Tag: scarf

Freestyle Crochet made easy….

I had this gorgeous hand-dyed, 100% pure wool 3 ply fingering yarn in my stash… what to do with it? It was far too precious to just incorporate bits & pieces of it into my freeform work.. it would simply get lost in amongst the flurry & bustle that freeform can be…

but I wasn’t up to painstakingly following a pattern to create something worthy of this beautiful yarn either… so what to do?…

with a large hook (10 mm (N/P) I made a long length of chain (I didn’t even count how many) & just started… one row of dc (US sc) so I knew where I was at &, from then on, I used a different pattern for each row improvising with plain stitches at the ends where the pattern didn’t quite fit…. I worked in this way until the yarn ran out – What a joy… true, no stress crochet….

 

From the bizarre to Classic Style ~ A collection of scarves & wraps

Whenever my creative juices wane or go walkabout & seemingly disappear for a while, I simply return to the basics… the versatile scarf ~ wrap… I’m fortunate that my yarn stash is vast & varied so it’s not all that hard for me to choose a few favourites & play… let the hook & yarn lead the way…

As cliché as it may sound, it’s nevertheless true, at least for me… each yarn has it’s own colour-way & texture & therefore its own voice, so it’s just a matter of listening & going with the flow – this collection of scarves & wraps is the realization – it still surprises me too…

Peppermint & Dust….

The Esty ‘Down Under Street Team’ is currently running an Add in the Peppermint Magazine where Participating Shops are offering generous discounts until the end of August 2010

~ To claim your discount, simply enter the code featured in Peppermint magazine into the “comments to seller box” when you make your purchase and enjoy the discounts! ~


Tunisian Crochet Tutorial – Ebook

Over that past few months I have received a lot of mail from people asking about the Tunisian Crochet Technique which has led me to compiled this tutorial – I trust the reader will find it to be a comprehensive journey through the Tunisian basics & that it encourages them to delve deeper into this exciting crochet technique – My aim in writing the tutorial was to build confidence so that once you understands the basics you will venture out & explore the multitude of stitch combinations available.

This Ebook tutorial is available in my online shop, Ravelry &  Etsy

Tunisian Crochet is worked on a long hook, not unlike a knitting needle, resulting in a rich-textured, woven fabric

The tutorial takes you through the basics of Tunisian Crochet in both written (UK & US terminology) & diagram form & covers the following:

  1. how to make the foundation chain (pg 2)
  2. how to make the basic foundation cast on row (pg 2)
  3. how to make the basic foundation cast off row (pg 2)
  4. how to make a basic Tunisian Knit stitch (pg 3)
  5. how to finishing off (pg 4)
  6. how to increase (pg 4)
  7. how to decrease (pg 4)
  8. how to make a basic Tunisian Solid Knit stitch (pg 5)
  9. how to make a basic Tunisian Purl Knit stitch (pg 6)
  10. how to make a basic Tunisian Treble stitch (pg 7)
  11. how to make a basic Tunisian puff stitch. Aligned puffs (pg 8)- Alternate Puffs (pg 9)
  12. how to bring in new yarn & change colour (pg 10)
  13. tips & tricks (pg-10)
  14. Three super easy projects to get you started Potholder (pg 11) Belt (pg 12) Scarf (pg 13)

As a new year begins…

…. I wonder…. just where did the old one go? 2009 whizzed by but looking back I realise what full & productive a year it really was…

I started this website/blog with very little tech knowledge & bumbled though learning so much along the way – my aim to be informative & hopefully recruit more enthusiasts to the exciting world of Freeform can be gauged by the amount of hits, comments & emails I’ve received over the year  so I’m  certainly giving this goal the big tick of success…

‘Freeform Crochet & Beyond’, was published & wholeheartedly endorsed by those already immersed or just embarking on the Freeform journey. Many thanks for all the wonderful feedback I’ve received

Alice Springs Beanie Festival entry ~ ‘Australia in colour’ ~ won the Spirit of the Land Category  & I now have this fabulous ‘Camel Trophy’….. my best prize ever!

Joined Ravelry & found all the fibre, crochet & knitting nutters in one place – I’ve met some truly remarkable people & what a joy this has been….

Encouraged by family I’m now on Facebook & even have a Fan Page – good grief!!! what next?

I bit the bullet & opened an Etsy Shop… where I’ve met a great bunch of Aussie Girls in the Dust Team & would probably still be foundering about had it not been for their help & support- it’s been huge learning curve (that is still going on) but I’ve enjoyed every minute.

There has also been a lot of creative participation throughout the year -‘ The Four Seasons’ challenge  – National Gallery Pole knit – Sydney Hyperbolic Coral Reef Project – All great fun projects that wetted the creative juices….

Most importantly…  I’ve made some new & very special friendships (you know who you are) – thank you to all of you for your love, support & encouragement – as I look back on 2009… yep…. it’s been a fabulous year indeed….

So what’s in store for 2010?

At the moment I’m having a real fair dinkum  go at Knitting after discovering ‘Crazy Lace’ by Myra Wood – not really much of a knitter myself but this Crazy Lace has unleashed a whole new adventure – thanks Myra – I’m so enjoying it  & posting my first pics of one of many projects I’m working on…. Here’s hoping everyone has a wonderful creative 2010…..

Cotton Rainbow: Crazy Lace knit …. enjoy!