3 Crochet Ponchos & a Circular vest – using up large amounts of left-over yarn…

yarn left oversI simply love yarn; the rush you get when you find a new one. How colour and/or texture floods the mind & inspirations just flows in.

As a rule, when I’m in the process of purchasing yarn, in the back of my mind I’m always afraid that I won’t have enough for a single project, either a project in mind or a potential one that hasn’t been thought of yet. And so, inevitably I, more often than not, purchase far more than I eventually use &, as most yarnies will agree, yarn stashes can grow at an alarming rate.

To gain some semblance of control, quick & easy projects can, to some extent, if not completely, reduce that overwhelming feeling of becoming a yarn hoarder…

These 4 projects are a great examples for using up those larger amounts of yarn sitting idle for far too long.

For the ponchos I used variations of my own pattern which can be found here

dscf2060For the hooded poncho I knotted together (leaving the knots as a feature) a combination of complimentary, natural & acrylic, green & brown yarns & using a large hook (UK:10mm / US: N), crocheted in trebles (US: dc) & worked in stripes, adding extra rows around the neck-line to produce the cowl / hood.

Check out the Hooded Poncho on Etsy

 

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The yarn for the red, purple & black poncho is a 12 ply acrylic that I never found again, but luckily I had just enough. Again, I used a largish hook (UK: 8mm / US: L) & crocheted in trebles (US: dc)

Check out the Red,Purple & black poncho on Etsy 

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The pink / purple poncho in made up of a beautiful 30% wool / 70% acrylic 8 ply yarn that, if your lucky, can still be purchased but I’ve never found it in this colour combo again… I used hook size (UK: 6mm / US: H) & also crocheted in trebles (US: dc)

Check out the pink & purple poncho on Etsy

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I didn’t have a pattern for the Circular vest. Working in trebles (US: dc) & a hook size (UK: 4.5 mm / US: G), I began in the centre as you would for any circle & spiralled around & around, always marking the first stitch of each round & increasing as you would for a circle. I used my mannequin to determine arm-holes & basically freestyled it to the end. This is a gorgeous 8 ply, 60% super wash wool / 40% polyamide, yarn & a delight to work with.         Check out the circular Vest on Etsy

So, to end this long post, I’d just like to say… don’t be daunted by your growing yarn stash… find patterns & projects that use limited amounts of yarn. Take a chance & use combinations of different yarns, knot them together or just join in new yarn as one runs out. Try out different size hooks… it’s fun, it’s creative, you’re never quite sure how it will turn out but, best of all, it’s a mighty, practical way of losing that hoarder reputation…

Freeform Crochet Shrug, Bolero, Jacket…

Noro shrug1Noro shrug2

Here is another freeform crochet shrug, bolero, jacket based on my ‘Easy Crochet Shrug, in 3 steps’ pattern…

This particular shrug was created in Noro King & assorted yarns using chevron & spirals patterns as the most prominent crochet motifs. I love these little shrugs… they’re loose fitting & lightweight, great for those summer evenings or to jazz up your favourite winter jumper (sweater)… best of all they’re super fun to make… enjoy!!

Noro shrug3Noro shrug4

Mocha & Cream Freeform Crochet Scarf Collar….

Mocha & CreamThis little Freeform Crochet scarf collar is one I made some months ago. The seemingly easy flow from smooth, milky cream to rich, velvety chocolate mocha is sometimes quite difficult to achieve but I never tire of the challenge. It was created on the curve so that it sits on the shoulders beautifully…

Available for sale in my Etsy Shop

Mocha & Cream collarMocha & Cream scarf

Crochet Fan Lace Shawl, Wrap, Scarf Pattern

My newest Crochet Fan Lace Shawl/Scarf/Wrap Pattern is a little different from the norm in that it’s worked from the bottom up, which is fabulous when you have a limited amount of a particular yarn & you’re unsure just how far it will go – just start at the bottom & keep going until you run out of yarn.

The crochet fan lace shawl/scarf/wrap pattern works up quickly & can be worked in your choice of yarn & hook size

I used Scheepjeswol Granada 100% 8 ply cotton for the pattern photo item.

  • The pattern includes:
  • the shawl/scarf pattern
  • both UK & US terminology
  • clear stitch drawings & pattern diagrams (charts)
  • step by step instruction for the Clone Bobble tassel

My Mum gave me 2 x 50 gram balls of this yellow & what I can only  guess to be some kind of acrylic mohair…  demanding I make something…. my first thoughts were ‘eeegads…!!’ Really? It’s so very bright & garish… &, well,.. so yellow…. nevertheless I did as I was told & to my surprise it worked up beautifully &  Mum  is super delighted… so it goes to show… you never know until you have a go….

And then, I simply had to have another go with the crochet fan lace shawl/scarf/wrap pattern this time using 4 ply Mini Mochi by Crystal Palace Yarns. Don’t you just love this yarn? Colour way, texture & workability… all of it, gorgeous…

So there you go folks.. a ‘can do’ for beginners & a quickie for the more experience… have lots of fun with this newbie

You can purchase the Crochet Fan Lace shawl wrap pattern from here or, if you prefer, from Ravely ~ Etsy ~ Zibbet

Granny Square Glamour….

OK… so they’re not traditional granny squares but a collection of square crochet motifs created in a variety of natural, synthetic & metallic yarns & incorporated into this ‘Glam’ vest for the discerning woman who dares to be different & enjoys a striking pose…

Isn’t it amazing what can be done with a little imagination?

 

 

 

 

 

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