from *, join with a slip stitch into first db. Fasten off.
Here are some other examples all using the same pattern:
This example was worked in a very fine wool, the smallest flower with a number 1 hook and 1 strand, the middle flower with 2 strands and a number 2 hook and the largest flower in 3 strands and a number 3 hook. 4cm sq
This next example was worked in 0.2mm wire and a number 1 hook. I brought up 2 beads on the final stages of each treble stitch. 2 1/2 cm sq
This next example is worked in number 15 hook, with 7 strands of cream wool. 18 cm sq.
To get a better idea in the variety of scale:
So from one pattern you can go from a pot holder to a delicate earring! If you have a go of this pattern send me a picture and I’ll show your interpretation!
ATC cards and other swaps!
I know I’m taking part in the Craft Neutral Challange, but surely charity shop thrifting doesn’t count?! Too late anyway, look what I found (and yes, bought)
Isn’t it a gorgeous colour, and I got 7, yes 7 hanks, each 100g! I have the perfect project in mind too when I get a sec, which seeing as I’m not sleeping at the minute (I’m writing this at 04.59 am) shouldn’t be a problem, last night I finished 2 necklaces off between 3 and 5.30am! However despite my bursts of energy in the middle of the night,they are not re-occuring during the day, so I better take this opportunity to say sorry for my increasing bouts of ‘crabbyness’ to, well everyone!
But the sun still rises (yes, even here in Barry) and life goes on.
I do like a swap as you get to meet and chat to fellow crafters and I’ve signed up for another one, a pin cushion swap organised by Claire. My partner is Rachel of contented so I am a lucky girl, her use of fabrics and colours are beautiful. I have in mind what I’m going to do so at least I’ll have something to do at 3am tomorrow!
Have you ever heard of ATC cards? No, me either, but they are FAB! Art Trading Cards, a great idea where you create a card 3 1/2 inches by 2 1/2 inches, business card size, and swap it with someone else. There is more consise information on wikipidia (obviously) and if you type atc in flickr there are some wonderful examples. Over on ukhandmade creative wishes has started a group, we are going to do it monthly and work to a theme, the first one being trees and plants. So what do you think?
The first one is the one I sent, the second my ‘back up’ and the third a picture of the back where you put your details. I really didn’t know what I was doing or how to construct it, but it was fun to do something completely different. I should be receiving mine soon – can’t wait!
Irish Crochet
My next post on sharing some of my inspiration and I’m talking about the proper stuff, not some poor substitute that I’ve knocked up. I love Irish crochet, not only for the absolute skill required but the fact that the most stunning examples were produced not by leisured Victorian ladies, but poverty stricken women who farmed, cleaned, raised children, so they could supplement their income with a few extra pennies. I love the fact they created their own motifs from their surroundings, that you don’t have to follow a set pattern and that its not flat, it can be any shape; its not restrictive. Just look at this:
If only I had the skill!
I love the website for the Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles in California (not Ireland!) I can spend ages just flicking through the past exhibitions, I strongly advise you to make a cup of tea, get comfy and let the beautiful images inspire, you’ll be there a while!
A Light Box!
Look what my wonderful dad made me, after my incessant complaining about taking photographs in a dark Victorian house
Isn’t it magnificent! But this isn’t any light box, oh no, its a cardboard box with a large window cut out of the top and sides with white tissue paper stuck on and a sheet of white card proped up in the back! Fantastic and best of all, it does make a difference AND it only cost me 2 bars of chocolate, love you dad!
And if that wasn’t enough to make me into the next David Bailey, this brilliant tutorial was linked to the ukhandmade blog. It is so useful, simply written with great tips and there is a competition for the best photo which I may well enter now – so what do you think of the results of yesterdays photography session:
You may recognise the last one, It wasn’t quite right before, but I think its better now. So this is what I’ve been working on for the last few days. I’m really enjoying combining several techniques and working with patterns and bright colours. As always this has led to more ideas – I’m thinking sort of sculptural.
That requires more thought though, and I need to post these on my Folksy shop and get on with my Art Trading Card’s, more about that later!
Crocheted Jewellery
I’m busy at the minute working on a new range of bags which is going quite well, and I’m enjoying working with fabric and my sewing machine for a change too! Hopefully, thanks to a wonderful handmade pressie off my dad, I’ll be able to post some fab photos in the next couple of days, fingers crossed!
But what I really wanted to write about is a wonderful compliment, and I’ve had two over the past two days! The tutorial I wrote for this months issue of Beads and Beyond is for my crocheted curtain rings, they look better than they sound, trust me! In fact you can trust Jo, look at her gorgeous blog Daisychain Designs, she makes stunning silver jewellery, a skill I can only marvel at. Fortunately for me though, Jo can also crochet, and she has made one of my designs! Not only does she like it, but more importantly, she can read my instructions – they really work!
They are fab, love the colour!
There is also a link on the Beads and Beyond website here for a tutorial for the vintage variation of the Reflections set
The necklace
The earrings.
My second compliment was from a previous tutorial, someone has sent a letter in to the magazine with a photo of my Vintage Lace bracelet they made!
PEOPLE CAN FOLLOW MY INSTRUCTIONS!!!!
And more importantly, choose too!
Yes, i’m finally on it, I’ve got a fan page under ‘Hooked Yarn’ and I’m slowly figuring it out. I’m aware I sound like my Nan, but it really is like learning a new language but in some ways it is harder! You flick from page to page, finding some advice on one, reading it then flicking onto the next one and before you know it you’re 5 pages on and can’t remember how you got there so can’t find it again!
I am slllloooowwwwwlllllyyyy getting there, but on the plus side there is so much interesting stuff to find, and this morning I was chatting to a friends mum I haven’t seen for years – Hey Nita!
Right, I’m having a break from the screen and do some nice simple quiet crochet – before I get the monsters…
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hopefully you can find me here:
