Tag Archives: Linda Dean

New Again, at Least to Me- Clone Knots

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ScannedImageSometimes we find inspiration for crochet in unusual places, sometimes it is just looking at a traditional method in a different light.

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Clone Knots

For me the Clone Knot is one of those stitches that I never really knew existed until I took a thread crochet class from Kathy Earle at a CGOA conference/Knit & Crochet Show a couple of years ago. The class on Irish Crochet really expanded my knowledge, I usually do not work with thread and tiny hooks, however I really have a new level of respect for those that do. I took some of my new found skills and applied them to my yarn crochet, and the clone knot fit into this very well.

The clone knot is essentially a multiple of loops placed on the hook and worked together creating a bump of material in the middle of a set of chains. It creates a unique textural and visual impact to open fabric work, and in Irish crochet is often worked in between motifs during the joining process.

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Bring the hook under the working yarn.

To create this stitch, begin by chaining a couple of chains, then place the hook under the working yarn, rotate the hook 360° and place in under the working yarn again. Placing the hook under the working yarn and rotating the hook causes a loop of yarn to be placed on the hook and twisted to stay in place.

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Twist hook counter-clockwise 360 degrees

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Bring hook under yarn again, and re twist clockwise 360 degrees.

After working this motion a few times or the number indicated in the pattern, yarn over and pull through all the loops. Then chain a couple of more times, now comes the part of securing the stitch. Pull the chain taught and push the loops toward the working end of the chains. You should feel or hear a small pop; this is essentially that you are sliding the loops over the adjacent chain causing it to become secure.

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Yarn over and pull through all the loops on the hook.

This unique stitch does have a slight disadvantage to what you usually expect from crochet, it is difficult to rip back, as securing it makes the stitch more difficult, as it creates what its name implies, a knot.

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Pull chain taught and push Clone Knot toward working end of the chain to secure it in place, you will feel or hear a “pop”.

I hope you give this embellishment a try, add it to an edging, an place of open work, any where you want something a little different.

Swirling Into Spring- My First Design In Interweave Crochet

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ScannedImageThe calendar says that it is almost the season or renewal and rebirth; spring. I just wish I could have seen a winter first, I think it skipped California again this year, however it still is a perfect time to welcome the bright colors, fresh ideas and clean lines. The Spring 2015 issue of Interweave Crochet highlights these; Okay I am a little biased, I have a design in this current issue. This is the first time I have had a design grace the pages of this publication, and it is a design I am a little amazed at how great it is. Spring15%20Cover%20resize

I used some different techniques in the Swirl Skirt, and they came together in a wondrous harmony. For one thing it utilizes an invisible increase, created by increases that seem almost random, but the locations are actually strategically placed to ensure a great curve over the hips while still ensuring a smooth drape to the fabric. The increases are not worked in the same stitch as ones worked in the pattern repeat, but in other parts of the stitch so that it does not create a large gather of stitches.

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Swirl Skirt Photo courtesy of Interweave Crochet/ Harper Point Photography

The most noticeable element of this skirt is the doodle on the thigh. When taking notes or writing I often make scrolling doodles on a paper, and the inspiration for this skirt is no different. It actually was a sketch I was doodling while on the telephone and my hand simplified other scrolls down to this simple swirl. I feel it adds a little something extra while also lengthening the appearance of the leg. It is created by crocheting into chain spaces that are placed in the pattern of the skirt, making an easy to locate stitch location, as well as not having to crochet around parts of a stitch, but directly into a chain space.

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Dual Button Closure Photo courtesy of Interweave Crochet/Harper Point Photography

I was really please with how the closure worked for this skirt. The waistband has a dual button closure located on the inside of the band, resulting in a clean finish appearance. It also makes it rather easy to custom fit, as you can move the button location to receive the best fit. I also feel that the two-tone color contrast of the band brings a highlight to a slimming waist appearance.

Now I just have to create one for myself, and I’ll be all set for a night off my mountain and on the town.

New Approaches to Broomstick Lace- The Bombay Vest with Elongated Loops

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ScannedImageIn case you haven’t noticed I enjoy playing with stitch techniques and my latest design is no different.

With the Bombay Vest, in The April 2015 of Crochet World, I was playing with broomstick lace. This classic crochet technique is one that I find has a great untapped potential. It creates such a iconic “peacock eye” appearance, but what if you use those loops a little differently?Crochet World_April2015_Cover

For someone new to the concept of broomstick lace, it is a process in which you pull loops through a crochet base and over a large knitting needle (or as in times past a broomstick, hence the name; although it can also go by Jiffy Lace due to a long ago popular pattern). Once all these loops are placed on a needle, they are then grouped, usually in sets of 4-5 loops and single crochets are worked into the set of loops. The single crochet is most traditional, but any stitch can be used to solidify these loops into a group.

One of the ways I decided to play with this stitch was to simply twist the loops before filling it with stitches. This gives a very different positive/negative space appearance, almost more silhouetted, making you recognize the space between the set of stitches then the loops of “eye” created in the center.

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Bombay Vest- April 2015 issue Crochet World Photo courtesy of Annie’s

Then I took this one step further, by attempting to create 2 different heights of lace using the same knitting needle. One of the limitations with broomstick lace, in my opinion, is that the height of the row is limited by the size of the knitting needle (or broomstick) you are using. Yes, this tool gives you even and consistent loops, but often they are smaller then I might like, I want something really open, really tall. So I found that I could accomplish this by using every other loop of a set, and pulling the unused loops back into the ones that I have selected. As a result I have a loop set that is twice as tall as the needle created. (To get a better visual of this effect, please watch my video here). My only note of caution is to make sure that if you are going to pull up loops that you make sure that you do not drop the last loop from the needle, make sure that this is a loop that you elongate the length on, as it is part of the last stitch of the row below, and you do not want this to unravel.

When playing with these techniques I ended up creating a swatch, almost by accident, and thought it offered a great, almost retro feel, and immediately thought of a vest to wear. Then to find the proper yarn, I was looking for something that was not to springy and offered great drape, so Paton’s Bamboo Silk worked as an easy fit. This is a fun work project to work up, but I have to say I really enjoy the approach to the technique. So I hope that you consider giving it a try and see what broomstick lace can have the potential of being.

Blossom Spins and Flowers on the Beach Thoughts

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ScannedImageThis is a busy time of year. All the work that filled my days at the end of summer is now making its way onto the newsstands to be enjoyed!

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Photo courtesy of Annie’s

The special issue of Crochet! Magazine, Quick & Easy Crochet Accessories features two of my new designs (one if actually featured on the issue cover!), and I thought that I would share some of what went into creating them.

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Blossom Spins Wrap Photo courtesy of Annie’s

The first one, the Blossom Spins Wrap, grew out of some playing I was doing with the picot stitch. The picot is usually noticed in edges and is created from a set of chains that are slip stitched back to the same base stitch. This creates a little nub, or dot, along the stitch pattern. I was attempting to see what other secrets this little decorative stitch might hold. In doing so I made the chains a little longer and now created a loop that could become the foundation for other stitches! In the case of the wrap these picots hold a shell stitch that allows for a subtle wave, making these square motifs appear more like diamonds.

The other real charm of this design, the color work, is all done by the yarn. Both of these designs I am discussing are created with Deborah Norville Serenity Garden Yarn, it is a light weight yarn that is silky and soft. It comes in a wide array of color ways and creates lovely striping, and in the result of the motifs, creates a beautiful speckling of color highlights.

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Flowers on the Beach Photo courtesy of Annie’s

The other design, the Flowers on the Beach Bag, came into being from the flowers. The flowers are a design that I have played with, creating the petals large and wide in just a single row, and then basically outlining the edge of the flower by working a round of single crochet directly on top. I have found that I really enjoy these flowers, and they, like the motifs in the wrap, offer a great way for the color of the yarn to create a fun dimension. The mesh bag that the flowers are worked onto is quite simple and easily collapses, not taking up much room when being stored, but then can readily carry all the necessities for a day at the farmer’s market or a picnic at the beach.

In retrospect these designs really sing due to the color of the yarn, the structure of the designs themselves hold a good positive and negative space, but the color is what catches your eye and draws you in more. I might have to play with some more color changes and see how that can affect the outcomes of designs that I feel are missing something….you’ll never know when the right combination will come together.

Elegant Crochet Jewelry Made Easy- Formal Jewelry by Karen McKenna

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ScannedImageI always keep an eye out for something new to learn, something to new to inspire me, something new to my bookshelf. I definitely think that the latest book by Karen McKenna, Formal Jewelry from Leisure Arts, fits that bill. (Find it on Amazon here)

FJ CoverKaren has a design style that is professional, clean, trendy, yet polished, and it is definitely apparent in the design she shares in this book . This downloadable book offers projects that are simple to construct, and need only basic crochet skills, but have an elegant appearance. The biggest learning concept for me was the use of jewelry tools, clasps and the approach to using beads. There are links to “how to videos” throughout this book. I think that almost every step has a tutorial so that even the most inexperienced stitcher or crafter can produce the stunning pieces. However as I live in an area with limited internet availability I did not personally use the videos, but even without the videos the instructions are quite clear and easy to follow.

Double Pearl NecklaceMany of the beads are pearls (I am a sucker for pearls), but I can easily see how these formal designs can be made into everyday wear by changing to a less formal bead. The barefoot sandals are quite nice. I could see these as fun additions to a day on the beach as well as enjoyed by several dancer friends, as well as the intended purpose of formal wear.Silver Barefoot Sandal-001

I think my biggest take away from this book is how to get a very professional finish to crochet jewelry. The section on finishing actually focuses directly on working with crochet chains and how to use them with jewelry components effectively.

If you are having a big event upcoming in your life, or the life of a loved one, or simply like elegant jewelry I suggest that you download a copy of this book and give the skills a whirl, I am sure you will enjoy your finished product!