Wedges Texture Crochet !

LATEST CROCHET PATTERN

Here is one of my latest crochet projects, the WEDGES Hat, it has kept me busy working out the design.

I wanted to create something totally different with a representation of where I live, something representing the sails on the boats down on the sea. I think I have found the perfect crochet stitch for it, don't you think?

YARN DETAILS

I found this 100% pure wool yarn in the local charity shop, in my favourite colour dark olive green. I then proceeded with crocheting this hat and then decided to include another wool yarn in blue, which I incorporated into the wedge pattern.

TRIAL CROCHET HAT

This is the first trial of the wedges texture crochet, and the more I look at it the more I think this would look really good in a neutral colour, cream or grey, or some other soft pastel colours. 

Actually, I am so convinced about the neutral colour, I think making the hat all one colour and allowing the textured stitch to display it's natural beauty would be perfectly stunning. I will definitely be giving it a try.

Then again you could also take this textured crochet stitch and use three (3) or maybe four (4) colours.  All worth contemplating and having a bit of fun with.

I just love the breeziness of this hat, perfect for those autumn days where you can wear a hat which allows your head to breathe a bit.

Future Crochet Patterns

Keep your eyes on future blogs when I introduce this pattern for sale in my online stores.

Enjoy!
Ciao, ciao!

Copyright © 2008

Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet.

All rights reserved.

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Crochet Magic Mobius in Red Mohair

Crochet Mobius in Red Mohair - Quick day project  

I used a 6mm hook with this yarn to give it a more condensed stitch and more weight.  You could easily make it using a 7mm hook. The red mohair yarn is a 8ply or DK but crochets up thicker than the Jaeger Mohair DK I used in the pink mobius scarf. (see previous blog post)

That is why it is a good practice to always crochet a swatch with the hook and yarn you have chosen for a project. When experimenting with yarns and hooks I would always advise you make two or three swatches using different hook sizes and maybe a slightly different stitch, just to see how the yarn feels and how it hangs and how much stretch it is likely to have. 

I wanted this mobius to be a bit longer in length than the pink mobius, so made the first row 52ins long and the final width was 12.5ins wide without the decorative edge. (approximately 14.5ins wide with edge).

I think this is going to be my Christmas scarf.  I love wearing something red or green for the Christmas period.  Will definitely make a pair of mittens to match.

Mobius around neck twice

I am not sure how much yarn I used because it came off a large spool which I found at the local charity shop.  I could weigh it but I don't have any kitchen scales, so if I go by what I used for the pink mobius which used up 3 balls x 50g - then you could say it would take 3-4 balls x 50g of this yarn.  But that's just an estimate.

Yes I am into recycling in a big way lately, the local charity shops in my little town of Tankerton, in Kent, UK seem to carry an interesting variety of yarns.  

However one must peruse these shops at least 2-3 times a week to snap up the bargain yarns before they are carried off by the competition!  

So to keep it short and sweet..

Top - smooth; bottom - fluffy

If you check out this photo, you can see how the mohair mobius scarf ends up - you can definitely see the two different sides of the mobius scarf.  The mobius scarf reveals the two sides or directions of the mobius - there is a fluffier half  and a smoother half of the crochet scarf, like having a top and a bottom, because they represent the two directions you are crocheting when crocheting a mobius from the middle row.  The fluffiest side is always on the opposite to the side facing you whilst crocheting.

Ciao Ciao!

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Crochet Mobius Scarf

HOW TO CROCHET A MOBIUS STRIP

“Briefly, the shape of the Möbius Strip dates back to ancient times.  The Möbius strip or band is a surface with only one side and only one boundary component. A model can easily be created by taking a paper strip and giving it a half-twist, and then joining the ends of the strip together to form a loop.” (extract from Wikipedia website http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moebius_strip )

To interpret this description of a mobius strip into crochet, you just crochet a strip and then give it a half-twist and join the ends to form a loop, which leaves you with a visible join in the strip.

However, the alternative to this, is to crochet a mobius band by crocheting in continuous rounds, with the twist already in place, and without a joining seam.

You may call it an infinity scarf or a twisted cowl, but whatever you call it, it is a wonderful accessory and quite versatile. It can be made long or short, wide or narrow, using any yarn and hook, using any pattern stitch, changing colours and finishing with a decorative edge.  The choice is always yours, there is so much scope for you to really get as creative as you like.

I made my first crochet mobius scarf some years ago when I was selling my crochet items at the Spitalfields Markets in London.  So when it came to making the current pink mobius scarf I had quite a time locating my pattern notes. Thankfully I had kept them, which is why I thought it would be great to share them with you here.

PINK MOHAIR MOBIUS SCARF

I decided to make this scarf just long enough to sit comfortably around my shoulders. I had my husband take a measurement of me, at chest level, with my arms by my sides, giving me the circumference of the scarf, so it would drape over my shoulders.

SCARF DETAILS

YARN:  Jaeger Mohair DK

HOOK: 6mm (J-10)

MEASUREMENTS: 127cm (50in) circumference; 30.5cm (12in) wide

You can make any size you like, make it shorter to sit comfortably around your neck, or make it really long.  There are no strict sizes. So have some fun and let the creative juices flow.

Q.  WHO was the PERSON to DEVELOP this CROCHET MOBIUS METHOD?

A.  Design concept by Mirjam Bruck Cohen, Israel (For more information on Mirjam Bruck Cohen see her website http://fibersiv.net/ ) 

In my crochet notes I had written down the name of the person who designed this amazing crochet method for the mobius scarf.  I was really interested in finding out more about her, so I contacted Mirjam and with an exchange of emails, came the explanation of how Mirjam came to develop this innovative pattern. 

Therefore with Mirjam’s permission, I am posting her original idea which she posted on FFcrochet (during the time she belonged to the group):

HOW TO CROCHET MOBIUS 

Good Morning Croladies!!!

The crochet Moebious I made was calculated by me , without any help and before a nice Belgian lady Ria taught me the knitted `no seam` version.

In fact I have been exposed to those Paper moebiouses, but only when I read Elizabeth Zimmermann`s "Knitting Around", School House Press , 1997 [4th press] , did I see any suggestion to use it as a Shawl .

I liked the idea in general, but was not so keen on the `false' seam.

After looking at a paper version and thinking about the concept, I was sure that one should be able to make it in one piece, from the center out.

I discussed it with my friend the mathematician, and played with possible `turning` points.

I realized that when one starts with a basic chain it is not so easy to turn it, so decided to start with a Basic Double Crochet row (Dc cast on] [USA term = treble UK term]

DC [USA] cast on:

Make 3 st , make 1 Dc in the first st, make next dc in the lowest loop of the bottom part of the last dc go on like that until you have the wanted length.

Now comes the trick, lay flat on a table so that all the dc row is straight, take the 1st dc and turn , make a SC [USA] on the bottom part, of the first Dc , put a marker, now make a Half Dc, in the bottom of the second dc , make Dc on the bottom of third Dc and work Dc from now on all the bottom side of the 1st row, when you come to the marker you might decide to make some lacy pattern.

Both sides will show thus upper of the row will show one side of the crochet and underside will show other side of the crochet , but it is and looks and feels like one piece .... Mirjam




I am grateful for Mirjam to share her knowledge with us all and ever so humble for her having given me permission to share her pattern here. 

Once you get familiar with the concept you will find it so easy to introduce your own pattern stitch and create amazing accessories. Come along and have some fun!

Enjoy!
Ciao, ciao!

Copyright © 2008

Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet.

All rights reserved.

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CROCHET links for mobius:  Magical Mobius Scarf   and Crochet Mobius - How to Start

KNITTING links for mobius: Garn Studio Drops Design “Mobius Shawl in Alpaca”
Cat Bordhi “Intro to Mobius Knitting” video

Jaeger Mohair Scarf

Mobius Crochet Magic

Here is my new crochet project, a lovely mohair scarf/shawl, using the crochet mobius technique. The Jaeger yarn is so light and easy to work with, and to keep the fabric soft and stretchy a 6mm hook was used which also made it a lot easier to see those "hairy" stitches.

Watch this HOW TO START video, so you can get a quick start with the beginning of the shawl/scarf.  

PATTERN DETAILS:

Abbreviations - USA American Crochet Terms

ch = chain

sc = single crochet

hdc = half double crochet

dc = double crochet 

st or sts = stitch or stitches

sl st = slip stitch

Yarn: Jaeger Mohair 3 x 25g balls
Measurements:  127cm (50in) circumference; 29cm (11.5in) wide (without the decorative edge)
Hook: 6mm (J-10) 

Begin with a chainless dc foundation row:

Ch 3, yo, and insert your hook in the first chain, *yo, draw up a loop, and chain 1. 

This ch1, is where your next dc stitch will be worked into. 

Finish your first dc, yo, draw through two loops on hook, and yo, draw through two loops on hook again.  Yo, insert hook at the base of last dc. Repeat from * until you have reached the length you desire.

Joining:

When you have crocheted a foundation row to the length you desire 

• make sure you keep the row straight 

• bring the two ends together

• then twist the beginning of your work

• sl st into the bottom of beginning ch3 (not the top) 

• sc into the next st  

• hdc into the next st

• dc into the next st and remaining sts around

• at the beginning of the round, work a dc into the top of the beginning ch3

• there will be a hole where the twist was made, it can be stitched up with the yarn tail upon finishing

• work dc into every stitch until it is the desired width

Finishing:

• count the number of rows either side of base chain

• you need to have the same number of rows either side

• once you have the width you desire, and same number of rows either side

• on the last row into the last 3 stitches, work hdc, sc and sl st.

Edging:

You can now edge the scarf with an edging pattern eg. fan stitch or change colour and finish with a contrast edge.  Your choice.

If you want to edge with a decorative pattern stitch

• place a marker at your last st

• count the number of dc’s around the edge

• then decide on the edging pattern which will suit 

• some patterns may need multiples of 4, 5, 6 or 8 stitches

• I used a basic fan stitch and needed multiples of 4 

Fan Stitch:

Ch1, sc into same space, *skip 1, 5dc into next st, skip 1, sc into next st, repeat from * to end, sl st into 1st sc.

Finish and hide ends.

Enjoy!
Ciao, ciao!

Copyright © 2008

Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet.

All rights reserved.

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Rowan Yarn - Scarf, Hat, Mittens

It's just amazing how fast a week can pass and how little crocheting I have done, obviously there have been other things on my plate. Needless to say, I am totally over this dreaded URTI which has been hanging around for way too long now, coming on 5 weeks, aargh! OK that's enough moaning, let's be positive and focus on happiness, which means focusing on crochet of course. 

I am so happy with the outcome of my new crochet project - keyhole scarf, mittens and the honeycomb lattice beanie hat. I couldn't decide on a contrast colour and thought I would try something different from what I would normally choose, something like the grey or the berry? but in the end I stuck to my favourite colour purple.

AND here is the finished product - olive keyhole scarf, a kind of mini basketweave stitch, with a purple trim, and all my own design. I decided on this mini basketweave stitch as I was trying to complement the lattice  hat, and not match it exactly.

ALSO it took me ages to work out the sizing for the honeycomb lattice beanie, I only had some old shorthand notes for the lattice stitch and trying to decipher my ancient scribbles was a bit more than a minor headache. Anyway, now I have a honeycomb lattice pattern which I can use anywhere. woo hoo!  

I designed the hat to be quite simple, beanie style, loose fitting, and a simple one row of single crochet in purple to finish, so it matches the scarf.

AND NOW I have just spent the last four (4) days,  designing these fingerless mittens to match the keyhole scarf and honeycomb lattice beanie.

YES it took me a while to figure out how to get the pattern right and how I wanted them to fit.

Of course that meant loads of trial and error, and loads of crochet and rip, until I manged to get it right, or basically until I was happy with the fit.

So happy, happy, happy! Late yesterday afternoon finished the first mitten, now going to make the second mitten and write down the pattern.

AND only God knows when I will actually have this pattern ready for release, so stay tuned. UPDATE - go to end of this blogpost for pattern shops.

JUST FOR A BIT OF FUN I have just tried using Picasa to compile a video with these photos and I've uploaded it to my Youtube account, so I could embed it here. Enjoy!

SWEETHEART Keyhole Scarf and Mittens Crochet Pattern

is available from my online stores:

CRAFTSY      LOVECROCHET   RAVELRY

Enjoy!
Ciao, ciao!

Copyright © 2008

Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet.

All rights reserved.

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How to Triple (Treble) Crochet

Wrist Warmers 2

At long last, my wrist warmers are now finished.


Actually they don't take long to crochet.

I have just been too, too busy for crochet ....

which is just unbelievable...









now must write up the pattern....

Mattress Stitch Seam

Basic "mattress stitch seam" can be used to finish your garments.

Wrist Warmers

 Wrist Warmers ... wrist warmers ... where have you been?

 I've been in the cupboard awaiting the queen....

and now she has risen ...                  
                                       I may finally get done...
                                                                                  soon to be worn by my cold mum.....

Travels over!

Travelling and touring with family members from Oz for three weeks has put my crochet and knitting on the back burner...

way back...

feels like the handcrafter in me existed in another life...

so for now...


I am in R E C O V E R Y mode...


from all the touring and sightseeing....

and the warmer weather (stinking hot weather)...

in London, Paris and Cambridge...


which basically did not help our touring days...


and now just able... just slightly able to start contemplating a small crocheting project....

thinking of some mohair wrist warmers maybe....

I know it is summer....

but whilst in Scotland I remembered how much I like the cooler weather...

and how invigorating it is....

and of course....

I have a few odd balls of mohair in varying colours so will start out with a trial pattern ....


have a few ideas just can't seem to decide which one to go for....???

wish me "creative inspiration"...