I have often looked at the traditional crochet granny square and thought that one day I would like to make a blanket using the simple pattern. The one drawback from it it though, was I didn't love the idea of continually joining each new colour.
While I was surfing the net, looking for some inspiration for another project (because we all know I need to start yet another project lol), I came across the never ending granny square on Youtube. So like you do when you want try something, I grab my bag of scrap yarns and a hook and followed along.
I was quite happy with the result and I must admit that while I thought that the colours were funny together in the beginning, I was on the hunt for some more balls of the same colour when I ran out of the pink. But I had no luck so now I'm not quite sure how to finish it off as it isn't quite big enough for a blanket, even a small one.
But in my hunt I did find a few balls of blue, pink and white in a nice singles so I am making another one :) I would to see your favorite rug pattern, as I am on the hunt for something different.
Happy Crafting! :)
I have often in the past looked at knitted items that were reversible and thought to myself that they were too hard to knit. After surfing the net for some inspiration, I came across a reversible knitted scarf and decided that it was time to have a go at this double knitting technique.
After a few attempts at casting on some thick yarn onto my 9mm needles, I started the process of picking up stitches to introduce my second colour and them began the sequence of knit, purl, knit, purl. I then went searching for a simple pattern to try and found a flower one.
I must say that I like the results and discovered that once you got the hang of it, it was quite straight forward. I am now on the hunt for another pattern to have another go.
Happy Knitting! :)
I have had a bit of fun over the last few days trying some new techniques and also some new patterns. As with many knitters and crocheters, when it comes to following a pattern you have to be careful selecting the correct hook/knitting needle for the correct gauge of the pattern. Not only is gauge important for following some patterns but it is also plays a part in designing your own articles too. You don't want to spend hours knitting or crocheting to have the fabric of your article to be too stretchy or too stiff!
How often do you pick up a ball of yarn that you haven't use before (hand spun or commercial) and want to use it for a certain pattern that calls for a certain gauge? And how quickly do you get sick of making 15cmx15cm squares to determine your gauge because you have forgotten from the last time you used a similar yarn. I must admit that I thought doing tension squares was a waste of time, until I came to designing some of my own patterns and quickly ran into trouble.
As I use a variety of yarns of various thicknesses, I couldn't see the point of doing a tension square for every yarn type I have in my stash. So going back to the drawing board as I often do, I came across a little exercise in a very old knitting and crochet book that went towards helping with this little problem I had with designing.
The exercise call for a ball of standard 8ply yarn and a complete set of knitting needles, starting from 2.5mm up to and including 12mm (or what ever range you have at home in your collection that you use most often). The idea was then to knit (in stocking stitch) the same amount of rows for each needle size, finishing with a purl row in each section, forming one continuous strip of knitting.
I did each section of mine 25 stitches across for 11 rows, followed by a purl row before changing to the next size up needles and continuing with kitting. By knitting without changing the number of stitches or row count, you can get an idea what your personal tension is in relation to each size needle using the same yarn. I got a little side tacked when I was finishing mine and I mucked up the last section with the 12mm needles, doing a few rows, purling, and then doing another 11 rows.
I also missed the line in the exercise that said "purl every second and second-to-last stitch to stop it from curling". But that is ok because I was thinking of doing one in 4ply baby yarn, so when I do I will remember this bit! Also, I had the thought that you could apply the same exercise to crochet, working 3-4 rows of each stitch, to understand how the hook size affects the same 8ply yarn. This is especially helpful when doing free form work.
So I hope that helps. I know it will not be exact for every brand of 8ply yarn, but it will give you an idea of what to expect with similar yarns. It also gives you a chance to experiment and feel the results. I guess you could always make a rug out of your tension squares, you might just have to add a bit around the smaller ones to make joining easier!
Happy Crafting! :)
After an inspiring session on tatting at craft group last month, again and again my mind has turned back to tatting and my current projects there of. Now as you can imagine, the nature of lace making is generally fine and intricate in nature. Being vision impaired definitely makes this intricate art even more challenging. So, I adapted the craft and its techniques to suit, producing some surprising results.
I have purchased over the years and found in various op-shops the traditional small tatting shuttles and have a few in my collection. However, while I can painstakingly work with the traditional fine No.20 thread, it takes a massive amount of time and concentration, feeling each tiny knot with my fingers. But if I was to continue with my tatting, I had to go back to the drawing board and re-assess how to make it easier, quicker and more enjoyable.
The concept of enlarging the whole craft isn't an entirely new one to me. As demonstrated previously I have and do work with large crochet hooks and knitting needles in my various projects to make things easier. So I searched for larger tatting shuttles and finding none, I made my own.
With my own large tatting shuttles in hand, I up-scaled my work with a thicker 4, 5, 6 even 8 ply thread and I have had fun creating quick and large pieces. I have also experimented with other types of threads and yarns with some interesting, even if undesired, results.
It just goes to show that if there is a barrier preventing you from doing something, or if something is proving to get the better of you, don't give up. A simple adaption to the process might be the only thing needed that could make things that little bit simpler and easier to undertake.
Happy Tatting! :)
It has been a really crazy two weeks with my fingers occupied with the busy task of preparing entries for the Bairnsdale Show. I didn't get a chance to take some photo's before they were sent to the show grounds yesterday for judging, but I should get a chance next week to take some photo's.
With the crazy frenzy of show over, I of course did a little op-shopping, on a hunt for some new things to inspire my next project. I was rewarded and didn't have to search far. The first little project I found was a latch hook kit for a 12"x12" square with a butterfly on it with only the boarder completed. It surprises me how many latch hook projects I find at the op-shop half finished, probably due to the fact that it does take quite some time to knot each short piece of wool onto the mesh cloth.
So I eagerly bought it to take home to have a play. I then managed to surprise myself by doing some when I got home and then finishing it this morning. Amazing that I started a project and finished it the next day!
So on such a roll, and now wondering what crafty project I was going to do for the rest of the afternoon, I found a bag full of crochet squares in amongst my stash. I will point out that, like the latch hook project, I often find little snap lock bags with half a dozen crochet squares in it at the op-shop. I often think people crochet a few squares with intentions of making a rug and then realise how much work is involved in creating all the little squares for the rug. I had intended to collect squares to make into a rug, adding a few of my own to the mix. But a project from craft group floated into my mind and I suddenly found a new use for the squares. With a wool needle and some odd pieces of yarn I started to sew.
I must say that I quite like the cube-like soft toys that were the result of the afternoon's sewing and stuffing. I have a fare few squares left in my bag so I might make some more tomorrow when I go to craft.
The other thing I have been doing now that the weather is warmer is dyeing some more merino wool tops. I think I have done about 1.5kg in the last two weeks in the warmer weather. But despite the cooler days in there it is now all dry. Now I just have to come up with some good projects for it once I have spun it up :)
I hope you have a good weekend crafting where you are, I know I will as always :) I will also have to show you what I have been doing in a workshop I did last week, but considering the time, it will have to wait till tomorrow :)
