Legend of Papercraft
Posted by admin on Jan 24, 2010
Today I must give a huge OMGAWESOME! to Haywan Chiu over at papercraftmuseum.com. The patience and loyalty he has to the art of Paper Crafting really brings it to a whole new level.
Papercraft is a artform/craft that has its roots in Origami and model building. It is the printing off of patterns onto paper (usually carstock) and folding into shapes to form sculptures/action figures. The main difference from origami is the the paper is cut and glued. The paper is still folded to create the shapes.
Here are some examples of Paper Craft:
- http://www.nintendopapercraft.com/
- http://www.cubeecraft.com/
- http://papercraftparadise.blogspot.com/
Chiu’s new level of paper-crafting-AWESOMENESS – a life size Link :
http://www.papercraftmuseum.com/life-sized-link/
Check out his construction progress videos – they have great tips for anyone who wants to get started with easier cube-craft models or who are ambitious enough to tackle this 5 foot Link.
Cat toys
Posted by admin on Jan 16, 2010
I am purging and packing before my big move to West Virginia. In the process I have realized just how much yarn I have. I have vowed not to buy any new yarn until at least after the move. I am also looking for patterns to use up some of my yarn and especially my yarn-scraps.
I was in the pet store the other day and they had some organic fresh catnip on sale, so I decided to make a few cat toys.
The patterns for these are really simple.
Round Ball:
Start: Magic ring or Chain 2
- R1: Make 8 single crochets in the magic ring or in the 2nd chain from hook.
- R2: Follow this pattern around: 1sc in first ch, 2 sc in next chain ; join with single stitch to start of round (first chain) (so 1-2)
- r3: Follow this pattern around: 1sc in first ch, 1sc in next ch,
2 sc in next chain ; join with single stitch to start of round (first chain) (so 1-1-2) - r4: Follow this pattern around: 1sc in first ch, 1sc in next ch, 1sc in next ch, 2 sc in next chain ; join with single stitch to start of round (first chain) (so 1-1-1-2)
- r5: Single crochet all around
- r6: (switch colors if you want to make a band) single chain around
- R7&8, repeat r6
- r9: (return to first color) and single chain around
- R10-15: Repeat rows 1-5 but in reverse order and decreasing on the 2 stitch instead of increasing. So in example, R4 in revers would be sc in first ch, 1sc in next ch, 1sc in next ch, join next 2 chains together in 1 sc ; join with single stitch to start of round (first chain) (so 1-1-1-2together)
If you want to make a larger ball, just increase the pattern when you get to R5 instead of SC around – so in example, to increase the pattern, R5 would become (1-1-1-1-2), R6 (1-1-1-1-1-2) and so on.
The flat ball/catnip pillow is exactly the same pattern, except you place a row of single-crochet-around between each increase or decreasing rows.
You can add bells, or foil-paper, feathers, etc for embellishments. Remember too that Cats can see Blues, Greens and Yellows!
These got Skeeter’s approval:
Crochet Along
Posted by admin on Jan 14, 2010
A new Crochet Along group has started on Ravelry – Crochet a Groundhog!
Don’t trust the groundhog to give a early spring prediction? Make your own!
Click below
Epic Sweatervest
Posted by admin on Jan 11, 2010
O-M-G !
The creator is making a pattern – its knitt, so I am eventually going to try reblocking it in crochet
Here is a Scarf that does have a pattern from a different artist.
Xmas Gifts Revealed
Posted by admin on Jan 3, 2010
Happy New Year! Now that Christmas is over and my gifts have been given, I can post up what I made.
Gift 1: “Cafe” coat for my future mom-in-law
*Note: The sleeves on this cafe coat came out a bit shorter than I would have liked. They end at the elbows. They do not match the sleeves on the jacket in the image on the Lion Brand pattern. I contacted Lion Brand about it and they assured me the pattern is correct. I think the image is just incorrect. It still turned out lovely and the pattern was fun to work – its done in small pieces so i could do a little at a time. This was my first clothing item that required construction.
Pattern: Lion Brand Yarn Cafe Coat – Click Here
How it turned out:
Gift 2: Pillow Sham/Cover for future Gramma-in-law
*Note on pattern: This pattern is AWESOME! It was so much fun to work with. I originally planned to make a lap blanket, but I was not thinking and began with a vintage yarn (the green) from the 60s. I had no luck finding more than the 2 skiens I got from a mixed lot on ebay. When i realized I was going to run short, I turned it into a pillow sham instead. I loved that green yarn.
Pattern: Squared Wheel Stitch – Click Here for writtern. Pattern writer also has a great YouTube Channel with many tutorials – Click Here
How it Turned Out:
Gift 3: Hat for Michele
*Note on pattern – This is a pattern I wrote that has its base on a simple hat pattern in the December issue of Crochet Today magazine. I will give my pattern in a future post once I have it finalized. My pattern adds a separate adjustable cuff, ear warmers with ties, top puff and flower.
Base Pattern: “2 Hour Hat” pattern from Crochet Today magazine, December issue
How it Turned Out:
Gift 4: I also made a Hat for my Nat. I made his on another variation of the “2 Hour Hat” base from Crochet Today. I Prefer Hats with cuffs, so I added one.
I also made a Marshal University hat and scarf set for Nat’s Aunt Sandy, but I cant find any pictures of it… If I find them I will post them.
Cheers for now!
U.S. Quilt
Posted by admin on Dec 1, 2009
While I am not able to talk much about my own projects because most of them are destined to become Christmas gifts, I am able to discuss the projects of others.
Danielle at The Starving Art Journal has begun an ambitious project for a really great cause. She is putting together a mosaic quilt of all the states of the U.S.A. as a gift to her local children’s hospital. She is looking for volunteers to help her make the 5×5 squares. She is looking for at least one person per state.
I have signed up to do West Virginia, as I will be making that state my home in April of next year. I have some great ideas already. There are only a few rules – it has to be child friendly and child safe. I plan on making my square textured fabric and fur and fun stuff. She will mail you the 5×5 base to sew your square too, then you mail it back and she is assembling it. I will post my square design one i get it drawn out, and then the final product.
There are plenty of states still available, and she will let up to two people do a state. So head on over and have some crafting fun with States for a good heart warming cause.
I’ve Been Widwi’d!
Posted by admin on Nov 13, 2009
A while ago I stumbled upon a unique website called widwi - What I Did With It. I love it – it promotes the reuse of items in creative and often times useful ways – items that in most cases were on their way to the dump. I added the link to my blog.
Today I received an email from the widwi team. They have shared the link-love and have added my blog to their press page!
So if you are looking for ideas on how to creatively reuse and recycle, or if you would like to share your own “widwi” story, I recommend you take a look at widwi.com
Crochet Squared
Posted by admin on Oct 24, 2009
I haven’t been able to post much on the projects I have on the go because most of them are destined to become future Christmas presents for a few people who happen to read this blog from time to time. I decided to go ahead and give a bit of a peek at one of the projects. I wont say what it is, but it is made up of a series of different crochet squares.
The pattern is from Lionbrand.com. They have great free patterns, but I have trouble reading normal crochet patterns. I have to spend a little time reading them over and over, deciphering them and re-writing them in a pattern journal I keep. If you have trouble with patterns, or if you are having trouble getting started in more complex crochet than scarves, I recommend giving a pattern journal a try.
Here is the 1st patterned square in the original pattern text from Lionbrand:
MOTIF A (make 14)
Ch 6; join with sl st in first ch to form ring.
Rnd 1 (RS): Ch 3 (counts as dc), 15 dc in ring; join with sl st in top of beg ch – 16 dc at end of rnd.
Rnd 2: Ch 5 (counts as dc, ch 2), *dc in next dc, ch 2; rep from * around; join with sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch – 16 dc and 16 ch-2 sps at end of rnd.
Rnd 3: Sl st in first ch-2 sp, ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in same ch-2 sp, (ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-2 sp) 15 times, ch 1; join with sl st in top of beg ch – 48 dc at end of rnd.
Rnd 4: Sl st to first ch-1 sp, ch 1, sc in first ch-1 sp, ch 6, (sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 3) 3 times, *sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 6, (sc in next ch-1 sp, ch 3) 3 times; rep from * 2 more times; join with sl st in first sc – 4 ch-6 sp and 12 ch-3 sps at end of rnd.
Rnd 5: Sl st in next ch-6 sp, ch 2 (counts as hdc), (4 hdc, ch 2, 5 hdc) in same ch-6 sp, 3 hdc in next 3 ch-3 sps, *(5 hdc, ch 2, 5 hdc) in next ch-6 sp, 3 hdc in next 3 ch-3 sps; rep from * 2 more times; join with sl st in top of beg ch – 76 hdc, and 4 ch-2 sps at end of rnd.
Fasten off.
Here is my re-written pattern for the square: (size j (6mm) hook)
Start: Chain 6; join chains into a circle by single stitching into 1st chain.
Round1 :
- Chain 3 , then 15 Double Crochets through the ring:
- (yarn over, hook through circle, yarn over, pull through circle, yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over pull through 2 loops)
- This will give you 16 double crochets
- close the circle by single crocheting through 3rd chain on the 1st DC you made
Round 2:
- Chain 5
- *Double Crochet (dc) in between the first 2 double crochets in previous row
- chain 2
- Repeat from * around.
- Join the circle with single crochet in 3rd chain on your first ch5
Row 3
- Single crochet into the space between first 2 double crochets
- Chain 3
- 2 double crochets into same space as 1st single crochet. This gives you 3 double crochets in the space between the double crochets from previous row.
- chain 1
- Continue around with (3 double crochets – chain 1) in each space between the double crochets from previous row.
- Join with 2nd chain in the 1st 3chain you made on this row.
Row 4
- Special note: In this row-round you will be working the spaces between the clusters of 3 double crochets made in the previous round. Do not work between the the double crochets that make up the cluster of 3
- **Chain 6. Single crochet in the space after the 1st 3-double-crochet cluster of previous row.
- *Chain 3. Single crochet in space after the next 3-double-crochet cluster of previous row. repeat * 2 more times
- repeat ** and * the rest of the way round.
- This gives pattern of 6-3-3-3-6-3-3-3-6-3-3-3-6-3-3-3
- Join round in 2nd chain of original 6 chain.
Row 5
- Single crochet into the space below the 6-chain from previous row.
- Chain 2 (this is actually 1 half double crochet)
- 4 half double crochet into same space.
- chain 2
- 5 half double crochet in same space as previous 4
- this completes 1st pattern for this row that will go under every 6 chain from previous row: 5hdc -ch2-5hdc
- make 3 half double crochets (hdc) in the space under the 3-chain from previous row. do this again under next two 3-chains from previous row
- This brings you to your next 6-chain where you do 5hdc-ch2-5hdc
- Continue around in this pattern of 5hdc-ch2-5hdc under each 6-chain and 3hdc under each 3-chain from previous row.
- join in 1st chain from original chain2 on this row
- If making medium/large size end here (mine pictured below did) and bind off.
Double Crochet (dc) explained:
- yarn over, insert hook through space or chain, yarn over, pull through space or chain = 3 loops on hook.
- yarn over, pull through two.
- Yarn over again, pull through last two.
Half Double Crochet (hdc) explained:
- yarn over, insert hook through space or chain, yarn over, pull through space or chain = 3 loops on hook.
- yarn over, pull through all 3
Yes, its much longer, but I don’t go cross eyed reading it and I don’t have to remember what the sc dc hdc ext are – great for beginners. And here is how the square turned out:
I will post what the finished project is after Christmas. Cheers!
Crochet Today Christmas
Posted by admin on Oct 11, 2009
Its that time of year again to start thinking about Christmas. I have already started a few crocheted Christmas gifts. I also picked up the November/December issue of Crochet Today magazine. It has several great gift idea patterns and some unique patterns for Christmas decor. I picked it up for the crochet Gingerbread House pattern, but found many other great Cristmas and non-Christmas patterns inside.
The gingerbread house is really cute and the patterns are broken down into small pieces so you can work on it in short bursts. It is a great way to use up your scrap yarn you have (colors are whatever your imagination wants) and you don’t have to throw it away if it doesn’t get eaten! I have not started on it, but I am looking forward to it. I recommend this issue just for this very unique and great pattern.
There are also great patterns for a beautiful snowflake ornament, a tree skirt, earing, kids sweater, baby shoes, afghans and quite a few other projects. I don’t normally pick up crochet magazines because I can usually find great patterns online for free, but this issue is a keeper that has patterns that can be used again and again (and not just for Christmas).
Short Scarf Done
Posted by admin on Oct 6, 2009
I finished my Tunisian cluster stitch scarf tonight, or in other words I ran out of the wool I ordered from Ebay. I am happy with it over all, but it is a bit short than I like for my own scarfs. It would make a great children’s scarf though. I don’t currently know any kids … lol, so I may hang on to it for a while until I can find an opportunity to make a gift of it. Might make some matching accessories for it too.
In other news, I have decided to start an ambitious new crochet pattern for my next project. It is a wheel stitch blanket, but the pattern has been altered slightly to create a squared edge instead of a rounded circular pattern.
If you are interested in learning more, I recommend you check out the detailed video found here.