On My Hook: Antique Corticelli Crochet Edging

Here's what I've had on my hook for the last few days while traveling non-stop:

 

It is my version of an edging found in Coritcelli's Lessons in Crochet Book 1 from 1916.  The book and many other antique needlework books and pamphlets are available for free at http://antiquepatternlibrary.org . If you knit, crochet, tat, embroider or just like needlecrafts, this site will have you spending hours ohhing and ahhing. 

I got the idea to try my hand at some of the antique stitches and patterns from Fatima over at Crochetology . Her blog is one of my favorites. She makes the coolest crochet wearables and is committed to taking what seem to be difficult patterns and stitches and making them accessible. Her pattern hacks and jewelry designs inspire me. Hers isn't your Grandma's crochet! I'm hoping to use some of her jewelry techniques to create some one of a kind gifts this Fall.

On her blog, she worked through several of the antique edging and stitches found at the Antique Pattern Library. I was inspired to do the same when I realized that I was going to be spending hours upon hours on planes and needed something small, yet engaging to do. 

I picked Corticelli Edging 318C - mostly because it had a set of directions I thought I understood.  I used Aunt Lydia's Fashion Crochet Thread size 3 and a 7/1.65 hook. This thread and hook are a bit larger than the original pattern recommended so the size of my stitches are too, but I knew that when I started. 

I didn't count my starting chain, but as I sat on the plane waiting for take off, I chained out a length that would wrap around my wrist, not knowing then what I would make of the edging swatch. When I finished the edging I decided it would be an interesting cuff and doubled it, by crocheting the entire pattern (with the exception of the foundation row of trebles) again under the foundation row. Making the top and bottom mirror one another. Maybe hard to explain, but not complicated, I promise.

You'll notice that my fabric is a lot looser than the original edging. In part this is because of the larger needle and thread, but I also think that it has to do with my hand gauge. I didn't bother to make the stitches tight and even, rather I wanted to produce a flexible fabric. 

The swatch ends with a curve because of how the original pattern repeats. I thought of shortening the last fan to make it square, but then I decided that I really liked the scalloped edge. 

 While I loved the way my doubled edging turned out, I totally FLUBBED the star flower motif I tried to make from the same book. I did the repeats from memory and let's just say, my memory ain't what it used to be! LOL.  I've found that many of the motif patterns are difficult in the older pattern books. There are plenty of crocheters out there who've written about how to understand and simplify the patterns. I should have looked at the picture and went with my eyes instead of my poor pattern comprehension skills!

Note to self (and you too) : Trust What You See!

I haven't yet decided how to complete the doubled edging.

A frilly cuff maybe?

 It isn't my normal style. I'm more urban/modern than Victorian lace (although I do love the antique pave' setting of the engagement ring my awesome hubby picked out for me), but I think that with the right clasp and embellishments, this might work.

There's only one potential problem:

The ends! Because they are so frilly and not a perfect straight edge and because the fabric is really flexible, I'm not sure what sort of clasp would work to keep the edges from folding up like they are doing in the picture above. Suggestions?

I hope this post will encourage you to give the older patterns a try. Go visit Crochetology (I don't know her by the way, I just love her site) and then go make something incredible.

Until next time, which will be sooner than later, I promise ---

~Dee

Lattice Stitch Summer Scarf: What do you think?

I have been so busy! It's the end of the semester and I've been swamped. Coming back from maternity leave has been a doozy. But in two weeks I get a life back... and I get my crafting back! Go me!

But I have been working on a few things in the wee hours of the morning when I can't do work -work.

I always like to have Summer accessories that are more for show than for warmth or anything. And I decided to make myself a scarf after finding some really thin, soft mixed fiber yarn at Big Lots of all places. (For a buck, too!)

Here's what I've come up with thus far:

The scarf is crocheted in a variation of the lattice stitch, which is just really a series of double crochets and knot stitches. See here for the regular version of the stitch. There are quite a few other sites that show the stitch, which just seems to be the generic name for the open weave double crochets. I haven't come across one that makes it a netting like I do with this scarf.

Here's the thing though, I don't like it. I mean I love it ...when it's hanging on a doorknob. But on, it's just blah. My darling hubb said it was because it's holloween orange and I wear black 90% of the time. But I don't think that's it. (Plus I think the orange is a nice, vibrant color. Phew for the hubb! lol)

I think it's missing something. What do you think? Should I embelish it somehow? Maybe some beads? A  button?

The scarf is really lightweight and can't support too many extras, but I feel like I need something. Any suggestions?


Thanks in advance for the ideas. And I really miss being on the blog and looking at everyone else's more regularly. Here's to wishing for May 11th!

Peas and Carrots,
~Dee

I've Got Skills: Knitting and Crochet Blog Week 2011

Today's topic for Knitting and Crochet Blog Week calls for each blogger to assess how their skills have improved over the last year.  I started blogging last year when I was halfway through my first pregnancy, off from work and moving to the suburbs. Crafting and crocheting in particular, became a calming, meditative practice when my life was changing pretty quickly. I've had some highs and lows and even picked up a few new techniques along the way.

                       

Most notably, I went from discovering amigurumi dolls -- to making sellable ones in my own signature style. My technique improved rapidly because of two reasons:

1. The super helpful blog community. There are some great amigurumi blogs out there that share free patterns and give tips and tricks for the novice. I can't say how grateful I am to those great folks for sharing. 

2. Practice, practice, practice. I made so many heads and bodies that I can't begin to count. I still have a bunch of unfinished, rethought parts in a box. I probably tried 20 different sphere patterns before I found one that made the round head I liked. I went to the craft store at least 5 times to find yarn that would make for suitable hair. I was determined to make dolls that I would have bought myself.

One day, I made the original Dr. CraftFro doll after working late into my usual insomniac night and I knew I was onto something. I enjoyed making her, crafting her big hair and giving her a story. 

The dolls were just the first push for me to learn the right way to crochet instead of just winging it the way I had been. I joined Ravelry and Crochetville and started watching crochet videos on youtube. After a while, I was making booties and hats for my soon-to-come baby and felt confident enough to make gifts for others. 

I made my first ever granny squares. I know I know. Every crocheter makes granny squares. I just never had.

I went from barely knowing how to start the next row in a rectangle scarf pattern, to being able to design my own patterns and to follow others. I even learned symbol crochet. 

I did pick up a pair of knitting needles in 2010. I got one of those Teach Yourself How to Knit kits as a prize and tried to give it a shot. It was my first ever attempt at knitting. 

After a lot of unraveling and started over, I made a hook case. It wasn't perfect, it was practice! I didn't bother blocking it. I just wanted to see how long it would take me to knit (and purl!) something. I decided that knitting wasn't quite my thing, yet. So' I've put the needles away until summer when I can devote a bit more time to learning. 

All in all, this year I've gone from being a beginning crocheter who never finished anything but oddly shaped scarves to being a pretty decent pattern follower and a, dare I say it, near expert doll maker. 

All that said, I haven't made any dolls for a while. I got frustrated after making a few for sale. I realized that I loved the way they looked but I wasn't very efficient with my time or materials. I just couldn't take the time to make each one in the way I was making them for all of the people that wanted one. I'm still torn about what to do about that. I don't want to stop trying to make the dolls for gifts and to sell but I can't find a good way to change my process. 

And most importantly, in the last six months, I've learned to craft while having a sidekick who needs lots of attention.

My Little H. as an Oompa Loompa

Peas and Carrots, 

~Dee

Pattern Followed! A Sweater Jacket for Little H.

Grocery shopping is serious business. Lots of people to see.

Doesn't she look cozy?

While I was away, I was still crafting. I found this great pattern for an easy to make kimono wrap baby sweater. H. is too small for the coats in most stores and we got tired of layering her up with little jackets when all she really needed was a thick sweater.

I whipped this up in four lengthy nighttime tv watching.

I changed the pattern up by adding a stripe on the sleeves and a contrasting cuff, but all the stitch directions are the same. I used a thick worsted weight yarn and that modification came out okay because the pattern writer (lovely woman) made the gauge discussion simple and I was able to adjust really easily.

The work in progress.

I hadn't ever made a garment in crochet (I don't count shawls, because they don't require shaping).  It was good fun and a challenge to a non-pattern reader like me. I made the sweater a few sizes too big and she should be able to wear it in the Fall.

I felt a huge sense of accomplishment when I was done and I'm glad that when she gets older I can show her these photos and teach her all about handmade!

If you want to do the pattern, go on over to Crochet Me.


The GCRU Link Up is still looking for submissions and I'm happy to report that I'll be one of many participating in the Annual Knit and Crochet Blog Week March 28-April 3. See here.
I'll be posting about why I chose to blog along tomorrow!




Peas and Carrots,
~ Dee

Embroidery Circle Earrings

I like crocheting with embroidery floss in the Summer. It's light weight and easy to take a long on trips. I usually just make earrings or bracelets.

If you want to make earrings like the ones here, I suggest you learn to crochet a circle in the round with one of these two great tutorials - http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa091104.htm or http://2good2lose.com/crochetcircles.shtml .
 
Here's a peak into my process.
The pictures are done with a green DMC floss. I used a size 1 steel hook.

















Next, I added some findings and beads that I had sitting around the house. I sewed them on with a hand needle and regular thread. I connected an earwire with a jump ring and VIOLA!  A pair of earrings I really liked. I decided I didn't care if they curled a little. Notmally, to prevent curlage (is that a word? lol), I would weave in a bit of jewelry wire under my finishing slips stitches. But these were fab without it.





I'll be back soon with photos of the new dolls!

Thanks for coming by,
Dee

"Freehand" Crochet Flower - Mini Tutorial for Beginning Crocheter

Admittedly when I first started crocheting, I had a hard time following patterns. To tell the absolute truth, I still have a little trouble with them. If you're anything like me, don't let your inability to follow patterns stop you from crocheting!!! Once I learned the basic stitches, I often found myself just hooking to hook and seeing what I came up with.

If you want to start crocheting and want to get rid of a bit of the pressure of doing it perfectly - try making this flower. This flower can work as an accent on any number of projects and takes a very short time to make (less than 10 minutes.)

To get started:
If you need to learn the basic stitches, there are a lot of good websites, blogs and videos out there. I think the tutorials at http://crochet.about.com/ are a great place to start and they even have a super helpful forum if you get stuck.

Follow along with the pictures and REMEMBER don't be uptight about your work. The project is intentionally not precise. Don't be afraid to experiment and try variations.

For the sake of pictures I used a size I hook but normally I would use F or G on a 4 ply worsted weight yarn like the one used here. It makes the flower a bit thinner with teh smaller hook.













Let me know if you make your own!

Check back soon for a crochet thread earring tutorial that's very Summer and even easier to do than this!

Also, more about my other craft hobbies coming soon!

Thanks for stopping by,
~Dee

Crochet Underachieving...a visual record.

The move has made it painfully obvious how many craft projects I have started and left unfinished. As I said in yesterday's post, most of the time I start a project just for the process. It seems I REALLY like the process.

Exhibit A - Unfinished Berets, Scarves and Neck Warmers


These are just a few of the unfinished ones I haven't unraveled or ----wait for it -- thrown away --- oh, the horror! I have completed one hat and one neck warmer in the last two years. I gave the neck warmer to a great friend and I lost the hat one unseasonably warm winter day when I took it off while I was out and about.

Exhibit B - Undone Amigurumi Dolls


A few weeks ago I saw a brilliant humanoid amigurumi on Flickr.com and realized that I wanted to make some dolls for our great hope. I started out with a few patterns from Ravelry.com but ultimately just started experimenting with stitches and techniques. I'm happy to say that after realizing I had self-taught myself some bad habits and unlearned them, and after I had made numerous attempts at finding a body and head type I liked.. I finally got the hang of it. While these practice dolls will remain unfinished, I have finished a few and I'll share them here in the future. I have plans to make plenty more!


Exhibit C - Multicolored Rippled Afghan - To Finish or Not to Finish?


This simple ripple stitch afghan was my first project for the baby. I've completed about 1/3 of it and depending on what day you ask me, I'll either finish it or scrap it or use it for some other purpose. I'll keep you post it.

Okay, so that's it. My crochet underachieving has been shared. I feel much better about it already.Am I the only one that starts a bunch of different projects and then doesn't finish them?

The goal is not to start anymore projects that I don't intend finish.

Wish me luck,
~Dee