Sweet Fabric [Search results for crochet] 

We all know I'm a huge fan of just about anything "on wood" but I had no idea just how much I was going to love the crochet table cloth hacked & tacked to a couple of pieces of thrifted furniture.

Things are coming together quite nicely in the new house. If you've had a peek inside my place you'd notice that there was only a tiny patch of our bedroom photographed. We've been looking for something nice & skinny for the TV to sit on. It's in an awkward place because it's very close to the ensuite door.

I'd picked up this glass fronted cabinet at the Op Shop (for $5) intending for it to be hidden in The Date's office & reserved for his "straight to the pool room" golf trophies & such. It looked ridiculous & he pitched it out into the hallway earlier in the week. I seconded it for this maybe temporary maybe permanent fixture in the bedroom.

I'm not a huge wrap for the basket shelves (which came out of this unit) I've fashioned below & prefer a more open look. I've got another idea for that (which will hopefully still hide the power cords). I'll keep you updated.

While I had the glue gun out I worked a bit of crochet magic on this sweet chair (also Opped for the princely sum of $5).

Beautiful floaty images by Bricolagelife.

So I think I've managed a pretty nice bedroom makeover for under $20! Unbeatable value & my very favourite ... reused, repurposed, recrafted, upcycled.

If you fancy having a go at this yourself it's just super-easy-thrown-together fun.

You'll need...
double sided tape, spray adhesive, hot glue gun, a thrifted crochet table cloth ($2-$8).

For the cabinet...
Using double sided tape create a frame on the inside of the door (as close to the glass as possible).

Then...
Rough cut the table cloth to size. Keep all the motifs intact at this stage.

Now...
Expose the double sided tape & position your crochet piece.

And...
Use your hot glue gun to more permanently adhere the crochet piece.

Finally...
Trim away excess fabric so that everything looks nice & neat.

Repeat for the other door.

For the chair...
Rough cut the table cloth to size. Keep all the motifs intact at this stage.

Then...
Spray the wrong side of the tablecloth piece with spray adhesive.

Now...
Position on the chair.

And...
Use your hot glue gun to more permanently adhere the crochet piece.

Finally...
Trim away excess fabric so that everything looks nice & neat.

I'm seriously addicted to crochet.

After watching Lara & Jess & their obvious skill I really had decided that crochet was a pursuit for those with serious talent. I claimed (on more than one occasion) that I'd never get into crochet. But now I've decided that having a crack is what it's all about.

I've spent the last couple of days with a hook either tucked into my ponytail or firmly in my right hand.

I picked up a ball of gorgeous 12 ply at the Op Shop yesterday & then read Sooz's wonderful tutorial how to crochet flowers. It's actually how to crochet a daisy chain necklace but for the moment anyway I'm all about the flowers. I made 3 of those & then moved on to my own renegade flowers.

I might have to treat myself to a visit to Sunspun. It's a shame there is rarely anything nice at the Oppy.

You can do it too!
Today is your day!

How
It seems that the mulberry granny shrug has inspired a few of you to have a crack yourself. That's super exciting & exactly why this patch of web space exists. Over the weekend Lara & I have worked together to present to you the whole box & dice for the granny shrug enthusiast.

There's something for everyone. This is the master class...for lovely folk who like to follow a pattern, or maybe you need the visual (like me) or perhaps you'd like to watch a dinky video.

If you know how to make a granny square then you know how to make this shrug. Just crochet yourself a couple of lovely granny hexagons.

You can just skip over the "instructions" & make the granny exactly as you always do. Maybe you slip across to the next chain space...ripper knock yourself out. There is no "right" way to make it.

You'll just end up with a lovely curly hexagon...good, that's great...exactly what we want. Just keep checking your sizing after each round to decide when you're done.

Mine have been 9 rounds (in the Wilderness) but depending on your tension & hook size yours might be 8 or 10 or more. Keep folding the curly hex in on itself until you're confident that the fit will be right for you.

the pattern
My very favourite crocheter is Lara. She's one of the reasons I picked up the hook in the first place. She likes to be good at stuff & works hard to make sure she gets things right. Well, guess what? She's written a fabulous, fabulous pattern (it might not have posted yet...be patient) for you to print & keep. And spared you all from my effort at a written explanation. Thank you Lara, you're the very best & it was lovely to share the making of the how to with you.

& the video
Just so you know it was really hard to crochet standing up stradling a tripod & keeping (or trying) the crochet in the frame.

Australian/UK terminology

Yarn
You've got a HUGE amount of flexibility here. You want to achieve a good deal of chunkiness & you'll just adjust your number of rounds accordingly so pick something that suits your style. I did make the suggestion the other day to use stash yarns crocheted together to make up the chunky style yourself.

I used Patons "Wilderness" 14ply. I like it...A LOT. It's a blend so purists might like to check out other options but I think it's just the perfect yarn for the job. Here's why... (& where to buy too).

OR you can have a go with 2 balls of 8 ply held together or whatever else takes your fancy. You'll just adjust your number of rounds according to tension & fit. Go nuts. Lara's using two strands of 12ply & is very happy with the result.

Hook
I'd say 15mm. I'm really happy with the result I'm getting with the 15mm hook. You need it to be loose so that you get a nice drape with the finished "fabric". We're not going for sturdy here folks...we want the pretty drape.

Making Up
I switched to a 2.65mm hook & just used double crochet up the centre back seam.

Then I doubled along the top sleeve seams & single crocheted along the back of the neck opening to give extra strength.

Again if you know how to do it your own way...do that. It will be great.

What, haven't had enough? Here's the steak knife! A round by round for the visual learner.
How to make a granny shrugView more presentations from kootoyoo.

Other Stuff
There's a flickr group. If you make a shrug we'd love to have it added to the group.

HAC class? There have been a couple of requests for a HAC class for the shrug. If you still think you need it or would like to make it up with a bunch of other girls over tea & biscuits, I'd be happy to run it over two evenings. If you're keen please email me kootoyooATgmailDOTcom & if we get enough interest we'll go ahead.

I've just realised I missed a whole round of the .. in the centre of the double clusters. Blow.

I found one of the hexagon jackets that inspired the granny shrug. I'd completely forgotten where I'd seen it most recently & it was (of course) Sarah London.

I'm really pretty terrible at reading instructions & prefer to "read" the actual piece.

But I've prepared a little "how I" rather than a how to.

Yarn
Caressa Express - it's one of those "super chunky fast knit yarns" which isn't a ply. As the gorgeous grey (& possibly the yarn) is discontinued I did a bit of experimenting yesterday to offer some alternatives.

The top hex is the Caressa Express which actually works out kind of expensive as each ball is only about 50 metres long.

The other grey one is a 14 ply which is about the same price per ball but has around 100 metres per ball.

Finally, the blue is two balls of 8 ply crocheted together. This would probably work out around the same price as the 14 ply but what I like about this option is that your colour choice is massive.

The Hook
I used a 15mm hook. I am super tight though so you might want to try something a little smaller if you're an average or loose crochet queen.

Begin
It's just the same as crocheting a granny square (if you don't know how to to that you can learn from Pip or Sarah) except you're making your double clusters from the six points rather than four corners.

I made my hexagons "reversible" which means that the work is turned after each round. There's no right or wrong side. I like it because it seems to keep my work nice & even. My squares are square when I use this method. When you're not changing colours each round it does seem more prone to wonk uncontrollably (for me anyway).

Just keep adding rounds until it's the right size for you.

Have a go! Pretty small time investment & it does look really cute over a long sleeved top.

A little while ago I picked up these beautiful crochet cushion cover/cosy pieces at the Op Shop for the princely sum of $2 a piece!

They are stunning & the work that has gone into making them...incredible. If you're all about the hook & proving your eye straining worth then go for it I say. You'll earn my respect.

BUT I'm all about the smoke & mirrors & figured I'd have a go at a bit of fakery based on the original.

I love the combination of natural & white. I've used a thrifted/opped table cloth & a hotel grade (also opped) sheet. The sheet further adds to the fakeness of the whole deal as I didn't even have to hem the envelope closure.

I ripped the sheeting to size & whipped a pair of these up in under 20 minutes. I figured this bit of magic might be something you guys would like to have a crack at. I think that they would make excellent Christmas gifts.

The Date hates the pretty girly lights, hates the TV cabinet & chair but surprisingly doesn't mind the cushions! He still thinks the room's too girly but I'm not convinced. I prefer fresh.
Faker crochet cushion
View more presentations from kootoyoo.

for anyone...anytime.

It doesn't rely on tension, hook size, type of yarn blah de blah.

You just need to worry about making sure the rectangle of fabric measures...

circumference x head height = super cute 'x' stitch beanie

I was lucky enough to have recipients easily lassoed by the measuring tape but if you're making for a gift you might like to refer to this excellent size chart found via google this afternoon. Thanks Bev.

How to make a crochet & cross stitch beanieView more presentations from kootoyoo.

I knew the heart wasn't going to fly so The Big Girl & I went for something très sophistiqué. The kid hasn't taken the beanie off since it was gifted. Both The Little Guy & The Date think it's fabulous (& those fellas are a tough craft audience).

There's a pdf here if that helps you out.

It goes without saying that you don't have to be able to crochet to make this beanie. You could follow the same formula & use some lovely wool jersey & the machine. That'd make it super quick.

↑Weave/ladder stitch from wrong side

↑Join as you go (liking this less than I thought I would)

↑Double crochet (front runner)

When I started my granny squares last year I decided that this would be a "go slow" project & that all the yarn would be Op Shop purchased.

I started running out of contrasting yarn about 30 squares in & have had to purchase bits & pieces along the way (I'm really not good at slow). I did have a huge Op Shop stash of nasty Panda acrylic which I've been finishing each round with. I ran out of that too...70 squares in.

On Saturday I went to purchase more & of course the dyelot is different & when the two dyelots lie next to each other the difference is quite obvious. I had a little tantrum & totallly dropped the ball with my granny a day. I've missed 2 of the last 3 days. Sorry Pip.

I had planned to "Join As You Go", making the biege the main colour & allowing the contrasting colours to "pop". If I go with this method (& not worry about the dyelot difference) I need 80 squares before I begin joining.

But now I just don't know. I think I'm liking the double crochet in a contrasting colour.

If I go with the other options I think I'll need at least 100 squares...

I totally got this idea from a really old book of crochet afghans around at Auntie Pat's. The afghan was made in classic Nanna style with roses cross stitched into black in feature blocks on the afghan.

I've never been a big fan of double (US single) crochet because of the Aida like appearance of the cloth. Now I've found a reason to love it.

Never one to do things by halves the x's are all over the place.

The hat was constructed using a formula(!) & some fancy folding too. Amazingly, it fits the cute as a button kid it was gifted to. I just have to make sure that it wasn't a fluke & make another to test the theory & then I'll share it with you.

It's totally faker crochet! If you are a purist...power to you. Hook yourself some little caps for soap.

I confess I find the gifting of handmade items something of a challenge. It's one thing to give something you've painstakingly hooked, or stitched, or knitted, or sewn to someone else who makes things & appreciates them. It's quite another to gift the same items to folk who've no idea of the time involved. Faker or not - it's all the same to them. So...at this time of year when you're crafting to give I heartily recommend the faker route.

I got lucky at the oppy a couple of weeks ago & picked up a set of 6 crochet coasters which were a bit stained & yick. I slung them in the washing machine & stared at them for a while & wondered if a soap cosy might be just the ticket? Loofah & soap in one...yep! Time to have a crack folks.

Five minutes flat per soap...maybe less.

How to make faker crochet covered soap
View more presentations from kootoyoo.

making me smile:

-This magnificent teeny, tiny dress via Melanie (who is also into the teeny tiny).
-Wren Handmade such delicate crochet.

-Great people, namely...
Melanie
Megan
& Jeanamarie who are taking full advantage of the "chat" in the new commenty thing.

I'm interested if you think the new system is a pain in the neck or quite valuable? Did you know that if you enter your email address when you comment then JS Kit will email my response to your comment? You can also respond to other people's comments & the same thing will happen. It's kind of cool & a bit twitteresque.

This little envelope of tiny granny square crochet jewellery is going in the post tomorrow.

No more tiny crochet posts...I promise.

Eeeek...I taught the big girl to granny square. She's really, really good. Her granny square is lovely & square & even.

Pt Lonsdale is home to a beautiful shop called Wildpurl so the lucky girl learned to crochet using Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino. This was absolutely the perfect yarn for a small person to learn with. It doesn't separate at all.

Our break was really lovely.

The pace at Lonsdale is super slow & the only planned activities for the day are the run, coffee & the dog beach.

I devoted my down time to crochet & was feeling quite pleased with my efforts until I laid these squares & the 21 I had at home out & realised that I'm probably only half way to my goal. I really think that I'm going to have to revise the original plan & just make it big enough to drape across the foot of the bed. That would be OK wouldn't it?

This started as an experiment in hyperbolic crochet & when I liked the beginnings I decided to keep on keeping on an make a ball for a freshly hatched little girl.

The sphere creation was incredibly slow going. There is absolutely no way you can get up any pace with the hook when everything is curling in on itself!

I used two balls of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino & then just doubled & doubled & doubled & doubled my doubles...you get the picture.

It's kind of weirdly fascinating & just the kind of thing that would have held my attention for hours as a kid. I reckon it's a bit like those linking rings - the "how" really becomes the focus.

getting back to basics with a bit of crochet.

I am just like this...just visualise the chest as my head. I've been overstuffing for a couple of months & it's all just spilling out all over the place.

I'm using the granny squares & this lovely swap as packeruperers. Then I want to make a new handbag & get on with my doodle/quilling idea & my quilt plan too.

Focus.

I can't even remember last Thursday so no favourite from last week...sorry. I've got my pen ready for this week though!

Do pop in & add your link if you're playing along this week.

Our house is (hopefully) not going to require much in the way of heating. We're trying not to turn the heating on & have instead been snuggling under blankets in the evenings.

Whilst the granny blankets are excellent, they do make it hard to change the channel on the Teev or play playstation games or hook/stitch/knit (the plot thickens). I've got the little guy & the big girl ahead of me in line but I'm totally making myself one of these!

The first shoulder blanket fashioned for the smallest from the same old blanket used for the slippers & 1/2 a ball of Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino which was lounging in the stash. I think it's a left over from when the big girl was granny squaring. I'm feeling pretty good about my $2 outlay at the Op Shop (& there's still enough for 1 more pair of slippers).

I wasn't sure if the yarn was going to make it all the way around the blanket & maths really isn't my strong suit. Luckily my brother in law was at our place, we did a quick calculation & figured I should just scrape it in. Just scrape is right...I think there's about 2 metres left.

Note to self: Figure out a much better, faster, less painful way to make the holes.

It's Leonie's wrap.

I hooked it like Michelle, Kate & Tania ... I'm way to slow on the sticks.

I followed Leonie's directions for the measuring but I left it a bit shy of where I want it to sit as I expect it to drop with wear over the next couple of days.

I'm calling it the Chameleon because it looks completely different in different light & depending what you're wearing underneath (or if you stand against a rust wall I've discovered).

Just as I did with the slashed vest, the armholes are set a little higher to give more flexibility. It can be worn upside down, inside out & round about. You can check that out here.

Details...
Yarn - Cleckheaton Coutry Paintbox 8 ply Col: 31
Hook - 9mm (yep 9 - I was going for drape)
Stitch - I used double crochet (Aus/UK) or US single crochet

Edited to add: I used 6 balls & my wrap was 23 inches x 34 inches

Happy weekend all.

WOW... lots & lots of you are pretty excited about hyperbolic crochet. Maybe you're keen to have a crack yourself? Good on you I say...

Hyperbolic crochet is all about maths! You can find out all about the formula here.

I do not have a maths brain. What I read was blah, blah, blah, blah CHAIN blah, blah blah, blah SINGLE (AU double) blah, blah, blah, blah.

What I did...

CH 2
6DC (US single) into the 2nd chain from the hook.

Then I just spiralled (out of control) 2DC (US single) into each DC (US single) repeat ...... for 2 balls of yarn. It's probably not mathematically correct but it gave the desired result. My finished hot pink number fits into my cupped hands.

Further very valuable info...

Last night I was lucky enough to attend the launch of Sew La Tea Do by Pip Lincolne. The event was fabulous, the book is fabulous & actually Pip is quite fabulous. I was thrilled to be included.

I was further thrilled when Gemma Jones told me that The Melbourne Reef is being exhibited in Upwey! I'm so totally going along to see it. They are even hosting workshops.

This bag made from thrifted "reverse ripple" fabric. Slouchy & casual when you're not carrying much around but able to hold everything a busy girl needs.

The size of the bag was determined by the only thrifted green zip I owned.

I think it works for this fabric. Something smaller really wouldn't have done the pattern justice.

The idea has been kicking around for sometime & then I had a conversation with Lara about just how much stuff you need to carry around when you've got small kids & a crochet habit. It's made of Thornberry green fabric & the belt keepers at the top are crochet string.

Made from thrifted everything so totally green.

More bags by me.

It's all about "on the go".

The kids have athletics today so I won't be around. I'm prepared though, I've been slowly working away on this crochet piece during swimming lessons & music lessons. It just stays in the car & when I get half an hour here & there I've got something to keep me busy.

Lovely space from last week right here.

Have a good day today everyone. I'll catch you next week.

I'm just all about the hook at the moment. I'm mucking around with this gorgeous blue trying to get the right hook to yarn ratio. BUT I have been seriously side tracked by some lovely brown Rowan Tapestry which I started a sample square with & it's now grown to almost scarf proportions. I hope they've got some more at Sunspun (if they don't it was always meant to be a scarflet).

For those of you who know about the brown granny disaster of '09 please pick yourselves up off the floor. I'm loving the brown again. x

As for the poor granny shrug that's also on the hook - it's been temporarily sidelined.

Don't forget to pop in and add your link if you're playing along this week.

is crafting up a serious storm. The crochet success has obviously boosted her confidence.

She's off on camp for 10 days. The "things to bring" list included stamps, writing paper & pens & pencils.

Designed & sewn by the big girl. I love the handbag style & I couldn't be more proud not to have made something.

Just as an aside ... finding it refreshing not to be imposing the op shopping/reclaimed junk rule to her craft.