Tag Archives: Crochet

Corkscrewing Thoughts on the Unfurling Hat

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ScannedImageIt amazes me how something so simple can create such an interesting look. The Unfurling Hat, in the Autumn 2016 issue of Crochet! Magazine is one such design. It is a warm, strong hat that features post stitches. It is these post stitches that create corkscrew effect, or might even be described as a pinwheel kind of look, as it spirals outward from the top and cascades down to the brim.

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Unfurling Hat Autumn 2016 Crochet! Magazine Photo courtesy of Annie’s

The brim is quite generous, and the hat tall. There are a couple of reasons for this, okay, mostly one, I usually have my hair up, and running out in the cold weather I like to be able to throw a hat on and go, not re-do my hair so my hat will fit comfortably and still keep in warm and dry. So by adding a little length to the hat, I can simply put it on and go. It fits over my bun, my pony tail, my French twist. It fits over my clips, and combs, while still doing its job. In addition I think it still looks pretty stylish, while covering up my up-do.

CoverThe design of the post stitches, came out of simple playing again. I had a lush yarn in my hand and I wanted to just crochet, not think, and not work any math, just crochet. The placement of the stitches for this design actually allow me to do that. After you work the first round, the same basic concept works in all subsequent rounds, so I no longer had to think about what stitch I was working. It has a natural organic feel, and works up quickly.

Springy Superwash Yarn!

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ScannedImageYarn with a little spring can keep things interesting; Mountain Colors Crazyfoot is just such a yarn.

Crazyfoot is a 90% superwash merino, 10% nylon, light weight, 4 ply yarn that offers a bit of bounce in the stitches, while having a surprisingly round yarn that gives good stitch definition.

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Mountain Colors Crazyfoot yarn

The superwash indicates that the wool has been chemically treated so that it will not felt. In this processes essentially what happens is that the “scales” on each individual fiber are smoothed or relaxed so that they do not catch on the “scales” of the adjacent individual fibers. It is these “scales” (much like the pictures that hair conditioner commercials have used as a before photo) that join together and attract to each other that causes felting.

The process does not change the other properties of wool, as it is still fire resistant, still warm when wet, still takes dye well, still resists odor absorption, still has great stretch, and still able to wick moisture from the body keeping the body at a neutral body temperature.

When paired with a nylon this becomes a very stable and resilient yarn, that can offer a yarn that will stretch and readily spring back into its original shape. It is great for socks, gloves, hats, any garment with a negative fitting ease (where is stretches over the body and hugs the skin), it could even serve as a good outer garment, yet the weight of the yarn may limit its use in this area.

The yarn has a nice twist that does not readily split and holds its shape nicely. This allows for nice stitch definition, creating stand out for texture stitches. The only deterrent is the dependent upon the color way selected. Some of the short color repeats may cause distractions to more complicated stitch work, but overall it is a yarn that I go back to time and again.

2 Designs, 1 Pattern- Cross-Hatch Wrap, Knit it! Crochet it!

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ScannedImageI always like to create a personal challenge for myself, and in this case it is knitting. I know, I am a crocheter, so why am I challenging myself with knitting? Working with Lisa Souza’s Yarn I have found it interesting how knitters have stopped by her booth over the years, admired my crochet samples, yet upon hearing it is crochet, immediately set it down and walk away stating the “I don’t know how to crochet”. I explain that there are lessons, and they can learn, but they like many others are already happy with the hobbies they have and are not wanting to add additional ones.

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Cross-Hatch Crochet Wrap

So, I decided to show how both art forms could produce a fun project. Cross-Hatch Wrap is the second design I have released that has 2 patterns in one. There is a knit version and a crochet version pattern together. The designs look very similar, yet are created by different methods, and always using only 1 skein of yarn.

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Cross-Hatch Knit Wrap

I will admit that this creates an interesting challenge for me, as I am a very fast crocheter and a very slow knitter. So Lisa Souza has agreed to help by knitting a version for me. It also gives me the opportunity to get some insight into the mind of a knitter. Lisa tells me that I take her out of her comfort zone, and have her looking at her knitting a little differently. I think this is a good thing for anyone. A fresh perspective brings a new understanding, and a burst of growth to the work that you do.

Cross-Hatch Wrap is worked with crossed drop stitches, creating a subtle and alluring effect. The one skein of Baby Alpaca Silk Petite is incredibly soft, and so light that it almost feels like nothing but air. If you either knit or crochet, or need a gift for someone that loves yarn, this design will hopefully have you looking at your own work a little differently, and take you out of your comfort zone, just a bit.

Arya Ebruil Yarn Has Some Definite Possibilities

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ScannedImageYarns with only a single twist can create a unique stitch that is well defined and full, but there can be some draw backs. I experienced these with a new yarn, Nako Arya Ebruil.

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Nako Arya Ebruil yarn

The yarn has beautiful colorways, with long gradient color, so long that it maybe that only the beginning and end use of the skein will share the same tones. It is lovely lace to superfine weight yarn comprised of 80% Acrylic, 10% wool, and 10% Alpaca, so it is not only durable, but has a little extra warmth. The feel is quite soft, and the single strand has a nice twist.

So what is a single strand? Well yarn is usually made up of multiple strands of twisted fiber that are plied together, meaning they twisted together in the opposite direction than they were originally created, it is this tension that creates a study yarn. A single simply means that it is only one, being the initial twist of the fiber, there is no plying with others to create a tension. This does cause some definite positives as it creates a nicely defined stitch, and can easily highlight various stitch work, but there is a drawback, it tends to pill, and is not a yarn that you want to rip back often as it usually snags on itself. This is due to the fact that the individual fibers are not as securely “locked” into the yarn structure and can break free of the twist. All of these characteristics are present in this yarn.

That being said, it still has a nice drape and feel that encourage me to put it to use. I can see where this yarn would lend itself very nicely to a wrap of shawl, possibly even a garment (I would suggest sleeveless, to avoid underarm pilling).

Now I Need My Top- Let the Lace Go

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ScannedImageDesigns come to me in many different ways. Let the Lace Go Top, actually came into being because I wanted to wear it!

The summer of 2015, my good friend Vashti Braha was debuting her yarn, Designing Vashti Lotus to the world in her first show floor booth. I wanted to support her, and since I really like her cotton/rayon yarn, I wanted to make something for myself to wear.

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Let the Lace Go Top Autumn 2016 Crochet! Magazine Photo courtesy of Annie’s

I began working the vertical body, and almost had it together, when I received a call for submissions for Crochet! Magazine. Even though I liked the top for myself, I decided to submit the idea to the magazine. Ultimately it would benefit my friend more to have my design shared with the world, so others can see what a great yarn she has.

Ellen Gormley loved the top, and so I set my personal top aside to complete the project for the magazine. It 8is now available to you in the Autumn 2016 issue of Crochet! Magazine.

I think it came out great! I like working the fabric vertically as I feel it lends itself to a more slimming line, and the lace on top gives it a lighter feel. There is some interesting construction in this design, as you work the solid body first, then begin the lace in to round. After the lace is a couple of inches long, you attach it to the solid body and continue toward the neck, working in decreases to come over the shoulders to the neck.

CoverI added beads to the lace edging, as a little extra highlight, but also for the practice purpose of helping to keep the lace draping in a manner I like.

Personally I love the color, but it can easily shine in any color. I still haven’t actually finished one for myself…but hopefully soon…it just happens to be another project that is resting on my hook.