Zooty Owl's Crafty Blog

Colourful Crochet, Craft, Cooking, and Contemplations

Showing posts with label adone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label adone. Show all posts

Friday 8 July 2016

Seaside Winter Blanket: Margate Square 5

Hello and welcome to Part 5 of our Seaside Winter Blanket CAL!   The weeks are flying by so quickly and your growing blankets are a joy to behold!   

Patterns will remain on my Blog so that you can work at your own pace and make as many blankets as you like!

Although the final stitch counts may vary slightly from square to square, great care has been taken to ensure that the blocks are all the same size.   I make a few of each square to check  and my tester also verifies this.   Yarn colours of the same brand often differ in thickness.    Yarn thickness may also vary brand to brand.   For example, Stylecraft Special DK, is closer in thickness to the South African Mirage 4ply.   Variations in tension across squares could also cause a difference in final measurements.

Please don't despair if your squares are not exact - the blocking process should correct this.

I suggest using a "forgiving" joining method like my Visible Join (see Introduction post) as this allows for varying stitch counts without causing work to pucker or pull.  If you find your squares are very uneven, try using the visible join with 3dc posts (2 spaces) in between sc's. I count my last row of stitches for each square before I start joining, then I know how many stitch adjustments I need to allow for. Compensate by evenly spreading the adjustment. So on the square with more stitches your join spacing remains the same and on the square with less stitches you compensate by only skipping 2dc posts (1 space) evenly spread across the length of the square. If you find the join "pulls" a bit add in another ch between sc's. Another method that works quite well with varying stitch counts, allowing you to evenly spread the adjustment, is the CHAIN JOIN

This week we will be making the "Margate" Square.



MARGATE  SQUARE PATTERN:

Make 1 x Margate Square for the Baby Blanket
Make 2 x Margate Squares for the Lapghan

Yarn requirements, hook size, blanket sizes and layouts, joining method and other useful CAL information are contained in the following posts:

INTRODUCTION
YOU MIGHT LIKE TO KNOW  and
IN LOVE WITH COLOUR

Please take a moment to read the above posts, if you have not already done so in order to prepare yourself for our Crochet-a-long journey.

PATTERN TERMS:  US



SPECIAL STITCHES:
SPIKE HALF DOUBLE CROCHET (Shdc) = yoh x1, insert hook into sp between "v" stitches in Round 2,  yoh and pull loop up level with previous "normal" hdc.   Complete the stitch.




Foundation:  4ch, ss to form ring or make a magic ring.

Round 1:  2ch (counts as 1hdc); 11 x hdc into ring (12hdc).   Sl st into 2nd of start ch to close.   Break off yarn.



Round 2:  Join yarn in any dc.   3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc into same sp as join;   (2dc into next dc) x11 (12 x "v" stitches of 2dc each).   Sl st into 3rd of start ch to close.   Break off yarn.



Round 3:  Join yarn between 2 dc posts of any "v".   2ch (counts as 1hdc), 2hdc into same sp as join;  (3hdc between 2 dc posts of next "v") x11 (12 x 3hdc groups = 36sts).   Sl st into nd of start ch to close.   Break off yarn.



Round 4:  Join yarn between 1st and 2nd hdc post on any 3hdc group.   2ch (counts as 1hdc),  1hdc into sp between 2nd and 3rd hdc posts on same 3hdc group;   1Shdc in space between 3hdc groups into sp between "v" stitches in Round 2;   (1hdc between 1st and 2nd posts on next 3hdc group;  1hdc into sp between 2nd and 3rd dc posts on same 3hdc group;   1Shdc in space between 3hdc groups into sp between "v" stitches in Round 2) x 11 (36 sts).   Sl st into 2nd of start ch to close.   Break off yarn.



Round 5:  Join yarn in sp between any 2 sts;  2ch (counts as 1hdc) into same sp as join;   (1hdc into next sp between 2 sts) x35.   (36hdc).   Sl st into 2nd of start ch to close.   Break off yarn.



Round 6:  Join yarn in sp between any 2hdc;  3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc into same sp as join;  (1dc into sp between next 2hdc) x2 ;  [2dc into next sp between next 2hdc; (1dc into sp between next 2hdc) x2) x11 (48dc).   Sl st into 3rd of start ch to close.  Break off yarn.



Round 7:   Join yarn in sp between any 2dc:   4ch (counts as 1sc, 3ch);   [skip 2 sp (3 dc posts), sc into next sp;  3ch) x15.   (16 x 3ch loops).   Sl st into 1st of start ch to close.   Break off yarn.



Round 8:  Join yarn in any 3ch loop.   4ch (counts as 1trc), (3trc, 3ch, 4trc into same 3ch loop);  (4dc into next 3ch loop) x3;  [(4trc, 3ch, 4trc into next 3ch loop), (4dc into next 3ch loop) x3] x3.  Sl st into 4th of start ch to close.   Break off yarn.



Round 9:  Join yarn with 1 standing sc in any 3ch corner;  2 sc into same 3ch corner;  1sc into each of next 20dc;  (3sc into 3ch sp;  1sc into each of next 20dc) x3.   Sl st into standing sc to close.   Break off yarn.



Round 10:   Join yarn in 2nd of corner 3sc.   [3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc, 3ch, 2dc into same sp as join];  [1dc into each of next 22 sts; (2dc. 3ch, 2dc into next st)] x3;  1dc into each of next 22sts.  Sl st into 3rd of start ch to close.   Break off yarn.



Crochet BORDER ROWS 1 AND 2 around square.


****************
A special thank you once again to Ritha Vishwanath of HOOKS, NEEDLES AND MORE for the time and effort put into testing the Margate Square.


PS:   The official CAL has ended but you can still join in at your leisure.  The links to all the patterns for the CAL can be found in the pinned post of our Seaside Winter Blanket Group

Tuesday 5 July 2016

Seaside Winter Blanket CAL: Supermarket Yarn Shopping

Quite a few CAL-ers have been lamenting the fact that they do not have a decent yarn supplier in their vicinity.   Here in South Africa the "Checkers" stores stock their own brand of yarn, called "Chick".   This 100% Acrylic yarn is made by Saprotex and packaged under that name especially for Checkers. Although the range only contains basic colours there is still more than enough to choose from!


This photo was taken at Checkers, South Coast Mall and as you can see the shelves are pretty well stocked.  

I set myself a little challenge....... to make a blanket using only this supermarket yarn.

The newer stock has a little sticker on the label denoting the colour, but the older stock only has a "lot" and colour "code" - so I had to do a bit of guessing when it came to the names of the colours.

I chose a blueish colourway of Royal (Blue), Light Grey, White, Saxe Blue, Cloud Blue and Jade



This yarn has been around for ages.   I used to knit (no that is not a typo I actually used to knit as much as I crocheted) my kiddos jerseys with this yarn when they were little.   It works up very nicely and although a bit on the stiff side,  once washed correctly it is lovely and soft and wears very well.


I am not at all disappointed with the result.



The "Chick" works out to just under R22.00 for 100g which is great value for money.  

Don't be afraid to try out "supermarket" yarns.    The patterns I have created for this CAL work just as nicely with supermarket or budget acrylic yarns as they do with the more expensive yarns.

Join me again on Friday for the next instalment of the Seaside Winter Blanket CAL:   Margate Square 5!

Friday 1 July 2016

Seaside Winter Blanket: Umtentweni Square 4


Hello and welcome to Part 4 of our Seaside Winter Blanket CAL!

overlay crochet
"Neapolitan"

I am so glad I created this CAL, it is such a thrill to see all your gorgeous colour combinations! I have not been able to resist all the possible colour combinations and have made up a few of my own!

overlay crochet
"Watermelon"

"Winter Sea"

Patterns will remain on my Blog so that you can work at your own pace and make as many blankets as you like!

overlay crochet
"Autumn"

crochet square
"Winter Berries"

granny square
"Baroque"

I have provided explanations and links for the special stitches.  

This week we will be making the "Umtentweni" Square:



UMTENTWENI  SQUARE PATTERN:

Make 1 x Umtentweni Square for the Baby Blanket
Make 2 x Umtentweni Squares for the Lapghan

Yarn requirements, hook size, blanket sizes and layouts, joining method and other useful CAL information are contained in the following posts:

INTRODUCTION
YOU MIGHT LIKE TO KNOW  and
IN LOVE WITH COLOUR

Please take a moment to read the above posts, if you have not already done so in order to prepare yourself for our Crochet-a-long journey.

PATTERN TERMS:  US



SPECIAL STITCHES:

BPsc = BACK POST SINGLE CROCHET

BP standing sc = Back Post STANDING SINGLE CROCHET


************

Foundation:  4ch, ss to form ring or make a magic ring.

Round 1:  2 ch (counts as 1hdc), 15hdc into ring; sl st into 2nd of start ch to close  (16hdc).   Break off yarn.

Round 2:  Join yarn in top of any hdc;  3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc into same hdc as join, 2ch, skip 1hdc;  (2dc into next hdc, 2ch, skip 1hdc) x7 (8 x 2dc, 2ch).   Sl st into 3rd of start ch to close.  Break off yarn.



Round 3:  Join yarn in any 2ch sp;  2ch (counts as 1hdc), 2hdc in same sp as join, 3ch;  (3hdc into next 2ch sp, 3ch) x7 (8 x 3hdc, 3ch).   Sl st into 2nd of start ch to close.  Break off yarn.



Round 4:  Join yarn in any 3ch sp; [2ch (counts as 1hdc), (3dc, 1hdc into same 3ch sp) - shell], 1ch, skip 1hdc, sl st into next hdc;  [1ch, (1hdc, 3dc, 1hdc into next 3ch sp), 1ch, skip 1hdc, sl st into next hdc] x7, 1ch (8 petals formed).  Sl st into 2nd of start ch to close.   Break off yarn.



Round 5:  Join yarn in 2nd st on any shell.  2ch (counts as 1hdc), 1hdc into each of next 2sts,  6ch;  (1hdc into 2nd st on next shell, 1hdc into each of next 2sts, 6ch) x7.  sl st into 2nd of start ch to close. Break off yarn.



Round 6:  Join yarn in any 6ch sp; 2ch (counts as 1hdc), 9hdc into same 6ch sp; (1sc into 2nd hdc, 10hdc into 6ch sp) x7;  1sc into 2nd hdc;  sl st into 2nd of start ch to close. (8 x 10hdc petals)  Break off yarn.



Round 7:  Join yarn with a standing BPsc around 1st hdc of any 10hdc petal;  1BPsc around each of next 9hdc;  1ch; 1BPsc around each of next 10hdc;  4ch;  (1BPsc around each of next 10hdc, 1ch, 1BPsc around each of next 10hdc; 4ch) x3.  sl st into top of  BP standing sc to close. (12 x 10hdc petals)


Round 8:  Join yarn in any 4ch sp;  3ch, 1trc (counts as 2trc tog);  2ch, 2trc tog, 3ch, 2trc tog, 2ch, 2trc tog, skip 4sc; 1sc into next sc; 10ch, skip 5sc on working petal, skip 5sc on next petal, 1sc into next sc;  [(2trc tog, 2ch, 2trc tog, 3ch, 2trc tog, 2ch, 2trc tog into next 4ch sp); skip 4sc, 1sc into next sc, 10ch, skip 5sc on working petal, skip 5sc on next petal, 1sc into next sc] x3.  Sl st into 3rd of start ch to close.   Break off yarn.



Round 9:  Join yarn in any 3ch sp (corner);  3ch (counts as 1dc) (2dc, 3ch, 3dc into same 3ch sp);  2dc into next 2ch sp;  2dc into next sp between sts;  (hold ch to the front of your work, work 1dc into sc behind ch;  hold ch to the back of your work, work 1dc into sc in front of chain.) x5 (10dc);  2dc into next sp between sts, 2dc into 2ch sp;  [(3dc, 3ch, 3dc into 3ch sp); 2dc into 2ch sp, 2dc into next sp between sts; (hold ch to the front of your work, work 1dc into sc behind ch;  hold ch to the back of your work, work 1dc into sc in front of chain.) x5 (10dc); 2dc into next sp between sts,  2dc into 2ch sp] x3.  sl st into 3rd of start ch to close.   Break off yarn.







Crochet BORDER ROWS 1 AND 2 around square.


****************

A special thank you once again to Ritha Vishwanath of HOOKS, NEEDLES AND MORE for the time and effort put into testing the Umtentweni Square.

PS:   The official CAL has ended but you can still join in at your leisure.  The links to all the patterns for the CAL can be found in the pinned post of our Seaside Winter Blanket Group

Thursday 30 June 2016

Seaside Winter Blanket: Amanzimtoti Bonus Square 1

Hello lovely CAL-ers!   At "surprise" intervals during this CAL I will be posting bonus squares. 

These squares are not part of the original layout and will therefore not follow the number sequence of the CAL squares, but will be numbered as Bonus Squares.

They can be used to grow your blanket or swap out with squares that you may not be "in love" with.

Yarn requirements, hook size, blanket sizes and layouts, joining method and other useful CAL information are contained in the following posts:

INTRODUCTION
YOU MIGHT LIKE TO KNOW  and
IN LOVE WITH COLOUR

Please take a moment to read the above posts, if you have not already done so in order to prepare yourself for our Crochet-a-long journey.

A big thank you goes out to Ritha Vishwanath of HOOKS, NEEDLES & MORE  for testing this pattern on such short notice!

AMANZIMTOTI SQUARE PATTERN

PATTERN TERMS:  US  

SPECIAL STITCHES:

Popcorn Stitch - A Popcorn is made by crocheting 4dc then removing the hook from the last loop, inserting the hook front to back on the first dc, and again into last loop, yoh and pull th

Triple Treble Crochet (trtrc)

Crossover trtrc group = 1tr into 3ch sp, bring your working yarn to the front of your work as we will be working over stitches made in previous rounds, yoh4, insert hook into left side 6ch loop, pull loop through and complete stitch,   (1trc, 3ch, 1trc into 3ch sp), yoh4, insert hook into right side 6ch loop, pull loop through and complete stitch, 1trc into 3ch sp.    If you have never done this before it may take a couple of tries before you get it right - it is very tricky on the fingers.   I find it easier if I fold the motif along the stitches I am working into.

Foundation:  4ch sl st to form ring or make a magic ring.

Round 1:  3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc into ring, 2ch;  (2dc into ring, 2ch) x7 (8 x 2dc, 2ch).  Sl st into 3rd of start ch to close.  Break off yarn.



Round 2:  Join yarn in any 2ch sp;  [3ch (counts as 1dc), 3dc - form popcorn, 4ch],  (1 x popcorn into next 2ch sp, 4ch) x7 (8 x popcorn, 4ch).  Sl st into top of first popcorn to close.  Break off yarn.



Round 3:  Join yarn in any 4ch sp;  3ch (counts as 1dc), 4dc into same 4ch sp, 1ch;  (5dc into next 4ch sp, 1ch) x7 (8 x 5dc groupings, 1ch).  Sl st into 3rd of start ch to close.  Break off yarn.



Round 4:  Join yarn in any1st dc of any 5dc grouping.   3ch, 1dc into same dc as join, 1dc into each of next 3dc, (1dc, 3ch, sl st into next dc), sl st into 1st dc on next 5c grouping;  [3ch, 1dc into same dc as join, 1dc into each of next 3dc, (1dc, 3ch, sl st into next dc), sl st into 1st dc on next 5dc grouping] x7 (8 petals).   Break off yarn.



Round 5:  Join yarn in first dc of any petal.   2ch, 4dc tog over next 4dc (counts as 5dc tog), 6ch, sc into 2nd sl st in Round 4,  6ch (5dc tog over 5dc in next petal, 6ch, sc into 2nd sl st in Round 4, 6ch) x7.  sl st into top of first dc to close.   Break off yarn.



Round 6:   Join yarn in 6ch loop to the left of any petal.  2ch (counts as 1hdc), 3hdc in same 6ch loop, 1ch, 4hdc in next 6ch loop, 1ch;  [(2hdc, 3dc in next 6ch loop, 3ch); (3dc, 2hdc in next 6ch loop, 1ch) (4hdc in next 6ch loop, 1ch) x2] x 3;  (2hdc, 3dc in next 6ch loop, 3ch); (3dc, 2hdc in next 6ch loop, 1ch.  sl st into 2nd of start ch to close.   Break off yarn



Round 7:  Join yarn in any 3ch space;   1 crossover trtrc group (4ch counts as first trtrc), skip next st; 1dc into each of next 4sts; 1trc into top of 5dc tog in Round 5; skip next st; 1dc into each of next 3sts; 1trc in each of next 2 6ch loops, skip next st, 1dc into each of next 3sts, 1trc into top of 5dc tog in Round 5. skip 1 st. 1dc into each of next 4sts;  [1crossover trtrc group into 3ch sp;  skip next st; 1dc into each of next 4sts; 1trc into top of 5dc tog in Round 5; skip next st; 1dc into each of next 3sts; 1trc in each of next 2 6ch loops, skip next st, 1dc into each of next 3sts, 1trc into top of 5dc tog in Round 5. skip 1 st. 1dc into each of next 4sts] x3.   Sl st into 4th of start ch to close.  Break off yarn.








PS:   The official CAL has ended but you can still join in at your leisure.  The links to all the patterns for the CAL can be found in the pinned post of our Seaside Winter Blanket Group

Friday 24 June 2016

Seaside Winter Blanket: Ramsgate Square 3

Hello and welcome to Part 3 of our Seaside Winter Blanket CAL!

I am delighted that so many lovely people have joined our little Crochet-a-long and are sharing their fabulous creations!  It's is not too late to join in!   Patterns will remain on my Blog so that you can work at your own pace and make as many blankets as you like!

I have provided explanations and links for the special stitches, but other than that, Ramsgate is a fairly straightforward square.  



This week we will be making the "Ramsgate" Square:



RAMSGATE  SQUARE PATTERN:

Make 1 x Ramsgate Square for the Baby Blanket
Make 2 x Ramsgate Square for the Lapghan

Some of the squares in this CAL may need blocking.   For good measure I am blocking all my squares, even the ones that are perfectly flat and square.    With "cold" blocking your squares won't spoil.  I have been spraying cold water onto the squares one by one as I place them onto the blocking station. I don't think that drenching them is a good idea and I would also never use hot water.

Yarn requirements, hook size, blanket sizes and layouts, previous patterns and other useful CAL information are contained in the following posts:

INTRODUCTION
YOU MIGHT LIKE TO KNOW  and
IN LOVE WITH COLOUR

PATTERN TERMS:  US


SPECIAL STITCHES:

2dc cluster (2dc tog) =  2dc cluster is formed as follows - yarn over hook, work the first part of the stitch leaving 2 loops on your hook (do not complete the stitch), repeat this once more (three loops on hook).  Yarn over hook and draw through the loops on the hook to form your cluster.

4dc cluster (4dc tog) =  4dc cluster is formed as follows - yarn over hook, work the first part of the stitch leaving 2 loops on your hook (do not complete the stitch), repeat this 3x more (five loops on hook) Yarn over hook and draw through the loops on the hook to form your cluster.

Picot = (A picot is a loop of thread created for functional or ornamental purposes along the edge of lace, ribbon, crocheted, knitted or tatted material. These loops vary in size, according to their intended function and to their creator's artistic intention. The word picot is pronounced [pē' kō]. It is a diminutive derived from the French verb piquer, meaning 'to prick'.)  A picot is formed by crocheting 3ch and then sl st into the 3rd ch from hook (the first of the three ch in other words)

Ssc = Standing Single Crochet

BPdc = Back Post Double Crochet (see Scottburgh Square for explanation)


************
Foundation:  4ch, ss to form ring or make a magic ring.

Round 1:  3 ch (counts as 1dc), 11dc into ring; sl st into 3rd of start ch to close  (12dc).   Break off yarn.

Round 2::  Join yarn in top of any dc,  2ch 1dc (counts as 2dc cluster) 1ch;   (2dc cluster into top of next dc, 1ch) x11 (12 x 2dc clusters).    Sl st into top of 1st cluster to close.   Break off yarn.

Round 3:  Join yarn in any 1ch sp, 3ch (counts as 1dc), picot, 1dc into same 1ch sp, 1ch;   (1dc, picot, 1dc into next 1ch sp, 1ch) x11.   Sl st into 3rd of start ch to close.  Break off yarn

Round 4:   Join yarn in any 1ch sp;  2ch, 3dc tog (counts as 4dc cluster), 4ch;   (4dc cluster into next 1ch sp, 4ch) x11.   Sl st into top of first cluster to close.  (12 x 4dc cluster, 4ch).   Break off yarn.

Round 5:  Join yarn in any 4ch sp;   2ch (counts as 1hdc), 5hdc into same sp;  6hdc into next 4ch sp;  (3dc, 3ch, 3dc into next 4ch sp);  [(6hdc into next 4ch sp) x2;  (3dc, 3ch, 3dc into next 4ch sp)] x3.   Sl st into 2nd of start ch to close.   Break off yarn.

Round 6:  Join yarn in any 3ch (corner) sp;  2ch, 3dc tog (counts as 4dc cluster), 3ch, 4dc cluster into same sp;  [BPdc around each of next 18sts;   (4dc cluster, 3ch, 4dc cluster into 3ch sp)] x3;  BPdc around each of next 18sts;   sl st into top of start cluster to close.   Break off yarn.

Round 7:   Join yarn with a Ssc in any 3ch sp;  4sc into same 3ch sp;  skip 4dc cluster; 1sc into each of next 18 sts;  skip 4dc cluster;   (5sc into 3ch sp, skip 4dc cluster, 1sc into each of next 18 sts, skip 4dc cluster) x3.  Sl st into top of Ssc to close.  Break off yarn.

Round 8:  Join yarn in 1st of corner 5sc;  3ch (counts as 1dc), 1dc into next sc; (1dc, 3ch, 1dc into next sc), 1dc into next 2sc;  1dc into each of next 18sc;  [1dc into each of next 2sc;  (1dc, 3ch, 1dc into next sc);  1dc into each of next 18sts] x3.   Sl st into 3rd of start ch to close.  Break off yarn.

Crochet BORDER ROWS 1 AND 2 around square.


****************

A special thank you once again to Ritha Vishwanath of HOOKS, NEEDLES AND MORE for the time and effort put into testing the Ramsgate Square.

PS:   The official CAL has ended but you can still join in at your leisure.  The links to all the patterns for the CAL can be found in the pinned post of our Seaside Winter Blanket Group


Saturday 18 June 2016

A little help: Scottburgh Square

Hello lovelies

The Seaside Winter Blanket CAL is slightly more challenging than my usual patterns.   I tried to make it interesting as well as adding stitches and techniques which will help us grow our skills.    The overlay and textured stitches add impact to the squares.

A lot is lost in translation when trying to give an instruction in "pattern-speak"  - I have added more info to the photos that incorporate and / or lead up to the more complicated stitches.    I do hope this will be of help to those who are new to these stitches and techniques.

The "crossover" overlay stitch is very tricky (even for me). Just make sure that your second round stitches are worked carefully into the back loop of the first round and that there are twelve front loops. Each 3hdc grouping forms the "line up" for your round 4 stitches. So under each 3hdc group you will have 3 open "front loops" (in round 1)


Rounds 1 and 2



Rounds 1, 2, 3, 4

The "long" stitches in Round 5 are worked into the 3hdc cluster on either side of the crossover. No stitches are worked into the crossover itself. Before blocking the stitches do tend to "pucker" on the photos it does appear that this is a "different" stitch. I have followed the pattern exactly for my tutorial square. Once you block the square the stitches open up and the pattern becomes clearer.

Round 5