crochet
Winding a Center Pull Ball of Yarn by Hand - Video Tutorial
In this video Megan LaCore of www.theartofmegan.com shows you how to hand-wind a center pull ball of yarn from a hank. Though this technique is shown with a handmade hank of yarn, any kind of yarn wrapped in any preparation can be wound into a center-pull ball with this method.
Cabled Cowl - Crochet pattern
Over Christmas break, my husband Mark and I were watching a TV show with my mom about knit and crochet cables. I enjoy elegant details in my work, and loved the thought of crochet cables. However, I wasn't a big fan of how they worked their cables, and ideas started running through my head on how to create my ideal crochet cable.
I pictured this design as a cowl, because by design cables act a bit like ribbing, and a tube of ribbed fabric makes an excellent neck covering, which is perfect for the rainy winter months in the San Francisco Bay Area. The tiny scalloped top edging can also be omitted for a more masculine look.
Hook size H
Gauge: 7 sts by 10 rows = 2 inches
Yarn: On Line Linie 208 Nature-Wool
Weight: Bulky / 12 ply (7-8 wpi)
Pattern:
Row 1: Ch 78, sl st into first st to join in the round, being careful not to twist sts.
Row 2: Turning foundation chain over, ch 1, then sc 77 into back loop of chain. Sl st into first st to join in the round.
Row 3: Ch 2, dc 77, sl st to join.
Row 4: Ch 2, dc 1, *(dc 4 into front of post, dc 2)* 12 times, dc 4 into front of post, sl st to join.
Row 5: Ch 2, dc 1, **(sk 2, dc 2 into front of post, cross in front of work and dc 2 into front of post of skipped sts, dc 2 into 2 following cabled post sts)**, sk 2, dc 2 into front of post, cross in front of work and dc 2 into front of post of skipped sts
Rows 6 - 8: Repeat row 4
Row 9: Repeat row 5
Row 10 - 12: Repeat row 4
Row 13: Repeat row 5
Row 14 - 15: Repeat row 4
Row 16: Repeat row 5
Row 17 - 18: Repeat row 4
Row 19: ch 1, sc 77
Row 20: Repeat row 16
Row 21: (Sl st, ch 3, sk st, sl st), repeat to end of row, slipping last st into first st. Pull tail straight up through final st.
Weave in ends. Block to shape.
Making T-Shirt Yarn - Recycled Craft Supplies
The holidays are here, and it's time to spread the good cheer. Why not make an effort this year to reuse and recycle as many of your gifts as possible?
Today I'll be showing you how to make t shirt yarn, which is great for creating custom yarns, from slim to bulky weight, that can be made into any number of great home decor or fashion gifts.
First, collect t shirts. Specifically, you want a tube knit shirt with no side seams for the best results. Harvest shirts from your give-away pile, your friends' or family's cast-offs or closets (after asking, of course!), or from thrift stores. If you opt for the last option, this is a case where bigger is better. Hit up the men's sections first, heading straight to the xxxl's if possible. Bigger shirts will get you more yardage for the same amount of money.
Wash and dry all shirts when you get them home. Next, we dissect.
Begin by cutting off the hemmed portion of the t shirt as close to the stitching as possible. From there, cut a spiral strip from the bottom edge of the t shirt all the way up to either the armpit area of the t shirt or to the printed design, whichever comes first.
The thickness of your strip will determine the thickness of your yarn, but be careful not to cut down to less than a quarter of an inch strip or you won't be able to stretch your strips into yarn.
Here's one 3xl shirt, cut into 1 continuous strip, before stretching.
Begin stretching the strips between both hands by pulling the strip lengthwise. This works with the properties of a knit stitch to curl the cut ends of the fabric in on the strip, creating a rounded piece of fabric that is easy to work with and looks smooth. Continue pulling the strip until the entire length of the fabric has been stretched.
Here's the same 3xl t shirt after being cut and stretched, waiting to be rolled into a ball.
Here's my original pile of t shirts after being cut, stretched, and wound into balls. As you can see, I've already started crocheting them into a Christmas-colored rag rug. The rag rug was raffled off at the Our City Forest Eco-Holiday Craft Fair, and now has a happy new home!
Enjoy your new yarn, and enjoy making a green impact on our world!
Leaf Crochet Embellishments - Crochet Pattern
Materials
Main Color (MC), Contrasting Color (CC) in worsted weight
crochet hook in 2 sizes between E-G
Tapestry Needle for weaving in ends
Scissors
Large Leaf:
Use largest hook.
With MC, ch 11, turn to back, skip 1 and sc 10 into single back loop of chain
sl st across short edge without turning
ch 2, sk 2, tc inc 2, dc 2, hdc 2, ch 2, sk 2, ss 2, ch 3, ss 2, ch 2, hdc 2, dc 2, tc inc 2, ch 2, sk 2, ss into beginning st of the row
cut end, pull up through working loop to tie off, leaving tail long enough to sew with or to weave in, as desired.
With CC, pick up a loop at the base of the leaf and sc a decorative line up the foundational center chain of the leaf. cut end and pull up through working loop, then through top loop of leaf. Weave in end on the underside of the leaf.
Small leaf:
Use smallest hook.
With MC, ch 7, turn to back, skip 1 and sc 6 into single back loop of chain
Sl st across short edge without turning
ch 2, sk 2, dc inc 2, hdc 1, ch 2, sk 2, ss 2, ch 3, ss 2, ch 2, hdc 1, dc inc 2, ch 2, sk 2, ss into beginning st of the row
Cut end, pull up through working loop to tie off, leaving tail long enough to sew with or to weave in, as desired.
With CC, sc all the way around the edge to tip of leaf, ch 3, then sc around to bottom edge. Ss into first CC st, then cut end and pull through working loop. Weave in end.
With MC, sc all the way around to the tip of the leaf, ch 4, then sc around to bottom edge. Ss into first MC st, then cut end and pull through working loop. Weave in end.
Tags :
Button Closure Contrast Edge Plain Headband - Crochet Pattern
Materials:
Worsted weight yarn,
(Here I'm using Knit Picks Shine Worsted in Laurel for mc, Grass for cc)
Size G hook, or necessary hook to achieve gauge of 4.5 to 5 sts=1 inch
Tapestry needle for weaving ends
Scissors
Crochet Embellishments (optional)
Body of Headband:
ch 5,skip 1 and sc 3 into the back of the chain
ch 1, sc 3, catching the last loop on the row below into the final sc (continue this at the end of each row), 4 rows
ch 1,sc inc 1 into next 2 sts, sc 1
ch 1, sc 5, 2 rows
ch 1, sc 1, sc inc 1, sc 3
ch 1, sc 6, 2 rows
ch 1, sc inc 1, sc 3, sc inc 1, sc 1
ch 1, sc 8, 2 rows
ch 2, dc 8, 3 rows
ch 2, dc inc 1, dc 5, dc inc 1, dc 1
ch 2, dc 10, 20 rows
ch 2, dc2tog, dc 5,dc2tog, dc 1
ch 2, dc 8, 3 rows
ch 1, sc 8, 2 rows
ch 1, sc2tog, sc 3, sc2tog, sc 1
ch 1, sc 1, sc2tog, ch 3
ch 1, sc 5, 2 rows
ch 1, sc2tog into next 2 sts, sc 1
Button Hole:
ch 1, sc1, turn, 6 rows, pulling final loop big so to not drop stitches while working on other side
Using other end of the skein of yarn and starting on the outside edge, attach to row below by pulling up a loop, leaving enough tail end to weave in later
ch 1, sc 1, turn, 6 rows, cut tail long enough to weave in and then pull through the final loop
Pick up original loop
Ch 1, sc 3, 4 rows
Cut tail long enough to weave in and pull up through free loop, pulling tight.
Using one of the lower tails of yarn, weave to the inside edge of the button hole and up the inside edge to the center. Stitch one side at the center to the other inside edge of the button hole, turning one long hole into 2 button holes.
Contrast edge:
Pick up cc and sc all the way around the edge, sc inc 2 into each corner.
ss into first st, then cut tail and weave in ends
Match up ends to fit head, then sew on two buttons to tab end for closure.
Sew on crochet or fabric embellishments in a complimentary color scheme if desired.