Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Knitting and Stitching Show 2008
Yes folks its that time again. I am really looking forward to having two full days of woolly chat. Most of the time I'll doing demo's at the Hyperbolic Crocheted Coral Reef exhibition, which has travelled over from the UK. come over and say hello! And since I accidentally (unconsciously on purpose) booked the wrong flight home, I get to spend an extra day in Dublin ALL ON MY OWN!! You parents out there know what I mean. I said accidentally unconsciously on purpose because I did mean to book my ticket back on Fri, and thought I had, until I printed out my check-in tickets and saw they were for Saturday. I didn't want to spend Halloween night in Dublin, I would rather be home. But at the back of my mind there was a certain unease about flying on the 31st of October and before you say pahhh, that's silly, I am easily spooked, dislike flying a little bit, and am slightly superstitious. So, my unconscious did the deciding for me. But what will I do? Will I go to the Knit and Stitch for a 3rd Day, or is that a bit obsessive, or will I just hang out in Dublin. I'm sure I'll be broke after the two days anyway, between lots of coffee, and tasty wool samples, and any other bits and bobs I find. At least having the Saturday gives me the chance of posting my goodies home rather than taking the risk of having them confiscated by airport security. I think that was what stopped me buying those giant knitting needles. Have you seen them, they're hilarious... Take a look at these babies!!
Saturday, October 25, 2008
The Green Banana Hats
What I want to know is where do people get the time, to read all the blogs, to browse through all the photos sites? I'm a search and rescue kinda person. I get in, I read a bit, I get out again. I would love to have more time to browse, but generally I don't. I use Flickr to host my photos online, and very occasionally, I browse through it, well I used to before I started this blog. It amazes me, especially on Flickr, where you can immediately see each others photos, how people get a notion about one particular thing. They create a group about it, browse through all the photos and send out invitations to people to add their photo. I've been invited to share a few of my photos, the Sackboy/Sackgirl ones with Little Big Planet, and Sackboy, Sea Life Fibre Art. And you do feel like your work is being appreciated by people interested in the same subject matter.
But today I received what I think is my most bizarre invitation to date. One of the hats I made for the Big Knit, was a banana hat, and today I got an invitation to share that photo with the Green Banana Hats. There are a few knitted or crocheted banana hats, but yes, folks, it is mostly made up of pics of people with bananas on their heads. Would you believe there is 178 members and has 280 photos!! As I said, where do people get the time...
But today I received what I think is my most bizarre invitation to date. One of the hats I made for the Big Knit, was a banana hat, and today I got an invitation to share that photo with the Green Banana Hats. There are a few knitted or crocheted banana hats, but yes, folks, it is mostly made up of pics of people with bananas on their heads. Would you believe there is 178 members and has 280 photos!! As I said, where do people get the time...
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
I'm sorry, but more Smoothie Hat stuff..
I thought it was all over, all finished, I had posted the last parcel, and I could go back to making all the other stuff that I had planned to do. I still have nothing on Etsy, I have a few pieces of beaded jewelery that I wanted to put up but I cant get a single nice pic of them, they are too small, so I've given up on them. I signed myself up for a Christmas Craft Fair and have to make all the stuff for that. I signed myself up to make a flag of Brittany for someone, but mercifully she didnt need me in the end. (I have to stop volunteering to do this stuff). The Woolly Way started up, and I'm a volunteer editor for that. I have a piece to get ready for an exhibition in The Cork School of Music with the Cork Textile Network, I started an Organic Gardening course, and am supposed to be preparing my garden for Spring next year (that's my homework), and and and.....
and they go and extend the deadline for the
Innocent Smoothie Big Knit!!!
Have they not got enough yet? Have pity on people like me who just cant say no to a woolly good cause. Considering I hate making two of anything, I think I did god-damn well, making the amount I did. Anyway, did you see those oldies marching on the Dail today? I tell you, there's no messing around with the over 70's. When they want to get something done...Fair play to them! You have to laugh at the fact that all these old dears came from all over the country to hassle the government about taking away their free medical cards using the free bus passes that the government gave them. Watch out! They will be taking them off you next, so you wont march on the streets of Dublin again...
Yes, I know the Big Knit is a good cause and all that. I suppose I'll just have to make one or two more. Please, PLEASE, everyone else, just make a few more so they can reach their target and put me out of my hat madness... Here are a few pics of what I thought were my FINAL HATS...
I've started making fruit for my Toddler to play with, and got the idea to make some fruit hats. considering they are fruit smoothies. So, I'm thinking hats, and I'm thinking fruit, and then it came to me, Carmen Miranda! The fruitiest hat wearer in the world. I had to have a go at making a Carmen Miranda hat. (If I have known my time wasting on playful hats would have caused an extended deadline, I probably wouldn't have made them, no, that not true, I probably would have made more!!)
and they go and extend the deadline for the
Innocent Smoothie Big Knit!!!
Have they not got enough yet? Have pity on people like me who just cant say no to a woolly good cause. Considering I hate making two of anything, I think I did god-damn well, making the amount I did. Anyway, did you see those oldies marching on the Dail today? I tell you, there's no messing around with the over 70's. When they want to get something done...Fair play to them! You have to laugh at the fact that all these old dears came from all over the country to hassle the government about taking away their free medical cards using the free bus passes that the government gave them. Watch out! They will be taking them off you next, so you wont march on the streets of Dublin again...
Yes, I know the Big Knit is a good cause and all that. I suppose I'll just have to make one or two more. Please, PLEASE, everyone else, just make a few more so they can reach their target and put me out of my hat madness... Here are a few pics of what I thought were my FINAL HATS...
I've started making fruit for my Toddler to play with, and got the idea to make some fruit hats. considering they are fruit smoothies. So, I'm thinking hats, and I'm thinking fruit, and then it came to me, Carmen Miranda! The fruitiest hat wearer in the world. I had to have a go at making a Carmen Miranda hat. (If I have known my time wasting on playful hats would have caused an extended deadline, I probably wouldn't have made them, no, that not true, I probably would have made more!!)
Carmen Miranda and Friends
Carmen dancing in a Hyperbolic Crocheted Ruffle
Carmen dancing in a Hyperbolic Crocheted Ruffle
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Lots going on for the Big Knit
I have now made 50 hats for the Irish Big Knit. If I hadn't had so much fun writing patterns for the crochet ones, I prob would have more done. To me that's giving €50 to charity, and considering these recessionary times, I'm happy enough with that. I'll have a few more made by the deadline date, but I strongly recommend if you haven't already made a few hats for this great Project, please do. Judging by the 2009 Budget, the complete lack of disregard that Fianna Fail have for all of us, the oldies will need all the help they can get this winter. I did say at the start this was just about me and my textiles but sometimes its hard not to let the current situation go by without saying WHY THE HELL DID YOU VOTE THEM IN AGAIN!!!
Anyway rant, over back to the Big Knit. Sitting with the boyfriend, him laughing at the latest few hats (or so he says, but I'm beginning to get suspicious about the laughter, is it really the hats or is it me?). I thought about who buys Innocent Smoothies. I know they are very very good for you but they're not the cheapest, so you'd want to be really needing those few extra vitamins for that price. Its not just girls is it? So, I got to thinking about the fellas, what fellas buy them? So, you are a healthy male, you earn a few bob, in days gone by you would have been a stockbroker or carpenter, but now they're all out of work its hard to know. There is some luxuries people will not be giving up, money or no money, and I thing Innocent Smoothies are one of those. I'm not here to advertise Innocent, (except on the day the hats are for sale, but getting back to what I was trying to say about several sentences previous before I went off on a tangent), I thought those healthy blokes, who buy the Smoothies on a regular basis, they are going to walk into their local Topez (plug, plug) shop on the day the Big Knit Sale starts, and be confronted by a row of fluffy, colourful, cute hats. Now, take a carpenter for example, hes fit as f..anything, and he's all manly in his work clothes, trusty hammer by his side. He is NOT going to buy some cute fluffy hat. The girls will be humming and hawing over which is the cutest to buy, and the guys, that guy, will be humming and hawing over what one NOT to buy. He is not going to walk up to the counter with a fluffy, cute hat on his smoothie. Is he? So, in the interest of manly men out there, I decided to create some manly hats. Now living with a MAN UTD nut, I, unfortunately know a little bit about football. (Yes I understand the offside rule, and occasionally curse the Ref before he does......). It doesn't matter if its cute and fluffy, if its manly football colours. So asking his advice I went about making a football team. He said most teams are either blue/white or red/white. I would have done some GAA colours except I don't know where the hats are going, and we couldn't have Tyrone colours in Kerry now could we.... I had planned on doing a full football team, but got tired after red hat number 5, so decided to make it a 5-aside football team. Before posting them up to Fruit Towers in Dublin, me and the Toddler had a bit of fun playing with the hats.
I posted a pic in the Big Knit Flickr group. The next thing I knew I was being ordered by Innocent Smoothies to post those hats to Dublin ASAP. Why? So, the menfolk in the office could have a game. Now, I'm all up for a bit of fun, but did you see what they were doing with my hats? Hey, those hats are for keeping old people warm this winter, not for you young pups to be messing in the office, time-wasting, when you should be working... If you don't know what I mean, just look here at them roughing up my cute little hats....
Heres my Topez Hat
Anyway rant, over back to the Big Knit. Sitting with the boyfriend, him laughing at the latest few hats (or so he says, but I'm beginning to get suspicious about the laughter, is it really the hats or is it me?). I thought about who buys Innocent Smoothies. I know they are very very good for you but they're not the cheapest, so you'd want to be really needing those few extra vitamins for that price. Its not just girls is it? So, I got to thinking about the fellas, what fellas buy them? So, you are a healthy male, you earn a few bob, in days gone by you would have been a stockbroker or carpenter, but now they're all out of work its hard to know. There is some luxuries people will not be giving up, money or no money, and I thing Innocent Smoothies are one of those. I'm not here to advertise Innocent, (except on the day the hats are for sale, but getting back to what I was trying to say about several sentences previous before I went off on a tangent), I thought those healthy blokes, who buy the Smoothies on a regular basis, they are going to walk into their local Topez (plug, plug) shop on the day the Big Knit Sale starts, and be confronted by a row of fluffy, colourful, cute hats. Now, take a carpenter for example, hes fit as f..anything, and he's all manly in his work clothes, trusty hammer by his side. He is NOT going to buy some cute fluffy hat. The girls will be humming and hawing over which is the cutest to buy, and the guys, that guy, will be humming and hawing over what one NOT to buy. He is not going to walk up to the counter with a fluffy, cute hat on his smoothie. Is he? So, in the interest of manly men out there, I decided to create some manly hats. Now living with a MAN UTD nut, I, unfortunately know a little bit about football. (Yes I understand the offside rule, and occasionally curse the Ref before he does......). It doesn't matter if its cute and fluffy, if its manly football colours. So asking his advice I went about making a football team. He said most teams are either blue/white or red/white. I would have done some GAA colours except I don't know where the hats are going, and we couldn't have Tyrone colours in Kerry now could we.... I had planned on doing a full football team, but got tired after red hat number 5, so decided to make it a 5-aside football team. Before posting them up to Fruit Towers in Dublin, me and the Toddler had a bit of fun playing with the hats.
I posted a pic in the Big Knit Flickr group. The next thing I knew I was being ordered by Innocent Smoothies to post those hats to Dublin ASAP. Why? So, the menfolk in the office could have a game. Now, I'm all up for a bit of fun, but did you see what they were doing with my hats? Hey, those hats are for keeping old people warm this winter, not for you young pups to be messing in the office, time-wasting, when you should be working... If you don't know what I mean, just look here at them roughing up my cute little hats....
Heres my Topez Hat
Croczilla
So, guess what new thing I've made!
No, its not another Sackboy/Sackgirl, although there are still a million possibilities to be explored there. Instead I've made a mask for Sackboy. I saw Sackzilla, a picture on Flickr and just had to have a go at making it! I was in a rush and just glanced at the pic, then plonked down on the couch, and started to crochet. As usual I didn't have the right coloured wool, and didn't want to head upstairs to get some green wool for fear of waking the child. (I have become to love, no need, no DEMAND, this child-in-bed, on the couch, crochet in one hand, alcohol in the other, crap TV, evenings). ((No I'm not an alcoholic, I do try keep to my allowed, well just over, my allowed daily units)).
I think a scientific study should be done into why it is easier to crochet while watching crap TV. If I'm crocheting and not watching TV, I'm concentrating too much and make mistakes. If I watch good TV, hard enough to do with RTE, but if occasionally TG4 has something decent on, I make mistakes because I'm watching the telly, and not concentrating enough. But judging by the latest IG Nobel Prizes, it could be a sound scientific study. This years IG winners include studies on Armadillos in Archaeology, Ovulating Lap-dancers, and my personal favourite, Spontaneous Knotting of an Agitated String. So, my theory is perfectly in keeping with these. (Do these people actually get paid to do this kind of research, no wonder we're in recessionary times).
As Wendy said in Peter Pan, it was "her breathing time", when the Lost Boys were all asleep and she could relax and darn socks. Though if anyone has ever darned boys smelly socks, I'll doubt if they will agree about that being relaxing. So I started making it with red wool. It looked awful in red, so I did a search of the sitting room and found a ball of green behind the chair and started again. For some reason I thought it was a crocodile. Then a day later, halfway through making it and another quick glance at Flickr and I realised it was some sort of dinosaur. Well, Sackzilla, I should have guessed. So, its a mutant crocodile/dinosaur, which by all accounts is keeping within the spirit of the actual game. Of course I under-estimated how much wool I would need, and since I always make things in the evening, not when the wool shop is open, I had to resort to using another shade of green. This was found much easier than the first ball of green, upstairs, in daytime and daylight. So here's my mutant two-toned Croczilla Mask for Sackboy!!
No, its not another Sackboy/Sackgirl, although there are still a million possibilities to be explored there. Instead I've made a mask for Sackboy. I saw Sackzilla, a picture on Flickr and just had to have a go at making it! I was in a rush and just glanced at the pic, then plonked down on the couch, and started to crochet. As usual I didn't have the right coloured wool, and didn't want to head upstairs to get some green wool for fear of waking the child. (I have become to love, no need, no DEMAND, this child-in-bed, on the couch, crochet in one hand, alcohol in the other, crap TV, evenings). ((No I'm not an alcoholic, I do try keep to my allowed, well just over, my allowed daily units)).
I think a scientific study should be done into why it is easier to crochet while watching crap TV. If I'm crocheting and not watching TV, I'm concentrating too much and make mistakes. If I watch good TV, hard enough to do with RTE, but if occasionally TG4 has something decent on, I make mistakes because I'm watching the telly, and not concentrating enough. But judging by the latest IG Nobel Prizes, it could be a sound scientific study. This years IG winners include studies on Armadillos in Archaeology, Ovulating Lap-dancers, and my personal favourite, Spontaneous Knotting of an Agitated String. So, my theory is perfectly in keeping with these. (Do these people actually get paid to do this kind of research, no wonder we're in recessionary times).
As Wendy said in Peter Pan, it was "her breathing time", when the Lost Boys were all asleep and she could relax and darn socks. Though if anyone has ever darned boys smelly socks, I'll doubt if they will agree about that being relaxing. So I started making it with red wool. It looked awful in red, so I did a search of the sitting room and found a ball of green behind the chair and started again. For some reason I thought it was a crocodile. Then a day later, halfway through making it and another quick glance at Flickr and I realised it was some sort of dinosaur. Well, Sackzilla, I should have guessed. So, its a mutant crocodile/dinosaur, which by all accounts is keeping within the spirit of the actual game. Of course I under-estimated how much wool I would need, and since I always make things in the evening, not when the wool shop is open, I had to resort to using another shade of green. This was found much easier than the first ball of green, upstairs, in daytime and daylight. So here's my mutant two-toned Croczilla Mask for Sackboy!!
Friday, October 10, 2008
Sackboy and Sackgirl
I still haven't managed to take photos of the stuff I'm going to sell on Etsy. After all my talk, getting my logos, writing out my shop policies. Its silly really, but I've been very very busy working on another project. Sackboy
I made one a few weeks ago, but then I had folk on Ravelry and even emails asking me for the patterns, we got into this whole should we/should we not share free patterns to a character owned by Media Molecule and the mighty Sony Corporation! I'm sure once the game is out, there will be all sorts of plushies and other related stuff to buy. (If you haven't heard of Sackboy yet, its a new PlayStation game, Little Big Planet)
Would it be worth being sued, losing my possessions, future income? Probably yes, as the car isn't worth that much, and chances are, especially with the way things are going, there wont be future incomes!! So, I've been painfully writing my first ever proper pattern. Yes I wrote the hat patterns, but they were easy. This was a huge effort, since I'm not that good at following patterns, its stands that I wont be good at writing them!! I did it, it could be completely wrong, but I think I did it.
Here's my first Sackboy, he has an open mouth and tongue, but I just couldn't write how I made that bit, so I started on a second pattern, a bit smaller (less writing).
I've made a generic one with a closed mouth that can be used to make Sackboy and Sackgirl. The only difference between them, apart from the colour is the eyes. I added a white and black patch to Sackgirls eyes. Now they look cute enough like this, but a little bit naked.
And this is where the fun begins. In the game, the characters get to change their clothes. So, I provisionally worked with Sackgirl, I think her costumes are easier...
I have a plan for Sackboy, I've seen a great pic on Flickr of him with a crocodile mask. I don't know if I'll be able to do it, but with enough crap on RTE you can just about make anything...
Theres a group on Ravelry for Little Big Planet (of course, theres everything on Ravelry!!), and I posted a pic there. That's where we were having the chat whether or not we can share the pattern. The Mod of the group is married to a programmer in Media Molecule, and when she saw the pic she emailed it to her husband, who showed it to others around the office. AND THEY LIKED IT!!!
Talk about a compliment. I am so chuffed....
...then in the same day, I got a responseto one of the emails I sent to Media Molecule, asking whats the story. The word is, I can't sell the pattern or the toy. That's fair enough, I wasn't expecting to be able to, but they're going to talk to Legal to see if I can give it away for free. I did offer to give it to them so they can give it away, so please don't ask me for the pattern. Start a campaign, email Media Molecule, and tell them you want the pattern!!
I made one a few weeks ago, but then I had folk on Ravelry and even emails asking me for the patterns, we got into this whole should we/should we not share free patterns to a character owned by Media Molecule and the mighty Sony Corporation! I'm sure once the game is out, there will be all sorts of plushies and other related stuff to buy. (If you haven't heard of Sackboy yet, its a new PlayStation game, Little Big Planet)
Would it be worth being sued, losing my possessions, future income? Probably yes, as the car isn't worth that much, and chances are, especially with the way things are going, there wont be future incomes!! So, I've been painfully writing my first ever proper pattern. Yes I wrote the hat patterns, but they were easy. This was a huge effort, since I'm not that good at following patterns, its stands that I wont be good at writing them!! I did it, it could be completely wrong, but I think I did it.
Here's my first Sackboy, he has an open mouth and tongue, but I just couldn't write how I made that bit, so I started on a second pattern, a bit smaller (less writing).
I've made a generic one with a closed mouth that can be used to make Sackboy and Sackgirl. The only difference between them, apart from the colour is the eyes. I added a white and black patch to Sackgirls eyes. Now they look cute enough like this, but a little bit naked.
And this is where the fun begins. In the game, the characters get to change their clothes. So, I provisionally worked with Sackgirl, I think her costumes are easier...
I have a plan for Sackboy, I've seen a great pic on Flickr of him with a crocodile mask. I don't know if I'll be able to do it, but with enough crap on RTE you can just about make anything...
Theres a group on Ravelry for Little Big Planet (of course, theres everything on Ravelry!!), and I posted a pic there. That's where we were having the chat whether or not we can share the pattern. The Mod of the group is married to a programmer in Media Molecule, and when she saw the pic she emailed it to her husband, who showed it to others around the office. AND THEY LIKED IT!!!
Talk about a compliment. I am so chuffed....
...then in the same day, I got a responseto one of the emails I sent to Media Molecule, asking whats the story. The word is, I can't sell the pattern or the toy. That's fair enough, I wasn't expecting to be able to, but they're going to talk to Legal to see if I can give it away for free. I did offer to give it to them so they can give it away, so please don't ask me for the pattern. Start a campaign, email Media Molecule, and tell them you want the pattern!!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
My Etsy Dream!!
I've been humming and hawing about this for a while. I love Etsy, theres nothing like it for finding patterns, and inspiration, the courage to do the things you're afraid the people around you might hate/think is mad. I love Ravelry, but sometimes I get a bit bogged down with all the wool, and love looking at the illustrations, posters, and other trinkets on Etsy. My apologies if if you haven't heard of either of the above, I'm new enough to blogging to know how it feels when you haven't a clue what they're on about.So, I've put appendages/appendices what ever they're called, below for links and explanations.
I'd love to have an Etsy shop, but what would I sell, will I have the time, will I be able..? I'm not the settling down kind of gal, I can't make the same thing over and over again. I have a horror of repetition, I cant make socks because there's two of them, I hate jumpers because, well, the front, the back the sleeves, so pretty much most of it. I did try knit a jumper last winter, but that was when I discovered I was knitting plain stitch wrong, hence my aversion to knitting. I have been practising though, those Innocent Smoothie hats have been great for getting my knitting practise in. So, I don't feel as bad about knitting as I used to. I have started to learn how to write patterns, I could sell those, but its hard. Especially coming from someone who hates following patterns.My craft addiction is starting to take over my life and definitely my pocket, with no monetary rewards. I don't think I can take the pain of telling my boy when hes all grown up I spent his child allowance on wool, and books, and posting Travelling Scarfs back and forth across Europe. I don't thing he'd appreciate it...
Now I've taken the Handmade Pledge, its really gotten me thinking about the whole situation. So, I've decided to take it one step further. Not only am I now only allowed to buy handmade, I am now taking the pledge that I have to earn it to spend it. To keep going I need to become a seller. So, yes, I am going to open my own Etsy Shop. I've had some wonderful banners designed, and now all I need is something to sell... There's nothing up yet, so don't bother looking yet (I know you weren't going to bother, it just felt good to think I might have someone interested, in fact there probably isn't even a you, who's reading this!!)
So, here's my new fancy smancy banners. Big thanks to Adam of Majassive Designs, (the poor lad had to sieve through this blog looking for inspiration), check out his Etsy shop
Now I have to get off this darn computer and start making things to sell!
Heres a link to my empty Etsy shop
(apologies links not working at the mo for some reason, will fix!)
Etsy is a large online shop where everything is handmade. Where people like me can sign up to buy and sell handmade items, without website costs, its like Ebay without the bidding. If you've taken the hand-made pledge, this makes life a lot easier!
Ravelry is the huge textile community, though its mostly knitting and crochet. A haven for finding like-minded wooliness.
I'd love to have an Etsy shop, but what would I sell, will I have the time, will I be able..? I'm not the settling down kind of gal, I can't make the same thing over and over again. I have a horror of repetition, I cant make socks because there's two of them, I hate jumpers because, well, the front, the back the sleeves, so pretty much most of it. I did try knit a jumper last winter, but that was when I discovered I was knitting plain stitch wrong, hence my aversion to knitting. I have been practising though, those Innocent Smoothie hats have been great for getting my knitting practise in. So, I don't feel as bad about knitting as I used to. I have started to learn how to write patterns, I could sell those, but its hard. Especially coming from someone who hates following patterns.My craft addiction is starting to take over my life and definitely my pocket, with no monetary rewards. I don't think I can take the pain of telling my boy when hes all grown up I spent his child allowance on wool, and books, and posting Travelling Scarfs back and forth across Europe. I don't thing he'd appreciate it...
Now I've taken the Handmade Pledge, its really gotten me thinking about the whole situation. So, I've decided to take it one step further. Not only am I now only allowed to buy handmade, I am now taking the pledge that I have to earn it to spend it. To keep going I need to become a seller. So, yes, I am going to open my own Etsy Shop. I've had some wonderful banners designed, and now all I need is something to sell... There's nothing up yet, so don't bother looking yet (I know you weren't going to bother, it just felt good to think I might have someone interested, in fact there probably isn't even a you, who's reading this!!)
So, here's my new fancy smancy banners. Big thanks to Adam of Majassive Designs, (the poor lad had to sieve through this blog looking for inspiration), check out his Etsy shop
Now I have to get off this darn computer and start making things to sell!
Heres a link to my empty Etsy shop
(apologies links not working at the mo for some reason, will fix!)
Etsy is a large online shop where everything is handmade. Where people like me can sign up to buy and sell handmade items, without website costs, its like Ebay without the bidding. If you've taken the hand-made pledge, this makes life a lot easier!
Ravelry is the huge textile community, though its mostly knitting and crochet. A haven for finding like-minded wooliness.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Innocent Smoothie Cowgirl Hat
First, we have Cowgirl. With her trusted steed by her side, shes pretty in a pink (and red) chenille, this baby is hot to trot: .I used a 3mm hook, and scrap chenille
American Version:
Abbreviations:
ch-chain
sc-single crochet
slst-slip stitch
Ch 2
Row 1: 6sc into the 1st ch (6)
Row 2: 2sc into each st (12)
Row 3: *(2sc into next st, 1 sc), repeat from * (12)
Row 4: *(2sc into next st, 1 sc), repeat from * (24)
Row 5-9: sc in each (24)
Row 10: change to red: sc into each (24)
Row 11: change to pink: sc in each (24)
Row 12: *(2sc into the next st, 1 sc)* repeat from *, slst to the top of the 1st sc
Row 13 *(2sc into the next st, 2 sc)* repeat from *, slst to the top of the 1st sc
Row 14: *(2sc into the next st, 1 sc)* repeat from *, slst to the top of the 1st sc
Fasten off and weave in the ends
English Version:
Abbreviations:
ch-chain
dc-double crochet
sc-single crochet
Ch 2
Row 1: 6dc into the 1st ch (6)
Row 2: 2dc into each st (12)
Row 3: *(2dc into next st, 1 dc), repeat from * (12)
Row 4: *(2dc into next st, 1 dc), repeat from * (24)
Row 5-9: dc in each (24)
Row 10: change to red: dc into each (24)
Row 11: change to pink: dc in each (24)
Row 12: *(2dc into the next st, 1 dc)* repeat from *, sc to the top of the 1st dc
Row 13 *(2dc into the next st, 2 dc)* repeat from *, sc to the top of the 1st dc
Row 14: *(2dc into the next st, 1 dc)* repeat from *, sc to the top of the 1st dc
Fasten off and weave in the ends
Innocent Smoothie Cloche Hat
Next, we have Cloche, in chenille, these gals show their true colours. Smooth and Innocent. I used a 3mm hook.
American Version
Abbreviations:
ch-chain
sc-single crochet
slst-slip stitch
Work in continuous rounds for the base of the Hat
Ch 2
Row 1: 6sc into the 1st ch (6)
Row 2: 2sc into each st (12)
Row 3: *(2sc into next st, 1 sc), repeat from * (12)
Row 4: *(2sc into next st, 1 sc), repeat from * (24)
Row 5-10: sc into each (24)
Row 11: *(2sc into next st, 1 sc), repeat from * (35)
Row 12: *(2sc into next st, 2 sc), repeat from * (47)
Slst into the top of the first sc. Fasten off
Band
Work 30 ch. Fasten off, leaving a long length for sewing onto the hat
Flower
Ch 2
Row 1: 6sc into the first ch
Row 2: 5 ch, (sc into the next st, 3ch), repeat * 5 times (24)
Fasten off, leaving a long thread for sewing onto the hat
To finish
Sew the band and then the flower onto the hat. Weave in the ends
Abbreviations:
ch-chain
dc-double crochet
sc-single crochet
Work in continuous rounds for the base of the Hat
Ch 2
Row 1: 6dc into the 1st ch (6)
Row 2: 2dc into each st (12)
Row 3: *2dc into next st, 1 dc), repeat from * (12)
Row 4: *2dc into next st, 1 dc), repeat from * (24)
Row 5-10: dc into each (24)
Row 11: *2dc into next st, 1 dc), repeat from * (35)
Row 12: *2dc into next st, 2 dc), repeat from * (47) Sc into the top of the first dc.
Fasten off and sew in the ends
Band
Work 30 ch. Fasten off, leaving a long length for sewing onto the hat
Flower
Ch 2
Row 1: 6dc into the first ch
Row 2: 5 ch, (dc into the next st, 3ch), repeat * 5 times (24)
Fasten off, leaving a long thread
To finish
Sew the band and then the flower onto the hat. Weave in the ends
Innocent Smoothies Baseball Caps
Last but not least, these boyos are the street range. Heavy in cotton, wool and the little lady pink. I used a 3mm hook regardless of yarn type.
American Version
Abbreviations:
ch-chain
sc-single crochet
slst-slip stitch
Work in continuous rounds for the base of the hat
Ch 2
Row 1: 6sc into the 1st ch (6)
Row 2: 2sc into each st (12)
Row 3: *(2sc into next st, 1 sc), repeat from * (12)
Row 4: *(2sc into next st, 1 sc), repeat from * (24)
Row 5-10: sc into each (24)
To work the Brim:
Row 11: 5 sc, 2sc into the next st, 3 sc, 2sc into the next st, 3 sc, slst into the next 2sts
Row12: 1ch turn, skip 1st, slst into the next 2 st, 3 sc, 2sc into the next st, 4sc, 2 sc into the next st, 3 sc, slst into the next 2 st.
Fasten off and weave in the ends
Optional:
To neaten off the brim re-join the wool at the back of the cap and do 1sc in each st all the way around. Slst to the 1st. Fasten off and weave in the ends
English Version
ch-chain
dc-double crochet
sc-single crochet
Ch 2
Row 1: 6dc into the 1st ch (6)
Row 2: 2dc into each st (12)
Row 3: *(2dc into next st, 1 dc), repeat from * (12)
Row 4: *(2dc into next st, 1 dc), repeat from * (24)
Row 5-10: dc into each (24)
To work the Brim
Row 11: 5 dc, 2dc into the next st, 3 dc, 2dc into the next st, 3 dc, sc into the next 2sts
Row12: 1ch turn, skip 1st, sc into the next 2 sts, 3 dc, 2dc into the next st, 4dc, 2 dc into the next st, 3 dc, sc into the next 2 st.
Fasten off and weave in the ends
Optional:
To neaten off the brim re-join the wool at the back of the cap and do 1dc in each st all the way around. Sc to the 1st st. Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Crochet Conversions
It has come to my attention that when it comes to crochet definitions I, somehow, have managed to cross the waters without realising. I now Crochet American style. Probably because most of the patterns and books I have come from the US. So, to clear up this mess, with regards to my Innocent Smoothie Hat Patterns, I've decided to re-write them in BOTH versions. I did say expect some tweaking, as they are my first patterns. My apologies to any English Stylists that may have gotten confused...So in case I've done it wrong again, here's some conversion tables, and if that fails, here's some links to read all about it.
www.crochet.about.com
www.crochetpatterncentral.com
Steel Hook Conversion Chart
www.crochetpatterncentral.com
| | English |
| Single Crochet (sc) | | Double crochet (dc) |
| Half double crochet (hdc) | | Half treble (htr) |
| Double crochet (dc) | | Treble (tr) |
| Triple crochet (trc) | | Double treble (dtr) |
| Double triple crochet (dtrc) | | Triple treble (trtr) |
| Triple triple crochet (tr trc) | | Quadruple treble (q[aud] trc) |
| Skip (sk) | | Miss |
| Slip stitch (slst) | | Slip stitch (ss) or single |
| Gauge | | Tension |
| Yarn over (yo) | | Yarn over hook (yoh) |
Steel Hook Conversion Chart
| US | | MM |
| 1 | 3/0 | 3 |
| 2 | 2/0 | 2.5 |
| 3 | 1/0 | |
| 4 | 1 | 2 |
| 5 | 1 1/2 | |
| 6 | 2 | 1.75 |
| 7 | 2 1/2 | 1.5 |
| 8 | 3 | 1.25 |
| 9 | 4 | 1 |
| 10 | 5 | 0.75 |
| 11 | 5 1/2 | |
| 12 | 6 | 0.6 |
| 13 | 6 1/2 | |
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
First Patterns!!
I've finally put a few patterns together. They are all specially designed for the smaller head. We're not even talking Gnomes here, but Pixies, Fairies and Innocent Smoothie bottles. Here's my latest collection from the Big Knit Range.
I used a 3mm hook to make these. When doing amigurumi, you tend to use a hook the next size down than recommended on the wool, so I probably did it with these patterns as well. A lot of my yarn comes from charity shops, and if the label is missing, I cant say what it is, what size needle/hook that I should have used. So, I would say hooks 3-4mm should be ok, depending on the yarn you use.
First, we have Cowgirl. With her trusted steed by her side, shes pretty in a pink (and red) chenille, this baby is hot to trot:Work the base in continuous rounds for the 1st 10 rows.
Ch 2
Next, we have Cloche, again in chenille, these gals show their true colours. Smooth and Innocent.
Work in continuous rounds for the base of the Hat
Ch 2
Last but not least, these boyo's are the street range. Heavy in cotton, wool and the little lady pink.
Work in continuous rounds for the base of the hat
I used a 3mm hook to make these. When doing amigurumi, you tend to use a hook the next size down than recommended on the wool, so I probably did it with these patterns as well. A lot of my yarn comes from charity shops, and if the label is missing, I cant say what it is, what size needle/hook that I should have used. So, I would say hooks 3-4mm should be ok, depending on the yarn you use.
First, we have Cowgirl. With her trusted steed by her side, shes pretty in a pink (and red) chenille, this baby is hot to trot:Work the base in continuous rounds for the 1st 10 rows.
Ch 2Row 1: 6sc into the 1st ch (6)
Row 2: 2sc into each st (12)
Row 3: *(2sc into next st, 1 sc), repeat from * (12)
Row 4: *(2sc into next st, 1 sc), repeat from * (24)
Row 5-9: sc in each (24)
Row 10: change to red: sc into each (24)
Row 11: change to pink: sc in each (24)
Row 12: *(2sc into the next st, 1 sc)* repeat from *, slst to the top of the 1st sc
Row 13 *(2sc into the next st, 2 sc)* repeat from *, slst to the top of the 1st sc
Row 14: *(2sc into the next st, 1 sc)* repeat from *, slst to the top of the 1st sc
Cast off and sew in the ends
Next, we have Cloche, again in chenille, these gals show their true colours. Smooth and Innocent.
Work in continuous rounds for the base of the HatCh 2
Row 1: 6sc into the 1st ch (6)
Row 2: 2sc into each st (12)
Row 3: *2sc into next st, 1 sc), repeat from * (12)
Row 4: *2sc into next st, 1 sc), repeat from * (24)
Row 5-10: sc into each (24)
Row 11: *2sc into next st, 1 sc), repeat from * (35)
Row 12: *2sc into next st, 2 sc), repeat from * (47)
slst into the top of the first sc. Cast off
Band
Work 30 ch, cast off leaving a long length for sewing onto the hat
Flower
Ch 2
Row 1: 6sc into the first ch
Row 2: 5 ch, (sc into the next st, 3ch), repeat * 5 times (24)
Cast off, leaving a long thread for sewing onto the hat
Last but not least, these boyo's are the street range. Heavy in cotton, wool and the little lady pink.
Work in continuous rounds for the base of the hat
Row 1: 6sc into the 1st ch (6)
Row 2: 2sc into each st (12)
Row 3: *2sc into next st, 1 sc), repeat from * (12)
Row 4: *2sc into next st, 1 sc), repeat from * (24)
Row 5-10: sc into each (24)
To work the Brim
Row 11: 5 sc, 2sc into the next st, 3 sc, 2sc into the next st, 3 sc, slst into the next 2sts
Row12: 1ch turn, skip 1st, slst into the next 2 st, 3 sc, 2sc into the next st, 4sc, 2 sc into the next st, 3 sc, slst into the next 2 st.
Cast off.
To neaten off the brim re-join the wool at the back of the cap and do 1sc in each st all the way around. Slst to the 1st st and cast off. Sew in the ends
These are my first ever patterns, and there's bound to be a few tweaks needed. Please leave a comment or email me if you find any problems with them. They were all made on a 3mm hook using up scrap yarn, so feel free to experiment with wool and hook sizes. These were made and designed for the Innocent Smoothie Big Knit campaign. Feel free to use or distribute them if you are taking part in the Big Knit, just please acknowledge or link back to me.
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