Free Form Stitching

13 November 2013

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

06 November 2013

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

02 November 2013

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. -