Making the Prim Wristers from Crocheting Clothes Kids Love

Since our book, Crocheting Clothes Kids Love came out, my daughter has been asking me to make her the Prim Wristers, designed by my co-author, Ellen Gormley. I was between projects last week, so I decided to surprised her with a pair! I had just enough Classic Elite Liberty Print Wool leftover from the Caravan Scarf to make them. I had to engineer the yarn a bit by cutting out a few gold and pink sections as I worked, to make the writers both be essentially purple. I was able to crochet the first one while waiting at school, and the other in the evening of the same day. The second wrister went much faster of course, since I was more familiar with the pattern. So satisfying to crochet!  They took less than a skein of yarn, and I was able to finish them in the spare time I had in the day!

My daughter has hardly taken them off, since I gave them to her! The stitch pattern is very interesting and is a good exercise in making post stitches. I also like how it looks on the back side, especially in variegated yarn. I think they could easily be reversible for a different look. If I can get her to take them off long enough, I will add a photo to this post of the back side of the stitch pattern.

I am planning to make her a sparkly gold pair, the next time I am between projects!

The Roundel Scarf for It Girl Crochet!

It Girl Crochet by Sharon Zientara has just been released, and that means that I can finally talk about my Roundel Scarf that is in the book. Sharon sent the contributing designers the loveliest most thoughtful submission call for this book. Since I love designing accessories, this was an exciting email to receive! The original title of this book was Boutique Crochet, which led me in the direction of creating something you wouldn't be able to buy at a regular chain store. Something special and unique. Some of my favorite techniques are combined in this project, including embroidery embellishment, the coin fringe, and combining multiple elements. You might learn a few new tricks when making this scarf!

In the joining of the circles and crocheting the edging, the pattern often refers to the horizontal loop under the front loop of stitches in the circles. It is very important to the look of the finished scarf that you know where to locate this loop. 

I have made a sample marking the loops on the circle so you know exactly where to find the horizontal loops:

Front of Circle, illustrating the top two loops of the triple crochet

Side View, illustrating the the top two loops and the horizontal loops in orange

Back side of circle showing the location of the horizontal loops

Another view of the back side of the circle to show the location of the horizontal loops

I have another tip on how to keep your pieces organized when you are making this scarf, as well as some details of my inspiration and design process, over on the Crochet Me blog.

In my next blog post, I will talk more about my original vision for the scarf, and give you an idea as to how to give the scarf a different look. Stay tuned!

Introducing the Garden Party Necklace Pattern

Spring is definitely here where I live, and it seems like a nice time to release a new pattern with a garden theme! This is a great pattern when you want to make something that you can complete quickly with a small amount of yarn. The super bulky yarn helps to make it work up fast, and it makes the necklace into an eye-catching statement piece.

Here are the pattern details:

Skill level: Advanced Beginner/ Intermediate

Length: 22” (56cm)

MATERIALS

Yarn: Schachenmayr Nomotta “Boston”, 60 yds /55m, 1.75oz/50g 

Super Bulky Weight (3 sts= 1”)

Color A (Leaves and Stems): #071 Sage Green

Color B (Flower Buds): #035 Fuchsia

Hook size: N/13 (9.00mm) 

This pattern is now available as a download for $1.99. A stitch diagram for the necklace is included in the pattern.

In honor of National Crochet Month, from March 28-April 11th, all proceeds from the sale of this pattern will go to the Crochetville Designer Blog Tour's chosen charity for this year: Halos of Hope.

I hope that this next year of crochet is a happy, creative, and productive one for all!

The Caravan Scarf From Crocheting Clothes Kids Love

There are about 2 weeks until the official release of Crocheting Clothes Kids Kids Love! I am practically counting the minutes!

Some of the projects in the book were ideas I had been dreaming about before I knew I was going to write a book. The Caravan Scarf is one of them. I adore triangular scarves and think they look so stylish, especially when worn with the bottom corner in the front, as shown above. I also love unusual trims and fringes, and was inspired by scarves I have seen that are edged with metal coins. I combined both things to make a really fun, unique scarf that could easily be made larger for an adult by crocheting more rows. A darker colorway would also add sophistication. You could leave off the coin fringe if you want a simpler version. In future blog posts I will tell you  more ways you can use the patterns in the book to make accessories for adults.

My 7 year old daughter loves to have accessories that match mine. When I can, I love to adapt my adult patterns to work for children. Some of my favorite adaptations are the Girl's Tendril Wrap, Girl's Echelon Hat, and Little Genevieve's Belt.

This was the first project I made for the book. I was so enamored with Classic Elite's Liberty Wool Light yarn, that I couldn't wait to work with it and see how the colors were going to come out. It really is a surprise in every row! I spent such a long time trying to chose which color I wanted to order for this scarf. When you see the color selection, you will know what I mean. It was almost impossible to choose one, they are all so beautiful! I am seriously considering ordering more colorways of this yarn, because it is really so gorgeous and lovely to crochet with. I would love to see how each colorway comes out in the scarf. The pattern is easy to memorize, so you can just have the fun of making the stitches and seeing what color comes up next!

I was surprised when I opened the box, to find that each skein of a colorway appears so different! I had to check the color numbers on each skein's label to be sure they were the same! You have to decide which skein to start with, based on the color you want to have at the middle of the top of the scarf. You can't really go wrong when the colors are as stunning as these!

2 Skeins of color #6690 Ultra Violet Autumn

Another Way to Wear the Scarf

One of My Favorite Embellishments: the Lazy Daisy Embroidery Stitch

Actual yardage used for this project: Liberty Wool Light= 319m or 349 yds, Millamia “Fuschia”= 42.5m/ 46.5 yds and “Claret= 25m/ 27 yds.

Stayed tuned to my blog for a future blog post about a another very cute use for this pattern!

In the Designer Spotlight: Berroco Design Studio Blog

I am thrilled to be featured on Berroco Yarn Company's blog, in their most recent Designer Spotlight Interview. Berroco so generously gave yarn support for the Bella Necklace Trio that appeared in Issue 45 of Inside Crochet Magazine. They wanted to know a little more about the necklaces, and about me as a designer. You can read the full interview here.

I love working with Berroco yarn company and many of my designs are created with their yarn, including 6 designs in Crocheting Clothes Kids Love! 

I have also used their yarns in the Beseme Scarf, Echelon Hat, Loken Cowl, Blumen Bouquet, Helleborus Gloves, Fanfare Cowl, Cirque Du Crochet Bean Bags, Mademoiselle Necklace, and the Plaid Wristlet Purse. As you can see, Berroco's yarn often calls my name when I am designing!

Bella Necklace Trio for Inside Crochet

You know when you wait for something for months and you wish you could tell the world about it? That is how I felt about these necklace patterns! I am excited to have this mini jewelry collection in Inside crochet's Autumn issue #45. 

I didn't originally intend for one design to become three, but I was having so much fun with the concept of making continuous links, the ideas for variations came easily.

The first version, with the graduated links, came about because I was trying recreate a necklace I designed several years ago. I didn't write down the pattern for it, so I was playing with the hook and yarn trying to remember how I made it. In the process, I came up with something very different from what I was trying to copy! 

Next, I experimented with changing the sequence and sizes of the links. I liked how it looked with small and large alternating links. I then decided to weave a cord through the links, which really changes the look of the necklace and makes a bolder statement. 

My final idea, was to make two larger links in the middle to emulate loops of a bow, then I added a cord to make the tails of the bow. 

After I finished the third version, I was tempted to go on making more, but I stopped myself there, since I couldn't choose which one I would submit out of those I had already designed. I took a chance and submitted them as a trio, and I am beyond thrilled to have all three published together!

They are really fun and quick to make, take very little yarn, and would make lovely gifts as well. You might find you want to make your own version with a different configuration of link sizes.

A big thank you to Berroco yarn company for the Ultra Alpaca yarn used to make the necklaces!

Version 1

Version 2

Version 3

The Evolution of a Design

I had a chance to review the sales in my online patterns stores, and found that the Crawford Necklace pattern has been my overall best selling design. This makes me quite happy, especially since this design evolved over many, many, trial samples. Each time I made a sample, I altered the scallops and chain loops a little, and every time I began making a new sample I was convinced that it would be the last! I had to take a break from it and come back again to look at it with fresh eyes, to be able to decide that it was actually done! This is something I struggle with, I have a hard time letting go of designs. I always feel there is something more I can do to try to make the design perfect. Sometimes I even block things more than once to get them take to the exact shape I want. Jewelry pieces may be small designs, but that doesn't mean they take less time or thought than something larger! The evolution of a design is an interesting process, full of trials and tribulations, and when the design is finally completed, you have the most amazing sense of accomplishment. The ultimate reward is when crocheters like your pattern enough to purchase it! 

How to Make a Wristlet with the Ruffles Scarf Pattern

The ideas just keep coming for alternate uses for the Ruffles Scarf Pattern! After posting about making a cowl with this pattern, I decided to try making one out of thread. I thought it would make a charming wristlet, or if you make a set, they would be lovely cuffs!

I decided to add a little extra embroidery embellishment and surface crochet, to dress it up even more. It might also be fun to change colors every row to make a striped version!

To make a wristlet from the Ruffles Scarf pattern:

1. Use Pearl Cotton size 8. 

2. Use steel hook size 7 (1.50mm)

3. Work 28 rows of the scarf pattern as written.

4. In the 29th row, you will make three button loops in the center section. Work the top ruffle sts, then make the first hdc in the center section, *ch 8, sl st in first ch to make a loop**, hdc in next 5 sts*. Rep from * to * once. Rep from * to ** once, hdc in next st, then complete the bottom ruffle sts.

5. Work the edging as written, but stop at the top corner and do not make any edging on the last short side. (The one with the button loops).

6. Additional top edging: with a second color yarn begin in the top right-hand corner of the wristlet. Insert hook into the corner yo and pull up a lp, then *ch 8, sc on top of space with a lone sc from last round of edging*. Rep from * to * across top of wristlet, ending with a sc in the last st in the top edging. Fasten off.

7. Surface crochet detail on bottom edging: turn wristlet so you can work with the bottom edge at the top. Insert hook in a st in the top right-hand corner of the wristlet, yo and pull loop up to surface, *then insert hook in next st, yo and pull up a loop, then pull this loop through the loop already on the hook*. Rep from * to * in each st across bottom of wristlet. Fasten off.

8. To make the buttons. Wrap the yarn twice around your finger to form a magic ring. Insert hook into ring, yo and pull up a loop, ch 2, then make 10 hdc into ring. Pull on the tail end of the yarn to tighten the magic ring. Sl st in every other st around to close up the button. Fasten off. Repeat these instructions to make 2 more buttons. Stitch these 3 buttons to the middle of the first row of the wristlet, to match up with the spacing of the button loops.

9. Lazy Daisy Embellishment: with the second color of thread, make 5, 4 petal lazy daisies tacking the petals to rows 2 and 4 (first daisy), 8 and 10 (second daisy), 14 and 16 (third daisy),  20 and 22 (fourth daisy), 26 and 28 (fifth daisy). Then, with a third color make a French Knot in the middle of each lazy daisy. Neatly weave in all loose ends, then block the wristlet by spraying it with water and pinning it out into shape on a blocking board. When it is completely dry you can remove the pins, wear, and enjoy!

The Ruffles Scarf pattern is now available for sale and download in the Interweave store.

Plaid Wristlet Purse for Runway Crochet

The second pattern I am revealing from the Runway Crochet book, is the Plaid Wristlet Purse. This purse evolved so much in the process of creation. My original sketch was not a wristlet and it had stripes and a large bow. Quite a few changes were made along the way! I adore surface crochet and have always wanted to emulate plaid in crochet, so it all came together nicely. I love clutch purses, but they can be difficult to carry, so I added a stylish wrist chain to make life easier. If you are more of a traditional clutch purse fan, you could leave off the chain.

The sample for the book is a festive colorful version; I would also like to make a dark version, in black, shades of grey and an accent color like red, gold or Teal. I am thinking I would like to wear this purse with a monochromatic outfit to let the purse take center stage!

Revealing the Modern Waves Necklace from the "Runway Crochet" Book

Runway Crochet by the legendary designer Margaret Hubert, also includes designs by the talented: Doris Chan, Ellen Gormley, Shannon Mullett-Bowlsby, Sharon Valencia, and Tatyana Mirer.

When Margaret told me the fashion forward theme of the book, I was instantly on board with the idea, and I had a lot of fun brainstorming ideas! I was keen to submit a necklace, because I thought this book would be a great place to showcase a statement piece.

This necklace components are simple to crochet, but the way it is put together makes it eye-catching and unusual. I think what really makes this piece, is the pearl cotton edging, it gives it a delicate feel and softens the look. It is a fun project which requires very little time or yarn. I have 2 more designs in this book that I will be revealing soon, so please stay tuned! 

Modern Waves Necklace

Close-up to show detail