Making Tassels More Beautiful By Blocking

Yes, I really do block my tassels. You could say I block just about everything I do that involves yarn! No matter how carefully you wrap and trim your yarn when making a tassel, it will usually need a little grooming to make it hang neat and straight. 

This is how I block my tassels:

First, pin the tassel to a blocking board, then spray it with water. 

Next, straighten the yarn strands so that they lie flat.

Then, trim the tassel across the bottom to make all of the strands the same length.

After trimming, leave the tassel to dry before removing the pins.

How to Tie the Bows on the Tinker's Toolbelt

One of the key details on the Tinker's Toolbelt is the way the bows are tied. I experimented with many ways to tie them, and this method makes the bows lay just right.

1. Tie the top two ties in a half hitch, crossing the right tie over the left tie and wrapping the right tie around the left tie (like you are beginning to tie a shoe), and pull the ties tight.

2. Tie the bottom two ties in a half hitch, crossing the left tie over the right tie and wrapping the left tie around the right tie (like you are beginning to tie a shoe), and pull the ties tight.

3. Take the two ties on the left and make a loop and hold onto that with your left hand. Take the two ties on the right and wrap them around the loop made from the ties on the left, making sure that you begin wrapping from the bottom.

4. Bring the right ties through the loop just created, between the left side loops and the beginning of the right side wrapping.

5. Pull the bow tight and separate the loops.

How to Create a Bolder Crochet Bobble

These bobbles, were my favorite element in the "Shades of Grey" freeform necklace I posted about recently. I love them so much, I decided they needed their own post!

This is a technique inspired by the fascinating craft of Romanian Point Lace. It is a nice way to make a bolder bobble, and it is especially effective when done in more than one color. I think they look a little like mini pumpkins or something you might find in an undersea garden.

Make the bobble as follows:

Round 1: Chain 3, then make 8 double crochet stitches into the beginning chain. Slip stitch in beginning double crochet to end round.

Round 2: Slip Stitch in every other stitch around to close up the dome. Fasten off. (This is the bottom of the bobble).

Thread a yarn needle with desired color. Insert needle in the bottom of a bobble, then wrap around a double crochet stitch from bottom to top, making sure the double crochet is completely covered.

Wrap around next double crochet from the top to the bottom, making the same number of wraps as you did around the previous double crochet. Continue in this manner, alternating working from bottom to top and top to bottom of a double crochet, until all double crochet stitches in the bobble are covered. Neatly weave in all ends.

Twisted Crochet Fringe Tutorial

I have always loved home decor trims and fringes, because of their rich look.  I have been researching them recently, and wanted to try to emulate this look in crochet.  I discovered this technique for making fringe, and I think it has a lot of possibilities.  The look of it can be changed by using a different thickness of yarn, using a variegated yarn, and by including beads.  

The following is a step by step tutorial on how to create this fringe.

1.  Make a chain the desired length of fringe.

2.  Insert hook in first ridge on underside of chain, then wrap yarn around hook and pull up a loop that is 5" (13cm) long.  I use an index card, so I will get the same measurement every time.

3.  Remove the index card and put the hook back in the loop, then turn the hook clockwise 20 times.

4.  Next fold the twisted loop in half and let it twist back on itself.

5.  Slip stitch back into same ridge.

6.  Repeat these instructions in each of the remaining ridges.

Below is a close up of a 2 color version with the beginning chain in 1 color, and the first row in another. This is the back side of the work.  I like the way these 2 colors blend on this side, so I decided to make it the right side of the work for this fringe.

To add beads to this trim, thread beads onto yarn before beginning.  After twisting every other loop, and before slip stitching back into the same ridge, pull a bead down all the way to the trim edge, then make the slip stitch back in to the same ridge, enclosing the bead in the stitch.

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The Paris Belt- a Tutorial Inspired by the Kyoto Coat

My favorite part of  the Kyoto Coat that I designed for the 2010 Crochet Guild of America design competition, was the crazy quilt style sash.  Ever since it won the grand prize, I wanted to design a woman's belt inspired by the Kyoto Coat.  It was so fun to make, I decided to write a tutorial to share with readers of my blog.

Kyoto Coat Sash

I suggest shopping for fabrics with a color in mind.  First, choose a print that you love, then choose 4 or 5 more that complement it.  For the belt shown, I chose mostly cotton fabrics, but you may choose any medium weight fabric that can tolerate a moderate iron setting.  Don't be afraid to use the back side of fabrics as well.  I used the back side of 2 of the fabrics I chose for this belt.  

Some patience will be required when outlining the fabric sections with crocheted chains, but if you are diligent, it will really pay off, as it is this detail that really makes the belt.  Enjoy, and please post photos if you make one!  You can download the full tutorial from Ravelry, please see the link below.

Materials:

Paper for making the pattern

A selection of printed fabrics

Medium weight, iron-on interfacing

Wonder under

Ironing board and iron

1 Skein Berroco “Ultra Alpaca Light”

1 Ball DMC Pearl Cotton

Crochet hooks in size C/2 (2.75mm), and D/3 (3.25mm)

Yarn needle

Sewing needle

Rust proof pins


DOWNLOAD TUTORIAL HERE

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The Invisible Fasten Off (one of my favorite crochet techniques)

Lately I have been doing a lot of crocheting in the round, and have been exploring techniques to make the pieces look their best.  I wanted the join of the end to the beginning of the round to be seamless.  The regular method of fastening off  leaves an unsightly bump.

(Example illustrating the bump resulting from a regular fasten off)

After searching and experimenting, I began using the method that I call "the invisible fasten off".

Since I have been using it in several of my patterns lately, namely "Piper's Chain Scarf" and "Genevieve's Belt" from Interweave Crochet Accessories 2010,  I thought it might be helpful to offer a tutorial here.

Step 1:  Complete the last stitch in the round.

Step 2:  Cut the yarn, leaving a 3" tail.  Insert hook into the BACK LOOP ONLY of the first stitch in the round, yo, and pull all the way through as if to fasten off in the usual way.

Step 3:  Insert hook into BOTH LOOPS of the second stitch in the round, yo, and pull all the way through again.

Step 4:  Insert hook into the FRONT LOOP ONLY of the last stitch in the round, yo and pull down through.

Step 5:  Weave in the tail end, and admire your invisible fasten off!

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