Sweet Nothings Crochet: November 2016

IRISH LACE FLORAL EAR RING

I was given a photograph and was requested to make this ear ring. This is a pretty pattern and will make an awesome broach / pin too. I have also always wanted to try Irish lace, so thought this would be just the right opportunity to get it all done

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Materials used : Today I’ve used Hilaza Rustica Eclat (made in Mexico), which is a cotton yarn with some iridescence / shiny metallic-like addition in it, with a 1.75 mm crochet hook ; ready-made ear ring hooks (one pair minimum) ; beads, if needed ; faric gb lue to seal ends , Mod Podge to stiffen project

For Indians : Our Indian Red rose metallic cotton ; Red ros e ; unbranded or Anchor knitting cotton will also work. Additionally check 4-ply knitting cotton, White rose knitting cotton too.

For this pattern, you will need a jewelry kit, so check here or here or here ; and you may need small joining rings and if you want beads

International yarns : Among the international yarns I have used in this thickness, I’d suggest Aunt Lydia Cotton 10, Aunt Lydia Bamboo-Viscose 10, DMC Petra, Sullivans knitting cotton (Australia), Milford Soft, Hilaza Rustica Eclat , Alize cotton yarn and Alize bamboo yarn.

Abbreviations used : (Using U.S terminology)

lp(s) : Loop(s) hk : Hook

dc : Double crochet sp : Space

sl-st : Slip stitch ch : Chain

st(s) : Stitch(es)

yo : Yarn Over

Stitches used :

Starting slip knot : https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw

Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs

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

What is a crochet slip stitch : https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw

What is a crochet chain stitch ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXx5ukBjKkY

Magic circle : https://youtu.be/ISC39yOqWro

Single Crochet : Sc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (2 lps on hk); yo, draw through both lps. One sc made. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/ghACqBpA-3k

First stitch for Single Crochet : This is how I like to start my row of sc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/6pVYRfsf4_M

Single crochet back loop only (sc-blo) using 2 colours : Here is an easy video tutorial using 2 colours of yarn https://youtu.be/2ZVW776qcLk

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

How to add beads : https://youtu.be/EcpgMgBox8I

How to work with beads in crochet : https://youtu.be/yanbAnF_pr0

Instructions using U.S terminology

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. For your convenience there video tutorials through the blog too

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.

For this project, I used the inspiration from this pattern write up to create the base leaf http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf51824958.tip.html

And I found a video link for a leaf pattern too http://postila.ru/post/45242602

Yes, it is not in English, but it’s a video, so you'll manage.

And here are more ideas for Irish lace at

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/venetian-leaf-towel-topper and / or http://www.crochetmagazine.com/printer.php?mode=article&article_id=1687

I also found a neat chart for something like a leaf, and this is what I did with that chart. So for this little leaf pattern, we’ll work down the chain, and then work around the last ch st and around the back of the same chain.

Single crochet back loop only (sc-blo) : Here is an easy video tutorial

https://youtu.be/TaQI3Vu9VRQ

You can work either an sc or sc-blo.

I am going to write this as an sc all through, as the sc-blo is just a small tweak, which most beginners may not be able to get done neatly, but if you are an advanced skill crocheter, then you can do all of this anyway – so go ahead, tweak away and create your difference.

Leaf idea :

Start Row 1 : with 15 ch ;

Turn and sc in the 2^nd ch from hk, till the 2^nd last ch from end ;

5 sc in the last ch ;

Turn and working along the back of the same 1^st ch row, sc in the next 12 ch. Turn

Just for your convenience, may I suggest that you find and mark the centre stitch. Our centre stitch is the 3^rd stitch of the 5 sc you worked in the last ch from Row 1.

May I also suggest that you continue to keep a marker in the centre stitch for convenience.

Row 2 : ch 1, sc in the next sc, till the marked sc ;

3 sc in the marked sc ;

sc in the each sc till 3 sc from end. Turn.

Rep Row 2 two more times.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

One little leaf made.

Flower idea :

Start Round 1 : with a magic circle and 12 sc in that circle.

Join with a sl-st to the 1^st sc and pull lightly to close.

Round 2 : sc in the 1^st sc ;

*ch 3, sk next sc, sc in the next sc* ;

rep *to* all around and join with a sl-st to the 1^st sc.

Round 3 : sl-st in the 1^st ch-3 sp ;

*5 dc in the same ch-3 sp ; sl-st in the same ch-3 sp ;

sl-st in the next ch-3 sp* ;

rep *to* all around and join with a sl-st to the 1^st st.

For the next round, we will need to create a round of ch-sps, and for that we will work our spaces from behind this first round of petals we’ve made in Round 3.

So how do you do this ? Well, it’s a lot like working a sc around the post stitch.

So see the sc from Round 2? That’s the st you will work the sc around from the back

To get to the sc from behind, we will use a turning ch, which is the ch-1 we will start with.

Round 4 : ch 1 (as a turning chain) ; sc around the sc from Round 2,

*ch 4, sc around the next sc from Round 2* ;

rep *to* all around

and join with a sl-st to the 1^st st.

Round 5 : sl-st in the 1^st ch-4 sp ;

*6 dc in the same ch-4 sp ; sl-st in the same ch-4 sp ;

sl-st in the next ch-4 sp* ;

rep *to* all around

and join with a sl-st to the 1^st st.

Second round of petals complete.

Once again, let’s work a round of ch-sps for the next round of petals.

Round 6 : ch 1 (as a turning chain) ; sc around the sc from Round 5,

*ch 4, sc around the next sc from Round 5* ;

rep *to* all around

and join with a sl-st to the 1^st st.

Round 8 : sl-st in the 1^st ch-4 sp ;

*7 dc in the same ch-4 sp ; sl-st in the same ch-4 sp ;

sl-st in the next ch-4 sp* ;

rep *to* all around

and join with a sl-st to the 1^st st.

So this completes three rounds of petals on our lovely little flower.

If you decide you want another round, you just go ahead and add another round.

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Finishing :

To make this into a pair of ear rings : Attach yarn to the top of the lil penguin head and attach that yarn to the hook of your ear ring.

OR neatly attach it to the centre of an ear ring hoop.

To make this into a pendant : Attach a little pendant hook onto the centre of the motif and slip it neatly into a necklace chain.

The most important thing is to neatly weave in all ends. Have fun.

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