Sweet Nothings Crochet: December 2016

photo of crochet xmas tree, crochet decoration

A SUPERB LITTLE XMAS TREE

I am in the process of making a whole load of little things to send off to a really good friend for Christmas, and this is the first blog on the huge basket that’s headed her way. It’s a huge surprise (I hope) that her husband and I are orchestrating .. so fingers crossed that it’s all gonna work out OK.

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Materials used : Today I’ve used some of our lovely Indian Vardhaman acrylic yarn with a 3 mm crochet hook ; a little embroidery thread ; embroidery needle ; fabric glue to seal ends ; crochet stitch markers ; poly-fill stuffing ; stocking net ; beads n more ; satin ribbon

For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red rose , 4-ply knitting cotton , or unbranded knitting cotton or White Rose or bamboo knitting cotton , Milk cotton ; Silk yarns as well as Oswal 4-ply yarn ; Baby soft acrylic yarn , Ganga Spectrum as well

General yarn info : The yarn used today is not specific to this pattern.

You can use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this project to any size.

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 , Lily Sugar n' Cream cotton yarn, Caron Simply Soft , Bernat Softee chunky.

Abbreviations used :

ch : chain ch-sp : chain space

sp : space rep : Repeat

fsc : Foundation single crochet

dc : Double crochet

Stitches used :

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

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

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

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

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

Whipstitch to join : https://youtu.be/wZ-9LNzftMA

Invisible join : https://youtu.be/a6XZQ6VzJFM

Single crochet to join : https://youtu.be/6FXoW_47_dI

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.

Sometime back I saw this awesome video for a Christmas tree shared on Facebook. Obviously, it went into my “Must do” list and then this opportunity presented itself.

I should also say that this oh, so easy (literally) 5-minute craft video is all that it purports to be – it does take just 5 minutes.

This is not really a crochet project though, unless you are going to make some crochet little hanging objects off the tree – but it is such a cute end product that it must be shown.

I also love to check out all the crafts that *seem* so easy, to double check that they really are.. and this one, I give a huge tick.. IT IS THIS EASY!

For this project, I’ve used the free pattern from this stunning video called how to make a DIY Zen Garden at https://youtu.be/_lsk--Q5RMA

The wonderful designer in this video has made a lot more stunning things but I've only made the Xmas tree from here. I oh, so loved the little snowman and the sled, but that's kept on a back burner for another date.

Three pom pom starting bits made...

crochet xmas tree, crochet xmas decoration

Tree done

Tree base attached and decorated

No tree base needed

and both trees ready to be shipped out!

For the Xmas tree, I used green Indian Vardhaman Millenium DK acrylic 4-ply yarn and for the off-white one, I’ve used BernatBaby Coordinates.

I used a small circular piece of thermocol for the base of the green tree and masked the end of the base with a shiny silver lace to give it a cuter “WOW” effect.

This is a tree meant for the inside of the house, so it has a stand.
The white tree is meant to be a real tree that is standing outside, in your garden, all laden heavy with snow, so one can’t really see the base of the tree, as it’s embedded in the snow.
Now ain’t that a lovely picture I’ve painted?

Right then.. go ahead and click on that link.. and enjoy this 1-2-3 craft.

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Thursday, 29 December 2016

A SUPERB LITTLE XMAS TREE