Friday, February 25, 2011

~ "I'm so blue" square ~

Materials:

- 4-ply worsted weight acrylic yarn
- J hook

Size:  6 1/4"

Notes:

- Ch 2 at beginning of Rnd 1 does not count as a stitch
- I crochet tight so you may need to adjust the size of your hook

Stitches:

- beginning cluster:  ch 2, yo, insert hook in space, yo, pull thru, yo, pull thru 2 loops, yo, insert hook in same space, yo, pull thru, yo, pull thru 2 loops, yo, pull thru last 3 loops.

- cluster:  yo, insert hook in space, yo, pullthru, yo, pull thru 2 loops, yo, insert hook in same space, yo, pull thru, yo, pull thru 2 loops, yo, insert hook in same space, yo, pullthru, yo, pull thru 2 loops, yo, pull thru last 4 loops.

Directions:

Rnd 1:  Ch 3, 12 dc in 3rd ch from hook.  Join with a sl st to 1st dc.  (12 dc)

Rnd 2:  Ch 1, sc in same st, ch 2, *sc in next dc, ch 2.  Repeat from * around.  Join with a sl st to 1st sc.

Rnd 3:  Sl st into ch 2 space, (ch 4, dc) in same space, ch 1.  *(dc, ch 1, dc) in next ch 2 space, ch 1.  Repeat from * around.  Join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch 4.

Rnd 4:  Sl st into ch 2 space, (beginning cluster, ch 3, cluster) in same space.  *(ch 2, sc in next ch 1 space) 2 times.  Ch 2, (cluster, ch 3, cluster) in next ch 1 space.  Repeat from * 2 more times.  (ch 2, sc in next ch 1 space) 2 times.  Ch 2, join with a sl st to beginning cluster.

Rnd 5:  Sl st into ch 3 space, (beginning cluster, ch 3, cluster) in same space.  *(ch 2, dc in next ch 2 space) 3 times.  Ch 2, (cluster, ch 3, cluster) in next ch 3 space.  Repeat from * 2 more times.  (ch 2, dc in next ch 2 space) 3 times.  Ch 2, join with a sl st to beginning cluster.

Rnd 6:  Sl st into ch 3 space, (beginning cluster, ch 3, cluster) in same space.  *ch 2, (2 dc in next space, dc in next dc) 3 times.  2 dc in next space, ch 2, (cluster, ch 3, cluster) in next ch 3 space.  Repeat from * 2 more times.  (ch 2, 2 dc in next space, dc in next dc) 3 times.  2 dc in next space, ch 2.  Join with a sl st to beginning cluster.

Rnd 7:  Ch 1, sc in same st.  Sc in each dc around with 2 dc in ch 2 spaces and 3 sc in ch 3 spaces.  Join with a sl st to 1st sc.  End off.

***Debi Y's version***
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Thursday, February 10, 2011

~ crochet hooks re-post ~

Hi Nicole - this re-post is for you.  :)



I made my first crochet hook handle in 2002 - I needed more substance to hold in my hand - I was having a problem with having to stop crocheting and stretch out my fingers every once in a while. I thought of tape but I didn't think that that would feel comfortable or look very nice. My next thought was polymer clay. I had a small stash of it leftover from trying to make beads, so I tried it and it worked great.

This is how I create my crochet hook handles:

Step 1: knead the polymer clay to make it more pliable. (by the way, I use Sculpey and Fimo polymer clays)

Step 2: wrap the polymer clay around your crochet hook handle and shape it to your preference. I roll the handle on my dining room table to help smooth it out.

-- if you plan on adding a glass bead to the top, do that now.  Use a head pin (found in the jewelry section in the craft store) to help secure the bead.  You will have to cut the head pin about 1/8" from the bead.

Step 3: bake in a toaster oven at 275* for 15 minutes per 1/4" thickness.

Once you get the gist of creating these handles, you can let your imagination go. My favorite style is swirling 2 or 3 colors together with a glass bead on top. I think they're pretty and they really help out my crocheting hand. :)

***Edited to add a couple of tips:

1.  use only metal crochet hooks.  I tried a plastic hook once and it drooped down.

2.  lay the polymer clay hook on a soft bed of quilt batting.

3.  fashion a little tent out of aluminum foil to cover the hook and quilt batting while baking.

** this post has pictures ** http://hooksandyarns.blogspot.com/2010/08/my-crochet-hooks.html

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Friday, February 4, 2011

~ large ruffley squircle ~

Materials:

- 4-ply worsted weight acrylic:
   = background color
   = ruffle color
- I hook

Size:  approximately 6"

Notes:

- ch 2 at beginning of Rnds 1 - 3 do not count as a stitch.
- I crochet tight so you may want to adjust the size of your hook.

Directions:

Rnd 1:  With background color ch 3, 12 dc in 3rd ch from hook.  Join with a sl st to back loop of 1st dc.  (12 dc)

==work next 3 rounds in back loops==

Rnd 2:  Ch 2, 2 dc in each dc around.  Join as before.

Rnd 3:  Ch 2, 2 dc in same st, dc in next dc.  *2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc.  Repeat from * around.  Join as before.

Rnd 4:  (Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same st, ch 1, {skip next 2 dc, 3 hdc in next dc, ch 1} 2 times.  Skip next 2 dc.  *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next dc, ch 1, {skip next 2 dc, 3 hdc in next dc, ch 1} 2 times.  Skip next 2 dc.  Repeat from * 2 more times.  Join with a sl st to top of ch 3.

Rnd 5:  Ch 3, dc in each dc and ch 1 space around with (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in each corner space.  Join as before.

Rnd 6:  Ch 1, sc in each dc around with (sc, ch 2, sc) in each corner space.  Join with a sl st to 1st sc.  End off.

==for ruffles:

Rnds 1 - 3:  Join ruffle color with a sc to any front loop, ch 2.  *sc in next front loop, ch 2.  Repeat from * around.  Join with a sl st to 1st sc.  End off.

==if you want a plain large squircle, just work all rounds in both loops and leave off the ruffles.

***Debi Y's version***

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