Gone Away......Be Back Soon

I am not at home.... 

..I am on holiday at our Mountain Retreat near the lovely Wine and Art Deco centre of Hawkes Bay, New Zealand.

We have next-to-none phone or internet access there, so I probably won't be able to upload any pics until I get back home on my pc, unless I manage to find time to visit the local library for free internet connection on my android.

Rest assured, I am having a great time.

No set date for our return, probably sometime after two weeks.

We are just enjoying the wine one day at a time.

Happy New Year to one and all.

XXX

Crochet UFO's - Coffee & Cream

I have picked up my crochet UFO's again this week.

The Freeform Coffee & Cream Cape-let is progressing nicely.

Here are the updated stitching photos with the piecing together of some of the parts.

I really surprised myself with how much I managed to do on this project.

Still a little way off from completing it though, but with a bit of perseverance (and people leaving me alone) I may be able to get it finished before we go away for on holiday.

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One more fun project - started and finished - this week.

White Crocheted Basket, no reason other than because it was fun.

(Tutorial for this coming soon on my blog)

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I also picked up the Lovers Knot Tunic project.

This would be great to wear over a summer dress, t-shirt or camisole, and I really want it finished to take with me when we go off to our forest/mountain retreat in two weeks.

I shall probably be working on this over Christmas.

This is the back of the tunic. About half way.

I ADORE the yarn. Just look at all those scrumptious pops of colour.

It is the most fabulous yarn I have ever seen ... which is why THIS tunic is for ME.

Sometimes it's just too hard to say 'no'.

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Tony and I had a day out on the Awhitu Penninsular, which is only a ten minute drive from home.

We took a picnic (complete with table and chairs) 

Sea views at every turn, and isn't that a beautiful blue sky and with clouds only forming over the water.

It was a hot day.

The next photo is where we set the table and chairs for our picnic. 

The shade under the trees was welcome, and there was a gentle breeze blowing from the east.

And then we strolled along the beach following this inlet.

You can't actually see our house from here, but it would be about central in the picture and about 2ks inland.

Am I Mad ....or.... Am I Knot Mad?

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  AM I MAD ... OR ... AM I KNOT MAD? 

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("Yes, you ARE mad", I hear you all shout in unison)

I distinctly remember saying ,only last week, that I did not want to put a lot of time or effort into this UFO Celtic Knot quilt. Mainly because I was not enamoured with my original stitching on the central knot (all those years ago).

Last week I showed the finished central knot, along with a design for additional knots in the four corners.

Just look what I did with the stitching on one of those corner designs, and you will see why I think I have gone mad.

Knots within knots.... braided knots to create the knot motif.

And then outlined with chain stitch.

The completed corner Knot.

I am Knot impressed.

Thimble in pic to give an idea of the size of the motif.

It took me three days just to do this one knot. 

I DO KNOT want to invest time on this quilt (so why the heck did I do that?)

Now I have to do a similar thing for the other three corner knots.

Even 'I' think I am mad.

I have a scary feeling that this quilt is going back in the UFO pile.

On another note......

Now I have learnt to knit, and understand 'Knit-speak', I have taught myself to knit cables.

This is my very first cable test piece. Even hubby was impressed with that, lol.

    Happy Thanksgiving to all my wonderful friends who celebrate it    

    I am thankful to have you all in my life   

Happy Stitching

36 Years Wedding Anniversary - Celtic Knot

Haha - I have just realized the 'connection' in those two title subjects, lol.

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36 years ago I married my sweetheart

Every love story is great...... but OURS is my favourite.

Happy Anniversary Tony

xxx

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Celtic Knot Quilt update.

Just a little bit of stitching done on this quilt this week.

Two of these corner Knots outlined and ready for filling.

Two more of these corner knots still to stitch, and then what? lol

Happy Stitching

Shawl Scrumbles and Celtic Knot Quilt

Update on the Shawl - I only have the loose ends to weave in, and then I can call it finished.

...and here are some closer pics of the latest additions to it

The fluffy 'orange' yarn isn't really that orange. It's much paler IRL.

So, while I was nearing the end of the shawl, I was planning my next project.

UFO's have been piling up over the years, and I have had a search through my cupboards (while packing) and have re-discovered a Celtic Knot Quilt that I started about 10 or 12 yrs ago.

I had got as far as designing and appliqueing the yellow frame and had all that stitched down. The purple Knot fabric is my own hand dyed fabric, bias cut, and about a 6 inch portion stitched in place.

This week I have finished stitching the rest of the Celtic Knot in place.

I'm not sure what comes next now though. I had originally planned on dimensional flowers appliqued onto, and around, the yellow frame...... but now I think I need to stay with the Celtic designs around this quilt.

It has been another enjoyable week.

Happy Stitching

Free Form Crochet Shawl -almost done

Work continues on the Free Form Crochet Shawl.

Back view -

Still a little bit more is needed on the bottom left of the piece, so that both sides are fairly equal in length and drape.

A closer shot of the middle part.

And a couple of flower style motifs of my own designing.

Happy Stitching

Free Pattern - Crochet Ra Ra Skirt - 1 to 3 years old

Free Pattern - From Cyra Lewis

Ra Ra Skirt - age 1yr to 3yrs  - Crochet and Knitting.

This Pull-On skirt measures:
Length .... 10.5" (27cm)
Waist .... 14" - 23" (36cm - 58cm) 
the larger width is measured with the waistband stretched but still comfortable.

Swatch size: 4 inches = 15 tr (blo) x 9 rows

I work loosely. If you have a tight tension then your garment will end up slightly smaller. 

Variations to ths size can be made by altering the thickness of the yarn, and by changing the hook size.

The purple 'Ra Ra' bottom piece is an open lacy pattern.

The stretchy waistband is knitted ribbing with crocheted belt loops and a ruffle belt that has the unique ability to 'grow' with the child.

Materials

Yarn 'A' :          1 ball Windsor Acrylic Double Knit Opal in Purple

Yarn 'B' : 1 ball Windsor Acrylic Double Knit Variegated to match

Crochet hooks - 3.5mm & 4mm

Circular Knitting Needles - 4mm

Abbreviations  

(English Crochet Terminology)

sts..... stitches

sl st..... slip stitch

sp..... space

ch.....chain stitch

dc.....double crochet

tr.....treble

dtr.....double treble

pct.....picot

dec.....decrease

beg.....beginning

prev.....previous

blo.....back loop only

tr2tog....treble 2 together 

Instructions

Starting with the purple yarn and the 4mm hook we will make the 'Ra Ra' part of the skirt first.

Foundation Row : 

Ch.90. Sl st to the first ch (making sure not to twist the foundation chains) to make a circle. You will now be working in the Round. The outside is the right side. Keep the right side facing you. Do not turn.

R1. - 

Ch.3, 4 tr in same ch., ch.2, (skip next 2 ch.), dc in next ch., *ch.2, (skip next 2 ch.), 5 tr in next ch., ch.2, (skip next 2 ch.) dc in next ch., **    Repeat from * to **14 times. Ch.2, sl st to top of beg ch.3 stitch.

R2. - 

Ch.3, 1 tr in each of next 2 sts., ch.2, 1 tr in same place as prev tr, 1 tr in each of next 2 sts., * ch.3, (now, work into the next shell), 1 tr in each of the next 3 tr, ch.2, 1 tr in same st., 1 tr in each of next 2 sts. **   Repeat the shell pattern from * to **to the end of the round, sl.st to the top of the beg st of that round.

R3. - 

Sl st across the top of next 2 sts., (brings you to the tr just before the ch.2 sp.), ch.4, 3 dtr in the ch.2 sp., ch.2, 3 dtr in the same sp., 1 dtr in the next st., 1 dc in the ch.3 sp., * (skip 2 tr), 1 dtr in next st., 3 dtr in the ch.2 sp., ch.2, 3 dtr in the same sp., 1 dtr in the next st., 1 dc in the ch.3 sp., **  Repeat pattern from * to ** to end of round, sl st to 4th ch of starting st.

R4. - 

Sl st across next 2 sts., ch.4, 1 dtr in next st., 3 dtr in the ch.2 sp., ch.2, 3 dtr in same sp., 1 dtr in each of the next 2 sts., * 1 dtr in 3rd dtr of the next shell, 1 dtr in the next st., 3 dtr in the ch.2 sp., ch.2, 3 dtr in the same sp., 1 dtr in each of the next 2 sts., **   Repeat the pattern from * to ** to the end of the round, sl st to the 4th ch of starting st.

R5. - 

Sl st across next 2 sts., ch.4, 1 dtr in each of next 2 sts., 3 dtr in the ch.2 sp., ch.2, 3 dtr in the same sp., 1 dtr in each of next 3 sts., * (skip 4 dtr) 1 dtr in each of next 3 dtr.,  3 dtr in the ch.2 sp., ch.2, 3 dtr in same sp., 1 dtr in each of next 3 sts., **   Repeat pattern from * to ** to the end of the round, sl st to 4th ch of starting st.

R6. - 

Ch.6, * 2 dtr in next ch.2 sp., ch.5, 2 dtr in same sp., ch.2, 1 dtr in the diamond shaped sp between 2 shells of the prev round, ch.2, **   Repeat pattern from * to ** to end of the round, ending with 1 tr in 4th ch of beg ch.6 st.

R7. - 

Sl st back into last dtr made, dc in same st., * ch.5, dc in the next dtr., 1 pct [a picot consists of ch.3 and a sl st into 3rd ch from hook], 1 dc in next st., <1 dc., 1 pct., 2 dc., 1 pct., 2 dc., 1 pct., 1 dc.,>  (< to > are made in the same ch.5 sp.,), 1 dc in next st., 1 pct., 1 dc in next st., **   Repeat pattern from * to ** to the end of round.

Fasten off yarn.

Re-attach Yarn 'A' on any chain of the foundation row. You will now be working in the opposite direction on that foundation row (i.e. from the top of the purple Ra-Ra frill, upwards to the waist).

R8. - 

Ch.1, work one dc in every st to end, join with a sl st., change to Yarn 'B'.

R9. - 

Using Yarn 'B', ch.1, dc in every st around, join with a sl st.

R10. - 

(Work 'blo' for this entire round). 

Ch.3, 1 tr in into every st to end, join with a sl st to top of beg ch.3.

R11. - 

(Work 'blo' for this entire round). 

Ch.3, 1 tr in each of the next 13 sts., tr2tog., * 1 tr in each of the next 14 sts., tr2tog., **   Repeat from * to ** to end of round, join with sl st to beg.

R12. - 

(Work 'blo' for this entire round). 

Ch.3, * 1 tr in each of next 15 sts., tr2tog., **   Repeat from * to ** to end of round, join with a sl st to beg.

R13. - 

(Work 'blo' for this entire round). 

Ch.3, * 1 tr in each of next 8 sts., tr2tog., **   Repeat from * to ** to end of round, join with a sl st to beg.

R14. - 

(Work 'blo' for this entire round). 

Ch.3, * 1 tr in each of next 7 sts., tr2tog., **

Repeat from * to ** to end of round, join with a sl st to beg.

R15. - 

(Work 'blo' for this entire round). 

Ch.3, * 1 tr in each of next 12 sts., tr2tog., **

Repeat from * to ** to end of round, join with a sl st to beg. Fasten off yarn.

   [[[ Alternative instructions for R10 to R15  ]]]    

If you find it difficult (or just don't want to, haha) to follow the stitch counts in the above instructions, here is what is happening on those Rounds.

R10 - No decreasing. One tr made in every stitch around.

R11 - A total of five (5) decreases (tr2tog) are made evenly around. 1 tr in all other stitches around.

R12 - A total of five (5) decreases (tr2tog) are made evenly around. 1 tr in all other stitches around.

R13 - A total of eight (8) decreases (tr2tog) are made evenly around. 1 tr in all other stitches around.

R14 - A total of eight (8) decreases (tr2tog) are made evenly around. 1 tr in all other stitches around.

R15 - A total of five (5) decreases (tr2tog) are made evenly around. 1 tr in all other stitches around.

Knitted Ribbed Waistband: 

Using 4mm circular knitting needles and Yarn 'B', cast on 120 stitches.

R1. - * k2, p2 **   Repeat this rib pattern to end. Turn.

R2. to R16. - Repeat Row 1. Cast off and fasten yarn.

Belt Loop: (make 5)

Using 3.5mm hook, and Yarn 'B'. Leave long tails at least 6" at beg and end for sewing to waistband later.

Foundation row - Ch.4. Turn.

R1. - 3 dc across row, turn.

R2. - Ch.1, 3 dc across row, turn.

Repeat Row 2 until you have completed 10 rows (or the width of your waistband). Fasten off.

Belt:

Using Yarn 'A', and 3.5 hook.

Foundation row - Ch.107, turn.

R1. - 1 dc in each ch to end, turn.

R2. - Ch.4, *(skip 1 st.) 1 tr in next st., ch.1., **   Repeat to end, turn.

R3. - Ch.1,  1 dc in every tr & 'ch.1' sp of prev row.   Fasten off.

Belt Ties:

Using Yarn 'A', and 3.5 hook.

Make a foundation chain of about 180 ch.. Fasten off.

Making Up the Garment:

Sl st (or sew if you prefer) the waistband to the top of the skirt.

Pin, and then sew the 5 Belt Loops in place (see following photos for placement of Loops)

Three Belt Loops Across the Back of the Skirt

Two Belt Loops on the Front of the Skirt

Thread the Belt Tie through the spaces between the tr on the belt.

The Belt Tie should be longer than the Belt to allow for tying in a bow.

Pass the Belt through the Belt Loops on the skirt

Push the Belt up on the Belt Ties to make a 'ruffle'.

This adjusts the size to fit the child.

   If you would like to share this pattern on your blog   

   PLEASE LINK back to this page.   

DO NOT "copy & paste" the instructions.

   This is a FREE PATTERN    

   and may be printed out to create garment(s) for your own use, but the pattern may not    

   be sold in printed, digital, or any other form.    

You should be reading this pattern on my http://free-form-stitching.blogspot.com site.

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