Tag Archives: 30 days of Blog

April – Square Eight

April – Square Eight

April’s second square is blessedly more simple than the daffodil debacle.  Yellow isn’t normally my color.  Maybe I’m just not the bright and cheery personality that it implies, but it’s normally not the first color I would select.  But I figured an April square for spring time would be yellow.  And I was surprised to find myself refreshed by this little gem.  The square is a little more than basic with an offset diamond in the center which requires a bit of shaping, and two chain-2 spaces at the center of each side to mix things up a little bit.

The original inspiration for the square can be found here but I’ve modified it and written my own pattern again.  My pattern can be found on Ravelry, here.  Additionally, I have added an optional replacement to round 5  to close the chain-2 spaces on each side and make solid rows instead.  I think I like the open spaces however.

I have also added this to my Ravelry store as a downloadable PDF.  Download here!

Required Materials:

  • Yarn Color A – Yellow for diamond
  • Yarn Color B – White

Square:

Round 1: With Color A, sl st in a magic ring, ch 3, 2 dc in ring, ch 2, (3 dc, ch 2 in ring) 3 times, join with sl st in top ch of beg ch 3, pull tail of magic ring tight to close ring to complete round.

Round 2: Sl st across to corner ch 2 sp, (ch 3 (counts as beg dc), (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in same space) ch 2 [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in next ch 2 sp, ch 2] 3 times, join with sl st in top of beg ch 3.

Round 3: Ch 1, sc in same st, and next 2 dc, [3 sc in corner ch-3 sp, sc in each of next 3 dc, ch 2, skip next ch-2 sp, sc in each of next 3 dc] 3 times, 3 sc in corner ch-2 sp, sc in each of next 3 dc, ch 2, join with sl st in beg sc. Finish off.

Round 4: Join Color B with sc in the second sc of any corner, ch 2,  (4 dc, ch 2, 4 dc) in next ch-2 sp, ch 2  (this will be the new corner);  [sc in the second sc of the next corner, ch 2, (4 dc, ch 2, 4 dc) in the next ch-2 sp, ch 2] 3 times, join with sl st in beg sc.

Round 5: Ch 4 (beg dc plus ch-2), skip next ch-2 sp, dc in next dc and in each across to corner ch-2 sp, [ (2dc, ch 2, 2 d) in corner, dc in each dc across to next ch-2 sp, ch 2, skip ch-2 sp, dc in next st, ch 2, skip next ch-2 sp, dc in next dc and in each across to corner ch-2 sp] repeat from [ to ] twice more, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in corner, dc in each dc across to next ch-2 sp, ch 2, join with sl st to beg dc.  Finish off.

Optional Round 5: Ch 2, 2 dc in next ch2 space and in each dc across to corner ch-2 sp, [ (2dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in corner, dc in each dc across to next ch-2 sp, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next st, 2 dc in next ch-2 sp, dc in next dc and in each across to corner ch-2 sp] repeat from [ to ] twice more, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in corner, dc in each dc across to next ch-2 sp, 2 dc in ch-2 sp,  join with sl st to beg dc.  Finish off.  Continue each round going forward by double crocheting straight across each row instead of completing the chain 2 spaces.

Round 6: Join color A with sl st in any corner ch-2 sp, ch 2 (counts as beg dc now and throughout) (dc, ch 2, 2 dc in same sp) [dc in each dc across to next ch-2 sp, ch 2, skip ch-2 sp, dc in next st, ch 2, skip next ch-2 sp, dc in next dc and in each across to corner ch-2 sp, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in corner] repeat from [ to ] twice more, dc in each dc across to next ch-2 sp, ch 2, skip ch-2 sp, dc in next st, ch 2, skip next ch-2 sp, dc in next dc and in each across to beg dc, join with sl st to beg dc

Round 7: ch 2, dc in next dc, [ (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in corner, dc in each dc across to next ch-2 sp, ch 2, skip ch-2 sp, dc in next st, ch 2, skip next ch-2 sp, dc in next dc and in each across to corner ch-2 sp] 3 times (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in corner, dc in each dc across to next ch-2 sp, ch 2, skip ch-2 sp, dc in next st, ch 2, skip next ch-2 sp, dc in next dc and in each across to beg dc, join with sl st to beg dc. Finish off.

Repeat rounds 6 and 7 changing colors until desired size is reached.  Weave all yarn ends and block your work.

*Note: I only repeated round 6 once in white and then completed an edging round of single crochet to remain within the 7 inches for the squares that I am completing for the Granny Square Project.

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Filed under 30 Days of Blog - 2014, For Sale On Ravelry, Patterns, The Granny Square Project

April – Square Seven

April – Square Seven

April’s first square is a daffodil.  To give credit, I got the pattern here on Craftsy, for $3.99 but the pattern actually irritated me quite a bit.

It was very poorly written.  Many of the instructions were incomplete and unprofessional.  For example, when changing colors the instructions failed to indicate to finish off.  This even included the end of the pattern.  This may seem obvious, but most crochet instructions indicate that you should not finish off unless instructed to do so.

Some of the spacing  in attaching the daffodil petals to the green were just wrong in my opinion.  Also, the language used for many crochet instructions was not what is normally used in pattern instructions.  “Sc into ring” is used instead of “sc in ring.”  Into is just not necessary.  “Arches” is used instead of ch-2 space.

I did not like how the block went from circle to square by working 3 dcs in between stitches instead of having made a ch 1 space in the previous row for that purpose as is usual with granny squares.

captured_by_snapseed_28_1The pattern is marked as easy but I strongly disagree with that.  I was able to figure it out and get it to work, however I don’t think that a beginner would have been able to pick it up and get a good result without help.  For example, a picot stitch is used for the tip of the flower petals, however the pattern does not give specific stitch instructions for a picot.  There are two issues with this.  One: A picot is not a beginner stitch, it is a more advanced stitch.  Two:  There can be different ways of doing a picot so stitches like this should never be assumed.  Additionally, 3-d work and shaping are generally not considered beginner level.  I would really consider this more intermediate to advanced.

Finally, the thing that irritated me the most is the trumpet of the daffodil.  The instructions say to work a round of single crochet in the front loop only of round 1.  This would be great except that round 2 was NOT worked only in the back loop of round 1 so it was extremely difficult to work into the front loop of round 1.

All that being said, the square turned out very charming with another 3-d aspect.  But I think I’ll take time tomorrow to rewrite the pattern and make these corrections mentioned and see if it turns out any better.

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March – Square Six

March – Square Six

March – Square Six

I’m finally back on the Granny Squares.  This shamrock square turned out really cute.  It’s hard to see in this picture, however the square is crocheted behind the shamrock giving it a 3D quality.

The shamrock is worked first and I used the same shamrock as my St. Patrick’s Day Garland. The rest is worked the same as  January’s Square One again, starting with round 2 joined to the back of the shamrock.  It is really easier than it might seem.

This square, as with all of them really, will look much better after I get it blocked.

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Disregard the Grey Hair Please

CAM01123_1Yes, it’s there.  I know it’s there.  No I’m not going to dye it.  And no, I’m not going to pull it out.  It’s already fine enough to begin with.  So, now that we’ve gotten that over with…

captured_by_snapseed_19_1This tape turned out really nice.  Doesn’t hurt that it’s my favorite color.  After blocking, I went ahead and did some starching to give it a little substance.  Then I attached some elastic and single crocheted over it to cover that up.  I’d like to do one with some beading in it maybe.  Plus, there are several other different types of tape that I would like to try out as well.

I’m going to do a few of these for my Sister to take to a Bridal Fair she’s got coming up.  Go visit her over at Vintage Wedding Gems to find out more about it!  Right now I’m working on washing out some old doilies and table runners so I can re-purpose the thread for new projects.  I think I’ll do a few of these in that thread.

captured_by_snapseed_20_1I did get started back on the Granny Squares today.  I’ll post that tomorrow.

 

 

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Beautiful Blocking

Before Blocking

Before Blocking

Just a quick update.  I’ve got the tape washed and blocked.  It really makes a big difference to take time and finish like this.  Pieces look so much more professional and crisp, no matter what they are.

After Blocking

My sister said she would loan me a Styrofoam manikin head so as soon as I have that I’ll starch it.  I want to put at least a light shaping to it.  Then I’ll add the elastic.

Monday it’s back to the Granny Squares.  I need to do a second square for March to start off with.  Then I need to do squares for April through June for a total of 7 squares to be caught up.  I suspect that will take me more than just next week.

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Crocheted Tape

Tape 1

I’ve been wanting to try this crocheted tape for a while now.  The pattern is a tutorial on YouTube and you can find it by clicking on the first image.

 

Tape 2It’s a neat but simple pattern that could be very versatile.  It could be used for edgings, jewelry,  or part of an Irish crochet piece.  I could even add beading to it to set it off and make it heavier.  This one I think I’m going to make into a headband.  Right now I’m blocking it so we’ll see how it looks when I’m done. Then I’ll connect the ends with some elastic and crochet around that to cover it.  I need to find a Styrofoam manikin head to use for setting it after starching.

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Before-And-After

Before Two-Year-Old

Sephy loves her baby-doll.  She took it to the Dr’s office with us last night when we went to get G-man weighed.  Then she wanted to take her to daycare with her this morning and I had to talk her into leaving her at home because, “She’s a super-special present just for her and didn’t she want to keep her nice and safe at home?”

Baby

With her new baby-doll

She definitely enjoyed playing with her – taking her out of the basket, hugging her and rocking her, putting her back in the basket and covering her up…

 

 

 

After Two-Year-Old

After Two-Year-Old

 

 

 

Here is the same poor baby-doll last night after a few hours play.  I knew I should have tacked that pillow in.  I have absolutely no idea where it is – I looked.

 

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Completed Baby Doll

Baby

Here it is, all finished up.  I just love it, and I can’t wait to give it to Sephy tonight.  If she were a little bit older she would probably be asking me to make her doll clothes after this.  As it is, I might have to find a “dolly and me” pattern to make her and another baby doll she has matching dresses.

I’ll try to post a picture of her with her new doll tomorrow.

I love the feeling of finishing a project, especially when it’s a gift for someone!

BabyI know that I need to get caught up on my Granny Square Project, but I’m going to take a couple of days and work on some Irish Crochet tape I’ve been wanting to make. We’ll start back up with the Grannies on Monday.

 

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One Day More

Baby

Ok, is this not incredibly adorable?

After the gauge issues I had with the basket I dropped down a hook size and that seems to have resolved my issues for the most part.  The bumper was still slightly too big in circumference for the basket, but fortunately the little pucker can be hidden behind the pillow.  The sleeper seems to have come out nicely though.  I started and finished that up today.

BabyThe pattern didn’t call for it, and you can’t see it very well in the picture, but I felt the sleeper needed an edging at the neckline and ties at the back.  So I added that in the contrasting color white yarn.  That will also help keep my daughter from undressing the poor baby.

I must say also that I really like the baby that came with this kit versus the one pictured.  It’s got a cute smile and actual glass eyes instead of painted ones.

The only thing I have left to do is the bonnet.  I’m hoping to get that done tomorrow.

 

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Weekend Fail

Baby

So I failed at posting this weekend.  The kids have me two against one since Husband is working weekends now and it’s just too hard to get posts in those days.  I might have to just stick to posting during the week.

I got a little bit done on Sephy’s gift Saturday.  I started the basket’s bumper and finished it up on my breaks today.  BabyThe four ties that attach it to the handles are supposed to be sewn to the bumper but instead I made half of the chains and then joined them with single crochets to the bumper and completed the rest of the chains.  This was easier and seemed like it would be more secure to me.

I think it’s looking pretty cute and all I have left to do is the baby’s sleeper and bonnet.  I’m started to get excited about giving it to her.

 

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Filed under 30 Days of Blog - 2014, Baby, Gifts