crochet

My church has just started a monthly craft group, and this month our optional project was crochet.  Although my only qualification is that I can crochet, I was the demonstrator today. 

I gathered a few examples of crochet [my work and my grandmother's] to show the ladies he variety and scale of what you can do with crochet.  Everything from Barbie and doll clothes to tablecloths to blankets to teatowels to clothing.  In preparing for today I dug out my current crochet projects so I could continue to work on one - in keeping with my usual craft attention deficit I found at least 5 projects that were ongoing.  I don't even seem to be able to focus on one single project within the same craft genre!!! 

This is what I achieved today. Almost finished a new handtowel for my kitchen.  One project almost complete, 4 more UFO's to go, and a 'wanna do' list that just keeps growing and growing and growing...

Crochet hangers

My grandmother was a prolific crocheter, knitter and sewer.  She used to make crochet covered hangers by the dozen, colour-coordinated to our bedrooms.  I never really appreciated them, and over the years have given a heap away, thinking they were old-fashioned and collected dust.

I decided to learn to crochet them myself.  After scouring the internet for a pattern I came up with one that worked for me, I needed simple to begin with.  I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly and easily they came together.

If you want to make your own, and you can crochet trebles [double-crochet in US terms] then you can make these!!

Just chain 20 to begin with, and then treble crochet in the 3rd chain from the end, all the way back to the beginning.  Then turn, and treble crochet back again.  When your rectangle is as long as your hanger, slip-stitch to join at one end and along the long side of the tube, fit the hanger inside [the hook part should be sticking out where you're joining with slip-stitches] and continue slip-stitching to complete the cover.

You could then embellish by crocheting a scalloped edge or flowers along the bottom, but I was time-pressured so I have left these plain. 

Knitted scarves with more fancy yarns

After my recent scarf knitting success, Miss 8 and Miss 6 asked me to make them a scarf too. So I found a feathery blue yarn [to hide the dropped stitches that were inevitable] and made this up in a few days. Then we found a purple popcorn yarn and I knitted this one:

I am amazed at how quickly I've remembered how to knit. Of course, these are all plain knit. No purl or fancy stitches for me. I may try my hand at some more knitting while the weather stays cool.

Funky Ruffled Scarf - knitted

My MIL went to the textile show at the Brisbane Convention Centre last weekend and then came to visit us. She bought some new yarn called Funky Yarn while she was there for herself and me to try out. It is amazing - one ball does the entire scarf and I knitted it in just a few hours. And I'm NOT a knitter, so it must be easy. This is the very first knitted item I have blogged about because it's the first knitted thing I've made since I learned to knit as a kid. Six stitches on the needle, that's all.
The website that was on the information regarding this product looks to be still under construction so I'm unsure where to obtain more. I've emailed them and hope to have some more information about where to purchase it very soon. It's almost like a lacy mesh wound into a ball of yarn, very beautiful. I'm glad we've had some very cold weather for me to try out my new scarf!!

Crochet string bag - complete

Tonight I finished crocheting my string bag I've been working on for the past few months. I've been working on it in short bursts while waiting in the car for my kids or watching tv. It's made from actual string that I bought from The Reject Shop, not crochet/knitting cotton. My own pattern, made it up as I went along. I think it will be very useful.

Crochet bun covers

A couple of months ago I was complaining that my three ballerinas didn't respect their hair nets and pins as I kept finding them strewn around the house and the nets of course had holes in them!! Those fine Lady Jane hair nets while ESSENTIAL for ballet exams and concerts [it looks like there's no net at all] are NOT GOOD for an 8,6 and 4 year old for their weekly lessons, they get holes in them and are too expensive for single use only.

When I was about 8 and my sister 6 I think our Mum had a similar complaint and my grandmother crocheted us some bun covers in fine cotton. I remember we had two different sizes for our two different hair lengths/thicknesses. I scoured the net and found quite a few free patterns. Here are my first attempts:I got sick of the patterns pretty quickly and just made up my own, once I got a feel for my crochet hook again [I really do enjoy crochet and must pick it up more often]. I whipped all three up one evening in front of the tv. So easy and satisfying to finish something so quickly.

There are some spectacular bun covers online that have beads and sparkles and all manner of pretty additions. When I get my sewing/craft room in order and find my finer crochet thread and beads I may even attempt some. I have absolutely NO IDEA how to incorporate beads into crochet [or knitting for that matter]. Perhaps one of you very talented knitters or crocheters can help me with that puzzle?

Finished crochet shopping bag

Here it is. I've used it a couple of times now & it's deceptively larger than it looks. It can hold 4 medium size teddies quite easily, or spare clothes, or a bit of shopping. The pattern is here:

http://suzies-yarnie-stuff.blogspot.com/2008/05/june-go-green-market-bag.html

I like the shape & structure given to the bag by the cd in the base. I think I'll make another one of these sometime soon.

Busy fingers

I've just spent a week away, but I haven't been idle. Here is my almost finished crochet shopping bag - just need to add handles. I'll post another picture when I'm done. Quite quick to make up actually, which is what I love about crochet. I've enjoyed having a hook in my hand again - it's been ages. I'll post another photo when I'm done.