Tag: crochet project

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…

A Tribute to my Sister…

I’ve dedicated this piece to my sister & to all who are travelling the arduous cancer road…

My sister’s courage, strength & inner grace… the inspiration;

Her unwavering faith in her God… my admiration;

Her ongoing positive, down-to-earth approach to life… my deepest love & respect.

Creating this piece has been bitter sweet but nonetheless, an absolute joy, not only because of my own personal involvement & the opportunity to express my love for my beautiful, courageous sister, but also because I had to work outside my comfort zone; as a fibre artist my preference is for bold, strong, gaudy, in-your-face colours & textures & working with these gentle pinks was a delightful surprise…

  • Technique used: Freeform crochet, Glass bead embellishments, Wet hand felting
  • Materials used: over 25 different yarns: pure wool, acrylic, cotton, metallic thread. Glass beads. Hand-carded fleece.

2012 World’s Best Tea Cosy Competition is an initiative of M.A.I.D., (Moving Arts Into Dogwood), with a partnership between the Miles Regional Arts Council Inc and the Western Downs Regional Council.

You can read more about the competition here

The Breast and Prostate Cancer Association of Qld Inc is holding a health information day for breast & prostate caner Saturday 28th July 2012, at the Leichhardt Hall, Dawson Street, Miles.

You can find more information here

Textured Crochet Lace…

Textured Crochet Lace: 127 pages

  • ISBN 978-1-86351-430-9
  • ARRP: $39.99 AUD

I know that many of you have been awaiting the release of my new book Textured Crochet Lace, so I’m very happy to be able to say that it’s now available world wide.

I’m particularly proud of this new publication, not only because Sally Milner has, once again, produced a another gorgeous book that showcases my work but many of these patterns are favourites & ones I use all the time…  often incorporating them into my freeform / freestyle / open weave work &, moreover, I’ve made many a scarf, beanie, wrap & shawl to delight family & friends.

Textured Crochet Lace has 64 patterns &, of course, you can complete them all & have a beautiful sampler rug (afghan) that I know you will treasure &, better still, feel the sheer joy of your accomplishment… however, that’s not to say you can’t just choose a couple of favourites & make a smaller rug…. or just choose one & repeat the pattern as many time as you like to make the size that you like.

Skill requirements range from basic beginners to the more experienced & I’m confident that there is something interesting, perhaps even a little challenging, for anyone who enjoys crochet.

Each pattern is in written & diagram (chart) form, with both UK & US terminology & has a clear colour photo – I have given yarn & hook requirements but as with all of my samplers I like to encourage you to work with the yarn, hook & colours that you feel comfortable with – for me, The Sampler is a teaching/learning tool; a practical way the gain confidence & knowledge in a pleasurable way with the added bonus of having a lovely piece to show off to one & all….

I hope you all enjoy this new collection of patterns & it brings many hours of creative pleasure to your crochet journey…. Renate

Textured Crochet Lace is available from Amazon ~ The Book Depository ~ Booktopia (Amazon Australia)

View more Textured Crochet Lace content here

Sunflower Happiness – a crochet rug (afghan) pattern

I was in need of a bright, happy rug for a special gift – something quick & easy & a little different that I would be proud to give.

The original idea came to me as a traditional sunflower, you know, bright yellow/orange petals, chocolate brown centre, surrounded by a lovely creamy white… Hmmm… it looks OK but not really what I was hoping for… I wanted something a lot more cheerful & so, after much fiddling about, this is the result… Yep.., I’m very happy with it…

This is a nice & easy scrap yarn crochet rug (afghan) ideal for the less experienced.

Each square measures approx 16.5 cm (6 ½”) x 16.5 cm (6 ½”) – make as many squares as you need depending on your project – a little cot cover, a medium TV knee rug or a king size bedspread

Requirements: for the 5 square x 6 square rug I used: scrap yarn from my stash for colours & approx 230 grams 8ply cream acrylic (Panda, Magnum soft) for main colour – Hook size 4.00mm (US G)

Although I’ve given yarn & hook requirements, this is your project & you know how I always like to encourage you to work with your own preferred colours & appropriate hook to make the project your own – enjoy!

  • The pattern includes:
  • afghan square pattern
  • joining squares together & border instructions
  • both UK & US terminology
  • clear stitch drawings & pattern diagrams (charts)

The pattern is available from here or, if you prefer, from Ravelry ~ Etsy ~  Zibbet



Silk & Seacell – A beautiful yarn.

Some time ago I came across this gorgeous Hand Maiden Sea Silk yarn… 70% silk – 30% Seacell – I’d never heard of yarn being made from seaweed before… intrigued & excited I had to purchase some & when my parcel arrived I wasn’t disappointed.

This yarn is so lovely that all I want to do is hold & touch. It has the most glorious sheen & was sheer pleasure to work.

So what is Seacell? This website will help explain it &, this is what Hand Maiden says & I quote “So we’ve got this new yarn for spring that I’m pretty excited about. It’s called Sea Silk, made from 70% silk, 30% seacell. I knew that the seacell is made from seaweed and that the yarn has a particularly seductive feel. (So much so that I’ve been taken to walking around my studio stroking it like a slippery mink). But when I looked into the actual process of turning the seaweed into the fibre, my brain did a bit of a back flip. This yarn has vitamins!? There is even a version with silver in it. Silver! Wow. Apparently it makes the fibre antibacterial. Silver yarn…. oh – I wonder how I would dye that…..”

Long story short…I made this gorgeous scarf using one the patterns from my, soon to be released, new book ‘Textured Crochet Lace.’

Now, the question is… do I keep it for myself or list it in my Etsy Shop… hmmmm… I’m yet to decide…