I've been crazy busy writing and whipping up a lovely crochet shawl pattern that will debuting (in a collection that I also helped edit) this Friday at Vogue Live. As soon as it is live, I will be hooting up a storm about it, but I've been trying to not say anything about it. You don't know how difficult it has been! I can't shut up at the best of times.
Anyhow, I just got a little thrill today when a friend let me know that one of my patterns was mentioned in Alana Dakos' blog Never Not Knitting as one she used for making a gift for a friend. Check out the little knitted owl on her post here. The pattern (seen above) is Owls Two Ways, and both the crochet version and the knitted version are on the same pattern. Yay for little owls!
Whew! It has been a whirlwind of a month! First of all - Happy Day After Valentine's Day! I made these little crochet hearts for my family yesterday as my gift. But we celebrate for a few days, as love is important every day. I hope you are having a break in the cold (or hot) weather wherever you are. It has been crazy here! I live in central Texas, and while it gets a little cold here in the winter, it doesn't normally get below freezing for days and days! I know the weather has been horrid so far this year, but I hope it has given you a chance to snuggle up and craft.
I have been BUSY sample making for both of the yarn shops where I teach. I just found out yesterday (by randomly checking the schedule) that I will be teaching an extra class at the end of the month. So I whipped up an amigurumi cupcake (and a pattern) just for that. I might even be tempted to post it up.
In other news, I have been writing a blog post for a locally-based garment company - Emilime. I hope to write more of those soon, as well as getting a chance to blog here more.
Also, I have jumped into writing knitting patterns with charts using a bit of computer software. I will post soon to review the software I got last week.
Back to sample making - the set I am doing now is for a 5 month series - Countdown to Harry Potter - 8 Harry Potter-themed projects that are a mixture of knitted projects and crocheted projects. (Including 3 designs from me!) Check back soon for a full list of patterns!
·Black worsted weight yarn (I used Lamb’s Pride Worsted in Onyx)
·Dark grey worsted weight yarn (I used Lion Cashmere Blend in Charcoal)
·Fiberfill or stuffing of your choice
·Small burgundy ribbon rose (available at craft/fabric stores – or make your own)
·Black felt (6mm/ 1/4 “ circles for eyes)
·Light grey felt (12mm/ 1/2 " circles for cheeks)
·Black thread
·Light grey thread
·Burgundy embroidery thread
·Size E (3.50 mm) or F (3.75 mm) hook, depending on how tightly you stitch
(I used an E hook.)
·Yarn needle, embroidery needle and sewing needle for finishing.
·Stitch marker to mark beginning of rounds.
·Blocking pins to block chain loops.
Abbreviations used (American):
ch – chain
dec – decrease (single crochet decrease)
R – round
sc – single crochet
sk – skip
sl st – slip stitch
st(s) – stitch(es)
* - repeat directions between pairs of asterisks the number of times indicated
Directions:
Cupcake Bottom – use dark grey yarn
Rounds are spirals, you’ll have to mark 1st stitch of each round.
R1 – Make magic loop and make 6 sc in loop; 6 sts.
R2 – Join and tighten loop; 2 sc in each st; 12 sts.
R3 - * 1 sc, 2 sc in next sc*- 6 times; 18 sts.
R4 - * 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc* - 6 times; 24 sts.
R5 - * 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc* - 6 times; 30 sts.
R6 - * 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc* - 6 times; 36 sts.
R7 – Through back loops only - * 4 sc, dec 1* - 6 times; 30 sts.
R8 - *4 sc, 2 sc in next sc* - 6 times; 36 sts.
R9 & 10– Sc 36; 36 sts.
R11 - *5 sc, 2 sc in next sc* - 6 times; 42 sts.
R12-14 – Sc 42; 42 sts.
Bind off, secure loose ends.
Cupcake Top –use black yarn
Rounds are again spirals.
R1 – Make magic loop and make 6 sc in loop; 6 sts.
R2 – Join and tighten loop; 2 sc in each st; 12 sts.
R3 - * 1 sc, 2 sc in next sc*- 6 times; 18 sts.
R4 - * 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc* - 6 times; 24 sts.
R5 - * 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc* - 6 times; 30 sts.
R6 - * 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc* - 6 times; 36 sts.
R7 - *5 sc, 2 sc in next sc* - 6 times; 42 sts.
R8-11 – Sc 42; 42 sts.
Continue to make chained edge:
R12 – *Sl st 1, Chain 7, skip 5, sl st 1* - 6 times; 54 sts.
R13 - *Sl st 1, Chain 10, skip chained 7, sl st 1; 84 sts.
Bind off, leave 18” tail to sew cupcake halves together.
Finishing:
·Attach ribbon rose to cupcake top as pictured.
·Attach felt eyes with black thread as pictured.
·Using light grey thread, make 2 or 3 stitches on black felt eyes, slightly to the right and down from the center of the eye.
·Attach light grey felt cheeks.
·With burgundy embroidery thread, stitch 2 straight lines as pictured for mouth.
·With tail of black yarn and yarn needle, sew top and bottom pieces together, catching top chain of each grey stitch from cupcake bottom and the back of each black stitch from the final sc round from the cupcake top.Stitch until only 2” (5 cm) of the piece is still open.
·Fill with stuffing, being careful not to overstuff.
·Finish stitching piece together.
·Mist top chains with water until fairly wet, and pin chains into place with blocking pins until dry.
·When piece is dry, remove pins and scare your neighbors with your gothic goody.
