Sunday 24 November 2013

MY HAND WOVEN CROCHET SCARF

Sweet Nothings Crochet free pattern blog, easy crochet pattern for a scarf, photo of the Hand woven scarf
MY HAND WOVEN CROCHET SCARF

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Crochet is a really versatile craft.. you start with a few simple chains, put together a few interesting stitches, and ..BAM..in half a day, you could've created something lovely!

I was watching a football match and was fascinated by the unity of teams, with their colours and chants. Of course this happens in every sport, and its a sports fan will wonder why I even 'comment' on it - its a done deal!

On a totally different note, I was also thinking about the lovely 'dot' (or pottu, which means 'dots' in Tamil) kolam (oops another Tamil word, which is a form of 'painting' drawn using rice powder, chalk powder or rock powder) 


so thanks to the fantastic internet, I've got pottu kolam designs here to explain my thought process.  Above are all 4 x 4 dot combination designs.. each one different, but all start with the same 16 dots!


and here are some more pottu kolams - and I love how the same combination of dots can give you such varied designs.

So now maybe you're getting my flow of thought ?? hmmm

I decided to take this idea forward.. use a pottu kolam combination to make several simple scarves.
And though this did not work out exactly, I would like to think that my Plaited scarf and this Hand-Woven crochet scarf are 'pottu kolam'-like, as they have similar 'ideas' - start with a ch /fsc, then few dc, few ch, and then play with the 'chains' and 'design' the scarf.

The hand woven scarf offers you a host of possibilities...
It can be made in the colours of your favourite pennant team flag;
It is a great idea for Valentine's day (with the lovely red n white inter-twined);
It can make a great Christmas gift in the reds, whites and greens;
It makes a great I-day scarf, with colours of your flag..
and it gives you the chance to explore your creative side!


Materials : 4- ply acrylic (fingering weight) ; 65g (328 yds approx) ; 4 mm (G ; US 6) crochet hook , Embroidery needle
This yarn is not specific for this project.  
Use any yarn with a suitable hook to make it to any size.

Gauge : Gauge not critical, but this is ~ 6 st & 2 dc (vertical) in pattern = 1”

Skill Level : Easy

Abbreviations used: (Using US terminology)
sk : Skip                   st(s) : Stitch(es)
sp(s) : Space(s)       ch : Chain
rep : Repeat             hk : Hook
lp(s) : Loop(s).         ch-sp : Chain space
sc : Single Crochet
dc : Double Crochet
fsc : Foundation Single Crochet

Stitches used: (Using US terminology)
Starting slip knot : Here’s how you start with a slip knot.  https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw

Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : This is a neat new way to start your work without a slip knot.  https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs

What is a slip stitch : Here is a neat video tutorial at https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw

How to hold your yarn in crochet : https://youtu.be/FwOlCbGdbqY

What is a chain stitch ? Here is an easy video tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXx5ukBjKkY


Instructions 
Please note that I start all my rows with a ch 1, turning chain for ease.
Please check the top of this blog for easy video tutorials on all stitches used in today's pattern.
Please read through all my notes before you pick up your hook, so you know just where we're heading in our pattern.
In my patterns I work with the principle of stitch count and body measurement.  This means that you need to work the stitch count in pattern, till you get the measurement (length and/or width) that you need for your project. 

This is a very simple pattern in two parts.
The first part, you make the ‘base’ for the scarf and in the second you ‘weave’ the beauty, with your magic, in.


Check out this video to understand the stitch and how we weave it all together In case the video does not open, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gIdztKk8y4&t=70s


Part 1
Foundation Single Crochet : fsc : To refresh your skill on the fsc, please view this video https://youtu.be/mcT85fwh4mA 

Our stitch count is an even number of fsc
We start with fsc for the length of the scarf

Start : with 30 fsc ;
or as many even number fsc as you want for the length of your scarf

In case you are starting with chain (though I'll urge you to try the fsc), start with an even number of chain +1.  Work your 1st sc in the 2nd chain from hk, and work an sc all the way down the chain.  
Check that you have an even number of sts and then carry on with the pattern

Double Crochet : dc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk);
[yo, draw through 2 lps] twice.  One dc made. 
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/xdnjB27zpYo

Chainless start for Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of dc.
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/wskv3iTjRx0

Row 1 : dc in first 2 fsc, 
*ch 5, sk 5 fsc, dc in next 2 fsc*; 
rep from * to * till to last fsc. 
Turn. (10 dc, 20 ch)

Row 2 : dc in 1st 2 dc ; 
*ch 5, sk 5 ch, dc in next 2 dc*; 
rep from * to * to last dc. 
Turn. (10 dc, 20 ch)

Rep Row 2 desired number of times for length of scarf.

Last row : sc in each sc and ch-sp to end. (30 sc).

Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Part 2 :
A) If you wish to add tassels, first add the tassels.  
I've used both the scarf as well as the contrast color in my tassels.

B) For the intertwining woven bit : I cut a length of just over one and half times the length of my scarf.  Remember the diagonal intertwining uses more yarn.
Start with one end with a contrast colour
Now imagine what we're doing - we're weaving a line through with the contrast color that we have in our embroidery /tapestry needle.
So I've woven straight lines as well as diagonal lines.

For the diagonal weave : Pass your yarn through 5th st of 1st ch-5 row ;
continue to the 1st st of next ch-5 row ; 
back through the 5th st of the next row ;
and then onto the 1st st of the next row ;
all the way to the end.

You could decide to repeat this all the way down to get a "X" (Cross) stitch ;
intertwining your contrast colour(s) as you go.

For the straight weave : Pass your contrast yarn from the 1st st of the 1st ch-5 row ;
through to the 1st st of the next ch-5 row ; 
all the way to the end of the scarf as a straight row.

Then re-attach your contrast yarn onto the 5th st of the 1st ch-5 ; and pass it through to the 5th st of the next ch-5 ; 
all the way to the end of the scarf in a straight row.

Using these two weaving designs, create your own individual scarf.

Add as many colors as you'd like to make it as creative and colorful as you desire.

for the photo tutorial

Do remember, as always, that I'd appreciate if you link your project(s) with mine  and if you do like the pattern, do 'favourite' it on Ravelry.

Happy Thanksgiving 

Enjoyed this ?? I sure did.. Come back right here for more freebie patterns

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If you're visiting me here for the first time, and have liked the experience, do add me to your mailing list (for your convenience) , and all my future free patterns will come straight to your mail box.  

I’d appreciate if you could credit my blog (and link the original pattern link) when you make your own creation.  Thanks.

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Have a great day and see you soon. 

Here are some of my other neckwear patterns 



















































































































Tuesday 19 November 2013

MY DIAGONAL SHELLS COWL

Sweet Nothings Crochet pattern blog, paid pattern for a gorgeous shelled cowl,
MY DIAGONAL SHELLS COWL

I recently visited Brisbane (Australia) to spend (our) summer vacations with family.  Brisbane is beautiful.. there is so much to see, so much to do.. our days started early, was packed with interesting activities and ended with a lovely glass o' wine! ;-)

Maya, the lovely dingo kept us busy and on our toes all the time .. and gosh doesn't she look so innocent and cute and ...and oh, I miss her!

She, believe it or not, was a stray at a pound where my sister in law and nieces helped out - and the minute they say Maya, they knew and now Maya (of course) runs not only their lives, but their home too!
I jokingly told my sis that when the aliens looked down on us, they too would know who was the boss ! Maya would decide which route to take for her walk, she'd stop,do her stuff.. we'd pick it up and dispose of it.. she'd wait (im)patiently and then strut off again behind the next smell and we'd (obediently) follow!  That said, I must also  add that Maya is an extremely well behaved dingo and my nieces have done a splendid job in training her.

One such outing included a trip to the beach - which are oh, so pristine.. and so beautiful.  Maya, who loves the beach, bounded off (in that part of the beach where dogs are allowed 'off-collar'), and I meandered off to take a dekho at shells.  As usual, they tantalise, these silly shells,.. they do! They wink at you wickedly as they lie there, half stuck in sand, with the sun picking out the colours, and the water running over them and adding to the rainbow of colours and shapes.. Oh, I did give in, and pick up my share...only to take a good look at them, and then put them right back! :-(.  I'm sure I took photos .. but just can't find them..so this is almost what I saw (pic taken from the web tho)

beautiful blue skies, crystal blue water, light brown sand..and oh the shells!

A germ of an idea.. a shelled creation in crochet.. a scarf.. a shawl..nope a cowl!

So I present to you my Diagonal Shells Cowl.  


Sweet Nothings crochet pattern blog, paid pattern for a gorgeous shelled cowl,

The cowl,  is a very versatile accessory.  I also love that it does not come in the way..it neatly wraps around the neck, can be as long or "drapey" as you (or the person for whom it is intended) wishes.. and looks so beautiful and chic.

Cowls are fun accessories – easy to make, great to wear. This diagonal shells cowl is great as it has shells that are in diagonals! Looks complicated … isn’t.

This cowl has been tested in The Testing Pool.
Here, with DK-ply, its been made in circumferences of 24”, 45” and 60”, with a common width of 9”
This cowl uses the basic stitches : ch, sc, and dc.

Its a quick four-line repeat.
It has been tested using :
1.        4-ply acrylic Oswal Mills (fingering weight yarn) ; 90 g/380 yds ; 4mm (G) hook;
2.      Ice Yarns, fingering weight, 95% Acrylic, 5% Lurex, Brown Gold ; 416yd / 380m ; H/8 hook;
3.      Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn! Solids; 355 yards, 198 grams 1 skein = 355.0 yards (324.6m); 4mm (G) hook ; 4.Filati Deluxe Bebito ; 300 meters, 60 grams 1.2 skeins = 328.1 yards (300.0m) ; 4mm (G) hook;
4.     Vardhaman 4-ply (fingering) ; 4 mm (G) hook, 200 grams
5.      Super Yarn Mart! Ice Yarn ; 5mm (H)
6.     Gala (from Big Lots) ; 100g - 2 skeins
7.      D.K (8-ply) acrylic - varying from 45 g - 85 g (145 - 280 yds)

Though this is a paid pattern, I have loads of free patterns on my blog too.\

If you're visiting me here for the first time, and have liked the experience, do add me to your mailing list (for your convenience) , and all my future free patterns will come straight to your mail box.  

I’d appreciate if you could credit my blog (and link the original pattern link) when you make your own baby dress.  Thanks.

Check out my awesome pins on Pinterest at https://in.pinterest.com/shyamanivas/



And and on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sweet-Nothings-Crochet/248919438644360  for more patterns.

Do follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/ShyamaNivas



Have a great day and see you soon.   

Here are some of my other neckwear patterns