Technique - Joining

One of the neatest tricks in crochet is joining. When done right it is nice and neat; when done wrong it gets a little lumpy. It is very easy to do and those patterns that say to join with a sc may be better off if you use this little trick instead.

1. drop loop from your hook…
2. insert hook in the intended st or sp from right to left…
3. pick up loop just dropped and…
4. pull through and make a sl st…
5. finish the chain loop.

The piece in the photo is for the lace overskirt to Miss July 1998. I am doing it in size 20 thread and a #8 crochet hook.

Miniature Heart-shaped Pillow

This little pillow is done in Herrschner’s afghan yarn. It is just a little over 2 inches.

Materials

• Herrschner's afghan yarn
• Size E hook

Notes

1. Do not join rnds and follow carefully rnd 3 as this pillow's shape can be ruined if you don't follow exactly.

1. I am using htr st as a smooth transitional between tr sts and dc sts. A htr is [yo twice, yo and pull through 2 loops, yo, pull through 3 loops. Voila!

1. When you make you 6 sc in the 2nd ch st make sure you have inserted the hook under two strands of the three. Otherwise you will have a hole that is too large.

1. You can make this pillow in thicker yarn but use a crochet hook at about 2 sizes smaller

Instructions

Ch 2
Rnd 1: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook,
Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc {12 sc}
Rnd 3: sc in next sc, dc in next sc, [htr, 2 tr] in next sc, [1 tr, 1 htr] in next sc, 2 dc in next sc, [dc, 1 htr] in next sc, [htr, tr, htr] in next sc (this forms the bottom point), [htr, dc] in next sc, 2 dc in next sc, [ dc, htr] in next sc, [2 tr, 1 htr] in next sc, dc in next sc, sl st join to first sc.
Make another one and with same or contrasting color make the edging joining the two sides. Stuff with a small cotton ball before all the way closed and make sc in back lps, ch 2 and repeat half way around with a sl st (no ch 2 before or after) in the sc at top of pillow.

New Links and Edgings

I've added some new links for those interested in fashion of a couple of centuries ago. I've found some new information i did not know about. There was a corset made with a bustle to handle the style of the 1880's. While this is much better than the cage i have seen it would still be hard to sit on anything. But i do so love the styles; the layers of trims on the bodices and skirts. These links are listed under Fashion Notes.

I was working on the edging for the Sleeve of the last post and had hardly started when i thought of another way to do the edge. The first edge was looking so cute though, I decided to do both edgings.

First Edging -



Second Edging-

I have put them together in the file you can find here.

New projects

I have acquired a few of the patterns i had been wanting over the years and so now have the lovely choice of working on this or that one and am having trouble deciding which to work on first. So i guess i will work on several at the same time.

Usually when i get a pattern i try out the lace that goes on the neck line and shoulders. That is the icing on the cake. But if the icing does not turn out right then the cake is not going to get done. I do think I work differently from others, and this is not the way i work if i am doing a pattern from the start. Any way of was working on 2000 Millennium Collection for March (the only one i have right now from this year) found out, so far, that the trim was done in size ten according to the pattern but size 20 on the model and I always hated how it dipped way down in the front when I wanted it to go around the neckline of the dress. I did the lace according to the pattern and, yes, that confirmed what I already knew, so I will have the lace done for the neckline later. I set it aside to do the bodice.

I have always hated the way the bodice instructions do not come near the look on the model so i knew i was going to have to re-do it. So i did. I have the pattern if anyone wants it, but I just did a generic pattern not according to the model either. Somewhere in-between this nightmare and reality is the real bodice that I cannot seem to find. But here is what this one looks like...

And then i took that apart to the waist and put on my own little bodice pattern here with photo below.

And then did the sleeves. And it tickeld me that they came out so cute and perfect. Both bodices and the sleeve are included in the patten So have fun (for those into this kind of crochet work) I have to do some more crocheting.

Little Doily #2 - Waterlily

This one has a name even. It is also miniature which can be done in size 20 thread or tatting cotton for other size dolls.

Materials

• Size 30 crochet cotton
• #12 hook

Special Stitches

picoted fan (fan) – [(dc, ch3-picot, ch1) 3 times, dc] in same lp

Instructions

ch 6, sl st join to form ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 4 2-tr cluster ch 4, sl st in ring 8 times but on the last one make a 3-tr cluster and omit the last ch 4.
Rnd 2: In first petal ch 3, 8 dc in top of cluster, in each remaining petal 9 dc in each cluster around. Sl st to top of first ch 3.
Rnd 3: Sc in joining, (ch 4, sk 1 dc, sc in next dc ) 3 times, ch 1, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, rep from *around ending with sl st to first sc.
Rnd 4: sl st to first lp, sc in same lp, * ch 2, fan in next ch-4 lp, (ch 2, sc in next lp) twice, rep from * around ending with a sl st to first sc, fasten off..

Want a Doily?

How about a little doily just for the 12” and under crowd?

Sometime ago i was wanting one for a little table i saw at the Victorian Woodshop. I still don’t have the table, but i can dream. Anyway, i have the doily! This one is 2 1/2 inches across and if you want one a little large just make it in size 20 thread or if you want it for 1/12 scale make it in tatting cotton or finer (size 70 – 100). So here is the pattern….

Doll’s Doily #1

Materials

• size 30 crochet cotton
• #12 hook

Instructions

Ch 4 and sl st to form ring

Rnd 1: 12 dc in ring

Rnd 2: (Sc, ch 2) in each dc around, sl st to first sc.

Rnd 3: Sc in joining, ch 4, 3- tr cluster in next ch-1 sp, ch 4, sc in next sc, around, ending with a tr in first sc.

Rnd 4: *Sc ch 4 lp/sp, sc in next ch 4 lp/sp, ch 4 rep from * ch 4, join to first sc.

Rnd 5: * Sc in next loop, (ch 3, sc) twice in same lp, rep from * around ending with sl st to joining.

Rnd 6: Sl st to next lp, 3-dc cluster in same lp, * ch 4, 3-dc cluster in next loop twice, rep from * ending with sl st to first cluster

Rnd 7: Sl st sc in next ch-4 lp, (ch 3, sc) in same lp 3 times, sl st in each cluster, sc in next ch-4 lp, rep from * around ending with sl st in each cluster and first sc.

Rnd 8: * 2 sc in next ch-3 lp, (2 dc, ch-3 picot, ch 1, 2 dc) in next (center) lp, 2 sc in next lp, ch-3 picot, ch 1, rep from * around ending with sl st to first sc, fasten off.

My Rayon Thread Came Today

I received my package of the rayon thread mentioned in a previous post today, and the results are being tallied.

The Razzle is not as shiny as normally rayon is; looks about the equivalent of size 8 pearl cotton. I did a little sample swatch and the thread comes up with 8 sc and 9 rows of sc equal an inch.2 rows of dc = 1/2 inch.

Pearl crown Rayon, however looks like the proper round thread that you would expect and the same amount of shine. It looks about the weight of #8 pearl cotton. After doing some sample swatches the findings are listed in the chart below.

Thread Name	Hook Size	sc per inch	sc rows per inch	dc rows per 1/2”
Size 10	7	8	8	n/a
Size 8	8	9	11	2
Razzle	8	8	9	2
YLI Pearl Crown	8	9	11	2

 

 

Samples are done in Razzle (black), Size 8 (DMC Pearl Cotton), Pearl Crown Rayon (Dk Rose #118). These are done with as many stitches will fit in an inch plus one for turning and then as many rows as will fit within an inch. Then two rows of dc fit well in 1/2 inch so i left it and did a little fan stitch to make it look pretty. I keep these with a note attached as to what size yarn or thread and and size of hook and the stitch count..

New Sheets, New Project Part 3

Finished!

Sorry, I don’t have an iron so i cannot press it nice and smooth and pretty and these sheets do not have any polyester fiber in them. They are all 100% cotton. But they are a very nice cotton and will last a long time.

This sheet set is a very lovely pale creamy yellow and the edging is done in white. I had to get a double size because Bi-Mart did not have them in a twin size with the specifications that i gave my daughter when she went looking for them but they will do anyway on my single (twin) bed.

Variation on a Pattern

This is quite okay you know, to come up with some of your own to add to someone else’s pattern. However you cannot copyright,  share or sell the pattern as your own. So, with that in mind, I will share what I did with one of Annie’s patterns. She had this really cute little afghan that was quite fine on it’s own……

And this is what i did  ….

I did a fan stitch around and then did a series of ch2 and ch-3 slip stitched (instead of single crochet (sc))around.  Then as one thing leads to another, thought it would make a really nice edging for anything.

Fan Stitch Edging

This requires a multiple of 6 sts for each design repeat.

Row 1: Sc in first st, sk 2 sts, fan of 4 dc in next st, sk 2 sts, rep from * around or across, sl st join if necessary.

Row 2: *Sl st in sc, sk dc, sl st in next ch-1 sp, ch 2, sl st in next ch-1 sp, ch 3, sl st in next ch-1 sp, ch 2, sl st in next ch-1 sp, sk next dc, rep from *, fasten off at end of row/round.

This is actually the second edging for a pillow case that I have done in my whole entire crochet life (really started in 1964). Pretty sad, huh!

Well here is the photo of progress so far.

Would have had it done by now but for some reason I have had a really hard time with stitching errors like a shell missing a dc or 2. Not good. I finally ripped it all out and started all over and am doing so much better.

Filet Crochet 1883

This little pattern came from Peterson’s Ladies National Magazine for September 1883. There were no instructions, just this little chart. The design is charming and would be good in Size 30 thread for pillow cases and linens; Size 20 thread for bath towels. Would also look good for an edging on some sheer curtains. Click on the photo to save for a working chart.

Tara's Here!

I forgot to let you know that I did get the blanket and booties finished on time and on it's way. As She lives in California, I will not get to see Sarah (my granddaughter) and Tara Faye (My great granddaughter) so will have to wait for pictures.

If anyone ever wonders why it takes me so long to finish a project I will tell you. It goes like this

I find out that i am about to become a great grandmother on the 24 of Feb about the 1st or 2nd of Feb. And as i start making a mental list of the stuff i need for what i want to give as a gift to the new little baby. I want a ‘sacque’ with bonnet and bootess, another set of bootees and a blanket.

I start to work ; i had ordered some yarn for a Barbie project and since that fell through and it was about the right type for baby yarn (which used to be thinner than it is nowadays) with this yarn and I only have one skein but that is enough to start out with and i can order more from Herrschners. No problem; they always carry this yarn. But the the first rude awakening happens. That yarn (which is the afghan yarn) is not what i thought it was. It was not as nice as it had been the last time I had ordered some (2 years ago). Well, i start any way and find that it is working up rather nice anyway and so proceed to work on the item and then check with Herrschners and find that they had put this yarn on won of there great sales and I can only get some in blue or green that nobody wants. The I go look around for the pattern (on eBay) for the blanket and the 2nd pair of bootees because i cannot find the book that i had around here and so had to spend time and money on that.

Well another week goes by and the sacque is as finished as it is going to get, i think. about half done. the books have arrived and it is a good thing that i didn't try to order yarn for that as it was not what i thought. and so have to go and find another pattern as i don’t have the money to get some at this time. It is a good thing that i have this other yarn sitting around from another project that just would not work out so I try the other patter and find it will be alright. But the bootee are working out just fine; i have size 10 thread in white! Amazing! And they are so cute and finished. The blanket is done this far but i don’t care for the edging and want to use the other edging on another blanket. And Life goes on. It is now 2 weeks before the baby is due (cesarean section) what’s a grandma to do!

Things are looking up at the moment though, the Yarn i ordered from Herrschners came so I can get started on the white afghan. I wonder if i can finish it in time…

Out Shopping

My daughter was having fun! She brought home a couple of bags of the furry yarn in different colors from the Dollar tree. Along with that was the silent request “Mom, make me something.” She says (out loud) ,“bought you something”. And I said silently, “Oh, goody!” while out loud I said, "For Me????", as if i didn’t know.

Then I had to go do some shopping of my own. On the internet to see what ideas i could find that would use this kind of yarn. I already know what i want but would rather have some input from somewhere else and so I went to Coats and Clarks’ web site to look for patterns and found a bunch. But there is one that I thought would work just fine and i didn’t have t work up a pattern after all.

My boa – picture will be posted later

New Irish Edging Pattern...

Have put up some new stuff on the crochet pages of my regular site: http://justanothercrochetsite.net/irish_edgings.html

These are from a vintage booklet and are quite pretty edgings. I also want to point out that these are not "true" Irish crochet but utilize elements of done in the traditional crochet method. The are easier or more familiar to us. Most of my Irish crochet is what I call American-Irish, which is an adaptation of the real Irish method of making lace (taking elements and crocheting them together). However i cannot be for real sure that the Irish did not do this style as I do not have the proof either way.

The Pattern Syndrome...

While working on patterns my mind will wander and come up with more ideas sometimes. This time it was backdrops and props. And I was thinking that it would look very nice to have a chair with my backdrop (which is already made) and then pondered the problem of getting out to the garage ...no, this has to be somebody else to do that as the box of doll furniture is up on a high shelf. This means i will have to wait. Well, this is not exactly do-able. I did ask my granddaughter if she would look for my furniture but it will be a while before she can really get up there and dig around the boxes to find what I want. It has already ben 2 weeks so then my idea is to go get out the pattern and make another chair. It doesn't take that long i told my self ad this was a week ago.

Well i should know better....It is not finished and why? Well i got a better idea while working with this pattern and decided to do that. Well I also have to write down the changes made to the pattern so that i can do it again later. But, i did come up with an improvement to the chair and will do the settee next. Then I found that the pattern did not give the proper size for the arms on the chair so had to figure that out. And then from the time i made the pattern before, i couldn't remember what i did that was different form the arms in the pattern so i had to look around for the pattern i write for the arms.

So since i did that much I though i would share with you the changes. Because of copyright i cannot give the pattern out. you will have get your own copy from wherever you stored it or buy another. The major change to the arms was to work the increases at the center of the rows on the arms and cut out rows 4 & 5 and add them on to the end.But then i made a very big change to the back by making it longer and worked the 10 half rice stitches over white florist's covered wire. The last two are to be bent at right angles and serve as a foot to help balance the chair. Works very nicely. I also did just the outside of the chair and added in a row of single crochet to the last row before the shells and worked this in the black loops of the wicker stitch. Anyway before doing the skirt of the chair i did make a slit in the back from the chair by chaining 3 and slip stitched in the 4th st over and starting the skirt from that point and followed the pattern finishing that first row in the back lops of the chain stitches before joining.. Oh, yes; the arms for the chair should be 28 rows.

Now where did I put that chair cushion?.....

Leg o' Mutton Sleeves in Minature

Well finally finished the sleeve and took a photo of it. This is an open sleeve that 'buttons' closed. Just something that i wanted to do for years, but didn't get it done till now. Just another piece to an unfinished outfit. Now i have to decide on the skirt and crochet it up. Tie a sash around her waist and do the other little details. I have so many projects needing attention but it looks like this one will get finished (before I pass onto better things).

Like my model? She is the one I use for most of my modeling while working on patterns. She came in a purchase from EBay that my daughter made. It was a surprise gift for me. I do have another body that has no head but i like have a head on. It kinda helps the imagination. This doll was going to be an alien or similar, I think, and now she is a model. Her hair won't get messed up and if it does, then it won't matter anyway.

I have a beautiful collar/neck-line lace that will look very nice with this, but there are other trims that could be applied to the neckline. The pattern is on SkyDrive, so is the Gibson Girl Bodice (which should be called a 'waist').

Would like to know what you think of it. please leave a comment or sign the guest book.

Knotted-end Scarf

Remember those cute long and narrow decorative tube scarves with the knots on the end? Well this is made, for fun, out of sewing thread and a #13 hook. I had some vintage sewing thread by Belding Corticelli and decided that it would make a lovely little decorative scarf. It is 6 5/8 inches long and I really should have made it longer. It is nice and soft, knots and drapes nicely. You can also use 1 strand Rayon machine embroidery thread and #13-14 steel hook. The color range is wonderful and you can match any outfit.

Sewing thread, 1 strand and #13 steel hook-

Ch 5, dc, ch 1 in 5th ch from hook 8 times, sl st to 4th free ch from bottom; do not turn but work in rnds.
Next: ch 3, sc in each ch-1 sp and just keep making ch loops for 6 5/8-inches
Finish: Ch 3, dc in next ch-3 sp around fasten off and thread a needle with the tail; run sts through the tops of the dc sts to pull them together and fasten off.
Tie knots in each end.

The L-st

Was playing around with the very interesting v-st one day and came up with a couple of variations that i put into use for a couple of designs. I've used it before for hanging other stitches on in edgings but to use the v-st as it is with row after row seemed to dull and unappealing. So i tried it first, a different way, and that seemed to work out nicely and ideas started popping into my mind. I added sleeves and peplum and came up with a 'Romantic' Blouse. The photo here shows the start of the romantic blouse and is the 'summer top' The stitch used is the lazy v-st (l-st) and is worked as follows:
Row 1: on a row of chain sts, or any other stitch you want, (sc, ch 1, dc) in first st, * sk 2 sts, (sc, ch 1, dc) in next st, rep from * across to last 2 sts, sc in rem 2 sts, ch 1, turn
Row 2: (sc, ch 1, dc) in first sc, (sc, ch 1, dc)in ch-1 sp of each l-st across to last l-st, sc in ch-1 sp of last l-st and sc in the sc of same st, ch 1 turn.
works with multiples of 3 +1.
This makes a nice pattern stripe so could be worked long ways (up and down) for something. You may want to use a crochet hook size 2 or more sizes larger than you would normally for the size thread or yarn you want ot use.