Make a Necklace with the En Fleur Cowl Pattern!

I loved making the motifs for the En Fleur Cowl so much, that I decided to try crocheting them in size 5 pearl cotton thread. The result was an eye-catching necklace!

If you have the Winter issue of Crochet! magazine, you can make this necklace by using the motif instructions from the En Fleur Cowl pattern.

Here are the modifications:

En Fleur Necklace

Thread: DMC Petra size 5 Pearl Cotton

Hook Size: 1.75mm

Notions: Tapestry needle; sewing needle; invisible nylon thread

Follow the instructions in the Winter 2014 issue of Crochet! magazine for the En Fleur Cowl, to make 7 Motifs.

For the eighth motif, follow the cowl Motif instructions, but do not fasten off. After making the final sl st, turn the Motif to the Wrong side, ch 10, then sl st back in same st. Turn the Motif to the right side and make 15 sc sts into the ch lp. This forms the Fastening Loop.

Fastening Dome:

Rnd 1: Rep rnd 1 instructions for cowl Motif.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in same st, then in each st around. Sl st in beg sc to end rnd.

Rnd 3: Sl st in every other st around to close up the Fastening Dome. Fasten off.

Finishing

Weave in all loose ends with a tapestry needle. Using invisible nylon thread and a sewing needle, stitch all 8 Motifs together at the tops, where the groups of 3 dtr sts are, and putting the Motif with the Fastening Loop on the end. Stitch the Fastening Dome to the end of the necklace that is opposite the Fastening Loop. Pin the necklace out on a blocking board and pin out into desired shape, then wet block. Allow the necklace to dry completely before removing the pins.

The En Fleur Cowl That Inspired The Necklace

A New Way to Use the Obi Scarf Pattern

I decided to make a springtime version of the Obi Scarf, that you can wear as a necktie or as a hair tie. This pattern is really fun to crochet, so it is nice to be able to make one for warmer weather! I think neckties really smarten and add personality to an outfit.

To make this necktie/ hair tie, you must have the Obi Scarf pattern that I designed for Interweave Crochet.

You will need to make a few alterations to the pattern:

-Use a steel hook size 1.75mm, and Pearl Cotton size 5. I used DMC "Petra".

-Make 1/2 the number of stitches on the ends of the scarf, and in the center window pane stitch pattern, make 7 repeats instead of 9.

-Crochet only 6 rows of the pattern.

-For the Bands, you only need to chain 18 stitches when you begin.

-Making the Bands is optional, depending on how you want to wear it. For the tied versions, you do not need them. If you want to wear it like the 2nd photo below, you could put velcro on the bands to help them stay in place, or crochet a chain on the back of the front band to slip the other side through.

Make a Necklace with the Tinker's ToolBelt Pattern

Sometimes designs that are submitted to publications are accepted with modifications. The Tinker's ToolBelt was originally submitted as a necklace, and the editor decided that it would fit into their publication as a belt to go along with their Steampunk theme. Fortunately, it didn't require any changes to the pattern, it just needed more motifs to make it longer. That shows how versatile this design is! Fewer motifs tied together make an eye-catching statement necklace, and 2 motifs can make a wristlet. To make jewelry, you will need to use a little finer thread than what was used in the magazine. The belt motifs measure 3" in diameter, and the necklace motifs measure 2 1/4". I didn't change the pattern, only the thread. For the necklace I used DMC Petra No.5 and I went down a hook size to B/1 (2.25mm).

If you prefer fewer motifs, you can make the two ties on each side longer, join them together at the ends, and include a bobble on one side and a chain loop on the other for fastening. 

Inspired Crochet: Tiara Trim Meets The Babette Blanket

I am so thrilled that I came across another use for the Tiara Trim pattern I designed for Interweave Crochet Magazine, on the I Love Pom-Poms Blog. This clever and creative crocheter, completed the amazing Babette Blanket designed by the fabulous Kathy Merrick, and decided to use the Tiara Trim pattern as her inspiration to edge the blanket. She used the middle rows from the original trim pattern and changed the last row to make the trim wider. Bravo for her creative use of this trim!

Project Photos from I Love Pom-Poms Blog

Original Trim Sample

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.