Tag: crochet project

Tapestry Crochet – 64 Playful Patterns for Children… Book Release….

Tapestry_coverFrontXI’m so happy to announce the release of my latest pattern book ‘Tapestry Crochet, 64 playful patterns for children’, published by Sally Milner Publishing.

This book is another crochet sampler & my aim is to introduce readers to yet another crochet technique & encourage avid experienced crocheters & beginners alike to try something new, expand their repertoire & enjoy themselves with some colourful, fun designs.

Utilising all 64 patterns will result in a rug (afghan) approx 152cm x 152cm (60” x 60”) in size but there is no reason why you can’t choose a selection of favourites (say 30 to 36 squares) for a smaller knee rug (afghan) or, by putting together just 4 squares you’ll have a colourful cushion face.

The patterns are divided into 8 sections:

(1) Figures & letters ~ (2) Signs & symbols ~ (3) Children & toys ~ (4) Transport (5) Fruit & veg ~ (6) Around the house ~ (7) This & that ~ (8) Birds & animals

so you can please yourself which designs suit your project… be it for a boy or girl, baby, young child or teenager… or even work just a few patterned squares alternated with plain coloured squares…

In Tapestry Crochet (as in Intarsia/Jacquard) a chart, graph or grid is used instead of written instructions for coloured patterns. Each square equals a stitch, each line equals a row and each blank square equals the main colour. Follow grids from the bottom and read right-side rows from right to left and wrong-side rows from left to right. All squares are worked in double crochet [dc] (US: single crochet [sc]). And, for reader convenience, I have written the required number of stitches for each colour, with arrows indicating row direction.   tapestry_rug   I’m really pleased to be able to bring you this collection of Tapestry designs & I hope it gives you hours of creative enjoyment – Renate

Reversible Freeform crochet, knit, felt & beaded scarf….

CarnivalThis piece is one I originally created for a competition for the Embellish Magazine in 2010. No… I didn’t win but did make it in the 1st 50, the photos of which were published in the June 2010 issue. The scarf, (I called it ‘Carnival’), has been sitting idle in a box since then & I was delighted to rediscover it. There & then, I decided that it’s time for it to see the light of day again so I’m offering it for sale in my Etsy shop.Carnival 2

Now… this freeform crochet, knit felt scarf wrap is not for the faint-hearted. This is a OOAK, never to be repeated scarf, wrap… A Unique piece of wearable art for someone with attitude & who dares to be different.

A pain white silk scarf has been ornately embellished incorporating felting, beading, freeform crochet & knitted motifs. I used all sorts of yarn from acrylics & metallic to cotton & pure wool & all sorts of techniques: crochet, knitting, felting, beading, tassels & even a little hand-dyeing. It’s double-sided with each side being different so it’s totally reversible.

I know, I know… it’s absolutely ‘over the top’…. but, enthusiasm sometimes has no bounds. I’m so glad I found it… it made me smile… I hope you enjoy it too…

Carnival 1

That’s a mighty giant crochet hook, but what to do with it?

giant hook2I’ve had this giant, wooden crochet hook for the longest time, I may have found it in an OP shop or perhaps someone gave it to me… I simply can’t remember… in any case, it’s been sitting idle in my hook collection for many years with no idea what size it could be (though compared to a 6.50 mm (US K), it’s mighty big), or what it could be used for…

I’m presuming that some clever person hand-carved it & lovingly sanded it down to feel as smooth as silk… nevertheless, I’ve always found it awkward to work with &, after a few of feeble attempts, just abandoned it…giant hook1

That is, until a couple of months ago when I wanted to crochet some really woolly, chunky scarves, you know the kind that you can wrap around & around yourself, thick & lush to keep out the frostiest cold winds… &, suddenly, that mighty giant hook might just be the ticket… I started with 2 strands of yarn… No, not chunky enough… 3 strands, then 4 but finally settled on 5 strands of what I hope are complimentary colours. It wasn’t nearly as awkward as I remembered & the scarves worked up really fast. I think I got a bit carried away too, hence their length… the yellow/brown one being approx 272 cm (107”) & the green one approx 317.50 cm (125”).

So that’s a couple of scarves… I’m sure there are many more items that could be created with this mighty hook… I just haven’t thought of any yet… Any ideas? Or perhaps you have your own giant hook story… we’d all love to hear them…

green chunkyDSCF9666DSCF9674DSCF9671

2012 Alice Springs Beanie Festival update…

Yesterday, the Postie delivered a rather large package from Alice Springs… Oh… I thought, both pieces have come back but, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the felted beanie had sold, Yay!!

& for my efforts I received this delightful trophy… my hat off to the creator/s of this unique trophy, a work of art in itself… & a gorgeous bundle of rovings & Certificate from Ashford Australia

Thank you to everyone involved……

100 Beanie Drive… can you help?

Jess Van Den of Epheriell Designs has put out a call to all her crafty friends for help in her 100 Beanie Charity Drive

Jess’s goal is: to gather together 100 Beanies during July that I can donate to that box in the Day Oncology Unit. In fact – I’d love to have to buy them a bigger box to fit everything I bring in!! And you know what? Why not shoot for 100 scarves and 100 pairs of mittens, too?
 I’d love it if you could help me give cancer patients warm heads and warm hearts this winter.

Here’s the information if you would like to help with this worthy project – you will find some crochet & knit patterns to help you get started & guidelines for materials to use. Ravelry fans can join in here too.

The call is for boy colours as, apparently, men & boys are the most in need but all crochet or knitted beanies, scarves & mittens will be most appreciated – so why not give it a go….

These are a couple I whipped up in no time at all & will be in the post tomorrow…